I like the sun
I like the rain
I like how the day
smells this way
I like the breeze
that’s sometimes a wind
I like the scents
that tease and spin
I like the hours passing me by
and the time spent
with no one asking me why
Walking Stream
finer
warmer
than yesterday
what was said who said it
the laughs the looks surprise
at the party
good pizza
okay cake
email Zee ’bout Mowgli
and Jeff?
good conversation
Goodwill the shoes clothing
televisions?
they work
don’t know if they’ll take them, need to check
old modems, other junk, have to check
Goo-goo Dolls
“Name”?
first heard in New Hampshire ninety-five
turn your mind
writing time
Pram with Kything – done
conversation on Wrinkle, unknown
Pram with red-beard, about to begin
how much more until this thing ends?
The rest is waiting to be written.
Tweaking My Amygdala
After reading about how doing exercises in imagining positive outcomes can affect the influence of right amygdala and reduce your fear, anxiety, and worry, I decided to do such an exercise while walking today in preparation for my writing session.
In the exercise that I read and remember most sharply, people were asked to imagine that they were Superman. Bullets bounced off them. They could fall off cliffs and not be harmed, which made sense, as they could also fly.
So often, it’s my own doubt and lack of confidence that undermines me and my writing efforts. Like many folks, the impostor syndrome shadows my life, with the attendant fears that I have no talent, intelligence, or ability (sound familiar, writers?), and that exposure as a fraud is imminent. I wanted to counter those effects with positive visualization. Of course, I don’t know how I’ll measure the impact of what I did. I awoke feeling pretty damn confident, optimistic, and hopeful (I know – I exist with a complex dichotomy of feelings and thoughts), and I write almost every day, regardless of my mood. What I really need is a team to test me, check on my amygdala, and give me updates. Barring that happening, I’ll assume it’s working and drink my coffee.
Coffee always helps.
Almost always.
Time to write like crazy, at least one more time.
Dangerous!
I like to go down stairs as fast as I can, like I’m a little kid. Doing this the other day, I startled two elderly women as they came around the corner to go up the steps. Apologizing, I explained what I was doing.
“Oh,” one said, and I moved on. As I did, I heard her companion say, “What’d he say?” Then I heard a brief exchange, and one said, “That’s so dangerous.”
Yes, that’s me, Dangerous Michael.
Count
Word count
Step count
Money count
Vote count
I thought it was the thought that counts.
A Fitbit Update
I’d been doing well, averaging nine miles a day of walking for the last three months through the end of January. I was able to walk ten miles on two to three days a week throughout January. Then, well, you know, we’re people. Shit happens. Plans get upended. People get sick.
I had to travel, and the travel from Oregon to Pennsylvania and West Virginia eroded my progress. There was an ill person and a death, and mourning, grief, and then a service. Very drily put. More travel to return home, and then, illness. Things didn’t work out. My average plummeted to six miles. Damn.
The Fitbit’s reports left me dubious about how valid it all was. For example, it showed that I walked seven miles and up eighteen flights the other day, but I had just twenty-four minutes of activity. The previous day, I walked six miles and twelve flights, but had over one hundred minutes of activity. That just seems out of kilter.
Anyway, now on the recovered side of the cold, and the weather is warming. Begin again.
Six Days, Seven Nights
I’m feeling so much better today. The cold seemed to have taken a cruise of my body for six days and seven nights. They really seemed to party in my eyes, for that was the worse day and lasted almost two days. The cold briefly ported in my chest at the end, and barely visited my throat in the beginning. Although I didn’t walk and exercise as much as desired, I wrote every day. There was no vomiting, and bowel movements were normal. Severe coughing only struck the last two days. As illnesses go, it was pretty mild and short, and I consider myself fortunate that I feel almost completely well today.
Thanks for indulging me as I complained about it. Time to write like crazy, at least one more time. Cheers
Reluctant Day
Today can’t decide if it’s spring or winter in southern Oregon. The sun is exhibiting spring friendliness but that wind has a winter bark and nip. The rest of the area seems reluctant to take sides. We humans stay cautiously busy, waiting for the day to make up its mind.
January Fitbit Update
Managed to continue averaging eight miles per day in January. I hope I don’t jinx it, but I’ve started Feb. strong. I achieved nine miles per day on two days, one day when I reached ten, and none under eight.
Of course, it is only February fifth….
Walk on.
(Which makes me think of the 1973 David Essex tune 1973.)
Michael Seidel, writer 