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Living and Figuring




I think I am in a stage right now where I am trying to simply live and figure things out. That may not sound so Earth shattering, but it does help me to simplify what it is I am doing moment, day-to-day.

A. On the front of smoking my pipe. I am trying to figure out what my next approach/strategy will be. In the mean time, I am trying to limit my indulgences in pipe tobacco to three specific times each day that I enjoy the most:

1. Driving home from work.
2. At the start of the evening.
3. Right before bed.

I am still thinking through many ideas about smoking my pipe and whether or not I should adopt this strategy or that. But when it gels over the next few days, I will report back.

B. On work... I am trying the "busy bee" approach. Just simply plowing in to tasks the moment I arrive and working to get as many things off my plate as possible. This means I am not really interacting with most folks (other than the students in my classes), but that is not really all bad. I think it will allow me to get caught up/ahead and that will help me feel less stressed.

C. On the home front... I am also trying to adopt a more "busy bee" approach, where I try to work on at least one or two small tasks each day in the various projects I have that have been languishing. I am also going to use the "busy bee" approach to handle my wife's sleepiness. Almost like clockwork, within a half hour or hour at most after sitting down for the evening (after the tasks are done with dinner and other family matters), she falls asleep. This can be 8pm, or 9pm, or 10pm. It does not really matter how soon we get to the point of sitting down to relax and enjoy each other's company for the evening. Instead of getting sad or down about her going to sleep (which is my natural inclination, as I want company, conversation, and fun at that time... to me it is the time I look forward to every day to get to spend time with her), I am going to simply start using that time for the tasks and projects I need to do. It will give me a better mindset, will not have me getting as frustrated and hurt by her sleeping, and who knows, it may eventually allow me to pursue a hobby or two I haven't had time for.

D. Walking and Exercise... I am still walking every day. I am not sure of the exact number (will have to figure it out again), but I am right around 750. I went to the gym again this morning after having not gone in roughly 3 weeks. I really should go every weekday like I have planned, as it is very helpful to me emotionally and physically. My posture is better, and I feel stronger when I go. I let my stress and sad mood get the best of me in regards to the gym and in effect punished myself. I am going to start keeping "tabs" (day measures) on how many weekdays I consistently go the gym. Perhaps it will help me like measuring my days of walking with missing a day have.

PipeTobacco