Meeting After Hours

With most scientific meetings, there is a reasonable amount of flex-time.  During some of the down time, I was able to go to the Chicago Museum of Art which was utterly amazing.  There were far too many things to mention them all, but I especially enjoyed the Impressionists that I was able to see in real life, and also the Armor Room which featured many beautiful suits of armor (for man and for horses as well) from the Middle Ages.  Seeing them in person helped the Middle Ages feel far more real than in photos and images in books. 

Drinking also is a fairly frequent activity at most of these meetings.  This particular meeting, however, was not one that a lot of my close, pipe-smoking friends from other U's attend, so I did not even bother to bring a pipe or tobacco with me as I did not think I would have need to consider indulging with a friend or two. 

But, I did have a couple of beers one of the evenings at the meeting.  I was surprised, but also not surprised that having the couple of beers had me craving a pipe.  I guess the bit of surprise was that the craving was quite intense, so much so that it seemed sort of pointless for me to bother finishing the third beer I had, since I had no pipe nor pipe tobacco with me, and I figured the desire would only further strengthen if I had finished the third beer..... so I left the bottle half-full at the bar and meandered back to the hotel.

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I Have Returned

I have returned from the meeting in Chicago.  It was a very nice meeting and my talk was well received.    I had some very nice food, including a very interesting vegan hamburger restaurant as well as eating at the original Uno Pizzeria in Downtown.  The laptop I borrowed from the U on the trip did not function particularly well so I was not on-line much.  The little bit I was on, was through my phone which did not lend itself to posts here very easily. 

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Limited Access

I will be having limited access to a computer the next few days as I am going to present some of my research at a meeting in Chicago.  I may be able to post a bit through my phone if possible.

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Beard and Mustache Update

I have worn a beard and mustache continuously for many decades now.  My wife, nor my kids have ever seen me without facial fur.  But, until about a year-and-a-half ago, I was rather meticulous in keeping my beard and mustache pretty short (about 1 inch in length).  

But, about a year-and-a-half ago, I decided to see how my beard would progress naturally, and I have liked the results.  My beard is very curly (almost "afro-like") and does not droop or even move in the wind.... so it looks quite full.  I have been getting a surprisingly number of complements from folks about my beard and mustache since I let it grow fuller.... lots of students.... and even a number of folks I see about town.... they will stop me and comment positively about it.  It is strange, but nice to have folks I do not know, stop me to tell me something nice like that.  It is full like the guy in the photo above. 

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Hanging Pictures - Conundrum

I have always been rather gunshy about hanging pictures, photographs, paintings, etc. in and around my home and office.  It is not because I dislike having the art work around, and in fact I have a lot of it.   My difficulty is that I have this strong trepidation I have to overcome when I need to make a hole in a wall to put in a nail or screw to hold the image.  For some reason, I feel anxious when I mar a clean, pristine wall with a hole.... probably because I worry I will  "mess it up" and make things worse. 

But, I am forcing myself to put up a lot more of the pictures and photos, and paintings that my wife and I have recently acquired that I have been putting off.  I want to do this for her and for myself.  But, it is surprising to me how much mental energy it takes me to put those holes in the wall. 

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17 Months

Yesterday marked my completion of 17 months without smoking a pipe.  I still feel quite indifferent about the "accomplishment".  I wish I was enthused or excited,  or "proud" of this accomplishment like I do feel about my running and my exercise efforts.  Each time I hit a new goal in running I feel motivated.  That has not happened yet with the pipe refraining.  I *did* feel happy about refraining when it was a part of my Lent effort, but after Lent concluded.... indifference. 

But, at the same time, it is not particularly difficult or challenging to refrain anymore.  Sure, there are times that I really think a pipe would be wonderful and mentally rewarding and pleasant.  And, I *do* very much miss smoking a pipe with my various deceased pipe smoking "buddies" (especially my father and father-in-law). 

I do not know what will transpire now in regards to my pipe smoking.  To go back would be wonderful for its innate pleasures.... but filled with melancholy as I would be alone in the endeavor.  To continue to refrain would be best in terms of health and in terms of society... but is also immersed in a bit of melancholy.... because I can remember how it once was. 

For some reason, this sort of "no-man's-land" I find myself in has me hearing two songs playing in my mind "Nowhere Man" by the Beatles, and  "Horse With No Name" by America both seem to reverberate in my thoughts when I think of where I am at today:

Nowhere Man

Horse With No Name

That is about it for me today, I guess.

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EPA

One of the saddest things to occur in the last few years as a scientist is how the current US Administration has in many ways decimated what was arguably one of the most valuable scientific, governmental institutions around... the Environmental Protection Agency.  For those of you who may not be particularly familiar with this agency, I have copied below some boilerplate history of the agency:

* * * * *

"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government for environmental protection. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970  and it began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order. The order establishing the EPA was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate. The agency is led by its Administrator, who is appointed by the President and approved by Congress. The current Administrator is former Deputy Administrator Andrew R. Wheeler, who had been acting administrator since July 2018. The EPA is not a Cabinet department, but the Administrator is normally given cabinet rank.

The EPA has its headquarters in Washington, D.C., regional offices for each of the agency's ten regions, and 27 laboratories. The agency conducts environmental assessment, research, and education. It has the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing national standards under a variety of environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments. It delegates some permitting, monitoring, and enforcement responsibility to U.S. states and the federally recognized tribes. EPA enforcement powers include fines, sanctions, and other measures. The agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a wide variety of voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts."

* * * * *

Since its inception, it has been IMO the closest thing to a governmental agency that was not political that we have ever had in the US.  It was very science focused and really was primarily focused on the common good.  I always felt it represented how we *could* as a people, do something pretty correctly. 

Unfortunately, the EPA is now a former shell of itself.  It has very unfortunately been reduced to a political tool.... and is only a ghost of its former scientific self. 

If you would like to be saddened, look at this article about some of the environmental changes that have occurred in the last two and a half years:

Article Showing Some Environmental Changes

It is very disheartening from a scientific perspective.

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1500 Mile Checkup

I am needing to get another pair of running shoes.  My current pair has served me well for a little over 1,500 miles (~2400 km).  This is longer than recommended (most running folks suggest to get a new pair every 500 miles (~800 km).  I try to wait one full year between pairs, and my current pair is a year old now and they really are pretty worn out.

But there are two different conundrums..... one.... I purposefully wait to try to have my shoes last as long as possible because they are SO VERY DAMN EXPENSIVE.  Last year, my pair of running shoes cost around $120 !!!!!  They *are* thought of as good quality shoes for runners, and as such, I thought it was important enough for me to try to avoid injury, to get what is considered a good brand for running.... so I bit the bullet and paid that outrageous sum.  But, I sure as hell do not want to do it very often.  My work shoes (one black and one brown pair) each cost about $55 dollars and I usually wear them for 5-6 years before getting new ones.  And, truth be told... most of my “knock around shoes”  for when I am not working or running are usually of the “el cheapo” $20-$25 dollar range.

The second conundrum is that (as you may have figured out) I do not really like change very much.  And, so, when I started running and bought my first pair of "real running shoes" (aka... damn expensive shoes)... I have wanted to keep getting the same style as the initial pair worked well.  Well, of course, that was a few years ago.... and stupid shoe companies like to make new models and styles.... and my current shoes have been a discontinued model now last year and this year.  I have been searching for the shoe this year.... and the ONLY pair I can find so far in this discontinued model for my clod-hopper sized feet (size 12) is in a horrendous shade of PURPLE.    So, now I have to weigh the risks and benefits..... do I go with an ugly as sin pair of discontinued shoes that I know will fit and wear well, but I will have to be having garish purple feet for the next year.... or do I stress and fret about trying out the current, newer model (actually two model categories up as the one that replaced my style has also been discontinued this season for a newer version).... and worrying that it will not fit my feet as well and may make running harder... and I will be stuck with them for a whole year?

So, I am not sure what I will do.

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Cemetary

As has been my usual pattern most every week for a few decades now, I made a late afternoon journey kitty-corner across the county in which I live to visit the large, old, Catholic cemetery to take a walk and visit the markers and gravestones of my many relatives and friends who have passed who are now buried there.  It is not the only cemetery in our county, nor is it even the only Catholic cemetery.... but it is the one that houses many more of my relatives and friends who have passed.  The last time I tried to count, I think that there are at least 35 relatives and another 25 or so friends who are buried there.  It is an enormous cemetery.   I always visit my parents and now my father-in-law.  But, I often visit other relatives and friends as well. 

Since I had taken the pipe with me yesterday, I carried it around with me at the cemetery.  I felt a bit foolish doing so as it was empty.  But, it felt nice to hold it while I walked, but it also felt sad.

I walked around, visiting the headstones and markers for probably an hour and a half... talking to my relatives.  As I got back into my vehicle and started to head out, I thought of the little bar.  And, leaving the cemetery, within a minute or so, I had reached the bar.  For whatever reason, there were probably close to 10 vehicles in the little bars' parking lot..... and for how small the place was,  that was a lot.  It seemed too crowded for me to want to stop, so I just drove on by and listened to some Art Farmer, Louis Hayes, and Miles Davis on my long journey home.  

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A Beer and a Pipe

It has been damn near 17 months now since I gave up my pipes.  During this time of refraining from the pipe, I also came to realize that my drinking has gone down to pretty much zero as well.  I have never been a big drinker by any stretch of the imagination.... but I so very much enjoyed having a drink or two with my elderly father-in-law on Friday as we smoked our pipes. 

I have also always kind of "known" that for me, drinking is "ok" as far as it goes.... but truth-be-told, when I did have a drink or two (or more on those rare occasions).... I did so.... mostly in the joyful anticipation of how the drinks would enhance everything I loved about smoking my pipe.  First, the pipe tobacco would feel significantly stronger after a couple of drinks.  Second, the ritual and process of filling, tamping, lighting, and smoking the pipe as well as the knocking out of the ashes afterwards to refill the bowl again.... all the tasks would take on a more "noticable" form and would require a bit more concentration so I would be more "observant" and more "present" during the process.  This too was wonderful. 

Without my elderly father-in-law to share this activity with, I no longer have a "drinking buddy" to hang out with.  That is sad. 

But during the last few days, I have been having dreams of being at a bar and chatting and talking and smoking my pipe.  Now, that really is NOT my personality.  I have never been a "bar" sort of person, nor one who is particularly "chatty" in regards to talking with folks I haven't met. 

But, it has had me thinking, and I have been thinking when I go on my trip across town to visit the cemetery this week (it happens to be something I plan to do today, this week)..... I have mulled over in my head stopping in a little run-down bar that is near the cemetery and having a beer, and perhaps sitting out back and smoking my pipe.  I know that since my state no longer allows indoor smoking, that this little run-down bar has a couple of picnic tables out in their back for folks to smoke.

Not really sure if I will do this or not, but I did put a pipe, lighter, and pouch of tobacco in my vehicle when I left for the U this morning.

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Creativity Type

While working, I was in Adobe and was given the opportunity to take a "creativity quiz" to find out about my creativity.  If you wish to take this quiz too, it is located at:

https://mycreativetype.com

My apparent "type" of creativity is supposed to be... according to this survey:


The Thinker ("Deep Thoughts" & "Big Questions")

• Creative Strengths: Intellectual curiosity, ability to find and create meaning
• Untapped Potential:  Bridging theory and practice, applying ideas in real life
• Ideal Collaborator:  The Adventurer

For the Thinker, the examined life is truly the only one worth living. Ever the perpetual student, you experience the world as an endless opportunity for learning, discovery, and truth-seeking.
Driven by an insatiable intellectual curiosity, the THINKER makes the quest for knowledge and truth a lifelong pursuit. With all those big questions and abstract thinking, you’ve got some serious electrical activity going on in that brain of yours! Few things satisfy your inquisitive mind more than a well-formulated question or an elegant solution, and you’re content to spend much of your time alone, studying topics that fascinate you and engaging with your inner world of ideas.
Your greatest gifts are your sense of wonder and depth of perception. You can see the big picture and the deeper meaning of almost any situation in a way that few others can. Your biggest challenges? Getting out of your head and learning to balance theory with practice. Try not to get too caught up in concepts and abstractions, dear THINKER. Great ideas are meant to be brought to life.
Seek out the company of ADVENTURER types, who provide the perfect counterbalance to your introspective and analytical nature. The infectious energy and playful spirit of the ADVENTURER remind you to embrace the joys of creation—and to not be afraid to get your hands a little dirty in the process.


Who knows?  This may be just a bunch of bologna. 

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Up North on the 4th

Yesterday was July 4th, which of course was a major holiday in the US.  For most July 4ths ever since I married my wife, it was customary to spend the 4th at the little, remote cottage my in-laws have which is a few hours north of where we live.  It is the same small, remote cottage that had been where we would have Deer Camp each November for countless years. 

We were at the cottage for the day with the kids, one of my wife's siblings and my elderly mother-in-law,  It was nice. We ate a considerable amount of traditional picnic fare.... hot dogs, potato salad, etc.  We talked.  I went for a walk with the kids. 

But, I very much felt the loss of my elderly father-in-law.  We usually spent much of the day chatting with each other, moving things around in the yard, building a bonfire.   We would often have a few drinks and of course several pipes.  I miss his friendship.

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Happy 4th!

A Happy 4th of July to all of you.  We are heading north for the day.

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Running Update

It has been an interesting week of running thus far:

1.  Monday was 92 degrees Farenheit (33.3 degrees Centigrade) and I pushed myself to run 7 miles (11.3 km) in 59 minutes!!!    That equates to my mile average pace for the total seven miles of being UNDER 8:45 a mile!   For me, that is pretty damn good! (The actual average was 8:42.).

2.  Tuesday it was much nicer in the very early morning (daybreak) when I ran.... only 74 degrees F (23.3 degrees C).  But, less than five minutes into my run..... we had the start of a very heavy rain/downpour that lasted for the remainder of my run.  I *did* complete my 5 full miles (8 km) though!

3.  This morning, it was raining lightly during the run.  A very nice 5 miles though!

I strongly encourage you to sample this WONDERFUL Jazz song on YouTube.  It is only a few minutes.... but it will invigorate your mind...... at least it does mine:

New Dehli -  by Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Legacy Band

If you end up listening to the song.... tell me what you think.

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Loose as a Goose

I apologize for being away for a bit.  My computer has been being a bit persnickity and I lost a couple of posts that I had been nearly finished writing.... which had me feeling like avoiding the computer.  The first loss I attributed to a momentary power outage, and the second one had me thinking the computer was failing.  But, I believe I found the real culprit and it was a loose cord on the back of the machine.  I believe I must have loosened it and nearly pulled it out while I was moving the desk around to clean a while back.... and that is most likely what has accounted for the challenges.  It has been working faithfully now since I firmly reattached the power cord. 

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