Fans

 

Usually, around this time of the year, the subject of fans comes up between me and my wife.  Fans are of significant importance, it may surprise you, when you live in a two story home with air conditioning (AC) .  It was a surprise to me, when we bought our two story home (both our earlier one and also our current one).  

In a one story home, if you have air conditioning, the air conditioning rather easily tends to distribute quite evenly.  But, in a two story home, even in ones that have had a lot of adjustment to regulate air flow in different zones..... the second floor is ALWAYS going to be more warm than the first floor.   This is especially true in a climate like ours that is also very, very humid.  

So, compromise has to occur..... either you run the ac to be comfortable in the first floor and a bit warmer in the second floor......or you OVER-RUN the AC to make the upstairs comfortable, the first floor can be OVERLY cold.  And, of course this would also be OVERLY costly as well.  

So, my wife and I sometimes are not "on the same page" about how to set the AC.  As you may correctly surmise from the above, I lean towards the "just run the AC enough to keep the first floor pleasant" grouping....whereas my wife tends towards feeling it is " H O T " all the time upstairs.  

So, in our compromise, we have fans to help in circulation of air in our house.  We have used them for decades.  BUT.... there has been an incongruency about FANS as well.  I am "somewhat" (according to my wife, "quite") noise sensitive.  In the above images, the middle fan is akin to what we have had several of in our house over the decades (the simple box fan).  

To my manner of thinking, that type represented the "typical" fan.  For comparison purposes, look at the old General Electric fan from the 1950 and 1960s (bottom image).  I have the fan that is just like this..... still running beautifully in my garage.... it was "the fan" I grew up with in my parent's home.  Note the similarities to the middle image (other than the modern variant (middle image) is cheaper, very plastic focused).  

So...... at night when we go to bed.....I WANT to turn the "noisy as hell" box fan (middle image) off, because the whirring of the motor and blades.....is (to me at least) very loud.  My WIFE wants the fan to be set to the very highest (and MOST noisy) setting because she feels " H O T ".  For many, many years, this was a routine debate...... what to do with the fan at night?!?!?   Our usual compromise is to have the fan on, but at its lowest (LESS noisy) setting.   The fan is still noisy to me and my wife still reports feeling rather " H O T " but it has been the pattern.  

Until a couple of weeks ago, we never thought there would be a better solution to this conundrum.  Until we thought of the cock-eyed looking fan pictured above (top image).  We of course, had both seen these style of fans around places the last several years, but initially they seemed awfully damn goofy, and rather "too trendy" for words.   It seemed the only folks who had them were "high-falutin" types who were trying to show off their status.... because these things come with a whole helluva lot of bells and whistles...... remote controls, ability to be ran by an app on a gizmo phone, more temperature settings than I have digits, and timers, and settings to "mimic" nature even.   It seemed pretty silly to me.    I was of the opinion...... "What the hell would that fan really do of value, that the good, old "box" fan wouldn't?!?"  

Well....

In looking at one in a big-box store the other day, I started fiddling with it, just to put it through its motions.  And, I was AWFULLY DAMN SURPRISED..... that the fan, even at its very highest setting..... was as quiet as a church mouse!!!!!!!   And, it blew a very substantial amount of air.... much more so than I ever anticipated!!!!!!!

We NOW have one in our bedroom.  The big-box store did not have access to the same fan in a different color variant that would better suit our bedroom..... so we ordered a second fan (white) from Amazon.  When it arrives, the one we bought at the big-box store will find its permanent home in our Family Room (where my wife and I have had similar "discussions" as we had about the bedroom, above.

I admit it.... I was wrong about the "crazy" upright tube, gizmo fans. 

I have to dash off to class now.  I had hoped to also write about a beautiful pipe dream I had.  Maybe I will get to write about that tomorrow.  It was both absolutely transfixing and beautiful.... but also melancholia inducing.  

PipeTobacco 

Keeping In Mind

 

I am trying to keep a lot of things in my mind that I can sometimes EASILY ignore or forget.  The major thought I am working to keep at the forefront of my mind is that EXERCISE in the morning REALLY does help to make my day much better.  

Why would I not "remember" that truism?

• I often wake up feeling like I just DO NOT WANT to do any damn exercise.  
• I am usually somewhat "groggy" at the start of the morning (5:00am - 5:30am), as I rarely awaken of my own volition, but instead wake up via the clanging sirens of my damnable phone (the especially loud alarm that sounds like the sound to hide in bomb shelters due to impending nuclear annihilation.  You can listen to it by clicking this link. )
• I probably go to bed too late in the evening (usually ~11:30pm - midnight) after I read a bit, so I may just simply want more sleep.

BUT, the last several days I have been FORCING myself back into my consistent exercise routine that ended up faltering somewhat during my working through plantar fasciitis a while ago.   I stupidly allowed myself some "leeway" (aka damned laziness) in terms of when and IF I did exercise for a while, and I devolved into an irregular pattern.

I feel so much more alert, so much more energetic, and so much more tranquil...... AFTER I complete my morning exercise.  I am still, at this time, having to FORCE myself to do it, as it is not simply routine as it had been.... but (hopefully, fingers crossed) soon it will once again just be my normal routine again.  

Today, I ran 8 miles outside, then while I waited for my wife to get ready (our kid who had to get his car repaired a bit ago, had to return the vehicle to the shop due to one part that was delayed in shipping.... and he is again using my wife's car today).... I ended up cutting some wood pieces (dowels, some blocks, and a few other pieces) on my chop saw so that I could do some building in the lab today (some equipment for my fruit flies).  When my wife was ready, we stopped at Lowes for a moment so I could get some screws, nuts, bolts, and a few other fasteners to help with my building.... and then I dropped her off at work.  

Then I went to the gym and went through my (new) weight training that I am trying to get to also be consistent to help me maintain upper body strength.  Then I took a brief, 10 minute dip in the pool to cool off.... then dressed and headed to the U.  I got to the lab room door at 9:00am.  And, I feel happily alert and energetic.... and worries and anxieties are at bay.

* * * *

I had forgotten to mention last week, that my buddy from Mass DID actually come out on Wednesday to the shoppe,  which actually made me rather happy.  He is always fun to talk with.  At Mass on Saturday, we were talking a bit after Mass... and he told me when he went to the Retiree's Cigar Group on Thursday, that the group was wondering when I will be back.  My friend already knew and then told them that I would be back at the beginning of July, so not too long away.  My friend told me he was going to try to get up there this Wednesday again as well.  

* * * *

I should talk about fans.... they are a new "obsession" I have been working on the last week or so.  Maybe I will write about it tomorrow.  And, I need to sit down and try to at least LIST my concerns about potential retirement.  

PipeTobacco

Turn Around

This morning I awoke in a sad, rough mood.  

I apparently fell asleep while reading last night.  I remember reading about two chapters in the real book (aka paper) I am reading, and then I set it aside.  I then picked up my Kindle and was reading a Kindle book I have.   My wife woke me up ~5:30am when she awoke.... and I was sitting up in bed, my reading light still on, the book beside me, and my Kindle flopped down upon my chest.  I  sitting mostly "upright" in bed, leaning back on two pillows, and my reading glasses were still on.  

I suspect that my sad, rough mood was mostly a result of poor sleep.... as I do not ever TRY to sleep in this rather "upright" position, but much, much prefer to lay completely flat.  From what my wife tells me, it also appears I did not MOVE a single bit..... which is ALSO rather unusual for me, as I tend to move around A LOT while I sleep.  I actually felt rather exhausted. 

It took me a while to work through in my mind what to do.... if I followed my "id", I would not have done a damn thing, but simply thrown the extra pillow onto the floor, hunker down into a flat position, and sleep away the day.  But, I had at least ENOUGH neurons firing "ok" that I knew if I did that, I would be cursing myself the rest of the day.  I eventually forced myself out of bed, went and made a VERY strong coffee (with a touch of raspberry flavoring), poured it over some ice..... and THEN I proceeded to pack, to go to the gym (it was raining), to POUND OUT some miles on the treadmill (8 miles) while reciting and praying the Rosary, then I forced myself to lift weights, and then after I was all sweaty and hot, I allowed myself to go relax in the pool for ~15 minutes.  

By the time I finished, I had been able to turn my mindset around.... I felt back up to snuff.  

I then went to the U, and have been doing a whole helluva lot already this morning.... graded two exams, posted scores, worked on classroom materials, worked on the LMS, and have straightened up some of my lab.  

I am thankful I was able to turn around the sad, rough mood.  I hope/plan to get more normal sleep tonight. 

PipeTobacco   

Benefits (Possibly) of Retirement

Lists.  Usually, when I am trying to figure something out, I will make lists.  These lists can of a variety of sorts.  So, even though I am admitting right from the get-go that this is NOT by any stretch of the imagination, I thought I would try to list quickly some of the things I currently BELIEVE will be benefits of retiring sometime in the future:

• More sleep
• Not needing to interact with the two thorns in my side at work (although, to be honest, I have evolved, I believe.... I hardly ever think about them any more and mostly just ignore them)
• Less computer time
• Less forced structure
• The ability to MOVE where it is warm....  or better, perhaps, the ability to move South just for the Winter (the term used...  is that my wife and I would become "snowbirds") and come back North in the Spring/Summer/Fall.
•  More time for hobbies (music, fiction writing, instrument repair, etc.)

It feels odd that I feel rather stymied to add more at the moment.  I think perhaps I will next try to list my Fears of Retirement.... which sadly seems likely to be a longer list.  I do not know if I will write that tomorrow, or next week, though.  

I am hoping to get the new computer system at home set up this weekend.  Hopefully things will go smoothly.  But, then again, it is a new COMPUTER system...... the likelihood of it going "smoothly" is probably just a pipe dream.

PipeTobacco

Fiber to Chew On

Eating a diet high in fiber is great because it passes through your body largely undigested, acting as a powerful tool to regulate digestion, stabilize blood sugar, protect the heart, and promote development of beneficial gut bacteria..... but much more occurs as well.

In class I often “big voice” about the value of both LOTS of fiber and LOTS of water in a person’s diet.  For both fiber and water, I discuss how each can help to reduce the development of cancer….. specifical for fiber….. colon cancer, and specifically for water….. bladder cancer.  I explain these reductions occur primarily through the “dilution” effect…. meaning:

1. Our digestive system, as nutrients are absorbed, ends up concentrating indigestible food wastes for future elimination.  This means that various herbicides, pesticides, and food preservatives that can be carcinogens in foods we eat,  will be at their highest concentration if not absorbed into the bloodstream….. in the fecal matter forming in the colon.  By eating significant fiber, you dilute the concentrations of these carcinogens (by creating more overall fecal matter) and lower the potential for inducement of colon cancer.

2. Our urinary system, as cellular wastes are collected, ends up concentrating these cellular wastes for future expression as urine.  This means that various herbicides, pesticides, and food preservatives that can be carcinogens in the foods we eat, will be at their highest concentration when absorbed into the bloodstream…. In the urine collecting in the urinary bladder.  By drinking significant water, you dilute the concentrations of these carcinogens (by creating more volume of urine) and lower the potential for inducement of bladder cancer.

I was talking with my friend from Mass who introduced me to the Retiree’s Cigar Group…. after Mass last week….and he was saying a lot of the folks were wondering where I have been.  I reminded him that unfortunately during May-June, I have NO ability to get to the shoppe on Thursdays….. not even LATE.  I told him jokingly that during this time, I have been heading over on Wednesday “just to stay in practice” so I  do not forget what to do.  He laughed and then asked when I have been going.  I told him I usually get there around 2.  He said he was going to try to come on Wednesday then (in addition to Thursday, of course) so we could talk.  That made me feel nice.  So, perhaps when I go later today, hopefully he will have been able to make it.  

Other Mass news of a sort….remembering that my wife and I are NEWBIES at our current parish….. we transitioned to this parish only after our prior parish (the one we attended for decades) was shut down as part of several in a Diocese restructuring due to the ongoing priest shortage. 

Well….for good or bad…. I have heard rumors that my name was submitted by a number of folks to be considered to be on this year’s election of some new positions in Parish Council.  If the rumors are true, I am pleased to apparently be perceived positively during my brief time at this new parish so far…..and I am also pleased to think that at least some folks think I would do a good job.   However, I am undecided at the moment on whether to accept and/or run for a position….. IF the rumors are true…. And I am offered the opportunity.  I had been on the Parish Council on my prior Parish for at least a dozen years… and was the Head of the Parish Council (I should say, head Layperson) for several of those years. So, I will have to wait and see if I do get asked and then debate more on if I should.  

Enough rambling for today, I guess.

PipeTobacco 

Replies to Comments #2

I will now finish up with replies for this batch from my recent a) retirement posts, and b) my liquor store posts.   

As is my usual, I list comments alphabeticallly by author who wrote the comment and my reply is below that. 

Retirement Posts:

AC

We’ll see how it goes. You are heavily invested in work, so retirement will be a big step for you. I think you will be set financially but I don’t know about socially.

I am rather concerned that I might feel lost and rudderless when I retire, unless I formulate some sort of plan.  I think I have to put forth a great deal of effort this year to think through my worries and fears, to try to determine how I hope to live, and what I hope to do.  And, I need to try to conceptualize it in as concrete a way as I possibly can in advance.  Even though I am not sure if I will begin the retirement process after this upcoming academic year, I want to be prepared in case that is what my wife and I decide. 

DMP:

Consider becoming an adjunct professor, perhaps at a Community College near you?

I very much like that idea, and I hope to do so.  My wife and I are talking through our plans on where we would like to live, and hopefully there will be nearby adjuncting opportunities.  We are trying to discern if we want to stay put (but its awfully damn cold in the basically six months of wintery weather) or move somewhere warm (but sadly out of our community).  

...just a minor point, but at his age becoming a Permanent Deacon probably isn't in the cards .... I looked into it late in life too ... turned out to be too late. The Catholic Church has rules that say you have to go through the years of discernment and training and still be less than "X" years old to be ordained. I missed my chance.

It is very interesting, DMP…… that BOTH you and I have looked into this possibility.  I almost applied for consideration in the last opportunity for a class that formed in our Diocese a few years ago.  I ultimately did not submit an application at that time as I thought it may be too difficult to complete the course work and class work while keeping my full professor position.  I had been keeping in the back of my mind as a possibility at retirement.  I had not given a thought to there being an age restriction.  

However, I am not sure if there is a universal cut-off date nationwide, or if a cut-off age date is determined by each Diocese.  It seems in my Diocese, the last cohort of student Deacons had a few fellows who could not have been too awfully different in age than I am.  I had not really thought about an age cut-off until you mentioned it., though so I will have to see what the restrictions may be in my Diocese (or if we move, what Diocese we move to).  

 

Margaret:

You will always be a teacher/professor. There may be volunteer opportunities or part-time gigs for you. Remain open to that possibility while you explore the idea of retirement.

 I had to make my own routine and schedule which took me a while. I drifted for a couple months--not a great feeling. You can do it!

I do fear not having or establishing a routine.  I think if I do not have some plan, some goals, some aspirations… I think I would end up feeling very down and gloomy.  Part of what is hard also, is trying to FIGURE OUT what my goals, aspirations MIGHT be, since in theory they could be damn near ANYTHING….. but I worry about flitting around trying a bunch of different things, and never sticking with anything… for that too would not be mentally/emotionally good for me…. at least I do not believe it would be.  I guess I kind of worry that I might just sort of “give up” on things if I try something….. because there would not necessarily be any compelling NEED to do anything.  Does that make sense?  

Pat M:

From what I have seen, the folks who do best in retirement are the ones who don't fully retire, but rather transition to work of their own choosing, at their own pace, on their own terms. 

I think that sounds very logical.  But what sort of real, legitimate “work” could I do?  Teaching and research has ALWAYS been my profession… and in a lot of ways I guess it is who I am…. or at least who I perceive myself to be.  Can I learn to PERCEIVE myself as something different?  But, even more important…. can I PERCEIVE myself as something different that has MEANING and VALUE?   Meaning and value for myself, of course, but also MEANING, VALUE, and PURPOSE for others is equally important I believe for my ability to view this transition positively.  Will I have any sort of VALUE to anyone anymore?  Will I actually be able to find a way to CONTRIBUTE in some fashion that is meaningful?  I do not know.  

Maybe they stay on as editor of an academic journal. Maybe they teach some classes at a local high school or junior college. Maybe they devote their time to a book manuscript that their full-time university workload didn't give them time to complete. 

Those are indeed all possibilities.  And, I could likely do any of them and may want to any/all of them…… but one aspect of the above suggestions is that in many ways each of those is more akin to a “sporadic” activity/action.  And, in some ways, as how I understand myself, a major THING that I tend to NEED is a ROUTINE.  None of those above tends to lend itself to a routine….. and while each is good…. I think I have to ALSO figure out something that CAN BE A ROUTINE to wrap my day around.  But, confusingly enough, I bristle at the idea of TOO MUCH RIGID STRUCTURE as well, so in some ways it seems a double edged sword…. I want to have commitments and commitments with routine, but at the same time, I do not want a persistent PRESSURE of my HAVING to do “a”, “b”, or “c” as well.  I do not see ways to resolve this dichotomy.  

Maybe they connect with local attorneys and get hired as an expert witness in court from time to time.

I did that one time, and I enjoyed it.  I would be open to that again.  

The saddest cases I've seen are the ones where a formerly busy researcher or administrator tries to live a life of nothing but leisure, then finds that his mind and body quickly atrophy.

I definitely worry about “atrophy” as well.  Perhaps akin to this, I worry about a loss of feeling “passion” in what I am doing.  I do not want, but I do FEAR, that retirement COULD feel like a period where I am useless, and I am rudderless, and I am just waiting around until death happens.  I have seen that in some, and I am fearful that I could evolve into that mindset…. perhaps so EVEN IF I TRY to adopt alternative strategies.  

If you hadn't abandoned your pipes, I could see you becoming a tobacconist, or maybe working part time for a tobacconist whose company you enjoy. 

That potential is ALWAYS on my mind.  I would like that VERY MUCH.  I think perhaps being a part-time employee at a tobacco shop would be delightful.  Even though not my “profession” per se….. I have an “ability” at being a salesman of sorts.  One of my first jobs as a kid was in one Summer where I sold aluminum siding and windows OVER THE PHONE.  My role was to cold-call folks and get them “enthused” about having a salesman come out and price options for the siding and/or windows.  It took a couple of days figuring out the “ropes” of the job, but very quickly I ended up being the telephone solicitor at this company who a) booked the highest rates of appointments per call volume and b) the appointments I did establish resulted in a higher volume of sales of the products by the in-house salespeople than others.  The company owner was sad when I left at the end of the Summer to go back to school.  He told me I had a “real knack” for the job.  

I do believe even if I could not be hired by a tobacconist….. I could and would not necessarily mind becoming just a “fixture” at the place…jawing and talking and having it be a “watering hole” of sorts for me.  It would be even more exciting if the place would be within walking distance of wherever we end up living.

Or maybe you could train to become a permanent deacon and lean into church service. Or maybe there's some research you have always wished you had the time to do, or a book you wished you had the time to write. 

The Deacon idea is something I have very strongly considered.  DMP suggested it may not be possible at my age, but if it happened to still be an option within whichever Diocese I end up living…. I would relish the opportunity.  

One way or another, Professor, my strong advice would be that you NOT stop working, but rather that you use retirement as an opportunity to change HOW you work and WHY.

I agree wholly.

Professor, as you think about retirement, I'll echo something I have heard people mention on several occasions of late. Perhaps instead of thinking in terms of retirement, you could reframe those thoughts into thoughts about re-fire-ment -- meaning that you aren't looking toward an end of activity, but rather toward an ability to re-fire, re-launch, in a new direction appropriate to your current place in life. In other words, it's not so much about "not a full-time tenured professor anymore." It's about "what will fulfill me in the years ahead, and how can I arrange for that fulfillment with the resources (time, money, skills, health, etc.) I have available?"

I like the SOUNDS of those words and advice.  BUT…. HOW to do this seems elusive.  

My Liquor Store Story:

AC

Oh, a cliffhanger. I was a Schrodinger sort of guy: both cool and not cool at the same time.

A good story there, Mr Pipe. I imagine that everyone everywhere is carded now. At least that is how it works here.

In theory, they are now supposed to “card” EVERYONE regardless of age in my region.  But, I never get carded…..  with my big, grey beard and moustache….. I might look akin to “Father Time” to some of the younger servers and clerks.  When the mood strikes, I sometimes (jokingly) inquire, “Uh, do I really need to already be 21 to get this beer?  Couldn’t you let it slide for me… at least this time?”    That usually gets them to laugh. 

Margaret

Oh, my, I can't believe you glued dog fur to your moustache. Wow! I was also uncool, and nerdy in high school, but didn't care. (#4 in my class, bookish, teacher's pet) In college I let loose a little but still cared a lot about my grades, so didn't do much partying.

Haha!  Yes, I find it very funny NOW about how I tried that with dog fur.  Being a “nerdy” type who railed against being perceived as a “nerdy” type was HARD WORK 😊

The laws weren't so strict then but I imagine the story you provided to the store owner and his friends. LOL

Yes, I can only imagine how I became a humerous topic of discussion for a lot of the day. 😊

PipeTobacco

Biz……zy

Unfortunately, I cannot complete the comment post today but will do so tomorrow.  One of my kid’s had a car repair issue….. and he needed to borrow my wife’s car to get to work.  This necessitated me needing to get my wife to work (and eventually back home too of course) on this very busy day of non-stop teaching from 8-5:30…. and ate away the little time I had and had planned to use to complete that post.  

My apologies.

PipeTobacco