A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

outside

Focusing on life and getting out more

“It comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living. Or get busy dying.”

Those words echo toward the end of the Shawshank Redemption. Words spoken by Tim Robbins’ character as he sits in prison for a murder he did not commit as he talked with Morgan Freeman’s character.

Not too much longer, Freeman’s character, free on parole echoes the words.

“Get busy living. Or get busy dying. That’s goddamn right.”

Over the past year and change, I’ve worked to get myself into better health. I’m not where I need or fully want to be yet – lots more weight to lose and still needing to control the diabetes much better, but I’m on the right path.

Now it’s time to work on other things to go with that.

The area in which I live – central New York – has so much to offer. There are amazing things to see and do and places to get outdoors and explore.

If you expand a bit – into Northeast Pennsylvania, for example, the activities and opportunities become even more.

I love the outdoors. I love the indoors as well, don’t get me wrong. I mean a night of television or messing on the computer is a good time, but being outdoors is a lot of fun and it doesn’t require going through the middle of woods, bushwhacking, and things like that.

Get out and explore!

Instead, there are wonderful trails to wander and see; nature to enjoy and photograph; and plenty of wildlife to see and admire. There are man made and natural made areas that are amazing to the eyes. And though my interest in the bulk of geocaching has waned recently, there are plenty of them to find out in the woods. I’d like to explore some bike trails, too, and just wander along and enjoy the atmosphere. I’m looking to eventually invest in a bike rack/kayak rack for my car, as well as a kayak. That would be something I’d like to do more in the warmer months.

And I never will forget about baseball in the summer!

There are urban developments with some fantastic museums and activities not far away. There are ways to broaden your horizons and see different things within a semi-quick car ride. Breweries and great places to eat are everywhere now. There’s definitely things to do.

So maybe it’s time to start doing things like this.

One thing I really want to get back into is more photography. Because I do it so much during my professional day, I tend not to take my main camera when out and about. I mean, the iPhone is a wonderful tool – it really is. But I miss using the camera and different lenses… or pushing things to see what I can create. Especially when it comes to things like waterfalls and covered bridges, and other items that really interest me.

In the grand scheme of things, life is short. Even if you are one of the lucky ones who lives to 100 or a bit more, that’s just a speck of time when considering how long some form of life has been on Earth. So while you are here, see things. Do things. Live things.

I can’t say I’m always going to follow this mantra. I’m just as guilty of plopping down on the couch for some television or hours online. But if I’m going to do that – I need to make sure I’m balanced and I get out and see some wonderful things as well.

My DayZero list is a start.

On January 1, 2019, I started my third round with the DayZero Project. I have on it more than the 101 goals because I need to trim. I’ve looked to see what is something that can be done – be it hard or not – as compared to dreams. This is a starting point as some of it gets me outdoors.

I have life goals and life plans and hopes – all of which intermingle with one another. But as the two characters in the Shawshank Redemption noted – get busy living, or get busy dying.

In the past couple of months or so, I think I’ve gotten busy living – at least in some aspects. And my mental being seems to be doing much better. But there’s still a lot to grow from and I look forward to trying to do more (to be fair, it’s much easier to do in warmer weather).

The world is a wonderful place if you find the right angle. Now get out and find it. 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

One week in…

So I’m one week in with this whole trying to get healthier thing.

And … so far, so good.

I’ve had so many people in the past tell me about this diet or that diet; or the sure ways to lose weight, be it no carbs, or something else. The one thing they all seem to have in common? The weight usually comes back and they’ll often tell you that it will.

What’s the point?

If the weight comes off and then comes back on, how does it help?

The reality is this: I’ve always said I know how to get healthier and in better shape — eat better and get more exercise. I never believed it was healthy to lose a lot of weight in a quick amount of hurry.

So, here’s an update a week-plus into this whole new thing.

  • Not sure about weight as I forgot to weigh myself this morning. I am doing it only weekly.
  • I feel better as I’ve gotten out more and mixed things up. I’ve walked, hiked, and gone for a bike ride.
  • Stamina is up.
  • I’m eating better and feel like I am getting full on less, which is good.
  • My blood numbers, pretty much across the board, are down.

Let’s talk about that last part quickly. The biggest point to all of this is to get my numbers down. As a diabetic, I need to make sure I’m not all out of whack as I want to control things.

So, when I started I was in range most of the time, though on the higher side. My mornings were high (and still are out of range, but are lower), and now when I check at other points in the day, things are much better. Even after eating. I’ve been keeping a notebook of everything and that’s helped me look at things better. Even a couple hours after meals, things are way more in line to where they are supposed to be. Now I just need to figure out the overnight thing as it’s usually pretty good when I check before bed.

Overall, though, things are going better and that’s a good thing. I have a few things I’m doing to push myself and keep on the right line, and I’ll blog about those down the line. Hopefully, things can keep on going well! Here’s to a healthier lifestyle!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please Like HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

It’s time to actually fix myself

I’m grossly out of shape.

For those of you who know me, this isn’t any breaking news (despite that being the “in” thing on the Internet).

As a diabetic, this isn’t a good thing. And I know it. And I’ve let my numbers get worse, which is really sad considering my A1C was immensely awesome a year or so ago. Now, not as much. But I know I have to do something about it.

I’ve said that before, right? And there’s never a guarantee things will improve, but one has to keep trying.

I don’t know why, but I decided Monday was the time to start. And by that, I mean I am going to start tracking everything. What I eat. What I drink. How much exercise I do. What my numbers are and how what I’ve eaten makes them go up and down.

Basically, I am going to start taking myself to task.

I need to start utilizing my Fitbit more – especially the web interface and the phone app. I can track everything (food etc.), I just need to make sure I do it. It’s a bit of a pain, though, so I’m trying to figure the best way to do it.

Any of you have an app or web interface that’s easy to log your food and all the other good stuff? I’d love to find a one-stop shop for apps when it comes to this as I think it would be beneficial. I’m also doing it old fashioned — pen to paper.

Which way to go?

Which way to go?

Anyway, part of doing all of this is to try and get me into doing more outside. Whether that’s finding new trails to hike on and challenge myself, going for a walk, or riding a bike. Or, heck, doing something not on that list. Anything to get more active.

So, Monday, I went out after dinner to explore one part of a new set of hiking trails. I won’t lie – I was looking at it twofold: Getting some exercise as well as looking for potential geocache sites. I found many possible spots in the parts I explored and I haven’t even checked all of the trails yet.

First, let me say this, my cardio is awful. The trail goes … well, up. Then it evens out a little. But it’s on a mountain, so there’s going up … and up. And I was winded (I’m being nice about that statement). Now, that’s not a bad thing. It got my heart rate up. I knew when to stop a little. It made me challenge myself. The good part is I know how I felt when I got to the top. I know I want to be able to do that much easier in the future.

I also want to eventually run a 5K. No, I’m not some runner in my past. It’s more of a personal goal. I have the one picked out I want to be my “first” and I have plenty of time to train for it, so this is only a start. But for me to be able to run 3.1 miles, I need to get my cardio up.

With diabetes, I know it can be controlled. I need to lose weight and exercise. I need to challenge my body to get better the best I can and utilizing places in my area will help. I’ll be out on my bike. I’ll be working on it the best I can. Eventually, I’ll hopefully be lowering my numbers and getting my health back in order.

The plan, too, will eventually to start posting my “Living with Diabetes” posts. In the past, they’ve helped me kind of keep on track and hopefully it can do that again.

Reality, too, is that I won’t be able to do this every night. Some nights, I work late. Others I might be pooped. But I need to challenge myself to get out as much as I possibly can to get some exercise in.

Monday was a good start though. I look forward to eventually exploring those trails a tad more and seeing what is out there and, hopefully, getting into better shape.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please Like HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Writing outside can give a whole different perspective

Setting up shop outside has helped me get things written.

I recently discovered something I’m digging.

Writing outside.

Several years ago, I purchased a new laptop. The idea of the laptop was that it would be used for writing. I had a desktop and didn’t want the laptop to be my go-to computer. But I wanted something portable so I could go write somewhere other than with an electrical outlet.

Of course, at that time, I had grandeur thoughts of writing a few books. I still have those thoughts and ideas, but they are slower now. I realized that there are many other things I need to know for writing a book, especially if it’s fiction. There needs to be a good plot.

See, I can write blog posts. And I can write for media, such as newspapers or magazines. But to captivate an audience for so long isn’t always easy. I am still working on some ideas I’ve had. And I’m in the process of working on one or two real-life books. But it will take time.

Still, I’ve noticed with my blogging that things don’t always come easy to me. It used to be that I’d have an idea, write about it and then post it. Done. Planning ahead for blog posts wasn’t something I worried about. It seemed when I got into a flow, I had endless ideas.

A funny thing happened on the way to the blogosphere…

First, the desktop wasn’t working so great. So, instead of getting it fixed right away, I used it as my go-to computer. Even after my computer got fixed, I didn’t switch back right away. So the laptop as a writing tool didn’t go as fully planned.

Then, of course, with real life and everything else, it didn’t seem to matter. I blogged/wrote when I could. I didn’t always worry about posting and such.

Over the past year or so, I really have gotten back into the blogging thing. I try and do it on a regular basis. I’ve also added a second blog (for disc golf, but at least there are other writers for that!) so coming up with topics and things to write about has become paramount. I need to plan the best I can.

One thing I’ve noticed, however, is I often get blocked with my writing when it comes to sitting in front of a computer and tapping away. It’s not for any particular reason, other than being in the same place all the time sometimes makes it difficult to concentrate.

The spot on our local square where I go write is peaceful and you can do some people watching or just stare out.

I recently decided to change that up and use my laptop for what I purchased it for – to write. Though the battery isn’t as strong as it once was, it will hold a charge for a couple of hours, which is more than enough time for me to bang out a few blog posts for future use.

What I truly like is the serenity of being able to visit one of several local parks, take out the laptop, find a picnic table and just tap away and write. I have my trusty notebook with me so I can utilize ideas and just write.

And with not hooking into any WiFi spots, I don’t have the internet to interrupt me when I am writing.

The best part is there are a few parks with picnic tables. So if one has a bunch of people milling around or sitting where I want to be, I can check out one of the others. If all parks are full, it just means I wasn’t meant to write that night and I can just go wander about looking for a spot to take photos.

It’s a win-win.

The best part of it is being in a situation where if your mind wanders a little, you can look around and absorb what is happening. People go about their daily lives or play with their kids in the park. Or, seeing two people ride their horses down Main Street. In one of the parks, it’s the peacefulness of nature around you with many birds chirping.

There’s the smell wafting of a nearby barbecue. Cars drive by quite often and you can wonder if they are heading somewhere of importance or wandering around aimlessly. People walk by with ice cream cones or walking their dogs.

It’s really a writer’s dream.

I try and do this a few times a week. It gives me the chance to get ahead in my writing – both for this blog and the disc golf one.

And it gives me the chance to be outside, which is a bonus all by itself.

What about all of you other bloggers? Do you just sit at home and write? Do you go elsewhere? Or have that “one spot” where you can really get in a groove? I’ll be interested to see what others do!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!