#Choosing the right exercise bike

[writingquestionsanswered]

I used to love writing when I was in high school, but stopped after I graduated because of life. Now, after almost a decade, I want to get back into it but I don't know how. I have so many ideas but I tend to bounce around the same variations and don't know how to stick to one thing, or how to just get back into the rhythm of writing actively. Or even reading actively.

Any advice?

Getting Back to Reading and Writing

What you're experiencing is what I like to think of as "the creative zoomies."

After so long away from actively reading and writing, there's now this flood of ideas, plans, books you want to read, and stories you want to write. You can't settle and focus on a single thing because your brain wants to do ALL THE THINGS, so you keep bouncing back and forth between things hoping something will stick.

First things first... DEEP BREATH.

As I said in an earlier post, remember: there is no ticking clock. It may feel like there is, sometimes, but we're just little ants on a planet doing our things. There are no deadlines unless you sign up for any, and you don't have to worry about that right now.

So... start by taking an honest look at your schedule and your life, and see if you can figure out a realistic estimate of how much time you have in a given week. Where are there slots of time you can dedicate to writing? How about reading?

Next, it can be immensely helpful if you have a comfortable, relaxing space, free from distraction and interruption, where you can go to write. Some people like to go write at a coffee shop or library to get away from family shenanigans or bothersome housemates. If it's not a billion degrees where you are, you might also try your patio, yard, or a nearby park. Listening to soft music or "ambience rooms" (tons on YouTube) through headphones can also help you focus. There are also still some different apps and programs for distraction free writing. Just make sure to save often and keep a master document on your computer to prevent losing all your work in case the app or program gets glitchy. Also: put your phone on silent, turn off your internet if you must, and let people know not to bother you. This is your writing time... don't be afraid to guard it fiercely.

As for choosing ideas, I'm a big fan of the old-fashioned methods... random number pickers, drawing out of a hat, rolling dice... But you can also do a process of elimination based on what appeals to you the most. If you get it down to two, and then you're disappointed with the one you're left with, you know the one you just eliminated is the right idea to go with.

If you're not sure what to write, try doing some writing prompts. There are lots available online and there are some great books with writing prompts. Doing one a day can be a great way to get yourself back in the habit of writing again.

As for reading, start by reading during moments of spare time, such as if you're taking a bath, riding your stationary bike, sitting in a waiting room, or riding public transportation. You can even read during your morning coffee or your lunch break. Also, embrace the world of audio books. This is one of my favorite ways to read, because I can do it while I'm exercising, showering, cleaning, cooking, driving, doing projects... I get through so many more books by listening to audio books. More than anything, just remember that once again, there's no ticking clock. You don't have to finish a certain number of books before the end of the year. Read what you want, at the pace that works for you, and don't be afraid to DNF if a book isn't working for you.

I hope this helps!

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I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

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[curio-queries]

ARE YOU SURE?!

Episode 4 production Notes

Again, I genuinely didn't think I'd have anything to say at this point about this episode. I had such a good time the first time I watched it, just smiling the whole way through. There is one thing that did stick in my brain a little bit though so here I am again with another post.

Episode Break Points

We honestly can't be making any final conclusions at this point but there is starting to emerge a picture of how the production team approached the development of this show as an episodic release. The question that was rattling around my brain after watching episode 4 was how they are choosing their cut points between episodes. We really only have three data points right now which is not enough to definitively identify their intent but it does start to paint the picture a little bit. Sometimes, the break point is beyond obvious, like cutting ep.2 at the end of the USA trip. But when there's not a definitive line, a choice has to be made when to bring one episode to a close and start another.

Some shows use the changing of the day as a break point but that's not necessarily always the best choice to make for the narrative of the show. For example, the break between eps 1 and 2 is in the morning after JK has his coffee and makes the stone tower. This better served the momentum of the episode and wrapped up the story beat of JM's rough night. Ep 2 then starts on a high note with JK's motorbike ride. In my opinion, this was an excellent choice as we close ep.1 feeling all cozy and ep.2 begins with a little bit of excitement.

A Look Back

So why am I bringing this up now? It's because I was so confused as the choice of when to break these two episodes. I don't know if I've decided if it was good/bad/somewhere-in-between but I absolutely was not expecting Episode 4 to start the way it did. Ep 3 ends at the Go Karts and feels like a complete story beat. While ep 4 starts with the drive to the Omakase.

To me, it feels like we're picking up on the last remains of the previous episode and not starting a new section. Which is honestly, kind of counterintuitive. Why would it feel like that? They're literally on their way to the next activity. I suspect it has more to do with the tonal momentum. The guys are still coming down from all of the energy they expended from Rock Climbing and racing and are having a well-deserved relaxing drive. Even the brief moments we see of JK on the motorbike are quite chill. (mostly because there's not really a great way to get action footage on a bike in the dark lol).

So...to see if I could support my suspicion, or if I was just bringing something else into my viewing experience, I decided to rewatch the whole series so far and rank every story beat on a scale for how energetic/intense I felt the narrative was supporting.

A couple of notes before you judge my rankings:

This data is the very definition of subjective. if I redid this same exercise even the next day, I'm sure I would disagree with myself on certain rankings so you certainly don't have to agree with my rankings.

If a storybeat had a noticeable tonal shift, I entered it twice and included both rankings. If it just varied a bit, I entered a ranking more representative of the scene as a whole.

This won't be reflective of the time occupied by each story beat. Some sections are longer than others but with sustained energy so it doesn't translate in this visual representation how much of an impact on the overall tone of the episode any one of these are.

I also added a star at the end of each episode of my median scores. I feel that this was a better representation of the overall tone of each episode rather than an average but that's just my personal view on this teeny dataset. Please don't come for me analytics folks! This is just a post for funzies, not proper analysis!

So What?

The point was curious about is in the gap between eps 3 & 4. Everywhere else there's a pretty clear shift in the start and end of the energy but that gap looks like it was just a step that was missed in what could have been a continual episode.

Here are the runtimes of each episode so far:

USA: 56 min

USA: 72 Min

Jeju: 56 min

Jeju: 70 min

I don't have any conclusions about why it was done this way other than they felt the tonal break was the sacrifice for keeping the Omakase story line in tact. Which honestly, I agree. There would have been time to include the drive in the previous episode but it would have left us on an unfinished storybeat. This is one of the reasons that we never get footage of the members return trip from their travel shows. Bon Voyage ends every episode with the members remarking on the trip overall. Even though we know they have to return home, we don't see it because that would start to build energy for whatever they're doing next and not the story of their trip.

Even in ITS1 when the members do return home in the middle, we see them packing up and getting in the cars but the episode ends before they really start traveling. (Actually it ends before they even let Jin in the car so they're definitely not on their way yet!)

Commercials?

I have a question for anyone that's watching this with ads. I don't really watch streaming content so I'm curious, do the ad breaks just randomly occur? Or does it seem like they're intentionally scheduled? Building story breaks for commercials was a huge focus of legacy tv and I'd be interested to learn more about how streaming services are incorporating it (not enough to not have commercials though, I get insta-rage when the content I'm consuming is interrupted lol). I vaguely remember getting frustrated when I was attempting to watch something at my parent's over the holidays but I don't recall if it seemed structured or not.

That's it. That's all I've got to say right now. We're definitely getting a lot more to the story of this show and I'm absolutely loving it. I'm going to be away for a bit next week and I honestly don't know when I'll fit in watching episode 5 but I'm very much looking forward to it!

If you've seen this post and are interested in some more of my thoughts on Are You Sure, here's a link to my AYS MasterList. Still can't believe I've rambled so much about this show but it's been fun! Thanks to everyone that's been rambling with me!

[ratherembarrassing]

2024: weeks 36 through 38

here are some things i had thrown into a note

beetlejuice beetlejuice (2024). cute! enjoyable but not mindblowing, but representative of a the middle class of films that no longer exists and which i miss dearly.

corridors of power (bbc, 2024). i'm still making my way through it, but if you're excited by seeing formerly powerful people say absolutely batshit crazy things about the exercise of that power, this might be for you too.

maria abramovich's this or that for GQ germany.

and now: LONDON (a chronological series of happenings)

airplanes: still miserable. i do think that we need to rethink international airtravel, because 23 hours in a plane is just ridiculous. nonetheless, in keeping with tradition, i had a pretty good 8-9 hours sleep, which i measured by having hotd on and every few hours waking up to wonder what all the screaming was about.

immediately spent money on clothes: it could not be helped. i've been staying walking distance from brick lane and these things happen. now i own a levis jacket that's as old as i am that fits me perfectly, as god intended.

food: part 1. took my cousin, who is also in london on holiday rn, to dishoom, per literally everyone's recommendation. you were all entirely correct.

food: part 2. abuelo in marylebone, served me some vanilla fig jam on a plate of random other foods that was, without exaggeration, the most delicious thing i have ever eaten. i literally asked if i could buy a jar. i could not, and i will feel sad about this for the rest of my life.

punished for the crime of being interested in a crime: the british museum. the parthenon room was closed, so what even was the point. anyway, i was generally unimpressed, with some exceptions (who amongst us is not moved by the existence of the rosetta stone, also a very good prints and drawings exhibition). but also my god, would it kill them to install some aircon (a sentiment i have felt applies to almost everywhere i have been in london thus far)?

very far away: kingsmeadow. opening week for my beloved chelsea, i could have wept from happiness. sat next to a local woman and her husband who come every week and talk about the team like they are each girl's parents and biggest stans, and it was entirely perfect.

did i mention: CHAPPELL FUCKING ROAN. yes, i queued for like five hours. i was 68th in the priority queue, which is behind the vips but in front of everyone else. all i did to get in that queue was buy an o2 sim card for £20, which i needed anyway. it was fun, everyone made friends, you could come and go as you pleased and we all made sure everyone got their spot back even as we were repeatedly shuffled up the side street behind the brixton o2. it was nice and wholesome and exactly what you would expect from the 99% of people who aren't assholes and also into this lovely woman. the rest is just a blur of askldhjalsk. objectively, she's not the best performer going right now, the show's not overly produced beyond a set list of songs and a bit of banter, and absolutely none of that matters in the face of how quietly charismatic she is and the absolutely insane set of pipes she's got. it was fucking intense, man. zero regrets about the time and money (oh my god, the money) it took to make this happen, delighted to have corrected my grievous mistake of choosing not to go to her show in melbourne last year.

i don't think my insurance covers this: ebiking across north and east london. first attempt was, uh. ill conceived, and i will never recover from seeing my phone go flying in one direction into the street as i went skidding along in the wet, still in the bike lane. phone's fine, i'm fine, not sure why i decided today was the day to ride a bike for the first time in 15 years. second attempt went much better.

sportsball 2: this time bigger! like the absolute turncoat that i am, i also went to arsenal's opener at emirates with 40k other people. sat next to a woman with her 13 year old daughter who come every few months and who noted early on, pointedly, that it was unfortunate we weren't sitting on the other corner, where we would have been closer to the WAGs. love this mum for this kid.

food: part 3. i just ate the most delicious burger i've ever eaten, wtf???

coming up: i fought a battle with booking.com, and i won, and tomorrow i'm off down the south coast for a few days. LA's roads didn't kill me, but london's might.

[bitter-bats-cult-of-the-moon]

Moving Meditation Motivations Discovering the Right Focus Technique

There are some people who can sit through meditation while other individuals simply cannot. During a passive meditation they find themselves fidgeting and unable to focus. This leads to further frustrations, and an unwillingness to try any sort of meditation again.

The advice most people hear is to try again or that they were not doing it right. Well, guess what? There are other ways to possibly reach a meditative state of mind when your body is in motion. Moving meditation, if done accurately can give a person the same benefits as passive meditation where one sits.

How to Choose Your Activity

It should be something that engages you and holds your focus for an extended period roughly anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes a day. To gain a better meditative state one must do something that is continuous, fluid, methodical, and repetitive so that the movements become more automatic in time.

For example, a walk in the park at a steady pace putting your attention on your breath, and taking in the sights that surround you such as:

how the sun feels on your skin

the clouds overhead

if there is a wind breeze

examining the trees and their own leaves

It's all about the state of mind you're able to achieve being one of mindfulness, of living in the moment, of relaxed awareness.

Other Suggestions

Walk a Labyrinth: One walks clockwise in a circle or in a particular pattern towards the center of a destination point. It should not be like a maze where you find yourself frustrated towards the end, but choosing a pattern that fits you and your needs.

Qigong: This is a 5,000-year-old Chinese health exercise technique. Its goal is to synchronize the breath with the mind's intentions. One moves with flow and grace as they further learn this skill.  A regular practice can lower your blood pressure and boost your immunity, flexibility, and circulation.

Example:

1. Relax your body, imagining that your feet are sinking deep into the earth. Your hands are in front of your lower belly, palms facing each other, forming a ball of energy.

2. Inhale. Open your arms to the sides as if to expand the ball, while raising your arms, to shoulder height.

3. At shoulder level, turn the thumbs back and the palms up and exhale, releasing any tension from your body as you drop and relax your shoulders, elbows, and hands.

4. Inhale, as you raise your arms up over your head.

5. Palms facing down, deeply exhale as you lower them, “showering” the body with cleansing, revitalizing energy. Repeat three times.

Yoga Exercises: There are several different methods of yoga, some having religious dogma attached while others focus primarily on the exercises themselves. Everyone has different preferences, but if you are looking to simply relax and reach a meditative state then I suggest trying out the exercises themselves. This is a practice to connect the body and mind into one.

Tai Chi:  Short for Tai ji quan, or T'ai chi ch'üan, is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training, its health benefits and meditation. The term Taiji refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang.

Karate Katas:  A practice of detailed patterns of movements either solo or in pairs. Karate kata are executed as a specified series of a variety of moves, with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form.

Art: painting, drawing, etc.

Crafts: knitting, crocheting, paper folding, weaving, anything rhythmic.

Exercise: stationary bike, weightlifting, elliptical machine, step climbing, sports, etc.

Playing a game that has a repeating theme and is not too difficult that one can get into.

Music: focusing on the song's rhythm, beats, and possibly lyrics. Pick something that reached out to you as an individual.

[batsplat]

one of the more useful resources for understanding different circuit characteristics is brembo, a company that provides braking systems to motogp riders and has these 'identity cards' for different circuits. not always readily available in high definition, but handy to get a better sense of differences between circuits

here's an old identity card from 2016

below I've compiled and lightly edited some text from here, here and here provided by brembo about the circuit - there's a fair bit of overlap, but just enough unique information to make it a worthwhile exercise. I also chucked in one clarification from the motomatters preview for motegi, which you should read anyway. where there's conflicting numbers, for obvious reasons I've gone for the more recent ones. rating systems for these have also changed (apparently, in 2016 only one of the corners was considered 'highly challenging', but by 2019 five are considered 'very demanding' - make of that what you will). so if you spot slight discrepancies, that's probably why

The MotoGP bikes use the street circuit, which stands out for having very few fast corners and many slow ones interspersed with medium length straights. There are seven corners that the bikes have to take going less than 100 km/h (62 mph). ​ Right from its first World Championship debut in 1999, the circuit has always been considered among the most challenging on brakes due to the significant amount of curves taken in second gear and how difficult it is to cool down the discs between one braking section and another. The perfect surface provides good grip levels and improves the amount of braking torque discharged to the ground resulting in increased stress that the brakes are put under. The Grand Prix regulations approved by the International Motorcycling Federation allow MotoGP bikes to use carbon discs with diameters of 320 mm, 340 mm, and 355 mm. However, for Motegi, Buriram, Sepang, and the Red Bull Ring, in dry race conditions, riders are prohibited from using the 320 mm discs. At these tracks, they must choose between the 340 mm and 355 mm discs. Nobody uses the 340 mm disks any more - everyone having moved on to the 355mm discs which this generation of MotoGP machines need to get themselves stopped. This rule was developed in collaboration with Brembo, which, based on data, demonstrated that brakes are particularly stressed on these tracks. As the disc diameter increases, radial heat dispersion improves. To facilitate heat dissipation and increase the surface area for air exchange, MotoGP riders have been equipped with finned discs, featuring 355 mm fins, since 2022. In 2017, despite the rain falling for the entire race, the top 9 finishers and 13 of the top 15 used carbon discs. Merit also of the Brembo technicians who assisted them on the track, explaining to them the methods for the correct use of carbon in the rain.

According to Brembo technicians who work closely with all MotoGP riders, the 4.8 km long Mobility Resort Motegi is categorized as highly demanding on the brakes. On a difficulty scale of 1 to 6, it rates a 6, largely due to the abundance of slow corners that hinder the cooling of braking systems. Riders use the brakes 10 times per lap for a total of 33 seconds, with deceleration exceeding 175 km/h during half of these braking zones.

Brake Use During the GP From the starting line to the chequered flag, each rider uses his brakes for more than 13 minutes. The track contains 7 corners that are taken at less than 100 km/h, preventing the MotoGP bikes from reaching very fast speeds and thus reducing deceleration peaks: the average deceleration is limited to just 1.17 g. Since there are three braking sections of modest length (between 35 and 92 meters each, or 115-302 feet), the mean deceleration is not very high; adding up all the force applied on the brake lever by one rider from the starting line to the chequered flag, the sum is more than 1.2 tons. But this is still higher than that registered by a Honda Civic Type R when braking from 100 to 0 km/h. ​ Summing up all of the force applied by a rider on the Brembo brake lever from the starting line to the checkered flag, the result comes in at more than 930 kg (2,050 lbs).​ Of the 10 braking sections on the circuit, five are considered very demanding on the brakes, while two are of medium difficulty and three are light. On those five highly demanding sections, riders apply the brakes for more than four seconds. This explains the 33 seconds in which braking systems are being operated per lap, which is equal to 32% of the entire race, one of the highest percentages for the World Championship. 

The Most Challenging Zones The one that puts the most stress on the braking systems and the riders (1.5 G in deceleration) is the 90° corner at turn 11. The MotoGP bikes arrive at it going 308 km/h (191 mph) and then brake for 5.1 seconds to slow to 86 km/h (53 mph). In this short time span, the riders apply a 5.7 kg (12.6 lbs) load on the lever while travelling 250 meters (820 feet) and the pressure of the Brembo HTC 64T brake fluid gets to nearly 12.3 bar. ​ Also at turns 1, 3 and 5 the deceleration measures 1.5 G. Turn 3 in particular stands out for the force demanded of the riders (5.1 kg or 11.2 lbs load on the lever) and the brake fluid (11 bar) in order to slow down from 277 km/h (172 mph) to 93 km/h (58 mph) in 4.2 seconds and 202 meters (663 feet). ​ The measurements are more contained for turn 5, but still they are higher than the average of the other corners on the track: The bikes have a braking space of 216 meters (709 feet) and 4.8 seconds to reduce their speeds by 194 km/h (121 mph), from 271 km/h (168 mph) to 77 km/h (48 mph).​ Also Turn 1, because it requires the riders to brake for 4.6 seconds and 225 metres. Three times the bikes brake in under 50 metres: at Curve 6 the bikes decelerate from 200 to 183 km/h in 47 metres; at Curve 8 they go from 133 to 112 km/h in 41 metres and at Curve 12 they slow from 167 to 143 km/h in 40 metres, the same length as about twenty Dance Dance Revolution platforms.

[liesmyth]

Hi ❤️ I was wondering, do you have some recs/advices for light cardio HIIT sessions? I follow a weight lifting program online split on 3 days, i'd like to do some type of cardio on a fourth day but online there is.. TOO MUCH infos, i'm basically a beginner still and i'm getting so confused 😭

hi hi thank you for asking I LOVE these questions ❤️ I totally get what you mean about Too Much Information, fitness internet is chockfull of info but it can and does get overwhelming (and contact story!) especially if you're a beginner.

On cardio: I'm a big cardio fan, and could yap about the benefits all day. However! I feel very strongly that the best kind of cardio is the one that you actually like doing. If you're "just" looking to add "do more cardio" to your schedule, without any specific goals, the type of cardio matters a lot less than whether it's going to be fun for you to do. It can be as simple as doing 15/20 mins on an exercise bike after you're done at the gym, or dancing to kpop videos in your bedroom, or going on a moderate hike on Saturdays. If you want to add some more structured workouts, that's also great — more on that below — but IME, finding a form of cardio that you actually enjoy is a lot more important in the long run than trying to find THE perfect cardio workout.

this is the part where I yap. sorry.

SAMPLE CARDIO ROUTINE FOR LIFTERS from this amazing (very insightful!) r/fitness post by a lifting coach who's very solid

Something like this is IMO ideal if you don't have time or inclination to do much else. If it looks good to you, stop here! No need to read on. If you want more info and resources, go on

What's HIIT anyway?

sorry to be pedantic BUT I think it's important when exploring online fitness resources to know this: "light HIIT" is a misnomer. HIIT has become kind of a buzzword that's overused in fitness circles for marketing / SEO reasons, and I understand why (visibility!) but I wanted to clarify this just so you know what to look for going forward. HIIT = "High-intensity interval training": short bursts of exercise that have your heart literally jumping in your throat, followed by recovery. You're meant to give it your absolute all and flop dead like a fish on the grass when you're done. The upside is that HIIT workouts are very short; the downside is that they're very intense, and it can be kind of mentally daunting to psyche yourself up to do it.

So maybe I don't want to do the mentally daunting workout. What else is there?

NON-HIIT WORKOUTS THAT FUCK

Just because something is branded as "HIIT" when it's not, it doesn't mean it's not a damn good workout in its own right. Here is a youtube playlist from a "follow along workouts" fitness influencer who I LOVED during the pandemic (Caroline Girvan, I've yapped about her before). I used to do one of her cardio-heavy workouts once a week as an integration to an at-home fitness routine. That playlist I linked includes 92 (NINETY TWO) workouts. Some are bodyweight, some use dumbells for resistance; pick and choose.

LIGHT CARDIO

Maybe this is what you were looking for in the first place! LISS = Low-Intensity Steady Cardio. As the name implies, instead of "high-intensity bursts + recovery" style of workout, LISS workout means that you constantly keep moving at a steady rate. The downside is that LISS workouts are much longer, and maybe more dull, and you're better off doing them multiple times a week to see benefits. The upside is that they're less taxing on your body and require less recovery time, and they can be paired up with lifting days. Something like 15 mins on an exercise bike as a cooldown after lifting + one longer session (40+ min) on a day you don't lift would be what I think of as "integrating cardio into a lifting schedule" if you don't want to do anything high intensity. Replace exercise bike with walking up an incline or jogging or swimming or dancing or whatever. You can mix and match. You can take a brisk half hour walk 3 times a week and go on a hike every other weekend. Just find something that you enjoy and can stick to ( <- personally I have an audiobook I save to listen to ONLY when I'm doing chill-ish cardio to entertain me during)

Nevermind those alternatives. I want to do HIIT anyway. What do I do?

resources: introduction to HIIT writeup from r/HIIT (not famliar with the sub but the guide looks pretty solid) + some examples of HIIT workouts that you can do anywhere depending on your preferences (bodyweight training, exercise bike or rowing machine, kettlebell swings etc)

Here's an example of a follow-along HIIT workout from an influencer I think is very solid: ONE, TWO. They're 15 minutes long and pretty much what I mean when I say that HIIT is meant to be short and deadly; you do something like this, you recover, you're done.

BIG disclaimer: Don't start with any moves that are too fancy at first. Because HIIT = high intensity, that mostly translates into "doing some moves very fast to try and get your heart rate up within the interval window" and some people interpret that as trying to get in as many reps as possible. this goes extra hard for "follow along" workouts but also in general. If you're not very familiar with those moves, you can risk injury. Some HIIT routines are very dynamic, and if you don't have the movements nailed down, you're better off focusing on maintaining form rather than doing them really fast.

Other disclaimer: I would still pair up HIIT once a week with some more chill cardio on lifting days. If it's possible. But if you're doing HIIT in an intense way, that's already a lot!

TLDR

Summing up. Example of HIIT workouts. Follow alongs: one, two, three. I'd recommend doing one of these once a week if you like them, on a non-lifting day. If these aren't your speed, then a longer session of moderate cardio on a non-lifting day would be good, depending on what you have access to and enjoy. You can also do moderate cardio on lifting days if you're feeling extra motivated.

long-ass science-y article on benefits of cardio for weightlifters because I just really love this blogger

[ellenchain]

Preferred wheels (non automatic) for the Hitman fam: bike, skateboard, inline skates, scooter, unicycle, heelies.....penny farthing bicycle, tandem bike? (Can you tell I ran out of options pretty quickly?)

ohhh boy that's a difficult question! But you always come up with the most exciting thoughts 🤩

Non-automatic means of transport basically presuppose a bit of free time, because I don't think 47 would go to a mission on inline skates (or maybe he does, who knows)

I think 47 would ride anything. It's really hard for me to judge what he would enjoy more. He could probably have fun doing anything, whether it's skateboarding down the street or riding a unicycle into town. To be honest, the thought of seeing 47 on a scooter is pretty funny ("vroom vroom"). Guess his favourite would be this one:

I imagine Diana as the classic cyclist. Not fully kitted out, but a bike is just right for the occasional trip to the shops or around the lake in warm weather. Perhaps she would also dare to ride a penny-farthing, simply because it looks cool. The more I think about it, maybe she is a sports cyclist after all. Because when I imagine her doing sport, I can really picture her cycling. How she pedals ambitiously to reach her goal.

Olivia must have been a total Heelys fan in her youth. Lucas spent a fortune on these things so that Olivia could cruise around the supermarket on them. Later, she was probably more likely into inline skates. I can't really judge her when it comes to exercise, because either she loves sport or she hates sport, as a hacker probably the latter (if we're being stereotypical). So maybe she only uses inline skates when she needs to clear her head. Or when she feels her bones and really needs to exercise again

Lucas is probably as silly as 47 and would go shopping on a unicycle because he can. On the other hand, he doesn't like attention (or rather his paranoid side doesn't like it), which is why he wouldn't choose a means of transport that would attract too much attention for a man his age. So at the end of the day, boring as it is, it would probably be a bike. But when he wants to be cool, he pulls out his longboard. With a cap and sunglasses. Cool, but also a bit cringe

(cringe cringe cringe, says Olivia)

What do you think?? All together on an inline skating tour? Or riding a tandem bike together?

[thethirdgenesisbooks]

How to Put Words in Your Book - 5 Tips to Actually Start Writing

There is a problem among a great many writers and aspiring authors: so many of us never actually put any words into a Word document. Some writers will spend years developing a story idea. They’ll think of everything; the world-building, the characters, moving scenes, but never actually sit down to write the story.

Sometimes this comes from a lack of confidence. Writers think, “What if my story isn’t good enough?” These writers need to realize that the only thing worse than a bad story is the story that’s never written at all. For other writers, the reason why they can’t seem to actually get anything written is because while they know where the story has to go, they don’t know how to start. For still others, the problem is simply a matter of motivation.

Here are five tips to help you get your story rolling:

1 - Read the Opening of Someone Else’s Novel.

Sometimes, it can be hard to know what sorts of details to introduce first in your story. Do you start with a physical description of the character? A quote? A scene with characters in peril? Seeing how other authors started off their books can be helpful in this regard. I’d recommend reading the opening of a novel in a different genre from the one you’re writing. That way, you aren’t tempted to borrow too heavily, and can focus on putting out your own material.

2 - Listen to Music.

My wife and I developed this game that we sometimes play that utilizes her skills as a musician and mine as an author. I’ll sit or lie down on the couch with my eyes closed, and she’ll start playing an original, improvised piece of music on the piano. As I listen to the tune, I’ll start to describe a scene that the music brings to mind and tell a short story. Similarly, whenever I sit down to write one of my books, I listen to instrumental music that’s appropriate to the story I’m working on. I recommend that if you choose to use music to inspire your writing, you make sure it has no lyrics, as your writing may start to reflect the words you hear. I also recommend not using music that you associate with a particular scene. For example, when I tried writing while listening to “The Barber of Seville,” all I could see when I closed my eyes was Bugs Bunny shaving Elmer Fudd. You want music into which you can put your own meaning.

3 - If You are Spiritual, Pray or Meditate.

This piece of advice is pretty simple. If you are a spiritual or religious person, then before you write take a moment to stop and either pray or meditate. There’s a reason the Greeks thought goddesses called “muses” inspired art. The right side of the brain is associated with creativity, intuition, and spirituality. So, activate that side of your brain by doing something spiritual. Personally, when I was writing the first novel in my Third Genesis fantasy series, I prayed every time that “words would flow from my fingers to the page.” Most days, I wrote around 3,000 words in that book.

4 - When Stuck, Get Up and Walk.

You’d be surprised what even the tiniest amount of exercise can do for you. Do you have stairs in your home? Walk up and down a few times. Do you have a stationary bike? Ride it a little. Any form of exercise, however small, can get your mind going.

5 - Act Out the Scene.

Do you know your characters well enough to know how they speak to each other, what their goals are, and what they want out of life? Then play pretend for a bit, as you might well have done when you were a child. Improvise the scene, and pretend that you are all of the characters in the scene engaged in a discussion or struggle. You may find that you’re not good at improvising their dialogue, but that’s alright. When you say it out loud, you’ll get a better idea of what’s natural conversation. You’ll also gain some insights into what the characters would or wouldn’t do, based on what they want.

These are just a few things you could try to get the creative juices flowing. All of these have worked well for me. Good luck and happy writing!

[theoptimist5556]

🏖 Take a Breather. Quick Ways.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we forget how important it is to sometimes give ourselves a break and relax. Even if there are only a few minutes for a break, it's worth taking the opportunity to recharge.

-Try a new sport. Yoga, running, tennis, swimming, or even simple exercises you can do at home can help you switch gears.

-Clean something. Not the whole house and not an entire room, but something small: a dusty vase or splashes near the sink. Solving small tasks brings satisfaction.

-Ride a bike. It will not only clear your mind but also allow you to discover pleasant places nearby that you didn't know about.

-Live in the moment. At least for a minute, stop thinking about the past and the future, focus on the present. It's calming.

-Explore emotions. Several times a day, ask yourself: "What am I feeling right now?" Find the precise definition of the emotion.

-Let out anger. Allow yourself to express irritation and anger before they accumulate to a critical point.

-Make a list. Write down what you need to do, who you want to meet, where to go, what books to read, what movies to watch.

-Read a short story. Choose a small piece that tells about different times or takes place in locations you've never been to. It stimulates imagination and boosts creativity.

[captain----nemo----returns]

random Chuuya thoughts

he is ambidextrous, right hand preferred (prolly another one of his "I need to be more normal" clicks, since being right-handed is far more common). this is most likely an acquired skill (or not, I'm unsure myself)

add.: his arms surely are strong enough to use them both to shoot, IMO, and that's just generally a very useful skill, knowing who he is

he likes mellow and chill stuff in general. music, food, but NOT clothes, even though he sticks to a classic style. he needs some sense of tranquility in his life, and he diligently seeks it. he does not mind spicy stuff, though. I mentioned it in one of my fic drafts when Koyo gives him Turkish delights for his birthday

green and white teas are his favorite. like I said, be more chill. but he does drink coffee, more out of necessity than anything else. prolly just black, nothing fancy

he's really smart about his food; the man has a taste, and the taste is excellent. he knows how to combine stuff and how to do it right (unlike Dazai, who only eats to survive and can go multiple days with no complete meal at all, mostly due to his character and lifestyle)

add.: Chuuya doesn't bake, but he knows other recipes for sweets. I do think however that he's more into traditional Japanese kitchen than any foreign, even though he knows how to cook some of that too. I think Rampo would enjoy his cooking, speaking of sweet stuff (an idea of Dazai coming to the ADA with a box of homemade sweets and not responding to any questions is hilarious, esp. since everyone knows this moron doesn't cook anything much or fancy)

you know who's the one to choose the wines and what they come with for the Executives table. and any other occasion.

morning exercises yayyyy (wish I did those too.....)

KOUYOU TAUGHT HIM HOW TO USE A SWORD i'm sorry i can't live without a fencing man. he knows how to use a katana and I bet you he did (and probably still does) some simpler fencing

I'm sorry guys that I'm back to being a 12yo me But his cologne is either musk (white or black), sea breeze, or something usually considered feminine. I can't fight myself on that matter and neither can I decide, so I'll let it be occasional

I don't think he still drives a motorbike in canon, but I do believe that he TRULY wishes he did, so I'll write the man on his poor bike. finding a hidden bomb is surely easier on that thing. sorry kouyou no rides for your pretty dress

[aftonfitness12]

Commercial Gym Equipments

Commercial Gym Equipments for your fitness center, Our range offers durability, performance and innovation to elevate your gym appeal and members workout experiences.

10 Awesome Commercial Gym Equipments by Afton Fitness You’ll Want to Try Today 

Are you curious about what kind of Commercial Gym Equipments is best for your workout? Ever wondered why those big machines at the gym look so fun but a little confusing? Don’t worry, we’re here to make it super easy. Today, we’re going to talk about Commercial Gym Equipments from Afton Fitness and why they are great for getting fit and staying healthy. Let’s jump in and see why Afton Fitness is a name you should know.

Table of Contents

What is Commercial Gym Equipment?

Why Afton Fitness?

Treadmills: Walk, Jog, or Run

Hitting the right speed

Benefits of using treadmills

Ellipticals: Gliding Fun

Easy on your knees

Why it’s great for everyone

Stationary Bikes: Pedal Power

Feel like you’re riding a bike indoors

Stay fit and strong

Rowing Machines: Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Work your whole body

Fun and easy to use

Weight Benches: Get Stronger

Why lifting weights helps

How to use it safely

Smith Machines: Lift Like a Pro

What makes it special

Why beginners love it

Cable Machines: Pull, Push, Flex

Build muscle with different exercises

Easy and safe for all

Leg Press Machines: Strong Legs for Everyone

The easy way to work out your legs

How it helps in daily life

Chest Press Machines: Pump Up That Chest

Why a strong chest is important

How to use it effectively

Lat Pulldown: Reach for the Sky

Build your back muscles

Why it’s great for posture

Multi-Gyms: All-in-One Fun

Do different workouts in one place

Why it’s perfect for commercial gyms

How to Choose the Right Equipment for You?

The Future of Commercial Gym Equipments: What’s Next?

Wrapping it Up: Time to Hit the Gym

FAQs About Commercial Gym Equipment

1. What is Commercial Gym Equipment?

So, what is this “Commercial Gym Equipments” we keep hearing about. Well, it’s the kind of machines you see in big gyms, not the tiny stuff at home. These Commercial Gym Equipments machines are super strong, durable, and can be used by lots of people every day. Think of it like toys, but for grown-ups who want to get stronger and healthier.

2. Why Afton Fitness?

Why should you care about Afton Fitness? Because they make some of the best Commercial Gym Equipments in the world. Afton Fitness is like the superhero of gym machines—they’re built to last, safe to use, and make workouts fun. Who doesn’t want a superhero to help them get fit.

3. Treadmills: Walk, Jog, or Run

Treadmills are one of the coolest machines ever. It’s like walking or running but without leaving the room. You can start slow, just like taking a stroll in the park, and then speed up when you feel ready. Want to know a secret? You can even watch TV while walking on it.

Benefits of using treadmills:

Helps burn calories

Keeps your heart healthy.

Great for beginners and pros.

4. Ellipticals: Gliding Fun.

Have you ever wanted to fly? Well, using an elliptical is the closest thing to gliding through the air! It’s easy on your knees, so you don’t have to worry about getting hurt. Plus, it’s like riding a bike and walking at the same time. Sounds fun, right? 

5. Stationary Bikes: Pedal Power.

Imagine riding a bike indoors where you don’t have to worry about cars or the weather. That’s what a stationary bike does. You can pedal as fast or slow as you want, and it’s great for building strong legs. 

Why it’s awesome:

Great cardio workout for your heart 

Safe for all ages

Burns lots of calories.

6. Rowing Machines: Row, Row, Row Your Boat

This Commercial Gym Equipments machine makes you feel like you’re rowing a boat. It’s fun, and it works your arms, legs, and even your back. Plus, it’s great if you want a full-body workout without lifting heavy weights. It’s like being on the water, but without getting wet.

7. Weight Benches: Get Stronger

If you want to build muscle, this is the way to go. A weight bench is like a sturdy bed but for lifting weights. You lie down, lift the weights, and feel those muscles grow.

Why lifting weights is awesome:

Makes you stronger

Helps you burn fat

You’ll feel like a superhero

8. Smith Machines: Lift Like a Pro

Ever wondered what those big, shiny machines are at the gym? That’s a Smith Machine. It’s like having a personal trainer helping you lift weights safely. No need to worry about dropping anything because it’s got your back.

9. Cable Machines: Pull, Push, Flex

This one’s super cool because you can do so many exercises with it! You can pull, push, and move in all directions. It helps you build muscle, stay flexible, and feel great. It’s like a jungle gym for grown-ups.

10. Leg Press Machines: Strong Legs for Everyone

Want strong legs? This machine is your best friend. You sit down, press your legs against a platform, and push. It’s easy, fun, and makes your legs super strong. Plus, strong legs help you walk, run, and jump higher.

11. Chest Press Machines: Pump Up That Chest

Building a strong chest is super important because it helps with posture and makes you look strong. The chest press machine is easy to use and helps you get that superhero chest you’ve always wanted. 

12. Lat Pulldown: Reach for the Sky.

This Commercial Gym Equipments machine is all about building a strong back. You pull down a bar, and it helps build your upper body. A strong back means better posture and less back pain, Yay.

13. Multi-Gyms: All-in-One Fun

Can’t decide which machine to use? No problem. A Commercial Gym Equipments has everything in one. You can do lots of different exercises without moving to another machine. It’s like having a mini-gym all to yourself.

14. How to Choose the Right Equipment for You?

With so many options, how do you pick? It depends on what you want to achieve. If you love running, go for the treadmill. Want strong legs? Try the leg press machine. There’s something for everyone, Commercial Gym Equipments.

15. The Future of Commercial Gym Equipments: What’s Next?

Guess what? Commercial Gym Equipments is getting smarter. With machines that track your progress, give you tips, and even talk to you. The future is all about making fitness fun and exciting.

16. Wrapping it Up: Time to Hit the Gym

Now that you know all about the amazing Commercial Gym Equipments from Afton Fitness, it’s time to get moving. Whether you want to walk, lift weights, or glide like a superhero, there’s a machine for you. Remember, getting fit is fun, and with Afton Fitness, it’s easier than ever.

[unitedbycycling]

5 Bicycle Tips for Beginners: How to Get Started on Two Wheels

Cycling is a fantastic way to stay fit and explore your surroundings. Here are five simple tips to help you get started on your two-wheeled journey.

1. Choose the Right Bike

Select a bike that suits your riding style. For pavement, opt for a road bike. If you prefer trails, go for a mountain bike. A hybrid bike offers versatility for both environments.

2. Invest in Gear

Comfort is key. Buy padded shorts and moisture-wicking shirts. A good helmet is essential for safety, while cycling gloves and shoes can enhance comfort and efficiency. Check out the best cycling gear here

3. Adjust Your Bike

Ensure your bike fits you properly. Adjust the seat height so your leg is slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke, and set the handlebars at a comfortable level for good posture.

4. Prioritize Safety

Always wear a helmet, follow traffic rules, and stay alert. Use lights when cycling in low-light conditions to enhance visibility.

5. Have Fun!

Enjoy every ride and celebrate your progress, whether it’s 10 minutes or 10 miles. Cycling is not just about exercise; it’s about exploring and having a great time!

[servin-up-surveys]

survey #233

When was the last time you did clay work/pottery? Not since high school.

Do you like art, hate it or just not mind it? I love art.

If you had to choose would you prefer dull pain for 12 hours or sharp for 2? Dull, I think. This does kinda depend on where the pain is, though.

Do you know the words to the national anthem of your country? It's kinda nailed into you when you had to recite it every day in school, so...

Would you rather be a model, famous scientist, singer, or chef? The scientist.

Would you rather be a pilot, crime scene investigator, or estate agent? ugh

Does making others happy really make you feel happy? Yes.

Have you ever pricked your finger on holly or another "sharp" plant? Probably at some point.

What do you have a lot of faith in [note: can be anything]? What love is capable of.

Do you subconsciously hang out with those with the same star sign as you or as each other, perhaps due to certain personality traits? I don't believe in this shit.

Name five objects that you don’t have but would like right now? A desktop computer, a new camera with more megapixels, a final PVC cage build for Venus that is the appropriate adult length (4x2x2), a backlog of books in my possession so I wouldn't have to keep going to the library when I finish one in the series I'm reading, and working PS4 controllers so I can actually play the console that's in my house lol.

When you have children, would you like twins? I'm not having kids, but even in the situation where I'd want kids, I would very likely abort one. I cannot imagine a world for me where I can handle two kids of the same age at once.

If you were given the choice to choose your child’s gender, would you? Yes, again if I wanted kids, I'd very much favor a girl over a boy. Literally for no reason other than I strongly prefer the girl names I like over the boy names. That's literally it lmfao, such a dumb reason. Well actually no, I forgot, I'm uncomfortable with the circumcision situation. I don't know what I'd do as a parent to a cis boy. I've heard this and that about both ways, and ultimately I think I'd let Girt decide because I have never had a penis and don't think I have a lot of rightful say in what to do in a situation I absolutely cannot relate to, but. I would just very much rather have a cis girl (at birth I should probably add, I couldn't care less if my child came out as trans, other than worrying for their safety of course) and not even have to think about it.

What’s the scariest story/urban legend/creepypasta etc you heard? Ummmmm... I always found the Rake scary. Just waking up and some demon motherfucker staring at you from the foot of your bed. No thanks. Sleep paralysis-sounding stuff REALLY freaks me out, I'm thankful I've never experienced it and hope to high heaven I never do.

Do you miss someone currently? I do, I want to see Girt but I'm sick.

What personality trait does nearly everyone in your family seem to have? I don't know, I don't feel like going through a massive list of ideas to find one everyone matches.

How many tabs do you have open and what are they? At the time I'm answering this specific question, four YouTube tabs and one for Tumblr.

What browser do you prefer to use? I use Chrome, but I wouldn't call it a preference. I know Chrome has traits that are often critiqued. It's just what I'm used to.

What’re five random things on your desk besides any computer-related items? Two plushies, a planner, a sketchbook, and a small basket for things like my flash drive, iPod plug, etc.

What’re the items closest to you that’re red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, white, gray, brown, black, silver and gold? Red: featured on a blanket draped over the exercise bike seat. Orange: bag of chips I had. Yellow: featured in a plushie Girt got me on his vacation. Green: a plant in here. Blue: a pen. Purple: a pencil I use when I draw. Pink: a basket that's on a small shelf in here, I actually don't know what's in it. White: Girt's work schedule is printed on white paper. Gray: the outline of one of Cookie's beds. Brown: the cover of my sketchbook. Black: my pencil sharpener. Silver: the metal on the legs of my desk chair. Gold: there's gold flecks in the flower frame I use for a super cute picture of Roman.

Out of all the things you listed above, which is your favorite? The plush Girt got me while he was in Minnesota, I appreciated that he thought of me.

Are you excited for anything this month? Ryder's birthday party. The kids' bday parties stress me out to some degree, but it's always a nice change of pace in my days, too.

Is there anything special about today? No.

How’re you physically feeling right now? I have very symptomatic Covid. Guess lmfao.

How’re you emotionally feeling right now? I'm tired, haven't been able to sleep well. Feeling bleh.

Have you ever traveled outside of your home country? No, I wish.

Can you speak, read and/or write in another language besides English? I can read German rather easily (I hesitate on larger words sometimes, German words can get SO long), but I'm not fluent in understanding it all. I just understand how their spelling and pronunciation and stuff works.

What language course did you take in school, if any? I took Latin one semester and hated it. Following that, I took all four available German courses and did super well.

What language would you most like to learn? I want to be truly fluent in German.

What would you like to get a degree in? I don't think I want a degree. I want to pursue art (photography to be exact), and I've, in more recent times, become aware of just how flawed and unnecessary art school CAN be. Some people learn and grow in it, but it's a very overhyped and overly expensive thing for something unessential for success, from what I've heard from artist sources I trust.

What was you dream job when you were a little kid? Paleontologist was my first aspiration. I was OBSESSED with dinosaurs, and I still love them and find them so incredibly awe-inspiring. I desperately want to see a full fossil display one day, I might cry.

What happened to that dream? I don't want a career that requires frequent travel and also toiling in taxing conditions (like extreme heat).

Do you wake up a lot in the middle of the night? Once or twice.

What genre of books do you like to read? My all-time favorite is animal fantasy. Most books in this genre are for juveniles, but I don't care. I DO wish there were more adult-relevent series of this type, though... It's one of the things that encourages me to make a book out of the RP I take part it, but I just know I would not be dedicated enough to write a series, especially when I've already WRITTEN the scenes once, you know? Sure, I could just not rewrite a lot, but I'd be a shitty author to not reread and improve where I can, and that just doesn't interest me.

Do you prefer physical books or a Kindle, Nook or other e-reader? PHYSICAL BOOKS. I refuse to get a Kindle or anything similar, I NEED that escape from technology, my life is already consumed by it.

What types of magazines do you read? I don't read magazines.

Do you like video games based off of movies? I did as a kid.

Ever suffer from amnesia? Only when I woke up from a concussion. Initially I had almost no idea of anything and it REALLY distressed me, but still today I don't actually remember the moment I hit the floor.

What instrument do you prefer to play when playing Rock Band/Guitar Hero? I only ever play guitar.

Have you ever picked out a song to listen to on a jukebox? Possibly? Idr.

Have you ever eaten 3 meals from 3 different fast food places in one day? God no.

Favorite way to eat a potato? (i.e. french fries, mashed potatoes…) French fries.

Have you ever wished you could experience being the other gender? No, not really.

Have you ever cried in a movie theater? Yes. I specifically remember crying to Marley & Me, but I'm certain there's more, I cry easily.

When’s the last time you went out of state? It's been years.

Are the files in your computer well organized or all over the place? Well-organized.

Is there wallpaper on your bedroom walls? No.

What do you put on your hamburger? American cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles if available. I enjoy mayo, too, but I don't really seek it out.

Have you ever been described as shy? Is it true? Yes, I am excruciatingly shy.

When was the last time you saw rain? A few days back, we got some of Hurricane Debby.

What is one way someone could completely put you off on a first date? Say something racist or anti-LGBTQ+, act arrogantly, if we're out to dinner I'm fucking outie if you're rude to the waiters and stuff, be aggressive with me.

What about a way someone could make you like them more on a first date? Listen to me/just be attentive of me, be polite to those around you, make me laugh, don't be judgmental of my mental health stuff.

What was your first thought this morning? I was annoyed, Mom accidentally pointed her phone flashlight in my eyes at like 6AM and I couldn't fall back asleep after that.

Do or did you like school? School stressed me out, more than anything. It was too much pressure for me, especially college.

Have you ever sang in public? Yes, I was in the elementary school chorus and my childhood church choir. I also remember one church event where I was basically forced to sing a song I had to write with another girl. I was upset, I didn't want to sing with just ONE person doing it with me.

What do you like to listen to before you go to bed? I don't listen to things before bed specifically.

The videos that always make me laugh are… Vine-type videos. The quick, unexpected, stupid shit lmao

A trend I really love is… I've seen these videos going around of black men frolicking in fields and it is SO PURE and healthy masculinity as they laugh and have fun???????????????

My feelings about coconut flavor are… I hate coconut.

I think a good source of therapy is… Journaling.

Something helpful to lose weight is… Don't drink soda. If only I'd take that advice. Sure, I cut down IMMENSELY, but if I stopped entirely...

[mfenvs3000f23]

Small actions, big outcomes! Environment as a frequent classroom topic!

Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?

This is my final blog post and you likely do not know who I am, but if you are interested, I invite you to delve into Madeline Fantin’s interpretive ethics, values, and ideas for the future.

To start, what beliefs do I bring? I am a wildlife biology and conservation student; therefore, the vast majority of my courses have looked through a scientific lens (western science that is). Perhaps the reason I chose my program is due to possibly my most core belief, that individuals have the power and influence necessary to make a real difference. This is why I became a vegetarian even though my entirely Italian family thinks I’m bonkers, I think one person cutting their carbon emissions is a worthwhile effort. Are billionaires flying their private jets around for unsatisfactory reasons and investing in all kinds of large corporations who dump pollution directly into our environment? Yes of course, and don’t get me wrong, I think part of the fight towards a healthy planet is holding the extremely wealthy accountable. Perhaps they are hoping we will put all the blame on ourselves so that we ignore their insurmountable consumption. However, we are consumers too and where possible, we can choose where to put our money and how to live our lives to a certain extent. I believe that however small, the average citizen’s fight against climate change is valuable and necessary. In conversations I have had with the people in my life, I have learned that many people become unmotivated by the “all or nothing” mindset. For example, I frequently hear people say that they “could never go without meat all the time.” So don’t! Have meatless Mondays! Have meatless weekends! Go pescatarian! Go meatless biweekly! There are unlimited combinations of schedules that could provide a more reasonable expectation. The effort doesn’t need to be “perfect” to be worth something. This can be applied to many environmental actions. In most places in Ontario, it wouldn’t be reasonable to ask people to use public transport or bike as a main form of transportation. Most cities don’t have great public transport, and most people live a long, long bike ride away from their place of work. However just because you cannot bike to work doesn’t mean you can’t ever trade the car for your bike. Maybe there’s a friend you often visit just on the other side of the neighborhood, and maybe you usually drive to them, but when the weather is ideal and if you are able, the bike could work! Many “imperfect” actions are better than no action at all I promise!!!! There is no shame in not being the perfect environmentalist all the time, it is near impossible in the society we have created.

I also believe that there is something to be gained from spending time in nature, for anyone. Whether that is a chance to gather thoughts, get some exercise, some vitamin D, you name it. I don’t think it needs to be picturesque either. Sometimes connecting with nature looks like sitting on the curb outside your east campus townhouse because the sun has reappeared after some days of gloom. Sometimes you will have the energy to head to the arboretum, but when you don’t, taking a sunny break on the curb is better than skipping the outdoors all together. Again, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

I believe it is never too late to get started! Everyone, no matter the age or circumstance, should feel like they have a place in the world of nature interpretation and the outdoors. Having not grown up in an outdoor adventure family doesn’t mean you can’t have any outdoor adventures! On that point, outdoor adventures are whatever you make them. They need not be a costly trip to the other side of the continent. Someone with the right mindset could gain more from an hour by the local creek, than someone with the wrong mindset on their trip to Mount Kilimanjaro.

What responsibilities do I have? Well, there are the obvious ones such as to deliver the program I have advertised, inform guests about risk, manage and prevent dangers, present accurate information, check my bias and privilege, to be fun and engaging, and for guests to leave feeling like they have benefitted in some way. Other more specific responsibilities I believe depend on the approach…

So what approaches are the most suitable for me? Well, it is my goal to get into teaching in high school classrooms. This is not the type of environment we have spent the last few months discussing, but nonetheless I think there is a ton of relevant overlap. Nature interpretation could take place in the classroom, or the school yard. There may also be opportunity for class trips where students could be exposed to new ways of learning or new environments.

When relevant to the content, I would aim to stimulate interest and conversation about the environment and environmental issues happening around the world, as they relate to us in Canada and otherwise. I probably plan on living in Canada, and therefore will need to create programs suitable for all 4 seasons. This could mean the same topic modified with each passing season, different topics in each season, or a combination. I am excited to take advantage of the variance each season brings. I think many topics in the high school curriculum could benefit from an environmental lense, and I would look to make connections throughout where possible.

 I would look to encourage active learning and participation through mediums the students may be interested in, just like we talked about all the different mediums of nature interpretation. If I’m teaching grade 9 or 10 science, then this class is still required of them, and many may only be there by necessity. They might not want to be there or have particular interest in the content, which is ok, and I would need to navigate how to still make sure they get what they are meant to, even if they never develop excitement about it.

To revisit responsibilities, as a teacher I must provide a classroom environment conducive to learning, where everyone feels comfortable, valued, and that students look forward to attending each day.

For my final blog post outro (☹), I will say that climate doomism is very contagious and easy to get wrapped up in. I think one of the most important things we can do as nature interpreters is spark hope for change. You never know who is looking to you when they are feeling discouraged about the state of the world, and how you can provide them motivation to keep fighting the good fight!

[mandana-the-service-pup]

We have the car back and just got home from Mandanas aquapuncture appointment. She did well. Her back is still tender so at one point she wanted to stop, so we let her. When I asked if she wanted to try again she enthusiastically agreed and held still for the rest of the injections.

I discussed her back problem with the vet and here’s what we know. Mandana has arthritis in her spine (spondylosis). It’s only in one spot which indicates it was most likely her spine trying to stabilize itself after an injury. It was on her 2 year X-rays that the other vet missed, so it had to have happened when she was a puppy or adolescent because it takes some time for the calcification to develop. When I picked her up the breeder said she had her with an adolescent Malinois but had to separate them because the bigger dog was too rough with her. The vet said it’s possible the older dog was playing and came down on her back causing the injury which later developed arthritis.

This video was taken a few days after we brought her home. You can see how arched and tight her back is. I had her evaluated by a vet and asked about some of her behaviors that seemed off. I told him that she has been running and then falling over forward an unusual amount. More than I’ve seen other puppies do, but he assured me she was fine and was a normal healthy puppy.

Besides the breeder reported incident, there are a few possibilities of when it could have happened.

As a puppy, she jumped off some playground equipment as I was walking with her down the stairs. I watched her land shoulder first into the loose mulch and kept a close eye on her but she never showed any limping or soreness after that.

As an older puppy, her longline got caught on the tree when she got the zoomies and when she reached the end it was a hard stop. She was wearing a well fitted harness and didn’t show signs of injury afterwards.

As an adolescent we were playing in the snow and she unexpectedly jumped into the air. When she landed her feet came out from under her. She did seem sore after that. If I asked her to trot she had a barely noticeable limp on one side. It was gone within a day and that was just a couple of months before her X-ray.

All of those things make me cringe. Despite my best efforts, accidents happened. I always tried to follow up with the best care possible and I learned how to better predict her behavior and prevent stuff like that from happening. I would hate to think this lifelong injury is from something I did wrong but in truth it could have been.

The good thing is that the vet doesn’t think she has the progressive genetic version of this Although it’s still possible she could be genetically predisposed to developing it after injury. Most likely she won’t get worse until she starts to age and at that point it’s normal for most dogs to develop arthritis. Surgery is not an option. The only thing we can do is what we’ve been doing:

Rehab her back.

Build up the muscles in her top line through gradual conditioning exercises.

Choose activities she enjoys and if she shows signs of soreness lessen the intensity until she is comfortable.

Watch for any changes that might indicate the arthritis is progressing.

She will never do heavy mobility. She can pick up items for me and maybe on good days she can close doors and turn off lights but I will never ask her to brace and I will never ask her to do forward momentum. Those are two tasks I really needed but it was always a possibility she wouldn’t be able to do heavy mobility work and that’s ok. She is an amazing medical alert service dog (she even did a heart rate alert while she was getting aquapuncture done this morning!) My main concern right now is that she is comfortable traveling and doing public access outings.

I also want to make sure she is stable enough to exercise so we can build up her muscles and keep weight off. I don’t think she will ever be able to do joring but maybe running tandem with me on a bike is something we could work towards. She certainly has the leash skills for it and it’s something she seems to enjoy. In the future we will probably trade in her carpetmill for a slatmill so she can exercise without the added resistance. If she’s comfortable traveling I could take her to the lake for swimming during week days.

There are so many things we can do together. Her lifespan is short. I want to make her time with me enjoyable. Adventures without pain afterwards. And who knows, maybe when things are all said and done we’ll have a little prospect puppy tagging along and learning how awesome it is to be a service dog.