20200630 SLLLAVERS for TUESDAY - POST-VERTIGO DAY 25

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.  Keep trying.

LLL

Live.  Love.  Laugh.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed  196.0
Today, I weigh           195.2 (-0.8)

I visualize weighing less tomorrow than I do today.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Tuesday, 20200630:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. squats 70
6. EPLEY movement R - 1x

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that in the 1800s, in England and France, the senior/ranking military were populated by well-born men,  He asks "why not women?"  He further notes that the rank & file were taken from the poor MEN, not women.  He again asks why.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says most writers tend to use useless words ("very," "that,"  '-ly" words, etc.).  He advises to write a paper, and then cut it in half, eliminating all unnecessary words.  He gives a list of good habits for writers:

• Do a document search for all uses of "that" and "very" - kill as many as possible.
• Re-read document & kill adverbs wherever possible.
• Look for complicated sentences using "and" and "but" - simplify them.
• Destroy phrases like "I think" - just say what you want to say.

I have an "appointment" with myself for today at 11:00 AM - 12:00 NOON, to do my first writing.  It will be here on my computer.  I will "report for work."  The time of day might change later on, but today, it'll be 11:00 - 12:00 Noon.

Rough Schedule:

6-8  Routines (meditation, exercise, vertigo, breakfast

8-9  Taxes

9-10 Refi App

10-11 Dusting

11-12 Writing

12-2  Shopping, Lunch

2-3 Taxes/Refi App

3-4 Bathroom

4-5 Writing

5-6 Dinner

(that's enough structure for today)

20200629 SLLLAVERS for MONDAY - POST-VERTIGO DAY 24

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.

LLL

Live. Love. Laugh.


AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed XXX.X
Today, I weigh           196.0 (Home scale)

I visualize weighing less tomorrow than I do today.

EXERCISE

1. wrist/ankle circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. EPLEY EXERCISE 1x for RIGHT EAR
5. shoulder rolls 70
6. push-ups 70 (28 +21 + 21)

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that another theory as to why males dominate in almost ever aspect of society, is that they are much more aggressive than females.  He says that males "evolved with much more aggression" but does not say why that happened - only that it did.

I suppose he does not know.  And neither do I.

Read 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says writers write & what they write stays with you, not because of the length of their writings, but because of the PUNCH of their words.

Writing is about space
Writing is about what is NOT said.
Writing is about showing, not telling.
Writing is about making every word count.

How do youdo this?  PRACRICE A LOT, and EDIT OFTEN.

You don't need as many words as you might think.

Even a memoir.

Don't just fill the pages.  Make. Every. Word. Count.

20200613 SLLLAVERS for SATURDAY - POST VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 8

SILENCE

Forgot to do this today.  Oh well.  I used to shake my head in an effort to "dislodge" my thoughts from my brain.  But now, with vertigo, I can't really do that without thinking that I'm aggravating the vertigo.  So..... simple silence.

LLL

Live.  Love.  Laugh.


AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed 193.2

Today, I weigh           194.4  (+1.2) (Lisa's scale)

Tomorrow, I visualize weighing less than I weigh today.

EXERCISE

Did PARTIAL base-70 routine for Saturday, June 13, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70

(then did my BPPV manoeuvers)

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says

****************

ABORT - no more time because I'm at Lisa's and we're getting ready to go to Utah

****************

20200612 SLLLAVERS for FRIDAY - POST VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 7

SILENCE

Did not do this this morning; I was focused on sleeping at a 45 degree angle (due to Vertigo), and I forgot.

LLL

Live.  Love.  Laugh.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed 193.4 

Today, I weigh           193.2 (-0.2)

Tomorrow, I visualize weighing less than I weigh today.

EXERCISE

I did a PARTIAL base-70 routine.  This is the first day I've done my routine exercises since the onset of vertigo (BPPV) 6 days ago.  Last night I slept at a 45 degree angle - better than I thought I would.  Since the BPPV began during my inversion table sets, I have now eliminated them from my routine.  I'm also not doing push-ups or squats - at least until I'm sure I wouldn't be affecting my BPPV recovery:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. (while still in bed, at approx. 45 degree angle) bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table
6. push-ups

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that if it were only brawn that determined social heirarchy, sapiens would be somewhere in the middle (between single-cell entities and dinosaurs).  But since sapiens are at the top, there are certainly other factors:  mental, social.  Harari comments that it's hard to believe that the most stable and influential social heirarchy is founded on males' ability to coerce females.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says Dr. Seuss is genius, and simple.  I'd like to be remembered for my wit/written word.  But I need to remember that writing principles are simple - but not easy.  OK, I get that.

*sigh*

OK.  I know I'm "getting older" now.  I'll soon be saying "70" and I'm not in a rush to get there.  But what's really happened to me lately?

I was resuming my routine in anticipation of being in better shape (losing 20 pounds, building as much muscle and stamina as I can).  So that when I DO say "70," I will add "but look how I'm in such good shape for my age."

But no.  My plan was thwarted by the onset of vertigo (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo).  Self-diagnosed, but I'm close to 100% sure that's what it is.  I'm on Day 7 of it.

GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

I'm still in denial that it will be a permanent condition.  I could be right about that.  Bill Laursen's vertigo plagued him 15 years ago, and now it's gone.  So mine could leave, too.

The prospect of weaving and hobbling through the rest of my life is, in a word, unappealing.  But the reality has set in.

Last night, I read a study about sleeping positions in people with BPPV, and it showed that those who slept at a 45 degree angle did better than those who slept flat.  I tried it last night, and had measurable success.  I still wore my CPAP mask, and was able to sleep most of the night.  I'm fairly sure that I'm more rested and less vertiginous (?) than I would have been.

So that's what I'm gonig to try to do.  It will be challenging since I'm going to be travelling for the next 2 weeks, but I'll do what I can.

20200605 SLLLAVERS for FRIDAY - RESUMPTION10

SILENCE

Silenced my brain for 70 seconds; mild success.

LLL

Laugh.  Live.  Love.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed 196.8

Today, I weigh           197.4  (+0.6)

Tomorrow, I visualize weighing less than I weigh today.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Friday, June 5, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. push-ups 70 (35 + 30 + 5) (+2)

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that a further problem with the theory that "muscle" leads to control is that it hasn't worked that way.  It's generally true that men in their 60s can control men in their 20s, even though they're likely to be much weaker physically.  Same idea applies to mafia bosses, popes, etc.  There must be some other reason than musculature that determines who gets to control things in a society.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that the way to genius/good writing is through rough drafts.  He mentions that I should write.  Commit to writing.  Right now.  It can be pen on paper OR typing on a screen.  But DO IT TODAY.

It's funny how the timing has evolved.  I was wondering earlier this morning if I should adopt being a writer as a job, to which I will report at 8am, and then work all day (within reason), and finish at 5 pm.

Since David's Deal has not materialized after 5+ years (!!!!!), I am considering moving on by becoming a writer, and reporting for work every morning, and staying at work all day.  I'll see.

I also pondered if I would be a fiction writer, or a non-fiction writer.  If I am a fiction writer, I will continue "telling lies" - things that are not true.  That's always bothered me - I've tried during my life to become a person who always tells the truth.  I even stopped doing (some) embarrassing things so that if I ever had to account for (or recount) what actually happened in my life, I could do so truthfully and honestly.

But then, fact/non-fiction can be terribly dull, boring, monotonous.  Even though I write for MYSELF, I also want others to know what I've written.

So...... I concluded this morning that I could actually write fiction that has a true message.  This is not a new idea, but it's an idea that I am "trying on" right now.  I might just head in the fiction direction, with the goal of weaving in some truth.  We'll see.

But, getting back to Jeff Goins' ideas......

He says I should write SOMEthing every day, even if it's just a headline.  In truth, I have written a lot already - the above thoughts.

But I believe he want's me to formally begin writing, and to review & edit until it's good, or just right, or.... genius.

So that's what I'll do, when I begin writing today.

20200604 SLLLAVERS for THURSDAY - RESUMPTION9

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; better at it today.

LLL

Live.  Love.  Laugh.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed 198.6 (on Lisa's scale)

Today, I weigh           196.8 (-1.8) (weighed on my home scale)

Tomorrow, I visualize weighing less than I weigh today.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Thursday, June 4, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. inversion table 3 70-second sets
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that there is a theory that men are more powerful due to their larger size and greater strength.  But, he says, this theory is not valid, since even where a powerful position requires little strength, men have dominated (e.g., clergy)

He's right, and he has a 2nd argument against the "strength theory," which I will read about tomorrow.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that there are MANY THOUSANDS of authors out there who are "crazy" and yet they still have an audience.  So I should remember that and just begin the hard work of writing.

He quotes Anne Lamott, who gives this secret:

The professional shows up every day, ready to do the work.  No magic beans or mystical formulas.  Just simple, hard work.

I am reminded when I worked at DKM (2nd time), and Jeff Dixon threatened to terminate me; we agreed that if I could sell $100K + of business in the next X months, I would be able to stay.

So, I began to work like a professional.  I showed up every day on time, and I worked until "quittin' time" every day.  I filled every minute with work activities.  When I had an hour before "quittin' time" and I was away from the office, I found a Starbuck's, logged on, and made calls until the end of the day.

The result:  I sold more than $100K, and stayed with DKM.  Jeff restored my salary to what it was before, and I kept at it.

I know that many others don't have to "go through all this" to be successful.  But I did.

Perhaps now I will "show up for work" as a writer.

20200503 SLLLAVERS for WEDNESDAY - RESUMPTION8

SILENCE

Tried to silence my mind for 70 seconds; mild success.

LLL

Love.  Live.  Laugh.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also, said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed 198.8

Today, I weigh          198.6 (-0.2) (weighed on Lisa's scale)

Tomorrow, I visualize weighing less than I weigh today.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Wednesday 20200603:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. flatonback 3 70-second sets
6. push-ups 70 (35 + 30 + 5)
7. 
   

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says patriarchy is both global and timeless, and that we don't know the real reason why.  Societies that were separated by both geography and time still remained, or were, patriarchial.  Harari will now examine the "unconvincing reasons" for this phenomenon.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says writers should get the basics down (grammar, syntax, etc.), and then STOP TRYING TO BE GOOD.  Good is relative.  I should detatch myself from the notion that I have to be a "good writern."

OK, I get that.

And now I will write.

20200602 SLLLAVERS for TUESDAY - RESUMPTION7

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.  Well, I DID try.

LLL

Live, Love, Laugh.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed 198.6

Today, I weigh          198.8 (+0.2) (weighed on Lisa's scale)

Tomorrow, I visualize weighing less than I weigh today.

EXERCISE

Did my full base 70 routine for Tuesday, 20200602:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. flatonback 3 70-second sets
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that women have rarely (until recent trends) achieved "alpha status."  He gives Queen Elizabeth I of the House of Tudor, who did so until she died at age 70 in 1603.  But he adds that ALL the significant positions in government, military, education (even students), science, religion and industry were held by men.

Before that, there were only 2 "alpha" females of note:  Cleopatra (Egypt), and Empress Wu Zetian (China).

While I had not known these details, I did know there was/is a trend toward a more equal distribution of these roles between males and females.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that "good" is subjective.  When asked, he rarely labels writing as "good" or "bad."  He says his opinion does not matter.  What matters is, DOES IT GET THE JOB DONE WELL?  He uses the example of 2 carpenters opining about the qualities of a hammer.  They don't care so much how beautiful it is; they care only if it gets the job done.  

Jeff Goins says writing is like that.

We'll see; I am remembering Mr. Whitman in Grade 10 English class in Beaconsfield, who discussed the subjective quality of writing; I made the point that everyone will have his/her own opinion of a work of wriring.  Nevertheless, he insisted, there are benchmarks which identify "good" writing.  I was so enamored and otherwise "taken" with him that the messages he gave barely sank in.  But that one did.

So, again, "we'll see;" I will write, and see if Jeff Goins and Mr. Whitman are right about writing.

20200601 SLLLAVERS for MONDAY - RESUMPTION6

SILENCE

Attempted to silence my brain for 70 seconds; mild success.

LLL

Live.  Love.  Laugh.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
2. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
3. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
4. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
5. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
6. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
7. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
8. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
9. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.
10. I, Ken Taylor, am a loving human being.

Also said aloud (whispered) for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

Yesterday, I weighed 197.2

Today, I weigh          198.6 (+1.4) (weighed on Lisa's scale)

Tomorrow, I visualize weighing less than I weigh today.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Monday, 20200601:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. flatonback 3 70-second sets
6. push-ups 70 (35+25+10)

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that since the Agricultural Revolution (i.e., 12K-8K BC), societies have always been patriarchical; they've valued and rewarded men for being and acting like men, and to a much lesser extent, women for being and acting like women.

I have no dispute with Harari on this point; it seems unfair, but it has been so, and remains today to be so.  Today, most women marry and still take the family name of their husbands.

But, it was not recently when Margo Thomas produced her "FREE TO BE YOU AND ME" album in which she teaches female children that they can be/do anything they want, including all the things male children can be/do.  EXCEPT, she said, they can't be daddies or grandpas.

She was wrong there.  Trans people today can become the parent of the sex opposite to the one they were born biologically.

IOW, it's no longer so clear cut as it was even 25 years ago.

Onward we go, evolving as SAPIENS.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says "good writers push through."  Meaning, they don't give up on re-writing and editing, and always allow for improvements.

He mentions that a good writer will begin early, allowing time for as many revisions as possible.  A bad writer is not totally bad; s/he is lazy, has bad habits, and is afraid of failure.

He adds that there is no "bad writing" - only bad writers.

My thoughts as I read, again, are that I must "hold the needle down."  It's a lesson I've had to learn repeatedly throughout my life.

So now, I write.