20200831 SLLLAVERS for MONDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 87

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; very difficult to do.

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

No way to weigh myself in this hotel.

Still, I visualize weighing less today than I did yesterday.

EXERCISE

Did my modified base-70 exercise routine for Monday, August 31, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches (legs only) 70
4. shoulder rolls - slow - 70
5. EPLEY 1xR (PM), 1xR (AM)
6. squats 70  (today is a push-up day, tried one - could feel pain, so I did squats instead)

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that by 1000 BC, there appeared 3 potentially universal orders, which "sought" to eliminate the "us v them" mentality:

1.  Economic - Merchants

2.  Political - Conquerers

3.  Religious - Prophets

So..... I think we still have "us v. them" in our world.  But for me, it's still "I v. everyone else" because I'm more focused on my own situation.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He continues with the 5 platforms.  No. 3 is THE PROFESSOR.  The professor is good at something, AND loves teaching.  He does extensive research and loves data, facts, etc.

I'm not good at any one thing, but I do look at facts in the context of critical thinking exercises.  And I do love the idea of being a teacher.

Who knows what I am?  I sure dont.  yet.

20200830 SLLLAVERS - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 86

 SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; politics intervened.

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.

VISUALIATION

193.0  Today's weight

192.8  Yesterday's weight

+0.2

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my modified base-70 exercise routine for Sunday, August 30, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches (leg only) 70
4. shoulder rolls (slowly) 70
5. EPLEY 1xR(pm), 1xR(am)
6. squats (replace push-ups due to arm pain &  cortisteroid shot) 70

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He explores the idea of "global unity," which, he says, is definitely not characteristic of any animal species (e.g., no alpha Lion aspires to be king of all lion kings).  Until the Cognitive Revolution (_______), neither did Sapiens.  And in the earlier days, Sapiens might have united/conquered those nearby, but they did not perceive of uniting the entire planet.  Egyptians always knew that there were barbarians outside their borders.

I'm intrigued by the notion that during this process (Harari says), Sapiens had the notion that there was an "us" and a "them."  We still abide by this concept today.

But I have often allowed myself to settle on the concept of "I" and "them."  IOW, there has to be, on some level, an understanding that I am me, and everyone else is not me (or "them").  Well, of course.  But maybe the concept of self is erroneous, if we "broke off" from God before, and now we're individuals, and eventually we're going to return to God to again become part of Him/Her/It.

Who knows, really.  But it's interesting to think of global unity in that context.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that ARTISTS see beauty in the ordinary, and have a passion for sharing it with others.  I don't really identify with these feelings, and so I'm not likely to be an artist who shares messages with others.

He then moves to PROFESSOR, a person who longs to learn, and learns more than most.  S/he is also good at expressing ideas, whether speaking or writing.  This might be closer to who I am, although I have NOT, over my life, become obsessed with learning in general.  I HAVE been able to select one theme/idea/subject and research it to a fine point.  For example, when I have a condition (physical), I want to know what's really happening with my body, and so I do internet research, and consult with people I know are experts.  Same with history of SOME things (e.g., Mormonism).  But many things (e.g. classical music) I stay "outside" of the field, listen occasionally, and think now and then that I might organize the Great Composers on paper, according to location, life span, associates, themes, style, etc.  I know doing that would require a bunch of time and effort, and I usually conclude that it's not really what I want to do.  So I leave it alone, and enjoy some of the music, and go back to whatever I was doing.

So, Jeff Goins says we have 5 platforms:

1. THE JOURNALIST
2. THE PROPHET
3. THE ARTIST
4. THE PROFESSOR
5. THE CELEBRITY

 Already I'm not seeing myself as absolutely one of them.  But I'll defer judgment until I've absorbed the full spectrum of platforms Goins proposes.

**********

Today, I'm beginning my 2-day drive from LA to SLC, and it's still a bit early.  But I'm going to

• complete my routine
• shower
• have breakfast
• get on the road!

Ainsi soit-il.

20200829 SLLLAVERS for SATURDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 85

SILENCE

Tried to silence 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 for 70 seconds.

VISUALIZATION

192.8  Today's weight

195.2  Yesterday's weight

-2.4

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my modified (due to shoulder cortisteroid shot 2 days ago) base-70 routine for Saturday, August 29, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70 (7 with arms + 28 w/o arms + 35 w/o arms)
4. shoulder rolls (Very slowly) 42 (35 forward + 7 backward)
5. EPLEY MANOEUVRE 1xR (pm), 1XR (am)
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He describes "The Global Vision" as a slowly developing aspect of our planet.  He says that as early as 1000 BC, the concept of a global government was contemplated, but that it didn't accelerate until the last few hundred years, when we began to "tighten" the global reach.  After that process began, we were able to introduce Spanish cattle to Argentina, and Mexican chilies to Italy.

Agreed.

Today, you hear "the world is getting smaller and smaller," usually followed by an amazement about how quickly transportation has evolved, and technology has developed, making travel and communication so much faster; this will all lead to a globalization of economy, health care, and I'm guessing government, too.

Since we're fighting against another trump term in the White House, I speculate that "hidden" forces such as dictatorial Russia are behind the move to conquer and delete democracy, while Biden, et al, struggle to keep it alive.

Which would be better in a "shrinking, globalizing world:"  democracy, or dictatorship?

Read 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says the third kind of platform is ARTISTS, who speak to us through paintings, music, food or poetry.  He lists his favorite artist as Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (a band).  Rather than write more about this, I'm going to listen to his music right now.

I listened to 2-3 of their songs, and soon realized that he is a person who believes in God, and yet his music has a "modern" rock feel:  guitars, blank verse, love songs mixed with being a human and lower than God.

My response is:  it touched something inside me, but I am resisting "jumping in" to experience all of his messages.  Why?  Because it assumes there IS, in fact, a god who might "rescue" me from the trials of my life.

Granted, my "trials" have not been all that challenging.  I have not lost a child.  I have lost siblings who died earlier than usual.  But I have coped with these losses fairly well.  I have also been able to cope with being a Mormon and gay and a father, all at once.  I "fixed things" in my life, and now I feel good about what I'm doing with regard to those aspects of my life.

But there could be trials ahead that will tax my soul, or make me either want to change direction, or actually change direction, and "move" to another "chapter."

But for now, I am still "waiting" for God to reveal himself to me, and to teach me the truth about who I am, and why I am here on the earth.  I'm nearing the end now, and maybe I've already run out of time to figure this out.  And also, maybe, I have an exciting life ahead of me in which I will be able to answer some or most or all of my as-yet unanswered questions.

Qui sait?

*sigh*

**********

20200828 SLLLAVERS for FRIDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 84

SILENCE

I did try 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

195.2 Today's weight

196.6 Yesterday's weight

-1.4

Visualizing weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my MODIFIED (due to yesterday's injections (tetanus, flu, cortisteroid)) routine for Friday, August 28, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger crunches 70
3. bicycle crunches (legs only) 70
4. shoulder rolls - very SLOW - 36 (18 + 18)
5. EPLEY MANOEVER (at an angle to avoid pressure on left shoulder) 1xR(pm), 1xR(am)
6. squats - very SLOW - 70

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He gives a full paragraph to yet another illustration of the concept of societies v the reality of societies.  Before 1500, there were no horses in North or South America.  The civilizations of pre-Columbian Americas was therefore much less mobile, and likely much more peaceful.  Only after the introductions of horses and later firearms, did the "fierce Indian warrior" - strong and brave - come to our conscious.

Read 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He introduces 5 MAJOR PLATFORMS which he has observed among writers.

First, JOURNALIST.  An CURIOUS person is good at this, since s/he is always asking questions.

Second, PROPHET.  A person who is obsessed with telling the TRUTH.  He gives as an example a woman named Jamie, who blogs every day about the truths she sees in her life.  Her readers like her and read her because she "is real."

**********

My tetanus, flu and cortisteroid injections I had yesterday have left me a bit sore.  I'm wondering if, had I not been exercising regularly for several weeks before yestrerday, I would be hurting more.

*sigh*

Life is a series of one-way streets.  So I can't ever know.  But it seems like my pains of today are less intense because I am a regular exerciser.  Qui sait, vraiment?

I'm also wondering if my typing, combined with my right-handedness have somehow caused more wear & tear in my right shoulder.

A while back, I was a frequent visitor to a website which had a "world" I could roam.  My computer at the time had a "j-mouse" - a small knob of sorts right in the keyboard, which acted as a mouse, and which was operated by my right index finger.  I was able to "move about" in the "world" by pushing and pulling on the j-mouse; doing so definitely caused some stress & pain in my right index finger, hand and arm.  I connected the activity with the pain, and soon stopped doing it.  The pain went away.

So now, I'm typing on my laptop, which is literally on my lap, and I'm spending more and more time "writing."  So perhaps my constant typing/moving of my fingers and hands has something to do with the pain.

A pianist with less strong fingers/hands/arms might have to go through periods of pain as s/he adapts his body to being a pianist.

Well, that's that.  I've covered all the ground I can think of for now.

I might be able to avoid pain medication (Naproxen perscription for possible arm pain due to cortisteroid injection) completely.  It has to be taken with food, and I am not eating as much.

(Just had a wonderful "update" telcon with Joe - he's doing quite well)

Regarding my writing, I think I'm going to NOT write for the next 9 days.  I will instead READ what I've written aloud.  I want to see what the effect of doing this might be, with regard to editing.  Speaking the words I write could alter my perceptions, the effects of the words I chose, etc.

Doing this (rather than writing) might lead me to doing extensive editing.  So, I will keep the "original" I wrote on the day I wrote it, copy it, and paste it to today (tomorrow, etc.) for the next 9 days.

Day 1 of reading my writing will begin after breakfast.

20200827 SLLLAVERS for THURSDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 83

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.  Mild success, but groggy due to Tylenol PM taken.

LLL

Love.  Laugh.  Live.

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

196.8 Yesterday's weight.

196.6 Today's weight.

-0.2

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

I did my full base-70 routine for Thursday, August 27, 2020; I did parts of it with George on FaceTime or What'sApp.  We inspire each other.

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY maneovre 1xR(pm), 1xR(am)
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He illustrates a phenomenon about globalization that persists until today:  what cuisine various cultures are known for.  He gives several examples; one is Italy, where at one time, there was no pasta with tomato sauce.  Italians adopted the tomato from Mexico after 1500.

Interesting.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says I need to build my platform (i.e., establish myself with people who will listen/read).  Platforms can be:

• Youtube
• Blog
• Radio show
• TV show
• Newspaper column
• Speaking career
• Podcast

I will add to that:  FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter postings; he'll likely not include this since it's mostly REactive to other posts; we'll see.  But I'm active on FaceBook, and I state my opinions there quite often.  My friends usually react/reply.  I wouldn't consider it "successful writing,"  but it is SOMEthing.

**********

David emailed and texted about a possible C-Day ("C=cash"; I also call it D-Day, meaning "David Day").  I'm heading to Utah this weekend, and will be there on "C-Day" which he says is September 1.  Maybe we'll be opening that champagne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I enjoyed doing my routine with GG (we used FaceTime) this morning; he's inspired by my doing so much; but I hope he's not also discouraged (I'm 70 & doing a LOT of exercise compared to his lesser number of reps, at 40).  But he seems to be keeping a good attitude about it.  We remind ourselves that no matter where we are, the goal is I. I.  (incremental improvement).

20200826 SLLLAVERS for WEDNESDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 82

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; not easy, but counting went smoother.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  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

198.0 Yesterday's weight

196.8 Today's weight

-1.2

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANUVER 1xR (PM), 1xR (AM)
6. push-ups 70 (35 + 28 + 9 (2 extra!))

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He points out that an explorer of the 1300s, a man named Battuta from Tangiers (Morocco) travelled extensively in and around Afro-Asia.  By several centuries later (by 1800s), all of today's world had been visited by others; there were no more "authentic" (meaning "untouched by others") human cultures left on the planet.

OK, I accept that too.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says I should by now be wondering if I'm "ready" to go to work.  If I'm still afraid, unsure, etc, that's not the issue.  Those feeling will come and go over time.  The issue is FEAR - FEAR of starting.

He advises me to remember that my readers are also struggling with the same issues, and if I present myself as honest, asking questions, then they'll warm up to me.

He says that my readers are my platform.  Hmmmmm.  So it's the readers, but it's also the medium (podcast, youtube, blog).

OK.

**********

I thought that if I started my routine by 6 am, I'd be done with it, and ready to shift to writing by 7 am.  But I'm already over that - it's 7:10 am.  Well, I will still report to work.

20200825 SLLLAVERS for TUESDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 81

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; mild success, but mostly counting.

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

201.6 Yesterday's weight

198.0 Today's weight

-3.6

I visualize weighing less tomorrow

(I think this sudden significant loss was due to eating only 2 meals yesterday (9am, 5pm), and nothing between meals.)

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Tuesday, August 25, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANUVER 1xR(pm), 1xR(am)
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He summarizes that AFRO-ASIAN megaworld began "conquering" the remaining global worlds in 1450, and after about 300 years, they had succeeded in 4 significant ways:

1. nation states (geo-political)
2. capitalism (economics)
3. human rights (international laws)
4. nuclear/atomic physics (science)

Harari says we Sapiens share in these fundamental, global aspects.  E.g., experts in Australia and Italy both accept the same principles of physics, anatomy, cellular structure, etc.

OK, I accept that.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says I should perceive that a writer must build his/her own platform, and then ask readers to allow him to write to them.  He further says that he began with his blog, and he felt like a fool, since he had not become an "expert" in anything.  He just wanted to write.  So his blog was "limping along" without much result.

The next steps, and the next paragraph he wrote, bear quoting him word for word.  It seems like THIS is the substance of the message I need to hear right now:

"Who the heck was I to offer advice?

"Then I started hearing about other bloggers who were considered experts in their fields.  I found out many of them didn't start out as experts either.  Instead, they just started asking questions.  They started poking and probing and finding answers to their burning questions.  They shared the questions they were asking and the answers they found.  They took their readers along on their journey of discovery."

I need to assimilate/absorb/grasp this message.  It bears repeating every day, until I've done it, and am ready to move to the next step after that.

20200824 SLLLAVERS for MONDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 80

SILENCE

Didn't try this morning; it seems futile.

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

201.6 Today's weight

xxx.x  Yesterday's weight unknown (I was at Lisa's)

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Monday, August 24, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANOEUVER 1xR(pm), 1xR(am)
6. push-ups 70 (35 + 21 + 14)

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that after Columbus (1500), the Afro-Asian mega-world swallowed up all the other mega-worlds; this was achieved over a period of 300 years, and it was irreversible.  The last "world" to "fall" was Tasmania.

Agreed.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that my PLATFORM is key.  I need to establish my PLATFORM so that, week after week, others/readers can come and read what I write, and there, they will give me "permission" to continue writing.  If I don't properly establish my platform, it's just like "shouting" into the wind (or something).  He gives the example of a local newspaper being delivered to his home every day.  He didn't ask for it; he didn't want it; he never reads it; he throws it away every week (he gets 7 per week); and, he says, that is SHOUTING, on the part of those who write, print, copy, and distribute it.  It's a waste of effort wrt Jeff, because he will never read it.

If I can establish a proper platform properly, then I won't be "shouting," but seeking permission from my readers to continue writing and putting my work on my platform for them to read.

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

Today, as yesterday, I'm not going to write immediately after SLLLAVERS.  I am a bit distracted by my pending visit to Kaiser's Radiology Department, where I will get my right shoulder x-rayed.

I debated even going there at 7am (it's now 7:08 am) to be "first in line" so I wouldn't have to wait.  But this morning, I decided that doing my routine is too important to miss doing it.  And I have "all day" to wait in line at the X-Ray department.

So, now I've completed my SLLLAVERS routine, and I somehow feel like writing, which is a very good thing.  Perhaps it's from my habit/routine I've followed for several days.  EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT WRITE ANYTHING YESTERDAY.  Why didn't I?  I don't recall.  I might have been interrupted, and then pseudo-decided to "report for work" later in the day.

I need a way to make it happen.

Possible plan:  

6:00 AM:  SLLLAVERS

7:00 AM:  Report for work:  Writing (New, or edit yesterday)

8:00 AM:  Grooming

9:00 AM:  Breakfast (smoothie)

10:00 AM:  Report for work:  Edit the writing I did earlier that day

20200823 SLLLAVERS for SUNDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 79

SILENCE

Tried to silence brain; no Tylenol PM last night, but still felt quite groggy this morning.

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

19X.x (Lisa says her scale is not working - needs new batteries)     Today's weight (Lisa's scale)

199.2 Yesterday's weight (Lisa's scale)

I'm guessing I didn't gain or lose weight - but tomorrow (chez moi) I'll know for sure.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Sunday, August 23, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANOVEUR 1xR (pm), 1xR (am)
6. squats 35
7. push-ups 35 (no stops!!)

READING, WRITING 

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He describes how the heretofore isolated civilizations were "smashed" by the arrival of European explorers:

Just prior to Columbus (1500AD), 

90% of the world's population lived in AFRO-ASIA.

10% lived in 4 other areas, soon to be swallowed up by AFRO-ASIA

1. Mesoamerican World (Central & parts of North America)
2. Andean World (western South America)
3. Australian World
4. Oceanic World (southwestern Pacific Islands, from Hawaii to New Zeland)

Big changes began in 1500, through 1800 - when the full planet was finally discovered.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says I need a platform both for me to earn my own authority, and for me to earn others' authority given to me to write something.

I suppose I had the "authority" to write about my STONE MOUNTAIN Tee Shirt, since every word of that was true.  And no one else can dispute it.  But I think Jeff is going beyond that.  He's saying that I need to authorize myself, as a writer, to write.  I will eventually arrive at the point where others also will authorize me to write, as a writer.

I have an idea that this basic principle will apply whether what I write is non-fiction, or fiction.  Maybe he'll explain how that is so in future pages.

But for now, I will be happy knowing that I've given myself the authority to write, and I will work toward getting others to award me that authority in their minds.

**********

I'm at Lisa's, and it's challenging to be here, but it's also enjoyable.  Gotta go!!

20200822 SLLLAVERS for SATURDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 78

(chez Lisa)

SILENCE

Tried silencing my brain for 70 seconds; too groggy (from the TylenolPMs taken last night) to even count the seconds properly.  Oh well.

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

198.6   Yesterday's weight

199.2 (90.6kg)   Today's weight (on Lisa's scale) 

+0.6  :-(

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Saturday, August 22, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANOEUVER (forgot to do it last night) 1XR (am) 
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He gets particular about what "worlds" existed, and when.  The pattern he sees is that large groups co-existed without knowing about each other (e.g., Rome (Europe) & Tiotihuakan (South America), around 300-400 AD).  They each rose/fell without knowing about the other.

Additionally, he notes that the number of these "human worlds" began to diminish in number over time:  in 10,000 BC, there were thousands of them; in 2000 BC, there were only several hundred; by 1450 AD, only a few.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says I can't expect to be "discovered" if I never lift a finger to get the attention of readers.  I need to be "intentional."  And he adds that every successful communicator has 3 tools to use to get there: 

1. A platform
2. A brand to build trust with readers
3. Channels of communication to distribute my work/art/writing

Then he tackles Number 1:  A platform.  He says that in London's Hyde Park, folks would stand on "soap boxes" to get the attention of listeners.  Today, our Hyde Park is........ the Internet.

Agree with all I read today.  Will look at Tasmania in a new light from now on.

20200821 SLLLAVERS for FRIDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 77

 SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  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

197.4 Yesterday's weight

198.6 Today's weight

+1.2 (due to eating at JackInTheBox last night)

I visualize weighing less tomorrow than I do today.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Friday, August 21, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY Rx1 (am), Rx1 (pm)
6. push-ups 70 (35 + 21 + 14)

My right arm pain wasn't as noticable today.

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He illustrates his previous points by the example of Tasmania.  During the end of an Ice Age (10,000 BC) the sea levels rose, creating the island (south of Australia).  The people were cut off from mainland Australia, and remained so until the Europeans arrived (1500s).  No one else knew the Tasmanians were even there, and the Tasmanians likely thought they were the only beings on earth.  But the European & Chinese societies developed, expanded & decimated, all without any contact or knowledge of Tasmania.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says I need to do the work of becoming noticed, and that I'll be waiting a LONG TIME if I merely write and wait for someone to notice.  I have to become an active part of a community.

His path:  wrote on a blog every day, and noticed that people read his work, but that was it.  He's learned that it'll take more than just that to become a successful writer.

As for me:  I have a blog, this one (Kerota's Musings), and I've posted here for several years, at least once a month, and sometimes daily for long stretches (to satisfy my goals - SLLLAVERS).  But as far as I can tell, NO ONE ON EARTH has ever read even one of my posts.

Well, I'm not all that surprised.  Clicking on "PUBLISH" on the blog makes it available to the public.  So my innermost, intimate thoughts are "out there."  But I'm not quite sure how to let others see them.  And I'm not so sure I WANT all that (from several years back) out there.  There are some x-rated blurbs, which would be offensive to some in my family.

So...... as has been the case for most of my life, I am not willing to write the same things to everyone; I am not willing to write x-rated material for my family to read, and until I read YOU ARE A WRITER, I thought I didn't want ANYone to read my earlier versions (pre=edited) of ANYthing.

But now, it's time to move ahead.  I will edit out the stuff I don't want others to read.  And I will take the next steps to joining a community.

20200820 SLLLAVERS for THURSDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 76

SILENCE

Tried to silence brain for 70 seconds.  Well, I tried to.

LLL

Laugh.  Love.  Live.

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

196.6 Yesterday's weight

197.4 Today's weight 

+0.8         :-(

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Thursday, August 20, 2020

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANOEVER 1XR (am) 1XR (pm)
6. squats 70

Arm pain:  seems to be subsiding, or subsided for now, I don't know which.  I took 2 Tylenol PM last night, and this morning, the pain was quite a bit less.  Although I can still feel the pain, they did not prevent me from doing all of the above as usual.

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that human history, when viewed from a "bird's eye" perspective, and with a scale of millennia (not centuries), it is "crystal clear" that human societies are moving in the direction of UNITY.  Disintegration events (e.g., the break up of Christianity) are merely "speed bumps."

I accept his theory, which I assume is based on his research.  When we "view" history with millennia in mind, humans have been here (in present form) only for a short time.  So I expect Harari will show that our progress toward UNITY is obvious when viewed in that way.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says I should treat people with compassion, and I should write from a place that is deep and true.  If I do these things, people will come to me, rather than my having to make efforts to "get noticed."

Now, Jeff says, comes the hard part:  actually doing the writing.

20200819 SLLLAVERS for WEDNESDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 75

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.  I was groggy from the Tylenol PM I took (2 pills), so it wasn't hard to think about nothing for a while.  But with that, I was also not as sharp about doing the components of my routine in the usual order.  As almost always with these things, it's a "slight variation," and not a significant one.

LLL

Live.  Laugh.  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

196.6 Today

196.6 Yesterday

0.0 

I'm visualizing weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Wednesday, August 19, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANOEUVER 1xR (am), 1xR (pm)
6. push-ups 70 (28 + 28 + 14)

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He titles this next sub-section "The Spy Satellite," (and I don't know why - yet).  He begins by asking if the society of humans has had any direction, and answers quickly "yes."  He gives 3 examples of how cultures have become larger while their components disappear into the "mega-culture" being formed.  1)  Empires grew and grew, swallowing up smaller cities & lands, but eventually were "smashed" back into smaller entities.  2)  Religions (e.g., Catholicism) converted tens of millions of people around the world, but then were divided later by inside and outside influences, breaking much of the once-unified church into thousands of sects.  3)  Languages (e.g. Latin) sort of took over much of the civilized world, being used in almost all advanced aspects of society in Europe and surrounds, but then evolved into the basis for other modern languages.

So.... like a big bang, (this is my thought), human societies definitely have a direction.  Gather elements into a whole, and then break up into smaller units.

I can grasp this concept easily, but I'm still (as I have been for most of this reading) NOT SURE that I should accept Harari's assessments 100%.  Perhaps that's what he wants.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says, again, that I should not fall into the trap of counting responses, and getting numerical feedback.  Rather, I should just write and let people read it.  When he stopped counting, and started caring, people began to care back.  It brought passion to his work.

Well, I am not doing ANY advertising for my blog (Kerota's Writing).  And so far (2 weeks), no one has even visited my blog, let alone commented on it.  I'm guessing that Jeff at least gave his early work a provocative title, so that others would read it.  Perhaps he used word of mouth, perhaps even joined some groups (writers' groups, maybe?), and there there would likely be others who would read what he wrote.

Well, I'm sort of wanting to hold off for now.  Perhaps I'll look into "advertising" my blog after I've written for 7/9 days, as I have planned.

20200818 SLLLAVERS for TUESDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 74

SILENCE

Tried to silence 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

196.6 Today

196.8 Yesterday

-0.2

I visualize weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Tuesday, August 18, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANUVOER 1xR (AM), 1xR (PM)
6. squats 70

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says that the conflicts of cultures are not something to attempt to remove.  Rather, they're a necessary component.  For example, he says, Muslim culture is best understood by seeking, arriving at, and examining their internal points of contention.

Well, so it might be.  But I'm not 100% comfortable with Harari's generalization - that we should accept internal contention as a fact, and that we can best understand each other's cultures by examining their (and they our) cognitive dissonances.

Hi might be right, but sayin' it's so don't make it so.

Read 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says I need to learn to pick myself.  Simply put, I should write on my blog, and not submit my work to anyone.  He says that publishers won't "pick me" in the state I'm in right now.  He says I need to "pick myself" and start writing.

Using a blog will help because it's public, and maybe someone will react & help criticize my work.  But I'm not going to be "published" by posting there (or on FaceBook).  I'm going to continue the PROCESS of learning how to be a successful writer.

OK, all of this is very good.

Goins keeps asking me if I'm "ready."  I think I am.

20200817 SLLLAVERS for MONDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 73

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds.  What else is new?

LLL

Laugh.  Love.  Live.

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

197.8 Yesterday's Weight

196.8 Today's Weight

-1.0

I visualize weighing less tomorrow

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Monday, August 17, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANOEUVER 1XR (am), 1XR (pm)
6. push-ups 70 (1X21, 1X21, 1X28)

I'm surprised and pleased to find that I could do the last 28 without stopping!  It might have to do with:

a) taking 3 Bayer extra strength Back & Body pills about an hour before, or

b) "walking it off" - meaning I pushed through the pain, and eventually it didn't hurt any more.

In thinking about whether or not I should get the steroid shot, I'm inclined to think that I should NOT get it, and experiment more with "walking it off," which for me and push-ups means that my goal is 2 sets of 35 every other day; but until I get back to that, my goal is to do each set of 35 until fail, but then to add on the "missing" push-ups after a 3 minute rest, and then keep doing them until I reach 70 total.

In order to continue exercising & building muscle in my arms, and to not be hampered by the pain, I will take 3 B&Body pills when I wake up (on push-up days only).  This will enable me to do the push-ups without (as much) pain, and still build muscle.

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He says, and I quote:

Just as medieval culture did not manage to square CHIVALRY with CHRISTIANITY, so the modern world fails to square LIBERTY with EQUALITY.  But this is no defect.  Such contradictions are an inseparable part of every human culture. (OH, REALLY YUVAL?  HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?)  In fact, they are the culture's engine, responsible for the creativity and dynamism of our species.  Just as when two clashing musical notes played together force a piece of music forward, so discord in our thoughts, ideas and values compel us to think, re-evaluate and criticize.  Consistency is the playground of dull minds.

I like what he wrote.  I think about how my mind was dulled in large measure by Mormonism's message of "endure to the end."  Whether I understood it fully or not, it did, in fact dull my mind, led me to procrastinate the process of critical thinking, and dirtied my self-image.

*sigh*

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that he's learned the secrets of how to write successfully, and that he's going to share them now with me.  I hope it's legit.

One thought I had while reading today is that on almost every page, Jeff says something like "I FINALLY learned how to...." or "After decades of doing it wrong, I got to doing it right." etc.  That makes me think that he might be filling up a book with fluff in order to reach X pages, enough to publish his book.

That's cynical, I know.  It doesn't make me want to stop.  I'm of the mind that he, and more successful writer than I, must know something more than I do.  Not being arrogant here.  Just putting things in perspective.

Since he knows more than I do, I'll continue to read every day.  And I'll also continue since George gave me this book to encourage me to develop my writing skills, which he obviously thinks need work (and he's right).  Also, I'll continue to read since I'm now 70 years old, and with the shorter end of my life staring at me, I'd like to somehow attain a greater amount of worth and productivity than my past can show.  So off to the WRITING blog!

20200816 SLLLAVERS for SUNDAY - POST-VERTIGO ONSET - DAY 72

SILENCE

Although I am MUCH less motivated to do my routine today, I pushed through it with thoughts of "being 70 with frozen joints" and the like.

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; at least I counted to 70 while still in bed.  (STILL (at rest), and STILL (not having moved on))

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

196.4 Yesterday's weight

197.8 Today's weight 

+1.4

I visualize myself weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base-70 routine for Sunday, August 16, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANOVEUR 1XR last night, 1XR this morning.
6. squats 35
7. push-ups 35

I'm doing my push-ups in spite of my right arm pain.  I'm hoping this will help heal my arm of whatever it is that's hurting.

READING, WRITING

Read for 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He explores the contradiction in our modern society between 

1.  more socialist leaning people (democrats) who want to raise taxes on everyone so as to ensure that everyone has health insurance, 

and

2.  more freedom-focused people (republicans) who want to choose how their money is spent  (e.g., send their kids to good schools), and not be forced to support anyone else.

My note:  Today's democrats want to provide health care for everyone, AND subsidize education for everyone in need.  What's wrong with that??

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that he wishes knowing the fact that writing is hard work, is a business, and is not going to happen unless you WORK..... a lot earlier than he came to know it.

So, I'm going to, once again, "report to work," starting today.  Today and hopefully every day.  Yesterday I fine-tuned/edited my Tee Shirt article for the last time, and then I "published" it on FaceBook.  Now several people have read it, and some have given me a "thumb up" symbol in response.  But no one, as far as I know, has critiqued it.

Well, it's a start of some kind.  As I continue to read YOU ARE A WRITER, perhaps I'll come to know whether this was a good idea, or not.  But for me, yesterday, it was the right write.

Hmmmmmm, "The RIGHT WRITE" - possibly the title for MY book about how to write.  Some day, maybe.

20200815 SLLLAVERS for SATURDAY - POST-VERTIGO DAY 71

SILENCE

Tried to silence my brain for 70 seconds; mild success, possibly attributable to a long period of NOT doing it.  *sigh*

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

198.0 Yesterday's weight

196.4 Today's weight (resuming after a long break)

-1.6

I visualize myself weighing less tomorrow.

EXERCISE

Did my full base 70 routine for Saturday, August 15, 2020:

1. ankle/wrist circles 70
2. toe/finger stretches 70
3. bicycle crunches 70
4. shoulder rolls 70
5. EPLEY MANOVEUR.  1XRside; will do 2nd tonight before bed.
6. squats 70

During my morning meditation, I did a body healing, focusing on my right upper arm; I am decided that I will heal the cause of the pain.  I might yet have a steroid shot (after further research and consultation with the Kaiser Dr. Terando).  But it will be a part of how I heal my body.

THERE IS NO REASON THAT I HAVE TO "GO QUIETLY TO MY GRAVE!!!"

READING, WRITING

Read 70 seconds in SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari.  He observes that there is a contradiction in the values of the modern political world.

He says that

...ever since the French Revolution (1789) the political world has focused and striven to attain two values:

freedom

and

equality

He states that these values are contradictory.  (I'm not yet sure I agree with him; it's likely I will come to understand his meaning, and then wonder if he's right).

He says that if we (society) ensure that there is equality for all of us, then the freedoms of those who are better off must be curtailed.

Then he says that if we (society) ensure that there is freedom for all of us, then the equality of some or all must be curtailed.

While I see his logic, and agree with it in principle, I also wonder if there isn't a way we can achieve both.

Read for 70 seconds in YOU ARE A WRITER by Jeff Goins.  He says that success as a writer requires more than talent and lucky connections.  It requires hard work.  It is a BUSINESS.  You have to have some talent, and THEN..... you have to pay the price, report for work every day, and DO THE WORK.  You have to be a SMART businessman/person.  

I agree with Goins, but today is all I have at this point.  So I'll at least report for work today, and do the work today.  Today is THE DAY.

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