December 13

Thursday December 13, 2007 12:10 am Lethbridge, Alberta

It is -5 C with a high forecast of -1 C. Sunrise 8:20 Sunset 16:31 Hours of daylight: 8:11

dawn
9:00 am

A. Morning Musings

The next few days promise to be difficult, particularly with respect to body rhythms. I went to bed last night at 9:00 PM and now am up, alert, and working on my web site and it is just past midnight. I also want a cup of coffee, but I will continue on without it.

There is one indication that I am much more alert than I have been for the last 5 months. I just realized that my daily journal web pages, which were adjusted in June from a 4 category system (A. Morning Musings, B. Actual/Notes, C. Plan and D. Reflection) to a three category system (A. Morning Musings, B. Plan and C. Actual Learning Activities) to a two category system (A. Morning Musings and B. Actual Learning Activities) as I realized that I find it difficult to write up a summary at the end of each day, and then as I further realized that I did not want to continue working on a cumbersome "plan" for each day. I then blended my planning table into my Morning Musings section. However I failed to readjust the "numbering" for my second heading to the letter B instead of C. I have now corrected this error. I continue to be bemused at some of my mistakes.

Here is my planning table for today:

Immediate	Description	Time
Technology	See about getting a new battery for my MacBook Pro	1 hr
Literature	"Seven Types of Ambiguity " by Elliot Perlman	1 hr
Model Trains	See about availability & price of MRC Prodigy Wireless DCC system	1 hr
Technology	See about availability of a fine nib for my Pelikan fountain pen	1 hr
Technology	Update iPod from my iTunes files	1 hr

There are also a number of chores that need immediate attention.

install battery in car and check it for road worthiness. Done.
install battery in truck and check it for road worthiness
see about ordering some firewood for the fireplace
groceries (Costco) Done.
go through the mail

B. Actual Learning Activities

1:40 am

I typed in "MacBook Pro battery" into google and found a web site that indicated that others have had a problem with the battery expanding. There is some indication that they will send a replacement, but I will double check with the university and see if they have any suggestions before continuing. It is nice that the computer still works fine with the battery removed and the power cord plugged in.

I updated my iTunes files to include album covers while using the ADSL connection in Ballina. Now I need to update my iPod from my iTunes files. This also includes a number of CDs that I purchased during the last week in Ballina. I have plugged the iPod into my laptop. I received a message indicating that the iPod software has been updated and that the sync is complete. But I am still seeing a message on the iPod saying "Do not disconnect". I assume this has to do with the battery being recharged. I will leave it alone for a few hours and see what happens. I am not sure if the new songs have been added or if the album covers have been added. I think the answer to both questions is yes, but will wait until the battery is charged before trying to see if that is so.

Another activity that I want to engage in immediately is that of fitness and diet. Fitness will involve both walking and some form of genuine exercise. I must find the hiking boots that I bought just before we left for Australia. The genuine fitness activities should not require the use of a fitness center, but then again, maybe that is what I need to make it a regular part of my weekly routine. The third component is diet. Back to using the software that allows me to track my eating.

8:20 am

I went back to bed and got another 7 hours of sleep.

I have just checked my iPod and I was right - the new songs and album covers are all on it now. Too my surprise it also included the list of Recently Played and even an integrated Top 25 Most Played. Very cool. The synchronization worked both ways. My iTunes files on the laptop now include the integrated Recently Played and Top 25 Most Played

I have my new hiking boots out by the door, ready to wear.

Here are a few more items that need early attention:

Visit dentist
Haircut
Buy local paper to look for ads about firewood. Done.
phone Reids (403-229-4400) about a fine nib for my Pelikan M250. Done.
phone Trains and Such (403-277-7226) about MRC Prodigy Wireless DCC and a reversing loop module. Done.
check local stationery shops about a 2008 journal book that I can use with my fountain pen
set up FitDay software to monitor my diet and exercise. Done.

Now for my first sip of freshly brewed coffee. Mmm, good. Also time to take 3 echinacea tablets and 1 vitamin D pill. The echinacea is to try to prevent a cold from coming on. I can sense the faint beginnings of a sniffle. The vitamin D is to compensate for the short hours of daylight. Done.

I took a photo from a back window. This will give an indication of the weather each morning. Viewing the image in iPhoto reminded me to change the clock setting in the camera to reflect the fact that I am now back in Canada. Done. I realize that I should change the image of me in the top left corner of these web pages back to the one of me using my laptop at home in Lethbridge. Done.

The clocks in the house also need adjusting - they are still on daylight savings time.

I have set my FitDay software to monitor my diet and exercise. At the moment I weigh 199 pounds. I have set a goal of getting back to 180 by the end of February. This appears to be a realistic goal - only a loss of 1.6 pounds/week. The bad news is that I must restrict my caloric intake to 1200 instead of 2000.

Begin walking (1 hr). Done.

Begin exercise (bicycle exercise for abs) (abdominal curl on ball). Start with a 30 minute sequence on alternate days. Slowly work up to a 60 minute sequence. My maximum heart rate is 208 - .7x64 = 208 - 45 = 163. I should begin with a maximum heart rate of 50% of my maximum value. That is a value of 81. Try to measure my pulse for 10 seconds and take that value and multiply it by 6 to get an estimate of my current heart rate. Nonsense. I will check at a couple of fitness stores and see what they have.

I need to see about getting my windows mode set up for internet access. This is necessary so that I can check for upgrades to my Windows xp system. I have left a message with Scott at the uni about this.

11:45 am

The morning is beginning on a very positive note. I now have the battery in the car and a fresh tank of gas.

I phoned Trains and Such and purchased the MRC Prodigy Wireless DCC system as well as a reversing loop module. Now I just have to drive up to Calgary and pick it up.

I phoned Reid's and ordered a fine nib for my Pelikan fountain pen. They will phone me when it arrives, likely in mid-January.

6:15 PM

Continuing progress.

We made a major trip to Costco and stocked up on meat, fruit, vegetables as well as cheese and crackers.

I did buy a few books that looked interesting.

The Pillars of the Earth (2002) by Ken Follett
- a novel about the building of a cathedral in 12 century England
World Without End (2007) by Ken Follett
- a continuation of the story two centuries later.
Late Nights on Air (2007) by Elizabeth Hay
- I have noticed a number of references to this novel on the web. It is a Canadian best seller.
Canadian Paintings, Prints and Drawings (2007) by Anne Newlands
- This looks like the type of book I have been looking for for a couple of years. It highlights the work of 164 Canadian artists.
Sylvia (2007) by Bryce Courtney
- I am looking forward to this. I have read his "Power of One" and found it delightful.
Antony & Cleopatra (2007) by Colleen McCullough
- It has been a long time since I read "The Thorn Birds". This novel should be a good re-introduction to her writing.

There are some enjoyable hours ahead.

I have been in contact with the university and it was suggested that I begin approaching the problem of the defective battery in the MacBook Pro laptop by contacting Apple. I also received a link to a software program that will allow me to control the speed of the fan (e.g. increasing it). This may help prvent the problem of the battery degrading/expanding. I will begin looking into this tomorrow.

I also received some additional information on the latest upgrade to OS X (aka Leopard). I think I will postpone doing this until the new year.

I went for a one-hour walk at 6 PM. The air was very crisp and delightful, but I will have to begin wearing a toque to keep my ears protected. Sitting in the jacuzzi when I returned home was a genuine pleasure. It really helps warm up the muscles and prevents much of the aches and pains. I will begin the exercising tomorrow.

Here are a few more tasks that need attending to:

put up Christmas lights on the front of the house
put up Christmas tree
check fitness shops for a heart monitor
contact Apple regarding battery