Recreation or Re-Creation? Testing Socks - Base Line Target Heart Rate-No BS Time

Words: (#122 counting down)
(Power) Aware

adjective

1. having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.
2. 
   

(Force) Preoccupied

adjective

1. engrossed in thought; distracted.

********

I was aware of my target heart rate today.
Watched the wildlife out back and monitored my pulse throughout my training session and then followed up with a BP reading after post stretching.  No meds needed for BP.  116/71  & 69 pulse.
I read a book a long time ago: Your Body's Many Cries for Water.
I don't treat thirst with medications, just clean water.

Found that walking at a speed of 3.3 I can keep my pulse and breathing in a fluid, endurance pace.  After all, I am training for an endurance event.  Time for me to start a full regimen and routine.
Nutrition, Work, Rest and Monitoring.  Why not.  It's for my betterment to stay informed on all levels for this adventure.

Today as I Re-Create myself in a recreational way, I'm testing Socks and my body at it's present "Today" stage.

Friday was the last 3.5 mile day I believe I will have for quite some time.  My old hiking socks from "way back" needed to be tossed.
I was getting hot spots in my shoes at 3.5 miles.

Went to a Dick's sporting goods to look at what they had for shoes and picked up 1 pair Merino Wool SmartWool Socks (Med Hikers) and a 4 pack of Field and Stream "wicking" socks for hiking (Med).
No shoes were purchased.  More research on Tactical Boots is required.

Test this morning was a fresh, unwashed pair of Smartwool socks.
At $22 they felt like $22.   No hot spots and I bumped up to 5.0 miles today in 1hr 30 min.  (the 4 pk of Field & Stream = $9.99)

Now I plan on hand washing and air drying, trimming the industrial manufacturing process fluff out of them to see how that will feel.
Getting my feet ready for this adventure.
Treating them better now so that they expect to be treated better later when I'm on the trail. 

Daily disciplined practice and now some forethought for my Hindsight 2020 hike.

Dusting off my Kindle McGuinness YouTube channel.
Only 2 videos posted.  One from an Ice Cream Social and the other from a hike up the mountian here to view from the top.
A Google View was drawn by me on the back of an envelope for a map.  Penny Grateful and I walked up to the view.

Cleaning up the site from my past viewing and subscriptions.
Thinking about doing segments on my gear as I prepare.

We will see.

 ********

Almost nailed an angelic 777 in my effort but got a 779 which was a better message with the 11:11 on my BP Cuff.  lol

**********

Which brings up the reason of this post.  Re-Creation.
(not to be confused with Recreation)

I have needs to re-create myself physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, financially, etc-ally ... :)
Who better to consult than "Andy" the master of creation whom I was made in the image of ... or so I am told, if I am to believe that way.  Yep, Learned it in Church School at a young age.

The song goes: Andy walks with me Andy talks with me Andy tells me I AM His own.  (I had to sing it out too). :)   very corny.

That's sometimes even too woo woo for the ritualistic and spiritualists.  What can I say but my experience.   

My Belief:
God (Source Energy, Universe, - "your choice here")
is the Creator. 

I don't own my next heartbeat or breath. 
Both are given to me by something, I'll call "Source Energy".

I was told that I was made in His Image and likeness.
I'm a co-creator then of my own life and existence on this planet.
I do what is within my control (self shell called body & its soul).

God does the orchestration of all the other particles outside (and inside) of me.  Everything I desire in my life is already here.  I need to be patient for it to arrive to me as I arrive to it.

When we both arrive (particles and waves later), life is what I asked for.  On time, every time.  Including the mis-asks that we all make.  God is no respecter of persons or situations.  We all get what we ask for; just not usually in a way we expect. Be aware. Aloha.

"Happy little accidents" as Bob Ross would say.  lol  :)

That's how God has always helped me and it falls into the tribe and group thinking of "God helps those that help themselves." 
Some look for that in the book but it ain't there.  It's common sense.

One push up/crunch/step at a time. 

If you know this, kudos.
If you are reading it and hearing it in your minds ear for the first time then ... choose.  Get busy living or get busy dying.  No choice is still a choice. :)

********

It was August when I first could barely get down on the floor after painstakingly setting up my floor mat area in the living room.
After 10 crunches before coffee that first day, getting back up and putting away my mat was a 10 min ordeal.
I honestly forgot that it was just a few months ago.
I added 10 crunches after I got tired and added 2 batman's "held" on the inversion table today.
On my way to 100 a day before coffee. 

A quarter of a year was gonna go by either way. 
I participated in time/life with it.  Used it as a gauge.
I feel better and have new goals now. 
Proper disciplines practiced daily leads me to my best future possibilities.  

Sorry Pooh, doing nothing was not leading to the very best of somethings.  At least not with my mid section.

Moving on ....
~ Kindle

The non-Genius of all of us - Pogo Shelter thinking

Words.
(Power) Healing

noun

1. the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again.
2. 
   

(Force) Irritating

adjective

1. 1.

   causing annoyance, impatience, or mild anger.

Hiking: Pogo Shelter thinking
I agree with Dr. Wayne Dyer.  We were all born Genius.
Life de-geniuses us all to different degrees.
Yep, met the enemy and it is I to me.
The morphology of a humorous phrase continues.

Since the other 3 A.T. Distance Planners ALL stopped at the Pogo Shelter, I decided to follow suit in my plans.  Seeing some photos online looks like a Christopher Robin/Pooh Bear viewing spot.
I do not believe I will need to look up the famous Walt Kelly artwork, I can see it in my minds eye and most likely it will be shellacked to one of the walls or a plaque there.  

********

Listening to a song on the Very First Album I ever purchased as a teen. The Song "Fool on the Hill" fits me in some ways.

Hike Gear Update:

Picked up a Luxury Lite Big Stick.
Although the stronger model was on sale, the Alloy model offered more functions for a better price.
My previous hiking sticks are (2) fixed length at @61.5" 3/8" tube.
4.4 oz 126 gr each.  Great for the light elevated cot they served as well as being hiking sticks BUT to grab water from a wall a few feet away ... they lost that function when the mud packed in.

These new sections have a bottom one that is designed to be packed solid for strength.  The rest create the tube I have desired a few times hiking already.
All bells, buzzers and whistles total with shipping: $151.95
Just need one.
My worst case sleeping setup scenario is my hammock on the ground and my tarp is a tent.  1 tree or tie down point and my hike stick provides the second tarp point.  I've thought it through all of the possible uses I can think of.

Multi Uses: Hike stick, Tarp support pole if needed, Fishing/Frogging Gig, Medicine Carrier, Camera Pod and Selfie Stick, Protection from Dogs, Pipe for reaching hard to reach water falls and trickles of clear water. Texas Toothpick or the Carbon "T" Top, can be used to dig cat holes I'm told.  (So can the heel of my boot, a rock or a stick.)

Easily breaks down to 18" or less lengths for stowage.
With a 6" piece of pipe insulation for the "T" handle, it can be used as a crutch or shortened as a cane if perchance a leg injury happens.

If used this way for medical reasons, I trust that it is for Good Samaritan purposes in helping another human off the mountain or up from the valley. I have zero desire to test it that way for myself.

Right now, I'll be using it as a road walking stick here on our road.
Developing hand calluses and hand, eye, muscle coordination.

Some angry dogs are out and about every now and then too.
It's deer season and a wounded, confused deer could appear as well out of the ditch.  Seen it before but in my past, I had a gun.

I recently remembered that I need to create a gradual weight on my back as I walk this routine a few times a week.  Simulation training in a controlled setting.  By the New Year, I should be ready to purchase my pack system.  It will be from NeoTrekk as well.  I had a nice lengthy discussion with Bruce (the owner) at a Damascus, VA trail days over a decade ago.  Great equipment.  Well thought out.

This is not my first or last purchase with the new NeoTrekk, so I'll save all the weights and widget descriptions for this purchase till the final gear page that will be created for the start of my trail journals entries.  All I can say is that I reclaimed over $150 for a future purchase with that company.

*******

Soon, I'm being tested for all the bumps and bangs I've had done to my head over the course of life.  NFL calls it "the concussion protocol" and other sports are following along.

I've happened to hit things without wearing a helmet, not required to wear a seat belt, airbags were not invented, spare tires, humps in back seats and being allowed to crawl into the back window area of the car or station wagon were allowed.  Jumping in the front seat was not allowed but standing to see was OK.

So, along the way, my moving head met other moving objects and sometimes non moving objects that either stayed put or moved in a different direction kinetically.   I get regular MRI's now that cover the areas of my neck that are issues too.  C1-C7 

The rest of my spine has issues but now that it is freed up from the treatments, I can manage my pain better with a more limber spine.

Where I started a few years back is hard to describe.
To describe "Locked Up" cannot be done. 

The specialists at Linton Spine and Joint Center did the analysis, conditioning and assistance for my natural healing approach to life.  Here's a shout out link.  (Thanks Dr. T!)

So as I was saying, I could barely walk a few years ago and now I'm doing 3.5 miles a day, 6 days a week.

Yesterday I pushed my speed to feel hot spots in my shoes (I need to get new socks today if possible) and did 3.5 in 1hr 1 min.

My mat work yesterday combined with my mat work today aligned my spine in areas that did not move much in the past.

Blood Pressure is spot on as far as I can tell: 
(I have no M.D. degree)
Pre workout stretch and walk:  128/77 Pulse 69
Post workout (before stretch and cool down) : 130/76 Pulse 96
Received my FIRST Biostrap "Excellent" on recovery score this morning.

Which then created a new thought and approach to my next 5 months.

Since I recently adapted a new moring habit:
50 crunches before coffee
(which became crunches, mat work and push ups now and I can yawn through some mornings)

THEN

I should begin daily walking to simulate what it will be this coming FULL year.  Walking every day for hours or miles.  I'm going to choose miles and hopefully all continuous.

Presently, with pain, I'm at 3.5 miles "mostly" daily.
Taking on the "Walking Man" persona.  
Daily Goals.
Daily observations to achieve.  
Daily little disciplines that create my future.  
Daily tasks that make my life easier.  
Daily tasks that make others lives easier.  
Daily tasks that leave the world a little bit better than when I arrived, easier.

I'm daily changing my personal philosophy by changing one old false belief at a time. 
Even some core beliefs like in Inside Out.
Emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate in a new world.

Moving Forward,
~ Kindle

Livermore, being labeled Short and D.O.O.P.U.

Words.
(Power) Brilliant

adjective

1. 1.

   exceptionally clever or talented.
2. 
   

(Force) Clever

adjective

1. quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; 

   showing intelligence or skill; ingenious.
   
   

Hiking housekeeping: 

Gear sales, new and used.  
3 or ??? things purchased so far to help me where I am at presently.
Socks!  Too many brands to choose from. I'll get one pair the day I test the shoes in the store and then do more research on socks.

As for the replacement pairs of shoes, hopefully Keen will be on sale at Dicks or National Warehouse before Christmas.
(I think that's it's name of the store that sells work wear for construction). 

Either way, I'll get 3 pair of the same shoe or different on sale. 
Start breaking them in.  Hope to get 700 to 1000 miles out of each.
Rocks of Pennsylvania to begin.
Marshes of the North East next.
Mud and Clay of the South to finish.

I just started looking over the "used" or "slightly used" gear sales on the forums.  What I'm looking for is cottage industry gear for the most part.  A lot of these companies have stood the test of time for me (over a decade of waiting) so that helps too.

Recovery for me has been slow.  Years slow.
Today I did 60 crunches and 40 modified push ups.
I'll get to planks before April, that is, if my upper back, ribs and neck agree.  Seen my Dr. of Chiropractic yesterday. 

She helps me keep my head on straight and the pain is now gone from the slight 3 day migraine and my upper rib cage is allowing me to breathe without discomfort now that the "T" area got set in 3 places.

Not sure if I mentioned it but I lately realized that "Most Everyday" is going to be the normal on the trail.  Walking most everyday.
Stretching most everyday.  Crunches and push ups most everyday.

Right now I'm doing mat work 5 days a week and walking an average of 3.5 miles 5 days as well on a flat treadmill while reading, writing, dreaming and viewing nature out the back window.  Possibly a deer will arrive this winter to eat on the molasses block we provided yesterday for the possum and squirrel.

I aspire to be at 8 to 10 miles a day, 6 days a week before I begin the trail in March or April.
Yes, starting dates can change and might now that more people are affected by my timeline.  Team PACZ.ninja lol.

Got a name for a local person who embroiders out of their cottage industry home.  Since some of my patch work that I desire to display on my pack is personal, a local skilled crafts person is a nice fit for my endeavor.  Then again, I can have custom patches made anywhere online as well.  Design at the kitchen table, pay, it shows up at home eventually.  Pondering this ...

Well back to my story(s):  out the window from the treadmill will soon have a sign posted that reads: "Any and all deer found messing with the possum and squirrel mineral block will be shot!"
Gotta keep it legal you know. ;)     
It's hunting season and I'm just watching the ones passing by.
Maybe we can get one to hang around a bit till it's bigger next year.
Maybe.
The deer down here are smart enough to only cross at the deer crossing signs too. lol

********

For all who care to read below, this one is lengthy from my title:
Livermore, being labeled Short and D.O.O.P.U.

Bootcamp: USS Neversail brought up a San Diego, 1979 memory.
Also, wearing my David Cassidy like Puka Shell Choker lately that I purchased in some surf shop at the shore in Cali.

The necklace lies directly over the area I've had dislocated for 22 years. It's a comforting feel for me right now.  It keeps me mindful of my neck position during the day and pain has diminished some.
Also, I can and have begun doing modified Push Ups.  Only I can do mine and that is the giggle for me in this story.

While in Boot Camp, I got singled out as being short.
Not the shortest mind you but at 5'9" (ok, 8.75") but shorter than the rest of the division.  6'+ was average. 
My Dad was 6'2", I've looked up to that level a many a time.

Short guys got to be flag bearers in our Division.  The more flags we acquired weekly, the next taller shortest would be "Promoted".

Like I said, I was not the shortest.  Third or 4th shortest.
The shortest: that honor belonged to a set of twins that joined the Navy together.  The Banks Bro's.  Our first 2 flag bearers.

Through the course of "togetherness training" some of us got to be flag bearers.  It held it's own special sets of training with poles and flags that get wet and heavy in the rain. It had some perks.
Push ups?  I'm not sure how we did those but I remember doing make up ones in the barracks with Livermore and the Banks Bro's.

Livermore. A push up machine.  Lived for doing them often.
He confessed that early on in our "togetherness training" group sessions outdoors, he would purposely "mess up" so that we all got to do push ups "together".  His quota for the day was low.
We thanked him for "helping us" learn how to do push ups correctly as a group BUT he was more than welcome to join us in the make up for the times the flag bearers could not do the group push ups.  Please, Livermore, let us do our own push ups?

So he did.   Our Division got better grades and we all did our own push ups for when we messed up.

Each evening, those in the Div that desired to do more could join us. Also, each evening the Banks bros got to both ride on Livermores back until he could no longer do a push up.
He was a mountain when he left boot camp.
Went to sleep each night a happy man. Push up wore out.

So the lesson I learned that day, no one can do your push ups for you.  Some can affect how many you do at times though.

D.O.O.P.U.  my reminder that only I can do my push ups.

Here's a snipet from the Nav web site about the flags:
During their first week divisions, each having an average of 88 recruits, enter into the competitive aspects of training. Divisions performing above standard throughout the eight weeks of boot camp are awarded recognition flags in four mission areas: academic achievement, weapons and military drill, compartment readiness and physical fitness.

These flags are carried as a visible symbol of the division's performance and success. Each flag indicates that recruits individually and as teams met established standards in mission area events. Competition encourages teamwork, attention to detail and develops pride in achievement.

"The more flags a division carries, the more they unite together to achieve the highest success they possibly can during boot camp," said Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class Kyla Richardson, leading petty officer, Fleet Quality Assurance. "It's now a group effort, and every RDC in that group has to work together so the training group can succeed."

Additionally, recognition for the top scoring division is honored by that division receiving the gold pennant and the runner-up division receiving the blue pennant. The hall of fame (HOF) and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) flags are no longer pertinent in the total team revision of the competitive system.

Another flag a division can earn is the Captain's Cup flag.

Captain's Cup is a fun, friendly, athletic event held prior to graduation. Events include activities such as basketball, volleyball and relay races. One division from the integrated and one from the non-integrated divisions will emerge as the top scorers and earn a competitive flag as well as a traveling trophy to display in their ships.

The final award a division can earn is the pennant for earning the highest score during Battle Stations-21, the capstone event that culminates the eight weeks of boot camp training. Each recruit must complete 17 scenarios during a 12-hour, overnight period. The scenarios encompass all training learned during boot camp from firefighting to preventing and stopping flooding in a ship compartment. There are also casualty evacuations, watch standing, loading and unloading supplies and line handling.

The divisions carry all the flags they have earned as they proudly march into Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall on graduation morning to be recognized for their efforts.

"The divisions' parents will see all these flags which will mean their recruits worked very hard together as a group, which is the whole purpose of boot camp--to teach them how to work together as a team," said Richardson.

~ Kindle

Gear Spreadsheet started to look like the game board "SORRY!" :) lol

Words:
(Power) Principled

adjective

1. 1.

   (of a person or their behavior) acting in accordance with morality and showing recognition of right and wrong.

(Force) Expedient

adjective

      
      1.  (of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral.

Jimmy Stewart was a great actor.
An early and learning role for him was: 
(Mr. Smith Goes to Washington)

Kinda reminds me of a story ... one that is still being relived with a modern twist as to why a business man should not be running the country. 

Hindsight 2020 Hike:  if America knew what would happen in 1939 and made movies about it, I guess the generation that wanted the movie to come true made it so. Law of Attraction in action.

Yep, It's a wonderful life.
Like another Jimmy character, I'm finding Zu Zu's petals in my watch pocket and my lip is still bleeding.  Now would ja look at that Burt!  :)

********

Hiking Updates:  I've principled myself to expedite the process.

I figured out a way to combine the 12, 15 and 18 mile day charts provided free from theatguide.com.

Somewhere at that site they offered a NOBO version of 12, 15 and 18 mile day spreadsheets that others have posted from back on 2007 or 2011.  What I found most interesting was the stealth campsites, hostels and Hotels used by the 3 different hikers.
So, when complete it will be a flowing hike and I'll share the SOBO and NOBO and Section versions that can be easily created from the data I've compiled. 

Since it is being "fine tooth combed" and compared.
"i's" are being crossed and "t's" dotted as they should be.

I'll then share it open source cuz it only goes from sleep area to sleep area.  (Still in construction right now).

Filled with options, it now allows me to change up the pace at any and every night fall or day break.
Not rigid in most cases. 
It will allow for more moments of sauntering.

Also, Gear I'm watching for EOY sales: (prices are today 11/13/19)

Luxury Lite Backpack with Frontpack  (now a NeoTrekk Stack pak) @$400 with customization. @3#

Luxury Lite Big Stick with Texas Toothpick (if allowed)
Christmas sale now: $199.95
"Walk Softly and carry a BIG STICK" :)  ~ Kindle

Luxury Lite review

Explorer Ultralight XL $259.95
(#250 wt limit to hold me and gear)

• Packed Weight: 2 lbs 4 oz / 1008 g not including free 3 oz / 84 g webbing straps
• Packed Size: 4" x 8" x 10" / 10 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm

Swap out its tarp for a Monsoon Rainfly $79.95
(70D or 30D undesided)

• Weight: 21 oz / 610 g
• Packed Size: 6" x 10" 15cm x 25cm

4 Season Super Shelter kit $149.95

• Weight: 26 oz / 680 g
• Packed Size: 5" diam x 15"

and most likely a Over Cover for very cold. $39.95

• Packed Weight: 4.5 oz. / 128 g
• Packed Size: 2.5" diam. x 5" long

Vargo Titanium Stakes  $21.95 pack of 6

• Weight:    (8 grams)          (165 x 3.5 mm)
• Size:         0.3 ounces        6.5"L x 0.14"D

Evernew Kitchen   $154.95

• Weight: Whole Kitchen weighs only 5.7oz / 160g !!

(Still undecided concerning sleeping and weather condition planing and the use of a 4 season super shelter or just a JRB under quilt - or homemade) 

JRB under is about $225 and the over quilt with foot pocket is about the same in price.  The over quilt link takes you to JRB's full line of custom down feather quilts.  Or they offer for $589.38 to $616.38  a 3 quilt system to cover all sleeping conditions.
(About $200 for the Hennessy system and $600 for down feather)

4 season system: 
Packed Weight: 26 oz / 680 g
Packed Size: 5" diam x 15"   4.5 oz. / 128 g

OverCover 
Packed Weight: 4.5 oz. / 128 g
Packed Size: 2.5" diam. x 5" long

JRB 3 quilt system sale
Over $600 in the cart and many of my choices were (sold out).
4 season system (although it can be noisy) might win out 
OR
I'll sew my own quilts (and I'll have to start soon).
Weight?  Wait.  Too much to research still

This quick calculation is almost screaming SORRY! no can do.

My sponsor(s) assure me that if the purchase is valid then documentation helps to justify the advance.  
Thank you again PACZ.ninja,
More research before Thanksgiving.


"the Walking Man" just walks on by.
Still deciding on link names for some pages being developed.
As agreed: I'll create the base HTML landing page for quick links before Thanksgiving's Bills vs. Dallas game at 4 PM.

********

As I have always been able to see, Hiking Light is heavy on the wallet.  Even keeping the gear I had from 10 years back is outdated and much too heavy for my disabled body.  

This Pack/Sleep/Cook setup is about $2000 in price for only 8.5# on my body frame and back, base weight.  Maybe 10# with full winter setup and quilts.
A fair trade.
Purchasing everything at once, during a sale and in bulk can produce additional savings. 

Just the Hammock/4 season/Monsoon/Camp Cook Set $706.70
JRB  (4 season swap out: -$190 from the Hammock system) @$600 added.  ($410 difference)

Backpack and Big Stick @$600 too.

Shelter/Warmth/Cooking/Protection/Spine Care: @ $2000
And I've still clothing and layer systems to consider.
Shoes and Socks
Navigation and Tronics.
Food and water filtration
Trying to keep this ever growing  Expensive Athletic Adventure within my grant allowance.

I've only purchased the pre sale of the 2020 data for the trip.
Everything else has it's place by priority: weight, price, sale.

I'll Update final total when final gear arrives with pictures.
Those updates will be on that day it happens.

~ Kindle

Scotty: the man, the myth, the legend - the seed of the AT hike

Word ... Roku :) 
A little getting used to but it is working as a cheaper replacement to DirecTV. 
Our current network though is confusing it a bit.

Initial setup:
I was able to convince CBS that I was in North Java, NY.
Next day, it held. Bills Game and then local Peace Bridge News.

3rd day, it decided it knew better and placed me in Louisville, KY.
4th day, I reside in Topeka, KS.   Roku & CBS: a place of it's own choice.

Maybe by Sunday, I'll be in Miami and blacked out cuz the game is not sold out, then again ... if I must for the cause, and one day, get it to be in Cheektowaga, NY for the game.
Or Williamsville, East Aurora, Pittsford ... Since the Roku changes itself, I should be able to test a new location then for local news.
Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Cali ... for the sake of science.

⟴🙈🙉🙊😒😕⬲


(Power) Humorous 

adjective

1. causing lighthearted laughter and amusement; comic.
2. 
   

(Force) Somber

djective

1. dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy.

Each of us go from Mountain Top experiences to "The Fire Swamp" low valleys.

I'm not cornering anyone's market and I'm certainly not playing the Four Yorkshire Men game. 
Gotta: "One Up" the story of how bad or good it was.
I'm just sharing my experience which is still just mine.
A moment I can now look back and giggle about.
Move forward.

The "seed" of my AT hike was shared with me by an E-6 who grew up in a NY town close to where I did.  Out in the Farms of Western New York.

If I was unaware, he "Scotty" was making me aware that when he left, in a few months, I was to "inherit" his elevator shop and workload but not to include his "collateral" duties.

adjective

1. 1.

   additional but subordinate; secondary.
2. 
   

This was back in @ 1987.  (I would have been 26 or 27 yo)
Scotty was going to leave the Navy and hike the Appalachian Trail to forget about Elevators and what not / bothersome frick frack.

Master plan from those above him and I decided:
I would then move my office out of the hallway by the exit to the flight deck and get his desk, file cabinets, tools that disappear and work load(s).  Yes he had elevators and such but a few lighting projects in various parts of a floating city that took me some time to find. 
(he gave me the "word on the street" from meetings I was not allowed to be in).

The shop was also shared with a crew from the Flight Deck Lighting team and that most likely, their work would be mine within the year. 
Both men helped me understand their work before they left.
It helped being eased into the roles than just being dumped on as it so happened later on the Kitty.

Scotty: The man was a Profit ... and ... a friend.  No BS.

********

Fast forward now to when the "More" was added at the end part:

We were standing in the Kitty Hawk Elevator, Escalator / Flt Dk Ctrl Ltg / 2nd deck, Com Twr, Under Stow Deck Cable Rip Out teams / E-Div CC Office / 400hz Gen Shop and a possible few more loose work loads at the end, as it ended up finally becoming.
Crews of 50+ for all of this was down to 8 and me.

I was even "Strongly Required" to qualify as E.O.O.W. towards the end of commissioning.  If interested, it consisted of knowing the Power Plant of the Kitty & Supervising the "Watch" of it.
All Engineering Spaces - a few hours a week.  Google has too much info out there for my taste.

Everyone should shoulder those types of responsibilities BEFORE age 30.  Family, 2 young (early grade school) children ... work pressure too of getting a "Weapon" out to sea and on time.

If it looks like I was getting bored in my last naval ship overhaul, Naw, peacetime has easy workload and stress.   Chaaa, Right! 

An E-6 will only end up with the duties of the same rank in the same vocation as the other supervisors leave the command. 
In overhaul, new crew do not generally arrive ... at the end.
New crew arrive before sea trials and shake down cruises.
Learn and Fix - Take to to the Danger Zone.
Get battle ready and Operation Desert Storm was the test before the commitment.  Things were ramping up on schedule.

If the shipboard crew cannot handle the work, the labor unions have a work force and are capable of "doing the finish work" at a cost.  I believe it was set up to be that way for the Christmas Bonus structure at the Dry Dock who holds the keys, so to say. 

I know that of all the Work loads I had to leave behind,  they were completed.  No delays.
Sadly, I carried some of them with me till this weekend and then Veterans day.  1990 Philadelphia Shipyard history is easy to google.

I left it better than when I arrived and that is all I've ever required of myself anywhere I've been.  Scouts Honor.

But now, the people.  The true souls who I remembered yesterday.
Each of their faces.  All I've had the pride to serve along side of.
Wow. A floodgate of great memories.  The true lives of those who serve.  I felt a shift on 11/11.  It was welcome to remember and it truly was not as painful.

********

There's a "tween" stage in overhaul. 
Repairs are completing.  Water float test was satisfactory.
Certifications are being performed for Shipyard to Ship hand off.
I left at the end of the hand off - 'tween' stage.

CC was my "Other Duties As Assigned" back when I only had one team of men for cable rip out. 
Managing 8 troublemakers, er, I mean trouble shooters was fairly easy.   Look um dead in the eyes the first day and say:

Rule #1: The Floggings will end when moral picks up.  :)

(Wonder where I saw that? He says knowingly ... then I would follow up with the other rules that they needed to understand before the end of the FIRST meeting).  Shock and awe.  Crazy helps. lol.

I've had awesome work crews.  No BS. 
It took a few weeks to get the point across about what No BS really means, but once understood, each of my crew watched out for each other and built themselves up a better esteem (self and team) along the way.

No matter where they (my crew) were finding themselves to start from ... 'the now' and being under my care as their supervisor.

Two way street.  If I did not hear their names from above, they would not hear mine from where ever I find them all the way back to the shop and the paper work "WE" would be needing to fill out.
It worked ... for the most part and when tested, I performed what I said I would do.  Others then did not test again and word spreads.
Word on the street.  Works for and against.  Jus sayin.

My crew took care of me and I rewarded them within the limits of the law or guidelines of the task.  It was an experience for sure.

I also had to note in their service records on a regular basis ... they understood as they were the first to fill out the divisional forms. 

I was honest, up front and no BS on the very first meeting.

I think I mentioned that having the power of making check marks in a service record that affect someones career is a blessing and a curse?  Well, as a supervisor of trouble makers, it added a level of protective blessing to my life. No BS. :)

Glad I was the Divisions Career Counselor.  I knew when the next work load would arrive for me to manage ... until the last one.
I was finally billeted to leave and try my hand at becoming a civilian.  I did care for each that I had the pleasure to help along the way and sometimes caring for many can have it's toll on a supervisor. 

Now I'm finally learning to Leave work at work. 
Keep home at home.
Damn, that's been long overdue, leave the ship at the pier ... again.

I'm still struggling with the Civil part of life at times.
Especially here in KY.  So beautiful with snow this morning.
I needed the "divine interference" it provided just for me.
Welcome to my morning ~ John Denver used to sing.

My days now start with gratitude and thanks.
A spark is beginning to kindle.

More tomorrow ... moving forward.

~ Kindle

OK Boomer? A wonderful Veterans Day to you too! :)

Battles. Choice.
Entry. Choice.
Restraint and Refrain = Choices too.

I was ambitious in my service.

As for hiking, waiting on the new data for 2020.
Since much will not be different, I'll continue with what I have.
Crunching lines of data till my eyes burn.  Just a season.

*********

Word.

(Power) Serving

noun

1. a quantity of food suitable for or served to one person.
2. 
   

(Force) Ambitious

adjective

1. having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.

**********

 N-SSA Winchester Virginia National Range
1976  (Purchased a Type-o Patch I just noticed) lol

2:02 AM Veterans Day
Homeland Security Time Line: Fighting terrorism since 1492
The patch above is from 1976, our bicentennial year.
Here are some other Smoke Filled Range Pictures.
**********
I'm awake and now thinking about the first veteran I met:
My Dad.

USS Midway CV-41 his only ship became a museum.

I've uncles and cousins, in-laws and out-laws that have all served in the military.
But my dad was the first I admired for his service.

When the time came, quitting college and joining the service made sense for me.  I felt like it was part of becoming an American.

*******

One of the ships I served on was slated for museum status (USS Kitty Hawk) but I think all that I served aboard have become razor blades.
I stand corrected: the Neversail was just refurbished. lol

USS Neversail
(Boot Camp Training Vessels - Enclosed compartment fires on others too)
A plaque notes its history as the only commissioned ship in the Navy that never touched water. 

USS Boulder LST-1190 
Couple of Med Cruises, a North Atlantic, Several Caribbean and 1 Panama Canal through  and back. Many days sitting at sea & anchor detail in the Chesapeake Bay during storms.
Most times: Starboard After Steering Electrician and I finally advanced to Lead Electrician in Main Control.  In charge of the entire power plant. I love moving trons.
(Including Newport Overhaul and Shakedown & Home Port Relocation to Brooklyn)

USS Richlands AFDM-8 

• USS Richland (AFDM-8) Chicago Bridge, YFD 64, scrapped in 2016^[25]

(Floating Dry Dock Support for Maritime Vessels - time includes the Yokosuka Overhaul)

USS Sustain AFDM-7 SRA support.

(Continuing floating dry dock support for others overhauls)

14 Weeks Navy C-7 school.
(I mention it because it added 14 months to my Navy Time Served, like a cruise would)

7 weeks * Advanced Troubleshooting
3 weeks * Catapult, Arresting Gear, Visual Landing Aids, 400Hz Helo Starters.
4 weeks * Management Analysis

USS KittyHawk CVA-63
(Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Dry Dock - Overhaul)

Shipboard Elevator Electronic/Electrical System Maintenance Technician tests inspects and performs organizational level maintenance on shipboard weapons and cargo handling elevators on a system and component level. Troubleshoots and repairs electronic/electrical systems and equipment, such as controllers, sensors, switches, and the electrical components of hydraulic/mechanical interfaces. Coordinates efforts with operators and maintainers of other ratings using or servicing the systems.

cross trained: 

Steam Catapult Electrician performs organizational level maintenance on catapult and arresting gear systems, including synchros, repeaters, 110/220/440V electrical systems, contacts, relays, micro switches, series and parallel switches, pressure and temperature sensing switches, torque and gear limit switches, chronograph, and control console electrical functions. Reads and interprets electrical/mechanical drawings.

Skills I left the USN with at the Bachelors and Masters Levels:
Electric Power Technology
Electronic Engineering
Power Plant Technology

Moved forward into the NYS Power Grid.  Seemed logical at the time.  Chasing Lightning.
More on all that later I believe.

Many of the reasons I desire to hike, service time remembered.  Too many things committed to memory.
Bad to terrible, partly cloudy but mostly good, sometimes even INCREDIBLE!
Interesting times for sure.

As for people: for each one is a prayer from my heart today.

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

Veterans day.  I salute all who have served.
Including Police, EMT, Firefighters, Detention, School monitors, Teachers, Nurse, Doctor, on and on and on.

If still alive and living from Sunrise to Sunset today:

"May the road rise to meet you, and the wind always be at your back. and the rains fall softly on your fields. May God hold you gently in the palm of his hand."

And a less reverend one...    "May you be in Heaven, a full half hour before the devil knows you are dead!"

If passed on, I can only share what we placed on the back of my Dad's remembrance card:

Thank you ALL for your service.
~ Kindle.

The Floggings will end when moral picks up :) lol

Word
(Power) Cherishing

verb

gerund or present participle: cherishing

1. protect and care for (someone) lovingly.
2. 
   

(Force) Prizing

verb

gerund or present participle: prizing

1. use force in order to move, move apart, or open (something).

*******

Transitioning.
From Pain to Joy.
Easing the childhood moments that should be cherished into a memory where they can be prized and then discarded as a trophy.
Done with the memory - move forward.

Like I did with 2nd place Shakespearean Festival Plaque.
It was a shared device so it was mailed back and forth for many years to share in it's achievement.   Eventually the cherish became tarnished with time.  The prize was realized to hold little value and let go.

Call me odd, but my emotional attachment to detailed events in my life has been long overdue to be dealt with.  I was unaware of the decompression I needed to now stay under the 1975# safety lift of my life.  Taking myself to the upper limits of pressure is no longer a part of my life.  Learn my place in it all where I am at is the new puzzle I call daily existence.  Now that's Cool.
Like John Denver sings in Poems Prayers and Promises ...

The changes somehow frighten me
Still I have to smile
It turns me on to think of growing old

I'm good with it all.  

Today I began testing how this looks from an iPhone.
The old format was "nasty".

******

Hiking: My sponsor granted me the funds to begin pre-purchase of gear at end of season/year sales.

I started with my maps.  theatguide.com is having a 2020 pre-sale of the data book and mini maps for the journey's.

Hennessy Hammocks held their season ending scratch and dent sale already and are loosing overstock right now with a 30% sale.

Jack's -R- Better (JRB) has a very broad selection of quilts that I need to consider for my Hammock/Tarp sleep system considered.

I'm still teetering on 200# .... will I be under or over by April?

Transitions still ....

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

N-SSA and NRA 

- "Breaking targets is what I enjoy to stay sharp for Deer Season."
~ My dad Lenny Tokarczyk

My dad would take us all around to events sponsored for N-SSA and Civil War Weapons we enjoyed shooting.
Cannon, Mortar, Pistol, Carbine, 3 and 2 Band Musket.

Patience and skill in a slower ignition process to launch a projectile did make it much easier to bag a deer each year with a center fire slug.  Rim cartridges were not allowed in NYS the last time I bagged game for my families freezer.

That's were the title of today's blog came from.  A Plaque:
"The Floggings will end when Moral picks up."

(The Circle is the Shed where the plaque resides)
(Google is AWESOME!)

Near it is (or was) an encased can of Carling's Black Label Beer.
Words on the glass: In case of thirst, use this to put out the fire first.

It never froze.  Looked the same each Spring, Fall and sometimes Snowball events. 





My Dad and I enjoyed shooting Civil war weapons.
Somewhere along the way you meet characters with names like Tiny, Snuffy and like me, Zak.  People are people.  Everyone was a mothers cherished little boy or girl.
I learned early about lead smelting/poisoning and how to handle asbestos and others who have a, lets say a complicated, tricky past.

Muzzle Loading Weapon Shooting Competitions.  N-SSA.

One lone soldier stumbled into an adjacent regiment's camp with an offering for fire wood.  A Quid Pro Quo type of deal.
His 6 pack of Carling Black Label Beer for some fire wood.
All he could carry.
Well, debate a happened among the leaders of the 1st U.S. Art Batt. K.  still standing there that evening.  Moonshine and Jack aside, they discussed the offering and the gesture to assist this "Rebel" in our midst.  (I was a little too young to partake in either the conversation nor the moonshine - just so you know) ;)

These seasoned monarch of this camp space did not want to waste the young mans time nor fully snub his offer of Beer for Wood.

I call them seasoned cuz this group of men are the same group that had balls enough to deal with an international incident north of the border one July 4th in Fort Erie, Ontario.
More on that later.

So, they accepted his offer knowing full well the beer sucked but those that purchase it in the south get a worse than bad version of it since it's from Canada. It was cold, but it still sucked.  It was spit by everyone that could not believe it was that bad cuz it was cold.
I had one to myself.  So I saved one for the "wall" in the rain shelter.

Now the semi-rest of the story - Let's fly to the Peace Bridge and then enter the lawn area of Ol Fort Erie (Canada Side) ...

Innocently: some whom I'll never be able to remember their names, for they are passed now, hoisted an American Flag over the fort at night so in the daylight hours, sirens, press and the like fill the re-enactment camp the very morning they will be acting out a battle at a time when the event did happen in history.  A flag did briefly rise a few times on the pole in the 1800's, but it was not gonna be up in the 1970's!
I was not "there" when it happened with whomever did it.
But I was "there" by association and that has it's inner circle privileged to information to learn from.

Being an american on foreign soil during a history re-enactment (gone bad) as a kid who got to drink his "fair share" of Guinness within those walls of a great fort with awesome friends who had to work there as guards ... Priceless.

That is how I've come to love the pure refreshing taste of Guinness.
Any pub in London, Isle of Wight and now in my grocers beer section.  Hands down, "the can" with the cat toy produces the BEST recreation of the tap drawn brew.

Oh, and the Rebel in our story, a brother in arms.

Back from Canada and now back in the woods somewhere near Winchester, VA

In his arms that day was Beer and he carries a good load of wood back with only a few to pick up in the morning light before we all went down to the range to create the largest cloud of smoke in reflection and reverence of a time when Americans were actually shooting at each other but now can stand side by side, joke, laugh, break targets at 50 and 100 yards, fart around the campfire, be humans.  I do miss those moments.  Glad I was there when there.

Ah, so many memories along this path to becoming an American.
Enter the bowels of any "system" and one learns entries and exits.
Why?  Jus Cuz they were "trained" to. 

Turning off the old "Monkey Mind" or "Mind Frick".
Self - help training, well, so far so good from my 0 to 10 scale. 
I'm Bigger than my Problems.  I'm told the rest I desire will follow.


~ Kindle