the walk: on endurance and motivation

i told one of my neurophysios i needed to “rest”/stop after 20 minutes of walking. bless her heart, she “estimated” my “effort” was equivalent to about three hours of walking for an able-bodied individual (i’m guessing it’s probably “closer”to about two hours). my daily exercises have increased it from about 10 (don’t quote me on that) to 20 minutes but what she said “shook” me: if i “lost” five minutes every two years: i’d be only able to manage five minutes in six years!

i asked for a “practical target” (as that’s seem to have worked for me in the past). she suggested that 60 minutes she thinks would cover most activities. using my “logic” to project out using a linear function (which is unrealistic since i’m not a robot and will tire): this is about six hours to another person. nonetheless, i need to work on building my endurance to “boost” my current capabilities.

like one of my neurophysios say, we need to work on what we can to prolong my “independence” for as long as possible. i have begun “slowly” by trying to remain standing whilst watching TV. Also, i am currently noting my speed/RPMs (like was suggested to me) and not just increase the duration on the stationary bike.

while motivation has been tied to “success” – it has recently been reiterated to me that it’s definition should be expanded to what’s personally important and not just the “narrow” criteria of what society dictates (as a migrant i’ve noticed some “variability” in certain aspects).

high fidelity: on movies about music and serendipity

i thought High Fidelity would always be my favourite franchise. it’s one of rare exceptions where i prefer the film to the novel by Nick Hornby. don’t get me wrong – i like both to the point that i follow it’s TV “reimagining”.

just this arvo, i “stumbled” upon the movie, Hearts Beat Loud on the SBS streaming service and really liked it. there were two lines that resonated withe me (i’m paraphrasing, of corse): one was that when life gives you a conundrum then make art, and the other is, you first need to be brave before you can be good. both are set in a NY record store but probably the reason it “slightly” edges out the other one is that the actors perform the music (instead of “spouting out” a list of songs/events given a particular criterion).

i mentioned before, Juliet, Naked!. it makes my top three (i wish i could “complete” the list in true High Fidelity fashion but i’ve yet to watch enough films “worthy” of this accolade).

in my younger years, i think i was sort of a music snob. i think it was a “necessary” phase – in the same way, i think artists need to “master” realism before they branch out stylistically (IMHO, i don’t think this step is “required” but it tends to provide more “robust”portfolios ). maybe it’s my “advanced” age or “embracing” Australian culture, you like what you like – damn “guilty pleasures”.

i’m not a technophobe but my friend is right – there’s a “warmth” to vinyl (and other analog media) despite sound “impurities” (hopefully, i don’t sound like a wanker). maybe some of it is “nostalgia” as my generation experienced the evolution of media. as my friend once “lamented”, newer generations won’t know the relationship between a pencil and an audio cassette. tangentially to this point, one of my favourite albums of all time is Full Moon Fever by the late Tom Petty – not just because i like the songs and describe them as “cohesive” but because i had the CD version and approximately half-way there is a blurb that at this point some listeners would need to flip their records to continue listening to the rest of it – so to be “fair”, he deliberately inserted a “pause”.

me before you: on self-interest and psychology

it’s interesting to me how some people put their own self-interest ahead of other’s well being.

like several days ago when a truck just went straight through a roundabout (probably because they felt safe and were confident the other vehicles would stop), when our cab had been travelling around the “circle” for some time. or when cars suddenly “just” change lanes without looking back. forget right-of-way (and other sensible driving precautions), other drivers just need to avoid me (and “react” to my “whims”).

i still can’t reconcile when able-bodied patrons choose to park in disabled spots for convenience when there are clearly a number of bays free. or when the able-bodied use disabled stalls or lavatories (as it’s more “spacious” i would think) when there are other free “facilities”. fair enough when it’s “chockers” and there’s no other option- when you have to go you gotta go.

yesterday, my taxi driver obviously had a cold and didn’t even bother to have a single window cracked open. given we’re currently in a global pandemic, i don’t condone his behaviour but understand – when he doesn’t drive, he has no income for the day. but his actions does affect others – i’m careful as my wife’s immune system is compromised

lately, it’s been health, economic, and political justifications. surely, IMHO, it’s an opportunity for psychology and sociology to “shine” and offer “impactful” advice given the irrational action of some. like how people flock to the beach during “nice weather” or for certain occasions and flout physical distance (or wearing masks) due to several weeks of isolation – i find this strange since i’ve been mostly home-bound for over a decade.

i suggest again our “leaders” (and everyone for that matter) read Nudge: Improving Decision about Health, Wealth, and Happiness by the Nobel Laureate in Economics, Richard Thaler.