October 2008

I'm still living and working in Seattle, Washington. My 2 daughters Lakyn & Nia Perry are both now in college, Lakyn at University of San Francisco, and Nia at Drexel University in Philadelphia. I proud that they both have the demeanor to seek higher educations since the future is going to be far more dependent on information.

July 30, 2008 Seattle, Washington

I noticed that my daughter Nia offered a few comments to my last post. I was pleasantly surprised. She's my pride and joy. She's finally graduated from highschool and on her way to college and she has discovered that she has a new found freedom that comes with reaching a age of emancipation. She's 18 years old, but with her freedom now she also is accountable for all she does. But she's FREE...oh, how wonderful it is to live here in America. Her future is so bright - and more probable than not, we'll get through this dark period of international agressions and threat of nuclear terrorism...and live the life of her full potential..... it's a life with potential beyond the imagination of most people as yet.

I also saw a YOUTUBE video this morning regarding a very youthful 81 year old man whose web sight, http://www.hawkwalk.com/, documents his walking adventure footing it throughout the world. He is on a quest to walk some 80,000 miles. After seeing the video, I realized that although I am 53 years old now, I have 30 years just to catch up to this guy, and he's full of life and healthy. How much more do I have to look forward to with all the scientific advancements that will occur for me in the next 30 years. I'm somehow a little more optimistic this afternoon.

Another Year Passes

Celebration - another year of growing gracefully older, today I turned 53 years old. I thank G-D for all my blessings. I'm living here in Seattle, Washington enjoying life and working everyday. Overall, I rate my life as being exceptionally happy though I have had my shares of its ups and downs. But, it feels good to be alive. I feel very optimistic about the long term outlook for humanity - if only I can be here another 20-30 years until the science is available to effect how much we age. Today, the BBC new's reports that there is a woman alive in Northern Israel, Mariam Amash, who is 120 years old. She have over 410 direct decendents alive. She notes her longevity to eating vegetables, lots of vegetables and going on walks. How much better will our lives be when we are able to get the stem cell treatments, the pharma treatments, the nano-machines that circulate in our bloodstream and rejuevate us....could I live long enough to know a great, great, great, great grandson or daughter.....

July 4th, 2008

It's another 4th of July come and gone. The summer is begun. It's almost funny how the summer is just now beginning. The weather throughout the U.S. has been terrible. I have been on vacation the past week, but didn't do anything per se but stay away from work. The biggest news of late is that my daughter, Nia, graduated from Highschool this past week in Rochester, NY, and will be off to college this fall to Philadelphia - Dexler University. My other daughter, Lakyn, just returned from six weeks touring Europe. I was disappointed that I didn't receive any photos of her trip although I financed it. Oh well, being a father isn't easy.

Spring 2008

It's been a few months since I've been in my blog - life hasn't changed much at all, but I have gotten some regular weekly exercise since my last blog due to enrolling in the Health Sound Fitness Program. Yet, I'm not yet working out daily but working on it. I'm far more conscience of my choices trying to live a healthier, greener, more sustainable lifestyle.

A highlight of this week, is that Nia, my youngest daughter is turning 18 years old on the 17th. She's growing up and emerging as a strong, bright young lady. She applied to several colleges and leans towards a Music Major. My other daughter, Lakyn, is now in her 3rd year of college at the University of San Francisco, where she's majoring in Biology. She's done well these 3 years, and has maintained a respectable GPA and last semester reports she was on the dean's list.

Sound Health Solutions

This week I joined a six month program through my employer essentially to improve my health and modify my lifestyle towards fit living. The program is monitored by a MD with the assistance of a personal trainer, nutritionist, and stress coach. For the past two weeks, I've met with the doctor, taken part in and completed an array of surveys and forms, had my Lipid Profile, CRP, VO2 max, body fat percentage and numerous other blood tests to establish my baseline level of fitness/health. Yesterday, we began with out first actual workout using a gym at the office here. I was late, but it essentially was 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise on the treadmills and bikes at the office. My own personal goal is prinicipally to initiate a daily routine of exercises.

Existence is Wonderful: SENS 3 Media For Your Edification

Existence is Wonderful: SENS 3 Media For Your Edification

A Wonderful Life (Oops Future)

It's amazing to me that so many people are so doubtful about the enormous benefits science is bring into our world - Yes, we are going to make huge in roads into slowing and stopping ageing within a decade or more. Yet, everyday, the nay sayers, seem to dominate the media outlets with negative feeds. Still, just yesterday, I watched a PBS show relating the SPUTNIK. It's the 50th anniversary of the first man-made technology to breach into space. It was only 50 years ago!!!! How much has our science come in those 50 years, and for anyone who takes the time to track the nearly daily scientific discoveries taking place in science, whether biotechnology, nanotechnoloy, or computer technology, how could anyone realistically think - Stopping Aging without our lifetimes is impossible. It's not just possible, but huge progress is made daily. Be proactive and you'll live to enjoy our wonderful lives....

My 51st Birthday - July 22nd

Well, I've now turned 51 years old. This past Sunday was my birthday. I had to fly out from Seattle to Spokane Washington early Sunday due to a work appointment Monday. Interestingly, although it was lightly raining in Seattle that afternoon, an hour later, I emerged the plane and was greeted with 100 degree heat. It was hot and sunny. Once I checked in my hotel room at the Double Tree in downtown Spokane, I set out for an adventure and walked throughout the downtown area. It was quiet, uneventful, but pleasant.

Summer

Well, we're now at the beginning of our summer season. Thus far it's been quiet and nothing too eventful has occurred the past few months. I'm still working everyday in downtown Seattle. One of the wonderful delights of working in downtown Seattle is that I can frequently walk over to the new Sculpture Park. It's a peaceful way to spend my lunch hour. It's quiet and I can admire the beauty of the design while listening to the ocean along the boardwalk. Both my daughters, Lakyn & Nia, are in New York for the summer. I resigned my lease on my small apartment in Kent reluctantly. The raised my rent nearly 15% this year, or another $80. Next year, I'll move for sure. I'm still a non-smoker thank goodness. It's been nearly 9 months now. I weigh around 180 lbs, which is probably about 35 lbs too much. Of recent, I'm talking Lipitor and was able to convince my PCP to prescribe me metformin, although typical used my people who have Type II diabetes, it's alleged to have anti-aging benefits for non-diabetics, and I'm convinced it will benefit me. I'm also taking CoQ10, Fish Oils, Resveratrol. I walk a great deal, but need to get far more active than I've been.

First Quarter 2007

It's been a wonderful past few months. I can safely say that I'm a non-smoker now that I haven't had a cigarette in over 5 months. I'm feeling healthier with perhaps a slight chance of living longer and perhaps reaching that next scientific threshold wherein medical advancements will lengthen that life I have left to live. I recently received a bike from a friend, so I can ride and exercise. Everyday, I'm trying to ride at least 10-15 minutes until I build the endurance for long rides. Hey, it's a start to multiple healthy changes in my life. I am taking a few supplements as well. Life is good. My daughter, Lakyn Perry, is doing wonderful in college learning biology. She spent an entire week here with me in Seattle last month. My other Nia is going through some adolencent changes and struggles with school, but has a tutor now to assist and keep her on the appropriate track.

Gosh, I now weigh 190 lbs

Wow, yesterday I weighed myself and found my weight at 190 lbs. That's a substantial increase since I last weighed myself perhaps 2 months ago at 174 lbs. I have quit smoking cigarettes in the past 2 months and have started gaining weight. I haven't noticably changed my diet, so it has to be small alterations in my consumption. I'll watch the candy and cokes I drink and monitor my weight over the next 30 days and see what happens. I also will initiate my exercise program this coming week. I will get out and buy me some jogging shoes this week and start using the tread mills here at the office. I plan to start running 3 miles a day and work up to higher mileage as the weeks proceed.

Wisdom

Life evolves and is constantly changing. Life a simple life to live long and to be healthy. Learn to smile everyday and know you have to be more joyful in your daily life. You may read about it in a book, but living successfully is not a skill that anybody can teach you. You have to learn what successful living means to you on our own. Wisdom teaches us to learn to live a simple life, to be humble, and learn to be forgiving. Love yourself the way you are and not to envy others. If you don't like yourself, makes those changes in your life. Know that the greatest gift we have is love. Love is the best remedy against illness and aging. Gluttony, greed, and your inability to overcome your weaknesses are your biggest enemies. Remember the best day of your life is "TODAY." Health is your most valuable possession, care for yourself.

The Passing of Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes Fame

Today one of my favorite television newsmen, Ed Bradley died of Lukemia. He was the one reporter I trusted intuitively when he reported on an event. I was raised in the era of John & Bobbi Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Ghandi, with Ed Bradley my television moderator of choice. He was a black man.

Sport Car Dreams

It's a brand new month, and a fresh opportunity to start over again. There is a whole lot of things I'd like to accomplish this month, including initiating a fitness routine and perhaps joining a gym. As well as, take another step closer to a calorie restricted diet - cutting out all sweets and sodas this month, perhaps tapering off on coffee as well. I'm still trying to create my own perfect life, and style. It's funny, I'm 50 and still having define who I am. Life is better - Life is good. I'm trying to blend a frugal lifestyle, environmentally friendly, with a unique way of expressing my personal style. I like to design my own one off items, than to buy them generally. More on that later.

In the past few days, my newest desire and yearnings have been for a sports car. A BMW Z4.
Not just any sport car, but a sport car that could fit my image of being economical, smallish, yet powerful; my own BMW Z4. It's tiny and can squeeze into my life style without being overly flashy. I imagine myself riding alone with the top down to the coast, to Portland, or even down to San Francisco to see my daughter Lakyn. I extend the limits of the normal usages of sports cars, taking it for a drive in the forest, or loading it with fly fishing gear to go out to a stream someplace in the wilderness. It's a beautiful dream. I would love to teach Lakyn and Nia to drive in it. But it is a dream I can imagine more so than you might expect. When I was a young man, I once had owned a Triumph TR6. A smallish car that I loved. Over the years, I definitely got bigger due to concerns over safety, but today, with all the airbags and other protections, I am probably fairly safe with a newer BMW Z4. I've felt the life of living with a small car in the Triumph, and can sense my lifestyle of the Z4. Perhaps in a year or two, I'll be able to afford it. By then, I may have a new desire.

I think I've always liked small things whether it was small cars, or smaller scale furnishings, etc. I was fascinated by the Japanese lifestyle when I visited there while in the Navy in 1988 to 1990.

The Lexus and the Olive Tree

I read the above titled book several years ago and was very impressed with the concept that promotes globizations and international trade and though I have a degree in economics and understand international trade benefits, I have found myself longing to stay community based, consumer local products and American produced goods. The best SUV is the Range Rover, it's gorgeous and masculine, but I think I'd rather drive a Cadillac Escalade - it's American. Italian shoes, nope, Prada, nope! Nike, American but made in Korea...how about Converse instead. Whether it's watches, coats, cars, electronics, whatever, we should be able to find locally produced products. Most of the benefits argued in international economics really haven't been passed on to the consumers. Hey, a pair of Nike's cost about $5 to produce, but sell for $140, and we see this over and over, though the academics argue the savings to society, really we're talking about the profits to huge corporations and their investors, and particularly the managers who draw huge salaries. I have grown to care less about global politics, these large ideology arguments, and care more about what is happening in my household, or community, the neighborhoods, and city where I live and commute. Somewhere, somehow, the interests of multi-nationals have supplanted my community interests.

Where is my Boo

My youngest daughter, my Boo, turns 17 years old in February, and I only recently had to face the truth, my Boo, the daddy's baby, has grown up and now won't fit into my image of "My Boo..." Perhaps, it's her voice, the tone of a young woman who answers my phone call and says, "Hey, I'm in the middle of homework now and can't talk," It was a flash, a minute ago that it happened, when you know your Boo is gone. Daddies Boo, always loved to hear her daddies voice, who loved his calls no matter...well, this week I had to say Farewell to my Boo. Instead, it's Hi, Nia Anne Perry, the duaghter who has grown into a young woman............

Macio at 50

I turned 50 years old recently, and I'm fairly optimistic about my future years, as I anticipate many more to come. I'm healthy, fairly fit, and just a few months ago ended a lifetime of smoking cigarettes. I'm single but searching to find that female association that fullfills my life. I'm also broke, or without any assets, but earn a good living. My financial woes are principally the consequence of an aggressive and overburdened child support assessment years ago, that continues to deplete my resources. One daughter now 18 y.o. and another 16 1/2, and a huge arrears to follow. Yes, I probably hold some contempt for my x, and a whole lot of contempt for a family law system, so biased to effectively destroy and limit another persons life.