FUN FACT! This is my 200th post since starting this blog on November 7, 2018. That’s a ton of writing, y’all. I didn’t realize I had that much to say.
My first life coach, Catherine White, encouraged me to purchase my own domain in case one day I become famous. I understood the importance of her suggestion. Granted, I’m not famous or ever will be, but my orbit of influence is big enough for me.
Let’s take a look of some lifetime statistics of the website / blog.
People Lie; Stats Don’t
I am not gonna bore you with all the details but only point out some highlights. The category I post the most about is Life. Not surprising, because I’ve been taught to write what you know. No one knows my life better than I.
81 blog posts categorized as “Life“.
“Travel” was a distance 2nd place with 29 posts.
Hashtag Mayhem
My most used [hash]tag was COVID-19. Again, not surprising!
My little corner of the interwebs has been viewed 5.7K times, with 3.7K visitors [5 years of data] I post for my benefit. I don’t post for likes, or satisfaction of numbers. It helps organize the chaos of thoughts that run rampant through my mind. Some days are noisy than others.
I feel no need to increase my web traffic, or expand my influence. Those that wanna read my posts, will do so whether I call attention to it or not. I know of a handful of faithful readers, which is just fine by me.
As long as 1 reader reads this shyt, then I’ll keep posting.
As my Creative Writing teacher, Mr. Hanby, once said, “Keep that pen moving daily! Even if it’s only a couple sentences, or couple paragraphs, keep writing. It’s a depreciative skill so choose whether to use it or lose it.”
I immediately thought, “I don’t wanna lose the ability to express myself through writing!” So here I am writing on a weekly basis, and posting on my social media platforms at least once daily.
Self Care is Self love
By posting, it’s a form of self care for me. My mind is filled never-ending questions, observations, and thoughts needs an outlet. Now that’s love; self love.
This year, more than any other, I’m focused on my health. In December I had my first physical exam in over a decade. In that discussion of my stats, PA Lin Ozan and I agreed I should have at least a colonoscopy done since the federal government lowered the recommended age from 50 years old to 45. He gave me some literature that led me to Reddy GI Associates.
After Dr Reddy was informed that my Mom had gastric cancer, and died at the age of 49, he also ordered an endoscopy. I was applauded for my proactive steps towards my health. The procedure itself is simple enough. Lube up a camera equipment snaking tube and cram it into my brown starfish friend, or my pie-hole.
I joked if they were gonna use the same camera that I requested the endoscopy first, wipe it down, then jam into my ass. Dr Reddy readily laughed; the two residents following him around to observe … did not. Tough room, I suppose. He did reiterate that early detection [of cancer] is the key to survival.
The real meat grinder is the preparation that the patient must do prior.
And my colonoscopy is scheduled for Valentine’s Day 2024, February 14. Don’t threaten me with a good time! Self-care is self-love, besides I’ve posted Single Awareness Day so many times in the past, that I had to change it up.
Exercise – Tabula Rasa Day Declaration
My Tabula Rasa Day Declaration was to “fit into a size 36”. That meant exercise, and diet in order to obtain that goal. Thankfully, I’ve been-there, done-that so I don’t need to reinvent the wheel or stand on my head. The first few months of effort will be brutal since I’ve done little to none beyond working at Costco on the Merchandising Team.
I started out slowly which will be a surprise to most of y’all who truly know me. A 30-minute walk around the neighborhood. I walked in one direction for 15-minutes, drop down to the pavement for 22-push ups in honor of the average of 22 veterans that take their own life, turned around, and headed back. I capped it off with another 22 push-ups.
Meal Planning
I’ve been told many times that you can’t outexercise a shitty nutrition plan or out diet a non-existent exercise program. I’m grateful one of my roommates is supportive of a healthier meal plan, especially when it equates to cooking at home and saving money.
This will be my Achilles heel.
The thought of preparing each and every meal, then cooking it, and cleaning dishes afterwards for just lil ole me is exhausting, but mandatory. My sister and I joke back and forth with this: You have food at home talk. Meaning instead of the easy-out of buying fast food, you should drive directly home to eat the food you already have there … just gotta cook it.
I can do this, I know I can!
I love my Instant Pot, ever since I purchased it. My broesph, Jason Chapelle; and my friend, Deana Makinson, swear by it. Sometimes I swear AT IT.
I’m confident that with healthier substitute(s), I can rock most of these recipes.
The high-pass on this entire topic is accountability. The only person I have to report back to is the man in the mirror, per se. One step at a time, I suppose. Then? Just keep digging.
More from me later,
los, Fil-Am Renaissance Man 