The Tyler Robinson Foundation

Here is why and how The Tyler Robinson Foundation came into being.

A Zero And Those For Whom I Raise Awareness

Today was a zero day.  Not much except the usual day.  I want you readers to not be put to sleep so how about I keep it short today and write much more tomorrow.  I spent this evening in the computer lab writing a paper for my Perspectives in Death and Dying class.  Fun stuff and maybe I'll post it tomorrow.  Diet was the usual for a Friday.  I am introspective this evening and have been for much of the day.  Tomorrow is the meeting of the members of Mom's cancer support group.  We are meeting for lunch and this is their first meeting since Mom took her turn for the worse back in September 2014.
Make a positive difference in somebody's life today and everyday.  It'll make a difference in your life too.  Hans

Please mention me and how you heard about these organizations along with your comments and/or donations on their website.

http://www.cancersucks.com/ This group raises money to donate towards cancer research through sales of shirts, hats, buttons, merchandise.  Their corporate sponsor pays the expenses which allows them to contribute 100% of the money raised. $1,000,000 in 10 years.

http://www.spondylitis.org/support/ This group contributes towards spondylitis arthritis research.  My daughter lives with this arthritis.

http://www.trf.org/donate/ This group raises money to off-set the cost of pediatric cancer for those families fighting it.

http://www.scottcarterfoundation.org/#!donate/ctzx This group raises money to research into the fight of pediatric cancer. Mom was friends with Scott Carter.

Kisses and Rolls

I went shopping yesterday and visited a young man whom I am mentoring.  Meko works at Reasor's grocery store and is an awesome young man.  After visiting with him I bought Hershey's kisses and Tootsie rolls which I gave one of each to everybody I knew and others today.  I celebrated Mom's birth anniversary today by giving the chocolates and rolls.  I felt better by bringing a bit a joy to others and my sense of loss and sadness was lessened, no diminished greatly.  I know that Mom would have appreciated the act's of kindness, and so too did those who received the candy.
I did calistenics this morning, ate the usuals throughout the day and studied in the library until 9pm and then spoke with a friend for two hours.
A simple act of kindness does not have to be complex, and yet a simple act of kindness does complex wonders.  Peace.  Hans

Preparing and Doing The Same

Nothing much to post as there is nothing much changed from most Wednesdays.  Eating the same and I am using the stairway vs elevator.  Tomorrow is Mom's birth anniversary.  Study, work, class, and an early home to bed.  Today sets up tomorrow better.  Hans

Something To Be Said For Walking

Yes indeedee, there is something to be said in favor of walking.  It gets you the heck out and enjoying something other than the confines of inside.  Outside is awesome (w/exception made to allergy sufferers) when the weather is kicking great.  Even with it being outside city air, it is still outside.  In my times past the jobs I've held were sometimes on the feet jobs; pipeline surveyor, work-over crewman, drilling water wells as a grunt, waiter, restaurant manager, courier, and EMT.  Several jobs which required sitting; ICU EKG monitor tech, delivery driver, and now while studying in the university library.  All through the while I have been happiest when I have been physically working happy; i.e. pulling pipe out of the ground working as a deck hand on a work-over rig.  I worked on that rig pulling sucker rod, the casings and all that.  Oklahoma crude has lots of paraffin and leaves a thick nasty residue that slimes your clothes in a green frightful mess that soaked to your skin.  The time was 1984.  The rig was a 1961 CCC truck with only-God-knows what brand of 1947 work-over unit on it.  We had to hand spool the cable when we were pulling the rods and pipe out of the hole.  We used a 36inch pipe wrench to do this.  The clutch would slip while operating.  The first time I "hand-spooled" the cable they warned me not to get caught in the cable.  This is because they wouldn't be able to stop spooling the machine fast enough before- well- death.  One day the pipe tongs failed after coming out of the hole which caused the pipe to drop and land next to me. This is a memory which is better left un-obtained, however, was recorded in my brain and retained
.
I enjoy breaking free again from being bound to a chair.  Although I am mainly walking three days a week right now, I am doing calisthenics on the other days.  Still there is something to be said for walking.
Let me conclude our session together by quoting the sincere philosopher E.T., "Be Good." Hans
P.S. Guess what I began today by eating?  If you have been following along, or you have read up, then you have the answer.  Guess how I ascended and descended the building today when I wasn't pushing a dollie?
LOL TTFN :^)

Tonight it's a little something different.

Tonight my reading friends out there, it's time for a little something different 

(I hope that I've not become that predictable already lol.)

          This poem of mine won honorable mention; 2014 Spring TCC poetry contest.  

Nursery Rhymes With Tertiary, Sort Of  

Whadda you mean no fat, no lean

And that you’re gonna lick the platter clean?

Mary has a little lamb

And I have mint jelly…

Old lady Hubbard with her cupboard bare

Should have put some of her kids

In an orphanage or up for sale,

Seven, eight, line them straight.

Rock-a-bye baby why are you in the tree top?

When the bough breaks your cradles gonna drop.

Momma might buy you a diamond ring,

But even for your supper you gonna have to sing.

Hey diddle-diddle cats’ playing Cajun fiddle

Making the cow jump over the moon,

While the cat in the hat is an old buffoon

And old lady Leary lit a lantern in the shed.

So sit in the corner and eat your plumb,

See your thumb, gee you’re dumb!

The sheep are in the meadow, but

Cows are in the pasture laying chocolate pies.

London Bridge is falling down into the Colorado River,

Coz it’s now out in Arizona.

The mouse ran up Big Ben;

The Tower of London is still there though.

On top of “Old Smokey” all covered with cheese,

I lost my poor meat ball when somebody sneezed;

One, two, I buckled my shoes,

Three, four, I’m out the door- after my meatball of course.

Raining and pouring and some old guy snoring,

He goes to bed and bumps his head,

Then he wouldn't get up in the morning.

His traumatic brain injury wouldn’t allow for it.

Ring around the rosy, pockets full of posies,

Ashen, ashen,

Sticks and stones may break my bones,

But names will always hurt me.

My Mommy is a communist,

My Daddy is a spy,

And I’m the little dirty rat

Who told the F.B.I.

Written by Hans A. Pasco

Do what you gotta do, however, not to the harm of others.  Peace.  It's all good.  Hans

1 2 3 Read And Repeat- Read and Repeat.

It's Sunday so of course church was top of the list. Lunch with my priest and friend Lee Poteet.  Had to get cat food since Leo was fed salmone last night and this morning.  I love my cat, however, not at $2+ a meal, so I shopped before coming to school for some reading and study.  I walked the stairs during study break time and that kept my rate up as did leg bouncing.  With the temps looking like they will be in the high 60's-low 70's the next few days I am just feeling the need to do some day walking in real warmth.  Hopefully this will come to fruition.  Sorry so brief.  B-fast was the same as usual, lunch was a "traditional" breakfast, and dinner in my study cubie was salmone, carrots, an apple, cheddar cheese, and a piece of chocolate the same as last night.  I'll probably eat some celery when I get home for a stomach filler.  Library is closing.  I might write more when I get home and then again I might now.  Until tomorrow I bid you peace.  Hans

Earbuds, ipod, Crunching

P.S. Every blog I've read mentions being able to really crunch some miles with the earbuds on. Yes-sir-eee this is the case.  This evenings walk was much different and better with my favorites playing.  The selection besides a few singles includes from my first order of preference: Chicago. REM. Imagine Dragons. Dido. Dave Mathews. Bach. Dire Straits. Eddie Money. U2.
Earbuds and ipod does = crunching made easier. humm.
Maybe as an afternoon-need-more-miles-in=for-the-day-solution.  Training will tell.

Shoes Really Make A Difference. That Is Along With "tude"!

I put my left foot in...

Then I threw both feet in and I began this evenings walk with my new Brooks Cascadias on my feet.  I took this shot after walking about a mile and a half of this evenings four mile walk.  My average was again 20 minute miles.  I think I am going to slow down to 25 minute miles. After I select my trekking/walking poles I will increase efficiency and decrease stress for my return to 20 minute miles.  

The temperature was the same at the beginning of my walk as it was at the conclusion of the jaunt, 61.  

Once again I hit the trail late evening after running a 9 hour day.  

This evening's start was with my new Brooks Cascadias embracing my feet.  

When I entered RunnersWorld Tulsa Brookside location I was greated by Don.  I called earlier and asked him to set aside "my" size 13 Cascadias, and that I 'd be in before they closed.  

"You might be asking youself just why is this guy, whose blog I am reading, so Stoked- Fired up- Raring to go- Busting out- Yeehaw and Wowzer, about getting this particular brand and type of shoe? Well I am going to tell you.  Whenever anybody on the PCTA blogs that I have read from, mentioned positive remarks about their shoes, they have overwhelmingly mentioned that they are very happy with this particular shoe. My goal is to walk the PCT and how can I do that without the 'tude' of the shoe I have read about." 

I immediately sat down, removed my boots (pictured in a previous blog), and tied my new shoes on.  

The weight difference felt like that each shoe was a pound lighter than the boots were.  

(My zombie effects shot with earbuds and all.)

Breakfast was the same as always, veggie blend and protein- second breakfast was some chicken without biscuit, and lunch was pizza.  Both provided by the Trivia tournament.  I enjoyed first dinner while walking on the trail.  This consisted of carrots, an apple, a peanut butter package, and a large foil pouch of salmone.  When I got home I enjoyed plain beans and a 1/3lb 96% lean burger with a slice of cheese and chopped kale.  Desert will be two pieces of 72% cacao chocolate which weigh .375 oz each.  LOTS of flavortown without lots of calories (at least with the chocolate lol). 

I ran into this lady and her child while on my walk this evening.  

She must've met me before since all I got from her was this silent stare.

Be kind. Hans

Please mention how you heard

I have forgotten to post in awhile about those for whom I am raising awareness.
Please mention how you heard about them along with your comments and/or donations on their links.
Thank you. Hans

http://www.scottcarterfoundation.org/#!donate/ctzx

http://www.spondylitis.org/support/

http://www.cancersucks.com/

http://www.trf.org/donate/

Shoes, Lotta Burger, Boots v Brooks, Great Evening For A Walk.

This morning was an awesome one for me to get in some reading before heading up to work.  I stopped in this morning at my QuikTrip-15th & Denver where Clint and Dustin and the entire crew are awesome.  Study at TCC was next as was work.  Breakfast was the usual twin, and lunch was an incredible burger.  Yes burger.  Friday's I do knock away from routine at lunch.  I won't even tell you which burger, however, it iz the bomb with Serrano's and jalapenos!  After work I visited my friend and former boss Casey, whom I always call "chief."  His determination is inspiring.  I gave his wife my blogspot so I hope they are reading this LOL and I am HAPPY if they are.  I ate carrots, an apple, a protein bar which I don't have the wrapper for but is Delicious peanut butter and jelly, and a slice of ham (I'm not Kosher) on my drive over to River Parks.  Once parked, I drank some water and I walked.  I walked north from 41st St. to 21st St. I averaged 40 minutes north and the same south for a 3 MPH average. I wasn't planning on walking that far, I just did.  I wore my long khaki's, my horrible boots (more on those in a moment), and for upper cover I wore a thin, short sleeved polyester black Oklahoma State collared pull over. My coat is fleece lined and water resistant, but way too heavy for anything more than city hiking and short packs where I need weight.  During the walk I needed to unzip the coat in order not to over-heat.  The ventilation worked along with my increased metabolism in keeping me comfortable, and I modulated with the zipper- as long as I continued walking  I was fine, but if I  stopped...

The light began fading as I began walking north.  I enjoyed this shot, but the real deep colour of the sky is not captured.  I walked on.  

I enjoyed this one because it almost feels outdoorsey...if only there were sound to this...lol

It pretty much was too dark for pictures not long after this shot.  I completed my 4 miles in a little over 80 minutes.  I was cold and exhilarated.  

Before this evenings hike (called hike because I walk in the grass) I visited RunnersWorld Tulsa at 3920 South Peoria Ave., to check in on a pair of Brooks Cascadias.  The size 13's were my fit dear Lord which means my feet will stretch to size 14 while on the PCT.  I really need need Brook's support for this hike.  The shoes fit wonderfully.  I will probably get them even tho they aren't the cool neon greens, yellows, etc.  They are on sale and they are a nice blue and Kathy Hoover the awesome salesperson and owner who laced and helped me try them on was very helpful.  NOTE: Always try and support local businesses.  I really enjoyed the way they felt and I coveted them later while I was on my little hike-about this evening with boots-the-foot-killers (note pic pre-post).  I will purchase them tomorrow after I am done at TCC's NAQT Tournament.  I am looking forward to trying them out immediately afterwards on River Parks trail.  No promises on what is on my dietary plate tomorrow ma-ahahahaha...

Eat your vegetables even if you put an "e" where ther shouldn't bee or one where there should.  

It is what it is:^)  Hans

My Daughter's Graduation, Shoes, My Graduation, Classes and Study...

I called around today looking for Brooks Cascadias and found a pair on sale for 20% off regular price.  I will try them on tomorrow.  If I like them then I will buy them.  They are however, blue with white.  I am hoping for neon green or yellow.  Something a little more rad than plain blue, ugh!
My feet are going to be key and as important as what I nourish myself with on trail.  I will be finally buying a bathroom scale to keep better record of weight loss than making new belt hook holes.  My calender is hanging in the bathroom ready for the daily marks of weight loss and ticks off of days until adventure.  Kick-off day already seems so close and yet I still have two semesters and summer school to complete this year.  This 29 July will mark the last day of my 53rd year and the beginning of my 54th year.  I will turn double nickle while on the trail and hopefully I should be somewhere north of Crater Lake by then.  Maybe alone, maybe not, but on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Failure is not an option.

My only problem with this whole walk is that I will miss my daughter Ren's graduation from the University of Oklahoma in 2016 May.  I do not know what 2017 will be like and I will be a year older blah blah blah.  I really want to complete this journey sooner rather than later.  As Mom used to say, "only time will tell."  Then again lots of folks have said that before.
*So the birthday wish I just wished for is a way to fly from (probably Sacramento) to Oklahoma City for my daughter's graduation in Norman, Oklahoma, and then return to the trail after three days time.  I can sleep in my tent if somebody in Norman will let me use their back yard.  I'll also need a ride from OKC airport to Norman r/t and pray there will be a trail angel in Oklahoma who will help me.  Only time will tell.  I don't even know if she will be able to make it to my graduation from OSU-Tulsa December 2015 as it depends on her academic schedule.  Time will tell.

I didn't sleep well last night and took a zero day today.  Lots of thinking about Mom and Dad and school studying and just about everything else except sleep.  No excuse to no exercise tho.  I stuck with my current eating plan today and parked far from work to get in some kind of exercise.  After work today at the usual time I found myself here at the OSU library again as always.  I am afraid not to study.  Here I am tho not at study and writing this blog because of (#1) the practice, (#2) your all's reading of this blog, and (#3) my personal need to tell my story.  I write other stories which I hope to one day publish.  I am working also on a children's book about handicaps.  I never know which work is "correct" these days because what is and is not is always in a rapidly changing state of dynamics.

I had better begin reading for my Indian's in America class.  Tomorrow's study will be reading for my Death and Dying class, and also for my Relationship class.  Saturday I am volunteering at Tulsa Community Colleges Metro campus by helping the Honor's Program with their hosting of the regional NAQT trivia tournament. (I was a team member of the trivia team for two academic years.)   Afterwards I will be all about researching for my independent study history class 1920-present and it's subject which Dr. Moses and I choose.  The subject is the space race and the weaponization of rockets with nuclear devices; that includes the time of the Manhattan Projects inception and the security teams we sent to find Werner Von Braun.  Nice easy subject, okay, interesting to the good Dr. and myself at least.  Sunday will be a review day of everything school-wise.

Remember that by treating others with decency,
you are treating yourself well also.  Peace.  Hans

Another School Day

Another school day and not much to say.  Calisthenics in the morning, protein drink, veggie drink; then salmon, carrots, peas, and an apple.  Second lunch was chicken breast, carrots, celery, a tomato, and a cutie tangerine.  Dinner was more salmon, chopped sauteed kale, and brown rice.  Otherwise another boring day of study in the morning, work 1200-1600, Family relations sociology class from 430pm-710pm, and then library study until 2200.  (I really want to share with Mom what I have learned today as with every class so far this semester just as I have for 4 years now.)
Home now I will be in bed by midnight.                                                                        
                                                                     Boring day.

Today was a set back day of deeply missing my Mom.  The photo is of my daughter Ren and Mom during Mom's radiation for her third cancer fight which was successful just like her first two battles.
Please don't put off calling somebody that you really should call.  Someday will come too soon and there will be no more opportunity.  I bid you Peace.  Hans

Please Stay Awake While You Read This LOL

Not much of a day to write about.  I awoke, checked e-mail, ate my usual of protein drink and also a nutribullet of carrot, celery, tomato, banana, kale, and beet greens. Then calisthenics and of to school for study by 0930. Work noon-1600 and then more study until my 1920/720pm Indians in America class until 1000pm. Talk time with Dr. Moses and I was home by 2230 and bed by 2330.
I feel an overwhelming need to earn A's so I study and study.

Here are examples of why people call me SantaHans.

And here is me at my part-time job...NOT.

And so I walk on as a student who is preparing for the walk of my lifetime.

Peace.  It's all good.  Hans

Look ahead. It is there that the future is.

These boots really are not made for walking.  The feet are however lol.  Waiting on some real trail walkers.  I'll keep you posted.

An absolutely beautiful day in the mid-60's.  The river smelled clean, mostly, except for "fish" smell during one stretch while on my walk today.  Every now and then the faint smell of vehicle exhaust left me wanting for a warm spring day in amongst a pine forest away from human sounds. 

I tried to imagine that I was alone on the trail, however, I would have had to been delusional to really play with that thought for long lol. I headed on alone anyway.

Sunset hides so much. The sunset looking so pastoral in this shot actually hides the refinery lol. Pardon me for breaking the illusion. Actually this shot is in the wilds west of Wichita Kansas...Okay the refinery is finery hid, laughing-my-you-know-what-off for that one.

I drank a veggie blend, additionally drinking ny usual 30gm protein, then I enjoyed a pouch of tuna with some carrots for second breakfast. Lunch was my favorite sub sandwich.  Dinner was left-over shrimp and lobster sauce from yesterday when Bishop Poteet took me out. I also had the left-over whole grain rice and the bit of beef pepper dish that was left; with which I also ate steamed snow peas and raw washed carrots.  Before bed I will enjoy some almond milk mixed with soy protein. Right now I am enjoying a cup of Ben and Jerry's pistashio pistashio; OM it is from God and not Vermont LOL.

Today's exercise was a nice little four mile jaunt which I averaged 3 miles an hour with a potty break at mid-way; TMI, but..........

Look ahead for it is there that the future is.  The past will not change, only what is ahead will ever transform us.

Peace.  Hans

Just cutting my teeth. Thank You.

Thank you for reading if nothing else >this<.  This blog is under construction every day of the week from now until Manning Park late August 2016.  Right now the three of you who read this get to experience me cutting my teeth in the wide open world of blogging.  Those of you reading this in the future get to look back.  This blog is about me transitioning onto the Pacific Crest Trail March 2016.  It is about who I am at this minute developing into the hiker walking into Canada fourteen some months from now.  Thank you for reading.  Hans aka Santahans
P.S. Church, Asian food for lunch and five hours at the library. Ho-hum I know boring read, boring read.

Study Day

I awoke this morning did my calisthenics and usual mixes.  I studied at the school library until it closed at 1700.  Six hours there was enough.  I came home and researched for my post-1920 US history class, then read some poetry.  Damn boring stuff.  Thank you for reading this far!  Study is enjoyable for me, however, it is heaping boring to talk about, much less write...
Treat others as you want to be treated today.  Hans

Celebrate Life

Today I began with calisthenics and a veggie blend and also a protein mix. Hmm. Not really a egg, link sausage, hash browns kind of meal, however, a far cry healthier:) Ok. So once a week I break down and have a breakfast like that.  On Sunday after church.  It's a family tradition.
Work beckoned but first I decided to end my sadness of loss when I think about Mom, rather today began my celebration of life.  Hers, Blue my daughter's, mine; just celebrate life.  I thank God for the opportunity of knowing her and I get on with it.  Speaking of getting on with it, this week is forecast for 60 F or so.  Between study, work, class, and more study I have to get in some walking.
Celebrate life today by calling somebody you haven't spoken with for a while.  Celebrate life.  Hans

Why Tyler Robinson And My Mom Rosanne Pasco Are Linked

Courage and bravery in the face of cancer.

My Mom, Rosanne Pasco, was of the same determination as Tyler 

and so many more cancer warriors. 

http://www.patientresource.com/Uterine_Survivor_Story3.aspx

"One of Rosanne’s most important volunteering commitments is lending an ear to newly diagnosed cancer patients. The American Cancer Association and the R.A. Bloch Foundation often pair her with people going through what she has already conquered."

It is past time for me to begin, 

I have begun training for my walk March 2016. 

Maybe you would like to buy a cup of coffee for my 5 month journey; 

Please e-mail me at santahanspacificcresttrail@gmail.com if you'd like to do so.

Thank you. Hans

Yet And So I Walk Forward.

I so miss my parents deeply. I use to call Mom every morning and evening since into the last millennium; and then also in the afternoon the last 3-4 months of her life to encourage her to eat food and drink more water and just to see how she was doing.

I hear things in the classroom at OSU-Tulsa that I would have shared with Mom, however, there are no more phone calls either way. No more of me saying to her sing-song "Hi Mom!" and her responding sing-song "Hi Son!"

Thoughts of calling Dad to ask him this or that of history, ours and world; thoughts of asking him just plain old how he was doing, going undialed.

Yet and so I walk forward. The journey of 2660+miles just begins with the first step after all. Yet and so I walk forward.

Peace. It's all good. Sincerely, Hans Pasco aka SantaHans. 

P.S. Cancer sucks.

Moving Forward.

Calisthenics after a breakfast of 30 gram protein drink and a nutribullet of beet, celery, kale, and carrot. Yummy. I have been doing this breakfast since Mom gave me the bullet and I tried to encourage her to eat like I was. Mid-lunch was sausages carrots and an apple. Kinda high on the glycemic and fat, but also high on flavor. Lunch was "only the best" foil pouch salmone, carrots and a banana. Dinner was a subway sandwich walked thru the garden hold the lettuce, pickles, and cukes, extra spinach, with red wine vinegar. Yum. My Indians in America class left me wanting to be in the Red River valley of N.M. northeast of Los Alamos. Beautiful region. Home to blog and now it's bed time. Sorry I am so boring today. I'll write some adventure from my life tomorrow. Maybe it'll be about my slamming into the floor of the B-25 in Jackson Mississippi, or being in the air flying around and over Starksville, MS. with a P-47, P-51, and a German Donner.  Maybe it will be my conversation with one of Mississippi's first African-American private pilots; or the guy who was 14 and a tail gunner of a Marine B-25 in the South Pacific ocean.
Rest well dear souls. Hans

I have forgotten to post for awhile those for whom I am raising awareness.
Please mention how you heard about them along with your comments and donations on their links.
Thank you. Hans

http://www.trf.org/donate/ 

http://www.scottcarterfoundation.org/#!donate/ctzx 

http://www.spondylitis.org/support/ 

http://www.cancersucks.com/ 

First Day As A Senior

I am now officially a senior in college. Wow 10 more classes to go and I graduate with a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma's only State University, OSU. I really never planned what life would be like at the end of this formal educational trail. January 2011 was my beginning to begin and complete what previously (fall 1979 & spring & fall 1980) had been a showing up to Stillwater, Oklahoma for. For what? Because that is what my dad expected and told me I had to do, so I walked on his trail and failed 11 classes and "earned" laughingly 2 D's.
Beginning with January 2011 Spring semester I was able to earn enough A's at Tulsa Community College that they "forgave" my failures past.  I graduated from there with 5 President's Honor Roll and 4 Dean's Honor Roll, 2 of which were for summer school.  I earned twenty-five A's, three B's, and one C. The B's were in Psychology, College Algebra, and Trigonometry, while the C was in Spanish. I earned tuition wavers from my grades and being selected as Provost scholar, and as an Honor's scholar. I graduated as an Honor's Scholar with Mom in attendance cheering me on.
Meanwhile, at OSU-Tulsa I have earned two A's and four B's, with an "I" that I am working on to complete soon. The "I" was to save myself towards the end of semester with the deep distraction of Dad's death 22 Oct., and Mom's 5 December, as well as everything else that happened that semester.
Because of my grades those 3 semesters back in 1979-1980, OSU wont allow me a waver until this fall's semester if'n I am lucky because of Federal laws. Ho-hum. And so I walk on.
Today is my first day as a Senior at University. Oh heavenly days!!!

This Morning was cold and with enough moisture in the air to have a bite. Ouch. I did calisthenics at home using an old Royal Canadian Air Force fitness book that Dad gave me decades ago.  It worked. After that I drove over to J.P's home, bringing him to Metro with me. We both hit the table of snacks and beverages laid out for the new students. I went over to a couch to wait for a friend and former Proff who was coming to advise me about an independent study U.S. History class in which I am enrolled this spring. I text him at about a quarter till noon and at five till the hour my phone rang with a call from his cell. I answered to the voice of his wife telling me that Dr. Phil had asked her to call me and let me know that he had a stint put into his heart this morning. He wanted to make sure that I knew why he hadn't shown up and hadn't blown me off.
Dr. Phil has that much integrity in his history lectures also. Dr. Phil also exercises regularly, and is a power lifter as well. He has cannons under those mild mannered professor sleeves.

Soooo I need to keep on three things now; like totally right now if you know what I mean!
Number 1. Study. Study. Study. And More Study.
Number 2. Eat four to five low fat and carb, high fiber and protein meals a day at regular times. The four and five meals a day will also get me into the PCT mode of five meals a day. This way I will just increase the caloric and nutritional needs according to my physical needs real time.
Number 3. Exercise by- Walking. Taking the stairs only. Begin using the gym. And increasing my distances.
And so I walk on.  Tomorrow's blog I will give you a peak into right now.  Wear you seatbelt.  Hans.

"Then Sings My Soul." by Phillip D. Smith. Check it out.

Go About Your Business Kindly

This is the first Sunday after Advent for most of the Christian world.  In today's reading from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer of The Protestant Episcopal Church I discovered why Advent was so important for Mom.  The weekend before Mom died, an acquaintance of ours, the Roman Catholic bishop of Tulsa, Bishop Slattery,  visited her.  She told us all gathered the story of being 7 years old and outside of her church. A little boy ran by and she asked him what he was doing. He said he was doing his father's business.  The Sunday school lesson that day (which would have been 10 January 1943) was from St. Luke ii. 41-52., and that lesson in traditional Anglican worship is read on the first Sunday after Advent.   It was on that day in church school class that Mom said she realized that she was a Christian.  From her I learned how to always try to be a better Christian. I am still learning from Mom. I am still learning.  

Today I took a zero.
Slept until 0900 and went to church.
Enjoyed lunch with my friend, Bishop Poteet.
Then I went to the OSU-Tulsa library, studied, and also visited with Deborah and Jacob who work there. They are awesome, as are Beth, Candice, Lynn, J.P., Tom, R.J.: the whole staff there.
My thanks goes out to them all.  They are trail angels and do not even know what that means.

Life moves on and so am I.
Go about your business kindly.

Peace. It's all good. Hans

So It's Cold

So it's cold. So what right. Well it does take getting use to, however, and I don't want to aid any illnesses along either.  I walked a mile and then went the University library to study. While I was seated studying I tried to keep my legs slightly jiggling on the balls of my feet which is one way to keep my metabolism up longer.  I also take stretch and moving breaks five minutes every hour. Every little bit helps right? Especially when it is more than I use to do.  Not much to talk about for today unless you want me to talk about my studying for my Voting and Elections class...hmmm, no okay.
Be good. Do not text and drive. Hans

T - 435 And

     

Not much to say about today except another cold day with spirit. I had spirit today too. I thought about September 2010 when my friend Jason, his son, and I were returned to dock by airboat from a ride in the everglades of Southern Florida. There was an 18 inch alligator in a large tank that I asked to hold. While holding the alligator I told the airboat captain what happened when I was surveying through the swamps of Southern Louisiana; south of even Thibodeau.  "In the morning, on the way into where the survey line was, we had to walk through a slough. This slough consisted of mid waist deep water. The tricky part was that the swamp weeds, including floating lilies with air sacks growing along their stems, was a mass of mess of roots which extended into the water to the depth of of about our groins, and God only knows what was beneath that to the muddy bottom. We had to cut our way through this with machetes. While on the walk through this in the morning the party chief (lead surveyor, aka PC) mentioned that he scared off a baby alligator or two. I told him that I was disappointed I didn't get to see them and asked him to snag one by the tail on the way out. He said he would. That afternoon, true to his work he snatched a baby alligator (about the same size as the one Sept. 2010 in Fl.) by its tail while the two other crew members and I watch from feet away. The baby 'gator made squeaking noises and the momma 'gator replied with bull frog sounding grunts. This chorus echoed two or three times.  The PC released the baby 'gator and not since Jesus' time has man walked on water like that day in Louisiana."  The airboat captain said; "You did what? And you are standing here telling me about it. You should be dead!" I asked if he was kidding me. He showed me the alligator teeth punch holes in his arm that he had earned while alligator wrestling and said no.

Damn ironic part is my friend Jason read in the paper around a year later that an alligator had bitten this same guys arm off.

My year of swamp surveying experiences is a definite plus in knowing how to reach deep to accomplish something.  More adventures from my swamp time at a later date because there are all of the cottonmouth stories I might share. A machete is a pretty good tool to neutralize one of them with. And then there is the time when I was in knee deep water and one... And there was the time I ran after a rattler trying to liberate his rattles... And then...

Just imagine when I get to write what has opened before me each day as every day is really new each day.
Unlike the past two day's posting of conditions of the trail whether it is about weather or water scarcity, or whatever the trail throws at me, I will then confront it and walk on. I began the dream of this journey in the mid 1970's, and it was reawakened in 2013 when there was something in the book from my biology class which reminded me.With this semester I only have 10 more classes in order to graduate from OSU-Tulsa. And so I walk on. Hans

"Not much of a day for much charging so not much to say. Plenty of water sources and good resting spots. Maybe tomorrow."

"Not too much to write about tonight. I am almost out of battery since it has been cloudy all day and I haven't been able to charge up.  Hopefully tomorrow brings enough sun so I can charge up. Good thing the stove works so well as I was able to heat up enough water to mix up dinner and have a hot chocolate. Time for bed. Hopefully I'll be able to write more tomorrow. Until then. Nite."

Shoes Shoes Shoes

Guess what I think about when I am walking anywhere? Yes, I think about comfortable walking shoes.  Cold day for a walk today, and dark by the time I left school so I just walked down Brookside and back. About a mile, however, for this phase of my beginning training I really think that long distances over hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt probably wont be a choice for long.  I think about the PCT and the road detours which will inevitably will come. Most bloggers who are on the trail really want to avoid too many miles of roadwalking. Short sweet and simple this post, kind of like today. Peace. Hans

The Ones I Am Raising Awareness For

Oh yes I have forgotten to post for awhile those for whom I am raising awareness.  Please mention me and how you heard about them along with your comments and donations onto their links.  Thank you. Hans

http://www.scottcarterfoundation.org/#!donate/ctzx  pediatric cancer research.

http://www.trf.org/donate/ off-setting the cost to families fighting pediatric cancer.

http://www.spondylitis.org/support/ supporting research into all phases of spondylitis arthritis.

http://www.cancersucks.com/ raising donations for cancer research. Almost $1,000,000 raised in 10 years of which 100% has gone to cancer research.

A Zero

No kidding today was a Zero day.  18 degrees F when I left for church this morning at 0930 and I really did not want to hit the trail.
Back at the first of January 1981 I spent the month in a Anglican monastery located in downtown Denver, Colo.  One Sunday late afternoon a group of us with the Father Abbot brought evening prayer to a home which specialized in dementia care. We were greeted by a lady running through the hall butt naked being chased by two orderlies.  When we arrived in the room where we were to have service, there were about fifteen people sitting around the room. Some were restrained in their chairs so they wouldn't fall out of them. All of the people there in that room stared out towards invisible points throughout the room for the entire 20-25 minute service until we began saying The Lord's Prayer. At that point all of the patients in the room who had been silent and staring until then suddenly animated, looking forward, and repeating The Lord's Prayer to its conclusion; to which point every person to the number returned to their previous catatonic state and stare. The night before my Mom's death she had been verbally no longer responsive for about 24 hours, although she could move her head yes and no to question. Before we were to leave for the night my priest Bishop Lee Poteet and I began reciting The Lord's Prayer while standing next to Mom and holding her hands. She began reciting aloud the prayer with us and continued to do so to its conclusion. The power of that prayer is incredible and reaches very deeply into the conscious of every soul who knows it.
Whatever your faith, be good to one another.  Peace.  It's all good.  Hans

Brrrrr.

Cold grey day again.  I got in 2 miles in spite of despite of having a day full of missing my Mom.  Pretty much a day when I thought about life, relationships, and the Pacific Crest Trail; even after my morning walk and while at Gilcrease Museum.  Dinner was a treat as a dear friend of mine took me for dinner. I enjoyed red curried shrimp and hot and sour soup.
I've started this blog, am changing my eating habits, exercising, and planning for my future first this year and graduating December this year.  Planning next too simultaneously is to launch myself into an unknown which no matter how well I train, I will not really be prepared for all of the surprises which I will encounter. Encountering doubts and fears I recognize as being integral in also to my succeeding on the hike with as much training as possible.  I will refresh my map and compass skills.  What if my GPS doesn't work for whatever reason?  My flint and steel fire making needs refreshing just in case. I will obtain my PCT fire permit although I do not plan on having campfires. Refresh my basic wood's medic skills like super glue mending and stiching with dental floss 101. Thru my training my hope is to also hone my drive from what I have learned in life as the best drive to succeed.  And so I progress onward.
Hold the door open for somebody today.  Hans

Protein Drink, Yummy(?)

Cold day again.  I got up and made a nutribullet vegetable blend and drank it along with a 30 gm soy protein drink. Yum breakfast done.  Did some Internet research and went to work.  Four hours later and the weather had not improved much other to rise above freezing and to stop raining.  It was a great day to put some laundry in at The Brookside Laundry.  Mao and Todd are awesome people.  They are friendly, always ask how my daughter is doing in college as well as to how I am doing in college.  Of course I want to know how her children are doing and how their eldest daughter is doing at OU.  Plenty of time to get in a walk up and down Brookside while the wash did its 27 minute thing.  I like paying attention to my things once they are in the dryer so it was reading time of some 3 month old news magazines.  Oh boy reading them was like looking backwards in time trying to match up horoscopes with what really happened. Gee whiz.
The gym at school opens up Monday the 5th so I will have a better place to begin my regular training.
Make a positive difference. Peace. Hans

Chilling Wind and Humidity

Cold wet rainy.with ice freezing on light poles.  A great day to enjoy on the 7th day of Christmas inside with my daughter at Panera.  Ren is a delight to talk with and charming and I am so very proud of her. We enjoyed walking outside briefly and talking..
Like my Uncle and Godfather Andy Sarojak says, "Always keep your eye on the prize." Tomorrow the gym at TCC opens back from the Holiday closure and I can train indoors without premature death uninitiated from the outdoors lol.  Okay, so the mid-day meal of Panera didn't exactly fit into the best diet plan, however, beginning the day with almond milk mixed with 30 grams of soy protein and a veggie blend of greens, carrots, beets, etc; and then dinner of lean protein and veggies ballances it all out.
Today is a good day to begin what will never happen tomorrow.  Hans

Schmaltz

HAPPY NEW YEAR. The person who invited me to dinner tonight back on Sunday has been out-of-pocket for three days now.  I bought chicken instead.  I baked the breasts, wings, and everything else except for the four leg quarters.  The leg quarters I cooked with fresh onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, along with sea salt, pepper, etc. Once the quarters were cooked I cooled them enough to debone the meat and added it back to the stock.  I added cold water to shock the liquid, and then used frozen bread to soak up the schmaltz.  "Schmaltz is rendered chicken or goose fat used for frying or as a spread on bread in German, Austrian, Polish, and, by historical extension, Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine." Once cleaned this way there is still some schmaltz, but just enough to really make the drop dumplings taste wonderful.  Good comfort food for a day which was cold enough for me to make it a nero day.  I did some walking down at the river, however, no mileage really either.  I thought about the trail today and days that might/will be cold and the only way for me to keep warm will be to keep walking. I also thought about the lava fields in Washington state on the PCT, and its heat and lack of water.  I also thought about the need of mine to have some coffee daily on the trail as a morale boost and using the coffee press which comes with the JetBoil stove.  Hopefully, QuikTrip will eventually sponsor me with at least coffee; meanwhile, I at least dream a small dream towards the large dream's fruition.  It is going from late to really late so I bid you good-night.

Happy New Year.  Remember, Peace; It’s all good.  Hans