Michigan

So, we now live in Michigan!

We came here for 2 reasons: family and much lower cost of living. We will be able to buy a house here. But I digress, I have been doing a lot of thinking about Michigan and Detroit. 

It started when Donna wanted to see the house she grow up in and visit her old neighborhood. I was shocked, I thought I was visiting a war torn 3rd world county. Most of the street was reclaimed by nature, what wasn't, was burned. But what disturbed me the most, I think, was the lifeless, listless eyes of the kids playing in the street. That night I had nightmares about those eyes.

I started thinking ( and as any of my friends can tell you, once I start thinking anything can happen) about why. How did this come to be? Why  was Detroit abandoned? Those questions and more started me on a mind Odyssey that I will document in this blog.

I think the simple answer to the above is FEAR. But as with any simplistic answer, it is far from the whole truth (and nothing but the truth). So here's some more answers; poor southern folk, the car industry, racism, and the real estate market. 

Thesis statement:
 
The above is what I think caused the fall of Detroit and in turn, the blubbing, churning  nearly below the surface racism that exists today in Detroit and many surrounding areas.

Next time, I will start to present supporting documentation.
 

2.55 Miles Today

So what I did today was to take a LONGGG rest before my muscles could fuss too much. Therefore, I was able to do 2.55 miles. Yahhhh for me!

Feb 05, '12, 01:01pm
Starts in:	Danville, California 94526, US. Osage Park
Distance:	2.5 mi
Elevation:	+ 405 / - 494 ft
Max Grade
Total Duration:	01:18:28
Moving Time:	00:26:45
Stopped Time:	00:51:43
Max Speed:	9.4 mph
Avg. Speed:	5.7 mph

New Discovery

While riding Heather Farms on Monday I discovered that my leg muscles hurt after a VERY short time (5 mins) of riding. I am pretty sure that it has to do with the water pill the doc prescribed and I started taking on the 27th. Resting helps somewhat, it does not kept the pain from getting worst. So if I continue with the water pill I won't be able to exercise ( bad for me). This is an extra water pill as my high blood pressure med also includes an diuretic. The doctor felt that it wasn't enough, so he prescribed an extra pill.

A little cramp history; I use to have sever cramps at least once a night for years, Gatorade cured it, then I got diabetes, so no more Gatorade, when the cramps returned, they were not nearly as bad, so I deal with it. I think what I'm going to do is drink Gatorade for a while and no other carbs, just to get rid of the pain, and stop the extra diuretic, then I'll have to figure out with the Doc how the achieve an balance on an day to day basic.

Departed:	Jan 30, '12, 02:12pm
Starts in:	Walnut Creek, California 94598, US
Distance:	1.1 mi
Elevation:	+ 100 / - 230 ft
Max Grade
Total Duration:	00:58:41
Moving Time:	00:16:40
Stopped Time:	00:42:01
Max Speed:	14.0 mph
Avg. Speed:	4.1 mph

Riding Heather Farms Park

I think one of the reasons I had some much trouble getting out for a ride was my heart. I was always tired and I had no stamina. I kept thinking "What's wrong with me? Why can't I get out the house?"

I went for a ride on the 25th and WOW what a revelation! easier to sit, easier to position my feet on the pedals, no discomfort while pedaling. I was even able to kind of get the cleats to work.I felt like I was able to pedal faster and I didn't get as tired as quickly. My ride was cut short because the chain kept coming off the gears. Today I'm fixing the chain and I'll go back to Heather farms and go for another ride. Also this is the fastest I have ridden. Yahhhh!

Departed:

Jan 25, '12, 02:30pm

Starts in:

Walnut Creek, California 94598, US

Distance:

0.6 mi

Elevation:

+ 140 / - 146 ft

Max Grade

Total Duration:

00:58:57

Moving Time:

00:06:47

Stopped Time:

00:52:10

Max Speed:

33.7 mph

Avg. Speed:

5.1 mph

I've lost 37.8 lbs!!

I have lost 37.8 lbs since I started by portion control diet. I noticed that knees don't hurt or get swollen. I'm walking and moving faster. I feel much better and I have more energy. I suspect two reasons, the first is that I'm carrying around less weight. The second is that last week I when to the emergency room with a heart problem, I have Congestive Heart Failure. My heart is enlarged and had fluid around it. The doctors fixed me up and I'm working on fixing that problem. I now trike for knees and heart.