FILE: Walking Notes ARCHIVED: 2021-09-18 (c) Copyright Brett Paufler # # # # # # # # # # # # # # I am getting into Data Collection. So, like, if one were to collect data on the walks one takes, what might that look like? I've got a GPS File somewhere (not posted, not yet), which covers the where and the when. So, I'm more interested in the subjective... and as much as anything, the subjective nature of data collection. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Walking started as a serious activity (for me) in my teenage years.. and was very much linked to the restlessness of youth (i.e. sexual desire). Well, actually, I cannot remember walking that much in high school. I had a bike. So, I'd go for Midnight Rides, instead. But after I moved to California, a bike was not as much fun (and very soon after that, no longer available), so I took to walking through neighborhoods unknown, then hitch hiking, and now, just walking to the same old park, back and forth, walking in endless circles and sitting on the same old park bench, mostly (both walking and sitting) with my eyes closed. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Data points for The Data Junkies and AI, alike. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # WALK What would it look like if I tracked walks? 2021-07-06: Far Park. Hot Day. 2021-07-06: Far Park. Warm night. That's 1.5 miles there and back. In many ways, it's already a boring project. 2021-07-07: Morning. Hot. Hazy. Pre-Storm. Far Park. Four Laps. Hot. Sweating. 2021-07-09: Cool. Sunny. Afternoon. 123 Laps. So, Three Laps. But I like The Counting Syntax. Baseball. Pool Music. Crowded. Evening. Lots of folks. Did I mention how cool it was? Believe it or not, it's a bit hard to keep track of laps... especially since the lap counter mark is at the halfway point. One lap basically equals two. I'm counting the extra laps, not the one that gets me to The Bench and back. {Typically, I walk to The Bench or The Other Bench, which are very near one another on the far side of The Far Park. If I walk to The Bench and then back home, I've sort of done one lap, but I count it as zero. A lap is from The Bench around The Far Park and back to The Bench.} 2021-07-10: Cool. Overcast. Breezy. S2. L2. Perhaps, I should track Suckers, as well. I like having a sucker in my mouth as I walk. It reduces thirst and otherwise occupies my mouth/mind. {I requested and received Brachs Suckers for my birthday: 3lb Butterscotch, 1lb Cinnamon, 5lb Starburst Mint, and 3lb Assorted w/ Sours. I have yet to open the last two bags. And really, have probably only eaten a half pound over the course of the last month and a half.} S: Sucker L: Lap It might make sense to list Suckers and Laps thusly: SLL. I will be getting various Suckers, shortly. And it would be easy to substitute S with a specific identifier. {So, the previous {Candy Section} was a bit premature. At the start of this file, I had a peanut jar's worth of suckers (eh, maybe a bit more than a single jar's worth of): Mints (various), Cough Drops (those herbal ones), and one or two Cinnamon suckers.} C: Cinnamon B: Butterscotch M: Mint And so on. We'll see. 2021-07-11: Two Hawks. Very Cool. Hawk Attack! Go Hawk! Fire Pit. Wild Flower. Evening. Sunset. Dead Duck. Fox! Cicadas. Baseball! Base Hit! The Bench. CC. No Laps. {CC must equal Two Cinnamon Suckers. Baseball hit refers to watching a play. I remember this walk well as it was quite magical: Hawk & Fox. My Sweetie accompanied me.} 2021-07-12: 4:39PM. B. Rain threatens. But only a few drops, thus far. Cool. Overcast. Windy. A day for dogs. L. B. On The Bench. I prefer it. But The Other Bench gets more shade. {In the winter, when all benches are pretty much equal, I prefer The Bench. In the summer, the park gets more action. The Other Bench is in the shade, but gets more traffic. The situation on The Bench is reversed.} B: Butterscotch Sucker C: Cinnamon Sucker L: Lap It is my intent to eat 1-3 Suckers per walk, as a quality of life thing. 2021-07-13: 3:19PM. Wet Shirt. Hot. Still. But not too hot. Near Park Bench. I haven't sat here in awhile. Different Sounds. Pickle Ball. Non Pool Children's Screams. It's a different style bench. Not as comfortable. B. Hot Day. Cool Breeze. The water on my shirt has evaporated, replaced by sweat. The Other Bench is covered in gravelly dirt, probably from kids jumping on. So, Sitting on The Bench. But that didn't last long as it's in the sun. And the shade really makes a difference. Nice and sweaty. Well, really, maybe not so nice. Post Shower. 4:47PM. I'd say it was a short walk. {On a hot day, I saturate my shirt with water (button, hawaiian style, typically, or an older grey polo, I really do wear my clothes to rags). In the AC before I leave, I'm often quite cold. Add water to my hair (dripping) and to my hat (just soak it: Bears, found, Conference Champs) and I am pre-sweating... sort of. It really makes a difference. The first bit before the water evaporates is pretty comfortable regardless of the heat. It's like getting out of a swimming pool, dripping wet. The heat of a summer day is a non-issue. And then, the water evaporates and is replaced by sweat, which is not nearly as nice.} 2021-07-14: Light Rain. Nice. Getting Wet. But Still Nice. Lap. Butterscotch. Lap. Time to head home. Wet Shirt. Dry Shorts. Sweating. Zero Evaporation. Foggy Wet Glasses. But eminently doable. Rain Stopped. Well, light rain, drizzle, constant stream, stopped. Home. 5:52PM. 2021-07-16: 4:17PM. Sun through Overcast Haze. Cool Breeze. Nice. Pleasant. The Bench. Oh, my eyes suck. And I'm a bit angry... like, almost all the time... certainly, on the edge, thereof. But a very nice day. The ambiance is spot-on. Butterscotch. Lap. Cinnamon. It will last longer. Lap. The Sweet Smell of Barbecue. 6:24PM. In The Door. {I prefer Butterscotch. It is sweeter. But goes quickly. It's more refreshing. The Cinnamon lasts twice as long, but is so sharp, it sort of hurts.} 2021-07-17: The Other Bench is Occupied. Adult w/ Children Across Ways on Blanket in The Sun, most likely. 2:28PM. Wet Shirt. Warm/Hot Day. But Breezy. Lap. The Other Bench is Still Occupied. The two groups were not together. Butterscotch. Plenty of Traffic. Busy Day in The Park. Lap. The Other Bench is Mine! Such Drama! I was afraid it would still be covered in gravel. Practice Tent Set-Up. Lap. Other Bench. My legs are getting tired. It's Homeways, next. Herb Cough Drop. I'd intended a Butterscotch. But broke the packaging prior to realizing my mistake. It will last much longer. Most of my thoughts have been of The Problem, Lunch, Washing, Sorting, The Past (A Personal Reconstructionistic History), and trying to get some sort of New Story or Fantasy going. 4:23PM. Unpacking. Wash Runes, Phone, Glasses. Strip. Shower. Cool Drink. Lunch Preparation. Mixed Together. 2021-07-18: Dawn Walk. To The Bench and Back. Cool. Nice Change. 2021-07-19: Near Park. 5:02PM. Hot Day. Wet Shirt. Long Shadows. Cool Breeze. The Other Bench. As angry as can be. Let us try to Meditate. In times past, I would have headed for a park (or similar locale) to people watch. But now, the primary motivator is a place to sit and the avoidance of vehicular traffic. 5:47PM. Leaving Other Bench. Butterscotch. Lap. 6:07PM. Leaving Other Bench, again. I've got Garbanzo Soup waiting for me at home. Home. Heating Soup. 6:35PM. Forest Fires fill the air with Smoke. So, I'm Holing Up and being a Homebody. 2021-07-23: 1:30PM?. Bank. The Far Park. Crow. The Other Bench. 2:22PM. Butterscotch. Lap. One more and Homeways. Cinnamon. Lap. It's Hot! 3:32PM. Cleaning Up. After a shower, it will be time for Mole Soup. 2021-07-27: Wet Shirt. Wet Hair. Wet Hat. Soaking. 4:09PM. Out Door. Far Park. Clip Nails, typically done outside on a walk. Crossroads Bench, in the shade, in the Far Park, others not in shade. Sweating. Lap. Crossroads Bench. Butterscotch. Lap. The Other Bench. Butterscotch. 2021-07-28: Been Getting Ready for a few minutes. 4:18PM. 4:45PM. Door Locked. Outside Door. Far Park. 5:02PM. The Other Bench. 5:12PM. It's quite hot. All that started wet is now dripping with sweat. Butterscotch. Lap. The Other Bench. 5:32PM. Lap. The Other Bench. 5:49PM. Homeward Bound. Once there, I'll sip some Olive Juice (maybe a shot's worth) w/ Olive and Some Beer. I've not finished two Beers in a day in a long time. But the six or so I have left will not last through the weekend, I would guess. Yeah, I'm just sweating. Getting Ride. In Car. 6:00PM. In Door. 6:05PM. 6:17PM. Dishes. 6:25PM. Shower. In Chair. 6:46PM. {The rides are always convenience rides. My Darling is in the neighborhood or on the way home and it's time to start spending time together.} 2021-07-30: 4:01PM. Out Door. 4:24PM. The Bench. I've got company, today. Park Baby! Butterscotch. 5:01PM. Still on The Bench. Talking. 5:24PM. Car Ride. 2021-07-31: 10:52AM. Out Door. The Far Park. The Football Uprights are up. 11:20AM. The Other Bench. Butterscotch. Leaving Park. At Edge. 11:41AM. I'd rather be home. Thinking about CIV. Yes. It's been two weeks. Rain. Heat. CIV. 2021-08-13: By New Houses. 6:00PM. Far Park. 6:14AM. Lemonade Stand. But do they have the appropriate licenses? The Bench. Duelling Whistles from Football Practice. Headed Home. 6:42PM. Shower. 7:27PM. Oh, and I'm pretty angry, which is another reason I am off walking. Yep. Confirmed. Ten Days. 2021-08-23: Butterscotch. 3:48PM. Wetting Shirt. Out Door. Near Park. Far Park. 4:12PM. The Bench. 4:19PM. Butterscotch. Listening to the thwump of the roofers pounding in nails (well, the airgun sound) amidst the din of crickets or their ilk. Smell of Cow Manure. Thick. Hot/Warm. But not oppressive. Cool Breeze. Working on Notes. Leaving Far Park. At The Border/Sign. 4:45PM. Undressed. Rice in Toaster Oven. 5:13PM. 2021-08-27: Dressed. 12:09AM: Seeing Sweetie Off. Wet Shirt. Out Door. 12:26PM. The Other Bench. Nice Shade. 12:52PM. Butterscotch. Let's do a lap. 12:59PM. The Pool is already drained. What a waste of capital. Lap. The Other Bench. 1:19PM. Cinnamon. Starting Up Again. 1:21PM. Thinking about CIV, Childhood House Floor Plan. And that's that. Leaving Park. 1:31PM. In Door. 1:48PM. Water Strawberries. Potato Chips. Start Rice. 2:01PM. Shower. Wash Hat, Shirt, and Underwear. Finito. 2:17PM. 2021-08-31: Bank. Home. Out Again. 2:27PM. Fast Walking. The Other Bench. 2:37PM. 2:43PM. Butterscotch. I don't have any Cinnamon with me. Shame. Leaving Bench. Lap. Bench, The Other. 3:01PM. And now, Home Ways. 3:30PM. In Door. Spaghetti in Toaster Oven. 2021-09-01: 3:56PM. Recycling. Out Door. 4:04PM. I'm going to start a new syntax that I've been thinking about for some time... maybe, a month... maybe, a bit more. 2021-09-01 4:22PM: Far Park. Sign Corner. Opposite Benches. So, that's on the mark. This is a new line. So, it's between the marks. Long Cool Shadows. Nice Breeze. I have this place to myself. 4:33: The Other Bench. It feels like Fall. I think I am going to call this The First Day of Autumn. 4:45: Leaving Bench. Planning on a lap or two. But I do tend to change my mind often enough, when I get back to the sign. Football Dreaming. 5:04: Back at Other Bench. Butterscotch. Final time is a Leave Time. 5:16. It felt longer. Lap. 5:34: The Other Bench. But it's a touch and go. 5:36. 5:44: Leaving The Far Park. 6:00: In Door. Shirt & Hat Off. Emptying Pockets. Cleaning Glasses & Phone. Changing Glasses. Making Rice. Bran Cereal. Water. Shoes, Socks, & Shorts Off. 6:18: Shower. 6:28. 6:33: Firing up Computer. CIV. 2021-09-08 6:49PM: Let's go for a,walk. 7:01: Out Door. 7:03. Tilting Light Pole. I was expecting to find trauma where it was hit. But finding none, I'm wondering how many times I have passed without noticing the displacement. 7:19: Entering Far Park at Center Drive. I'd like to draw a map. But I'm thinking some program (as of yet undiscovered/unused) would make for a better result (than something by hand). 7:26: The Bench. The clouds were warming up for a nice sunset back when I decided to go for a walk. But they're just clouds, now. Butterscotch. 7:50: Far Park. Sign. 7:58: The Bench. So, a Lap. 8:10: Ride Home. 2021-09-11 12:56PM: Out Door. 12:58 1:13PM: Far Park. Center/Drive Entrance. Soccer Game in progress. Sweet Grass or Pine? Red Squirrel. Worthy of note. Usually, they are black or grey in these parts. Also, I (as in, me with my bad eyes) actually saw it. 1:28PM: Standing in a Shady Grove of Trees. I do not have names for The Tree Places, except The Throne, which this is not. By The Other Bench. I could, maybe, call this Kite Grove; meaning, I may be able to remember that name and/or such a name has some possibility of sticking. 1:32: Nail Clip. Part of my Todo List on this walk. 1:49: Leaving. Past Sign. 1:52: Piano. Good Condition. Free. 2:09: Home. Doing what I do. Cleaning. Switching. Showering. Changing. I'm not doing long walks, so I don't bother tying my shoes tight as an anti-blister precaution. 2:31: Showered. In Chair. Done. 2021-09-14 3:44PM: About to walk. Fully dressed. But I am done with this project. FIN # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # End of Raw Notes # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Prior to Leaving First, I decide to go for a walk, perhaps the day before, often as My Sweetie leaves and I stand outside waving goodbye. I do a complete clothes switch-over: shorts, underwear, shirt, hat (if sunny, I skip on cloudy days), socks, different shoes. These will all be switched back upon return. Runes and pocket goods (key with peace sign ringlet, lip moisturizer, nail clippers, rune of the moment (for instance, Fake-Ivory Die, this instance)). Already preloaded (and or re-loaded) into my pockets: tissue, suckers, ID, $20. Phone is a separate item, as are glasses, which are typically changed from Indoor to Outdoor; and which I do not use much (sometimes), while walking. My eyes are closed a lot. Upon Returning I wash or rinse my phone, glasses, and pocket rune goods, change out of my shoes and clothes, washing hands obsessively as I go, take a shower, and change back into inside garb. Near Park Is not as fun, whatever that means, so I do not go as much. It has less people, but of a different sort. More importantly, the laps are not as intense; so when walking through snow in the winter (or leafs in the fall), it's not nearly as much fun. Pickle Ball, Half Court Basketball, one Baseball Diamond, track around outfield, and Playground. There is only one bench at which I like sitting. Duck Pond This has stopped being interesting since they put up the "No Feeding" sign. The ducks were conditioned to come up to the side walk. And it had been a place people congregated. Now, it's mostly ignored. When the development went in, this is the lot that was mandated to be for storm water run off and is planted up with wetland grasses and the like. Surprisingly, it has not been mosquito central, as I would have expected. Far Park Four full Baseball diamonds, walk around entire park, full basketball court, swimming center with sprinkler playground, community center, playground, and loads of fields to walk about. We figured (or I figured) about 32 Acres the other day, 1000'x2000' or something like that. Plenty of three-tier bleachers by the ball fields and maybe a dozen other places to sit. It is my walking destination of choice. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 2021-09-27 (c) Copyright Brett Paufler #END OF FILE