Friday, November 26, 2010

Compressed Time

A trip to the Gym . . . the light levels seemed too low. So I thought to suggest improvement to the lighting at the local community centre? So, Google “Gym design lighting” and find articles, examples, companies, assessments of optimum colours.

http://www.precisionintermedia.com/color.html

Distractedness – from excessive internet use – caused one to notice a gym-related book on the “new editions” shelf of the library.

A read of this book uncovered names and events – all new Google links to the history, evolution, and current state of body building and the origins of Gold’s Gym – which later spread around to world to . . . Cairo for example.

http://www.goldsgym.com/gyms/international/eg/71

Decades of information, exercise, technology and diet have been gathered, condensed and displayed on website - including videos of exercises

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/lying-face-up-plate-neck-resistance

. . . and transformational documentaries

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/trans_o4011.htm

The result of this distraction - a new exercise routine . . . an understanding of the successful life of Governator Schwarzenegger . . . and design suggestions to the managers of the Time Traveller's current gym.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Distractions to Heart

And, what can be gained from an Internet distraction? . . . consider an article on CNN about Bill Clinton losing weight for Chelsea’s wedding. Bill Clinton + losing weight = news.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqvjCIKoo8M

The former President mentions the diet suggested by a doctor at a Cleveland clinic. A Google search of “cardiac doctor and Cleveland Clinic” finds a doctor and author of a book titled “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, and related authors - Dr. Dean Ornish, - and titles “Diet Evolution” and “The China Study”. A reading of “The China Study” by Dr. Colin Campbell provides a comprehensive research background about heart health and nutrition.




YouTube videos feature Dr. Colin Campbell talking about the study.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6GaAnM9jDM&feature=related

Other books were by Dr. Dean Ornish:



As described on a YouTube Blog . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1qIpkMSvKU

and another book by a Dr. Grundy called “Diet Evolution”




http://www.amazon.com/Gundrys-Diet-Evolution-You-Waistline/product-reviews/0307352110/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

In “Diet Evolution” the author describes how the human body responds to diet. The author suggests an effective and easy-to-implement diet of three easy steps to reduce weight and reduce risk from cardiac and inflammatory diseases.

The third book, by Dr. Caldwell Esseltyn, was designed to rescue cardiac patients at immediate risk of death.



Dr. Esselstyne’s diet aims to eliminate animal sources of food, and is the diet Bill Clinton says he has followed.

So, this is how one short “internet distraction” uncovered a topic, leading opinions, and recent progress and opinions about health and diet.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Paper Ideas

In a library where the students go,
Books are stacked row on row,
Pages glued to stiffened spine,
Hold much wisdom safe from time.


When a gap in time gets in your way, one can visit the local library and read a good book. But internet users may just scan some pages, read the foreward, and pickup another book. . . . which reminds me of a review about how brains are finding new ways to think.

From this book it was learned that there are two main influences on the human mind: one is an influence upon mid and long term memory, because of . . . well, uh, I saved the passage in an email to myself and I will check it later.

Another influence is to increase the load on working memory – the part of memory which deals with now and bits to either side. The multi-tasks and multi-interruptions are apparently reducing patience with reading longer passages and . . . well, you probably know already.

Internet use is apparently resulting in physical changes to our mind through the mechanism of neuro-plasticity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W86P_FX6PdI&feature=related
Affecting our deep thinking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6wB1JZj-CY
. . . and, although it is redundant, it apparently changes our behaviour through repetitive actions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1RWsCdYbu4&feature=related

Which reminds me of a video I saw . . .

Gleam Away

Before the Grey Skies of November arrived, a short bicycle ride into the countryside surrounding this small Ontario town discovered the gleam of low sun’s rays on the edge of a season slipping further away with each turn of the planet. Faint hues of colour wash the side of a barn holding a summer’s harvest.

Barren branches catch bronze light embracing a river’s evening hurry.


A yellow sun grows weaker by the day.

Time Trails

On 100 acres land a few kilometres to the south of town a local millionaire has bought a piece of natural habitat and made it available for the public to visit and enjoy.
Signs near the entrance to the trail system describe some of the wildlife that may be seen in the woodland.

A number of trails weave past hidden ponds, hills, and past trees over one hundred years old like this yellow birch.
The leaves along the forest floor constantly change in texture . . .
. . . according to the type of trees overhead.
And the trees and branches now stand naked before an approaching winter .
With each passing the week, visitors experience the season’s continuing change – always starting and always ending in the great cycle of time.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Fogs of November

Below the heights of an ice-age geological feature called the Ingersoll moraine some of the country's thickest fogs are created as moist air from the Mississippi valley is guided north into the chilled confines of the Thames river valley. In these times drivers exercise caution and the sun is barely visible.

At these times shadows hide easily in the grey light and the forest possesses a silence wherein elves could live.

Remembering Time

Less than a lifetime ago a conflict of ideas and ambitions snatched tens of thousands of lives from the towns and villages of this country. Every November 11th at the 11th hour ceremonies evoke a memory of those lost early.

The towns pipe band leads the parade, recreating a spirit of sound and ceremony.

The colour guard turns the corner at Thames and King Streets.

As the last survivors of that generation enjoy long and prosperous lives, the understanding of the magnitude of what was won and what was sacrificed, deepens every year. As lines in granite listen, dignitaries describe their thanks.

A man with a name likely to be etched on some future monument describes his ongoing service in Afghanistan.

The population of veterans – now aged in their 80s and 90s are slipping away before our eyes. A photo of the crowd catches the moment a member of the honour guard collapses during the wreath laying ceremony.

And an ambulance responds.

The monument after the service is covered with the wreathes. Time and life continue to move. The crowd moves away and flags wave above names unable to follow.