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March 5, 2025 – The Tucci Table

March 5, 2025 /

The Tucci Table by Stanley Tucci is the March Left Coast Culinary Book Club selection. Normally, I would present this much later in the month but it is a short cookbook. With those, I don’t really read. I read the opening caption and scan through the list of ingredients. In a couple of evenings, I was done.

This book is supposed to be about the repertoire of recipes that the Tucci’s eat in their home. It is pretty Italian forward with some British, American and French influence. I haven’t cooked anything but the ingredient lists are pretty simple and doesn’t require many exotic ingredients that are hard to source. I would say that it is pretty approachable from that standpoint.

The one thing that I will say about Tucci is that he is pretty sincere about his food. I do believe that he takes an interest in it. In fact, we just bought two pans that had his endorsement on it from Williams and Sonoma. They are very nice pans and they were on clearance so we paid significantly less than retail value. They replaced some worn out, non-stick pans that we had. As a result, it is my opinion that he is a credible resource when it comes to cooking.

I respect the man from the culinary standpoint. As for the rest of him, my impression is that he is an ultra-egalitarian, liberal elitist. For that reason, I cringe at the selection of the book title. In addition to that, I am not a fan of pasta. I find it boring. Yes, I eat it now and then but I just don’t crave it ever. You can guess that my opinion of the book is negative.

I would say that if you had no cookbooks, this would be one that you could use for everyday cooking. It is simple and varied enough that you could make quality meals from it. But, for a person like myself there is nothing really new here. As a result, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it.

I know that you didn’t ask but I will say it anyways. What makes a good cookbook? To me it is one that strikes at all levels. Simple cooks as well as advanced cooks can get inspiration. The last one that I remember fitting the bill was the one skillet cookbook from April 2023. It was Indian, African, Asian as well as western all cooking in one dish. That was novel and interesting.

There are some celebrity chefs that I am a fan of. I like Paula Dean for authentic southern food, Rick Bayless for Mexican food and Steven Reichl for barbeque. To me, it is not the notoriety of the chef but the subject mastery that makes me respect the chef. I am not saying that Tucci has not mastered food, but lets face it he is an actor. As such, there is a credibility gap.

It reminds me of when Emeril Lagasse became famous in the mid-1990s. I don’t know for sure but my impression is that he is a competent and surely charismatic Cajun chef. But, does that mean that he is now an authority in counter top ovens or inexpensive cookware? They may be fine products but just as likely it is a money grab. Anytime someone is using their name to hawk wares, we need to consider the source and motivation.

End Your Programming Routine: Is it really bad? No, it is meh. Tucci has good branding sense and just like there are Food Channel groupies there are Tucci groupies. They are going to latch onto whatever he puts out. I don’t select all the books, I help facilitate the operation. It is just my two cents on this selection.

March 4, 2025 – Maybe This is the Trick?

March 4, 2025 /

I finally got my seeds started. Once again, this is another year of experimentation so I wouldn’t be surprised to get very mixed results. I am thinking that I should probably put more effort into grouping seeds by preferred environment rather than trying to ‘fill up my tray’. The last time I did this, I only got half a tray of germination because I think some seeds sprouted before others. and not everything got ideal circumstances.

One of the reasons I was dragging my feet this year was that I wanted to mark the individual cell. I also wanted my efforts to be cheap or preferably free. In the past I have used tape on the row but then I am afraid to break-up the cells for fear of losing track of what plant is what. I believe that once germinated, I will need to transplant into larger vessels to get these plants to thrive. Do you see the method to my madness?

What I came up with this year was to use some plastic drinking straws that have been around forever. Since I am not selling the straws on eBay, I might as well get some use from them as I have been handling them so long. If I really had my stuff together, I would take advantage of the color code to do something. But in this case, I simply grouped different seeds by color.

What I am ultimately hoping for is a couple plants for each row. I don’t have the space for five tomato plants anyway. If I am lucky and get everything to germinate, then I will attempt to give the plants away. Using that logic, I only planted smaller numbers of certain things like peppers because five habenero plants is too much for anybody. I am pretty sure that I can get my dad to take whatever I don’t want. If nobody wants them then I will still be money ahead than buying starts anyway.

Basically what I started were mostly hot house vegetables. Tomato, bell pepper, jalapeno and habanero. I planted cabbage and collards as well. For herbs, I planted thyme and basil. I picked two tobacco varieties just to see what happens and the rest is purple coneflower or echinacea. I am really hoping that the flowers make it because they will be perennial and I would like to do some mass planting.

This whole effort of starting from seeds was really an attempt to experiment with succession planting. That is to get a second garden going as the season wore on. My problem is that the summer season seems so long and endless that I actually lose interest during the dog days of summer. This is all been an attempt to skillfully growing food in case I ever needed the production.

It is easy to keep focus on the tray when the weather is bad and the daylight is low. As time moves on, there is the feeling that I can start seeds later, I can water the cells later, I am busy with this project or that one. It becomes out of sight, out of mind. This is the whole reason I didn’t even attempt to start seeds last year. I already know my tendency to ignore the garden. As it turns out, there is no way I would have kept one alive when I wasn’t even pretending to try.

There is no doubt that my most successful year gardening was my first. I was coming off of a brutal year on the road and just wanted to be home. My second best year was potentially going to be 2020 when I was home and got plants in the ground but spent all my time remodeling the apartment. For that reason, I don’t believe that successful gardening is as much skill as it is being present.

End Your Programming Routine: I am not holding my breath that this year will be any different than recent years past. That being said, you don’t learn if you don’t try. I am happy that I got started and I am pleased with my markers. If I can manage to be present enough, then maybe I will be on my way to a bumper crop.

March 3, 2025 – Purple Hair, Hipster Beard, Muffin Top, Skinny Jeans…

March 3, 2025 /

Flannel, messenger bag and mock combat boots. Have I painted the picture yet? Meet Generation Z, the latest Artist generation that is coming of age. The last Artist generation were the Silents. I read a snippet of Co-Pilot, Microsoft’s AI to see what they have to say about Gen Z, but I also talk about some other things going on in life related to my ability to relate to them.

Generation Z: A Portrait of Individuality and Trendsetting

Exploring the Unique Disposition and Iconic Characteristics

Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, is a generation marked by its distinctive approach to individuality, self-expression, and cultural trends. This generation is defined not just by its digital fluency and social consciousness but also by its bold and eclectic sense of style. Characteristics such as purple hair, hipster beards, muffin tops, and skinny jeans have become emblematic of Gen Z, reflecting a broader disposition that embraces diversity, creativity, and a rejection of conventional norms.

Purple Hair: A Statement of Bold Individuality

One of the most striking features often associated with Generation Z is the vibrant and unconventional hair color choices, notably purple hair. For many Gen Z individuals, dyeing their hair in bold colors like purple serves as a powerful statement of identity and self-expression. It is a visual representation of their willingness to stand out, challenge societal expectations, and embrace their unique personalities. This trend also signifies a broader cultural shift towards acceptance and celebration of diverse aesthetics, where non-conformity is not only tolerated but celebrated.

Hipster Beard: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

The hipster beard, characterized by its full and well-groomed appearance, is another distinctive feature embraced by many in Generation Z. This trend reflects a blend of traditional masculinity with modern sensibilities, wherein young men take pride in their grooming and personal style. The hipster beard is often seen as a symbol of a laid-back yet sophisticated lifestyle, one that values authenticity, craftsmanship, and a connection to both the past and the present. It is an expression of the generation’s appreciation for aesthetic detail and a rejection of the clean-cut conventions of previous eras.

Muffin Top: Redefining Body Positivity

The term “muffin top” refers to the slight overflow of flesh above the waistband of tight-fitting pants or skirts. In the context of Generation Z, it represents a broader movement towards body positivity and the acceptance of all body types. This generation challenges the narrow beauty standards that have long dominated mainstream media and promotes a more inclusive and realistic portrayal of the human body. The embrace of the muffin top is a rejection of body-shaming and an affirmation that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. It is a testament to Gen Z’s commitment to fostering a culture of self-love and acceptance.

Skinny Jeans: A Fashion Staple with a Twist

Skinny jeans, with their form-fitting silhouette, have become a staple in the wardrobes of many Gen Z individuals. This trend illustrates the generation’s penchant for fashion that is both comfortable and expressive. Skinny jeans are versatile, allowing for endless styling possibilities, and can be paired with a wide range of tops and accessories to create a look that is uniquely personalized. For Gen Z, fashion is not just about following trends but about curating a style that reflects their individuality and creativity. The popularity of skinny jeans underscores the generation’s desire for authenticity and self-expression through fashion.

The Broader Disposition of Generation Z

Beyond these specific characteristics, Generation Z’s disposition is characterized by a few key traits that define their approach to life and culture:

  • Digital Natives: Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with the internet and digital technology as integral parts of their daily lives. This has shaped their communication styles, social interactions, and access to information.
  • Social Consciousness: This generation is highly aware of social and environmental issues and is committed to making a positive impact. They are vocal advocates for causes such as climate change, social justice, and equality.
  • Inclusivity and Diversity: Gen Z values diversity in all its forms and strives for a more inclusive society. They celebrate differences in race, gender, sexuality, and culture, and seek to break down barriers that divide people.
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit: With access to digital tools and platforms, many Gen Z individuals are entrepreneurial, using technology to start businesses, create content, and innovate in various fields. They are not afraid to take risks and pursue unconventional career paths.
  • Mental Health Awareness: This generation is more open about discussing mental health and seeking help when needed. They prioritize well-being and advocate for reducing the stigma around mental health issues.

In conclusion, Generation Z’s disposition is a fascinating blend of bold self-expression, cultural awareness, and a commitment to inclusivity and social change. Characteristics such as purple hair, hipster beards, muffin tops, and skinny jeans are more than just fashion statements; they are symbols of a generation that values individuality, creativity, and authenticity. As Gen Z continues to shape the cultural landscape, their unique traits and values will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on society.

February 28, 2025 – The Fourth Turning, Chapter 8

February 28, 2025 /

Last week I talked about the Awakening, this week it will be the Unravelling as we barrel toward the Crisis. Don’t forget, this book was published in 1997 so in theory, we were in the middle of the Unravelling when the book was published. It will therefore be up to us to figure out what that acute event is considering the book is almost thirty years old now.

First, let us talk about the book. The Unravelling begins in 1984 at the second election of Ronald Regan. In this period, the Millennials are being born, Gen-X is coming into adulthood, the Baby Boomers are coming into mid-life and the Silent Generation is reaching elderhood.

There are still plenty of GIs around but the youngest among them would be in their sixties and the oldest would be in their mid-eighties. According to the Fourth Turning theory, that would make them largely irrelevant, but not true. We still had Reagan’s second term and George HW Bush aspirations for two to go before they relinquish ultimate power.

The theory predicts that the Unravelling would last 18-25 years, the length of a typical generation. That should put the Crisis between the years of 2002 and 2009. I will save the Crisis for next week but it is hard to talk about this period without addressing it’s starting and ending events. The truth is that I am not sure of the trigger. 9/11 meets some of the criteria but not the results of society in Crisis. We will just have to proceed and then we can debate the specifics next week.

What is the Unraveling anyway? The basic premise is the order and structure that was implemented as a result of the High start to fall apart. As an example, both the High and the Awakening periods were extremely active in fraternal organizations. The Elks, Eagles, Moose, Odd Fellows, American Legion had many active members. These groups were bound together for common purpose and community outreach but as the members age, they are not replaced by the younger generation.

The charitable actions fulfilled by fraternal groups becomes increasingly fractured into more, smaller organizations that may perform niche elements. In the Unravelling, society does not necessarily stop doing the work of charities but the mechanism of how they are performed continues to diminish. That would be the disintegration of High era societal norms.

Interestingly enough, the Baby Boomers who could not be bothered to raise their Gen-X children circle the wagons and become born again. It looks like the Awakening had two results. First, self exploration and then conformity. This causes the early Gen-Xers and the later Boomers to become ‘helicopter parents’ to their Millennial kids with an attempt to compensate for their own parent’s absence. There is a rise of the Evangelical right and family values. From the attempt to put warning labels on music to Promise Keepers, both Republican and Democrat agree that changes need to be made.

With the GIs in charge still, the Silent being silent and the surge of Baby Boomers influence and authority we were seeing a transition of power skipping one generation and moving directly to the Baby Boomers. The Gen-X skepticism of this change of heart in the Baby Boomers accentuates the Unravelling.

This was my era. I was roughly nine to thirty. Given my age, I kind of spanned two Saecula in my formative years. I was too young to fully participate or remember the Awakening, but not so in the Unravelling. To me, the event that completely articulates this era was Woodstock 1999.

Woodstock (1969) was a music festival that represented the mood of the youth in the Awakening. I don’t know for sure, but I think that it accidentally became a success. It was one of those organic experiences that touched a generation’s mood by medium and accessibility. The event is largely remembered as good and positive with some character building misery along the way (mud pits).

In contrast, Woodstock 99 also touched a generations mood. A corporate contrived event provided a venue for the castoff generation to rage. By the time Limp Bizkit played Break Stuff the tinder was lit. The light towers were torn down, the stage was destroyed and three deaths resulted. Rage Against the Machine followed by Metallica played while the venue literally burned. There is no excuse for that behavior but maybe the attendees (Gen-X) wouldn’t have acted the way they did if they felt the weight of their generation and their role in the Unravelling?

I am certainly not condoning Woodstock 99. But I also see some parallels between Woodstock 1994 and 1999 and our current political situation. Woodstock 1994 was supposed to be a generational event like 1969. What it failed to deliver in generational unity, it provided as the ember to build more aggression the next time it came around. Likewise, I don’t think that we would have the same Trump presidency today if he would not have lost in 2020. Those lessons learned in the first term with time to prepare have unleashed the current situation within politics.

End Your Programming Routine: While Woodstock 99 was abhorrent, was it different than the 1960 – 70s? Bombings, protest marches, race riots were on the whole more deadly and not isolated to one event but decades. The argument could be potentially made that those were ideological fights, this was the Awakening after all. I would say, who is to argue with natural order? This is precisely what is supposed to happen in the Unravelling. A perfect sign that things are not ok.

February 27, 2025 – A New Year, New Gear Part 5

February 27, 2025 /

Despite the fact that I listen to podcasts all day long, I have made a habit of not having anything in my ears while I do my long Saturday hikes. It is me and my thoughts with the idea that this is how it is going to be on my actual PCT hike as well as I need some time to engage with the brain. One of the things that I have come to the realization is that there are only six paydays between now and when I was thinking of doing my hike.

Paydays are how I advance my agenda. I try to plan and spend $50-75 each time and I have all of my gear wants listed out. Clearly, there are some things that are more than that like my tent, so that is excluded but this trip is coming up fast. But when I do buy my tent, I will not be spending the $50-75 that I would spend on a normal pay period. There are four items that fit that bill remaining. Today is not one of them.

After my experiment with the generic water reservoir, I have decided that concept is going to work for me. I purchased the Gregory 3L reservoir for a particular reason. Because my pack is also a Gregory, I figured that a complimentary water reservoir would have some advantages. As you can see there is a specific hook to hang it in my pack.

Is the upgrade over generic worth the money? Well, lets talk about some of the features that are different with the Gregory over the generic. The first one I already mentioned. Second, the tubing disconnect is placed in a position that you can leave the feed tube threaded through the pack and still take the reservoir out to refill. One of my future purchases is going to be an in-line filter that I will ultimately splice between the outlet and the tube connector. This will be my plan to have safe drinking water on this trip.

When the reservoir is out, there is a carry handle that the generic does not have. At the outlet point, there is a hook so that it can be hung upside down for cleaning and drying purposes. At the dispensing point, there is another on/off valve. This is nice because I have experienced some leakage with my generic model. A pinch on the supply nipple will cause this. Finally, the Gregory has a rare earth magnet connection that I am using as an extra securing point. But it could also be used to retrofit packs that don’t have the tubing loop on the shoulder strap.

Is the $35 reservoir better than the $20 reservoir? I would say in every way and this is particularly true when matching the Gregory reservoir and pack. I haven’t fully investigated this and there is nothing wrong with a Camel Back or other premium brands. I suspect that some of the benefits are negated when mixing brands of packs and reservoirs.

I don’t plan to throw out my generic reservoir. It will have a place in my gear as a utility item or backup because I have more than one pack. Ideally, I would like to have one drying while I use one. I simply plan to use the one with the best features on my hike.

I am going to have to make critical decisions when it comes to what I pack. I am seriously considering packing two bladders for the reason that at some points, water will not be on the trail. It will be an extra mile or two to water off the trail. My thoughts are after hiking fifteen miles, I am going to want as much water in one trip rather than making one at the end of the night and then in the morning.

The second reservoir would be for the purposes of carrying water for cooking cleaning rather than making two trips. I would plan to hike with it empty. In addition to that, what if the one I am carrying malfunctions? The trip is over. I cannot realistically carry backups for every item but the ones that are critical survival cannot be overlooked.

The other little package are some clips for straps. I plan on trying to address my pack constantly loosening with these. Unfortunately, I purchased the wrong size and I have the right size coming. They were not expensive but I do not know if they will work. More on this to come in the future.

End Your Programming Routine: As I alluded to at the beginning, this thing is coming fast. I need to be thinking of stringing multiple days together and not just procuring the necessary gear to get started. Picking and choosing gear in the right order is critical to enabling training as I go along. I am targeting my tent by Spring Break time so that I can start unlocking the next level of training.

February 26, 2025 – The Leadership Fallacy

February 26, 2025 /

My first professional job was with a small company. We had less than fifty employees at the time that I was hired. It was a pretty good place to be, in fact my first boss told me that only one other person had left the company in thirty years of existence. Talk about loyalty. When I left, I struggled with whether this was the right thing to do considering nobody left. But, like the generational high to the awakening of the Fourth Turning theory, eventually everything must change.

After a couple of years at a large company, I was headed back to a small company where I was one of about twenty employees. I stayed as long as I could stand it and what I mean by that is that the company was bought and the dynamics were not the original deal that I signed up for. Clearly, I could name a list of flaws with every place I worked or I would still be employed there. But the places where I was most vested were the small companies.

Both of my small company experiences I rose consistently and relatively rapidly. I attributed this to my ‘leadership’ ability which originally came from my Boy Scout experience of my youth. I never seek to become a leader, it just seems to follow me as a result of disfunction and ineptitude. Eventually, I get to the point where I can see the obvious flaws and what I would do to fix the problems.

I had a epiphany a couple of weeks ago and this was that the term leadership is not what I have always believed it to be. My definition of leadership has always included ideas like competence, initiative and success. I know, I have been teasing this so here it is. Leaders are people that implement other’s ideas. Good leaders do it successfully.

Think about it, if it wasn’t someone else’s idea then you would be an entrepreneur and not a leader. For this reason, people that start their own business are rebelling against something. Maybe it is being managed, maybe it is to push your own idea versus someone else’s. But at the end of the day, starting your own business is a systematic rebellion.

In my professional world, the concept that everyone has to be a leader is pushed to the extreme. Now realizing my new definition, of course why wouldn’t they want that? Leadership is a homogenization concept. I would say that these companies benefit from beating the entrepreneurship out of their employees. An evangelical employee is the best circumstance possible.

Many, many years ago when I left my first job the sales manager said something to me that has always stuck. “The people that get you there are probably not the ones that take you to the next level”. I always took that to mean 1) it was OK to leave my job 2) my grievances against the company were not unheard but would not change and 3) just because I did good work turning things around doesn’t mean that I was destined to do my job forever. Since that job, I have learned that I am best at organizing mess rather than accelerating or optimizing it. I took solace in my decision to leave as well as I was doing the right thing.

It has taken me until today to accept that because I am a good leader that I probably won’t be a successful entrepreneur. This is because the mission is different. I don’t know why nor is it exactly what I wanted to be five years ago when I started AltF4 or had other dreams self-employment. But again, God has a plan for me. As much as I want to be the master of my destiny, I cannot say that the role I am destined to play is the one that I think I want.

End Your Programming Routine: With this inflection about the definition of leadership, I have come to understand is that leadership talent is not exclusive to one domain. What I mean by that is I don’t have to be a leader in just my job. I can be a leader in my church, community, the trap team, my son’s non-profit, my family, etc. There is not one place that I have exclusive control, nor should I when it comes to those entities. Let’s be honest, as much as I want to be an industrious and prosperous employee, in the game of life this only takes one so far. My life existed before my job and my job will exist after I have fulfilled the role. While I think I will always be a good leader, it is where those talents are employed that actually make a difference.

February 25, 2025 – Who Doesn’t Want This?

February 25, 2025 /

Towards the end of last year, things were humming along on my techno junk front. Last year, I completed my surround sound project. I purchased a couple of scanners, I bought a home base radio. The next thing I was going to focus on was an antenna. All of a sudden I realized that I needed to refocus my resources on my hike or I was going to run out of time. Hence the New Year, New Gear series that I have been running.

Despite my focus on my hike, I still check Craigslist every couple of days just to see if there are any deals out there. My criteria for deals are not just cheap but also close. I will use eBay for used things. There is plenty of old, out of date or out of fashion or just plain used there.

Sometimes, I see inexpensive items on Craigslist. When I was looking for subwoofers, I probably looked for over a year. While I waffled whether I really wanted one or not, the thought of coordinating a meetup and driving over an hour was not really a deal for me. This was especially true when I could pay the same amount on eBay and have it shipped. After looking for a year, what is another week or two.

By that same token, I saw some speakers for sale locally. They were $30 and in town. I had been thinking that I would like to have an extra set of speakers so I wouldn’t have to tear my setup apart when my wife want’s to have a birthday party or karaoke. That is what I consider a deal. Technically, I didn’t need it. I didn’t necessarily want it either but it was hard to refuse. Incidentally, I haven’t used them at all in the three years since I bought them.

What I find on Craigslist is a lot of the same things for a long time. A lot of it is nearly useless items like old electronic vacuum tubes or things that I have no interest in like a 10 year old Kindle or something like that. Every once in a while I see something that I have see more of, that is today. What the heck is a paranormal kit?

When you read the description, the seller is now into baseball cards, not chasing ghosts… what? Clearly this is an individual that falls hard into their hobbies, but what niche ones they are. I grew up in the golden age of baseball cards. That would be the late 1980s. I learned recently that the exclusivity that Topps had, expired. As a result, new companies like Donruss and Upper Deck all of the sudden appeared. This caused the value of cards of all era cards to become very popular somewhat lucrative. Something like a Don Mattingly rookie card was worth $20 at the time. But, once the gold rush became industrial extraction, the market never saw the extreme highs of the time again.

Back to relevant business. I wouldn’t say that I don’t believe in ghosts but I am skeptical. I am open to the idea but I have also never felt or seen something to make me believe otherwise. Part of me would like to think it isn’t that much money to perform some experiments. I mean, who wouldn’t want to have a device called “Ghost Detector”? Can you imagine the Halloween parties that you could throw?

The point being, sometimes I run across interesting things. When that happens, I look at the extra pictures and my mind starts to wander about who is this person? What would cause them to fall so deep in a rabbit hole? Would I allow myself to get in such position? Regardless of the thing that they are into, I find it fascinating.

End Your Programming Routine: My techno junk fascination will continue to march on at some point in the future. I was thinking back to this time last year and it was all about prepping to work away from home or at least my office. That was several months of my incidental spending money but it was also for the stage in my life. I was buying portable monitors and do dads for productivity. This too will pass and then it will be back to where I left off. Tell that to my shooting and reloading pantry as well.

February 24, 2025 – Eko Loves You, So Do I

February 24, 2025 /

I don’t exactly know who this person is, but the writings are fire. I saw this reposted on MeWe the other day and I have been forming my own opinions about the massive changes going on at the federal level of government with amazement. Trump and DOGE have a demolition crew at the base of dam. When they finally destroy the foundation, they will probably get crushed in the force of the flood and debris but the impossible is beginning to happen.

See the link for the original inspiration https://eko.substack.com/p/override

February 21, 2025 – The Fourth Turning, Chapter 7

February 21, 2025 /

This was an interesting chapter for me. After I did the math last week and realized that most of my grandparents were from the Silent generation and not the GI generation I had more revelations this week. I realized that the majority of the Baby Boomers were children of the Silent generation as well. I had often wondered how they could have been born in the American High and things turned so quickly. I now realize that opposing generations are bound to strife making the GI’s and the boomers opposing.

This was the era that I was born into and I spent the first nine years. Like many young children, it was all that I knew and seemed completely normal to me. I had an uncle that was a self proclaimed hippie. My mom was born again from the Billie Graham youth crusades of the late 1960s. Another uncle was a Vietnam vet. My mom excluded, all of my aunts and uncles were all divorced.

As we were transitioning out of the Awakening, the boomers were termed the ‘me generation’. I always thought it had as much to do with their size and age of the generation but it also seems like it probably had as much to do with the saeculum as anything. Generation X became the abandoned, latch key kids ignored by their self absorbed parents.

My parents were more traditional, as a I didn’t experience any of the typical abandonment of my generation. But, I would say that my wife did. I have heard the stories over and over again so I feel like I can relate a little bit. These were things like leaving a blank, signed check so that the kids could go to the store or buy dinner from a restaurant while they were out or at work late.

The generation that interest me the most in this era is the Silent Generation. What exactly were they doing in this period if the GIs were in charge and the Boomers were making the most noise? From what I read, they were the bridge between the two generations. They continued the post war high policies that ultimately went up in smoke under Boomer retaliation.

Though it took until Biden to actually have a Silent generation president, apparently they controlled the majority of the state legislatures and governorships during the Awakening. As a result, it was business as usual for the Silents. This was the generation that actually stood for civil rights but because the GIs controlled the federal level, it wasn’t realized. It took the Boomer’s rejection of the GIs to move these policies forward.

One very interesting phenomenon happened in this saeculum. For the first time ever, the elder generation maintained their wealth as they transitioned. Across human history, elderhood meant loosing financial freedom. As a result of post war entitlements and a rocking economy, they did very well. In fact, the title of ‘poor’ shifted from the elder generation to the first time ever the child generation. That would be Gen-X in this context.

You can almost track our socialism downfall right here. Because the economy problem was solved, now it was time to turn on parity with LBJ’s war on poverty in 1966 i.e. welfare. He was quoted as saying that poverty will be gone by the early 1970s. That level of hubris, a signature of the GI generation lacked the forethought that instead of freeing people, it actually created a class of people destined to never leave the housing projects.

There has been plenty of government bloat since Abraham Lincoln, the first strong arm president. The GI generation was the first generation to fully utilize Social Security while the giant Silents and Boomers were pumping money into the system. Meanwhile all the excess money was drained to fund things like Vietnam and Medicare/Medicaid, Food Stamps, Section Eight and the like.

Reading this book has been a breath of fresh air. I have often wondered how this country got so screwed up from a Jeffersonian republic to an f’d up socialist mess and why people feel so passionately that freedom is not worth the risk of security. I now see that people were wanting to do the right thing the wrong way. I would have to say that while I respect the gumption of the GI generation, I really don’t think that they have earned the title of Greatest Generation.

In my book, the greatest generation would make this country infinitesimally better. While I see a lot of things that they did with the idea of what is better for me will be better for you. In practicality, every domino that is set up has a corresponding complexity and downside to it being part of the system. I think that there is a fatal error in the belief of solve one problem (WWII) does not mean that all problems can be solved, especially with the same tools.

I would go as far as to say that the GI generation did tremendous damage to this country. Who started USAID in the first place? The GIs of course under JFK. The Silent perpetuated it, the Boomers took it and added more individual elements (meaning race and division). I hear people wonder out load how politics got so divisive. It is pretty clear to me that the ‘me generation’ put their stamp on the process. If they didn’t take care of their own kids, what makes you think that they are going to take care of your feelings (or interests for that matter)?

Don’t look to Gen-X to fix it. This is our time, but it doesn’t look like it will be our turn. This latter section has more to do with the forthcoming chapters, but it all stemmed from this period. I actually think our best hope is for Trump to break it so thoroughly that it cannot be repaired. The timing is right for Winter to hit. Just remember that the Awakening is the summer.

End Your Programming Routine: Next week is going to be a doozy at over 70 pages. Just remember that it was written in 1997 and that the third saeculum had not ended at that point. This means that there is likely going to be some conjecture in the text. I have not yet read it either so we won’t have as nice of a road map of history to results as we did this week. I don’t know why the Boomers are destined to rebel but maybe they actually had a point with all of the entitlements the GIs created.

February 20, 2025 – For Pain and Gain

February 20, 2025 /

If you look closely, you can see that I made it to the snow line this week. That is not because I went higher but because the weather got quite a bit colder. I took the same general route that I did the week before for the first part of my hike and my goal was to measure if there was any effect of my struggle the previous week. I am happy to report that I could see minor improvement.

This was a celebratory moment for me. It means that not only did I make measurable progress but that it was a sign that I was going to make it. Don’t get me wrong, I have a long, long way to go but this trip was a sense that what I am doing is working. Trust me, I don’t really embrace the suck but I know that it is necessary for my goals.

Before we get too carried away, I want to report on the bike. I got the basement cleaned up and the bike is setup but I have yet to seriously use it (at the time of this hike). So, I can’t claim that made any difference at this point. The week after the hike I used the bike a couple of times.

I don’t really have a solid plan yet. Part of the reason for the bike is when I can’t get a walk in outside be it daylight or weather or whatever. Because I live on flat ground and limited distances I can go, I am thinking of using the bike in addition to walking. The goal is to bolster cardiovascular fitness with the bike.

Last weekend we were at the beach so I have not tested the bike work yet. I also do not plan on taking the same route every week. Remember my theory of goal setting, the joy is in the process and not the achievement of the goal. I want to get to know as much of the trail system as I possibly can which means different routes each week. It is the same reason why my daily walks vary every day. Otherwise it feels too much like walking on a track.

The good news is that at my stage of fitness, I don’t have to continue pushing boundaries like distance. Doing repetitive hikes and even shorter ones can yield benefit. I was looking at the data from my hike the week before and I saw that my heart rate went as high as 153. That is too much stress.

The conventional wisdom says that your maximum heart rate should be 180 – minus your age. That makes my max heart rate to be 130. For that reason, I made this hike shorter. I don’t know if I totally buy that but the reality is that I am out of shape and midlife, I probably should be mindful of my boundaries. There is also spotty cell phone coverage in this area. Getting medical help in timely fashion is an iffy proposition.

This is not a race, I am not timing myself and measuring improvement. I am measuring improvement by how I feel and my ability to keep on going. Putting one foot in front of the other will eventually accomplish the goal.

End Your Programming Routine: As I head out the door to these longer weekend hikes, I have dread. I hope to someday look forward to doing these and enjoying the experience but right now it is necessity. I can’t afford to skip many of these and expect to not pay for it on my PCT hike. As long as I can be confident in my fitness, I am looking forward to that hike but I have a ways to go.