Welcome To 20BLK Jack

I Cant Stop This Feeling     Deep Inside Of Me     Girl, You Just Don't Realize     What You Do To Me      When You Hold Me In Your Arms So Tight       You Let Me Know Everything Is Alright       I Am Hooked On A Feeling       I'm High On Believing        That Your In Love With Me 

Mark James 1968

Blue Swede

DECEMBERS NUMBERS:

Activities - 20

Hours - 37 

Miles - 443 / 712.93km

PR's - 6

Snowshoeing - 6.7mi / 10.78km

X-MAS:

One of the best Christmas Days in many damn moons?? Quite possibly the best day in decades if I remove the fact that I truly STILL miss walking The Boy Dog at sunrise on Christmas mornings. This "best" statement is totally debatable as my steel cage memory is most indestructible nowadays. Sure 

This particular morning of 12/25/2020 was well spent enjoying, tentatively intensively watching, and being apart of my Grand Nephew and Grand Niece ripping open there gifts. Both kids were in great moods, at the perfect age for the holidays, and NO melt downs all morning. When the booze came out after breakfast, I made the veteran move and ducked out. I still had chores on the list, meal fixings, and not looking for a 1pm nap.

The above photo was sent to me and I loved it. Tooting my own horn here, I have nailed Labor Day, Halloween, Turkey Day, and Christmas Day Dinners!! I prepared a three bone prime rib to perfection and damn proud of it for a Christmas Feast. If you are not vegan, this was mouth watering, tender, and ideally spiced to the wondering palate of excellence. And Yes, those are cloves are garlic that I inserted before roasting away. Hot Damn 

And to top off the night, pedaling around town, checking out Christmas Lights. Yes, it was cold as all get out but so worthy of an adventurous outing. And maybe, just maybe, my belly was full of holiday spirits, propelling myself through the neighborhood streets. You know, conquering the mean streets of GJ. 

PERSONAL DISCOVERY:

Finished my house sitting gig yesterday and I took that opportunity of down time while house sitting to read over a few of my old personal growth books. I relaxed into the couch while reflecting, pondering, and evaluating my situations. The reoccurring theme was the only limitation is my willingness to put in the work. 

And that of course opened me up to the "best" Christmas. I felt so grounded and very present leading up to the holidays. Then, the revelation hit, at my age, I missed my window. When I admire someone, their unresolved baggage becomes the fore front. There is some wacky EX that comes into play, their still floundering in life, or unable to hold a job for more than a year at a time. Sure hope I find a partner that proves me wrong. Someone that is willing to challenge me mentally. A partner that hasn't been passed around this town and possibly physically will to put in the effort to seek the best possible outcome. Real Romance 

SNOW:

Redemption time and that felt wonderful AND gave me the sense of freedom from my earlier emotional conviction. After the Valley received about two of the first three inches of snow, I shoveled out all of the neighbors. Yes, even those Trump Loving Neighbors. So Satisfying!! In reality, it only mattered to me. I am referring to THIS HERE post of mine under the paragraph entry titled stressed. Was not at all being the better person, nor seeking the best possible outcome back then. Very selfish choice that day but that's all in the history books now. Hell Yes 

And the snow just arrived in time for a Full Moon snowshoe trek over the crystalized snow covered lakes. The Blue Z, The Dude, Little BLK Dog, & I headed for the Grand Mesa and ended up scampering along the well established West Bench Trail. Was it cold?? Like Phuc'n Cold!! 11F / -11c when we started out but it was the bone chilling breeze that worked its magic across our faces. Once we were in the trees, our body produced enough BTU's for optimal tromping around, it wasn't so bad. But any open space exposure became brutally challenging. However, back at the car awaited a thermos full of Hot Water, packages of organic rich Roelle dark cocoa powder, and Kraken Rum as our reward for braving through the "refreshing" elements handed down by Mother Nature. Oh Baby 

METEORS:

The Blue Z came out to set up his kick A$$ telescope for the conjunction and wow were there a ton of meteors streaking by in the night sky. The conjunction was fascinating to observe over the two weeks leading up to big display of a christmas star but the night of was righteous on all accounts. We see constellations move across the night sky but as two plants come together and leap frog each other is something to be seen, studied and appreciated. Oh, and the satellites were in abundance as well.  

ASTRONOMY:

January has so much to offer during the night time hours. Its all free and happening whether or not I am in tune. First, check out Mars these days. Its so red in comparison to normal stars that fill the sky above. Early this month, Sirius is hanging out there and M41 is right there as well. Almost visible with the naked eye. By the 8th of January, Mercury makes its appearance. But the big news from now until mid week is the Quadrantid Meteor Shower happens. Like Way Cool!! Oh, and the full moon this month is on the 28th. I will find myself above 9,000ft / 2743meters that evening. So get yourself outside and just enjoy. 

CYCLING:

My bike bestowed on me freedom. Its such a simple companion. My bike doesn't require fueling, it doesn't require a paid registration, my bike is mine which is paid for from my hard earned dollars, its resilient no matter the elements of the day, and its the most reliable tool for traversing across this beautiful planet. I sure do love my bike and I love Mother Earth even more. 

I have never strapped on a wing suit and jumped from a cliff in order to experience the flight of freedom. But my bike, its my means of freedom. Its my freedom from daily distractions, breaking away from the bills that need to be paid, or the freedom to just be and see what I see. I'm not sure if my increasing watts are aiding my needs for adrenaline. Am I using speed as a weapon or could this be my own survival tool. Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy 

2020 NUMBERS:

Hours - 423

Activities - 277

PR's - 92

Elevation - 108,788ft / 33,158.58meters / 20.61mi

Miles on the Bike - 4,884.4 / 7,860.67km

Hiking - 48.1mi / 77.41km

River Miles - 28.3mi / 45.54km

Snowshoeing - 17.3mi / 27.84km

Swimming & Lifting - Unknown Numbers

Now for the excuses!!! 1) Sun was in my eyes 2) I vacationed in Sunny San Diego in February and ( HERE ) is that post 3) Only rode the 98mi / 157.71km to honor The Boy Dogs would be Birthday Month August 1st. Then the Wild Fires coated the Valley Floor with ash. That post is ( HERE ) if you wanna check out some photos 4) Simply just gave up mid December. I was at 317mi / 510km on the 12th of December and then basically threw in the towel. And totally OK with that decision. However, this was the first time in three years that I failed to meet the insurmountable 10,000km Club's "required" Numbers. BOOOO0000000ooooo Me

And HERE is my Holiday Lights video that was shot on an iPhone under freeze A$$ temperatures. So go easy on the comments because my sissy fingers were frozen. Turn It Up , Click Full Screen HD, and yes there really is ONE HOUSE with 2 acres of blue LED Lights. 

GOALS:

1. Write Daily Intentions In My New Diary 
2. Lift For Reps, Not Power, But With Enthusiasm 
3. Hike, Walk, Run 2021 Miles / 3,252 Kilometers This Calendar Year 
4. Check In With Friends - Be More Mindful - Smile w/my Eyes 
5. Crossing Paths With That Special Someone With An Incandescent Personality  

Again, I Thank You All For Checking In Throughout 2020!! All The Best During 20BLK Jack,

Cheers