Following the publication of yesterday's post, I drank a can of strong (8% alcohol) malt and had some supper while watching an episode of Prodigal Son ─ this time, season one's episode 13 ("Wait & Hope").
And then instead of getting to bed to allow myself at least four hours of time at rest before rising at 1:30 a.m. to begin readying for a five-mile+ walk, I debauched and was not to bed until just after 10:30 p.m.
Fortunately when I rose at 1:30 a.m. I did not feel too much worse slept than usual. It was obvious that my wife was home following her long day working at the Thai restaurant where she is employed part-time, and her youngest son was still up as well. Nonetheless, I was able to ready in my closed bedroom, and anon my wife retired for the night.
This was to allow me to weigh myself while fully clothed and wearing my light denim jacket: exactly as the previous night, just a hair over 190 pounds. I had checked online and seen that it was supposed to be 12.2° Celsius (53.96° F.) hereabouts.
Note that it was as of today my 74th birthday.
I was away on my walk by 1:58 a.m., finding it dry and with a continual breeze; the sky was mostly overcast.
At the elementary school playground three or so blocks from here, the metal bars were dry, so I was able to exercise bare-handed, but I kept my jacket on. So for the six sets of pull-ups and chin-ups, I managed five and then three pull-ups in the first two sets; then three chin-ups in the middle two sets (achieving that last chin-up had me groaning aloud in exclamation); and two pull-ups in the final two sets between two bars, with the final pull-up held at fullest elevation for a 15-count.
Then I had 10 slow full-range push-ups in a declined posture on a cement ramp.
I was to have two close brushes with someone I believe was homeless Charles "Stickman". The first was after I had 'ascended' Quibble Creek Greenway to 100th Avenue (Google Map) and had tuned right to head for the 140th Street intersection.
I could notice someone walking my way from the intersection, so I crossed over the avenue near to where Quibble Creek Greenway continues 'upward' on the map.
By that point I had decided that the slowly advancing figure was indeed carrying a pole, and thus was likely Charles. Waiting off the sidewalk out of sight had to cost me a minimum of five minutes, for twice Charles stopped his slow walk and just gazed about.
I noticed that he had some large bulky white envelopment on his right foot ─ a cast?
Anyway, when he finally progressed past the Greenway, I returned to the 'upper' sidewalk and walked to the intersection before crossing back over onto the 'lower' sidewalk by the forest and then continuing along 100th Avenue to 148th Street where I would be making a right turn.
I next saw the same person when I was walking Fraser Highway (the 'lower' side) and had just reached 140th Street (Google Map). In the distance on the same side of the highway I could see two figures apparently coming my way, so I cut diagonally across the intersection (there was no traffic) to walk the 'upper' side of the highway. I still had not realized that one of the figures was Charles, for I had never before seen him with anyone.
I had no sooner gotten started along the sidewalk when one of the figures started across the highway, apparently bound for the 7-Eleven located there. I correctly assumed that it was a woman, and that the other darker figure was with her but not so easily noticed because she was wearing white.
So back I went to the side of the highway I had been on, but before I got to the sidewalk I then realized that the second figure had not crossed with her and was still slowly coming along the sidewalk.
I had no time nor interest in becoming engaged with a 15-or-more-minute delay as a result of conversational involvement with Charles, if this was he (the figure was bulky in possible extra clothing, and may have been hooded), so I remained close to the median rather than coming directly over to the sidewalk and an encounter with Charles.
Without looking directly at him as we were nigh abreast, peripherally I could tell that he was looking at me. Likely he did recognize me, but was unsure because I was showing him no acknowledgement. Also, I was wearing my Honeywell UVEX Safety Eyewear, the blue light-blocking orange-lensed goggles-like glasses. Charles has never seen me in them before, so my face was probably sufficiently disguised that he was doubly unsure of my identity.
And then I was beyond him and safe from engagement.
Unexpectedly, I was back home by 3:58 a.m. ─ I had walked with such a pace that despite the earlier delay when I basically hid from Charles up by Quibble Creek Greenway, I had entirely made up that lost time.
And I was back to bed by 5:30 a.m., I would venture.
About three hours later I rose, thinking that maybe I could hear my younger brother watching T.V., but I was to find that he was not yet emerged from his bedroom. My time abed did not entirely improve me ─ I found myself with a mild eyestrain-type headache that lasted the entire day.
My brother must have gotten blitzed last night. I found the 1.14-litre bottle of Kraken rum (42% alcohol) he had evidently bought me ─ it was sitting in the kitchen by the instant coffee and the honey and brown sugar.
And a birthday card was on the dining table, still in its open envelope ─ neither was addressed nor inscribed by him personally.
He had also not put out the wheelie bins last night when he got home ─ today is collection day, so I had to pull them out when I was back from my walk.
I found one birthday well-wishing on Facebook from Barb, a former co-worker. Later, Jennifer ─ another former (and darned cute) co-worker did the same. George ─ also a former co-worker ─ E-mailed me his wishes.
Anyway, I got full control of the T.V. due to my brother not making his appearance until something like 9:20 a.m., and had all set up to play the short nine-minute (8:54) video Odessa Orlewicz had posted yesterday to Librti.com: My Thoughts About The Israel/Hamas Terror.
I also played an hour-long (1:03:20) video streamed yesterday to Rumble's Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson's channel: Israel At War.
Pastor Guilio Gabeli joins us today to dissect what is happening in Israel.
Oh, gosh ─ it is after 9:30 p.m., and I absolutely must get to bed to try and further recover for my upcoming walk.
Suffice to say that my wife remained home today (apart from some grocery shopping) and prepared a lovely supper based around two dishes. She was aware that today is was my birthday, and may have alerted her two sons. The youngest one did wish me a happy birthday in the early afternoon before she had yet risen, however. Likely he and his brother had seen the rum and the birthday card last night. Whatever the case, the eldest lad early this evening produced a case of a dozen beers and a 750-ml bottle of amber ─ or maybe even dark ─ rum. I expect that the drink are on behalf of both boys.
I drank two cans of the beer while watching some YouTube MMA matches on T.V., but I had eaten supper at the dining table with my wife.
The poor girl is reportedly coming down with a possible viral infection, so she is in my prayers. I had her take a vitamin D3 tablet (2,500 I.U.s), a zinc citrate tablet (50-mgs), and a quercetin capsule (500-mgs). She retired to her bedroom ahead of 9 p.m., so it may be that she has a full workday tomorrow ─ I hope she is not becoming sicker.
I have to get to bed ─ 9:35 p.m. is approaching!
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