Hi folks, There is a tendency to think that people thousands of years ago were primitive, not as 'civilized' as we are today. Forget that! They didn't have iPods or worry about their blogging ideas, but they could see the planets and the stars way more clearly than most of us ever will. Can you imagine this planet without electric light pollution? I can't, but I am sure that it was a different world ... Read more
Finding The Most Effective Way To Move Body Parts Is Quite A Trick But Worth The Trouble
Hi folks, About 20 years ago I was an enthusiastic SCUBA diver, but I had lots of trouble clearing my ears. A bolus of air would just remain lodged in my middle ear, while my Eustachian tubes would refuse to release the pressure. Several dives were ruined that way, but if I could get below about 30 feet, no more problems. I repeatedly tried to clear the air by yawning or using the Valsalva maneuver ... Read more
Sports Training Art Or Science?
Hi folks, It is unusual for a scientist, as far as I know, to employ an artist to work directly in their research program, but that is what happened in my laboratory in the early 1980s. Andy Fleishman collaborated with us to produce models of the nose of the rat because of his eye for detail and accuracy. It worked out well for our research program, leading to software that would reduce the need for ... Read more
Lamas, Llamas, Pan, And This Changing World Seen From My Bike With Sue
"Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner." Tao te Ching, Lao Tsu, translation by Steven Mitchell Hi folks, I was riding on a lovely spring morning with my cycling buddy, Sue, when she said, "Did you see ... Read more
Cathexis, Rescuing A Little Dog (Porgy), And The Strangeness Of Human Motivation
Hi folks, Empathy for other species is a strange human emotion, given the fact that survival is everything on this win or perish planet of ours. But it is a real emotional driver. It is one that keeps me away from dog pounds, as it just feels bad to leave any homeless animals behind. I find that my feelings towards homeless humans is in fact less charitable, being laced with suspicion. As I think ... Read more
Advice For Triathlete Dionne On Persistent ITBS?
See my more recent thoughts, on ITBS, at this link! Hi folks, A friend of mine, Dionne, is continuing to suffer real problems with symptoms of ileo-tibial band syndrome (ITBS). I know that endurance sports come with these kinds of problems and that we have to learn to work through them somehow. Having undergone two knee surgeries, and a bunch of physiotherapy, for generally self-induced training injuries I ... Read more
If You Don’t Move To The Music Try Continuum To Improve Your Sport
Hi folks, I hate to say it, but we are all highly conditioned by our childhoods until we escape and let it go, and finally take responsibility for our lives. A slap or a compliment makes all the difference between poor self-esteem and happy dancing. I spent most of my life unable to enjoy the dance, but thanks to Deb sending me to Continuum lessons with Rebecca I now move to the music. It's ... Read more
ZZ Top, Blogging About Cheap Sunglasses, And Training For The Ironman
Hi folks, Sometimes I have to ride my trainer for a long time. When I say a long time, I mean four to five hours at a stretch. I have a long ride scheduled, but the weather is just not going to let me go, so I set up my iPod, put on my ear phones (but not my sunglasses), power up ZZ Top, and I'm off. One of my favorites, which I only listen to on my trainer, is 'Cheap Sunglasses.' It makes me laugh every ... Read more
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