Month: February 2024

The Streak

Since 2017, I have been using walking as my primary form of exercise and fitness. During that summer, I bought a Fitbit and started my fitness journey. That also marked the beginning of my obsession with steps. Over the next three years, I have walked so much that I had to replace my shoes multiple times. While walking, I listen to audiobooks and podcasts, which make the experience more enjoyable. Overall, I felt much better and healthier after incorporating walking into my daily routine.

I am determined to achieve at least 10,000 steps every day (approximately five miles). Before 2020, I used to accomplish this goal on most days. I am proud to have set multiple personal records, including 41,000+ steps in a day, 215,000+ steps in a week, and 715,000+ steps in a month. However, one record still eludes me – 365 consecutive days with 10,000 steps or more. Despite this, I am motivated to keep pushing myself and working towards this achievement.

Let me take you back to the beginning of 2020, a time when the world was full of hope and anticipation for a great year ahead. As for me, January kicked off with a trip to London, where I spent most of the month teaching a course on Brexit with a great colleague and a group of primarily enthusiastic students. Later that month, I flew back just in time for my oldest son’s wedding – a beautiful celebration with family and friends.

It seemed like everything was going smoothly when February rolled around, and the start of another semester loomed ahead. Despite the busy schedule, my wife and I had a San Diego trip planned for early March, and we were both eagerly looking forward to it. Little did we know that this trip would be one of the last normal things we would do for a while.

I totally failed my goal of walking 10,000 steps on February 29, 2020. I have no clue why it didn’t happen. That day, I went to an Augie basketball game and watched them lose by two points in the conference tournament, which was really sad. Maybe I was so bummed about the loss that I didn’t feel like walking at all.

Can you believe it’s been four years since I last missed my step goal? That’s right, February 29, 2020, was the last time I fell short, and since then, I’ve been crushing my daily target of 10,000 steps or more for 1,460 consecutive days. It’s been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have made it this far.

Although my memory is somewhat blurry, I recall that I had planned to begin a new streak on March 1, 2020. I was quite enthusiastic about it because our upcoming trip would have given me a good head start on my goal. Unfortunately, what I didn’t expect was the outbreak of a global pandemic that would bring about the shutdown of society.

From the very beginning of the pandemic, I committed myself to walking at least 10,000 steps every single day until the pandemic came to an end. I thought it would last for only six months, but as it turns out, it was a significant part of our lives for almost a year. But you know what? This has been one of the most exciting challenges I have ever taken up. Who would have thought the habits I started during that unprecedented time would become a permanent part of my life? It’s exciting to think about the positive impact this challenge has had on my life.

Every day, I kick off my mornings with a brisk walk lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Time permitting, I take another walk after work as well. Whether it’s outside enjoying the fresh air or indoors on a treadmill, I ensure that exercise is an integral part of my daily routine. I am committed to this routine, and breaking the streak is not even a remote possibility at the moment.

What streak are you starting today?

*The picture attached to this post was taken during a March 2020 walk along a San Diego beach.

Anticipation and Hope

While rewatching season one of Ted Lasso, I heard him say something inspiring to his team before a big game:

“So I’ve been hearing this phrase y’all got over here that I ain’t too crazy about. “It’s the hope that kills you.” Y’all know that? I disagree, you know? I think it’s the lack of hope that comes and gets you. See, I believe in hope. I believe in belief. Now, where I’m from, we got a saying too, yeah? A question, actually. “Do you believe in miracles?” Now, I don’t need y’all to answer that question for me… but I do want you to answer that question for yourselves. Right now. Do you believe in miracles? And if you do… then I want y’all to circle up with me right now. Come on. Let’s go.”

Last week, we celebrated the epic anniversary of the Miracle on Ice – an unforgettable moment in sports history when a group of young college men achieved the impossible by winning a gold medal and captivating a nation for two weeks. It got me thinking, does hope ever kill you? And what about the thrill of anticipation for an amazing experience? Can it ever be a bad thing? Let’s explore!

On Sunday, I was eagerly looking forward to Monday and the rest of the week. Since Monday was a holiday and the workplace was closed, I decided to take advantage of the good weather and make plans to go for a morning walk at a local nature area. After that, I planned to spend the afternoon reading and sipping tea. Luckily, the weather held up, the walk was wonderful, and I was able to finish reading my book. The anticipation and hope that I felt on Sunday turned into a reality on Monday.

As Monday slowly came to an end, I couldn’t help but feel an excitement for the upcoming Tuesday. It held the promise of a pivotal business meeting, a flurry of challenging tasks to tackle at work, and to top it all off, a thrilling college basketball game to watch. And boy, did Tuesday deliver! The day flew by, filled with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, just as I had hoped for.

As evening arrived, I was getting ready to watch the best college basketball team in the country, UConn, play against my son’s university team, Creighton. My son is good friends with many of the players, and I have also had the chance to get to know some of them. Watching them play, I often feel like I am watching my own family. However, my hope and anticipation for the game were wavering, and I began to have doubts, similar to what a long-time Minnesota Vikings fan might experience in the fourth quarter of most games. But in the end, the game surpassed my hopes as Creighton emerged victorious. It was two days where hope and reality perfectly aligned.

Recently, we have been eagerly anticipating our upcoming travels. One of the destinations we are most excited about is the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Our first visit there was on our honeymoon, and we have returned several times since then. Even though we have been there before, each visit is unique and just as enjoyable as the first one. We can hardly wait for this trip and are looking forward to having a fantastic time. Only time will tell if our hopes and reality will align.

Upon reflection after a week, Lasso’s argument may have merit. The feeling of hope and anticipation could enhance the overall experience. What are you looking forward to?

I hope you have a great week.

Mother Nature’s Sense of Humor

If we go way back, say six years ago, you would know that I have a pretty complicated relationship with Mother Nature. It’s a love/hate thing, but let me tell you, Mother Nature leans heavily on the ‘hate’ side for me. And boy, does she know how to get to me – by making me do one thing I absolutely despise – shoveling snow!

Close your eyes for a moment and travel back in time with me. It’s the winter of despair, and the snow is piling up high. It’s already been a couple of months since the first snowstorm hit, and the snowbanks are already towering over the sidewalks and driveways. But then Mother nature decides to play a new game and starts sending light snow, barely two inches, every few days. It’s almost like a cruel joke, as the snow piles get higher and higher, and you have to shovel more frequently. You’re starting to feel like you’re in the movie “Groundhog Day,” but there’s no end in sight. Finally, the snow piles get so high that there’s no space left to put the snow, and you injure your shoulder while lifting the heavy snow over the top of the towering piles.

In late February, I had finally had enough. I reached my breaking point and decided to take a stand against the winter blues. Looking at the forecast, I made a bold decision: I would no longer shovel snow. With a sense of excitement and rebellion, I declared that I would leave snow removal up to mother nature. It was time to break free and embrace the unpredictable adventures of the season.

The battle was tough, but I was determined to emerge victorious. For the rest of that winter, I refrained from touching the snow shovel. Though still a little bruised and battered from previous shoveling, I won the war against snow removal. It was an epic battle that I will never forget.

Yet I am realist, I knew I had to take a smart approach to tackle the next winter. So, I hired a snow removal service. Now, let me tell you, the experience of working with them was nothing short of amazing! Their proficiency, promptness, and effectiveness in getting the snow out of the way was simply indescribable. This is not meant to be a compliment. I could go on but I’ll save that for another blog post.

The winter of 22-23 was an absolute nightmare town (and state). Though my snow removal service handled duties in the front of my house, I faced a new challenge. The snow had piled so high that I had to trudge through it with a shovel in hand, just so my furry friend could do her business in the backyard. But, I am not one to back down from a challenge. I didn’t let the tedious chore beat me down. Instead, I found my inner artist and transformed the snow into a masterpiece. I created a breathtaking labyrinthine path through the snow, complete with twists and turns that would make any maze-maker proud. And the best part? My dog was absolutely thrilled with it!

I was extremely disappointed with my snow removal service last winter. They were unable to efficiently handle the heavy snowfall, leaving me frustrated and having to chip away at the ice on my driveway.

I needed to find a new strategy for the upcoming winter season. I knew my physical limitations and age wouldn’t allow me to shovel my way out of the snow this year, and finding a new snow service seemed like an uphill battle. But then I stumbled upon the ultimate solution – something I had never had before – a snowblower! This bad boy is my new secret weapon to conquer any snowstorm that comes my way. With it in my arsenal, I’m ready to take on the fiercest winter challenges and emerge victorious! No more waiting for the plow to arrive or shoveling for hours on end. This year, I’m taking control of the winter game and showing Mother Nature who’s boss! So bring on the snow, because I’m ready to blast it away with my powerful new snowblower!

It’s amazing how Mother Nature always manages to stay one step ahead of us! I was excited to use my snowblower this year, but there were only a few light snowfalls in November and December that I could easily remove with a broom. I was starting to lose hope until a major snowstorm hit us in January, dumping 12 inches of snow in just one day. Unfortunately, I was in Florida at that time, and my snowblower remained untouched. But wait, there’s more! Just a couple of weeks later, it snowed again, and I finally got to play with my new toy. It was a thrilling experience, and I couldn’t wait for the next snowfall!

It has been a mild winter so far, with very few snowstorms. The snow has melted away, leaving behind a dull and lifeless landscape. However, just when we thought winter was over, Mother Nature surprised us with sudden bursts of snow this week! Unfortunately, neither storm was significant enough to warrant the use of a snowblower. Yesterday, we received less than an inch of snow, and today, depending on whose predictions you trust, we could get up to three inches more! The only downside is that I have to clear my sidewalks of snow and ice within 48 hours, or face the consequences from the city. So, I was forced to break my promise and, with a trusty snow shovel in hand, I removed the snow from my driveway and sidewalks. Once again, Mother Nature has won!

But there is joy in the air. I just checked the extended forecast! The weather will be absolutely amazing for the rest of this month, with temperatures ranging from the mid 40s to mid 50s almost every day. Even if it snows, it won’t last for long as it will melt pretty quickly. So bring it on Mother Nature! I am not shoveling anymore – except as needed for my dog.

Everything is fine, except that March happens to be the snowiest month of the year.

Reflections from the past

Although I usually don’t write about politics, this story is more about people and relationships than it is about politics.

It was a unique moment in the history of South Dakota. It was a time of great political turmoil, nine months after the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of the governor and seven others. With the Democratic party controlling the state senate and the Republican party controlling the state house, the stage was set for an intense election year. The Republican Governor, Walter Dale Miller, was about to face a primary challenge from the former governor Bill Janklow, who would later go on to win both the primary and the general election. As a rookie lobbyist and political enthusiast, I was fortunate enough to witness this historic event and learn about politics and the legislative process firsthand.

I learned about the importance of understanding the process and procedure of the legislature. I learned about strategy and advocacy. However, the most important lesson I learned was the importance of personal relationships.

To provide some context, South Dakota has a longstanding reputation as a conservative state, with a political landscape that has traditionally been dominated by Republicans both in the legislature and the governor’s office. As a lobbyist, I was faced with the challenge of garnering support for my proposed bills from lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum, even when their views were at odds with my own. This required a delicate balancing act and a nuanced approach to negotiation and persuasion.

One day early in my career, I was working a couple of bills. This involved discussion with several committee members about the merits of the bill. I thought I had done a good job. I spoke to most of the committee. All indicated support for the bill.

There was one committed member I didn’t lobby. Arrogantly, I thought I didn’t need to lobby him. I had enough votes. I didn’t need his vote. Plus, his nickname was “Grumpy” and I was intimidated. This was a big mistake.

During committee testimony, Grumpy began peppering me with questions about the bill. The inquiry was sharp and relevant. With each question, I could feel my chances slipping away. Soon, the testimony closed, and the committee began discussing the bill. After some back and forth, Grumpy motioned to kill my bill. The motion passed, and my bill was defeated.

After losing the vote, I left the committee room on the fourth floor of the capital and walked down to the second floor where the Governor’s office was located. As I walked along the hallways, I noticed paintings of former governors hanging on the walls. Feeling sorry for myself, I spoke to the portraits and asked for guidance. The former governors spoke to me clearly and advised me not to underestimate anyone, not to assume anything and to know how each committee member plans to vote before the meeting. They also suggested I talk to Grumpy first.

Later that day, I headed to the basement bar of the Kings Inn Hotel to meet up with some friends. The bar, affectionately called “The Pit”, was bustling with activity as usual. Upon my arrival before my friends, I began to look for an open seat to settle in. Luckily, I spotted a vacant spot at the bar and quickly claimed it. However, to my surprise, I realized that I was sitting right beside someone who appeared to be in a sour mood – Grumpy.

Grumpy was more formally known as Representative Al Waltman. He addressed me and expressed his concern by saying, “Hey, I hope you’re not upset with me for killing your bill today.” I fibbed and replied, “No, not at all. It’s part of the process. You made some valid points.” I anxiously searched for my friends. This incident took place before cell phones became prevalent, so I couldn’t use text messaging, Snapchat, WhatsApp, or any other messaging app to contact my friends and request their help.

What happen next was unexpected. We started conversing like two ordinary human beings. It turned out that Waltman hailed from my dad’s hometown. Despite being only a year apart, they moved in different social circles an didn’t know each other. Interestingly, Waltman had graduated from high school with my uncle but didn’t know him either. As we talked, we discussed various topics ranging from family, religion, politics, hobbies, and anything else that came to mind. When my friends finally appeared, I told them I would catch up with them later at a different location.

Waltman and I continued our conversation. We even talked about the bill. By the end of the conversation, he understood my position with the bill. “Why didn’t you just talk to me before committee?”, he asked. I didn’t have a good answer. But I did say, “I promise I won’t make that mistake again.” By the end of our conversation we became friends. I don’t remember if I met up with my friends.

From that night forward, whenever a bill was presented before Waltman’s committee, I would talk to him before the hearing. He would ask me tough questions and make an effort to understand my perspective. He would inform me about his stance on the bill and suggest what changes were necessary to gain his support. Sometimes, he would also offer to help the bill. Whatever his stance, he always kept his word.

We had differing political and religious views, as well as being from different generations. However, our shared love for South Dakota and respect for the process brought us together as colleagues and friends. Grumpy tried to stop some of my bills over the years. Sometimes I won and sometimes he did, but we always maintained mutual respect for each other.

I stopped lobbying around the same time Al Waltman left the legislature, and our paths never crossed again. Despite this, I still think of him often, particularly when the legislature is in session. It’s unfortunate to say that Grumpy passed away in August 2020 at the age of 89. His death was followed by the passing of my oldest brother by just a couple of weeks, which is another tie that binds us.

As I watch the current state of politics, particularly in Washington DC, I wonder what would happen if people were forced to sit next to each other at the bar for a couple of hours.

Photo courtesy of https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/pierre/arts-culture-history/historic-sites/south-dakota-state-capitol

Groundhog Day

Every day is a new opportunity to embrace change and look forward to what the future holds. As we celebrate Groundhog Day, let’s remember that no matter what the outcome may be, we have the power to make the most of every moment and create our own sunshine.

One of my favorite movies is “Groundhog Day” starring Andie McDowell and Bill Murray. The movie focuses on Murray’s character who repeats the same day over and over again. During his repetition, he experiences a broad range of emotions. At first, he is frustrated and unhappy. He feels trapped living the same day repeatedly. Eventually, he decides this is an opportunity to become a better person and improve. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, I highly recommend it to you.

Whenever I watch the movie ‘Groundhog Day’, I can’t help but contemplate what I would do if I woke up every day to the same events as the day before. Would I take advantage of the opportunity to better myself, my community, my country, and the world? Or would I live recklessly and take unnecessary risks?

At the start of 2024, I set some goals for myself. Time has flown by and we’re already almost 10% of the way through the year. Today, I took some time to reflect on how I’ve been doing so far. Unfortunately, I haven’t made significant progress towards my more important goals. For instance, I had planned to write a blog post every week, but this is the first post I’ve written since December.

I will be glad to help you with that. Here’s a corrected version with clearer language and proper punctuation:

Referring to today’s theme of Groundhog Day, I aim to be more like Bill Murray’s character in the movie’s ending. I believe that every day is precious and should not be squandered. Therefore, my goal for February is to write one meaningful blog post every week.

To achieve your goals, it’s important to regularly measure and evaluate progress. I’ll follow up in a week to report my progress. Have a fantastic week!