It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who
comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Accompanying the increasing popularity of Paleo/Primal lifestyles is the concept of Intermittent Fasting (IF), a feeding schedule which consists of extended periods of fasting followed by a feast which occupies a short time period. Don't eat for a long time, then refuel hard. The key is the pulsing cycle of feast and famine, flooding the body with nutrients then an abstinence from food, causing key hormones such as insulin to become more sensitive. This would have mimicked the natural feeding habits of our hunter-gatherer predecessors. The bodybuilding and powerlifting communities have started to buy into IF, departing from the original theme of eat 6-8 meals a day.
Recently, the idea of carb-backloading has become increasingly popular. Although still under the same principles of your typical primal intermittent fast, carb back-loading toys is counter-intuitive, in that carbs are ingested at night, when insulin resistivity is said to be higher.
Interview with Rob Wolff regarding the carb backloading. Posted by Matt Wichlinski.
Regardless, the point of this post is to address the current trends, which cater to the desire to overindulge in an uncontrollable binge, an indication of our always abundant food supply. This was necessary prior to our adoption of agricultural methods, where we had to stuff ourselves, as the next feast could be days.
Therefore, when asked to partake in a traditional fast, I willing accepted, as the idea of abstaining from solid food for 48 hours was appealing. Now there are many reasons to fast, from the obvious weight loss and detox to increasing longevity and spiritual reasons. See Mark's Daily Apple for a more comprehensive read and read the other five parts in his fasting post:
Personally, I viewed it as a physical and mental challenge to endure and a much needed break from food. This was an opportunity for my body to clear out waste and run on my stored fuel (fat). The body expends much energy in digesting food and the energy freed up from these processes is said to be diverted to immune and excretory system function.
48 hours is not a long fast, but increasingly hard for the general population, as many are accustomed to permanently high blood sugar levels, as carbohydrate levels stoke the metabolic fire every few hours. I've tried to control my insulin levels in past years, and thus did not suffer huge headaches and "bonks" due to low blood sugar.
Nevertheless, the task was still difficult, as eating is an activity that we are habituated towards. Meals are attributed to times, and don't always eat because we are hungry, but simply because it is lunchtime or dinner. Thus the idea of hunger and appreciation for what we consume is elevated during fasts. When fasting, one should not broadcast to too many people. In biblical times, this was so as not to boast. In present times, it can offend those who are addicted to food. If it is a hunger strike however, and you have political purposes, by all means, do as the late Mahatma and let it be known.
Carrying out a fast during a work week, while maintaining all extracurricular activities is something to be cautious about, but also encouraged, as you learn quickly that it is a mental game and that we don't need as much as we think to survive. I did however, have one small fresh carrot/apple juice and a cup of turkey broth during the 48 hours. The first 24 hours is hard, but once the body breaks through and switches to a more efficient, aerobic mode, the hunger subsides. You have to remember that if our ancestors couldn't go a few days without food, we wouldn't be here today.
After breaking a fast, the key is to do a light brush out with greens, and go easy on the proteins and fats, which are difficult to digest. I threw some yogurt in as a probiotic source, to replenish the gut flora.
Perhaps if everyone in developing countries were to fast periodically, the paradigm of overconsumption could be shifted and humanity's plight could be resolved. For now, I simply encourage short fasts for two basic reasons:
1. Your gut needs it
2. To learn the lesson that human desires are temporary; you always have enough. Anything more is abundance.
As time passes, societies will look back to the past generations and will see only what remained, the most resilient structures and monuments and the most pervasive cultural elements. With regards to the latter, artists and profound celebrities alike can shape a generation, an effect which is only realized after the fact.
YouTube has spawned into a cultural accelerator, spreading ideas to the masses overnight. Viral videos spread faster than any pandemic could even wish to spread. Videos that are shocking or well marketed can rise and fizzle, yet in the end, we will still see the timeless relics, the true ingrained achievements of the human race, surviving among the ashes.
This post will honour Bill Withers, whose simple songs such as "Ain't No Sunshine" or "Lean on Me" will be forever timeless. These have been cut, compiled and covered numerous times, but the substance in the original recordings will be forever unique. It is only with a blind hopefulness that one can even attempt to capture the deep soul behind the brevity of song.
Thus, it was with this hope that the author found the best vocalist he could to pay homage to Bill Withers' "Ain't no Sunshine". Covers have gone viral time and again on YouTube, as it allows aspiring musicians to reinterpret those who came before them. Playing covers is indeed the sincerest form of flattery.
So here it is, a one-take, uncut cover of "Ain't No Sunshine" :
Welcome to the daily grind: 9:00am to 5:00pm in the cubicle, the professional desk jockey practices his craft.
If stress from your job is not an issue, or occupational hazards don't pose enough of a threat to your life, then it is guaranteed that anyone working 40 hour weeks will be subjected to the dangers of overuse injuries.
From athlete to journeyman to CEO the rule applies: if your body remains in one position for a prolonged period of time, it is subjected to the rigours of immobility, nerve damage and pain, which seriously degrade quality.
For this post, we will focus specifically on desk jobs. We have glued our strong gluteal muscles to our seats and committed ourselves to the harsh blue light of desktops that force us to flex our spines and strain our big heads forward, demanding a serious amount of uncomfortable and unnatural stress on our joints.
Thus, we enter in the occupational therapist, who provides ergonomical solutions to our predicament. Special keyboards, nice grips on mice, fancy chairs and a set regimen of 90 degree angles to adopt (see Kelly Starrett's video for more on 90 degrees).
This is all fine and dandy, however this humble writer does not think that it will circumvent the pending anatomical issues that lie ahead.
Then you have your individuals who have improved on the chair of death and subjected themselves to standing workstations, or Swiss ball bouncing fun.
Now we're getting somewhere. But let's not forget that part of the issue is not just the chair which forces the hip flexors into a compromised position, elongating the glutes and twanging on the sciatic nerve to send pain from spine to leg. People have these SI joint issues from sitting, which is very clear, but assuming a standing position all day will inevitably put the body in a tough spot.
Standing is better than sitting, and bouncy balls are good, so long as you keep bouncing (see the post below for more on this). Yet at some point, one must realize that the job is still the issue. I am certainly not going to sit here and spout off about paradigm shifts and society's addiction to work. That would be for a more philosophical post.
We are here to talk functional, and pain free.
If your job consists of a day of sitting and then a quick break for coffee, a sit-down lunch and perhaps, if lucky, another break in the afternoon, the result is potentially 7.5 hours of immobility and knotted, unsupple, soft tissues.
Therefore if you have read this far, I will present you with a game-changing idea:
Motion is Lotion Don't find yourself stuck in any position for a long period of time!
I give a lot of credit to Kelly Starrett, DPT, for his contributions to my mobility woes. Visit his website if you would like to save yourself on thousands of PT/chiro treatments. Mobility Wod - see this link for more in-depth discussion on matters which I have barely touched on.
I will post his visit and lecture at Google below, but for now, since you have kept reading, here is the skinny:
1. Chest up, ears away from shoulders.
2. Braced spine - sternum in line with belly button, butt softly contracted.
3. Arms externally rotated (think standing savasana)
Plus a bonus- for those of you who like to sit.
At long last, watch this video (or listen if at work).
50,000 words: this is the magic number which by technicality, separates the novel from the novella.
Closing in on a nearly 8 month hiatus, the HUP! blog is alive again, spurred on by the ingenious incentive of National Novel Writing Month or NANOWRIMO. The task is simple, and the appeal of committing just a small portion of time for 30 days straight in order to complete my first novel seems simple enough. 1,666 words a day.
What's it about?
This author has a few ideas in mind, as well as a unifying theme. However, it would be unwise to uncover this, as things are sure to change. Clearly the research will not be as extensive as a proper novel, however, the simple act of putting pen to paper, or in this case, fingers to keyboard, is a poetic justification in itself.
Certain events are said to change lives. I believe that completing a novel is such an event.
With that said, let us begin the countdown to November 2011's NaNoWriMo. 54 minutes remaining. Good luck, fellow competitors.
As the title indicates, I will summarize my travels with not my own words, but those of other travelers, who have better captured what it is to journey. But first, I'll give you the quotes:
15 countries, 15 weeks.
330 hours on bus, which may not include all the day trips.
No more than 5 days in any given place.
Umpteen facebook friends to reconnect with in future travels.
Dollars/credit spent: not important.
Here's Ernesto Che Guevara, before his epic and life changing journey to explore South America. I'll open on his quotes from "The Motorcycle Diaries" as I had hit the same route as Che during part of my voyage.
"What do we leave behind when we cross each frontier? Each moment seems split in two; melancholy for what was left behind and the excitement of entering a new land"
Wandering around our America has changed me more than I thought. I am not me any more. At least I'm not the same me I was.
~ Ernesto 'Ché' Guevara
“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu
Tourism to Mexico has been marred as of late due to the escalating drug violence and which has included not only police authorities and dealers, but has also lead to the unjust murders of civilians, children and tourists who had no connections whatsoever to the wars.
It is a shame that the blood has stained a country otherwise known for its culture and music, food and passion. Many people now associate the food of Latin America with that of Mexico, even though this is sometimes not the case (in allusion to South America). The Mexicans have the closest ties to North America for the simple fact that they are in closest proximity. The tourism hit defers the further exploration of the country, which, for the majority of tourists, is limited to resort areas like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta.
However, let us not forget that the real essence of Mexico does not lie in the white sand surrounding the $6 bucket of Corona's being lapped up by the turquoise water. No, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata led their revolution across the land, in order to free the people and redistribute the wealth. Perhaps one day, when borders are not such a bloody mess, Bolivar's dream of a united Latin America, supported by Marti and Neruda, will refer to all of the Americas, the New World.
For now, Mexico still provides a getaway, some beach time, and flavor in our lives, despite it's turmoils.
The English colony of Belize stands out among its Central American counterparts for its allegiance to the Queen, and consequently its main language, English. However, a strong Latino and Caribbean flavor is present.
It is interesting to note that the infamous Mayans were able to repel the Spanish, only to fall to the British Buccaneers. The Kriol language is intriguing to the ear, with hints of English amidst a slurry of words from African languages.
Caye Caulker is a typical island getaway, highly accessible to from the capital of Belize, Belize City, as well as a port to and from surrounding cays and Mexico/Honduras. Coral reefs surrounding the area are home to thousands of fish species, and the famous shark and ray alley in the protected national park is a spectacle for all.
Amidst the ruins that were once a testament to the mighty Mayan civilization, modern Guatemala is still rich with culture, yet struggling to keep up with the industrialized world. There still remain patches of rain-forest, hearkening back to the natural environment from which we all emerged.
There is certainly many a reason to visit the nation, and once there, further incentive to return. This author's short-lived stay will certainly be followed by a tour of the pacific side in the near future.
"Seinfeld" the sitcom which has reached cult status, has remained appealing and many can relate to its hilarious situations. As it was addressed in the episodes during which Jerry and George were marketing their pilot episode, the show about "nothing" could either be hit or miss. Now, there are Seinfeld naysayers, however many have found such a deep comical connection to the show, for the very fact that the most detailed and seemingly unimportant daily occurrences are highlighted and scrutinized.
Perhaps the reason why a sit-com like Seinfeld is still watchable is because it is the little things that are what we draw meaning from. This idea was reinforced for me when I came across a lecture by Neil Pasricha, author of 1000 Awesome Things, on Ted Talks. His talk was referring to the creation of his book, an expansion on his blog, which had gone viral in 2010. This Canadian author had experienced the highs of life, and had been sunken by the lows. Then amidst the lows, he realized that we need to stop and appreciate the little things that are constantly going in our favor; he realized how lucky we really are. In his lecture, he identified the 3 A's of awesome, and subsequently of happiness: attitude, awareness and authenticity. Here's the video:
These awesome occurrences are evidence of our collective human nature; deep down we retain the childhood awe and curiosity, yet we simply forget to express it. Here are my top 15 awesome things from the book:
1. Illegal naps 2. Getting the milk to cereal ratio just right (neither cornflake beach, nor drowning in white) 3. Staring out a still water 4. Paying with exact change 5. Absolute silence 6. The smell of books 7. The gas arrow on the dash, indicating the side for the tank opening 8. Fixing electronics by smacking them 9. Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row 10. The smell of rain on a hot sidewalk 11. The friendly nod between strangers doing the same thing 12. When you're watching one of your favorite movies and you realize you don't remember how it ends 13. Getting a trucker to blow his horn 14. When you know your TV remote so well you don't need to look at the buttons 15. Remembering how lucky you are
SCUBA: acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus
While some scientists argue vehemently that we at one point emerged from the water onto the land. Regardless, we have always been lured into the deep, towards the darkness and mystery, towards the mythical creatures only whispered about, but most importantly, towards a world within the world we call earth, which we know little about.
To dive, providing ourselves with the much needed oxygen, devoid of gravitational forces from the terra firma, is an experience and a high, sometimes quite literally (see nitrogen narcosis), an escape into another realm. Some look to explore the visage of our past, while others marvel at the enormity and diversity of the blue and its inhabitants.
The Bay Islands are an exceptional spot to engage in scuba, for affordability as well as pristine coral reefs. Look to the hobbyist to protect his endeavor, which in this case is a large task, protecting the ocean.
Utila, just off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, is an original pirate settlement, with Caymanian and British Buccaneer blood running deep. Thus the creole language has its roots in Utila, now part of the Spanish country.
Divers share a bond simply because they have lived, albeit briefly in the sea, and marveled at the experience, something that can not be expressed in a few words.
For years, Nicaragua was not included in the travelers itinerary when it came to Central America. Nicaragua is a country marred by natural disaster and political struggle, dating back to the Somoza regime and the Sandinist party, FSLN, which still resides today. However, it has emerged as a tourist destination in the past few years, and certainly has much to offer.
Isla de Ometepe on Lake Nicaragua is magical with its two volcanoes, mystically shrouded in the clouds.
The colonial gem of Granada, hearkens to the older times, a romantic, laid back feel.
Pura vida, literally translated as pure life, signifies the laid back Tico mentality. Better translated as full of life, real living, or going great, it symbolizes an appreciation for the situation and surroundings. The saying reflects Costa Rica's geography as well: the Pacific swells provide great surf, the jungle holds a rich biodiversity, and the numerous volcanoes rise through the clouds.
It is inevitable that the country's tourism sector is as big as it is today. Both a blessing to the economy and a probable curse to environment, the Costa Rican people, or Ticos, are greatful for what they have.
The surf haven on the coast both coasts attracts surfers from all nationalities, while the rainforest and volcanoes call over the outdoorsmen, hikers and wildlife enthusiasts of all types. With a strong North American market for tourism, many Westerners have found it a suitable place to escape the hectic modern world, and reconnect with the natural world.
Panama, the southernmost country in Central America is famous for its canal and subsequently US connections. The canal itself, over 90 years old, is tantamount to shipping and transport across the Americas from Pacific to Atlantic and vice versa. Crossing over instead of around the landmasses means a lot of revenue for the country.
The thin isthmus is the thinnest piece of land between the continents, yet it is still 80km of locks, meaning 8 hours crossing time, from one side to the other. The whole procedure involves the filling of locks with fresh water and locomotive and tugboat action. Taxed by weight, the average for freighters and tankers to pass is $200-300 thousand dollars.
Along with a sophisticated canal, Panama city shows off a modern skyline, complete with skyscrapers and many more to come. However, being a Latinamerican country, the stratification of classes is also present, and slum areas are not disguisable.
Away from the city, one can escape the bustle and enjoy the Caribbean coast. The Bocas del Toro archipelago is a haven for surfers, beachcombers and anyone looking to kick their feet up and appreciate what nature has to offer. Yet another postcard place.
The vast ocean will always lure the terrestrial man back towards the ocean. From there it is sink or float. The Caribbean Sea in particular has a history of pirate lore, of ugly, pistol bearing, rotting teeth, rum guzzling bandits, who lived and raided across the West Indies. Stories are passed down of treasure and islands, and or both. Mysterious places abound, with indigenous inhabitants peering stealthily from under cover.
To traverse the el Mar Caribe brings back the many images of the pirate days. Life on the boat was more simple. The goal was to get from point A to point B and experience what lies between. In modern times, the experience or journey has been forgotten, and in so doing, a depressed existence ensues. The ocean will always be humbling, and often reminds the sailor that the hard times will be the most rewarding.
In the future there will be just as much folk tale surrounding the Caribbean as in centuries past, as the area is still very well trafficked by all sorts of people with varying businesses from all walks of life. Simply put, it is the connecting point between the Americas and its landmasses, the ports have and will always be modes of transport.
To get from Colombia to Panama, one must travel over sea or by air, as the land is not navigable. Thus, anyone with true pirate spirit will choose the former option. This means a few nights on a boat, a bit of open ocean and a stop in the San Blas archipelago. Often people describe these islands as a picture of paradise, with turquoise water and coral reefs. Truly something to experience.
Since the perilous days of the 80s and 90s, Colombia has been reformed into what is now a different and safer country from what it once was. Tourism is just beginning to pick up, as police and military presence is better felt. The days of the violent drug wars are subsiding, leaving a country in the process of repair. However, the earlier days some 20-30 years back are also what gave Colombia some flavour and its remnants are still seen and witnessed throughout in major cities.
Beginning with Medellín, dwelling place of the fabled Pablo Escobar, when his drug cartels were a pivotal part of society. The city has much to offer, and is set to expand in the next decade, a new clean cut look with the architecture of old set amidst a culture of salsa. Many still knock on the walls of any and all buildings to check if the hoarded drug money of Escobar actually exists.
Next, Bogota, the huge capital, a sprawling urban city, alive with art and commerce. A city jam-packed with residents, and brewing in modernity, it maintains the Colombian flavour and lifestyle. It is the gateway to the rest of the country, making available the coasts and jungle.
Cartagena will always embody the ideal Colombian city. Its preserved architecture remains, including the city walls and fort that once warded off pirates. A romantic town, with horse and carriage still clicking up and down old town, Cartagena also offers a commercial sector with buildings reaching up to the sky.
The descriptions are of course inadequate, both because the writer doesn't know enough about the said cities and words are never sufficient to describe the 5 senses that one can absorb a city with. Thus, to add to the experience, a few pictures.
After more than 200 hours of bus time, the South American continent has been traversed, save for a few open miles of road. Traveling by bus in the south means a lot of movies, little to few road stops for food or to relieve oneself, Latin music played at a high volume, constant drop-offs and pick-ups of local passengers, and many nights on the road.
Of course, the luxury buses found in the southern cone are comparable to none, and embody comfort and class as best as possible on the open highway. Music becomes indispensable and a fully charged ipod can survive the majority of a 20hr ride. Yet most importantly, road travel provides the opportunity for a close look at the landscape and the small towns that lie between.
The views through the foggy window can only be described as breathtaking. South America means lots of coastline, sprawling desert, rolling hills, daunting mountains and plenty of steep drop-offs from highways which barely fit two full sized coaches. Nevertheless, the drivers who at times can are called fearless and aggressive are also alert and well aware.
Some bus shots
Crawling through the longitudinal span of Chile
Overlooking the Colombian jungle from a steep drop/off
Ecuador, a country of beautiful landscapes, has been deemed worthy enough to receive the name denoting its presence in the middle of the earth, although other countries do lie on the said equator.
To be on the equator means a lot of things in physics terms, mostly dealing with opposing forces and effects. I could explain such concepts using my limited high school and university physics knowledge, but there is no need.
The point is, being situated between the north and the south makes water do cool things, causes all sorts of metereological effects, and pulls you in every which way.
The indigenous people realized the importance of their location well before anyone of th Westerners. The sun and stars told never lied, and told them much about their world.
As it is All Saint's Day, or the day after Halloween in North America, I will give my respects to the dead, saints and laymen included. In Ecuador, it is customary to drink Colada Morada, a fruity concoction which goes with sweet stuffed bread. Here's to all my loved ones.
The aptly named "Old Mountain" city has had a magical appeal since its rediscovery by the Western world in 1911. Of course it is most famous for its postcard view, one which thousands of tourists flock to daily at ungodly hours. What makes it so special, even after years of tourist demysticism is its magic and mystery that prevails, some 6 centuries after its construction.
Nevertheless, I will justify my having travelled to the other side of the world, taken a couple busses, a train, staying overnight in an overpriced town, and waking up at 3am to catch another bus to arrive early enough to get an exclusive stamp to climb Huayna Picchu for the day.
1. The ancient Incan city, home to the most brilliant minds of the Incans, was never touched by the Spaniards in their conquests.
2. To add further mystery, the city was never completed, with much evidence to prove it was abandoned.
3. The city is tucked in secretly amidst the mountains and jungle of the sacred valley, rich with resources surrounding it.
The highest navigable lake in the world, sitting at 3800m, is also the largest in South America. Lake Titicaca, once believed to be a sacred, inland sea by the Incans, is a marvel, straddling the border between Perú and Bolivia, South American countries with the highest per capita indigenous populations. It is not surprising that the ancient civilizations were in such reverence of the lake, with its sheer enormity, the sun rose and set along its horizon.
Argued to be the birthplace of the Incans, Sun Island sits on the lake, with many ruins alluding to its past. The lake is just another testament to Bolivia and Peru's geographical diversity, complete with desert, rainforest, mountains and the lake.
