Checking In Fron The Road Of Possibilities

Hey. I just wanted to let you know I am still out here & thinking about you all. My laptop is tucked away somewhere in a box. I had to do this post using my phone. Expect more typos than normal :)  

Everything is good.  I've been extremely busy. I have been moving this week. It is official I am no longer a resident of the great state of Florida. I brought my motorcycle all the way out here to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the bed of my pickup truck. Baton Rouge will be my new home for a while. 

Apparently, my worldly possessions are 5 boxes I could fit into the cab of the truck with me, a couple of bags & the formentioned motorcycle.  Of course,  I managed to bring my stationary bike for my morning exercise. 

It is strange when you think of all the things you have owned all your life & then you end up reducing them down to what you can carry with you. I feel like a wandering cowboy out on the open trail. It often feels as if I move from town to town, Doing good deeds, then seeking the next adventure :p . In the end you come to realize things you own are all just stuff. None of it determines who or what type of person you are. Many of us keeping trying to obtain things to feel better or fill a void.

Even after all the downsizing I have too much junk. I guarantee there are things in my glove box, console & other compartments of my truck I don't need. That I will probably never use? It is crazy to think of all the things some of us try to keep. We end up filling garages, attics, basements or storage buildings with our junk. A lot of it is very valuable to us or to someone else in the right context. Maybe the right place in time? It all takes money or energy to keep up with. Do we really need it if we have not used it in the last year or six months? There is a reason why Ebay, second hand stores, used car lots,  Goodwill, thrift stores and similar places exist. 

Just something to think about. At least something I have thought about a lot as I have downsized the last couple of weeks. The decisions I had to make on what I needed & what I could part with. Sometimes it can be pretty silly trying to decide if a certain item is something you shpuld keep or can part with. Thoughts like "It used to be my Dad's" or "So and so gave me this" and "Do you know what this is worth?" running through your head. It gets to the point where it is almost agony trying to determine what to keep or let go.

I suppose when it all comes down to it...We are going to have to let it all go eventually?  

Life is a wild journey. Remember, as always  to be aware the endless possibilities that lay out before you each & every day. Don't let your literaral or mental baggage weigh you down. Keep things moving forward. 

More info on my new job & location to come soon. 

The girl's got reasons. They all got reasons...She was a happy girl the day that she left me...The day that she left me

Defining Paradise

Well another week has gone by. I am a day late on my post.  I have been a little busy, but a little lazy as well. I've been staying up late and sleeping in. Sleeping in to me is about 9AM :)

No video of my new exercise routine this week. I actually had a recurring injury I often deal with that flared up on me. It was hard to wear my prosthesis, much less use it to walk or anything else. I did manage to get some spin time in on the stationary bike. Next week I will be really busy moving among other things. So it may take a bit to get that routine down on video. 

I parted ways with all of my music gear Wednesday. I took it all to Goodwill, except my upright bass, which I donated to an old local music store. I gave away a Silvertone Guitar, my Upright, an electric Fender Bass & my Gallien-Kruger bass amp. I just don't have the room to take those things with me on my move. Honestly, I have not touched most of the instruments in quite a while. Since I'm leaving here shortly I did not feel I had the time or energy to list & sell the items. Something told me giving the articles away was better karma.  I'm hoping at least one of the items will become a special find for someone. A person who can use, take care of & enjoy it, Maybe even become a tool for them to make a positive change. As I was heading home, crossing the bridge to go back beach side I heard the news that the bassist for ZZ Top, Dusty Hill had died. I''m not sure if they call that irony or not? Either way it sure did feel weird. So I had to thro in a tiny tribute. One of my favorite, lesser known songs, by ZZ.

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This post is not about my music gear or any band. It is about a certain state of mind. It is about creating your reality and controlling your destiny to the best of your abilities.

I currently live on the beach. I was so thrilled to move here when I first moved in. It seemed like paradise. In the last couple of months things had really gone sideways. My motorcycle ignition switch got so corroded I had to replace it twice. My bicycle got so rusty, after only a short amount of time that the steering became seized. The pool here got closed because it had black algae. I discovered mold in my place. Then I left my job. Everything seemed to be going all wrong. 

So what is a person to do? I took control of the things I could. I fixed my ignition and took better precautions to control the corrosion on the wires. I treated the mold in my place and repainted it. I sent out resumes and started doing job interviews. I changed my podcast selection to focus on some of my more immediate goals. I cut back on spending my time at the bar, watching mindless TV and other negative things that are unhelpful to attaining my goals.

Now things are looking up. I landed a new job. I'm soon to be off on new adventures. I will post some more details of my life changes very soon. 

My message to you. Do what you can to control your own destiny. Some things will be out of your control. I would not recommend spending time on what you can't control. If you can't control something it would be a waste of energy to try. You must learn to distinguish what these things are though. Falling into the trap of accepting something you can change as something you can't often is an excuse. An excuse to avoid dealing with reality. We all control a lot more of our lives than we realize. It takes courage, wisdom and time to make changes. The good news is we have more access to information than at any other point in human history. If you take the time and work to find a solution it is out there.

Sometimes the answers may not be as clear as we want them to be. You will have take chances. Change can be scary sometimes. Life is a spectator event. If you follow you heart and put faith in destiny I strongly believe there is path for you. No one knows the details of the journey. What fun would that be? We all know how to push toward that path though. You must prepare. You also have to have faith. That whole control vs not control thing again :) 

The things you can change will go a long way to helping you CREATE YOUR OWN PARADISE no matter where that may be.  Who knows where things could take you? Maybe you could end up being a bassist with one of the most famous three piece bands in the world for 50+ years? Maybe this post is about my music gear and a band after all? 

ADVENTURE  AWAITS THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO PURSUE IT!!! Outcomes will vary but are guaranteed to be of satisfaction if pursued properly.

FYI  - I will be attending an amputee support group on the gulf coast of Florida this weekend. I got to do what I enjoy one more time before leaving the state. If I am fortunate enough maybe I will see you there or in future travels?

Best wishes

Ride Along

I am actually posting two weeks in a row!!!

While this is not a huge deal to most of you reading, it is a very big deal to me. I have not been consistently posting. That is mt fault and my fault alone. I really apologize for being such a slacker.

What Is New?

I'm still on the road. I got a chance to see my daughter for the first time since the pandemic. I met her and her boyfriend for lunch. It was great to catch up and just say hey in person. I also got a chance to spend some time with my Mom. I stayed with her for a few days. We went out to dinner a time or two. We spent some quality time together, just talking and sharing. I got a chance to help her with a few things around the house. I also spent a little time with an old girlfriend, that has actually become a pretty good friend over the years. It's odd because I have not held any relationships with exes. It is really kind of cool and actually gives me a slight feeling of maturity. I like to think we both have grown over the years.

I also got a chance to visit a cousin of mine that recently lost her leg due to diabetes. She is currently in a rehab hospital healing. I hope I was able to give her some encouragement. I contacted a prosthetist friend of mine in the area who I know will take good care of her. 

New Video?

I started doing some low impact exercises. Really they are all I am capable of at this time because I am so out of shape. I plan on shooting some video to demonstrate what I have been up to. I think they could be relevant to a few people out there. I'd really like to get something put together by next week. 

The Job Search?

I am currently in a undisclosed location The reason it is undisclosed is because I am doing a "ride along" tomorrow with a potential new employer. I don't what name who they are because nothing is official yet. Plus I don't want to jinx it by counting my chickens before they hatch. 

I will let you know how it goes :} 

God Bless. Hope you all are well 

 

224 lbs still. In my defense I did stay with my Mom and she kept trying to make sure I was fed :p

Into The New

Hello. 

 I am happy to report I will be blogging more regularly. Just in time as a lot of new changes are in the works for me. Which should mean lots of great subject matter. I have neglected this project for a very long time. I would love to make excuses, but that is exactly what they would be. So I won't.    

Career Change 

I am sad but believe it or not EXCITED to report I am no longer an employee of OPC Prosthetics.  A company that I have been with for over 10 years. I have a lot to thank OPC for. I have had some great times while there.  I am leaving on decent, if not professional terms with the organization. I would recommend anyone close to one of their offices to consider them for their prosthetic needs. There are a lot of good people that I consider friends I will truly miss from OPC. 

What Is Next For Ty?

It is really hard to say. This is where the excitement comes in. I feel I still have a lot to offer people in the prosthetic field. So I am actively pursuing a career with a new prosthetic organization. In fact, I am currently writing this post from Dallas, TX. I am talking to a company here about joining their team. There are some other things in the Prosthetic Field I am checking into as well. I do have other interest I would love to explore more deeply as well. Music, off grid housing/lifestyle, fitness and linux computer software. All things I have had a passion for at different times. Things I strongly feel I could actually do as a career if I got creative enough. 

Am I Scared?

I'm not going to lie. I am petrified! At this point I could end up anywhere. I may end up living in a commune or some off grid isolated area. Delivering pizzas for a while? Joining some rowdy band? Who knows? I may cash in my 401k early and just spend my days being a lazy fool. Right now I am trying to just enjoy this ride called life. I know myself well enough to know whatever I do I will do it with passion.

Changes I am Making

I have gotten out of shape pretty badly. Especially recently. I'm talking even doing simple stuff like climbing the stairs gets me breathing hard lately. I'm going to make a commitment to some type of regular workout routine. Diet. It has got to change. My eating habits have been terrible, I'm going back to the vegan thing again, I really felt pretty good the last time I did that. So I think I should give it another shot. Drinking. I've been stopping at the bar way too much for quite a while now. I know I will feel better if I can cut down or even quit for a while. Blogging. I really enjoy and actually learn a lot when I write these post, I am going to make a commitment to doing one once a week. Every hump day. So if I am not posting you will know I am slacking. After each post I am going to put my current weight. 

Talk To You Soon!!!

Pls feel free to comment or ask questions. 

Please feel 

224 lbs

Consistency In Life

Well folks how are we all doing?
What a crazy last few months it has been. The world can often feel like is about to explode and your world implode.
So that is point today to combat those very real feelings. Consistency in life is your friend.

I would highly recommend a steady and stable routine to any of you out there that feel out of sorts at times.

These past few months have been crazy for me, as I am sure they have for you. For the last month I have had a motorcycle parked in the middle of my 450 square foot studio. I had to remove some workout equipment to make room for the bike. So no working out. Soon tools and grease were all over the place. My bed was often a place for holding wiring diagrams and extra tools. I had limited access to my fridge as the bike and tools often blocked opening it.

Long story short. I had a lot of electrical issues I was working on with the cycle. Florida weather is often hot and even more importantly rain, which made working on it difficult. So I brought her in and then could work on it when I was in the mood. What a great and terrible ideal all at the same time.

I also had to move all my furniture from the north wall, my TV is on that wall by thee way :),  as it was having structural construction done to it daily, for a couple of weeks. Every day over those weeks I would get up. Fold up my futon bed. I would disconnect the cable and move the TV to the futon/couch. Behind that all the Motorcycle chaos went on. My dresser and music equipment was also pulled into the center area of the room. I left a partial pathway to the front door.

This has been my life for a month. Work. Greasy hands and nails from turning wrenches. No exercise. Lots of margaritas from eating out a lot. Of course partying. Some from cabin 'lockdown' fever the other from just not wanting to go home at times. Nothing in it's place. Bath towels getting mixed up with greasy shop rags. Stacks of mail, motorcycle manuals, and hand drawn diagrams.

So today was the first step. The bike was finally put back together and now on the back porch. I doubled my space almost with that one move.  :)

So hopefully I will get the furniture back in some kind of an organized arrangement. I still have a bunch of tools to reorganize. I got old parts to store, sell on Ebay or throw out.

What a freaking headache of a mess. I mean my life has felt totally crazy. Of course, throw on top of it a pandemic and riots, work hours getting cut...everything often seeming in the brink of balance.

So the goal. Is to get things back in order and start working out again. Hopefully cut back on the partying....

My message to you. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed try to get some structure. Something as simple as getting back to basics with food, clothing, furniture can help you focus more. More stuff lying around for me. More unease and chaos. No consistency in sleep, diet or routine can often lead to a sense of overkill as well and make focusing tough. No matter what the times are we all want to keep a good head on our shoulders. I am a man who often leads both lives. Believe me,  structure and order are the things that can help you feel better and help you be a  better person to be around. 

So that is my advice for the week. Structure, good diet and consistency can lead to improved lifestyle. A happy lifestyle is what we should all be trying to obtain.I know this seems simple, but sometimes we forget about the simple things. 

Take Care. Take time to respond or say hello if you like :)

Much love - Ty Wilson

Relocated To Daytona

I am now in Daytona Florida

I had the choice to do a few things recently. I could have moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, moved to Daytona, Florida or remained in Sarasota, Florida. The last option still being a choice, because inaction to me, is still a choice.


Each place obviously has its pros and cons. To make a long story and decision short I weighed everything I could consider, consulted friends, thought for a very long time, and then made a decision. At first it seemed tough to make up my mind. Mainly because I let other people influence the way I felt. It came down to one thing.  Where was I going to be the happiest? I considered the locations, money (cost and income) , people  I would work with, and overall vibe of each area.  After all consideration I easily selected to come out to Daytona!! 

Here in Daytona it feels like I am starting over. It is more like a fresh start. The other options either had people or places I was familiar with. In Daytona, everything is new. A new place and new co-workers gave me an opportunity to fully challenge myself. I have always thought that you must expose yourself to new experiences and viewpoints to keep growing and evolving.

Obviously I will be doing my best to get involved with the amputee community here. I will be starting a new support group in the area. I will also be attending amputee related functions and working with amputee related medical professionals.  

If you are in the area and ever want to meet or talk please reach out to me!!

Best Wishes To All.

You must accept a challenge if you ever want to feel victory!!
Ty Wilson
email - twilson@opcenters.com
cell phone - 386-562-4655

Going Vegan

                                              

Why the change in diet? 
Roughly two months ago I decided to switch to a pretty strict vegan diet. This means I have done my best over the last two months not to ingest any meat, dairy, eggs, fish, seafood, animal fats/oils or any other animal based products.

I have not elected not to wear any animal products, fur leather and all that jazz. I own a couple of leather or faux leather belts, have saddle bags that are probably leather, gloves and who know what else? I honestly have not thought much about it? As you can imagine a vegan lifestyle can be taken to an extreme just like anything else.

I must admit at times it does seem that the treatment of animals used to make food or clothing products seems inhumane, especially on a commercial level. I just don't see, for me a personal reason to totally abstain from using some of these products at this time. I would never judge anyone for using or consuming animal products. It is a lifestyle decision and I try really hard not to judge or tell others how they should live their lives.

The reason I switched my diet was because of health reasons. High blood pressure, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis are common in my family history. I have seen several documentaries over the years stating that eating a vegan, raw foods or vegetable based diet can be pretty effective for combating some of these medical conditions. The latest vegan documentary I saw was called "What The Health" . More about that movie later.

What Led To The Diet Change?
I have suffered from arthritic gout attacks and symptoms over the last twenty years. The gout attacks had been getting worse and more frequent. In 2016 I went to a walk in clinic at least three times to try and get relief from painful gout attacks. My blood pressure has been rising or has had a tendency to be high over the last several years as well. I started taking medication regularly for the gout and my family doctor has tried to get me to take high blood pressure medicine for several years now. Honestly I had been feeling pretty unhealthy and suffering arthritis pain off and on for a while.

We started a weight loss challenge at my work about 5 months ago. The challenge kind of got the wheels turning in my mind on changing my diet. At first I procrastinated and did nothing. As you can imagine my results were bad for the first month of the competition. I lost very little or no weight. I can be quite a procrastinator at times.

Besides being a procrastinator I can also be a little competitive. As the deadline started getting closer for the challenge to end, 6 weeks or so, I started looking at options. The first thing I did was try to cut back on carbs. I had some decent results from cutting the carbs I think I lost around 5 lbs by doing nothing besides changing my diet the first week or two I tried it. I also starting going to the gym sporadically, mostly doing weight training. I then went on vacation to visit a friend the following week. At the time I left for vacation I was down about 11 pounds or so.

While visiting my friend I caught the previously mentioned, What The Health documentary on Netflix one afternoon. I found some of the claims to be remarkable. I will tell you that I thought the documentary was very one sided and some parts of it, mainly the results some of the people in it had, seemed to be impossible. Honestly I still do. I think in lot of documentaries out there the directors/writes often get a little over jealous about their claims. This film was no exception. Lets face it these people are passionate about their projects or they would not be making movies about them. This does not mean I discounted the whole movie, I just gave it a bit of healthy scepticism.

None the less, when I returned from my trip I decided to try the vegan diet out and see how it worked for me. I figured if the claims were even partially true it would be worth giving it a try. I also went to the gym on a much more regular bases, concentrating on light impact cardio, 45 minutes or more of stationary bike. I also hit the weights for 20 to 30 mins, I did not give them as high a priority as cardio. I'm not much for being in a gym for over an hour. I feel you can get burned out and over train, especially with weights, if you are not careful.

My Results? 
I lost about 25 pounds in the challenge, almost 10% of my body weight.
I lost around 2 3/4" in my waistline.
I stopped taking my arthritis medicine about 6 weeks ago and have not had a gout attack since.
I have not stopped to check my blood pressure yet. I'm pretty sure it is better than before. Many times in the past my blood pressure would be taken when in pain, which tend to give high readings as it is.

Other noticeable changes:
I feel great! Much lighter on my feet, which helps a lot wearing a prosthesis.
I feel more energetic!
I have recently started jogging some. I am still working on this and have only mustered about a mile and a half during any single session with my running leg. I am shooting for participating in a 5K this November.
My clothes fit great! I am wearing shorts and pants that I had kind of tucked away in the back of the closet due to how tight they were. I even have worn some of my friends clothes. Besides his shirts, I have never been able to fit into any of his clothing.
I have started having more regular bowel movements. This wasn't much of an issue before, but I definitely notice a difference. The vegetables really get things moving in this area.

I must stress that going to the gym has been a big factor in this endeavor as well. There is no way I would have gotten the results I have without hitting the gym.  in addition to the diet. I am currently going 4 to 6 times a week.

How Challenging Is It Eating Vegan?
I joke with my friends when they ask how hard it is being a vegan. I say it is a lot like being a recovering alcoholic. Each day is a challenge and I just do it one day at a time. No one likes the taste of a cheese burger better than I do. The smell coming from a fast food joint or restaurant can still really spike my appetite.

Funny thing is when I go out to eat with people they often apologize to me when they order meat. I try to stress that it isn't a big deal to me and it is a choice I have made. I certainly don't want anyone to feel bad about eating with me. On dates, women who know my diet almost always talk to the waiter for me, state that I am a vegan and ask about options for me. This drives me a little nuts. I think that motherly thing women posses tends to make them do this? I am not sure? I really dislike, for people to make a big deal out of things for me. I especially don't like asking people to make exceptions for me. This makes me guilty for some reason? I just don't like people having to go out of their way for me.

I have cheated a time or two. Which makes me a cheagan. I have eaten a bite of chicken or meat here or there that someone has badgered me to try. I also have partook in some donuts, breads, breaded items or tried some sauces that I am sure have contained dairy, butter or eggs here or there. This has been pretty minimal. Obviously I don't order non vegan items, but if something comes with cheese that didn't get removed or an appetizer has come out with beef or chicken I don't sweat it. I just try my best to eat around the 'forbidden' substance. I am human and I don't turn into a freak about things. I just try my best. This vegan thing is something I have imposed on myself, to attempt to be more healthy. Tf I slip up a little it isn't going to make or break me.

The Biggest Challenge?
By far for me the hardest thing has been not using coffee creamer. I drink a lot of coffee every day and I love it with half and half. There are probably days in the past where I would easily consume a cup of more in coffee creamer itself while drinking coffee through the day. I will usually drink a 4 to 8 cups plus of coffee a day. I just have not found a good substitute. Almond milk, which I often use before leaving the house, just doesn't cut it as a creamer substitute. Soy milk is okay but it is usually not available and I try not to consume too many soy products. I am getting more used to drinking my coffee black.
I always used to eat a lot of cheese, sour cream and yogurt as well. I really miss eating pizza at times.

I know I am painting a rather bleak picture here. In all honesty being vegan has not been that bad. There are a lot of great options out there. In a lot of ways I never really appreciated the natural flavor of a lot of fruits (their sweetness) and vegetables until now.

Things I Eat A Lot Of
Beans - I consume a lot of black beans. I've even done black bean smoothies before. Don't ask...lol.
Hummus - served with vegetables at a restaurant or made at home is a favorite.
Broccoli - I eat it along with or on top of things often. It is great with brown rice, couscous, wheat pasta or in vegetable stir fry. (I try not to eat a ton of pasta as I am still trying to lose weight).
Avocados - I eat these either cut up on things or as guacamole. A long with tomatoes.
Peas, corn and green beans are big in my diet as well.
Peanut butter - I eat it often. Sometimes strait out of the jar.
Trail mix
Almonds
Sweet Potato Fries - They are my dirty indulgence.

Protein?
By far the biggest comment I get is, 'Aren't you worried about not getting enough protein?'. To be very honest I don't worry about it at all. Except for the first week or two of doing this (The adjustment period. I constantly felt hungry the first week or two.) I never feel weak or faint at all.


Funny Things That Have Happened
The first 2 weeks I went vegan I took a date to a steakhouse she chose for dinner and on two other occasions I met clients at steak places. It was quite the drag.
       
- Sometimes You Have To Laugh At Life-

I should have posted a before and after picture. If you follow me on Instagram you can definitely see the difference compared to some of my older pictures.
Instagram user name:
ty1wilson