Shifting Back To Veganism

Hello From Baton Rouge!!

A couple of things. I put together a quick video. I think that's another term for half ass? :) It is about adjusting your motorcycle for shifting with a prosthesis. I shot it really quickly with my cell. It's definitely not what I would call high production.. I still need to get a good workstation setup at my new place. I will put  a link below for those who might want to check it out.

I have changed my diet back to vegan. This time with more of an emphasis on eating real food. After all...Oreos, beer & pringles are all vegan. I'm not worried about how much I eat or going low carb. I've been doing some research & it appears natural carbs, from real food, even starches, may not be as bad as we have been led to believe? Simple carbs from processed foods is a different story. 

This eating style is more of an eat whatever you want from the list of acceptable foods,  and as much as you want. Which is great because I'm not into counting carbs and calories or starving myself. Which makes sense. Veggies, even Starchy ones, fill you up typically with less calories than most meat related products.

I have been pretty good following this and feel like I'm seeing results already after a week. I've been riding my stationary bike every morning, sometimes even in the afternoon. I do feel better.

I've tried Keto in the past & was pretty miserable. I have tried other low carb diets and they all seemed to wreck havoc on my body. My arthritis kept flaring up. This whole foods no animal products thing has given me the best results in the past. I always have gotten to the point where I felt great & then went back to my old ways.

I have quit drinking as well. I'm on my second week. I have had a lot of issues over the last year. My gout has been constantly acting up. My blood pressure has been higher than I like.  Actually I have just not been feeling well. I drank quite a bit as the pandemic wore on. So I decided to make some changes.

This lifestyle change will hopefully combat everything from high BP to helping prevent other issues such as the onset of diabetes. 

There is a lot of research out there suggesting even eating rice daily as a main staple is way better than filling yourself up with beef, pork and chicken, especially in high quantities. Case n point, the people of China & Japan before they were introduced to American style foods. 

 Anyway enough ranting about that. If you are interested I will also include a link about this style of eating.

Wish you well.

Ty W

Motorcle Video

Starch Based Diet

Your Own Style

 Hello from Dallas!

I was supposed to be in Baton Rouge this week, but God had other plans for me I guess. I was about to leave Friday when my boss called me & asked if I wanted to stay here & train for another week. I was actually disappointed & wanted to head home. I was being overly optimistic thinking Hurricane Ida would probably turn another direction or not be that bad. I am glad I listened to him. 

I wanted to talk today about bringing your own style to what you do. There are so many analogies I can use here. The Stones vs The Beatles, Shaq vs Barkley, Fitzpatrick vs any other quarterback. :) 

These people all do/did a certain job or served a certain function in their field of expertise. They all did/do it their own way. The have their own style. One thing they all have in common? They worked the butts off.   

Whatever you do in life I strongly urge you study it & learn the fundamentals. Admittedly some don’t. They just try to wing. I will say that road is much harder to travel. Often if it works at all they burn out due to inconsistency & lack of discipline.

Every bit of knowledge you learn about something, the better chance you will have of mastering it. The fundamentals are important. Study is important. You need to get the basics down. There are those who just have a gift for something or some God given abilities they are blessed with. Yhe often make things look so easy. Even these people work at something a lot harder than many people often realize.  

How do you create your own style? Often it just comes to you. Many times it is due to a so called deficit someone may have. Take for instance the guitarist who plays with a certain style because he has a hand deformity or function issue. Tom Iommi from Black Sabbath, he is missing parts of his fingers. Certain basketball players who have developed great 3 point shots due to their smaller size. Some football players who are terrible on paper…they run a slow 40 aren’t as big as an average players…but still somehow figure out how to find the ball & make a play.

In my opinion, style just comes to each of us due to our individualism. When applying yourself, so called imperfections can turn into strengths. 

You could give the raw materials to different people and tell them to build you a table. It is with certainty  all  the tables will be different, because they and their style are different. 

There are some who will take a part of their style and will exaggerate it because it works so well for them. Possibly they did something once and it went over so well it becomes a goto or trademark for them. This can be limiting sometimes. The equivalent of the “one hit wonder”. It is great at the time, but it can become all you are known for. People may get bored with you. Worse, technology or progress may leave you behind.  Your opponent may eventually figure you out & anticipate you. I have seen great presentations by public speakers before. If next year I go see them again and its the same,, no matter how elaborate I'm going to get bored. Do not get me wrong this often can work for a whole career. AC/DC pretty much have been playing the same sounding songs for years. They did have the advantage of switching frontmen part of the way through their long journey as a band.. This did bring in a change to their sound and style in a different way. 

WE MUST CONTINUE TO LEARN AND EXPAND OUR HORIZONS

What does this have to do with prosthetics? You may get used to a certain foot or socket style. You like what you like. There may be something out there that is more beneficial you are missing out on because  you never checked it out? Your prosthetist may use the same foot and same type of socket on most of their patients. They get into a routine or habit.. Meanwhile a new foot may hit the market that could be better for you or other people. I remember watching the roll out of the Rush Foot. In a small way that foot changed the industry. One of the first feet made not using solely carbon fiber. Just like when the carbon fiber feet came out to replace those made of wood or cork. If don’t believe me ( I am actually not a huge fan of the Rush foot) look how many people have copied it? A sure sign of success. When people start to copy you, you know you are on the right track. 

For that matter while finding your way there is nothing wrong with copying someone to learn from. Even if you copy them 70-100% , your own style will start to evolve. Often our own mannerisms will not let us mimic someone that well, even if we are trying. I am not telling you to rip someone off. At first  while learning,, there is nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from someone. Over time you will borrow from several people or ideals. You will draw your own conclusions.. Then you will formulate your own style. 

There are always new things coming out in all areas of life. Think of all the new technology that has come out to benefit our lives over the last 30-40 years. The cell phone, internet, social media ( yeah the verdict is still out on if this one if it's beneficial or not). As I have stated many times before…all the information that is available to us at our finger tips. Car improvements, better gas mileage. The progress in electric vehicle technology. GPS. And many, many more things. What if we did not embrace some of these things? 

Do not get me wrong. I love old a school. Music, values and so fourth. There are many things from the past most of us look at with endearing memories. We should never forget where we came from and how we got to where we are. We definitely should not let people hijack the new ways of looking at values and technology. 

YOU HAVE TO BE OPEN MINDER…BUT THAT MEANS TO ALL POINTS OF VIEW.

I think it is a very dangerous thing to accept things as fact just because someone told you they are. You must do your own research. 

Weight 224lbs

  

Transitions

 Hello

I have started my new career. I am excited to proclaim I am a new employee of  SOLA Prosthetics.

I am super excited to be a member of the team here. As you know this is not a site set up to promote companies. I will just state I am please to be part of what feels like a real family. 

I am currently staying in Dallas at SOLA's corporate headquarters. I will be training here & learning about the company culture & history at least until the end of next week. I am projected to be back at my new home in Baton Rouge, SOLA's other office, sometime around August 28th or 29th. I will have my work cut out for me once back home, unpacking & getting settled in. So many changes. 

I have been trying to absorb all I can and make the most of being in the Dallas area. Big cities always have their pro & cons, just like everywhere else. I am enjoying myself here. 

Really nothing much more to report at this time. As far as my physical goals go, I have had mixed results.  There is a great sushi bar named edoko across from where I am staying. I have admittedly spent too much time over there drinking martinis. I have befriended my bartender & therapist...lol Samantha there. I have managed to make it down to the exercise room at the Sharaton where I am staying. I have told myself daily to keep it healthy, but idle hands on my time off have been a challenge. 

A little over 1 more week here to go. We will see how it goes. Remember never to beat yourself up for not always keeping on track with your goals. Do your best everyday. Try to live in the moment. The future is unknown & you can't change the past. 

Enjoy. Best wishes to you all!!

Current Weight 222lbs.

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