tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191128052024-03-23T11:17:28.444+01:00United StatesianGiving the world a chance to fix a centuries old mis-understanding and make my life a little easier...
While entertaining that same world with witty articles about life as an expat with Long Covid Since March 2021.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-85770237749385290112024-02-16T22:29:00.004+01:002024-02-16T22:29:50.207+01:00Pacing 101 - Brain Training as a tool to pace better<h1 style="text-align: left;"><b>Brain Training -- Another Pacing Tool</b></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwrBG82kYLCMd_et9ogDPjvboI6iCJxphDr9Ciyby8BuDMVrYYdS5Bt1bmKjAjizHW9oiBHxo_jpH_r7oheaaNKxokCc0w_jEPMzr4CPepAQfSTmCNkhLSPWRmqMTIiiBibcRMp0u9Jz_b7a9OjzyAavf71E3s7B4SKRSOf5xobYoHDIBByiq/s1080/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Excess Baggage" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1080" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwrBG82kYLCMd_et9ogDPjvboI6iCJxphDr9Ciyby8BuDMVrYYdS5Bt1bmKjAjizHW9oiBHxo_jpH_r7oheaaNKxokCc0w_jEPMzr4CPepAQfSTmCNkhLSPWRmqMTIiiBibcRMp0u9Jz_b7a9OjzyAavf71E3s7B4SKRSOf5xobYoHDIBByiq/w640-h632/5.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">TLDR: </span></b><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Brain training is one of many tools to help pace better by reducing wasted mental and emotional energy.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The brain is small, but it is an energy hog that can eat through spoons faster than a sprint up the stairs.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The science behind most "brain training" is sound.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Most brain training programs oversell what they offer.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">You do not need an expensive program to learn this science.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Outside of the "tools" that brain training programs teach you, which you can learn for free, the main benefit is accountability and the support of a coach. Some people might benefit from hiring a coach whom they can afford and feel a connection with.</span></b></li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Brain training is not the boogeyman. It is just another tool to add to your healing toolbelt. Don't expect miracles. Stay away from programs that promise quick results and learn what you need for free.</p><p>Like every other "cure" out there... people like to show off the big success stories because it makes you feel good and gives hope. The benefits go both ways, those desperate for healing need hope to continue and those who are trying to help fellow sufferers love to see that their efforts are having an impact on the lives of others.</p><p>This video gives a good quick overview of the different kinds of "brain training" and the red flags to look out for when listening to or hiring a "coach".</p><h4 style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; display: -webkit-box; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 5.6rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: break-word;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><span style="color: #0b5394;">Red Flags VS REAL SUPPORT - What to Watch For! (With Lindsay Vine)</span><br /></yt-formatted-string><span style="color: #0f0f0f;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpSYc3y9vsA </span></h4><p><b><u>Get the tools for free</u>!</b></p><p>However, I suggest learning the fundamentals/tools from free resources on YouTube, the internet and from books on the topic. This is nothing new... "Brain training" has been around for a long time and it has been used in many settings.</p><p>And... as Lindsay Vine mentioned in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@RaelanAgle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Raelen Agle</a> video. There are many kinds of Brain Training tools. Find what works for you, add it to your toolbelt and move forward. </p><p>*Trauma/PTSD/and trauma with a small "t" are often brought up as roadblocks to healing. Unfortunately, some seem to think that their LC/ME was caused by "Trauma". However, that is not the case. <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The damage that caused all this is physiological.</span></b> It is not "in your head". The reason that dealing with trauma is beneficial is because it helps with healing and pacing.</p><p><b>Awkward analogy time (see image at top): </b></p><p>A small aeroplane has a fuel leak. They must reduce the load to make it to the island with a landing strip! The pilot orders everyone to throw out all the luggage and cargo. </p><p>The reduced weight helps the plane make it to the landing strip just in time. They all survive... Yeah! <i>Break for commercial</i>...</p><p>Dealing with trauma is like the luggage and cargo. The cargo did not cause the plane to have a fuel leak! This deadweight is an "<b>innocent bystander</b>" that needs to be taken care of for the plane to land. </p><p>Dealing with trauma is the same as dealing with the luggage. The reduced load helps pace and heal faster. Therapy to deal with trauma is just another way to pace.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>A personal example which might make it clearer.</b></p><p>Before I accepted my LongCovid and I truly learned to pace --thanks in part to free "brain training" tools -- I would get myself into binds by pushing too hard during a walk and then pushing even more because I was too cheap to pay for a taxi, bus or many of the other options that would have gotten me home faster and with less energy. </p><p>I learned that a couple "small t" traumas that are deeply ingrained were holding back my recovery and making it harder to pace. These traumas had nothing to do with the original illness. They were only innocent bystanders making it harder to pace and heal. </p><p>A person with "big T" Traumas will have a harder time since dealing with Trauma also takes energy. It is a catch-22. In those cases, professional help, especially someone who understands MECFS will be needed. If I had to deal with these "big T" Traumas then I would probably look at EMDR, somatic release and psychedelics like psilocybin with a trained specialized therapist.</p><p>Luckily, most of my traumas are the "small t" variety.... at most "medium t" on some scales. </p><p>And thanks to brain training, <a href="https://linktr.ee/thenicotinetest" target="_blank">nicotine patches</a>, fasting, various meds and supplements. a clean diet, cold exposure, etc. I am doing very well and I have lots of tools in my toolbelt to keep getting better. </p><p>Remember, we are stronger together!</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Take care of yourself, and if you can, someone else too! --Stephen Dubner</i> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-91069313298914293182023-07-26T15:00:00.004+02:002023-08-12T18:11:10.388+02:00A POTS/OI at-home, easy, free, safe rehab program hypothesis:<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A POTS/OI at-home, easy, free, safe rehab program hypothesis:</span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1eTg0h9ZIC26zjMWASeV-XLqM1q7ta9W6MMr8FQ4qeSXDG-9qzvflizMwuAtsxb0CVZ9iiPD0GQOjjLZ3SRAuZrI09BQdC57-D1PFWPPGAGsj5UfQSIqt_4QzKDRctVLhNhuEseEy2Gqfp4x0SPfm-cxzeKJJ-cCe3mt6TqR-sIQSjeTa51y/s768/POTS-BrainRewiring3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1eTg0h9ZIC26zjMWASeV-XLqM1q7ta9W6MMr8FQ4qeSXDG-9qzvflizMwuAtsxb0CVZ9iiPD0GQOjjLZ3SRAuZrI09BQdC57-D1PFWPPGAGsj5UfQSIqt_4QzKDRctVLhNhuEseEy2Gqfp4x0SPfm-cxzeKJJ-cCe3mt6TqR-sIQSjeTa51y/w400-h400/POTS-BrainRewiring3.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Made with Stable Diffusion by D. Troy Roach, 26th July 2023</span></i></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Ground Rules:</b><br />1. Understand that this is just <b>a theory</b>. Your input will be valuable in improving the technique and refining it for future users.</p><p>2. Take care of yourself first. Do not push yourself or risk injury in any way. Actually, if there is danger or pain... then stop! Each step should be done <b>from a place of calm & safety!</b></p><p>3. Each exercise/movement should be done with <b>a calm/steady Heart Rate (HR) and Blood Pressure(BP)</b>. If your HR or BP spikes... then you are pushing too hard. No problem, take a break, take a step back and continue.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Step 1:</span></b></h2><p>Read through and understand each part. Since you are doing this without 1-to-1 guidance, it is important to clearly understand the theories.<br /><br />In summary, POTS/OI (Orthostatic Intolerance) is caused by dysautonomia. The nervous system is not communicating correctly with the cardiovascular system. This system used to know how to function correctly with zero effort on your part, but due to neurological damage, the brain needs to be retrained to rewire this autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS works without consciously thinking about how it should work. Therefore, thinking too much might get in the way of healing! The ANS needs to recalibrate. This can be done with some simple head and eye movements at different angles while monitoring your HR to make sure the ANS is calm and ready to learn.</p><p><br /></p><h2><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Step 2:</span></b></h2><p><b>Guaranteed blood flow/volume to the brain:</b><br /><br />The brain needs blood to function and to heal.</p><p><br />You can start by learning the simple technique of <u><b>lightly</b></u> pressing on your jugular veins in the neck with your thumb and middle finger. Doing this for 5 to 10 seconds should be enough to feel a change in pressure in your head. Then you release and you should feel less OI when you start your ANS retraining.</p><p>The increase in blood pressure in the head should help avoid tachycardia or a drop in BP when you stand up.</p><p>To understand why this works: Have a look at the FAQ page of the Q30 device to learn how the device works and the research behind the device. </p><p><b>The Q30 device</b> is a collar that presses lightly on the jugular veins to maintain blood levels in the brain as a way to reduce or avoid concussions/TBIs in contact sports. </p><p>https://q30.com/pages/faq</p><p><i><b>Do not buy the device! </b></i>This is just to understand the theory and the safety of doing this light pressure technique.</p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Tips:</span></i></b><br />1. The pressure is applied on the SCM muscles of the neck, The pressure stops or reduces the blood leaving the brain through the veins. The blood pressure in the veins is very light so you probably will not even feel that change in your neck. The change will be noticed by a small increase in pressure in the head. Blood continues to come in, but less blood is getting out... the total amount of blood/pressure in the brain is higher.</p><p>2. You are <b>not touching or restricting the flow of the jugular arteries</b>. You can feel those by touching the front of the neck on each side of the throat. These have a clear pulse.</p><p>3. Doing this before sitting or standing up should reduce symptoms in day-to-day activities, but it also should speed up the ANS rewiring.</p><p><br /></p><h2><span style="color: #0b5394;">Step 3:<br />The At-home Rehab</span><br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">T<span style="font-size: small;">his is where you rehab the nervous system so it can get back to doing its job.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">NOTE:<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">We suggest that you use the POLAR H10 Heart Rate (HR) strap to monitor your HR, This will give you a much more accurate measure of your HR since devices like smartwatches often miss sharp spikes in HR and fingertip HR monitors can be easily affected by temperature and changes of position.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />First: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Starting from a prone position (lying down), breath calmly, make sure your HR is normal/steady and focus on the breathing (5 or 6 seconds in, 5 or 6 seconds out). Don't be too strict with yourself and the breathing... and eventually you will feel quite calm.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: small;">Second:<span style="font-weight: normal;"> Apply light pressure to the jugular veins with the thumb and the middle finger for a few seconds to make sure the head has plenty of blood/oxygen.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Third:<span style="font-weight: normal;"> Do the head and or eye-movement exercises as slowly, smoothly and as calmly as you can for a few minutes.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fourth: <span style="font-weight: normal;">This is where having another person to help is a good idea. Use your smartphone to monitor the App while you are doing the exercises to make sure there are no sudden spikes in the HR which would mean that you are going too fast. As long as there are not POTS spikes in HR... hurray! You are doing it right and the brain is recalibrating with the information that it is getting from the movement of the head and the eyes (the only part of the brain we can see and touch!).</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fifth:<span style="font-weight: normal;"> You then slowly progress over a few weeks to a 30ª inclination, 45º, 65º, sitting and then standing and finally walking.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></p></h2><h2><span style="color: #0b5394;">Understanding the Simplicity of the Movements</span></h2><h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Dr specialized in this kind of rehab explaining in detail some of the tests he performs and the different eye and movement exercises he does to help people rehab.<br /><br />This Doctor who specializes in neurological rehab explains his techniques and theories. Watching these videos can help you understand some of the science behind why these simple exercises are so powerful. However, you don't really need to understand why since the ANS will be doing all the work. You are just giving the ANS the tools it needs to do it safely.</span></span></p></h2><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">2-year POTS gone after 1 month of treatment</span></b><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/wYX18xfU1Io" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/wYX18xfU1Io</a></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>8-year POTS case recovers enough to stop using the wheelchair after a month of rehab:<br /></b></span><a href="https://youtu.be/GVvBmcsk9Sw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/GVvBmcsk9Sw</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">FND Case and POTS:</span></b><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/CmvIxP3-gVk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/CmvIxP3-gVk</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">A similar Symptom-based-rehab System... <br /><i>but it sounds like they don't do anything between 0 and 90 degrees.</i></span></b><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX6Di21Z-4M">How Does Autonomic Conditioning Work? | With Dr Jenna Tosto-Mancuso - YouTube</a><br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Step 4: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Disbelief</span></span></h3><p>This seems too easy! I am dealing with a crippling disease with many complex symptoms! Maybe this is junk science! The exercises are easy and you might be able to do this from home for free. <b>The challenge will be consistency!</b> Doing the ANS rewiring daily for weeks requires commitment. This is not like a mental exercise that you can speed through. The ANS only understands repetition and it has to be done from a calm, safe place. Even if you only do a few minutes, plan a time and <b>be consistent to improve your chances of success</b>. And if you miss a day or two, don't beat yourself up. Just continue when you can!</p><p>These rehab ideas are not new! They have been used for minor traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) for a long time. However, for whatever reason, POTS has not been considered a physical brain injury -- even though it clearly is. And neuroplasticity has been seen as something that did not exist in adults, however, that has been disproven as well. The tools are there... it is just about applying the right tools at the right time and getting out of the way so the brain can adapt and heal.</p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Listen to a few minutes of this Huberman podcast explaining how simple Eye Movement Exercises are done to diagnose and treat concussions.</span></b></p><p><b>Practice the "Pencil Pushups" and the "smooth following movement" exercises to help retrain the brain through the eyes:<br /></b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ltcLEM-5HU&t=2484s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ltcLEM-5HU&t=2484s</a></p><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--highlight-text-decorator" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 8px; border: 0px; color: #0b5394; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">These are the links to the exercises mentioned by the Researchers in the podcast:</span></span></span></h4><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #131313; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--highlight-text-decorator" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 8px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Pencil Pushups” Near-Far Exercise:</span><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObtW353d5i0&t=4130s" rel="nofollow" style="align-items: center; display: inline-flex; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);"> </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--inline-flex-mod" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-flex; height: 1.4em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="yt-core-attributed-string__image-element yt-core-attributed-string__image-element--image-alignment-vertical-center yt-core-image yt-core-image--content-mode-scale-to-fill yt-core-image--loaded" src="https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png" style="align-self: center; background: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 10px; margin: 0px; min-height: 1px; min-width: 1px; object-fit: fill; padding: 0px; visibility: inherit; width: 14px;" /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);"> • The Science of Vi... </span></a></span></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #131313; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #131313; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--highlight-text-decorator" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 8px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Smooth Pursuit Eye Exercises: </span><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/VisualExercises/videos" rel="nofollow" style="align-items: center; display: inline-flex; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--inline-flex-mod" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: inline-flex; height: 1.4em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" class="yt-core-attributed-string__image-element yt-core-attributed-string__image-element--image-alignment-vertical-center yt-core-image yt-core-image--content-mode-scale-to-fill yt-core-image--loaded" src="https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png" style="align-self: center; background: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 10px; margin: 0px; min-height: 1px; min-width: 1px; object-fit: fill; padding: 0px; visibility: inherit; width: 14px;" /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);"> / visualexercises </span></a></span></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #131313; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; color: #131313; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For more information see: The Stanford Vision Performance Center:</span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #131313; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazVzS3RXZlhJLVhrdWtmUGdiRk4wTmR6cG8yd3xBQ3Jtc0tuVGtvamM4TXlodmluT1BZYTBhZzRpVm1aRkhieFhiUWdPbUwyN0diTU9DR003elQ2b0pXa3I2UG5ySU9FemlNQWd4SmhtTm42Q2ZoMXFiRFFmNW1QTWFtNzZHZEJYOC1lMF80QlZ5cjFVLS1RV2JXNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmed.stanford.edu%2Fvpc.html&v=_ltcLEM-5HU" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://med.stanford.edu/vpc.html</a></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #131313; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Bonus things you can do to help improve Healing:</span></h3><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">1. A tip from Dr Nathan Keiser on taking advantage of </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sun/Red-light Radiation exposure... and contrast therapy to help to heal:</span></b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpYimJr74PA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpYimJr74PA</a><br /><br /></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">2. Mindfulness, breathing and shifting the focus to HRV instead of HR or BP!</span></b></p><p><b>Idea #1: Physiological Sigh </b>to "Force control" over breathing, heart rhythm</p><p><b>Want to know how to calm the ANS in a few seconds? Do this 3 times...<br /><i>Physiological Sigh = 2 breaths in with the nose and one slow breath out (mouth or nose)</i><br /></b><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msGKrclcsbc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msGKrclcsbc</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Idea #2: HRV breathing practice.</b> Find a comfortable spot where you are breathing in and out for 5 or 6 seconds. Twice a day for 10 minutes will show great improvement in HRV in only a few weeks.</p><p><br /><i>Surprisingly, thinking about positive thoughts like <b>gratitude </b>can greatly improve this exercise. Maybe because that keeps the mind from defaulting to the "negative mindless thoughts" it often does when not focused on a set task.<br /><br /></i></p><p><i>This exercise is twice as powerful when combined with <b>biofeedback</b>. There are different devices that will measure your HRV in real-time. You can see how your breathing and thoughts affect the HRV score while you are doing the exercises. Watching the HRV curves become smoother while the HRV increases will improve the outcome. I use the Polar H10 chest strap, paired with the free Elite HRV app to do these exercises. This device is the most accurate in the market. It works much better than a smartwatch and it even beats the electrodes used by the doctors in hospital in accuracy for some measurements!</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b>Idea #3: </b>These short HRV breathing exercises are free and can be done from anywhere, at any time.</p><h1 class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; display: -webkit-box; font-family: "YouTube Sans", Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 5.6rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: break-word;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><span style="font-size: small;">Breathing Exercise to Feel Pure Gratitude,</span><span style="font-size: 2rem;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Heart Coherence Resonant Breathwork: TAKE A DEEP BREATH</span></yt-formatted-string></h1><p><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJHpZBuc3e4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJHpZBuc3e4</a></i></p><p><i><b>A 10-minute video of guided HRV breathing.</b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRWtytSjKZs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRWtytSjKZs</a></i></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">3. Supplements/Diet? </span></b></p><p><br />Make sure you are giving the brain the resources it needs to heal. There are diets like the Mediterranean diet and supplements like Omega 3 which are great for heart and brain health. The gut is the bottom half of the brain. The brain will have issues if the gut has issues. I will not go into detail here because there is already a lot of information online and each person needs to find what works for them since it is very individual.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">4. Medications?</span></b></p><p>There are no (additional) medications needed for this treatment. Follow your doctor's indications for treatments. Some drugs like SSRIs and nicotine patches help improve neuroplasticity. This might help the brain rewire faster. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">5. The Nicotine Patch. Can I do both at the same time?</span></b></p><p>This is not clear yet. Nicotine actually affects the cholinergic system in a way that is similar to some POTS medications. There might be interactions. You will have to speak with your doctor.<br />However, nicotine patches have shown the ability to increase neuroplasticity (which MIGHT help the ANS rewire faster) and nicotine patches affect blood flow to different areas of the body in different ways. In some areas, it is a vasodilator (like in the brain and the main arteries) and a vasoconstrictor in peripheral tissue like the skin. It might be beneficial for some people and detrimental for others. This is a topic for future research to see if those with POTS that use the Nicotine Patch improve faster or slower than those that stick to the basics of this rehab method and let the body heal at its own pace.</p><p><br /></p><p>As always... Be safe, Take care of yourself and email me with any questions, doubts or suggestions!<br />Contact email: TheNictotineTest@gmail.com </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-81601665500582254672023-06-23T14:12:00.003+02:002023-06-23T14:12:20.106+02:00The Good and Bad Effects of Nicotine on the Brain and Body, from Neuroscience-Broscientist Andrew Huberman Ph.D. (Video/Podcast)<h1 style="text-align: left;">The Good and Bad Effects of Nicotine on the Brain and Body, from "Neuroscience-Broscientist" Andrew Huberman Ph.D. (Video/Podcast)</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPdauC--8KGrA0L40APdnsmBNastJ80nb-vIQZxP_Mgk6-Sii_D84Qfdxo2-0evegAwSpuHTfx6Nl0i7o2aH9lhr2alQBIhYDhqu-zZO4JG4BX_JBjldWw6NHTDoXfpFwRZBeigNw7Fk4kPrqHLfRyE88ssTrIqDMSiJAN5JB6owoS5KMCw/s768/BF--Blue-Yellow-StablyAI.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPdauC--8KGrA0L40APdnsmBNastJ80nb-vIQZxP_Mgk6-Sii_D84Qfdxo2-0evegAwSpuHTfx6Nl0i7o2aH9lhr2alQBIhYDhqu-zZO4JG4BX_JBjldWw6NHTDoXfpFwRZBeigNw7Fk4kPrqHLfRyE88ssTrIqDMSiJAN5JB6owoS5KMCw/w400-h400/BF--Blue-Yellow-StablyAI.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>This is my summary of the <a href="https://youtu.be/uXs-zPc63kM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2hr long podcast/video</a> Dr. Huberman did on nicotine. This summary is mostly for people wanting to use nicotine patches for medicinal reasons (short-term use). However, the summary might be helpful for anyone interested in this topic who just wants the highlights. And, this is not medical advice....Only a summary to help speed up research before speaking with your personal doctor.<br /><br />Show notes with time stamps and links is pasted at the bottom for your convenience.</p><p><i>The "How to quit Smoking or Vaping section" has few details since addiction is not an issue with this kind of treatment.</i></p><p><br /></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Smoking and Vaping are bad. Nicotine on its own can be "good."<br /><br /></b></li><li>Nicotine, mixed with other substances included in <b>vaping</b>, makes it very addictive for the brain.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Mental Focus</b> is like <b>an arrow</b>: The direction of focus comes from the "<b>Head of the arrow</b>" (<b>Acetylcholine)</b>, and the "<b>shaft of the arrow"</b> which is <b>adrenaline/epinephrin</b> gives power to the focus. <br />Nicotine boosts <b>Acetylcholine and E</b><b>pinephrin <u>simultaneously</u>.<br /><br /></b></li><li><b>Taking any drug should be secondary to changes in behavior (13-minute daily meditation) </b>and he mentions the option of taking the supplement Alpha GPC sometimes (not daily) to increase acetylcholine to improve focus. <i>Paid advert for Alpha GPC??</i><br /><br /></li><li><b>Nicotine increases focus, motivation, working memory, and cognitive capacity.<br /><br /></b></li><li><b>When nicotinic receptors are activated, they can play an important role in helping "rewire" the brain. <i>Maybe this is the reason that the nicotine patch is so effective with neurological damage (mTBI)?</i><br /><br /></b></li><li>Nicotinic receptors are<b> a natural part of human anatomy, </b>it has nothing to do with nicotine consumption. These receptors existed long before people started consuming nicotine.<br /><br /></li><li><b>(Minute 18</b>:) Anecdote: Nobel Price Neuroscientist chewed nicotine gum constantly due to the <b>neuroprotective benefits</b>.<br /><br /></li><li><b><span style="color: red;">Children, pregnant women, people with addictive tendencies, and people suffering from depression should avoid nicotine use. Nicotine is a powerful mood modulator. Withdrawal can lead to a big drop in mood.</span></b><br /><br /></li><li><b>(Minute 20</b>:) Nicotine is present in nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, etc), in trace amounts. It is there as a natural pesticide since it is deadly for bugs. <b>However, the same danger does not exist for humans... We have a different anatomy!<br /><br /></b></li><li>Once in the bloodstream, the nicotine goes to the brain and body and <b>connects to the Nicotonic Acetylcholine receptors</b>. <i>Note: The other Acetylcholine receptors are called the muscarinic receptors.</i><br /><br /></li><li>When Nicotine binds to<b> different receptors = different things happen</b> in the body.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Brain (CNS)</span></b>, it binds to the <b>alpha 4 beta 2 receptor</b>. This <b>increases metabolism and reduces appetite</b>.<br /><br />Nicotine crosses the BBB (<b>Blood Brain Barrier</b>) and affects these circuits:<br />* <b>Mesolimbic (dopamine) reward (MLR) pathway</b>. It causes the release of dopamine which increases alertness, focus, and motivation.<br /><br />* More chemicals are released which <b>further increases dopamine</b> (part of the reason for addiction to cigarettes and vaping).<br /><br />* Dopamine increase is <b>coupled with a GABA decrease</b>... So there is less GABA to counteract the dopamine.<br /><br />* It also <b>increases the neuromodulator Acetylcholine</b>. This becomes a neurochemical <b>attention spotlight</b> (focus) on the circuits being used for whatever task we are doing at the moment. The same circuits are being used, but focus/clarity is magnified.<br /><br />* Nicotine takes 2 to 15 minutes to get into the body. Then it has an effect for 20 to 40 minutes. Within an hour or two after absorption, it is gone..<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">.<i>The exact pathway and how a large concentration ends up in the intestines will be another blog post.<br /></i></span><span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">* </span><b style="background-color: white;">Norepinephrine </b><span style="background-color: white;">is released from the </span><b style="background-color: white;"><span face="DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6, "Proxima Nova", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Segoe UI", "Nimbus Sans L", "Liberation Sans", "Open Sans", FreeSans, Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; color: #494949; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">locus</span><span face="DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6, "Proxima Nova", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Segoe UI", "Nimbus Sans L", "Liberation Sans", "Open Sans", FreeSans, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #494949;"> </span><span face="DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6, "Proxima Nova", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Segoe UI", "Nimbus Sans L", "Liberation Sans", "Open Sans", FreeSans, Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; color: #494949; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">coeruleus</span>.</b><span style="background-color: white;">.. which </span><b style="background-color: white;">connects to all parts of the brain</b><span style="background-color: white;">. Nicotine and Acetylcholine molecules have had a huge effect on human evolution.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">* </span><b style="background-color: white;">POMC neurons of the Hypothalamus</b><span style="background-color: white;"> have a profound effect on </span><b style="background-color: white;">Appetite reduction</b><span style="background-color: white;">. It even reduces the physical </span><b style="background-color: white;">desire to chew</b><span style="background-color: white;">! It also </span><b style="background-color: white;">affects blood sugar and metabolism (2 to 5% change).<br /></b><span><b style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Body</span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">:</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Nicotine gets to all parts of the body since it is </span><b style="background-color: white;">fat-soluble</b><span style="background-color: white;">. It can get into cells through the external lipid barrier (it can go everywhere). It </span><b style="background-color: white;">increases the sympathetic autonomic system (alertness, readiness)... HR, BP, and some vasoconstriction</b><span style="background-color: white;"> (decrease in penile girth effect). </span><i style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">A future blog post will investigate how nicotine might affect body temperature regulation ...</i></span><i style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><span>Maybe this reduces the ability to adapt to heat...and sweat??</span><span> <br /><br /></span></i></span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>(Minute-50:)</b> Smoking and vaping over time (chronic use) damages endothelial tissue. <b>But the use of the Nicotine patch over short periods of time does not affect the CV endothelial layer, but it can affect things like penile girth and blood flow to other tissues due to vasoconstriction.<br /></b><br />*Skeletal muscles are activated by acetylcholine from the Spinal cord, but with nicotine <b>skeletal muscles are relaxed</b>! A perfect mix for mental tasks.<br /><br />*<b>Nicotine is a bad idea to improve physical performance!<br /></b><br />*Dipping/Snuff = a 50x increase in oral cancers.<br /><br />*<b>Nicotine Patch can be beneficial if used in low doses, at irregular intervals and you are not still developing your brain.</b><br /><br />*<b><span style="color: red;">Bad idea for 25 years old or under</span></b>, a <span style="color: red;"><b>terrible idea for 15 or under</b></span>! It can create an addiction to nicotine itself.<br /><br />*Cigarettes contain 4,000 to 7,000 toxins. And many (70?) potent carcinogens. <b>Both Smoking and vaping cause endothelial and interstitial dysfunction.<br /><br />*</b>70% want to quit, but they can't because <b>the neurological pathway is so powerful</b>. <br /><br />*<b>Withdrawl </b>is from craving for dopamine that <b>drops <u><span style="color: red;">below</span></u> baseline</b>.<br /><br />*<b>Nicotine does not cause cancer or other health issues. The other issues come from the other elements in cigarettes.<br /></b><br />*Vaping is similar to "crack cocaine" since it delivers nicotine in a <b>very quick </b>way.<br /><br />*In <b>vaping</b>, Nicotine delivery is faster. So dopamine release is faster...so <b>the MLR pathway is reinforced more than with other forms</b>.<br /><br />*Vaping in young people is rewiring the brain to only get dopamine from vaping...fewer and fewer outside pleasures. <b>That then is associated with depression and reduced satisfaction from other life pursuits.</b><br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Quitting Smoking</b>: The success rate of quitting is <b>5%</b>. Then 65% of those relapse within 12 months!<br /><br />*<b>Clinical Hypnosis</b>: </span>Articles
Predictors of smoking abstinence following a single-session restructuring intervention with <b>self-hypnosis. 23% success rate</b> See Reveri App below:<br /><br />*<b>Hypnosis might work by helping remap the default neural networks. <br /><br />*It is best to reinforce this once a week to "tighten the bolts" on the new neuro pathway?<br /></b><span><i><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">*Maybe this is why the once-weekly Nicotine Patch after the initial week might help recovery from LC?</span></i></span><br /><br />*<b>Dopamine Replacement</b> Therapy through medicines = <b>23% success rate</b>.<br /><br />*There is little data on Vaping.<br /><br />*The best approach to quit smokng is a combination of NRT (patches, gum, lozenges, etc) Different rates of absorption. <b>Patches are the slowest, steadiest release of dopamine.</b> This change keeps the body guessing since the "drug" comes from different pathways at different rates.<br /><br /><b>*At night, nicotine wares off (max = 4 hrs) so smokers wake up craving nicotine. <br />Note: Smokers go through withdrawal between each cigarette. </b>The NP does not cause addiction in most people because there is no "high" from a continuous, short-term dose.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for reading! Leave me comments on Twitter or by email <a href="TheNicotineTest@gmailcom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TheNicotineTest@gmailcom</a><br /><br /><br /><i>Take care of yourself, and if you can take care of someone else too! -- Stephen Dubner<br /></i><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><br /><br /><b>Link to the original Huberman video:</b><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/uXs-zPc63kM">https://youtu.be/uXs-zPc63kM</a><br /><br /></li><span><!--more--></span></ol><br /><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); color: #065fd4;">
</span></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b style="background-color: white;">Video Show notes Copied and pasted here for convenience:</b></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);">
</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f0f0f; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Predictors of smoking abstinence following a single-session restructuring intervention with self-hypnosis: </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjRja0lkSUF3V0k0SUppQkR4dllYcU5QbmlDZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttdWd1d2ZYbVFoU2s2SDZTN2FFa0RsZVJCaG92T3ZLRjZlLWttTEJieXRqVElLajVkN2x0TFNyTjZlY2UyN1Bkd2VaT25Ed1ZjUGNOTTc5ODJsNFFDeE05cXVHenA0bHlmMlZPSm5wS2p1cEVVOXNUUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3LoU0gA&v=uXs-zPc63kM" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/3LoU0gA</a></span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0f0f0f; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0f0f0f; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Effect of hypnotic suggestion on cognition and craving in smokers: </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazMzeXpaVVJGRV9LQTl4UktJcmVJQVptXzRFZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttS0ROaHEtSFRVWFJ6RmlyT19pZ2xBYlgxUVVJSHlYb1RoejZYWlNjUHVjZDl6UDJPM3NYb0kzWEZKQjl1VjlzX1Izek1TYUYxTC1oNVVDRHh0YV9nLVY3Tk5ydlNlUFQyY3pJc0JYUnE5Y3Rjb0xMUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3xtUwEn&v=uXs-zPc63kM" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/3xtUwEn</a></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0f0f0f; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pharmacological Approach to Smoking Cessation: An Updated Review for Daily Clinical Practice: </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmhvQ2FoSmxyZ1VpOE45c3pXOHJFY2FhaVhyUXxBQ3Jtc0ttLUk3NFVvRzlyLWFnay1xSXhqT0VYLWJHYkRJNTRBSjZlSVphRlB4QjExUGlBN09rUXhSc2diQmRxUEZ0ejJBNHlQVks5QU5YV2lFTl9oMl9aaDl5M0MtWEVSMU8xeElEWTF2THVMMVBfTUhYMThWRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3eTkfiV&v=uXs-zPc63kM" rel="nofollow" style="color: #065fd4; display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/3eTkfiV</a></span></span><br /><span style="color: #065fd4;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Resources</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #065fd4;">
</span></span></span></div><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Resources</b><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #065fd4;">
</span></span></span></div><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Resources</b><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Reveri: </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXkwVUp2MFpMcU94Q2pJa0M3N2RtTm05QklqQXxBQ3Jtc0ttUWN2bEE1U2pkUUNiS3RGRUlQam5kM3V0NVRXd1Y1MnNydmpLcks0c3d5ZUpySmNMTnE5RlF1OGgyVzNaQkl3VXFXdHp2STJLTVJEMmZibVNWRVZSSmtreDdFbHRGUzA5R2NHTk16THlvejI4NEhUdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reveri.com%2F&v=uXs-zPc63kM" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.reveri.com</a></span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0f0f0f;">
</span></span></span></div><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Timestamps</b><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=0s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:00:00</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Nicotine </span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=0s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=167s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:02:47</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Momentous Supplements
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=221s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:03:41</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Tool: Brief Daily Meditation & Focus </span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=221s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=359s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:05:59</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> The Arrow Model of Focus, Alpha GPC & Garlic Supplements
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=643s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:10:43</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Thesis, InsideTracker, ROKA </span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=643s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=875s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:14:35</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Nicotine Effects vs. Methods of Delivery, Acetylcholine
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=1195s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:19:55</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Where is Nicotine Found? Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors</span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=1195s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=1512s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:25:12</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Nicotine & Effects on the Brain: Appetite, Dopamine & GABA
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=1858s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:30:58</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> AG1 (Athletic Greens)</span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=1858s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=1931s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:32:11</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Nicotine, Acetylcholine & Attentional “Spotlighting”
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=2249s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:37:29</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Nicotine, Norepinephrine & Alertness/Energy </span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=2249s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=2470s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:41:10</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Nicotine & Effects on Appetite & Metabolism
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=2807s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:46:47</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Nicotine & Effects on Body: Sympathetic Tone</span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=2807s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=3089s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:51:29</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Nicotine & Cognitive Work vs. Physical Performance
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=3308s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:55:08</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Nicotine Delivery Methods & Side Effects, Young People & Dependency </span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=3308s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=3515s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">00:58:35</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Smoking, Vaping, Dipping & Snuffing: Carcinogens & Endothelial Cells
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=3754s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">01:02:34</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Smoking, Vaping, Dipping & Snuffing: Negative Impacts on Lifespan & Health</span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=3754s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=4163s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">01:09:23</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> How to Quit Smoking, Nicotine Cravings & Withdrawal
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=4436s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">01:13:56</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Vaping & Nicotine, Rates of Effect Onset, Dopamine, Addiction & Depression </span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=4436s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=5106s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">01:25:06</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Tool: Quitting Smoking & Clinical Hypnosis, Reveri
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=5416s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">01:30:16</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Bupropion (Wellbutrin) & Quitting Smoking </span><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=5416s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=5784s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">01:36:24</a></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f;"> Tool: A Nicotine Replacement Schedule to Quit Smoking, Nicotine Patch/Gum
</span></span></span></div><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=6112s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">01:41:52</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #065fd4; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Tool: Biological Homeostasis & Nicotine Withdrawal, The “First Week” Strategy</span><br /></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #065fd4; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXs-zPc63kM&t=6112s" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""><br /></a></span></span></span></blockquote></blockquote><div><span style="background-color: white;"></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"></span><p></p><p><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-17396355615562101342023-03-20T14:54:00.004+01:002023-03-21T12:46:30.353+01:00My n=1 RemissionBiome/Fasting experiment<h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjKA_mMHR0_nYEuqY0dugRXe4f4btCtYP4GVUOSebAju3-fz7zkE227biIZ0mbOJOpmOTb8XGOXc7tGbsCFpfN03Rfb-LADAg42taZ3isZ0C3nunS1rppPXm3HYyn0pYMQmeGyNIC5J_T2sHKnDR9XV-FwiV58QTXpeXXQKF8uapSBoQPlQ/s1024/iamtroyTm_A_beautiful_image_of_Bacteria_Pepsin_Baking_soda_and__11d72276-f0d1-4175-a316-aaf58d30ef0d.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjKA_mMHR0_nYEuqY0dugRXe4f4btCtYP4GVUOSebAju3-fz7zkE227biIZ0mbOJOpmOTb8XGOXc7tGbsCFpfN03Rfb-LADAg42taZ3isZ0C3nunS1rppPXm3HYyn0pYMQmeGyNIC5J_T2sHKnDR9XV-FwiV58QTXpeXXQKF8uapSBoQPlQ/w640-h640/iamtroyTm_A_beautiful_image_of_Bacteria_Pepsin_Baking_soda_and__11d72276-f0d1-4175-a316-aaf58d30ef0d.png" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Created with Midjourney by D. Troy Roach (20 March 2023).</i></span></div><br /><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">My n=1 RemissionBiome/Fasting experiment! </span></h1><p>In honor of the wonderful researchers doing a very exciting, live, @RemissionBiome experiment (n=2), I wanted to add my n=1 case study to add to their supporting case studies.</p><p>My experiment is different in that it was only about 40% premeditated. A bout with ascending diverticulitis was the unplanned starting gun. The long fast also makes it different. I will try to keep it short and to the point, but I will probably ramble at the end with all my theories ;-).</p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">History Pre-Covid:</span></b></h3><p>46-year-old, male, weekend warrior athlete, experimenting with things like IF and Wim-Hof to improve health, and healthspan. </p><p>Main sports: Hiking, Trekking, Trail running, some small ultra runs (just trying to finish, not compete), and working towards a long ultra (60 to 100k) and maybe doing a few "tourist" 6000m or 7000m peaks.</p><p><b>Covid:</b></p><p>2 infections for sure, a 3rd pretty sure (Elisa blood test), and a 4th not sure (Elisa blood test) after my RemissionBiome experiment.<br /><br /><b>Long-Covid:</b> </p><p>Started with the first infection in March 2020. Built back up to 80% by Oct 2020, but I did not know about PEM and crashed. The second infection April 2021 (4 days in the hospital) and then a crash in December 2021 (Omicron reinfection?). I believe that my Diverticulitis started because of my second infection, but I do not have proof.</p><p>3rd infection June 2022: Only neck pain, swollen nodes, and fatigue. The only proof is the Elisa test. This coincided with me starting truly pacing and my research into the science behind brain training.</p><p>Now (March 2023): About 70%, working, pacing, strength training, brain training, and optimistic about recovery!</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">My Remission Biome Experiment:</span></b></h3><p><b>The leadup:</b></p><p>I was in the middle of a 6-month long break. I had gone from 35% in June to 50% in October. My bought with Diverticulitis came 10 days after returning from five weeks in the US with family and some short travel. I found it hard to follow a clean Mediterranean diet during my time in the US.</p><p>My plans for recovery experiments (pre-infection) included a plan for a long fast. I decided on roughly following the methods outlined by the <a href="https://www.buchinger-wilhelmi.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buchinger Wilhelmi clinics</a> (BWC).</p><p><b>Starting gun:</b></p><p><b>October 2022: </b>Acute abdominal pain in the lower right abdomen. I spent 24 hours fasting and only drinking electrolytes. Suspect appendicitis, but a 10-hour wait in the ER and various tests (CT scan with contrast) show <b>Acute Ascending Diverticulitis with inflammation in the appendix due to proximity</b>.</p><p><b>Treatment:</b><br />2 strong antibiotics for the infection (<i>Ciprofloxanio 750mg c12h, & Metronidazol 500mg c/12h for 7 days</i>) and a low-fiber, bland diet to let the gut rest, then probiotics.</p><p><b>Fast protocol:</b></p><p>I had already started fasting before getting a diagnosis (to not make things worse) and I was feeling pretty good so I decided to take advantage of the situation and continue. The BWC protocol fit my treatment well. I had 200 to 300 calories a day of broth, mashed potatoes, and vegetable puree. My treat was honey... I slowly added in a few "Maria" cookies.</p><p>Movement was a big part! <b>I stayed active</b>, went for walks while avoiding high HR, and enjoyed being out sunbathing and meditating. </p><p>Despite not eating much and taking 2 strong antibiotics, I felt fantastic. I got a huge bump in energy and I was not hungry and I did not notice any side effects from the antibiotics.</p><p>I very quickly felt like I was at 60 to 65% (instead of only 50%).</p><p>My diverticulitis gut pains were gone 5 and a half days after starting the antibiotic.</p><p>I lost about 5kgs (mostly fat since I was active).</p><p>My fast (250 calories a day) lasted about 9 days.</p><p>I then built up to about 800 calories a day. My body did not want more for about two weeks. I later learned that this is a kind of "fasting mimicking" diet.</p><p><b>Recovery From the acute infection:</b></p><p>Added fiber slowly and slowly building up to about 1800 to 2000 calories.</p><p>I have continued to improve. Brain training, diet, movement, etc are all factors.</p><p>I did not put the weight back on (good). And I have been slowly adding in weight/strength training while staying within my pacing limits.</p><p>I have maintained the gains despite going back to work in January and I have even lost 2kgs more without trying (probably just the increased activity and effects of the PPI?).</p><p><b>Blood tests:</b></p><p>Day 1 tests showed typically elevated levels of the inflammation caused by the Diverticulitis infection.</p><p>About 20 days after starting the n=1 experiment I felt a bit weak and the lymph nodes in my neck were inflamed. The Elisa blood test showed <b>positive IgA antibodies</b> for the nucleus of SARSCoV2. However, I did not have any symptoms other than inflamed lymph nodes in the neck.</p><p>Based on how I felt. The positive blood test was just my body clearing out the "waste" products from the remnants in the gut or fat cells.</p><p><b>Next steps:</b></p><p>Continue brain training, and strength training, and hopefully increase muscle mass while getting rid of the last couple KGs of visceral fat...all while pacing!</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">Theories/Confounding factors:</span></b></p><p>1. See my post on my <b>PH theory</b>. This is where I try to explain <b><a href="https://unitedstatesian.blogspot.com/2023/02/ph-level-and-microbiome-balance-changes.html" target="_blank">why both antibiotics and fasting</a></b> show benefits for Long-Covid and ME. This theory is still evolving...</p><p>2.<b> Muscle mass is a key "buffer" for health</b>. See the notes from the <a href="https://medium.com/@TroyRoach/in-defense-of-aspiration-81fb869693c1" target="_blank">Marc Girdot interview</a> at the bottom of this post. This then correlates well with the long-term health theories postulated by Dr. Attia. Dr. Attia has a podcast, does lots of podcast interviews, and has just published a book that I have not read. He is a doctor in the "longevity-bioscience" sphere. His main idea is to aim for an extended "Healthspan"... not necessarily an extended lifespan.</p><p>3. <b>Visceral fat</b> is a toxic playground for SARSCov2 and a better indicator of health outcomes than anything else. Waist to hips ratios serve as a rough measure, but a good measurement of visceral fat BMI and muscle mass can be a great indicator of long-term health outcomes (diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, etc...). Obesity and Diabetes are major risk factors for SarsCov2. However, I think visceral fat to muscle mass would be a better indicator. Just a theory of mine...</p><p>4. The digestive system, nervous system, cardiovascular and immune systems are so intertwined that the idea of treating them separately is antiquated! <b>In my opinion, dividing body systems into silos of specialty appears to be an advancement, but it is holding medicine back.</b> I believe that AI and wearable tech will help the field of medicine take a step back and start looking at the root pathology of diseases affecting patients and to start <b>shifting more towards "True Proactive Healthcare"</b> <b>and less "narrow acute sick-care."</b></p><p><b>5. Possible confounding factors? </b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Maybe the inflammation from the gut infection turned on or reset <b>the immune system</b> and it was a factor in my feeling better?</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Maybe the <b>red-light therapy (NIR)</b> that I started doing about 2 weeks prior was a factor? I continue to use NIR, but I stopped exposing my lower abdomen after the infection. Maybe the NIR caused a disbiosis or it affected the immune system in that area of the gut?</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">This was my <b>first time taking antibiotics in about 10 years</b> (pneumonia) and about 10 more years since the previous course of antibiotics. Maybe that affects how well they work? </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Like most people, I try many things to improve my health and heal. Especially if it is free or cheap. I will not bore you with the long list of supplements or other possible confounding factors, but many things could be at play.</b></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></blockquote><p>6. <b>My global theory.</b> Diseases like LC, ME, MS, Dementia, PD, etc are all triggered by brain and vascular damage caused by infections. There are 1000 other factors like environment, stress, microbiome, etc...but they all should be treated holistically with the mindset that they are all mTBIs.</p><p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i>Take my comments with a grain of salt. I am not a doctor or scientist. I teach technical English to nurses and PTs. I only have a Ph.D. in LongCovid from my 3-year-long n=1 experiment 😜. I am confident that I have the answers to my recovery, but I am still only at 70% and I do not know how long it will take to completely recover. I enjoy constructive feedback. Send me a <a href="https://twitter.com/Canal1point5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DM on Twitter</a>. <br />Note: As an act of self-compassion, I have limited time spell-checking and citing this post. Feel free to bring any error to my attention, but be kind 😘.</i></b></span></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Take care of yourself, and if you can, someone else too! --Stephen Dubner</i></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-59244293259853599352023-02-28T12:45:00.014+01:002023-08-30T13:05:56.683+02:00pH level and microbiome balance & changes in inflammation in Long-Covid/ME? <h2 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho51M2cBZmtLHCJhEH1xSzbx17HTdvMvehn3iq1CyaxEu2FE9FjQm_9CQZR3uGAo0crYk33dx5jGeuA80hyDGV1AP12621ve13LtBHjY6o7yuHevqhbpOKwBffUHJzOWLjK_uil3Mp3PBPw60fx04CvyMjyaEgeaAKgpZIMnNbOaD6vKDRLA/s1024/iamtroyTm_A_beautiful_image_of_Bacteria_Pepsin_Baking_soda_and__b2e48888-47d7-4acf-9b1a-02599736528f.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho51M2cBZmtLHCJhEH1xSzbx17HTdvMvehn3iq1CyaxEu2FE9FjQm_9CQZR3uGAo0crYk33dx5jGeuA80hyDGV1AP12621ve13LtBHjY6o7yuHevqhbpOKwBffUHJzOWLjK_uil3Mp3PBPw60fx04CvyMjyaEgeaAKgpZIMnNbOaD6vKDRLA/w640-h640/iamtroyTm_A_beautiful_image_of_Bacteria_Pepsin_Baking_soda_and__b2e48888-47d7-4acf-9b1a-02599736528f.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image generated with Midjourney by D. Troy Roach (28-02-2023)</span></i></div><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">pH level and microbiome balance & changes in inflammation in Long-Covid?<span> </span></span></h2><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Below is my theory which was originally published on May 28th, 2023. I think I might have found a major piece of the puzzle during day 4 of #TheNicotineTest. Is this the end of a long rabbit hole? I hope so!!! Details of the theory will be published in this <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R6nk4gyIuKBCjQbwV2tk7PI7ueE7JXVy2dPqoLckDhA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Google Doc</a>:</span></b><br /><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p>I am only at the <b>beginning of this rabbit hole</b>. I am still determining where it is going. All the things I am looking at might just be basic science that is boring for a microbiologist.</p><p>I might also be wrong on many levels! However, even if it is wrong, it might lead to a glimmer of insight somewhere in the search for answers? A piece of the puzzle?</p><p>Right now I just have a bunch of random points that seem connected but might not be...</p><p><b>Therefore, I will just list the points to see if anyone can help me make any connections:</b></p><p><br /></p><p>1. My confusion over the presence of <b>"Silent" Reflux (GERD)</b> among many people with Long-Covid led me to this webpage which talks about <b>LPR</b> (<a href="https://www.refluxgate.com/pepsin" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.refluxgate.com/pepsin</a>).</p><p>2. In LPR the "bad" guy is <b>pepsin</b>, not stomach acid per se.</p><p>3. PPIs are <b>not</b> an effective long-term solution for LPR.</p><p>4. Pepsin is calmed down at a p<b>H higher than 6.5</b>.</p><p>5. The easiest way is alkaline water with <b>Baking Soda (pH8)</b>.</p><p>6. However, it is good for <b>the stomach to be acidic (pH2)</b>... so it is not as easy as just adding Baking Soda to water.</p><p>7. <b>Gargaling Baking Soda</b> might help the mouth and upper respiratory (above the Larynx), but that will not help from the larynx down to the top of the stomach (esophagus).</p><p>8. Some Japanese ENT is using <b>Zinc scrubbing</b> to reduce inflammation in the nasal cavity and throat of ME and LC patients, but that does not help the esophagus either. Seems to have some benefit, but painful and requires lots of visits... and my Spanish ENT thought it was interesting, but "odd" since she sees easier benefits with meds.</p><p>9. Some indirect benefits of <b>fasting and IF</b> might be the <b>"rest time"</b> that the biggest system gets to relax and repair itself and adjust pH levels in the different regions.</p><p>10. <b>pH levels of the various regions of the Digestive System (DS) </b><b>sections</b><b> are very different. </b></p><p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10421978/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10421978/</a></p><p>11. <b>Both antibiotics and fasting seem to benefit people with ME and LC.</b> The wonderful researchers from the <a href="https://twitter.com/remissionbiome" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@remissionbiome</a> project are going to get lots of data that will help improve our understanding of the antibiotic side... while letting us watch them do the research in real-time!</p><p>12. My first doubt: <b>Are antibiotics beneficial to these diseases because they actively kill off "bad" microbes? Or might it have more to do with pH adjustment and regulation? </b><i>BTW, Antibiotics do more, but that is not the point of this rabbit-hole rant😉.</i></p><p>13.<b> </b>Might <b>Fasting, </b>especially long fasts, arrive at similar results as antibiotics without the downsides?</p><p>14. <b>My benefits (20% improvement) came from a 9-day fast while taking two antibiotics for Diverticulitis. What really helped me? The fast? The antibiotics? The fact that the digestive system could rest? The adjustment to the pH in my esophagus and intestines? A break from food that let the sphincter muscles of the Digestive System heal and work better at regulating pH? Maybe the reason is that a different pH helped the Vagus Nerve heal and to reduce the inflammatory/sympathetic signals from the brain?</b></p><p>15. Reading the experiments with Baking Soda lotions during the <a href="https://twitter.com/remissionbiome" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@remissionbiome</a> project and the possible benefits to vagal tone seemed to be connected to this stream of thought, but I don't know how! <b>A change in pH in any part of the Nervous System -- whether it be through the skin or through the intestines -- is beneficial for improving vagal tone.</b></p><p><b>16. Looking at which foods are alkaline (high pH) vs. acidic seems to correlate with most "healthy diet" recommendations for people with LC. <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/alkaline-acidic-food-ph-chart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Check out this list and graphic of food pH</a>. Maybe these foods help keep the intestines (and the throat) alkaline, thus favouring a good microbiome?</b></p><p><b>17. This article gives <a href="https://www.livestrong.com/article/459954-the-acid-base-balance-in-the-digestive-system/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">an overview of how the pH changes</a> through the digestive tract. </b>It is interesting that my body seems to crave some peanut butter after eating. PB has a pH of about 6.5 and coats the mouth and throat on the way down. The mouth and throat have a pH of 6.8. Could the craving have something to do with the body balancing pH?</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>18. This website has </b><a href="https://www.phfocused.com/ph-balance/" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">articles on why pH is so important</a><b>. </b><i>It seems to be a wellness trend that people take too far towards alkaline by making the stomach too alkaline.</i> It looks like they will be selling supplements, so we have to take what they say with a grain of salt! The key is to look for a natural balance. <b>The stomach needs to be acidic and the intestines more alkaline. AND, anxiety (dysautonomia caused by Long Covid) can affect this balance! It is a two-way street in the gut-brain axis.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>19. </b>(added 24-03) When thinking of the microbiome people mostly think of the intestines. However, <b>the mouth</b> and <b>bladder</b> also have their own microbiome.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Bladder:</b></span><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0f0f0f;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Urogynaecologist, <b>Professor Vik Khullar</b> @</span></span><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="color: #536471;">vikkhullar1</span> should be a superstar in the world of #LongCovid!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">In <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB5-3o0CUwU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this video</a>, he shows how great doctors work. Here is my TLDR of the main points.<br />1. He started to get an influx of patients with urinary issues.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">2. Biopsies of bladders showed increased T-Cells (inflammation).</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">3. Patients had other issues so he connected the issues with MCAS, POTS, etc.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">4. The inflammation is not caused by a persistent virus. It is an autoimmune problem </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">that sees benefits from the treatment with H1 and H2 antihistamines.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">5. Chronic inflammation damages the smooth epithelium layer of the bladder. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">6. This leaves a rough irregular surface, changing the environment of the microbiome drastically.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">7. This environment increases the likelihood of infections.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">8. This change in shown in a drastic change in types of bacteria. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">9. A rare bacteria that once was 3% of infections is now 60%. Proof of microbiome change.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">10. First, reduce inflammation (H1 or H2). Then work on killing off bad bacteria.</span></span></span></span></div><p></p><i style="background-color: white; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;">My takeaway. <b>The pH issue might also be a "rough texture" issue caused by inflammation.</b></i><br /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;">Maybe this "texture" issue is the cause of so many gut problems? My acute Diverticulitis? </i><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><i>LC is a complex issue that needs a holistic approach.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><span></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><b>The Mouth:</b><br />Consultant Radiologist (</span></span></span></span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;">Dr. Graham Lloyd-Jones </span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;">@DrGrahamLJ) is working on advancing the theory that the Mouth is a key player in Covid. Follow him on Twitter for details on how to take care of your oral microbiome!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; white-space: inherit;"><b>Update 31/03/2023</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;">I finished my 3-month long n=1 trial with </span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; white-space: inherit;"><b>PPI </b></span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;">(Pantoprazole) a few weeks ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;">I now feel as though the PPI or </span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; white-space: inherit;"><b>the rebound</b></span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;"> from the PPI has affected my thyroid. I have never had thyroid issues in the past. I now feel "</span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; white-space: inherit;"><b>Hypo</b></span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;">"...but I have never had Thyroid issues in the past. It is just a feeling. Hopefully, my thyroid levels will be fine and it is just my body reacting to the rebound.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span color="inherit" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: inherit;">There is some research on PPIs affecting the thyroid. <a href="https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/9-medications-toxic-thyroid/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This article</a> found the same research that I did.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Rebound </span><span style="background-color: white;">Symptoms from when I finished the PPI course for Silent Reflux.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">1. From Day 1 to 5 I felt better than normal and stopped needing to get up once a night to urinate. Odd, but good.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">2. Nightly bathroom breaks returned and increased acid levels caused GI discomfort and some indigestion (not common for me). Stomach acid change (the increase from the rebound) somehow is affecting my bladder muscles?, biome? In general, the issue with not-voiding completely seems to be better... thanks to the <b>PPI rebound</b>? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">3. Stomach Acid seemed to reach its peak at 10 to 15 days.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">4. General feeling of being less hungry, more nervous energy (in the hypo sense, not the vagal sense), and very sensitive to caffeine. My two cups are now 1/2 a cup or 1 cup a day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">5. <b>Slight weight loss</b>, which is a good thing since I am trying to reduce visceral fat and gain it back in muscle mass... that is the plan. So far, the low-impact weight sessions are too few to make a huge difference--pacing while working and trying to recover is a high-wire balancing act.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">6. Still <b>pending a visit to the ENT</b> to see if the PPI reduced the symptoms of silent reflux. <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">My theory</span> is that the benefit of PPIs comes from letting the esophagus rest while being subjected to less acid and pepsin. This helps reestablish pH levels above the stomach. Then the rebound helps increase stomach acid to good levels (I avoided antacids in the rebound). Higher acid levels help with digestion and help the signaling to the sphincter to stay closed and protect the esophagus. Better stomach digestion helps the intestines do their job better since the nutrients are more processed.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><b>Update 25th of April 2023:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>1</b>. I seem to have recovered from my PPI rebound. My gust feels "normal" again and the "Hypo" feeling has passed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">2. <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonGilles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brandon Giles</a> experimented with "probiotic enemas" that helped him recover to a high level. Unfortunately, his story did not have the happy ending we were all hoping for. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">3. A couple of researchers with Long-Covid have published a theory that is (in my opinion) similar to my pH theory. See <a href="https://twitter.com/Vickyvdtogt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vicky van der Togt's</a> feed for first-hand info! It seems to be based on abnormal lactate levels in #LongCovid, acidosis? and a low-acid diet. They found benefits from their theory and they want to test it on other patients.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">4. Related to the lactate theory above is the current "fad" of #LongCovid patients to test lactate levels. It is tricky to test and devices and strips are not cheap. However, there is a device sold in the UK GlucoRX that is <a href="https://twitter.com/GlucoRx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">only 20 pounds</a>! I do not know how reliable it is...time will tell. Testing lactate might be a great objective test to aid in pacing and recovery! This has led to another patient-led research project. <a href="https://twitter.com/Naomi_D_Harvey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr Naomi Harvey (PHD</a>) is heading that up. That will be interesting to follow. Have access to a lactate monitor? Check out the protocol and add your n=1 to the data!<br />This article has great tips on being successful with your DIY lactate test. (See the article and tips in <a href="https://twitter.com/Canal1point5/status/1648061516397137937?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this tweet</a> and the comments).<br />Update (august 2023): I bought the meter and did some tests, but it arrived after doing my second round of <a href="https://linktr.ee/thenicotinetest" target="_blank">nicotine patches</a> so the data did not show high lactate. I have switched gears to use the lactate meter as a way to test myself while doing exercises to safely get back into shape.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Conclusion:</u></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;">So, stepping back and looking at the big picture:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">Might this be an issue that should be looked at by analyzing pH levels in different areas of the body and Vagal Tone? Is capillary lactate a good measure? It appears to correlate in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4978218/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this study</a>.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">Is there a correlation between disease severity and the pH levels in one area of the body? Maybe in the back of the throat or in one or more sections of the intestines?</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">Maybe a pill that directs sodium bicarbonate to an area of the intestines without stopping at the stomach would be as beneficial as antibiotics or fasting in some cases?</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">And, it might also be important to look at pH levels in the mouth, esophagus, upper airways, bladder, etc while looking for the best way to correct the pH to optimal levels.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">Or maybe the "Double Antibiotic" therapy is beneficial because the "rough/damaged" surface needs extra strong flushing?<br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"><b>I currently think the digestive endothelium is damaged in many locations. Long-term Fasting, or fasting-mimicking is my bet for the best "cure" for LC. It lets the digestive system rest, heal, and reset. *</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">*Antibiotics may be needed as well to help kill off bad bacteria thriving in the small pockets left by the rough texture. My diverticulitis was just an acute infection in a "big pocket".</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">** The <a href="https://linktr.ee/thenicotinetest" target="_blank">Nicotine Patch Test</a> is having great results so far. This could be due to a reduction in neuroinflammation that affects the pH balance in the gut and the neuroinflammation in the brain at the same time.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">My rant for today is done! Any input or correction is welcome! Also...feel free to ignore me! </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;">😂😂😂</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p><p><i>"Take care of yourself, and if you can, take care of someone else too." Stephen Dubner</i></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-49458172277404994362023-02-18T18:47:00.010+01:002024-03-08T10:58:08.381+01:00Neck exercises for Long Covid-- Part Deux<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTNlsSlu_MIyGnufx5oIr0Sf53brXnleS1Jk4TmtYhpmF_fnC24AANCXM10k-3PfHpl-ObabIqxepYHzIRoT9w-SJe1Rene3pPa_PzHBJ3PcU7FvleghYC8DPG02imyMW2dHb3H9ZjO6GaxulBqFs1jKl682FwK8kRiZN9GFGJnT-vd6aEQ/s1024/18-02-2023-ABeautifulMermaidWithRedHairUnderWaterInTheStyleOfMCEscher-U3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTNlsSlu_MIyGnufx5oIr0Sf53brXnleS1Jk4TmtYhpmF_fnC24AANCXM10k-3PfHpl-ObabIqxepYHzIRoT9w-SJe1Rene3pPa_PzHBJ3PcU7FvleghYC8DPG02imyMW2dHb3H9ZjO6GaxulBqFs1jKl682FwK8kRiZN9GFGJnT-vd6aEQ/w400-h400/18-02-2023-ABeautifulMermaidWithRedHairUnderWaterInTheStyleOfMCEscher-U3.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: small;">Image created with Midjourney by D. Troy Roach (Feb 18th, 2023)</i></div><p></p><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>Neck Exercises for Long Covid-- Part Deux</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is my 8-month update from the neck exercises (TMJ exercises, Throat exercises, Posture, etc). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><i>January 2024 update</i></span>: See the "<b>Mewing</b>" section below for a new "Tongue Circle" exercise which I think will be a game changer.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><i>Ma<span style="color: #274e13;">rch 2024</span></i><span style="color: #274e13;">:</span></span> <i>I have now added tongue circles. The tongue is a huge muscle that can help strengthen the neck as a whole.</i><br />https://youtu.be/B3dF5TDkgiY?si=ZInmhrtoLbYW4VpA</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It has been a long journey since March 2020! </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Since my second SARS2 infection in April of 2021, my main physical symptom (not counting fatigue, PEM, etc...) has been neck pain. Nothing I did seemed to help improve neck issues; stretching, weekly PT, Chiropractor, different pillows, muscle relaxers, etc. were all a bust!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily, in June 2022 I found some <b>isometric exercises</b> which have made a big difference!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">Notes/Disclaimer:</span></b><br /></i><i style="font-size: large;">My N=1, not medical advice. </i><i style="font-size: large;"><b>Don't do anything that causes acute pain!</b></i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;">Before these exercises, I took Gabapentin for 5 weeks and then Pregabalin for three weeks. Both seemed to help my neck, Pregabalin more than Gabapentin. Three weeks seems to be a good amount of time. Taking it at night helped me sleep the first week. And it was easy to wean off it during the 3rd week. Pregabalin seems to reduce neurological pain and calm down the hypersensitive ANS.</i></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">Lymphatic/Glymphatic Massage:</span></b><i><span style="color: #073763;"> </span><br />Lymphatic massage could be beneficial for anyone with Long Covid, whether they have neck pain or not! Here is a link to the routine and tips which I do regularly (Especially at night, right before going to bed, and in the morning):</i></span></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/_4yvyWkFQiA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/_4yvyWkFQiA</a></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is the science behind why Lymph/glymph massage is beneficial for Post-Covid</b>.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/9CzIhMDzJRU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/9CzIhMDzJRU</a></span></div></blockquote><div><span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Isometric Exercises and stretching:</span></b></span></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><b>Start Slow: </b>You might want to experiment with a couple videos (browse)and learn from the comments without pushing yourself. Useful comments often come in the middle and at the end of videos!</i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;">I have done sports my entire life and recovered from many minor injuries. I know my body pretty well. I know when I can "push" and when to back off. I am not a Physio, but I teach Technical English to 2nd-year Physio and Nursing students at a university. I have more knowledge about rehabilitation than the average person and I have lots of colleagues who I can consult. You might benefit from guidance from an experienced/specialized Physio. At least to help get started and make sure you are doing the exercises correctly with personalized guidance.</i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">Tiny differences in posture, angle, tension & position</span></b><i><span style="color: #073763;"> <b>can completely change a neck exercise and recruit different muscles,</b> <b>tendons, and joints.</b></span> Therefore, a millimeter change in posture might work the wrong part of the body! However, you might want to experiment with slight changes in an exercise to attack slightly different muscles. And things like posture, breathing technique, stress, chewing technique, swallowing technique, speaking technique, infections, swollen lymph nodes, etc can all have an effect. Try to look at it holistically. <b>There are many tiny parts but they are all connected.</b></i></span></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A normal Physio might not be as useful as a </i><b>Physio who is specialized in TMJ or Cervical Rehab</b>.</span><i style="font-size: large;"> It is a very complex bit of anatomy.</i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Anatomy:</b> </span></i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;">Spend some time learning about the neck (C1-Atlas, occipitals, SCM, scalene), throat (tongue, muscle tension dysphonia), TMJ, the complex web of nerves, and blood flow and tongue anatomy. Be clear about what specific muscles, joints, and nerves are affected. Understanding fascia and how it can "stick" to muscles helps too.</i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl5sbrUa5wJ334wk-q7KBXYjbU530OLnwdFRQ5V0ZJ8p6bjJ85weBkmmyKszG7BIzLOFv0YX5q0HyMOnkfbCGD3FQnssDPCOO_qBEuQeIDw6zGdkrrvvNKcy8uaphjjjmVHd1o_s__s2J6dkJfM0_CeiGvo5brlEdifAqM1hh_tdwq2NXkg/s1536/VisibleBody-LimbicSystem3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1536" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl5sbrUa5wJ334wk-q7KBXYjbU530OLnwdFRQ5V0ZJ8p6bjJ85weBkmmyKszG7BIzLOFv0YX5q0HyMOnkfbCGD3FQnssDPCOO_qBEuQeIDw6zGdkrrvvNKcy8uaphjjjmVHd1o_s__s2J6dkJfM0_CeiGvo5brlEdifAqM1hh_tdwq2NXkg/w634-h317/VisibleBody-LimbicSystem3.png" width="634" /></a></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div><span style="color: #073763;"><i>(This section is an edit, added 05-03-2023)</i><br /><b style="font-size: x-large;">Understanding the complex anatomy and a theory of how occipital movement/posture/exercises affect the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. </b><b>The TLDR of the video:</b></span></div><div><span><i>1. In my opinion, this Youtuber is well-intentioned, but you have to take his advice with<b> a grain of salt!</b></i></span></div><div><span>2. The occipitals are connected to the eyes. Movement of the eyes can be felt in the occipitals.</span></div><div>3. The occipitals are attached to the cranium, the C1, and C2... however,<span style="color: #073763;"> <b><span style="font-size: medium;">they are also attached to the dura mater of the spinal cord/brain!</span></b></span></div><div><b>4. Correct posture and Movement of the occipitals affect the flow of Cerebral Spinal Fluid, glymph, Lymph, etc...</b></div><div>5. This movement can be compounded by eye movement.<br /></div><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><b><i><span style="color: #073763;">My Notes:</span></i></b></div><div>A. The occipitals are an important part of my issues. However, <b>there are other issues</b> (TMJ, bloodflow, lymph flow, etc...).</div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>B. <b>Posture</b> while doing this simple exercise is important.</div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>C. This is deceptively easy. However, if you decide to try it; <b>start with one rep!</b></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>D. Doing any and all neck exercises with <b>a specialized PT</b> will give you very valuable feedback on <b>posture, rhythm, breathing, relaxation, etc</b>...</p><p>E. Do slowly, with slow, <b>diaphragmic breaths</b>, at about <b>70% effort</b>, while focusing on <b>relaxation!</b> (Thoughts have an affect on the muscle tension! It should be meditative, relaxing!)</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="color: #073763; text-align: center;">A link to the video (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/gj0luiN422Q?feature=share&t=82" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">for information</a> -- the anatomy and theory):<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>Hypermobility:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I do not think that I have </span><span style="font-size: large;">Hypermobility/</span><span style="font-size: large;">EDS. However, many others do. You might want to consult this channel and take her recommendations into account before trying the videos that helped me:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@JeannieDiBonHypermobility" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@JeannieDiBonHypermobility</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Her video on Neck pain.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/pk56QC51OkM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/pk56QC51OkM</a></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>My diagnosis/symptoms:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A specialist Physio: "probably neuromuscular". </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Symptoms: Tension, rigidity, and pain in the <b><span style="color: #073763;">O</span></b></span><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">ccipitals, SCM, TMJ (jaw and skull tension, inflamed nodules, etc...), throat (muscles tension dysphonia), tinnitus</span>,</b><span style="font-size: large;"> etc. It seems to be a kind of CCI (Cranial Cervical instability) that was caused by the Spring 2021 flavor of SARS2. I do not have any formal diagnosis of CCI, Chiari, or Tethered Cord, but my symptoms seem to fit these.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I spent six months with a voice coach to improve my speaking technique before doing this routine. The things I learned helped me improve my technique to get me through the workday, but the exercises themselves -- especially the straw/occlusion/vibration exercises -- made me feel worse. I would "crash" after each 30-minute lesson. My voice is "OK", but the MTD tension is still there.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MTD (</b></span><b style="font-size: large;">muscles tension dysphonia)</b><b style="font-size: large;">:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This channel has a lot of information and exercises related to MTD. Relaxation and stretching are useful for me. Any voice exercise that causes "vibration" in the head makes me feel worse.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Do you have MTD?</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qab7zGHnKDc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qab7zGHnKDc</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My problem seems to be a kind of subconscious tension from the ANS</b> (self-diagnosis). Made worse by poor technique and being a teacher (straining my voice for years with poor technique and even while sick!). This is an interesting video about doctors that mis-diagnose MTD as "being in your head." Sound familiar?</span></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/BFjCMcUqwf4" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/BFjCMcUqwf4</a></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">My theory/diagnosis/pathology:</span></b><br /><i style="font-size: large;">(</i></span><i>based on extensive research and my N=1 experiments in this #LongCovid journey. I may be completely wrong 😜...)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>1. <b>SARS2 clogs up the lymphatic system</b> (hyperinflammation, inflamed nodules in the neck, reduced Glymph flow from the brain, and even reversed glymph/lymph flow up into the cranium). </div><div><br /></div><div>2. AND <b>Endothelial damage</b> (probably from the spike) that affects blood flow. Thus muscles, ligaments, and nerves (PNS and CNS) do not get oxygen and nutrients. This includes damage to musculature controlling blood vessels which is controlled by the ANS. And damage to the brain/ANS. Thus POTS, microclots, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. The ANS (limbic/subcortical brain) is also affected by a lack of blood flow and inflammation. Thus the benefits of brain training. Basically, <b>an mTBI</b> (minor Traumatic Brain Injury) is caused by the virus and/or the body's immune response to the virus.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. These problems lead to muscles that are weakened and under hypertension 24/7. Muscles then give out and the neck is only supported by the tendons. However, tendons are too weak. Thus the bobblehead, TMJ, MTD, throat issues, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. The cure? In most cases, it would be rest, time, exercise (strengthening), mobility (blood flow and lymph flow), and various therapies (NIR, IR, heat, cold, vibration, TENS, improved posture, HBOT??, anticoagulants??, etc...).</div><div><br /></div><div>6. <b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">The daily recovery goals...</span><br /></b></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b> IF ... </b></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">You can get the blood flowing to muscles, </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">& You can strengthen the muscles, </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">& You can improve posture, speaking technique, etc that exacerbates the issues, </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">& You do brain training to reduce the amount of ammunition the damaged, negatively biased, <b>ANS</b> has to use against you... </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">& Take care of your diet so you reduce inflammation, acid reflux, etc...</div></blockquote><p>Then it seems possible to heal! I am at about 85 or 90% recovered from all neck issues (<i>about 70% in general recovery</i>).</p><p> 7. <b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">The problems...</span></b></p><p>Healing is slow. </p><p><b>Most people (even specialized physios) will not understand the complexity of this issue and many don't understand PEM... even when explained</b>. To many physios, understanding PEM is almost impossible since movement+pain within tolerable limits is their bread and butter.</p><p>Exercise can lead to <b>reperfusion injury (PEM)</b>. Each person has to adapt the exercises (I prefer the term <b>"movement"</b>) to their abilities. Stay within your envelope. I stopped my daily breathing exercises to have time and energy to work on my neck problems. </p><p>Healing requires <b>blood flow/lymph flow</b>. However, this causes reperfusion injury which can lead to PEM and or Pain. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">So how can we heal with the catch-22 of PEM?</span></b></p><p>1. We have to stay within our <b>personal energy envelope</b>. This might be different each day.</p><p>2. I like the <b>80% pacing rule</b>. Do enough physical and mental movement daily to be "tired" enough to get good sleep, but leave 20% for the body to heal. <b>Going near 100% might avoid a crash but it will not let the body heal. Going over 100% will lead to a crash (Boom-bust cycle).</b></p><p>3. <b>Sleep and diet</b> are key to recovery.</p><p>4. <b>Monitoring data trends</b> <b>sleep quality, HRV</b>, Step count, Heart rate, etc. can help tell you if you are on the right track. But <b>listen to your body first</b> and only pay attention to the data when it shows positive trends. Otherwise, ignore it. Even the best devices' <b>data are too inaccurate </b>to overrule what your body is telling you each moment. (I tried a muscle relaxant for a few weeks. I felt bad and the data was negative so I stopped taking it.)</p><p>5. <b>Start small.</b> Do one rep or three-second holds to start. Then slowly add reps and length of holds. I call this <b>Pacing-dependent, micro-GET (TM) 😜. </b><u>Normal GET can be dangerous for people with PEM</u>, but the "micro" version that is led by the patient and staying inside the pacing "spoon allowance" is a way to slowly build strength, and energy, improve sleep, etc.</p><p style="text-align: left;">6. <b>Self-compassion</b> was key for my healing journey. I am only at about 70% now (Feb 2023), but I have come a long way. I am working, walking as much as 10,000 steps, doing some socializing (not much), etc... without overdoing it. My inner voice <b>laughs at me</b> when I start off an exercise routine with 1 to 3 reps: </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Inner voice:</b> "Come on you weakling! Push yourself more! You bench pressed 100kgs when you were 15 years old! You ran a marathon in the mountains in your forties! Just a bit more!"</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Me:</b> Laughing outloud. "You have kept me in the boom-bust cycle too long! You don't understand ANS dysregulation, the physical dammage that is slow to heal, and PEM! I am finally pacing and getting stronger without crashing!" </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Am I crazy? </b>Maybe, but I am slowly getting better. And each bit makes the next bit easier. </p></blockquote><p> </p><p><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">General Tips:</span></b></p><p>1. I got the best results when doing these exercises <b>twice a day</b>. Sometimes only once a day.</p><p>2. I see the most benefits when doing it <b>right before going to sleep</b>. The difference in deep sleep amount and quality was huge! I still see a drop in sleep quality on the nights I do not do anything! </p><p>3. Be <b>mindful</b> and completely evaluate your posture, pillow, sleeping comfort, posture while using a computer or mobile phone, speaking technique, emotional state, needed regular rest breaks, etc... To attack the problem holistically. Anything that will help your body relax, strengthen and heal.</p><p>4. Improvements in <b>deep sleep</b> are vital for all stages of healing.</p><p>5. If you are lucky enough to have <b>a proper diagnosis</b> for your problem (CCI, Chiarri, etc) from an expert, then listen to them. However, make sure to listen to your body. <b>If they don't understand PEM, don't push yourself just because they said to.</b> And don't believe them when they say it is all in your head.</p><p>6. <b>Breathing</b> is key. Coordinate each movement with your <b>exhale</b>. Follow <b>your speed</b>, not the speed of a trainer or video.</p><p>7. According to the Adam Fields videos, the "<b>crunching</b>" sound you hear in the neck (not acute pain) when <b>rotating your head</b> or doing <b>occipital lifts</b> is <b>a good sign</b> of blood flow getting to areas that don't get enough blood. Sounds good to me... movement and blood flow are good things.</p><p>8. Theoretically,<b> Isometric exercises are "safe."</b> You might feel tightness after some exercises that go away after 10 minutes. <b>There should not be any sharp/Acute pain.</b> And most of the tightness after the exercise should go away after a few minutes of massage with your hands and or a massage ball (roller) etc.</p><p>9, You are doing this to gain strength and improve mobility and blood flow. It is normal to notice an effect, but not pain.</p><p>10. <b>Lastly</b>, <b>try to smile</b> and relax while doing the exercises. Adam Fields always says "Healthcare is Selfcare" If you are tense while doing them it can be counterproductive. Listen to calming music in the background. Aim to think positive thoughts while doing the exercises to avoid anything negative that will cause tension.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">My Routine:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">For strengthening.</span></b> I suggest starting slowly with the videos from this Physio: </p><h1 class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; display: -webkit-box; font-family: "YouTube Sans", Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 5.6rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: break-word;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""></yt-formatted-string></h1><h1 class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; display: -webkit-box; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 5.6rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: break-word;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "YouTube Sans", Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">CERVICAL SPINE STABILIZATION 1:</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></yt-formatted-string><span face="YouTube Sans, Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #0f0f0f; font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/Ya9q-uN6y0A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/Ya9q-uN6y0A</a></span></h1><h1 class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; display: -webkit-box; font-family: "YouTube Sans", Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 5.6rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: break-word;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><span style="font-size: small;">CERVICAL SPINE STABILIZATION 2:</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></yt-formatted-string><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/Hjpcyx4rJ1Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/Hjpcyx4rJ1Q</a> </span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/Hjpcyx4rJ1Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="364" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hjpcyx4rJ1Q" width="479" youtube-src-id="Hjpcyx4rJ1Q"></iframe></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;">My favorite videos that do both stretching and some stabilization/strengthening are from the <b>DR Adam Fields'</b> channel:<br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@dradamfields" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@dradamfields</a></p></blockquote><p>He has a lot of videos/playlists for the <b>neck, TMJ, throat, tinnitus, sinus, headaches, etc.</b> It helps explore different regions and find specific exercises that work for you. There is some repetition and some unique exercises in each video.</p><p>This is <b>one of my favorites</b> to help with my neck:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/NLlb2KdLbVc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="355" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NLlb2KdLbVc" width="478" youtube-src-id="NLlb2KdLbVc"></iframe></a></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Mewing:</span></b></p><p>The concept seems strange. It is deceptively simple and ... odd. I have only been "mewing" for about a month, but it is surprisingly helpful!</p><p>I don't do it as a "routine". I just try to be mindful of tongue position, and posture and I randomly do tongue strengthening & swallowing exercises throughout the day. It supposedly has lots of benefits for the face structure, etc... but I do it because it seems to help with tension in the throat, TMJ tension, etc.</p><p><b>Tongue position:</b> <a href="https://youtu.be/gcI8CvoFxfQ " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/eh9OqEd5z1k </a></p><p><b>Swallowing exercises:</b> <a href="https://youtu.be/gcI8CvoFxfQ " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/gcI8CvoFxfQ </a></p><p>There are other sources, but these have been the most helpful.<br /><br /><i><b>January 2024 update:</b></i> I found these "easy" tongue exercises which are a fantastic addition to the Mewing routine.<br /><b>Tongue circles:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3dF5TDkgiY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3dF5TDkgiY</a></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Bonus Bits:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: large;">Scalp massage:</b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>During my research, I came across the concept of</span><b> scalp massage </b><span>to reverse balding. <i>Maybe there was something to the whole story about Sampson losing his strength when he lost his hair</i>🤣<i>?</i> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>I have incorporated this into my routines to attack the tension from different angles. It gets to the <b>upper part of the head</b> not covered in the other exercises. If it reverses balding, it will be a bonus! <b>Some people get Botox</b> on the scalp to help relax those muscles. This procedure is <b>already used for TMJ</b>. Maybe that would help some people with similar symptoms in Long Covid? </span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>A video interview about scalp tension massage/baldness connection:</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZmRZRPtULI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZmRZRPtULI</a></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Red-Light therapy/NIR</b>: </span><br />I bought a small red-light therapy panel last October. The main goal was to avoid the winter slump. So far, it seems to have helped with that.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It also appears to help with the neck stiffness, killing off germs, "feeding" mitochondria to have more energy and it is shown to help with brain damage in preliminary Parkinson's trials. It appears to help my neck issues. And an extra bonus, some studies show benefits for balding!<br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">Tips:</span></b> Where eye protection, <b>start slow</b> (one minute per surface) and build up to 5 to 10 minutes per surface. Stay about 15 cm from the device. Stop when you start feeling inner warmth. Doing too much can be harmful. My sweet spot for the neck or back is about 7 or 8 minutes. The scalp seems to need only about 3 minutes. Doing too much is bad! Especially at the beginning! And the NIR light can destroy digital cameras! No selfies 😉!</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Keep on Keeping on! One day at a time!</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Comments and critiques are welcome! This second part is better in part due to comments from others!</b></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">How Long Covid symptoms might be caused by CCI or CCI-like damage: </span></b></h4><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LwClyX_Rl1nxaarjQk4KQB0JuwP8yuDWQ33YWkYEyy24_GCh3tHcxU8sKWtceNctGlyFEgf6yDlEXogbeeCLbKoET0sM1VaEiDyRou5-VKd248sGED15i3Uy5teuVdwv5BLSob5AAOCU7CS7Yj1HSFibC_Whhb5HV5q4cIV5Vni1wF3V6Q/s2000/How%20SARS2%20Might%20Cause%20CCI.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="800" height="1332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LwClyX_Rl1nxaarjQk4KQB0JuwP8yuDWQ33YWkYEyy24_GCh3tHcxU8sKWtceNctGlyFEgf6yDlEXogbeeCLbKoET0sM1VaEiDyRou5-VKd248sGED15i3Uy5teuVdwv5BLSob5AAOCU7CS7Yj1HSFibC_Whhb5HV5q4cIV5Vni1wF3V6Q/w532-h1332/How%20SARS2%20Might%20Cause%20CCI.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>Take care of yourself, and if you can, someone else too! --Stephen Dubner</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-4582798822075668162023-02-04T19:22:00.006+01:002024-02-21T16:46:55.182+01:00 My Long-Covid Tinnitus Rabbit Hole Notes<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> My Long-Covid Tinnitus Rabbit Hole Notes</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscdclX2zb54R2vjg00eqmlYVS2Rvi1mke6DdDvn_C6GMqrI5fSHbVNQC54F2uwhZCDZLdoBTlQcvfSG_2IOm_KlhpRRb5qTjkM2wkU3kib7DOjgRkFcZ1pgRJlU_IOWxqEvQ9YUPQtXy1rfj4A_k74qB_6Q9wWwp_7TaJvqHuk4rw4x34PQ/s1024/DALL%C2%B7E%202023-02-04%2018.15.49%20-%20A%20drawing%20of%20_sound_,%20in%20the%20style%20of%20MC%20Escher.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscdclX2zb54R2vjg00eqmlYVS2Rvi1mke6DdDvn_C6GMqrI5fSHbVNQC54F2uwhZCDZLdoBTlQcvfSG_2IOm_KlhpRRb5qTjkM2wkU3kib7DOjgRkFcZ1pgRJlU_IOWxqEvQ9YUPQtXy1rfj4A_k74qB_6Q9wWwp_7TaJvqHuk4rw4x34PQ/w400-h400/DALL%C2%B7E%202023-02-04%2018.15.49%20-%20A%20drawing%20of%20_sound_,%20in%20the%20style%20of%20MC%20Escher.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"A drawing of "sound", in the style of MC Escher." Generated with Dall-e on Feb. 4th, 2023.</i></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">After almost three years of Long Covid, I have finally started moving in the right direction. I am now at about 70%!</span></b></p><p><b>I am constantly researching, </b>thinking, scheming, and experimenting to heal. However, with so many symptoms (Brain Fog being one of them), I often try to focus on one symptom at a time.</p><p><b>Thanks to my improvements over the past 6 months, I can now spend some time researching the less debilitating symptoms like Tinnitus.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">My tinnitus is not too bad. It is mostly bearable: </span></b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>It is not always there now.</li><li>I am only bothered when it is too quiet. </li><li>It seems to be worse when there is more inflammation.</li><li>Most noise (city, work, talking, etc) masks it for me.</li><li>I can mask it and forget about it with things like meditation music when I want to fall asleep.</li></ol><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Since I have found a lot of benefits from brain training and "neuroplasticity re-wiring", I found this video from a psychologist with Tinnitus to be interesting because there is some overlap:</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b>The "correct" way to use CBT to help with tinnitus?</b></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8CMAgKIJOI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8CMAgKIJOI</a></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>From Dr. Bruce Hubbard (<a href="https://www.cbtfortinnitus.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.cbtfortinnitus.com/</a>)</i></p></blockquote><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The TLDR summary of Dr. Hubbard's presentation/video:</span></b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Most CBT practitioners get Tinnitus treatment wrong.</i></li><li><i>There is NO "cure" for tinnitus.</i></li><li><i>The only "cure" is <b>habituation</b>.</i>😉</li><li><i>It is often times <u>correlated to</u> both aging and hearing loss.</i></li><li><i>50% of those with tinnitus are not bothered by it.</i></li><li><i><b>Research shows that there is no correlation between the "Measured level" and "Perceived level" of the tinnitus noise.</b></i></li><li><i>Our brains receive endless stimuli from all the senses. However, our brain has learned to filter out most of the </i><i>stimuli.</i></li><li><i>Once you learn the science and learn to "habituate" to the sound and avoid connecting the tinnitus to "negative" emotions, then you can learn to live with it and eventually forget about it. <b>You can train the brain to "ignore" the tinnitus like it does with 99% of the stimuli coming in at any one time.</b></i></li><li><b>His website: </b>https://www.cbtfortinnitus.com/</li><li><b>A free book </b>(PDF download) looks like a good place to start. It is written by the US Department of Veterans affairs. I will try to skim through it when I have more time/energy:</li></ol><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>https://www.ncrar.research.va.gov/Documents/HowToManageYourTinnitus.pdf</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><b>Audio-Notch/Masking...</b> </p><p>Different companies sell "notched" music technology. The first one I found wanted 530€! This one starts at 40€ for 2 months: https://www.audionotch.com/pricing/</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>However,</b> </span>Dr. Hubbard's website FAQ says that research shows <b>little or no benefit </b>for things like audio-notching.</i></li><li><b>My tinnitus is oscillating</b> (like a hissing siren). However, the Audio-notch research appears to only have results for people with a constant pitch. Maybe it does not work as well for oscillating pitches like mine.</li><li><i><b>I will try habituation and general masking before spending any money on fancy, fan-dangled tech gadgets.</b></i></li></ul><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a Youtube page dedicated to Tinnitus with <b>different masking sounds & interviews with experts and patients</b>:</span></p><p><b>Treble Health:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@treblehealth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@treblehealth</a></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b>They have different kinds of masking sounds (Pink noise, Brown noise, Water, Crickets, etc..). Each person responds better to different sounds. Mine seems to respond better to Crickets:</b></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxf-Y5ZV1LA&t=3535s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxf-Y5ZV1LA&t=3535s</a></p><p>In my opinion, the first few minutes it just seems annoying. But if you find the correct mask and volume it does seem to "Hyde" the noise (sorry, bad brain-fog joke).</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Some people (judging from the comments), learn to habituate to their tinnitus if they find the correct masking sound frequency and listen to it long enough. Some listen to it all night to help stay asleep or get to sleep and report improvement after only a day or two. <i>My mom always told me to believe everything on the Internet </i>😂😂😂.... But it does not cost anything to play the masking noise in the background and see if it helps speed up habituation. </p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b>A short video on finding the correct volume for the masking noise: (it seems to be finding a comfortable volume that is lower than your tinnitus).</b> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UopkbK18jXI</p></blockquote><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><b>As I continue to improve...</b> the inflammation should continue to decrease and with time and habituation, tinnitus can be a thing of the past. </p><p>Unfortunately, the increased energy has meant that I could play in the park with my niece long enough to forget that I am not five years old anymore. This led to a stupid, twisting jump that pinched a nerve in my back. I now know what 10/10 on the pain scale is... Thus the increased inflammation and increased tinnitus... <b>and my Long-Covid Rabbit Hole for today.</b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't forget to take care of yourself today... and if you can, someone else too!</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p><i>BTW: If you are based in Madrid and need a good Osteopath! Check out my hero Carlos:<br /><a href="http://www.carlososteopata.com" target="_blank">www.carlososteopata.com</a></i></p><p><i>He has brought me back from the dead many times!</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Update 1 (about two weeks): </span></b><br />I still need to read the book I <a href="https://www.ncrar.research.va.gov/Documents/HowToManageYourTinnitus.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">downloaded</a> from the V.A., but understanding the science behind it has already been helpful. I only notice it when things are very quiet. It also seems to change. so:<br />Different masking sounds are better at different times.<br />I tried to do a test to find the frequency of my tinnitus with this <a href="https://youtu.be/eqwBjR63O9w" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">video</a> which seemed to match at about 8,000 to 10,000Hz (most hearing tests stop at 8,000Hz); however, I am not so sure since my tinnitus is pulsatile...it seems to oscillate between a louder one at 9,500Hz and a quieter one at 8,000Hz.<br />Lastly, it seems to be a good measure for my energy levels and inflammation. Noticing it more is a sign that I need to pace more and take more breaks.</i></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Update 2 (February 2023):</span></b><br />Tinnitus continues to be <b>an early warning sign </b>since it is <b>a good measure of inflammation from too much physical effort</b>. It is an early warning sign that I actually welcome. In general, the level is lower. </i><i>This is probably due to the <a href="http://linktr.ee/thenicotinetest" target="_blank">nicotine patches</a> and many other interventions to keep the inflammation down.</i><i> And the CBT tools of acceptance and focusing on other things is helpful. Now, I need to work on the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/brain/sound-sensitivity-hyperacusis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hypercusis</a> (sound sensitivity) which is a problem in such a noisy country like Spain & an auditory processing disorder (<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/auditory-processing-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20555261" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">APD</a>) which makes it hard or impossible for me to hear/understand a person speaking with me in a noisy environment. Both of these issues are neurological and there is no easy/standard treatment other than "neurological rehab" and specialized hearing aids, noise-cancelling earbuds etc.</i></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-35936956874474549942022-10-21T17:48:00.006+02:002022-10-23T11:31:03.769+02:00Neck Strengthening Exercises for Long Covid<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mJ_34NGhDRE1BmEDqCc1AXplDH3yH0iavojIWnM2QmjrJRMcUlvdk_6GxcE434huV1mVBt1nzxM6RW98l5EKu70rtpvqkkcn3XsVtalzhXDt0VoqPR_IP-TJ18xw9GI3XmSh01iNZyItTaYTgzWKu_o4eF2sgeMwquvQ0sAyscl8Dhqfeg/s1024/DALL%C2%B7E%202022-10-02%2004.12.57%20-%20the%20bust%20of%20a%20strong%20man%20in%20the%20style%20of%20MC%20Escher.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mJ_34NGhDRE1BmEDqCc1AXplDH3yH0iavojIWnM2QmjrJRMcUlvdk_6GxcE434huV1mVBt1nzxM6RW98l5EKu70rtpvqkkcn3XsVtalzhXDt0VoqPR_IP-TJ18xw9GI3XmSh01iNZyItTaYTgzWKu_o4eF2sgeMwquvQ0sAyscl8Dhqfeg/s320/DALL%C2%B7E%202022-10-02%2004.12.57%20-%20the%20bust%20of%20a%20strong%20man%20in%20the%20style%20of%20MC%20Escher.png" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image created with Dall-E 2 by D. Troy Roach, "Bust of a strong man in the style of MC Escher."</i></span> </div><div><br /></div>.....<br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Since my second SARS2 infection in April of 2021, my main physical symptom (not counting fatigue, PEM, etc...) has been neck pain. Nothing I did seemed to help improve this symptom; stretching, weekly PT, Chiropractor, different pillows, muscle relaxers, etc were all a bust.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Luckily, in June 2022 I found some isometric exercises which have made a big difference over the span of two to three months of doing them almost daily. My neck issues have reduced by 70%.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">My problem, as diagnosed by a specialist PT, is probably neuromuscular. It affects my <b>occipitals, SCM, TMJ, throat, tinnitus,</b> etc. It seems to be a kind of CCI (Cranial Cervical instability) that was caused by the Spring 2021 flavor of SARS2. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Note: Before these exercises, I took Gabapentin for 5 weeks and then Pregabalin for three weeks. Both seemed to help my neck, Pregabalin more than Gabapentin. Three weeks seems to be a good amount of time. Taking it at night helped me sleep the first week. And it was easy to wean off it during the 3rd week. My N=1, not medical advice.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This self-diagnosis of "CCI-light" seems odd since I am anything but hyperflexible (a common correlation/cause of CCI). However, it seems that the damn bug caused neuromuscular damage, leading to constant tension in the muscles, which then leads to weak & damaged ligaments and poor support of the big bowling ball above my neck.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">My theory is that these isometric exercises help because they are strengthening the muscles which take the load off of the tendons, ligaments, and joints. Blood, glymph, lymph, and nerve signals can all flow better. The whole process also helps with posture, relaxation, and sleep!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There is also the theory floating around on the interwebs that the physical damage done by the bug to the nerves and nervous system is the cause of CCI and or Chiari... which leads to cyclical issues in the ANS (autonomic nervous system)... which lead to all the other health issues downstream. In summary:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LwClyX_Rl1nxaarjQk4KQB0JuwP8yuDWQ33YWkYEyy24_GCh3tHcxU8sKWtceNctGlyFEgf6yDlEXogbeeCLbKoET0sM1VaEiDyRou5-VKd248sGED15i3Uy5teuVdwv5BLSob5AAOCU7CS7Yj1HSFibC_Whhb5HV5q4cIV5Vni1wF3V6Q/s2000/How%20SARS2%20Might%20Cause%20CCI.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="800" height="1332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LwClyX_Rl1nxaarjQk4KQB0JuwP8yuDWQ33YWkYEyy24_GCh3tHcxU8sKWtceNctGlyFEgf6yDlEXogbeeCLbKoET0sM1VaEiDyRou5-VKd248sGED15i3Uy5teuVdwv5BLSob5AAOCU7CS7Yj1HSFibC_Whhb5HV5q4cIV5Vni1wF3V6Q/w532-h1332/How%20SARS2%20Might%20Cause%20CCI.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I do not know if this theory is true, but it makes sense and there is probably no "1" cause/ solution for most people in this heterogeneous disease.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The links to the exercises below have been of great help to me. It has improved about 70% of my neck issues so far. It may be helping some other issues downstream, but I am not sure yet. However, I have not noticed a jump in energy or my baseline. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Disclaimer: </b>I am sharing this n=1 experiment with others in the hope that it will help more people and for me to learn from the comments from others. I am not a doctor, PT or Chiropractor. Do these exercises within your own limits and don't take any risks.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Some things I have learned along the way:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Isometric exercises are "safe" and they don't require much energy, but it is best to start small and <b>build up slowly</b>. Some videos tell you to "push as hard as you can", but I suggest working up to that.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2. There are 42 face and 26 neck muscles (<a href="https://jawzrsize.com/blogs/blog/face-neck-muscles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1</a>)! Making slight adjustments of angle while doing many of these exercises will work different muscles! You might want to repeat similar exercises, but with small adjustments to posture, chin tuck, etc.<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl5sbrUa5wJ334wk-q7KBXYjbU530OLnwdFRQ5V0ZJ8p6bjJ85weBkmmyKszG7BIzLOFv0YX5q0HyMOnkfbCGD3FQnssDPCOO_qBEuQeIDw6zGdkrrvvNKcy8uaphjjjmVHd1o_s__s2J6dkJfM0_CeiGvo5brlEdifAqM1hh_tdwq2NXkg/s1536/VisibleBody-LimbicSystem3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1536" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl5sbrUa5wJ334wk-q7KBXYjbU530OLnwdFRQ5V0ZJ8p6bjJ85weBkmmyKszG7BIzLOFv0YX5q0HyMOnkfbCGD3FQnssDPCOO_qBEuQeIDw6zGdkrrvvNKcy8uaphjjjmVHd1o_s__s2J6dkJfM0_CeiGvo5brlEdifAqM1hh_tdwq2NXkg/w634-h317/VisibleBody-LimbicSystem3.png" width="634" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. It is strange to think about it, but... The back of the jaw and the occipital region at the base of the back skull where the C1 and C2 are located are all very close. There are lots of nerves, arteries, the ear canal, etc...all packed into a tiny space that is also very flexible! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">4. This has improved sleep quality (Deep sleep continuity) especially if I do some of the strengthening & movement (occipital lifts) exercises <b>right before going to bed</b> at night. Tiring out the muscles right before sleep seems to help blood/glymph flow!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">5. For some reason, I tense my jaw and my neck/ doing physical labor as a type of compensation. I need to be mindful to not do that and to strengthen other muscles in my body to avoid this compensation. That is my next step. Slow going with pacing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Has this improved other symptoms?</b> Mostly sleep quality and brain fog. I also see a large drop in "hypersensitivity" to sudden loud noises. And sometimes I do not have tinnitus, which is nice to have a break from the constant noise (I had tinnitus before LC). My posture has improved and I feel like I have some "control" over my recovery. Are these improvements related to the neck exercises? I think so. The increased blood flow, better sleep, and reduced inflammation should be helping overall healing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Below are the videos in the order that I found them. However, I suggest doing the fourth one <b>first</b> since the exercises are lighter. The second video is probably my favorite. The mixture of movement to get fluids moving and strengthening feels fantastic!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. This video is good for <b>strengthening the neck while stretching</b>. But it might not be the best video to start with since the "after-effect" can be strong, but good.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="357" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BJpc4b4f0So" width="483" youtube-src-id="BJpc4b4f0So"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2. This video is <b>my favorite all around</b>. The movement exercises really help blood flow to the brain. It is obvious in my sleep data (deep sleep continuity clearly improves). <br />I have an elastic exercise band that works fine for the exercises, but a towel would be OK.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="355" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NLlb2KdLbVc" width="478" youtube-src-id="NLlb2KdLbVc"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. These videos are <b>jaw strengthening and stretching exercises</b>. The first video is deceptively easy. It matches my throat muscle symptoms well. The second is an intermediate jaw (TMJ) exercise and the third video with the cork can be quite intense.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="356" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4g1REITUl4E" width="482" youtube-src-id="4g1REITUl4E"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="310" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zVdX3mwO22k" width="481" youtube-src-id="zVdX3mwO22k"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x0XA44Jds6o" width="483" youtube-src-id="x0XA44Jds6o"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Maybe <b>Start with the exercises in this video!</b> This is the lightest, for beginners, but you can build on it with repetitions, angles, etc. <i>She has another "part 1" video, but I did not watch that one since the level in this video was good for me. </i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="347" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hjpcyx4rJ1Q" width="482" youtube-src-id="Hjpcyx4rJ1Q"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope this information is useful for someone else in my situation! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anything that makes me feel better and improves my sleep is a good thing. Now, I am testing red-light therapy in hopes that it will reduce the "winter crash" which seems to come with Long Covid.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Leave any comments or doubts in the comments, especially if you have more insight to help me or others in the community.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Take care of yourself, and if you can, someone else too! --Stephen Dubner</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-50452026462415955512021-10-06T16:23:00.002+02:002021-10-06T16:24:40.668+02:00"Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson, my notes <p><span style="font-size: medium;">These are my notes from "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson.</span></p><p><i>Note: This is not a review of the book or a complete set of the ideas presented. It is simply a list of points, listed in order of presentation in the book, that I found interesting. I have added some personal comments from personal experiences.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGu_ClT5Jux-Yjh7nw7j-z0f0nZrWrvlFce1f7H-pIhYpfzfanc7-gAgAx3CBQVDz6NoqFjxKOHzBsvmsSKE7W4v0SihO3ed3Z3x2-MlYklIKCRvb8fEjkRfq5wcVDins_O_AF/s2048/IMG_20201120_121756_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Thoughtful" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGu_ClT5Jux-Yjh7nw7j-z0f0nZrWrvlFce1f7H-pIhYpfzfanc7-gAgAx3CBQVDz6NoqFjxKOHzBsvmsSKE7W4v0SihO3ed3Z3x2-MlYklIKCRvb8fEjkRfq5wcVDins_O_AF/w300-h376/IMG_20201120_121756_2.jpg" title="Me trying to be pensive :-)" width="300" /></a><br /><i>This picture has nothing to do with the book. It is just a picture of me reflecting.</i> 😏🤔</div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p>1. Do not focus on individuals and racism. Focus on the Caste system that causes inequality. <br />I think that this is the single most useful idea in the book. My takeaway is that it is often useless to blame/attack individuals for their racism. It is more productive to point out problems from the Caste system and working to fix the system.</p><p>2. Nazi Germany used the US system, laws, and history (Indian genocide, Jim Crow laws of percentages, slavery, etc) to set up a less extreme system for Jews. <br />The fact that the USA had the best legal model for Nazis to set up a system to discriminate against (and later exterminate) the Jews in Europe would be shocking for many Unitedstatesians (Americans).</p><p>3. Lynching postcard industry in 20th century. Not even Nazis made postcards of Auschwitz.<br />The fact that these postcards were a big part of postcard sales... Just the idea sickens me.</p><p>4. Last interracial marriage law, Alabama 2000 in a 60% to 40% vote.<br />People that think that racist laws are far in the past... think again. Indirectly, racist laws are being passed in 2021.</p><p>5. States struggled to place immigrants into the white/black legal system. Italian woman might be black. Japanese white. But not Caucasian. New Immigrants would see the existing Caste system and quickly moved to get accepted into the higher Caste, in part by showing disdain for the lower Caste.</p><p>6. Class vs Race vs Caste. Caste is a legal system. Race is a superficial idea. Class is money and education. </p><p>7. The author gives unending examples of cruelty, laws, and racism... Even in modern-day USA. Blacks suffer these things constantly, but whites are oblivious. <br />If there were a way for all white people to "feel" what it is like to be black for a day, then real change might happen. How to do that?</p><p>8. Blue-eyed vs Brown-eyed experiment. This shocking experiment is often cited, but it is only short-term. However, doing something like this on a large scale might give whites a starting point to understanding?</p><p>9. Superiority vs inferiority. Since whites have more money and power they feel superior. "He is poor so he must be inferior" (lazy?). "There are more blacks in jail so they must have inferior morals." Etc... Even when blacks are considered superior in some traits (eg. strength), they still lose out. For example, black women are shown to be prescribed pain meds less often. </p><p>10. How the working class should be united, but they are divided by parties. Whites see a black increase in status (Obama) as a decrease in white status. They need to keep the illusion of superiority, otherwise, nobody is below them. <br />This is a fairly complex, but the key point in the book. In short, Republicans use racism to get poor and lower-middle-class whites to vote against their interest for the sake of maintaining a caste system. It is the only way for poorer whites to have a group below them. Nobody wants to be in the bottom group.</p><p>11. Scapegoats. If blacks aren't to blame for all the ills of society, it leads to an uncomfortable need to look at themselves. eg. Crack vs Oxycontin handling. <br />For example, inner-city violence is often blamed on blacks only. That way we do not need to address the gun problem or the treatment of blacks by the police, or red-lining, or unequal public schools, etc.</p><p>12. "Karens" are just acting like they were supposed to do before equal rights. Before modern laws, the "Karens" were educated to warn of any black person that was not in their place.</p><p>13. Media distortion examples. Whites are 2/3 of US poor, but only 17% of poor on TV. Similar numbers for crime. Media, cinema, etc. portray a false image of society that perpetuates feelings of superiority.</p><p>14. Caste causes infighting in the lowest rung. Crabs in a barrel. The Caste system is partially self-sustaining because it causes the lowest caste to fight amongst themselves.</p><p>15. Critiques of Obama might be a way to keep the lower cast down so that whites can still feel superior. He is no longer president, but he is still mentioned by the right because he is a reminder that whites might lose their advantages... even if that advantage is only a "label" in the Caste system. </p><p>16. While reading this book I happened to hear a relevant example of how blacks are being disadvantaged by technology. The Caste system is even being installed in tomorrow's robots. Neil deGrasse Tyson gave an example of how the automatic sink tap sensors do not work on black skin because the technology has been programmed in a way that it does not see the darker skin! There are more serious examples, but it is something we have to actively avoid. </p><p>17. Caste system stays in place, even without effort from the upper caste. It is self-perpetuating. The upper caste does not need to actively do anything to keep the system in place. Doing nothing to change the system is an active vote to maintain the system.<br />For example, a person who needs to get an ID for the first time might only be able to apply by making a reservation, however, the reservation system will not give you an appointment without a valid ID number. </p><p>18. A majority of whites did not vote for Obama, even if he was half white, not typical black. There is a myth that racism stopped existing after Obama won, however, it is far from the truth.</p><p>19. Obama was a symbol of a great loss to the whites. At first, it seemed OK, but then they started thinking... "If blacks are not in the bottom? Who is?... Oh, Sh*t!...Maybe I will be left at the bottom!<br />Imagine a town with only Caucasians. Who would be at the bottom doing the dirty jobs and being blamed for crime and social ills?</p><p>20. Lower Caste success is tough for the upper caste since it challenges their sense of reality. <br />Whites do not have to be overtly racist to feel unsettled by their concept of reality changing. Seeing people of color succeed messes with their superiority complex.</p><p>21. Obama made 2042 more real. This gave a reason for whites to band together... Thus Number 45 happened. Until Obama, many upper-caste folks felt secure and 2042 was far away. Obama made that date seem closer and partially led to Number 45 being elected on dog calls.</p><p>22. Confederate monuments and flags. Nazi Germany banned many symbols of Nazis since they in-and-of-themselves are a form of hate speech. How can you keep around symbols of a separatist group that wanted to continue with slavery? My opinion: How is this legal? A monument to slavery = hate speech. </p><p>23. Why aren't Americans not ashamed of all things Confederate? These monuments and symbols actually increased with time. They are not relics of the Civil War.</p><p>24. The US has a "majority rules" system. Will that still continue when the higher Caste is not the majority? It is clear by current election laws changing in red states, the skewed Senate which gives more power to upper-caste rural states, and the electoral college system that is still around that the upper caste wants to hold off majority-rules democracy for as long as possible.<br />Will the US ever really be a democracy? </p><p>25. Nazi Germany is not scary because they were monsters. It is scary because most were "normal" people. </p><p>26. Germany was able to right the wrongs better than the US. <i>(note: they only had 12 years of cruelty to fix and make up for). </i></p><p>27. Caste is supported by a silent majority who do nothing. </p><p>28. It is <u>hard</u> to solve a problem that many do not see.<br />An example from my personal experience in Spain. As a foreigner, I have suffered some institutional racism (a reasonable amount as a foreigner living and working here). There are not many blacks living in Spain so racism is not a common topic. There is some talk of "Arab" immigrants, but little or none of the black immigrants since there are not so many. However, after living in Spain for more than 15 years I was never stopped by police and IDed. I was surprised to hear a British black guy mention being stopped on an almost daily basis to be asked for his ID. Since that was not my personal experience in Spain, it never occurred to me that this could be happening to a fellow expat. How many other things am I blind to? </p><p>29. Empathy is needed, but hard when the upper Caste does not feel the true pain. The only way is through Radical Empathy of studying and being proactive. It is not enough to only be non-racist. </p><p>Have you read this book? Any comments? Leave them below.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-73110168008459272162021-06-11T16:55:00.001+02:002021-06-11T16:55:47.959+02:00"Moral Licensing" and "Value Signaling" as a path to de-polarization and "Truthiness"<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Builing Bridges, not walls...</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPjpeL_j2vNJY1eA-SXDoTflNXtTBW7SEBSbgMZGhcKKgM95wedhlHA8gKuTFJFTFg9cepURfH8xS6tn40v35VADO6kNigD0UF5XtlZc_c-mjDEiRcJ0Xqz4dfH7Ys6aEZ_cF/s2048/Edit-Money-LilyBridge-IMG_1226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Build Bridges, not walls" border="0" data-original-height="1724" data-original-width="2048" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPjpeL_j2vNJY1eA-SXDoTflNXtTBW7SEBSbgMZGhcKKgM95wedhlHA8gKuTFJFTFg9cepURfH8xS6tn40v35VADO6kNigD0UF5XtlZc_c-mjDEiRcJ0Xqz4dfH7Ys6aEZ_cF/w556-h467/Edit-Money-LilyBridge-IMG_1226.jpg" width="556" /></a><br /><i>Claude Monet, National Art Gallery, Washington DC, <br />December 2008, Photo copyright @unitedstatesian</i></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Basic truth/facts which are accepted by the majority of the population seem to be rare. The path to reaching the common ground is more indirect than might be expected </p><p style="text-align: left;">The direct route would be for journalists on both sides to form a kind of consensus commission. A multi-partisan group could work together to publish a "wiki" of agreed facts from the previous week's events. They could complement these posts with lists of contested facts on parts they do not agree on and links to their supporting evidence. </p><p style="text-align: left;">In my opinion, the road to true change would also require the creation of one or two new parties, but I will leave that for a future post :-) </p><p style="text-align: left;">However, these dry, unemotional facts would only solve a small part of the problem and I argue that it starts with two key concepts becoming part of colloquial language.... The solution lies in making <b>Moral licensing &</b> <b>Value signaling </b>part of the daily vocabulary: </p><p><b>Moral licensing</b> is a term I first heard in 2016 from the author Malcolm Gladwell. He used it in an interview to explain the swing from electing Obama, the first black president, to T****, an openly racist president.</p><p>Gladwell expounded on the idea in his first Revisionist History podcast (<a href="http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/01-the-lady-vanishes" target="_blank">season 1, episode 1</a>). I also found this short <a href="https://www.lclma.org/2016/06/28/when-good-deeds-lead-to-bad-deeds-moral-self-licensing/" target="_blank">article</a> which explains the idea well and gives tips to combat it in ourselves.</p><p>The clearest single example would be the person who goes to the gym and burns 300 calories in exercise and then they reward themselves with a latte and a brownie that have 800 calories! </p><p><b>Value signaling</b>, as explained by Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner in the "No stupid questions" podcast is when a person does something to signal their support for an idea, but that signal has no real effect on the issue. Examples of this would be when people put up black squares in their Instagram accounts in support of Black Lives Matter, however, they did nothing of real substance. Another example would be people anti-abortion advocates who vote for Republicans with the hope that it will solve the problem of unwanted births when it is actually achieved the opposite.</p><p><b>Why are these two concepts so powerful?</b></p><p>Trust, shared backgrounds, equality of opportunity, and a common set of morals are traits that have shown to be good indicators of societal well-being. Facts and the "truth" are dry, boring, and easily malleable or ignored when you feel divided. Give me a policy idea and I will find facts, figures, graphs, etc to support that idea. The key lies in working towards common goals with a group of people you trust and where you think you will get a fair shake.</p><p><b>How does this work?</b></p><p>Let's say that a common value in the US is respect for the police. There are many issues to improve, but I would say that at least 90+% of Unitedstatesian (American ;-) voters are saddened by the sight of a police officer being dragged down the stairs and beaten by a flagpole bearing the American flag, as seen on January sixth. Likewise, the same number would be saddened to see a police officer killed by looters stealing sneakers in the #BLM protests.</p><p>Now, if you can't use <b>moral licensing</b> to justify these heinous acts to defend your side, then the next step is to find a solution to the problem. If <b>value signaling</b> is understood to be a useless waste of time, then you are left looking for real solutions. </p><p>Will this solve all national problems and bring people together singing "<a href="https://youtu.be/Il6yAPJh13s?t=153" target="_blank">We are the world</a>?" No. But it will at least get people working towards common goals with a modicum of respect.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-64235737077004757482020-12-17T12:31:00.000+01:002020-12-17T12:31:00.176+01:00Bad slogans: How to create a slogan and not shoot yourself in the foot.<p> #BlackLivesMatter #DefundThePolice #GlobalWarming #ClimateChange #MeToo#BeBest?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RV4V6VG-IXMBFYqFd4PC2cM-X_YbPJaQwXwYeSDq1GtW0DZaa5DARhoc3e0WGyvl5VnJitoF4ufB36fXyNacyo1-yqufDKm2DyS49i2kodQJ4-yJu46ICaEk29Hc64aycHMh/s2048/GenerationTouch-20180416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1390" height="669" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RV4V6VG-IXMBFYqFd4PC2cM-X_YbPJaQwXwYeSDq1GtW0DZaa5DARhoc3e0WGyvl5VnJitoF4ufB36fXyNacyo1-yqufDKm2DyS49i2kodQJ4-yJu46ICaEk29Hc64aycHMh/w454-h669/GenerationTouch-20180416.jpg" width="454" /></a><br />#GenerationTouch @yipiyipiyeah</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>How to create a good slogan?</b></p><p><br />When making slogans, people need to be very careful because language is important and the message can be easily twisted. </p><p><b>Rule #1: Do NOT make the slogan too specific. </b></p><p>A good example is #GlobalWarming which only spoke to one part of the global environmental problem. As time went on, proponents saw that the slogan was too narrow and it did not get across a complicated issue with many causes and a varied outcome. Global warming was replaced with #ClimateChange which is a much better slogan, but people who do not understand the issue are still stuck on the "warming" part and use snowstorms as faulty reasoning to ignore the science. An entire generation was lost because of a wrongly formulated slogan.</p><p><b>Rule #2: Do not make it divisive. </b></p><p>The #BLM slogan is both too specific and divisive. The idea is obviously "Black lives matter Too"... but this was lost in translation. The movement would have been very different if they had started with the slogan #AllLivesMatter. However, now it is too late because this slogan has been taken by the other side which has misunderstood the meaning. The #BLM movement could formally come out to claim the #AllLivesMatter slogan and retire the old one; however, like global warming, the damage is done for a generation.</p><p><b>Rule#3: Do not attack any group, come from a place of support.</b></p><p>#DefundThePolice is probably one of the worst slogans ever. It attacks a group, it is divisive, and it is confusing. It would be much better to have an uplifting slogan that everyone could embrace. I am just spitballing here, but how about #RebuildThePolice, #MakePolicingBetter, #PoliceReformNow, #SaferPolicing??? Any ideas? Leave them in the comments.</p><p>The current slogan makes people think that there will be no police and that most people want to live in total anarchy. The issue should be framed in a way that helps the police get better training, appropriate funding when needed, and that you do not send an armed person into situations that either is overkill -- like dealing with a mentally unstable person urinating in public -- or underprepared -- having a single cop pull over suspects and have to deal with them alone. </p><p>I will not do a complete post on this topic, but there are other ways to deal with these problems. The police will be happy if they do not have to deal with the mentally ill homeless and be able to focus on training for dealing with violent criminals. And traffic stops should not be one officer alone. Spain is not perfect, but they do well-planned random roadblocks. Cars are funneled through a blockade with multiple police in an overwhelming force. This almost guarantees that there is no violence, dangerous car chases, etc.</p><p><b>Rule#4: If it is not working, change it as soon as possible!</b></p><p>#MeToo is an example of a slogan that followed the rules mentioned above and was extremely viral and surprisingly effective in a very short period. Spain, unfortunately, did not follow these rules and they have created the slogan #ViolenciaDeGenero (Gender Violence). The slogan has hurt more than helped the cause. It has made men (all men) the bad guys and pitted the sexes against each other. This has opened the door to right-wing parties like Vox to defend the majority of men who are honest and non-violent and a lot of women who do not like to be portrayed as weak and defenseless.</p><p>How to solve this problem? Women's rights groups should accept the fact that the campaign was misdirected and to look for a non-divisive campaign slogan like #MeToo. "Violence" should be made clear that it can be psychological as well as physical. It should be clear that this is not a gender issue <i>(Yes, more women are killed by men than women by me, but many more men are killed by men and some men are killed by women... this is a too-zoomed-in view of the problem. More men speed, but driving safety campaigns do not pit the sexes against each other)</i>. Women's rights groups should learn from the other side and include violence against the elderly, children, bullying, etc... all under one banner/slogan.</p><p><b>Rule#5: Don't be too bland.</b></p><p>Exhibit A: <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/these-be-best-memes-tweets-show-melanias-organization-is-already-everyones-new-favorite-joke-9011642" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#BeBest</a>. What was that all about?</p><p>In conclusion, if you want to start a movement or a trending hashtag, be very careful before moving ahead because you may do more damage to your cause than good. </p><p><br /></p><p>Have a great day! And feel free to leave constructive comments that help people create effective slogans :-)</p><p>PD. Maybe slogans should first be launched with catchy images. #GenerationTouch (#TouchGeneration) is clear in this graffiti, but without the image? </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-15660891702398934812015-10-20T15:46:00.000+02:002015-10-20T15:54:57.204+02:00Indoctrination Generation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Beach on the border between Jaffo and Tel-Aviv. </i></div>
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<i>Muslim Women co-existing with Jewish women</i></div>
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<i> in Bikini on the beach in summer.</i></div>
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Dear citizens of the world,<br />
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The past couple of weeks here in Israel have been stressful but not as bad as it is shown on the media:<br />
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First of all, the stabbing attacks have been in and around Jerusalem mostly. Secondly, most of the targets are police, military and Orthodox Jews. Living in Tel-Aviv means being in a bubble and immune to the crazy side; however is does not make you immune from the stress.<br />
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Life goes on but you second guess each choice to go out, you are more aware of your surroundings, any young Israeli Arabs are watched as if they could make you the next headline. Plans for a Friday dinner in Jerusalem have been put off indefinitely and the last hike in the mountains near the city was cancelled as well.<br />
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All in all, these flare-ups of confrontation between Bibi and the Palestinians is not what worry me. The threat comes from the lack of a long-term plan to resolve the issues and work towards peace. There does not even appear to be hope of peace. Even worse is the feeling that things will get worse before they get better.<br />
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<b>Short term:</b> I am sure that the attacks will slowly become more organized, more deadly and more explosive. Random knife attacks will morph into bombings similar to past intifadas... thus fueling a larger cycle of reprisals that could spiral out of control. (Note: The day after writing this post Hamas has called for bombings "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, 'Arial (Hebrew)', 'David (Hebrew)', 'Courier New (Hebrew)'; font-size: 14px;">Hamas media outlets have started to call for the replacement of stabbing attacks with vehicular terror attacks." <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4713346,00.html">ynetnews</a>)</span><br />
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<b>Long term: </b>The indoctrination of young people on both sides of the dispute means that we are doomed to see fighting continue for a long time. True lasting peace will only come when both sides (especially the extreme 10%) educate their children differently.<br />
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Both sides are guilty of indoctrinating the next generation, but in different ways. This video I took in the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem in August (2015) is a good example.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pdZVK7sD9Kc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pdZVK7sD9Kc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
https://youtu.be/pdZVK7sD9Kc<br />
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<i>Temple Mount...Source of the conflict...or just an excuse?</i></div>
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The current unrest is supposedly connected to the fear that the <i>status quo</i> will change on the temple mount. However, tourist visits are limited to only a couple hours a day and many days the access is closed. Security, controlled by Israelis, is very, very tight. The actual day-to-day activities are controlled by Muslims. And, even though it is the number-one holy place for Jews, the Orthodox Jews are not usually allowed to visit. And if they do, there is usually only one or two and they are flanked by a huge team of police and security guards that make sure there are no incidents caused by the Jewish visitor.<br />
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Seeing in person the measures the Israeli authorities take to avoid conflict, I doubt that they would risk taking actions that would lead to war.<br />
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<i>Jews visiting the temple mount, surrounded by security forces to avoid any conflicts.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSllggrYYpNrmqwRa0x37y6tDWQJwLbn-ztHLwn-XZeRtJ99NZDulpN2VqcfYdfQUmqkppSt8JhOaExLx44Iaa1bRP_23JwU9OYxD4uMXlQeOQDqjQ66vYEHLHndVJu3GEPUXD/s1600/20150815_104240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSllggrYYpNrmqwRa0x37y6tDWQJwLbn-ztHLwn-XZeRtJ99NZDulpN2VqcfYdfQUmqkppSt8JhOaExLx44Iaa1bRP_23JwU9OYxD4uMXlQeOQDqjQ66vYEHLHndVJu3GEPUXD/s400/20150815_104240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Teaching the future...to love or to hate?</i><br />
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This conflict is so complex that anything written could go on forever, but the goal is to find one part of the problem and work on that.<br />
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My solution...have the kids go to school together...share classrooms, teachers, facilities and ideas. What do you think?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-40612644414869311132012-03-12T22:07:00.006+01:002012-03-12T22:43:48.178+01:00Petra - Weekend Escape - Part II<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGQh6o6UUQ3tGFxloeONp_hy6G0NBkhfyUD5pcc9f3s23l8gHmDV9B8lb4N52dJ22keq8h2FEvqxopm6tySSdZCODoI9QLYxyIOWi_HuEUQ35gN2iMxqKzqYSHSGLUzWpv7XW/s1600/IMG_8920.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGQh6o6UUQ3tGFxloeONp_hy6G0NBkhfyUD5pcc9f3s23l8gHmDV9B8lb4N52dJ22keq8h2FEvqxopm6tySSdZCODoI9QLYxyIOWi_HuEUQ35gN2iMxqKzqYSHSGLUzWpv7XW/s400/IMG_8920.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719122166925578578" /></a><br /><div>Dear Citizens of the World!<div><br /></div><div>Today, I have decided to take a break from being the target in other people's target practice to post the second set of pics from our weekend in Petra. Seems fitting since Petra holds so much beauty....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPrT03KLdr4TX16FLPPcqrPuDfU9oCBaXBf5M904umUHLcwzUNwEuf1ghWFX7IJS7nXZuo4jPaW3t2p6ZIR21YAAfz28wApzeSAnLqum7ZvSHsh7OCCsfpXJrWpMoCLXbgeKz/s1600/IMG_8924.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPrT03KLdr4TX16FLPPcqrPuDfU9oCBaXBf5M904umUHLcwzUNwEuf1ghWFX7IJS7nXZuo4jPaW3t2p6ZIR21YAAfz28wApzeSAnLqum7ZvSHsh7OCCsfpXJrWpMoCLXbgeKz/s400/IMG_8924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719122149166404530" /></a>This was my favourite spot in Petra. It is a very colourful tomb below and to the left of the Tomb of the Kings.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNRsTo4kquhp7Zhr6mT130G22XPxxJe-oU4q0WtnIBqsM4ipEqTAaS8hqrDeJX8QF6uOwNqJOBC9hZiiJ6lNXT0k2Aq9_ChLTM9iq0EQCl6sIFqM4D5trHscI0e39k228URZi/s1600/IMG_8902.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNRsTo4kquhp7Zhr6mT130G22XPxxJe-oU4q0WtnIBqsM4ipEqTAaS8hqrDeJX8QF6uOwNqJOBC9hZiiJ6lNXT0k2Aq9_ChLTM9iq0EQCl6sIFqM4D5trHscI0e39k228URZi/s400/IMG_8902.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719121321082218450" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div>A detail of the area below the entrance of this tomb.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi929VfHxSMm5QIaj5yMyzwBKqn0oamvSp_9rj-X4La2rMFehyphenhyphenv-BR7bARaULScTDi12BZxVG1LRtPu19tjJSwkj2aSM5OGZpIfeX2DfZjXS9nUENq6jDKFWtSaNvtCU6ATTkw0/s1600/IMG_8898.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi929VfHxSMm5QIaj5yMyzwBKqn0oamvSp_9rj-X4La2rMFehyphenhyphenv-BR7bARaULScTDi12BZxVG1LRtPu19tjJSwkj2aSM5OGZpIfeX2DfZjXS9nUENq6jDKFWtSaNvtCU6ATTkw0/s400/IMG_8898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719121312466470210" /></a>Ceiling detail...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeeGYcnIJeapL-GOt3i7PdGpVtwP8x_EDwNi6_h6m29G69uWYdJduE7-qggBAEy-1U8Z-blHxZItawtxa-q6pt62RzqEhc34dnC7Tcos953SrsX8Vq8UVVSf8W8_Uwx9t_Dp-/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeeGYcnIJeapL-GOt3i7PdGpVtwP8x_EDwNi6_h6m29G69uWYdJduE7-qggBAEy-1U8Z-blHxZItawtxa-q6pt62RzqEhc34dnC7Tcos953SrsX8Vq8UVVSf8W8_Uwx9t_Dp-/s400/IMG_8904.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719121306734274562" /></a>As promissed I have some tips for your next visit to Petra:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>First</b>, choosing the correct time of year is crucial. Winter evening get quite cold at 1000m elevation in a desert. Summer days would be worse.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second</b>: when making the long treck up behind the tomb of the kings (some of the stairs in the pic above) to see the Treasury from the rim of the canyon, make sure you plan to be at top when you have the right lighting. I went quite early and it was still mostly in the shade.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Third</b>: Plan to stay at least 1.5 to 2 days. There is plenty to visit and it is best to take your time and explore. It is a 5km round trip on foot just to get to the Treasury...</div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, if you do not stay a night in the hotel, the entrance fee is almost double (100 eauros instead of 55)!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidFDH9xLJXN6YbngeGNPckXe0c3HJI1VxoPrtGcuQREAzn3PkjIfjP8TlXprTOZziEiHSRyqUWYTQbqyNrNxIO62MCPM0VTbvDMXH8_Ho-2_OF7EoQw8MNBnTey2lkcILz_5W/s1600/IMG_8926-Saturation.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidFDH9xLJXN6YbngeGNPckXe0c3HJI1VxoPrtGcuQREAzn3PkjIfjP8TlXprTOZziEiHSRyqUWYTQbqyNrNxIO62MCPM0VTbvDMXH8_Ho-2_OF7EoQw8MNBnTey2lkcILz_5W/s400/IMG_8926-Saturation.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719121299777256786" /></a><br /></div></div><div>Lastly, don't forget to bring a good camera and a gift of balloons for all the kids asking for handouts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div>- The United Statesian</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-83370276640865826772012-03-02T20:51:00.008+01:002012-03-02T22:08:30.952+01:00Petra - Weekend Escape - Part I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcbVyjk6GvFyz4ic8e9DrAL28pxP5RggaRFBYW5twjSI7qeYkPaOXN39gtuF-kbH3R8hfag3EY0Yd_FMJdnBtHRWLDoXQWMFBIyj9fAmr2nnmPBSkDYHHwb9UXIaKgdmXAD2d/s1600/IMG_8839.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcbVyjk6GvFyz4ic8e9DrAL28pxP5RggaRFBYW5twjSI7qeYkPaOXN39gtuF-kbH3R8hfag3EY0Yd_FMJdnBtHRWLDoXQWMFBIyj9fAmr2nnmPBSkDYHHwb9UXIaKgdmXAD2d/s400/IMG_8839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715393851749772210" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">Dear Citizens of the World,</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Living in Israel means being disconnected with most of its neighbors, but Jordan and Israel have quite good relations. Lucky for us, it is possible to cross the border and visit Petra in one long weekend - one day there, 1.5 days to visit and then back to Tel Aviv.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Unfortuntely, our visit to Petra and Wadi Rum were at the end of January when it was very cold and cloudy... but I guess that it is better than 40 degrees (100F) in the summer.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">A few shots from our first day at Petra...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpQQZ4QqzcaBFSipYxJyyporKqoJ3nN97sRMtK9FD8S3qnwDHEEHFo3s-Dr7XDu_f0HgouEtlcxJk6By2CvR0CykYnFq5ccOpG5yMfhZdsXDgYhP09lXSXnDilWZaUZqqcgCl/s1600/IMG_8749.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpQQZ4QqzcaBFSipYxJyyporKqoJ3nN97sRMtK9FD8S3qnwDHEEHFo3s-Dr7XDu_f0HgouEtlcxJk6By2CvR0CykYnFq5ccOpG5yMfhZdsXDgYhP09lXSXnDilWZaUZqqcgCl/s400/IMG_8749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715393843744121282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Thanks to these two, we were able to get a nice hot tea with mint - great when you are in a desert and it is cloudy and cold!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4WtUvfzDdy5U6dqUHjPqldwOw1dMcAeTIXXVa3UV3aSN-R3ROgfFbAii0qRpnRcJJd0whtofs-sh-J7IP5u7gZUrQZNA9fDOQDXdiciirMG1xZGarRs4pq8efMg6pfMYyaEr/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4WtUvfzDdy5U6dqUHjPqldwOw1dMcAeTIXXVa3UV3aSN-R3ROgfFbAii0qRpnRcJJd0whtofs-sh-J7IP5u7gZUrQZNA9fDOQDXdiciirMG1xZGarRs4pq8efMg6pfMYyaEr/s400/IMG_8751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715393839817553826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">A wider section of the canyon with fantastic light.</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdVA-Onhw-KXMJlofclsBkGyYY2QBsXpuCJ8g2BCz2sNRTA5ebG3xgfMEkHwpgEarwCCb1qB_8_drgNvfN4nvgJyhSuVzbQCS6HMI3PTIhlGMoYa1Pdp0DWunMtnjwBEpfXyO/s1600/IMG_8724.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdVA-Onhw-KXMJlofclsBkGyYY2QBsXpuCJ8g2BCz2sNRTA5ebG3xgfMEkHwpgEarwCCb1qB_8_drgNvfN4nvgJyhSuVzbQCS6HMI3PTIhlGMoYa1Pdp0DWunMtnjwBEpfXyO/s400/IMG_8724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715393829297625474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u>Fantastic texture that looks like dripping paint.</u></span></div><div><br /></div><div>There is plenty of information on visiting Petra, however, in my next post, I will give some tips that I did not find in any of the on-line guides.</div><div><br /></div><div>- The United Statesian</div><div><br /></div><div>A parting shot...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFB2G79X32S4vceFZs5yIRJu6T2WI4l9mzNUNAd0qe8rbD_GJIUTwFsFg-v0U1ftGwZF_kg5-21lbKFJnrFaIrbP5tkj21HaB03OE2pvFTzHfZCS-o99GCf7qbdIQfnDCwhIz/s1600/IMG_8692.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFB2G79X32S4vceFZs5yIRJu6T2WI4l9mzNUNAd0qe8rbD_GJIUTwFsFg-v0U1ftGwZF_kg5-21lbKFJnrFaIrbP5tkj21HaB03OE2pvFTzHfZCS-o99GCf7qbdIQfnDCwhIz/s400/IMG_8692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715393821752085026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u>Cloudy day in the city at the gates to Petra.<br /></u></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-87272161492222262642012-02-13T21:41:00.007+01:002012-02-13T22:12:32.330+01:00Tel Aviv -- Your Beauti-fool!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCPOaENR9NA7DtlIfOzq75Tj3mT4zOrgEbRB9OB1roTtChlIZhWBfBd0cG9Tlti5m6veKN9e5gIO_XR6ApN8lF4x5QV5pOGYPxixxToY8tA4i2TOIO_nu5NbofCUGZm7I_XBl/s1600/IMG_9084C.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2K7QYS3CPKSbWWqg4DwUaGHJaGlbJmtAhd1Lc3rjJqtXlVBPKiQ68LEcLKhoG1c8KlXoMENDS3rq2emWBs9PDjzlGHi5lpSUJ4pyJ2S3wm8MoiCgF67CuBL8IQ62jmoKd_7NT/s1600/IMG_9073A.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2K7QYS3CPKSbWWqg4DwUaGHJaGlbJmtAhd1Lc3rjJqtXlVBPKiQ68LEcLKhoG1c8KlXoMENDS3rq2emWBs9PDjzlGHi5lpSUJ4pyJ2S3wm8MoiCgF67CuBL8IQ62jmoKd_7NT/s400/IMG_9073A.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708723880064715202" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><i>Father and over-dressed son play on the beach</i></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><div>Dear Citizens of the world!</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been a rainy January here in Tel Aviv, but February has started out sunny and warm! While friends and family are digging out from snow and sliding down icy roads, we spent Saturday walking along the beaches of Tel Aviv.</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCPOaENR9NA7DtlIfOzq75Tj3mT4zOrgEbRB9OB1roTtChlIZhWBfBd0cG9Tlti5m6veKN9e5gIO_XR6ApN8lF4x5QV5pOGYPxixxToY8tA4i2TOIO_nu5NbofCUGZm7I_XBl/s1600/IMG_9084C.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCPOaENR9NA7DtlIfOzq75Tj3mT4zOrgEbRB9OB1roTtChlIZhWBfBd0cG9Tlti5m6veKN9e5gIO_XR6ApN8lF4x5QV5pOGYPxixxToY8tA4i2TOIO_nu5NbofCUGZm7I_XBl/s400/IMG_9084C.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708724160200617682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u>Hi Beauti-Fool!</u></span></div><br />There are plenty of nice beach scenes along the Israeli coast, but I focused on some of the details where city meets the beach. A good example is some of the best grafiti that is simple and too the point.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFVN2tf2GEpcAJZZ1QVF8CGzmbGPl9koDlHEZVr7mdwT2dPYsADxr-ihfsy20fsWTFJEo-cGIla3y7QRQTumbOktiWHmHkxjG-2gx6VNw_1iU4GP8ViBJ5RxdxuhztnhiNf86/s1600/IMG_9092.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFVN2tf2GEpcAJZZ1QVF8CGzmbGPl9koDlHEZVr7mdwT2dPYsADxr-ihfsy20fsWTFJEo-cGIla3y7QRQTumbOktiWHmHkxjG-2gx6VNw_1iU4GP8ViBJ5RxdxuhztnhiNf86/s400/IMG_9092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708723883821527746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a>This grafiti is part of a massive, abandoned...least-taken-advantage-of section of the Tel Aviv coast. How could such valuable terrain go to waste?</div><div><br /></div><div><span >Luckily there are some picturesque parts of the city to leave you with a warmer more positive feeling.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCPOaENR9NA7DtlIfOzq75Tj3mT4zOrgEbRB9OB1roTtChlIZhWBfBd0cG9Tlti5m6veKN9e5gIO_XR6ApN8lF4x5QV5pOGYPxixxToY8tA4i2TOIO_nu5NbofCUGZm7I_XBl/s1600/IMG_9084C.JPG"><br /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCPOaENR9NA7DtlIfOzq75Tj3mT4zOrgEbRB9OB1roTtChlIZhWBfBd0cG9Tlti5m6veKN9e5gIO_XR6ApN8lF4x5QV5pOGYPxixxToY8tA4i2TOIO_nu5NbofCUGZm7I_XBl/s1600/IMG_9084C.JPG"><br /></a></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02rov9AhyphenhyphencyCGcUXTQCTaU8XpH9tU98WlzzATsm2YmXGWEXDsGvQF4DpqkjSw2psxod_0_PKFw6de5u7_5ON07EIS3oFzYRaaXLzvFutj07ft0N3JA_EpXJgwvp9scKRP0T-K/s400/IMG_9139D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708723914963515618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jaffa at sunset...</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1WGRp-40lKQrzr9IfhVxpecPbamnhxr41Dq-bnalvcgWOGJHKFPllNfBZiv1WFdF8Id9TNMKXRG2lvz6zNwRWDqXyoeC3bVLbBl0M49SP4S1WPxQ32-MZnZammaDpcEvV4Qf/s1600/IMG_9164E.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1WGRp-40lKQrzr9IfhVxpecPbamnhxr41Dq-bnalvcgWOGJHKFPllNfBZiv1WFdF8Id9TNMKXRG2lvz6zNwRWDqXyoeC3bVLbBl0M49SP4S1WPxQ32-MZnZammaDpcEvV4Qf/s400/IMG_9164E.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708723933636761474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><i>Main street in Jaffa at twilight just at the end of Shabbat</i></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div>I hope I have succeeded in making you snow-bunnies jealous ;-)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-The United Statesian</div><div><br /></div><div>PS</div><div><br /></div><div>A parting shot...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXXWB2t14JoBvvPv_1r3aKhlwDHfMbNydZbPTn_ZroyBZ1zLyNYEEJlemxeXnQltMJ55YIxEH5Ygc0xrF5BThDeTB3e1FbqaRtfGN1DbQ9Z2Zd-8hUEnwZvSXk3q0Lr93DFVY/s1600/IMG_9062.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXXWB2t14JoBvvPv_1r3aKhlwDHfMbNydZbPTn_ZroyBZ1zLyNYEEJlemxeXnQltMJ55YIxEH5Ygc0xrF5BThDeTB3e1FbqaRtfGN1DbQ9Z2Zd-8hUEnwZvSXk3q0Lr93DFVY/s400/IMG_9062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708723901283829970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-57783289815170541922012-02-07T23:37:00.004+01:002023-07-26T12:55:27.686+02:00Don't Look Down!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15-qw6b1xqlCqTmfQa7WsU7A8dP_zMVBd02GZXP0ooFyycTty4f-mT6aM_alPz_74-qlv3JJmKg4vOBrJxwIk1rK9UrSOIpHciDV2xQS5zLMxM1n5CVW3Wo7BAM7rQiPRgo5F/s1600/IMG_8637.JPG" style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706526750146670930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15-qw6b1xqlCqTmfQa7WsU7A8dP_zMVBd02GZXP0ooFyycTty4f-mT6aM_alPz_74-qlv3JJmKg4vOBrJxwIk1rK9UrSOIpHciDV2xQS5zLMxM1n5CVW3Wo7BAM7rQiPRgo5F/s400/IMG_8637.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dear Citizens of the world!</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't look down! Unless you are blind, then you are fine.... or not.</div><div><br /></div><div>On our way to Petra, we stopped in Mitspe Ramon to have a look at Israel's mini-Grand Canyon crater and the fantastic views of the desert from its edges. To our surprise, there was a group of blind people rappelling down the side of the cliff.</div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706526760290465666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6qkZb7NUOZcgKxLKyw2tlJPHKOd9aUMXhAPqiUVG2r7W0tWxMJi3dmTkBmRns3t_kSdY6qaGcMzzPkgVEWP3qTTzytl_C4C5ib1jQhfhQfVWPlLzuTf0oNFv2Np2EAG1KuRz/s400/IMG_8646.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /><div><div style="text-align: left;">OK, They had the help of monitors and volunteers, but still.... rappelling down a cliff has got to be an experience when you don't see where you are going and when you have no idea how far you would fall if you messed up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706526747942867362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PUuzlEaKYBxgfjci5BY2Tz1q5ompgjwV_SoA3gP2NN-gLyS6b7RZ0LpD8N6J_tDcovomcLDO8un9pnR84bR65A9W8zb3RoNQfL4doBa8-LN1wH80hLMRA49KfkfuyVByTd_G/s400/IMG_8636.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span>Watch that next step...it's a doozy!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The experiment reminded me of my rock climbing class at the University of Chambery in the French Alps. The instructor had us climbing up with a blindfold, feeling for the holds and balancing ourselves without being able to see. It was a great way to learn to get a "feel" for rock climbing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope to be back in that area soon for a hike...who's up for a walk through the Negev Desert? Or how about a quick decent down a cliffside while blindfolded?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">-The United Statesian</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PUuzlEaKYBxgfjci5BY2Tz1q5ompgjwV_SoA3gP2NN-gLyS6b7RZ0LpD8N6J_tDcovomcLDO8un9pnR84bR65A9W8zb3RoNQfL4doBa8-LN1wH80hLMRA49KfkfuyVByTd_G/s1600/IMG_8636.JPG"><br /></a></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-56019814986989681972012-01-14T22:32:00.006+01:002023-07-26T12:57:59.317+02:00Desert Hike - Ein Avdat<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IEqeN65K6YfqWDJYD5c6_NkeDH9J7LtL7Bc0sXqgf4x34OVmBML2cbHJIhVLe4MrLurqbgQhuveQK6GJuRZWQEy7swrTdTwih52TmE2oVjEZVUErJwnpP14iFf3FIhk2Yeie/s1600/IMG_8544.JPG" style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697966317519500146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IEqeN65K6YfqWDJYD5c6_NkeDH9J7LtL7Bc0sXqgf4x34OVmBML2cbHJIhVLe4MrLurqbgQhuveQK6GJuRZWQEy7swrTdTwih52TmE2oVjEZVUErJwnpP14iFf3FIhk2Yeie/s400/IMG_8544.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a></div><br /><div>Dear Citizens of the World!</div><div><br /></div><div>After a heavy subject in my last post, I have decided to turn towards the brighter side of living in Israel as an expat... Escaping from Tel Aviv on weekends and seeing the country.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlak5AA5OYIM4xbJVpS8PGVlDndTZbK_XYgfU9baRyhMdd6LROkRGw-pFP_rhE00bYHFJRQPa6vh0az04Rtgf9VZURgbvyx41Noj31jgUnu0T3boSogL2gTObwnjdh_bDpJNDW/s1600/IMG_8604.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697966329714379682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlak5AA5OYIM4xbJVpS8PGVlDndTZbK_XYgfU9baRyhMdd6LROkRGw-pFP_rhE00bYHFJRQPa6vh0az04Rtgf9VZURgbvyx41Noj31jgUnu0T3boSogL2gTObwnjdh_bDpJNDW/s400/IMG_8604.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>This weekend was rainy and cold in TA... the perfect time to drive down to the Negev desert and go for a hike. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H62bFsvZ-4kjbp_xhgNIT2_seZSX4auDl_on565YnXbMk7vO1BtiKzxrFCNs5Ul0LO_FgiEZ3l3pJj16x4Cl0MG1CQfB4UHXoqpXlclLXPDwroShs9RvdH74YH_i1FUbj9jo/s1600/IMG_8583.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfh-2lvF3L5n2GniuTQtXDZWbmvUZ6_yxJ3xgf_FB-thba3y4-NivjhPasY6o2WuF-MH_KsUqMhYPBQUXNO4Pe6bKA6GP7KCR3X9tfRGAig6ZK1nRno70yjWDAWn8IqKd09lT/s1600/IMG_8591.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697966318964089714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfh-2lvF3L5n2GniuTQtXDZWbmvUZ6_yxJ3xgf_FB-thba3y4-NivjhPasY6o2WuF-MH_KsUqMhYPBQUXNO4Pe6bKA6GP7KCR3X9tfRGAig6ZK1nRno70yjWDAWn8IqKd09lT/s400/IMG_8591.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We chose to go down to the area where the first Prime Minister of Israel started a Kibutz after his first stint in office. Our destination was an oasis at the end of a narrow canyon called En Avdat or... depending on the spelling, Ein Avdat.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H62bFsvZ-4kjbp_xhgNIT2_seZSX4auDl_on565YnXbMk7vO1BtiKzxrFCNs5Ul0LO_FgiEZ3l3pJj16x4Cl0MG1CQfB4UHXoqpXlclLXPDwroShs9RvdH74YH_i1FUbj9jo/s1600/IMG_8583.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697966337972921058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H62bFsvZ-4kjbp_xhgNIT2_seZSX4auDl_on565YnXbMk7vO1BtiKzxrFCNs5Ul0LO_FgiEZ3l3pJj16x4Cl0MG1CQfB4UHXoqpXlclLXPDwroShs9RvdH74YH_i1FUbj9jo/s400/IMG_8583.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jCOMMy-_jhJ2-7Xee0w_ZaCFPDmWke6QyHZPnUIvoeTN4d2fuLtesJGPUMwIQDgu-r2jXKSkC-r0ZbGZS5VCp8N3vSxmz_RcnjMTHhP5pgd6XR_JiGg7APz-wUNuL-MN_fv4/s1600/IMG_8600.JPG" style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697966321949073586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jCOMMy-_jhJ2-7Xee0w_ZaCFPDmWke6QyHZPnUIvoeTN4d2fuLtesJGPUMwIQDgu-r2jXKSkC-r0ZbGZS5VCp8N3vSxmz_RcnjMTHhP5pgd6XR_JiGg7APz-wUNuL-MN_fv4/s400/IMG_8600.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>This shady oasis in the desert guarantees pictures of wildlife. There are plenty of birds for bird watchers.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to go... the link for the GPX file is uploaded to Wikiloc. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy trails!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>-The Unitedstatesian</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-14243570896260741742012-01-14T19:51:00.004+01:002012-01-14T20:06:50.045+01:00Israel at War -- Outlook<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i3ioj1KmBHuNp0-VWsbMEcu-Hz231WJYqFekzn-GZGuDvOwYAGCCEIfFYJ4RDnUjhsLUue8V7yVJu-evkN-7WFsjP7xisIJ9vBL_UX122osJDRApcC1iP-_Z1SSXib3KeqWQ/s1600/IMG_8507.JPG" style="text-align: left; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i3ioj1KmBHuNp0-VWsbMEcu-Hz231WJYqFekzn-GZGuDvOwYAGCCEIfFYJ4RDnUjhsLUue8V7yVJu-evkN-7WFsjP7xisIJ9vBL_UX122osJDRApcC1iP-_Z1SSXib3KeqWQ/s400/IMG_8507.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697562898393746162" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Dear Citizens of the World!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">The outlook is bleak!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Israel is at war, but not with another country. It is at war with its own brand of extremism.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Many believe that the Arab Spring will unleash the extremists in the Arab world, long held down by dictators, causing Israel to be more at danger. Thus far, this has not been the trend. I personally believe that the Arab Spring will be a positive thing for the region and Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">The threat, as I see it, comes more from a homegrown extremism. Although small, it is quite vocal.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Being Jewish is more a race than a religion. Only about 20 percent of Jewish Israelis consider themselves religious. And, the extremists are only about one percent of that 20 percent.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">That one percent of the 20 percent gets many of the headlines inside...and outside of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4162611,00.html</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: ES"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">The 0ne-percent have many privileged here in Israel. Most do not work or do the three-year mandatory military service. They are paid to study the Tora. Many people I have met here have admitted that the can not stand the one percent and feel quite cheated.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Now, the one percent increasingly wants to impose their beliefs on the rest of Israel... to the point that they have kosher public buses, kosher electricity, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzgcGqEpBpbo_cfb2Jk6yAw73FL_OdlPDa0iV1ZG-F_2z0xBXx4jmRFB3bh1Ew-EgQC1KNDzVl27GZNKO3nkSjOLXLj_foPej10JmJDW1ysaCl6Iy1pwO4QnTWdYRJDObn73p/s400/IMG_8273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697562902505310738" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /><i><span >Part of the 20 percent waiting for a flight in Ben Gurion Airport</span></i><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">To deal with this issue, the idea of "Ghettos" reminiscent of WWII has been floated around to create ultra-orthodox zones... which have been met by more protests.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Israel is stuck with a tough problem. Do they let the extremists keep pushing for laws and actions that cause friction and get bad press? Or, do they "oppress" those extremists in hope that they will get better press that shows the truly democratic/Shining light for the rest of the region to follow?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Unfortunately, the extremists are becoming more extreme... at the same time that Israel's majority is growing more secular. This is compounded by many outside pressures. The internal extremist pressure must be dealt with first.... only then can the will of the many push for a positive, long-term peace.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">As Obama mentioned in last years address on this issue... Peace can not wait forever and time is not on Israel's side.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; ">Who will win this war? The one percent? Or the many?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; ">-The United Statesian</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-37514422742798968542011-12-11T22:03:00.010+01:002011-12-13T22:54:56.254+01:00Jerusalem Part III - Santa meets God<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIFlEcmksf3aGqsggikit3Zh4sgbAFR-79siYik0GrWaYdj2ja8uJRhcT3QGwHDzCAdslCXsnmMJfE_aEFTNFhrkvd0xs77_znFZ_ePwoHgWMmWChAfD_4eBRKFAegSuKVdyz/s1600/IMG_8189.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIFlEcmksf3aGqsggikit3Zh4sgbAFR-79siYik0GrWaYdj2ja8uJRhcT3QGwHDzCAdslCXsnmMJfE_aEFTNFhrkvd0xs77_znFZ_ePwoHgWMmWChAfD_4eBRKFAegSuKVdyz/s400/IMG_8189.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684980115725376450" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><i>Santa? or is it Bill Clinton in disguise?</i></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dear Citizens of the World!</div><div><br /></div><div>Being an expat in the very Western Tel Aviv you often forget that you are in the Holy Land...Whereas Jerusalem is the front-line of the battle between religions.<br /><br /></div><div>Personally, the stress of living on the front line would not be my choice location, but going for the day is well worth the time, and easy to do since it only takes about 45 minutes to get there from Tel Aviv.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, on this visit, we were only had time to visit the Holly Supulchre and to have lunch at a restaurant the Pope John Paul ate at.</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9pB7zNfR5WiZFsqa2nJsmbnxSrQJX_nmAn4ZYLpGlDKwKimmwZW4BqahlbDI5VngU07Go2zAx5VL7-ay-5oG4MfREi8nDIFks22eLQrczsOZEHuyOxcBg7Ky4eoKptym5QSC/s1600/IMG_8163.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9pB7zNfR5WiZFsqa2nJsmbnxSrQJX_nmAn4ZYLpGlDKwKimmwZW4BqahlbDI5VngU07Go2zAx5VL7-ay-5oG4MfREi8nDIFks22eLQrczsOZEHuyOxcBg7Ky4eoKptym5QSC/s400/IMG_8163.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684980094247139794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9pB7zNfR5WiZFsqa2nJsmbnxSrQJX_nmAn4ZYLpGlDKwKimmwZW4BqahlbDI5VngU07Go2zAx5VL7-ay-5oG4MfREi8nDIFks22eLQrczsOZEHuyOxcBg7Ky4eoKptym5QSC/s1600/IMG_8163.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">Ray of light in the Holy Supulchor Cathedral </a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love how the intense beam of winter sunlight shoots across the church.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxP1wvBFAaBPKOUYNyYIaGTBd8BJTmC3bft41e3kdf52Wer53FFWDvMe3oAynPG1PpzefCECDdcq-w5EoWPeT2XRs6N5wh-Dfb12jGlTX_a3HYalMLi30SKRiwtwazpD65MaG/s1600/IMG_8158.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxP1wvBFAaBPKOUYNyYIaGTBd8BJTmC3bft41e3kdf52Wer53FFWDvMe3oAynPG1PpzefCECDdcq-w5EoWPeT2XRs6N5wh-Dfb12jGlTX_a3HYalMLi30SKRiwtwazpD65MaG/s400/IMG_8158.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684980088392616546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxP1wvBFAaBPKOUYNyYIaGTBd8BJTmC3bft41e3kdf52Wer53FFWDvMe3oAynPG1PpzefCECDdcq-w5EoWPeT2XRs6N5wh-Dfb12jGlTX_a3HYalMLi30SKRiwtwazpD65MaG/s1600/IMG_8158.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">Women praying, deep inside Jesus's tomb.</a> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The low amount of light and the one-meter thick wall makes the shot look like a drawing...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD0BJqBNts1F9Kpq-B3X-CnnKHJkgIy942lVOFoKGVwayyyUKjMcWxpnmef8KrjdNHohZR4NoHWIKiZBFcbL3TtGEKSDnbl9sxqaHz4mIHFh4asm9eR7nMoAmYOeGBvc1Agib/s1600/IMG_8155.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD0BJqBNts1F9Kpq-B3X-CnnKHJkgIy942lVOFoKGVwayyyUKjMcWxpnmef8KrjdNHohZR4NoHWIKiZBFcbL3TtGEKSDnbl9sxqaHz4mIHFh4asm9eR7nMoAmYOeGBvc1Agib/s400/IMG_8155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684980075726124098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><i>Natural light from the eye of the Pantheon-like dome of the Saint Supulchor Church</i></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrIUfNpSxkaAegv6NQSmfNn_2SmrQoLEbVT8eHVRDiyFvPA3ONXMxPMy0MgYMkknaVW2CBS-f1L1W5xGjg7xg99T1YO3uIVte174YKozJGGEaUrcMvoS6WbSYWmoichHtMk5T/s1600/IMG_8142.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrIUfNpSxkaAegv6NQSmfNn_2SmrQoLEbVT8eHVRDiyFvPA3ONXMxPMy0MgYMkknaVW2CBS-f1L1W5xGjg7xg99T1YO3uIVte174YKozJGGEaUrcMvoS6WbSYWmoichHtMk5T/s400/IMG_8142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684980071178675602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><i>Christmas decorations on sale in the Christain quarter.</i></u></span></div><div><br /></div><div>So, if you are in Tel Aviv and you miss the Christmas spirit. Head on over to the front-line and buy some decorations from a Muslim vendor in the Christian quarter that will still be open during the Jewish Shabbat!</div><br /><div>-The United Statesian</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-32654865843890269932011-12-10T17:46:00.007+01:002011-12-10T21:40:52.792+01:00Lunar Eclipse 2011 - Tel Aviv<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-ZkNF0HFh8FoLxEKcrQ6vmZTftSQWDrg2NTg5agkckuz60rnSm7-jRYACNTEiIypc1ZsqOJlJhVw6VSZpbv3piaRWZLccGiWs7cRJ1xvNaR3T77ECbp47yVWbvR8PeFpdWbY/s400/IMG_8219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684542997793917874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><br />Dear Citizens of the World,<div><br /></div><div>Traveling the world, not only do you get to see the countries from a different perspective... but the sky changes as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, it was a clear evening and the early 4:30 pm sunset made the lunar eclipse from my terrace easy to watch.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7GnbwgXFhmTo_4MSLaQtxdv5JhCvd3U4KjHo1Gr3zzX65CTU_ZtLtD2fCy7KwNKU9ZFtQwdUqb-21NFB2kZh4GVXyH_N2e3eh8oDuDPl7g-CG1I9I4IsEDfFsikDVy4px-oT/s1600/IMG_8230.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7GnbwgXFhmTo_4MSLaQtxdv5JhCvd3U4KjHo1Gr3zzX65CTU_ZtLtD2fCy7KwNKU9ZFtQwdUqb-21NFB2kZh4GVXyH_N2e3eh8oDuDPl7g-CG1I9I4IsEDfFsikDVy4px-oT/s400/IMG_8230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684543023399645186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Lunar eclipse with the Manhattan in the background.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcooNMnLlFGar-GF1pBO5TIphdiWR8OTA_ypO1Acsfkr_IZIXt6_3nw3TYHSU-53w_fMDhHIbSSL54_gD16xcQu1gjDBSs1icqToCA_wo34mHomXhmte0CZ52NEeNV5r7_-Hs_/s1600/IMG_8227.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcooNMnLlFGar-GF1pBO5TIphdiWR8OTA_ypO1Acsfkr_IZIXt6_3nw3TYHSU-53w_fMDhHIbSSL54_gD16xcQu1gjDBSs1icqToCA_wo34mHomXhmte0CZ52NEeNV5r7_-Hs_/s400/IMG_8227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684543014757022306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>The refraction of the sun's light from the Earth's atmosphere makes the moon look like a l0w-watt lightbulb, shining similarly to the terrace light across the street.</i></span><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKGlJaA0NSrwj1-vBxOaRCKmuYubO6iV86jJNSibHxobURMyo1SzKbwZ40Tz13szZv4WrPlQtFq034HHUQqDiOYa7SIkzBONLTxgrqiOgCFVnx8rkCuqGZBs7kAik77qzWbGu/s1600/IMG_8224.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKGlJaA0NSrwj1-vBxOaRCKmuYubO6iV86jJNSibHxobURMyo1SzKbwZ40Tz13szZv4WrPlQtFq034HHUQqDiOYa7SIkzBONLTxgrqiOgCFVnx8rkCuqGZBs7kAik77qzWbGu/s400/IMG_8224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684543002545297042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><i>A close-up ... proof that I need a better camera for kings day ;-)</i></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><i><br /></i></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL35NcXxpFYWJzComcFMa14NE1fUuxgCHAXj_teLa5A2_x5o70SpmVlnVlzbUSgAB2w0lhBwm8xhS0DQn5EUGIydbUw1oXFWV10J7uIURMuXNbRGasZUYXKVBg9jXE_vh8ayng/s1600/IMG_8221.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL35NcXxpFYWJzComcFMa14NE1fUuxgCHAXj_teLa5A2_x5o70SpmVlnVlzbUSgAB2w0lhBwm8xhS0DQn5EUGIydbUw1oXFWV10J7uIURMuXNbRGasZUYXKVBg9jXE_vh8ayng/s400/IMG_8221.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684543003378894098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 217px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></div><div>Have a nice week! And don't forget to look up to the heavens while you are travelling...it might look different.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- United Statesian</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-554611574606972612011-11-16T21:29:00.009+01:002011-11-16T22:18:21.326+01:00November - Bikini Weather in Tel Aviv<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTCX_v5Vfu0nmrEfPbesDdVobgWrN1bWafm2ggW97r82WTnjGFNM9ib5Bq8FRbEXcnufrGn9CchXRF5T3LR0mWfNmICPm3jEVgdtKlbQOP3kMj3qESrMiwYukFsoGW93RvvNk/s1600/IMG_8010.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTCX_v5Vfu0nmrEfPbesDdVobgWrN1bWafm2ggW97r82WTnjGFNM9ib5Bq8FRbEXcnufrGn9CchXRF5T3LR0mWfNmICPm3jEVgdtKlbQOP3kMj3qESrMiwYukFsoGW93RvvNk/s400/IMG_8010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675699919969293986" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i>Coffee break during our 15km walk along the coast</i></u></span></div><div><br /></div>Dear Citizens of the World,<div><br /></div><div>Although less exciting than <a href="http://unitedstatesian.blogspot.com/2011/11/httpwww.html">my last post</a> about seeing rockets and long-range missile tests, I think that these photos of a November walk along our beach in Tel Aviv are worth a post.</div><div><br /></div><div>I try to highlight the positive side of living in Tel Aviv as an expat. One advantage is the weather. Not many people can say they walk along the beach in mid-November and still see tons of people in bikini - not me though... not my style.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaving Tel Aviv going North you not only have the beach. There are lots of other sights.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUL8t_R6o9ms_LjjjQ9rPQ7h1JycWDJpyH8eYjSFOVJlMtH1VpbG_vxzTNkMAPOQB8aD6EeN86hSFD6hasKpwMg0Q74RMXv7kI7A-Zm2ng32hnLP4vbUltJpNero8AfQAZO8B/s1600/IMG_8025.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUL8t_R6o9ms_LjjjQ9rPQ7h1JycWDJpyH8eYjSFOVJlMtH1VpbG_vxzTNkMAPOQB8aD6EeN86hSFD6hasKpwMg0Q74RMXv7kI7A-Zm2ng32hnLP4vbUltJpNero8AfQAZO8B/s400/IMG_8025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675699957580091074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px; " /><i></i></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUL8t_R6o9ms_LjjjQ9rPQ7h1JycWDJpyH8eYjSFOVJlMtH1VpbG_vxzTNkMAPOQB8aD6EeN86hSFD6hasKpwMg0Q74RMXv7kI7A-Zm2ng32hnLP4vbUltJpNero8AfQAZO8B/s1600/IMG_8025.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUL8t_R6o9ms_LjjjQ9rPQ7h1JycWDJpyH8eYjSFOVJlMtH1VpbG_vxzTNkMAPOQB8aD6EeN86hSFD6hasKpwMg0Q74RMXv7kI7A-Zm2ng32hnLP4vbUltJpNero8AfQAZO8B/s1600/IMG_8025.JPG" style="font-style: normal; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >You can wait at the bottom of the runway and let the plains buzz you as they land.</span></i></a></div></i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCY7KQfEYO93ZEJuqnRMF4s0C0Eu-8lzeGNTHe_ukf4Sr5d3YsYoo4eYiEoK-oL1CYM3hoxfnBV-BMMoa7nqY4GsR7tLN5ogRv4BtLmKdo54N_VTLVigRAHF3DSuLWsxSoBNE/s1600/IMG_8007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCY7KQfEYO93ZEJuqnRMF4s0C0Eu-8lzeGNTHe_ukf4Sr5d3YsYoo4eYiEoK-oL1CYM3hoxfnBV-BMMoa7nqY4GsR7tLN5ogRv4BtLmKdo54N_VTLVigRAHF3DSuLWsxSoBNE/s400/IMG_8007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675699953329246386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i>Enjoy the Boardwalk around the Old North Port of Tel Aviv</i></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1LIisxi1RWeHWMjWSEsDVE4Us_m6K49KksxwGCkRBmKcBudx8o8EUCHMsskCNMW0wughYiPcUKJgoNNBzPNAKZx3uYI452JHAoBKM-OS0l8vUhtl1K733oonE4qqUTB3kdor/s1600/IMG_8020.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1LIisxi1RWeHWMjWSEsDVE4Us_m6K49KksxwGCkRBmKcBudx8o8EUCHMsskCNMW0wughYiPcUKJgoNNBzPNAKZx3uYI452JHAoBKM-OS0l8vUhtl1K733oonE4qqUTB3kdor/s400/IMG_8020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675698899723840866" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >A cool, long-green, hair-like algae on the rocks at low tide</span></i></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X8kxyTACiz_dhLfaixkUYhpLB3Dh89aIjzb0JFXhxmKEpvyHoq1YbA-_uk2_oFE5g5PMvPZyhLNi9RMA4Sxw_UCIxnbsQH9y0-dFA0IspyvPL2illhwPmCRIKigCROiY4GXp/s1600/IMG_8031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X8kxyTACiz_dhLfaixkUYhpLB3Dh89aIjzb0JFXhxmKEpvyHoq1YbA-_uk2_oFE5g5PMvPZyhLNi9RMA4Sxw_UCIxnbsQH9y0-dFA0IspyvPL2illhwPmCRIKigCROiY4GXp/s400/IMG_8031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675698898343391058" /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X8kxyTACiz_dhLfaixkUYhpLB3Dh89aIjzb0JFXhxmKEpvyHoq1YbA-_uk2_oFE5g5PMvPZyhLNi9RMA4Sxw_UCIxnbsQH9y0-dFA0IspyvPL2illhwPmCRIKigCROiY4GXp/s1600/IMG_8031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X8kxyTACiz_dhLfaixkUYhpLB3Dh89aIjzb0JFXhxmKEpvyHoq1YbA-_uk2_oFE5g5PMvPZyhLNi9RMA4Sxw_UCIxnbsQH9y0-dFA0IspyvPL2illhwPmCRIKigCROiY4GXp/s1600/IMG_8031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >The advertising for ice-cream leaves a lot to be desired...the least being ice-cream. These haggared costumes did not make me think of food...</span></i></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8gUb3p30qIfR7nY21LE1I6oTexR4_ZDxGK1MmZQAMn_97xvJuq-ejRMAhg-WQc2byvgyBstb8dHErKbUUP1PH6qCaWQ2HiN-5i4sc90fpL1kpf64wQZDF4e4EScpDYeBV1O3/s1600/IMG_8033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8gUb3p30qIfR7nY21LE1I6oTexR4_ZDxGK1MmZQAMn_97xvJuq-ejRMAhg-WQc2byvgyBstb8dHErKbUUP1PH6qCaWQ2HiN-5i4sc90fpL1kpf64wQZDF4e4EScpDYeBV1O3/s400/IMG_8033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675698880669395330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8gUb3p30qIfR7nY21LE1I6oTexR4_ZDxGK1MmZQAMn_97xvJuq-ejRMAhg-WQc2byvgyBstb8dHErKbUUP1PH6qCaWQ2HiN-5i4sc90fpL1kpf64wQZDF4e4EScpDYeBV1O3/s1600/IMG_8033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8gUb3p30qIfR7nY21LE1I6oTexR4_ZDxGK1MmZQAMn_97xvJuq-ejRMAhg-WQc2byvgyBstb8dHErKbUUP1PH6qCaWQ2HiN-5i4sc90fpL1kpf64wQZDF4e4EScpDYeBV1O3/s1600/IMG_8033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Sunset over the old port with fisherman in the background</span></i></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHHZyzeE0Y_IGngWniNBakyZw8MvGz3GDmUQB3IyGypI4mBx9b0lZAZPrKyfxdPQxR__2ejE7dEbXyRzy7D4wwJU29I0orfHtDBQqgi9LhLLijs0hO5SxlgY-cZIGTHi31iel/s1600/IMG_8034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHHZyzeE0Y_IGngWniNBakyZw8MvGz3GDmUQB3IyGypI4mBx9b0lZAZPrKyfxdPQxR__2ejE7dEbXyRzy7D4wwJU29I0orfHtDBQqgi9LhLLijs0hO5SxlgY-cZIGTHi31iel/s400/IMG_8034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675698880843573506" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i>The Sun melts into the sea behind a ship. </i></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i><br /></i></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i><br /></i></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">As a parting shot... I leave you with the sunset reflected in one of my favorite buildings along the beach. The wavy, modern design gives a great "golden" reflection to the sunset. </div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28VNKdH9ssnsT1ef-3g8HoSHZLlS4t5G-b5fjB55F-5eXT5zuLHldat9aEJiKe5ljePMFLKD62cBYAuYi5UEQ6S1g9THtP85NZWjZdPfvU6RYn2xs5mZ-DIpTKT2G_caD8odK/s1600/IMG_8037.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28VNKdH9ssnsT1ef-3g8HoSHZLlS4t5G-b5fjB55F-5eXT5zuLHldat9aEJiKe5ljePMFLKD62cBYAuYi5UEQ6S1g9THtP85NZWjZdPfvU6RYn2xs5mZ-DIpTKT2G_caD8odK/s400/IMG_8037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675698877629739650" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div>Maybe there will be missiles and rockets in my next post...but I hope to bring more of the good side of Tel Aviv and Israel. In the end, I think that the Arab Spring will be a good thing for Israel and the peace process.</div><div><br /></div><div>-The United Statesian<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-56273431609258869102011-11-02T15:08:00.007+01:002011-11-02T16:26:21.401+01:00Israeli Missile tests - up-close<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbY7NvMnwDLEnvJn-E-J_9XJQs1JmEywCGEnxN6uDnaCqSGJm4QRuGKOVY-HWgrZfxAkagtpVyrLA0ughdNV4blkGkN3pE3aiw9uGD4E8avw6FJX-4rHoVRg7w4HgCU7cLuynA/s1600/Israel-Misile-Fire-Test-IMG_0041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbY7NvMnwDLEnvJn-E-J_9XJQs1JmEywCGEnxN6uDnaCqSGJm4QRuGKOVY-HWgrZfxAkagtpVyrLA0ughdNV4blkGkN3pE3aiw9uGD4E8avw6FJX-4rHoVRg7w4HgCU7cLuynA/s400/Israel-Misile-Fire-Test-IMG_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670401740701432274" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i>Israeli missile test this morning (Photo: JA)</i></u></span></div><div><br /></div>Dear citizens of the world,<div><br /></div><div>Ever since I moved to the Middle East, people have been asking about the security situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>My honest answer is always something along the lines of - <i>"Israel is actually quite calm, they have some of the best security in the world... in many respects I actually feel safer here than in many other countries."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>This week, things have warmed up a bit: </div><div><ul><li>Extremists from Gaza shot a few dozen rockets at Southern Israel (From the office window, I could see the anti-rocket defense system firing as fighter jets flew overhead, going 30km South toward Gaza) . </li><li>The newspapers are saying that Israel wants to make a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear labs. </li><li>The PA is pushing for statehood with the UN. </li><li>And now, Israel is testing long-range defense missiles....</li></ul></div><div>A friend was stopped by the military because he was entering the test area... he got this shot of the smoke-trail with his phone. The most impressive was the sound and vibration of the launch from so nearby.</div><div><br /></div><div>People all over Israel could actually see the tests. Even 40 kms North of here. An article in the local news about the tests:</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4142862,00.html">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4142862,00.html</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Despite all the excitement, life continues as normal for most people and we don't feel any less-safe. Friday, a tasty lunch with friends and Saturday some tourism in Jerusalem, and Sunday back to work...life goes on.</div><div><br /></div><div>-The United Statesian</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-32840716033324236012011-10-03T21:01:00.009+02:002011-10-03T23:59:11.447+02:00Always moving, finally on vacation!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGTrNeiCiGgTfpDm4mott_5H3PEDHchg7RfP5iE7jATreuGraGz7y8iyzlGYXvHbFylBCpkQHFTBg7ZGGFyRu5zl2iSQKH5z77CUHA2ywJ5RK4vD2owb0cEv9cTWzwY_u9F_h/s1600/IMG_7410.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGTrNeiCiGgTfpDm4mott_5H3PEDHchg7RfP5iE7jATreuGraGz7y8iyzlGYXvHbFylBCpkQHFTBg7ZGGFyRu5zl2iSQKH5z77CUHA2ywJ5RK4vD2owb0cEv9cTWzwY_u9F_h/s400/IMG_7410.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659362432701004002" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i>Sunset from Ia, looking towards Fira</i></u></span></div><br /><div><br /></div>Dear Citizens of the world!<div><br /></div><div>Life as an expat often means that you are on airplanes, packing bags, going from country to country, but not actually on vacation. </div><div><br /></div><div>After months of flying back and forth over the Med, we finally got a week off to go on vacation to Greece. Athens was nice, but Santorini was great! A paradise island that was created thousands of years ago by the biggest volconic eruption in history. Still active, it could cause a big quake or erupt at any moment... just makes it that more exciting ;-)</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are going to Greece, make it over to Santorini...</div></div><div><br /></div><div>- United Statesian</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-5257579922239434962011-08-20T19:35:00.011+02:002011-08-24T14:36:14.450+02:00Welcome Home!...your new home!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBuUJSEvsoIh_vVH1PcqybullryguzYKtiNWvMCjjdY-cElN-21bX60aM8jfdDSDONwSjjwXMlO8O1Jkpnbye8cnTAkCPVVsM044hAxMwO5R4UpaBRdD1BTjp0JmS7z8hYfPQ/s400/IMG_4603.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642994096841931090" />
<br />Dear Citizens of the World!<div>
<br /></div><div>Welcome home! Yet again, I am making a new home in a new country and learning a new language.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Each time I fly into Tel Aviv, I see this retro sign welcoming immigrants during their "accent" to the homeland. Each time, I am reminded of my many homes around the world.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Being an expat...the notion of "home" takes on a new meaning. I once felt that the increasing number of homes was a wearing me thin by trying to be in many places at once. However, I now see it as an enriching experience -- the more you expand you physical horizons, the more you expand your inner horizons.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>In any case...I am happy that my new home is not on a street with a name like this one:</div><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5W7XBLQtiDBupnJAbklCH4puv_fhhtpvUM2f8UfiMrTme2gJfHn1-XLf_UcW1yTYzmG8VMBClGQrDAMdP7YR4UCl7UtXuk5YXZ7hC6aAGeN71PwkSrc8RkdN9TJblKtyFYGV5/s1600/IMG_4509.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5W7XBLQtiDBupnJAbklCH4puv_fhhtpvUM2f8UfiMrTme2gJfHn1-XLf_UcW1yTYzmG8VMBClGQrDAMdP7YR4UCl7UtXuk5YXZ7hC6aAGeN71PwkSrc8RkdN9TJblKtyFYGV5/s400/IMG_4509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642994098640641506" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i>Is that pronounced "Bear Sh*t"?</i></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The United Statesian</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19112805.post-49159640042461326422011-08-20T18:56:00.004+02:002011-08-20T19:19:40.585+02:00First rain in Tel Aviv - surprise!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5AWF5dvPAtT8PNbHwyZzKnZmzL5FSVfkDGCuMAPHl-rSqhgjnMhoGRfo2aUlWTaXuw4FZdydzDCcahfdgZuz-O5C6wOLQEQnz-JBX27CwGBac9UkeI0-qB39IHedJflSnZq6/s1600/IMG_5879.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5AWF5dvPAtT8PNbHwyZzKnZmzL5FSVfkDGCuMAPHl-rSqhgjnMhoGRfo2aUlWTaXuw4FZdydzDCcahfdgZuz-O5C6wOLQEQnz-JBX27CwGBac9UkeI0-qB39IHedJflSnZq6/s400/IMG_5879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642984140143923042" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i>First rain in months...</i></u></span></div>
<br /><div>Dear Citizens of the World,<div>
<br /></div><div>Tel Aviv has seen rain! This is news indeed. After three months in Isreal we have not seen a drop of rain...until last week.
<br />
<br />It was not much of a rain -- only lasted ten minutes and it only got things wet enough to make the months of dust become mud after evaporating ten minutes later-- but it was enough to actually be called rain.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>What would be a non-event in my other homes, is a big event in a desert. Tel Aviv's total average rainfall for the months of June, July and August combined is Zero!
<br />See <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv">Wiki on Tel Aviv</a>...</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Our reason for being here is directly related to Israel's lack of rain, but it is one thing to see it on paper and another thing to experience it in real life.</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I sudenly feel thirsty....</div><div>-The United Statesian</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com