And Speaking of Sanity

[Jet Travis]

As a cold rain pelts down during tax preparation day, a question comes to mind: How do 50+ cyclists stay balanced in ways that DON'T involve cycling?

I find that my moods are almost directly proportional to the amount of news I consume. The more news, the lower my mood. So to stay sane, I sometmes go on a very strict news diet--or actually try to stay away from the news altogether. Even so, I' seem to absorb all the news I can handle without even trying.

Any other "off-the-bike-stay-sane" ideas?

[Beverly]

As a cold rain pelts down during tax preparation day, a question comes to mind: How do 50+ cyclists stay balanced in ways that DON'T involve cycling?

I find that my moods are almost directly proportional to the amount of news I consume. The more news, the lower my mood. So to stay sane, I sometmes go on a very strict news diet--or actually try to stay away from the news altogether. Even so, I' seem to absorb all the news I can handle without even trying.

Any other "off-the-bike-stay-sane" ideas?

Every woman understands a day of shopping will help to retain the sanity:D

[Digital Gee]

We enjoy photography as a hobby that helps us keep our sanity. As you already know, however, it's a losing battle. We try to keep what's left, we guess. :D

[Retro Grouch]

This isn't the best group of people to ask what they do to stay sane. That's like asking Rush Limbaugh what he does to stay in shape.

[Louis]

Aside from cycling, maintaining any shred of sanity for me requires lots of humor, good music, lively conversation or reading.

Wife and I went to a local coffeehouse last night where our good friend Jim Gill was playing. After the gig Jim and his family, plus two other musician friends, and more old groupies stopped at our house for an after hours get-together which broke up at 4AM. :D Very, very nice evening.

You can hear Jim's music here: http://www.myspace.com/jimgillmusic

[stapfam]

Sanity does not come into it. You have a hobby- an interest -a one track mind and there is nothing else.
Only thing that keeps me sane at present is the Family and the Garden. Both daughters about to buy their first houses and they come round to us quite often- as the Saucepans have been packed and the come round to us to save unpacking them- or they have to show us the latest letters from the Solicitors and while we are round- we might aswell have a meal.
Only advantage is that they bring their boyfriends round so I am getting the piles of rubble bagged up to take to the tip. The old fence panels are being replaced as that is a two handed job. Only job left to do is to put up the hammock but if that gets done- I can sit, or lie in the hammock and think about the rest of the gardening jobs to do- or about the next upgrade to the Tandem that will be necessary.

[Yen]

In addition to being an avid gardener, I also enjoy sewing and cross-stitching, photography, travel, baking, and spending time with family. Currently I am making a strippy quilt (the entire top consists of cross-wise strips 1-2" wide), and I have another small project lined up when that is finished. I'd like to take knitting classes so I can so something while watching TV with Hubby in the evenings. For months, I was looking forward to purchasing a Nikon D80 digital SLR, but I'm afraid that $$ went toward the bikes we just purchased. The upside of that is that it will increase our togetherness time (Hubby's and mine... not me and this forum :)) and, bike riding burns lots more calories.

If I don't do any of that, and if there aren't any cookies in the house, then I just try not to think too much....... :p

[CrossChain]

Tell stories to kids and young people...capture the moment with something timeless. Talk to my own kids-- they remind me the world may have a realizably decent future. Like most all of us: garden, cook, hang with nice people (most of whom happen to be cyclists...which brings us round again to-- cycling!)

[Coyote!]

>>> How do 50+ cyclists stay balanced in ways that DON'T involve cycling?

1. Flower gardening,
2. Cooking,
3. Jazz,
4. Flirting with gals old enough to be my. . . . . .sister,
5. All that other physical stuff. . .hikin', runnin'. . .like. . .
6. Chasin' sheep, scratchin' fleas, barking at the moon, and
7. Did I mention jazz?

>>> The more news, the lower my mood.

Here's the Coyote Way. It begins with Coyote's Law #165: News is a Study in Outrage. Far from painting a bad picture of the world, news organizations today are firing blanks. . .they're in bed with with all other Evil in the World and actually pulling punches instead of landing punches. It's BS designed to Make Money for Them as Already Have It. . .Right/Left/Christian/Moslem. What's The Way? Turn it into a game. Listen to every outrage and try to determine who benefits. Pick out a story and refuse to listen. . .Anna Nichole comes to mind. The whole news industry wanted me personally to find Anna significant and I studiously avoided it, turning it off when it came on. In short, play the "who benefits" and "studious avoidance" game. . .laugh at ALL of it. . .derision is the best defense.

[HopedaleHills]

I play guitar, like photography, make wine, and work in my Koi pond and gardens. But I think the one significant change for me has occured because of the unexpected death of two younger brothers over the past two years. I have come to realize that most things are just not as important as enjoying the time you have, for it could end at anytime. So, I don't stress over work anymore. It's just a job and I don't bring it home. Of course this gets me accussed of having no sense of ownership and committment from my boss, but after being downsized several times, I know they have no sense of committment toward my future so I refuse to have any for theirs.

So I now stumble through life enjoying time with my wife, kids, and grandsons. That's what really matters.

Although as Jet points out, the news is really depressing and over the top. I try to avoid it all. Really who cares about Anna, Brittany, Brad and Jen, etc. I have always been of the opinion they should give these people their own country where they had to stay. After all the only ones who care about seeing them on the news is them.

The war really does piss me off and IMO has been mishandled by a bunch of village idoits, but all I can do is hope it ends and we get most of the guys/gals home safetly. Boy, if I were president things......nevermind, that job would cut into my riding time.

[Digital Gee]

That's it! I'm forming a DRAFT HOPEDALEHILLS FOR PRESIDENT committee immediately!! :D

[maddmaxx]

I've been around long enough so that I no longer worry about my sanity. I prefer to let others worry about it.

I do however try to stay busy. I work, I ride. I have some hobbies, most notabily I build miniatures of things. This bleeds over into model trains, planes automobiles, architectural miniatures and whatever.

[Terrierman]

Check my avatar. He helps a lot. So do the other seven (well nine counting the two that belong to the sons) that live at our house. Others might cite that as evidence of lack of sanity though.

[Bud Bent]

I enjoy my crappie and bass fishing, and now that I have a dvr that lets me skip commercials, I'm actually starting to watch a little tv again.

I work in a machine shop office (read that: dungeon) with no phone or computer. I used to bring the newspaper to read at breaks and lunch. Now, I get online by connecting my personal laptop to my cell phone and spend that break time here, instead. Ain't technology grand?

I spent a good part of Saturday doing my taxes and filing online. Now, I'm anxiously awaiting my $9 refund.

My Senior Games races are this coming weekend, JT. Wish me luck.

[SaiKaiTai]

My avatar says it all.

[Jet Travis]

My Senior Games races are this coming weekend, JT. Wish me luck.

Go, bud, go! And keep us posted. I'm coming up on May 13.

[will dehne]

As a cold rain pelts down during tax preparation day, a question comes to mind: How do 50+ cyclists stay balanced in ways that DON'T involve cycling?

I find that my moods are almost directly proportional to the amount of news I consume. The more news, the lower my mood. So to stay sane, I sometmes go on a very strict news diet--or actually try to stay away from the news altogether. Even so, I' seem to absorb all the news I can handle without even trying.

Any other "off-the-bike-stay-sane" ideas?

Books and book stores. (my favored especially with the coffee)
Music.
I love music on YouTube. I am hooked.
Computer research on any subject.
Non biking exercise.
Chess with friends or a computer.
I love museums, especially art museums.
Parks, we hang out in all local parks.
Travel to friends and exotic places.
etc., etc., not enough time left.

[MarkAJ]

Once you stop watching "breaking news" you have achieved enlightenment.

Wife & dog fill all voids after cycling.

[SSP]

Chasing younger, fit women...and every once in a while, catching one. :D

[BluesDawg]

Any of you old freaks know who sang this?

Well I'm about to get sick
From watchin' my TV
Been checkin' out the news
Till my eyeballs fail to see
I mean to say that every day
Is just another rotten mess
(Sure 'nuff!)
And when it's gonna change, my friend
Is anybody's guess (Well!) (Woa!)
So I'm
Watchin' and I'm a--waitin'
I'm hopin' for the best
Even think I'll go to prayin'
Every time I hear 'em sayin'
There's no way to delay
That trouble comin' every day
There's no way to delay
That trouble comin' every day

Wednesday I watched the riot
I seen the cops out on the street
I watched 'em throwin' rocks & stuff & chokin'
In the heat
I listen to reports
'Bout the whisky passin' around
I seen the smoke & fire
And the market burnin' down
I watched while everybody
On his street would take a turn
To stomp & smash & bash & crash & slash & bust & burn
I'm a--watchin' and I'm a--waitin'
But I'm hopin' for the best
Even think I'll go to prayin'
Every time I hear 'em sayin'
There's no way to delay
That trouble comin' every day
There's no way to delay
That trouble comin' every day

[bobby c]

Zappa & the Mothers of Invention

[BluesDawg]

Zappa & the Mothers of Invention

Great Googly-Moogly! You're right. Now report for your urine test ;)