tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14516473.post3209468617294301945..comments2023-04-02T05:10:46.671-04:00Comments on The Super Bongo: A Monkey's Tale: responding to commenter AllenThe Super Bongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556951103999828245noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14516473.post-65499704103653639212007-07-26T08:37:00.000-04:002007-07-26T08:37:00.000-04:00"cycling" is apropos. My exercise bike broke yest..."cycling" is apropos. My exercise bike broke yesterday. The part that I need to fix it must be the most expensive part in the bike. Fully half of the discounted price we paid for the whole thing, I think. Unfortunately, we bought it a while ago, so nothing's under warranty anymore--even though it's only recently seen constant use.<BR/><BR/>Hopefully you'll see the children of those toddlers going off to college. :-) (That's actually one of my motivations for getting in better shape.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14516473.post-43082427606653917702007-07-25T22:52:00.000-04:002007-07-25T22:52:00.000-04:00Man, you rule. Self dislipline has never been my ...Man, you rule. Self dislipline has never been my strong suit. I'm still cycling through my excuses. But, I give you props for finding a system that works for you and sticking to it. <BR/><BR/>I think I'm winding up to a age angst explosion -- I keep finding more and more indicators I'm getting old -- like toddlers I've known going to college.The Super Bongohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556951103999828245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14516473.post-90969718032930409592007-07-25T21:47:00.000-04:002007-07-25T21:47:00.000-04:00Actually, I'm two months into a program of exercis...Actually, I'm two months into a program of exercise and better food choices (both in "what" and "how much"). I've lost about 20lbs so far. The goal is about 90lbs down from where I started (at about 239). The goal is to get my rough BMI down into the "Normal" range.<BR/><BR/>I've always <I>known</I> that I should, but something finally kicked me over the edge in May to say, "You've got to start eating better." And then, in early June, "You've got to exercise to lose the weight, be healthier, and feel better." And actually follow through on it.<BR/><BR/>I figured it was a good sign when I actually used the exercise bike in the hotel when I went back to the mountains for my youngest brother's graduation. It's hard to believe he's starting at UNC-CH in the fall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14516473.post-69283931401070944102007-07-25T14:05:00.000-04:002007-07-25T14:05:00.000-04:00ooh - I think I've been caught. Yes, I should hav...ooh - I think I've been caught. Yes, I should have said the "stereotypically unfortunate" behaviors we often see in men. But, you make a very good point that men are capable of real strength and gentleness. <BR/><BR/>I think I would be better served to say that it's not so unreasonable to expect such behavior from all persons - human or not.<BR/><BR/>And, yes - all too often we see booze and drugs as the big equalizers. But, there is also an increase in smoking and stress related illnesses in women too. <BR/><BR/>I find it so interesting that humans know more about nutrition, healthly lifestyles, preventing some illness, etc - and yet they seem, in higher numbers, to be ignoring all those warnings. <BR/><BR/>I too am guilty of making unhealthy habits. I'm not sure how you make the "good" choice the easiest choice. That covers a multitude of sins.The Super Bongohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556951103999828245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14516473.post-83347968601563423072007-07-25T13:35:00.000-04:002007-07-25T13:35:00.000-04:00What kind of "male" behavior? From your tone, the...What kind of "male" behavior? From your tone, the following come to mind: Irresponsible. Aggressive. Crude. Non-empathetic.<BR/><BR/>Based on that list, is alcohol the great equalizer turning all people into "guys"?<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, there are other behaviors that aren't so negative, necessarily, if taken in moderation: responsible, chivalrous, protective. Some of which are also "female" behaviors in some contexts.<BR/><BR/>O, the humanity! (no offense)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14516473.post-32399636185399752462007-07-24T22:49:00.000-04:002007-07-24T22:49:00.000-04:00I hope allen sees this - I am surprised but not ab...I hope allen sees this - <BR/><BR/>I am surprised but not about the whole video game/aggressive actual driving thing. More and more, I see young women also behaving in ways that previously would have been "male" behavior. I'm not quite sure this is the highest and best way to express one's feminism. If that is indeed what they intend to express.<BR/><BR/>And, the difference between college and pro sports -- I think that coaches in college ball feel that they have the responsibility to exert more control over behavior. Also, typically, the media doesn't camp out and hound college athletes in the same ways they do pros. I also wonder if college players still think of themselves as "kids" and thus not really in a position to get into the more serious types of trouble. <BR/><BR/>However, that being said - the pro game has pretty substancial "security" details keeping tabs on their players too.<BR/><BR/>I'll add the movie to my netflix -- I've not really seen a truly good movie lately. I've seen some weird stuff -- but nothing I'd truly say was good.The Super Bongohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556951103999828245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14516473.post-76827336633424390702007-07-24T11:29:00.000-04:002007-07-24T11:29:00.000-04:00Thanks for your response to my comments.What I was...Thanks for your response to my comments.<BR/><BR/>What I was thinking about in terms of war was a <A HREF="http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/soulofwar/index.shtml" REL="nofollow">Speaking of Faith</A> radio show (that I listen to as a podcast--the most recent podcast is Barbara Kingsolver on the Ethics of Eating, which might also interest you).<BR/><BR/>I agree that a lot of folks have different "roles" to play. We all do, of course. I just wonder how much bleeds through from one role/situation to another. I saw a study somewhere (no idea where or really when) that found correlations between driving video games and aggressive driving behaviors. I.e., people (young men in the study, if I recall correctly) drove more aggressively on the real streets after playing video games where they were racing virtual cars.<BR/><BR/>OK... So "young men" is not the best demographic in which to find good judgement, etc. I am appalled at some of the stuff I did when I was younger. But that's exactly the group that we're talking about for football players. It's actually kind of a wonder that there aren't more discipline problems in college and pro "ball".<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I think systemic abuse is just as bad as private, individual abuse. Maybe worse, if it can be worse without diminishing the other. It's just ugly. It shows a real lack of empathy, I think.<BR/><BR/>On a totally different note... Go see <I>Paris, je t'aime</I> when you can. We went to see it last night. I was a little frustrated with some of the vignettes--wanting more, but really enjoyed it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com