Whirlwind Missions

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Anthony! Español! Walk! Bike! 9.3.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 7:05 pm  

I liked these quotes from Theise.

Incredible how many criminal charges this guy has against him.

OYB!

Español!

Indeed.

Good talk with my buddy Anthony.

Sixteen hills.


Hiked 2.84 miles.

Prepped my bike.

And me.

Listened to !!! and NYPC, as well as Don Cheto.

Perfect weather for a bike ride.

Rode 20.36 miles.

I like these articles by Peter Diamandis.

Released Verbal Surgery “Used to It.” So good!

#1!

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Español! Walk! Yard Work! 9.2.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 7:09 pm  

Worked hard this week. Like most.

OYB!

Cooler!

Español!

Walked 2.20 miles. 12 hills.

Did yard work today. Trimmed the front yard.

The line didn’t feed as well today as with other reels.

Picked up a lot of sticks and took them to my recycling area.

After I trim, you mainly see dirt. Welcome to yard care when you live in a forest.

Blew the driveway.

Walked another 1.75 miles while I trimmed.

Also blew the deck.

Finished hauling the sticks I’d collected.

Listened to Don Cheto.

Reckon I’ll come in #1 this week.

Friday, September 1, 2023

Español! Walk! Bike! Groceries! 9.1.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:43 pm  

I’d love to watch THE Messi play, but not at $390! Wow!

OYB!

I washed my clothes today.

The shirts dry almost instantly. Then I put the rest of the laundry in.

Ordered groceries. I noticed they can now put my groceries into my own bags. Excellent. I ordered another set of reusable bags. Most of my previous bags are used for storage of stuff in my trunk.

They use a LOT of plastic bags to get my order together. Probably four times more than I would have used. I was going to recycle them, but the recycle box, although clearly marked, idiots had thrown trash into. So I’ll keep them in my trunk until needed.

My new external battery came in today. I got her charged up. I should have enough for my trip now.

Part of the paint on my bike got scraped off. Not sure how that happened. I applied electrical tape to keep it covered up.

Walked 2.91 miles this morning while I studied. I actually call it “hiking” because all I do is go up and down my hill.

Fifteen times up and down.

It was mild today. Can Fall really be happening soon?

Listened to Don Cheto in my car and while I was biking.

Biked 15.54 miles.

Got home and cleaned up. Then went to get the groceries. That used to be a super fast job, but now I have to go inside the store to get bananas and whatever other fruit I need. Kathy wanted some popcorn. I got that for her too.

Mileage log.

The chip on my debit card has failed. I can’t believe it’s only two months old! Got onto the BOA app and ordered a new one. Not every card machine can do tap and go.

Constant consistent effort is hard to beat.

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Walk! Bike! Flat! Azalea! 8.31.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:49 pm  

I’m breaking down my research into Guatemala by the locations I’ll be visiting. Flavio is a noted guide in Antigua and Lake Atitlan. I hope to get to know him.

OYB!

Internet went out in our area this morning. Interfered with my Spanish study. I don’t like that. I wanted to reply OUTRAGE.

Español!

Gorgeous.

Walked 1.64 miles. Had to cut my exercise short in order to get to my dental appointment.

I’ve been studying electrolytes. It occurred to me that there must be pills that could do the job. Sure enough there are. I got the best rated/tasting. I’ll take these with me when I climb Acatenango. These and water should keep me in good stead.

Milder today. Still very high humidity.

I had a good chat with my Mom today.

I arrived at my dentist appointment right on time.

The doctor told me my implant was doing well and the surgical site “looked like nothing had happened there.” Amen.

I also had a thorough cleaning. And X-rays.

I talked to my Mom about the blender I use, the Nutri-Bullet. I’m a huge fan of it. I shot a series of photos about how I make my banana smoothies. Bananas, ice and milk. Delicious and good for me.

Prepped my bike for a ride after I got home from the dentist. Aired up tires, one of which was really low. That didn’t bode well for the ride. . . . Cleaned the frame and put fresh covers on my handle grips. Filled up my water bottle.

Saw this military chopper on my ride.

Rode my bike 9.36 miles. Got off to get a drink of water and POP! The tube in my front tire literally exploded. Completely flat.

I immediately called my bike guys to tell them what had happened.

Also called Miles to let him know I was going to be late and couldn’t pick up the girls. I had to walk home.

First, I hid my bike behind some bushes beside the library.

Walked 1.32 miles back home from the library. It could have been a LOT worse. That tire could have popped when I was at speed. That would’ve been very bad. I never really ride all that fast even going down hill. But still. . .

To add insult to injury, my car also started to run rough again. That’s not zesty. My car guys are on vacation until next Tuesday. I can still get around so it’ll work out.

Listened to Don Cheto while I was driving to the bike shop and then to Chamblee to the mission.

Preston, one of my bike guys, put some new tape on the rim, a new tube and a new tire. I’ll be getting two new tires soon. Both of mine are worn out.

Took my bike with me into Chamblee.

Helped the kids at the mission.

They are doing a project about planets.

Went by my office to check the mail.

Keep pushing.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Walk! Español! Guatemala Shuttles! K! AZ! 8.30.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:51 pm  

Since I’ll be climbing Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala on October 9th, I was curious what the relationship is between hiking at extreme humidity and hiking at high altitudes.

Big one!

Glad to hear that I’m not required to get a Covid test before I go to Guatemala. I may go to the consulate just to ask.

OYB!

I studied Español for over two hours today.

Walked 4.61 miles today while I studied Español.

Climbed my hill 26 times today.

For comparison.

I worked on getting my in country transportation in Guatemala squared away today. I’ll be taking shuttle buses. I have four overland trips: Guatemala City to Antigua, Antigua to Panajachel (Lake Atitlan), Panajachel to Antigua and Antigua to Guatemala City. I’ll have multiple trips around the cities of Lake Atitlan, I’ll be using water launches for those. I’ll be making my HQ at San Marcos La Laguna.




Looks like plugging in gear will be no problem. Amen.

We had just a few sprinkles here in the ATL. Most of the heavy weather was SE of us.


Kathy came with me today. We ate a Piccadilly then went to FBCD to check the mail.

Processed and deposited checks.

Worked on the girl’s bikes. There were two bikes that the neighbor girls used years ago. I got them going as well.

I go in for my implant check up tomorrow. I scheduled a cleaning while I’m there. That should work out well.

We’re getting a refund back from Mint.

K had fun with the girls.

Helped the kids with their homework. Glad Noah was there to help.


Interesting high level clouds.

More info about my Acatenango adventure.

Keep pushing.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Español! Anthony! Nana! Walk! Planning! Car! 8.29.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 8:05 pm  

Six years ago today!

OYB!

I finished stuffing all the envelopes last night. Got them ready to take to the Post Office this morning.

Dropped my car off at T&G this morning to get the alternator replaced. It was still under warranty so the work was free. Amen! It didn’t get finished till after 3:00 so I didn’t make it to the Mission today. Miles picked up the girls.

Had a good chat with my buddy Anthony this morning. Always fun.

Also talked with my Mom. Excellent.

I drove home in the rain last night. I dried off my bike and coated it with the WD-40 again. This morning I put my utility bag back on.

Walked 3.04 miles this morning while I studied Spanish.

Did my hill sixteen times.

Took out the trash.

I went through all my reservations for my trip to Guatemala today. It’s exactly one month until I leave! I have reservations in Guatemala City, Antigua, Panajachel and San Marcos la Laguna. I printed everything out just in case. Most of the time they just need ID and that’s enough. I’ve seen where sometimes customs in countries want to know where you’ll be going so I like to carry hard copies.

I’m staying at hostels and an Air BnB. That saves a LOT of money.



Here’s my rough draft of my trip. I’m still doing research on the cities I want to check out around Lake Atitlan and things to do in Antigua.

Also made copies of my flight confirmation #. I like to have everything in one place. Eventually, I’ll put all this information on a series of pictures on my phone and add details in an app. I’ve gotten stuck before in the UK when my phone was dead and I was completely screwed until I talked a lady into letting me plug my phone into her computer to charge it back up. Ever since then I like to carry hard copies. I rarely use them, but I like to have them. Just like carrying extra power supply chargers for my phone.

Just talking about that made me order another external battery! Never too many!

I also made copies of all my credit cards, driver’s license, passport, Breeze card and records of inoculations. I made one copy to take with me in case of theft or loss and the other one to leave here with Jessi.

I determined that Guatemala is two hours behind us here in the ATL.

I also made my reservation for the guides to take me up Acatenango volcano! I’ll be going up on Monday, October 9th. Should be an adventure!

Used What’sApp to contact them directly.

I’m looking into local mobile eSIM cards to use when I’m in country. LOT cheaper than roaming fees. I’m still figuring it out. My phone is unlocked so I don’t think it will be too hard. My main question is does it activate as soon as I buy it? I’ll probably get the 3GB for $20.

Rained some this evening. We got about 2″ yesterday!

Got more black ink for my printer.

Productive day even without my car.

Nicole looks like she wants it pretty badly. We’ll see.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Walk! Bike! Azalea! Newsletters! Storm! 8.28.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:29 pm  

My buddy Anthony and I both came in the top 3 in the Diamond league.

I made it to #2, as I predicted.

OYB!

Español!

Amen!

Walked 4.21 miles this morning. Sweaty mess for sure. She’s a big hill. Walked up and down her 23 times.


After my walk, I showered and got into some fresh clothes. Then I went to Aztec Bike to get my flat tire repaired. Turned out that the tube had completely split open. Bizarre. They replaced the tube for free, but I insisted on paying them for their labor. They gotta eat too! I really appreciate them stopping what they’re doing to go ahead and wait on me. Speeds up my day a LOT!

Left a message for my Mom today. I’m sure we’ll be in touch soon.

I brought my bike on into Chamblee.

Deposited a check. Amen.

Went to the Post Office to get stamps.

Put the stamps on the envelopes while I was waiting for my food to be cooked at Taco Veloz.

The apartments across the street from Azalea continue towards completion.

Picked up the girls at the bus and took them to the Buford Highway Farmers Market to get something to eat.

Went by the office to pick up the newsletters.

Helped the kids at the mission with their homework. We were under the canopy because of the threat of rain. Just some sprinkles is bad for laptops.

We managed to get the homework finished before this clobbered us. I skirted the edge of it on my way home.

My charging light came on in my car. That’s never good. I just had the alternator replaced about a month ago. I’ll need to take it in tomorrow.

Came home to fold and stuff the newsletters.

It’s important to have consistent effort if I want to improve.

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Español! Walk! Flat! Newsletter! Podcast! 8.27.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:12 pm  

Ordered more small envelopes for the newsletters.

OYB!

Español!

Sweaty morning for a walk. Hiked up my hill sixteen times. Went 2.80 miles.

Blew the driveway.

Got ready to ride my bike but the front tire was completely flat. That’s not zesty. I got the soapy water out and eventually found where there was a thorn in the tire.

Aztec Cycles does all my repairs. They’re closed today so I’ll have to take it there tomorrow morning to get it fixed.

I rode over 45 miles last week on my bike, so I wasn’t too uptight about not getting a ride in. I had other things I needed to work on.

It was really hot today.

I went to Stone Mountain to record an episode Verbal Surgery called “Used To It.”

Also wrote my newsletter while I was there.

Came home to produce the newsletter and label the envelopes. I still need to get the stamps tomorrow as well as take it to the FBCD to make the copies.

Put my bike rack on my car and got my bike on it.

Checked the oil in K’s truck.

Downloaded the episode of Verbal Surgery onto my Mac Air.

I’ll come in second this week. It was a solid competition. I worked hard.

I enjoyed watching Ahsoka today. I’m a big Star Wars Rebels fan so seeing a live version of the animated series is really cool.

I’ve also had fun watching The Rookie starring Nathan Fillion. He’s one of my favorite actors and the writing is really good on this show.

Fun day. Got a lot of things done.

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Español! Walk! Bike! Podcast! 8.26.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 6:58 pm  

Just keep learning.

OYB!

Hot day.

Español!

I focus on the speaking exercises after I do the lessons.

Indeed.

Walked 2.49 miles while I studied.


Fifteen hills.

After my walk, I took a shower and put on fresh clothes. Had some nuts and a banana smoothie. Then got ready for my bike ride. It just kept getting hotter. The humidity was harsh.

Listened to music and Don Cheto as I rode.

Biked 15.48 miles.

Released Verbal Surgery “The Real Stuff.” Excellent.

I’m enjoying watching Nathan Fillion in The Rookie. He’s one of my favorite actors.

Looks like I’ll be #2 this week.

Friday, August 25, 2023

Walk! Español! Bike! 8.25.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 7:06 pm  

OYB!

Español!

Beautiful morning!

Walked 4.14 miles. Did my hill 22 times. Walked for about one hour and forty five minutes.



Too hot for a shirt.

I walked this morning. It was hot and sweaty.

Worked on this.

By the time I biked it was this hot. I kind of got a little psyched out about it, actually. I was fine. In the sun that would be about 115 degrees.

My bike ride took longer than usual today because I took my branch shears to get them out of the way of the sidewalks where I ride. I stopped and cleared out about five different areas.

Made a nice pathway.

This rose bush was about halfway into the sidewalk. It was the main reason I brought the shears.

I biked 15.67 miles.


It was challenging.

Looks like the Mint situation is being taken care of.

Just keep going.

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