TJ North

47 minutes of walking at 4 mph in the bloody freezing rain last night. Actually, it was more like a mist and I didn’t realise how wet I was until I walked in the door and started dripping.

What would Canadians have to talk about if it wasn’t the weather? Loverboy calls me every night. Instead of phone sex we spend 10 minutes comparing temperatures and forecasts.

That’s 3 days in a row of good, hard outdoor walking. Tonight I have promised to go to the gym with Son #1 - I figured out he is being a bit shy about walking in alone and just needs some moral support to get through the door. Then I am sure he will pretend he doesn’t know me. Especially once he sees my turquoise and flamingo knee length shorts.

I might have sorted out the Nike+ iPod problem with the store. It appears the one I have is defective - after only 2 weeks, it is saying that the battery in the little unit is low, and since it can’t be replaced this is a big problem. I really want it to work and now the store is offering to replace it. That would be a huge relief and if it works then I will start saying nice things about it.

Here’s some news….

A study suggests extreme happiness may be bad for you. Findings <http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/uoia-dwb012408.php> : 1) “The highest levels of income, education and political participation were reported not by the most satisfied individuals, but by moderately satisfied individuals.” 2) Extremely happy people “earned significantly less money” and earned lower school grades than moderately happy people. 3) They “may not live as long,” either. Theories <http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTON87744820080128> : 1) Happiness makes you complacent and kills your drive. 2) It makes you slow to adapt. 3) It makes you too optimistic and insufficiently vigilant about your health. 4) It may overstimulate your cardiovascular system. Researchers’ conclusions: 1) “Happiness may need to be moderated for success.” 2) “Extremely high levels of happiness might not be a desirable goal.” Human Nature’s conclusions: 1) Success may need to be moderated for happiness. 2) Extremely high levels of success might not be a desirable goal.

From SLATE magazine