A Sunny Day Leads to Sunburns and New Friends

I have not been walking enough the last few days.  And, I know I just feel better when I get 10k steps in. I've stopped wearing my Fitbit* during the day as my phone can track my steps too.  One of the tells that the step count is low is my sleep.  When I walk a lot, I sleep well.

Yesterday I reached the point where I was inclined to take a full Ambien.  Had been titrating down to 5mg instead of 10.  But it wasn't working so I took a full one.  And, I slept 11 hours.   OK, something needs to be done.

Today was supposed to only be 88F and have scattered showers.  My little backpack (will be discussed at some point as it's a touchstone object from my past) was packed as always; Kindle, hat (in case it starts cloudy but does not stay so), a gym towel (i'm gonna sweat of get rained on), a packable jacket, tissue ("tisu" locally - the go to for napkins, spills, sweat, snot, and anything else you can dream of using a Kleenex for).  I decided to walk to City Hall (see previous entry.)

It was not cloudy.  It was 88F.  And, 80% relative humidity, it feels like 100F.  That feels low, but the problem was really just the direct and strong sun.  It was HOT.  But I figured a squall would blow in and save the day.  Nope.

I walked.  And, walked past City Hall down to the marina.  That's been on my list since I decided to live here.  So, walk I did.  

1 sailboat had somebody on deck but they scurried below deck so I left them unbothered.  (Turns out they were readying for a departure not hiding from me.)  There were multiple piers and another had a ketchup with a couple aboard.  I asked if I could interrupt their day with a few questions.  Thus I met Sue and Kirk.  A wonderful couple.  We talked for a couple of hours.  It was wonderful.  I'll be joining them tomorrow with some of their friends for their Wednesday dinner get together.

Eventually, they'll be sailing to Australia where they'll live aboard in a nice marina.  But in the meantime, I've made some friends.  And, will make more tomorrow at dinner.  A very good experience.

They kept inviting me aboard, I kept declining.  I have to get used to the heat.  I did not think of the sun.  Reflecting off the water.  Oooops.

Lets roll the film ..

My legs are infamously, notoriously, and absolutely white and tan-proof.  My arms, neck, and face have been tanning nicely.  Today all of me, save clothed areas and pate--thank you Tilley Endurables--got a good dose.  Readers of the original blog should be reminded of a picture after a day of sailing on the Chesapeake in 2003.  Thankfully, this will not hurt as much as that day did.  I can feel it on my neck too. I was drenched,

A cold shower when I got home helped.  Immensely.

Next time, get on the damn boat, Jim.  Sit under the canopy.  Just get out of the sun.

Last night's Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang - 8/10.

Fantastic Rendang.  I also realized that the fat of the coconut milk are not the sole source of the Lemak.

The fats of the peanuts and anchovies play a huge role here too.  All different s lemaks!

Rendang was so fantastic: spicy, lemongrassy, herbaceous, tender.

Nobody loves their cats as much as Sarawakians.

T.S. Elliot has nothing on these folks.

After a shower I knew exactky what I wanted to cool down: Bun Cha.  Vietnamese vermicelli noodles with herbs, pork, and fish sauce.  I do not have a clue as to why it is a "cooling food" for me (it has chilies) but it is.

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* I hate the fact that the Fitbit does not show the time without a shake, tap, or buttoned press.  I just want to know the time.  My Omega Seamaster Automatic that I love and bought in the '90s, expressly to never need a battery again is dead.  Will get it tended to in Kuching soon.  In the meantime, I'm wearing a dressier Seamaster from the early 60s.  One dad received as a graduation gift.  Years ago going through stuff with him he was going to toss it.  I took it in, like a stray cat.

After a trip to Switzerland and about $2,300 it came back.  It's been my daily driver for now:

It's sharp.  It's older than I am. (1960-61 is the best guess.)  I have it's kin from a few years before or after it.  If the horologist in Kuching can restore it, he will.  If not, it goes to Switzerland.  That one is a Seamaster DeVille.  I also have a DeVille quartz that needs a new battery (Kuching can do that.)

Gonna need a watch winder since I cannot were 3 automatics at once.  The dive watch is my favorite simply for it's durability.  But the others are damn fine looking watches too.

Omega is something I associate with my dad's family.  That means something, I don't know what or why.  But it really does.

'We can rebuild it..."