Michael Harry Scepaniak's blog
Over the course of the past several years, I've become more and more involved in local advocacy efforts that touch on improving the bikeability and walkability of where I live. The COVID-related shutdowns helped with this, as it led to many/all meetings being held online , which made attending them much less onerous . Fast forward to 6 months ago, when I was hit/clipped/grazed by a car while…
Recently, I've been trying to step-up my game in regards to recycling. I'm definitely more conscientious about recycling than most people, but that doesn't mean I don't have room for improvement. The other month, thanks to some points made by Tanja Hester in her book Wallet Activism , I (re)discovered TerraCycle . I did a deep-dive through all of their programs and one that caught my attention was…
Once each week, I do a sprint workout. This is something I've been doing for over 8 years now. I started doing it based on Mark Sisson's sprinting advice . I do it year-round. I do it despite my Spondylitis . However, aches and pains and injuries happen and I do my best to respect them. I'm too old (and wise) now to expect that I'll to be able to just stubbornly muscle through them and expect them…
Baltimore County (my local municipality) has a constituent-sourced advisory group focused on bikeability and walkability. As of this past February, that group now has a new member - me! Yes, I have been appointed to the Baltimore County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) , representing Baltimore County district 3. I attended my first meeting in April. Baltimore County Bicycle and…
I've got a number of hosta plants growing in my yard. They've been there for years. I think some were in place when I bought the house a couple decades ago. Anyway, sometime within the past year, I stumbled across an article about eating hostas . So, last week, I decided to give it a try. The results? No death or illness to report. And they are pretty tasty. [click to continue reading…]
A long time has passed since I've written about my Spondylitis - over 5 years, in fact. That's not for lack of news or focus on it in my daily life. When I last wrote , I was doing well - no medications, manageable pain, normal activities. Unfortunately, that didn't last. A few weeks after that article, I started on a daily regimen of Meloxicam, an NSAID . (Apparently, Celebrex, my previous…
A couple years ago, I published the article Misguided Early Retiree Somehow Manages to Live Off of Dividends . The material it covers was actually first prepared for in-person presentation (by me) at a local ChooseFI meetup. The long-form article came after. Recently, after 2+ years in storage, the video of that presentation has been packaged-up all nice and posted on YouTube for all to enjoy.…
I had the opportunity to hit the slopes with friends a few days ago. It was my first time snowboarding in probably 4 years . And that time probably came after a layoff of 10 years. A frequent boarder, I am not. My friend, Alex, took the opportunity to record me snowboarding. (He's an accomplished skier. I don't think I'd be able to do the same for someone else.) Sorry, your browser doesn't support…
Sadly, it finally happened. I got hit by a car while I was biking. Happily, it turned out OK . I got grazed on my left elbow by the side mirror. Nevertheless, it was still surprising and disturbing. Of course, anyone who is familiar with my biking activities most likely isn't - surprised at least. And, if I'm being honest, I'm not surprised, either. I mean, c'mon, I bike along a major suburban…
So, if the past month signals the start of a trend, it's looking like I might have entered a phase where I'm writing and publishing more often than I have in a long while. I've already published four posts to the blog this year, which is more than I published during the past two years, combined . If you are a subscriber, this may be more often than you anticipated, or desire. If this is you, or…