Month: July 2011

Tips for Driving in Mexico

Trans-America Journey has a great post with some tips on car trips in Mexico. I didn’t see anything here about safety, but there are some good points.

I would have added some info from the US Consulate in Mexico for information on taking your car into Mexico, etc. I might have mentioned don’t drive at night, stay on main roads, check in frequently, and let people know where you’re going. I also might add ‘DON’T GO unless you have to.”

But for those making the trip for the very first time, this is what was covered in the Trans-America post:

  • Fuel is cheaper in Mexico than it is in the US
  • There is only one gas station chain in Mexico
  • All gas stations are full service in Mexico
  • You can use a GPS in Mexico–sort of
  • Better yet, buy a Guia Roji
  • Pay  Highway vs. Free Roads
  • The Green Angels make AAA look like a racket
  • Topes are a bitch
  • Hoy no circula!
  • Shakedown breakdown
  • Mexicans are not bad drivers (they just have some wacky habits)
  • Not all Mexican auto insurance is created equal
  • You can’t beat a Mexican car wash

Source:

Get your sleep, wake up early, have breakfast, get to work early

Every New Year’s I sit down and write my goals for the year. They usually include things about work, health, and family — esoteric things I know I’m not going to accomplish.

A few years ago I decided to focus on specific items, things I could measure. So I create goals and establish milestones and track them throughout the year. I’ve done much better in actually reaching my goals this way.

Next year I’m going to include four of the recommended tips in this Lifehacker article listing “Top 10 Ways to Upgrade Your Daily Routine.”

Solve Your Sleep Problems. Or rather, get the sleep you need. I’m very guilty of staying up until I pretty much pass out, then wonder why I have trouble waking up early.

Wake the F Up. I read this as wake up early. Something I don’t ever get to do. I am not a morning person.

Make Breakfast Fast and Cheap. If I’m lucky, I have a cup of coffee for breakfat. Normally I’m too rushed to stop and eat. Or I just don’t want to deal with making something and cleaning it up before I go to work. This needs to stop.

Go to Work Late (or Early). The article recommends that you learn what the most productive schedule for you is and stick to that, be productive. I go to work later than most and stay later. I have had this schedule for quite a while. But I think I need to mix things up and improve my day by changing. So that means I really want to start going to work early to see if it kick starts my productivity.

And I know that I need to do this now instead of waiting until January.

Once again, wish me luck.

UPDATE — maybe I need to exercise too.

Mental Health Days

I have a few days off, added onto the holiday weekend. Necessary days off where I hope to recharge my batteries and get into a better mood.

I will do as little as possible, I promised myself.

I have made only one appointment for  the entire two days in question (probably a record for me).

I told very few people that I’m off, reducing the risks of getting a “can you please do X for me?” phone calls.

I will sleep in. I will eat lunch with my mother. I will get the oil changed in my truck. I will sort through a file or two. And that’s it.

I will not do laundry. I will not try to reorganize my closets. I will not begin a new diet. I will not try to start an exercise regimen. I will not balance my checkbook. I will not work on proposals. I will not attempt to do so much that I’ll be more tired when the days off end. (These are all things I tried before, on days off.)

I will rest. I promise.

Countdown to 40

I turn 40 years old in approximately 50 days.

I am depressed. (that’s a non-clinical comment; my personal opinion)

I do not believe one is caused by the other; that is, my depression only has a little to do with my upcoming birthday. It’s a little, but still an influence.

Do men get freaked out by birthdays? Many of my girlfriends do, but I never used to. My 30th came and went with very little fuss. My 35th gave me about three minutes of hearing my biological clock ticking (thanks to my sister being pregnant that year and saying, over and over, that you couldn’t really have a healthy baby after your 35th birthday). But it seems that this year, the closer my 40th birthday gets to becoming reality, the worse I feel about it.

All I think about is where I thought I’d be by now, and all the ways that my life is different from what I’d expected. I never had very grandiose plans; my list of things to accomplish was not impressive. I guess that makes my inability to make them a reality even worse.

I’m feeling down, sad, irritated, out of patience with myself.

And I’m focusing on the ways that I’ve changed in the past 10 years, 20 years, 25 years. I’m fearful, comfortable, isolated. I built a semi-adequate hole (personally and professionally) and stayed in it.

I’m not achieving anything exceptional in my various roles.

What I want to do, what I need to do is to force myself out of my comfort zone. I need to create a goal and actually reach it.

So here’s my goal for the next 50 days or so: post in this blog every single day. I will write about the preparations for my birthday, the decisions I make, and the things that influence them.

And if I actually make that goal, then I will create another one.

Wish me luck!