Maintaining Orbit

Today I might be reaching for a common idea for the couple of segments I have, but I finally thought it would work. That idea is maintaining orbit.

In the first section, I take a look at the orbits I’ve been performing around my neighborhood and how it’s helped me get through this pandemic shutdown. Running has always been my preferred method of working out, and I’m just glad I can still do it even with all the social distancing going on.

A look at the next Chris Claremont X-Men ties in nicely as the X-Men head into Earth orbit. They’re dealing with sentinels again and trying to rescue some of their teammates. While I provide a brief look at the issue, these X-Men stories are pretty critical, and I am looking forward to writing up a recommendation and a deeper dive for them as I get time.

Orbiting my Neighborhood

With the stay-at-home order from out illustrious governor, I’ve been working from home for the past month, and while it’s been a bit crazy, I decided to turn things around a couple of weeks ago. I figured, if I’m gonna be locked down and unable to walk my 10k steps every day because I’m not heading in to work, I might as well get some activity going on.

I don’t have a dog…yet, but I started going out each day for a run. And it’s been pretty good.

I started out slow, with only a 20-minute gig for the first few days, but I’ve climbed up to a regular 30-minute deal this past week and a half. Sure, I only manage 2.5 to 2.75 miles a shot, but it’s an excellent way to start getting back into shape.

I can only imagine how many people have let the pandemic mess up their workout routines. With gyms closed and parks shut down, there are significant shortages of places to get your exercise in.

Even Tom Brady got in trouble recently for working out ALONE in a park in Tampa Bay.

Well, as far as I know, they aren’t arresting people for running around their own neighborhood, so I think I’m safe. I pretty avidly avoid the parks I pass and the hiking trails that are along my route, so I think that helps too.

In any case, I’ve run for two weeks straight and logged almost 40 miles.

If you can get out in your neighborhood, I strongly recommend it for fitness and a bit of sun.

X-Men in Orbit

Wait a minute! The Sentinels are staging from a S.H.I.E.L.D. orbital platform? That can’t be good, but in X-Men #99 that’s exactly what we’ve got.

So what do you expect…the X-Men head into orbit to take them on. Not just because the bad guys are there, but because they’re holding Wolverine, Banshee, and Jean Grey captive.

Meanwhile, back in Ireland, we see a man struck down by none other than Black Tom. This is the first I’ve seen of him in the comics, and it appears he’s related to Sean Cassidy, A.K.A. Banshee. I guess I actually know Tom from the movie Deadpool 2 where he had a small and, of course, funny role.

So we’ve got quite a few moving pieces in this installment of the X-Men, and it’s pretty exciting.

It’s a Wrap

In this time of social distancing and business shutdown, my orbit has grown significantly smaller. Sure, I was never a social butterfly and wasn’t going out to restaurants and bars, but now that I don’t even go into work, I’ve pretty much been locked into a 2-mile radius around my house.

Blapril has been a help in keeping some of the social aspects of the Blogosphere active during this time. I feel like my internet orbit has expanded quite a bit beyond my physical orbit these days, and that’s probably a good thing.

With running, reading, and Blapril, I feel like I’m maintaining a pretty decent orbit around my life and hope that everyone else is finding a balance point as well.

I hope everyone stays healthy as we get through this pandemic.

Ramble 2020.02.04 | Maintaining Orbit