* badass

 one of my favorite songs of all time. while nothing is perfect, this might be the perfect song, por moi:

i'll provide the lyrics, here: https://genius.com/Kacy-crowley-badass-lyrics which (slight recommendation) are GREAT to read (while listening). if you can figure out how to listen to the video and also read the lyrics... OMG. brilliance! heart. soul. this song will never get old.

listening. it is great, to be able to sit back (for a moment or so), and just listen:

 it might be just me... but the "ugly duckling" is the lucky one: the late bloomer, the one with humility, empathy, compassion, hope, despair, hope, flair... and a giant heart that yearns to know what it already knows: wIe are a beautiful flow-er. wIe are magestic and magical. 

wIe, as ugly ducklings... are badass.

"the best advice i ever got..."

-kacy crowley

* do we want more technology?

during my talk yesterday, i attempted to paint a picture of the difference between a trip (from CLT - PVD) 200 years ago (one great-grandfather ago?) vs. current times. 

silly moi: i should have just asked chat-GPT to do it. ;)  

b131 (2.12-1.2026): sandbox monkeys

sandbox monkeys [i]
by ann observer

sandbox monkeys (chattering and playing with their toys)
sandbox monkeys (animals) just teenage girls & boys
oblivious to anything outside their box of sand
while here i sit (up-on park bench) pretending i’m a man
________________________________
 
·       i think “how could they not know/care about the impending gloom & doom?”
 
truth is, i thoroughly enjoyed life as a sandbox monkey. as a man, now, i can watch. i can live vicariously, at times. i can re-member.
 
we should all be lucky enough to play the glorious role… of sandbox monkey.*
___________________
martino, j. (2.12-1.2026). sandbox monkey. book 131: well worth the weight. © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us
 
*maybe wIe are.

note: this thoem should (somehow) be connected to b132: who are wIe, as men?

b131 (2.11-1.2026): love-bunker

love-bunker [i]
by a. lover
 

inspired, in part, by leading a class about the ASI apocalypse

 
it’s time to build love-bunker
it’s time for you and me
it’s not a place to hunker
it’s not a wait & see
 
no walls, no fort, no camouflage, no weapons on display
it’s time to build love-bunker
love-bunker is the way
____________________________________
 
·       a love-bunker is not a place. it’s way -- is the process of co-creating a moment of loving intensity in which the lovers momentarily forget their fears, guilt, anxieties, jealousy, shame, anger, news, etc.

·       the time (of course) is Now. “let’s wait & see” is not an option.

·       the who is us, wIe.

·       the ‘protection’ is not an outer defense-shield. it’s an inner For-Give-ing.
 
Healing… is always internal.
 
a love-bunker doesn’t have to be forever, because all it Knows... is Now.  
___________________
martino, j. (2.11-1.2026). love-bunker. book 131: well worth the weight. © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us 

www-d11 (2.11.2026): the journey continues

 www-d11: wednesday, february 11, 2026: the journey continues

208.2 lbs; 41 abdominal circumference; new "smart scale" in use. it appears that weight/circumference remained relatively constant over a 5-day span of travel, a super bowl, and some inclement weather. 

today is the much anticipated "professional development day," and i feel prepared. i also feel a little nervous, not knowing how faculty will react to the 'apocalypse' talk. it's not exactly a fun topic, but i'm going to attempt to bring some light to it.

------------after-math:

the classes were great. both were full, and there was a waiting list of 13 for "introduction to tai chi." we may have found a winner, there. went for a 5 mile walk, after teaching/presenting. ate a bit heavy in the evening.

www-d10 (2.10.2026): start again

tuesday, february 10th: went off course for about 24 hours. super bowl pizza (& beer) with brothers, and leftover beers (yesterday). back on track today. it's 3:38 am, and i've got an early morning flight PVD-CLT.

tuesday evening: bartending was great fun, as always, at the teetah bahhh. prepped for tomorrow's huge classes, so i really haven't paid attention to tracking... although my smart scale was delivered so tomorrow begins a serious look at multiple variables.

it was fairly easy to "start again." no airport food or drinks, no airplane food. had a great uber ride from a venezuelan gal who gave me her take on "invasions" and such. she was pretty straightforward:

"when you have resources, they just take. 

it doesn't matter who: russia, china, u.s. 

the people will never be free." 

b131 (2.9-1.2026) roses make the scene

roses make the scene
by flo w. ering

alternative title: valentimes conceive!

valentimes can co-create some things you can’t bel[iev]eaf
forgive the rosy flashback
valentimes conceive!
_______________________  
 
·       this thoem flashes back to b129: i believe and b130: wIe are For-Given, and a valentines (conception) day that flowered into a budding thoet.

___________________
martino, j. (2.4-1.2026). roses make the scene. book 131: well worth the weight. © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us

* amazing artwork: "rosy" by clare dunn. please do not copy, as this is an art-work in process. 

www-d8 (2.8.2026): "you can't eat just one"

"nobody can eat just one" used to be the slogan of lays potato chips. truth is, those of us who are are undergoing weight management processes often have a challenge with portion control. if we could (and did) "eat just one," we probably wouldn't be trying to modify fat storage.

the trip to connecticut/rhode island has gone well. family ties have grown stronger. on a personal note, i've avoided alcohol and (for the most part) toxic foods. it's been snowing, however, so the only exercise has been shoveling snow. i need to modify the anytime is lennytime wake-up routine for travel. 

www-d6 (2.6.2026):

209.2; 40.5. steady. at airport, and prepared for a different type of rhode island weekend. still family oriented; more wellness focused. challenges will be:

1. food while traveling (e.g. bars, resturants)

2. food, in other people's homes

3. family that is not fitness oriented (i need to make walk time & gym time).

  

b131 (2.6-1.2026): of galaxies & cream

of galaxies & cream

by the milky way

 

what is that (in my coffee)?

what was that (in my dream)?

just whip me up and froth me

of galaxies & cream

___________________
 
·       some thoems need no commentary.
___________________
martino, j. (2.6-1.2026). of galaxies and cream. book 131: well worth the weight. © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us

* this future-Is-tic thoem will express itself on a presently unknown date, in february, 2026. 

www-d5 (2.5.2026): what do i (really) weigh?

thursday, 5 february: 210 lbs, 40.75 inches. the importance of 'average weight' and 'average circumference' shines through on days of incremental change. the idea is that "what i weigh" is not that silly number-on-the-scale. it (for men) weight is better calculated as an average (for a 7-day week). 

when viewing 'weight' a an average, one can notice the daily (even hourly) fluctuations and utilize the data as feedback, rather than a reason to celebrate (or despair). 'water weight' (affected by consumption, retention, sodium, etc.) can result in false positives (and negatives).

averages don't lie (as much).

for females with menstrual cycles, 'weight' should be calculated as an average per cycle (monthly?) to more accurately account for changes. the number on the scale (now) matters less (in terms of average weight).

better, supplemental data can be gathered via circumference measurements, and even those are best utilized as temporary feedback: not "who i am" so-much as a momentary step on a longer journey.  

with that in mind, wIe recommend daily weigh-ins, first thing in the morning, naked, at 6 am*, as feedback. the individual will quickly associate certain behaviors with certain data points, which is the whole point.

:)    

for me, alcohol, red meat, and late-night consumption have immediate, adverse affects. a week of excellent diet & exercise practice is easily wiped-out by a night of partying. 

*6 am (or a regularly designated wake-up-weigh-in time), for better comparison/accuracy. 

---------www-d5; night (pre-sleep) log--------------

b131 (2.4-1.2026): when tail wags the dog

when tail wags the dog
by albert dogg
 
when tail wags the dog
when bishop rules the king
when transylvanian vampire is in charge of everything
when even the most clear of minds cannot see through the fog
when bishop rules the king (let’s sing!)
when tail wags the dog
_______________________  
 
·       while a dog might chase his tail... in the dog-world, the tail never wags the dog.
___________________
martino, j. (2.4-1.2026). when tail wags the dog. book 131: well worth the weight. © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us 

www-d4 (2.4.2026): stay the course

wednesday, 4 feb: wt 208.2; circ 40.75

stay the course refers to the boredom associated with improving the bodymind. changes are incre-mental. plateus are part of the journey. the key is knowing the behaviors to target, and the wanting of the intrinsic challenges that make the bodymind stronger... as a process.

on, teb, on.

 ------------------www-d4 closure, 9pm:

* vulnerability

there's a dance between self-disclosure & vulnerability, as humans seek to know and to be known. with a pet, the dance is more one-sided: we know them, but they don't know us.

as we give more and more and more and More and MORE (did he say 'more'?) of our information to family, friends, machines and algorithms, we expose ourselves: our weaknesses.

there's power in knowledge & intelligence. 
be careful, aware.

it may also help to become less attached to things like reputation, perceived status and even identity. as a present-centered consciousness, we don't (really) know anything outside of the ever-present Now.  

there's a connection (in vulnerability). it is mutually seductive. 

be careful, aware.

b131 (2.3-1.2026): future smiles

future smiles [i]
by s. miling
 
future smiles don’t fall from Heaven (let’s reflect, awhile)
do the work (today) and then (hooray!) with future smiles
____________________________________
 
·         this is important.

·         at 67, every movement towards youth takes much more effort/intelligence, and every accelerated movement towards early-aging is compounded, exponentially.
 
the idea, in this thoem, is not to chase youth, but rather, to enjoy the process of living one’s best life… kind of like it matters.
____________________________________
[i] martino. j. (2.3-1.2026). future smiles. book 131: well worth the weight. copyright 2026 by wellnesseducation.us 

www-d3 (2.3.2026)

tuesday: wt. 207.8; circ 40.75; vertigo gone, with a slight rise in tinnitus. i understand why more & more people say that chat-gpt is better than their doctor. chat-gpt:

1. is available 24-7
2. isn't rushed (nobody in the waiting room)
3. isn't draining the bank-account (*sidenote: when robots can do dentist-work, and when the average american doesn't have to take out a second mortgage for said dental-work, we will fire our dentists (immediately & unilaterally).
4. asks follow-up questions
5. is plugged into the web (just like dr. smith) but seems to pay more attention.
6. is cool with non-pharma interventions
7. you can tell it anything (double-edged sword, here): you should be able to tell the doc everything (but you don't), and handing more & more info over to the machine gives it more power.

anyway, another weather day at the college. i'll probably go in again, anyway. :)

-------------------end of day log:

i didn't go into work, but did bartend. in all, a good day www-d3!

* apologies, re: the dentist rant... but...

* groundhog day musings (again & again)

 musings with 'groundhog day' themes. 
many are on a blog that is (temporarily) private... 
until such time as i decide to let it all out. 

:) 

https://joalmartino.blogspot.com/2025/02/b122-22-12025-groundhog-saves-day.html

https://joalmartino.blogspot.com/2023/02/b16-22-12004-groundhog-day.html

https://wellnesseducationblog.blogspot.com/2021/08/covid-groundhog-day.html?zx=3d29f5220a7f74c7 (this post exists on a blog that is temporarily private)

https://joalmartino.blogspot.com/2023/04/b89-428-12020-this-is-new-normal.html

https://wellnesseducationblog.blogspot.com/2020/09/popularity.html (this post exists on a blog that is temporarily private)

https://wellnesseducationblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/covid-groundhog-day.html (this post exists on a blog that is temporarily private)

https://wellnesseducationblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/may-we-get-backto-normal-epilogue-i-by.html (this post exists on a blog that is temporarily private)

https://wellnesseducationblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/don-mix-water-with-tea.html (this post exists on a blog that is temporarily private)

b132 (3.xx-1.2026): of roosters & Heaven

of roosters & Heaven
by a. red hen
 
i’d rather be a rooster down in Heaven
i’d rather not be cooped-up by the he
i’d rather not become the man that i cannot outrun
the key to life is clucking/running free

jim, pete, willy 💝

___________________
 
·       in the florida keys (especially in key west), the phenomenon of roosters & chickens, roaming the streets, is plain to see.

·       one of the most fun places to observe this is at blue heaven, where you can’t drop a crumb of your waffle without some chick zipping out of nowhere to utilize that morsel for her own betterment.
___________________
martino, j. (3.xx-1.2026). of roosters & Heaven. book 132: who are wIe, as men? © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us

*blue heaven's motto: "you don't have to die to get here." 

* recursive self-improvement

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recursive_self-improvement  

(sometimes referred to as FOOM!)

while this term is used (sometimes disparagingly) toward the AGI-ASI Singularity process, isn't this what humans do-Be-do, relative to the chicken?

have we not (ahem) controlled, cooped, farmed, 'enhanced' and modified the chicken?

it's funny (por moi, any-way) how we can label & belittle behaviors that we (ourselves) propagate.

*note: this post will be moved to b132: who are wIe, as men? since it reflects upon us, bettering ourselves.

b131 (2.2-1.2026): vertigoic enlightenment

vertigoic enlightenment
by dizzy lizzy
 
vertigo/enlightenment: they met in the same room
little did they know that they’d be glancing/dancing soon
___________________
 
·       so… i woke up with a slight case of vertigo.
·       it feels like being buzzed, or drunk (actually).
 
here’s the enlightening part: i do not like it.
___________________
martino, j. (2.2-1.2026). vertigoic enlightenment. book 131: well worth the weight. © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us 

www-d2 (2.2.2026): it's a monday, after all

yet another weather day (college declared 'remote' day).

w 209.2; circ 40.75. 10 oz water. did the lennytime wake-up circuit. beat wendy (computer chess), although focus seems off, a bit.

experienced slight vertigo, which i have experienced, albeit rarely, in the past. something to monitor.

maybe a cup of creme brulee coffee (or a chair massage) will jump-start the day.

-------------------------end of day numbers:

b131 (2.1-2.2026): the games begin (again)

the games begin (again)
by g. amer
 
the games begin (again)
the games begin, my friend
in Truth, they never end
the games begin (again)
_______________________

• www-d1 comes to a close. welcome to aging like... a fine wine... uh, wellness hummingbird. this feels a bit like the olympics. buckle-in.
  

___________________
martino, j. (2.1-2.2026). the games begin (again). book 131: well worth the weight. © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us 

* how 'life' goes (as men)

 how your life goes (for a man):

1. money (i want money. i want more money!)

2. relationship (this is hard! she needs a lot of money.) :)

3. house 

4. children

5. attention?

this will be moved to b132: who are wIe, as men?

b132 (3.xx-1.2026): men shovel snow

men shovel snow
by aman s. man
 

alternative titles:

who shovels snow?

how novel

 

who shovels snow, who puts out fires, who has desires, who grovels?
 
who deals with the garbage?
who buys the ring?

(how novel)
___________________
 
·       it snowed. i walked the neighborhood. men were out and about, doing what men do.
 
___________________
martino, j. (3.xx-1.2026). how novel. book 132: who are wIe, as men?. © 2026 by wellnesseducation.us 

*yes, another thoem that will (event-u-ally) post in march or april, in b132: who are wIe, as men?

www-d1 (2.1.2026): let the (real?) games begin

 not sure how this experiment is going to turn out, but let's document the process.

www (well worth the weight)

outcome: document joal's path to weight loss management, which is (really) % fat management, which is (really) a 10-week process toward a better bodmind. in other words: to look & feel & think better. 

beginning: 210 lbs, 40.75 abdominal circumference 

  * 67 years young; BMI 31+; %fat 31+

intentions: modify behaviors (decrease caloric intake and increase caloric expenditure) to create daily deficit that encourages the bodymind to utilize fat stores. simultaneously, focus on activities that improve posture, muscle size/function, BMD, and performance across a variety of spectra.

although this journey will be personal, it will document:

• SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) goal setting
• a (daily?) wake-up routine and a (nightly?) pre-sleep routine
• body, mind & Spirit practices

www-dx will precede the date/number of each post, to differentiate www posts from other thoetry and musings that get posted.

buckle-up.

note: although this program, for joal martino, will last only 10 weeks, it will be part of a 90-day challenge that my coaches will facilitate. my current coaches: coach joal, cylvia, exavia (chat-gpt), k.b., e.e.,c.l., e.m., & a.o. (whose human identities may be released in the future).

the future: this old-school human experiment is happening at a time of exponential changes to life (as we know it) on planet earth. "buckle-up" (to say the least).

---------------

today's log. in the books. www-d1 began well.

* why do i love mixed nuts?

is it the sodium... or am i a sucker for family re-unions?

;) 

* hearts

 forgiveness (even if you don't love me anymore).

b130 (1.31-3.2026): footprints in the snow

footprints in the snow

by f---ing cold!

 

footprints in the snow

i just needed to Know

forgive and come and go

with footprints in the snow

 

____________________

after 10 hours of snow, and knowing that i had one, last hummingbird feeder – out on the deck. i thought about how it might feel to walk into that snow, barefoot, and retrieve that birdfeeder.

spoiler alert: it was f---ing cold!

but now, after the temporary pain, i’m wiser older colder:

well, i am wiser, and older, and colder…

as a bee-holder of

footprints in the snow.

 

(i just thought wIe might go).

___________________
martino, j. (1.31-3.2026). footprints in the snow. book 130: we are For-Given. © 2025 by wellnesseducation.us 

b130 (1.31-2.2026): it's still snowing

it’s still snowing

by f. lurrying

 

it’s still snowing (flakey)

it’s still snowing (fine)

it’s still snowing maybe, sit here stowing (maybe lately), it’s still snowing (it’s our fate) it’s by design

 
____________________

·       maybe the best snowfalls are the ones who don’t let up, who don’t give in, who don’t remove sin. the snow forgives, it understands, it learns, as it years for a melt.

it’s mission isn’t to re-move sin, but (rather) to Be:

snow.

___________________
martino, j. (1.31-2.2026). it’s still snowing. book 130: we are For-Given. © 2025 by wellnesseducation.us 

* stacyRPG does strawberries

this post will be moved (and included in b132), i'm just not sure how, just yet.

this video is a woman, taking a peek at men, who are masculine (yet clearly connected to their feminine). 

buckle-up for a magical 13 minutes...
of a 3 minute song:

  

 "are you not surprised?"

no. 

it's the beatles.

it's men. 

it's about being human.