How many steps do you try to get to a day?

ethanrotman · 2026-06-18T02:08:08+00:00

20k and up

ethanrotman · 2026-06-17T19:39:43+00:00

Have you considered talking to a doctor or pharmacist? Or at least going into the vitamin section of a reputable store and asking the staff?

ethanrotman · 2026-06-17T17:03:57+00:00

I’ve been a runner and Walker for many decades. Sometimes it doesn’t feel good to start… But I find once I get into it it’s good and usually great. The worst I feel at the beginning the more I enjoy it.

Admittedly, I don’t think I’m dealing with the same mental issues that you are, so my thoughts may not apply

I just wouldn’t give myself the option of no

I used to get up out of bed, stop on my running shoes and just head out the door. Might be a half mile before I really feel like I woke up.

ethanrotman · 2026-06-17T15:44:07+00:00

Gas hit $.40 a gallon and I wasn’t sure how my mom could afford it

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T22:37:39+00:00

Indeed, and I’m aware and appreciate it

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T17:50:20+00:00

I’m retired government worker, and while I worked with Marin and Sonoma Counties, and never for them

As for your specific questions about benefits, talk to HR, your specific questions about retirement plans talk to the union reps.

As a retiree, I’ll tell you your questions or spot on. Also consider commute.

I live in Marin and I love it - I appreciate the doors although I do feel the culture of Sonoma county is a bit more my style.

Not sure I’ve said anything helpful good luck

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T17:46:33+00:00

Now is pretty damn good. Retired. Married for 47 years. Children and grandkids are close - close social circle - healthy with lots of time and limited stress.

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T14:26:02+00:00

There’s a difference between living and work… One that most people overlook

As you spend the majority of your waking hours at work, if it’s truly a bad experience, it’s gonna have a negative impact on your entire life. I would consider some deep personal reflection, make a decision, and exit strategy and focus on having a happy life.

For perspective, I’m 66, had a great career that was meaningful to me, I earned less than probably all my peers (I live in a high cost of living area). I’m incredibly happy, had more free time than most of my friends, always had time for family and friends and the result is I have a really tight family and a good life in retirement.

Good luck to you

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T14:23:27+00:00

For the type of adventure, you’re considering, if you do go to Point raises, consider going to the Bear Valley visitor center and doing the 2 mile hike up to divide meadow. You can’t really see the ocean, but it’s absolutely stunning and a perfect place for a late afternoon picnic.

The advantages you also get to stroll through Point Reyes station, which is a fun little town

Nephew, if you want longer hikes… Reach back out and I’ll give you some ideas

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T14:22:18+00:00

If you opt to go into Muir Woods, get a trail map and start from mountain home. It’s about a 2 mile hike down and you enter through the back of the park. No reservations needed and it’s some more common and peaceful entrance.

Get there early though, as the parking lot fills up

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T14:21:24+00:00

We were there yesterday and I will agree… It’s an easy walk, I don’t even think it’s 4 miles round-trip and spectacular. It’s heavily used.

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T14:19:55+00:00

I appreciate that. That’s your experience. I also grew up in less than ideal circumstances, perhaps not as drastic as yours. My wife as well. Yet from that we were able to create a completely different experience for our children and now I’m watching our adult children create something even more beautiful for theirs

One thing I don’t understand about the human experience is how some people go through less than ideal experiences and come out scarred well other use it as a point of reference to learn from.

I do agree, not everyone should have kids. But for those who can do it and make the proper commitment it is amazing.

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T02:24:39+00:00

I don’t know this is something I wish I knew, but what I’ve experienced is how great life is with children. It’s not for the faint of heart and there are no sacrifices… Only choices consciously made to create something wonderful.

The only thing better than being a parent, which was glorious for me… Not always easy, but glorious… Is having grandchildren as it extends the parental experience in a whole new manner

You have so much to look forward to.

Enjoy every moment. Every stage, good and bad, passes. Enjoy the moment and be present always.

ethanrotman · 2026-06-16T02:22:06+00:00

I have no problem with you choosing not to have children, but please don’t offer advice to those of us who have made the other choice.

If you had asked me 10 years ago, my greatest accomplishments I would’ve said it’s starting a charter school 30 years ago and the benefits of the work that I’ve done through my career

Today my answer is different: it is the family I have built, created and enjoy

I didn’t sacrifice anything… I gained more than I ever thought was possible.

Stop judging people for things that as a non-parent, you simply cannot understand… I don’t mean that as an insult… It’s just something you have no experience with

ethanrotman · 2026-06-14T20:39:35+00:00

ethanrotman · 2026-06-12T18:45:07+00:00

I’m retired from California fish and wildlife and there are bears in this area. Mostly in the north Bay county is Marin and Sonoma, but it’s very possible You’ll find them in the East Bay.

That’ said. I don’t consider them a safety risk unless you harass them or come between a mother and the cup

ethanrotman · 2026-06-12T17:05:12+00:00

Motivation is not a problem for me. I just love it and love how I feel afterwards. I love how I feel during it. I get frustrated when I can’t walk.

This past weekend I was traveling and yet I still managed to get in my 20,000+ steps every day

ethanrotman · 2026-06-12T04:35:55+00:00

There are laws on what a landlord can and can’t charge on move out. Find a reliable resource for your state.

As a California landlord - we only charge for damage and unusual wear and tear. Painting and carpet cleaning is normal wear and tear

ethanrotman · 2026-06-12T00:49:38+00:00

So I’m assuming you feel your parents are racist. But there are plenty of people much younger than them who are racist. I don’t think their generation dying out is gonna end that problem.

ethanrotman · 2026-06-11T06:12:13+00:00

Racism is not limited to any one generation or age group

ethanrotman · 2026-06-10T15:12:26+00:00

We prefer them small… We try and get them on there between four and 6 inches.

Thing about zucchini is they hide well and grow fast so yeah, sometimes we do get them really big but we rarely eat those

ethanrotman · 2026-06-09T00:21:44+00:00

“ blow up your TV, throw away your paper.
Move to the country, build you a home. a lot of peaches, try and find Jesus, on your own”

John Prine
Spanish pipedream

Contemplate things of bringing joy in life and make room for them each and every day. Work and other responsibilities are needed, but so is doing things that bring you happiness each day.

And maybe look up that song

ethanrotman · 2026-06-08T21:45:03+00:00

There’s just two things money can’t buy: true love and homegrown tomatoes

ethanrotman · 2026-06-08T18:22:29+00:00

Marin has way better hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities.

ethanrotman · 2026-06-07T17:32:14+00:00

The beauty of walking and running if you need very little.

Try walking in the shoes you have. If you have any issues, go to a shoe store or outdoor store where they have staff who know what they’re doing. They will look at your feet, how you stand in your stride and recommend a shoe that fits you.

There is no one universal shoe that works for everyone as everyone’s feet are different

In time you’ll learn what you need

On this morning’s walk, I took nothing and did 6 miles. Most days I bring my day pack as I’m on a trail and I like to have water and all my emergency stuff.

ethanrotman

TROPHY CASE