April 9 2026 Masked Man personal update/Journal entry about relaxation
Just thought I'd share a cool little relaxed experience I'm having...
I'm about to pick up some Farmers Market vegetables from the Woman's agricultural Center. I wear a mask and I have some negative emotions about getting anywhere near maskless people. My loved one and I manage to typically do most things remotely through the internet and we have things delivered to us. Other than having to go to doctors in our masks and having to be around some maskless people in the waiting room typically I never have any close encounters with maskless people. I prefer this masked way of life. Ideally I prefer to be around other masked people whenever possible.
So soon I will be doing a masked bicycle ride to pick up our farmers Market vegetables. Here's the cool thing Ive done this enough that I'm not nervous about it. Getting the farmers Market veggies is a lot easier than going to doctors. Here's why I'm not nervous and actually looking forward to my trip:
1) Typically somebody from the women's agricultural center brings the box outside to me so I won't be in an enclosed area with the maskless...
2) Ive ridden this route/circuit many times in my mask on my bicycle so I am well rehearsed and totally used to the miles and area ...so this is just a routine exercise 6 mile ride for me. Ive ridden the route in my mask so many times I could do it in my sleep.
3) my gear is all in order.. I'm used to my mask, I have the set of clothes ready, my helmet and backpack.. a little antiseptic to carry for my hands.. everything is in order because I ride couple times a week anyway.
Here's a cut down version of me in the past riding my six mile round trip of me the Masked Man bicycling and successfully bringing home a box of fresh vegetables and I did it all in my mask and I'm even singing for you in the video:
Masked Man bicycling and successfully bringing home a box of fresh vegetables
Music VIDEO LINK:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jI2xwRSffVxenwBQFs22SZ4NixP3MACM/viewI just wanted to share with you this to prove that practice makes perfect and that I am at ease and 'relaxed' about my masked bicycle trip! I am actually looking forward to the trip even though I am a masker. I'm just not nervous or worried about this bicycle ride and task. I think Ive had enough good masking experiences being on my bicycle combined with enough positive experiences having picked up my box of veggies outside simply contributes to being so relaxed about this trip.
In the past it was a lot scarier but now I know what to expect and I have some experience. It just goes to show that over time, repetition, and routine a masker like me can develop confidence and become void of dread when going out in public. It's like I am well trained for this event.
I hope this helps someone who masks and has a hard time going out into the public like I have. I am uncomfortable around maskless people but I am very happy under these circumstances riding my bike in my mask and picking up a box outside! Its a great feeling to not worry or be nervous or fearful. I have created a positive experience having ridden my bicycle in mask many times with success. I'm pretty much going to have a fun masked Bicycle ride! On my Schwinn bicycle I'm pretty much King of the road! Ha! It feels good to ride brothers and sisters and get the circulation going.
I hope what I have shared helps or inspires somebody who masks in public
I want people to know that I believe wearing an n95 mask for health overall is a positive rewarding experience for a seasoned masker like me! In the long run the Masked Man is the happiest of them all! To me, the mask improves and enriches life and overall it frees one of fears and allows one more freedoms because it benefits and protects health. The mask is great tool in these unpredictable modern times. Wearing a mask gets easier and easier and more and more comfortable over time.
Don't underestimate the value of the mask which has kept me and my loved one safe from airborne illness and airborne diseases for over six years straight now! Who knows how many years we've added to our lives by masking and from not catching pneumonia, covid, etc.
Update: Mission accomplished.. went as expected.. just another masked bike ride and exercise. How did my trip it feel being a masked person? I felt privileged.. I rode past lots of college kids mostly with their heads buried in phone or they were waiting for a bus.. Its just like everybody is in slow motion. Nobody really looks healthy or safe from my perspective. I enjoyed having my usual confidence; this being a routine bike ride for me...
..I did pick up box of veggies. I did go inside ..there were tall ceilings and just a meeting of women sitting around a table at women's agricultural center. I just feel blessed I have the skills to remain masked and to be able to easily stay masked while bicycling with a little box of veggies in my back pack across town and back. I'm totally conditioned for this as I used to be a paperboy and always love the idea of being a bicycle courier ..on the way home it was just like I was on a mission.
When I got home ,I threw my clothes in wash and took off mask right before taking shower...
...I felt a little like I got a good workout like an athlete on the way home. I enjoyed climbing some of the hills with my bike. It was kind of invigorating like I accomplished something and proved my masked way of life works for me. I don't understand why I don't see more masked people out there.
This experience of having just a little contact with the maskless public just confirms in my mind how grateful I am for wearing a mask. I feel strong and smart and I really don't know how the maskless can afford to live like they do... seems so precarious and the gatherings I see in society out on the road seems kind of frivolous and even just kind of dirty. Not to take anybody's pride away but it just doesn't seem smart to me all these people carrying on maskless gathering close together. I definitely appreciate being the Masked Man, I don't feel like I am missing out on anything and I never getting sick.. I like my system. I just wish more people would mask. When I see another person masked it simply makes me feel good!
Anyway the point of this thread is about relaxation and so because I do a lot of masked bike rides I never got nervous or worried. I stayed fairly relaxed before my trip... I'd say it was a positive experience and reinforced that I am more relaxed because I am safer and in the habit of wearing a mask. Time and practice and repetition and being conditioned and in the habit of doing something tends to enhance a 'relaxed' state of mind prior, during and after the activity or event... and often leads to pleasure or a sense feeling 'good'.
Take this into account: I'm picking up a box of local vegetables. This an agricultural center.. they work directly with food and they work directly with local farmers. There is not only vegetables involved there is meat dairy and egg products there. While it is a given I am always masked and will rinse my vegetables thoroughly it seems natural people who handle food and given the status on avian flu I am surprised not to see masks amongst my friends in the local farming and farmer's market business. All I know is if avian flu becomes a problem and ever jumps human to human those included with farming and in farmers market will likely be susceptible and the first to get it. I imagine farmers who mask would likely feel more at ease and relaxed.
Now its time for a relaxing salad! Got lettuce , spinach, Sprouts, onions and maybe some parsley straight from local farm.. got a giant thing of blue cheese dressing in the fridge and we make our own croutons from homemade bread using a bread machine to knead the bread for us,
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