From the point of view of a crude barbarian, who's life consists generally of killing and being killed, the industrialized world is a shining heavenly utopia. To an angel though, the industrialized world is a dystopian pile of rotting corpse.
The angel wants to destroy it. The barbarian just thinks the angel is nuts. The angel wants to destroy relationships because they're all hollow anyway. And because apparently things need to get worse in order for there to be any chance of them getting better. Destroy all the light/hollow friendships. Remove all pretense of friendliness. Don't give people anything positive to hold on to, because all such is just lies. All such just takes away from The Truth. This world is dead, empty, meaningless, banal, pointless. This world must be destroyed.
But it doesn't need destroyed because it's already in the process of being destroyed. But the dying may take centuries. And during the long drawn out process of dying we are in a meaningless time, in meaningless lives.
Speed up the dying?
No. Because most likely what comes next will be even uglier and will also take centuries. There is nothing for it but that life is meaningless and empty. It is now and it still will be 40 years from now.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Insomnia tonight. Been awhile. I guess a bit of light weightlifting must have been at least primarily responsible. I called off work. First day missing work in 8 months, so don't feel too bad. I used to have insomnia so much. For decades actually. It was awful. I don't know how I survived. ...oh yes, now I remember. I invented an evil god that was trying to kill me, whom I would live on just to spite. Oi vey. It was really bad. Although went to that extreme for more than just the insomnia.
But now I know how to not have insomnia. Don't lift weights! Seems ridiculous. But so it is.... So must give thanks for knowing what I have to do, to basically never have insomnia. Think of that. And not feel so bad about tonight.
But now I know how to not have insomnia. Don't lift weights! Seems ridiculous. But so it is.... So must give thanks for knowing what I have to do, to basically never have insomnia. Think of that. And not feel so bad about tonight.
Sabriel by Garth Nix
Written in an aesthically pleasing way. Seems like it was written by a woman despite the name "Garth". Not much injustice at all. Sabriel does have aces up the sleeve. In some ways very very nice, but I guess I don't feel very close to Sabriel and there isn't really any other characters... The cat? Eh. A bit too action packed as of 40%. Just constant running from one life/death scene to the next or, "Garth" switches to telling instead of showing. But, it's a sort of page turner...
Written in an aesthically pleasing way. Seems like it was written by a woman despite the name "Garth". Not much injustice at all. Sabriel does have aces up the sleeve. In some ways very very nice, but I guess I don't feel very close to Sabriel and there isn't really any other characters... The cat? Eh. A bit too action packed as of 40%. Just constant running from one life/death scene to the next or, "Garth" switches to telling instead of showing. But, it's a sort of page turner...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Did 2.5/2 14 mile interval run yesterday. For a while had been doing shorter, higher intensity runs. In part because of my right knee feeling off. I would have thought they would work better but it certainly seems as if they haven't. Higher volume sessions just feel like they work better.... So going back to two very high volume interval sessions per week.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Tyranny of the Night: Book One of the Instrumentalities of the Night by Glen Cook
Number 5 on the 25 best fantasy list but I guess I read the wrong one. This is like a history lesson, just droning on, telling not showing, going on and on about a fantasy world, the politics. It's not interesting. The reviews say it just goes on and on. It seems only people who loved his previous work managed to even put it with it. I guess I could read the Black Company but this military stuff just completely turns me off. I don't want to hear about battle after battle and I don't want to hear about people who have the typical military mindset. And that's what it is to be military fantasy fiction. Lord of the Rings has tons of battles and a group of armed men running around, that doesn't make it military fantasy fiction. Also the Black Company is only available as an audio book.
Number 5 on the 25 best fantasy list but I guess I read the wrong one. This is like a history lesson, just droning on, telling not showing, going on and on about a fantasy world, the politics. It's not interesting. The reviews say it just goes on and on. It seems only people who loved his previous work managed to even put it with it. I guess I could read the Black Company but this military stuff just completely turns me off. I don't want to hear about battle after battle and I don't want to hear about people who have the typical military mindset. And that's what it is to be military fantasy fiction. Lord of the Rings has tons of battles and a group of armed men running around, that doesn't make it military fantasy fiction. Also the Black Company is only available as an audio book.
Twins: And What They Tell Us About Who We Are by Lawrence Wright
They seem to tell us that we're almost entirely genetics, not very much environment. Separated at birth twins end up the same, and more so, the older they get. For that matter adopted children end up like their biological parents and not like their adoptive parents, and again, more so, the older they get. This is concerning personality, IQ, crmininality, etc. African Americans that are adopted by white familes end up with the same IQ as other African Americans (which is markedly lower than the average, thanks to hundreds of years of slavery natural selection.)
IQ and personality are almost entirely the result of genetics. Short of horrific abuse/neglect it just doesn't matter how you're brought up. Religion is genetic. Although the particular dogma you choose depends on which dogma you were indoctrinated into. Sexual preference is at least somewhat genetic. Although there is for this (and all others) the question of differences in the womb environment.
Divorce is largely genetic. Racism. Closemindedness. Musical talent.
Who you marry isn't. That's mostly just chance. At least to the extent they've studied it. Because we all can really get it on with a ton of very different people you know.
But what if twins aren't actually a good experiment for nature versus nuture? What if they're telepathic with each other and that's the real reason separated twins are still so much alike? CIA experiment. Close open eyes on command. See if other twins alpha wave rhythms also changed. 2 out of 13 twin sets showed "the results they were looking for". No unrelated subjects did.
But what about adopted children still eventually ending up like their biological parents? (Did they also have a telepathic link? What if you killed the parents........)
These are mostly awful results. They suggest eugenics, racism, etc. And so they have been attacked. The scientists have been attacked. Cyril Burt had his reputation destroyed after he died. He had concluded IQ was almost entirely genetic based on decades of twin data. Eventually his work was completely discounted. Later Minnesota studies that haven't been discounted at all ended up with almost the exact same conclusion on IQ/genetics.
Schizophrenia is only half genetic, as is alcoholism. Respiratory diseases and some cancers are almost entirely environmental. Smoking, insomnia, career, hobbies, coffee consumption and suicide are all highly genetic. (But if smoking is genetic... than you've just made your environment...) Criminality is more than twice as much the result of genetics than of environment.
There are plenty criticizing these conclusions but they're not convincing. Apparently liberals can be dishonest too. On the bright side, if you've had some awful things in your life, or your parents were kind of duds, perhaps you're mistaken in thinking it really mattered. Perhaps with better parents you still would be a nobody and you should just not worry about it, about any of it.
This book was written more than ten years ago. I'm not aware of any eugenics programs starting up since. We seem to still be well on our way to an idiocracy. Because you know this is the end of mankind. Before reading this book I vaguely thought we're 75% genetics for most things. It was a conservative estimate on my part based on my own observations/anecdotal evidence. Safe now to ramp that up quite a bit. I won't bother trying to get my dumbass 8 year old nephew to play music or read a book. By now he would already have been doing so if he had it in him at all. You can give people nudges, and make things available to them, but if they don't got it, there's no point in going on about it.
They seem to tell us that we're almost entirely genetics, not very much environment. Separated at birth twins end up the same, and more so, the older they get. For that matter adopted children end up like their biological parents and not like their adoptive parents, and again, more so, the older they get. This is concerning personality, IQ, crmininality, etc. African Americans that are adopted by white familes end up with the same IQ as other African Americans (which is markedly lower than the average, thanks to hundreds of years of slavery natural selection.)
IQ and personality are almost entirely the result of genetics. Short of horrific abuse/neglect it just doesn't matter how you're brought up. Religion is genetic. Although the particular dogma you choose depends on which dogma you were indoctrinated into. Sexual preference is at least somewhat genetic. Although there is for this (and all others) the question of differences in the womb environment.
Divorce is largely genetic. Racism. Closemindedness. Musical talent.
Who you marry isn't. That's mostly just chance. At least to the extent they've studied it. Because we all can really get it on with a ton of very different people you know.
But what if twins aren't actually a good experiment for nature versus nuture? What if they're telepathic with each other and that's the real reason separated twins are still so much alike? CIA experiment. Close open eyes on command. See if other twins alpha wave rhythms also changed. 2 out of 13 twin sets showed "the results they were looking for". No unrelated subjects did.
But what about adopted children still eventually ending up like their biological parents? (Did they also have a telepathic link? What if you killed the parents........)
These are mostly awful results. They suggest eugenics, racism, etc. And so they have been attacked. The scientists have been attacked. Cyril Burt had his reputation destroyed after he died. He had concluded IQ was almost entirely genetic based on decades of twin data. Eventually his work was completely discounted. Later Minnesota studies that haven't been discounted at all ended up with almost the exact same conclusion on IQ/genetics.
Schizophrenia is only half genetic, as is alcoholism. Respiratory diseases and some cancers are almost entirely environmental. Smoking, insomnia, career, hobbies, coffee consumption and suicide are all highly genetic. (But if smoking is genetic... than you've just made your environment...) Criminality is more than twice as much the result of genetics than of environment.
There are plenty criticizing these conclusions but they're not convincing. Apparently liberals can be dishonest too. On the bright side, if you've had some awful things in your life, or your parents were kind of duds, perhaps you're mistaken in thinking it really mattered. Perhaps with better parents you still would be a nobody and you should just not worry about it, about any of it.
This book was written more than ten years ago. I'm not aware of any eugenics programs starting up since. We seem to still be well on our way to an idiocracy. Because you know this is the end of mankind. Before reading this book I vaguely thought we're 75% genetics for most things. It was a conservative estimate on my part based on my own observations/anecdotal evidence. Safe now to ramp that up quite a bit. I won't bother trying to get my dumbass 8 year old nephew to play music or read a book. By now he would already have been doing so if he had it in him at all. You can give people nudges, and make things available to them, but if they don't got it, there's no point in going on about it.
Finished Soliders of Paradise by Paul Park.
It just kind of fell apart. Once we left the antinomials POV it was downhill. Abu and the doctor, one never felt close at all to them. They were emotionless. It became increasingly random and everything just falling apart. The whole society collapsing and who cares? Just blah. Pointless and meaningless story ultimately.
It just kind of fell apart. Once we left the antinomials POV it was downhill. Abu and the doctor, one never felt close at all to them. They were emotionless. It became increasingly random and everything just falling apart. The whole society collapsing and who cares? Just blah. Pointless and meaningless story ultimately.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Solider of Paradise by Paul Park
73% in and like in a review, it is hard to care at all about any of the characters. They're too distant. And the way withholding some details at the beginning made the story more interesting is ultimately just making the book feel a bit vague/not very rich. Not a rich detailed world. So unfortunately I just don't care about this story. Anyway the prince Abu cares about the 'antinomials' who are being decimated. The antinomials are not too impressive in a lot of ways. Meat eaters and very stupid in most ways. At the same time the "civilized" people are highly unimpressive also. Extreme theocracy, highly dogmatic, highly hierarchial, great inequality. Slavery, racism, etc. Meanwhile thinking it called 'biting' by the antinomials. Their main worthwhile quality seems to be that they're excellent at music. I suppose everyone is awful really, in this book. And there's got to be some people that you really like in a book. I guess Abu and the doctor, but both just barely.
And no ace's up anybody's sleeve. And it doesn't appear the injustice is ever going to be overcome. And again, inadequate setting detail.
73% in and like in a review, it is hard to care at all about any of the characters. They're too distant. And the way withholding some details at the beginning made the story more interesting is ultimately just making the book feel a bit vague/not very rich. Not a rich detailed world. So unfortunately I just don't care about this story. Anyway the prince Abu cares about the 'antinomials' who are being decimated. The antinomials are not too impressive in a lot of ways. Meat eaters and very stupid in most ways. At the same time the "civilized" people are highly unimpressive also. Extreme theocracy, highly dogmatic, highly hierarchial, great inequality. Slavery, racism, etc. Meanwhile thinking it called 'biting' by the antinomials. Their main worthwhile quality seems to be that they're excellent at music. I suppose everyone is awful really, in this book. And there's got to be some people that you really like in a book. I guess Abu and the doctor, but both just barely.
And no ace's up anybody's sleeve. And it doesn't appear the injustice is ever going to be overcome. And again, inadequate setting detail.
Did 2/3's at the track today. I've made pitifully little improvement it seems in this area. Way back in summer did quarters just under 90 seconds. Not much difference now. This is what I need to improve on. Provided my right knee can handle it. No interval shorter than 3 minutes in last month because right knee couldn't handle it. Was feeling better but after today I can again feel it just a bit.
My back has been feeling very good last few weeks. And I mean it doesn't hurt in the morning from sleeping wrong. It hasn't been hurting at all. This again coincides with slower running. Slower running may just be better for my back and knees. But it means not getting faster.
Also been doing one arm dumbbell swings. No ab work lately. And riding an exercise bike while standing as upright as possible.
My back has been feeling very good last few weeks. And I mean it doesn't hurt in the morning from sleeping wrong. It hasn't been hurting at all. This again coincides with slower running. Slower running may just be better for my back and knees. But it means not getting faster.
Also been doing one arm dumbbell swings. No ab work lately. And riding an exercise bike while standing as upright as possible.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Metal halide lamp is a bit of a fail. Cannot grow tomato plants. They all died. I think in part it got too hot for them? But at the same time wasn't enough sun energy. Catnip is about dead too. For the hell of it I tried some broccoli seeds and the same.
The lemon seeds came up nice but are just in stasis. And if I don't water a couple times a day, they quickly start wilting. The blueberry sprouts also going nowhere. And now the blackberry sprouts probably the same.
The papyrus plant is growing.
Been moving things to the window downstairs that gets some sunlight. It doesn't get a lot of sunlight as my state is very very dreary in the winter. But shall see if it manages better than the metal halide lamp. I guess though if I keep the window wide open to cool them down, while also putting the lamp much closer perhaps that might do some good....
The lemon seeds came up nice but are just in stasis. And if I don't water a couple times a day, they quickly start wilting. The blueberry sprouts also going nowhere. And now the blackberry sprouts probably the same.
The papyrus plant is growing.
Been moving things to the window downstairs that gets some sunlight. It doesn't get a lot of sunlight as my state is very very dreary in the winter. But shall see if it manages better than the metal halide lamp. I guess though if I keep the window wide open to cool them down, while also putting the lamp much closer perhaps that might do some good....
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Etched City by KJ Bishop
Finished this now. Afterwards read a review that also did call it 'decadent'. For about 25% or so near the end it turned into an actual story. Not enough of a story though. Bishop's first novel. I would move onto others even if it wasn't though.
Now reading Paul Park. His depiction of the antinomials is the best I think I've ever seen of an alternate sentient species. One wonders if they're neanderthals, or some alternate universe where neanderthals didn't die out, but we don't know, and it's good not to. Are vegetarians a sort of just normal man? Or are they like dwarves? Not enough info to know and that's good. But extreme depth of antinomials different way of thinking/perceiving.
Finished this now. Afterwards read a review that also did call it 'decadent'. For about 25% or so near the end it turned into an actual story. Not enough of a story though. Bishop's first novel. I would move onto others even if it wasn't though.
Now reading Paul Park. His depiction of the antinomials is the best I think I've ever seen of an alternate sentient species. One wonders if they're neanderthals, or some alternate universe where neanderthals didn't die out, but we don't know, and it's good not to. Are vegetarians a sort of just normal man? Or are they like dwarves? Not enough info to know and that's good. But extreme depth of antinomials different way of thinking/perceiving.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Ran first half mile in 3:03 through tunnel. Which has a slight incline. That's best so far. Knee still is OK. Still ought to see a doctor. Still haven't. Onwards!
Very, very cold. With gloves on could barely move hands after just 3 miles out and back of a 3/4. Reduced mileage thanks to knee and cold weather. Then exercise bike simulating running motion as close as possible for a bit more.
An olympic finalist in the 5k at work seems to have singled me out to speak to, to be friendly to, though I rarely see her. Of course I have reason to find her interesting. But I don't know how really to talk to people I only rarely see. Usually quite awkward. Even more so with someone who's slightly famous. Wouldn't want to bore her by talking about running, as she probably always has people talking to her about running.
But that's exactly what I want to talk about. So, oh well.
Very, very cold. With gloves on could barely move hands after just 3 miles out and back of a 3/4. Reduced mileage thanks to knee and cold weather. Then exercise bike simulating running motion as close as possible for a bit more.
An olympic finalist in the 5k at work seems to have singled me out to speak to, to be friendly to, though I rarely see her. Of course I have reason to find her interesting. But I don't know how really to talk to people I only rarely see. Usually quite awkward. Even more so with someone who's slightly famous. Wouldn't want to bore her by talking about running, as she probably always has people talking to her about running.
But that's exactly what I want to talk about. So, oh well.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Etched City by KJ Bishop
55% in and I'm not quite sure what the plot is really. It's Gwynn and Raule, whom aren't really even having anything to do with each other and both are just living. No particular goal in mind. No particular task that must be accomplished. Gwynn is just enjoying life. Works for the slave trade, enjoying his gf, the red haired painter. Raule is an underpaid doctor, takes care of the poor in this brutal city.
I like it though. Like the detail. I wouldn't mind at all though if it started actually going somewhere in particular instead of seeming so random. I suppose the lack of a plot and all the detail makes it really decadent, which is good. I guess you could say it's a real, the world is over, hooray! kind of book.
55% in and I'm not quite sure what the plot is really. It's Gwynn and Raule, whom aren't really even having anything to do with each other and both are just living. No particular goal in mind. No particular task that must be accomplished. Gwynn is just enjoying life. Works for the slave trade, enjoying his gf, the red haired painter. Raule is an underpaid doctor, takes care of the poor in this brutal city.
I like it though. Like the detail. I wouldn't mind at all though if it started actually going somewhere in particular instead of seeming so random. I suppose the lack of a plot and all the detail makes it really decadent, which is good. I guess you could say it's a real, the world is over, hooray! kind of book.
The vibrato on the cello does need to be in time with the music. Teacher didn't know. Or didn't remember she said. I couldn't tell by listening but I'm good enough at vibrato now that I can feel it. Started Bloch's Prayer which at least is a decent song, finally.
Lack of enough good songs caused me to lsoe interest in piano. I've continued on with cello despite same issue because I've invested quite a bit of my money now. Not so easy to quit.
Lack of enough good songs caused me to lsoe interest in piano. I've continued on with cello despite same issue because I've invested quite a bit of my money now. Not so easy to quit.
Back and forth on my right knee. It's permanently injured. But usually I can still run OK. I should see a doctor. But they're all such crap. It was great for yesterday's run and feels pretty good today. But twisting motions are a problem.
Ran first 3 minutes yesterday one single light short of 3 miles. Doing 3/4's. Really want to get under 3 minutes for half a mile. Then a bike, simulating the running motion as close as possible.
Ran first 3 minutes yesterday one single light short of 3 miles. Doing 3/4's. Really want to get under 3 minutes for half a mile. Then a bike, simulating the running motion as close as possible.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The best training for fast endurance running: 2/4's (2 minutes running / 4 minutes walking or very slow jogging) > 3/4's > 4/4's > 2/2's > 3/2's > 3/1's > 3/0.5's > 3/0.1's... (And 1 minute runs are anerobic and for the most part you'd be better off just doing continous longer runs instead. Although if your rest period gets well under a minute, you may start getting some benefit from 1 minute runs beyond a finishing kick.)
Basically run just long enough that it's mainly aerobic. And rest long enough that you're as close to completely recuperated as you've got the time to get.
The whole point of intervals is to spend more time running at or faster than race pace while still running aerobically. Shorter than 2 minutes and the running becomes primarily anerobic. Longer rest periods mean more time spent running faster, (provided you have the time for a longer workout). Furthermore no matter how good a shape you're in, the aerobic system takes longer to recuperate, thus as your running intervals get longer, you really need much longer rest periods to ensure each successive run is still at a good fast pace.
Otherwise, what's the point of even bothering doing intervals? Why do them in a way where you do less fast aerobic running?
And 2/2's > 3/2's > 4/2's etc, etc because provided it's still somewhat aerobic, faster running is just better. As you slow down your stride changes such that you're not even exercising all the muscles that you would need in order to run fast.
Short very fast runs with plenty of rest in between. That's how you should actually do intervals. The limiting factors are how much time you have and how much your joints can handle. (And how tired you are from inadequate recovery from your "recovery" runs.)
Basically run just long enough that it's mainly aerobic. And rest long enough that you're as close to completely recuperated as you've got the time to get.
The whole point of intervals is to spend more time running at or faster than race pace while still running aerobically. Shorter than 2 minutes and the running becomes primarily anerobic. Longer rest periods mean more time spent running faster, (provided you have the time for a longer workout). Furthermore no matter how good a shape you're in, the aerobic system takes longer to recuperate, thus as your running intervals get longer, you really need much longer rest periods to ensure each successive run is still at a good fast pace.
Otherwise, what's the point of even bothering doing intervals? Why do them in a way where you do less fast aerobic running?
And 2/2's > 3/2's > 4/2's etc, etc because provided it's still somewhat aerobic, faster running is just better. As you slow down your stride changes such that you're not even exercising all the muscles that you would need in order to run fast.
Short very fast runs with plenty of rest in between. That's how you should actually do intervals. The limiting factors are how much time you have and how much your joints can handle. (And how tired you are from inadequate recovery from your "recovery" runs.)
Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son by Michael Manning
They all just run together after a while. They really REALLY do.
His parents are killed when he's just a baby. He's basically the last wizard. His love interest is a tad stupid. The book is quite short. The bad guy doesn't last very long. Seemed cut too short. There is a book two, which I might never read. Lack of setting detail. Lack of character depth. But decent. Lack of injustice.
I felt emotion when Dorian is attacking the bad guy whom just almost killed the hero.
Comparing to Daniel Abraham, it's got less character depth and setting detail. But at least the hero has an ace up his sleeve. Not enough injustice in this book. Basically except for finding out his real parents were murdered shortly after he was born and he's actually a wizard, not much really happens here. The bad guy is quite thin and thrown in. Perhaps like Rothfuss book two might be better. But moving on to other books. Now reading The Etched City which has more setting detail than I've read in a very long time, and just simply big words. Hooray for big words. Supposedly the plot wanders aimlessly. But thinking back to Gormenghast, I'd consider that a good thing right now. In fact Etched City is compared to Gormenghast, though it doesn't seem quite at that level.
Gormenghast has really improved in my memory. Interesting how I've managed to completely forget some books I've recently read, yet I didn't evn bother to read the third book of Gormenghast, and still the first two books have stuck with me (and in a "positive" way) so well.
They all just run together after a while. They really REALLY do.
His parents are killed when he's just a baby. He's basically the last wizard. His love interest is a tad stupid. The book is quite short. The bad guy doesn't last very long. Seemed cut too short. There is a book two, which I might never read. Lack of setting detail. Lack of character depth. But decent. Lack of injustice.
I felt emotion when Dorian is attacking the bad guy whom just almost killed the hero.
Comparing to Daniel Abraham, it's got less character depth and setting detail. But at least the hero has an ace up his sleeve. Not enough injustice in this book. Basically except for finding out his real parents were murdered shortly after he was born and he's actually a wizard, not much really happens here. The bad guy is quite thin and thrown in. Perhaps like Rothfuss book two might be better. But moving on to other books. Now reading The Etched City which has more setting detail than I've read in a very long time, and just simply big words. Hooray for big words. Supposedly the plot wanders aimlessly. But thinking back to Gormenghast, I'd consider that a good thing right now. In fact Etched City is compared to Gormenghast, though it doesn't seem quite at that level.
Gormenghast has really improved in my memory. Interesting how I've managed to completely forget some books I've recently read, yet I didn't evn bother to read the third book of Gormenghast, and still the first two books have stuck with me (and in a "positive" way) so well.
Monday, November 28, 2011
In part from reading that Paula Radcliffe would do 6 one mile runs spread throughout the day, I got to thinking about just what was the point of intervals anyway? Furthermore it occurred to me that it takes the aerobic system much longer to recuperate than the anerobic system. So then today, did second half of 12 mile interval run as a 4/4. Plan to do 4/4's solely for a while.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Headache again. Must now give up cashews altogether. This is getting absurd and that's fitting.
Avoid oil. Avoid cheese. Certainly no fat from any meats as I haven't touched meat in 8 years. And no pistachios, peanuts or cashews as they trigger headaches. This leaves... Walnuts and seeds and flax meal as my only fat sources. (And I guess avocadoes...) And perhaps I'll increasingly end up eating diary.
Avoid oil. Avoid cheese. Certainly no fat from any meats as I haven't touched meat in 8 years. And no pistachios, peanuts or cashews as they trigger headaches. This leaves... Walnuts and seeds and flax meal as my only fat sources. (And I guess avocadoes...) And perhaps I'll increasingly end up eating diary.
The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham
Books one and 65% of book two. Not quite enough world detail, although much better than most. Good detailed characters.
But, no hero with an ace up their sleeve. And the magic is a bit weak. And book two is basically a detective story. I think I will move on to something else after finishing book two.
(The magic is one single process per poet. The ability to remove the part that goes on-seedles and the ability to soften rocks are the only two bits of magic in book one and two.) Otah and Maati and main characters... Maati a poet. Otah refused to become one but might end up a king. Political intrigue from the Galts, etc.
Books one and 65% of book two. Not quite enough world detail, although much better than most. Good detailed characters.
But, no hero with an ace up their sleeve. And the magic is a bit weak. And book two is basically a detective story. I think I will move on to something else after finishing book two.
(The magic is one single process per poet. The ability to remove the part that goes on-seedles and the ability to soften rocks are the only two bits of magic in book one and two.) Otah and Maati and main characters... Maati a poet. Otah refused to become one but might end up a king. Political intrigue from the Galts, etc.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Went and saw my first opera on Saturday. Lucia Di Lammermoor with wife and S. I think I liked it but I was too tired to enjoy it very much. Got up at 5:30. Did a bunch of stuff, then ended up hurrying to the opera at 7PM. Too much stuff before opera. Got there 3 minutes late and had to sit in the very back row of the second tier till intermission. Beautiful sounding. So, so, so much better than recordings. Could have used binoculars though. And wish the subtitles would have been better.
Previously went on tour of capitol. I wasn't expecting much, but was still disappointed. Wandered around capitol mall museums. Skeletons were the best. Insect zoo was nice but way too small. Made a huge mistake concerning shoe wear.
Then took subway back to car. Which wasn't as alienating an experience as I remember.
I used to give money to the beggars. Now I don't just because I really really really don't want to hear their stories. At least no fatty tried to ask for money to get something to eat.
Then a nice dinner at Busboys and Poets. The fava bean chili was good. But 3 minutes too late for the opera. Oh well.
Had a pretty good time with S. Though she thought my 80's mix CDs were pretty gay. OMD, depeche mode.
Previously went on tour of capitol. I wasn't expecting much, but was still disappointed. Wandered around capitol mall museums. Skeletons were the best. Insect zoo was nice but way too small. Made a huge mistake concerning shoe wear.
Then took subway back to car. Which wasn't as alienating an experience as I remember.
I used to give money to the beggars. Now I don't just because I really really really don't want to hear their stories. At least no fatty tried to ask for money to get something to eat.
Then a nice dinner at Busboys and Poets. The fava bean chili was good. But 3 minutes too late for the opera. Oh well.
Had a pretty good time with S. Though she thought my 80's mix CDs were pretty gay. OMD, depeche mode.
Friday, November 18, 2011
It's better to do what you like as opposed to what you're good at. And better to be around ethical people ("nice" people) you have nothing in common with than around people you seemingly have something in common with whom aren't particularly ethical ("nice").
.....
Every moment of everything you do is an ethical decision.
.....
Ethics is the extent to which we go beyond our own short term self interest and instead start thinking with compassion, start thinking altruistically or at least with an extreme long term self interest that goes into the mystical (life after death).
.....
It's not what you say you rationally believe, it's what you show by your actions that you actually believe. The thing is, the two are rarely the same. We rarely understand what's going on in our nonconscious and how it determines our actions.
.....
If you're bothering to do anything at all, you're acting as if you believe in a life after death.
.....
If you believe in a life after death (sans christian hell absurdity or muslim, etc), why would you support capital punishment?
.....
We enjoy music to the extent that we "anthropomorphosize" the sounds. That is to say, turn those violins into ghostly angels, etc. When every bit of noise represents the expression of some sentient creature, you are truly feeling the music.
.....
Playing the cello is a particularly mystical instrument. Which is to say that, it's so hard to make it sound good. It takes so much time, so many hours that could be instead spent on better ensuring your mere survival, such that it's living as if you're going to exist for a lot longer than a few mere decades. The same of course can be said of many hobbies. Spending a large chunk of your life on any particular thing, (that takes work on your part as opposed to watching TV), that is largely unrelated to mere survival and thus can be considered a silly waste of time, means that you're a highly mystical person. (No matter if you claim to be an atheist of whatever.)
.....
We all basically have two levels of ethics. There is the "just do the right thing" level where we're simply following the absolute ethical laws. (Kantian or whatever.) But, these ethical laws are laws that we've each made up, (hopefully) in large part based on utilitarian thinking. Most good over some time period.
The less thinking we are, the less we put into the utilitarianism and instead default to tradition to determine our "absolute" ethical laws. Relatedly, the lazier we are, the more we attempt to follow our absolute ethical system in unusual cases for which our ethical system doesn't really say what to do. (Here selfishness or masochism is often the deciding factor.)
So we're all really utilitarians to some degree, but many of us our too oblivious of our nonconsciousness to realize it. And the greatest deciding factor in the "absolute" ethical laws we decide upon using utilitarianism, is how long we expect to exist. The more mystical (life after death) you actually are (no matter your claims of atheism), the longer the term you're looking at. And the more seemingly altruistic your actions appear.
.....
If you actually defeated your nonconscious, it'd be awful. It would mean perfect nihilism. I suppose you'd quit bothering to breath and die within a few minutes.
.....
Every moment of everything you do is an ethical decision.
.....
Ethics is the extent to which we go beyond our own short term self interest and instead start thinking with compassion, start thinking altruistically or at least with an extreme long term self interest that goes into the mystical (life after death).
.....
It's not what you say you rationally believe, it's what you show by your actions that you actually believe. The thing is, the two are rarely the same. We rarely understand what's going on in our nonconscious and how it determines our actions.
.....
If you're bothering to do anything at all, you're acting as if you believe in a life after death.
.....
If you believe in a life after death (sans christian hell absurdity or muslim, etc), why would you support capital punishment?
.....
We enjoy music to the extent that we "anthropomorphosize" the sounds. That is to say, turn those violins into ghostly angels, etc. When every bit of noise represents the expression of some sentient creature, you are truly feeling the music.
.....
Playing the cello is a particularly mystical instrument. Which is to say that, it's so hard to make it sound good. It takes so much time, so many hours that could be instead spent on better ensuring your mere survival, such that it's living as if you're going to exist for a lot longer than a few mere decades. The same of course can be said of many hobbies. Spending a large chunk of your life on any particular thing, (that takes work on your part as opposed to watching TV), that is largely unrelated to mere survival and thus can be considered a silly waste of time, means that you're a highly mystical person. (No matter if you claim to be an atheist of whatever.)
.....
We all basically have two levels of ethics. There is the "just do the right thing" level where we're simply following the absolute ethical laws. (Kantian or whatever.) But, these ethical laws are laws that we've each made up, (hopefully) in large part based on utilitarian thinking. Most good over some time period.
The less thinking we are, the less we put into the utilitarianism and instead default to tradition to determine our "absolute" ethical laws. Relatedly, the lazier we are, the more we attempt to follow our absolute ethical system in unusual cases for which our ethical system doesn't really say what to do. (Here selfishness or masochism is often the deciding factor.)
So we're all really utilitarians to some degree, but many of us our too oblivious of our nonconsciousness to realize it. And the greatest deciding factor in the "absolute" ethical laws we decide upon using utilitarianism, is how long we expect to exist. The more mystical (life after death) you actually are (no matter your claims of atheism), the longer the term you're looking at. And the more seemingly altruistic your actions appear.
.....
If you actually defeated your nonconscious, it'd be awful. It would mean perfect nihilism. I suppose you'd quit bothering to breath and die within a few minutes.
The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham. Only halfway into first book of this 4 part series. Just wanted to say I'm so happy to finally be reading something good. Has been too long. Finally some detail and character nuance. Finally found a new good writer, thank god.
The communicating by body positioning thing is interesting. I wonder what it adds as opposed to just describing emotion/facial expression, etc. Maybe it just makes it a bit easier for the writer. Will have to read books in other worlds by Abraham to compare.
He has a blog I'll have to make sure not to read.
The communicating by body positioning thing is interesting. I wonder what it adds as opposed to just describing emotion/facial expression, etc. Maybe it just makes it a bit easier for the writer. Will have to read books in other worlds by Abraham to compare.
He has a blog I'll have to make sure not to read.
Yesterday I had a good bit of flax meal and made myself drink two beers before bed. Today knee was feeling pretty good. Decided to try to do 6/3's for this month. Just did 4 of them today. Will see about increasing volume and intensity and just simply improving. Want to get much closer to a full mile in 6 minutes.
Then 3 2/2's on the exercise bike. It was hard to do that with much intensity after running.
Back feels much better today also.
Feel physically good today.
Did notice I can watch my heart beating in the side of my ankle/foot. I wonder if that's a bad thing. I think it not so good as arteries are supposed to be deeper for a reason.
Then 3 2/2's on the exercise bike. It was hard to do that with much intensity after running.
Back feels much better today also.
Feel physically good today.
Did notice I can watch my heart beating in the side of my ankle/foot. I wonder if that's a bad thing. I think it not so good as arteries are supposed to be deeper for a reason.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
And on monday did a 4/1 six miles in 53:39. I'm not any good at 4/1's and doubt they're very useful anyway. But with my right knee feeling bad, I have to run slower.
Back lately is consistently bothering me. Probably the one armed rows. I'm running out of exercise I can do without pain.
Figured out this headache of the last two days. Once again it's nuts. Peanut residue on the mixed nuts, or maybe the brazil nuts? Guess it wasn't the chocolate wine.
Back lately is consistently bothering me. Probably the one armed rows. I'm running out of exercise I can do without pain.
Figured out this headache of the last two days. Once again it's nuts. Peanut residue on the mixed nuts, or maybe the brazil nuts? Guess it wasn't the chocolate wine.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
1: A Game of Thrones (George Martin)
Annoying cliffhangers. Unfinished. Can he finish it well? I really doubt it. With that said, still good stuff.
2: The Malazan Book of the Fallen (Steven Erikson)
Only read first 200 pages. Have resisted because of military feel. Maybe I'm wrong on that.
3: The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss)
Book two was extremely good. Book one was nothing special. And that's all we've got so far....
4: Lord of the Rings (J.R.R Tolkien)
Most realistic fantasy world ever.
5: The Black Company (Glen Cook)
Never heard of it before. Need to check it out.
6: Gormenghast (Mervyn Peake)
A pretty neat little thing. Bit of a trial to read at times but leaves beautiful lasting images. I did not read the third book. In part because I know he died before finishing the series and that depressed me. I should go back and give it a go.
7: The Blade Itself (Joe Abercrombie)
Will have to check it out. Think I read the sample already though....?
8: The Way of Kings (Brandon Sanderson)
Sanderson's previous series was just OK. I suppose pretty good at times but didn't leave me ultimately with much lasting impression. This is just book one of a supposedly ten part series. So no hurry on it.
9: The Farseer (Robin Hobb)
The best.
10: Lies of Locke Lamora (Scott Lynch)
I wasn't blown away by the sample. Will go back to it though.
11: The Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan)
Started out great then turned into a never-ending soap opera. I quit ten or so books in.
12: Cold Fire Trilogy (C.S. Friedman)
I already reviewed it and I don't really remember it. Must have really sucked. I guess I need to make my reviews more detailed so I don't completely forget.
13: The Long Price Quartet (Daniel Abraham)
Haven't read it. Supposedly highly detailed setting. That's what I really want so must check it out.
14: The Etched City (K.J. Bishop)
Haven't read.
15: A Sword of Shadows (J.V. Jones)
Beginning was too sadistic but finally I really got into it. Really looking forward to next book.
#16: Acacia (David Anthony Durham)
Haven't read.
#17: Elric of Melinbone (Michael Moorcock)
Character seemed 2D. Seemed like a lot of telling instead of showing. Didn't get past beginning.
18: The Darkness That Comes Before (R. Scott Bakker)
Pretty good stuff but this guy's blog I think just really turned me off. Could never quite bring myself to buy book 4. Which I think isn't remotely fair of me. Something going on there in my nonconscious that I ought to figure out.
19: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (Susanna Clarke)
Loved the footnotes. Made the world so rich.
20: Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (Stephen R. Donaldson)
The "hero" was such a whiny bastard that I didn't read far.
21: American Gods (Neil Gaiman)
Read other Gaiman. OK. Overrated. Hated his blog.
22: Abhorsen Trilogy (Garth Nix)
Haven't read.
23: Memory, Sorrow, Thorn (Tad Williams)
Characters seemed very 2D. Didn't get far.
24: Magician: Apprentice and Magician (Raymond E. Feist)
Heard such bad things about Feist but should try it.
25: Dresden Files (Jim Butcher)
Such a stereotypical detective story. Haven't gotten far into it.
So I guess I could still read Erikson's Malazan. Book 3 of Gormenghast. Glen Cook's The Black Company. Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself. Scott Lynch's Lies of Locke Lamora I guess... The Etched City (K.J. Bishop), Acacia (David Anthony Durham), Abhorsen Trilogy (Garth Nix), Magician: Apprentice and Magician (Raymond E. Feist) and I could give Elric of Melinbone (Michael Moorcock) another try.
First will look at The Long Price Quartet (Daniel Abraham).
Annoying cliffhangers. Unfinished. Can he finish it well? I really doubt it. With that said, still good stuff.
2: The Malazan Book of the Fallen (Steven Erikson)
Only read first 200 pages. Have resisted because of military feel. Maybe I'm wrong on that.
3: The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss)
Book two was extremely good. Book one was nothing special. And that's all we've got so far....
4: Lord of the Rings (J.R.R Tolkien)
Most realistic fantasy world ever.
5: The Black Company (Glen Cook)
Never heard of it before. Need to check it out.
6: Gormenghast (Mervyn Peake)
A pretty neat little thing. Bit of a trial to read at times but leaves beautiful lasting images. I did not read the third book. In part because I know he died before finishing the series and that depressed me. I should go back and give it a go.
7: The Blade Itself (Joe Abercrombie)
Will have to check it out. Think I read the sample already though....?
8: The Way of Kings (Brandon Sanderson)
Sanderson's previous series was just OK. I suppose pretty good at times but didn't leave me ultimately with much lasting impression. This is just book one of a supposedly ten part series. So no hurry on it.
9: The Farseer (Robin Hobb)
The best.
10: Lies of Locke Lamora (Scott Lynch)
I wasn't blown away by the sample. Will go back to it though.
11: The Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan)
Started out great then turned into a never-ending soap opera. I quit ten or so books in.
12: Cold Fire Trilogy (C.S. Friedman)
I already reviewed it and I don't really remember it. Must have really sucked. I guess I need to make my reviews more detailed so I don't completely forget.
13: The Long Price Quartet (Daniel Abraham)
Haven't read it. Supposedly highly detailed setting. That's what I really want so must check it out.
14: The Etched City (K.J. Bishop)
Haven't read.
15: A Sword of Shadows (J.V. Jones)
Beginning was too sadistic but finally I really got into it. Really looking forward to next book.
#16: Acacia (David Anthony Durham)
Haven't read.
#17: Elric of Melinbone (Michael Moorcock)
Character seemed 2D. Seemed like a lot of telling instead of showing. Didn't get past beginning.
18: The Darkness That Comes Before (R. Scott Bakker)
Pretty good stuff but this guy's blog I think just really turned me off. Could never quite bring myself to buy book 4. Which I think isn't remotely fair of me. Something going on there in my nonconscious that I ought to figure out.
19: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (Susanna Clarke)
Loved the footnotes. Made the world so rich.
20: Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (Stephen R. Donaldson)
The "hero" was such a whiny bastard that I didn't read far.
21: American Gods (Neil Gaiman)
Read other Gaiman. OK. Overrated. Hated his blog.
22: Abhorsen Trilogy (Garth Nix)
Haven't read.
23: Memory, Sorrow, Thorn (Tad Williams)
Characters seemed very 2D. Didn't get far.
24: Magician: Apprentice and Magician (Raymond E. Feist)
Heard such bad things about Feist but should try it.
25: Dresden Files (Jim Butcher)
Such a stereotypical detective story. Haven't gotten far into it.
So I guess I could still read Erikson's Malazan. Book 3 of Gormenghast. Glen Cook's The Black Company. Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself. Scott Lynch's Lies of Locke Lamora I guess... The Etched City (K.J. Bishop), Acacia (David Anthony Durham), Abhorsen Trilogy (Garth Nix), Magician: Apprentice and Magician (Raymond E. Feist) and I could give Elric of Melinbone (Michael Moorcock) another try.
First will look at The Long Price Quartet (Daniel Abraham).
Hurt/tweaked knee last week. Also hurt back. Both I guess from taking an elongated stride and/or + carelessness. Has left me demoralized though. And shall attempt to do 4/1's and 3/2's for the next month instead of 2/2's. Also trying to add in 20 minutes on the exercise bike afterwards. Was able to do a 4/1 yesterday although my knee is still tender. Should get it checked out...
Also wife won a chocolate basket. The chocolate wine has given me a headache. And when I get these headaches, they stay for at least 24 hours. Drank the wine yesterday at 3pm. Also didn't sleep well from the caffeine. Hadn't had headache in a while. Was hoping they were permanently gone. Then got one after eating old cashews. Hoping this is just really the result of having consumed caffiene which I normally never do. But still quite demoralized about this also.
Can hardly think with my head like this. Shall lay around and feel miserable probably rest of day and accomplish nothing.
Also wife won a chocolate basket. The chocolate wine has given me a headache. And when I get these headaches, they stay for at least 24 hours. Drank the wine yesterday at 3pm. Also didn't sleep well from the caffeine. Hadn't had headache in a while. Was hoping they were permanently gone. Then got one after eating old cashews. Hoping this is just really the result of having consumed caffiene which I normally never do. But still quite demoralized about this also.
Can hardly think with my head like this. Shall lay around and feel miserable probably rest of day and accomplish nothing.
Blackberry, blueberry, pear, and cherry seeds. All properly cooled in the refrigerator. Blackberry seeds soaked in vinegar for 4 hours previous. And all planted. One pear seed immediately sprouted. Nothing else yet. Will be annoyed if that's all I get.
Tomato sprouts seem to be dying/not thriving. Don't know why. Worry the light is too strong. Yet supposedly I'm supposed to be putting it closer to the sprouts than I am. I think not enough water getting down into the roots. Wife thinks I'm watering too much.
The 4 blueberry sprouts are growing so, so slowly. At this rate I'll have some blueberry bushes in 5 years. Only the lemon seeds came up nice. Although now, they don't seem to be growing anymore, just in stasis...
Dug up bamboo from a house up the road. Was very hard to do. Called a place in Alabama about ordering more as it's just too hard to dig up. They said it's too late to plant. Hoping it's just the suddeness of going from Alabama weather to WV weather. Hopefully these transplanted ones will do OK.
Tomato sprouts seem to be dying/not thriving. Don't know why. Worry the light is too strong. Yet supposedly I'm supposed to be putting it closer to the sprouts than I am. I think not enough water getting down into the roots. Wife thinks I'm watering too much.
The 4 blueberry sprouts are growing so, so slowly. At this rate I'll have some blueberry bushes in 5 years. Only the lemon seeds came up nice. Although now, they don't seem to be growing anymore, just in stasis...
Dug up bamboo from a house up the road. Was very hard to do. Called a place in Alabama about ordering more as it's just too hard to dig up. They said it's too late to plant. Hoping it's just the suddeness of going from Alabama weather to WV weather. Hopefully these transplanted ones will do OK.
Shade of the Tree by Piers Anthony
Thought it was going to be sci-fi or fantasy but it's not actually. More typical standard fiction for larger audiences. And really a stupid waste of time. A haunted tree/area. Father and children just moving in. He's too dense to realize he needs to get the hell out and so we slowly have strange things happen which he dismisses in between him trying to fix up the have finished house.
I imagine the writer sat down and randomly came up with just a bunch of stuff and just threw it in there. One thing after another, each disconnected from the previous. Maybe he needed the money I guess and held his nose why he wrote it. Trying to comprehend why he bothered writing is what I was mainly thinking about and stopped two thirds in.
I'm sure I must have read something decent by Piers Anthony somewhere in the past. I think.
Thought it was going to be sci-fi or fantasy but it's not actually. More typical standard fiction for larger audiences. And really a stupid waste of time. A haunted tree/area. Father and children just moving in. He's too dense to realize he needs to get the hell out and so we slowly have strange things happen which he dismisses in between him trying to fix up the have finished house.
I imagine the writer sat down and randomly came up with just a bunch of stuff and just threw it in there. One thing after another, each disconnected from the previous. Maybe he needed the money I guess and held his nose why he wrote it. Trying to comprehend why he bothered writing is what I was mainly thinking about and stopped two thirds in.
I'm sure I must have read something decent by Piers Anthony somewhere in the past. I think.
A Dance of Cloaks by David Daglish
Blah. Aaron Fellhorn and his crappy dad Thren Felhorn. Blah, blah, blah. Ninja like thief assasins. I guess like Brent Weeks except not as good. Will not read anything by Daglish in the future. Medieval setting, yet without any of the flavor of medieval times, just not adequately described at all. Blah.
What makes someone even bother writing such stuff?
Blah. Aaron Fellhorn and his crappy dad Thren Felhorn. Blah, blah, blah. Ninja like thief assasins. I guess like Brent Weeks except not as good. Will not read anything by Daglish in the future. Medieval setting, yet without any of the flavor of medieval times, just not adequately described at all. Blah.
What makes someone even bother writing such stuff?
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
Decent bit of historial detail. Bit more distance from the characters than I like. Told in third person. Didn't quite pull me in such that I want to run out and read another by him. Mainly just had good historical detail.
Yes, dances around a bit. From the Coalhouse to JP Morgan to Tateh. Everyone a tad light. I like historial fiction though. Will search for more.
Favorite era being the middle ages. That done with a great level of detail, with a good bit of fantasy thrown in...
Decent bit of historial detail. Bit more distance from the characters than I like. Told in third person. Didn't quite pull me in such that I want to run out and read another by him. Mainly just had good historical detail.
Yes, dances around a bit. From the Coalhouse to JP Morgan to Tateh. Everyone a tad light. I like historial fiction though. Will search for more.
Favorite era being the middle ages. That done with a great level of detail, with a good bit of fantasy thrown in...
3 mile time trail: 22:24. Last time did 23:08. Had done 2/2's slowly working up to 2 hours twice a week for almost the last month. Maybe 3 weeks. Previous run on Thursday. The last 40 minutes I started using an exaggeratedly long stride. Felt good at first. But then my right knee started hurting and my back. It's taken a few days for my back to feel better. Knee still not feeling so great.
But still, nice PR today. Afterwards immediately switched to 3/1's but didn't have much. Did 9 miles in 79:50 and taking my knee into account, quit instead of going up to 12 miles.
But still, nice PR today. Afterwards immediately switched to 3/1's but didn't have much. Did 9 miles in 79:50 and taking my knee into account, quit instead of going up to 12 miles.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Think of the modern Saudi Arabian woman, never allowed to leave her house unless escorted by a male relative, not allowed to drive a car or vote and so on. It's easy enough to imagine a woman there being miserable. At the same time there are women there who are perfectly happy.
What's the difference between the two?
The miserable Saudi Arabian woman has an imagination. She can imagine a better life. While the happy Saudi Arabian woman does not. She instead just accepts things as they are and finds what little things there are to be happy about in her particular reality.
Excuse the analogy as I don't mean to make little of the horrendous plight of Muslim women but the same applies in America. If you have sufficient imagination you can be utterly miserable here. You can look around and see that although things certainly aren't as bad as in Saudi Arabia, we're still a bunch of pitiful barbarians.
If you have sufficient imagination anyway, you can see this.
The miserable Saudi Arabian woman might get killed if she dared say what she actually thought about her situation. In the US the situation certainly isn't as bad, but all the happy Americans also would respond negatively and anyway, speaking out doesn't do any good.
What's the difference between the two?
The miserable Saudi Arabian woman has an imagination. She can imagine a better life. While the happy Saudi Arabian woman does not. She instead just accepts things as they are and finds what little things there are to be happy about in her particular reality.
Excuse the analogy as I don't mean to make little of the horrendous plight of Muslim women but the same applies in America. If you have sufficient imagination you can be utterly miserable here. You can look around and see that although things certainly aren't as bad as in Saudi Arabia, we're still a bunch of pitiful barbarians.
If you have sufficient imagination anyway, you can see this.
The miserable Saudi Arabian woman might get killed if she dared say what she actually thought about her situation. In the US the situation certainly isn't as bad, but all the happy Americans also would respond negatively and anyway, speaking out doesn't do any good.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The High House in the Mist by Lovecraft
If only he'd spend more time in the present. If only there were more dialogue.
Why didn't he? Here and there he did it a bit. Why not more often? Length issues? I've no idea.
This story has such a beautiful moment when Olney is hiding by a window outside the house as the person inside slowly goes around opening all the windows. A moment of trepidation... And then suddenly we jump to extreme vagueness and past tense. So it is with Lovecraft over and over.
Yet still, in his way, he did have such strong visions, that perhaps are just lost to us now. The world has changed in a way that, it's not that no one would now write like that, it's that no one at all thinks like that. No one wanders the night dreaming of the sorts of things Lovecraft dreamt of.
Superior to The Mists of Avalon. But he doesn't write actual stories.
If only he'd spend more time in the present. If only there were more dialogue.
Why didn't he? Here and there he did it a bit. Why not more often? Length issues? I've no idea.
This story has such a beautiful moment when Olney is hiding by a window outside the house as the person inside slowly goes around opening all the windows. A moment of trepidation... And then suddenly we jump to extreme vagueness and past tense. So it is with Lovecraft over and over.
Yet still, in his way, he did have such strong visions, that perhaps are just lost to us now. The world has changed in a way that, it's not that no one would now write like that, it's that no one at all thinks like that. No one wanders the night dreaming of the sorts of things Lovecraft dreamt of.
Superior to The Mists of Avalon. But he doesn't write actual stories.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Wayfarer King by KC May. Book two. At the end she says she's an independent writer and asks people to spread this book around. Get other people to read it.
I would be embarrassed to recommend this book to others. Feel embarrassed to even mention it here. Not to say it was awful. Same criticisms as book one. Slightly more of a page turner than The Mists of Avalon, that I'm working on now. Although that one has a more detailed world. And is critically acclaimed. Well it has a strong romance thing to it. Just not a lot of plot. Not injustice that must be overcome. Not characters you strongly root for. No hero with an ace. Women sitting around at home mostly. Which was the idea of course.
I would be embarrassed to recommend this book to others. Feel embarrassed to even mention it here. Not to say it was awful. Same criticisms as book one. Slightly more of a page turner than The Mists of Avalon, that I'm working on now. Although that one has a more detailed world. And is critically acclaimed. Well it has a strong romance thing to it. Just not a lot of plot. Not injustice that must be overcome. Not characters you strongly root for. No hero with an ace. Women sitting around at home mostly. Which was the idea of course.
Went out to dinner with wife and S and I think I had too much alcohol. Was a glimpse into one way, at least, in which adultery may happen. The way of just straight up stupidity. Straight up brain vacancy. Nobody, no nothing at all, at home.
But my, aren't you pretty?
Let's pull out the magnifying glass to take a closer look at this horrid monster. This evil. What are some other ways that people manage to do such a hurtful thing as adultery?
1. Not thinking the person will be hurt. Either because the way they treat you, they must not really like you anyway. Perhaps you'd both be better off with a divorce? Or I don't know, you wouldn't really give a damm if they did the same in return? Because you don't really feel quite the same way about them. (This is why love is so vaguely defined. We never feel exactly the same about each other.)
2. Alcohol-Wife? I have one?
3. Trying to purposely hurt your spouse, because they've hurt you.
4. Worst of all. I like a lot of tail and I thought I could get away with it. (Yes, there really are people out there for whom, that's it. That's all the thinking going on. But I just can't comprehend it at the moment. The people with no over-ego.)
5. Oh yes. People who aren't fulfilled with their lives who expect one single other person to be their everything. And so you get married and wait, you're still not really fulfilled. Well maybe this other women will do the trick. Nope. Try again. And again.
I think the problem last night is that I couldn't hear what was being said very well and was left mainly just with this pleasing vision for hour after hour. I shouldn't go beyond two drinks unless I'm up moving around. Then 2+ can really be fun.
But my, aren't you pretty?
Let's pull out the magnifying glass to take a closer look at this horrid monster. This evil. What are some other ways that people manage to do such a hurtful thing as adultery?
1. Not thinking the person will be hurt. Either because the way they treat you, they must not really like you anyway. Perhaps you'd both be better off with a divorce? Or I don't know, you wouldn't really give a damm if they did the same in return? Because you don't really feel quite the same way about them. (This is why love is so vaguely defined. We never feel exactly the same about each other.)
2. Alcohol-Wife? I have one?
3. Trying to purposely hurt your spouse, because they've hurt you.
4. Worst of all. I like a lot of tail and I thought I could get away with it. (Yes, there really are people out there for whom, that's it. That's all the thinking going on. But I just can't comprehend it at the moment. The people with no over-ego.)
5. Oh yes. People who aren't fulfilled with their lives who expect one single other person to be their everything. And so you get married and wait, you're still not really fulfilled. Well maybe this other women will do the trick. Nope. Try again. And again.
I think the problem last night is that I couldn't hear what was being said very well and was left mainly just with this pleasing vision for hour after hour. I shouldn't go beyond two drinks unless I'm up moving around. Then 2+ can really be fun.
Surprised myself and close gripped benched 110lbs for 18 reps on Monday. Other lifts had similar improvement. Wonder if all these 2/2's are strengthening my arms even.
Got out the jeans for the winter. They're all way too big around the waist. Need to buy a smaller size. They're a 36 inch waist. I might be down to a 32 at this point.
Got out the jeans for the winter. They're all way too big around the waist. Need to buy a smaller size. They're a 36 inch waist. I might be down to a 32 at this point.
Monday, October 24, 2011
So, trying to not keep track of times right now. But it sure seems like I'm getting fast. And I couldn't help but noticing the last half mile of a 12 or so mile 2/2 interval run, that I started walking almost right at the half mile marker, then after 2 minutes of walk did two minutes of run and almost made it to finish.
Knocking out half a mile in just 4 minutes of a 2/2 is pretty good. Better than most runners ever manage. And really feel like I could go a lot further. Worried about going too far towards volume and away from intensity though.
Knocking out half a mile in just 4 minutes of a 2/2 is pretty good. Better than most runners ever manage. And really feel like I could go a lot further. Worried about going too far towards volume and away from intensity though.
Today in car with sister and mom it came up how jealous my nephew had seemed that I was nice to this 8 year old girl that had been over with her mom for dinner. This poor little girl has an unusual birth defect that among other things she has no elbows. Arms are just locked at 90 degrees. Also quite poor, just unemployed mom and her live in a trailer. Girl happens to be extremely musical. Writes her own original songs (just in her head) at only 8 years old. So of course, to be nice to her I show her my music studio and record some music with her. This makes my nephew very angry, apparently out of jealousy. Which I find disgusting. And truthfully it's the same damm way his mother is. Somehow the subject comes up in the car and I'm informed that of course any 8 year old would get mad. Apparently I'm supposed to treat him better than some other 8 year old. I shouldn't have shown this other kid the music studio. I respond that that would be unethical. Of course I'm going to be nice to this other kid, the same as I'm nice to my nephew. Sister then says that she doesn't want me around her son anymore. Which is typical from her. She's ethically defective. She is not in control of her animal half. She's also financially bankrupt, and not even from an illness or losing a job, just flat out from spending tons and tons of money. Along the way put 40k on a credit card in my mom's name. She's also fat. I'm more than a foot taller and she outweighs me. The nearby hospital told her to not come back last time she went there for her headaches. She usually goes to the ED once or twice a month for headaches and takes enough pain medicine to kill me. And despite this she won't even quit drinking caffeine.
OK so she's a dumbass. Thought to remember is that her rational mind is not in control of the animal part of her. Like a large dog that's usually nice, that in the right circumstances could maul you.
Then Mom chimes in, "It's just some kid you're not even related to!"
Which reminds me of how awfully she treated my adopted nepalese brother, Dipendra. He was like the work help basically. Made to do endless chores. Here and there I dared to point this out and got screamed at and so on for my trouble. The very idea that I would claim he hadn't been treated equally, was supposedly quite absurd.
"It's just some kid you're not even related to!"
She also treated my nepalese stepsister like shit. And now can't understand why that sister doesn't really have much to do with her.
Last night at work, after waiting on some guy hand and foot for 10 hours, at which point I was getting a bit tired, starts screaming insults and so on at me because I didn't read his mind and pull him up 2 inches in the bed to eat his dinner.
Another person owned by their animal mind.
I probably have a very conservative average of 10 new patients each week. Sometimes more like 20. And there are a lot of people out there who are controlled by their animal mind. And people with substandard ethics.
Can't avoid being subjected to such people. But, you have a beer and forgot them.
So then, men spread their genes better by cheating on wives. They just have to convince themselves they don't suck in order to do it.
Women expect unequal treatment for their family members. Not all women though. I know a couple decent ones.
OK so she's a dumbass. Thought to remember is that her rational mind is not in control of the animal part of her. Like a large dog that's usually nice, that in the right circumstances could maul you.
Then Mom chimes in, "It's just some kid you're not even related to!"
Which reminds me of how awfully she treated my adopted nepalese brother, Dipendra. He was like the work help basically. Made to do endless chores. Here and there I dared to point this out and got screamed at and so on for my trouble. The very idea that I would claim he hadn't been treated equally, was supposedly quite absurd.
"It's just some kid you're not even related to!"
She also treated my nepalese stepsister like shit. And now can't understand why that sister doesn't really have much to do with her.
Last night at work, after waiting on some guy hand and foot for 10 hours, at which point I was getting a bit tired, starts screaming insults and so on at me because I didn't read his mind and pull him up 2 inches in the bed to eat his dinner.
Another person owned by their animal mind.
I probably have a very conservative average of 10 new patients each week. Sometimes more like 20. And there are a lot of people out there who are controlled by their animal mind. And people with substandard ethics.
Can't avoid being subjected to such people. But, you have a beer and forgot them.
So then, men spread their genes better by cheating on wives. They just have to convince themselves they don't suck in order to do it.
Women expect unequal treatment for their family members. Not all women though. I know a couple decent ones.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Same trail as last time but just in one direction and hit this really beautiful spot where I was in a valley and the trail was almost a perfect line going down the middle of it, perfectly flat and I could follow the line of the trail almost a mile off into the distance. Other than the trail, no signs of life in any direction.
Felt very fast today. Almost felt like I was sprinting, not briskly jogging, at times. Just a 2/2 for 100 minutes. Worry my right hip will start bothering me and I'll have to slow down but so far, feeling good. Making sure to put flax meal in legume stews.
I guess this run was around ten miles. Didn't really even touch me though. Might have to go a lot farther next time. Listening to Beethoven's 9th, 7th, 3rd.
Also at home been listening to the 5th and 8th. Beethoven said people liked his 7th so much more than the 8th basically because people are stupid. Well, I like the 7th the best of all of them. Although the ode to joy of the 9th is really good. Typical preferences.
CNRN exam tomorrow. Will be glad to get that over with.
I think the headache was actually caused by bad cashews (7 months past expiration date and wife says they tasted a bit funny). Food was having a metallic taste, along with the headache for two days. With that taste going away I went on a bit of a bender and had 4 beers while I was practicing cello. That's a fun way to practice. Probably not a good idea though... According to definitions I'm close to being a heavy drinker now. A single beer is like nothing. 'Slurp' Gone.
Would like to drink a lower ALC. Like 1 or 2% and drink a lot more. And just perhaps stay better hydrated that way. Kvass sounded very good. But I would have to make my own probably. Is a place near Pittsburgh that uses a tenth century Russian recipe. I love the idea of feeling like I'm living in the middle ages. But it's an unreliable a nano-brewery. The only one in the US making kvass...
Beethoven is way too modern to support that middle ages feel. Have to expand. Arvo Part is pretty good....
Why do I like feeling like I'm in the middle ages? Why do I want my stories to have that sort of setting? I dunno. Think because I want a pretechnology time. The far past. Yet no all the way to cavemen. That's all really. And then.... I thought the other day it's like a sort of suicide. Like I'm putting myself back in time with all the other dead people. And/or a preparation for the reality of my oncoming death.
I don't know. I don't have the feeling quite right at the moment. Have an exam. Thank god no more regular school.
But perhaps something like reconciling myself to the fact they're all completely gone with practically no trace at all even of their existence? No, not really.
Like I want their lives to not feel so futile. Not quite so completely dead and forgotten? Maybe that's part of it....
Felt very fast today. Almost felt like I was sprinting, not briskly jogging, at times. Just a 2/2 for 100 minutes. Worry my right hip will start bothering me and I'll have to slow down but so far, feeling good. Making sure to put flax meal in legume stews.
I guess this run was around ten miles. Didn't really even touch me though. Might have to go a lot farther next time. Listening to Beethoven's 9th, 7th, 3rd.
Also at home been listening to the 5th and 8th. Beethoven said people liked his 7th so much more than the 8th basically because people are stupid. Well, I like the 7th the best of all of them. Although the ode to joy of the 9th is really good. Typical preferences.
CNRN exam tomorrow. Will be glad to get that over with.
I think the headache was actually caused by bad cashews (7 months past expiration date and wife says they tasted a bit funny). Food was having a metallic taste, along with the headache for two days. With that taste going away I went on a bit of a bender and had 4 beers while I was practicing cello. That's a fun way to practice. Probably not a good idea though... According to definitions I'm close to being a heavy drinker now. A single beer is like nothing. 'Slurp' Gone.
Would like to drink a lower ALC. Like 1 or 2% and drink a lot more. And just perhaps stay better hydrated that way. Kvass sounded very good. But I would have to make my own probably. Is a place near Pittsburgh that uses a tenth century Russian recipe. I love the idea of feeling like I'm living in the middle ages. But it's an unreliable a nano-brewery. The only one in the US making kvass...
Beethoven is way too modern to support that middle ages feel. Have to expand. Arvo Part is pretty good....
Why do I like feeling like I'm in the middle ages? Why do I want my stories to have that sort of setting? I dunno. Think because I want a pretechnology time. The far past. Yet no all the way to cavemen. That's all really. And then.... I thought the other day it's like a sort of suicide. Like I'm putting myself back in time with all the other dead people. And/or a preparation for the reality of my oncoming death.
I don't know. I don't have the feeling quite right at the moment. Have an exam. Thank god no more regular school.
But perhaps something like reconciling myself to the fact they're all completely gone with practically no trace at all even of their existence? No, not really.
Like I want their lives to not feel so futile. Not quite so completely dead and forgotten? Maybe that's part of it....
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I ran on a different trail yesterday for first time in a very long time. Was a nice change. Trying to just do 2/2's twice a week. Previously my right hip started getting achy. Trying to make sure to put flax meal into rice and legumes at least once a day to reduce any potential inflammation. (Along with two beers each day.) Not keeping track of how far I'm running in a given time as that's been taking the fun out of things, even though I've been setting a PB just about every single week, if not every single run. Thinking to just do a 3 mile run once a month to check progress and otherwise hope to just do 2/2.... Certainly felt nice and fast today. And went for almost two hours. Probably could have used a bit more intensity....
Closegripped benched 110 for 15 reps on Monday, which surprised me. Have been getting almost back to previous strentgh despite weighing much less and eating a very slight fraction of my previous diet's protein.
For now best 3 mile run was 23:08. Feel like I should easily blow that away next time I try in a couple of weeks.
Got a headache really bad this morning for first time in many months. Pretty sure it was from eating pecan pie yesterday. Think there's a lot of eggs in pecan pie. Add that to list of things I never eat. That includes now:
-any meat
-any caffeine, (coffee, tea, chocolate....)
-peanuts
-eggs
-diary (but I still eat a bit weekly, just not many options here in hickland.)
-pecan pie (I will occasionally eat cake/pie's that contain a bit of egg and diary, but pecan pie is now officially forbidden, I'd really prefer to just eat candied pecans anyway, which hopefully weren't the actual cause...)
-also trying to limit intake of gluten and oils
Closegripped benched 110 for 15 reps on Monday, which surprised me. Have been getting almost back to previous strentgh despite weighing much less and eating a very slight fraction of my previous diet's protein.
For now best 3 mile run was 23:08. Feel like I should easily blow that away next time I try in a couple of weeks.
Got a headache really bad this morning for first time in many months. Pretty sure it was from eating pecan pie yesterday. Think there's a lot of eggs in pecan pie. Add that to list of things I never eat. That includes now:
-any meat
-any caffeine, (coffee, tea, chocolate....)
-peanuts
-eggs
-diary (but I still eat a bit weekly, just not many options here in hickland.)
-pecan pie (I will occasionally eat cake/pie's that contain a bit of egg and diary, but pecan pie is now officially forbidden, I'd really prefer to just eat candied pecans anyway, which hopefully weren't the actual cause...)
-also trying to limit intake of gluten and oils
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Apparently, the collective intelligence of the human race adds up to having not so much idea really whether or not you'd eventually die of dehydration if all you ever drank was beer. (I seem to be doing OK though...) (Just kidding.) If I were in charge, we would know the answer to this question.
I seem to do best with my running if I basically do just about nothing but intervals. (No running longer than a few minutes.) Yet standard training lore does not advocate this. Emil Zatopec did back in the 50's. But supposedly we've since learned better ways since then. So either I'm a freak of nature, standard training is Still wrong, after all this time. Or... I would do better if I didn't train all intervals for months on end, year round. I suspect many people would do far better with intervals all the time. Also what a drag to deal with continous pain for 30 minutes, etc as opposed to a couple of minutes, on top of the possibility it may actually not really be the optimum way to trian. And if I were in charge we'd systematically get to the bottom of this.
It may just be that all vitamin supplements are actually bad for you. Maybe. Maybe not. After all this time, that about sums up our level of knowledge on the matter. Incredible. If I were in charge, we'd put so much more money into preventative medicine. It's 2011 and this is how little we know?
I seem to do best with my running if I basically do just about nothing but intervals. (No running longer than a few minutes.) Yet standard training lore does not advocate this. Emil Zatopec did back in the 50's. But supposedly we've since learned better ways since then. So either I'm a freak of nature, standard training is Still wrong, after all this time. Or... I would do better if I didn't train all intervals for months on end, year round. I suspect many people would do far better with intervals all the time. Also what a drag to deal with continous pain for 30 minutes, etc as opposed to a couple of minutes, on top of the possibility it may actually not really be the optimum way to trian. And if I were in charge we'd systematically get to the bottom of this.
It may just be that all vitamin supplements are actually bad for you. Maybe. Maybe not. After all this time, that about sums up our level of knowledge on the matter. Incredible. If I were in charge, we'd put so much more money into preventative medicine. It's 2011 and this is how little we know?
Poems of Lewis Carroll.
I had no idea he wrote both The Jabberwocky and Alice in Wonderland. I really enjoyed reading his poetry (outloud) the other night after drinking two beers. Sometimes two barely touch me. This time I was pretty tipsy. I may have to try that again. Poetry is generally too concerned with pretty words, etc, it's quite silly. But while tipsy, at least this once, I really enjoyed that about it.
I had no idea he wrote both The Jabberwocky and Alice in Wonderland. I really enjoyed reading his poetry (outloud) the other night after drinking two beers. Sometimes two barely touch me. This time I was pretty tipsy. I may have to try that again. Poetry is generally too concerned with pretty words, etc, it's quite silly. But while tipsy, at least this once, I really enjoyed that about it.
Perfect Shadow by Brent Weeks
Very short and I've nothing much to add beyond his past novels that I loved. One thing I guess, it's got a depth to it that other books just don't. All that talk about the ka'kari. The level of detail about architechture. And here Durzo Blint's past lives that we go back to occasionally. I'm comparing it all to The Kinshield Legacy by KC May which I also just read that doesn't have that same depth.
Truthfully Kinshield got more of an emotional response from me. But then it tantalizes so well. It holds back. It teases with Gavin Kinshield not wanting to be king but we all know he'll become king. In some ways it's really not a good novel. The bad guy is just ...empty, dorky. Not three dimensional enough.
Depth. I think it can even extend to names. Gavin isn't a very good name. Gaelan is. Durzo Blint is decent.
Perfect Shadow goes back to the life of Durzo Blint who becomes the master of... the Night Angel trilogy guy, whatever his name was. It's very short.
The Kinshield Legacy is about a guy who does something similar to pulling a sword out of a rock in order to become king. But it's 5 stones and he does so one by one over the course of the story. And he doesn't want to be king because he's that good of a guy. He is still a bit cartoon charaterish. Little bit too stupid in some ways. Not a bad story but just doesn't have the depth.
Very short and I've nothing much to add beyond his past novels that I loved. One thing I guess, it's got a depth to it that other books just don't. All that talk about the ka'kari. The level of detail about architechture. And here Durzo Blint's past lives that we go back to occasionally. I'm comparing it all to The Kinshield Legacy by KC May which I also just read that doesn't have that same depth.
Truthfully Kinshield got more of an emotional response from me. But then it tantalizes so well. It holds back. It teases with Gavin Kinshield not wanting to be king but we all know he'll become king. In some ways it's really not a good novel. The bad guy is just ...empty, dorky. Not three dimensional enough.
Depth. I think it can even extend to names. Gavin isn't a very good name. Gaelan is. Durzo Blint is decent.
Perfect Shadow goes back to the life of Durzo Blint who becomes the master of... the Night Angel trilogy guy, whatever his name was. It's very short.
The Kinshield Legacy is about a guy who does something similar to pulling a sword out of a rock in order to become king. But it's 5 stones and he does so one by one over the course of the story. And he doesn't want to be king because he's that good of a guy. He is still a bit cartoon charaterish. Little bit too stupid in some ways. Not a bad story but just doesn't have the depth.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Ran a 7/2 for the first time today, for 12 miles in 1:46:42. First 6 in 52:00, then tried to do 9 minute miles but last 2 miles slowed down a bit. Still PR's at least once a week.
Last week I didn't eat well. Had insomnia on Monday then ate kind of bad on T, W. Then after awful Th run, ate just a bit bad some more. And immediately gained a bit of flab around middle. They say it takes 6 months? for your body to reset itself at a given weight. But I don't really care too much. All my joints feel great lately. No hip pain, not even my right knee has been hurting anymore. Been putting a bit of flax into my bean and rice stews.
Last week I didn't eat well. Had insomnia on Monday then ate kind of bad on T, W. Then after awful Th run, ate just a bit bad some more. And immediately gained a bit of flab around middle. They say it takes 6 months? for your body to reset itself at a given weight. But I don't really care too much. All my joints feel great lately. No hip pain, not even my right knee has been hurting anymore. Been putting a bit of flax into my bean and rice stews.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Todays run was awful. First off running continously for many miles at a hard pace just sucks to begin with. Continous pain for 25 to 50 minutes is just no good. Today attempted to run 6 miles in under 50 minutes. At 5.5 miles I was at 46:10 and said to hell with it. Then I was supposed to do 6 miles of 3/2 intervals and after about a mile my stomach started feeling not so good and I quit. Was attempting to repeat Monday's workout.
But after Monday, I guess thanks to the weightlifting, I got some insomnia that night. Then ate too much T, W, including some junk. Also had a vey salty soup Wednesday night. Probably weighed a few more pounds today. Also the monday run was a step up and probably all on it's own, took a bit out of me.
And anyway, I think continous running is kind of a waste of time. If I ever want to compete in a 5/10k. One 3 mile run 4 days prior will get me ready. So, I'm going back to all intervals. Along with not hurting as bad IMO, I really just think they're what will actually get you faster. Also, probably can do more miles using them. Might just try to 15 miles of 3/2's next Monday.
But after Monday, I guess thanks to the weightlifting, I got some insomnia that night. Then ate too much T, W, including some junk. Also had a vey salty soup Wednesday night. Probably weighed a few more pounds today. Also the monday run was a step up and probably all on it's own, took a bit out of me.
And anyway, I think continous running is kind of a waste of time. If I ever want to compete in a 5/10k. One 3 mile run 4 days prior will get me ready. So, I'm going back to all intervals. Along with not hurting as bad IMO, I really just think they're what will actually get you faster. Also, probably can do more miles using them. Might just try to 15 miles of 3/2's next Monday.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Finished The Black Prism by Brent Weeks.
Negatives are:
1. that the main heroes are too standardized.
2. heroes didn't do anything particular other than be born to gain their special powers. Being awesome comes a bit too easily. No suffering or hard work to get their.
3. World is a bit too thin. Lacks sufficient depth. Scott Bakker's book comes to mind as having more depth. And Robin Hobb. And George Martin. Simply is less description of setting. And less background I guess.
4. The magic system isn't so great. And is over explained. Lacks mystery/religion feel.
Positives
1. Did like the Gavin vs Dazen thing. A slight edge of meaningful social depth. Barely. The real Dazen has suffered quite a bit of injustice I guess in life, although it has nothing to do with how he gained his powers.
2. I did really get into it. I was "moved" as I was reading it.
What could have given more depth?
1. Simply describing settings more I guess. A whole bunch of lingo for trees and hills, etc.
2. Describing food eaten.
3. Describing different cultural traits as we go from city to city.
4. Giving more detail to the religion??? It does have detail but the heroes are atheists. And we don't really spend any time with any true believers. As Hobb says a fantasy without religion is ...(something negative.) Personally I think religion is created to counter suffering. Without religion, we've got a world without suffering. Without suffering, people in general don't really have depth to them.
Negatives are:
1. that the main heroes are too standardized.
2. heroes didn't do anything particular other than be born to gain their special powers. Being awesome comes a bit too easily. No suffering or hard work to get their.
3. World is a bit too thin. Lacks sufficient depth. Scott Bakker's book comes to mind as having more depth. And Robin Hobb. And George Martin. Simply is less description of setting. And less background I guess.
4. The magic system isn't so great. And is over explained. Lacks mystery/religion feel.
Positives
1. Did like the Gavin vs Dazen thing. A slight edge of meaningful social depth. Barely. The real Dazen has suffered quite a bit of injustice I guess in life, although it has nothing to do with how he gained his powers.
2. I did really get into it. I was "moved" as I was reading it.
What could have given more depth?
1. Simply describing settings more I guess. A whole bunch of lingo for trees and hills, etc.
2. Describing food eaten.
3. Describing different cultural traits as we go from city to city.
4. Giving more detail to the religion??? It does have detail but the heroes are atheists. And we don't really spend any time with any true believers. As Hobb says a fantasy without religion is ...(something negative.) Personally I think religion is created to counter suffering. Without religion, we've got a world without suffering. Without suffering, people in general don't really have depth to them.
Monday, October 3, 2011
First time running a continous 6 miles. Did it in 50:31. Then did another 6 miles as 3/2's. Total time for 12 miles was 1:49:46. Want to get up to 15 miles so I can run a nicer route, which unfortunately doesn't have correct mile markers but is supposedly 7.5 miles long. Not so sure I like spending quite this much time though, even with it only being twice a week... Maybe I should just do a 10 and 15 each week...
Closegrip benched 110 pounds for ten reps. Wide grip pulldowns 120x17. Shoulder raises and curls/tri extensions done with no real intensity. Really dislike lifting weights anymore.
50 partial one legged squats. Not leaning forward anymore. Which makes it harder and also makes it more useful and possibly is better for my knees?
Forgot to do sit-ups. Shall do them now.
Health has been great though. No insomnia. No headaches. Decent energy level. Feel pretty good.
Closegrip benched 110 pounds for ten reps. Wide grip pulldowns 120x17. Shoulder raises and curls/tri extensions done with no real intensity. Really dislike lifting weights anymore.
50 partial one legged squats. Not leaning forward anymore. Which makes it harder and also makes it more useful and possibly is better for my knees?
Forgot to do sit-ups. Shall do them now.
Health has been great though. No insomnia. No headaches. Decent energy level. Feel pretty good.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Ran first 3 miles continous in 23:08, improvement of 1 minute, somewhat expected as the second time usually is a big improvement. Then rested for just 2 minutes (last time rested for 3 minutes) and did 3/2's for 3 more miles. In a total time of 51:35. Huge PR for 6 miles. But 2 of those minutes were expected. Still had an additional 25 seconds of extra improvement in the 3/2's, which did feel kind of fast. Think the sit-ups are really helping.
Next week back to just running twice. Three times a week just doesn't feel right mentally, even with having the whole week off. Did run 24 miles this week, which I guess is the most I've ever run.
I think I want to try a continous run of 6 miles, followed by 6 miles of 3/2's. Maybe try that once next week.... Eventually hoping to do two 15 mile runs each week.
Next week back to just running twice. Three times a week just doesn't feel right mentally, even with having the whole week off. Did run 24 miles this week, which I guess is the most I've ever run.
I think I want to try a continous run of 6 miles, followed by 6 miles of 3/2's. Maybe try that once next week.... Eventually hoping to do two 15 mile runs each week.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
If you have enough different hobbies/chores, you can procrastinate by doing one instead of another.
So this first year in the raised bed enclosed garden, we planted very late. And tried:
broccoli-caterpillars, etc seem to love it
peas-I think they needed to be staked like tomatoes??
beans-loved the vining but strings were no good
cucumbers-I think planted too late, not enough sun lately, except for not fruiting, grew like crazy though, spread out and took up too much space actually
carrots-not quite ready yet, looking good though, I think
peppers-ok, far from prolific though
also some sunflowers, and hydrangas.
Next year want to do onions, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, a few mammoth sunflowers and finally green beans provided vining nonstring green beans exist. Maybe carrots again. Maybe some beans??
Cucumbers seem to take up too much room and I don't really like the taste anyway. Broccoli is a pain because of the pests. Peas seem like they'd be a ton of work relative to results.
So this first year in the raised bed enclosed garden, we planted very late. And tried:
broccoli-caterpillars, etc seem to love it
peas-I think they needed to be staked like tomatoes??
beans-loved the vining but strings were no good
cucumbers-I think planted too late, not enough sun lately, except for not fruiting, grew like crazy though, spread out and took up too much space actually
carrots-not quite ready yet, looking good though, I think
peppers-ok, far from prolific though
also some sunflowers, and hydrangas.
Next year want to do onions, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, a few mammoth sunflowers and finally green beans provided vining nonstring green beans exist. Maybe carrots again. Maybe some beans??
Cucumbers seem to take up too much room and I don't really like the taste anyway. Broccoli is a pain because of the pests. Peas seem like they'd be a ton of work relative to results.
Have a bad habit with cello playing that I procrastinate just a bit. Till like noon or so on my days off. Often I wait till I've drank a beer, which I don't want to be doing at 9AM. But then of course I hold back on other things often until after I've played my cello. I don't want to lift weights before playing of course. And I often avoid going outside and getting dirty in the garden, etc before playing. So somedays a good part of the list of things to do get's put off until the afternoon. So, need to just play the cello in the morning.
This week I only worked 2 days (14 hour day and 20 hour day), and have been off mon, t, w, th (and then friday). Feel like my cello playing has gotten much better with getting 4 consecutive days to play. Too bad I can't normally manage this. My stamina for playing even has improved. Instead of tiring out a bit short of an hour. On Wednesday I easily played 90 minutes and did the same on Thursday. Trying to come home after a 14 hour day, when I'm exhausted, and play cello, just hasn't worked out though.
This week I only worked 2 days (14 hour day and 20 hour day), and have been off mon, t, w, th (and then friday). Feel like my cello playing has gotten much better with getting 4 consecutive days to play. Too bad I can't normally manage this. My stamina for playing even has improved. Instead of tiring out a bit short of an hour. On Wednesday I easily played 90 minutes and did the same on Thursday. Trying to come home after a 14 hour day, when I'm exhausted, and play cello, just hasn't worked out though.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Lately reading Nail Your Novel by Roz Morris. I don't even know who Roz Morris is but it seems useful practical advice.
Started Quantum Thief. Unfortunately the sample was a good read but after I bought it, it isn't working for me at all. Will try again. I don't know. I don't seem to like sci-fi, like I like fantasy.
Now beginning The Black Prism by Brent Weeks. Loved his Night Angel tril. Seems good actually to write something early on. 5% we have the hero Kip, who, whaddya know? Has an ace up his sleeve. But he didn't even realize he had it. Until a life or death moment arised in which he barely survived. Now he'll have to develop his special ability of course.
My main writing project as of now is tentatively titled the Deadlands. What ace will the hero have? I was thinking when he flees to the deadlands, that's when he'll aquire an ace. Yes. And before that, you could say that he's the type of person to flee in the first place and intelligent enough to survive awhile in the deadlands, which plays a role in him aquiring his ace. I don't want his ace to be quite such an accident of genetics. Not quite just tiddah! You're special. One must have the right mindset to obtain knowledge. And POWER.
So finally, absolutely refusing to live with the injustice, and also intelligence and withstanding hardship will lead to the ace. Somehow.
Started Quantum Thief. Unfortunately the sample was a good read but after I bought it, it isn't working for me at all. Will try again. I don't know. I don't seem to like sci-fi, like I like fantasy.
Now beginning The Black Prism by Brent Weeks. Loved his Night Angel tril. Seems good actually to write something early on. 5% we have the hero Kip, who, whaddya know? Has an ace up his sleeve. But he didn't even realize he had it. Until a life or death moment arised in which he barely survived. Now he'll have to develop his special ability of course.
My main writing project as of now is tentatively titled the Deadlands. What ace will the hero have? I was thinking when he flees to the deadlands, that's when he'll aquire an ace. Yes. And before that, you could say that he's the type of person to flee in the first place and intelligent enough to survive awhile in the deadlands, which plays a role in him aquiring his ace. I don't want his ace to be quite such an accident of genetics. Not quite just tiddah! You're special. One must have the right mindset to obtain knowledge. And POWER.
So finally, absolutely refusing to live with the injustice, and also intelligence and withstanding hardship will lead to the ace. Somehow.
Today I ran continously for the first 3 miles. Managed 24:06 which really isn't a big deal. Then did 3/2's for 5 more miles. 54:00 at 6 miles and 74:02 at 8 miles. Nice improvement overall. Felt like the sit-ups I did Monday have already helped a bit. Probably should have been doing them all along.
I'm still slow but I'm improving. Was surprised that after that first 3 miles I had 5 good miles of intervals in me. Could have continued actually but I want to save something for Friday.
Been waking up with a bit of lower back pain, I think because I've been rolling onto my stomach while sleeping. Not sure what to do about that. Getting that arch just makes my back hurt after a while. Perhaps a lot more stomach muscle will stop excessive arch even while asleep/relaxed.
But I don't really know if that's it exactly. I hadn't seemed to have the problem much till recently. When I added overheads presses it came back. Quit them and had a couple OK days, but then I added sit-ups. Yet, it's only after sleeping, so... somehow certain exercise makes me want to sleep on my stomach???? So I wake up too early, (but not like I used to as 3am like some pitiful old man) and I have to really try to curl up to undo the excessive arching, or put a bunch of pillows under my shoulders, for the dull nagging pain to ease up enough to get a bit more sleep.
I'm still slow but I'm improving. Was surprised that after that first 3 miles I had 5 good miles of intervals in me. Could have continued actually but I want to save something for Friday.
Been waking up with a bit of lower back pain, I think because I've been rolling onto my stomach while sleeping. Not sure what to do about that. Getting that arch just makes my back hurt after a while. Perhaps a lot more stomach muscle will stop excessive arch even while asleep/relaxed.
But I don't really know if that's it exactly. I hadn't seemed to have the problem much till recently. When I added overheads presses it came back. Quit them and had a couple OK days, but then I added sit-ups. Yet, it's only after sleeping, so... somehow certain exercise makes me want to sleep on my stomach???? So I wake up too early, (but not like I used to as 3am like some pitiful old man) and I have to really try to curl up to undo the excessive arching, or put a bunch of pillows under my shoulders, for the dull nagging pain to ease up enough to get a bit more sleep.
Monday, September 26, 2011
On Friday I tried a 3/1 and crashed and burned 5 miles in. Had run the first 3 in 25:03 without trying so much. Seemed that changing the rest time from 2 to 1 minutes after so long really hit me hard. Into overtraining I guess, my HR was still elevated on Sunday. This Monday did the first 3 as a 3/2 in a disappointing 26:37. I felt so damm slow and lethargic that I then mainly did a 2/2 for the next 7 miles. 10 miles total in 100 minutes and 46 seconds.
Did 75 one legged partial squats on each leg afterwards. Felt like my weak point has moved to lifting my legs up, so I added a set of sit-ups.
It was too hot here for quite a while. Then it immediately switched to too cold. No sight of the sun for weeks. The heat probably killed the one tree. The lack of sun wasn't so good for the garden. There will be no cucumbers. And caterpillars wreaked havoc on the broccoli. Finally now it's perfect out. Sun is shining. Perfect temp. And I've got the whole week off.
Did 75 one legged partial squats on each leg afterwards. Felt like my weak point has moved to lifting my legs up, so I added a set of sit-ups.
It was too hot here for quite a while. Then it immediately switched to too cold. No sight of the sun for weeks. The heat probably killed the one tree. The lack of sun wasn't so good for the garden. There will be no cucumbers. And caterpillars wreaked havoc on the broccoli. Finally now it's perfect out. Sun is shining. Perfect temp. And I've got the whole week off.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I have tons and tons of baby goldfish in my pond. Too many. Gave a couple to my nephew. But it was just a piddly one gallon bowl without a filter. I told him that honestly they probably wouldn't survive for long in it. And I told him I'd buy him a much larger aquarium if he successfully learned how to play fur elise.
The idea just being to get him thinking about just trying to achieve things in his life. It's not that he needs to be good at music, just that he should just try to start doing something with himself. Get in the habit of trying to achieve things. And learn what it's like to get something as the result of hardwork.
A month has passed and he hasn't done anything. Those fish sit there slowly dying. Perhaps he's ashamed about it. Perhaps he'll slowly learn to dislike me for making him feel ashamed.
He's only eight though. But perhaps he's a bit like his mother, who goes to the emergency room once or twice a month for migraines, yet won't even give up caffeine despite knowing it cured her brother's headaches.
Here I am, at 38, and the obstacles one encounters in writing have still successfully stopped me cold. And he's only 8. So it may be too much, although certainly many children could manage it. It is that I'm trying to help him be a better person than I've been. But I forget just how much else he's dealing with at that age. There's a lot that comes ahead of learning to play the piano. Also they have him playing soccer and swimming and he seems to lay around exhausted a lot of the time. Oh well.
The idea just being to get him thinking about just trying to achieve things in his life. It's not that he needs to be good at music, just that he should just try to start doing something with himself. Get in the habit of trying to achieve things. And learn what it's like to get something as the result of hardwork.
A month has passed and he hasn't done anything. Those fish sit there slowly dying. Perhaps he's ashamed about it. Perhaps he'll slowly learn to dislike me for making him feel ashamed.
He's only eight though. But perhaps he's a bit like his mother, who goes to the emergency room once or twice a month for migraines, yet won't even give up caffeine despite knowing it cured her brother's headaches.
Here I am, at 38, and the obstacles one encounters in writing have still successfully stopped me cold. And he's only 8. So it may be too much, although certainly many children could manage it. It is that I'm trying to help him be a better person than I've been. But I forget just how much else he's dealing with at that age. There's a lot that comes ahead of learning to play the piano. Also they have him playing soccer and swimming and he seems to lay around exhausted a lot of the time. Oh well.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Such an extreme dreamer I've been in my life. How can it be I've never really written a true, completed story?
Other than being nothing special really when it comes to finding words and such, what happens when I'd sit down is, I'd just be blank, and then some junk would come out. I'd end up typing stuff that was just me literally talking to myself and so on. And that place. That stupid blank place. It's like a void. The writer's idiot void. Every few years I'd go there for a bit and slowly die out there in that void, then retreat from writing for a few more years.
It's time to return to the void. Unfortunately my job is such that i really can't manage to go back for 30 minutes 7 days a week. But I should be able to manage 4 days a week.
Just 30 minutes to start. See if a month later I'm still successfully managing to sit in that void for 30 minutes 4 days a week, or even perhaps doing a bit of actual writing instead.
Reading Harumi Murakami, What I Talk about When I Talk About Running.
Has some writing insights.
In the past people have talked about how one just has to sit down each day and write, and I rejected this notion because writing absolute crap, doesn't seem to me to serve any useful purpose. Perhaps though over the years my young relatively empty mind has become not quite so empty. And I will find less void and more actual meaningful direction, now.
I will at least try to have far more patience in the void.
Also was reading Storm Front by Jim Butcher.
In truth the only thing keeping me going is that a past gf loved it. And is asking if I read it. And I feel a bit bad to say I stopped a short way in. But it just has such a typical detective/private eye feel to it. I don't know. Everything's a bit too surface for me. Somewhat along recent lines with all the light vampire books.
Also The Witch and other stories by Anton Chekov, which interestingly has very much the same feel as Uncle Vanya. Doesn't have escapist decadence though.
Other than being nothing special really when it comes to finding words and such, what happens when I'd sit down is, I'd just be blank, and then some junk would come out. I'd end up typing stuff that was just me literally talking to myself and so on. And that place. That stupid blank place. It's like a void. The writer's idiot void. Every few years I'd go there for a bit and slowly die out there in that void, then retreat from writing for a few more years.
It's time to return to the void. Unfortunately my job is such that i really can't manage to go back for 30 minutes 7 days a week. But I should be able to manage 4 days a week.
Just 30 minutes to start. See if a month later I'm still successfully managing to sit in that void for 30 minutes 4 days a week, or even perhaps doing a bit of actual writing instead.
Reading Harumi Murakami, What I Talk about When I Talk About Running.
Has some writing insights.
In the past people have talked about how one just has to sit down each day and write, and I rejected this notion because writing absolute crap, doesn't seem to me to serve any useful purpose. Perhaps though over the years my young relatively empty mind has become not quite so empty. And I will find less void and more actual meaningful direction, now.
I will at least try to have far more patience in the void.
Also was reading Storm Front by Jim Butcher.
In truth the only thing keeping me going is that a past gf loved it. And is asking if I read it. And I feel a bit bad to say I stopped a short way in. But it just has such a typical detective/private eye feel to it. I don't know. Everything's a bit too surface for me. Somewhat along recent lines with all the light vampire books.
Also The Witch and other stories by Anton Chekov, which interestingly has very much the same feel as Uncle Vanya. Doesn't have escapist decadence though.
Monday, September 19, 2011
3/2 for 9 miles. First 3 in 26:25, first 6 in 55:00 (including walking the last two minutes), whole 9 miles in 84:45. Although here and there, ran beyond the three minutes. But definitely getting a bit better. Came just a bit short of one light short of half mile mark for first 3 minutes. Big pr's. 12s at 3 miles, 45s at 6 miles. 2 minutes at 9. Mainly have increased stamina to keep going. Maybe I'll go ahead and add that tenth mile now.
Then partial one legged squats. 55 each leg. Right leg felt pretty damm weak today. Knee had been hurting beforehand for no known reason.
And then weightlifting. Blah. Up to 13 reps for behind the neck press of 70 piddly pounds. And so on. Who cares. Oh, added close grip benches and pulldowns. So far haven't had any insomnia from the weightlifting. The lack of caffeine may be helping in that dept.
Haven't had a blueberry smoothie in a long time. Also doing quite bad on green vegetables. And flax meal for that matter. Have been using the rice cooker to cook rice and the crock pot to make beans. And drinking beer.
One nice recipe: package of black eyed beans, one tomato, half an onion, spoon of curry, some garlic, spoon of salt, some lemon juice, handful of cashews in the crockpot overnight. Eaten with rice from rice cooker. Trying to mix it up though. Different bean stew concoctions each time. That was my favorite one so far though. Such a cheap and easy way to eat. What held me back all those years?????
Then partial one legged squats. 55 each leg. Right leg felt pretty damm weak today. Knee had been hurting beforehand for no known reason.
And then weightlifting. Blah. Up to 13 reps for behind the neck press of 70 piddly pounds. And so on. Who cares. Oh, added close grip benches and pulldowns. So far haven't had any insomnia from the weightlifting. The lack of caffeine may be helping in that dept.
Haven't had a blueberry smoothie in a long time. Also doing quite bad on green vegetables. And flax meal for that matter. Have been using the rice cooker to cook rice and the crock pot to make beans. And drinking beer.
One nice recipe: package of black eyed beans, one tomato, half an onion, spoon of curry, some garlic, spoon of salt, some lemon juice, handful of cashews in the crockpot overnight. Eaten with rice from rice cooker. Trying to mix it up though. Different bean stew concoctions each time. That was my favorite one so far though. Such a cheap and easy way to eat. What held me back all those years?????
Thursday, September 15, 2011
9 miles. First 6 as a 3/2. First 3 in 26:38 (last time did 26:55), first 6 in 55:45 (last time did 56:04), then did last 3 miles as a 2/2. Still finished about as fast as last time in 87:05. Finished with 50 partial one legged squats on each leg. Think next time I'll do a 3/1 for 3, then a 3/2 for 3 and then a 2/2 for 3. Later a bit of weightlifting.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A 3/2 for 9 miles. First 6 in 56:04. PR by almost a minute. Finished in 86:55. Which was a 2 minute PR I think. Partial one legged squats played a big role I think. Maybe also the jolt of adrenaline at work on Saturday dealing with the pseudoseizure crazy lady. So that's one good thing about that. Thanks crazy lady!
Weight holding at 200 pounds. Considering adding a single set of chins and benchs... in with the overhead presses, curls and tri pushdowns. Maybe on Wednesday (off W, Th, F). Worried about getting insomnia.
Also bought a punching bag. Had one years ago. This way if I ever have to punch someone I'll hurt them so bad I'll go to jail for years.... Bought it because....? Maybe feeling wimply down here at 200 pounds.
Weight holding at 200 pounds. Considering adding a single set of chins and benchs... in with the overhead presses, curls and tri pushdowns. Maybe on Wednesday (off W, Th, F). Worried about getting insomnia.
Also bought a punching bag. Had one years ago. This way if I ever have to punch someone I'll hurt them so bad I'll go to jail for years.... Bought it because....? Maybe feeling wimply down here at 200 pounds.
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Magician King by Lev Grossman
So the Narnia/Fillory thing is unusual. That's a bigger thing than the Harry Potter thing. This one really similar to the Voyage of the Dawn Treader I think? But it's not like he "stole" the idea or something.
I liked this book. Favorite thing was Julia and friends attempting to summon a god. There was just the right amount of time spent on that whole endeavor and those people such that one really cared about the horror which happened, but not to the point that one was just pissed off at the author, such as how GR Martin, for example, kills people off.
This book was highly different from the previous book, which was very aimless. This was a more typical real adventure story, which Grossman, is right there with you throughout acknowledging such things.
Anti-climatic ending. But doesn't attempt and fail. Doesn't try to have a stupendous ending, doesn't fail like Steven King, for example, did with a number of his books. Just ends. And that's OK.
It seems this book gave me some idea. Which I've unfortunately lost before managing to write it down... Something to do with successfully being a person who writes.... I've had so many though, that one eventually figures they're all useless. Plus I'm just too busy lately. Studying for CNRN exam and so on.
So the Narnia/Fillory thing is unusual. That's a bigger thing than the Harry Potter thing. This one really similar to the Voyage of the Dawn Treader I think? But it's not like he "stole" the idea or something.
I liked this book. Favorite thing was Julia and friends attempting to summon a god. There was just the right amount of time spent on that whole endeavor and those people such that one really cared about the horror which happened, but not to the point that one was just pissed off at the author, such as how GR Martin, for example, kills people off.
This book was highly different from the previous book, which was very aimless. This was a more typical real adventure story, which Grossman, is right there with you throughout acknowledging such things.
Anti-climatic ending. But doesn't attempt and fail. Doesn't try to have a stupendous ending, doesn't fail like Steven King, for example, did with a number of his books. Just ends. And that's OK.
It seems this book gave me some idea. Which I've unfortunately lost before managing to write it down... Something to do with successfully being a person who writes.... I've had so many though, that one eventually figures they're all useless. Plus I'm just too busy lately. Studying for CNRN exam and so on.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
"Combined the 14 millions official unemployed; the "underemployed" part-timers (8.8 million) who want fulltime work; and "discouraged" people (2.6 million) who have stopped looking make up 16.2 percent of working age Americans."
In an article on the front page of the local paper. Wonder why such info is finally out there? Is it because we have a democrat in office? Because they want to keep better track? Or because the corporate media is finally putting it out there to make him look bad? Always annoyed me that instead of this breakdown, the underemployed and the people out of work for more than 6 months were ignored.
In an article on the front page of the local paper. Wonder why such info is finally out there? Is it because we have a democrat in office? Because they want to keep better track? Or because the corporate media is finally putting it out there to make him look bad? Always annoyed me that instead of this breakdown, the underemployed and the people out of work for more than 6 months were ignored.
Today I did a 3/2 for 9 miles. Interestingly I did the first 6 in 56:59, which is a 3 minute improvement from previous run. And 12 second PR. I guess my body needed a bit to adapt to the weightlifting. I guess. Total run time was slightly under 89 minutes, I think. 88:53 maybe. Then 40 one leg partial squats for each leg.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Really liked this one. Although could be said it's a bit on the extremely nihilistically depressing side. Sorry but I don't think being a magician so clearly turns life into such a meaningless, pointless affair. He could use his magic ability to combat all the corruption in politics and the resulting misery of the populace. I suppose that just wouldn't work though for what he wanted to do. He wanted perhaps to use magic/Harry Potteresque world as a vehicle to examine the malaise and emptiness that us ordinary people are stuck with, except, I just don't think these magicians would really be stuck in such a similar situation. And, I don't know but, the fact that he makes them such that they are, makes them appear to be annoyingly mopey in a stupid kind of way.
I suppose it could be said that that's just what the main character is about, except, it really isn't. Most of the others seem to be similar... No one clearly contradicts his viewpoint. Eliot is quite similar. Alice's parents are that way and there's the idea that this is just how it is for magicians.
There are holes it could be said. There's no antagonist really at all for almost the first half of the book, which is unusual and probably a big turn off for most readers. I suppose it's got a Herman Hesse edge to it, basically. It could be said to be like Harry Potter but for teenagers. Intelligent teenagers. Some of the characters and relationships are somewhat psychologically complex with useful insights. In a lot of ways it's a much more realistic world. Not all the typical silly plot jumps and so on that make up typical story telling. I think there's a book two. Think I'll go start reading it, if there is one.... Although, I doubt it could be as good as book one... Which is really a compliment. There's no simple formula that I can see to be applied to churn out another similar book.
Really liked this one. Although could be said it's a bit on the extremely nihilistically depressing side. Sorry but I don't think being a magician so clearly turns life into such a meaningless, pointless affair. He could use his magic ability to combat all the corruption in politics and the resulting misery of the populace. I suppose that just wouldn't work though for what he wanted to do. He wanted perhaps to use magic/Harry Potteresque world as a vehicle to examine the malaise and emptiness that us ordinary people are stuck with, except, I just don't think these magicians would really be stuck in such a similar situation. And, I don't know but, the fact that he makes them such that they are, makes them appear to be annoyingly mopey in a stupid kind of way.
I suppose it could be said that that's just what the main character is about, except, it really isn't. Most of the others seem to be similar... No one clearly contradicts his viewpoint. Eliot is quite similar. Alice's parents are that way and there's the idea that this is just how it is for magicians.
There are holes it could be said. There's no antagonist really at all for almost the first half of the book, which is unusual and probably a big turn off for most readers. I suppose it's got a Herman Hesse edge to it, basically. It could be said to be like Harry Potter but for teenagers. Intelligent teenagers. Some of the characters and relationships are somewhat psychologically complex with useful insights. In a lot of ways it's a much more realistic world. Not all the typical silly plot jumps and so on that make up typical story telling. I think there's a book two. Think I'll go start reading it, if there is one.... Although, I doubt it could be as good as book one... Which is really a compliment. There's no simple formula that I can see to be applied to churn out another similar book.
Ran a 3/2 for 8 miles yesterday. Did the first 6 in 60:00, which is almost 3 minutes slower than previous. Had lifted weights once previously, the muscle memory gain really slowed me down, suspect in particular the gain in chest muscle hampered my lung capacity in the short term. Will be interesting to see if I gain a couple minutes back next time.
Didn't even do anything that really directly works the chest muscles, just swinging a dumbell around from behind my back to above my head. Just that clearly caused me to gain back chest muscle. The effect on my run yesterday reminded me of getting in a swimming pool after living at high altitude for a few years, like I just couldn't totally expand my lungs to get enough air in. Should be a very short term effect I think though.
I think, I've figured out a great diet, rice with beans/vegetables, or oatmeal, avoid oils, fat, eat vegan, avoid gluten, caffeine, etc, and then when the cravings to feast get to be a bit much, I drink a beer, which has roughly 170 calories, maybe I even drink two, which is still far less calories (and no fat) than I can easily otherwise put away.
At work where I can't drink beer, the cravings get to me after about 10 hours, and the last three days I've worked I've eaten a large bag of cashews which has more than 1000 calories. I need to stop doing that. Outside of work anyway I have a beer and I'm satisfied.
Didn't even do anything that really directly works the chest muscles, just swinging a dumbell around from behind my back to above my head. Just that clearly caused me to gain back chest muscle. The effect on my run yesterday reminded me of getting in a swimming pool after living at high altitude for a few years, like I just couldn't totally expand my lungs to get enough air in. Should be a very short term effect I think though.
I think, I've figured out a great diet, rice with beans/vegetables, or oatmeal, avoid oils, fat, eat vegan, avoid gluten, caffeine, etc, and then when the cravings to feast get to be a bit much, I drink a beer, which has roughly 170 calories, maybe I even drink two, which is still far less calories (and no fat) than I can easily otherwise put away.
At work where I can't drink beer, the cravings get to me after about 10 hours, and the last three days I've worked I've eaten a large bag of cashews which has more than 1000 calories. I need to stop doing that. Outside of work anyway I have a beer and I'm satisfied.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Grow lamp room. "The Tropic Room"?
Lemon seeds sprouting. Have cherry, grape and blackberry seeds in the refrigerator, that I'll take out in November. I guess I'll do something with the pear seeds also here shortly. Have my doubts about the blueberry seeds. Online it said to use a blender, but I don't think it means a vitamix blender. Suspect it destroyed the seeds... But then sprouting takes a while. So I'll wait much longer. Also planted some catnip seeds, nothing yet. Brought in some water lettuce and hyacinths. The hyacinths in the aquarium are doing very well though. Water lettuce wasn't though. Under perfect conditions they grow like crazy, but otherwise die easily. Doubt they'll do well in the ... "grow lamp room" either.
Need to bring in the papyrus. Haven't successfully got an avocado seed to sprout yet. (I need to eat more avocados...)
Eventually I want this room to just be teeming with verdancy.
...The Library, The Music Studio, The Swing Room, The Theater, The Pond, The Garden... should I buy a 12 foot long 6x6 today...? Still not sure.
Lemon seeds sprouting. Have cherry, grape and blackberry seeds in the refrigerator, that I'll take out in November. I guess I'll do something with the pear seeds also here shortly. Have my doubts about the blueberry seeds. Online it said to use a blender, but I don't think it means a vitamix blender. Suspect it destroyed the seeds... But then sprouting takes a while. So I'll wait much longer. Also planted some catnip seeds, nothing yet. Brought in some water lettuce and hyacinths. The hyacinths in the aquarium are doing very well though. Water lettuce wasn't though. Under perfect conditions they grow like crazy, but otherwise die easily. Doubt they'll do well in the ... "grow lamp room" either.
Need to bring in the papyrus. Haven't successfully got an avocado seed to sprout yet. (I need to eat more avocados...)
Eventually I want this room to just be teeming with verdancy.
...The Library, The Music Studio, The Swing Room, The Theater, The Pond, The Garden... should I buy a 12 foot long 6x6 today...? Still not sure.
Book 5 of George Martin's very well known series.
Such a sprawling thing. Still think there's no way he finishes it well (if he finishes it at all). Otherwise nothing interesting to say. I read it. It was good. Perhaps it eventually gets a formulaic feel, eventually. The way the characters are described. Was wondering if Martin sits down and says, "OK, must have two descriptive lines, 4 of dialogue, etc." If perhaps he has some kind of formula he refers to. If so, it's a pretty good formula.
..Daenerys and her dragons... It's a bit predictable that Martin won't let it happen easily. But you figure eventually the dragons are going to work under Daenerys control and we'll mostly live happily ever after.
The situation with Briene is a little ridiculous. About to be hanged in book 3 I think. Never mentioned in book 4. And then comes running up for a single page on book 5, apparently somehow escaping in a way still not explained.
Did he really kill off Jon Snow? I don't see how that would work.
Will I remember any of this in 5 years when book six comes out?
Will I even be alive then?
Will I still read these sorts of books then?
I have my doubts. Even more so, I doubt that Martin will be alive in 5 years. An old, obese man. Sedentary all his life. I really doubt it. So the story will just fade away with no real ending, like life. That's OK I guess.
Such a sprawling thing. Still think there's no way he finishes it well (if he finishes it at all). Otherwise nothing interesting to say. I read it. It was good. Perhaps it eventually gets a formulaic feel, eventually. The way the characters are described. Was wondering if Martin sits down and says, "OK, must have two descriptive lines, 4 of dialogue, etc." If perhaps he has some kind of formula he refers to. If so, it's a pretty good formula.
..Daenerys and her dragons... It's a bit predictable that Martin won't let it happen easily. But you figure eventually the dragons are going to work under Daenerys control and we'll mostly live happily ever after.
The situation with Briene is a little ridiculous. About to be hanged in book 3 I think. Never mentioned in book 4. And then comes running up for a single page on book 5, apparently somehow escaping in a way still not explained.
Did he really kill off Jon Snow? I don't see how that would work.
Will I remember any of this in 5 years when book six comes out?
Will I even be alive then?
Will I still read these sorts of books then?
I have my doubts. Even more so, I doubt that Martin will be alive in 5 years. An old, obese man. Sedentary all his life. I really doubt it. So the story will just fade away with no real ending, like life. That's OK I guess.
Did a bunch of 2/2's while moving up to 8 miles. Did 21 miles last week. This week, right hip/thigh a bit off and just did 14 miles. And switched to a 3/2. Just need a bit of a break. Did run the first 3 minutes as far as I ever have. 2 lights from end of tunnel. Still not quite half a mile in 3 minutes though. Did this 3/2 6 miler in 57:11, felt very easy, felt good.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Last Friday I did a 2/2 for 8 miles. Again on Monday and Wednesday. Took it easy today (friday) and just did a 2/2 for 5 miles. Found to my surprise I weigh just 202 pounds. My lightest in 19 years. Must remember that people don't want to hear about it. Have been trying to eat a bit better since watching Forks over Knives. Plus this running is getting sufficiently hardcore.
I've grown to love beer. Drink one or two each night. And I'm really feeling good. Sleeping well. Running well. Etc.
Went to a play in DC with S. Just me (a married man) and this attractive single lady. In the islamic theocracies, a woman may never be alone with a man who is not of her family. This because they're disgusting barbarians. The men see an ankle and start slobbering. Perhaps the women are exactly the same? Perhaps there's some truth to 1001 Arabian Nights and perhaps this in turn exactly led to FGM and completely hiding their bodies and so on. Maybe it was either dump a canvass over them, cut off their private parts and chain'em up, or orgies in the streets!
Nothing remotely inappropriate happened with me and S. 8 hours in a car together. Dinner, wandering around Georgetown and watched Uncle Vanya. It's as if we're actually civilized people.
OTOH, neither of us have reproduced and possibly neither of us ever will.
Uncle Vanya was like a formulaic-for-the-masses story but old Russian style, which is to say it has comedy, and romance, and a heavy dose of existential nihlism. Uncle Vanya is basically having a midlife crisis. Strangely while getting a buzz drinking 8.5% ALC at dinner before it I basically said exactly what it was saying, about just do something, divert yourself from the cold, awful reality and soldier on. Basically summarizing the movie, (minus the comedy and romance). I've never read Chekov. Wasn't familiar with the play at all.
Aren't I special?
Today I've eaten 3/4ths a loaf of bread, some peas (with garlic and tomatoes) and had a beer. I don't crave anything bad. Feel good. But I don't want to fall below 200 pounds.
I've grown to love beer. Drink one or two each night. And I'm really feeling good. Sleeping well. Running well. Etc.
Went to a play in DC with S. Just me (a married man) and this attractive single lady. In the islamic theocracies, a woman may never be alone with a man who is not of her family. This because they're disgusting barbarians. The men see an ankle and start slobbering. Perhaps the women are exactly the same? Perhaps there's some truth to 1001 Arabian Nights and perhaps this in turn exactly led to FGM and completely hiding their bodies and so on. Maybe it was either dump a canvass over them, cut off their private parts and chain'em up, or orgies in the streets!
Nothing remotely inappropriate happened with me and S. 8 hours in a car together. Dinner, wandering around Georgetown and watched Uncle Vanya. It's as if we're actually civilized people.
OTOH, neither of us have reproduced and possibly neither of us ever will.
Uncle Vanya was like a formulaic-for-the-masses story but old Russian style, which is to say it has comedy, and romance, and a heavy dose of existential nihlism. Uncle Vanya is basically having a midlife crisis. Strangely while getting a buzz drinking 8.5% ALC at dinner before it I basically said exactly what it was saying, about just do something, divert yourself from the cold, awful reality and soldier on. Basically summarizing the movie, (minus the comedy and romance). I've never read Chekov. Wasn't familiar with the play at all.
Aren't I special?
Today I've eaten 3/4ths a loaf of bread, some peas (with garlic and tomatoes) and had a beer. I don't crave anything bad. Feel good. But I don't want to fall below 200 pounds.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Read The Hellbound Heart and The Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker.
Quickly... I really liked Hellbound Heart, the basis of the Hellraiser movies. Very serious tone to it combined with a lot of character depth, which unforunately TGaSS didn't have as well. The dialogue there become unserious at times, making it all just too light unfortunately. Too often had people going to their potential death while exchanging lighthearted banter. Really enjoyed Hellbound Heart though.
Liked the new Planet of the Apes movie. Liked the CGI facial expressions. Thought it was better acting than what is seen from the vast majority of real actors. Wouldn't mind seeing CGI actors generally replacing most actors. Had lots of "power moments", with Caesar finally speaking, and here and there showing how intelligent he was, sticking it to Malfoy, etc.
Quickly... I really liked Hellbound Heart, the basis of the Hellraiser movies. Very serious tone to it combined with a lot of character depth, which unforunately TGaSS didn't have as well. The dialogue there become unserious at times, making it all just too light unfortunately. Too often had people going to their potential death while exchanging lighthearted banter. Really enjoyed Hellbound Heart though.
Liked the new Planet of the Apes movie. Liked the CGI facial expressions. Thought it was better acting than what is seen from the vast majority of real actors. Wouldn't mind seeing CGI actors generally replacing most actors. Had lots of "power moments", with Caesar finally speaking, and here and there showing how intelligent he was, sticking it to Malfoy, etc.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I figured out on my own that I really need more resin on the bow here recently. Just wasn't getting a good sound out of the c and g string and was getting frustrated. I think this is the sort of thing my teacher should have been more help on, but I had to figure it out on my own. The same as previously I had to figure out on my own that being 6'5" makes proper positioning very difficult and I needed an adjustable chair and the pegs sawed off on one side. As she's not 6'5" I'll give her that one, but I dunno, seems like I'm having to figure a lot of things on my own. She seems to think the way to do it is to practice for decades till it's just instinctual. When I ask her questions about things, she can't answer because that's what it is for her. She's a good cellist, but a so so teacher. I guess a positive is that she's always a nice, pleasant person. Although very flaky. Usually I can't stand the flakiness (by which I mean she says she'll do things and then doesn't.) But in her case it's relatively small stuff for the next lesson that she never follows through on, but if it really mattered to me I'd just remind her beforehand.
I suppose all in, she's decent enough. Not how I would teach, but decent enough. I like her as a person.
Anyway, I really ought to be trying to manage on my own. I shouldn't rely on her to push me along, putting everything out there on a silver platter for me.
I suppose all in, she's decent enough. Not how I would teach, but decent enough. I like her as a person.
Anyway, I really ought to be trying to manage on my own. I shouldn't rely on her to push me along, putting everything out there on a silver platter for me.
Friday, August 12, 2011
I think too much about how each day, they fail anew. Each day, they do absolutely nothing, and fail.
Keep thinking to send this to one person in particular. But really plenty of others. Over the years has occurred to me to send it to quite a few people. But I never have. And never will.
Monsters are monsters.
Today ran a 3/1 3 miler in 25:18, which was 11 seconds slower than last week. This week on Mon and Wed I had ran 3/2's for 6 miles each. The week before I had run 2/2's for 6 miles. I think perhaps 2/2's are better than 3/2's, although it could be more complicated than that.
This week I felt as if my intensity was less on the 3/2's. I finished both of them much easier. Could have gone farther. 3 minutes is just too long to run really hard it seemed... So instead my intensity came down. And so today I didn't effortlessly shoot out like a bullet. Today my body was used to running a bit slower and today's run was not fun at all. Bit chilly also which was quite painful on my throat and sinuses.
I had been expecting very good things from the 3/2's, had been expecting to break 25 minutes finally. But no. So next week back to 2/2's.
Probably shouldn't time the 5k every week also.
Actually timing myself for the 5k is easy compared to 2/2's for 6 miles. But mentally it's a PITA giving such a hard effort for 25 minutes hoping to shave a few seconds off. Would be better to time it every two weeks and possibly shave off more than a few seconds....? Although if I had run 3/2's for 5 runs I might have been quite annoyed at having wasted two weeks....
This week I felt as if my intensity was less on the 3/2's. I finished both of them much easier. Could have gone farther. 3 minutes is just too long to run really hard it seemed... So instead my intensity came down. And so today I didn't effortlessly shoot out like a bullet. Today my body was used to running a bit slower and today's run was not fun at all. Bit chilly also which was quite painful on my throat and sinuses.
I had been expecting very good things from the 3/2's, had been expecting to break 25 minutes finally. But no. So next week back to 2/2's.
Probably shouldn't time the 5k every week also.
Actually timing myself for the 5k is easy compared to 2/2's for 6 miles. But mentally it's a PITA giving such a hard effort for 25 minutes hoping to shave a few seconds off. Would be better to time it every two weeks and possibly shave off more than a few seconds....? Although if I had run 3/2's for 5 runs I might have been quite annoyed at having wasted two weeks....
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Ran 3/2s for 6 miles on Monday and Wednesday and feel pretty good. The first 3 miles on Monday took 27:00 and finished in 57:45 or so. This time the first 3 miles took 26:32 and finished again in about 57:45. But both times took longer rests at the end. Pushed myself a bit harder the second time, to the point where I wasn't quite managing to run in a straight line at times and my head was bobbing all around. I think that's the sort of intensity it takes though to really improve, unlike these people who after ten years of running marathons still take more than 4 hours.
I think you've got to push harder. You have to find yourself needing extra sleep, etc, if you actually would like to get faster. This run I did the first half mile in 3:40, (last 40 seconds walking of course and just the beginning of a six mile run) 2 and half lights short of the end of the tunnel.
So at the house my projects so far were:
-120 feet of nice looking book shelves, (although now I usually use the kindle instead.)
-Building a pond for probably a bit over a 1000 dollars, which I'm really happy with.
-A raised bed enclosed garder, which is looking pretty nice, now that things are coming up. Have sunflowers, hydrangas, wild flowers, blueberry and blackberry bushes, peas, beans, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli and a few peppers. Still not sure what to put in the middle, thinking a wind powered musical instrument...
-And now a grow room, bought a metal halide lamp and tables. Today planted some lemon seeds. Working on blackberry and cherry (both need refrigerated for about 8 weeks). Blueberry... may do that later today..? Avocado and so on. That sort of thing has always fascinated me.
In music, feel a tiny bit like I'm floundering with the cello. Not really so bad but been a little tired of it lately. Only praticing 2 to 3 hours a week and feel like I'm just spinning my wheels. Turned to playing the piano a bit, trying to memorize Moonlight Sonata, a song I could play by sight reading many years ago and the ability hasn't left me much... but was thinking it would be a nice song to memorize.
Haven't gotten to serious work on being a "noise architect" through simple laziness. Well, the running makes me want to just go lay down and read. Which I've been reading some Clive Barker. First actually enjoyable reading I've done in a while.
I think you've got to push harder. You have to find yourself needing extra sleep, etc, if you actually would like to get faster. This run I did the first half mile in 3:40, (last 40 seconds walking of course and just the beginning of a six mile run) 2 and half lights short of the end of the tunnel.
So at the house my projects so far were:
-120 feet of nice looking book shelves, (although now I usually use the kindle instead.)
-Building a pond for probably a bit over a 1000 dollars, which I'm really happy with.
-A raised bed enclosed garder, which is looking pretty nice, now that things are coming up. Have sunflowers, hydrangas, wild flowers, blueberry and blackberry bushes, peas, beans, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli and a few peppers. Still not sure what to put in the middle, thinking a wind powered musical instrument...
-And now a grow room, bought a metal halide lamp and tables. Today planted some lemon seeds. Working on blackberry and cherry (both need refrigerated for about 8 weeks). Blueberry... may do that later today..? Avocado and so on. That sort of thing has always fascinated me.
In music, feel a tiny bit like I'm floundering with the cello. Not really so bad but been a little tired of it lately. Only praticing 2 to 3 hours a week and feel like I'm just spinning my wheels. Turned to playing the piano a bit, trying to memorize Moonlight Sonata, a song I could play by sight reading many years ago and the ability hasn't left me much... but was thinking it would be a nice song to memorize.
Haven't gotten to serious work on being a "noise architect" through simple laziness. Well, the running makes me want to just go lay down and read. Which I've been reading some Clive Barker. First actually enjoyable reading I've done in a while.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
PR of 25:07 for a 3/1 5K. Went out like a bullet thanks to the 2/2 but didn't have good stamina. Think I'll try a 3/2 next time. This time did an extra mile afterwards as my overall ability to knock out miles is improving.
From The Runner's Body, the first 283 runners were analyzed at 15k of a race in Japan in 2004 and 75% landed on their heel and only 4 landed on the forefoot. This being the opposite result of what Pyrie claimed some guy found at the olympics in 76 I think. But better technology may have been used in 2004 and also possibly the other guy was looking at sprinters? Sadly Pyrie isn't considered the most reliable guy.
From The Runner's Body, the first 283 runners were analyzed at 15k of a race in Japan in 2004 and 75% landed on their heel and only 4 landed on the forefoot. This being the opposite result of what Pyrie claimed some guy found at the olympics in 76 I think. But better technology may have been used in 2004 and also possibly the other guy was looking at sprinters? Sadly Pyrie isn't considered the most reliable guy.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Seems slightly worth remarking that I feel very good today. Why?
Don't really know. Did a really hard run on Monday. A 2/2, 2 minutes of high intensity running then 2 minutes walk, for 4+ miles, then gradually going down to a 1/3 as I got really tired for 6 total miles. I've never done that much intensity for that far and I didn't feel great the next day. Head very slightly hurt. Not sure if it was related. Very slightly hurt with very slight nausea. Like a migraine except just the faint shadow of one, which lasted more than 24 hours.
Reading so many bits of books at once. Trying to read Bleakhouse using the audio function of the kindle. But not working well as the pausing is inconsistent. Sometimes no pause after questions or in the middle of dialogue, making it very confusing. Sometimes no pause at periods, while large pause after commas. Inconsistency is ultimately the problem. Then I glance at the page while driving which is dangerous.
Reading The Runner's Body by Matt Fitzgerald, et al. Which goes with this site:
http://www.sportsscientists.com/
Some useful stuff in it. Such as....
the dehydration myth. Very good to know as I guess I was worrying a bit much about staying hydrated. A lot of stuff I already know though.
Alcohol has anti-inflammatory properties and lately I've been having a beer with lots of ice in it late in the evening, maybe 3 times a week. Thinking about doing that every night. Beer never tasted so good and I think it's why I feel so good. In the past beer left me feeling too hot. And gave me insomnia. But I think it was somewhat psychosomatic. I thought it wasn't good for me and then imagined bad stuff going on in my body. Now I'm thinking it's good for me and feeling quite good.
I do think that aside from placebo effects, etc it really does help my running. Have started reading a ton of other books which I may or may not get into.
Checked BP at work other day. 107/72 Resting HR goes from 50 to 56.
Don't really know. Did a really hard run on Monday. A 2/2, 2 minutes of high intensity running then 2 minutes walk, for 4+ miles, then gradually going down to a 1/3 as I got really tired for 6 total miles. I've never done that much intensity for that far and I didn't feel great the next day. Head very slightly hurt. Not sure if it was related. Very slightly hurt with very slight nausea. Like a migraine except just the faint shadow of one, which lasted more than 24 hours.
Reading so many bits of books at once. Trying to read Bleakhouse using the audio function of the kindle. But not working well as the pausing is inconsistent. Sometimes no pause after questions or in the middle of dialogue, making it very confusing. Sometimes no pause at periods, while large pause after commas. Inconsistency is ultimately the problem. Then I glance at the page while driving which is dangerous.
Reading The Runner's Body by Matt Fitzgerald, et al. Which goes with this site:
http://www.sportsscientists.com/
Some useful stuff in it. Such as....
the dehydration myth. Very good to know as I guess I was worrying a bit much about staying hydrated. A lot of stuff I already know though.
Alcohol has anti-inflammatory properties and lately I've been having a beer with lots of ice in it late in the evening, maybe 3 times a week. Thinking about doing that every night. Beer never tasted so good and I think it's why I feel so good. In the past beer left me feeling too hot. And gave me insomnia. But I think it was somewhat psychosomatic. I thought it wasn't good for me and then imagined bad stuff going on in my body. Now I'm thinking it's good for me and feeling quite good.
I do think that aside from placebo effects, etc it really does help my running. Have started reading a ton of other books which I may or may not get into.
Checked BP at work other day. 107/72 Resting HR goes from 50 to 56.
Monday, August 1, 2011
We, our group, set out together, with the sun shining in our smiles, with bravery and hearts of steel, ready to face anything, we set out to change the world. But along the way, one by one, he found that the members were false, that they never cared about changing the world, that they had just pretended otherwise for various selfish reasons. One by one they were found unworthy. Till finally he was alone. And there was no reason left to change anything.
Partch's 43.
Partch's 43.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Stepfather tells me today that he wanted me to be just like him. And indeed that's basically what he tried to do. He tried to pound me into his shape.
And for the most part, it didn't work. But he certainly stopped me from reaching my own actual potential.
As I keep seeing him act in inappropriate ways, I wonder what chance really did I ever have to reach my dreams with such a father? And I wonder just what might I have accomplished if not for him? And I wonder if anything can be salvaged at this point?
And realistically, the answer is that nothing really can be salvaged. My dreams are dust. I don't know why I'm here at all anymore.
I guess I'll pretend I'm still trying. Even though I'm locked out.
And for the most part, it didn't work. But he certainly stopped me from reaching my own actual potential.
As I keep seeing him act in inappropriate ways, I wonder what chance really did I ever have to reach my dreams with such a father? And I wonder just what might I have accomplished if not for him? And I wonder if anything can be salvaged at this point?
And realistically, the answer is that nothing really can be salvaged. My dreams are dust. I don't know why I'm here at all anymore.
I guess I'll pretend I'm still trying. Even though I'm locked out.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Firefly Island by Daniel Arenson
Typical sort of fantasy. Girl has super powers that are undeveloped. (the hidden ace up the sleeve.) She's a slave for an ogre.
Started kind of nice but just too light. Stopped reading 70% in. Feel silly for having gone that far.
Drood: A Novel by Dan Simmons
Love the subject matter. Charles Dickens out prowling around through dark parts of London. Also loved Simmons' book The Terror. But the problem here is that no one is likable. Complex characters are one thing, but you've really got to make someone who's actually likable. The main fellow here isn't. And the way he's portraying Dickens makes him also not. Of course his POV may just be wrong. But it's pretty much all we've got to work with.
So I'm not even 25% in (of a long book) and straying away. Straying to a couple biographies of Dickens as I'm curious to see where he got this negative attitude about Dickens. What I've found is gushing in praise. Perhaps Simmons just wanted to be contrary? Also started reading (again) Bleak House.
And have been thinking about why Dickens was a writer and I'm not. Such things as him perhaps having instilled in him a lifelong desire to prove himself? Ever since taken out of school at 12 to work 60 hour weeks in a factory for over a year while money was found to send his sister to a pretigious music academy. That also giving him a direction for his writing.
But then he lived before TV, cars, radio and he lived in London. The world was full of people actually interacting so, so much more and being so much more into books. And he took very closely from his actual life.
Me taking from my actual life would be sad fare indeed. Well 'meagre' would be a better word. And that which I really want to communicate most of all happens to be impossible.
But, told my dad I'm going to start writing his biography. Thinking I need to write based on actual life, and so I want him to just relate stories from his life. Absolutely NO outline. Nothing chronological. Done like Twain did.
Also looking at a biography of Clive Barker. Too soon to know what to think other than wanting to download some books that Barker really liked. Also seeing how from a young age he was constantly making stories and I wasn't.
Typical sort of fantasy. Girl has super powers that are undeveloped. (the hidden ace up the sleeve.) She's a slave for an ogre.
Started kind of nice but just too light. Stopped reading 70% in. Feel silly for having gone that far.
Drood: A Novel by Dan Simmons
Love the subject matter. Charles Dickens out prowling around through dark parts of London. Also loved Simmons' book The Terror. But the problem here is that no one is likable. Complex characters are one thing, but you've really got to make someone who's actually likable. The main fellow here isn't. And the way he's portraying Dickens makes him also not. Of course his POV may just be wrong. But it's pretty much all we've got to work with.
So I'm not even 25% in (of a long book) and straying away. Straying to a couple biographies of Dickens as I'm curious to see where he got this negative attitude about Dickens. What I've found is gushing in praise. Perhaps Simmons just wanted to be contrary? Also started reading (again) Bleak House.
And have been thinking about why Dickens was a writer and I'm not. Such things as him perhaps having instilled in him a lifelong desire to prove himself? Ever since taken out of school at 12 to work 60 hour weeks in a factory for over a year while money was found to send his sister to a pretigious music academy. That also giving him a direction for his writing.
But then he lived before TV, cars, radio and he lived in London. The world was full of people actually interacting so, so much more and being so much more into books. And he took very closely from his actual life.
Me taking from my actual life would be sad fare indeed. Well 'meagre' would be a better word. And that which I really want to communicate most of all happens to be impossible.
But, told my dad I'm going to start writing his biography. Thinking I need to write based on actual life, and so I want him to just relate stories from his life. Absolutely NO outline. Nothing chronological. Done like Twain did.
Also looking at a biography of Clive Barker. Too soon to know what to think other than wanting to download some books that Barker really liked. Also seeing how from a young age he was constantly making stories and I wasn't.
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