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Finding Bliss via guitar in MT4D circa 2001Its that time of year once again.
I’ve toiled with numerous ideas for the big 3-0, and have had little success coming up with a fitting challenge. Last year I was talking big and claiming that I’d be running 30k for my 30th. Seems Dr. Proctor might have been right about that being a little too optimistic. Seeing as my leg’s still in a cage, running or even significant walking isn’t realistic even by BDC standards. I’ve considered a number of upper body challenges, but so far all are either uninspiring or injury provoking. The best candidate thus far is a 30 second single digit mono hang (I mentioned injury provoking right). The fact is I don’t really need much more motivation to train, and given the abuse my body’s been taking from life on one leg and continual antibiotics I don’t think there’s much to gain through pushing it any harder than my current full scale training efforts. On that note, I’m starting a new cycle this coming week after my first rest period in half a year. No doubt there’s some lofty goals set for the coming months, but as of yet, none really qualify at the BDC level. More on this in a subsequent post.
Most everyone is familiar with the idea that the biggest gains come about through improving weak links. Sure, most of us rarely put this into practice, but its seems to be true across the board. Looking at my life from a wider perspective there are more than a few areas that qualify as weak links. I’ve always tried to use BDC as a means to jump start my interest or ability in areas that don’t get attention through my normal routine. So this year I’m addressing some long term weaknesses.
First and foremost, I have never been able to convince myself to pay attention to the news. Sure, most of it is shit and none of it is presented objectively, but I do think I have a duty to know whats going on in the world around me, and I’ve failed miserably in this area.
Along similar lines, I don’t read nearly enough books, especially for someone that enjoys writing and the power of language. There’s always been an excuse or some other diversion that keeps me from flipping through pages. Its time to change that.
I often tell people I was a musician in a past life. Throughout my teens and early twenties my passion for hearing, writing and performing music was strong, very strong. Somewhere along the way the fire burnt out. I’d like to see if the flames can be stoked again.
So the challenge this year will be somewhat mundane on paper. However, the consistency component should prove to be fairly taxing especially once things heat up in school this coming quarter. Complaints welcome as are continued suggestions for fitting physical challenges.
Starting 1/1/11 and ending on my 30th birthday 3/4/11 the Challenge is:
-Read news for 30 minutes/day
-Read fiction or nonfiction (school work doesn’t count) for 30 minutes/day.
-Play the guitar for 30 minutes/day
I'll be needing some suggestions for news sources and books. Please comment with your favorites and recommendations.
Happy New Year
Gotta log those minutes no matter what the conditions.
I’ve toiled with numerous ideas for the big 3-0, and have had little success coming up with a fitting challenge. Last year I was talking big and claiming that I’d be running 30k for my 30th. Seems Dr. Proctor might have been right about that being a little too optimistic. Seeing as my leg’s still in a cage, running or even significant walking isn’t realistic even by BDC standards. I’ve considered a number of upper body challenges, but so far all are either uninspiring or injury provoking. The best candidate thus far is a 30 second single digit mono hang (I mentioned injury provoking right). The fact is I don’t really need much more motivation to train, and given the abuse my body’s been taking from life on one leg and continual antibiotics I don’t think there’s much to gain through pushing it any harder than my current full scale training efforts. On that note, I’m starting a new cycle this coming week after my first rest period in half a year. No doubt there’s some lofty goals set for the coming months, but as of yet, none really qualify at the BDC level. More on this in a subsequent post.
Most everyone is familiar with the idea that the biggest gains come about through improving weak links. Sure, most of us rarely put this into practice, but its seems to be true across the board. Looking at my life from a wider perspective there are more than a few areas that qualify as weak links. I’ve always tried to use BDC as a means to jump start my interest or ability in areas that don’t get attention through my normal routine. So this year I’m addressing some long term weaknesses.
First and foremost, I have never been able to convince myself to pay attention to the news. Sure, most of it is shit and none of it is presented objectively, but I do think I have a duty to know whats going on in the world around me, and I’ve failed miserably in this area.
Along similar lines, I don’t read nearly enough books, especially for someone that enjoys writing and the power of language. There’s always been an excuse or some other diversion that keeps me from flipping through pages. Its time to change that.
I often tell people I was a musician in a past life. Throughout my teens and early twenties my passion for hearing, writing and performing music was strong, very strong. Somewhere along the way the fire burnt out. I’d like to see if the flames can be stoked again.
So the challenge this year will be somewhat mundane on paper. However, the consistency component should prove to be fairly taxing especially once things heat up in school this coming quarter. Complaints welcome as are continued suggestions for fitting physical challenges.
Starting 1/1/11 and ending on my 30th birthday 3/4/11 the Challenge is:
-Read news for 30 minutes/day
-Read fiction or nonfiction (school work doesn’t count) for 30 minutes/day.
-Play the guitar for 30 minutes/day
I'll be needing some suggestions for news sources and books. Please comment with your favorites and recommendations.
Happy New Year
Gotta log those minutes no matter what the conditions.
Posts
7 comments:
Hey man,
From personal experience, I have found that staying on top of the news ("hey man, what do you think about local Eugene politics") is a lifestyle, and not something that can be accomplished in 30 minutes a day. That being said, I've gotten a lot of personal satisfaction out of trying to read 3-4 articles or stories a day that appeal to me, regardless of how relevant they are to my daily existence. Crowdsourcing is key here. Generally, I focus my efforts on stuff from the NYTimes website or something like http://www.instapaper.com. I use these resources along with applications like the read it later firefox extension to make sure I stay on top of these things.
Hope you will be writing your own songs, and singing too!!!
Adult Video News counts, right?
NEWS: You want EVERYTHING fast and filtered to your opinions... huffingtonpost.com
You want writing that will make you a better writer and give you fairly unbiased news? THE GUARDIAN. Best writing in any english language newspaper anywhere in the world.
Those are my preferred news sources.
Books... DO NOT READ, THE PASSAGE. Not that it isn't good or entertaining, but it is 800 plus pages long, didn't provide me great insights into writing style - maybe some learning on storytelling - and doesn't make you a smarter better person at all.
You want to tear through some entertaining trash that gives you good insight into writing styles (as in... you can tell when the ghostwriter takes over) and provides a great example of storytelling... the Sookie Stackhouse series. They take like a day to read, there's tons of them, and it's like reading a TV show (a better TV show than True Blood).
Now... I firmly believe that you shouldn't embark on a reading challenge without including some graphic novels or comic books. There are some excellent ones out there and they are FANTASTIC for your brain and creativity. You are forced to take small pictures and finish and develop them with your mind, and few words and finish and develop characters and stories on your own. Anymore, kids don't get enough practice at this, and adults don't keep the skills honed. It is a great art. Excellent options are... Y - The Last Man, The Walking Dead, Doom Patrol, Vampirella, The Preacher, Transmetropolitan, The Sandman, Fables... Some of these I like, some I don't. You learn from all of them. When you are here for OR I can loan you many of these.
AND... read some Gaiman novels, but not the one he did with Terry Pratchett because Terry's dirty little fingerprints are all over it and I HATE, HATE his writing style. I think you would like, American Gods.
That's it. Not a smart list, but a fun list.
Thanks Josh,
You're very correct about this being a lifestyle. My hope is that this "regimen" will help create habits that will support such a lifestyle.
Mom,
I'll be singing plenty!
Pukester,
AVN is a separate challenge
Romney,
Lisa wins the rad award for today, possibly the entire week. Thanks. I will be looking into ALL of these suggestions. Love your thoughts about graphic novels. I used to collect comics (still have them all actually), so this would be a n...ice throwback. You really honed in on my real goals here. I miss feeling creative. I see it slipping away, and I wanna find ways to combat it.
I considered challenging myself to write/make/create stuff, but I really think one has to "develop a strong base" by enjoying other's creations and honing basic skills. Sort of along the lines of "you gotta learn the rules to break the rules". So that's why I chose simply to commit to engaging these disciplines rather than creating within them.
You have me psyched!
In regards to Romney's suggestions, I agree on The Guardian, however Huffington has far too much tabloid crap to be considered a serious news source anymore (and I agree, I am part of the problem....if I see a picture of a chick with big tits on the sidebar, I click on it, so shoot me). The Economist is BY FAR the best source for news of the world in a way that can get you educated 'briefly'. And no titties to distract you. Subscription is worth it.
I don't know shit about graphic novels except for I can't stand them. Gaiman's crap made me yawn, although my girlfriend and Bert love it. Read Heinrich Harrer...The White Spider, 7 Years in Tibet. Dashiell Hammett. Raymond Chandler. Jim Thompson. Watch Clint Eastwood movies.
Drink Oly.
oops, I realized I got Neil Gaiman confused with Neil Stephenson (snowcrash, etc.)...my bad. Never read anything by Gaiman, but Deb loves him.
Try to read something you think you might not like. You might not like it, but then again you might.
Suggestions:
Paul Krugman writes a column for the NYT, mostly about current economics issues. He's great.
You've probably read some of these, but maybe not, from a quick glance at my shelf:
Bukowski - everything, Post Office is a good start
Burroughs - Naked Lunch
Nabakov - Lolita
Howard Zinn's People's History of the US
AJ Liebling is a favorite (Between Meals is excellent, as a foodie, you'd enjoy it)
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