READING: David
Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks
Not far enough along to assess, except
to say I am already charmed by The Bone
Clocks.
It seems similar in structure to Cloud Atlas – several first-person
narratives linked together over different time periods. Quirky characters
involved in some human struggle. Good descriptions. Even the titles – noun
pairings in which one word is substantial/natural, the other a human way to
record (space/time) are similar. Big themes: Whereas Cloud Atlas wove slavery throughout its many stories, The Bone Clocks introduces the play of
power.
I’m not yet feeling intensely
engaged (at only about 1/3 of the way in), but if I remember correctly, Cloud Atlas also had to work on me a bit
before I pieced it together and grew excited about it.
We’ll see – and I’ll report back
soon.
VIEWING: Off to
the movies today to see The Imitation
Game. Everyone else I know is seeing
this movie and saying great things about it.
PROCRASTINATING: Figuring out how to switch from Blogger to
WordPress. I have found a few websites that give instructions, but feel the
need to find a real person to sit next to me and lead me through it.
MOVEMENT EXPLORATION
OF THE WEEK: KNEES. Protecting and
strengthening the knees in yoga poses – as well as in daily use. I’ve already
come across contradictory suggestions, so I will have to sort out which to listen
to.
LOOKING FORWARD TO: Mid-week myofascial massage to cap off my month of movement exploration.
I couldn't get into Cloud Atlas for some reason, maybe because of all the different narratives but also I think because of the way Mitchell writes. I think it was too complicated for me to follow. I guess I don't like to work that much to try to get something out of it. So for that reason, I haven't attempted The Bone Clocks.
ReplyDeleteWhile I can't be there in person to help you switch, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask as I started with Blogger, then went to WP dot com and now with WP dot org. Are you going with WP dot com or WP dot org?
I think Mitchell 's connections are subtle -- but once you get them, you feel deeply rewarded --- or maybe just pat-yourself-on-the-back smart for finding them. In addition to that each small story can be a little fun in itself.
DeleteI confess I don't know the difference between WP do.com and dot.org. I think I'm switching because there may be more ease and more flexibility, but I am not even sure of that. How do you see the differences?
I gave up on BC. Probably just me, but I didn't like the feeling of artificiality that I felt in the first chapters. I felt it in CA, too, but read on. I don't like seeing the strings at the puppet show.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious why you are moving to WP. I'm (still) at Blogger. Should I be worried?
readerbuzz.blogspot.com
I like all those strings --- and in the case of Mitchell, it seems it's more a cat's cradle of string -- so much skill to show off.
DeleteNow that you ask, I need to ask myself why I'm considering switching. I think I need to do something to spiff up this site -- and I thought WP might give me more options.
Loved the Imitation Game. But I can't tell how much I was influenced by visiting Bletchley Park in September (photos here: http://www.joyweesemoll.com/2015/01/02/bletchley-park-brifri-photos/).
ReplyDeleteIt does take experimentation to figure out what works with knees. I recommend the video "Strong Knees" by Chantal Donnelly (a physical therapist). There's a lot of commentary which is great the first time through. After that, you'll want to go to the Special Features to set up your own workout that skips the commentary. For me, the secret was to get my quads and glutes strong enough to protect my knees.
I wrote about knees on my blog once, too, come to think of it. That's here: http://www.joyweesemoll.com/2012/01/10/gardening-as-exercise-and-my-weekly-checkpoint/
I will check the website out. I'm pretty strong from years of yoga. I'm exploring knees because one of my friends I share my practice with has asked me to. I know one needs to strengthen muscles around the knees, particularly the inner quadricep. I also know alignment is key.
DeleteI am dealing with the right hop these days and the lower back and hoping that some yoga poses will help. I do need some help to switch to word press too, if I do at all.
ReplyDeleteHarvee
Book Dilettante
Harvee
Book Dilettante
A great yoga tape for lower back issues is Gary Krastow's Viniyoga for hips, backs etc. You can find it on Amazon. The exercises are very gentle and the workouts short but I cured a lingering back problem last summer by just doing it -- and swimming laps -- religiously. The so-called "arthritis" (had an x-ray) is gone -- completely gone.
DeleteI've never read David Mitchell, but I'm looking forward to trying out The Bone Clocks. I read a few pages a while back and was charmed, but I was slumpy at the time. I'll definitely return to it.
ReplyDeleteI think it's best to read it in big chunks -- but I sense you read that way a lot anyway. I think it's the kind of book that if you just pick away at it, you will lose the few threads you are given.
DeleteI did a full redesign along with the transfer from Blogger to Wordpress. Had to save up to do it but I was so glad I paid someone to do it for me. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteHow did you find someone to help? Just from the yellow pages? Are you pleased with the switch?
DeleteI loved Cloud Atlas but Bone Clocks has never much appealed to me for some reason. Odd, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI've just been told to think about yoga for my knee problems too so I'm just starting to explore the idea. Hope it helps strengthen them for both of us!
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI'm worried I may feel the same way about Bone Clocks.
I'm starting here for yoga for knees:
http://www.doyoga.com/articles_all/7_july_07_knees.pdf
Doug Keller is among the yoga therapists I trust the most.
How was The Imitation Game? I'm dying to see that! It hasn't come to my little town.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed The Imitation Game. Quite a story. And good luck with switching over to WP. I switched out of Drupal to WP last fall and am glad I did. I paid someone to do it for me. just found them thru word of mouth, also did a google search for a web developer in our area.
ReplyDeleteWe did enjoy The Imitation Game. Wonderful acting. I'm not sure why there have been so many great WWII movies and books in the past few years. I guess there is just so much to mine from that era. Many great stories.
ReplyDelete