Tuesday marked the eleventh anniversary of this blog, but as was par for the course this year, I was a bit too busy (jogging 7.63 miles that night) to celebrate it until now. But really, there are things to celebrate even now, even though I haven't yet finished a book since my birthday over six weeks ago (that will change this weekend).
A year ago, I had suffered a back injury at work that left me unable to work for nearly six weeks. I was on a lot of muscle relaxers and other steroid-based medications and my weight ballooned. I took a picture that night, August 25, 2014, and I looked miserable. I recall writing a rather pessimistic 10th anniversary post here that day and while I retain some of those sentiments, it is rather amazing that I am still writing, albeit sporadically until now.
I am now able to do stretches that I haven't done since my early 20s. Balancing on one leg while doing alternating toe touches, followed by a jump scissor kick makes me feel young again (not that 41 is old, mind you). Spending more time outdoors, even if much of it is on a local track, has also revitalized me in a way that reading alone cannot. It is interesting to see the changes in my mood doing things that I used to do before I began reading so much. Although reading is a pleasure, some pleasures can have deleterious effects on the mind and body and I think my re-found dedication to balance between mind and body, between activity and reading, has helped me not just get limber again, but to enjoy those moments even more when I do sit down and read some.
As for this blog, I said earlier this month that I would be "making it new again" and I think that'll mean more, miscellaneous essays, maybe along the lines of a Montaigne, in addition to occasional reviews. Taking a break from most social media has led me to become more of an observer than an active participant and perhaps there'll be some "heresies" to espouse on occasion.
There is also a professional accomplishment that I'll discuss in the near future, when things are finalized, but it is something I'm excited to discuss when things are complete.
Finally, autumn is coming. The Serbian literary squirrels are scurrying back to their reading dreys. You have been warned.
A year ago, I had suffered a back injury at work that left me unable to work for nearly six weeks. I was on a lot of muscle relaxers and other steroid-based medications and my weight ballooned. I took a picture that night, August 25, 2014, and I looked miserable. I recall writing a rather pessimistic 10th anniversary post here that day and while I retain some of those sentiments, it is rather amazing that I am still writing, albeit sporadically until now.
I am now able to do stretches that I haven't done since my early 20s. Balancing on one leg while doing alternating toe touches, followed by a jump scissor kick makes me feel young again (not that 41 is old, mind you). Spending more time outdoors, even if much of it is on a local track, has also revitalized me in a way that reading alone cannot. It is interesting to see the changes in my mood doing things that I used to do before I began reading so much. Although reading is a pleasure, some pleasures can have deleterious effects on the mind and body and I think my re-found dedication to balance between mind and body, between activity and reading, has helped me not just get limber again, but to enjoy those moments even more when I do sit down and read some.
As for this blog, I said earlier this month that I would be "making it new again" and I think that'll mean more, miscellaneous essays, maybe along the lines of a Montaigne, in addition to occasional reviews. Taking a break from most social media has led me to become more of an observer than an active participant and perhaps there'll be some "heresies" to espouse on occasion.
There is also a professional accomplishment that I'll discuss in the near future, when things are finalized, but it is something I'm excited to discuss when things are complete.
Finally, autumn is coming. The Serbian literary squirrels are scurrying back to their reading dreys. You have been warned.
Posts
1 comment:
Happy Bloggiversary. Here are some squirrels to join in the celebration.
It's good to see some blogs still around. Mine had turned ten in May, and I've seen too many blogs (1) I follow abandoned over time. The latest sad demise is A Dribble of Ink. Sometimes I feel like a dinosaur and it's nice to know we're not extinct yet.
(1) Not only books and Fantasy-related, but a number of historical blogs as well.
Post a Comment