In a serious funk. - Page 3

jhempel24 · 04-21-2011, 02:33 AM

Well I hunkered down and finished "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest" while a good read, I'm glad it's done, I think it was a hindernance LOL, something lost in translation for that one or something.

I ended up reading through another book today as well (well, short story) called Killers (sequal to Serial) by Blake Crouch and Jack Kilborn, they each created a character in Serial and wrote separately, then came together to write when the characters met...and interesting venture. They did the same with this as well. NOT for the faint of heart, and violence for violence sake, but was a fun read!

wyndslash · 04-21-2011, 03:51 AM

hmm right now sort of going through a funk myself. paused 2 books and slowly reading a nice mystery.

ChipnDale · 04-21-2011, 05:16 PM

Went through this a while back, just now getting back into the flow.

FatDog · 04-21-2011, 05:28 PM

Several years ago one of the many "fad diet" books that came out was from a guy who 'almost' got through Med school. While he did not have credentials - he had some interesting and thoughtful advice.

One of his ideas is that we need to sometimes go on a "Information Fast".

The idea is this - all media (Internet, radio, magazines, newspapers and TV) tries to stimulate you. Eventually you get over-whelmed and need to fast.

His advice was that for one weekend you avoid the computer, TV, books, printed material, etc. Try to walk to the store and buy fresh food (not convience food) and spend time making meals. You can listen to light, inspirational music but thats about it.

I have done this and .. it's hard the first day. But by Monday - I am more relaxed and instead of being over-whelmed by un-read books, Netflix guilt, un-read emails, I have renewed interest in my hobbies.

Sometimes - you need a vacation from the things you love to appreciate them again.

Just an idea.

Latinandgreek · 04-21-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatDog

Several years ago one of the many "fad diet" books that came out was from a guy who 'almost' got through Med school. While he did not have credentials - he had some interesting and thoughtful advice.

One of his ideas is that we need to sometimes go on a "Information Fast".

The idea is this - all media (Internet, radio, magazines, newspapers and TV) tries to stimulate you. Eventually you get over-whelmed and need to fast.

His advice was that for one weekend you avoid the computer, TV, books, printed material, etc. Try to walk to the store and buy fresh food (not convience food) and spend time making meals. You can listen to light, inspirational music but thats about it.

I have done this and .. it's hard the first day. But by Monday - I am more relaxed and instead of being over-whelmed by un-read books, Netflix guilt, un-read emails, I have renewed interest in my hobbies.

Sometimes - you need a vacation from the things you love to appreciate them again.

Just an idea.

I like that idea. I do take "information beaks" from time to time, but I haven't done it in a while.

Frida Fantastic · 04-22-2011, 06:28 AM

Other folks have called it a "media fast". It's actually a good stress reliever. Whenever I'm anxious or stressed about something, I don't read world or national news.

I also got really stressed reading through Ted Kaczynski's Technological Slavery and just had to put it down. The ideas were really compelling, but they're just really heavy and clearly asking for distroy-all-technology like the beginning of A Canticle for Leibowitz style. Interestingly enough, he mentioned the possibility of a new technological age rising out of the ashes of the grand plan anyway, but it ain't his concern. I really wonder if he's ever read Canticle. He should. Maybe it's not available in his prison. Anyway yes, insightful, but stressful!

I tend to get stressed by a lot of the nonfiction I pick out, which explains why I read a lot more fiction. Although some fiction will obviously lead you to not feeling much better. E.g. Canticle.

kennyc · 04-22-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashfulbanshee

Other folks have called it a "media fast". It's actually a good stress reliever. Whenever I'm anxious or stressed about something, I don't read world or national news.

I also got really stressed reading through Ted Kaczynski's Technological Slavery and just had to put it down. The ideas were really compelling, but they're just really heavy and clearly asking for distroy-all-technology like the beginning of A Canticle for Leibowitz style. Interestingly enough, he mentioned the possibility of a new technological age rising out of the ashes of the grand plan anyway, but it ain't his concern. I really wonder if he's ever read Canticle. He should. Maybe it's not available in his prison. Anyway yes, insightful, but stressful!

I tend to get stressed by a lot of the nonfiction I pick out, which explains why I read a lot more fiction. Although some fiction will obviously lead you to not feeling much better. E.g. Canticle.

Been there, done that, (each of those) and got the t-shirts.

I love Canticle for Leibowitz and have gone through my own hating technology and being re-born to use it as as a tool to better understand humanity phases.

Still the idea of a break or management is a great one. I personally avoid all the prime-time krap on tv, watch only the daily news from BBC and local and science/history type programs mostly.

I try to stop and meditate for a half hour or longer each day....

We must all manage our technology usage (I'm way too addicted to internet forums

but am working on it) and our tendency to get caught up by the mass media.

Frida Fantastic · 04-22-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

We must all manage our technology usage (I'm way too addicted to internet forums

but am working on it) and our tendency to get caught up by the mass media.

Same here. Sitting around consuming media is just so easy compared to doing other kinds of activities. While I still love books and comic books and other sorts of geekery, I've been making an effort to pursue hobbies that actually take me outside or at least moving.

I don't do it anymore, but as a lifelong geek, I was surprised to discover that one of the most exhilarating experiences possible is boxing. There's nothing that beats the adrenaline and the focus of assessing your opponent, dodging their punches, and feeling all your punches connect. That kind of tactile feedback can't be beat. While I love books, seriously, there's nothing that beats the oh-god-I'm-alive whole body experience of combat sports.

kennyc · 04-22-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashfulbanshee

...

I don't do it anymore, but as a lifelong geek, I was surprised to discover that one of the most exhilarating experiences possible is boxing. There's nothing that beats the adrenaline and the focus of assessing your opponent, dodging their punches, and feeling all your punches connect. That kind of tactile feedback can't be beat. While I love books, seriously, there's nothing that beats the oh-god-I'm-alive whole body experience of combat sports.

As said by Bashful Frida!

DMB · 04-23-2011, 10:34 AM

I find it has a lot to do with how much energy I have When I am very tired, I go for escapist reading, often rereading. When I'm a bit more energetic I prefer something with more mental muscle. I always have multiple books on the go and this predates my Kindle by decades.

Assassin · 04-23-2011, 04:15 PM

Guess I'm different.
If I don't get into a book in the first forty or fifty pages I admit I made a mistake and I'm done with it. With a good read I can't wait to finish and spend all my free time and late into the night to learn the ending.

kennyc · 04-23-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assassin

Guess I'm different.
If I don't get into a book in the first forty or fifty pages I admit I made a mistake and I'm done with it. With a good read I can't wait to finish and spend all my free time and late into the night to learn the ending.

caleb72 · 04-24-2011, 08:59 AM

I definitely go through reading funks - for various reasons. I know I was very disappointed in myself that I couldn't bring myself to finish Midnight's Children for example.

It was clearly great writing and I've read and enjoyed the author before. But I just couldn't bring myself to finish.

I had problems before with Iain M Banks and Use of Weapons. For me it's not been the book at the time, it's just been where I was personally at that time. Sometimes I just don't get into reading.

At that time, I just need to get my head out of the problem and look to any of my other interests like movies, music, computer programming or my recent odd hobby of making cordials and jams.

Maybe next time this happens I could actually do something that involves going outside.

Regards
Caleb

Ea · 04-24-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhempel24

Anyone else get into one of these?

Absolutely. For me it's been about half a year, and it's only very recently I've started to read for fun again. Looking back, I think it was a combination of stress and lack of time. The feeling that you have all these things to do, and when you finally settle down to read, you can't concentrate. I watched a bit of TV instead, to relax, but I'm really glad to be back to reading.

BenBanned · 04-24-2011, 12:08 PM

I burned out after like one month on the 100 books for 2011. Iv'e picked back up again but Im not even keeping track now.

04-21-2011, 02:33 AM	#31
jhempel24 Wizard Posts: 2,157 Karma: 7068605 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro	Well I hunkered down and finished "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest" while a good read, I'm glad it's done, I think it was a hindernance LOL, something lost in translation for that one or something. I ended up reading through another book today as well (well, short story) called Killers (sequal to Serial) by Blake Crouch and Jack Kilborn, they each created a character in Serial and wrote separately, then came together to write when the characters met...and interesting venture. They did the same with this as well. NOT for the faint of heart, and violence for violence sake, but was a fun read!

04-21-2011, 03:51 AM	#32
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	hmm right now sort of going through a funk myself. paused 2 books and slowly reading a nice mystery.

04-21-2011, 05:16 PM	#33
ChipnDale Rescue Rangers Posts: 109 Karma: 2144082 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Visitor from another planet Device: IPad	Went through this a while back, just now getting back into the flow.

04-21-2011, 05:28 PM	#34
FatDog Witless protection Agent Posts: 290 Karma: 1002898 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	Several years ago one of the many "fad diet" books that came out was from a guy who 'almost' got through Med school. While he did not have credentials - he had some interesting and thoughtful advice. One of his ideas is that we need to sometimes go on a "Information Fast". The idea is this - all media (Internet, radio, magazines, newspapers and TV) tries to stimulate you. Eventually you get over-whelmed and need to fast. His advice was that for one weekend you avoid the computer, TV, books, printed material, etc. Try to walk to the store and buy fresh food (not convience food) and spend time making meals. You can listen to light, inspirational music but thats about it. I have done this and .. it's hard the first day. But by Monday - I am more relaxed and instead of being over-whelmed by un-read books, Netflix guilt, un-read emails, I have renewed interest in my hobbies. Sometimes - you need a vacation from the things you love to appreciate them again. Just an idea.

04-22-2011, 06:28 AM	#36
Frida Fantastic SF/F book blogger Posts: 270 Karma: 502030 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Vancouver, Canada Device: Kindle 3	Other folks have called it a "media fast". It's actually a good stress reliever. Whenever I'm anxious or stressed about something, I don't read world or national news. I also got really stressed reading through Ted Kaczynski's Technological Slavery and just had to put it down. The ideas were really compelling, but they're just really heavy and clearly asking for distroy-all-technology like the beginning of A Canticle for Leibowitz style. Interestingly enough, he mentioned the possibility of a new technological age rising out of the ashes of the grand plan anyway, but it ain't his concern. I really wonder if he's ever read Canticle. He should. Maybe it's not available in his prison. Anyway yes, insightful, but stressful! I tend to get stressed by a lot of the nonfiction I pick out, which explains why I read a lot more fiction. Although some fiction will obviously lead you to not feeling much better. E.g. Canticle.

04-23-2011, 10:34 AM	#40
DMB Old Git Posts: 958 Karma: 1840790 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Switzerland (mostly) Device: Two kindle PWs wifi, kindle fire, iPad3 wifi	I find it has a lot to do with how much energy I have When I am very tired, I go for escapist reading, often rereading. When I'm a bit more energetic I prefer something with more mental muscle. I always have multiple books on the go and this predates my Kindle by decades.

04-23-2011, 04:15 PM	#41
Assassin Connoisseur Posts: 54 Karma: 40000 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Device: kindle	Guess I'm different. If I don't get into a book in the first forty or fifty pages I admit I made a mistake and I'm done with it. With a good read I can't wait to finish and spend all my free time and late into the night to learn the ending.

04-24-2011, 08:59 AM	#43
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	I definitely go through reading funks - for various reasons. I know I was very disappointed in myself that I couldn't bring myself to finish Midnight's Children for example. It was clearly great writing and I've read and enjoyed the author before. But I just couldn't bring myself to finish. I had problems before with Iain M Banks and Use of Weapons. For me it's not been the book at the time, it's just been where I was personally at that time. Sometimes I just don't get into reading. At that time, I just need to get my head out of the problem and look to any of my other interests like movies, music, computer programming or my recent odd hobby of making cordials and jams. Maybe next time this happens I could actually do something that involves going outside. Regards Caleb

04-24-2011, 12:08 PM	#45
BenBanned Groupie Posts: 168 Karma: 1326166 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ Device: Paper	I burned out after like one month on the 100 books for 2011. Iv'e picked back up again but Im not even keeping track now.

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