“Let’s face it, this entire post could be a lie.” Ah-ha! Let’s remember how good this guy is at creating an unreliable narrator who’s capable of garnering our deep sympathies! I’m sorry sir, I’m going to require a note from your doctor.
What have our lives become that we actually welcome being sick as it is the only way we allow ourselves to slow down and rest? I think it is everyone, Nathan. I wonder if addiction to the internet could be the culprit? Never letting our minds rest. I recently learned that it is very common for the young to take their phones to bed with them and often engage with it through out the night, afraid if they sleep they will miss something. That can't be a good sign. Just something that came to mind.
I'm sure you're right, Sharron. Over a year ago my wife and I switched to charging our phones in another room over night. Seems silly that that was even a decision to be made, but it was definitely a good thing to do.
I wish you well, Nathan, and commiserate, having been put on a second round of antibiotics myself.but I think you are experiencing a less extreme version of Yogananda's observation: death is Nature's way of telling you to slow down
I am, Nathan, thank you. It's messed up sax practice though. I hope you're feeling much better too. You really must be careful, though, because post-viral tiredness is dreadful
The lowly Helix snail carries antibiotics and takes everything slow in our mind, but to a snail could be just thinking of where to put its foot next. Contemplating life struggles taking time to renegotiate and heal itself with in to gain strength to continue stronger.
My daughter has been sick this week -- just a cold virus, but enough to cancel all activities and school. I had a bit of it myself, and so we took the excuse to stay in our pajamas all day and do nothing but read books, eat popsicles, and play on Duolingo. It's been fantastic. I want to remember to do this with her someday soon, when we are NOT sick; you know, just take a "sick day" for fun when we actually feel good. What a gift that would be to our poor overscheduled family.
I'm sorry to hear of the sickness, but that does indeed sound lovely and I'm glad you got to spend that quality time together. Here's to "sick" days in the future.
Oh, Nate. I don't think I could relate to this more. This I say first day without having a cacophony of demands barking at me, and David is sick! So I'm getting him food etc. and part of me is thinking 'don't get too close, you mustn't catch this, you've got a 5am start tomorrow and a week from hell coming up' while another part of me is thinking 'kiss him, kiss the man, get sick, we NEED this!' 🫠
I don't know how this happened (that's a lie, I do know, it's baby bird season and I somehow managed to take on too many clients) but I swear I used to be the queen of slow! Alas...I hope you're much better, now, but that the demands of life have eased. You've been on my mind 🤗
I so hear you! I'm sorry that David is sick. I hope he's on the mend soon (or, if not too sick, you both succumb and sink into a slow but necessary recovery within each other's comfort and can avoid the demands of reality!)
So... Yeah, it's been a crazy week here. I have your last post open on my laptop, unread, along with a dozen other tabs open because when I was up at a conference in Cairns my body decided to go rogue and I ended up in hospital three times, the final time making the docs realise the severity of the situation and I was rushed into emergency surgery. Everything is ok, thankfully, and I'm back home (Jo flew up to me and we flew back together) and recovering as of last night. I'll probably post about it, in some form, as I think I need to let the reality of it sink in a little bit for myself through the act of writing.
So anyway, what I'm saying is, you've been on my mind too because I am looking forward to finally getting to your words and allowing myself the moments of joy your posts always elicit. I hope you're both ok. Sending my love to you both.
Holy fuck! Nathan! That’s so scary, I’m so so sorry. Rest up, Sir. That’s an order. Take all the time your body needs to heal, nothing is more important. Sending you much love, buddy 💗
This speaks to me. I used to feel pangs of excitement when I felt my nose getting all stuffy--"Finally! A guilt-free excuse to step away from the grind"
Thanks, Will, I appreciate your thoughts and kind words. It makes me feel better to know there are others who feel the same way. Pretty sure this also signals that society, on a whole, is waaay overworked!
Yeah no, that's totally cool that it takes a fever for you to relax, totally healthy, recommended way. In fact that's what all the philosophers say. They say "If you can't find time to relax, find a fever". Should I just ensure you get a fever every week then? 😋
I hope you feel better Nathan. I've said before I admire your once a week schedule and you continue to stick it out. Can't wait to see what ideas you have when you emerge from the other side of this.
Life has become hyper competitive and intense, both inside the ivory tower of academia and in the corporate world. Digital devices and hyper connectivity keep us available at all times to an insatiable productivity monster. This beast must be fed by completing endless 'to-do lists', and the heroic task of completing it is merely to tread water.
It is important to come up for air, take stock, and regain perspective. It took over a year to regain control of my life after academia. There were many important personal aspects to my journey that I kept on life support. Then there were many important moments that were either missed or rushed when they should have been savored.
You've said it so perfectly David that the act of completing things is merely the act of treading water. It shouldn't be like that, but it sure feels it.
You make a compelling argument for me to also bail out of the academic treadmill 🤔😀
Hoping you are feeling much better. I’m retired and was reminded by my doctor recently that retirement is meant to be fun, so I’ve pushed back on the task list and prioritised myself. But the length of the To Do list still lurks, causing a degree of unwanted angst. Sigh.
(I’m trying hard to find ways to share the volunteering load but everyone is so busy that they can’t help out anymore. Which means that some volunteer agencies may simply have to pay for help or fold. Such is life…)
Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts, Beth.
When my father retired, I had to say the same thing to him ;)
Glad to hear you're prioritising yourself. Make sure you keep that up. I hope that those agencies don't fold. There are some amazing initiatives that are so reliant on amazing volunteers. 🤗
Sorry to hear you’ve not been keeping well, Nathan, but, as Alexander says, certainly don’t feel guilty about doing nothing. Whatever cures the heart and soul so we can move on is the best medicine 👍🏼
I think I have a Gene Wolfe story. There are two books I read when I was a teenager. One about a time travelling scientist who went back to the time of the Norse gods and fell in love with one of them, and the other, of which I’m sure Wolfe was the author, had a character whose stubble on his neck was so rough it had worn away the fabric of his old shirt. And that’s all
I can remember. I have been unable to track down either book ever since but if you know of a Wolfe novel that contains such a character I would be eternally grateful 😁
Haha, love the fragment of memory. Well, the only things I've read so far are this series of Book of the New Sun. No characters fit that description. But I'll keep my eyes open ;)
“Let’s face it, this entire post could be a lie.” Ah-ha! Let’s remember how good this guy is at creating an unreliable narrator who’s capable of garnering our deep sympathies! I’m sorry sir, I’m going to require a note from your doctor.
Haha, touché, Ann, touché.
😂😂😂
🤣
What have our lives become that we actually welcome being sick as it is the only way we allow ourselves to slow down and rest? I think it is everyone, Nathan. I wonder if addiction to the internet could be the culprit? Never letting our minds rest. I recently learned that it is very common for the young to take their phones to bed with them and often engage with it through out the night, afraid if they sleep they will miss something. That can't be a good sign. Just something that came to mind.
I'm sure you're right, Sharron. Over a year ago my wife and I switched to charging our phones in another room over night. Seems silly that that was even a decision to be made, but it was definitely a good thing to do.
Thanks for being here.
I wish you well, Nathan, and commiserate, having been put on a second round of antibiotics myself.but I think you are experiencing a less extreme version of Yogananda's observation: death is Nature's way of telling you to slow down
Thanks, Terry. I hope you're on the mend with your second round!
I am, Nathan, thank you. It's messed up sax practice though. I hope you're feeling much better too. You really must be careful, though, because post-viral tiredness is dreadful
The lowly Helix snail carries antibiotics and takes everything slow in our mind, but to a snail could be just thinking of where to put its foot next. Contemplating life struggles taking time to renegotiate and heal itself with in to gain strength to continue stronger.
Very well said, Richard. Thank you.
My daughter has been sick this week -- just a cold virus, but enough to cancel all activities and school. I had a bit of it myself, and so we took the excuse to stay in our pajamas all day and do nothing but read books, eat popsicles, and play on Duolingo. It's been fantastic. I want to remember to do this with her someday soon, when we are NOT sick; you know, just take a "sick day" for fun when we actually feel good. What a gift that would be to our poor overscheduled family.
I'm sorry to hear of the sickness, but that does indeed sound lovely and I'm glad you got to spend that quality time together. Here's to "sick" days in the future.
Glad you found your well, mr Nathan!
Thank you, my friend.
Oh, Nate. I don't think I could relate to this more. This I say first day without having a cacophony of demands barking at me, and David is sick! So I'm getting him food etc. and part of me is thinking 'don't get too close, you mustn't catch this, you've got a 5am start tomorrow and a week from hell coming up' while another part of me is thinking 'kiss him, kiss the man, get sick, we NEED this!' 🫠
I don't know how this happened (that's a lie, I do know, it's baby bird season and I somehow managed to take on too many clients) but I swear I used to be the queen of slow! Alas...I hope you're much better, now, but that the demands of life have eased. You've been on my mind 🤗
Hey Chloe,
I so hear you! I'm sorry that David is sick. I hope he's on the mend soon (or, if not too sick, you both succumb and sink into a slow but necessary recovery within each other's comfort and can avoid the demands of reality!)
So... Yeah, it's been a crazy week here. I have your last post open on my laptop, unread, along with a dozen other tabs open because when I was up at a conference in Cairns my body decided to go rogue and I ended up in hospital three times, the final time making the docs realise the severity of the situation and I was rushed into emergency surgery. Everything is ok, thankfully, and I'm back home (Jo flew up to me and we flew back together) and recovering as of last night. I'll probably post about it, in some form, as I think I need to let the reality of it sink in a little bit for myself through the act of writing.
So anyway, what I'm saying is, you've been on my mind too because I am looking forward to finally getting to your words and allowing myself the moments of joy your posts always elicit. I hope you're both ok. Sending my love to you both.
Holy fuck! Nathan! That’s so scary, I’m so so sorry. Rest up, Sir. That’s an order. Take all the time your body needs to heal, nothing is more important. Sending you much love, buddy 💗
Thanks so much, my friend. 🙏
I have barely moved from the sofa today, so rest is indeed being had 😊
This speaks to me. I used to feel pangs of excitement when I felt my nose getting all stuffy--"Finally! A guilt-free excuse to step away from the grind"
Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece!
Thanks, Will, I appreciate your thoughts and kind words. It makes me feel better to know there are others who feel the same way. Pretty sure this also signals that society, on a whole, is waaay overworked!
Absolutely...there is a special type of absurdity inherent in us sitting around, smiling when our bodies fail.
Yeah no, that's totally cool that it takes a fever for you to relax, totally healthy, recommended way. In fact that's what all the philosophers say. They say "If you can't find time to relax, find a fever". Should I just ensure you get a fever every week then? 😋
Hahaha, I knew there was some piece of philosophy I'd once read that said something about fever. That's a great quote. I'll remember that one ;)
I hope you feel better Nathan. I've said before I admire your once a week schedule and you continue to stick it out. Can't wait to see what ideas you have when you emerge from the other side of this.
Thanks Clancy. It certainly brings with it a certain pressure that is entirely of my own self doing 😆
Life has become hyper competitive and intense, both inside the ivory tower of academia and in the corporate world. Digital devices and hyper connectivity keep us available at all times to an insatiable productivity monster. This beast must be fed by completing endless 'to-do lists', and the heroic task of completing it is merely to tread water.
It is important to come up for air, take stock, and regain perspective. It took over a year to regain control of my life after academia. There were many important personal aspects to my journey that I kept on life support. Then there were many important moments that were either missed or rushed when they should have been savored.
Or is it all in our heads?
You've said it so perfectly David that the act of completing things is merely the act of treading water. It shouldn't be like that, but it sure feels it.
You make a compelling argument for me to also bail out of the academic treadmill 🤔😀
Hoping you are feeling much better. I’m retired and was reminded by my doctor recently that retirement is meant to be fun, so I’ve pushed back on the task list and prioritised myself. But the length of the To Do list still lurks, causing a degree of unwanted angst. Sigh.
(I’m trying hard to find ways to share the volunteering load but everyone is so busy that they can’t help out anymore. Which means that some volunteer agencies may simply have to pay for help or fold. Such is life…)
Hugs dear Nathan. All the best.
Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts, Beth.
When my father retired, I had to say the same thing to him ;)
Glad to hear you're prioritising yourself. Make sure you keep that up. I hope that those agencies don't fold. There are some amazing initiatives that are so reliant on amazing volunteers. 🤗
I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’m familiar with pushing until I hit a brick wall and have to slow down.
Thanks, Ben. I know we're quite alike, so I can easily see you pushing and juggling many things until burnout!
Hope you're having a good weekend and the live read of HH was a success!
Sorry to hear you’ve not been keeping well, Nathan, but, as Alexander says, certainly don’t feel guilty about doing nothing. Whatever cures the heart and soul so we can move on is the best medicine 👍🏼
I think I have a Gene Wolfe story. There are two books I read when I was a teenager. One about a time travelling scientist who went back to the time of the Norse gods and fell in love with one of them, and the other, of which I’m sure Wolfe was the author, had a character whose stubble on his neck was so rough it had worn away the fabric of his old shirt. And that’s all
I can remember. I have been unable to track down either book ever since but if you know of a Wolfe novel that contains such a character I would be eternally grateful 😁
Haha, love the fragment of memory. Well, the only things I've read so far are this series of Book of the New Sun. No characters fit that description. But I'll keep my eyes open ;)
Thanks Nathan 😁
Man, I enjoyed this so much…the flow of the writing…the set up…and then the footnote that I subscribed to the Stack.
Aw, Nicolas, thanks so much!
There really are few joys greater than crawling into a sick bed. And coffee. Lucky you. ;)
Thanks, Troy ;)