Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Good Day ~ After Morning Blog


It was a good day. My morning blog felt like a sort of purge. I felt uncomfortable posting it at first because it felt negative. I realize though, that even if it was a bit moody, I can’t push down feelings, which is why I’m posting an after morning blog—not something I do often, but every now and then.

Today was a good day because my smiles were returned by strangers, if even only noticed out of the corner of my eye. It’s difficult for me to set emotional boundaries and I think that’s what makes me feel out of control at times. I can sense people’s body language and sometimes I react to that. Today was a good body language day. It felt free and positive.

I finally finished an audio book that I’ve been listening to for a couple of months. I am now ready for another to join me on my short drives. I’ve also been enjoying a young adult book called The Librarian (Book One: Little Boy Lost) by Eric Hobbs. I just checked—I guess it’s recommended for kids 10 years old and above—and adults that are kids at heart. Well, I’m enjoying it immensely. It’s a fun lighthearted adventure through a library with a mysterious history and the characters so far feel real to me. I learned about it through a blog I subscribe to on my Kindle. It’s a free download.

Another book that I am enjoying is a biography-memoir called Camus, A Romance by Elizabeth Hawes. I don’t remember exactly what I was looking for, but I came across this one and it intrigued me. Hawes’s passion for Camus began with her college thesis and grew into this book. I’ve learned little nuances about Camus that I wouldn’t have otherwise. It is just as interesting to follow along with Hawes, as she explores herself, maybe even begins finding herself through her exploration of Camus.

A fun book that I came across is Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants: 108 Metaphors for Mindfulness by Arnold Kozak, Ph.D. It’s like having good dose of mindfulness each time you open the book and read the small excerpt. I can tell that I will want to start all over once I’ve read through all 108. 

4 comments:

Vincent said...

There is much I would like to comment about, on this post and your previous one too. But first, I was struck by the memoir of Albert Camus that you are reading. As you may know I have an intimate relationship with him too, in translating Le Mythe de Sisyphe - a project long in abeyance half-done. I'd like to hear more about what you think of this book, and may buy a copy.

Secondly, what you say about body-lanaguage interests me greatly. There is much I could say if I was prepared to go there!

Rebb said...

Vincent, I have been intending to mention the memoir-biography to you because, yes, I do recall your intimate relationship with Camus. I was trying to pick the right moment and also knowing that you have probably read much on him already. So, I'm very glad I shared and you responded. By Kindle's estimation, I am 17% into the book, so I have a ways to go, but still feel that I have begun to know him.

First, one of the reasons that this book resonated with me is the writing style of the author. There is a romantic air to it, yet at the same time it is scholarly but not in a dry way. In the first portion of the book, up until Chapter 3, where I have left off she refers a lot to his book, The First Man which I believe is his last before he died and it was also unfinished. She also refers to his journals. The First Man being written in his young fragile years. Penned as a work of fiction, but is said to be one of his most autobiographical.

I am always enthralled by learning about the “man” or “woman” behind the fiction. I began reading The Plague years ago. I’m waiting for the right moment to finish it. I am on page 253 and there are 287 pages in the book I have. I have already come to appreciate what were in those pages much more after learning about Camus’s visits to the hospitals. We also learn that his home physically and in his heart was always Algeria. He was born in poverty. His mother was illiterate and deaf. This pulls at my heart strings. He felt shame when he went to the Lycee because he knew he was different. I also read The Stranger a very long time ago. It didn’t sit well with me. I plan to revisit it when I make the time. Now, I think, it will mean something entirely different after understanding a little bit of Camus’s background.

I’ve posted a handful of passages on my Twitter for you to see. I’m not really a Twitter person, so it’s pretty much a skeleton for me or to share something like this, and since Kindle let’s us share highlights, I thought this would be a good way for you to read a few of the passages that I highlighted. It will be in several Tweets, per each chunk. This is my first time using this “Share” feature on Kindle.

Look forward to your thoughts.

(When I click on the link it doesn’t seem to work, but when I paste it into a web browser, it does seem to work.)
http://twitter.com/#!/Rebb_H

It would be quite interesting to hear what you have to say about body language. Who knows perhaps it will percolate in your canister of thoughts and turn itself into a short story, an essay…hmm…well, we’ll see what brews. I may just have to remain in wonder.

Eric Hobbs said...

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on Librarian with your readers. Hope you enjoyed it all the way through to the end. -- EH

Rebb said...

Eric, Nice to meet you. I am not done yet, but have no doubt I will enjoy it until the end. I am in the chapter of Oz. This section has inspired me to get The Complete Wizard of Oz Collection for my Kindle. I didn’t realize there were 15 books in the collection and never have read any. I’m looking forward to plugging away slowly at those and plan on finishing your book very soon. It’s getting more exciting. Thanks for dropping by.