Category: Aa

Born to Run — Christopher McDougall

By 5t4n5

Born to Run -- Christopher McDougallAs a bare foot runner myself i’ve been meaning to read this book for a very long time, but it just kept on sitting in my to-read pile always being overlooked for some exciting fiction to read instead.   But now, finally, i dived in and got it read.

And it’s really good.   Christopher has a way of writing that is just captivating and really takes the reader into the depths of the Copper Canyons to meet the Tarahumara and to experience a world that was left behind a long time ago.

To be able to look back in time in this way with the Tarahumara and to see just what super healthy, wonderful, running machines, Natural humans truly are when they’re not pampered by modern appliances and poisoned by modern diets.

This book is a must for anyone who runs, especially for anyone who is even thinking about taking up running, and also for anyone remotely interested in Human evolution and what makes a Homo sapien so special amongst all other animals.

So if you haven’t read it yet, just do so.   It’s wonderfully written and a super page turning read meeting some really interesting characters (all true life characters) along the way.   It’s not only a great read but a great journey.

And, having enjoyed his writing soooo much, i’m now very much looking forward to reading Christopher’s other books.

Bye for now.

Christopher’s Page

#gettingfitter #roads #transport #fitness #health #running #christophermcdougall

Bobble Made a Pretty

By 5t4n5

Flowering PeyoteClick on picture for a nice biggy look.

Every once in a while the Lophophora williamsii, that also lives in my house, makes a pretty.   Every once in a while being like 4 or 5 years.

Yeah, Bobble (that’s his name) is a bit stingy with his pretties.   I grew him from seed and he’s about 20 years old now.

So, not only one of the slowest growing plants ever, but also one of the rarest flowering plants.   It’s so rare that i even published this in a full colour photo on this monochrome website, which is also about as rare as Bobble flowering.

Anyway, i just thought i’d share.

Bye for now.

#5t4n5 #flowers #lophophorawilliamsii

Musashi’s Dokkodo — Miyamoto Musashi

By 5t4n5

Musashi's Dokkodo -- Miyamoto MusashiJust before Musashi died, he wrote a set of precepts for his favourite student.   In this book the precepts are discussed one by one by five martial artists from different backgrounds and careers.

A really good look at Musashi and his ideas with five different interpretations of both the man, the legend and his precepts.

A must read for those of us who are interested in Japanese culture, especially from the feudal era.

Bye for now.

Musashi’s Page

#japan #miyamotomusashi

Shadow Captain — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Shadow Captain -- Alastair ReynoldsI tried, i really did, but i just can’t take any more and i’ve given up on this stupid trilogy.   It’s all too much young adult for me and, worse than that, it’s not even very good young adult.   It’s just totally unbelievable nonsense.

A child is playing silly games with grown ups, the grown ups know the child is playing silly games with them but they keep letting the child have its way even though the child is probably going to get them killed.   Yeah, right!

Alastair should stick with what he does best, sci-fi for intelligent grown ups.

So, unfortunately, my quest to read everything by Alastair Reynolds has come to an end.   I’m not reading the rest of this trilogy unless someone pays me £1000.

So, skipping ahead, the next book in Alastair’s literary arsenal is Permafrost.   Let’s hope he’s back to normal and it’s as good as his usual stuff.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

The Molecule of More — Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long

By 5t4n5

A rather interesting book all about dopamine, and how it controls us and shapes our world.

Me thinks everyone should read all the books they can about neurotransmitters, this being a fairly good one.

The annoying thing to me is that while there’s quite a lot of discussion on how our genetics affect out dopamine levels and responses, there is a complete lack of discussion on epigenetics, as though they have no influence whatsoever.   There’s also a complete lack on how diet and lifestyle affects dopamine and other neurotransmitters.   So while this is a fairly good look at dopamine in general, i wouldn’t take it all at face value because there’s simply too much left out, IMHO.

But lots of people just want to blame the genes they were given and take the “It’s not my fault” path, so maybe this book is written for them.

Bye for now.

Daniel’s Page Michael’s Page

#5t4n5 #danielzlieberman #michaelelong

Revenger — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Revenger -- Alastair ReynoldsNot the greatest story Alastair has ever told.   It’s all very young adult-ish stuff, and it’s really not anything like what i love about Alastair’s usual sci-fi.

But, i suppose, every writer may wish to have a try at some YA stuff occasionally.   I just really hope that Alastair doesn’t ever do it again, thank you.

I mean, let’s be serious, a child who isn’t even old enough to leave home, escapes and takes on the system’s most feared and devastating pirate?   Really?   And adults just fall over themselves to do her bidding?

But, as i’m committed to reading the whole of Alastair’s writings, i must continue with this farcical trilogy and see where it leads.

So next up it will be Shadow Captain.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

Upgrade — Blake Crouch

By 5t4n5

Wow!

Once again, Blake has written one of the best pieces of sci-fi i’ve ever read.   A literary wonder.   Totally un-put-down-able.

Not only is this a great story about the coming environmental apocalypse and the extinction event that will wipe Homo sapiens from the face of the Universe, this is also a great critique of Homo sapiens’ hubris and arrogance with regard to Nature.

Homo sapiens has got this seriously fucked up idea that it can control and rule Nature and that there’s no need to change the way we are because science will always find an answer to all our woes.

This is one of those books that i’ll be telling everyone i know to read — it’s that good — even though i know probably none of them will bother to read it because, hey, what do they need to know that they can’t watch on television or Youtube?

Anyway, i’m off back to Alastair Reynolds to finish off the last 7 of his books that i haven’t read already.

Bye for now.

Blake’s Page

#scifi #blakecrouch

Contaminant Six — Joseph R. Lallo

By 5t4n5

Contaminant Six -- Joseph R. LalloAnd we’re back with the Wind Breaker crew for another episode of fuggy shenanigans.

Captain Mack is busy beginning his retirement plans when life decides to have other plans.   So it’s off back to the fug for yet another crazy adventure with another crazy nemesis to foil their plans.   Super good writing once again from Joseph.

If you liked the TV show Firefly and you haven’t given the Free-Wrench series a try, then please do.   It’s basically a steampunk version of the show.

Next up i’m off to read Upgrade by Blake Crouch, which i’m very much looking forward to.   Another fantastic writer that everyone should give a bit of their reading time to.

Bye for now.

Joseph’s Page

#steampunk #josephrlallo

LOOK – Geo City Grip Bicycle Pedals

By 5t4n5

If you’re looking for some nice, really nice, bicycle pedals, then maybe have a look at these ones from Look.   They’re really good.

The platform is 100mm wide by 105mm long, which is a really big flat area.   I’ve never seen any pedals this big before.

Great for bare foot riding, or riding with nice shoes on that you don’t want the soles to get torn up.   Nice and grippy without the spikey bits of normal pedals due to the Vibram rubber grippy surface.   You can buy replacement surface pads in lots of different colours if you wear them out.

All round good pedals if you’re wanting something super comfortable the doesn’t destroy your shoes or feet and gives loads of support from the extra large surface area.

Not sponsored or anything like that, i just bought them because i like riding barefoot and i couldn’t be happier.   Worth every penny.

Check their website if you want more information.

#5t4n5 #bicycles #cycling #bikes #gettingfitter #roads #transport #fitness #health #lookcycle #reviews