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General => The Lobby => Topic started by: strongbad on January 16, 2012, 11:33:09 PM

Title: I need to find new things
Post by: strongbad on January 16, 2012, 11:33:09 PM
i need new hobbies
i've found myself clinging to things that i used to enjoy and i keep getting sad that i can't enjoy them as much as i used to (videogames)

everything else i try to get into isn't quite what i want to do

i've found myself spending just about all of my free-time with friends, which is cool and everything, but i really like having something tangible that i can get into myself. right now, i would honestly consider that to be super smash bros melee, and while i fucking love melee, i would really like to see something productive come out of my time

what do i do boyah
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: snoorkel on January 16, 2012, 11:48:30 PM
read books
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: YPrrrr on January 16, 2012, 11:52:18 PM
Learn an instrument?
Go swimming (if you don't still)?
Journal?
`
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: strongbad on January 17, 2012, 12:08:56 AM
Quote from: vziard on January 16, 2012, 11:48:30 PM
read books

I've been doing this as of lately!
I'm currently finishing up Ender's Shadow and about a third of the way into Fear and Loathing. Give me more suggestions. I've missed out on so many sweet reads.

Quote from: NPR on January 16, 2012, 11:52:18 PM
Learn an instrument?
Go swimming (if you don't still)?
Journal?
`

Nahhh I an instrument isn't really something that interests me as of right now. I should swim more. Maybe I'll bring my speedo with me to school.

I wish I could keep a consistent journal. My current one gets updated every month or so. What I'm really trying to do now is keep a dream journal. When I can force myself to do it, it's pretty sweet. I need to smoke less though since I've noticed I have horrible dream recollection when I go to sleep stoned.
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Boogus Epirus Aurelius on January 17, 2012, 12:20:45 AM
Quote from: MF Doom on January 16, 2012, 11:33:09 PM
i need new hobbies
i've found myself clinging to things that i used to enjoy and i keep getting sad that i can't enjoy them as much as i used to (videogames)

everything else i try to get into isn't quite what i want to do

i've found myself spending just about all of my free-time with friends, which is cool and everything, but i really like having something tangible that i can get into myself. right now, i would honestly consider that to be super smash bros melee, and while i fucking love melee, i would really like to see something productive come out of my time

what do i do boyah


Yeah, you know, I hit those walls every once in a while too.
I get into these weird phases where I try to force myself into these new hobbies or ideas and it just results in a fucking slew of unfinished projects that are probably way over my head (here's looking at you mountain dulcimer that still needs a revamped fretboard and something to cut uniform slots for the fret wire among everything else).

If you find something that excites you, grab onto it and jog for a while.

Quote from: MF Doom on January 17, 2012, 12:08:56 AM
I've been doing this as of lately!
I'm currently finishing up Ender's Shadow and about a third of the way into Fear and Loathing. Give me more suggestions. I've missed out on so many sweet reads.


Hunter's a funny guy with a lot of crazy stories. Check out rum diaries or the book about his run with politics.

I say anything vonnegut.

And I'm digging through this thanks to Snorkel alerting me to its existence a few months ago.
http://www.amazon.com/Exegesis-Philip-K-Dick/dp/0547549253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326788271&sr=8-1
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: snoorkel on January 17, 2012, 01:13:35 AM
Quote from: MF Doom on January 17, 2012, 12:08:56 AM
I've been doing this as of lately!
I'm currently finishing up Ender's Shadow and about a third of the way into Fear and Loathing. Give me more suggestions. I've missed out on so many sweet reads.


Philip K Dick is always the first sci-fi author I recommend, his writing is on another level apart from most other 'fiction'. his VALIS trilogy will turn you inside-out and I recommend you read it immediately.  short stories can be a really fun way to get into different authors and genres, there is a JG Ballard short story collection featuring a lot of SF that I'd recommend, also a volume called 'the philip k. dick reader' that is pretty easy to get into

others to try are Asimov (classic scifi), Heinlein (political philosophy masked as scifi), Jeff Noon, and Thomas Disch (those two stand apart as well)

there is not much exactly like Hunter S but if you would enjoy the same kind of thing about contemporary politics, Matt Taibbi's earlier books are good (Spanking the Donkey especially), and if you want to see where gonzo came from, get into the beats (Burroughs, Kerouac mainly), Henry Miller, Thomas Pynchon

some really good recent authors that I think anyone could enjoy are Bret Easton Ellis (earlier books), Reinaldo Arenas (cuban), Victor Pelevin (russian). if I could recommend one author above any other for the sake of enjoying literary style, it would be Nabokov

best advice for books though is just try everything and don't commit to finishing anything, just go where your interest takes you, follow the sources and the influences from branch to branch to branch and you will have a nice tree for cross reference prety soon. also non fiction > fiction, in the end

Quote from: Boognish-Redux- on January 17, 2012, 12:20:45 AM
And I'm digging through this thanks to Snorkel alerting me to its existence a few months ago.
http://www.amazon.com/Exegesis-Philip-K-Dick/dp/0547549253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326788271&sr=8-1


my life has been revolving around that since I got it. I am excavating it like a sculpture, and there is still infinity to wonder about. by the time I'm through it I'll have an exegesis of my own written on crinkled postits. it's turned into this whole project with a shelf full of accompanying reference, though I'll say it has me digging into all kinds of philosophy I never really had much regard for... his ideas are shocking
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: The Hand That Fisted Everyone on January 17, 2012, 03:19:08 AM
You should read The Man Who Was Thursday:A Nightmare
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Boogus Epirus Aurelius on January 17, 2012, 07:54:03 AM
Quote from: vziard on January 17, 2012, 01:13:35 AM

my life has been revolving around that since I got it. I am excavating it like a sculpture, and there is still infinity to wonder about. by the time I'm through it I'll have an exegesis of my own written on crinkled postits. it's turned into this whole project with a shelf full of accompanying reference, though I'll say it has me digging into all kinds of philosophy I never really had much regard for... his ideas are shocking


Yeah, I've been taking things really slowly. A chunk at a time.
The ideas are so exciting and stimulating.
I'll read a passage and something will fall into place and the first thing I want to do is to find someone to talk about it.
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Clara Listensprechen on January 17, 2012, 10:15:16 AM
If you're looking for a hobby that gives you something to show for your time, taking up a craft would be in order.  Could be whittling, carpentry, artwork or like that.

Gardening will definitely give you produce. Perishable produce, but produce all the same.
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: piano moths on January 17, 2012, 11:18:43 AM
read books, watch anime, color, watercolor, draw pictures, go walks, try to make music
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: silvertone on January 17, 2012, 12:00:02 PM
Quote from: eeeeeee on January 17, 2012, 11:18:43 AM
watch anime
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: ncba93ivyase on January 17, 2012, 02:59:02 PM
Quote from: N o t S i d on January 17, 2012, 03:19:08 AM
You should read The Man Who Was Thursday:A Nightmare
this is a good book

learn to drag out your masturbation sessions to an hour

the ladies will love you whenever you get a chance with them
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Samus Aran on January 17, 2012, 03:18:08 PM
you should try drawing

also, it's kind of an expensive hobby, but driving is nice. just driving wherever, doesn't matter. with some good tunes.
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Daddy on January 17, 2012, 03:50:13 PM
If you have spare money you should buy crappy cars and learn to fix them up yourself.
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Samus Aran on January 17, 2012, 03:51:56 PM
Quote from: Khadafi on January 17, 2012, 03:50:13 PM
If you have spare money you should buy crappy cars and learn to fix them up yourself.


this is actually a really cool idea
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Commander Fuckass on January 17, 2012, 05:03:29 PM
buy some scale model plane kits
My dad go me into them when I was 18 and I occasionally work on some
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: snoorkel on January 17, 2012, 06:29:08 PM
Quote from: Kaz on January 17, 2012, 03:51:56 PM
this is actually a really cool idea


works with old computers too, for significantly less investment
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Samus Aran on January 17, 2012, 06:36:10 PM
Quote from: vziard on January 17, 2012, 06:29:08 PM
works with old computers too, for significantly less investment


or even just building a new computer would be a good thing to get into because then you can actually you know use it as your new computer
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Boogus Epirus Aurelius on January 17, 2012, 07:19:13 PM
Quote from: vziard on January 17, 2012, 01:13:35 AM


my life has been revolving around that since I got it. I am excavating it like a sculpture, and there is still infinity to wonder about. by the time I'm through it I'll have an exegesis of my own written on crinkled postits. it's turned into this whole project with a shelf full of accompanying reference, though I'll say it has me digging into all kinds of philosophy I never really had much regard for... his ideas are shocking


Also, would you mind sharing some of the reference texts you're using to accompany reading it?
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Classic on January 17, 2012, 07:22:19 PM
3D modeling is actually a nice, calming activity. Get into a free program and see what you can do. You only get better from the get-go.
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: snoorkel on January 17, 2012, 08:02:32 PM
Quote from: Boognish-Redux- on January 17, 2012, 07:19:13 PM
Also, would you mind sharing some of the reference texts you're using to accompany reading it?


yeah, mostly I've been trying to penetrate to the roots of his gnostic philosophy and the definition of Logoi that he seems so keen on.

This is literally a reference work, he might have even referenced it directly. Definitely more useful than Wikipedia, and cheap too: http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Philosophy-Volumes-Books/dp/B000NPT81Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1EHTNQGC4ZQBW&colid=3JPWTNOZ2TV83

Heavily featured in the Exegesis: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Thought-Heraclitus-Arrangement-Philosophical/dp/052128645X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I9Q1MS2BP6G12&colid=D386UMQA43DR

Also seems to be a foundation of Dick's philosophy: http://www.amazon.com/Fragments-Parmenides-Introduction-Translation-Testimonia/dp/1930972679/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I31GQZYHVV5AAX&colid=D386UMQA43DR

John Allegro was one of the foremost translators of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and influenced Dick heavily... he has some other books too, look them up: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Sea-Scrolls-John-Allegro/dp/0879757574/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IB6REAKYNU96G&colid=D386UMQA43DR

Not directly relevant to Dick, but very relevant to dissecting (neo)platonism, and a great collection: http://www.amazon.com/Pythagorean-Sourcebook-Library-Pythagoras-Philosophy/dp/0933999518/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I27780NWU3YOVZ&colid=D386UMQA43DR

More on Platonism from the time period Dick was most interested in: http://www.amazon.com/Middle-Platonists-B-C-D-220/dp/0801483166/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3JS0B0OGBXDSN&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3
http://www.amazon.com/Plotinus-Enneads-LP-Classic-Reprint/dp/0943914558/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2SEG0J4187524&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3

maybe the MOST interesting thing related to all this, possibly because Mead was secretary to Helena Blavatsky and therefore a bit fucked: http://www.amazon.com/Fragments-Faith-Forgotten-G-Mead/dp/116134991X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326859248&sr=1-1 (find an old edition of it)

Things I only have in digital format so far, but would also highly recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Iamblichus-Mysteries-Egyptians-Chaldeans-Collection/dp/1108073042/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=ID6JZQPM3KKMW&colid=D386UMQA43DR
http://www.amazon.com/Orphic-Gold-Tablets-Greek-Religion/dp/0521518318/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I19SRIJ3WFTVX3&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3
http://www.amazon.com/Plotinus-Simplicity-Vision-Pierre-Hadot/dp/0226311945/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3MJ6HA7OXDTE0&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3
http://www.amazon.com/Neoplatonic-Philosophy-Introductory-John-Dillon/dp/0872207072/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1TOKACPLSRAAT&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3


Sorry for the link spam @____@ Further topics would be plato's cosmology (mostly Timaeus, recommend Kalkavage's study), proclus, tertullian and early church critics, chaldean oracles; dionysian, eleusian mystery cults (Franz Cumont's Mysteries of Mithra is a good place to start) , and some of the extant sources of 'the gnosis' like the Bruce Codex and Books of Jeu (Mead gives a good overview of these, there are also a few good editions of 'The Gnostic Bible' containing the books of thomas, valentinus, and other things Dick mentions frequently).
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Boogus Epirus Aurelius on January 17, 2012, 08:13:11 PM
Quote from: vziard on January 17, 2012, 08:02:32 PM
yeah, mostly I've been trying to penetrate to the roots of his gnostic philosophy and the definition of Logoi that he seems so keen on.

This is literally a reference work, he might have even referenced it directly. Definitely more useful than Wikipedia, and cheap too: http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Philosophy-Volumes-Books/dp/B000NPT81Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1EHTNQGC4ZQBW&colid=3JPWTNOZ2TV83

Heavily featured in the Exegesis: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Thought-Heraclitus-Arrangement-Philosophical/dp/052128645X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I9Q1MS2BP6G12&colid=D386UMQA43DR

Also seems to be a foundation of Dick's philosophy: http://www.amazon.com/Fragments-Parmenides-Introduction-Translation-Testimonia/dp/1930972679/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I31GQZYHVV5AAX&colid=D386UMQA43DR

John Allegro was one of the foremost translators of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and influenced Dick heavily... he has some other books too, look them up: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Sea-Scrolls-John-Allegro/dp/0879757574/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IB6REAKYNU96G&colid=D386UMQA43DR

Not directly relevant to Dick, but very relevant to dissecting (neo)platonism, and a great collection: http://www.amazon.com/Pythagorean-Sourcebook-Library-Pythagoras-Philosophy/dp/0933999518/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I27780NWU3YOVZ&colid=D386UMQA43DR

More on Platonism from the time period Dick was most interested in: http://www.amazon.com/Middle-Platonists-B-C-D-220/dp/0801483166/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3JS0B0OGBXDSN&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3
http://www.amazon.com/Plotinus-Enneads-LP-Classic-Reprint/dp/0943914558/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2SEG0J4187524&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3

maybe the MOST interesting thing related to all this, possibly because Mead was secretary to Helena Blavatsky and therefore a bit fucked: http://www.amazon.com/Fragments-Faith-Forgotten-G-Mead/dp/116134991X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326859248&sr=1-1 (find an old edition of it)

Things I only have in digital format so far, but would also highly recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Iamblichus-Mysteries-Egyptians-Chaldeans-Collection/dp/1108073042/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=ID6JZQPM3KKMW&colid=D386UMQA43DR
http://www.amazon.com/Orphic-Gold-Tablets-Greek-Religion/dp/0521518318/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I19SRIJ3WFTVX3&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3
http://www.amazon.com/Plotinus-Simplicity-Vision-Pierre-Hadot/dp/0226311945/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3MJ6HA7OXDTE0&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3
http://www.amazon.com/Neoplatonic-Philosophy-Introductory-John-Dillon/dp/0872207072/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1TOKACPLSRAAT&colid=JRDZ71HQ7ML3


Sorry for the link spam @____@ Further topics would be plato's cosmology (mostly Timaeus, recommend Kalkavage's study), proclus, tertullian and early church critics, chaldean oracles; dionysian, eleusian mystery cults (Franz Cumont's Mysteries of Mithra is a good place to start) , and some of the extant sources of 'the gnosis' like the Bruce Codex and Books of Jeu (Mead gives a good overview of these, there are also a few good editions of 'The Gnostic Bible' containing the books of thomas, valentinus, and other things Dick mentions frequently).



Wonderful!!!

I'm familiar with The Art and Thought of Heraclitus and John Allegro's work, but I haven\'t touched the rest.
Thank you so much!

Really, I love your enthusiasm and interest in this!
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: snoorkel on January 17, 2012, 09:11:32 PM
Quote from: Boognish-Redux- on January 17, 2012, 08:13:11 PM
Wonderful!!!

I'm familiar with The Art and Thought of Heraclitus and John Allegro's work, but I haven\'t touched the rest.
Thank you so much!

Really, I love your enthusiasm and interest in this!



haha thanks, PKD is my only hero and I definitely wouldn't hesitate to classify his Exegesis, in its magnitude, alongside some of the most studied and sacred texts of history, it seems very significant to me ... I'm pretty sure a lot of this stuff is going to start taking new forms in coming decades

Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Hiro on January 17, 2012, 11:23:22 PM
make your own candles
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Boogus Epirus Aurelius on January 17, 2012, 11:26:20 PM
Quote from: Hiroglyph on January 17, 2012, 11:23:22 PM
make your own candles


Sand candles
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Socks on January 18, 2012, 08:48:26 AM
Do any of you go places just to observe people? I frequent plazas, cafes and other such places just to feel and see the humanity around me, like a particle feels the rush of wind carrying it around. But don't do this sober, it will just be morose.
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: applesauce on January 18, 2012, 08:54:51 AM
Map analysis, making your own maps of data. You could start foowing development or a certain pical special interest. Or you could just walk around more and see things.
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: snoorkel on January 18, 2012, 09:13:16 AM
Quote from: Socks on January 18, 2012, 08:48:26 AM
Do any of you go places just to observe people? I frequent plazas, cafes and other such places just to feel and see the humanity around me, like a particle feels the rush of wind carrying it around. But don't do this sober, it will just be morose.


that is the main reason I moved here, you start in any spot and go 3 blocks and there is guaranteed to be at least 1 completely insane thing or person happening
Title: Re: I need to find new things
Post by: Socks on January 18, 2012, 09:33:53 AM
Quote from: vziard on January 18, 2012, 09:13:16 AM
that is the main reason I moved here, you start in any spot and go 3 blocks and there is guaranteed to be at least 1 completely insane thing or person happening


it is the closest to mother earth. imagine a monkey when he sees a zebra, with all the trees and grass, and what in the hell is going on there. it's like the ultimate check, like hey, yeah, oh shit, i need to get back to where i belong.