Happy holidays, everyone! I hope that you enjoy these musings as much as I do. It’s an opportunity for me to share with you what I’ve been thinking about, what I’ve been doing or reading, and (if I have the time to sit down and watch) what I am watching.
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @rexxanthony and @rogueashtanga.
Safe travels!
- What I’ve been reading: Tim Ferriss’ best-selling new book, Tools of Titans. Filled with interviews of over 200 world-class performers from his podcast, this book makes Wikipedia weep for all of the rabbit holes it presents the reader. I’ve listened to more podcasts driving into work every day this past week, than I have in the past year. And each podcast gives me more nuggets to chase down and start applying.
- What I’ve finished reading: The Man in the High Castle, by Philip K. Dick. Written in 1962, the novel’s major premise is “What would it have been like for the Americans if Japan and Germany won World War II and colonized the US?” It may take you a bit to get into PDK’s noirish, bizarre style, but you will get hooked with the multiple storylines, the contemplation of alternative histories, and the questioning of what is real. Before you watch the Amazon Studios mini-series, read this. If you like this book, check out the Library of America edition, which contains 3 other early novels, including the inspiration for Blade Runner.
- What I watched: Jean Claude Van Johnson, the pilot. A great send-up of JCVD and his film work, and humorous commentary on how action movies have changed. Free with your Amazon Prime membership.
- What I use to practice Ashtanga: Manduka Pro The Black Mat. These mats are the gold standard of yoga mats. Yes, they are heavy. Yes, they are plain. But they will survive a nuclear attack. I had my first Manduka mat for 15 years, and I had to get a new one only because it contracted some sort of jungle fungus when I was in Bali. These mats are investments in your practice, just like a good pair of shoes is for a marathon
- Decadence for the holidays: Buche de Noel. The French are always stylish, and this signature holiday dish is as decadent as you can get. I will need to do 108 sun salutations to work off this.
- Quote I’ve been pondering: “To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.”-William Shakespeare, Hamlet
