Conversations on Science, Culture and Time
On the Noble Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing
"We decided, in the interest of our health, to do absolutely nothing. Nothing, that is, in the scientific sense — a deliberate, studied absence of action. The most strenuous activity undertaken was the lifting of a pint glass, and even then we agreed that such exertions should be kept to the bare minimum."
Of course, there are moments when life interrupts even the most meticulously scheduled idleness — such as my recent, meteoric visit to Munich. […] It was also, in no small part, about meeting and reconnecting with wonderful people whom I had not seen in quite some time — the sort of encounters that remind you that geography may keep you apart, but a good beer and an unhurried conversation will stitch the years back together in an instant.
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What I can say for now is that the trip contained all the classic elements of an Alpine interlude. We also took the unholy H1 trail to the Heimgartenhütte — a “difficult” route marked in black, which in Bavarian terms translates roughly to: If you slip, it’s a helicopter ride, but do enjoy the view.
More than Silence: My Meandering on the Isle of Man
It took a bit longer than planned to sit down and continue this tale, partly because life had a way of throwing a few distractions my way since I returned. Actually even before my holiday, I managed to do what most people would think impossible – I "injured myself walking." Yes, you read that right. No daring escapades, no heroic sports feats, just an ill-timed, awkwardly angled step and bam! Torn adductor muscle. My friends were graciously baffled by how one manages such a feat without, say, catapulting oneself off a bike into the nearest tree (given my love for cycling), or at least attempting some ill-advised breakdancing in a crowded pub.
The reason I bring this up is that throughout the holiday, my injuries kept me from doing what I love most - nature photography. It was quite a bummer, to be honest. I half-expected it, even toyed with canceling the whole trip after the doctor’s grim face delivered the news about the recovery period. But I’m stubborn, so I went anyway.