Update

For those who might want to know...

from JoeUser Forums
I’ve been out of touch for a few weeks now, apart from the occasional commando run into the JU community. The reason for my lack of blogging is I’ve been on holidays. I hadn’t had a good break for 18 months or so and as the rest of this year is going to be very busy for me, I decided to take some time to recharge the batteries. It also gave me a chance to catch up on a few jobs around the house before winter starts.

I spent time writing and recording some music with my new collaborator. I watched some movies. I read a lot, thought a lot more and generally lazed about in the sun (the weather here has been particularly warm, given it is supposed to be Autumn).

I also investigated the possibilities of doing an online degree through one of the Universities here. I’m still not sure which way I’m going to go but I know I’d like to study some sort of Philosophy (I’m leaning towards Eastern Philosophy as I have a healthy interest there already). Having said this, my wife thinks Plato and I would get on very well together, so I not limiting my options just yet.

I’ve also got a bunch of ideas for blogs, most of which I haven’t started writing yet. I will get around to writing them, and hopefully back to some more regular blogging. I hope everyone is well and happy.
blogging
2,414 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Maso, my man....

..I'm glad that you've taken a bit of a break, you absolutely deserve it.

From what I've read, you and Plato would get on well, but......I think that you'd do better with the Eastern school of thought.  You're 'into' it, and being into things makes learning about them fun (for me, anyway).

Here's a bit of news for you:  D's getting into the Tao. He asked me to send him my cope of the 'Tao' and also my 'Tao Of Pooh'...so of course, I happily obliged! 

Good to hear from you!!

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sounds like a good holiday. I could go for one of those, though I had a rather extensive one last summer/fall called "unemployment."

Good to have you back.

Cheers.

-A.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Dharma,



I think that you'd do better with the Eastern school of thought. You're 'into' it, and being into things makes learning about them fun (for me, anyway).


At this stage of my investigations, I am inclined to agree with you about going with what I'm 'into'. As a way of trying to decide, I'm getting a reading list together for myself, looking at some fo the classic western philosophers as well as some of the more recent schools of thought. I figure if I like what I'm reading for my own pleasure, then I would most definitely enjoy learning it. And it is good news about D.

Good to hear from you


Good to hear from you too.

Anglo,

I had a rather extensive one last summer/fall called "unemployment."


- yeah, the worst holiday of all, I think. I spent most of my time while unemployed either trying to chase up work or worrying about money and worrying is not a healthy way to live.

Good to have you back


And it is good to be back. Thanks for your kind words.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Heya Maso (just got your email hehe, good one! you should post it here!)
So you've been on holiday too?! Haha, we must be connected somehow!
Glad to hear you've made the most of it Well for news you can check out my last article, it gives a summary of my last week.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
IG, glad you liked it. I going to put it up here. Good to hear from you too. I will catch up with your article as soon as I can. Thanks for stopping by.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Maso, my man......I'm glad that you've taken a bit of a break, you absolutely deserve it.


Gotta agree with Dharma! I think it's cool to further your education, especially in philosophy! Keep us posted...
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
You had a good break too, great! It's always good to recharge your batteries - so to speak!
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Glad to hear the break was a good one. Take care of yourself and I look forward to future blogs.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Shovel, thanks for the support, mate. I have found out I can't study Philosophy by itself. I have to pick another 'stream' to study as well. The choices are fairly wide but I'm looking at either Psychology or Sociology. Either way, I am looking forward to the learning process.

Serenity, I certainly needed the break. The only problem was I couldn't take any more than two weeks. I really don't think it is enough time to completely relax and let go of any work-related stress. I'm not complaining, though. I really enjoyed my time off. And my batteries are feeling fully charged up so look out...

BlueDev, as I said, I've got a bunch of ideas for blogs, enough to keep me going for the next few months at least. This is what happens when I get time to sit around and think about things. I hope everything is with you and yours.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
If you're doing Philo, I highly reccommend doing Foucault and Judith Butler: they have an incredible way of viewing the world and have some incredible thoughts on how we all (and society as a whole) influence each other. If you agree with them, you will love sociology. If you disagree with them, you will love psych. I was a big psych fan, until I read Foucault and decided that it was silly to put things in boxes. Sociology is also a very valuable tool for understanding the world, though psych can be a very positive force at times, it can also be very restraining/restrictive and even oppressive, as Foucault would tell you ;>
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Champas,

Thanks for the information. I've decided I won't start until the first semester next year so in the meantime, I'm trying to put together a bit of a reading list for myself. As I've pretty much exclusively read only Eastern philosophy in the past, I had decided to get hold of some different Western philosophers, just to get some balance. Besides Foucault and Butler, is there anyone else you can recommend?

A friend who is a Clinical Psychologist has loaned me her text for first year Psych to have a read and see if it is the sort of thing I'd be interested in studying. My brother, who studied Sociology, is also lending me some of his texts as well, for the same purpose. I've already got a lay interest in Sociology, but want to fully explore my options before I make any decisions. I will appreciate any further advice you can pass on. Thanks again.