I started very slowly back in exercising today. I did everything in my usual routine but starting out with a few repetitions of each exercise. Then I did an entire stretch routine. I can feel it already.

I finished Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth by Wole Soyinka. I am almost done with Brunner’s Stand on Zanzibar. These books are similar in that they are both surreal. But Soyinka takes place in the present and Brunner was written in 1968 and also takes place in the present. They’re points of view are diametric in some ways, Soyinka is a bit of a romp. Brunner presents a pretty grim picture with lots of outrageous humor.

Since I am reading all kinds of depressing books about African American history, native American history, Russian history, it’s good to be following these droll stories as well. And this doesn’t even cover all the poetry I am reading.

On the music front I am reading CPE Bach’s Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboards. I feel like I know him pretty well by now having reading most of a book of his correspondence and a biography of him. I’m also reading Wagnerism by Alex Ross. This is kind of a disagreeable book even though it limits itself to the “ism” in the title. I don’t see how a book about Wagner would not be anything but disagreeable, but that’s me.

I’m still plugging away on Haimo’s Haydn.

So if you ever wonder what you’re going to do in retirement, this is what works for me.

I teach critical race theory in all my classes | GUEST COMMENTARY – Baltimore Sun

How could you not?

High Protein, Low Carb, Healthy, Keto Cereal | Magic Spoon Cereal

Is Old Music Killing New Music? – The Atlantic

I’m not even sure I’m in this article but it’s something to thing about.

Underscores Makes Music About the Anxiety of Being Alive – The Atlantic

More thoughts on this subject.