Back To Shore

Lyrics: “Good & Gone” – Frank Turner, 2013

Not only or in fact even the early hours as such. But stillness in some way from yesterday evening and all day today. And it was good. I stayed home and didn’t see or speak to a single soul, expect replying “no problem” to the postman thanking me for buzzing him in. I also purposely stayed off any social media for ~ 24 hours. Only checked my mails once this morning, once in the afternoon. I should do that more often. Or just find a more balanced use of it all in general, but I still struggle a bit with that to be honest. At least after such a mini digital detox I tend to stay more mindful about my use for a bit and that’s something.

Yesterday and this morning I journaled a bit and will definitely go back to that once more after posting this. It does help to work through some stuff.

After weeks of feeling ‘uninspired’ or lacking motivation, I also finally picked up my doodling sketch paper. That also helps to empty / calm my anxious mind a bit.

I watched some more videos of the online photography class I had signed up (and paid) for months ago, because I plan to get back into doing that more as well. Possibly starting tomorrow during the day in Cologne with some urban / cityscape photography, before I’ll get in the queue for my 2nd show of the current Frank Turner show tomorrow evening. Well, the show will be in the evening, I’ll be in the queue in the late afternoon.

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And I’ve finished “The Atlas Paradox” and started with “The Atlas Complex”.

I enjoyed the 2nd book of the trilogy as well. I heard critical / negative things about “Complex” so I’m a bit apprehensive, but 30 pages in, I can’t complain yet. On the contrary, I’m still in awe of Blake’s writing. Her way of bringing all the characters to life with very distinctive voices. How she makes me interest / care about each and everyone of them, because everyone is just a flawed human. Well not human, medeian in this case, but still. Not inherently good or bad, but a multitude of emotions, ideas, plans and childhood trauma. I’ve mentioned it on here several times before, but I just adore her writing and I’m glad I’ve got about 450 pages ahead of me Favourite line in these 30 pages yet for some reason:

He understands that he’s on the spectrum somewhere, everyone is – that’s the point of a spectrum [….]

Lyrics: “Pass It Along” – Frank Turner, 2011

Last night I was finally back in my happy place: at the barrier at a Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls show and what a great start to the European tour was. A friend of mine always says “There is no day that cannot be made better by live music”. If it’s your favourite singer/songwriter with the full band, which I haven’t seen for a headline show in over two years, that’s more than true. I absolutely flipped out (mostly on the inside, introvert and all) when Frank played the very old song I asked him to for my 70th show. Following it with my absolute forever favourite song as well, which it later turned out my friend had requested for me and my 70th show. My heart was filled to the brim last night.

This won’t be a review or recap. I just wanted to put my joy and gratitude on record. So I can come back and remember it: the life-affirming, uplifting quality of time spent screaming along to songs I can so very well relate to. The emotional relief and sense of empowerment I take away from these moments.

I must have heard “Get Better” a million times in the last decade, and it’s always been one of my favourites, but it hit hard and in new ways yesterday. I’m always thrilled when a band / a song can do that.

The songs from the new album work great live and I haven’t seen such stunning lighting on stage all through the night since the “Be More Kind” tour in 2018, I think? It was amazing and probably even better seen for full effect from farther back. I’ll experience that at my gigs in November. On Sunday I’ll be back in my spot at the barrier for a 2nd time this week. And I can’t wait.

Lyrics “One Foot Before the Other” – Frank Turner, 2011

Yesterday I went out to tackle my next section of a “German Way of St. James” (on re-established historic pilgrim routes). Here are a few photos and some rambling thoughts on that.

Part 02: Natrup-Hagen – Lengerich (Stadtfeldmark) (~ 13 km)
Saturday, 12 October 2024

For anyone who’s checking the route on a map, I feel the need to state that I did not just walk the 9 km to the centre of Lengerich, but even further; to its outskirts, if you like. It’s a small town which encompasses quite a few villages and one of those – Stadtfeldmark – was where I ended my trip yesterday and hopped on the bus to take me back to a train station.

The original plan had been to hike a bit further, but due to cancelled and delayed trains in the morning – and also poor planning on my part re: parking near the train station – I arrived at my starting point of yesterday’s hike two hours (!!) later than originally planned! The bus I needed to get on at the end only goes once per hour and I was expecting more train trouble on the way back, so I stopped my walk early than planned after about 5 hours. Took the bus at 15:15, was home at 18:30-ish.

Anyway, it was a lovely day out. I once again purposefully stayed off mails and social media for the day. I was not all the time as mindful about where I was and what I was doing as I had liked and once again spent more time, than I’d have liked ruminating / worrying / “in my head”, but at least I was and am aware of it and that’s a first step, right?

On my 2nd outing I brought a mat to be able to sit down anywhere I like without fear of getting my clothes dirty or wet (and also not to sit on something too cold). I loved how they easily constructed a bench here.

There were a few different way markers / signage on the way.

I didn’t see as much “Indian summer” foliage as I had liked to be honest, but this was nice.

Towards the end the route took me a long a lot of long – not winding – roads.

Until I left the path at this point to head for the bus stop.