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Sara Kingdom's Rivers of London 9: Mens sana in corpore sano (Halloween edition))


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The uncanny creates a disturbance in the world. Everyone feels it, the trick is to distinguish it from the random noise, the thoughts, memories, and misfiring neurons, that fill our heads from moment to moment. It's like everything else -- the more you do it, the better you get. I used to think that Nightingale was alerted to Falcon cases by his extensive network of informants. But now I think maybe he's just listening to the city.

I spent the summer not quite practicing wild magic with the nature spirits of the rivers, and in the process I accidentally promised a wizard that he could design my next challenge. Which is now my previous challenge.

 

Now he's making me repeat it, because I failed. I forgot this guy has Standards. I have remedial posh wizarding, guys.

 

(But he might let me do Halloween stuff.)

 

 

 

 

New to Rivers of London? Click here:

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Meet Peter Grant, mixed race council estate kid, London constable, and apprentice to Thomas Nightingale, the last wizard in Britain. Who, for his sins, is also a policeman. It's a long story. (Really long. Don't ask him what year he was born.)

 

They have acquired a small yappy dog by accident. There were reasons at the time.

 

They also have an inhuman housekeeper straight out of a Japanese horror film. (Or at least Nightingale does. He isn't gonna be breakfast. No guarantees on Peter or the dog.)

 

Some people have their faces fall off. Things explode.  Some dudes get their dicks bitten off in night clubs. People die horribly. Weird shit happens. There's jazz and architecture and geekery and a global melting pot of immigrant cultures swirling around.

 

And Peter wants to shag a really hot river.

 

So just regular London stuff.

 

 

This challenge, we are practicing magic. Proper Newtonian magic. (Which according to certain people is the only proper sort of magic there is. At least the only sort that counts. Officially speaking. If you don't count the exceptions.) Spells and good magical habits and all that.

  • Like 6

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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Scientia potestas est

Society of the Wise • Est. 1775

 

The Folly

Russell Square

London, WC1B 7ZF

 

 

14th October, 2024

 

Dear Sara,


We're going to shift our focus on your schedule to beginning and ending well, and let the rest take care of itself for now.

 

Given the time of year, I'm adding some vampire skills training, and some magical practice.

 

 

Yours,

 

Thomas Nightingale

 

Detective Chief Inspector, Metropolitan Police

Acting President, Society of the Wise

 

 

  • Like 4

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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Challenge Goals

 

Solvitur ambulando

All is solved by walking

 

Walk 30-60 minutes daily.

 

Week 0: Walk.

Week 1: Walk to first destination, or do two 15-minute sessions during vampire training.

Week 2: Two 20-minute or three 15-minute sessions during vampire training.

Week 3: TBD

 

Basic foundation of mental and physical health. It need not be all in one go.

 

Apply extra doses as needed for mental health, mild fatigue, etc.

 

 

 

Spoiler

An article from The Art of Manliness of the same name, with some nice vintage quotes.

 

 

Incus robusta malleum non temnit

The strong anvil does not fear the hammer

 

15 minutes a day of Hindu pushup, Hindu squat, and bridge pose.

 

I spent some time in India as a young man, and found this was popular with local wrestlers of the time. Quite effective, apparently. You may divide it up as you like, and do the appropriate progression. You may do anything else you please, but this is all that's required.

 

 

The Great Gama (with nods to Bruce Lee). Canonically Nightingale was there, and possibly he did. That does seem to be his idea of a good use of his free time.

 

Hindu Pushups

Spoiler

 

 

(Because I refuse to have zero Indian references.)

 

Progression, if needed for control.

 

 

 

Hindu Squats

Spoiler

 

 

 

Progression.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridge

Spoiler

 

Progressions.

 

Progressions.

 

Progressions.

 

 

 

 

Vestis viram facit

Clothes maketh the man person

 

Jacket and tie are required.

 

I will accept your judgement on the suitable female equivalent, as I am no expert in women's fashion.

 

A daily clean shave is expected.

 

Again, the female equivalent is up to you. Not my department. Do whatever you please.

 

 

"As an institution, the BBC is just over ninety years old. Which means that Nightingale feels comfortable enough around the wireless to have a digital radio in his bathroom. On this he listens to Radio Four while he's shaving. Presumably he assumes that the presenters are still safely attired in evening dress while they tear strips off whatever politician has been offered to as early morning sacrifice on the Today program."

 

- Foxglove Summer

 

 

Aurora musis amica

Dawn is a friend to the muses

 

Week 1 (Oct 21-27):

  • Start timer on alarm.
  • One magical working per hour.
  • Do at least half an hour of vampire training.
  • Do at least one of the scheduled co-working sessions.
  • Implement reflective practice.
  • Prepare for Halloween.
  • Prepare autumn and winter gifts.

 

Week 2 (Oct 28-Nov 3):

  • Start timer on alarm.
  • One magical working per hour.
  • Do at least half an hour of vampire training.
  • Do at least two of the scheduled co-working sessions.
  • Prepare autumn and winter gifts.
  • Reflective practice TBD
  • 31/10 - Halloween
  • 1/11 - New Moon

 

Week 3 (Nov 4-10):

  • Start timer on alarm.
  • One magical working per hour.
  • Do at least 45 minutes of vampire training.
  • Do at least three of the scheduled co-working sessions.
  • Reflective practice TBD
  • 6/11 - Cross-Quarter Day

 

Week 4 (Nov 11-17):

  • Start timer on alarm.
  • One magical working per hour.
  • Do at least 45 minutes of vampire training.
  • Do at least four of the scheduled co-working sessions.
  • Reflective practice TBD
  • 15/11 - Full Moon

 

Week 5 (Nov 18-24):

  • Start timer on alarm.
  • One magical working per hour.
  • Do at least an hour of vampire training.
  • Do at least five of the scheduled co-working sessions.
  • Reflective practice TBD
  • Prepare for your American holiday.
  • 23/11 - Doctor Who marathon

 

"Luce labor bonus est et bona nocte quies." ("Working by light is good, as is rest at night." Barthold, 1642.)

 

 

Support Tasks:

Spoiler

Week 0

  • Pick up my next batch of vampires.
  • Make list of gifts that need to be mailed early.
  • Test onion ring recipe.
  • Design reflective practice.
  • Set alarm for timer.
  •  Finish template.
  • Borrow Halloween book.

Week 1

  • Bake pumpkin bread
  • Make pumpkin cookies
  • Make cranberry sauce
  • Make jam cookies
  • Buy gift for the thing.
  • Inventory my sweaters and winter clothes.

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

 

Optimum medicamentum quies est

Rest is the best medicine

 

6-8 hours of sleep. In bed by midnight.

 

Interoception-based meditation at least once per diem.

 

Meditate 20 minutes per diem.

 

Once daily writing exercise, rising to two in later weeks.

 

I'm informed the past week has been somewhat trying. The Folly has some specialists in that area. I do encourage this, so we shall be giving it a try for at least a couple of weeks.

 

Otherwise, bear up as best you can and stick to the plan. One does things when one doesn't feel like it, and then one day, one does feel like it again.

 

 

Some guided meditation that will get the job done:

Spoiler

Sure, it's simple and for kids, but I don't see why that isn't also for adults. We also have simple kids brains.

 

 

 

  • Like 7

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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Templates

 

today is the th of October

day of the

 

Insert image here.

 

   

Solvitur ambulando

  30-60 Min exercise
  30 Min walking

Malleum non temnit

   

Hindu pushups

 

Hindu squats

 

Bridge

 
   

Vestis viram facit

  Jacket & tie
  A smooth shave

Aurora musis amica

   
Start timer on alarm  
One magical working per hour  
30 min vampire training  
One co-working session  
Reflective practice TBD  
   

Optimum quies est

 

In bed by midnight

 

6-8 hours sleep

 

20 min meditation

 

Interroception meditation

 

One therapy writing session

 

Insert video here.

 

 

Spoiler

Weekly review:

 

Challenge week 2

  M T W T F S S
30-60 min exercise
30 Min walking
Hindu pushups
Hindu squats
Bridge
Jacket & tie
Smooth shave
Start timer
Magical workings
30 Min vampire training
Co-working
Reflective practice
Midnight bedtime
6-8 hours sleep
20 min meditation
Interroception meditation
Therapy writing

 

Roygbiv Key

none

did something

did half

basic pass

strong pass

did extra

 

Weekly stepped targets:

Co-working - 2 session

Bodyweight - 3 sessions a week

 

Running challenge average:

Challenge totals

Week: 1 2 3 4 5 Tk End
30-60 min exercise  
30 Min walking  
Hindu pushups  
Hindu squats  
Bridge  
Jacket & tie  
Smooth shave  
Start timer  
Magical workings  
30 Min vampire training  
Co-working  
Reflective practice  
Midnight bedtime  
6-8 hours sleep  
20 min meditation  
Interroception meditation  
Therapy writing  
Total  

 

Roygbiv Key

0 - none

1 - did something

2 - did half

3 - basic pass

4 - strong pass

5 - did extra

 

  • Like 3

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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The Folly Library, Pt. 1 (Movement)


Isometrics - Upper Body

Spoiler

 

 

Isometrics - Homebrew Workouts

Spoiler

Even Days

Tabula scindere

Orantes scindere

Dorsum scindere recta, crux, obliquum & ramosa

Calcitrare mulae

Plank

Praying pose

ITWY poses

Mule kick

 

Odd Days

Tabula scindere

Præfixa tabula scindere dextra & sinistra

Gluteus pontis scindere

Gluteus sedet scindere

Volans scindere

Insectum mortuum

Plank

Side plank, right and left

Bridge pose

Horse stance

Superman

Dead bug

 

 

Remedial Crawling

Spoiler

 

 

GMB 8-week 10 minute a day program

  Hide contents

Aim for form and elegance, not quantity. Wait to move on till that comes.

 

Week 1: 3 rounds of 3 minutes

 

Week 2: 3 rounds of 3 minutes

 

Week 3: 3 rounds of 3 minutes

 

Week 4: Two five-minute sets

 

Week 5: Ten-minute combo

 

Week 6: Warmup plus week 2 reassessment

 

Week 7: Ten-minute modified combo

 

Week 8: Ten-minute combo performed for slow elegance

 

Somatic Exercises to Try

  Hide contents
  • Like 2

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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The Folly Library, Pt. 2

 

Cleaning Playlists

  Hide contents

 

 

 

 

Useful Planner/Journal Info

  Hide contents

 

 

 

 

8D Music

  Hide contents

 

 

(Repetitive and not great for work, but really pokes the brain.)

 

 

 

 

 


Brown noise (with music)

  Hide contents

 

This channel has lots more that looks promising.

 

  • Like 2

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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today is the 18th of October

day of the waning moon


d5a5086f334ff8fe05bb519095e6ae8e.jpg

 

 

   

Solvitur ambulando

  30-60 Min exercise
  30 Min walking

Malleum non temnit

   

Hindu pushups

 

Hindu squats

 

Bridge

 
   

Vestis viram facit

  Jacket & tie
  A smooth shave

Aurora musis amica

   
Start timer on alarm  
One magical working per hour  
30 min vampire training  
One co-working session  
Reflective practice TBD  
   

Optimum quies est

 

In bed by midnight

 

6-8 hours sleep

 

20 min meditation

 

Interroception meditation

 

One therapy writing session

 

 

I got a late start today, and also finished my template late, so today won't have great numbers. Or maybe I'll grade on a curve. We'll see.

  • Like 4

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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I did a very autumnal task, and filled the hydroponics garden with herb cuttings for winter. (8 basil, 4 tarragon, 4 oregano, and 4 thyme. I'm hoping to get half that many to survive, so I might end up with too many. The tarragon had already started rooting from two or three days waiting in water for me to get to it.)

 

cooking-herbs.gif

 

I still have some seeds to plant, but this is a start. I'm trying a new seed starting method this year; I have a lot of trouble finding a good way of starting seeds for the system. (Partly because I reject rockwool as unsustainable.)

 

Yesterday I did the belated fennel infusion, with fennel seeds, cardamon, and star anise. It now needs three weeks to infuse.

 

I also did three tasks on my challenge prep list.

 

9ae37fd9e00af74a14c1b10c2fa7b4fd.gif

  • Like 5

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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Here to follow. ❤️ 

  • Like 1

Past Challenges: #1, #2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10#11#12#13#14#15#16

Current Challenge: #17

 

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

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25 minutes ago, Mistr said:

Do tell, what are the vampire activities? Sucking blood or destroying things with fire?

 

Do you imagine A Certain Wizard would have any sense of humor at all about me training to be a vampire? :D

 

Mostly it is bribery. Pure seasonal bribery. I can watch vampire shows if I do movement things. (Ahem. I meant that Mr Cardboard Demon Trap Game is making training vampire-fighting skills fun.) Mostly strength training and walking, although later I might add yoga. Indoors walking may not be ideal, but getting it done is the important thing, and if being warm and having vampires does it, that's how it's going to be done. I'm aiming for volume, not perfection. I have brain benefits to test.

  • Like 5

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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4 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

I love that you even have vintage cleaning playlists! ?

 

They've been in the library since Molly wanted me to do some spring cleaning. I keep forgetting they're there. :D

  • Like 2

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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today is the 19th of October

day of the ministry of culture's secret disco police

9044c8439f1cf65f6b33d17be3b3ebd4.jpg

 

   

Solvitur ambulando

  30-60 Min exercise
  30 Min walking

Malleum non temnit

   

Hindu pushups

 

Hindu squats

 

Bridge

 
   

Vestis viram facit

  Jacket & tie
  A smooth shave

Aurora musis amica

   
Start timer on alarm  
One magical working per hour  
30 min vampire training  
One co-working session  
Reflective practice TBD  
   

Optimum quies est

 

In bed by midnight

 

6-8 hours sleep

 

20 min meditation

 

Interroception meditation

 

One therapy writing session

 

 

"It just seems like such a bad idea now, that you'd name an 80s pop band after a horrendously failed experiment in socialism in 19th century Paris. But we did. And our aim was to bring down Margaret Thatcher by doing covers of 70s disco classics... Which was ambitious."

 

 

(That's why I have a certain amount of time for rev. Richard Coles.)

 

  • Like 2

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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1 hour ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

Following at a safe distance from potential vampires. 

 

I do have a lot of vampires this month. And more to pick up.

  • Like 3

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

Link to comment

The moving stardust on black with coloured dots of completion are mesmerising. Are you making progress on things?

Let cheese and oxen and mead crowd out our secret desires for power and domination - Harriet the Viking

Just be bold, fluid and unapologetic, not small, hairy and indecisive - Harriet the Artist

You can absorb me! - Harriet the Contextless Guru

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11 hours ago, Harriet said:

Are you making progress on things?

 

Progress is forbidden before the challenge starts.

 

11 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

Is their job to raid discos or make sure only government approved music is played there or to report who's making out with whom?

 

You know, the video does not make that clear, but it certainly implies the first two.

  • Like 2

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

Link to comment

 

today is the 20th of October

day of the sexy tentacle

133159c5a14328a7483ca626f6f3e3bedb876c5a

 

   

Solvitur ambulando

  30-60 Min exercise
  30 Min walking

Malleum non temnit

   

Hindu pushups

 

Hindu squats

 

Bridge

 
   

Vestis viram facit

  Jacket & tie
  A smooth shave

Aurora musis amica

   
Start timer on alarm  
One magical working per hour  
30 min vampire training  
One co-working session  
Reflective practice TBD  
   

Optimum quies est

 

In bed by midnight

 

6-8 hours sleep

 

20 min meditation

 

Interroception meditation

 

One therapy writing session

 

 

 

I rejected "day of carefully not implying anything about your relationship with Molly" on the grounds that he might actually kill me.

  • Like 1
  • Haha 2

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

Link to comment

 

today is the 22nd of October

day of the late lamented audiobook

 

26-hamilton%20ball-030626.jpg

 

spacer.png

 

   

Solvitur ambulando

  30-60 Min exercise
  30 Min walking

Malleum non temnit

   

Hindu pushups

 

Hindu squats

 

Bridge

 
   

Vestis viram facit

  Jacket & tie
  A smooth shave

Aurora musis amica

   
Start timer on alarm  
One magical working per hour  
30 min vampire training  
One co-working session  
Reflective practice TBD  
   

Optimum quies est

 

In bed by midnight

 

6-8 hours sleep

 

20 min meditation

 

Interroception meditation

 

One therapy writing session

 

 

 this is canon for nightingale.

 

  • Like 3

I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever.

Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge

Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,  #7#8, #9#10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23

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