thoughts | Cooking and the Mis-en-scene of Research

Sometimes insights are induced in the most unexpected way —as the eureka term suggests recalling the famous exclamation from Archimedes stepping into his bathtub.

Image altered from "Archimede bain" by Unknown - Historia N° 767 - Novembre 2010 - page 38. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons 

My eureka du jour happened today while listening to the radio while chopping fruits and vegetables for the morning breakfast juice. The WNYC segment, worthwhile listening to, related professional cooking to self-help and organization and emphasized the importance of mise-en-place for chefs  —the French term denoting the organizational space of cooking. The radio segment producer interviewed several chefs and all felt strongly about the importance of the mise-en-place in their profession, although each had a different interpretation and implementation. I was particularly interested in one chef who mentioned a "zen" intention in the cleanness and minimalism of the mise-en-place in his kitchen.
   While I am struggling to continue my PhD  among academic politics and lack of resources, finding a daily mise-en-place has become essential for progressing with my research. Perhaps it varies at difference stages, but the organizational structure is becoming even more important than insights. Creative thoughts are exciting but if not orderly organized in an a clear data structure, but can get lost in the black holes of ideas and never make it to become an "original contribution to knowledge" that is the output of research. Following the cooking metaphor, the university becomes the kitchen and the research audience, or even its applications are the restaurant.
   Ultimately, perhaps like everything else in life, can finding the comfort of order in chaos and clarity in confusion, provide meaning on its own?

The db Icosahedron

The Laban icosahedron is perhaps one of the most renown physical structures in dance. The name is from his creator Rudolf Laban (1879-1958), who applied the five regular polyhedra to movement sequences, he defined as "scale".

The icosahedron comprises twenty faces, thirty edges and twelve vertices. My icosahedron is made of PVC pipe connected by 3D printed vertices/joints I designed. It fits my height and the movement sequence I perform inside is based on a vinyasa sequence which includes sirsasana (headstand). It is interesting how the geometry of the solids is linked to structural strength and balance. The most stable configuration is achieved when the solid is placed with one face (and its three enclosing edges) in contact with the ground; when there is only one edge in contact with the ground support is needed.

PhD Journey | Another Week...

Another week in my PhD drama has passed and no progress in the access to the resources needed for my research. Actually, I decided not to define my PhD journey a drama any longer, and try to be less emotional; I will just look at the statistics of progress/lack of progress. Numbers always bring some type of comfort, after all.
On Wednesday I had an energizing day in Melbourne, although the usual pain in the ankle made walking even short distance a challenge. The purpose was attending a workshop on data visualization, which was extremely informative and even inspiring. Going to Melbourne is always refreshing.
The positive of the past couple of days is also that the pain in my ankle/leg, although is still a constant presence, is decreasing.
Ralph Waldo Emerson  wrote “Life is a journey, not a destination.” but in my PhD case I have really to focus on the destination, as the academic journey is bring mainly frustrations. As I am in mood for quotes, J.R.R. Tolkien's “Not all those who wander are lost.” is bringing some sense of comfort and meaning.
Below are stills from the Finding the Axis Mundi ritualistic sequence: a vinyasa with modified suria namaskar (sun salutation) which includes headstand variations; I practise the sequence twice a day combined with 12 straight legs push ups and several other exercises for abdominals.

 

Thoughts | Good Days, Bad Days: Finding the Core

My PhD journey continues, after an important decision taken a couple days. Yet, every morning, a few minutes after I woke up, usually in a peaceful state, the fear of what the days will bring arise; it has been an emotional roller coaster with many lows and very few —if any— highs.
Metaphors have been provided an interpretative framework throughout this journey and am actually realizing that the all the PhD related experience itself can be considered a metaphor of a journey in life.
"Engage your core" is usually heard several times throughout a Pilates class, and that I was telling myself during my painful walk to the shuttle bus. As I have to modify my walking gait to compensate for avoidance of pain in the left lower limb, I am trying to compensate and find any walking posture which can relieve the pain. The core engagement helps at least to keep a mindful posture. And the metaphor of the "existential core" to actively engage provides motivation and inspiration.

My current working position, at the doctor's suggestion:
the leg has to be kept elevated on the desk to help with the ankle swelling,
with an ice gel pack wrapped around with a towel.
It is no comfortable and I am not sure if it really helps, but provides a good hamstring stretch.
I am also trying to engage the foot flexed upward from the ankle, and spreading the toes as in several yoga postures.

Thoughts | Tendu at the Bus Stop

I started this post on May 4 and never published it. Six months later I am still confronted by same academic and personal challenges. This is what I wrote then:

May 12 will mark the second month of my staying in Waurn Ponds (Victoria, Australia) and this is my eighth Saturday. My weekends here have been in state of almost complete isolation —and frustration. Frustration in dealing with academic politics as well as cultural and emotional isolation. 
Studying, creating and "moving" are my survival means in this emotional desert.
I am addicted to movement; perhaps there is such an addition. If don't power walk for at least 8km, or practice 45 minutes of fast aerobic routines, one hour of "power yoga" I feel helpless and hopeless. My moving body is my only friend and support. The effect of movement on mental processes is one of the research questions of my thesis and I have become the living proof of how physical exercise can dramatically improve emotionally states and give clarity and focus. I practice battement tendu while waiting for the bus and use any chance I have to purposefully and harmoniously move in every task and function of my daily routine.

As of today I have been still resorting to movement and creative production as solace to my isolation and frustration for the lack of progress in my PhD journey, which seems to be totally trapped in academic politics —with a major twist a few days ago. Unfortunately since the past Sunday I have also been dealing with a tendinitis and my range of movement is quite limited: any compression in the left leg causes severe pain, even in walking. I am still trying to continue with my usual yoga practice, which has become totally asymmetric, but for a few postures. I am also trying to focus more on pranayama (breathing exercises) as well as learning a few kriyas from kundalini yoga, definitely shifiting from cardiovascular exercise to a more spiritual practice.
My weight loss intention of ten days ago has been greatly impacted by my injury, as almost all the cardio routines I am familiar with, heavily depend on use of legs. I started to learn some seated cardio workout.
Again, I am trying to adapt to change, but I feel extremely weak and vulnerable, without a nearby social and emotional support system; especially now with this physical injury, I cannot count only on the virtual presence of my friends overseas. After the solace of the few hours spent on the beach yesterday, all the negatives of my experience are today amplified. I am seriously questioning if I should stop this endurance test, admit that I cannot live in isolation and go back home...