There’s a certain point in life at which you realise it’s no longer interesting that time goes forward – or rather, that its forward-going-ness has been the central plank of life’s illusion, and that while you were waiting to see what was going to happen next, you were steadily being robbed of all you had. Language is the only thing capable of stopping the flow of time, because it exists in time, is made of time, yet it is eternal – or can be. An image is also eternal, but it has no dealings with time – it disowns it, as it has to do, for how could one ever in the practical world scrutinise or comprehend the balance sheet of time that brought about the image’s unending moment?
— Rachel Cusk, Second Place: A Novel (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, May 4, 2021)
Photo: DK @ Cove Island Park, Stamford, CT. 5:44 am, May 3, 2021.
Live & Learn 
This is so spot on. It forces us to be more in the moment in spite of ourselves.
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That’s it. That’s the punch line.
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fancy treatment showing so well underlining Rachel Cusk’s words!
So, are you still doing your morning walk? And after that you’re driving back to work or still doing part/full-time home office? HH is dismayed as their HO time will be carried on until the end of the year. He may go one day/wk to the office (and away from his loving wife!) 😉
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Yes to morning walk. Yes to then driving to work. 3 out of 5 days a week in office for now. Slooooooowly easing in.
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Dave, just HOW MANY HOURS HAS YOUR DAY?
How can you still do this longish walk, then drive to work, then do a day’s grind, drive back, ‘enjoy your family’, and go to bed – AND also still be able to do a blog, reply, read, search, ponder, ….. the list is endless – but it’s no surprise you’re blog title is I CAN’T SLEEP 😉
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Laughing.
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Like a shark, gotta keep moving or we die.
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That moment when we stop chasing time in order to embrace the moment – captured through your lens and Cusk’s words perfectly.
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That’s it Mimi. 25 years ago I wouldn’t hve understood this and waved it off. Today it’s real.
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Right there with you..
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love the line: “Language is the only thing capable of stopping the flow of time”. Reminds me of how reading is such a nice respite from the world around us…
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Yes! The punch line.
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Every daybreak is a new, awesome, uniqye spectacle! … “An image is also eternal, but it has no dealings with time – it disowns it, as it has to do, for how could one ever in the practical world scrutinise or comprehend the balance sheet of time that brought about the image’s unending moment?” — Rachel Cusk, Second Place: A Novel (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, May 4, 2021).
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The picture is amazing and dramatic. I’m enjoying your recently acquired interest. Your eye for the light is impressive
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Thank you Michael!!!!!
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What a gorgeous photograph! Thanks for taking us “there” where words are irrelevant, and we can just BE for who knows how many moments. So glad you’re communing with nature before work, and sharing with us.
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Thank you Valerie. Appreciate you.
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“…while you were waiting to see what was going to happen next, you were steadily being robbed of all you had.” That’s the line that hit me like a punch to the solar plexus. What is it they say, ‘Youth is wasted on the young.’ Beautiful image and wonderfully thought-provoking passage to start the week, pal. Thank you.
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Punch to my gut / solar plexus too…
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Powerful image and reflection. Not sure I am on the same wavelength about time. Time is made up in the human mind. Language and images are also.
What if there’s no time and we are only energy and ions made up of everything around us. Just saying 🙃
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Not that’s something to think about! Thanks for sharing.
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Wherever did my comment go?
Perfect pairing, as per, David.
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No idea! Thank you Dale.
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