The War of Art
I don't usually write book reviews. I think I have not written one since the grammar school, where it was a compulsory task. But now I have to, because this one really grabbed my interest. It is named The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles and was written by Steven Pressfield.
I got the reference about it from a blog post from Tomás Vergara through his movie The Chase, which was advertised on The Pirate Bay. I read some reviews on amazon and got the book.
As the title says, the aim of the book is to „wake up“ the reader to embrace one's self creativity and hidden potential. It does so in three stages: first, the Resistance, which personifies dark forces of self-sabotage that each of us have inside, and its manifestations are identified. Second, Pressfield teaches about becoming „a pro“ and difference between amateur and professional in the relation with the Resistance. In third, final stage revolves about the idea of Muses and Angels and how they help you with doing the creative work.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
I felt pretty much moved by the book, identified myself with several situations described and also stared with open mouth on simple ideas and thoughts, that were so simple it had never occurred to me it could be so simple and easy. Unlike numerous books on procrastination, the War of Art does not try to cover it with fabricated systems that should „just“ make you more effective, but goes directly to the cause of problems and curing them – the Resistance and how to fight it.
I read it two times in a three day span and am for sure going to read it again when the ideas sink in more deeply. I recommend it for people, who are open minded and seek inspiration for their artistic/creative development.
Couch to 5K finished
A month ago I made a post about the C25K running programme. Today I have successfully finished it! What seemed like a science-fiction nine weeks ago (to run 5K in 30min in a steady pace) has become real.
I can recommend the course (or any similar interval training course) to people, who want to start and/or improve in running. The alternating walking and running present in the first half of the course helps a lot to alleviate the pains and aches in muscles and improves the recovery in the later stages.
My next running goal is to gradually increase the distance to achieve a 10K in 60min.
Back in the city
Quite recently, not more than two weeks ago, I have moved to a new place in
Ostrava. It took me a while to move back to the city, but with the start of the
new year things have finally started to change (maybe as a subconscious New
Year's resolution 
). So no more commuting and organising my life around
buses' timetables.
The location is just perfect for me, it is 5 minutes to work, 5 minutes to
gym/swimming pool and one minute to the convenience store. And, since it is in
12th floor, I have a nice view too – I can see the all major factories of
Ostrava 
.
Ostrava by night (from my window). Larger version.
The flat itself is still considered „work in progress“. I apply the approach of gradual improvement: I do not try to do everything at once, but take small steps and never stop. It seems more manageable and definitely more fun.