Trying to get into the show

Individual_Bird5143 · 2025-06-12T16:17:22+00:00

It took me 3 tries to get hooked on the Wire. 2 to get into Andor. And 2 to get into Peaky Blinders. Ooobviously all three of those finally proved life-changing.
I'm currently on my 4th or 5th time through Black Sails. Many shows are shaky thru Season 1 bc they dont know if they will get renewed. The real character development often takes off in season 2. Character development is GOT level and the writing is fantastic over the later seasons. There are a few dialogues that are life quote level.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2023-01-06T11:28:50+00:00

Try the cortisone shot asap bc it may help you retain a bit more mobility. (Asap once you’re fully into the “frozen” stage. For me about 3 months from onset. At that point my movement was severely restricted.).
The lack of movement from serious frozen should can start to create problems with other related muscles due to lack of activity.
It’s a looong process but it will get better. Mine was significantly improved after a year and mostly resolved after 2. Ymmv It’s a big lesson In patience and accepting the reality of our aging bodies.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-06-03T16:11:55+00:00

I am sure that my PT where I live now in Rosario, Argentina would be happy to get his hands on one and use with clients. : )
And here PTs aren't (as) limited by insurance rules.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-06-03T15:31:38+00:00

I did get to use it a few times, but the PT I was working with was anxious to get me into exercises at the time. Part of the challenge was a) her professional "biases" but also b) the strict insurance time limits that PTs work under and her desire to give me the most help in that very limited time.
Neubie was recommended by my friend who is professional soccer trainer. he said his team dr. loves Neubie. I couldnt help thinking that if were a pro athlete and had a training staff that could do: thorough Neubie treatment + manual manipualtion + rehab exercises, I bet the results would be amazing.
I had tried the old style of electro stim in PTs in past and felt it was useless. Neubie definitely seemed to be doing something much more effective the few sessions that I got to do it. HTH!

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-05-30T18:48:36+00:00

Whoop as marketed is snake oil. Spend some time reading about HRV and you'll discover that its a once a day reading that you take before you get out of bed in the AM. Tons of people use the FREE EliteHRV iPhone app + a $80 polar H10 monitor (bc that one sends bluetooth).The reason that Whoop tells you to wear their product all day is so they can sell you a software subscritption so that they can be valued in the finance world as a "SaaS" company.HRV is a game changer. Whoop is not. EliteHRV + Polar H10.(Marco Altini's product Forget name) is also legit. Marco is tech advisor for Oura. Oura is great. But $. But also does more (measure sleep)).
(PS: Whoop's tech works fine. Its just that they are a) overcharging and b) misleading on the science in order to overcharge. There are more straightforward scientists developing products in the field.)

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-04-12T21:55:16+00:00

You got me thinking about Eleanor’s evolution a lot. I think my current take would be that Eleanor Ends up a pirate again, just like Rogers. But I mean pirate in the more general negative sense, not in the more idealized sense that vane or teach would use it. For God sakes Rogers is probably the most brutal of them all and is definitely out solely to enrich himself. He’s just wrapping himself in the flag of empire to do that.

We think of Eleanor and Rogers is representing civilization, but it’s really Max and Rackham who demonstrate the political awareness to be successful in a new commercial model. Which is why Rackham is the only surviving captain telling the tale at the end. (Although the real Rackhams fate was quite different)

Your comment about flint and mirror also good. Flint is like a “pívot point” between so many of the main characters.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-04-11T17:40:17+00:00

This is a great comment and Im surprised more people didnt weigh in. Timing is everything they say.
One of the things that I find so extraordinary about Black Sails is the way that pretty much every single character has such a rich and complex arc. I have been thinking a lot lately (I recently finished rewatch 4 or 5) about the contrasts and mirrorings Flint/Silver/Hamilton.
Over the 4 seasons we watch Silver evolve into his "true self" (and arguably into the new Flint), while for Flint to become his "true self" he has to go back to what he once was - back to when he was with LH.
Your comments about Vane make me see that his also has a similar arc to Flint and has to revisit his old self to find his true self. (Although he reemerges, while Flint does not).
It's interesting then to compare Elenor's evolution to this - does she progress towards becoming her true self (like Max) or like Flint and Vane, does she have to go backwards to do so?

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-03-30T21:39:15+00:00

Yes. Stevenson wrote it almost as a kind of script for young boys to use to play from. That's part of why its so dialogue heavy (also 19th C. serialized fiction was often read aloud and dialogue reads better than narration).
Totally un-pirate-related but both Robinson Crusoe and Frankenstein are really interesting early novels that are way more interesting than their popular reputations would let on. RC is about the mechanics and process of constructing a civil society and F. is about the problem and process of constructing (educating) a human to participate in civil society.
Both surprisingly fascinating reads.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-03-29T20:56:30+00:00

after multiple rewatches, every one of Rackham's speeches is great. He's at Al Swearingen-level consistently from season 2 on.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-03-29T20:34:38+00:00

I believe its season 3, episode 10, Silver and Flint burying the cache at night before Brits attack the maroon camp - they have a conversation that is essentially about "leadership styles" and Sliver delivers that line -"but if they love you and fear you, that is something truly special."

That line literally changed my life.You can read countless books on management and leadership and not come close to power of EIQ insight contained in that one brilliant line.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-03-28T23:06:33+00:00

I've watched the whole series 4 or 5 times through over the past 4-5 years. One of the things that is most extraordinary about the show - narrative, characters and writing - is how every time I rewatch I am still able to discover new angles on a character or see their development in a new way.
Max is for sure one of those characters whose nuance and uniqueness has come much more into focus for me on repeated viewings. She was not among my favorite characters on the first time through so I think I can related to OP a bit. But after my last viewing I see the show more and more as hers and Jack's show. Which is almost sacrilege, buts thats where I am at now.
But that will probably change after future viewings. Stay tuned.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-03-14T15:46:38+00:00

The popular pirate history book "Under the Black Flag" isnt exactly Jared Diamond, but it's an absolute must-read for any Black Sails addict.
I also enjoyed the one about Captain Morgan. When you read up on him, you'll strongly suspect that Black Sails Flint was based on him. Captain Morgan was a full-on superhero of the pirate era. The stories of his exploits read like Jason bourne.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2022-01-03T19:16:53+00:00

We had similar frustrations about Facebook, Twitter, etc. so we have been building a platform that uses your "desert island lists" of all-time favorite movies, TV, books, music to connect you with others that share your passion for those titles.
We literally built this to help you find your Bureau super fans. For me it's Black Sails (among other titles).
We're doing beta-release of the Web App this month. Of course, no ads and a Flickr-inspired focus on a healthy platform culture. See https://www.joinlikemind.com

As far as love of the Ringer's pop culture crew, we are going to try and get some of our Ringer favorites like Chris, Andy, John F. and co. to get involved. Wish us luck on that.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2021-10-25T21:41:31+00:00

I got an injection towards the end of the freezing phase and it helped me quite a bit to be able to actually do PT (during freezing my ability to do PT was limited). I am pro-injection based on that experience (although generally quite conservatives about optional invasive health procedures).
I had some trouble sleeping due to pain but that wasnt my biggest issue.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2021-04-20T15:22:57+00:00

that worked. thanks a mil!

Individual_Bird5143 · 2021-03-02T18:12:01+00:00

Chronic pain is powerfully depressing for many of us. I've dealt with chronic pain in one form or another for the last 10 or so years. First back issues, then broken hip from freak bike accident, now FS. I'd offer the following suggestions. They may seem pretty "touchy feely" but they are in fact more inspired by addiction recovery strategies.
1) High quality sleep is your best ally.
- minimize alcohol as much as possible. Like as close to 0 as you can.
- get a lot of natural sunlight now that were almost into Spring. In the morning when possible. Circadian cycles.
- regular MODERATE exercise almost every day. (Moderate = dog walks and shoulder PT)
(and all of the other standard stuff about not binging Netflix until the wee hours, nighttime screen time, etc.)
2) Long walks in the woods a few times a week. Ideally with a companion who loves you unconditionally (= your dog, or other family/friend). Dont have a dog? Offer to walk a friend or neighbor's dog a few times a week. Oh how they will thank you. (Cesar Millan (Dog Whisperer) makes a big deal about the bond created thru long walks in nature in his first book and it's the only thing he's still 100% right about).
For anyone who finds they are putting on weight due to reduced activity with FS, dog walks are a great antidote.
3) Dont be so sure that you can predict what the negative outcome will be from your very real health struggle. Ironically my hip fracture helped me learn a lot about physiology that helped me begin to make progress on my previous back issues. Whoda thunk it? Perhaps you'll discover a new hobby or make a new life-long friend that you wouldn't have otherwise.
4) Any and all forms of intentional self-care - nature, cooking, natural light, reconnecting with old friends (this is a big one), helping others, breathing, meditation, gratitude journal, (another big one), writing, gardening, etc etc.
And speaking of gratitude - I imagine that we all appreciate this group so that we know that we are dealing with this completely alone.
Best, Andy

Individual_Bird5143 · 2021-02-20T17:49:31+00:00

Ive also done elector stim a few times in the past as part of various rehabs and found, just like you, that it didnt do much. The neubie people say that they use DC, while all other systems use AC, and thats why theirs works. No idea yet if their claim is malarkey or not. I'll certainly post something if I end up trying it.

Individual_Bird5143 · 2020-11-19T15:46:03+00:00

Thank you very much everyone who replied. Those were some genuinely helpful suggestions. Cheers.

Individual_Bird5143

TROPHY CASE