After regularly informing regularly and broadly about the musculoskeletal system for six and a half years, MuscleAndBone has been inactive for the past three months. Why?
I am fine, and I certainly have not run out of topics to discuss. Rather I have been expanding the scope of my interests, and doing so has proved to be an all-consuming effort.
First, I just signed a contract to write Ligaments, Quietly Holding You Together Until They Don’t. This book will complete my musculoskeletal trilogy. Whereas tendons connect muscles to bones, ligaments are the unsung fibrous straps that connect bones to bones. They serve the same purpose as hinge pins, and without them our muscles and bones would flop about devoid of purposeful movement. The topic is wide-ranging and will include interesting information on career-ending sports injuries, cellulite, flat feet, artificial ligaments, Cirque du Soleil gymnasts, massage therapy, and contortionism. I will soon begin mixing in ligament topics with further posts about muscles and bones.
Second, I have started intensely exercising my bones, muscles, and ligaments on an urban adventure–walking the 342-mile perimeter of the Los Angeles City Limits. I am progressing in roughly 10-mile segments twice a week, stopping at points of interest, and talking to people I encounter.
The preparation took months. I scrutinized maps to determine the street-by-street boundary lines, which are highly convoluted. I then identified museums, one-off shops, “best of” eateries, public art, graves of famous people, infrastructure, and noteworthy architecture among other attractions that lie less than a mile inside the boundary. This list contains over 200 places I plan to visit. Trying to line up these stops in a semi-direct path has been even more tedious since opening hours and opening days vary and sometimes a freeway or golf course cuts across what would otherwise be a direct footpath between points.
Like any adventure, I am coming across unanticipated gems, Who knew there would be a guinea pig rescue mission, a sacred Native American springs, and an amphitheater where fans can cheer for their favorite professional video gamer?
Periodically I will include essays about my urban exploration here at MuscleAndBone.info. I am also frequently posting snipits on social media, which has been another major learning curve. I would love to have you follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. I am making amazing discoveries and would like to share them, even if it is just an image of a beautiful flower, an amusing sign, or a carefully restored car. Can my trek motivate you to be more adventuresome? We’ll see.
The start atop Mt. Lukens, elevation 5075′