Nadine Stair, aged 87

If I had my life over,
I'd try to make more mistakes next time.
I would relax.
I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been on this trip.
I know of very few things I'd take seriously.
I would be crazier.
I would be less hygienic.
I would take more chances.
I would take more trips.
I would climb more moutains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets...
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would have more actual troubles, and fewer imaginary ones...
If I had my life over, I would start barefooted
earlier in the spring and stay that way until late fall.
I would play more.
I wouldn't make such good grades except by accident.
I would ride on more merry-go-rounds.
I'd pick more daisies.

Nadine Stair, aged 87

The Summer Holiday

I'm a trainee teacher. I work all the time, and pretty much have no time off. However, this summer I will have six weeks to play with as my reward!! I do not want to waste this time. I want to make plans and make the most of these six weeks. I'm going to use this blog to plan my summer! My plans so far are:

-Spend a week in Spain
-Read Anna Karenina
-Take up a bit of photography, buy a DSLR camera

I need to fill up my summer! More plans and ideas will posted here as they come!

I've been to the Mountaintop speech.

We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live - a long life; longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Martin Luther King jr.

The unimaginable

What is unique about the "I" hides itself exactly in what is unimaginable about a person. All we are able to imagine is what makes everyone like everyone else, what people have in common. The individual "I" is what differs from the common stock, that is, what cannot be guessed at or calculated, what must be unveiled, uncovered, conquered.

Debate Exposes Doubt

All of the parts are the same on every face
(Few variables change)
The differences pale when compared
To the similarity they share

Finally there is clarity and there is purpose after all
But every night ends the same as I'm
Collapsing once more by your side

-Death Cab For Cutie

Emmy the Great

I am a big fan of Emmy the Great, and one of the things I enjoy best about her music other than her wonderful voice is her lyrics. Not only are they clever and interesting, but honest, and it's this honesty that I love. She's not afraid to tell it like it is. Here's a few examples:

"I knew you best,
back when love was just a feeling that ran out between my legs, on to the back of my dress,
on to the clothes that I was wearing" - Two Steps Forward

"Later on me and a bottle will hook up to have some fun
Then I'll call your house at twelve to let you know that I'm drunk
Say I'm sorry Mr C, I was just looking for your son
How are you, incidentally, do you know if he's out alone?
There is this book he lent to me something like seven months ago
I'm gonna burn it in the street be so kind as let him know
that I'm dealing with this badly
and could he please get back to me?"   -Canopies and Drapes

"I thought romance was pretty,
But then you went and spoiled it,
Everytime that I think of you,
Have to go to the toilet.
Can't tell if this is love
Or a stomach disorder." - The Hypnotist's Son

"I sat with Dan and drank some beer
We hadn't spoken since last year
I took his hand, led him upstairs
Silently drew his body near.
I couldn't see, missed you so much
Missed you so much, I had to fuck,
Between your sheets, all charred with grief
The pillows tainted with your dreams"  - Edward is Deadward

See what I mean? Brilliant.

If I could just do one near perfect thing I'd be happy

I took a book and went into the forest
I climbed the hill
I wanted to look down on you
But all I saw was twenty miles of wilderness
so I went home.

Belle and Sebastian, If She Wants Me