Tag: quotes

could this scene take place in a hot air balloon?

Well. Aren’t we the lucky ones? The summer cumulus clouds and fire-lit sunsets have been amazing. The various outdoor picnics, slumber parties, and dance parties on rooftops have begun.

Collected things that I have been wanting to share:

– Erno Rubik talks about how the inspiration for the Rubik’s cube stemmed from how water looks as it moves around pebbles.

– Speaking of Rubik’s cubes, I visited the FAO Schwarz store in Manhattan for possibly the last time before it closes its doors in July. Toys are still pretty magical. Also, we encountered the most expensive slinkies (gold) and etch-a-sketches (crystal) that I have ever seen.

– I enjoyed these humorous bits of advice from famous writers. I really liked the Donna Tartt quote on Tom Hanks characters, but I especially loved Murakami’s:

“Every time you write, ask yourself: Could this scene take place in a hot-air balloon? If the answer is yes, then it probably should.”

– In anticipation of Father’s Day- Harry’s On Fatherhood.

“A father must be many things to their children, but it really boils down to this: The role of a Father to a Son is to teach him how to be a good man. The role of a Father to a Daughter is to give her a model of what a good man is.”

– I train a lot more than I talk about here. I enjoyed thinking about the weird rituals of training that we all have. I’ll have to think about what rituals I practice every time I train. I liked the mention of Usain Bolt’s love of Chicken McNuggets.

– Next time your exercise instructor barks at you to get into plank position and hold it, maybe think about how the Guinness world record was broken last week by a former Marine officer, who held plank position for a total of 5 hours, 15 minutes and 15 seconds.

– From here:

When Chase was eight [years old], a woman approached us at the grocery store and said, “What a handsome boy! What do you plan to be when you grow up, young man?” Chase looked at her and said, “I plan to be kind and brave, ma’am.”

It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it

This morning:
A rather mild and welcome overdose of John Mayer’s more bluesy/folksy songs while eating overripe nectarines beside the window.

This afternoon:
The Head and the Heart on repeat because I need to learn more about former. “Rivers and roads, rivers until I reach you.”

This evening:
Homemade tomato jam made by the one and only Randwiches (don’t worry, I obtained the recipe) and the hope that one day I’ll grow up to be brave enough to run away to Tokyo just to make photos. Walking around in sticky sweet summer, and then voracious reading of Edward Abbey (in fact, so entranced by it that I nearly missed my subway stop and a man jumped up to hold apart the closing doors to allow me to run out).

Edward Abbey, because all I can think about after Saturday night (and morning) are words of one genre:

“wild,”
“freedom,”
“hope,”
“life,”
“earth,”
“space.”

And music, of course and always music.

There is one more unsaid word, the one that I have failed to mention as a category or theme after 15 years of writing here. Perhaps even then I knew that it would find its way into everything despite all struggles against it.

Edward Abbey, on all of the things mentioned above:
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Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, “Desiderata”

Photos taken during almost-sunset at Pier 11 after disembarking the Red Hook ferry.