currently listening to: l.e.s. artistes by santogold

brenda:

i'll start by saying it's so nice to have someone else with asian glow around. you glow so bright, you put me to shame; but you are bright in every other way as well. you are the most positive person that i have the pleasure to know. i told you i had an interview at a finance company for what sounded like telemarketing... and you said something like "oh well that's perfect! the hours sound good and you'll make lots of money and we can play all summer!" yea okay brenda, we both know that sounds awful, but you somehow put a positive spin on it. that time you got drawn on all over in ball point pen and had to walk home in a zebra striped snuggie, you were still smiling and you weren't even a little bit vengeful! you go to work earlier than anyone i know, and you're at school just as late but you never complain. even though you are so busy and dedicated during the week, you are the life of every party come thursday. i love that you can't go to bars, cause that means you have to hang out with me more. you're incredibly thoughtful, and i think i can speak for my roommates when i say that we always appreciate your little snack gifts. especially the garlic bread. from our futon to your roof deck to dillon francis to day glow, everywhere i go with you, i always have a wonderful time. i've never heard anyone speak an ill word about you, because you are the most easy-going, sweet person around, and it is impossible not to enjoy your company.can't wait to play all summer with you little bren, then welcome to the brighton babies in the fall! let's buy our own paint and dance it out every chance we get.

"listen to the mustn'ts child. 

listen to the don'ts.

listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the wont's.

listen to the never haves

then listen close to me.

anything can happen child.

anything can be."

"well i must endure the presence of two or three caterpillars

if i wish to become acquainted with the butterflies. it seems that they are very beautiful."

"grown-ups never understand anything by themselves,

and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.

i have lived a great deal among grown-ups. i have seen them intimately, close at hand.

and that hasn't much improved my opinion of them.

grown-ups love figures. 

when you tell them that you have made a new friend,

they never ask you any questions about essential matters.

they never say to you,

'what does his voice sound like?

what games does he love best?

does he collect butterflies?'

instead, they demand:

'how old is he?

how many brothers has he?

how much does he weigh?

how much money does his father make?'

only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.

all humanity could be piled up on a small pacific islet.

the grown-ups, to be sure, will not believe you when you tell them that. 

they imagine that they fill a great deal of space.

they fancy themselves as important as the baobabs.

you should advise them, then, to make their own calculations.

they adore figures, and that will please them."

currently listening to: she gimme love by collie buddz

what is more important,

fame or integrity

what is more valuable,

money or happiness

what is more dangerous,

success of failure

if you look to other for fulfillment

you will never be fulfilled.

if your happiness depends on money,

you will never be happy.

be content with what you have

and take joy in the way things are.

when you realize you have all you need,

the world belongs to you.

care what other people think,
and you will always be their prisoner.

currently listening to: dancing in the dark by bruce springsteen

"she generally gave herself very good advice

(though she very seldom followed it)"

lewis carroll

there is a place where the sidewalk ends

and before the street begins

and there the grass grows soft and white

and there the sun burns crimson bright

and there the moon-bird rests from his flight

to cool in the peppermint wind

let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

and the dark street winds and bends

past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow

and watch where the chalk-white arrows go

to the place where the sidewalk ends

yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow

and we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go

for the children, they mark, and the children, they know

the place where the sidewalk ends.

there is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. 

shel silverstein 

laguna

sunset cliffs

currently listening to: not done yet by soja

i don't judge people for:
doing drugs
having sex
who they love
who they want to be
what makes them smile or cry

i judge people for:
hating without cause
causing worry without need
hurting people who deserve better
wasting their potential

i'm in no position to give advice.

but i'd like to share some words from others that i've always found helpful.

spend more time around people that both challenge and respect you.

remain skeptical forever.

read more, especially things you disagree with.

get used to feeling stupid. it's a sign of growth.

do what you say you'll do. no one is reliable anymore.

quit your horrible job.

keep people around you that will tell you the truth.

be humble and curious.

show up.

always remember those who helped you. deliver two or three times as much value back.

walk more.

don't take anything personally, ever.

do things that are uncool. later on, they usually end up becoming cool anyway.

have some manners.

examine your jealousy. you'll learn a lot about yourself.

if you see someone who needs help, stop asking if they need help. just help.

bring a bottle of wine.

be strong now, because things will get better. it might be stormy now, but it can't rain forever.