haha

I just want to spend the rest of my life laughing.

Google Maps

Reminds me of when I saw my grandpa on Google Maps.

Thoughtfulness

“If you can’t draw as well as someone, or use the software as well, or if you do not have as much money to buy supplies, or if you do not have access to the tools they have, beat them by being more thoughtful. Thoughtfulness is free and burns on time and empathy.”

-Frank Chimero

OUT-OF-PRINT PUBLICATIONS OF J.D. SALINGER (22)

1-11

12-22

priorities

“Instead of saying “I don’t have time” try saying “it’s not a priority,” and see how that feels. Often, that’s a perfectly adequate explanation. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don’t want to. But other things are harder. Try it: “I’m not going to edit your résumé, sweetie, because it’s not a priority.” “I don’t go to the doctor because my health is not a priority.” If these phrases don’t sit well, that’s the point. Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don’t like how we’re spending an hour, we can choose differently.”

Full article here.

ugh.

I started giving weekly art lessons to a "chronically ill" 13 year old girl. I don't know how she is "chronically ill", but I do know she is sweet, optimistic, and talented. I was really nervous that she wouldn't like me, she'd be bratty, or we'd have nothing to talk about, but the first lesson went well. I don't remember how I was as a 13 year old, but I'm pretty sure I was a little snot. She's so positive and excited about everything. She was telling me about how they were moving in the summer to live with her aunt and I asked her if she was sad about leaving all her friends. She said, "sometimes change is good". I think at 13 I was too busy over plucking my eyebrows or writing KP on my Jansport in white out only to ask my parents to buy me a new one because I didn't like my purple one anymore. It's crazy to compare myself to her (at age 13 and even now) and see how much I took/take things for granted. She is so grateful for EVERYTHING. This makes me want to buy her EVERYTHING. She's also learning how to play piano and the organization let her borrow an electric keyboard to practice on. She says she has to give it back soon, but she's going to save up money to buy a new one. Growing up, I don't think I ever saved up money to buy anything. My parents just bought me pretty much whatever I asked for. I think volunteering helps me see things differently, but at the end of the day, I'm still a pretty selfish and shitty person. I just bought myself a new lipstick even though I have 20.

I know this isn't something I can change about myself overnight, but "sometimes change is good" so I might as well start trying.

XANGA

5 years

It's been five years since Ester passed away.

I wonder what she would be doing if she were here today. I wonder if she can see what we've been up to. I wonder if she's happy right now.

I wonder if she has regrets.

How to be a good stranger

How to be a good stranger.

"Johnny Cash's Love Letter to Wife June Carter Named Most Romantic of All Time"

These days

“These days I just can’t seem to say what I mean. I just can’t. Every time I try to say something, it misses the point. Either that or I end up saying the opposite of what I mean. The more I try to get it right the more mixed up it gets. Sometimes I can’t even remember what I was trying to say in the first place. It’s like my body’s split in two and one of me is chasing the other me around a big pillar. We’re running circles around it. The other me has the right words, but I can never catch her.”

Haruki Murakami, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman : 24 Stories

Sad and Beautiful

"As long as I can remember my parents have stood by the door and waived goodbye when I would leave. There was never an, "I'll just let myself out," it was always, "We'll walk you to the door." I don't remember when I realized that this goodbye wasn't a given. One day it would be different.  Since my dad's passing a few months ago mom still comes to the door."

See the rest of the photos here.

Actors

"In a Beckerian world, we act the way we do because of a certain logic of events—jazz musicians are supposed to smoke dope, graduate students learn how to please their supervisors—but there are lots of different roles within the world, and we can choose which one to play, and how to play it. We’re all actors, not angels or completely free agents. But we are looking for applause, so we put on the best show we can."

Full article here.

Youth

lazy jellyfish day
from darkrobot425 on Vimeo.

To Fall in Love with Anyone, Do This (Where is Ryan Gosling?)

Full Article here.

Set I

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?

3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?

8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.

9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.

12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

Set II

13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?

15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

16. What do you value most in a friendship?

17. What is your most treasured memory?

18. What is your most terrible memory?

19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?

20. What does friendship mean to you?

21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?

22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.

23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?

24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?

Set III

 25. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling ... “

26. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ...”

27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.

28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met.

29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.

30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?

31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.

32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?

34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?

36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.

Story of my life

“I know you think people only love you because you’re funny, but maybe if you stopped being funny you’d see that people loved you anyway.”

Full article here.

IDGAF JK

“You come to understand that most people are neither for you nor against you; they are thinking about themselves. You learn that no matter how hard you try to please, some people in this world are not going to love you, a lesson that is at first troubling and then really quite relaxing."

New Year's Resolution

One new (or at least productive) thing/place a week.