So this week was interesting I guess. I stayed home sick on Wednesday and Thursday, so I was really behind on Friday. All weekend I've been doing make-up work. Today, three of my friends and I have begun practicing for the undoing recital of our director. He thinks we're only as good as a training group, but we'll prove him wrong. He won't even know what hit him. Lately I've been feeling a little disconnected from reality, a little lonely. It's hard to put into words. It's like the people around me aren't completely there. Or else I'm not. Only outside things seem to matter, things my friends and family have no idea of. And I feel like if I could just escape to a place where I could share my ideas, I would be content. Maybe I'm just crazy. There's not much I can do either way. And now for the quote of the week. "But men must know, that in this theater of man's life it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers on." Francis Bacon (1561-1626) This quote reminds me of the end of Macbeth's "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" soliloquy. "Life's but a walking shadow, who struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more." I think Francis Bacon is saying that no matter what happens, it's really not for any one of us to pass judgment on. Only God, or the gods, or angels, or whatever you happen to believe in, may decide on matters we think we have power over. We really don't actually control anything but ourselves. No one else really has the right to look at other people for being different; Only the higher powers may do so.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Charity
This week was a week off school, but for me, it was quite busy. Last Sunday night, I went to a Valentine's party which ended up being fairly uneventful in the category of romance, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless. Monday morning I left with my aunt for Las Vegas. We saw Phantom in the Venetian and it was absolutely stunning. The entire front half of the auditorium was decked out for the show. We drove home the next day, and Wednesday I went snowboarding with my brothers. I hurt my wrist, but I didn't fall to much, and my instructor told me that next time I should sign up for an intermediate class instead of a beginner class. Thursday I got new contacts, and now I can see! On Saturday, I attended an epic cook-off, which was amazing. Now for the Quote of the Week:
A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog. Jack London (1876-1916) I honestly think this quote is fairly self-explanatory. Jack London is obviously saying that just giving some gratuitous gift is not selfless, it's just kind of a nice favor. For something to qualify as charity, you must need the item or money in question just as much or even more than the person to whom you have given it to. Many of us consider ourselves charitable when in fact we have done nothing at all. We give away old clothes, shoes, and other belongs that are broken or in bad shape, or things we just have no need for anymore and then feel good because we have help another. And that's not a bad thing at all, but really it's just recycling, which I believe should be a habit, not a special gift or something you do when you want to feel like a good person. Real charity would be going out and buying brand new clothes and donating them to Goodwill or the House of Yahweh when you yourself and/or your family is short on money or clothes. Buying a homeless person a hot meal when you don't have enough money to treat yourself, or taking in a wounded or sick animal when you have much space or means of taking care of it, and finding it a good home and care is what I would consider charity. Not giving away an old stained T-shirt or a pair of shoes that are too small and have holes in them.
A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog. Jack London (1876-1916) I honestly think this quote is fairly self-explanatory. Jack London is obviously saying that just giving some gratuitous gift is not selfless, it's just kind of a nice favor. For something to qualify as charity, you must need the item or money in question just as much or even more than the person to whom you have given it to. Many of us consider ourselves charitable when in fact we have done nothing at all. We give away old clothes, shoes, and other belongs that are broken or in bad shape, or things we just have no need for anymore and then feel good because we have help another. And that's not a bad thing at all, but really it's just recycling, which I believe should be a habit, not a special gift or something you do when you want to feel like a good person. Real charity would be going out and buying brand new clothes and donating them to Goodwill or the House of Yahweh when you yourself and/or your family is short on money or clothes. Buying a homeless person a hot meal when you don't have enough money to treat yourself, or taking in a wounded or sick animal when you have much space or means of taking care of it, and finding it a good home and care is what I would consider charity. Not giving away an old stained T-shirt or a pair of shoes that are too small and have holes in them.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
An Excess of Joy
Good morning! So tonight I have a Valentine's themed party to go to, and yes, I did end up inviting my valentine. It's semi-formal, and who doesn't enjoy a chance to get dressed up? I intend to go casual, but in a dressy sort of way, adding more formal touches to a cute dress that I can wear to school with sneakers. It's black and white, so I'll add black and white flats and a pretty red sweater, with a nice white coat over that. I'll probably end up doing my nails too :) Despite my lingering cold, I'm feeling very optimistic today. So since I'll be out late, I'll write about today's quote now.
"Excess of joy is harder to bear than any amount of sorrow." (Honore de Balzac, 1799-1850) Honestly, I can relate really well to this quote. When in a state of happiness, one may be oblivious to the pain around them, seeming self-centered and ignorant. For example, when a team wins the soccer game, and starts celebrating in an obnoxious way, screaming and jumping around, while the losing team members must watch and have their loss thrown back in their faces. It's just really inconsiderate. I've been on that losing side countless times, and even knowing they mean no harm, it still hurts. When in a state of true sorrow, not just attention-seeking sadness, one is more likely to keep it quiet, because no one wants to share or be pitied or draw attention to their sufferings. The reason for that, at least for me, is that when no one else notices my unhappiness, it's easier for me to ignore. And when one despises crying in public, as I do, one must ignore it in order to control themselves. When I'm joyful, I naturally want to shout it to the world, but I personally do my best to be aware of how others must be feeling, and keep the celebration low-key. Happy Valentine's Day!
"Excess of joy is harder to bear than any amount of sorrow." (Honore de Balzac, 1799-1850) Honestly, I can relate really well to this quote. When in a state of happiness, one may be oblivious to the pain around them, seeming self-centered and ignorant. For example, when a team wins the soccer game, and starts celebrating in an obnoxious way, screaming and jumping around, while the losing team members must watch and have their loss thrown back in their faces. It's just really inconsiderate. I've been on that losing side countless times, and even knowing they mean no harm, it still hurts. When in a state of true sorrow, not just attention-seeking sadness, one is more likely to keep it quiet, because no one wants to share or be pitied or draw attention to their sufferings. The reason for that, at least for me, is that when no one else notices my unhappiness, it's easier for me to ignore. And when one despises crying in public, as I do, one must ignore it in order to control themselves. When I'm joyful, I naturally want to shout it to the world, but I personally do my best to be aware of how others must be feeling, and keep the celebration low-key. Happy Valentine's Day!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
An Interesting Week
This week has been quite interesting. Firstly, we have reached an important position with our orchestra directer. Myself and two of my friends, who are the big players in this battle of will, have begun officially protesting his authority and obnoxious hypocrisy. Besides that, I found an actual valentine for the first time; not just giving cards out to everyone in second grade, but a legitimate person. It made me happy :) We'll just have to see how it goes from here.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Overcast
Hello there. Today was kind of difficult, and I'm not sure why. I know I'm fighting off a cold, but usually being sick doesn't slow me down so much. Which was a considerable annoyance all day. Besides that, I just finished rehearsing for the district strings festival, and I'm very frustrated with how it's been going, and how my orchestra is kind of being gypped by some people in higher places.
The only happiness I get from playing the cello now is either practicing on my own or during pit rehearsal. I'm thinking about quitting after this year and joining choir instead. I would get to go to Carnegie Hall! It's a very tempting choice, but I know I should think it through further before making any sort of decision. And I'll always have Wind Ensemble, which I enjoy immensely despite not being too close with my section members. It rained today. I love the rain. I mean, I have no problem with them sun, but the rain is rejuvenating, and while the sun covers the world in blind happiness, a clear white overcast shows the world as it is, and it is quite beautiful, even without sunlight.
The only happiness I get from playing the cello now is either practicing on my own or during pit rehearsal. I'm thinking about quitting after this year and joining choir instead. I would get to go to Carnegie Hall! It's a very tempting choice, but I know I should think it through further before making any sort of decision. And I'll always have Wind Ensemble, which I enjoy immensely despite not being too close with my section members. It rained today. I love the rain. I mean, I have no problem with them sun, but the rain is rejuvenating, and while the sun covers the world in blind happiness, a clear white overcast shows the world as it is, and it is quite beautiful, even without sunlight.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
New Beginning
Well hello there world. I see you have discovered my blog. I'm writing this blog because a) I want to improve my writing, and practice makes perfect, b) to have a way to express myself, and c) to share what I learn as I go through school. Yes, I know it sounds corny, but I'm doing it anyway. Also, every Sunday, I'll be reflecting on the "Quote of the Day" that is written on the side of my blog. By doing this, I intend to try and find deeper meaning in the things we all do without even thinking, and to see how each quote applies to society. Again, very cheesy, but I honestly don't mind what you think of me.
We just finished finals! And the exit exam. The writing prompt was awful! These past few weeks have been pretty tough all around. I'm not exactly sure why, but I know it has something to do with a few burdens I've been carrying for a while, most of which I'll end up sharing here. But not all ;) Honestly, my sleep schedule has been destroyed by studying and a general inability to sleep caused by stress. My musical requirements also just shot through the roof when I got into pit orchestra. I'm feel like I'm in a haze lately, not really with it, but not obviously avoiding anything either. I guess I'm just tired.
We just finished finals! And the exit exam. The writing prompt was awful! These past few weeks have been pretty tough all around. I'm not exactly sure why, but I know it has something to do with a few burdens I've been carrying for a while, most of which I'll end up sharing here. But not all ;) Honestly, my sleep schedule has been destroyed by studying and a general inability to sleep caused by stress. My musical requirements also just shot through the roof when I got into pit orchestra. I'm feel like I'm in a haze lately, not really with it, but not obviously avoiding anything either. I guess I'm just tired.
Okay, so this week's quote is:
Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move. Sun Tzu (544 BC-496 BC)
To me, this quote is saying that as an individual, one must keep certain secrets in order to succeed. If we all wear our hearts on our sleeves, if we trust everyone we meet, we'd be setting ourselves up to be utterly destroyed. By keeping secrets, we protect ourselves from certain attacks, and can make certain moves without being found out. Ideally, none of us should have anything to hide, but let's get real. Every single one of us has information we don't want to share, past mistakes we don't want brought back into the open.
Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move. Sun Tzu (544 BC-496 BC)
To me, this quote is saying that as an individual, one must keep certain secrets in order to succeed. If we all wear our hearts on our sleeves, if we trust everyone we meet, we'd be setting ourselves up to be utterly destroyed. By keeping secrets, we protect ourselves from certain attacks, and can make certain moves without being found out. Ideally, none of us should have anything to hide, but let's get real. Every single one of us has information we don't want to share, past mistakes we don't want brought back into the open.
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