Music

Music is a bridge between earth and heaven.

~ Yifei Liu

- - - - -

June 8, 2012 – “A Brand New Day,” by Joshua Radin

7 – “One More Night,” by Andrew Allen

6 – “No Matter What,” Def Leppard

5 – “Moondance,” Van Morrison

May 31 – “baby I’m Yours” by Barbara Lewis

May 30 -  “Perfect” by P!nk.

May 29 – “causa y Effecto,” by Paulina Rubio

May 24 – “Born to be Wild,” by Steppenwolf

May 23 – “Drive By” Train

May 22 – “let’s Go All the Way” by Sly Fox

May 21 – “I’m Moving On” by Rascall Flatt

May 20 – “All I Wanna Do,” by Sugarland

May 18 – “Hungry Like the Wolf,” by Duran Duran

17 – “Only You” by Alison Moyet

16 – “You Changed Me” by Michael Warren

14 – “You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful” by One Direction

13 – “wild Ones” by Flo-Rida and Sia

11 – “I Love a Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbitt

10 – “Halo” by Beyonce

9 – “Let Me Give Your Heart a Break” by Demi Lovato

8 – “Loving You Tonight” by Andrew Allen

6 – “wild Ones” by Flo-Rida and Sia

4 – “Last Night” by the Mar-Keys

3 – “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

1 – “L.O.V.E” by VV Brown

April 30 – “Loving You Tonight” by Andrew Allen

29 – “Somebody that I used to Know” by Gotye

27 – “Drive By” by Train

26 – “Somebody that I used To Know” by Gotye

25 – “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction

19 – “Glad You Came” by The Wanted

18 – “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye

17 – “Club Can’t Handle Me” by Flo Rida featuring David Guetta

16 – “Everything” by Michael Buble

14 – “Give Your Heart a Break” by Demi Lovato

13 “Give Your Heart a Break” by Demi Lovato

11 – “Everything” by Michael Buble

9 – “Arms” by Cristina Perri

8 – “If I Only Had a Brain”

5 – “Not Over You” by Gavin Degraw

4 – “December, 1963” by The Four Seasons

3 – “Built for Comfort” by Howlin’ Wolf

31 March – “Come by Me” by Harry Connick, Jr.

30 – “Drive By,” by Train

29 – “I’m Glad you Came” by the Wanted.

28 – “I’m Glad You Came” by the Wanted

26 – “A musical montage of Hebrew kids’ songs and a song about the rolling river care of Jordan. “

25 – “Blue Suitcase” by Erin McCarley

24 – “I Want it All” by Queen

23 – “Up, Up, and Away,” by the Fifth Dimension.

22 – “Hold Me” by Jamie Grace

21 – “Baby, What You Want Me To Do,” by Etta James

20 – “Make You Feel My Love,” by Adele

19 – “When you’re Good to Mama,” by Queen Latifah

16 – “Stuck on You,” by Elvis Presley

15 – “You Gotta Be” by Des’ree

14 – Couldn’t remember, but pretended it was “Enter Sandman” by Metallica Or anything by R.E.M.

13 – “right Now (Na na)” by Akon

11 – “Delta Dawn” by Tanya Tucker

10 – “Not Over You” by Gavin Degraw

9 – “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz

8 – “Route 66” by Manhattan Transfer

6 – “Club Can’t Handle Me” by Flo-Rida featuring David Guetta

5 – “Hold Me” by Jamie Grace

2 – “Feelin’ the Same Way All Over Again,” by Norah Jones

1 – “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri

February 29 – “Living on a Prayer,” by Bon Jovi

28 – “Lovefool” by the Cardigans

26 – “Who You Are” by Jessi j

25 – “You and I” by Lady Gaga

24 – “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry

23 – “Tim is on My Side” by The Rolling Stones

22 – “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight,” by Genesis

21 – “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

20 – “Come Monday” by Jimmy Buffet

19 – “Drive” by The Cars

18 – “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer

17 – “If I had $1,000,000” by Barenaked Ladies

16 – Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Glen Miller

15 – “Love Me” by The Bieber

13 – “Dominique” by Soeur Sourire

8 – “Causa y Effecto” by Paulina Rubio

6 – “Rock and Roll Fantasy” by Bad Company

5 – “Wrong Baby, Wrong Baby, Wrong,” by Martina McBride

4 – “I’m yours” by Jason Mraz

2 – “Call Me” by Blondie

1 – “Whatever Lola Wants,” by Sarah Vaughn

January 31 – “You Make Me Feel” by Cobra Starship

29 – “Sunshine” by Jonathan Edwards

27 – “Mr. Know It All” by Kelly Clarkson

26 – “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You” by Brooks and Dunn

25 – “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri

24 – “Keeps Getting’ Better” by Christina Aguilera

23 – “Closer to Love,” by Mat Kearney

22 – “Sunday Kind of Love” by Etta James

21 – “Not over you” by Gavin Degraw

20 – “Time is on My Side” by The Rolling Stones

19 – “Melt With you” by Modern English

18 – “Mr. Know it All” by Kelly Clarkson

16 – “Jackson” by Johnny and June Carter Cash

15 – “I Wanna Go” by Brittney Spears

14 – “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz

13 – unidentified Shania Twain song

12 – “Ain’t That Peculiar” by Marvin Gaye

11 – “Mr. Know It All” by Kelly Clarkson

10 – “Wake Me Up” by Wham!

9 – “Grenade” by Bruna Mars

6 – “We Found Love” by Rihanna

5 – “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel

4 – “You Make Me Feel” by Cobra Starship

3 – “If you’re Out There” by John Legend

2 – “Forever Young” by Audra Mae and the Rangers

1 – “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime,” by Dean Martin

December, 2011 31 – “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry

27 – “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” by Julie London

26 – “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce

22 – “At Last” by Etta James

19 – “This Time,” by John Legend

17 – “Fist City” by Loretta Lynn

16 – “Rain is a Good Thing” by Luke Bryan

15 – “Little Red Corvette” by Prince

14 – “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes

13 – “Bungle in the Jungle” by Jethro Tull

12 – Theme music from Looney Tunes

9 – “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes

7 – “You Make Me Feel So” by Cobra Starship

6 – “Mercy” by Duffy

5 – “Someone Like you” by Adele

2 – “You and I” by Lady Gaga

1 – “Hold Me” by Jamie Grace

November 30 – “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin

29 – “You Make me Feel So” by Cobra Starship

28 – “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

27 – “Dog Days are Over” by Florence and the Machine

26 – “Love Me” by the Bieber

24 – “Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5

23 – “This Time,” by John Legend

21 – “Hey, Mama” by Mat Kearney

18 – “Adele mash-up from Glee this week”

15 – “Someone Like You” by Adele

14 – “Taking Care of Business” by Bachman Turner Overdrive

13 – “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People

12 – “Arms” by Christina Perri

11 – “Nothing” by The Script

10 – “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People

4 – “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes

2 – “Blame it on the Bossa Nova” by Eydie Gormet

1 – “Someone Like You” by Adele

October 31 – “When You Come Back Down” by Nickel Creek

30 – “Taking Care of Business” by Nina Simone

28 – “Bang Bang” by Melanie Fiona

26 – “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner

25 – “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Ozbourne

24 – “Wrong Baby Wrong” by Martina McBride

23 – “Mambo Number Five” by Lou Bega

22 – “Here Without You” by Three Doors Down

21 – “Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield

20 – “Fallin’ for You” by Colbie Callait

18 – “Come on Get Higher” by Matt Nathanson

17 – “The Only Exception” by Paramore

13 – “Come by Me” by Harry Connick, Jr.

6 – “Can I Walk with You” by India Arie

5 – “Fireflies” by Owl City

September 29 – “Who you Are” by Jessie J

28 – “No Air” by Jordin Sparks

26 – “No Other Love,” by John Legend

22 – “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”

20 – “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield

19 – “Dear Mr. President” by P!nk

16 – “No Other Love” by John Legend

15 – “All the Single Ladies” by Beyonce

14 – “Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga

10 – “Perfect” by P!nk

9 – “Piece of Me” – Brittney Spears

8 – “Beautiful Nightmare” – Beyonce

7 – “If You Only Knew” by Shinedown

6 – “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz

5 – “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett

4 – “Wrong Baby Wrong” by Martina McBride

2 – “Wrong baby Wrong” by Martina McBride

1 – “Everything” by Michael Buble

August 31 – “Fire” by The Pointer Sisters

29 – “Walk with You” by India Arie

27 – “That Thing you Do” by The Wonders

25 – “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz

24 – “Bad Things” by Jace Everett

23 – “Hold On, Hold On,” by Neko Case

22 – “Paparazzi,” by Lady Gaga

21 – “Teach Me Tiger” by April Stevens

19 – “Keeps Getting’ Better” by Christina Aguilera

18 – “I Run to You” by Lady Antebellum

17 – “Dirty Laundry” by Bitter:Sweet

16 – “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” by The Police

15 – “Tainted Love” by Sweet Signatures

14 – “Life Uncommon” by Jewel

Estefan

We seal our fate with the choices we take, but don't give a second thought to the chances we take.

~ Gloria Estefan

- - - - -


Jan gave me a synopsis of the season finale of Glee - after she asked so as not to spoil it for me.  She said that Gloria Estefan was on it and that was the high point.


I said, "Thank goodness for Gloria Estefan."  Then I paused and added, "I say that at least once almost every day, it seems..."

Ugly

A satirist is a man whose flesh creeps so at the ugly and the savage and the incongruous aspects of society that he has to express them as brutally and nakedly as possible in order to get relief.

~ John Dos Passos

- - - - -

Sometimes when you read an ad and it says you should buy the thing it's advertising because the thing is, "a great conversation piece," you have to be ready for the conversation to include the line, "Where did you get that ugly thing?!"

Clarity

Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, 

our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.

~ Karl Von Clausewitz 

- - - - -

Sometimes it is hard to understand exactly what people mean.  Even me.  For example, Gretchen would have been very confused by my email if I had sent her what I typed -- "RhNKA, fewrxhwn."  It would have been tough to know what I meant by that.  What I meant was "Thanks, Gretchen," except with my fingers on the wrong keys.

Goat

Happiness isn't happiness unless there's a violin-playing goat.

~ Julia Roberts

- - - - -

When I was at Elizabeth's softball tournament last weekend, I saw this sitting on one of the picnic tables.  Who would just get up and leave in the middle of a game of Goat Chairs?!!!

Chair

 A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless.

~ May Sarton

- - - - -

I love driving around the countryside and seeing things like this.  And wondering what prompted them.  "Henry!  Go put that chair on the stump so everyone can see it?" or "Who the hell put that chair on the stump?  Well, I'll show them.  I'll just leave it there!"  

It's hard to tell.  Everything has a story.  It's just that a lot of times the story is a secret.  Which means we get to make up our own story.

In my world, this is a "Level Three" time out area.

Mirror

Life is a mirror and will reflect back 
to the thinker what he thinks into it.

~ Ernest Holmes

- - - - -

I think mirrors are interesting.  You can use them to look back or to look at the self in the current moment.  If there were mirrors to the future, I wonder if people would use them.  Wait, there are.  I think they're called children.

They're hard to look at sometimes, though, like when they have snot running down their faces.  That's kind of gross.  Hey, dad or mom...  clean that mirror, okay?

Decoration

But, after all, the aim of art is to create space - space that is not compromised by decoration or illustration, space within which the subjects of painting can live.

~ Frank Stella 

- - - - -

I think that someone should design a line of sparkly and twinkly spangles for men's clothing.  And they should call them "Hequins."

(pause)

And they should give me a bunch of money for the idea.

Beauty

Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are.

~ Markus Zusak

- - - - -

Who am I to judge what plant is beautiful or which is ugly?  Who are you to judge?  Well, unless you're a horticulturalist.  Or a judge. And did you know that "contest" comes from the Latin "contestari" which means to call a witness?  So the judge is not the judge, but the witnesses are the judge.  

Therefore, American Idol is valid.  

Logic is super easy.

Yellow

I like light green, sometimes red is fun to look at,
not a fan of yellow, unless it's in a rainbow or
on a coffee mug or on a happy face.

~ Chris Kattan

- - - - -

Sara:  This morning I said the word "yellow" three different times.  It's one of those words that when you say it over and over again it sounds strange.  Yellow - yellow - yellow.  Yellow is a weird word.

Me:  I wonder what makes people's brains do that.

Sara:  I don't either.

Color

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. 

It is the source of all true art and science.

~ Albert Einstein

- - - - -

Sometimes I see things and they make me wonder.  I guess that is the basis for this entire blog.  The other day I was in Target and I saw a shopping cart abandoned in the greeting card aisle.  The cart was empty except for two neck pillows.  This prompted a lot of questions in my mind:

1. Why would someone "need" neck pillows and then abruptly decide they didn't need them?
2. Were they going to get the neck pillows for someone, but just couldn't find the right card to go wtih them, so they ditched the whole idea?
3. Were the neck pillows for one person?  A neck pillow and a back-up neck pillow?
4. How come you never hear about neck pillowfights?
5. What kind of card were they hoping to find?  Get well soon?  Have a safe trip?  Happy Grandparents' Day?

Life is a huge mystery.

Heart

To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

- - - - -

So, I did some checking because I was wondering why we draw hearts like this since that's not what they look like.  Apparently, the type of heart in the photo above looks like a silphium seed which used to be used way back in the day as a contraceptive.

I think we draw it this way because it's way easier to draw.

Danger

He who learns but does not think, is lost! 

He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

~ Confucius

- - - - -

He who is lost and in great danger is just a complete mess.

Reverse

Backward ran sentences until reeled the mind.

~ Wolcott Gibbs

- - - - -

My friend complained and complained and complained.  I wanted to tell her that I thought maybe she was having an intrapersonality conflict, but I didn't think that would help.

Bridge

I don't like that man.  I must get to know him better.

~ Abraham Lincoln

- - - - -

I think when we reach out to learn from and connect wtih people who are different from us, it is like crossing a bridge.  From where we are to where they are.  What I hate is when people just stand there on their own side of the bridge and wait for me to come all the way across. Why not try to meet me at least part way?  Even if I have to come more than half way, a little effort would be nice.

I also don't like it when someone meets me half way and then wants to PLAY bridge.  They know I don't know that game!!

Back

With lies you may go ahead in the world,

but you can never go back.

~ Russian Proverb

- - - - -

I would not want to travel back in time because then it would alter the present and the future.  And I don't want that responsibility.  Well, I do, but I only want it to get credit for the good things, not to be blamed for the bad.

It's kind of my life philosophy:  "I don't time travel, but praise me."

(pause)

It's not that catchy of a philosophy.

Someplace

I need to go someplace faraway that doesn't have telephones and doesn't have a record player and doesn't have movie theaters and people walking down the street in order to not do anything.

~ Will Oldham

- - - - -

When I went to California to visit, there was confusion about where we would actually be spending our time.  After much dialogue back and forth, I finally wrote, "I will plan on arriving somewhere so someone can take me someplace."  And added, "It's kind of my life's mantra."

Bridges

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.

~ Jim Rohn

- - - - -

We need people to build bridges in all those places where the other people have burned them.  And if the builders could build them out of fire resistant materials, I think that would be wise.

Sky

Aim for the sky and you'll reach the ceiling. 

Aim for the ceiling and you'll stay on the floor.

~ Bill Shankly

- - - - -

Aim for the floor and - SUCCESS! 

Sun

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

~ Buddha

- - - - -

I think that Bonnie Tyler should release a song called, "Partial Eclipse of the Heart."

I found out in doing my pseudo research for this blog that at one point Meatloaf was going to record the song.  I also found out it was written with Catherine and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights in mind.

I think that is interesting. 

If I am not mistaken, I believe that "I Got You Babe" was inspired by Moby Dick, "Dancing Queen" was inspired by The Sun Also Rises, and "I Want to Break Free" was inspired by Atlas Shrugged.

It is possible that I am mistaken.

Monsters

A lot of life is dealing with your curse, dealing with the cards you were given that aren't so nice. Does it make you into a monster, or can you temper it in some way, or accept it and go in some other direction?

~ Wes Craven

- - - - -
Ultimately, who are the monsters referred to in the sign above?  Abstract creatures of doom?  Villains who walk the earth?  Or those who enforce the no in-line skating, roller skateing, skateboarding, and bicycles rule?

For the record, I have learned from personal experience that you don't want to outline too specifically your rules.  As an example, I am tempted to go to this place with a unicycle (I can borrow one from Kipp.  He said so.), a motorcycle, a pogo stick, a small trampoline or a large trampoline as those things are not expressly forbidden.

(pause)

Take that monsters!

Names

The naming of cats is a difficult matter.

~ T. S. Eliot

- - - - -

Sara: I would love it if my initials were W.T.F.  Then I could sign all of my emails, "WTF."

Me:  Willa Tyler Frankenberry?

Sara:  Yes!  I like "Willa."

Shell

Today I accidentally stepped on a snail
on the sidewalk in front of our house.
And I thought, I too am like that snail.
I build a defensive wall around myself, a "shell" if you will.
But my shell isn't made out of a hard, protective substance.
Mine is made out of tin foil and paper bags. 

~ Jack Handey

- - - - -

I saw this shell and took a picture of it.  I didn't take it from the beach.  I thought it might have germs or something on it.  Or bacteria.  Or bubonic plague.  Instead I left it there for others to enjoy.  

I think I enjoy shells because the word "shell" is in my name.  Except spelled differently.  "Michelle."  Or "my shell."  And if I was going to make a shell to protect myself, I would not use seashells or tin foil and paper bags.  I would use a shell of kindness to ward off evildoers.  And also that candy shell stuff you put on ice cream because who doesn't love that?  And also a little bit of tin foil.

Travel

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

~ St. Augustine

- - - - -

People are always talking about the "roadmap to success."  Well, not always.  I suppose that is an exaggeration.  My point is, how do you fold the roadmap to success?  And is there not now a GPS for success?  Because I'd really like it for that GPS to success woman to say, "Your destination is on the right," or "You have arrived."

Rest

I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting. 

~ Mark Twain

- - - - -

I like this sign, but do Zombies use restrooms?  I know it's gross to think that they don't.  It is also gross to think that they eat human brains.

Trucks

Folks still remember the day that ole Bob Riley came bouncing down that dirt road in his pickup.  Pretty soon, it was bouncing higher and higher.  The tires popped, and the shocks broke, but that truck kept bouncing.  Some say it bounced clean over the moon, but whoever says that is a goddamn liar.

~ Jack Handey

- - - - -

When Jordan and I went to the park, an ice cream truck drove by.  About three times.  I told Jordan it was an ice cream truck and I didn't have an ice cream truck in my neighborhood.  He looked confused.  Later Laurie said she told Jordan it wasn't an ice cream truck, but a "music truck."

We don't have music trucks in my neighborhood, either.  But we do have some cars with really loud bass.

Observation

Are we observing or measuring what we think we are observing or measuring?

~ Sharan B. Merriam

- - - - -

I love to go out and drive around and take photos.  I see really interesting things.  As I have learned in trying to figure out what qualitative research is, the researcher can never fully remove himself or herself from the research.  In the same way, a photographer is never fully removed from the photograph.  This is a pretty literal translation of that.

And also the sky is really pretty here.

Mother's Day

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.

~ Mark Twain

- - - - -

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the world.  You are not as appreciated as you ought to be, but I appreciate you.  Not enough to buy you all a cake because I don't have that kind of money, but I do appreciate when you raise children who don't kick or hit or say bad swears.  Ultimately, it makes my job easier.


Happy Mother's Day - especially to my mom.  I hope you enjoy your day and that people are nice to you today. 

In addition, I would like to say, "You are welcome" to my brothers because if I had acted like either of you, our parents wouldn't have had more kids.  And here, today, I will publically acknowledge that, yes, I am the favorite.  Sorry to spill the secret Mom and Dad, but it's not like the boys didn't already know.

Creature

Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.

~ Henry David Thoreau

- - - - -

I wonder if the abominable snowman has an amiable, agreeable cousin or aunt or grandparent known as a "Yepi." Or an alternative, non-conformist uncle known as a "Yippee." 

Zombies

 This is the part in the movie where that guy says, "Zombies? What zombies?" 

just before they eat his brains. I don't want to be that guy.

~ Holly Black

 - - - - -

The other day when Kirk was back visiting to be in his friend Angie's wedding, we spent an evening together and ended up at a place in Des Moines called "Zombie Burger."  It was a great adventure.

We each had a burger.  Only Kirk's burger was served between grilled cheese sandwiches instead of on a bun.  When we were done eating, I said, "I don't think we needed the fries or two burgers."  And Kirk said, "Or  six grilled cheese sandwiches."

Driving

Driving is a spectacular form of amnesia. 

Everything is to be discovered, everything to be obliterated.

~ Jean Baudrillard

- - - - -

Yesterday my friend Ryan called me.  He said he was driving to work at the NPR pledge drive was on and he doesn't care to listen to the pledge drive, so he called me.  That piece of information allowed me to place the level of engagement of my conversation somewhere between NPR Pledge Drive and NPR regular programming.  I am hoping I am closer to the latter. 

Music

Only sick music makes money today.

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

- - - - -

I wonder if Nietzsche and Kelly Clarkson would get along in real life. 

It

Nobody likes a clown at midnight.

~ Stephen King

- - - - -

When I posted this on Facebook, I wrote, "I wonder if this kid has read It."  Then I looked for a quote from It to include in this post.  And I accidentally read a passage from It.  I don't like that book.  And I hate clowns.

So now my own photo totally creeps me out.

Just after I took this photo, the kid's dad took his hand and the kid stepped tentatively on the grate.  You could tell he didn't know if it was safe or not.  His dad showed him it was safe.

Or is it?

Or is It?

Ominous

I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humor.

~ Horatio Nelson

- - - - -

Maddie:  (cooking dinner) Did you ever notice that dried onions look like toenails?

I didn't eat much dinner that evening.

Skills

Have enough sense to know, ahead of time, when your skills will not extend to wallpapering.

~ Marilyn vos Savant

- - - - -

Elizabeth:  I am NOT going to do high jump. The high part freaks me out.  And I can't do hurdles.  I wish I could, but I can't.

Me:  So, if there was something low that you went under instead of high that you went over, you'd be all over it.

Elizabeth:  Yes.  (pause)  Like if The Limbo was a track event -- I would be AWESOME at that!

Yesterday

Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.

~ Will Rogers

- - - - -

Yesterday when I texted someone "Happy Cinco de Mayo," my phone autocorrected it to "Happy Concorde de NATO."

I worry about the day that machines take over the world.  They aren't really as smart as you'd think. 

(pause)

Smarter than some of our world leaders?  Maybe.  I won't say which ones because that way everyone agrees with me about some of them and everyone will think I'm right and much-beloved which is what I want to be known for when I become a world leader. 

And fly on my Concorde to visit a NATO meeting.

Happy

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

~ Dalai Lama

- - - - -

Well, Moingona may have a population that is always happy, but the visitors aren't always happy.  Like when that certain happy family let their not-so-happy looking / sounding pit bull run up toward my car.

Or maybe they were happy because then I drove away.

Maybe the dog knew I did NOT have my passport ready.

Clarity

Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, 

our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.

~ Karl von Clausewitz

- - - - -

When I saw this, I wasn't sure if it was in regard to someone who grows something from the asteraceae family or someone who was the master of something in the distance.

Please signmaker, please.  Be more clear.

Heaven

Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.

~ Mark Twain

- - - - -

Leslie:  Why did you take a picture of that?

Me:  I don't know.  You never know when you might need a photo of a Do Not Enter Sign.

(pause)

Now that I look at this photo, it looks like it could be posted on a back gate to Heaven.  Or the front door of Heaven — for some people.  Who shall remain named, but I won't name them here.

Help

 

 The whole secret of existence is to have no fear.  

Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one.  

Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.

~ Buddha

- - - - -

When I went on the ride along with the police, there were times I needed to stay in the car.  One time, while I was waiting for my officer to return, a guy came up and knocked on the window.  He said, "That police officer?  The one who was in here?  He just went in that building!"  I looked at the building and nodded.  "Well, he hasn't come back out, yet!" the guy added.

I said I was sure the officer would be back soon.

Later, as I reflected, I didn't know if the guy was concerned for the police officer or if he thought I was a prisoner and he was trying to help me escape.

Traffic

Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.

~ Dan Rather

- - - - -

Well, let me just say that when I was driving that day I actually was quite cross, but the officer didn't really seem to understand or care about that when he wrote me a ticket for running that stop sign.

States

There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands.

~ Plato

- - - - -

Elizabeth: (reading her book of knowledge by the Snapple company)  "Q" is the only letter that does not appear in the name of any U.S. state.

Maddie:                               Quolorado.
               (simultaneously)
Michelle:                             Qualaska.

(pause)

Michelle:  Maddie, Quolorado was actually pretty good.