A piano, a library, and a garden

In Greek and Roman societies it was very important to have both a library and a garden. The library was a place to study the great works of philosophy and literature that had been produced, and the garden was a place to discuss these topics with other sophisticated people.

In our Society, a garden also represents the need for hard work to produce beauty, as well as self reliance.

I add that there should also be a piano, which is a place for learning and maintaining art.

When I am rich, I will make sure my house has a piano, a library, and a garden. I think that these are some of the greatest ways to maintain intelligence, culture, and the importance of work, in a society that is completely slipping from all of these.

So my advice: Plant a garden, read a book, learn the piano.

The word "so"

Why do we have to say the word "so" all the time? It's a sad example of the loss of credibility in the things we say. Fifty years ago, someone could say "That's cool" or "That's important."

But now, we have to use the word "so" for some reason. That's so cool. That's so important. I love you so much.

Since we have to use it so much, it loses it's original intention. There is no way to really emphasize a statement. Now people are resorting to using crazy expressions like "That's so so cool," in an attempt to add emphasis.

Books?

I've made a decision. It started about a month ago, when I went from never reading to always reading. I knew it would happen to me, but I thought it was a long way away.

Now that I like reading, I have committed myself to selecting a list of the best 100 novels of all time, and reading every novel on the list. This endeavor will probably take about 100 years or less.

My only rule is this: If I still hate a book ten chapters in, I am allowed to skip it, and severely criticize everyone who likes it. Otherwise, I have to finish the entire book.

I found my list yesterday, thanks to my best friend Muffin. This is the list I am going to use: http://www.thebest100lists.com/best100novels/

The Weakerthans

Doctors play your dosage like a card trick
Scrabbled down the hallways yelling "Yatzee"
I brought books on Harper in the Arctic
Something called "The Politics of Lonely"
A toothbrush and Quick Pick with a plus
You tried not to roll your sunken eyes

And said "Hey can you help me? I can't reach it"
Pointed to the camera in the ceiling
I climbed up, blocked it so they couldn't see
Turned to find you out of bed and kneeling
Before the nurses came took you away
I stood there on a chair and watched you pray

Worth....Nothing?

Worthless is a weird word. It should mean "Worth Less," but in fact it actually means "Worth Nothing." It's very sad...

Penelope

As I sat inside of Penelope, I remembered all the great times we've had together. From the very first day, when I got so excited I burned the tires, to the day I got in trouble for taking a picture of my speedometer record. Penelope was one of my best friends.

I sat in that defeated car with the sun roof open and the big dipper overhead, trying to figure out why Penelope had meant so much to me. Was that car the expression of my youth, or possibly even my rebellious side? Or was it something greater, like I shared some kind of tangible connection to her?

Either way, I think we can all agree, Penelope was a champion of light in a world of darkness.

Is Conformity a bad thing?

People say conformity is bad. One of the reasons they site is the fact that if everyone was the same, life would be very boring. I agree with this statement, but I find one exception: humor.

If everyone was the same, then everyone would always laugh at every joke, because everyone would see the joke from the same viewpoint as the one telling the joke, who obviously found it funny.

So maybe for those people who have to explain their jokes, conformity is a great principle.