Although not everyone can build a mind palace, everyone can – no, everyone should have some form of art or music in their lives.
Let’s face it: between work and most television there’s simply too muchnoisein the world.
I’ve already told you that I judge people by their books. The second thing I generally notice is their taste in art and music – or their lack thereof.
Most people listen to some form of music, even if it is Pop Top 40. I suppose there’s nothing necessarily bad about that, but neither is it best. At some point, everything starts sounding the same. If you’re addicted to “modern” music, try listening to Vitamin String Quartet, Piano Guys, or some other similar group that plays contemporary music in a classical style (and minus those annoying and mostly unintelligible lyrics!).
However, people exist who don’t listen to anything. They watch sitcoms, dramas, sports, and pundits and never take the time to just listen to something. I would; music “soothes the savage beast,” after all.
Take a trip through Eastern Europe via The Moldau:
Save the damsel in distress with The Magic Flute:
Let Rhapsody in Blue transport you back to the Jazz Age:
Then, turn on something like Pandora or Spotify and lose yourself in the magic of music mixed with modern technology.
Art, though, is a bit more subjective. I understand not everyone likes Renaissance Masters. Some people like Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, and Chuck Close. I do not.
My heart breaks, though, for those that have no art – not even the dollar-store white-elephant-gift variety. In this, there’s something to be said for coffee-table books. I know: most people just leave them on a table or shelf just to look good. But please – for the love of all that is good – pick one up. I don’t care if its about art or muscle cars or coffee tables themselves. Pick up a book.
A public declaration, usually of a prince, sovereign, or other person claiming large powers, showing his intentions, or proclaiming his opinions and motives in reference to some act done contemplated by him; as , a manifesto declaring the purpose of a prince to being war, and explaining his motives.
Easy, right? Eh . . . not so much.
They say to start with something you hold to be absolutely true.
An empty bookshelf indicates an empty mind.
I never judge a book by its cover.
I always judge people by their books.
More specifically, their lack of books.
I believe everyone likes to read; to claim otherwise is to lie to yourself.
The remedy is simple: go to your local library and get a library card.
You can borrow all kinds of books for free*, so be bold and adventurous:
Read Everything!
Avoid my judgment.
* You may have to pay an initial fee (mine cost $3.00) and will have to pay any penalties for late returns.
This bold act brings to mind a similar case of some years ago.
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Townshend Acts?
No?
Your education has been sadly neglected.
You must have heard of the Boston Tea Party, then?
Or – at the very least – played Assassin’s Creed: Revelations?
Let the known facts be made clear:
An American company making substandard chocolate experienced a few bad quarters.
Probably because they keep making bad pips.
OK, so chocolate humor isn’t my thing. I make no apologies.
Do they improve the product?
No! They eliminate the competition.
Strike that.
They eliminate the competition.
They convince the American government to eliminate the competition.
This seemed appropriate for reasons I just can’t put my finger on . . .
No more British chocolate!
Say no to disgustingly higher-quality ingredients!
Berate the atrociously short shelf-life!
Ignore the tremendously superior flavor!
‘Murica!
Oh, but we’re protecting Hershey, an iconic American business!
I imagine they said the same about the East India Company.
They, too, were “too big to fail,” and look what that got them . . .
Imagine the savings – you won’t be paying nearly as much!
Hmm . . . you think the colonists didn’t think of that?
The inhabitants . . . who but a few months ago were in ease and affluence, have now, no other alternative than to stay and starve, or turn and beg. Endangered by the fire of their friends if they continue within the city, and plundered by the soldiery if they leave it. In their present condition they are prisoners without the hope of redemption, and in general attack for their relief, they would be exposed to the fury of both armies.
~ Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776)
Huh . . . seems they valued liberty over artificial savings.
Imagine that!
Does it really matter where your chocolate comes from as long as you get it?
Yes. Yes it does.
I am sick and tired of a government hell-bent on declaring what I can and cannot spend my money on.
You must by health insurance, even if you can’t afford it. If you don’t, we’ll fine you.
You may not buy British chocolate, even if you want to. Because we said so!
Why, hello there!
John Locke, meet John Locke:
The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.
Where does the madness end?
What other countries will fall foul of America’s predilection for cheap, low-quality merchandise?
Look out, China!
You know what, I don’t even particularly care for British chocolate.
You know what I like:
But I’m not too naive to see the writing on the wall:
First Britain, then Germany.
Today: chocolate
Tomorrow: cookies
Not the lebkuchen . . .
It is time for the fair citizens of this land to rise up against the gastronomic tyranny being imposed upon us!
That is, if we can get off the couch to begin with . . .
Running In My Head 