The human factor

I don't claim that I know people. I don't. Whoever says that he/she does is simply self-deluded. The human factor is always unpredictable. However, I now know enough to 1) not want to know more, 2) not be too surprised by anything and 3) be merciful when I should be mad.

Why people tend to choose violence over love will always be a mystery to me. Is it about numbers? Too much breathing bodies inhabiting Earth which boosts competitiveness and strangles empathy? It is possible. People are, after all, animals with heightened intelligence and lessened instincts. But being intelligent doesn't mean you can't be stupid. It only means you have the potential for greatness; whether you'll use it or not is another thing.

But all in all it is a wonderful world.

Realities of life

At my age not looking my age takes some efforts. It's not about deception. I just need my looks to match my spirit.

Identical digits

Once every hour there's a minute of aesthetic perfection for the OCD-ed:

Cookie art

This is, no, was a Christmas cookie that I got at my favorite café. It is beautiful, is it not? Well, good looks didn't keep it safe for a long time ;) 

Silly but true

I unwrap my Lavazza fortune slip and on it is written:

"Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift
And what do we do with gifts?
We enjoy them!"

Enjoy your gift :)

Closer

I have "side of stage" ticket.

Yay.

I can't stop grinning :)))))

P.S. The postponement of the concert actually worked in my favor... or so it seems for the time being. Hmm...

Bill Gates and his real-life rules

The man has a point. 11 points that is. But when you're young you are, by default, the smartest one, the most creative one, you know everything and everybody else knows nothing. It takes some swimming in the ocean of life to shake the juvenile perkiness off and grow some real feathers. Terry Pratchett said in a book "The difference between the hard way and the easy way is that the hard way works."

And that's what life is about - finding your own hard way.

Deja vu from the future

This morning a granny stopped me in the street-a sweet tiny old lady dressed in a thick overcoat. I took my headphones off to catch her words and heard the strangest request:
"Can you please button up the upper button of my coat? I couldn't do it myself and I'm cold."

I buttoned it, of course, and she looked so grateful. But I couldn't help thinking, with a touch of dread-is that what awaits me too? I have come to terms with my solitude but I am still young and perfectly capable of looking after myself without needing anyone's assistance. This, however, will change at some point, my body will grow weaker and will eventually fail me. Not now, maybe not within the next twenty or even thirty years but it's coming. 

Black beauty

It goes like this:

" If a black cat crosses your path it signifies that the cat is going somewhere. " (Google says it's a Groucho Marx quote)

For me a black cat signifies luck, and a black cat crossing my path is double luck :)

My favorite Gdansk picture

On my second (and last) day in Gdansk I walked for hours and took a lot of pictures ( in the Old Town you feel like, virtually, taking a picture at every step). It was passing 6 PM when I took the tram to get back to the hotel. As I walked from the tram stop to the hotel through the park next to a small pond I looked at it, the light was perfect and I took the picture that turned out to be my most favorite of all:

Embrace the unknown

Today's Lavazza fortune:

"Don't be afraid of the unknown - it might be better than the present."

It is beyond words how reluctant I was to return from Gdansk back to my everyday life. Not because it was so great (although it was but that's not the point) but because it was different and new and exciting, the air was full of promises and life. The only reason I am not down spirited now is because in three weeks I will change scenery again.

P.S. While admiring the Old Town I passed by a group of Bulgarians. And they were... discussing SUVs. To be surrounded by all that beauty and be blind to its charm... No comment. That is why, no matter how stressful it is at times, I would always choose to travel solo.

Home swee... Just home.

I went to Gdansk, I saw, I took pictures, I got back. I didn't say farewell to the sea because I will see it again in three weeks :)

Sea, my love

To see the sea, to listen to the sound of breaking waves...priceless. I almost wept as I stood at the beach marveling at the vastness of the beauty in front of me. This alone made the trip to Gdansk worth it. I am happy I will return here in less than a month.

Indisputable

If it wasn't for music I probably wouldn't have traveled abroad at all, I wouldn't have found out I was actually capable of human communication, and basically my life would've been a catastrophe. It is fair to say that music saved my life.

In other words: whatever it is that gives you passion, go for it. Without passion there is no life, there is just existence.

Comparative

This morning the thought of the upcoming trip almost gave me a panic attack... but then I thought of the alternative - to go to work just like on any other Monday morning. And panic was gone :) 

Agenda

Remember John Travolta as that Archangel Michael in the movie "Michael" at the field, just about to attack a bull, shouting "Fight!"?

30STM may not be going to Poland as yet but I am. I feel like shouting "Adventure!" Well, kind of. As it is usual for me before a trip I am already so nervous I can't hold a sane thought in my mind. But above all I need to get away from everything and the price seems quite fair.

The dream T-shirt

It would be simply perfect if I could find a T-shirt that says "We're in this together". I could, of course, order it but it would feel more if someone else already had the same idea, right? It is the difference between playing your favorite movie on DVD and caching it on TV.

It's all good

People keep asking me how I took the news about the 30 Seconds To Mars' concert in Sopot being rescheduled. I took it fine, OK? Seriously. I did go through all the five stages - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. It was a shocking news after all. At first I felt like breaking something or punching someone but who wouldn't want that under these circumstances? But the point is that I was done with it in less than 12 hours, a good part of which I spent sleeping. What happened wasn't my fault and I wasn't in control to affect the situation in any way whatsoever so staying mad any longer than absolutely necessary was a stupid waste of time and nerves as yelling at a wall would be - the wall couldn't care less about your feelings to begin with.

But I didn't say "Why me!?" I say that no more. Shit happens randomly. To assume that destiny disfavors me now and then because it wants to get back at me is to highly exaggerate my place in this world. No one is that important.

Dear YouTube,

WTF?!