Whether People See You as A Shadow

“Whether people see you as a shadow or as an invisible or stupid sort of thing,

 a time will come when that image of yours will never be seen by commoners.” 

― Michael Bassey Johnson, The Infinity Sign

Her Gaze Wavered

“Her gaze wavered towards one of the books on the sales counter beside the register, a hardcover copy of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with many of the pages dog-eared and stained with coffee and tea. The store owner caught her looking at it and slid it across the counter towards her. “You ever read Hamlet?” he questioned.

“I tried to when I was in high school,” said Mandy, picking up the book and flipping it over to read the back. “I mean, it’s expected that everyone should like Shakespeare’s books and plays, but I just….” her words faltered when she noticed him laughing to himself. “What’s so funny, Sir?” she added, slightly offended.

“…Oh, I’m not laughing at you, just with you,” said the store owner. “Most people who say they love Shakespeare only pretend to love his work. You’re honest Ma’am, that’s all. You see, the reason you and so many others are put-off by reading Shakespeare is because reading his words on paper, and seeing his words in action, in a play as they were meant to be seen, are two separate things… and if you can find a way to relate his plays to yourself, you’ll enjoy them so much more because you’ll feel connected to them. Take Hamlet for example – Hamlet himself is grieving over a loss in his life, and everyone is telling him to move on but no matter how hard he tries to, in the end, all he can do is to get even with the ones who betrayed him.”

“…Wow, when you put it that way… sure, I think I’ll buy a copy just to try reading, why not?” Mandy replied with a smile.” 

~ Rebecca McNutt, Shadowed Skies: The Third Smog City Novel

I Know my Maker

“I know my maker sanctions what I do. 

For the world's judgment - I wash my hands thereof. 

For man's opinion- I defy it” 

― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

In Each Generation

“In each generation, there is this certain wisdom 

of the ages that gets reburied in the fleeting drivelings 

of modernity; then, like a diamond in the rough, 

it is yet again unearthed by a very small minority 

who not only restores it but also polishes it and 

presents it as something new, something highly 

valuable and refreshing as understood by the current.” 

~ Criss Jami, Healology

If Your Dear Heart is Wounded

“If your dear heart is wounded, my wild heart bleeds with yours.” 

~ Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla: Coleccin de Clsicos de La Literatura Europea "Carrascalejo de La Jara"

Just Like the Notion

“Just like the notion of "Internet natives", 

who have never known a world without Internet access, 

we, who have lived our entire lives with video games, 

can be known as "video game natives.” 

~ Alexei Maxim Russell, The Classic Gamer's Bible

How Promising Today's Generation Is

“How promising today's generation is. 

They can whip out their cellular phones like sheep, 

instantly take a million digital photos of their cat and then just delete them. 

But I'd like to see these kids try to artfully use a

traditional film camera or make a super 8 home movie. 

Traditional film takes integrity, nostalgia, effort, 

patience, and imagination - things that the 21st century has very little of. 

Everything these days, even a superior medium 

like film photography with an extensively vivid history 

and an iconic meaning, is becoming disposable in this age.” 

~ Rebecca McNutt

EIther I'm Changing Very Quickly

“Either I'm changing very quickly, 

and everything is standing still, 

or I'm the one standing still 

and everything is changing around me. 

Either way, I'm out of joint with the world.” 

― Kate Rorick, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet

He Had Been Held to Her

“He had been held to her by a beautiful thread 

which it pained him to spoil by breaking, 

rather than by a chain he could not break.” 

~ Thomas Hardy, Far From the Madding Crowd

Give, Do not Lend

“Give, do not lend; after death who will thank you?” 

~ E M Forster

Eatimg Organic

“Eating organic for good health and spending your 

day sitting down using a wireless computer that 

is next to a WiFi router is a classic case of Yin & Yang.” 

~ Steven Magee

Why Should Their Liberty

“Why should their liberty than ours be more?” 

~ William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors

Beauty in A Woman

“Beauty in a woman is a treasure rare

Which we are never weary of admiring;

But a sweet temper is a gift more fair

And better worth the youthful maid's desiring.

That was the boon bestowed on Cinderella

By her wise godmother - her truest glory.

The rest was "nought but leather and prunella."

Such is the moral of this little story - 

Beauties that charm become you more than dress,

And win a heart with far greater facility.

In short, in all things to ensure success,

The real Fairy Gift is amiability!

Talent, courage, wit, and worth

Are rare gifts to own on Earth;

But if you want to thrive at court - 

So, at least, the wise report - 

You will find you need some others,

Such as godfathers or mothers.” 

~ Charles Perrault

During These Weeks

“During these weeks there was a quality about 

Miss Amelia that many people noticed. 

She laughed often, with a deep ringing laugh, 

and her whistling had a sassy, tuneful trickery. 

She was forever trying out her strength, 

lifting up heavy objects or poking 

her tough biceps with her finger.” 

― Carson McCullers, The Ballad of the Sad Café and Other Stories

I Want to See What Life Makes of You

“I want to see what life makes of you. 

One thing is certain - it can't spoil you. 

It may pull you about horribly, 

but I defy it to break you up.” 

― Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady