Lover of Life, Singer of Songs

A tribute to the great Freddie Mercury who would have turned 65 today.

"When all the salt is taken from the sea
I stand dethroned
I'm naked and I bleed
But when your finger points so savagely,
Is anybody there to believe in me
To hear my plea and take care of me?"

Even though the space allowed on this blog is unlimited, there is not enough room to write why I love Freddie and why the world is a darker place without him. Fearless. Flamboyant. Brave. Daring. Vulnerable. Freddie was a contradiction and an enigma. One day I might write about my fantasy dinner party. Freddie would be on the list.

Thank you Freddie, for writing and for singing some beautiful, life changing songs. And an anthem.

"Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see."

Kate Di Camillo

Kate Di Camillo has written some beautiful books. Fortunately, in my job, I get to read children's books and therefore I was introduced to her work.

I love "The Tale of Despereaux". Don't watch the movie. Read the book. Fall in love with the writing.
"Love is ridiculous. But love is also wonderful. And powerful. And Despereaux's love for the Princess Pea would prove, in time, to be all of these things: powerful, wonderful and ridiculous."

"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tullane" is also beautifully written. And heartbreaking.
"You must be filled with expectancy. You must be awash in hope. You must wonder who will love you, whom you will love next."

And "The Magician's Elephant" is a joyous, whimsical fantasy. With a true and important message.
"It is important that you say what you mean to say. Time is too short. You must speak the words that matter."

Mr Magorium

Quite a few years ago now, I went on an end of year excursion with the 3/4's at SAPS. We took them to the Sun Theatre in Yarraville to see the movie "Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium". I wasn't that impressed at the time but these days it seems to come on the t.v. a fair bit and I've noticed it contains some quirky little quotes......

"Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." (Don't you love that one?)

"We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy and bravery."

They set all the clocks in a store to sound at exactly the same time...in 37 seconds. So they wait, except...." We breathe. We pulse. We regenerate. Our hearts beat. Our minds create. Our souls ingest. 37 seconds, well used, is a lifetime."

And of course there are some fabuolous shoe quotes....
"I fell so completely in love with these shoes, I bought enough pairs to last my whole lifetime. This is my last pair."

"Mr Magorium, toy impresario, wonder afficionado and avid shoe wearer."

The God of Small Things

The God of Small Things by Arundati Roy is one of my favourite books. It takes some time to "get into" but is worth persevering with. The writing is beautiful and you spend the whole book wondering where it's going to take you. Then when it gets there you really didn't expect it, or expect to feel so moved by it. 

"As Estha stirred the thick jam he thought Two Thoughts and the Two Thoughts he thought were these: 
a) Anything can happen to anyone. 
and 
b) It is best to be prepared."

Today

And if I had one chance to freeze time
And stand still and soak in everything,
I’d choose right now.
And if I had one night with sunshine to break through and show you everything,
I’d choose right now.

Invictus

A poem by W.E. Henley

Which I have loved for a long time. And which got me through some tough times.  

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishment the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul. 

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

And the things you learn from them…

 

1.     There are no random acts. We are all connected.

2.     Sacrifice is part of life. When you sacrifice something precious you don’t really lose it, you just pass it on to someone else.

3.     Holding anger is poison. It eats you from the inside.

4.     Life has to end. Love doesn’t.

5.     Our place in life is meant to be.

 

Each affects the other and the other affects the next, and the world is full of stories, but the stories are all one.