"I recently lost my job in IT. When I started working over thirty years ago, computer technology changed slowly. It was like going from a skateboard, to a bicycle, to a motorcycle, to a car. Now it’s changing so fast I can’t keep up. Every five years it goes from a skateboard to an aircraft carrier. So I’m sitting here sketching the library to keep from going nuts."
"I’ve always been very afraid of being lonely. So I focused on making art that people liked, and that was easy to consume. But art wasn’t fun anymore. So now I just draw weird cartoons."
A glimpse into the journal of a (quite intelligent) 16 year old girl. Photographed, with permission, in Central Park.
"What’s been your greatest accomplishment?"
"Keeping in touch with distant friends and relatives."
"Why is that important?"
"It’s important to always have people who remember you at various stages of your life. It’s especially important as you get older, because there are less of those people around. And they remind you who you are."
"Right after I lost vision in my eye, I was so bad at walking that I ran into a girl eating ice cream, and knocked her cone out of her hand. She screamed: ‘Are you blind!?!?’ I turned to her and said: ‘I am blind actually, I’m so sorry, I’ll buy you a new cone.’ And she said: ‘Oh my God! I’m so sorry! Don’t worry! It’s no problem at all! I’ll buy another one.’ So we walked into the ice cream store together, and the clerk said: ‘I heard the whole thing. Ice cream is free.’"
"I was an English teacher. The demands of the system required that I give out grades, but I never felt good about it. How do you grade someone’s writing? Writing is about revision. It’s about access to self. If a student writes a poem, and it’s the best they can do at the moment, how are you supposed to compare that to the student sitting next to them? How are you supposed to give one a 90, and one an 85?"
"I’m sure I’d be less jealous if I was more confident."
What are your current favorite reads?
I love HONY! It makes me a bit home sick. (Just a bit, I made the best choice for me by moving away).
ReplyDeleteThat last sentence is so true. I need to take some of that advice.
Hi Vanessa- I love it, too! I just discovered it about 2 weeks ago and spent hours looking through it! I always look forward to a new post every morning. It actually motivates me and gives me a sense of appreciation as you realize that there's always someone out there that may not be as privileged or fortunate to do what you're doing or living how you're living.
DeleteThe last statement reminded me of myself in my later teen years. Once you get over that "insecurity" stage, you can conquer anything! It's such an enlightening feeling when you know you have confidence by your side. We just need to remind ourselves that we're all unique in our own special way. ^_^
"Humans of New York" is now my new obsession! I just went to many of its old entries and gosh! my heart is so full of emotions and content.
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for sharing your find with us!
Hello! Your blog is really wonderful! I like each picture :) Thanks so much for inspiration! Have a nice time
ReplyDeleteJolana
It's truly amazing, I love it!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jaseyjade.blogspot.com
Michelle, this is such a great recommendation! I checked it out and I can't stop scrolling and carefully look through the pictures as well as reading it. Thanks so much for introducing me to this site!
ReplyDeleteCheers, filicia
http://www.filiandyelny.blogspot.com
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Filicia! The mini stories behind the people's lives is so touching. I can't get enough of it!
DeleteIt's one of my favorite blog too~
ReplyDeleteIt's always full of inspiring people and comments.
i follow it on instagram.
ReplyDeleteit really is an amazing reminder of our humanity!