Cosmetic Hope

I have posted a new discussion on the topic of confidence for women and the use (or rather, overuse) of cosmetics.

The Poet's Book

In the Poet's Book section, I have published a new original piece. This one is a little different to the previous pieces. It was inspired by a box of toys from my childhood of which they were a very dominant part.

Books Never Age

With the invention of computers, it was predicted that books would become obsolete. Yet, well and truly into the 21st digital century, books continue to hold their own and are still enjoyed and loved by many. Why is that? What does the humble book provide that an endless sheet on a screen cannot?

For a start, the book has the satisfying tactile surface of paper, which in turn has varying textures to please our touch. I, for one, enjoy the simple motion of page-turning and surveying my efforts by the gap between the front cover and the bookmark.

Then comes the art of writing, that which we learn to master from a young age. Though typing (for most keyboard-comfortable Gen Y-ers) is the faster option with software aids to correct programmed spelling and grammatical offenses, there is nothing like watching the ink of a pen weave its way effortlessly and hypnotically across a page. The thoughts and personality of someone is mapped and recorded in their words, in their handwriting. There is the satisfaction of then reading back over the speech of your hand and pen, and even admiring, to a certain extent, the appearance of the handwriting.

A certain perk of the electronic device is the ability to hold many literary pieces in one item. It allows for one device to hold these many pieces of literature with the only space occupied by the device. For situations that require light packing or space efficiency, this is perfect. However, there is something poetic about an old personal library. There is a certain comfort that comes from being able to go to a cabinet or a book shelf and being able to look among the bricks of spines for a piece to pass the time or for something specific. Within my house, we have a bookcase with dictionaries, science and maths books, atlases and an assortment of literary topics, not to mention my personal fiction collection and the plethora of cooking books kept under the bench. There is a certain joy in selecting that one book you want to use.

Computers may allow for instant and easy editing (re-writing can be very tedious) and the strange syncopation of the tapping keyboard can be soothing, but the personal achievement that is felt via this modern method is not parallel to seeing, holding and forming the very letters of our language which we wield so often.

It is with immense gratitude and happiness that I realise that society did not exclude the book when advanced technology was born that could replace it. Not everything that is complex has to stand in place of the more simple, yet very effective ones. For many people, they still reserve a special place in their hearts for the beloved book. The smooth and decorative cover, the satisfying weight, the hush of the pages as they move; every trait of the book makes it a treasured invention of man, one which I hope continues to be embraced as fondly as it has.

Of course, even as I publish this post to my blog, I am aware of the role computers and technology plays in being able to produce many pieces of literature and projecting the words of authors around the world. For that, I am also grateful, but there will always be a certain service that only the book will be able to accomplish.

Abstract Gardening

I enjoy a good garden of flowers and having them hang from structures or trees is one of my favourite methods of displaying them. But I can't always have a hanging basket so I tried something different. I have three large trees in my backyard, one of which has a few forks in the trunk. With an Alyssum seedling, I created a barrier on the lower end of the fork, placed the seedling within it and filled the remaining space with soil.

With time and sufficient watering, I made sure that the soil wasn't being drained out of the bottom. The result has been the most flourishing seedling of the batch that I planted. It may be due to the fact that it had to grow to reach around the trunk to get sunlight, but even after it accomplished that feat, it has continued to thrive. The plant really seems to enjoy the secluded home.

  

This experiment works well with hardy plants and for people who want to have flowers growing in trees but don't want to pay the expensive amount for an orchid.

Greyscale, Black and White

I find it curious that music is written on a page is black and white, it takes that one-or-the-other understanding, but the result is greyscale.

With music, people either comprehend or they don't. Many people admit they don't. Too many trick themselves into thinking they do when, in reality, they're clueless. Then there are the ones who do grasp every piece, and some are modest enough not to make it known.

Picking the difference is difficult.

Yet, what is created amongst the staves of tone is a rainbow of expression. There is no set understanding for that, and it will always be vast.

Sorry

My apologies to anyone who has come to the main page of my blog and couldn't access the "Quirky Ideas" page. I didn't realise till I had a look at it myself that I had forgotten to link up the page to the main page. If I ever manage to make the same silly mistake, please let me know.
On the concept of comments, please feel free to leave comments on whatever you read.
I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read what I have published, so thank you :)

Inspiration

A moment in my writing time that brought me this short statement, but represents what I do.

"My ink and paper are my sword and shield: they are with me to carve my way."

The Poet's Mind

A pretty little quote that I love. I feel it encompasses what each true poet senses.

Vex thou not the poet's mind
    With thy shallow wit:
Vex thou not the poet's mind;
    For thou canst not fathom it.

Clear and bright it should be ever,
Flowing like a crystal river;
Bright as light, and clear as wind.

~Lord Byron Tennyson

New Picture

With the recent rain and opportunity to enjoy the flowers in my garden, armed with my DSLR I took to the garden to capture the vibrant contrast of colours. Here is just one...

http://chanceapoet.blogspot.com.au/p/captured-moments.htmlhttp://chanceapoet.blogspot.com.au/p/captured-moments.html