There are so many things you should've done. That you should've done but you didn't do. Because you're scared. 

Scared of what—I ain't scared-

You are scared.

You're scared of failure. You're scared of making a mistake. Scared you aren't perfect.

In a moment of weakness, if you're scared, everything can fall apart. That incredible facade of confidence breaks itself and you can never gather up all the pieces again. 

When you're scared of the ball, you try to catch with your body. Reach out your two arms and snatch that ball out of the air. Don't wait for it to hit your chest and bounce off. Grab for it and keep on running.

Who are you anyway? There's nowhere for you to fall down to, so there's no risk to climbing.

You don't have to be perfect to get what you want. That's a lie.

Antony was sick today. I went to the theatre to watch Antony and Cleopatra, but Antony was sick. 

Maybe his life of decadence finally caught up to him.

Three quick poems on an evening

In vino veritas, as the Romans said.

In vino veritas, as the Romans said.

In wine, truth.

The Best Show Ever

The poetry scene in Hong Kong might not be massive, but if it were, it wouldn't be as cool. Poetry OutLoud is located at the Cabaret Theatre of the Fringe Club, the first Wednesday of every month. Some poetry readings, drinks, and an atmosphere one usually doesn't find in Hong Kong.

I banged out the following poem (if it qualifies as such) yesterday for the open mic section of the evening. The room was more packed that I expected, really, and the honestly intimidating thing was that everyone seemed to know each other but us. We found out later that was because most are regulars at "Joyce Is Not Here", where they gather the other Wednesdays of the month, something more cozy, more crazy, and more poetry.

Why High School English Sucks

And why studying literature can suck in general

Symbols are things that, because of their placement, gain meaning through the story. Not random, superfluous insertions.

Themes arise from stories. They can't substitute for the stories.

A story is not a mystery to be solved for its meaning. It's not a maths equation to be 'figured out'. 

A story is an experience to be appreciated. The author is sharing something with you. 

Bertha Mason (Jane Eyre; Brontë, C.)

, the first wife of Mr. Rochester.

I seriously don't think she was insane when Rochester married her. She may have become insane since, but only as a consequence of being locked up.

DISRESPECTING Jules Verne

I recently remarked to a friend that Jules Verne's "adventures" tend to be rather anticlimatic.

I have, of course, only three of their number to reference. Around the World in Eighty Days (henceforth 80 Days), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (henceforth 20000), and Journey to the Centre of the Earth (henceforth Journey).

A submarine and subtextual adventure.

First impressions of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. (Verne, J., 1870. Translated by Allen P.S., 1922)

In my first reading, I went in without any preliminary research, and had no idea what to expect.

As I traversed the chapters, it seemed to me much more of a travel log than something with substantial plot. Often, when the narration went for large stretches describing the local wildlife instead of furthering the plot, I grew impatient. Verne's attention to scientific and technical detail was impressive, but uninteresting.

Ned Land needs land

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Verne, Jules)

Part II, Chapter VIII, Vigo Bay

Comments:

Ned Land needs land. Intentional pun, surely.

Looking deeper into the allusions in _A Streetcar Named Desire_

The many allusions Tennessee Williams uses in (Streetcar) are incredibly meaningful. In particular, I want to explore the following three in more detail: "My Rosenkavalier!", "la Dame aux Camellias!" and "Wien, nur du allein."