"The Bible [to learn that it's easier to be told by others what to think and believe than it is to think for yourself]; The System of the World (Newton) [to learn that the universe is a knowable place]; On the Origin of Species (Darwin) [to learn of our kinship with all other life on Earth]; Gulliver's Travels (Swift) [to learn, among other satirical lessons, that most of the time humans are Yahoos]; The Age of Reason (Paine) [to learn how the power of rational thought is the primary source of freedom in the world]; The Wealth of Nations (Smith) [to learn that capitalism is an economy of greed, a force of nature unto itself]; The Art of War (Sun Tsu) [to learn that the act of killing fellow humans can be raised to an art]; The Prince (Machiavelli) [to learn that people not in power will do all they can to acquire it, and people in power will do all they can to keep it]. If you read all of the above works you will glean profound insight into most of what has driven the history of the western world."
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Cats and kittens, I found my summer reading list! And it's a heavy one. And also I wish to read several of Mr. Tyson's books. He's my hero, hands down. I'm so inspired by everything he represents, by the spirit of scientific curiosity, by the way he makes astrophysics almost comprehensible, by the poetic way he describes the universe. I suppose you don't know this, but the idea of the universe is incredibly heartening to me. The idea that I am made up of elements that were born in the births and deaths of stars, that the atoms inside me once made up dinosaurs, and that we are all connected to the universe in one glorious cycle, not just passersby on a planet, here one day and gone the next. It's how I inspire myself now. Afraid to do something? Don't be. Stars are burning inside of you, dinosaurs are roaring through your veins, the drums of your ancestors are beating in your heart. Does the trick every time. Also, when I listen to his books while running (I've found the only use possible for audio books) it takes my mind off of how much running sucks and instead fills it with the universe. I like that. I like that a lot.
In other news, my show opens in two days! But we have a small audience tonight and two shows tomorrow, one for senior citizens and one for the high school. Also, I'm a master at run-on sentences. It's a busy week ahead. We call it "Hell Week" because it's nonstop performances. Let me break it down for you.
Monday - Dress rehearsal.
Tuesday - Final dress rehearsal with cheap friends in the audience.
Wednesday - Senior Citizens Matinee/During school showing.
Thursday - Opening night. Friday - Performance.
Saturday - Performance/Special late night showing.
Sunday - Sleep
Check out our pre-bee show!
Yeah, wish me a broken leg! Busy week ahead. On top of school and now, potentially work. Hopefully I don't have to start work until the week after the show closes. That would be ideal. And prom is next weekend. But you know what? After next week I'm going to be at a loss as to how to spend my time. I also won't have an excuse to miss photography anymore. Boo.
Anyway guys, I don't know about you, but I'm feeling great. The sunny weather just left so it's a beautiful and rainy day, just the way I like 'em. And graduation is almost upon us! It's scary and wonderful to think that high school is almost completely over and that I'm thiiiiiiiiiiis close to being a happy little Redhawk at Seattle University! Actually, the more I think about it the more I can't wait. Be well, readers!
Cherish out!
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