They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. I read a story this week where one man’s trash has become a treasure to many people thanks to some sanitation workers in Turkey.
In the capital city of Ankara, Turkey, workers from the sanitation department started noticing an increasing number of books being thrown away. Rather than let them end up in landfills, they began rescuing the books. At first, the workers began sharing the books with colleagues and families. As word of the collection spread, residents also began donating books directly. As the collection grew, they decided to create a public library in an abandoned brick factory and the library was born.
The library has been a huge success. It offers a wide range of books for patrons. With a collection now at over 6,000 books, there is also a popular kid’s section with comic books and an entire section for scientific research. Books in English and French are also available for bilingual visitors. The local municipality, Çankaya, has found room in the budget for a full-time library employee, and has converted a garbage truck into a mobile library that doubles as a donations truck. It’s become a community hub, a place to promote literacy and the joy of reading.
In a world full of terrible new stories, it is a blessing to read about people who care and share with others.
This Sunday (6/9) will mark 36 years since I graduated from high school. Coincidentally, I graduated from college with my Associates Degree 25 years later (11 years ago). I mention this because there have been so many graduation posts on Facebook over the last week or two. Many of my friends have been celebrating the college and high school graduations of their sons, daughters and grandchildren and they pictures and messages have been wonderful to read.
For the Friday Photo Flashback today, I share two photos from my high school graduation day. The first is one with my dad and me.
I remember when we took this photo thinking it was corny, but looking back at it now, I am so glad we took it. I’m sure there were plenty of times that my folks wondered if I’d ever get grades good enough to graduate! I had so much trouble with Algebra and often did the bare minimum in some of the classes that I hated (like Family Life – URGH). Luckily, there were plenty of classes that I took that I did like.
This photo is taken in our driveway just before I left to go to commencement. I was in band and we played before the ceremony started, so I had to be there early. That is my Ford Escort that my grandmother bought me for graduation. I laugh because of the stuff painted on it and the cat that is suction cupped to the back window. The Oops at the left rear bumper is where my friend Margaret slid into my car one winter morning (that’s a story in itself).
I truly love this photo of my dad and me.
The second photo is from later that evening, but before the ceremony. Our ceremony was held outdoors in the football stadium. The stage was set up in the center of the field and parents and family were seated in the stands to watch. The band set up on the track in front of the field. The first few numbers were played with all the seniors in place. When it was close to the start of the ceremony, the seniors left and lined up to walk into the stadium.
I remember all of the little things that happened in the month or two before graduation where the reality of school ending would hit me. One of those things was when we went to band class and there were songs that were played without us senior players. We sat and listened and it was hard. I loved playing music so much, I hated the fact that it was all coming to and end for me.
One of my favorite memories of that night was getting to conduct the band. There were a couple of us who did that. I picked a song called Tin Pan Alley, which was a medley of songs like I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover, Ain’t She Sweet, and Happy Days Are Here Again. It was a long song and I was surprised I was allowed to conduct that one.
I remember it was a tad breezy that night and at one point the conductor’s score flipped a few pages. Thank goodness I was familiar with the song and really didn’t need it. As I look at this photo I see many classmates that I am still in contact with. Our valedictorian, Debbie, who is playing trumpet in the white cap and gown played the trumpet solo that I had played when we did it in concert because I was conducting. Directly to the right of my left hand, you can see a leg in a pink cast. That’s Theresa, if memory serves me right, she fell and broke her ankle at the band banquet a few weeks prior to graduation.
What an amazing feeling to be in front of the band, and in control of the tempo and volume of a piece of music. We had a conducting class that year and many of us got to conduct warm up pieces before rehearsal began. I learned so much from this and I would love the opportunity to do that again.
You know what’s funny? After 36 years, I can remember exactly how that song goes. I remember all the transitions, the tempo changes, the drum and cymbal cues, and solos. I could probably sing it for you note for note.
Shortly after this, all of our band seniors got up, shook hands with Mr. Shaner (our director), and lined up with the rest of our class. For three years, we had been the ones playing Pomp and Circumstance on a loop as seniors walked down the aisles and to their seats. Now, it was our turn. What a surreal moment to be listening to it as we walked in and prepared to get our diplomas.
Every once in a while I will get blindsided by something unexpected. Recently, I was contacted by someone who was given my name as someone who “would be perfect” for a position at their company. Not much was discussed over the phone and I almost blew it off. However, a friend of mine reminded me that one must always check out the opportunity whether I am happy where I am or not.
“I always go on an interview a year,” he said. “It keeps me in the eyes of people who might have a dream gig available. Finally, it helps me to hone those interview skills should I ever really need them.” Well, when you put it like that, I decided to entertain the idea and set up a chat.
After meeting with my point person, I can tell you that I liked him a lot. He has big plans and whoever steps into this role will play an important part in those plans. As much as I enjoyed our conversation, I walked out not really knowing a whole lot.
I came home and talked with my wife and we began the Pros and Cons list. There are plenty of pros and cons. One of the biggest unknowns was the salary. He had no idea what it was and said that if I was interested HR would contact me. In these trying times where financial issues are rising, the salary is kind of a big point.
Anyway, I received a call today about this position and I have all the pieces to see if they will fit into my future. I truly am uneasy about even considering this, because for the first time in a VERY long time I am happy with the position I have. I like the people I work with. There is a lot of flexibility with schedule (for appointments and other things), and I feel like things are moving forward in the right direction.
“Go with your gut” a former co-worker told me. As I thought about that, I began to think about a quote I had heard before. Upon searching for “Go with your gut quotes,” I found the one I was looking for and more:
“Trust your hunches. Hunches are usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level.” — Joyce Brothers
“You must train your intuition; you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide.” — Ingrid Bergman
“Think for yourself. Trust your own intuition. Another’s mind isn’t walking your journey; you are.” — Scottie Waves
“Intuition is always right in at least two important ways; It is always in response to something. It always has your best interest at heart.” — Karen Whitaker
“Always heed a warning,” my father used to say. Your gut instinct will tell you when something doesn’t feel right, but your mind will override it and make you do things. Intuition is there to protect you from danger, and you should trust it.” ― Stewart Stafford
“Your gut feeling is a reminder to trust yourself.” – Anonymous
“A gut feeling is your personal GPS. Trust it to take you where you need to go.”
“Don’t be afraid to go with your gut. It’s there for a reason, and it’s usually right.” – Anonymous
“Your gut feelings are usually accurate, listen to them.” – Oprah Winfrey
So, I know what my gut is saying. I know what my wife is saying. I know what some close friends are saying. They all seem to be in agreement. The cons list is a bit larger than the pros list. I will take one more day to mull it over, but I think I may already know what the decision is.
Welcome back to The Music of My Life, where I feature ten songs from each year of my life. In most cases, the ten songs I choose will be ones I like personally (unless I explain otherwise). The songs will be selected from Billboard’s Year-end Hot 100 Chart, Acclaimed Music, and will all be released in the featured year. I turned three in 1973, so let’s see what music had some influence on me ….
In January of 1973, The Four Tops released their second song on the ABC label. They had left Motown the year before and this song became their biggest post-Motown hit. Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got) was originally recorded by Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds in 1972. It’s hard for me to hear anyone else but Levi Stubbs on the vocal. It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)
In March of 1973, Elvis released one of my favorite live cuts – Steamroller Blues. I did a piece on the song for Tune Tuesday a few months back. You can read that here:
Elvis added the song to his concert set list and this recording was from his Aloha From Hawaii show. It reached #17 on the charts.
Steamroller Blues
In April of 1973, Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan’s song about a music industry party was released by their band The Stealer’s Wheel. “Well, I don’t know why I came here tonight” is the opening line of Stuck in the Middle and it makes you want to hear the rest of the story.
It was a top ten hit for the group, reaching #6 on the charts. The band was surprised at the success of the song, especially since Gerry’s vocal was meant to sound like a funny Bob Dylan. Many people thought it actually was Bob Dylan singing!
Stuck in the Middle
Also released in April of 1973, the last Top 40 hit for a singing barber. This song actually seems out of place on my list, but I have a reason it’s here.
Don McLean wrote And I Love You So for his debut album in 1970. It was the B-side of his single Castles in the Air. Crooner Perry Como used it as the title song for his 1973 album. It would peak at #29 on the charts.
I include it here because when my old morning show partner and I would go out and sing karaoke, he used to sing this one. I had never heard it before then and I loved the lyrics and melody.
And I Love You So
Another great opening line for a song was from Paul Simon. “When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school….” Kodachrome was released in May of 1973. The song was originally written as “Going Home,” but he didn’t think it worked. Kodachrome sounded similar and he went with that.
It has been said that the song is a sort of admiration for all the things that brighten the world. After his lamenting about high school, his world becomes alive with memories.
Kodachrome
Also released in May of 1973, a song that is based on real events and has one of the greatest opening riffs of all time. Smoke on the Water is the story of how Deep Purple was getting to record in a mobile studio they rented from the Rolling Stones. The night before they were set to record, someone fired a flare gun during Frank Zappa’s song King Kong and set the casino venue on fire that destroyed it. Deep Purple watched the fire from their hotel room and the smoke from the fire across the water led to the song’s title.
The opening riff which was written by guitarist Richie Blackmore, was inspired by “an interpretation of inversion” of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. That intro remains something I love hearing, especially in headphones. The guitar riff by itself, then the hi-hat cymbal, snare drum kicks, bass guitar and finally the vocal. SO cool.
Smoke on the Water
The next song has an interesting story. It has it’s origins in a song that I almost picked for my list. From Songfacts.com: In February 1973, Stevenson released the song “Shambala” which was written by the composer Daniel Moore. Two weeks later, Three Dog Night released their version of the song, which became the much bigger hit, charting at US #3 while Stevenson’s version stalled at #66. Stevenson and Moore then got together and re-wrote “Shambala” as “My Maria,” changing the lyrics so the song became an ode to a beautiful woman. The ploy worked, and Stevenson had by far his biggest hit. (It went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.)
Brooks and Dunn enjoyed a number one country song with their cover of the song in 1996.
My Maria
Another song that was inspired by real events was from Jim Croce. In 1970, Jim Croce wrote Time in a Bottle the night that he found out his wife, Ingrid, was pregnant. Songfacts.com says: The couple had been married for five years, and Ingrid found out she was pregnant when she went to a fertility specialist. She recalls a mix of terror and delight in Jim’s reaction when she told him the news. The child was a boy named Adrian, who grew up to become the singer-songwriter A.J. Croce.
The song was released in November of 1973, and it hit #1 in America 14 weeks after Croce was killed in a plane crash in September.
For the record, I have never been to a whorehouse. The next song is a classic rock standard about the aforementioned establishment. The boys of ZZ Top based La Grange on John Lee Hooker’s Boogie Chillin’, and there is even a vocal tribute to Hooker as Billy Gibbons sings “Ho Ho Ho Ho!”
Again from Songfacts.com: The place in this song is the subject of the 1982 movie The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds, which was adapted from a 1978 Broadway play.In a 1985 interview with Spin magazine, ZZ Top bass player Dusty Hill explained: “Did you ever see the movie, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas? That’s what it’s about. I went there when I was 13. A lot of boys in Texas, when it’s time to be a guy, went there and had it done. Fathers took their sons there.
La Grange
We wrap 1973 with another great classic rock song. “I was cutting a rug down at a place called the Jug with a girl named Linda Lou…” the story begins and right from the get go trouble is brewing! Lynyrd Skynyrd released Gimme Three Steps in November of 1973.
From Songfacts.com: This song is based on a true story. As Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington tells it, lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, who was about 18 at the time, used a fake ID to get in a bar while his younger bandmates Rossington and Allen Collins waited for him in a truck. Van Zant danced with a girl named Linda, whose boyfriend, who was not too happy about it, came up to Ronnie and reached for something in his boot. Figuring he was going for a gun, Van Zant told him: “If you’re going to shoot me it’s going to be in the ass or the elbows… just gimme a few steps and I’ll be gone.” He ran to the truck, and he, Rossington, and Collins wrote this song that night.
This was one of the few songs Skynyrd released as a single. It was their first major-label release, and it didn’t chart, which simply amazes me. It is a song that has truly become a party classic. I think I got more requests for this one than Sweet Home Alabama at weddings. Maybe it wasn’t a hit, but I have certainly heard this a lot throughout my life, and I always sing along!
Gimme Three Steps
That wraps up 1973 for me. Did you have any favorites from that year? Next week, we move on to 1974. See you there!
The great Freddy Fender was born today in 1937 in Texas. He got his start in the music business in the 1950’s and had a few hits, but it wasn’t until 1975 when he broke through with the song Before the Next Tear Drop Falls.
His next big hit was Wasted Days and Wasted Nights, but it was not a new song for him. He actually wrote and recorded in back in 1959. He ran into trouble after this when he was arrested for possession of marijuana and convicted in 1960.
The Sir Douglas Quintet, also from Texas and known for the hit She’s About a Mover, actually cut a version of Wasted Days in 1971. But Freddy wasn’t done with the song. After Freddy’s success with Before the Next Teardrop Falls in 1975, he went back in the studio and re-recorded Wasted Days and Wasted Nights and this time it was a hit! It went to number on on the Billboard Country Singles chart and went to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Freddy passed away at age 69 in 2006.
Wasted Days and Wasted Nights
Wasted days and wasted nights I have left for you behind For you don’t belong to me Your heart belongs to someone else
Why should I keep loving you When I know that you’re not true? And why should I call your name When you’re to blame For making me blue?
Don’t you remember the day That you went away and left me? I was so lonely Prayed for you only My love
Why should I keep loving you When I know that you’re not true? And why should I call your name When you’re to blame For making me blue?
Don’t you remember the day That you went away and left me? I was so lonely Prayed for you only My love
Wasted days and wasted nights I have left for you behind For you don’t belong to me Your heart belongs to someone else
Why should I keep loving you When I know that you’re not true? And why should I call your name When you’re to blame For making me blue?
For Movie Music Monday this week, I bring you a song from a movie that I have never seen. I want to say that I was exposed to the soundtrack while walking through a Barnes and Noble or FYE and it was playing over the speakers. I heard this neat cover of a Fats Domino song and asked where I could get it. The employee told me that it was on the soundtrack of Little Big League.
I guess the premise of the film is that a 12 year old boy inherits the Minnesota Twins Baseball team when his grandfather dies. He plays little league baseball and thinks the manager is too hard on the players. After some words are exchanged, the boy fires the manager and names himself as the manager. Ok, whatever….
The soundtrack is ok. It has a few Booker T and the MG’s songs on it, Dion and Jeff Beck covering The Ventures Walk, Don’t Run. It was Taj Mahal’s version of I’m Ready that blew me away. The way it sounded coming through the sound system – it was so good.
I’m Ready originally appeared on Taj Mahal’s 1993 Dancing the Blues album before making it’s way to the 1994 soundtrack for the movie. Fats Domino released the original version in 1959. His version is good, but Taj Mahal’s version kicks it up about 10 notches. It has such a fuller sound to it. The bass line is not played on a stand up bass and it really drives the whole song. The piano line is as solid as Fats’ line. Of course, I love the little background horn stabs and a great saxophone solo! It’s hard not to want to jump around and dance to this one.
As you know, I love a good mystery. I also love a mystery with a great “I didn’t see that coming” moment. My latest read had both, and when the “I didn’t see that coming moment” came I was truly floored.
Here is the Goodreads synopsis:
“I’ll be dead in three months. Come tell my story.”
So writes Sebastian Trapp, reclusive mystery novelist, to his longtime correspondent Nicky Hunter, an expert in detective fiction. With mere months to live, Trapp invites Nicky to his spectacular San Francisco mansion to help draft his life story . . . living alongside his beautiful second wife, Diana; his wayward nephew, Freddy; and his protective daughter, Madeleine. Soon Nicky finds herself caught in an irresistible case of real-life “detective fever.”
“You and I might even solve an old mystery or two.”
Twenty years earlier—on New Year’s Eve 1999—Sebastian’s first wife and teenaged son vanished from different locations, never to be seen again. Did the perfect crime writer commit the perfect crime? And why has he emerged from seclusion, two decades later, to allow a stranger to dig into his past?
“Life is hard. After all, it kills you.”
As Nicky attempts to weave together the strands of Sebastian’s life, she becomes obsessed with discovering the truth . . . while Madeleine begins to question what her beloved father might actually know about that long-ago night. And when a corpse appears in the family’s koi pond, both women are shocked to find that the past isn’t gone—it’s just waiting.
Online reviews of the book are mixed. I had to laugh when one complained that it had 100 chapters. Some of the chapters were short, so I wonder why that reviewer even mentioned it!
The book had me asking questions throughout the read. Was it him? Was it her? Do they know more than they are saying? Why are they acting that way? Even in the slower moments there were things that made me think. When it all falls into place, all of those questions had answers.
Today is June 1 and it is National Game Show Day! It is a day for celebrating all timeless game shows, past and present. National Game Show Day honors one of the oldest and most cherished genres of TV.
According to the National Day Calendar: Game Shows are watched by millions of Americans every single day and are a staple in most American homes. Viewers can engage by cheering contestants on and playing along from home. National Game Show Day honors vintage and current game shows, their hosts, and the fans of yesterday and today.
The first TV game show in the U.S. was Truth or Consequences, which began in 1940 and was hosted by Ralph Edwards. The show consisted of contestants being asked to answer trivia questions correctly or face the consequences by performing a zany stunt.
I would say that my love of game shows came from my grandparents. On days where we were sick and had to stay home from school, we’d occasionally have to spend the day with them. Game Shows were a staple at their house (sadly, so were soap operas). The Price Is Right was always on at her house.
The Price is Right originally aired on TV in 1956, with Bill Cullen as the host. In 1972, the show reintroduced a new host. Bob Barker became the face of The Price is Right and served as host for 35 years, with Drew Carey taking over the reins in 2007. The Price is Right is the longest running game show in television history, with Carey continuing as host today.
Another grandma favorite was Let’s Make a Deal with Monty Hall. She’d laugh at the ridiculous costumes that people would wear. We’d laugh when they picked something that a booby prize.
Game shows seemed to be on at all hours of the day growing up. Many of them were on during the day. I loved watching Dick Clark on the $20,000 Pyramid. As years went on the amount of money increased, too.
I used to love guessing whether the next card was higher or lower when we watched Jim Perry on Card Sharks. I wanted a deck of those huge playing cards!
Long before Jeopardy, I remember watching Alex Trebek on High Rollers. I really don’t remember what the game was, but I sure do remember those big fuzzy dice! Come to think of it, his hair and mustache were a bit fuzzier back then…
Another show I remember was hosted by Bert Convey and featured celebrities and their spouses. I remember that they’d always show the contestant’s who were not on stage wearing these huge headphones!
I was always amazed at how a contestant could name a tune in one note when I watched Name That Tune. Obviously they got some clues ahead of time, but as a kid I was in awe.
There were two game shows that I remember watching that seems to go away fairly quickly. One was called Sale of the Century, again with Jim Perry.
The other one that went away fast was Treasure Hunt. What kid doesn’t like presents?
The first time I ever heard the phrase Makin’ Whoopie …. The Newlywed Game. Did I know what it meant? No. But it was fun to watch couples argue over answers.
Another daytime game show I remember was Tic Tac Dough. As a kid I loved the fact that it was Tic Tac Toe and that the host’s name was WINK!
Tic Tac Toe with celebrities and a whole lot of funny ad-libs made Hollywood Squares another favorite.
There have been many incarnations of Family Feud, but to me the BEST version was when Richard Dawson hosted.
Night time game shows were always on at grandma’s, too. Of course everyone still watches Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!
Before the return of Jeopardy at night, Wheel of Fortune was paired with Jack Berry and the Joker’s Wild.
I could go on and on with games shows I loved, but I will spare you my rambling and wrap with my all time favorite – The Match Game.
Gene Rayburn was so good at interacting with not only the celebrities on the panel, but the contestants. It was like a half hour party. We always watched it when my dad had band practice and my brother and I were in front of the TV. What a hoot to watch this show! It was years later when I found out that they would break between shows and have dinner and drinks which led to “looser” celebrities and more humor.
Did (Do) you have a favorite game show or host? Tell me about it!
There is plenty to dislike about social media. I know many people who have deleted accounts because of things like political posts, advertisements, censorship of their posts and stuff like that. I, on the other hand, really enjoy social media.
One of the reasons I love it is that I get to share in the excitement of my friends as they post first/last day of school photos, birthday and anniversary posts, as well as achievement and event posts for their children. As another school year winds down, there have been plenty of senior pictures, photos of last concerts, last ball games, club banquets, and this week a whole lot of prom pictures.
I remember my prom night like it was yesterday, despite having very few pictures from the evening. It is not because I didn’t take any, we certainly did. We even had professional ones taken. The problem is that they … let me say “disappeared.” I have a feeling a certain someone from my past decided to MAKE them disappear. She never cared that I was still friends with my date’s family.
I was lucky enough to stumble on one prom picture among a pile of photos I have in a box. I have to chuckle a bit as I look at my younger self.
The gal standing next to me was my date – Karen. She was the same age as my younger brother (A freshman). I knew her older sister really well as she was a year younger than me. For some reason, in our marching band parade set up, they put her next to me. She played flute and I played trumpet. I never understood why, but I’m glad she was there.
Throughout the marching band season, we chatted a lot. We made each other laugh and I genuinely enjoyed being with her. I don’t recall when I decided to ask her to prom, but I did and she said yes. I remember her asking if I was serious about taking her. I assured her I was. I am sure that her folks must have had a lot of reservations about a senior taking their freshman daughter to the prom!
My buddy Joe and I got a limo for the night, but only for after the prom. If I remember right, my dad drove us all there. It was at this beautiful golf course. I’m sure we danced, but I think we walked around the grounds a bit, too. After the prom, we drove around until all hours of the night. We had nowhere to go, but we drove around Detroit, along the water on Jefferson Avenue, I think we went over the Ambassador Bridge, we just drove around.
When I look at the picture above, I laugh at the fact that I had to have tails, a top hat, gloves and a cane! Could I look any more ridiculous!? Karen’s mother made her dress and I remember having to know what color it was to make sure my tie and cummerbund matched it. I remember how stunning she looked and being so excited to be taking her to the prom.
She may never read this, but if she does, she can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe when we decided to go to the prom it was an agreement that we were going just as friends. I am sure that is what both of us had in mind. As we drove around in the limo and talked, I noticed that Joe and his date had both fallen asleep. I do not recall if I had held her hand prior to this or not. What I am sure about is that when I took her hand in mine she didn’t push it away, and we held hands for some time.
At some point, we sat close to each other and just kind of held each other. My 18 year old heart was probably beating through my chest. I was single at the time and I really truly enjoyed her company. She had become a wonderful friend and I liked being with her. I’d like to believe that the first kiss we shared was a magnetic sort of thing that we both eased into, but I’m sure I was the one who instigated it. It was a pretty amazing moment and I kept hoping that our limo-mates would not wake up, so we could keep kissing.
It is sad to say, but I don’t remember if the limo dropped us off at Joe’s house and I took her home or if the limo took her home. What I do remember is thinking about her all night and well into the next day. At some point we decided to date and we did for some time after that.
She will always be a special friend to me and her family is like family. I have fond memories of that day, the dance, our relationship, and her family. I was lucky enough to DJ some of their family events and even officiated her older sister’s wedding.
They say every decision you make leads to an outcome. This was sort of the plot of the book the Midnight Library by Matt Haig. As a senior, I remember not really wanting to go to prom. It was the most expensive dance after all. Then there was the cost of a tux and such. I was barely making any money at the time, so I really was set on not going. The more she and I talked and laughed, the more I thought about asking her to go. I almost didn’t ask. I’m glad I did, though.
I’m not familiar with Cody Bret, but when I came across this, I knew I had to share…
The way people view you….
Sometimes I think about the different characters I play in everybody’s story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’m a terrible person in some people’s narratives and a Godsend in others. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And none of it has anything to do with the person I truly am. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The lens that others view you through is coloured by their upbringing, beliefs, and individual experiences. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some people see your bright personality as endearing and others see it as annoying. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some people think you’re weak and emotional and others feel safe to be themselves around you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some people think you’re rude and selfish and others respect the way you stand up for yourself. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some people admire the way you take pride in the way you look and others think you’re conceited. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And none of it has to do with who you truly are as a person. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What you have to understand is that you have no authority over how people view you so never try to control the way others see you because the only thing that truly matters when the dust settles down at the end of the day is what you genuinely see in yourself.
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 