bleach and pluck.

Goodbye GREASEit! Hello bleach and pluck!

http://bleachandpluck.blogspot.com/

Here We Go Again

It's crazy, but reading my last blog post, I can still remember myself sitting right where I am now and typing it...a whole year ago. It's crazy, but reading my last blog post, I can see myself as I was back then, and I look at myself now and how I've changed...a whole year later. It's crazy what a year can do, how one year of three hundred and sixty five days can change YOU. Your outlook, views, opinions, thoughts, feelings, stand, character and personality even, and yet still keep you...well, pretty much unchanged. I guess in some sense, it seems to me as though my life has undergone a total revamp, but absolutely for the best. Rather than losing anything at all, I've gained. Found God, found family, found friends, found me. And honestly? Things couldn't be more awesome. I mean, sure, they could be if I was a three year old kid doing nothing but sitting in front of the television all day, watching disney movies and eating chocolate biscuits in blissful ignorance of my surroundings but...that'd be kind of hard at eighteen (yes, finally!), when there are these things called responsibilities to bear and choices to make, and most importantly, a life to live. Though, er, all that hasn't stopped me from indulging in a gazillion hong kong drama serials since official freedom came a knocking, of course. Haha!

Well, 2008 was (must get used to past tense in reference to 2008) in a word? Eventful. In two words? Insanely eventful. In three words? My post A levels brain fails to think. But yes, you get the idea. The year has just been one thing after another, with academics, drama, dance and so much on the personal front, such that from previously being almost unable to breathe, it feels now like there's an excess of oxygen around me. Don't get me wrong though, because I enjoyed it all; managed to catch everything that 2008 had to throw at me, and I think, at the end of the day, I handled it all pretty well, with thankfully, assurance and love from God, support from family and help from friends.

With the many happenings over the past two years, especially 2008, the one huge set of memories that even old age and dementia will fail to wipe from me is all the awesomeness of my ACSian Theatre experience. I can safely say that as a JC student, more than school work, tests, exams and grades, it was drama, rehearsals and performances that I invested the most of me in. Perhaps sacrificing some things along the way, but I have absolutely no regrets. At all. Still remember stepping with trepidation into West Side Story dance rehearsals in the beginning of my JC one year, being a calefare on the sidelines, appearing onstage for only two dances and the finale. And then from there, how things just got better and better. In these two years, I've discovered the real essence of theatre, the magic and beauty of it all, and my love for the stage. Okay, well, yes, some might say it's love of attention, fame and recognition and all that nonsense, but no. In all honesty, what I love most about theatre is how being in a role allows you to take on another personality, to be someone else, a someone who is...at the end of the day, really and truly essentially you. That might sound rather schizophrenic and contradictory but...it's true. With every role I've played, I've always managed to find something in a character that resonates with me. Sometimes little bits, sometimes huge, but in every role, I've found...me. Sometimes I look at a character and I think, but for this or that, that would so have been me, and that's what really gets to me and gets me so involved. Take Pride and Prejudice last year, for example. That was probably my best production experience. From dancing (there wasn't one dance I didn't enjoy doing) to acting (the funniest moments and the saddest scenes), it was a total blast. Elizabeth was a role which sort of scared me at first, because I mean, it's one of those names (THE Elizabeth Bennet) that makes you go...whoa. But in exploring and discovering her, I recognised a great deal of myself, many of the negative qualities (let's not go into that, yes?) and more that made me really excited to play her. And I wasn't let down, getting the share the stage with a great many talented individuals, being supported in every way possible by awesome backstage and technical crew members, all the lovely wardrobe friends and the celebrated ticketing team. My last big production was the best for me in so many ways, and I really enjoyed the process. The one sad fact? That I haven't yet found myself a real life Darcy. Oh well.

Hmm. Like I've said, it's been a whole year, and truly so many things have struck me, left an impression, taught me. Reading again the start of this long overdue blog post, it's quite obvious I was setting things up for this momentuous 2008 summary with all my little nuggets of wisdom and insights to share, and I was, really, but now...lemon-lime jell-o and Without a Trace are offering a tempting distraction so I guess wisdom and insights will have to wait. Hopefully this means more regular posts and less year by year summaries, yup? Haha, I can only say. We'll see.

New Beginnings

Another year is dawning;
dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
another year with thee.
Another year of progress,
another year of praise,
Another year of proving
thy presence all the days.
Another year of service,
of witness for thy love;
Another year of training
for holier work above.
Another year is dawning;
dear Father let it be,
on earth, or else in heaven,
another year for thee.

- Frances Ridley Havergal


There truly is no better place to be than in the house of the Lord, welcoming in the new year with praise and prayer, family and friends, and above all, God Himself. One eventful year has drawn to a close, and today, we start a new one - one that is bound to bring more opportunities, experiences, ups and downs, laughter and tears. Here's wishing everyone a most blessed two thousand and eight. May God bless, guide and be with you all through the coming days, and may every single one of you also turn to Him in the face of anything and everything, knowing that He will always be there for us; that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

To a fresh start and the creation of yet another year of precious memories,

Cheers.

Happy new year, all!

How Great

So I'm sitting here, in the Internet Corner of Express by Holiday Inn in Hong Kong. Family holiday, you see. Well, in using the last of four computers, I've got a little cubicle all to myself, back against the wall. It's nearly lunch time, and traffic is buzzing outside. In the seeming silence of the room - broken only by the rhythmic sound of fingers hitting away at the keyboards, and the filtering in of noise from the streets just beyond - I'm...blogging. Yes, blogging. Of all things. Such an environment, you'd think, would facilitate a lot more than what is often seen to be a mindless activity. And yet. I've slipped once again into thoughtful, reflective mode. Just one of those things that tends to happen to me, when I'm all alone, and the surroundings permit it.

Late the night before I left, my dad and I were sitting in our car, headed home, when for obvious reasons (such as, maybe, the fact that we were homeward bound to pack our bags in time for a flight at eight the next morning), we began talking about holidays we've taken together and those to come. And I said something, which at the time, didn't quite stick, but as I think about it now, really says something. The basic gist of it? Hmm. Background first. It's been a year since I last came to Hong Kong, and last December was my first visit. This will probably be the final one for a while, because for some reason, that's the way my family works. We're forever going to the same few destinations, but we'll rotate and alternate and plan in such a way that we don't end up over visiting places, so it's unlikely we'll ever tire of them. Right, well. Back to my one liner. ...It's only been but a year since I was last here, but goodness. So much has changed with me, for me, that it's almost impossible to believe. Just one year, and such a great deal is different. Personality and character wise, I don't think I've changed a lot, but everything in and about my life is...wow. (Yes, I also see the need to build up a stronger vocabulary before I hit the A levels next year. But for now, 'wow' will have to do.) Of course family's still here, and friends remain by my side, but JC life is now in full swing, new friendships have been forged, then there's ACSian Theatre and AC Dance, all the good and not so good experiences in the past twelve months that have moulded the person I've come to be. I mean, pose to me a question like what I remember most about two thousand and seven? In a word. Everything. It's quite insane how quickly a year flies by, and looking back, I'm inclined to wonder how I survived it all. But hey, I did.

Now by right, this is where I should go into a whole thanking people thing, post lots of photos about my fantabulous JC One year, shed a couple of tears as I attempt to put the gratitude and other mixed emotions into words, etc. And you know, maybe I will. ...Well, okay. Not quite as described in the aforementioned, but definitely, the final few days of a year always call for serious reflection, so that's what I'll do. When those final few days actually come. Not for a few weeks now though, so we'll go back a bit. And yup, it'll have to be some serious reflection about that thing my life's been centred around for a while. Probably rather monumental and all that, but to me, just really, a great experience that I'll never forget.

ACSian Theatre's Arabian Nights!

Alright. You know, by 'great', I don't mean that the rehearsals and performances we had were all smiles and smooth sailing. Certainly, there were ups and downs. What's that - emotional peaks and troughs! Yes. Every one of us experienced those, I'm sure. And yet, I wouldn't have traded any of that for anything in the world. Honest.

After watching the performance (the second of four), my mom was asking me about whether I thought I'd get withdrawal symptoms when it was over. My thoughts flew back to West Side Story, where, if one refers to a blog post in April this year, I got terribly bad withdrawals. So of course, I said yes. But when Arabian Nights did end. Even after the post production party, when it all died down. Sure, I felt sad somewhat, but I wasn't dying to relive everything. At first, I thought that perhaps, for some very strange reason, I wasn't as attached to this production as I'd been to West Side Story. Strange indeed, because if you talk about stage time and lines and all...well. No lines in West Side Story versus some lines in Arabian Nights...one would think differently. But now, as I look back and think again, I realise that that really isn't the case at all. In fact, I loved Arabian Nights. For the fellow friends that were involved, more than anything else. This production gave me a chance to meet new people, get to know friends better than I did previously, bond as a JC One batch...so much came out of it. But a year's gone by since West Side Story, and I think I've matured in a way. Become more stable too. Like, I know. I know that despite the fact that the production has come to an end, nothing that developed as a result of, or in the process of, has. With West Side Story, I think I nearly got the feeling of this is it. That I'd never get to be a part of something so wonderful ever again. But with Arabian Nights, it's so extremely important to me, yet it's but one small part of what I trust will be a fantastic journey. Not just with ACSian Theatre, not just with my fellow drama kids and amazing friends, not just with people I've met and will meet in my as of now incomplete JC life, but as a whole. I now have faith in the idea of lifelong, forever and ever. I believe - maybe blindly, but still - that years from now, I'll continue to remain tied to these people somehow, whether merely by what we call memories, or more than that. Either way, it comforts me to know that the end of a lovely production, didn't and doesn't signal the end of shared bonds. And I suppose it'd be apt here for me to express thanks to everyone involved in Arabian Nights, because each and every person made the experience special and entirely unforgettable. So thanks, to you, you, you and you. And you too, of course. And you. Yes, and I didn't forget you, so yup, you too. You as well. And you over there.

Ah, okay. You get the idea.

But well. Most importantly, and definitely above all, I have to give thanks to God. For blessing me with this truly amazing experience, placing all these wonderful people in my life, a supportive family, friends, fellow sufferers of long rehearsal hours and doubly long theatre days (haha, just kidding), for giving me an unbelievable year gone by, and for being with me through everything.

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Thanks, you guys.

And well, what can I say?

Thank God.

It's An Art

I've been thinking lately, that I could, and probably should make a career out of making fun of people. I mean, making fun of not in a bad way of course, though I highly doubt there's anything really good in my mocking of people, except in the potential forming of abs through incessant laughing. Oh and at the rate at which I've been downing waffles with maple syrup and gelato, gelato cakes, gelato in cups, gelato in cones (see the downside to having a mother and aunt who own a geletaria?), those are some abs I badly need. While I'm on this, might as well declare my new resolve: I will from now on turn up for all running dates with Lorraine Loh and the rest of the MacRitchie gang, plus do warm ups and pumping during Arabian Nights rehearsals with such conviction, that the general population will bow down to me, kiss my feet, and paste a poster of me with my newly acquired six pack on their room ceiling and walls for motivation. Yes.

Anyway, back to my potential occupation.

One permanent victim of my verbal abuse, is none other than my younger sister, Nicole. Something which my mother always scolds me for, except that she herself then proceeds to make fun of her, which often results in distressed animal in pain like noises from the poor child.

This morning, for example, I woke up and was lying in bed, with my sister positioned between my mom and I. She decided - being quite adept at physically abusing me - to whack her arm down on my stomach, as a morning greeting. To which I responded by telling her that her arm is like a club. That brought on some laughs from my mother, a yell from my sister, and another stomach whack. Which only led me to continue on, as I muttered how her arm is indeed like a club...being as big as a country club. You see, it's the jibes about her weight that always get to my sister. Well, my mother found it quite amusing, since she proceeded to snort in a rather undignified manner, and this made my sister whimper something about hating me, but not before attempting to strangle me with her club like arm.

The incident served to remind me of a similar one that took in place in Phuket, where we went for a family holiday in June, earlier this year. There was one fine day, when being a little bored, my brother and I decided to devote an entire afternoon to making fun of my sister. The ultimate was when we went on a roll, casting her in every fairytale/disney cartoon we could think of, for example, as the pumpkin in Cinderella, and the hunch in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Somehow I don't think she ever quite forgave us for that.

But then my mother makes the situation worse. Like I said, after these 'make fun of Nicole' sessions end, she always chides me for mocking my sister, saying stuff about how I'm going to be so sorry next time because if she ever becomes anorexic, it'll be all my fault (a valid argument actually). Ah. BUT. She does her fair share of the making fun of too, such as telling my aunt how my sister eats so much seafood tofu that she's beginning to look like one. Hah!

Well. Aside from my sister, there have been and continue to be many other victims of my - as the average Singaporean would say - suaning tendencies. And with my recent promotional examination and overall JC1 grades, I am now seriously and strongly considering this to be my life's calling.

Quite sad, but...at least I know I'll enjoy my job.

Love, Loss, And Everything In Between.

Feeling a little queer on my way home two nights ago, I stopped by the playground behind the bus stop outside my place for some private time. For a park which tends to be filled with either kids, maids, dogs or construction workers, it was unusually quiet. ...Then again, it was nearing eleven, and the roads leading into my estate were generally void of people.

I climbed into the covered space of the playhouse like thing, and sat there, all by myself, staring out into the night. Then I closed my eyes for a while, to think, and to take in the surroundings, sans the visual. Relaxing, calming...well thank goodness for the rapidly drying contact lenses, or I would definitely have fallen asleep. Opening my eyes and looking ahead of me, something on the opposite wall of the playhouse caught my attention. Scrambling over (not very dignified, I know, but I was excited!) to take a closer look, I saw these words written in permanent marker on the yellow background: "Till Death Do Us Part, My Darling". Suddenly thrilled at having found evidence of what appeared to be true love in this fallen world (or better yet, evidence perhaps, of that couple I'd seen making out in there, come to think of it, about a year ago now), I whipped out the trusty handphone to take a shot. After a couple of clicks from different angles, I turned to my left for some reason, only to see yet another declaration of love, now on the blue side of the playhouse. A heart shape, within which, the words: "Love You Forever". Okay, so maybe this one was a little cheesy, but it was refreshing nonetheless. From carving couples' names into trees with knives in the old days, it now seemed to me that playgrounds and permanent markers were the new in thing. As I turned around to crawl back into my corner after inspecting piece of evidence number two, lo and behold, what should I see on that very surface I'd been resting on, but another TWO love notes. One read: "On the side of me", and the other - which I felt to be the most romantic of the four - "You'll never walk alone". As I continued to capture the images, I figured they'd all probably been written by the same person. Or couple. And despite thinking of the possibility that it could've been that terrible making out couple (VERY public display of affection, if you get my drift - horrified me as a young secondary four student from a single sex school), I began to feel all...I don't know, warm and fuzzy inside. Think noble, there's hope yet for humanity kind of thing. And yet...somewhat heavy hearted. Weird. Kind of...indescribable.

Well, I figured it was getting rather late, and I didn't want mom to worry. So with all the evidence packed into my handphone, I got up and left, leaving the park and playground in all its quiet stillness behind.

--------------------

Yesterday evening was one spent at the Esplanade library, dedicated to searching for DEP IS scripts with Yin Ling and Roxanne (who was only there to make her presence felt, haha). Flipping through the shelves with no one particular thing I was searching for, considering I have yet to decide even on what IS I'm going for - straight acting? Or devised? Help. - I began to simply pick out titles that piqued my interest. Three of these with interesting text within, were 'Fat Pig', 'Restless and Other Plays' and 'Private Parts & other play things'. Yes indeed, this says a lot about things that interest me. We'll stop there.

No, but. Some of the passages in the scripts are truly...thought provoking, and just...wow (ah, see, vocabulary range has expanded considerably post promos). Below are some extracts from the books. Do have a read. They're all pretty good.

from Private Parts & other play things - Love & Belachan

Rule number one: If the man of your choice looks in your direction, always look down slightly but half-smile as you do so. Do not pout your lips and look at the ceiling. Look submissive and do not intimidate the other party.

Rule number two: If the man of your choice approaches you, look shy but say hello. Do not act coy. Be natural. Smile.

How to break the ice with the man of your choice. If you're at a party, try discussing the music. Ask him what music he likes. Act casual. Do not feel intimidated.

**********

from Fat Pig

Helen: So, look, I figure there's every reason why I'll never hear from you again, and that's why I came back here, just to say that I don't do this, come after guys or anything, not like some regular habit or whatever, so I thought you should know that. I think you're really cute and nice and that sort of thing...you might have a girlfriend already or not be attracted to me, I would just totally understand that, I would, but I really do hope you call me. Just even to talk on the phone would be fine, because I'd like that, if we were only these phone buddies...I think I would. Just don't be afraid, Tom, I guess that's why I came back here, to say that. Please do not let yourself be afraid of me or of taking some kind of blind chance, or what people think...because this could be so great.

**********

from Fat Pig

Helen: I'm not looking for a fairy-tale or out-of-the-ballpark or anything...just a person who cares about me like I do him. Simple.

Tom: ...Love isn't simple. It's...never having to say you're sorry.

**********

from Fat Pig

Helen: Right. Okay...(Beat.) Tom, you are aware that I like you. You already know that.

Tom: Yes.

Helen: But I get the feeling...I mean, it is now pretty obvious that there are some problems here. Issues, or whatever. And we need to get over them or...well, you know. Things that I don't wanna think about.

Tom: I guess.

Helen: Please, you need to stay in this. Focused on it, so don't drift off or anything. I love you so much, I really do, Tom. Feel a connection with you that I haven't allowed myself to dream of, let alone be a part of, in so long. Maybe ever. But I can't be with you if you're feeling something other than that same thing that I am...completely and utterly open to that other person. I don't know what to say here, Tom...I'm worried sick. Look at me...when did you ever see me not eat a hot dog that was placed in front of me? Huh? (Tries to chuckle.) I know you hate those jokes, sorry, but I'm...Tom, tell me about it. I know you're thinking something, so we might as well just...one more thing. Just this. And I've never said this to anyone, not any other person in the world. Ever. My parents or a...no one. I would change for you. I would. I don't mean Slim-Fast or that one diet that the guy on TV did...with the sandwiches from Subway. That guy...

Tom: Helen...that...that's not...

Helen: I'll do something radical to myself if you want me to. Like be stapled or have some surgery or whatever it takes - one of those rings - because I do not want this to end. I'm willing to do that, because of what you mean to me. The kind of, just, ecstasy that you've brought me. So...I just wanted you to know that.

Tom sits there, taking it all in. Looking off. She nudges him with an elbow.

Helen: This would be an excellent time to say something sweet to me. If you at all care about my feelings.

Tom: I know. I'm...(Beat.) Helen, that was such a nice thing to offer.

Helen: Oh-my-God...

Tom: What?

Helen: I just...the way you worded that right then, in the past tense. It scared me.

Tom: No, I just...it is. Really. And I appreciate it so much.

Helen: But what? (Beat.) Gosh, I wish those thousand ships would show up right about now...

Tom: Yeah. (Tries to smile.) Look, Helen...I've been thinking...

Helen: Okay.

Tom: I think you are an amazing woman, I honestly do. And I really love what we have here. Our times together...but I think that maybe, you know, some time would be good here, or if you were to, I'm not sure...maybe take that job. It might tell us if we're...I dunno.

Helen: Oh...(Beat.) Wow, that's a bit of a...you know...I mean, why would I do that?

Helen tries to continue but Tom stops her. Waits.

Tom: Listen...If we were in some other time or a land that nobody else was around on...like that island from the movie, the Sinatra film - None but the Brave - then everything might be okay, I wouldn't be so f***ing paranoid about what the people around me were saying. Or even thinking. Then it could just be you and me, and that'd be so great. Perfect. But...I guess I do care what my peers feel about me. Or how they view my choices, and yes, maybe that makes me not very deep or petty or some other word, hell, I dunno! It's my Achilles flaw or something. I'm...

Tom stops for a moment, regrouping. Helen tries to speak.

Helen: Tom, don't do this, okay? Please don't. We can, I dunno...we...

Tom: No, I need to...if I stop now I'm not gonna be able to...finish, so I'm...(Beat.) Helen...things are so tricky, life is. I know now I'm not really deserving of you, of all you have to offer me. I can see that now. I want to be better, to do good and better things and to make a proper sort of decision here, but I...I can't. I cannot do it. I mean, I could barely drive here today because of...my hands were shaking the whole time. They were. Jumping up and down on the wheel there. And these are all people that I know! That I...I'm just not gonna be able to do this, on like, a daily basis. (Starts to cry.) God...look at me! It's...I'm sorry about this and I wish that I was saying what you wanna hear. I do. That would make me really happy, to please another person right now. I mean, a person that I'm feeling this...love for. Yeah, love. But sometimes it just isn't enough. You know? All this love inside and it's not nearly enough to get around the shit that people heave at you...I feel like I'm drowning in it - shit - and I don't think I can...I don't wanna fight it anymore. I am just not strong enough for that, so I'm gonna lie on my back for a while and float. See if I can keep my head above the surface. (Beat.) I guess that's what I needed to say to you. That I'm not brave. I'm not. I know you want me to be...always believed that I can be, but I'm a weak and fearful person, Helen, and I'm not gonna get any better. Not any time soon, at least...

They sit quietly, not touching. Tom is still tearful.

Helen: But that's...it's something we could work on, right...can't we, Tom? Right?

Tom: ...No. I don't think I can.

Helen begins to cry. Tom continues to cry as well. Big, rolling tears as they both stare out to sea.

Silence. Darkness.

**********

--------------------

Walking home after the Esplanade escapade last night, there was a sort of swirling post rain mist around me, and the roads were still wet. With the iPod plugged in, me moving slowly along, a car zoomed right past. Without a clue as to why, I suddenly felt a strange sensation of being...left behind. I watched the car speed off. Then I looked down. At the wet gravel. And even though I'm sure nothing of the sort was happening, it seemed to me as though the rainwater was seeping slowly past me. The feeling of being left behind hit me again. Honestly, I had no idea where are all the illusions were coming from. Shaking it off, I concentrated on the music. Interesting, the song that was playing. 'Here Without You' by 3 Doors Down (and Shan gasps at the fact that I actually do listen to other songs besides Disney and Grease).

I’m here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I’m here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight it’s only you and me

And the first thought that popped into my mind, was...What a sad theme. I mean. "Here without you"? "Lonely"? Hmm.

Imagine ten years down the road, a couple no longer together meet again in a restaurant, and over the speakers, this plays. Hey, the guy goes, that's our song, remember? And the girl replies, yeah. Who could forget?

Then an awkward silence.

And a bitter laugh.

I imagine they'll never see each other again after that.

------------------

...Okay. Goodness. This is such a chopped up and not nicely put together entry. Such a mish mash of random things - thoughts, feelings and all, and I'm tying them together with the single idea of 'Love, Loss, And Everything In Between'. Ah well.

On a parting note though, does true love really exist?

KI students, it's your call.

The Walk

Twice Shy

Her scarf a la Bardot
In suede flats for the walk,
She came with me one evening
For air and friendly talk.
We crossed the quiet river,
Took the embankment walk.

Traffic holding its breath,
Sky a tense diaphragm:
Dusk hung like a backcloth
That shook where a swan swam,
Tremulous as a hawk
Hanging deadly, calm.

A vacuum of need
Collapsed each hunting heart
But tremulously we held
As hawk and prey apart,
Preserved classic decorum,
Deployed our talk with art.

Our Juvenilia
Had taught us both to wait,
Not to publish feeling
And regret it all too late -
Mushroom loves already
Had puffed and burst in hate.

So, chary and excited,
As a thrush linked on a hawk,
We thrilled to the March twilight
With nervous childish talk:
Still waters running deep
Along the embankment walk.

- Seamus Heaney


You know, I just love, and never fail to be amazed at how poems and song lyrics can so often mirror situations we're facing; can reflect our innermost thoughts and feelings, such that at times, we are able to relate quite stunningly well to them. Particularly in moments of sadness, when we're down and despondent, it's always comforting (sometimes perhaps, indulgent) to source deep between the lines of poems for that elusive someone who knows...who understands. It's always comforting (sometimes perhaps, indulgent) to listen over and over and over again to that same old song - yes, the one with the chorus that tells your story, saying so much in just five short lines. ...Sigh. Strangely beautiful, isn't it?

Reminds me of the time I had gotten started on an entry titled something along the lines of the top ten songs that make me cry. Back then it took me a little effort to fill the ten spots. But I've realised that with the passage of time, the ten spots have become easier to fill, and will continue to become easier yet, as we build our different life experiences. The same goes for a top ten list of songs that'll make me laugh, probably. Either way, as we grow, move on, get up and live our lives - making many mistakes along the way before we get to that level we ought to live it at...we'll find those songs; we'll find those poems. Those that speak to us, those that indulge us, those that teach us.

For now, I've got those few poems and many songs.

And right at this very moment...

I've been taking more than just one look at genius Heaney's Twice Shy.