Second July

26 November 2009

talk to the hand

3 papers down and i'm already feeling bored of everything here.

monotonous routine. i think this is one of my major sources of stress. and so i find random stuff to do from time to time, like how i bought a book on understanding philosophy through jokes. it was interesting but not as much as the book my brother got for his birthday present. it's about modern manners and there's something about that style of writing that captured me right from the prologue. then i realize it's sarcasm.

but what the author (lynne truss. title of the book's the title of this post) wrote is spot on til the point that i subconsciously nodded my head while reading. I shall quote:

" we are not justified in enforcing good manners, for good m anners always means our manners"

i'll give an example if you don't really understand. let's say i'm particularly good at leaving thank-you notes. then it's likely that i'll consider that act as "the greatest indicator of social virtue" (layman terms: my definition of manners) and "will be outraged by its breach" ( layman: if you're not fond of thank-you notes, i say your level of manners is low). but of course, i am, by no means, good with thank-you notes, as you would've realize by now.

but there is one principle of manners that i am particularly sensitive about - personal space. the book defines it as 'respecting someone else's right to be left alone, unmolested, undistrubed". ok, i shall not bore you anymore with these lectures. but really, i find that it's not a 'thank you' that's pleasant to receive. sometimes it's the 'you're welcome' that i find more satisfying. i'm not exactly sure why, but it's like an acknowledgement of your manners, and it reflects the other person's personality as well. and it took me by surprise when this photostatshop young lady with a pissed-off look replied me after i thanked her, as loud and clear (and i sensed a hint of pleasantness in her voice) as my 'thank you'.

reading aside (which i've been doing for the whole day every day), i got so bored, i started drawing. i also want to:

1) row a dragonboat
2) play a jazz piece
3) score a few As
4) get some love
5) eat cereal
6) take some photos with a dslr
7) grow taller
8) remember to check my phone for messages and reply my dad's sms-es. he'll call me if i don't reply within a time frame. aww.



2 more papers to go!
たいへんですね。。。

Labels: The Oddball

posted by: JYLing @ 8:25 PM

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