Mundane Epiphanies

23rd May 2013

"And then one student said that happiness is what happens when you go to bed on the hottest night of the summer, a night so hot you can’t even wear a tee-shirt and you sleep on top of the sheets instead of under them, although try to sleep is probably more accurate. And then at some point late, late, late at night, say just a bit before dawn, the heat finally breaks and the night turns into cool and when you briefly wake up, you notice that you’re almost chilly, and in your groggy, half-consciousness, you reach over and pull the sheet around you and just that flimsy sheet makes it warm enough and you drift back off into a deep sleep. And it’s that reaching, that gesture, that reflex we have to pull what’s warm - whether it’s something or someone - toward us, that feeling we get when we do that, that feeling of being sad in the world and ready for sleep, that’s happiness."

Source:

Paul Schmidtberger, Design Flaws of the Human Condition (via kissesandthugs)

I keep coming back to this quotation and only now have I realized why it keeps drawing me in: it is because I have experienced the exact moment that is being equated to happiness — and I’m unsure whether I agree with the statement or not. It is not a moment I would immediately consider as “happy”. My moment of “happiness” took place five years ago, either late in the night of July 1st or very early morning of July 2nd. I can be specific as to the date because it was during a summer vacation through Europe, and at that time it was Canada Day and we were spending the day touring Vimy Ridge. It was bloody hot and, for one reason or another, I was completely miserable. That night, back in the Parisian flat we were renting, I lay on top of the bed, with the window wide open, in an attempt to fall asleep and overcome my physical and mental exhaustion. I passed out eventually but I awoke later in the night, with no idea of the time, shivering from the cool night air let in by the window. I groped for my covers, crawled under the sheets, and passed out again.

I must have been awake for all but five seconds, groggy and barely functioning, yet I can still feel that moment in clear remembrance. That moment of reflex, of searching for the sheets to crawl under and make the shivering stop, is unlike anything else. It is a moment of pure consciousness; a white light behind my eyes among the blackness of sleep and nothingness. In that state there are no thoughts: there is no jet-lag; there is no homesickness; there is no sadness, no fear, no frustration, no insecurity, no anxiety, no case of crippled self-esteem, and no misery. It is the lack of everything that plagues me, and in that way I suppose in that way it could be considered happiness.

From I am a Baggins, of Bag End! by Larmoyante

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I could really use a moment like that right about now happiness epiphany quote rant

13th May 2013

colchrishadfield:

With deference to the genius of David Bowie, here’s Space Oddity, recorded on Station. A last glimpse of the World.

Huge thanks in the making of the video to the talented trio of Emm Gryner, Joe Corcoran and Andrew Tidby, plus Evan Hadfield and all at the CSA.

Mr. Hadfield, I would like to extend a sincere congratulations, along with a thank you. For the past five months we have been watching you watching us from space. You have brought all of us down here on the ground along for the ride: through your videos, we have been shown the workings of life in space, and through your photographs you have offered new (and at times, contemporary art like) perspectives of our still-mysterious planet. You have taken social media out of its created earthly network and launched it into the harsh environment of space. Through it all, you have managed to communicate your dreams, your enthusiasm, and your passion to so many people in the most poetic ways. You sir, are an inspiration; you sir, are the Starman in the sky.

Now, the Earth welcomes you home from your journey.

From Col. Chris Hadfield by Col. Chris Hadfield

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chris hadfield space ISS

25th Apr 2013

221cbakerstreet:

crewnex:

nosdrinker:

rapewhistled:

the weak links holding back our species from evolving

i’m gonna shit on their graves

I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you’re all terrible humans and I’m ashamed that we’re the same species

I log on to Tumblr to take a break from studying for my RELS final on Islam and see this. I cannot decide which panel I hate more. But all of them together are making me sick and I’m on the verge of crying out of frustration. What riles me up is the fact that these newscasters clearly are not taking the time to understand what Islam is about; that it is not a religion of terror and violence. I’m taking this religion class because I want to understand. And while I certainly do not understand it all — it is just an academic introductory course, and nothing is equal to being a part of a religion — I have much more respect and sensitivity for Muslims and their religion, to the point where I wish I had taken the time to understand before I visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul a few summer’s ago. While I was certainly aware of the significance, I was not as conscious as I should have been. Anyways, I’m going to go back to studying and try to put this out of my mind for the time being.

(Source: sandandglass)

From 221C Baker Street by Sand & Glass

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Religion Islam Fox News Scum of the earth Rant Musings

12th Apr 2013

bredandjam asked: Scratch Plath: Shakespeare. Parker. Frost.

Shakespeare — Favourite thing about language or writing?

My favourite thing about language is how it can be played with. I’m a sucker for the cleaver use of language — big words, flowing sentences, witty banter. I love how we as a species have taken a concept that was crafted to communicate for survival purposes and transformed it into something we use for poetry, moving from “don‘t touch the fire, it is hot” to writings such as Shakespeare, saying “we are such stuff as dreams are made”. Just, woah. It’s beautiful utterly and seductive.

Parker — Favourite way to jazz things up?

I’m very much a creature of habit. But when I do feel the need to “jazz things up”, I find myself dressing up and wearing something I like but don’t wear often - usually a dress, fancy skirt. It helps me feel a bit comfortable yet confident, I suppose.

Frost — How do you comfort yourself when you’re down?

The key is to stop thinking and take time out for myself. I’ve developed a habit of curling up in my grandfather’s old armchair with a cup of some warm beverage and watch something mindless — usually a late night talk show I have previously recorded.

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asks bredandjam questions and answers

11th Apr 2013

wittymadness asked: Tennyson, Poe, Plath, Dante!!! (These are really awesome questions.)

Tennyson — Who is your hero?

I don’t so much have a hero as I do a list of people whom I admire. The only name that is coming to mind right now is Tom Hiddleston — he is thoughtful and well spoken in everything he says, passionate about what he does, humble and sweet, and endlessly inspirational in what he believes. It doesn’t help that he spews poetry and Shakespeare every time he speaks.

On second though, I’ll also include Stephen Fry — he holds a status of God for me, not only for his intelligence and articulation, but for what he says on depression and mental illness. I cannot possibly bring myself to explain, but I am constantly struck by his experiences and find myself finding solidarity and inspiration in what he has gone through.

Poe — What do you have nightmares about?

I’ve been having the same sort of nightmare since childhood, it just happens in different ways. The common idea is that I’m running away or hiding but am always chased down or found. It’s cliché, I know.

Plath — What do you hope to achieve in your lifetime?

~~You should know this is the worst question to ask me!~~ Honestly, I don’t know. I just want to be happy in what I do and with who I am.

Dante — Where would you go for an epic adventure?

Well, I’m going to study in Scotland next year, and I’m considering that an epic adventure, what with being on my own for the first time, on the other side of the world, away from family and friends.

Unless we’re talking about an epic adventure in the literary sense. Because I would love to trek across Middle Earth with the company of Thorin Oakenshield in an quest to reclaim Erebor. Or travel in the TARDIS and see all of time and space with The Doctor. You know, the usual dreams of things to do, places to see, people to meet.

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asks wittymadness questions and answers