Talk

Let's talk about something other than myself for a change.  This whole blog has so far been about me (and rightly so) but I want to try to talk about something else.  Disclaimer: the subject will probably get back to me.  I don't have a specific topic in mind yet as I write this but let's see what pops into my head.

"Mistakes and failure are humanity."

I heard this quote on TV, of all places.  I was watching Palladia channel and the band Phoenix was on Unplugged.  During an interview section, one member (Christian Mazzalai, I think) said this about performing live in front of people.  I thought it was an excellent response, especially given the question because it doesn't just apply to performers but regular, everyday people.  I know this is stupid to say but humanity is what makes us humans.  Humans are not perfect, not even close.  So to try and hide imperfections is to hide yourself.  If someone is "perfect" in the sense that everything they do and are is correct and their "image" should be sought after and copied, trust me when I say that they are not perfect and that you should never try to copy anyone else.  Just be yourself and stay true to who you are and want to be.  Want to be yourself.

"The road is there guys.  You should just go for it.  You are the only shadow standing in your own sunshine."

This quote comes courtesy of Fabio Viviani from Top Chef.  He said this while saying goodbye to the cameras when he was eliminated from Top Chef: All Stars and it's a great quote.  I was rooting for Fabio and was sad to see him go for making a "boor-ger".  Nevertheless, this quote is great and should be shared with everyone.  I think it's self explanatory and doesn't need any elaboration.

"You have to know the difference between you, your, and you're; and there, their, and they're."

This really isn't a quote so much as a philosophy.  Everyone should know the differences between you, your, and you're as well as the differences between there, their, and they're.  If you don't then I'm sorry but you need to go back to school.  Improper grammar is a huge pet peeve of mine and it absolutely bugs me when I find them in co-workers' emails or documents.  It's sad but I slightly judge them because of their grammar (correct usage of their, btw).  I think grammar is hugely proportional to a person's education.  So if you use poor grammar I may judge you and think less of your intellectual knowledge.  I may not think less of you a person but I will question your knowledge from time to time.  Harsh but true and I'm sure I'm not the only one to do this.  For those of you who may not know, here are my simple explanations (I hope they're right, haha):

You = noun referring to you (crazy, huh)
Your = pronoun referring to something belonging to you in some sense (It's on your arm.)
You're = contraction of "you are" (blowing your mind yet?)

There = noun, adverb, or adjective referring to person, place, or thing (He is over there, There is water, etc.)
Their = pronoun referring to possession (Their bag, their drink, their food, etc...)
They're = contraction of "they are" (mind blown!)


_andyjoe