[0196]

Who I am today is not who I am meant to be. Everyday a different me. Everything changeable -- always free.

[0194]

[0193]

"Hardened with time and no one to save me."

[0192]

To read is to be perpetually pensive.

I wish for a library like this in my own future home.

[0191]

Grateful I am for the ability to love. Yearning I am for the ability to stop.

[0190]

Seldom do two people in a relationship understand that having space between one another is the mightiest recipe for success. Most modern-day young adults in exclusive relationships believe that they need to leech onto one another in order to maintain a bond. What most people don't understand is that this constant dependancy and redundant encounters leave a relationship lifeless after a few months. Everything starts to pale in comparison to the early phases of the relationship. In response to that, most couples decide to spice things up in various ways. Sometimes those ways work and sometimes they don't. In my opinion, two people in a relationship need to maintain their own space and be their own person, not defined by the confines of their relationship; only then can they grow. They grow separately but in complement with each other.

Gibran just about sums it up in "The Prophet". Here's an excerpt:

"Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."

Masterpiece of words. Live by this passage and the meanderings of your relationship shall cease to exist.

[0188] THE GENTLEMAN'S CLUB GUIDE

The world is a hard place to survive. Falling in love. Broken hearts. Standing up for what you believe. Arachnids and an entire week dedicated to sharks. Earthquakes and economic meltdowns. Nine dollar beer nights at your favorite pub, and fashion statements that should have died years ago returning from the grave. It’s not easy to be alive through all this, let alone survive it as a gentleman. You must remain intact and stand out amongst the rest. No matter how difficult it gets out there. And the best part is, you can still look cool while doing it.

Call her the next day. The “wait three days rule” will always be cool to break.

Rules that are not cool to break: Never date your friend’s ex, never date your ex’s friend, never date your ex’s roommate, no cutting in line, no cutting a “line” in the bathroom, keep a napkin on your lap while dining, and it’s still not okay to go in a woman’s purse.

LOL is not only NOT okay, it’s never cool for a true gentleman.

Your socks should be as colorful as your wardrobe. Don’t be afraid of plaid, argyle, or stripes beneath your jeans or trousers.

A gentleman never publicly worries, complains, or comments about money. A gentleman who is cool never hesitates to pick up a tab or loan to a friend in need. Remember, if you’re making more than 2 dollars a day, you’re considered in the top 3% of the richest people on the planet. Would you like some perspective with your coffee this morning?

At a business lunch, give your credit card to the waiter before you’re seated. This ends the debate when the meal is finished before it even starts.

Make eye contact with a woman. Then buy her a drink before going on your way, and leave it at that. The transaction is over, and she’ll be left thinking about you the rest of the night.

Buy a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you.

Displaying your masculinity at the bar or club or Sunday morning church service like a lion stalking a wounded herd of scattered sheep is never cool. This representation of the circle of life in the animal kingdom always ends in a bloody massacre, so take note: stay cool, calm, and collected when she walks into the room. Eye contact with a smile from across the way is often your green light to casually approach the situation, and make your introduction.

You are not your job or how you pay the bills. Upon introductions, ask someone what it is they “do,” really do with their life, and not how they put food on the table. Not only can this question change a person’s entire day, it will also tell you more about them than any question regarding their salary.

The cooler you are, the less of your phone I should see. This is not a green light for your wireless earpiece to be worn at all times. If your hands are not at 10 and 2 on a steering wheel while you’re closing a million dollar deal in Hong Kong, then take it out, jerk. You’re not as cool as you think you are.

Don’t be afraid to make decisions, even if you’re not the authoritative type. Call the shot. Whether or not your gun is loaded, pull the trigger.

Stay cool by being creative on dates. Anything is better than going for drinks. Take her for a balloon ride, a hike, or bowling and forget to keep score. Play cards in the park, or even steal street signs if she’s the mischievous type.

Never lose your cool. This is very un-cool.

Throwing up is never cool unless you’re with the band.

Facebook is a public place. Stay cool by staying mysterious. Lose the inside jokes and status updates every 30 minutes. No one cares about what you are eating, where you are going, how cute that little dog was hanging out the window, how you take your coffee, or what you are wearing. And that picture from college of you with a funnel, standing on a keg, and your best friend, Pete, licking your face…untag yourself, brother.

Make your yes’s mean yes, and your no’s mean no.

Always speak with confidence no matter the subject matter.

Hang out with people cooler than you. This makes you cool by association.

Lose the baggy clothes unless you make millions performing gangster rap.

Popped collars are not cool. They were never cool. Unless you’re Dracula or an Elvis Impersonator, keep ‘em down. This look only works with your winter jacket. All other occasions: unacceptable.