A surprising billboard

The church may be right in saying that there isn't anything explicit in this billboard...

... but I was still shocked to see it.

Dreaded silence

I have always been frustrated by my lack of self-control when studying. Even when I do manage to open my book and concentrate on the pages, I can't help but to have something playing in the background, whether it be music or video, especially when I am alone.

Needless to say, it is distracting. I try to refrain, but I can never last long before I press the "Play" button.

Lately, I think I have found the root of my problem. I dread silence. I cannot stand it when it is deathly quiet. When there is someone else around to make a bit of noise, I'm alright. But when I'm the only one around, I have to to make my own.

Finally, I have worked out why I can't stay in a library for long. Unfotunately, knowing this bit about myself doesn't help me much at all.

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" Aerosmith

The same song, heard at different times, can evoke different feelings. Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is by no means a new song. Yet when I heard it last week, it inspired a new meaning, and through that, helped me make a decision I was struggling with.

But a misfortunate accident tipped the scales the other way, and now I am stuck with the cards that Chance has dealt me. I ponder the wisdom of the words:

As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods;
They kill us for their sport

One of my favourite Shakespearean quotes. Admittedly, my situation is significantly less dire than Gloucester's when he made that comment. And perhaps it could be argued that I brought the situation upon myself. But that does not deaden the pain. At any rate, it gives me an excuse to use the quote.

Back to the point at hand (the song, remember?). When I heard the ballad again yesterday, its effect on me had once again changed. I was overwhelmed with emotions of guilt and regret. Perhaps I had associated the song with my previous decision, which didn't end up playing out.

One of my less desirable characteristics is that I tend to immerse in self-pity whenever I encounter a hurdle I cannot overcome. Eventually, though, I know I will have to stand up tall and brave the situation.

---

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Well, every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
'Cause I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing

---

PS You can so see the family remsemblance between the Tylers.

A welcome joke

I was unexpectedly met with a laugh today whilst reading The Economist. In an article reporting the declining number of films actually shot in Hollywood, a screenshot of Avatar had an accompanying caption:

Some have left Earth altogether

My kind of humour.

Love is in the air (Now Showing)

Courtesy of Shek, who provided this picture of a scene I failed to capture.