You tell them anything you want

Some people have special callings in life. They have things they are meant to do while here on earth not just to benefit their own lives, but the lives of many others. I believe Maurice Sendak was one of those people.

Let me tell you a little about Mr. Sendak.

He was a man who had no children of his own. A man who had a lonely, sickly childhood. Who wanted to tell stories but didn't know how to do it correctly with only words. Who was plagued by the idea of death and tormented by the idea of living. Who admired his own brother and sister more than anyone else on earth. Who died last Tuesday.

In 1963 he wrote and illustrated "Where The Wild Things Are," a book about a boy, Max, who is sent up to his room for misbehaving. Children's literature would never be the same. I actually know people who dislike the book. They say they don't get it. Max just seems like a spoiled brat. They're right. They don't get it.

Maurice Sendak didn't simply write stories for children. He wrote children's stories.

Here is a great quote of his I recently heard in a short documentary piece about his life. He states:

“I think what I offered was different . . . because I was more honest than anybody. In the discussion of children and the lives of children and the fantasies of children and the language of children I said anything I wanted. Because I don't believe in children. I don't believe in childhood. I don't believe that there's a demarcation. 'Oh you mustn't tell them that. You mustn't tell them that.' You tell them anything you want. Just tell them if it's true. If it's true you tell them.”

Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Sendak. 

Senioritis? Seriously?

Apparently I'm not handling the end of school very well . . . What did I mostly do this weekend instead of the hours of homework I should have been doing? Watch videos on Youtube . . . til like 2 in the morning. 

What is wrong with me?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Clearly It's a sign of some kind of breakdown. But really, Jackie, get yourself together. You've got five weeks of school left. This is not the time to all of a sudden decide be the biggest procrastinator on the planet. Generally I try to stay ahead of assignments as much as I can. It stresses me out to get behind and have to finish things up at the last minute. 


Except, apparently, it doesn't. 


May is gonna be a long month.

you people have been holding out on me

Seriously. How has no one ever recommended Harold and Maude to me? This movie had all sorts of things I love in it. An awkward, skinny, death-obsessed guy. Great 70’s style cars (cause who doesn’t love a Jaguar XKE, am I right?)  Great mod fall weather attire. And an amazing soundtrack. The second the words “songs composed and performed by Cat Stevens” came up on the screen I new I was in for a treat.

If you think this movie is weird, which I could totally understand, just remember: I’m a little weird, which you probably already know because you’re my friend or family member.

If you’ve stumbled upon this blog somehow and are of no relation to me, disregard the previous statement. And go watch Harold and Maude if you haven’t already.