Although Earth's rate of spin is gradually slowing because of the tidal drag of the moon, the slowing would have been measurably greater if it were not for the influence of 88 reservoirs built since the early 1950's

In those days it was taken for granted that the upward mobility of middle-class Americans extended to cultural matters, and that anyone, educated or not, could appreciate highbrow art so long as it was presented in an accessible and engaging way.

What do you hope for, in this walk of life, when looking at the long term? To find Mr. Right?

One day a country-fellow came to his rabbi. "Rabbi," he said, in the tongue-tied fashion of the unlettered in the presence of the learned, "for a long time, I have been hearing of Talmud. It puzzles me not to know what Talmud is. Please teach me what is Talmud."

I sincerely believe there would be much less dishonesty in a world where divorce laws couldn't be used to abuse the partner. If partners (men or women) knew they could walk away from a relationship with a fair deal, and not have their spouse use the courts to abuse them and drag out the suffering, most would probably end things when they realized they couldn't keep their promise of monogamy.

Writer of Eat, Pray, Love (Elizabeth Gilbert) discusses how talented people are undone by their gifts. She explores the horror an artist or creative mind experiences when they’re faced with the daunting perception that their greatest work is already behind them.

I'm nervous for him! I don't know why.

"Why do you always look away?"

I think it was the fall of 1994 when the UK released what is now known as the hardest crossword. They don't publish the results, the way American papers did. People were so frustrated, the paper was getting death threats. I'll write it out for you, and let you agonize over it a while. When I explain the answer, you'll see how crossword enthusiats could be employed by the army as code breakers.

I TOUCH your mouth, I touch the edge of your mouth with my finger, I am drawing it as if it were something my hand was sketching, as if for the first time your mouth opened a little, and all I have to do is close my eyes to erase it and start all over again...

If two submissives sat on the bed together, what would happen?

How do I rid my mind of thoughts of one so exquisite so as to fall asleep without you?

We were parked outside the field where as children I weaved tales of being the woman I am now. Sitting on the roof of her car with Prince's "Scandalous" blasting out the open windows, we starred into the hazy dark blue sky. I marveled how the city lights never let us know the black ocean of scattered jewels.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
To a great extent, my strengths bleed into my weaknesses. I am intensely passionate, though to a great extent, this side of my nature is internalized as I am never sure how it will translate in the minds of other people. I can be lost in thought for hours, swept away by the simple beauty. This makes my creative career and hobbies a way of life. The internalizing of my intensity leaves me lost for words.

Neo Rauch (born April 1960 in Leipzig) is an German artist who creates large-scale surreal paintings thriving with vivid color. He is the most celebrated and respected graduate of Leipzig’s Academy of Visual Arts, which is a known haven for Socialist Realism. In an interview with the Art Review, he says "I see myself as a theatre director."

I found a link to an interesting test on Callie Preston's blog. There are 72 easy to answer questions, the whole thing takes only a few minutes. I highly recommend taking it, I found my results eerily acucrate!

My Results:INFJ
Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging

Introverted intuitives, INFJs enjoy a greater clarity of perception of inner, unconscious processes than all but their INTJ cousins. Just as SP types commune with the object and "live in the here and now" of the physical world, INFJs readily grasp the hidden psychological stimuli behind the more observable dynamics of behavior and affect.

Months seem to melt into eternity as the frozen sleep treads on. Others sing the joys of crystalline beauty and the thrill of the slopes. I see a landscape of suspension and death. Bare trees reach out and cut the empty heavens like woody lightening, dilapidated empty nests swaying vulnerably in the wind. Mornings meet me with the silence of the grave. Even the streams fall silent.

I have an unusual appreciation for dark movies. Even the bad ones with story lines like swiss cheese and terrible actors! A friend of mine passed me some information on a movie released in 2006 she feels I would adore. Unfortunately, I have had no luck tracking down a version in Toronto.