Apparently I am on something of an architecture kick. In addition to finding one of the most incredible library parking garages in the world, I’ve discovered a stellar bus stop.

Those are words I never thought I would type.

When bus stops come to mind, I typically don’t think of anything extraordinary. The stop nearest to my old apartment had no sidewalk leading to it, and though it was supposed to be a covered bus stop, the roof had blown off long ago. I spent many damp mornings there waiting to catch a ride into town.

One bus stop in Singapore is a little different.

In tandem with DP Architects, the Singaporean government has worked to create an experimental bus stop in the Jurong Lake District. The bus stop is intended to inspire people to take greater ownership of their community and features free WiFi, phone charging stations, bike parking, and…

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“Books bring to life aspects of literary genius.” – Mary Schmidt, author of Uncle Stubby Gets Married.

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Source: The Write Lifestyle

There’s quite a few by now

And  quite a few

Of them

Are mine

Thin meandering lines

Carefully chiseled

Right around  her eyes

Regrets I have

So many by now

And still…

Still she says

She’s mine

Inspired by: Still Magic, Peter Skellern, 1980

Er zijn er

Nogal wat

En nogal wat

Komen door mij

Dunne meanderende lijnen

Voorzichtig gebeiteld

Rond haar ogen

Spijt

Loert altijd om de hoek

En toch…

Toch zegt ze

Dat ze nog steeds geen ander zoekt

I have come to the following conclusion.

Not all books that hit the charts are good.

A lot of excellent books never sell.

You can become a NYT bestseller by targeting carefully and working the system.

What is the difference?

Marketing – which equals getting your book/s out there and VISIBLE, really  VISIBLE.

Now before you read any further don’t think for a moment that I am whining. I applaud and admire those people who have the marketing skill. I may or may not write good books, depending on your point of view (you can see them below!) but I ain’t got the marketing skill, nor do I have the money to pay some person or organisation to do it for me. I cannot even railroad DH into doing any of it either. (you may say aaaah here)

I receive dozens of blogs each week telling me how only Facebook…

Because I can create peace in my mind

Even if the world is not all that peaceful

Because people write their truths

And when the heart is contextualized

hidden gems are found

waiting to be resurrected

and valued

I read because reading is valuable

And because books are the only place

where you can learn for free

I read because books are the only schools

I can carry with me

I read to learn from people

who came before me

I read to hear voices

through words

written down

to understand others

to listen to hearts

I read to find the person between the lines.

I read because not everyone can.