Leanne, at Nihongojapango, is a fellow Kiwi living and working in Japan. I really enjoy her blog; not only for her observations about life in her adopted country, but because I find her thoughts on all sorts of things really resonate with me. Which I guess is a roundabout way of getting to my ready acceptance of her invitation to contribute to the 3 days, 3 quotes challenge.
The universe of possible quotes to share is vast; and trying to impose some sort of logic got me thinking about how some phrases become sufficiently meaningful that we choose to quote them — and perhaps even to live by them. For me, the decision to harvest a particular constellation of words is because their form captures an idea more strongly, more succinctly, more beautifully than I believe I could achieve myself.
A writer who consistently does this is Billy Bragg. It’s a huge bonus that his words are also song lyrics, and I get to enjoy the music as well.
So my 3 days, 3 quotes challenge posts will all feature lyrics from various songs by the “Bard of Barking“, starting with these lines from Days Like These:
Peace, bread, work, and freedom is the bestwe can achieveAnd wearing badges is not enoughin days like these
Part of this challenge is to invite three other bloggers to contribute. I’m always a bit nervous about this. On one hand, it’s an acknowledgement that I am interested in what you have to say, and on the other, I know that we’re all pretty busy and don’t necessarily welcome an extra “opportunity” to blog. And then there is my concern that the people I don’t ask might feel slighted … you get the picture?
Oh, I know, I’m over-thinking it, right.
Well here goes. Raewyn at Decocraftsdigicrafts,Β Janet at This, That and the Other Thing, and Meg at Move the Chair;Β I’d enjoy knowing what quotes inspire or motivate you, make you laugh, or just made you stop and think. So, if you’d like to participate post 3 Quotes ( one a day) on 3 consecutive days and nominate 3 bloggers in each post to participate.
Peace, bread, work and freedom……just about all one needs. π
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Yes; he has a way of distilling life down to simple truths.
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Have been lucky enough to see Billy Bragg in concert a couple of times, once with KT Tunstall. Fabulous!
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Ooh! Now I’m envious. I’ve seen Billy Bragg in concert, but a double-bill with KT Tunstall!! I’m not great at live music events (overly visual person and I get bored easily), but I think I’d enjoy seeing her. And she’s from Fife!
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Yes, three cheers indeed for Billy Bragg.
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π
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It looks like most people are against that TTPA. It is the people against big governments.
Leslie
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Hi Leslie. Yes, we seemed to have learned so little from our history. Cheers, Su
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We are feeling the same way in Canada.
Leslie
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What do you think of your new PM? He is getting lots of very positive coverage in many of the blogging sites I follow and very little in our mainstream media — which usually means someone doesn’t fit the Neo-liberal framework of “news.”
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Su, we don’t really know yet. We are just so happy to see the end of Harper. We can only hope that he will do the right thing. He has a young family so hopefully, he will keep them in mind.
Leslie
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I hope so too. Every leader who makes the right decisions makes it easier for those who follow to do the same π
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Then he must be strong because so many bad decisions were made by Harper it will be like turning the Queen Mary around – and that isn’t easy.
Leslie
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Lovely analogy, and so true.
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“I’m so angry I made a sign” went to the bones.
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Yes, that was my favourite banner of the day! Protest in my relatively peaceful little country certainly isn’t what it used to be.
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Su, thanks so much! So many quotes, so little time, but I think I’ll take the challenge. I’ll start sometime this week. Enjoyed your post, too.
janet
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Thanks Janet.
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I’m so sorry I’ve missed your recent posts,dear Su!You have always a loud voice and that shows in your so thoughtful work,dear friend!Our today world is experiencing so much suffering from every point of view π¦
PS:My inbox is suffocating,I do my best to help it …
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Well better late than never Su π I would be delighted to participate in the challenge-Thank you for thinking of me!
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Cool. Thanks Meg π
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