Grand Illusion

Almost all my friends know I had a crush on a writer many years ago (just a minor crush, nothing happened). I had never seen her in person or heard her talking. Lately I found some video clips (thanks to YouTube) of her giving speeches or doing interviews. I was quite surprised that in person she was neither as smart nor as witty as the "writer" I found in her writing. In fact, had I seen her in person, I would probably think her too boring to talk to. I find this experience quite amusing. (Many years ago I might be heart broken, but now I am older and wiser.) How many times are we fooled by our imagination and find reality fails to match our perception? No wonder Buddism treats the whole world as a grand illusion. But, never a Buddist, for us Romantics we just need another grand illusion to pursue. When we are out of illusions, we are also out of life.

Glad I Am Not Secretary of the State

Taking a break from my work, I read on the Chinese newspaper that Hilary Clinton said she hadn't read a book or went to a movie in the past 100 days. Poor Hilary, at least I got time to watch a few DVDs in the past 30 days. Am I glad I am not Secretary of the State!