Squircle Inspiration

This month we are mostly being inspired by:

Victor Hugo

There is nothing like a dream to create the future.

Mahatma Gandhi

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

Albert Einstein

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

Benjamin Mears

Life is like a man who meets a bear in the woods; he might become dinner or he might have himself a roast whilst wearing a fur coat. The balance is in the mind of the man.

Desert Island Discs (Audio)

I love DID. Can’t get enough. With 2880 on the archive alone to choose from, there are subjects for everyone. I’d recommend starting with Michael Caine or Liz Smith or Roger Waters or… http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/find-a-castaway

Afro Celt Sound System (Music)

Seed – This month and every month. It, along with the other CDs, is a regular while writing. http://www.afroceltsoundsystem.net

It was either that or Christina Perri’s Lovestrong. It’s one of those that I hit repeat on and spend the day with.

Mitch Albom (Books)

Tuesdays With Morrie – It’s been out a good few years but I’ve only just got to it, having read The Five People You Meet in Heaven some time ago. Based around the conversations shared and life lessons imparted to Albom by his former professor, this is a tender honest book about reassessing one’s lifestyle and ambition. It’s not groundbreaking but it is tender, thoughtful and honest.

Next months I’ll work through the Booker Prize list and see if any make the grade for this page.

Paddy Considine, Olivia Colman, Peter Mulan & Eddie Marsan (Films)

Tyrannosaur – It’s a small film independent film that’s picking up independent awards. Considine makes a remarkable, harrowing and utterly compelling directorial debut with a flawless cast. Olivia Colman will be regarded in the same light as Dame Judi Dench in 20 years time! My wife and I drove a couple of hundred miles in order to see it, cried, sat stunned long after the credits ended and couldn’t talk for a full ten minutes. It was the finest film of 2011 for me and is still on release if you search hard. Or pay for a download. NOW! More details at: http://warp.net/films

Cake, always cake!

Beyond all else, my inspiration comes from cake. Why? For me it is the most important ingredient in life. The mere mention of cake makes people happy! There is truly not enough cake in the world and nowhere near enough people enjoying it. Cake comes in a multitude of shapes, sizes, colours and flavours. All good cakes are born equal. Cake brings a smile to the saddest eyes, it fills empty bellies and waters dry mouths. Cake is perfect as a shared experience with friends or savoured alone, it’s a caring apology, a celebration of every day. Nobody can be angry when eating cake and no day is complete without a smile, a word from somebody you love and plenty of cake.

As an addendum to that, please note that coffee cake is many kinds of wrong!