Gold:

My role is just to be a bad influence, the kid standing outside the classroom window making faces at you at your desk, urging you to just this once make some excuse and get out of there, come outside and play.

opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/

The goal of the future is full unemployment, so we can play. That's why we have to destroy the present politico-economic system." This may sound like the pronouncement of some bong-smoking anarchist, but it was actually Arthur C. Clarke, who found time between scuba diving and pinball games to write "Childhood's End" and think up communications satellites.

I'm reaching that half-way point in my life where I am seriously considering what the **** I am doing. For example a colleague once commented off-hand to me years ago "You know, the more I think about it the more I realise I'm wasting my money if I don't spend it all." It has stuck with me ever since.

Also, the best things in life really are free. It's not just some whimsical and whiny attempt to make a sad person happy, like saying that rain on your wedding day is good luck or something. I was (trapped?) in Double Bay the other day. There was a Lamborghini Aventador. Probably the first in the country. People crowded around, taking photos. Actually it was getting a parking ticket. The guy driving this wouldn't really be enjoying himself, all these people staring and evaluating. This is just stress. I walked down the Harbour, took a (free 'cause I couldn't see how or where to pay) ferry to Watson's Bay through all the yachts racing around the harbour. FN beautiful.

I'm half tempted to sell everything I own. Minimalise and blow it all on holidays.