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‘American Pie’ by Don McLean is so cryptic that it has spawned numerous vying interpretations. When asked, McLean said of the song: “You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me...Sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence”. McLean has avoiding answering direct directions about the meaning behind the song’s lyrics, saying: “They’re beyond analysis. They’re poetry”.

There are parts of the song that have an undeniable meaning behind them however. The line “February made me shiver/with every paper I’d deliver” refers to when McLean learnt about Buddy Holly’s death whilst folding newspapers for his paper route in February 1959. Much of the song refers to the events of the 1960s, particularly the break-up of the once idealistic youth movements. The “loss of innocence” for 1960’s youth was symbolised by the death of President John F. Kennedy.

As the song is very much open to interpretation, grab your sennheiser headphones and have a go yourself!

The happiness one would feel upon receiving winning lottery results would be unbelievable, though I can only speculate. Aristippus of Cyrene, student of Socrates, was the first philosopher to develop a complete philosophy of happiness. Aristippus believed that life’s goal was to seek external pleasure which led to the common held belief that he was the founder of hedonism.

Antisthenes, also a student of Socrates, advocated a very different method for the pursuit of happiness. Antisthenes believed that inner happiness arose from an ascetic life that was lived in accordance with virtue. By living a life of simplicity, naturalness, peace and modesty, one’s inner tensions are dissolved. Antisthenes, in direct contrast to Aristippus, pursued the pleasures which spring “from out of one’s soul”. Antisthenes advocated a form of happiness that was strikingly similar to the Enlightenment philosophies of Buddhism, Chinese Taoism, and Indian Yoga.

Plato, perhaps the one of the most famous of Socrates’ students, believed the human soul comprised three parts: The will, the desire and the reason. When all three parts of the soul are balanced, Plato believed man is happy.

Spanish tortilla is a substantial omelette composed of potatoes and eggs (keep your r4 3ds card out of the mix) and fried in olive oil and occupies a significant place within Spanish cuisine.

The first documented reference to tortilla is found in an anonymous ‘Mousehole’s memorial’, a Navarrese document of 1817. Addressed to Navarra’s Court, it outlines the terrible conditions of the farmers in comparison with those of the Ribera and Pamplona. The document lists the poor food consumed by Navarrese farmers before the following quote; “...Two to three eggs in tortilla for five or six (people) as out women do know how to make it big and thick with less eggs, mixing potatoes, breadcrumbs or whatever.’

There are two legends as to the origins of tortilla. One asserts that Carlist general Tomás de Zumalacárregui created tortilla as a hassle-free, quick and nutritious dish to satisfy the Carlist armies during the siege of Bilbao. It is indeed true that tortilla began to spread during the early Carlist wars. The other legend claims that Zumalacárregui demanded a meal from a farmwife who only had eggs, a potato and an onion which she combined to his surprising satisfaction.

Transport for London = Nightmare.

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to get fit and buy a bike or sign up to the rent-a-bike scheme in London, I just can't handle public transport here any more.

This morning there was a man shouting and swearing at the people sitting next to him for no reason, he literally gave a girl the fright of her life because it came out of nowhere!

If you get a bus there's always some idiot playing loud music off their phone or R4 and thinking it's a good idea to sing or rap along to it.

And the worst part is how gross some people are on the tube, train, bus or whatever! The amount of men I have shot looks of death for ogling me it's a joke, and I've heard some real horror stories from other female friends of mine.

So, farewell London transport!

Photo: Chris.T. (Flickr)

I've worked part time in Starbucks for almost three years. I started while I was at uni, then transferred to a new store where I've worked for two years. I really didn't think I'd stay there this long but it's been easy extra money, I've been working just Sundays for ages now.

But that's enough now, I'm handing in my notice and hanging up my apron for the last time. It's been an up and down journey, and I do really respect the company, but I want my weekends back! I love having the discount on drinks, but frappuccinos every day are not exactly great for the hips! If I have to pay full price I'll definitely cut down!

So finally, it's goodbye work trousers and black Starbucks polo shirts, goodbye fussy customers and their decaf extra hot extra dry sugar free vanilla double machiattos with extra froth on the side.

Photo: miniQQ (Flickr)