I’m always looking for inspiration before I start writing and I find it extremely helpful to have a selection of verse printed right on the cover of all the notebooks I buy here in Shanghai. I carry the notebook below around with me throughout the day and read the message across the front cover every time I jot down an idea:
‘Back to the past present
When time for payment arrives,
if you exhibit a familiarity with
legal rates, you come to know
what contempt is;
if you find that you have left your’
You may have noticed a lot of my writing is heavily influenced by a familiarity with legal rates and a knowledge of what contempt is, and you can see how this notebook’s message has had an effect on me.
If you’re hoping to write a great romance, you’ll want to jot your ideas down in this notebook:
‘This Guy’s in Love
That is, when the language of love in the end.
Negative signals can be subtle, especially in the early stages of a
relationship. In the meantime, they say that falling in love is wonderful,
and that the best is falling in love with what you have.’
I haven’t started writing in this notebook yet but don’t be surprised if my writing takes on romantically subtle negative signals when I do.
…..
Make sure and check out the caption contest finalists.
The Good Greatsby 
Jennifer
February 26, 2012
I need to go shopping with you! You always find the BEST stuff in town! 🙂
The Good Greatsby
February 26, 2012
I’m probably more likely to catch the Chinglish since it’s all I’m really looking for when I’m out shopping.
Nancy Francis
February 26, 2012
Isn’t it increbdible what the English language is capable of?
The Good Greatsby
February 26, 2012
‘Incredible’ is certainly one way of looking at it.
artjen1971
February 26, 2012
I nominated you for a ton of awards, so check out my Liebster Blogger Award part III page! The accolades have rolled in so the money should follow!
The Good Greatsby
February 26, 2012
An award? For me? How did you know I like awards?
She's a Maineiac
February 26, 2012
Romantically subtle negative signals? is there any other kind? This should be good, can’t wait to see what comes of this with your writing. My current notebook still as ew og as at the top and it’s not really inspiring me.
It’s a little known fact that Back to the Past Present was the original title to the Back to the Future movie.
The Good Greatsby
February 26, 2012
I hear ‘Back to the Past and Present Participles’ was also considered.
pegoleg
February 27, 2012
Hey, I was going to say that when I read Darla’s comment! No fair looking over my brain’s shoulder.
1pointperspective
February 26, 2012
I learn at the foot of the master. My current notebook has a crudely drawn depiction of what appears to be a science teacher with arrows in his head, and the initials P.H. surrounded by hearts and curlicues. It’s obvious to me that if I want to take my writing to the next level, I’ve got to get my own notebooks and stop stealing ones from my kids’ rooms.
The Good Greatsby
February 26, 2012
I did buy all these notebooks myself, although to be honest, I think they were intended for kids.
1pointperspective
February 26, 2012
I bought all of my notebook myself, then stole them back after the kids didn’t need them anymore. If only my kids were funnier…
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 26, 2012
With just a couple punctuation marks and capital letters added, as well as a switch to the comic sans font, the first message is a pithy comment on the present failed state of humanity.
The Good Greatsby
February 26, 2012
I was hoping someone would understand my attempt at veiled social commentary.
artjen1971
February 26, 2012
Uh…what?
Michael
February 26, 2012
“They say that falling in love is wonderful…” isn’t that the song Kirsten Dunst did in Spider-Man 3? Talk about your romantically subtle negative signals.
Hippie Cahier
February 26, 2012
It’s helptul to have a familiarity with legal rates before those romantically subtle negative signals start creeping in.
gojulesgo
February 26, 2012
Fair enough. I’ve got vodka in my freezer right now that I definitely love.
katecourysfarmhouse.com
February 27, 2012
I LOVE the Chinglish posts! Thanks! 🙂
Amy
February 27, 2012
That first one is a real cliff-hanger.
pattisj
February 27, 2012
Speechless I am rendered by living in the past present, but future looks
Dana
February 27, 2012
Ah, nuts. I was hoping the title of your post indicated the next installment in the ongoing Fonz/Italian Girl love drama… I’m on the edge of my seat!
Brown Road Chronicles
February 27, 2012
Well, if you have ever had to pay an attorney for anything you definitely know that when time for payment arrives, if you exhibit a familiarity with legal rates, you come to know what contempt is…
thesinglecell
February 27, 2012
“They say that falling in love is wonderful.” Like, ALLEGEDLY it’s great, but this writer doesn’t know and has to just accept the sentiment on its face. I have to wonder – apart from entertainment value, is there any reason for you to attempt to read Chinglish translation? It never seems to say anything.
Jackie Cangro
February 27, 2012
I think they left us hanging on the first one:
“if you find that you have left your”
I’m on the edge of my seat.
Left my…what?
My contempt in my other suit?
flippingchannels
February 27, 2012
Beautiful. It must be really wonderful to be constantly surprised by your own native language. I sometimes feel that the people around me just don’t understand the joy of using words creatively. Perhaps I just need to meet more people for whom English is a second language.
A Broad at Home
February 28, 2012
When I was in Bangkok last summer I really wanted to pick up a bunch of these notebooks to bring to class when I started graduate school in the fall. I thought my obscure maxims would be sure to impress. Sadly, I couldn’t fit them in my backpack.
HoaiPhai
February 29, 2012
I can certainly vouch for the second message… when I was about 13 I fell head over heels in love with what I had.
yellowcat
March 6, 2012
How do you stay sane over there? Nothing makes any sense.
dmissunderstood
March 9, 2012
Need to find a good notebook to start of writing..