"May you live in Interesting Times"

Di you ever think we would be in the middle of a tight presidential election with the first black candidate vs. a doddering old crank (with his simpering harpy partner), all going on in the midst of an intractable pointless war and a massive financial collapse?

None of these things alone are that shocking to me, but that they are all going on simultaneously is kind of blowing my mind...

Our grandchildren's grandchildren will read about this day in history books for sure

What blows my mind is that the first black candidate is leading by large margins.

:hi:


Yes, interesting indeed.

Where does "May you live in interesting times" originate? i love it.

Meaning

May you experience much upheaval and trouble in your life. The clear implication being that 'uninteresting times', of peace and tranquility, are more life-enhancing.

Origin

While purporting to be a blessing, this is in fact a curse. It is widely reported as being of ancient Chinese origin, but is likely to be of recent and western origin, although it seems to be intended to sound Chinese, in the 'Confucious he say' mould.

The earliest citation that has yet come to light is U-Turn, a sci-fi short story by Duncan Munro (one of the pen names of Eric Frank Russell), 1950:

"For centuries the Chinese used an ancient curse: 'May you live in interesting times!' It isn't a curse any more. It's a blessing."

It may be that Russell coined the phrase himself or he may have heard it elsewhere

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/245000.html.

More info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_you_live_in_interesting_times

Any ideas?

to hear my grandchildren read it to me!

has been mind blowing......wish it would calm down finally.