If I was dead-- and speaking from the grave I would use was

If I were to speak of the the past, or if i were wishing for something (to be svelte!) i would use were

Some time, I speak as if i had lived more than once (in a past life time-- i was less sure of my self)

I have only lived once (at least i only know about this lifetime-- if i had a previous life, I must have been a very good and noble slime mold-- but i have no memory of it!) but my live has change so much-- i some times speak as if the person i was as a child is dead. When i do so, i use was since that past is, in some ways dead to me.

So i do occationaly use was, an incorrect form for effect.


my other obsession