Another blog post just within 2 hours of posting the previous one. Why? Cause SOMEONE asked me to go blog. So here's to you (as you might have assumed from the title).
Let's fly to Sweden. Soon. Very soon (:
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Serenaded
Okay, so my blog hasn't been, what you may call 'functional' for quite some time now. I guess I just grew out of it. But now that I have a ton of time on my hands, I intend on blogging more. Easier said than done =\
So my first blog post after ages, what should I blog about? Nothing springs to mind. Okay, maybe something light for now. I've been reading 'The Time Traveller's Wife'. I just started yesterday. It's a pretty alright book. Till now. It's a bit wonky and strange but it's transfixing nevertheless.
The book is about a man name Henry who is a time traveler. None of that time machine claptrap, but it's a genetic impairment. He's supposed to be a part of a new cohort of humans (that's what the doctors construe). Evolution, I suppose. So, he keeps popping back and forth in time involuntarily. One day he's sitting at home reading his newspaper, sipping his coffee, and the next second he finds himself in his past or future , in a parking lot stark naked and nauseated. It's pretty eccentric but I guess that's what makes you read on. It's actually a love story. It's about him and his wife Clare, who struggles to keep up with her husbands disappearances and stuff. I have yet to finish the book, so you can anticipate the final verdict in about a day or three.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Afterglow
The guy is gone, the lights are on, the bed is made, and now she stands in the doorway; as the realization hits her. She is once again alone, in the silent house, with nothing but the memories that seem too unreal. She slowly slides to the floor as she stares at the bed. She hugs her knees to her chest and runs her fingers through her still ruffled hair. The feeling of freedom and passion is already long gone; and all that’s left is this loneliness, and this emptiness. Why do I feel this way? She thinks. This isn’t how it’s supposed to feel. I should be…. What? Fulfilled? Exhilarated? Happy? She feels the dread creeping into her heart. She can feel the ache begin to rise in her chest; and the pit in her stomach was gradually growing deeper. The first tear swelled from her eye as she whispered “Oh God, What did I do?” the tears continue to come at a faster pace. She just wraps her arms around herself and cries. There was no going back. No, changing it. No controlling what happens next. No way of knowing if he’ll stick around or just disappear. This ’afterglow’ that I always hear people talking about, it sucks. Simple as that; it sucks. She thinks. She only hopes that the afterglow will finally burn out.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
I've always heard that necessity is the mother of invention. Well, what about necessity being the mother of laws? When it becomes evident that a society lacks the adequate means to prevent violent crimes from occurring and adequately chastising those committing violent crimes, certain steps must be taken.
Here is a little story. One day, 13-year-old Tiffany Moore is sitting on a mailbox, chatting with her friends when suddenly, she falls to the ground, shot three times by a passing motorist. Later that day she dies. It turns out that she was mistaken for someone else. The assailant is another teenager with illegally purchased handguns. What probably happens to him? Oh, a few years in jail, then parole, then probation, then he's right back on the streets, scot-free. And what happens to Tiffany Moore? Oh, she's been through a funeral , her's. She's been through a burial ,hers. Now she lays in the cold, uninviting ground, wondering where she went wrong, wondering what she could have done to prevent this tragedy. The answers? Nowhere! Nothing! She had no control over this. Now she has no control over her own life, or lack thereof. It's a true story; something which actually happens everyday.
Something must be done. How brilliant. How observant. Perhaps these politicians would care to suggest a solution? "Oh, lets ban certain guns," says one. "No, let's just make the waiting period longer," says another. What happens? Nothing! Oh, excuse me , foreign assault rifles have been banned. Wow. Yeah. Break out that champagne. At least our deaths will benefit domestic gun makers, and not foreign ones. Banning certain guns, making it harder to buy guns, these aren't solutions! You can be killed just as easily by a .22 as you can with a.357!
What we need is a twofold solution. First, we need stricter enforcement. Check on gun dealers , make sure they go through the background checks on potential customers. Make sure they wait the mandatory two week waiting period.
But this is only one part. There should be a stronger deterrent. We need the death penalty back. Not just for murderers of police officers; there is nothing special which puts cops in their own category. We need the death penalty for all murderers. Period. No if-and-or-buts about it. No plea bargaining. Make it really simple. So simple, in fact, that we all understand. If you go out and murder someone, there'll be a nice little surprise waiting for you when you get caught. Only it won't be a surprise. You'll know about it. Maybe then you won't do it. Maybe the fear of your own death will restrain you from causing someone else's. It's sort of an eye-for-an-eye, a tooth-for-a-tooth.
The one regret I have is that these criminals won't feel the pain which they caused their victims. With the death penalty, murderers wonder what they could have done to prevent their own death, they'll know. When they wonder where they went wrong, they'll know , something which their victims never did know, and something they never will.
What we need is a twofold solution. First, we need stricter enforcement. Check on gun dealers , make sure they go through the background checks on potential customers. Make sure they wait the mandatory two week waiting period.
But this is only one part. There should be a stronger deterrent. We need the death penalty back. Not just for murderers of police officers; there is nothing special which puts cops in their own category. We need the death penalty for all murderers. Period. No if-and-or-buts about it. No plea bargaining. Make it really simple. So simple, in fact, that we all understand. If you go out and murder someone, there'll be a nice little surprise waiting for you when you get caught. Only it won't be a surprise. You'll know about it. Maybe then you won't do it. Maybe the fear of your own death will restrain you from causing someone else's. It's sort of an eye-for-an-eye, a tooth-for-a-tooth.
The one regret I have is that these criminals won't feel the pain which they caused their victims. With the death penalty, murderers wonder what they could have done to prevent their own death, they'll know. When they wonder where they went wrong, they'll know , something which their victims never did know, and something they never will.
Do you agree? Comment on what you think about re-instating the death penalty.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
A few weeks ago, I promised myself that I wouldn't go on Facebook this entire summer. I knew that the probability of not breaking the promise were wiry to fictional. Over the past few years, Facebook has become an imperative part of my life. On an average, I maybe spend about 14 hrs on Facebook weekly. I couldn't go a single day without logging on to Facebook and 'wall-ing' someone. I was an addict.
What made my ordeal even more challenging was the fact that I was stuck at home with absolutely nothing to do. On days like those, the first thing I did every morning was log onto to Facebook. I didn't think I would even last 2 days. However, I did. Infact, I lasted TEN whole days. But on the 11th day I finally succumbed.
It was great being back on Facebook. Looking at my mini-feed, for the first time in ten days made me realise how much I really missed Facebook. Facebook is my link to the world outside the walls of my home and im glad we have something like Facebook. Facebook is AWESOME!
P.S: Facebook is also a speck bit wicked [for reasons only Tasneem knows ;] ]
What made my ordeal even more challenging was the fact that I was stuck at home with absolutely nothing to do. On days like those, the first thing I did every morning was log onto to Facebook. I didn't think I would even last 2 days. However, I did. Infact, I lasted TEN whole days. But on the 11th day I finally succumbed.
It was great being back on Facebook. Looking at my mini-feed, for the first time in ten days made me realise how much I really missed Facebook. Facebook is my link to the world outside the walls of my home and im glad we have something like Facebook. Facebook is AWESOME!
P.S: Facebook is also a speck bit wicked [for reasons only Tasneem knows ;] ]
Friday, June 12, 2009
Ugly? Yea, That's Me.
The door opened, and everyone looked, as they always did when someone came late. The only difference between this and all the other times was that no one looked away. As the new arrival approached the teacher, he seemed to ignore the curiosity on everyone’s faces. He walked quickly, placing one heavy foot in front of the other. On his feet, which were way too large for his body, he wore really heavy shoes, their thick leather straps wrapped tightly around a pair of dense woolen socks.
The new kid’s body seemed to move in segments. First, his legs would swing outward, as if unable to bend at the knee, then his jean shorts would crease awkwardly. His torso, which was highlighted by a yellow Yellowstone National Park T-shirt, seemed to struggle relentlessly against the painful weight of a camouflage backpack on his shoulders.
The silence continued, and the teacher’s mouth hung open as much as everyone else’s as he verified the boy’s attendance. The teacher returned the schedule, trying not to make eye contact, and pointed to an empty seat … next to me! I gulped as the strange newcomer made his way down the aisle with long, loud strides. His shoes squeaked loudly, even on the classroom carpet. He completely ignored my open-mouthed stare as he fell into the chair that creaked in objection.
His bottom lip was puffed out as if he were about to cry, and just as the teacher was about to return to his lecture, he let out a loud sniffle that made everyone glance at him. Was he going to cry?
After a few seconds, the teacher turned to the board and began talking again. I tried to pay attention but was overwhelmed by an unbelievable smell. It reminded me of rotten eggs, almost sulfurous. As I looked around me, I realized others had begun to smell it too.
I decided to take another look at the culprit. He was concentrating on the lecture with his lips pressed against his intertwined, hairy hands. Short brown hair crowned his head and uncannily matched the unshaven hair between his upper lip and nose. White foam had gathered at the corners of his mouth, as if he had forgotten to wipe it after he brushed his teeth.
After staring for a few seconds, I noticed something incredibly troubling: He was staring at me! His eyes bore into mine with such confidence that I was forced to lower my gaze. I tried to turn back to the board, but I heard a small, low laugh. I glanced over and saw that he was looking at me and laughing! I slanted my eyebrows in offense and whispered, “What?”
“Nothing, nothing,” he whispered in a low voice that carried through the room. Everyone looked back at us. "It's just that, you're nose is kinda crooked."
Sunday, April 12, 2009
An Interview
10 Questions to ask Death:
Q) Why is black the symbol of death? Why don’t you wear some other color?
A) Originally, I wanted to wear my favorite color, Blue. But blood stains you know! In the end, I decided that black was just more practical. Just imagine how tacky it would be to wear blood stained clothes whenever I go out to lunch with the Boogeyman or Santa Clause!
Q) Why are you portrayed as a skeleton?
A) Once you see flesh die, you don’t really have the desire to eat meat anymore. The only thing that grows in the underworld are vegetables like carrots and beets. As a kid, I didn’t eat my vegetables. So, I only eat when I really must. So, to be frank, I’m just a slightly skinnier version of Mary-Kate Olsen.
Q) Do you enjoy your job?
A) Who wants to bring death to people? It’s like being a garbage man, you don’t want to, but someone has to, and people depend on you to. Now imagine the job of the garbage man being a million times more rare… now imagine how good my pay is!
Q) Why do you always dress in rags to do your bidding?
A) No offense, but I don’t want your dead human remains on me. When I’m not at work though, I dress pretty spiffy. I’ve been known to whip out an impressively extravagant suit whenever the Tooth Fairy is present…
Q) Why do you carry a scythe? Why not a sledgehammer or something?
A) First off, you have to admit that my scythe is pretty snazzy. To be honest though, originally I wanted to use the bat I have that’s signed by Shane Watson. But in the end, I decided that scythes are better fit for the job. The bat is now reserved only for giving comas.
Q) Have you ever accidently killed the wrong person?
A) To be honest, yes I have. But when I do, it’s not my fault. You have to blame the buisness. It’s like when you book a flight. Sometimes it’s delayed or canceled, or sometimes you take an earlier flight. You’ll get on the plane eventually, because you always end up going where you’re meant to be.
Q) How do you know which person to kill?
A) It’s all through email. I carry one of those nice phones that recieve emails. Everytime it’s someones time, my phone will beep and an address or location will show up. Then I go to that area and do my bidding. Once again, if its the wrong address, blame the buisness…
Q) How do you have time to kill all these people? Are you in two places at once?
A) Are you insane? You can’t be in two places at once! That’s nonsense talk! The underworld runs on different time than your world. In your years im billions of years old. In my years, I’m just in my mid 20's.
Q) Well, even still, how do you get to each place so quickly? You can’t possibly get from New York to Hawaii fast enough!
A) Believe it or not, the undergroud society isn’t quite as crowded as yours. We can move much faster undergroud without running into people. We’ve created systems of underground tracks that are about as fast as your modern day planes. Because of the time difference, it works out fine. Although, sometimes I do have really busy days. For days like those, I borrow the remote control that’s used on the set of Click, the Adam Sandler movie. But I only need those in times of desperate measures. Like during wars.
Q) What will happen once you do eventually die? Who will be death?
A) If things with the Tooth Fairy don’t go as planned, they’ll have to hire someone new. My job has been in the family for years. And if things go my way, a child with beautiful teeth will be the next Death.
Q) Death, any last words?
A) Yes, thank you. I just wanted to thank you for reading. And I hope you now have a higher appreciation for my job. Don’t fear death, but don’t go looking for it either. See you in the future.
-Death.
Q) Why is black the symbol of death? Why don’t you wear some other color?
A) Originally, I wanted to wear my favorite color, Blue. But blood stains you know! In the end, I decided that black was just more practical. Just imagine how tacky it would be to wear blood stained clothes whenever I go out to lunch with the Boogeyman or Santa Clause!
Q) Why are you portrayed as a skeleton?
A) Once you see flesh die, you don’t really have the desire to eat meat anymore. The only thing that grows in the underworld are vegetables like carrots and beets. As a kid, I didn’t eat my vegetables. So, I only eat when I really must. So, to be frank, I’m just a slightly skinnier version of Mary-Kate Olsen.
Q) Do you enjoy your job?
A) Who wants to bring death to people? It’s like being a garbage man, you don’t want to, but someone has to, and people depend on you to. Now imagine the job of the garbage man being a million times more rare… now imagine how good my pay is!
Q) Why do you always dress in rags to do your bidding?
A) No offense, but I don’t want your dead human remains on me. When I’m not at work though, I dress pretty spiffy. I’ve been known to whip out an impressively extravagant suit whenever the Tooth Fairy is present…
Q) Why do you carry a scythe? Why not a sledgehammer or something?
A) First off, you have to admit that my scythe is pretty snazzy. To be honest though, originally I wanted to use the bat I have that’s signed by Shane Watson. But in the end, I decided that scythes are better fit for the job. The bat is now reserved only for giving comas.
Q) Have you ever accidently killed the wrong person?
A) To be honest, yes I have. But when I do, it’s not my fault. You have to blame the buisness. It’s like when you book a flight. Sometimes it’s delayed or canceled, or sometimes you take an earlier flight. You’ll get on the plane eventually, because you always end up going where you’re meant to be.
Q) How do you know which person to kill?
A) It’s all through email. I carry one of those nice phones that recieve emails. Everytime it’s someones time, my phone will beep and an address or location will show up. Then I go to that area and do my bidding. Once again, if its the wrong address, blame the buisness…
Q) How do you have time to kill all these people? Are you in two places at once?
A) Are you insane? You can’t be in two places at once! That’s nonsense talk! The underworld runs on different time than your world. In your years im billions of years old. In my years, I’m just in my mid 20's.
Q) Well, even still, how do you get to each place so quickly? You can’t possibly get from New York to Hawaii fast enough!
A) Believe it or not, the undergroud society isn’t quite as crowded as yours. We can move much faster undergroud without running into people. We’ve created systems of underground tracks that are about as fast as your modern day planes. Because of the time difference, it works out fine. Although, sometimes I do have really busy days. For days like those, I borrow the remote control that’s used on the set of Click, the Adam Sandler movie. But I only need those in times of desperate measures. Like during wars.
Q) What will happen once you do eventually die? Who will be death?
A) If things with the Tooth Fairy don’t go as planned, they’ll have to hire someone new. My job has been in the family for years. And if things go my way, a child with beautiful teeth will be the next Death.
Q) Death, any last words?
A) Yes, thank you. I just wanted to thank you for reading. And I hope you now have a higher appreciation for my job. Don’t fear death, but don’t go looking for it either. See you in the future.
-Death.
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