Thursday, September 12, 2013

Just finished reading "Under the Dome" by Stephen King

As I expected the idea as grand as the one we have in Under the Dome never ceased to amaze me until the end. The fact that people can bring their own end when they're trapped and power hungry mongers want everything for themselves has been proven so beautifuly in this novel that no one can deny it.

The idea that the dome can't be destroyed by humans also resolutely proclaims the fact that we can't always control every situation so thus have to make the best of the situation at hand instead of making things worse for us.

It's nice to believe that there are beings out there much more powerful and we might actually be a small play pen in their world or like a toy but I wouldn't just want to go in that direction unless I saw something to change the way I think.

Either way, a very good book to read, certainly opens up your mind about the world and the possibilities and the imagination of the author never ceases to amaze me.

I loved the character of Big Jim, even though he was a villian, but seemed to be a man of a soft heart for the Lord as well, at times. I liked the way he used to pray even though it felt sometimes he was blurting out simple orders to God. Nevertheless a man who kept the Lord in his heart, even till the last moments of his life.

All the characters were pictured with huge clarity. Although I would have hoped the main hero of the novel, "Barbie" had a bigger role to play other than having been locked up in a cell for most of the time.

Again goes on to prove that one person alone cannot change the fate of everyone, it was the whole town or the combined efforts of many indivuals that saw them through.

Fire came from the propane tanks up on the Radio Station, which was a nice addition to the  climax of the story. A way for Stephen King telling us that I don't have to write out a whole scene in order for you to understand the background story. Which was good in its own way.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Life, Death, Life and Zombies!

I've always wondered why people make movies based on concepts regarding Zombies and why then people as spectators like to watch and are intrigued by watching the same movies.

It's not a new concept, it has been there for many years. Older than you and me I believe. But why on earth would it be of any good?

Funny thing is that its the same concept that has carried forward over the years and no matter what you do movies and video games based on such concepts generally do well or average at least. (Exceptions are always there, but that's not the point).

Coming to the point, I believe that there is a deeper connection with the life as we live it and zombies, otherwise, I don't think people would even give it a second thought.

You live a good or bad life, but you're alive and then suddenly you die and  remain dead for a while, rotting away, dead as you are then suddenly a part of you wakes up. Maybe without a soul or recognition of what you are or were before in your past life. Even if you do remember the part of you that controls you doesn't want to control you anymore. Lets you go free and then you do what the situation requires you to do, either be killed or kill to survive.

The concept of zombies in a way is based around human existence. When humans live their lives the first time, they live as normal people, trying to cope with the social order of the society, living out their lives as much as they can to the fullest. They die and rot beneath the earth, souls go somewhere else and left behind is a void that needs to be filled.

According to many beliefs there will be a resurrection one day for all humans. It reminds me of the same concept again, humans get up and walk as zombies over the face of the earth. Having no souls they don't know what to do or whom to kill or eat.

Losing one's soul seems to me like a gradual process not done in a moment or so. Effects start showing early on in our lives. Feelings of greed, doing better than others, not liking others winning, wanting to show them off, desire to beat others, kill too in some situations. Some people control these emotions, others can't even in their lives. So the transition to the state of a zombie is gradual but it's happening.




I suppose this is the reason why humans are attracted towards this concept even though sounds very grotesque and dirty even. But again, it's much more close to reality that you'd think.

:)

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Nasa's Predicament

During the heat of the space race in the 1960's, NASA quickly discovered that ballpoint pens would not work in the zero gravity confines of its space capsules. After considerable research and development, the Astronaut Pen was developed at a cost of $1 million. The pen worked in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface including glass and also enjoyed some modest success as a novelty item back here on earth.

The Soviet Union, when faced with the same problem, used a pencil.

The Pope's Surprise

Many years ago, a beloved Pope died and went to heaven. Saint Peter greeted him in a firm embrace. "Welcome your holiness, your dedication and unselfishness in serving your fellow man during your life has earned you great stature in heaven. You may pass through the gates without delay and are granted free access to all parts of heaven."
St. Peter continued: "You are also granted an open-door policy and may, at your own discretion, meet with any heavenly leader including the Father, without prior appointment. Is there anything which your holiness desires?"
"Well, yes," the Pope replied. "I have often pondered some of the mysteries which have puzzled and confounded theologians through the ages. Are there perhaps any transcripts which recorded the actual conversations between God and the prophets of old? I would love to see what was actually said, without the dimming of memories over time."
St. Peter immediately ushered the Pope to the heavenly library and explained how to retrieve the various documents. The Pope was thrilled and settled down to review the history of humanity's relationship with God.
Two years later, a scream of anguish pierced the quiet of the library. Immediately several of the saints and angels came running.
They found the Pope pointing to a single word on a parchment, repeating over and over: "There's an 'R'. There's an 'R.' There's an 'R'... It's CELIBRATE, not celibate!"

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Read Dan Brown - Inferno!


Quite easily one of the best books he's written yet. This time Robert Langdon finds himself lost in a labirynth of lies and truths and has to figure out the reality from the illusion. Struck with amnesia he doesn't really know whom to trust anymore.

Only following his instinct and the clues presented in front of him he uncovers a new truth that is going to change the shape of this world in a way never thought possible before!

It's  a must read!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

How to control too many thoughts running through your head


Sometimes it so happens that you are alone or at work, could be both, and thinking about relatively something else not directly related to your work or to yourself. Any problem that has been the cause of some concern or any past occurrences that were not at all pleasant for you.

In these type of situations its not easy to concentrate on anything else and you start losing control over yourself. Its not easy to get control back over your mind and thoughts keep on running deep and deep in your mind.

Some solutions to counter this situation could be to take some time off. Go to a relaxing place where you feel comfortable. Call a friend who can help you counter these thoughts. Just start thinking about positive things. Believe in yourself that you can handle all your problems even though they look really hard. Just stop worrying.

Because the reality is, that life isn't perfect. We keep on hoping that there will be a time when all the worries will be gone and everything is going to be alright, it's just a myth. That is not the reality. There are always going to be some challenges, which is what makes our lives more interesting, but, trust me, you will always find ways to conquer all challenges, don't give up. Hang in there and keep trying.


Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Looking forward to read "Inferno" by Dan Brown

Fourth in the Robert Langdon series this one has got to be as exciting as all the others. Brown released the book's title on his website on January 15, 2013, after prompting readers to help reveal a digital mosaic using social media posts, and revealed the cover in late February of 2013. The cover depicts the famous Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiorelocated in Florence, Italy.


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Symbolism in doors

Have you ever wondered what went behind the mind of a human being in the creation and installation of doors in buildings? Me neither. Seems obvious doesn't it. That where there should be a place, building or a boundary, there should be a door.

But lets think about this, what created the need for such a thing? I will tell you a story ...

In the beginning of times when humans were scarce and small in number. They never really cared about doors or windows. They were happy living in their caves and trees. Sometimes they had to scare off animals and had to light fires outside to keep animals at bay. Then as the time passed on humans started covering up their entrences with wooden or stone slabs at nights to protect themselves in a better manner from threats.

Lets shed some more light on the word threat.


A statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not...: "the family has received death threats"

A menace of bodily harm, such as may restrain a person's freedom of action.

So if a door was introduced to keep foriegn threats outside, to avoid unwanted guests, others from taking over one's place then doors can be considered as symbols of 'avoidance and mistrust'.

Further since humans do allow some individuals close to them inside the doors from time to time and others whom with time they come to know better shows that even though humans are social animals still they need to categorize themselves in social circles and can't let everybody join that circle instantaneously.

That is the reason why humans like to emphasize so much on territories and boundaries.

Thinking on a wider scale, doors show that we as people never really can live together and would rather stay apart unless there are some common interests that serve us in living together.

How often do people share their inner most secrets with others? Hardly ever. Even if there is a friend or a lover with whom they share everything still there are certain thoughts and conjectures that stay inside never to see the surface and be heard of ever. There is a partition that we like to create of our thoughts and ideas within ourselves hidden from the world. Unless there is a need to share them, in a more reformed manner, in a way we deem suitable or in a manner we see fit to the world or that will not have any adverse affect on us. That is, if someone is in a reasonable frame of mindset.

Doors are just an extension of the human state of feeling insecure and finding ways to secure themselves from any foriegn threats. Physical or psychological. Humans are never really at ease unless they know they are secure and warm.

But isn't that just obvious?

Saturday, November 17, 2012

I would give up my Hummer

We hear so much, give this up in the name of your Lord. Give that up. Etc Etc. Well I was thinking that  even though I don't have one but I would like to give up my Hummer in the name of God.

What I would like to do is purchase a brand new one, all shiny and black with a shade of red in it. Drive it like crazy on top of hills and rocks and really wreck it. Run it into walls, hills, barricades and what not. I mean like really do things that are unimaginable with a vehicle such as a hummer.

Then once its really wrecked and the chesis is out of shape then shower patrol on top of it and light it up. There goes my sacrifice in the name of Lord. Take my sacrifice my Lord I did it all for you. The fire lit in background with hummer burning and exploding in the darkness of the night is a symbol of the Lord's light and fire burning in my heart. It's the Lord doing His work in me and I am lit in his fire. Burning and being consumed.

There goes the new Hummer up into the smoke as it explodes like Lava out of a mountain that was dormant for so many years it is the sacrifice that I would like to do for my Lord.

Now wouldn't that be fun? 

Friday, August 24, 2012

Is FaceBook for ever?

The answer is obvious isn't it? We all know it. But still at the moment it is one of the biggest things on the internet and there is no shaking it. Tell you the truth, I myself being a small blogger and a sunday web developer am a bit jealous of the whole facebook ordeal. Why should one guy have so much fame anyway? haha, but that's not the topic here.

What I'm contemplating about here is that above all things, will facebook prove to be a lovely social media companion for the up coming ages? Or is it going to turn into just another stock pile of dirt what people faintly remember about but don't really bother to clean and look over again.

Thing is that, technology keeps on changing and people do so too. In the start there were emails. Then there was chat. While both those things are still with us but we wanted something else. We had buillten boards, forums and now it has come down to facebook. What if there is a leap into future and someone pulls out a new rabbit from the hat which becomes the new trick of the century.

What type of technologies will really beat online interactivity currently being provided by sites like facebook? What if instead of tagging people on a page. You could tag people in a real life place? This already has begun with the advent of things like Near Field Technology, where people can find out where their friends are if they're using the same system.

I believe in the near future, real life places will also have a virutal translation onto computer somewhere. Google Maps could be used to achieve this. I go to the market, leave a comment in the market at point A. Anybody who passes by on Point A sees that comment on their cell phone and can reply. So suddenly the whole world has a virtual extention and people don't even need a website or a plateform to communicate anymore. All the communication is being done in air. There are some apps already doing this but it hasn't really picked up speed yet. I'm thinking it should.

The information is in the sky we just have to download it.

Share your thoughts.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Are you In Jail?

Jail: A place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention, especially persons awaiting trial under local jurisdiction.
Consider yourself walking down the street thinking what you should do today. You think about different options that you have, going to eat somewhere, finishing up on your work, going for exercise, meet your parents etc etc. You have some options, then you start filtering out the less important ones from the more necessery ones. Finishing up your work, have to go to the office tommorow. You're answerable to someone. So you weigh out the possibilities and in the end go on to do something that the situation has forced upon you rather than what you want to do yourself. 
Life if we look upon it on the whole is a bunch of random actions that we do out of necessity and situation. All the time we are trying to get control over things when things are actually controlling us. Our actions are always marginalized when we think about the outcomes in terms of availing our options. On a bigger scale, there are some sets of rules under which we are living our lives and we are confined to a certian limit and boundaries that noramlly we cannot cross. 

Think about the planet earth. We dream of flying somewhere out in space. We use our telescopes to look at the distant stars. In our imagination someday we will go there. Just like a prisoner looking out through the window into the abyss dreaming of a day he will be free of the confines of the place he is in at the moment. There is a common thing about a so called free citizen and a prisioner. Both of them are trapped in an evironment they think they can take control and leave one day but they actually can't. They are not able to. It's just a bunch of dreams and aspirations. 

Do you really think you are free to do anything you want or like? Think again! Can you drive as fast as you can without any consequences? Can you walk into a bank and take off with all the cash you want? Can you eat all you want? Can you curse all you want? Can you control everybody else around you? Can you control each and every aspect of your life? 

The answer is a big NO!

Think of religion. Do good, please God, please humans, await trial, go to heaven or hell. You're on this planet which we call the Earth. What if in another galactic language unknown to us 'Earth' means 'Jail'. A place of confienment where people have to live out their lives in lawful detention where after a time their actions will await judgement. 

Now think again, how free are you? Will all the money in the world give you eternal life? Keep you from getting old? Keep you away from unknown danger? Lets say you get all that even, eternal life, youth and no danger. Still you're here. What then? Travel the world, see everything. Study, ready a lot of books, know all. Meet all the people. Hundred years, five hundred, a thousand. Sounds like a long time to serve. After a time you tend to get bored of life, things around you and everything. No matter how excited you were at the start. It's just like watching your most favourite episode of a drama or even a movie. You watch it once, twice, ten, twenty times. There will come a time when you won't be able to bear it. 

That's the reality we are in. It's unbearable. It's  a jail. We can't realize it most of the times because we're too busy in trying to take control. But, can we?

Think about it.