Guidelines for a Holy Year

There has been a lot of talk related to the Holy Year of Mercy ever since Pope Francis declared the same. Well, these are not official guidelines relating to that, as I am not qualified for that. If you are asking about on what authority I am providing these, I would say that it is based on my vision on what I would want to do on a Holy Year. Yes, helping others is a major thing to do, but other than that, I have to add a few things that people can really do, especially if they respect Pope’s messages and call themselves Catholic. At least for an year, can you try these?

So, how do you get to the quality of mercy? Does that fly towards you and provide opportunities to be merciful? No, it doesn’t. You have to bring it to your life. Which are those parts of life where you can show that quality? I would say that the first one where it can be done is in the case of food. It is the Holy Year of Mercy, and do try to go vegetarian. I know that most of you will find that difficult and so lets just try to keep it as much vegetarian as possible. Obviously, it is not easy to keep being so during the functions.

Let the quality of mercy flow like a river throughout the Holy Year.

Showing mercy to the animals and birds is a nice thing indeed. That brings me back to the final word of the last paragraph – functions. Lets consider that you are going to be married this year. Why don’t you take the message of compassion right into you on this special day of your life? Can you spend less for these functions and use the money to provide at least one day’s food for the orphanages or old age homes which will make sure that your most important day will be remembered by people in need? Doesn’t it satisfy a good soul that his or her day goes on in the best way possible for those who are not having the happy days of life?

Do you need a fancy car which doesn’t belong to you on the wedding day, especially when everyone knows that it is not yours? If you have a car or a relative does, isn’t it better to use that one itself instead of spending some extra money for rent there? Do you need so many groomsmen and bridesmaids which your elders had declared not part of our culture? At least keep the number low! Do you need to spend so much money on the clothing when you are not going to use them again? Is it necessary to make a show when it is a function supposed to be a union of souls? Shouldn’t the priests be caring about this rather than coming up with that ridiculous compulsory pre-marital course? Why would you generalize people and not understand that individuals are not the same, and they won’t be needing a course on the exact same thing?

I would suggest providing pre-wedding classes instead of the pre-maritial thing to the vain people, especially the parents and relatives of the bride and groom. They are also in real need for mercy and compassion classes. Well, is this the kind of mercy that the church is going to witness and what the Holy Father had intended? And do you need so many types of food items being served to people? Different types of meat and fish – what is the point? Is this a program to have food or the function which has two people decide to be together each other? Why should the focus be so much on a dead chicken or goat on a plate rather than the bride and the groom? All these because you need to boast about it? If it is the case, get married every year. Maybe something can be done about the funerals too in the name of bloody vanity.

Marriages are made in heaven, they say. So, do we except the display of such signs of vanity there? It is not easy for vanity and mercy to co-exist. These days, I try to attend less number of marriages, because they are all just bloody show-off. I get those invitation cards and I feel nothing; there is no real feeling to attend. If you are having a certain function for the rich and too many of the poor and the subaltern are in the surroundings not having enough, your marriage will not be Holy Matrimony, but a strange thing which is everything except holy. People should get married because they want to; not to show it to the society.

Become the bridge, bringing the quality of mercy to the other side!

So, at least in the Holy Year, show some mercy, to your fellow human beings as well as those animals and birds around us. Lets waste less food, have more vegetarian items and show less vanity at a wedding. I am quite confident that too many people will find this one difficult; still there will be people who will display some signs of mercy here or there. But I say that if you want to make an impression, make the righteous impression, and not what the others tell you is right. If you want to spend money, spend it on the poor; those who are really in need of your quality of mercy. Be the brother and sister to the people in need, and be the personification of mercy. Also, take time to forgive more.

***The images used in this blog post were taken by me on my Sony Cybershot DSC-W310.

TeNy

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Legend of Good People

The world is built on legends. We come across many of such kind. We hear something about King Arthur, Achilles, Lady Godiva, Robin Hood, Odysseus and many others throughout our lives. But there are times when I do wonder about whom the real legends should be created. It is not about people who does great things, but about people who convert little things into something that inspires us; to something that makes us feel good in this world which is surely not getting any better.

The goodness in this world needs to be talked about because it is becoming more of a myth about which stories will be made in future, and people of that age will only reply that such good deeds are not possible – for them, it will be all about profit, reputation and happiness will be a reflection of how much one has earned and what all luxuries someone can manage to possess. This is why we need these stories of goodness, and get the much needed inspiration as we go through this world of chaos.

Lets not travel to El Dorado or Atlantis, and lets not search for the Fountain of Youth, Elixir of Life or the Holy Grail, as we are looking for our people right here, between us, making difference like no other. I would like to talk about the same with Father Joy Ettuveettil, who runs Snehakoodu, the charitable trust for boys at the town of Aluva. He has been one of the most dedicated priests who have been involved in social work for a long time, and this particular home for the homeless has been a wonderful initiative.

We were hoping to make the season of Halloween special with a special initiative which included collecting money and old clothes, and this was the first place which came to our mind. Yes, the first meeting was a few years ago, but even last year, the children had sent us a Christmas greetings card as usual. I was going through those usual negative things which keep coming to the mind, and then this one returned to my mind, and it is part of those few moments of light which brightens the soul.

A sample of our notices during the season of Halloween.

This brings one back to that eternal question – is it about building those megastructures, all those worship places for God when what matters is what you have done for your fellow human being without discriminating on the basis of the social status, religion, community and caste? As you take the Parable of the Good Samaritan from the Holy Bible, you will find that even when Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, it is the Samaritan who helps the injured man when people from the same community don’t care; humanity in the end is just one big family.

This is why every religion needs good leaders who don’t discriminate, and make sure that the needs of the common man is given the highest priority. We need leaders who try to do what they can to make sure that all our fellow human beings are provided the basic needs. The big festivals and more additions to the worship places can wait. We need good men and women who care for people just like they care for God and the places which are meant for him. We need religious heads who are people of God and men, not businessmen, and not those who make hate speech against others.

This is the same reason why we need initiatives like Snehakoodu, and Father Joy has done an amazing job in keeping the charity work going for the destitute and the homeless, as well as the other children in trouble. He has built this charitable organization from nothing, and it is a place which will require the donations. If you are planning to help, please go forward with that, as Snehakoodu is one of those charitable trusts where I visited so many times, and I have myself found it to be a very noble venture. Yes, goodness has its presence, we all have the chance to be part of it.

Btw, have you checked this link which serves as the mouthpiece of the youth as you take your time for the positive side and #SpreadTheVibe with stories of inspiration?: http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/

TeNy

The Thing About Relatives

There is something about relatives that we will never understand. Yes, there are those topics related to getting a job, finding oneself in matrimony and others, but this is more about being right and logical. Here are a certain examples of strange logic that I have found among them. The surprising thing that this logic is applied so much that I had to wonder if it is passed on to others through wind and water. Maybe it is a kind of infection, like what that zombie apocalypse brings as we have seen in Resident Evil and Warm Bodies.

We are doing you a favour by coming to stay at your place: I actually heard this one first when I was a child. Then I heard it again and then again. There were people coming around because they had to attend a course from our place, or because they had to attend exams or try some job. But the logic here is that they were coming to look after me and some others were going to give company to the little me. I should have been very desperate for company according to these ideas, but I don’t remember much of being given company – oh there was someone, and that one was a bloody video game.

Some of these people might even remember this from a long time ago. Many years later, these people are going to say that he or she had stayed with you and took care of you. We won’t even remember and they will ask us to do something for them just because they stayed with us. Share my computer, share my internet and share my food, and this is going to be like doing a favour for me, right? Help should be unconditional. There are a few people with whom they can try the same thing – the aliens at Uranus, the zombies asleep in the graveyards, the dinosaurs at Jurassic Park and the sweet little crocodiles from Lake Placid.

Maybe the journeys are not that smooth – but people are often too intolerable!

We are doing you another favour by letting you stay at our place: Okay, this is somewhat true, especially when we make that choice to start from there to attend a function far away, or maybe even to attend exams. But I haven’t used any relatives’ place as base for such a thing. I have tried to avoid staying at any place because this is how some people are going to see things. I have been thinking why I should bother some relative by giving him or her trouble. Yes, there are people who really want us to stay, and I have stayed at a few places because the insisted, but generally that is not the case.

You should help us because you will need our help in the future: The great oracles of these lands! They never really lose their charm, do they? I wonder if they take oracles at Delphi nowadays too so that these people can be transported there. Their special powers are also forever because they had once predicted that I am not going to finish even my graduation; forget the post graduation. They are continuing to make such predictions, and I hear them being experts in the same. This prediction about me needing their help has been made long ago, and I don’t usually see them ready for help.

But I decided to provide help in return for a cup of tea; why should I help them because there is a chance that they might help me later? Isn’t helping our friends and relatives what we should do anyway? Still, I won’t be able to ask these people related to even those little things. What makes me wonder is why they can’t even give one share to a post of mine? I asked them to share my review of Charlie, and nothing happened. Yes, they have time only share the posts about whatever makes no sense along with those silly jokes.

As you look far far away, what is it that you see other than conditional help?

You are to provide us some help because we are going to be rich: Some people are really going to touch the clouds in the next few years because they so. Some of them have already touched the clouds just because of being married and having job. Some of these people are already helping each other because they think that the other person is going to make it huge and earn a lot, along with marrying someone from a rich family. Such great expectations there – it is a shame that people are nice to others just because the other person is going to have a lot of money in the future!

***The images used in this blog post were taken by me on my Sony Cybershot DSC-W310.

TeNy

Through the Oubliette

Werewolf Anger: The dungeons here are quite interesting. I am becoming a big fan of these things.

Vampire Bat: Actually, that is not a dungeon. It is an oubliette. You can see the difference from the style itself.

Werewolf Anger: In our world, there is no difference. We call them the Dungeons of Transformation.

Vampire Bat: Maybe it is case in the werewolf lands. But, here we keep them separately. We consider them different, both in the brain and the heart. These oubliettes can only be accessed by a hatch on the top while dungeons are like rooms, just with a lock which is rarely opened. Dungeons make it too easy for the evil ones.

Werewolf Anger: Is there a difference in the type of prisoners who are supposed to be here? As of now, I see nobody inside – or are they invisible creatures which can’t be detected by the werewolf eyes? I have had eye problems, but I should be able to see anything not belonging to magical spheres of fire and air.

Vampire Bat: Actually, we could manage none so far. The people to be imprisoned here are not the usual kind of people. They are not found in this realm, but belongs to the world of humans.

Werewolf Anger: I understand. So, what kind of people are we talking about here?

Vampire Bat: You will know that. Do you see that greenery around our castle?

Werewolf Anger: Yes, I do. It is a nice view.

Vampire Bat: I saw such greenery in the human world on a beautiful day and in the next year, it wasn’t there. So, we decided to keep this place open for such people who destroy the beauty of nature by littering, deforestation and bothering wildlife in the name of tourism. We are actually planning to create special trashbins for them and plant trees in some lesser visited areas when they are not looking.

Werewolf Anger: I have to say that I like that idea a lot. Conservation of nature is a very important thing. Our kind has evolved in the forests and not the cities or towns. I consider these modernity as a terrible thing which we should fight together.

Vampire Bat: There is also space here for those who write, draw and spit on the monuments. They call themselves tourists, but if they are involved in such activities, I can only call them vandals or barbarians. We consider each monument as significant as our Great Vampire Castle. We won’t spare any of them. Nobody has the right to diminish the beauty of architecture which is a work of art.

Werewolf Anger: I am not sure about that because we live in caves, made with special rocks, of course. But I understand your feelings.

Vampire Bat: I have also expanded the list by adding those people who don’t value the local culture. It is very much needed because humans have always been fighting over cultures, languages, customs and traditions along with their religion, caste and race based problems. Everyone needs to be a good guest who respects the host no matter where they are visiting! When there are things which are not to be done, they shouldn’t be done! No alcohol means none, and no non-vegetarian food means a clear no! When photos are not allowed, capture the sights with your eyes or pen and paper.

Werewolf Anger: Yes, like we respect each other and the two separate cultures divided by the blood-moon and the blue-moon, united by the aversion towards silver. So, when can I see some prisoners here? I am already very angry at them.

Vampire Bat: Well, we can’t be sure about that. The official permission letter hasn’t been received from the Vampire Elders. We are waiting for the same. After we are able to get that, we can contact some of the human governments to send them some of these irresponsible people.

Werewolf Anger: I shall keep the anger restricted to my name until then. It is really depressing to have all the anger in the name and not able to put it in display. My services will be available to you whenever there is the need.

Vampire Bat: I hope that the humans understand that responsible tourism is the path to follow. Otherwise, Werewolf Anger will see them in the oubliette for whatever kind of pollution and harm they have caused. The wood elves will also have something to say and a lot more to contribute. The world needs nature and all that are associated with it; the historical monuments are the symbols of the collective achievement of the known universe, and we need to keep them in the best way possible.

I am blogging for #ResponsibleTourism activity by Outlook Traveller in association with BlogAdda

***The images used in this blog post are from the Official Facebook Page of the movie, Hotel Transylvania.

TeNy

Liebster and the Facts

I once again got a Liebster Award nomination, this time from Sunaina. I have always loved reading her blog, and it feels great to receive another one. Thank you Sunaina 🙂 Here is her post.

THE RULES

1. Thank the nominator
2. Display the award
3. Nominate 10 more bloggers with 10 new questions
4. Answer the questions provided by the nominator
5. Notify the nominees

Now for the questions I have to answer:

Which of your blog posts is closest to your heart?

The College Days at UCC is the post which is right out of the heart and closest to it; not because it won a prize, but because I didn’t have to think about it – this one came instantly.

Who is your biggest critic?

That should be myself. I often have the kind of opinion about myself which I feel beyond my understanding – so much criticism.

What is happiness?

I am still searching for it. When I find it, I might be able to write a very long blog post about it.

Which is the most inspiring thing you have read recently?

I don’t really get that inspired. Many things are inspiring for common people, but when I give it a thought, nothing gets through me to provide inspiration.

Who is your favorite author/poet/writer?

That is a difficult question because I have loved works from different writers. But I would still prefer to answer my namesake, Lord Alfred Tennyson.

When it comes to appreciation, would you prefer a vote for your blog post or a comment?

I would prefer the comment if it is positive or interesting; otherwise I am ready to take the vote; well, you can vote anyway because it is so easy 😀

Walk at the beach or trip to the mall or a luxury cruise – what is your favorite kind of holiday?

I am not that interested in the three. About the malls, I go there so many times, and I have never been to a luxury cruise. I like the beaches, but it is still not an ideal holiday for me.

What are your thoughts about my blog or my style of writing?

I have always been interested in reading your blog. I don’t have thoughts about blogs that much to pass a judgment. Everyone is different in style and each is just unique.

Is it easy to forgive or forget?

Both are not really easy, but the former can be easier considering the situation and what it is about.

Who is your best friend?

As of now, I am afraid that I can’t talk about one. The position inside the soul is rather empty.

 

I am happy to nominate the following bloggers for this award:
Simon – http://simonsayswatchthis.wordpress.com
Raja – http://www.rajareviews.com
Ranjini – http://rangelz.wordpress.com
Sagarika – http://uncivilizedsophistication.wordpress.com
Sherna – http://meowconnect.blogspot.com
Namrata – http://namratakumari.com
Simran – http://myfriendshipsimran.blogspot.in
Amreen – http://painttheworldwithwords.wordpress.com
Roohi – http://www.roohibhatnagar.com
Sachin – http://jrnywithprabhu.blogspot.in

The questions for them are:

1. Which is your favourite comedy movie?
2. Which of my posts do you consider most interesting?
3. What do you think about end of the world?
4. Which is your favourite spiritual place?
5. Who will you choose between a zombie and a ghost?
6. Which is your favourite movie quote?
7. Which is the superpower that you need?
8. What kind of books do you read?
9. If you have to sacrifice one of the two, will you choose to get rid of Facebook or Twitter?
10. A cat or a dog? With spot for only one pet, which will you choose?

TeNy

The Liebster Returns

Thanks to Hema, for nominating me for the Liebster award 🙂

(http://jumbledhead.blogspot.in/2015/11/liebster-award-nomination-2015.html)

A long time had passed since my last blog award nomination, and longer time had passed since the last Liebster!

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  Rules related to LIEBSTER Award:

  1. As a token of acceptance of the award, do write a blog post regarding the award and post the link of the blogger who nominated you.
  2. Display the award on your blog.
  3. Answer the questions raised by the blogger who nominated you.
  4. Nominate other bloggers.
  5. Post questions to those bloggers.

Here are the answers to Hema’s  questions.

+Who/what inspires you in writing?
It is more of the need to do anything at a time when there is nothing to do.

+What’s the most difficult about blogging for you?
The feeling that this is going to be considered as a wastage of time by people.

+How are you managing time for your work life balance?
There is no work and there is no life for me. So it is very easy.

+What is the single activity which you love the most?
That should be drinking tea, and a lot more tea.

+What is the most special character in you which you adore in yourself?
I don’t really adore anything about me; it is not my plan.

+Which place you like to travel frequently?
To Indian Coffee House, for that tea and what comes with it.

+What 3 words describes you the best?
Thoughtful, Meaningless, Hopeless.

+List any 3 of your favorite bloggers at the moment?
Namrata, Maniparna, Raja.

+What is your favorite quote?
What comes to my mind right now: From the movie King Arthur (2004): “There is no worse death than the end of hope”.

+What are the tips/suggestions for the upcoming blogger?
Just don’t go for the prizes and glory; do what you love.

I am happy to nominate the following bloggers for this award:
Purba – http://www.purbablog.com
Vinitha – http://www.potpourriofmylife.wordpress.com
Roma – http://www.trulyyoursroma.blogspot.in
Bindu – http://www.moviereviewsbybinduc.blogspot.in
Swati – http://dreamerswati.blogspot.in

Here are the questions to my nominees:

*Which is your favourite movie of the 1990s?
*Where do you really want to go before you die?
*What will you choose between a Pista and a Chocolate Shake?
*Do you feel that life has a purpose? Why?
*If given a choice, will you choose arts or science?
*Which is your favourite post on this blog?
*What do you feel is the best thing about blogging?
*What do you think about Simona the Kitty?

TeNy

The Lasting Impression

As we wander through the happy and sad corners of our mortal lives, there are many people who contribute in one way or the other. The number of such people will be very large, but there will be only a few people whose memories will last forever. It is a rare thing to find someone who is #madeofgreat, because not many people can belong to that category with ease. But some people and the memories about them are forever, and they will always be with us in one way or the other.

There was one such person, and he is also the first person who came to my mind when I first saw the hashtag and idea #madeofgreat. It is about that person who became the earliest brother figure, as he was one person whom I knew right from the earliest times as far as my memories go. Thinking about the elder brotherly figures, I can’t remember many who are not among my relatives, but when he comes to the mind, the strongest of my memories are right there, and they remain as strong as they have ever been.

This is my 400th post on this blog posted on the 493rd day of its existence, and I dedicate this one to that person who has been an inspiration to me for a very long time – Jean Mathew. I have mentioned him on a few of my posts on this blog earlier. He was the most hardworking and the smartest person I have ever known. He used to be my advisor for everything related to technology and I always took his advice whether I wanted to buy a new mobile, laptop, desktop or digital camera; he was an expert in such matters.

One of our earliest photos together, scanned from the old album collection.

During my Plus Two times with the Science-Computer branch, he was of great help, and he was a genius in matters related to technology. If I know something about computer, and related to the interest that I had in the same, I am always indebted to him. He was there to give the much needed advice during my early childhood entry into the world of computers. He was also my gaming guru, and I have always thought that he was the most intelligent and the one great expertise related to computers.

He was one person who was #madeofgreat, and I never had a doubt related to the same. He did prove the same when all odds were against him. He did fight hard throughout his life. It was while in the United States in 2008, working for IBS, that he was diagnosed with brain tumour. But facing the disease and going through the treatment with a positive outlook which I never had, he survived and managed to get better. His optimistic approach to life and belief in God had a positive influence on me too during those times.

There were some good times, but the disease showed signs of a relapse in 2011, and facing the tumour once again with a positive frame of mind, he left us for the better world on the third of March, 2013. He never complained, and he never lost hope. As he had gone for eternal sleep, I wondered how there will be no other person who was #madeofgreat like he lived his life, working hard, without complaints and always with hope and trust in this world as well as the other. His positive outlook has always made us closer to optimism.

There are stars which twinkle on the sky, and there are people #madeofgreat, like him, who will shine and twinkle in our minds forever. His amazing collection of brilliant photography and Bible Verses, both combined together, brought us hope, and he still comes to the mind and I often check his Facebook profile and blogs for those pictures and quotes. Times change and life moves forward, but a few things remain and a fewer number of people stay in our minds for eternity.

Cropped from his photo collections with inspirational Bible verses.

And here is a question: “What do you think of Tata Motors association with Lionel Messi?”

For more details about #madeofgreat, visit http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

TeNy

Simona Times: Edition VI

***Just some fictional cat news centered on our most loved cat of all time, Simona.

Simona gets her first umbrella.
It is a known fact that none of the cats like to be in the rain, and Simona has been not much different from the others. The two immortal enemies of Simona has been lightning and thunder while rain has been her one true enemy whom she avoids at all costs. She knows that water has brought all kinds of evil animals who came to have a drink, and so she applied for an umbrella to at least save her from the water in the form of rain. Even during a flood, she plans to use it to float on water. Still, she has raised concerns about the strength of the same as she also intends to use it as a shield against stray dogs.

Simona discovers how to fly.
Even thought the common concept is that cats don’t fly, and some anti-cat people also say that cats should fly, Simona could discover the easy way to fly. She used a Lays packet to achieve the same. After this achievement, she has been called be many cat scientists to explain her first flight and how they could develop an advanced method to give the cats an advantage over the stray dogs. Most of the cats already feel the need to get the better of the crows how make faces at them. Simona has assured the other cats that flying cats will be a possibility in a few years.

The Cat Gang talks about big deeds.
The popular Cat Gang who is also called The One True Cat Gang of All Righteous Felines have declared that they have managed to bring twenty seven stray dogs to the dog shelter, and thus did a great service to the humans. The gang is known for their extreme dislike for dogs, and have often been heard talking about sending all the dogs to the deserted islands so that they can do some Robinson Crusoe there alone. Most of the popular cat groups have declared themselves not related to the Cat Gang in any manner. But recently, the Cat Gang has been claiming more service to the humans than ever.

The Demo-C(r)ats check polling booths.
As the voting progressed and ended, there was some news about cats wandering around the polling booths. This groups which call themselves to be Demo-C(r)ats have been exploring the human democracies to find and establish the best system for the cats. Even though there is a certain amount of voting among cats, there is nothing of true democracy, as declared by the members of the team. “We are rising in membership these days and soon we will have enough among us to make that impact which we have been waiting for; we shall unleash ourselves in a short time” the local leader was saying.

November to be declared Simona Month.
Even though it is not clear on which date she was born, Simona has made clear that it was sometime in November. She was found and saved from the canal on November twenty eight which is celebrated as the Great Simona Discovery Day which is declared a public holiday for the local cats. The one day anniversary is coming up this year, and special celebrations are planned in relation to it. The same is to be extended these days, and November will not have less working days for cats as it is the month of Simona, and it will bring a lot of joy to the Simona fans.

Simona decides to travel on two-wheelers.
Telling everyone that she support two-wheelrs for cheaper traffic and saving fuel, Simona has now chosen to travel only on electric scooters. This was part of her speech and campaign to save energy and environment. It was a reply to the last meeting of dogs which supported traveling with owners in cars. Simona has made it clear that cats are with the common man and also with saving petrol and diesel. “We want our humans not to go poor, right?” Simona was heard asking. “Who will take care of us if such things happen?” she further asked during an interview with the Cat People Channel.

The cat version of The Martian planned.
Simona has planned to bring a full-cat version of The Martian after being inspired by the story of survival. In a recent discussion in a television channel, she made it clear that it won’t be the same story or a direct copy, but an inspired remake which will touch the heart of the cat people. She has given the clue that it will be more based on the true story of a cat who escaped from a canal when surrounded by many stray dogs. Simona has made clear that it was not a fake story, but a real incident, and so it will appeal better to both cats and humans compared to The Martian.

***The images used in this blog post were taken by me on my Asus Zenfone 5.

TeNy

Simona Times: Edition V

***Just some more fictional kitty news centered on our most loved cat of all time, Simona; as she wanders through the complicated world of humans.

Catmobile is birthright, says Simona.
After watching too many Batman movies, Simona has expressed more desire for the Catmobile which has been under the consideration of both the humans and the vampires for quite a long time. If a bat can have a mobile and it even has wheels an armour, why can’t a cat? – this has been her doubt for quite a long time. She once again made it clear that the cats are the true saviours and helpers of the humans and if they can’t have a mobile, it is a shame and something worth lamenting for a very long time. She has also shown the map of her new Catcave on the banks of the river Periyar.

Latest photo of cat-mouse love published.
During the last holiday special speech, Simona had earlier talked a lot about on-going tolerance between cats and mice. Nobody used to believe her, but this photo explains a lot about what she had said. Simona has always been the one cat of truth and justice, and with this photo of her resting with a mouse, she not only proves her greatness of soul and heart, but also shuts up the mouths of her critics. Cats and mice can co-exist, and Simona often finds her very close to this particular mouse. She has even made it clear that she is ready to share her food with her favourite mouse.

Simona asks for social media representation.
With all the talks about other animals trending in the social media, Simona asks the humans, why not the cats? “There are dogs, cows, bulls, buffalloes; then why not us?” Simona was heard talking about the situation. “We are so cute that due to our presence even Death returned to the other world deciding not to take human lives. We are the reason why so many humans are still alive. We should be trending in Twitter and Facebook” she added. “The problem is that we never boast about what we do for humans, unlike those dogs; we consider what we do as our duty” another cat was heard saying.

Simona known to make secret travel plans.
The Cat Neighbourhood has found certain secret plans which are believed to belong to Simona. This was discovered at a time when all the cats were supposed to stay in the neighbourhood to battle the stray dog menace, and if possible even save those humans who provide food by directing the dogs to those houses which don’t feed the cats. Meanwhile, Simona was found to have watched the movie Rani Padmini, and had planned something special for her empowerment. What the Cat Neighbourhood had discovered was just a small part of a big plan, as it is believed.

Simona likes to move it and move it.
Simona was practicing certain dance steps. She has successfully made a lot of cats in the neighbourhood jealous and they came up with a notice towards the International Cat Committee to prohibit the same in the name of ancient cat culture. They have also come up with posters all around about how significant a role the cats played in Egypt, and this honour as well as dignity were lost to them because some strange cats are intentionally trying to bring shame by doing dancing and singing. The International Cat Committee has banned Simona from dancing “intentionally”, and now she dances while sleeping.

Selfie with Simona becomes the new trend.
Simona’s popularity has been on the increase, because of which there has been a new trend of taking selfies with her. Simona has been against selfies throughout her life-time, but she has decided to take part in the process because a lot of cats as well as humans have asked for the same. She has exited the anti-selfie group and unliked the anti-selfie page on Facebook to prepare for this. She has also accepted the invitation to the great selfie party next week which is to come after the Halloween party. Simona has also ordered for a special hat to pose for the special selfies.

Simona chooses to seek the truth.
The last few days had Simona and a small team of cats watching the politicians who had come to houses seeking votes. The cats have decided to make sure that none of the humans in the houses which feed the cats be made fools by false promises. A secure network of cats has been established for the same purpose, and with each visit by these politicians, the cats have decided to warn their favourite people with a special kind of meow. There are special squads for each ward of the muncipality, all of them reporting to the meeting to be held at a central point a few days before the day of voting.

***The images used in this blog post were taken by me on Samsung Galaxy A5 and Asus Zenfone 5.

TeNy

Question of a Million

There is one question which has been commonly asked during talks – What if you had a million dollars? Before converting into rupees, that didn’t provide me that shock which was needed. Well, one million dollars was equal to 65,369,500 rupees when I last looked, and that is an amount which I am sure that I will never earn by myself in my whole life. It is not just the money that I won’t have, it is also more than all the money that I will need. So, this weekend’s WOW topic had me in some doubt. Well, the solution comes in many ways for the extra money that you will have.

Well, whoever you ask if there is the need for money, I am sure that the answer will be yes, even in the case of the top level millionaires. There is a little bit of a journey which has to be done around the world, and that is all for which the money needs to be spent. It has to cover Eastern Europe, especially Romania, as I had mentioned in my earlier post. There are also those historical cities like Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Milan, Berlin, Florence, Lisbon and Paris with all those amazing architecture. The other continents actually don’t have that much for me to travel through, except for a few places and that too the cheaper ones to wander around.

You need the beacon of light on this one; after all it will be the season of doubts.

This actually means that I will be left with something to talk about after finishing the journeys. The number of places to visit will only get lesser in number if things get repetitive, leaving me with more in the bank. Back home, the need for another house, four-wheeler and two-wheeler are not there as I am satisfied with what all is there already. What I have as of now is good. Trying to get more and more will only make me not liking myself that much. Too much luxury will only make me not the person that I have been. Most of us already have more than what we really need.

I am also not a person who believes in changing according to new fashion, and so the already existing clothes will be there for an eternity; I never judged people by their clothes much and never really cared what people thought about they way I dressed. It just needs to fair and decent; nothing more. A person is to be judged by good he or she is, and not by the grand clothing, and so there is no expense coming up there for me. My journey to different parts of the world is to be quick and will have almost no shopping with minimum food, and so there will be more left in the bank.

A few years ago, we used to have a Halloween program, and we collected what we could from the homes around our place and donated the same to a number of charity homes. The youth had decided to turn the night which was looked upon in a negative way into something positive. The response was nice, and one of the recipients we considered was a boys’ home called Snehakkoodu at Aluva. Unlike the other places which had the support of a lot of patrons, this at that time seemed to be a place which could use a lot of help.

Be the light in the darkness; be the colour among the black and white!

The place would be my first home to provide a donation, and I am sure that it will be a very useful act for them. It is all about helping the people in need rather than anything else, and they were in need at that time. Sadly, after we moved from Aluva, I haven’t been there much, and I would like to leave quite something from the amount for them. There is also the Home for the Aged and the Infirm, a few kilometres from Aluva, and I also wish to leave an amount for the old and sick people there.

As we help people in need, there are many around us who are not in that much of good situations as we are. There are our own friends, relatives and neighbours who live around us, and they will also be in need at times, for which some of the money could be kept in reserve to provide for them. We also owe something to them, irrespective of religion, caste and status. It is our duty as an Indian not to discriminate by divisions, and to help our fellow countrymen, the people whom we see each and every day and are in need.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

***The images used in this blog post were taken by me only.

TeNy

Lights of the Night

“We shouldn’t have decided to start the journey at night. A better option was to start early morning, may be around five thirty or six thirty” she told him.

“It is easier to reach there before midnight. The traffic will be less, and as we usually sleep after midnight, this is not going to be a problem. We will reach the destination before midnight easily. The total distance we have to travel is around one hundred and seventy five kilometres, and according to my plans, we are going to be there as expected” he replied.

“But it is very dark out there. Whatever remains of the street lights are not working and the road has just enough width for two cars. We are traveling towards a mountainous area and there is rain outside. Can you see much in this fog?” she asked.

Darkness spreads. What lies beyond those which the human eyes can catch?

“I don’t understand why you are so worried. I have traveled through such areas throughout my life, and I have driven so much through the dangerous areas. I have driven even through those places where there remained almost no trace of road. You should just take your mobile and log in to Facebook and check a few status updates instead of being tensed. Or may be you can talk to one of your friends on Whatsapp” he said with confidence.

“The rain is only getting stronger, and so is the wind. I think there is complete power failure in the area. There is no light anywhere. I think that this area doesn’t have houses or shops too. We shouldn’t have taken the shortcut; the direct route had more width, better quality roads and some shops and houses. This is like a deserted world. I think that you have discovered the road less traveled and it has created all the problems” she continued.

“Still, I have saved so much of fuel by traveling through this route. Is it so difficult for you to use Facebook or Whatsapp?” he asked her.

“There is no range here, and you are asking me to check Facebook and Whatsapp. Do you even know if we are going in the right direction? There hasn’t been a signboard for the last one hour. The only vehicles that we have seen are some trucks, most of them carrying timber” she said in a worried tone.

“I believe that we have traveled about a quarter of the total distance. The journey was slower than expected because of the rain and the curves on the road. But as soon as the rain is over and a few more kilometers pass, we can go at a higher speed and once we can continuously travel at the desired pace, the destination will feel closer” he assured her.

“This is the last time I am coming with you on a drive. I am going to remember this big mistake for a long time. Next time, I shall choose one of those AC low floor buses or at least take a taxi” she complained.

Suddenly, an SUV appeared from the corner in high speed with its high intensity lights falling right into his eyes along with all those extra lights which were added to the front side of the vehicle. Blinded by the lights and trying to avoid the SUV from coming too close to the car, he took a left which brought the vehicle to the edge which was slippery due to the rain. The SUV vanished from the sight as it took the next turn while the car found it in the air until the people of a neighbourhood under the hill heard a huge noise. They got out of their houses to find the local vegetarian restaurant without its roof and on fire.

“It is the restaurant. There will be no Special Masala Dosa for a few days” one of the men was heard saying.

The rain had stopped and the dark clouds were slowly moving away. The moon had returned from under the clouds. On the top of the hill, two people were having tea. One of them, a lady was wearing black and the man was was wearing a combination of black and red. They finished the tea and looked down to see the fire.

So there is a lot of beauty there, but death has power over everything else.

“I feel for these common people, but I can’t do anything about it. See, I try to have a certain number of souls to finish the month meeting the requirements, but these just add to them and provide me some extra souls. These road accidents caused by bright and high intensity lights give me those souls who were never supposed to come to me so early. It is disappointing that they die. I think about not taking their souls, but I do some mercy killing because I can’t stand their pain” Lady Death said.

“It is the common problem with these humans. They can’t dim the lights and make it better for the other drivers. They only think about themselves. This is why we vampires don’t drive at night. Vampire Bat always talks about this. About seventy five percent of the people never dim the lights even if we warn them using the horn. Unless there is a camera to catch these people, and a restriction against using the extra high intensity lights, these accidents can’t be prevented. But when the rich people use all the high intensity lights in the world, who can stop them in the human world which is governed by money alone?” Dracula asked.

***The images used in this blog post were taken by me.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

TeNy

The Legend of Root Canal

It was in the year 2007 that I first heard about the great legend of root canal in detail. But it was already known from a time when the Vampire Team was actually having Pappaya Shake and Grape Juice in honour of Uncle Dracula’s birthday when a few mortals were talking about the same. The vampires had believed in immortality of fangs, but nothing about the same was said in the great vampire books. Fangs were never supposed to live forever and even immortals needed dentists to save the day.

Well, I might have heard something about it on a lot more occasions, but never really cared much. The realization that I need understand more about this legend came on the day before an exam. There is something between me and the exams, as the day before the written test always provided me something negative; may be we were never supposed to be together in a hall with question papers. The day before the examination is usually the day of big evil. It is an unpredictable day on which anything can happen, even if there is a harthal in store for the next day.

Evil has its way in darkness, but the first nemesis of my teeth was Chakka Varuthathu.

Evil comes in many forms, and it always finds a way, no matter what the environment is about. That time, the culprit was what we call Chakka Varuthathu, officially worthy of being called Fried Jackfruit Chips – it was one of our usual snacks with Banana Chips, Tapioca Chips and Potato Chips, used while watching strange movies, cheering for a team in cricket or football and even when watching cricket. But it was never known before that such things could break a piece of teeth into two like a solid hammer on a rock, but it was about this that you are going to read about.

I had one nice bite of the chips while reading a book, and the result was surely not awesome for me, but it assured me that dentist will get another opportunity to show his skills, and provide me with a taste of the legend about what the root canal therapy or what they officially called endodontic therapy, proving it to be true and worthy. A significant part of my last molar on the left lower level had fallen off with the filling which has been serving it for quite a long time. It meant that the legend had to proven true.

Eight years have passed after that significant incident which saw the legend becoming true and myself choosing a steel coloured crown because I wanted to see it as a crown and not as another teeth. It needed to have something special because it lacked what the usual teeth had. It is my gift to that special teeth which is no more the teeth it used to be, as the soul has departed. I made that choice and it has stayed strong until now, and this time it was the upper molar, second one from the left which was going to suffer the same fate.

It is really bad to have anything too cold or hot these times, right? 😦

It was just another day, and it was the Guava which did the trick this time with its evil seeds infiltrating that one teeth and taking a part of it when retreating; some popcorn during a movie later contributed more, and then the later filling could also stay alive for just a few days only. The legend had to return again to save the day, and root canal was adviced even though a crown without a root canal might still be possible; but I was like, why take the risk when the condition of the tooth looks as if coffin is a nice choice.

So, I took the opportunity to unleash the legend on my teeth and now it is ready for the crown. This crown which is to become the armour of my teeth will save it against all signs of death and destruction. Yes, Lady Death can take me, but not my teeth, at least not as a whole. I will defend this well, as long as there are dental clinics and dentists in this world which provides so much of sweets and tough food to destroy my teeth. I should be friends with more dentists, and I am hoping to send a few more friend requests.

***The images used in this blog post were taken by me on my Asus Zenfone 5.

TeNy

Simona Times: Edition II

***Kitty Newspaper from the Cat World lead by Simona the little big cat.

Simona tells the press about what she should be called.
Throughout the press meet, she was called Simona the Kitty, and the Little One and it didn’t go well with the self-proclaimed grown up cat. Simona has told the journalists that it has been very difficult being called little one, kitten or kitty. It makes her feel very small and she doesn’t want to considered the little one by both humans and cats. As she is still not that big enough, she has accepted to be called Simona the little big cat, instead of Simona the kitty. She has informed the different cat groups and organizations to accept that change. A number of other cats have also asked for similar things to be added to their names as the trend has already started.

Simona stares at a journalist who calls her the cute little Simona kitty.

Remake Drishyam for cats; movie loving felines file petition.
There are a good number of movie loving cats in this world, and the same has been proven by a new gang of cats. The petition was initiated by Simona who gave them that idea, and she has also promised moral support for the same. All the cats have heard about Drishyam so many times until the recent Hindi remake and know that there are five versions of the same, which has inspired them to ask for another version for the cats. The interesting thing about this exclusive news is that some of the big cats like lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs and cougars have also decided to sign the petition if their smaller feline brothers and sisters can bring it to the wilderness and the zoos. The cinema lovers have expressed satisfaction over the fantastic response.

Cat gang asks for the title, the Spider-Slayer.
Simona has just recently finished murdering one hundred insects in total, out of which, fifty percent are spiders. She has displayed special skills in catching spiders, cockroaches and even lizards, even though humans have rarely recognized it. Due to the same reason, she has asked for the title, the Spider-Slayer and a memento in the shape of a tuna or sardine to be provided to the cats thanking them for their service. She has shown the statistics that the number of spiders and cockroaches in households has reduced significantly, and lizards have mostly boycotted homes because of the cat efforts. She asks humans to show some appreciation for the free service that they are receiving.

Cats demand special ships to the United States.
There is no other cat who has been loved by the cats of the area than the Grumpy Cat whom they address as Sir Tardar Sauce. Yesterday, a number of cats gathered outside the town hall and demanded for special ships for them to see their hero and demigod. They have also asked for a special subsidy for the same, as this journey also has a certain religious and educational significance. A lot of cats have also decided to learn sculpture so that an image of the great celebrity cat could be created for them. They have threatened the Municipal Chairman that they will talk about this to his wife who is a big animal lover having two cats at her ancestral home.

Lift the ban, asks a furious Simona.
A very angry Simona and her followers disrupted the monthly cat meetings today, hearing news about the porn ban as prawn ban. She said that just like there was news about beef ban at some part of the countrty, the anti-cat government is intentionally trying to deprive the cats off their food items. She added that if the cat-kind won’t protest right now, the next ban will be on chicken and soon they will be left with no option but to eat grass. She said that this is an indirect attack on the cat kind, unlike the direct one which happens in Australia. She has asked for a cat strike, the first feline harthal ever on a day next week. Even after knowing the correct spelling, she has decided to continue with the strike in support of freedom.

Simona’s first expression when she heard that there was a prawn ban.

Cats decide to team up with cows temporarily.
Despite the common disagreement which the two teams have had about banning beef, cats and cows have decided to come up with a union intended for providing cats with fresh milk rather than the packet milk which the humans provide. As the cats demand healthier diet, the cows have agreed to the same because the incidents related to stray dog attacks on the cattle has been very high. A veteran cat team of ten will be assigned to guard each cow. An extension of the same, a certain lower range protection will be given to the bulls who demand the same. The cats hope to come up with similar agreements with buffalloes and goats and are training in special martial arts.

Cat extremists call for a “go back to Persia movement”.
Worried about the rising number of Persian cats in the houses, some of the local cats have called for a “go back to Persia movement” and has said that those humans who don’t like it can also go to Persia. One of the cats were heard quoting “Why are they here? They don’t belong here. We are the true Indian nationalist cats. Some of these cats are even called Himalayan? They can’t do that. The Himalayas belong to us only. They should rename these cats are Damavand, Kholeno or something else”. But Simona has declared these ideas as rubbish, and has told the media that there is no need to listen to these extremists because all cats are equal, it is towards this equality that she and her team has been moving.

***The images used in this blog post were taken by me on my Asus Zenfone 5.

TeNy

Wonders: Natural Ones

Vampire Squirrel: But, I really want to know. You know that I have a right to information, at least those of level seven.

Vampire Bat: This is the problem of having new apprentices. Too many doubts. Do you remember what the Vampire Crocodile asked us when he first joined the team?

Vampire Squirrel: But I am a big fan of your stories related to taking care of Little Mavis. I have read many vampire tales, but nothing as cute as that one.

Vampire Owl: I am the one responsible for that, and the stories are all about me and my experiences. The others have contributed very less to the tale.

Vampire Squirrel: Yes, I know. I have read Chapter twenty seven of the Little Mavis Saga. It talks about the same.

Vampire Bat: What? You wrote a book about that? What is in there to create a work?

Vampire Owl: It is a story with a message. Everything reaches a point. It is mostly about how the goodness in natural oils provides wonders to the child’s skin, and even to the bone and muscle development.

Vampire Bat: When did you become an expert in the same?

Vampire Owl: I have been reading a lot. It was part of my reading about taking over the world. I just managed to get the wrong book instead. But I have come up with the ideas which will make me the first vampire expert in the same, and I connect them to my experience of taking care of Miss. Mavis Dracula.

Vampire Squirrel: Which is why I want to know.

Vampire Bat: Well, the artificial colors and chemicals are bad for the baby, and one has to be careful about it. That much, I know.

Vampire Squirrel: I remember those days when I was a little toothless squirrel and everyone wanted to cuddle me. There was so much attention on me, and I wish to go back to that time, for which this book has helped me.

Vampire Bat: Well, you are still very much toothless except for those artificial fangs. The Vampire BookWorks has only published the works which gives a special feeling. They keep a certain quality standards related to the books, as vampires are very close to literature and find inferior books very offensive. This one is also educational, I see.

Vampire Owl: I have clearly made a point against the terrible effects of the artificial ones and has talked about having natural oils like Dabur Baby Massage Oil in that book. What we are looking for is a better next generation, and that includes children free from skin diseases, right?

Vampire Bat: Chemicals are all that we have when we grow up, both inside and outside. So, it is only fair to hope for natural things for a baby, before the exposure to such evil which affects both the mind and the body.

Vampire Owl: Well, it is simple; artificial is bad and natural is good – People just can’t realize the same. I have made it crystal clear with my final conclusion in that book.

Vampire Squirrel: I haven’t reached the end of the book yet. I thought that you both had written it together.

Vampire Bat: No, what I wrote about was a review of the Bollywood movie, Baby. I am not related this baby stuff. You can see that the other blog only deals with movie reviews.

Vampire Owl: I have still added your name though. It is in very small letters on the cover. Most of the people might not notice the same, but he did.

Vampire Bat: Holy vampire! Now, people will think that I am the hidden expert in these matters.

Vampire Squirrel: Excuse me, sir. I already think so, and I came here cent percent sure about the same. It is also the reason why I came to you and not to Sir Dracula.

***The images used in this blog post are from the Official Facebook Page of Hotel Transylvania.

I am participating in the #FirstLove activity at BlogAdda in association with Dabur

TeNy

Of Friends and Parents

We have friends and we have parents. Most of the times, they are too different from each other, and the gap will only increase with the rising difference between the thought procedures of people who belong to different ages. Kids talk differently to friends and parents, and it is needed considering the respect factor – but if if is too different, things change. Children say too many lies to their parents, and for some, friends are more significant part of their lives.

If we know any youngster well enough, we can understand how much they lie to their parents each and every day. Most of my friends used to tell me to inform that they are at my home if their mother or father called. But nobody really called me anyway, and that was a relief. The new generation wishes to lead the Carpe Diem way of life which means that they have to lie to their parents who instructs them to lead a certain kind of life.

The problem with the new generation kids is that they think that they know a lot, and with the early relationship with the computer and mobile phone, they do know quite much. The parents are often proud of the same, but they can’t really accept the fact that the children is living life their own way and not listening to what they have to say. So, the distance between the parents and the children are further than it used to be a few years ago.

The children and the parents are mostly in two different worlds these days, or rather living in two planets which are so distant from each other. Unless the parents go into the world of the children, there can be not that much love for each other as it used to be. It is not easy to make the new generation children agree to your viewpoints, and for the same, the attention has to be given in an early age itself.

There are good number of little children belonging to my cousins – there are many of them, and a lot of them on the way. They have all been different in one way or the other, but in their attitude towards the elders, there is very less difference. It is what the modern age has provided us with, and it is what the parents should care about. Disobedience will only rise further if we become authoritative to them, as they will not like it.

This is not something that have come across for no reason, but something that has been developed through ages. Neither the father or the mother has time for the children; earlier only one of them used to work – usually it is only the male who works or otherwise it is the female who is the earning person (especially in the cases of nurses in foreign countries); there were also the grandparents who helped with the same.

But unfortunately for now, none of these people have time. It is as if the time has been taken away all of a sudden and things have become too complicated. The children of this age requires bonding more than ever, and it is up-to the parents to do a good job being a friend and guide rather than the big authoritative figure. Children have to be taught with love and not with fear. Yes, one has to be strict, but not as a figure of horror. It has to be about “buddy parenting”.

Lets think more about the same and have some Chocos: https://www.facebook.com/mychocos

***The images used in this blog post are from the Official Facebook Page of Hotel Transylvania.

TeNy

Monthly Simona Facts

Here are a few Simona facts for the month. They are directly taken from the Pet Page in the Book of Life 😀

1. Simona the Kitty is a doubtful one. But she likes Milk Peda, Laddu, Jalebi and Mysore Pak. So you have to understand that if I ever ask you to bring any of the same, it is not for me, but for Simona the Kitty who likes to have her tea with a lot of sugar 😀

2. Simona the Kitty wishes to go for journeys. So if I ask you to pick me up from home, it is also because she likes it. She prefers to go on the electric scooter to save energy for a better life for the future generation and in favour of nature 😉

3. She looks as if to ask that question about the simple mortal nature of humanity when she has nine lives. She has already used two of them and still got seven remaining. She wonders why humans adjust with just one life, and she hopes to donate one for them 😛

4. Life is still complicated. She wants to go this way and also that way. She has to choose her favourite human and decide to go this way or that way in order to come down. It is a difficult decision because all paths lead down 😀

5. The vampire fangs are here. She has her own vampire qualities which she hopes to display as she applies for the World Vampire Cat competition. As black cats are preferred for the program, she has to train hard for it, and this is part of the training programme.

6. This has been the natural thing that has been done at our home while mother used to switch on the lights – she is skilled enough to use it to her advantage. She sleeps more than any known cat, and so she needed to know that and use it well.

***All images used in this blog post were taken by me on my Asus Zenfone 5.

TeNy

Quote Challenge Extra: Orwell

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
― Animal Farm (George Orwell)

Even though I loved the vampire fiction, my initial feeling was fear for them. But things had to change. But I then realized that they were better, as never do they discriminate in their lives. It is more of a result of the later knowledge that I will never be considered equal to others, and I can never demand that status from people around me. I was always the person who scored more for the wrong subjects, and I was never as good as others in acting the love and care. Acting was not my department, because it never really came to me naturally.

I was never to have the same status again, because I never studied any science after I got rid of the shadow of the forced courses over me. I would never be considered as good enough because I didn’t study science. With so many engineers and doctors around, how can I be of any good in this society? Then I thought that may be getting a job will be my key to getting closer to equality. It could make some relatives consider me to be of any good. For them, Bachelor of Arts go far below everything, with commerce also coming a long way above it.

My favourite demon; even he doesn’t discriminate in taking souls.

Then I thought that I will apply for Phd after MA. I saw the reservations list and realized that the only way I can study in any university from the General category is by death and later becoming a ghost. I am not denying that people do get admissions from every category, but people deserve more chances as humans and not due to belonging to a caste. Even the questions are like helping people who want to learn things byheart. I want to earn knowledge and not study things byheart. I want to know and not to memorize.

Death was pretty much a fine solution, but I did wonder if souls are allowed in such classes because they won’t be considered equal too. I have met so many people who have got admission for Phd and still struggles to write one full essay. Such people get admission to Phd and despite scoring a long way above and despite being the one to help all these people with grammar and spelling, I will get nowhere near. You get prepared for a Phd and for that you need to take a memory test through which people who can’t write an essay gets in.

Souls are taken without any reservation; all are devoured in the right order.

May be I should burn my books. There is no point in all these. When you go to write to English NET exams, you see an objective question paper which make sure that people who don’t know English grammar become the “qualified”. The rich Reserved gets in and the poor General category tries again and again. Things in life gets repeated, and I was again told that I am not equal. All Indians are my brothers and sisters, but I am not close to being equal to a good number of them. Well, it could be because I am useless and I should apply for equality after death.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. Seriously? Paulo Coelho, you should be from another world. The only thing that the universe has already decided is to mess up people’s lives. May be it is how things work at Brazil, but calling a nation a universe is rather extreme a step, isn’t it? The universe here already got the reservations ready and will provide even more for vote banks. Yes, we have the equality in death, and is it the end that we should conspire to achieve?

PSC does the same thing, and it is like a struggle till death. This is that kind of a world where if you want to study, you are not allowed. Everything is bloody reserved. I am still glad that Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code is repealed. There is always the last chance. There is provision for suicide, and even a mental institution is a lot better than being in a world in which there is no equality. Why would someone read and study so much for absolutely no result when ending everything is so easy? How can someone blame the British before the independence while treating one’s own people without equality? Why should there be legal discrimination based on one’s religion, community or caste?

***All images used in this blog post are from the official Facebook page of Diablo game.

This is a special extension of the three day quote challenge for which I was nominated by Kiran, at https://drkiranacharya.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/day-three-quote-challenge.

TeNy

Closer to Radiance

There was a question which my mom used to ask me even from my schooldays. It was about how much water I managed to drink on a day. Drink more water for the skin was the idea. I never really managed to meet that requirement of twelve glasses of water and she decreased it to eight, and I still struggled to reach there. I cared very less about health at those days, and so the idea of giving the skin more water was rather lost on me. I hope to use that tip more in future though.

The next tip was to eat your vegetables, and you will be healthier and will look better with healthier skin. Then I was like, everybody knows that already and refused my vegetables as the grand non-vegetarian kid of the time. At that time, it felt cooler to refuse the vegetables, but not that much nowadays, with going semi-vegetarian. May be I should have done that a long time ago. It is good to eat some of those vegetables, and it is good for the skin as the earlier generation always used to say.

A few years ago, she had also adviced to eat less of the spicy food or it will show on the skin. She was against those grand Chicken Biriyani adventures which we friends had and had told to have vegetables meals even when we go on a trip. It sounded too much for us at that time, but nowadays, often I choose the meals instead of the spicy things. The non-vegetarian world was rather a smaller one, but it is the healthy one as she used to say.

There was also this advice from the past, about being stress-free, as higher the stress, more chance is there for skin problems, just like the problems inside our heads. The tip was to keep calm – never really worked out for me living a life surrounded by the pathetic relatives who judge people by money and job. Stress has been part of my problems, but may be if I could lie better, I could be further stress-free and live a happier life with better skin.

My parents had always adviced me not to play cricket at noon just because some World Cup or Mini World Cup is going on. This was kind of a regular advice given to me to save my skin from the sun, and even though it was repeated so many times, I used to play the whole day until late night at that time, something which started early morning. Yes, those days had me in direct contact with sun, and they were those moments which I could have avoided for the skin.

Mom had special concern for my Vitamin C. Yes, the fruits rich in that particular vitamin was a nice preference. It was something related to the human body’s production of collagen, and the skin was to benefitted from the same. I always loved the oranges, and so this skin-care tip worked in a much better way. Lime juice was also a regular drink which I had and so this one came naturally in favour of the skin.

#ComeCloser to Radiant Skin as VICCO Turmeric Cream could be a wonderful solution for the skin problems like oily skin, pimples and blackheads, and claims to have an Ayurvedic formula with special properties of turmeric; also known to prevent and cure skin infections, rashes and allergies, with some help in dealing with injuries too. There seems to be something quite interesting about it. Do check VICCO Turmeric Cream and the related products here at their website: http://www.viccolabs.com/product-turmeric-cream-with-foam-base.php

TeNy

Sharing the Big Load

We have heard a lot that sharing is caring. But to what extent do we do that or rather put a limit on the same? The one place where we seem to think about that more than anything else is at those torrent sites! Then there is the kind of food which can’t be finished alone and we call for help. It is where the world of sharing has thrived better than most of the other occasions, but in this world where sharing first brings Facebook to the mind, there is the need to share further, far away from the world of modernity.

Sharing the load never naturally comes, because it needs some effort especially when someone is spending some random leisure time – men have that tendency to think it not as their job. As far as marriage is concerned, the biggest thing that it has achieved is to inspire Havells advertisements which comes up with fake advertisements talking about respect, but nothing really about sharing or having concern for the other half. People just want it easy, and not share the loads – it is just selfish nature.

There is too much inequality in houses when it is about the housework, and men and women need to #ShareTheLoad especially when both are working. It is not something like Interstellar which talks about something and people have smoke coming out of brains. This is just simple and should come right out of basic love and care for the other half. It is an act of love and concern and not something which can be taught.

Check out this initiative; you can feel it from their Ad photo! 🙂

Well, marriage is supposed to be halves becoming one, but how can that happen if there are no two equal halves? A half and a quarter in not one, and so in simple terms, it is not a good reflection of married life. It is the twenty-first century and the only way to equality seems to be reservation for some people. Then some people need reminders, and this need to be reminded of equality is another ridiculous situation.

If someone has to do the whole thing alone, it is a lot of work, but sharing can be fun. When not married, help the mother or sister. The mother will need it a lot as she is getting older and the father might still belong to a generation where women were not working and they were used to doing work at home only. He might find it difficult to follow, but not us who are beyond the same. It is up-to us to show a good example to our children also.

What we need to look out for is the future, and nowadays when both the man and the wife are working, there needs to be a lot of sharing, depending on the timings of their work – sometimes it might be the male who works more and at other times, it could be the female, and they need to share according to the demands of the time as there will be days when one of them will have some extra time and can make a better use of the same in this busy world. If one of them won’t have work for a period of time, it is easier for just one – otherwise no.

I would say that a certain amount of work at home can be some fun as long as the dose is kept in the right quantity, and for that, one has to be ready to #ShareTheLoad. Otherwise there would be the delay which can spoil the day for not just one person, but for the whole family. When we get the work get done faster, there will be time left to spend with each other, and the relationship only gets better – it is the success of the family as a unit! Now, lets just ask more people to #ShareTheLoad.

I am writing for the #ShareTheLoad activity at BlogAdda.com in association with Ariel.

TeNy

Of Happiness and Optimism

There have been too many days which lacked the happiness factor in my life, and I often wondered why it was so difficult to find the joy which has been lost. It has never been my area of expertise. But I have found its opposite side with so much ease, and there has been absolutely no struggle associated with it. The absence of happiness is always present, and even when there is the most need. The reason was that there was no optimism, and the level of hope was so low!

Yes, being an optimist never came naturally to me, and it has been more about being a cynic all the time. Among them all, there was that November 28th which changed a few things. I was rather wandering around with no plans. Then there was something which came to me like music to the ears. It was the cry of a kitten from the canal in front of our house. From between the vegetation of the canal, a face looked up, and said the “meow” and again came up with another louder “meow”.

See who was waiting? Look at the smile there as optimism works out for her 😀

Then I was like, this one is in the canal, and this was going to add to my sadness with this one going to die there. There was no way to bring it up as it was too steep all the way. That was another point of pessimism there, and then I saw it trying to climb up, trying again and again until almost reaching that point from where I could pull it up and take it home. Kittens are optimists aren’t they? I wondered if it could have done that as a pessimist.

We named her Simona and she has been a fighter. She gave a valuable lesson with her struggle to be up with us. From then, she has been a symbol of optimism in a never-ending manner. Simona, the symbol of perpetual optimism continues to be with us at home. She has been very good at providing some moments of happiness, becoming also the happiness factor of the family.

I am an optimist kitty and I know clearly that I can get into that room 😉

The point was that what I have to do is to keep trying. Falling down has been another thing that came naturally to me, and the plan should have been to get up every time. Simona teaches so much, and the way she looks at you is optimism, and her knowledge that you will always be there to feed and look after her is the purest form of optimism. You can feel it in her eyes, and realize that you, the human is her best friend.

She needs her time with her humans, and she knows that they will always be there for her, whether to feed or to play with her, and to make sure that the necessary position on the lap is there for her. It is her optimism that we never want her to miss, as it is a contagious thing and she is a carrier of that beautiful factor. I have often wished that the optimism was a virus that could spread better.

She is Simona, or SI-MO in short, and she is our little cute optimism. Even as she has got bigger, everyday, she sits in front of the closed doors of the rooms of the house, letting us know that happiness as well as a positive approach towards life is not elusive. She has been proving that with each sunrise, making sure that the humans of the house never miss out on the joy of the beautiful day being shared with her. Yes, she tells us that the world is beautiful and better be optimistic about it and your own future!

The photos used for this blog post are the pictures of our kitten taken by me on my Sony Cybershot DSC W-310 during the time period between November 28th 2014 and February 28th 2015. This blog post was written as part of the Happy Hours campaign from Housing.com in association with Indiblogger. Do check this link for details: https://housing.com/lookup

TeNy