Aiming For The Stars?

Yesterday, I learnt that if I want to reach great heights, I don't have to compete with people; I have to do everything before they even think of doing them.

I have to make sure that I have given everything my 100% without letting them set a benchmark for me; I have to be the benchmark.

And the cherry on top came in the form of DannyBoy's blog entry I read today:

"People look up to the sky, hoping to count all the stars. I look up to the sky, hoping to one day shine brighter than them" -Danish A. Arif

Yes, I Started Jane Eyre

"Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack
the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the
Pharisee, is nt to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns. These things and
deeds are diametrically opposed: they are as distinct as is vice from virture.
Men too often confound them: they should not be confounded; appeareance should
not be mistaken for truth; narrow human doctrines, that only tend to elate and
magnify a few, should not be substituted for the world-redeeming creed of
Christ."

***

"Children can feel, but they cannot analyse their feelings; and if the analysis is partially effected in thought, they know not how to express the result of the process in words."

-Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre.

We're Individuals For A Reason

I used to think as a child that to be able to find a bestfriend or a soul-mate, for that matter, they have to be just like you.

I realize now that not everyone can be the same.
Everyone has different shit on their platter. Every person has their own problems, different reasons for existence, different paths to follow.

Moreover, a soulmate is like that missing piece of jigsaw puzzle in the centre. The picture is complete, yet, unless you find that one piece, there's an empty hole, something lacking, in that entire puzzle. And what one lacks, the other completes.

In that way, we're all different. And we have to be. We are called individuals for a reason, you know.

"I’m a satellite heart
Lost in the dark
I’m spun out so far
You stop, I start
But I’ll be true to you."

I used to be afraid of being alone, being different. Being an alien.
It's silly how the littlest of moments become so deeply etched into our souls that we forget they were once never a part of us. Demand characteristic; the need to conform, the need to belong-- genetically ingrained in every human being.

Or is it?

Moulded and shaped into the perfect fucking sculpture of human lies.
Perfection-- a pathetic fallacy.

When a sculpture is moulded, pressing the clay and shaping it to your vision of perfection, certain permanent dents are constructed on its surface.
And they don't go.
We think they do, but it's just an illusion. Maybe delusion.
Or would ignorance be more appropriate a word?
Humans cannot, no, should not, be sculpted that way. First, they don't all share your vision.

"Paint my face in your magazine
Make me look whiter than it seems
Paint me over with your dreams
Shove away my ethnicity.
Burn every notion that I
May have a flame inside to fight
And say just what is on my mind
Without offending your might"

Second, and the most important, they are fucking born to be individuals. Hear this, loud and clear.
So when you do shape them, realize, that your illusion of perfection? It's just dystopian, destructive, self-destructive perfection.
You'll never succeed. Don't try. Don't.
Just don't even fucking bother.

"Cause this life
Is to short
To live it just
For you
But when
you feel
So powerless
What are you gonna do?
So say what you want."

The Average Man

Danish and indirectly, Duct Tape Nation aka Sarmad/Sam brought this to my attention.It was rather creepy actually. It's like I opened DannyBoyLove's page, and it's like right there, in my face, speaking to me.

Ladies and Gentlemen! You've read about it in the papers! Now witness, before your very eyes, that most rare and tragic of nature's mistakes! I give you: the average man. Physically unremarkable, it instead possesses a deformed set of values. Notice the hideously bloated sense of humanity's importance. Also note the club-footed social conscience and the withered optimism. It's certainly not for the squeamish, is it? Most repulsive of all, are its frail and useless notions of order and sanity. If too much weight is placed upon them... they snap. How does it live, I hear you ask? How does this poor pathetic specimen survive in today's harsh and irrational environment? I'm afraid the sad answer is, 'Not very well'. Faced with the inescapable fact that human existence is mad, random, and pointless, one in eight of them crack up and go stark slavering buggo! Who can blame them? In a world as psychotic as this... any other response would be crazy!"

Joker - Batman: Killing Joke

Alan Moore, [although I've never read any of his works], proves to be a genius by this dialog alone. :/

Old IS Gold

Averting away from the gloom that's been surrounding my blog for the past few days, I've been thinking about this: Generations before us had a far better life than what we lead today.

It's true. Think about it. The simplicity with which they did things is something to be envious of. Sure, we have all the latest technology, we have everything made easier for us and dished out to us on a plate, but that's precisely why we're so lethargic, stressed out, depressed.

When I compare my father and my brother, there's quite a bit of difference b/w the way they do things and their skills.
See, my brother is in touch with the latest technology and knows the short-cuts to everything, which is useful in a way and gets things done quicker.
But my father, he'll know the functioning of the object- in- context, inside out! He'll know WHY it works that way, how it works that way, and it's pure knowledge of the subject. He'll know exactly WHAT to fix, which gets the job done more efficiently. Obviously, they're more hardworking because they didn't have all those tools as we do now in the age-of-convenience.

Convenience-- that is exactly why we look for an easy way out. Not saying it's always a bad thing, but it's made us less hard-working. Also, we're so into technology, that the more important things such as socializing has been left out. Many argue that Facebook, Twitter, Myspasce, etc. are the ultimate source of communication. But what good is this sort of communication when you don't meet with those people in person, or worse still, forget your own family/extended family because of your cyber-socialization.



Also, all this social-networking craze that's taken the world by storm, little time is left for books, recreational activities, arts & crafts, learning useful skills, etc. Everyone's Twittering away or punching holes through their cellphones!
People argue that e-books are being more efficiently used, but really now! If we're being honest, how many people actually do use them?
Moreover, sometimes, I feel, people sort of force themselves subconsciously to go online and feel it a duty to communicate with people ONLINE, even if they don't really feel like it. Contradictory as this point maybe, it still is sufficiently true and proven.

In the olden days, family-time was given much importance. Brothers and sisters used to go out and play together. Now, as soon as the child turns 7, PSP and computer games top their wish list. Individuals in the earlier times were more active, energetic and hard-working, whilst in today's world, we the younger generation are much less active, finding short-cuts and wanting to get everything done quickly, getting impatient if the computer delays the operation by just one minute.

Even now, as you compare younger generations in the technologically-advanced nations to those who're not, you'll spot the difference immediately.

Of course, technology brings about a lot of positive things too, such as increased education, new skills, global interaction and cooperation, accelerated learning, etc. A person stays up-to-date with the latest news and stays informed about the world around him. There aren't good enough excuses to be purposely ignorant. But with power comes great responsibility, and it's very, very easy to abuse power, which sadly, a lot of us are doing these days.

Earlier, healthy food was consumed but now, since the 1950s/post industrial-revolution, mass-production method has been applied to foods and we're eating artificially-grown fruits, vegetables, etc. Seasonal fruits/vegetables are now available all year round. The quality of life that today's generation enjoys is luxurious and comfortable. Which although a blessing, should stir some worry in us because increasingly, we're becoming dependent on machines to do our jobs for us.
Our thinking abilities are diminishing and this directed learning [televisions, music, computer games, etc.] are slowly making us robotic. Not to mention the countless health problems being faced; obesity, weak eye-sight, BP, diabetes, RST, back problems, posture problems, to name a few.

That's your food for thought. Happy musing! As a wise man once said:

"Baby this a new age, you like my new craze
Let's get together maybe we can start a new phase
The smokes got the club all hazy, spotlights don't do you justice baby
Why don't you come over here, you got me saying

Ayo!
I'm tired of using technology."

[No seriously, man! There's depth in these words!]

Decadence

It's easy to give in to it-- isn't it?
The fall from grace. It's so, so easy. Just a matter of seconds. A few moments and it's all gone-- all that you've been working for, aiming for. Hoping to build up so that once you've died, you're remembered with a notion of longing, happiness, and favorably- wishful remorse.

Why does one go on? What is that underlying force that makes one go on, all the while crushing their soul in the process?
If the human-mind comprehends that it's experiencing pain, then why does being selfless seem like the most important thing in the world at that moment? It's not fair. Why must one kill their own self for the sake of others? To interfere with someone else's destiny for your happiness? Selfish, indeed. But isn't that how most of the world is turning out to be, now?

What makes an individual force laughter, fake smiles and continue to live each day in a trance. It's a psychedelic puppet-show. Each day, everyday. You don't even know when you're picked up and set up on the stage, forced to display an array of comical plays. Your strings are beyond control as you let the puppet-master do the talking.
What is happiness anyway? Why are we striving for happiness? What does happiness bring us? Is it anything concrete? If for some it brings them a sense of well-being and makes them want to reach out and aim for the stars, well my friend, those who want to achieve goals, achieve them anyway. They have been achieving their targets in this depressing state of mind for as long as they can remember.

Maybe, some of us are just born morose. Like an innate sense of gloom that is further honed by events around them, giving form to their perceptions.
Maybe, some of us just don't know how to be happy. Maybe, it would be easier, no, BETTER, to just give into that pit of depression lurking amidst your perky exterior, and come to terms with the fact that happiness is just not meant for everyone. That not everyone can be made happy. That it's time to realize that people should be responsible for their own life & its consequences. That by crushing your soul, you not only do that yourself but allow others to do it as well.

Maybe, some of us are just born not to have dreams. Maybe, some of us just become so numb that the simplest of daily tasks require extensive efforts.

Moral of the post? Some of us should just try to give up on the search for happiness, and focus on the goals part alone. Come to terms with the fact that life is probably never going to keep them happy, but that shouldn't keep them from achieving their goals.

That happiness and sorrow are temporary [and overrated] and keep coming your way. Just like any good thing in your life, or bad for that matter. That maybe, not everyone is destined for it after all.

Some of us should just accept the way things are and move-on. And most importantly. stop wearing a mask that deludes them to the point of insanity-- stop pretending, and let the course of time unravel their mistakes, their fears, their lessons and their events. Happiness is shared only when you hold some within yourself.
You can't possibly make someone happy when you yourself have never known the meaning of happiness-- never felt it's true essence soaking in your skin and reverberating through your soul, pulsating through your veins.

Stop trying to change fate, to fight against destiny, & let the chips fall where they may...

I'm far too sick of claiming promises of a happy future. If it's not coming from within, I refuse to force it upon myself. I'm gonna let it go...

This Is The End Result of Literary Catharsis!

Analyse, analyse, analyse! It's all about being anally retentive and analysing every bit of 'Twelfth Night'. Appreciation for the literary device, the language and psychoanalysis of the characters, their tone, the effects they create on the audience.

Shakespeare na? Khwar tha.* He had too much time on his hands. Bas depth ke peeche faut tha. Seedha seedha likhdeta, nai! DEPTH HAR CHEEZ MEIN!*
Literary devices, overcomplicating things, and calloused fingers ._. HMPH!

You want me to analyse? I'll analyse!

Orsino? He's a dumbfuck. Apne hi nakhron mein chour hai!* He NEEDS to go get laid, get some and STOP wallowing and whining so much! Always whinging, complaining. He's like a little kid who stomps his feet when he doesn't get something. Poor dimwit is in COMPLETE denial that Olivia is a lesbian who wants a piece of Viola/Cesario tranny's bum.
It's evident in lines 14-15 of Act 1, Scene 1 that Orsino is an underdeveloped personality with the emotional depth of a soap dish, when he says "So full of shapes is fancy, that it alone is highly fantastical!'
HE SAID IT HIMSELF PEOPLE! HE SAID IT HIMSELF! HE'S IMAGINING THINGS! He's a luuuuunaaaaaaatic!
Let me spell it out for you, L-U-N-A-T-I-C!

Olivia? Dumb bitch. Two-faced, veil-flipping, "fair cruelty", a lot like the "queen bee" of Illyria. Her vanity deludes her to the extent that she actually thinks she's beautiful enough to have to be screened from men! HA!

What if she lifts the veil and OMGHEARTATTACK!

Next day in the headlines? "MYSTERY MASS DEATH of LITERARY SPECTATORS!"

It can be concluded from lines 257-278 of Act 1, Scene 5, that Olivia is a drag-queen/lesbian fantasizing, greedy lass,
Who wants a piece of Viola/ [drag-name: Cesario]'s ass!
OH LOOK! ITS A COUPLET! Shakespeare style! Rhyming towards the end! *clap clap clap*

Proof of this comes from lines 237-243 and 261-262 of Act 1, Scene 5.
This is where the theme of homo eroticism subtly lingers in. Another homo-couple in 'Twelfth Night' are introduced to us; Sebastian and Antonio, the former being drowned in his love for his lost sister [alluded to Bollywood cinema, elaborated later on in the essay], and the latter pining for some gay love with Sebastian.
Further analysis at this point in time cannot be conducted as the characters are deemed much too pathetic, boring & douche bags for the play.

Malvolio is rightfully described in Act 1, Scene 5, line 279, "What ho, Malvolio!"
The pompous foo' is cynical and happiness-constipated throughout the play, often acting as Olivia's lapdog, [evidence, line 67-6, Act 1 Scene 5] throwing out Sir Toby and Sir Andrew [see below] when the time calls, or even disciplining Maria when need be. Poor neo-Puritan believes he has sex-appeal enough with that shiny bald head and grey boundary walls, to attract Olivia to him.

Sir Toby and Sir Andrew are two knights living their entire existence in drunken stupors. They'd make Jack Sparrow or Poe seem sober.


Sir Toby has quite the beer-belly and in the later scenes, adopts lustful flirtation with Maria, the barren-yet-lusting lady-in-waiting for Olivia.
Sir Andrew is tall, thin and downright stupid. Pretty downgraded on his neck-top. Quite the gullible bastard he is, as is apparent in lines 165-169 of Act 2, Scene 4, where Sir Toby, who's a smart pig, is using Sir Toby for an all-expenses-paid-life!

Maria, Olivia's menopausal-hitting-lusting-for-Toby-coy-bollywood-style-Aunty needs some, and soon. She keeps suggesting sexual-innuendos on her first meeting with Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. As the plot unravels, we will read about their futile pro-creation attempts.

And last but not the least, Feste the jester, a licensed fool for the dumb bitch, & the smartest bastard in the play! Quick-witted, cunning and sly, his dialogues stir quite some shit up amongst the audience. An example of his brilliance is depicted in lines 33-64, Act 1, Scene 5 when upon commanding the attendants to take the fool away. dumb bitch is proved quite the fool. Extract shall provide the relevant lines for easier comprehension.

Feste
Wit, an't be thy will, put me into good fooling!
Those wits, that think they have thee, do very oft
prove fools; and I, that am sure I lack thee, may
pass for a wise man: for what says Quinapalus?
'Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit.'

Enter OLIVIA with MALVOLIO

Feste
God bless thee, lady!

OLIVIA
Take the fool away.

Feste
Do you not hear, fellows? Take away the lady.

OLIVIA
Go to, you're a dry fool; I'll no more of you:
besides, you grow dishonest.

Feste
Two faults, madonna, that drink and good counsel
will amend: for give the dry fool drink, then is
the fool not dry: bid the dishonest man mend
himself; if he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if
he cannot, let the botcher mend him. Any thing
that's mended is but patched: virtue that
transgresses is but patched with sin; and sin that
amends is but patched with virtue. If that this
simple syllogism will serve, so; if it will not,
what remedy? As there is no true cuckold but
calamity, so beauty's a flower. The lady bade take
away the fool; therefore, I say again, take her away.

OLIVIA
Sir, I bade them take away you.

Feste
Misprision in the highest degree! Lady, cucullus non
facit monachum; that's as much to say as I wear not
motley in my brain. Good madonna, give me leave to
prove you a fool.

OLIVIA
Can you do it?

Feste
Dexterously, good madonna.

OLIVIA
Make your proof.

Feste
I must catechise you for it, madonna: good my mouse
of virtue, answer me.

OLIVIA
Well, sir, for want of other idleness, I'll bide your proof.

Feste
Good madonna, why mournest thou?

OLIVIA
Good fool, for my brother's death.

Feste
I think his soul is in hell, madonna.

OLIVIA
I know his soul is in heaven, fool.

Feste
The more fool, madonna, to mourn for your brother's
soul being in heaven. Take away the fool, gentlemen.

It can be ascertained from Shakespeare's use of language in various parts of the play, that he is gangsta, fo' real! Line 279 of Act 1, Scene 5, by the dumb bitch herself "What ho, Malvolio!" and "I'm the man!" [line 24, Act 2, Scene 2 by the tranny].

Elements of Bollywood-style drama are also prevalent in the play, for e.g. the reoccurring "drowning in love/drowned in tears" theme. Another being Malvolio's dialogue, "One would think his mother's milk were scarce out of him", which can be alluded to stereotypical old-school Indian cinema. Another instance of [of the many contained in the play]Bollywood-cinema alive and thriving in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' is when dumb bitch rushes to put her veil on as soon as she hears a young man arriving at her door, i.e. line 154-155 of Act 2, Scene 2.

To conclude, the theme of love, lust, comedy, deception are central to the 'Twelfth Night' and homo eroticism is also subtly hinted. Shakespeare has used various useless, crappy but excessive literary devices that are of little importance to the 21st Century readers. They create the effect of over-complicating petty dialogues, and tongue-twisters during reading sessions.

*Shakespeare was jobless.
*He was killing himself over esoteric literature. He could've just written in simple words what he meant, but NUUUUU!Everything had to be arcane!
* Mulling over his woes!




Disclaimer: Please note, I thoroughly enjoy my Literature lessons and I appreciate and admire Shakespeare's work. I personally read Twelfth Night as a leisure-time activity. He was no doubt a literary genius. So please do not come up to me and tell me I suck 'cause I don't get it or that I do not appreciate beautiful literature. This was, as the title suggest, a silly idea born out of frustration that popped up in my head after a B/C grade in a class-assessment task.


Apologies if this was rude or offensive to anyone on any level.

Burning Among The Stars

You’re the magnet,
I’m the ground;
[So walk all over me].
Emotions, unsound.
Hanging by a thread,
Our relationship is the metal.
Baby it’s a war with gravity.
The stars were never too easy to reach,
But they’re now burning in the palm of my hand.
You were the magnet,
I was the ground.
You walked all over me.
Emotions, unsound.
Hanging by a thread,
Our relationship was the metal.
Baby ‘twas a war with gravity.

2/10/09
Friday

Worldwide Moment-- 9/9/09, GMT+9

Here's my pic =D
Dubai time was 4:09 a.m.

Worldwide Moment For Peace

If I haven't already told you all before on THIS blog, I'm telling you all now!
Check out Worldwide Moment for Peace



It's a photography for peace project, where you have to take a picture at a specified moment [Check your moment here

The dates are 8th and 9th September so PLEASE PLEASE! Invite and join people!