Category: Thoughts uncut

The Best Advice

Here’s the thing about advice: it’s best recieved from an inanimate object. I meant a book. Because the worst you can do to a book is rip it to pieces, and what it says isn’t going to change. It’s much better than taking advice from friends or family where at the end of the day, the relationship might be hanging on a noose.

Anyway, books — they have the best advice. A few quotes always help me so much on a bad day. Here are a few of my favourite quotes.

“First sign of madness, talking to your own head,”

~Harry Potter

I talk to myself a lot. Random ramblings to conversation replays — it all happens in my head. And I smile each time I think about that line. Sheer madness!

“Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it’s actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe.”

~ Christopher Paolini, Eragon

Dare to believe in what is worth believing and worth dying for — a great advice. This book surprised me, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Pity the others in the series weren’t as interesting.

““We’’re fighting.”

~Harry Potter

If an imaginary character can fight for something he believes in, why can’t I? Motivation in its purest form. Someone says something like that to me when I’m distressed, I’d probably punch them — but it’s just a quote, so it’s fine.

“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”

~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

This is where I fell for Paulo Coelho’s writing. Raw truth, not to mention bitter. I know this feeling only too well — when I wish people would stop telling me what to do and leave me alone. Been there?

“I am not worried…I am with you.”

~Harry Potter

An incredible teacher — student conversation in a life threatening situation! How would it be if teachers trust students with their lives? What would students do? Endless possibilities; endless entertainment.

“Truth doesn’t have to be liked. It only has to be spoken. Speak it out. The truth may hurt you, but it will set you free.”

~ Amish Tripathi, The Secret of the Nagas

Well, Amish has said it all, and I have nothing better to add.

Any thoughts? You know what they say, “Spit it out!”

National Blog Posting Month – #Day8

Photography 101: A Little Behind the Times

It’s November 7th in my part of the world, but the Photography 101 prompt I received today, was for the 6th. Nevertheless, seeing as I am terribly behind in the challenge, I decided to post a photo for an older – but brilliant – prompt: Bliss. This prompt was intended for November 5th, and here’s a look at my bliss.

Sunrise, my bliss
The sunrise, as seen from my workplace. Seriously, with a view like this, who’d feel like working?

I used PicMonkey to add a border, but otherwise, the photo is unedited. I would’ve liked to give it some technical enhancements, but seeing as this is my first time posting my own photo, I decided to go raw. I know I’m no pro photographer, but you guys think I have a shot?

National Blog Posting Month – #Day7 | Blogging University: Photography 101: Bliss

Strength

Ninety eight, ninety nine, hundred… “Phew!” Setting the dumbbells on the floor, he rested his hands on his hips seeing himself on the mirror. Unsatisfied, he shook his head and picked up the dumbbells again.

Sipping on his protein shake, his movements attuned to Akon’s latest single, he past an old woman carrying her monthly grocery. She struggled with the heavy packages, and he whistled past without a backward glance.

A little boy stopped on his way to school and offered to help the old woman. She beamed. “Thank you, young man!”

Another short story for my Flash Fiction collection. Also, National Blog Posting Month – #Day6

A Day Out

Watching salt water sprays  all day –

Roasted corn and steaming coffee afterwards.

Perfect Saturday.

A day out

The week’s only halfway done, but here I am, already awaiting the weekend! National Blog Posting Month – #Day5

Oh, Fandoms!

Image courtesy: Pinterest | Colliding Fandoms

I love Pinterest. Because it fuels my multiple fandom needs. Facebook – well, not so much. Because that takes it all a little too far.

What is with fandoms that makes the hair in my neck stand erect, in utmost attention? And what is that feeling that leaves my spine tingling? Even I know it’s not that cold where I live. It’s the feeling of being satisfied by an image, a quote, a photo or a simple not-so-exact reference to a popular fandom.

I love BBC’s Sherlock. And the Backstreet Boys, Westlife, Harry Potter, Friends, The Big Bang Theory – the list goes on.

When I see a photo of Benedict Cumberbatch on a Facebook page I’ve liked, it makes me smile. It reminds me of Sherlock’s wit and Benedict’s acting. But I’d like to leave it that way. Simple.

Nowadays though, all I see are posts of Benedict’s photos with captions of how handsome he is, describing him as a cutie-pie, or a cherry blossom – or whatever crap.

And that’s annoying.

Admins of these pages use my interest in the show to manipulate me into ‘liking’ posts and even believing stuff my sane-self knows to be bull shit.

Something similar happened with the BSB – troll posts and all other fake people posting from their name – social networks became painful. It’s like they have to do whatever it takes to entertain their fans – even if it means stripping themselves naked. It all feels wrong and immature – perhaps it’s just me – but I don’t want to spend my day staring at old photos of the BSB, following them to recordings, sharing a vehicle, selfies or meals. That doesn’t mean I don’t like the BSB but I’d rather sit home enjoying some of their greatest music.

Using the natural affection for someone, or something seems to me like a cheap way of earning bucks. It’s like porn – the more you see this stuff, the more addicted you get and the higher the chances you participate in that fandom. Isn’t that the lowest level of insult possible?

I respect my fandoms enough to know where to draw the line.

 

National Blog Posting Month – #Day4