Monday, June 29, 2009

Werewolf

Werewolves, also known as lycanthropes are mythological or folkloric humans with the ability to shift shapes into wolves or wolf-like creatures, either purposely, by being bitten or scratched by another werewolf, or after being placed under a curse. This transformation is often associated with the appearance of the full moon. 'Wer' simply means 'man' in old English. Thus 'werewolf' means man-wolf.

The appearance of a werewolf in its animal form as being indistinguishable from ordinary wolves save for the fact that they have no tail and that they retain human eyes and voice. After returning to their human forms, werewolves are usually believed to become weak and undergoing painful nervous depression. Werewolves are often depicted as immune to damage caused by ordinary weapons, being vulnerable only to silver objects, such as a silver-tipped cane, bullet or blade. Many believe that lycanthropy either a hereditary condition or being transmitted like an infectious disease by the bite of another werewolf.

In Italy, France and Germany, it was said that a man could turn into a werewolf if he, on a certain Wednesday or Friday, slept outside on a summer night with the full moon shining directly on his face. To drink rainwater out of the footprint of the animal in question or to drink from certain enchanted streams were also considered effectual modes of accomplishing metamorphosis. In some cultures, individuals born during a new moon and suffering from epilepsy were considered likely to be werewolves.Werewolves are fatal creatures with abnormal aggressiveness and speed and can be brutal for they often crave human flesh and dig up graves to devour corpses.

However, A notable exception to the association of Lycanthropy and the Devil, comes from a man named Thiess. Thiess testified under oath that he and other werewolves were the Hounds of God. He claimed they were warriors who went down into hell to do battle with witches and demons. So, are werewolves real? And, if they are, are they good or are they bad?

Thursday, June 25, 2009

My favorite city in the whole world has turned quite the opposite!

Kolkata or Calcutta (as the British named it) was the best city in the whole wide world for me (now it's Paris). Now it's the worst. The population tests your degree of irascibility, the pollution annoys you and the heat drives you crazy.

When I went there this time to see my ailing and bedridden grandmother; the temperature, the humidity, the brightness of sun transformed me into "Smoked Shreya". The traffic seemed to be not too much this time (Wonder why?), so, that was something positive. Two other good things were the shopping and the Biryani(which was too much for a small girl like me).

Next time you go there make sure to take at least:
1)A pair of shades
2)A dozen handkerchiefs
3) An umbrella
4) and barrels of water for the purpose of drinking AND bathing ( 'cause you never know about the water situation in Kolkata and bathing thrice a day is a minimal requirement)

Friday, June 19, 2009

If today was your last day - nickelback


My best friend gave me the best advice
She said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

FooD 4 THouGHt




Maybe I always seem hungry. Maybe you'll call me a glutton when you come across me. Maybe you think I'm addicted to food-related shows on television. But can't just my interest lie in food?

Everyone has their own line on interest. Some are inclined in enlightening themselves about flowers, some birds and some insects. Some are shopaholic, some workaholic, some alcoholic and, well, some "me-o-holic"(narcissist in proper English).

I simply love food, no, adore it. Well, there are things I hate which normal people like e.g. "Dheki Shaak", "Baingan ka bharta", toast and jam, Chhurpi, etc. Also, there are things that I like and other people don't e.g. Shukto, tofu, chillies, etc. But, well, who doesn't like chowmeins and biryanis and ice-creams and kebabs and tandooris and the list goes on?

The last Sunday itself I spent one hour watching a cookery show in the morning, then I watched a programme called "In high spirits" where they teach you how to prepare mocktails and cocktails and the like. Then I sat down and wrote two recipies from the newspaper for my mother. Then I browsed through three cookbooks and asked my mom to make 50 dishes despite the fact that I myself am idol 24X7, old enough to cook (and to vote though my folks don't get me a voter's id) and in dire needs of a job in case I don't get into any college. In the evening, again, I watched Planet Food in Discovery Travel & Living for an hour. They were showing Malaysian cuisine n saying "hmmm, it's delicious" after tasting every item. Trust me, Malaysian food is nowhere near "Hmmm, it's delicious." At a point of time, the hostess of the show was so nauseated by a dessert containing ice-cream and kidney beans and 21 other things; that she threw it away in the first chance she got.

Well, I can't write anymore. I have to go and watch this cookery show called "Rasm-e-rasoi"!! *high-pitched goofy laughter*

Friday, June 12, 2009

Carelessness has a limit!

Am I born careless? Or is it unadulterated clumsiness?Or is it just my luck? You can't imagine the number of things I've lost, broken, forgotten about or not payed heed to in the past few months.

Let's start with the day when the most important examinations of my life began.

On the day of my 1st CBSE exam, I arrive fully prepared with five gel pens and then, someone suddenly says, "Hey, didn't you know? Gel pens aren't allowed. It's strictly necessary to write with dot pens." So, the quest for dot pens begins. Luckily, Dr. Sasmal has 10 and hands me one. So, thankfully I'm out of the soup.

A month later, I go to Hong Kong Market (the most popular "flea market" in Siliguri) and with zest and zeal, I buy a reasonably good-looking watch worth 70 bucks only and bring it home, excited. I try to wear it, the band breaks!!

A day later, our maid says after returning from the bazaar. "Ninni, cycle khoi? Chhaina ta tala!! Taalaa maatra jhoondi raheko cha! (Ninni, where's your cycle? It's not down stairs. Only the lock is dangling.)" What else? Someone's stolen it.

Few days later, I'm in Malaysia. I'm sweeping my bed with a broom, the handle comes off!
I buy my first proper pair of shades from Metrojaya. The next day, I put them on, pose and have a few pictures taken. We have a journey ahead the same day. We're travelling in the hired car at a speed of 120 kmph. The car stops after a while for we need to take a "pee-break". I get back to the car, sit on the seat not realizing that I'm sitting on my shades. There's a "crack" noise and my prized possession breaks (*sob*).

A week later we go for a holiday in the Taman Negara forests. We reach home after a tiresome weekend of tarantulas and glowing mushrooms and canopy walks. As I'm about to take off my Rs. 3000/- worth Swatch watch from Switzerland, the string holding the beads of the watch breaks. There goes my favorite watch.

5 days pass without any significant mishap from my side. We visit Penang on Friday. We stop to visit the Botanical Gardens which is a pretty pretty-looking place. We take loads of photographs and return back to the car. As I open the door, there's a "cling" sound and I think that I've broken a part of the vehicle. But it actually happens to be a knob of the camera which has come off in my attempt to open the door of the car with great force. I stick out my tongue and get shouted at.

Well, this is me. Some call me clumsy, some careless! But I guess, it's just my luck.