Commonsense-nonesense: Nadina's column

The last of the last

2011-12-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

THIS BLOG IS OFFICIALLY DEAD! This is the last of the last post of 2011.

No more ramblings and reasoning... I never got enough likes or followers but for those who are following you can still find me at http://nadinaboun.wordpress.com and also read some of my interviews and perhaps discover new artists and authors at http://interviewsbynadina.wordpress.com

Thank you to all who have in the past dropped by.
It is Christmas after all, so mind you do drop by my wordpress blog and see what is new...
I bid you adieu lilshakespeare and to all those reading may 2012 be a wonderful year for you.

Cheers!
Nadina

Enjoy some Trans-Siberian xmas lights!

In thanks and appreciation

2011-11-23T08:28:00.000-08:00

Today, I have realized, this poor blog must go.
My ramblings on commonsense-nonesense may suit more a column in a newspaper or magazine, and so I will be focusing on other things beside life issues at this spot.

Before I leave, I would like to give great thanks, though I can't give enough, to those who contribute to the completion of our written work as authors, in art and music necessary to speak for the word itself.
I found a source of great tunes to be used at jamendo.com for my youtube video book launch and images for illustrations, cover design or video slideshows at freedigitalphotos.net/ all offered to us royalty free to help us with our projects.

Amongst the numerous artists I found at Jamendo, and if you check out the sites you will find many, is Zero-Project, whose music not only moved me but spoke to me. I have used one of his songs for the video launch of my poetry book A Heartstorm.
Please join me, as I share an interview with music artist Zero-Project, on my interview page at interviewsbynadina.wordpress.com. Please visit, and get to know the artist. There is beautiful music out there that we have not heard of yet, and you may like what you hear.

Second, I would like to thank my fellow Indie authors for their support. I have an upcoming interview with Jodi Langston, author of Nature of the Beast and Always, which will be featured on her Author's Nook corner, this coming December.
You can find her books on Amazon

Also, I would like to thank my fellow indie author, Ken Hoss, for considering me for his featured indie author section on his blog, http://kenhoss.blogspot.com/ also coming next month.
Ken Hoss debut novel is called Storm Rising, already on all sales channels, and will be releasing book two in the series in 2012. Check it out at Amazon
Storm Rising - A Kelli Storm Novel

Finally, for all those who like to read free books, the indie review exchange site offers free books by authors in exchange for a review on Amazon. Please visit the site, you will also find my short stories The thinking man, paralysis by analysis and also Earth and Venus. Read them free at indiereviewexchange.com

Thank you for visiting:) Oh and have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!

More Book giveaways

2011-11-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hello to all,

If you like books, for free, then make sure to check out http://authorsnook.blogspot.com/ for a Nora Roberts book giveaway coming soon.
While you are there, take a moment to meet author Jodi Langston, and other new authors.
Read the latest interviews and check out new books. Also watch for my interview to come soon in the next weeks.

I also like to remind you that I am giving a book giveaway as well. Seems no one likes to take tests and fun quizzes. So here is the form for an entry to get one of 3 free copies of my short satire book: The thinking man, paralysis by analysis. Enter Here

One last note: If you have not seen my promo video for my upcoming poetry book, A Hearstorm, please check it out Youtube
And make sure you read the interview with artist Zero-Project coming on Wednesday the 23rd, 2011 at nadinaboun.wordpress
Hope to catch you again soon:)

Free book holiday giveaway

2011-11-15T22:03:00.000-08:00

So I am not sure what to write about, so I thought I will write a little about my book promo.
I am giving away three copies of The thinking man, paralysis by analysis for the Christmas holidays, and really there is not much of you to do except have fun taking a little quiz that will re late to the way you feel and see things more than it has anything to do with the thinking man himself. Along with the test, you can have a little laugh reading your diagnostic. Once this short 10 question quiz is over, please click the link given and fill out the form for a chance to win a copy of the book.

Here is the link: Quiz and giveaway

The thinking man, which will have a sequel, by the way, is based on you and me as human beings and the emotions we go through on a daily basis, except that it is seen from a satirical point of view.

Oh by the way, I got the sweetest comment on my author page, and much of a compliment really, as I was compared to someone really known. "The thinking man really makes me laugh.it’s a fun look at the game of love and the rules of engagement based on humorous observation with a undercurrent of brutal honesty. While Erma Bombeck is no longer with us we now have Nadina Boun to put smiles on the faces of all fun loving readers."

I was quite impressed but I cannot deny there was a big smile on my face. For a moment there I thought I was invisible, an orphan, well not really me, but the thinking man, given no one wanted to review the book. Sadly for me, but I was smart enough to give away copies left and right and received comments on my page. See what other readers are saying about The thinking man on my author page

Life and death.

2011-10-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

Upon reasoning on the nature of death, I have realized it is more important to reason on the nature of our life in this modern day and age as I see it.
So short is our life here with an unexpected ending.
We worry, we fear, we judge.
We dream, we lose, we fight.
At times we remember to love and at times we simply forget.
We hold on to things, we hold on to pain, and sooner or later it's all vanishes away.
We rush, we stumble, we learn.
We corrupt, get corrupted and then change.
At times we remember to take a moment and breathe and at times we simply rush away.
Ironic it is that we think ourselves immortal, not because we think we will not die but because we keep on stalling most of the time, as though we had an eternity.
We open our mind to possibilities that soon let us down.
We aim to achieve the impossible and with science and technology we can, but in the process we forget to live.
Few of us notice the natural beauties, consumed by the new.
We enslave ourselves to the new trend, the latest technological find, the corporate greed, and we tell ourselves we are free.
One day our time too will pass and our great achievements may seem small to those who will follow.
Strangers will remember names and inventions but loved ones will remember a person otherwise.
Did they take the time to care?
Did they once in a while stare
at the heavens, at the fields,
at the light in your eyes?
Did they hold you as you slept
and did they hold you as you cried?
We tell ourselves there is no time and we fool ourselves buying time.
The wrongs we do, the hate we nurture, the pain we cradle, the judgements we cast, will they all matter when death takes us away?
The end is always unexpected. They say one must pray for forgiveness before entering the gates of heaven. But what if one had no time to pray?
We kill human life, we destroy mother earth, we suffocate our own hearts, we muffle our own souls; the essence of who we are.
When do we have time at the end to find who we are, to remember to love, to ask forgiveness, to become the full potential of who we are meant to be?
Surely rare are the ones who are given time...

Death is a the silent and unexpected angel,
a deceiver but so is he a savior and an unfair judge.
Young are the ones who have not been given time,
saved are the ones who suffered long enough in sickness or insanity,
deceived are the ones who thought they had more time,
and until comes our time, no one knows what death for us holds.

This is my idea of death.
What is yours?

"Anonymous" debate continues

2011-10-23T22:25:00.000-07:00

In defense of Shakespeare, the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company has been putting out a protest in the city against the movie Anonymous, for according to Mr. Dan Decker, director of the LV Shakespeare Co, "Shakespeare Wrote Shakespeare"
Read the full story on this conspiracy theory courtesy of Dan Decker, and with full permission to be posted on this blog.

SHAKESPEARE WROTE SHAKESPEARE – DUH!
Information courtesy of Dan Decker, Director of Las Vegas Shakespeare Company www.LVShakes.org

The Las Vegas Shakespeare Company led a protest march against the film “Anonymous” today at the Brenden Theatres in the Palms Casino, near the theatre company’s offices. “Anonymous” is a feature film that presents a conspiracy theory that the works of Shakespeare were secretly written by an earl named Edward de Vere who wished to remain anonymous for his own reasons and brought in some guy named Shakespeare to sign his name to the plays as author. The film is directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Rhys Ifans and Vanessa Redgrave.

So what’s next from these filmmakers, a hard-hitting exposé on who is actually buried in Grant’s Tomb? Get a clue: It’s Grant! Duh!

The thing about conspiracy theories is that they only work when there is no evidence. Unfortunately for the conspiracy theory upon which “Anonymous” is based, there actually is some evidence: Edward de Vere wrote poetry and signed his own name to it (no apparent need for remaining Anonymous) and it survives today. If you read de Vere’s actual poetry (see below*) and can still accept that this person wrote the works of Shakespeare, then you have one more big question to answer: who wrote the works of de Vere? Any fool can plainly see that de Vere and Shakespeare were not written by the same person.

More silliness about the “Anonymous” theory:
There was no authorship requirement in those days, so no author was actually needed to sign the works, hence no need to make an arrangement with a fake author.
Plays were not published in those days the way we publish plays today, only literary forms of the plays published in book “quarto” form, so again no need of authorship claims.
If de Vere wanted to have his plays produced, there was no need for a claim of authorship at all.
If de Vere was wealthy there was no need to publish the quartos, and no need of authorship.
All the early works of Shakespeare were in fact anonymous until his company found that Shakespeare’s popularity could sell books if he was on the title page as author.
De Vere was, in fact, signing his own work an showed no desire of anonymity, quite the opposite.
De Vere also had his own theatre company that he sponsored and would have been quite able to produce his own works without Shakespeare. He rented a theatre space from Shakespeare’s company.

Let’s examine the mythos that spawns the fake controversy. It starts and ends with the following assertion: “Shakespeare never went to college, therefore he could not have written the works of Shakespeare.” We are now, therefore, free to logically posit:

Corollary 1: Everyone who goes to college can write like Shakespeare.
Corollary 2: Lincoln did not go to college so who really wrote the Gettysburg Address?
Corollary 3: Spielberg did not go to college so who really made his movies?
Corollary 4: UFOs fly with their lights on so they can see where they are going.

I’m going to make a shocking suggestion here, that the man who signed his name to the works as the writer, who happens to be the same man to whom all the eulogies were written and appended to the book of collected works, and whose name is clearly William Shakespeare. That no reference to any other author was ever published until the twentieth century augers not in favor of the conspiracy theory but against it. As demonstrated below, de Vere couldn’t write his way out of a paper bag, so the conspiracy theorists should at least get behind someone who could write a bit better. I don’t know which is the greater insult to William Shakespeare – that these movie people question his authorship or that they suggest a clod like de Vere wrote his poetry.

Let’s take a closer look Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford: When he was 17 years old De Vere murdered a man; when he was 27 he paid one William Weekes to murder one William Sankey (Weekes was hanged for the crime); he tried to have Sir Walter Raleigh murdered; one of de Vere’s young pages ran away from de Vere citing sexual abuse. De Vere was a soulless monster, born to privilege and completely without responsibility for any of his actions. There isn’t a single chance that this sack, this miserable excuse for a man, was the towering, millennial genius who wrote Shakespeare’s poetry.

*Now let’s take a closer look at the actual poetry of Edward de Vere:

Sitting alone upon my thought in melancholy mood,
In sight of sea, and at my back an ancient hoary wood,
I saw a fair young lady come, her secret fears to wail,
Clad all in colour of a nun, and covered with a veil;
Yet (for the day was calm and clear) I might discern her face,
As one might see a damask rose hid under crystal glass.

Three times, with her soft hand, full hard on her left side she knocks,
And sigh'd so sore as might have mov'd some pity in the rocks;
From sighs and shedding amber tears into sweet song she brake,
When thus the echo answered her to every word she spake:

Oh heavens ! who was the first that bred in me this fever ?
Who was the first that gave the wound whose fear I wear for ever ?
What tyrant, Cupid, to my harm usurps thy golden quiver ?
What sight first caught this heart and can from bondage it deliver ?

Enough! This monosyllabic, uneven, sing-songy, vocabularily-challenged, self-absorbed doggerel was committed to paper by the man himself, Edward de Vere. How anyone can see the hand of Shakespeare in this is beyond even a monkey to understand. Compare this to any piece of Shakespeare and put an immediate end to the absurd proposition that deVere could have possibly written Shakespeare.

But de Vere is not the only candidate the elitists have suggested over the last century of self-gratifying conjecture. Another alternative authorship theory names Francis Bacon as the anonymous author.
Francis Bacon*
Shakespeare wrote the word “Honorificabilitudinitatibus” in his play “Love’s Labours Lost.” It is the dative and ablative plural of the mediæval Latin word honorificabilitudinitas, which can be translated as "the state of being able to achieve honours". It is mentioned by the character Costard in Act V, Scene I of that play. As it appears only once in Shakespeare's works, it is a hapax legomenon in the Shakespeare canon. It is also the longest word in the English language featuring alternating consonants and vowels.
The word is used after an absurdly pretentious dialogue between the pedantic schoolmaster Holofernes and his friend Sir Nathaniel. The two pedants converse in a mixture of Latin and florid English. When Moth, a witty young servant, enters, Costard says of the pedants,
"O, they have lived long on the alms-basket of words. I marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word; for thou art not long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus: thou art easier swallowed than a flap-dragon."
Flap-dragon was a game which involved trying to eat hot raisins from a bowl of burning brandy.
The word has been used by adherents of the Baconian theory—who believe Shakespeare's plays were written in steganographic cypher by Francis Bacon—as an anagram for hi ludi, F. Baconis nati, tuiti orbi, Latin for "these plays, F. Bacon's offspring, are preserved for the world." The anagram overlooks the fact that Bacon would have written the genitive of his name as Baconi (from Baconus), never Baconis (which assumes his name was Baco).Parodying this, John Sladek demonstrated in the 1970s that the word could also be anagrammatized as I, B. Ionsonii, uurit [writ] a lift'd batch, thus "proving" that Shakespeare's works were written by Ben Jonson. (The two "u"s, rendered as "v"s in the original literation, are put together to form - literally - "a double u" (w), as was common practice in Shakespeare's day.)
*excerpted from Wikipedia.

READ THE LATEST NEWS ON THE PROTEST HERE

"Anonymous" movie on DeVere vs. Shakespeare

2011-10-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

Edward deVere may have been very well honored and esteemed, though the current
attribution of Shakespeare's work to him may not bear any evidence.
At present many debates are taking place with the advent of the movie "Anonymous" in defense of Shakespeare's name or in approval of his fraudulent act.

The movie may have been directed very well and yet the truh it is trying to lay out there could also be nothing but falsehood... Granted, the issue at hand has been going on for some time, though now it is being spread into the open for all to see.
The first question I ask is why DeVere is unknown to most while the name Shakespeare is known even to those who cannot read nor understand? If the works were so similar as some claim, shouldn't DeVere be known just the same?

And to all those who claim writers write from experience, it is so not true.For I am a writer myself and yet I write from observation as well as analysis not just experience. Everyone writes from experience; it is easy. But to go beyond that .... propelled by inspiration, visions and dreams to see and dive into such field, theme or another; that is a writer. Experience is not a sole pre-requisite to writing nor should it be.

Haven't you heard of authors borrowing others' ideas and building upon them?
Haven't you read books by authors who wrote about things they simply heard of?
Characters can be borrowed from anywhere. Perhaps Shakespeare wrote about DeVere but the assumption that he was DeVere does not follow.

But Oh for Heaven's beauty, if such DeVere did write all Shakespeare's work, his style hath dramatically evolved with the years, his rhymes shifted, his poetic phrases took quite an embellishment....

I have recently met Dan Decker, producer and director of the LV Shakespeare Co at the Shakespeare in the park event. I watched a beautifully acted play and pitied those who could not understand a word being said for it made the play what it is. On his FB wall he wrote a sample of DeVere's work
"Sitting alone upon my thought in melancholy mood,
In sight of sea, and at my back an ancient hoary wood,
I saw a fair young lady come, her secret fears to wail,
Clad all in colour of a nun, and covered with a veil;
Yet (for the day was calm and clear) I might discern her face,
As one might see a damask rose hid under crystal glass."
(source: shakespeare-oxford.com)

On the other hand, this is from the master Shakespeare
"EVEN as the sun with purple-colour'd face
Had ta'en his last leave of the weeping morn,
Rose-cheek'd Adonis hied him to the chase;
Hunting he loved, but love he laugh'd to scorn;
Sick-thoughted Venus makes amain unto him,
And like a bold-faced suitor 'gins to woo him."

Notice the endings: face/morn/chase/scorn/him/him
with Shakespeare, whereas deVere's
mood/wood/wail/veil/face/glass
we notice quite a difference here no!?
Read again and draw the beauty within the lines, you will find Shakespeare to be much more poetic in charm than DeVere can be.

It is possible that the same hand has written both, that by the years DeVere's style changed and matured, that after his death, his wife took it at heart to publish the rest of his works, and so on.
Don't stop here and quote me, keep reading...
But if such was the case, then perhaps DeVere had two personalities and wanted them to remain as such. That is assuming the above is true.

But tell me, how much can one man write while being an Earl with responsibilities and defending his estate and territory in battle and caring for his wife all at the same time?!

But what if there existed a young chap by the name of Shakespeare who was taken by the Earl and given a glimpse of his life to write about? Would his work belong to him or taken away as belonging to the Earl's?
And what if...
I could speculate on many theories just the same.

The attribution in the movie is not based on any logic nor facts but on speculation, theory and assumptions and to add close to 5 decades later. It's the same as with those who question Jesus. Truth is: some things are better left as they are. Else all we have is a theory. Scientists have plenty of theories, that doesn't make them all true. I demand proof and nor will I allow myself to be blinded by the petty details that are thrown to convince me unless evidence is quite extreme and diversified.
It appears that man likes to destroy what man has built.

The sad part in all this is that not only the name Shakespeare will become tarnished by the accusation of fraud, but it will destroy whatever path all these past writers and poets have worked so hard to forge for us.
And soon whence one battle is won, many more will arise and follow. Soon we will be questioning everyone. All we need is a little seed of doubt.

But look closely at the movie industry and their depiction of one race or one theme and you will notice it is all but fantasy. The media has power, people of authority have power, money has power...
And what are we but fools believing what we are being fed of lies hidden beneath the cover of truth.

In the name of Shakespeare, stand tall or stumble in your fall.
Let us defend the name that was meant to remain...

Betrayal and revenge

2011-10-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

No matter how strong a bond is between two people, we have seen as in my previous post that love often leads to jealousy.
Sometimes jealousy may either lead to betrayal by the person being jealous, or drive the other person to cheat. In either case, when betrayal walks through the door and poor love is sitting on the couch unattended, most people react.
Is revenge the best approach to our hurt feelings and ego?

Based on my poll on wordpress, most people would rather seek revenge. Let us take a look at how this is beneficial or destructive.

Betrayal is viewed differently by many people; those who betray and those who are being betrayed.
Surely the one who betrays has no other worries or concern but guilt to answer to, where as the one being betrayed has a set of emotions to deal with and the contemplation of revenge in some cases.

I think people feel betrayed when trust is broken, a secret has been spilled, a hidden act has been performed or simply when there is a conscious and deliberate abandon of what was held and esteemed as valuable.
Some people however feel betrayed by their own emotions as well when they expect too much, when they foresee a certain course of action, when they base future actions on an idea they make of the other person, and many more along these lines.
No matter the act however, when a person feels betrayed there are usually two main choices to make; forgive or seek revenge.

Based on a poll question on betrayal, most people adopt the course of revenge.
If carefully plotted and designed over some time then revenge may work leaving but a satisfaction of accomplishment.
And yet that same act calls for a revenge unless it is seen as anonymous which would be the best case possible.
Mostly however revenge backfires on the person seeking revenge who is now left with the betrayal of the other as well as the betrayal of the self.
I suppose the best way to seek revenge is to expose the true colors of the person and not by trying to pay them with the same crime or a similar one thus becoming like them in the end.

Of course forgiveness would be the best approach but then again based on the gravity of the offense some action may need to be taken in exposing the face of such a horrid act not in revenge but in truth.

At the end of the day we make our choices and we live by them paying the
consequences of our own actions and reactions.
To avenge oneself or not is clearly up to you.

Jealousy - Why do we get jealous?

2011-10-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

Jealousy is an ugly yellow monster with hands trying to grab onto whatever they can find. I say yellow, not green, for the way I see it, green is a color of life; look at the trees, the green grass. Yellow is the color of faded leaves, dying leaves, and so not so alive anymore, like jealousy in love.

Falling in love with someone you like may be easy, once you've opened up and let down your walls. But love doesn't stop there. Sadly, most of us fall victim to jealousy, for our own insecurities blind us from seeing the reason the person chose to be with us in the first place.

There are 2 kinds of Jealousy.
Jealousy based on plausible grounds and evidence, and random jealousy.
Our senses play a strong role in directing our emotions. What we hear, see and smell can be interpreted in many ways, but some things remain as pure facts. In these circumstances, when facts are present, jealousy is rightfully in its place. The signs and manifestations that drive jealousy could be many, but here are a few.

You are being ignored for no reason.
You are no longer being given the attention you got before.
Your partner is always busy on his phone or PC.
You are not being desired as often anymore.
Your partner purposely flirts with others in front of you.
You are being manipulated by a third party called Envy.

But what if these dreadful red signs are not present to raise jealousy's awareness to an extreme level?
Most of us need to be reminded we are loved, wanted, desired, and are beautiful or charming. Your partner has the strongest effect in reminding you, because of the feelings you hold for him/her.
But the more insecure we are, the more proof we seek, sabotaging in the process what could be a healthy relationship.
So why do we get jealous, when we already have the person we love right before us?
Factor #1: We define being with someone as a possession, like owning a car. My car, My woman, we say.
It goes beyond protecting to isolating that which we hold.

Other factors that may come into play to ignite our jealousy include:

When we fear the person will betray us, we are constantly on the lookout.
When we feel we do not deserve to be loved, we are scared the person we are with will realize it too.
When we have betrayed everyone else in our past, we fear our turn might have come.
When we do not trust the person enough, we are constantly on the edge.
When we are changing to please our partner, we are rarely ourselves and so are always in fear.
When we have never been loved, nor believe in love, we are skeptical in our position.
When we second guess ourselves and our abilities and compare them to others, we become insecure thinking our partner may leave us for someone better.
When we are not comfortable in our skin, we are not confident enough to be with ourselves, let alone someone else.
When we become too selfish in fear of losing the union we have with someone, of having it shift and change, we also become insecure and fearful.

The list goes on.

Jealousy is a mental issue, I believe, that is related to the way we see ourselves, others, and the way we view love.
Our self confidence sways at times, and as human beings, we need reassurance in words or deeds. But no matter our self esteem, there are always other factors to consider when thinking of jealousy; our experiences, our views, our beliefs, our fears, doubts and so on.
And when being driven by emotions such as fear, doubt and guilt, jealousy may develop into a very ugly monster indeed that will consume love, the other person and ourselves.

That is not to say we should rest on our laurels, for to take a person for granted is not only to refrain oneself from feeling jealousy, but is also to stop looking at the person with eyes of discovery, thus refraining love from growing.
And whoever is not at all jealous, either thinks himself a god or is incapable of closeness.

In short, jealousy is not a sole traveler, it often has companions. Emotions are all entangled, it is up to us to direct our focus on one set or another.

Now, I ask, why do you think you may get jealous? What drives your jealousy?

"Earth and Venus" on Amazon Kindle

2011-09-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

My intended post was supposed to be on jealousy, following the previous post on Sings of true love, but for those of you who have been waiting for The Thinking Man rules book, I am so excited to say that “The Thinking Man, Paralysis by Analysis” print will be released in the next weeks on Amazon.

In the meantime, “Earth and Venus”, a fictional short tale on love and cosmos is already out on kindle for only 0.99$. As one of the reviewers said, “ it is short, quick and to the point. Definitely feeds the imagination with curiosity and interpretation.” Charles.B.

For Kindle or Kindle app on iphone download Earth And Venus

Or as my friend Brad Gore puts it, this short fiction is “A wonderful combination of human nature, desire and lust, set on a stage of galactic proportion.”

Look out for "The Thinking Man, Paralysis by Analysis" to come out soon on print at Amazon. However, the Kindle edition at half price is now available.

Now that the process has been done, I would like to take a moment and say, createspace.com is a fabulous easy step by step way to self publish print on demand books. Converting the files into an electronic version for kindle is a real pain on the other hand.

Thank you all so very much for your continuous support and feedback.

Signs of True Love

2011-09-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Someone, I hold dear, has asked me a while back to write about true love; on the signs one could look for to know if it is true love.

At the time, my thoughts were different and my intake on life and true love only showed me that life is a series of actions and reactions, causes and effects. The two basic and innate choices we have, are either an emotional response, or a logical one, though seldom both.

For logic cannot understand the outbursts of emotions, but can rationalize them into theories based on facts. Emotions on the other hand, are rampant, erratic and illogical, and thus defy any reason.

From a logical point of view, though some things are unexplainable, there is always a speculation, a theory, as to what has caused it.

From an emotional view, there is no reasoning. Effect and reaction dictate the course of action taken, based not on facts, but on how our emotions react to those facts.

So where does love stand in all this logic, I found myself asking?

After all analysis, reasoning, feeling, experimentation, writing and poetry, I have come to realize that love cannot be defined because I say: "love is a game playing on our emotions. Some play a role and some react."

Most of us have a mask on, and when it comes to playing love the mask changes to fit the role.

Many of us await to fall prey to Hollywood's illusion; the depiction of Cinderella living happily ever after, or playing prince charming and the knight in shining armor.

The heart falls, and we cannot control it, but the unconsciousness knows what is inside; be it the shining knight awaiting to rise or Cinderella awaiting to be swept off her feet.

And whatever it is on the inside, it will eventually manifest itself on the outside.

Yet, people feel when the change is coming. And when the fairytale ends, I found there are two kinds of people reacting.
Like an active warrior, some argue and fight in the hope that it is all worth it.
Some, on the other hand, like the warrior who has laid down his weapons and armor, wait and watch playing along, until the castle crumbles down.

But what if, just what if as my friend tends to believe, there is such a thing called true love, how then, with all the logic and games, can one recognize it? How does one know, it is true love?

I am no expert on relationships, nor love, and yet I found it simple enough to eliminate the elements that lead to confusion and focus on what could be the elements of true love.

Thus, I will not speak of things that are beyond actual life, as things we see in movies but I will attempt to list what I think could be the signs to recognizing true love.

Here is how you know it is true love.

1. When you miss her, you're not just missing her sex.

2. You think of things to share with her.

3. Her voice soothes you and makes you smile.

4. You feel joy when you are with her.

5. You think of her occasionally during the day.

6. No matter the bad days and hardships you cannot let her go.

7. You feel purposeless without her when you fight or break up.

8. You know her well, the real person she is, and when she is genuine and when she is not.

9. Her loving words move something inside you.

10. You are yourself with her and you don't need to act or pretend.

11. She encourages and supports you and is there, caring when you are down.

12. She makes an effort when you don't.

13. She bleeds (figuratively) and hurts but chooses to stay with you.

14. She needs you as much as you need her to bring to life balance.

15. She is attentive to what you say.

16. She notices the little things that may seem meaningless to others.

17. She has the patience to go through the bad times with you.

18. Her promises are kept.

19. She never plays games with you but knows what she wants and is honest about it.

20. She knows your weaknesses as well as your strengths but does not take advantage of either.

21. She understands your needs and space.

22. She always has time for you.

23. She makes you laugh.

24. There is always communication between the two of you.

25. Moments of silence are understood without words.

26. She embraces all sides of you, the qualities as well as the many faults.

27. She gets upset with you once in a while because she cares.

And last but not least, it feels as though there is some cosmic connection that pulls you towards one another... an unexplainable phenomenon that keeps both your lives entangled together, like two separate threads being woven together to form one that is stronger and more colorful.

And when you fight with one another, it feels as though you are no longer in harmony with the universe; like cosmic energies being transferred from one entity to the other, you feel one another as though there is a transmission of thought and feeling through the cosmos, from her heart and soul to yours.

I believe, that just like all feelings, even true love can be one sided. some people are capable of loving you and it is on their end true love, though you may not love them the same, and vice versa, but if it is mutual, then it is indeed true love for both.

The above is a mere speculation, my views and interpretations, and should not be taken literally, except with your own consent and at your own risk. I am hoping however, that the list may be helpful to you.

What do you think or believe true love signs are? Or is there anything that you would like to add to the list?

Have a moment to spare? Take the one question poll on betrayal and revenge click here.

Costa Del Sol Spain

2011-09-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

We are back in Las Vegas, after having spent 10 days in Costa Del Sol, south of Spain.
The weather was beautiful, so was the scenery and most definitely the time spent there.
Here are some images from my travel, that I hope you will enjoy and see the beauty of Spain as much as I have.

First Day: Guadalmina Resort, Marbella, close to Estepona.

Second Day: San Pedro, along the coast.

Third Day: Marbella, continuing along the coast, and towards the old town.

Fourth Day: Ronda, where the history of the Matador began.

Fifth Day: Granada, where the famous Alhambra castle remains as a top touristic attraction. The garden of the Alhmabra castle, where the last sultan of the Turks who invaded Spain surrendered, can be glimpsed in the images below. There is a small fee to visit the garden and a separate fee to visit the palace, which does require advance booking.

Sixth Day: Torremolinos and re-visiting the coast.
According to the plaque, Helen (possibly Helen of Troy) was the most beautiful woman in the land. The god Aries, had fallen in love with her beauty, and in order to have her, had transformed himself into a Torro.

Seventh Day: Gibraltar, a British zone. You do need a passport in order to cross to Gibraltar.

Eigth Day: Puerto Banus, the docking port of the rich and famous, and also where Antonio Banderas has a home.

Nineth Day: Malaga, the old town center, in the city.

By the 10th day, we no longer wanted to leave....

One thing to recommend when visiting Spain, is to try out the Goat Cheese and most certainly the Paella.

Note: All images are copyrighted by Nadina Boun. To use an image, please request permission.

Thank you.

Gypsy heart

2011-09-07T02:47:00.000-07:00

A gypsy heart can never suffice with a vacation.
Visiting a new place only instills the desire within to remain amongst the people a little longer, experience the culture a little more, become familiar with the way of life of this new place.
Once the desire and curiosity are appeased and familiarity settles, it is time for the gypsy to move again.
I am currently in Spain and although we did go around the area to neighborhood towns, I feel as though I do not know this place at all.
I want to do what people do on a daily basis, walk around the streets feasting my eyes on all they have to offer, from buildings to names to beach spots and every single alley that leads to a new place.
I would like to stay longer and learn the language of such people to be able to converse with them in their own native tongue.
Alas, finances are always an issue to gypsies and unlike older days, we no longer make a living by robbing people as some say.
I must go back though I dread the too familiar lifestyle I have adopted as of late and I know a piece of my heart will remain in this place until I come again.
To some a holiday is all what is needed, accumulating in the process memories and images, to others like myself, memories and images fade but the years spent in one place speak more for rememberance.

Until next time, beautiful Andalucia.
I will be sharing some images soon, though in truth a picture does not speak a thousand words when the spirit cannot feel what the eyes can see.

Think to read

2011-08-25T00:24:00.000-07:00

Well Gypsy brother, we seldom think, seldom feel, mostly react. In the majority that is.
But here is a list of good reads that I have in my collection amongst piles of fiction books, that I thought you and any other who enjoyed the post "As a man thinketh" or the poem "Desiderata" might enjoy.
The new is not always the best.

"Striking thoughts" by Bruce Lee

This book really made me think from a logical and philosophical point of view. It all made sense and it was beautiful to read.

"The prophet" by Khalil Gibran

This book to me was pure philosophy in the realms of emotions unlike my favorite dialogues of Plato.

"The traveler's gift" by Andy Andrews
A story that tells of how the strength within can overcome anything, in my own words I can say so. It is about a voyage within, in time, to the future, and finally back to life again.

"The warrior within" by Bruce Lee
Amazing philosophy of the East and West influences in Bruce Lee's style.

"The alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
simply beautiful and inspiring.

And I would recommend the new to come book by Paulo Coelho on life's journeys and discoveries and the endless possibilities that may come.

Lebanon

2011-08-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

The beach..... The Mediterranean sea.... The sparkling jewels of the sun upon the shore of Beirut.

Some Images from the ruins of Ancient Lebanon.

Pretty interesting find here; this book relates to Lebanon's history from old to modern, since the beginning, if anyone wants to know more.

Beirut

"As a man thinketh"

2011-08-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine thanked me today, saying that he was having a very bad day, but all he had to do to make himself feel better was remember the words I shared with him a few days earlier; words I quoted from a book I was reading.
The words, were pretty simple, and I believe many of us have used them unknowing of the author. The words have also been used prior to the man who wrote them and reused differently after him too. The words were simple and easy to understand; "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
Notice, it did not say mind, rather it spelled heart!
The concept is very much like what followed after this writer and landed in a book of our time, called "The Secret."

Personally, I was never much impressed by "The Secret", but it appears the universal and golden laws of the book of secrets also happened to be found in this much older book written by James Allen, by the name of "As a man thinketh."

"The Secret" may appeal to some of us, and even influence the way we think and believe to the point that it becomes the ultimate rule or law to follow in life.
To me, the book seemed more spiritual and thus I was not in complete harmony with it when it came to practice. Some people are more spiritual, others are more philosophical. Thus, people like myself, and my friend, prefer a more philosophical approach to the laws of nature, life or the universe.

And so, I thought, it would be nice if I could share the book with others, who are looking to understand but are unable to completely see it from "The Secret" point of view.

A simple statement of "As a man thinketh," to me is more powerful than "The secret".
But to each one of us, there is a door to understanding, believing and learning, that is different for each and every one of us.
Or you can purchase your copy, and decide for yourself.

The Secret

The Wisdom of James Allen : Including As a Man Thinketh, The Path to Prosperity, The Mastery of Destiny, The Way of Peace, and Entering the Kingdom (Radiant Life S.)

Here, I would also like to stop and share, something that could fall under commonsense-nonesense -for commonsense is always nonesense when we forget to use it- a poem that my friend had shared with me previously, upon the mention of Spock's logic and philosophy, from the original Star Trek.
You can tell, people like us, prefer the philosophical approach rather than the spiritual or emotional one. In most cases, at least.

So here is a nice poem, called "Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann, that I would recommend as a read, when things get tough and you forget to see how simple it can be.
READ DESIDERATA HERE

Desiderata : A Poem for a Way of Life

For a history of the origin of As a man thinketh, see
Wikipedia

In the making

2011-08-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
Today I have something to share and I am so excited about it.
Given the success of the thinking man, as posted on my blog, I have since come up with many other rules pertaining to many subjects in the same ironic view.
Thus, I sadly inform you there will be no more sequels to the thinking man post. However, you may be interested to know, a book of the rules is to be released soon.
Contents will include rules present on the blog with minor additions, the continuation of a woman's world as well as the possibility of the below rules and instructions:
the visitor
the bar rules for men
the bar rules for women
the first date
the miser
the needy
the heart
the ego
sensitivity
jealousy
wanting
misery
death
The book will have a story of the thinking man relating all rules together for your entertainment.
Look out for the book to come out soon on Amazon, with more details to come.

I will be off to Spain in a few days and will come back with loads of pictures to share.
Your feedback on the book topics are appreciated.

Sequel to the thinking man's rules: A woman's world part i

2011-08-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

This post is no longer available. To read more on "The Thinking Man rules, please get the book with the complete set of funny, witty and eye opening rules.
"The Thinking Man, Paralysis by Analysis" is available through Amazon, both in print and kindle edition.

My Author's page

More books to consider

What's in a name?

2011-08-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

I think it is time for the butterfly to emerge from the cocoon...
Thus I no longer adopt the name of Little Shakespeare although it will always have a sentimemtal memory, and I now spread my wings and fly under my own name.
For after all, as says Master Shakespeare, "What's in a name?..."

But if you enjoy the real Shakespeare, you can get his complete works, available at most bookstores.

Today's lesson

2011-08-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

Boy was I stressing today about almost everything and nothing that I felt my hair turn grey as I sat squirming in my seat, lines on my forehead deepening, sweat stinging my eyes.
And I am not exaggerating!

Yes, like many of us on this planet, I had a lot on my plate, nothing I had not gotten my own self into, though still the thought alone of juggling so many projects and dues and necessities all at the same time, was so overwhelming that I almost crumbled under the weight of my own worrying mind.
All this came to bad production of the project at hand, the inability to focus on something else beside worry more on how to complete the rest of my missions.
And then, I lent an ear to my dear friend facing me and listened. Suddenly one word, well more like one statement made so much sense, a word I had not remembered since my stress had taken over.

So what is the point that I am trying to make? Can you guess before you read the rest? I mean just for an exercise of self discovery, jot down an answer on a piece of paper and let us compare.

Now that you wrote that down, I will tell you the key element that was missing in my head and within my attitude as I became overwhelmed with what I had to do and stressed about it all day.
Well, the key was more of a piece of advice hidden like a jewel in a rather medium length story that my really dear friend felt compelled to share with me.

And I found that this applies to many things not just to what I was going trough. He said, you have to realize what is more important to you; because if you are not putting some fun in what you are doing, at the end of the day, all it comes down to is a title, a piece of paper, or whatever else it amounts to.
In other words; and it is common sense to all of us though we tend to forget when worry and stress knock on the door, in order to be productive in the journey, one must have a little fun, one must enjoy it.

Thus, Lesson number one for the day: we must have fun in the process, even when we are struggling and we are short of breath and short on time, for in truth creativity and inspiration, blossom in a harmonious environment and creativity could mean anything, from a dinner preparation to a long company project.

And so, I headed home, less stressed, realizing I should have more fun in my projects, otherwise what is the point really, and would it be worth it if my health paid for it?

Puerto Vallarta Mexico

2011-08-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

Some people are lucky and financially capable to go around the world, or at least travel out of their native country once in a while.
Some are lucky to visit another place, if only once in their life.

Here I will post some images from my travels and places where I have been, hoping you'd enjoy and share what I saw with me even without being there.

First trip... Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

A view from a nice Italian restaurant on the malecon boulevard.

The sirens were calling as we walked down the boulevard, and night fell, to the sound of the festivities that began.

A wonderful, peaceful, view and scene by day. Yes, that was in Mexico.

A prestigious hotel's swimming pool. We could not afford it, though, simply made the tour and remembered the name: Krystal.

At night, the pirates threatened to attack, but thought better of it.

By the malecon, cobblestones avenues lead us to little shops as well as the church.

London Burning?

2011-08-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

London burning?

While we here in the US have been too busy with something not even internal as much as it is personal, the infamous casey Anthony case, the world has been undergoing a change.

News this morning spoke of London burning, showing images that would make any human who lived there utterly shocked to see such disorder in a place that was built on order.
I have known the people to be more relaxed and less angered at a problem than their brothers elsewhere in the world, when I had lived there some years back; when it was still partially inhabited by the British. But now with everybody and their brothers living there, it is a totally different story.

Rioters and looters and thieves, have been doing their nasty deeds and implanting their violence for some time it seems, and now for three days in a row, they have become almost unstoppable; burning the city to ashes, robbing and infesting the streets with their nasty disease called blind violence, while the police and government it seems, are unable to handle them completely or efficiently except with promises to have them pay for their crimes.

Personally, Regardless of the issue and the reasons why, the question I ask, is where were we when all this started? What sort of news were we watching during all this upheaval? Kind of like the behind the scenes news!

The other question I ask, is what will this amount to? Human beings are so violent in nature it seems that we rebel against anything with violence being our primary approach when we know well that our brain would suggest a wiser attitude if we stop and think for a moment.

By destroying things around us, what are doing but destroying ourselves really? We have become worse than animals, for even animals think and act on instincts even better than we do.

I am appalled by this news, but I suppose it is a lesson all Europe must learn. By housing all sorts of foreigners in our land, we have somehow given them the upper hand. Our land has become theirs, and theirs to destroy.
This is not the first violent event, nor the last, and I assume, no civilized being would destroy his own land and thus I am under the impression these rioters are outsiders, as is usual the case.

That is not to say I am accusing anyone, however the behavior suggests it is not a common one adopted by natives. I am one to believe that although countries should be open to welcome other residents, the abundance of one certain population over the natives of the land will only lead to its destruction and transformation.

The last time I was in London, I met all sorts of nationalities except for British. And if we look around, this is happening all over the world; nations are taking over other nations with their practice and culture and violence simply by being there.
We bite the hand that feeds us it seems no matter what.

If there is such an end as we predict in the near future, it is human made and perhaps humanly deserved. No disaster will eradicate us from the face of the planet, but our own behavior that is sadly destructive to our fellow humans, to our environment, to our land and in consequence to ourselves.

For it seems wars are not enough, religious battles do not suffice, we must always find something to rebel against with violence.

And I suppose this is just the beginning, not just in London, or in Europe but perhaps in the world as we know it. Watch out for more because the disease usually has a strong effect in being spread around.

I am more in disgust towards the human race than I am saddened by what I see. If hell did exist, it is perhaps here, a result of our own doing. For throughout history, some people are born to build and some people are born to destroy.
Every now and then we hear of something of the sort or of something similar in its weight and effect on us and soon we forget before we are reminded again, that no matter what, it seems we are doomed to dream of the word peace rather than strive to achieve it.

In short, we have been blinded for a while and I wonder when will we ever open our eyes? The world is not ours, the land is not our slave, humans are not our trash and violence is never the answer.
I understand the crisis we are all undergoing, but is this really the answer, the right thing to do?

On the Irony of many things.

2011-08-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

As I was listening to a friend of mine complain and vent about her life and lover, and other betrayals and such, I could not help but notice the irony in the things being said and done. So I made a few notes to myself with every statement she said, and I thought it would be nice to share them with others and see how they view the little ironies in life...

The irony of life consists of living it to the fullest though only in small amounts and in small measures;
for extremes are devastating and too much results in nothing and too soon burns its fuel quickly...

And the greatest irony is that many of us when we actually do get exactly what we want out of life, we tend to runaway in fear, thinking it is too much to handle.
Because sometimes we want something so badly and finally when it comes, we are not ready or even confident, we let it go out of fear.

They say the best things in life are free like perhaps the air that keeps us alive and laughter than rejuvenates our cells and soul, and yet the best things we deserve and dream of, are never free but always come with a price. Such as a dream job, a dream lover, a perfect love, and so on, things that involve our feelings and emotions towards them.

And the irony is that so many times we just want to let someone go or let something end and our bruised ego when we are told it is over and gone before we say it ourselves make us want it more.

And the irony is that the less you want to think about something it lingers in your mind. And the more you talk about it the more it aggravates your heart.

And the irony is that we are always blind to see where we are or where we are going until we see others in our shoes in the same position, then things become clarified.

And the irony is that although we are creatures of both heart and mind, feelings and reason, we seldom find a balance; for a heart cannot be half cold and a mind cannot be half logical. So we either follow the heart or follow the mind, thus leaving in the path we follow, little room if not at all for the other.

And the irony is that at times we fool ourselves and indecisiveness by saying we want to slowly retreat or break away when in truth the more we stall the more damage we cause. As diplomatic beings we have learned to adopt such an approach in regards to our feelings as well as politics, when feelings don't retreat slowly but grow slowly in want, desire and need and then disappear when all are met. Stalling the inevitable will cause more harm than good, though ironically we tend to think otherwise.

And the irony is that in our rush to climb the ladders and soar high, treading on others toes and heads in the process we never stop and wonder that every high must have a fall and the sooner we reach the top the sooner we will fall... Some people are more determined to stay longer on their peak but eventually nothing keeps going upward forever, it must come down.

And I am well aware of the song as well, so life is a little ironic at times, or perhaps it is just a strange sense of humor.

Please feel free to add your own thoughts or quotes as to how beautiful life can be...

Sequel to the thinking man's rules

2011-08-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

More books to consider

The thinking man: A funny representation of rules in a man's head.

2011-07-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

NOW AVAILABLE WITH MANY OTHER FUNNY RULES ON HUMAN CONDUCT IN A SHORT STORY BOOK AT AMAZON "The Thinking Man, Paralysis by Analysis"

I was sitting with my brother discussing the drama that may result from such things as a one night stand, a date and even a not so serious relationship.
In a sarcastic way, we have come up with a set of rules that we thought a man should have handy at all times if only in his head...
For most times we wish we had a set of rules to lay down as though we truly are kings, at least kings of our own castles...
Thus we began with rules in a man's head, a funny representation of the unsaid though thought of perhaps many a time.

We began with some rules that should be laid down concerning a one night affair.
Of course, we thought, it would be nice if one can place a little alarm clock under her pillow should she decide to stay the night and hence upon the ringing of the chime she would awaken to the rules....
So here is what we came up with, to be taken comically and not seriously I would hope.
Surely these rules can also be applied in reverse, should the woman act like the man of the house or the ruling queen of the invaded castle...

Rules.....
The rules of ShagNQuit:

Upon the hearing of the chime, rules must be adhered to as set
here-forth as the rules of this castle:

If by chance you wake to see daylight, please vacate the premises Immediately.

Never attempt to wake His Highness.

Breakfast shall never be served, period.

Please collect all evidence of your stay and discard in the outside garbage bin.

Never attempt to contact His Highness, beyond this encounter. Any further contact shall be made by his majesty.

There must be a minimum of two week period before the next shag IF desired by His Highness.

Donations welcome!

We are sure you enjoyed your short stay and the pleasure was all yours...
Thank you for visiting the Cockpit of Air Highness!

written in association with
hung li-git (aka legit)
hung lao-xi (aka lousy)

Alternatively, there are also rules when someone invites you over for a get together or a party and so on... We have called these
Rules of the drink host:

Should His Highness ever invite you over for a drink, acceptance is mandatory.

Always bring His Highness a nice bottle of scotch regardless of what you drink.

Plenty of refreshments will be provided by you, please make sure His Highness' glass is always full.

An invitation is by no means a contract to a shag.

A Shag requested by His Highness on the other hand is mandatory.

Please treat the castle in regards to cleanliness only, as though it were yours.

Upon the last tune, please make sure you do not find yourself lounging on couches.

Whence His Highness is no longer in sight, please find your way to the exit door, promptly.

Do not attempt to make a toast unless you are boasting about His Highness.

If by chance thy hands are full and a toast is proposed by His Highness your glass must be raised using one or another of your limbs.

Vacate the lavatory immediately regardless of your position, should His Highness attempt to open the door.

No fornication is to be allowed on the premises unless it includes His Highness.

Thank you for accepting the terms and conditions of the drink invitation.

WARNING:
Men! What do you say to that?
Women! Try to laugh!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Sequel to The thinking man
The thinking man: A woman's world