Skeptic

"Sleep Baby Sleep"

2011-12-12T03:43:00.001+04:00

"Sleep Baby Sleep"

I felt like an owl when I peeked the clock of my laptop. To my surprise it was just 3 am…This was not the first time I was going through this phase…no this is nothing serious of that sort that might occur to your mind. There comes a time when I just can’t sleep or even shut my thoughts for a while. My brain becomes a machine and processes information with no reason! And this has nothing to do with overburden work or even a fussy life this even happens when things are pretty smooth and going my way. So I have stopped yapping about it to others and accept the phase with full praise as it comes to me.

What do I do to get my sleep, well all the tips and tops one can do drink milk, read a book, listen to soothing music etc etc… when everything stops working I kindle the light of my brain on my writing skills and bam! It works as a throttle beast…ideas, imaginations, creativity, thoughts all start to pour on fingertips.

But when I am tired and really want to sleep my mind sings to me the childhood rhyme “sleep baby Sleep” “thy father watches his sheep’s”…today I decided to look in to this old rhyme and read it to the last. It took me back to my nostalgia of being in a uniform and singing in a course with the teacher and trying to hear our own voice in the rhyming voices! Yes this will be the memory of many like me who have recollections lost in the dust of our present life. It’s always a pleasure opening the books of our child hood and recollecting sweet and precious memories! Try that and feel the FEEL!

To your enjoyment I leave the Rhyme here for your recollections….

Sleep,baby, sleep!

Thy father watches his sheep;

Thy mother is shaking the dreamland tree,

And down falls a little dream on thee.

Sleep, baby, sleep!Sleep, baby, sleep!

The large stars are the sheep;

The little stars are the lambs I guess;

And the bright moon is the shepherdess.

Sleep, baby, sleep!

Clippies: The Close Obsession

2011-06-08T16:05:00.000+04:00

When You are Gone....!

2011-06-06T23:22:00.000+04:00

Seven Ages Of Man - Self Perspective

2010-12-10T14:08:00.000+04:00

The Seven Ages of Man

"All the world's a stage"
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms;
And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything."

Reading this Monologue over and over again fills me with a spirit of realm over the unseen and ascribe about the past which is before my eyes in the form of visuals and memories.. I always believed this monologue need to be expressed by everyone according to their own phases gelling in the stories of lives.

So true the statement William Shakespeare made about we being players and this world being a a stage full of actors every one performing the act of his or her own life. Being a stage there are many scenes and acts (like the twist and turns of real life) that changes the whole plot of our stories. And life never is the same, we are born as a child and die as a child though but we do pass different phases of our lives which surely is a roller coaster ride for some, or a loaded wagon, a bus drive or even a jet fighter plane.

When I look back, the mewling and puking time were the best I guess, though I technically can’t remember any stuff but picture memories are there to tell me all about it. I was a sober kid as my mom quotes it not a bothering one and a cute one not to forget ;)

The Whining school girl phase was the best of my life because I can recall it in real time, I was a highly talkative person with every moment to cherish in my imaginative world!. Though my teachers always tagged me as talkative one this never stopped me from speaking more ; actually it added more fuel to the fire. I never needed people to talk; I used to talk to mirrors, dolls, walls where ever and what ever I came along. I was a lazy kid in the morning and never appreciated the cruelty of waking kids up so early J

Not forgetting the never ending crushes of my life; being an admirer of beauty and appraiser of Gods creations my crush list is a long one; actually cannot fix in to this space but getting in to crushes gives and admiration in one’s life and sense of right and wrong so going for crushes in not at all a bad phase and recommended to all. But yes true love does strike one and enriches life to the full. Which when approaches you should be welcomed with full zeal like I did. With all the twist and turns and ups and downs my life has taught many worthy lessons some to cherish and some to dreadfully forget. Behavior modifications and maturity in life has become one aspect of my personality. Yet there is more to learn and pass the 5^th, 6^th and the 7^th stage of life. Which I am sure will be full of glory and charm.

More to come and more to learn.

Clippies "Red Dress"

2010-12-06T13:45:00.000+04:00

Destination Travel- Fort Rohtas!

2010-11-08T21:49:00.000+04:00

Each journey adds on some thoughts and inspirations which travel with us throughout our lives. Some might fade away but some stay for ever!...

One such experience was my visit to Fort Rohtas in Punjab (Pakistan). I was astounded to see the gigantic structure with an impact of commanding the atmosphere it surrounds!..

Qila Rohtas is situated in a gorge approximately 16 km NW of Jhelum and 7 km from Dina. It was constructed on a hillock where the tiny Kahan river meets another rainy stream called Parnal Khas and turns east towards Tilla Jogian Range. The fort is about 300 feet (91 m) above its surroundings. It is 2660 feet (818 m) above sea level and covers an area of 12.63 acres (51,100 m²).

Sher Shah constructed Qila Rohtas to block Emperor Humayun's return to India after defeating him in the Battle of Kanauj. This fort lies on the old GT road between the North (Afghanistan) to the Plains of Punjab. It blocked the way from Peshawar to Lahore. The other reason was to suppress the local tribe of this region Potohar called Gakhars who were allies of Humayun and refused their allegiance to Sher Shah Suri. The Emperor instructed the local Janjua Rajput tribe to help construct the fort to crush the Gakhars^[1] when the latter became openly defiant and persecuting labourers who attended the construction.(Source Wikipedia)

Going towards Fort Rohtas

Entrance- For Rohtas

Directions

Inside the museum of Fort Rohtas- Cravings on Stone

Life History of Sher Shah Suri!

Hand Written Quran- The Holy book of Muslims

Precious Swords used during the Mughals era

Shields- huge in size and capacity

Dummies displaying the reign of Sher Shah Suri- He was very tall in height!

Dummy of Sher Shah Suri

Wife of Sher Shah Suri

Haveli Man Singh

Well at Fort Rohtas- Aprox 150 stairs steps each step is 20 sm (8 inches wide)

Outer extensions of the Fort

Superstition is what we call.....

2010-10-31T16:47:00.000+04:00

Have you ever felt that your day is ruined because you have been crossed by a black cat or heard some dog howling outside your window and got alarmed if not then you are not a superstition. superstition in its own world encompasses certain believe with out a rational and logic. A superstition usually belongs to a certain culture, background or myths associated with series of events. So we can say that a superstitious person is one who is believed to follow the predefined norms of an existing society and is compelled to obey them with full enforcements and strong believe without verification. Being Superstitious is not the property of just any one sect, community or culture it is a wide spread phenomenon which varies from culture to culture.

We do hear in our day to day lives about the good and evil forces that surround us,from which we need to take precautions. These Precautions involve certain actions which lead towards the superstition act. Across the globe people take measures to protect themselves from deviating lucks such as the Friday the 13^th, Four leave clovers, The black cat crossing, getting up on the wrong side of the bed, Black cloth , Lucky horse shoe, Breaking a mirror, Walking under a ladder and many more to add.

Some of the famous Superstations of the world are

Numbers

The Number 13 triskaidekaphobia or

“friggatriskaidekaphobia” confused? It’s a termed coined for people who have the fear for Friday the 13^th! Where frigga meaning "Friday" and triskaidekaphobia meaning Fear of the number thirteen. The number 13 has been famous through out the history.

The superstition revolves around the believe that it is an unlucky number and will bring bad luck. The Number 13 was later on associated with Friday and became Friday the 13^th. So every time the Friday falls on 13^th is the unluckiest day for its followers and people believing in this superstation take precautionary measures to ensure they are safe. Where as in some other cultures it is contrary the Number 13 has different associations such as Sikhs; for them the Number 13 “ Tera” in Punjabi means “Yours” as pronounced by their religious leader Guru Nanak and hence the day on every April 13 is celebrated as Vaisakhi. For Muslims the day Friday is a religious day with the major prayers observed called as “Jumma prayers”.

Number 4 and 8

In China, Japan and Taiwan people have a strong avoidance with the number 4 and is considered as highly unlucky; as the pronunciation of the letter four is associated with Death. Chinese people avoid using this number for their day to day dealings and the fear is such that there are places in china which don’t have a fourth floor, cars with number 4 are not opted. where as the number 8 is the luckiest of all as the number 8 is associated with prosperity in the Chinese culture, Chinese people prefer using this number in their personal affairs.

New Year's Eve

The stepping in to a New Year is treated differently in different cultures for Chinese the New Year is welcomed by opening the doors of the house, sweeping away all the cleaning items, avoiding unlucky words and bad moods, Crying, washing hair etc.

Where as Japanese organize New Year Prayers for welcoming the New Yeareve ."Rabbit, Rabbit” is the word repeated in the beginning of the new year or month in Britain to welcome luck.

In USA kissing at midnight to the dear ones ensure affection for the rest of the year, Stocking up of food, no laundry and other cleaning stuff, eating of black eyed peas brings in luck and financial stability. Making loud noises scare the evil spirits away.

In Indian culture Diwali being the beginning of a new year is treated as religious and celebrated with zeal.

Colors

Black

The color black has always been mysterious with its own impacts

The black cat with its mysterious paws has always been a symbol of evil omen, possessing evil power and endorser of bad luck. It is supposed to have demonic qualities and the resident of evil. Crossing of black cat brings bad luck for the day or event for the people of USA and Europe. Indians and Chinese take black cat as indications of starvation and Poverty. Majorly the black cat is associated with the witches and magical misery and considered as an omen to witchcraft among all these cultures, however in Britain and Japan this creature is welcomed as a sign of prosperity and good luck.

Black dress signifies a bad fortune in the Chinese culture and is avoided on the main festivities and celebrations. Where as in Pakistan among certain groups black color is associated with sad omens and is avoided on weddings especially for the bride. Among most of the cultures across the world black dress is worn on funerals and black color is associated with death. (Where as the corporate dress code in this era is usually black treated as formal)

Black against the evil in some cultures is treated with and impact of killing the Evil eye usually known as (nazar). Asian primarily falls in this category of using black bands, clothes pieces, tikka(dot or spot), kajal (Eye pencil) and even black shoes to over come the evil eye. This practice is carried out with people or belongings for which protection from the evil eye is acquired. In Pakistan automobiles have a special hanging either the black cloth or the black shoe from the protection of the evil eye.

Red:

Most of the Asia pacific countries treat red with respect and love as it denotes the symbol of love, happiness and prosperity. Red is preferred on all the happy occasions such as wedding and new year.

Red color is also associated with the world of gambling and it is followed highly. Chinese wear red color underwear’s when gambling or red color is kept close to bring in good luck.

Red color sky in the morning is believed to be a warning sign for most of the sailor across the world and a red color sky is considered as a delight and positive sign.

Blue:

The color blue in Greece and across the Mediterranean is associated with the evil eye known as “Vaskania”. The concept of evil eye exists in almost all the cultures, In Greece it is believed that the evil can cause illness and chaos in one’s life .For protection against the evil eye people in Greece wear necklaces with blue eye painted on the charm or blue beads to ward off the harmful impacts of blue eye

Good Luck charms

Widely used charms include the

Crossed fingers it is believed to bring good luck for the awaited news, courage or protection more common in Christian culture but now became a fashion symbol across the world.

Horseshoe is said to bring good luck when hung with the ends pointing upwards as it acts as a storage container of for any good luck that happens to be floating by; whereas while pointing downwards the luck will spill out and will go away. Horseshoe is popular mostly among the west.

Four Clover leaf is considered lucky if someone finds it. It is special because of it rarity and special shape. The four clovers are meant to be hope, faith, love and luck

Finding a penny and picking it up will bring good luck for the day as believed mostly among the west.

Elephant Trunk pointing upwards will bring good luck where as trunk pointing downwards will bring bad luck.

Cricket is considered as a good luck charm especially in China and other Asiancountries. In Europe and America too Cricket is treated with respect and is considered the protector.

Destination Travel - Khewra Salt Mines

2010-10-22T16:18:00.000+04:00

My recent visit to the Punjab made me explore sites which i never came across ! the unseen beauty and views one such site was The Khewra mine of Pakistan.

According to wikipedia Khewra Salt Mines is a salt mine located in Khewra, Jhelum District, Punjab in Pakistan, about 160 kilometres (99 mi) from Islamabad and 260 kilometres (160 mi) from Lahore. It attracts up to 40,000 visitors per year and is the second largest salt mine in the world. Situated in the foothills of the Salt Range, the Khewra Salt Mines are the oldest in the South Asia.

Khewra Salt mines are the 2nd Largest Salt mines in the world.Some of the site seeings and images captured during my visits gave me the real joy and pleasure for life i was stunned to see the abstract art of nature, its un tampered beauty and harmonious pleasure. It was strange yet true that the whole travelling time through the mines were by foot but this didn't effected the breath at all. No matter how long you travel in the mines the Natural salt prevents from making you exhausted and breathless.

Khewra salt mines have there special medical wards where the Asthma patients are treated for their asthma.Patients from all over the world visit khewra mines for treatment and for tourism.

My experience has added great memories to my life and this will give me pleasure that we have such blessings of Allah with us.

Seating arrangements for Visitors

Outer view of Khewara mines

Entrance

Tunnels dig out for passage entrance and exit

our guide showing us how rock salt glows with light! its really amazing

Rail tracks for the mini train and miners

Beautiful abstract with salt

Spooky

Some beautiful structures build with rock salt bricks! Mini masjid for the workers

Interiors with salt and glowing lights within! much of a trend nowadays used in houses tooo

No entry i guess :)

Mini train taking visitors inside for visits

Salt dried after dripping ! beautiful

Dried salt giving the view of snow!

Mini Minare-Pakistan(The salt version)

The salt water pond, very dangerous for the skin of the workers who work here as it is highly concentrated with salts and minerals.

Beautifully scripted tunnels

Salt Stage for performance :)

looks like caves in the stone age

Glowing light on pure salt rock seems like human skin

A root of tree which is not burnt with any fire neither it dries off, strange that it has some part extended in this huge rocky mountains! where would it lead too no one knows.

The Sign...

2010-10-01T15:09:00.000+04:00

The "Sign" on the glass pointed Left giving me the direction for the lifeline...cutting through the wind, my body was accelerating forward faster with every step...my heartbeat made my chest felt like the hard sonic music!...as i approached a desk , my breath was taken apart ..recoiling my brains message i produced a sound" Where"...with full pressure this time " Where is the casualties section?" The respondent waved his hand coldly towards 90 degrees ...My anger gushed through my veins but my fists repelled and stopped me from doing what was not required!...

Without giving a second thought i rushed through the corridors of the hospital where i got the news of her accident...i never realized my body was soggy with fear ...Then suddenly i saw the "Sign" named casualties!..There was it where i was about to get what i might not apprehend !..i was in the quest of the right person when i saw a surgeon coming out of the ICU....i was blurr...but i inquired him with full courage about her and he disclosed to me ....

"She was hit by a reckless truck driver near the famous city road, a near by ambulance was accommodated quickly..the rescue was timely but ... the ambulance got stuck in the traffic jam at 6:30 pm which wasted the precious time of her life..that was it.. i couldn't listen to the doctor any more as i was overtaken with the screams of my conscience! with a a flash back i remembered me being on the same road and..........and.........killing her !!!!!!!!!

The siren of the ambulance was not soothing my ears so i leveled up the volume bar for complete distraction ......my rear-view mirror deflected the sign of the ambulance but i never moved to give way...!!!.....Is she alive!!! i burst in to tears sobbing like a kid with a broken toy...Is she ALIVE Doctor !!!

..the doctor went speechless, his silence made my eyes shattered like pieces of glass.i fell to my knees crying out painfully and loud!!My head was facing down to the floor..my tears falling on a paper lying on the floor..where a "Sign" pointed out " Give Way to ambulance"

Music meets the memory

2010-10-01T15:01:00.001+04:00

Our entire existence is a beautiful Monet designed by almighty which is powered by chunks of memories we gather on every facet of life we ponder upon. Listening to a serene song not from the contemporary playlist which I hold I figured out at how much tranquility I was… The comforting music, lyrics, sound, vocals muddled up making a refreshing image of a creamy pastry with enchanting cherry topping sugaring my moods and reflexes. I go back in time with memories getting the mist of flash backs, the smiles, giggles and tears and all the shining essence I can ever think of. Our lives have become more mechanical now, the fast and furious aspect of life can easily be illustrated from the musical combinations we hear, it’s no more the slow paced and sweet as it used to be by listening to which we used to draw emotions and associate ourselves in such situations as if the song is meant for us. We move fast and so does our life and everything associated with it. There are times when we stop for a while, look back and realize how far we have covered the distance of life. This is the time when we listen to the oldie goldies (old songs) which rings a bell making us feel the old times, the love, leisure, trouble, moments we cherish the most!

Every song in the past which still linger on in my memories has some association of that point in time, what I would say it’s a moment that I might have loved or hated the most! Songs from the movie “Sajan “ is one such memory which reminds me of my fairytale world and the era of beautiful love stories which made my life dreamy. Songs from “Jo Jeeta wo sikandar” enlightens the victories and confronts of my life, “Andaz apna apna” the lighter side of life the fun, joy and brainless acts of being young and then there are other songs on my life patterns such as the songs from the movie “Mann” which embark the sad jiffy when I was totally crushed. The ghazals by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pankaj Udas, Mehdi Hasan, Jajit singh and many others were un-doubly the great contribution to the memories that I have grown up with. My heart stumbles up to the past as soon as I come across the collection of the oldie goldies The lovey dovey songs hits like a pin in the heart, activates the adrenalin and the lasting teasing impact. I get motivated and even sing to the topmost of my voice! (Depending on where I am). I guess this is why we call it the golden era and the era of ever green songs which are still a part of our recollections and builds a shallow full of flowers in which we would love to fall.

I wonder what songs will be like in the coming 50 years? What memories will they associate to? What will the impact of it on our day to day life? Not knowing the answer I only sing “kal kia hoga kis ko pata! Abhi zindagi ka lelo maza!! From the movie (Kasme Vaade). Do you have any such associations?

“Only if I could say…”

2010-10-01T14:56:00.000+04:00

Just when i began to write, the door of my room knocked......the noise startled the aroused inclination of my thoughts , i was moved by the noise..Loosing dimensions of my thoughts and waving away my writing pad, i stepped towards the wooden rectangular door, which was still from ever;..the noise was catching up pace, with the deception of anxiety, anguish , fear and cluster of thoughts i was moving with all my force towards the source of noise, the more the distance lapsed more was my heart thumping! I knew for sure that something was wrong, something terrible has happened..my last steps were the most difficult ones...my hand approached the rusted knob which gave the feel of never ending pain ..my twisted wrist swirled the rusty knob making a way between the other unseen end..the door moved towards me revealing more of the unseen sight....

My head was down my body trembling, my heart beating to the most, frowning gestures grew more! my head rising up , my eyes opening to the feel the sight...deep thoughts hitting my head; i collected the courage to finally look up !!

To my astonishment and surprise i lost control , my sight went blank, i felt like deep wounds in my body..the very time a hard gush of wind made its way through the door making me feeble and cold....then ! when i was about to loose the balance, your hand drifted through the door in to my jersey sweaters holding me with full force..that glimpse! electrified the whole system of mine..your eyes intruded through the cornea of my vision and then ........... a twinkle of tear seeped through the walls of my eye and i closed my eyes and waved back to the journey of misery and regrets!..when i lived with my ego!......

Jolting back from the past i raised the index finger to the wooden table where lied the paper on which i was about to write .....

" Only if i could say you a sorry ...will you come back"