#doing the joy of life chal with her

[trashedfruit]

new sim alert !!

#🍒 #ts4 #ts4 cas #ts4 cc #*simmies #*noel #doing the joy of life chal with her #in my off time #;-;

[askamydaily]

FINALLY ...

I don't have to care about gender reveal parties.

(The following column runs in newspapers across the country on May 24th, 2024)

Dear Readers: After 21 years writing the “Ask Amy” column, I’m announcing that I’m leaving this space. My final column will run at the end of June.

I’m healthy, happy, and 64-years-old. This is a decision I’ve been wrestling with for over a year.

When I was first hired by the Chicago Tribune to write an advice column after Ann Landers’ death, I was a middle-aged single mother. My daughter Emily and I moved from our long-time home in Washington DC and relocated to Chicago. 

[Emily and Amy, Freeville, NY. Photo by Chris Walker for the Chicago Tribune]

My welcome to Chicago was to deliver a solo performance of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in front of 35,000 baseball fans during the 7th inning stretch of a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

This turned out to be a metaphor for my experience writing this column, which has been an exuberant and sometimes nerve-wracking effort of trying to hit the right notes before a huge audience. 

After several great years in Chicago, Emily left for college and I moved back to my tiny hometown of Freeville, NY (pop. 505), to spend time with my sisters, aunts and cousins, and to be with my mother at the end of her life. 

My experiences have mirrored those of many of my readers. For me, these last two decades have been about the intensity and consequences of both love and loss. 

After returning home, I promptly tumbled into a Hallmark Channel plotline, when I fell in love with and quickly married a man I’ve known since childhood (we grew up on neighboring dairy farms). My husband Bruno and I then blundered into the oftentimes awkward blending of our family of five daughters. 

[2008, Freeville, NY]

I became a stepmother, and then a grandmother, all before I believed I was ready. 

My mother and her three wonderful sisters are gone, now. A niece and nephew died, tragically, while in their teens. Much of my recent life has been absorbed by caregiving, mourning, and recovery.

Day in, day out -- over the last two decades – readers have generously shared their own vulnerabilities about many of our common experiences. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to help each other.

I’ve burned through eight laptops, opened bushels of postal mail, written columns in the car, on board planes, in hospital waiting rooms, on my honeymoon, and at my mother’s bedside. During this time, I’ve also written two books, a screenplay, and scores of essays. 

Doing this work has sent me into therapy. It has inspired me to explore the teachings of world religions, and to seek the insight of thinkers like Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung. I’ve quoted the wisdom of Maya Angelou, Joni Mitchell and Fred Rogers -- as well as dozens of poets, social scientists and psychologists. 

I’ve made my share of mistakes, been well-pranked – at least twice (that I know of), and learned how to apologize, ask for forgiveness, and to forgive other people for their own mistakes. Inspired by readers’ dilemmas, I’ve also worked hard to mend fractured family relationships and to be a better friend.

My personal experiences are a reminder that we humans can’t really control what happened before or what happens next. Joy, like grief, comes at you in such unexpected ways. That’s why it is so important to pay attention. I’ve learned to do that.

Being an advice-giver has challenged me to be aware of cultural, social, and relationship trends -- and to appreciate the quirks of human behavior.

When readers get frustrated by my lengthy answers to sometimes petty problems, they will often suggest that I should just tell people to “get a life!,” but I think that wrestling with our questions – from the quotidian to the profound – is living.

For the next month, I’ll continue to publish fresh columns and rerun some favorites. After that, my fantasy is to drive an RV across the country, visiting people I’ve met through this work who have challenged me and tantalized readers with their anonymous requests for advice.

In my hometown, I’m opening a little lending library. You can find me on social media, through my Asking Amy newsletter, at amydickinson.com, or at the Freeville Literary Society on Main Street – talking books with kids and offering advice to anyone who asks.

Love,

Amy

#ask amy #amy dickinson #relationship advice

[filliteapot]

hello hello!! i love your recs, do you perhaps have new recs regarding manga you read this year?

Hello! To be honest, I wasn't very much active manga-wise this year, I mostly read my ongoings and a couple of new things..... I'll still try to remember what I read, hehe.

Ongoings (and updating things):

Skip to Loafer

Hirayasumi (need to catch up)

Hokuou Kizoku to Moukinzuma no Yukiguni Karigurashi (same)

Saraba, Yoki Hi (thank goodness it's being updated rarely, I can't take so much hurt)

Sandaime Kusuriya Kyubee (I've been dreaming of translation for so long and I absolutely love it)

New things:

Yama Wayama's one-volume stories Karaoke Iko and Muchu sa Kimi ni - Wayama's sense of humour is something else, it's a bit weird but works on me so well

Anoko no Kodomo by Aoi Mamoru - I don't really like stories with strong social problematics as main themes but this one is really good and decent and touches my heart

Chizu ni Nai Basho by Ando Yuki - Ando Yuki is a magician and her works help me clear my mind of negative thoughts and whining

Webtoon Spirit Fingers by Han Gyeon Chal - it gave me such pure joy I haven't felt from reading for a while

Webtoons by Go Ara

Aaand webtoons by Go Ara are definitely best things that happened to me this year. I first read this author's work about 8 years ago and was hurt deeply by her Teenager Young Hwa - then I considered it one of the best things I ever read but thought that I'd NEVER EVER read anything by this author who can write such breaking tragedies (I reread it - it's still good and gives me many emotions). This year I discovered she's drawn much more (visibly) lighthearted and positive things like Please Do Errands Instead of Me (it's like my perfect fantasy slice I could only dream of) and Heart Homework (same but with vampires -- God, finally an author who understand my desire for small-scaled fantasy!) and then I read her old slice Beloved Days (or Days of Love) and lost my peace of mind. It broke my heart and i couldn't find rest til I fully translated it into my native language. This is how you do drama and slice of life, this is how you execute personal tragedies of your characters without cheap moves. It gave me so much inspiration. Go Ara is a genius and certainly one of my favourite authors now. I really hope her older works that weren't translated will be republished online and we'll get to read them all.

Hope it helps! I'm glad that you like my recs :3

#replies #recs

[the-voltage-diaries]

Music Shuffle Tag~ 🎶

TASK: It’s easy, all you have to do is put your music library on shuffle and list the first ten songs. Feel free to add in some personal liner notes if you’re inclined!

First off, thanks a lot for the tag, @lin-ful ! <3

Secondly, I’m kind of stuck because I listen to two playlists on repeat, both have a large number of songs and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to compile them... or maybe I’m just too lazy to google it. So what we’re gonna do is make two versions of it, and lmao that’ll just give you more fun stuff to binge listen to if you wish~

List 1: K-pop

This playlist is basically my K-pop music. Some honorable mentions that couldn’t make the list: Oh My God (G-IDLE), Monster (Irene x Seulgi), Way Back Home (SHAUN), Chica (Chung Ha).

1. Heel - NO:EL, Loco

I recently added this to my playlist bc @some-ikemen-snob recommended it and her recommendations are the shit 😎 . And this song IS the shit. So, yeah. 

2. Say My Name - ATEEZ

I remember hearing this song while randomly scrolling through youtube, and I recall when I saw it pop up for the nth time in my recommendations I was baffled at the hype it had, and then I finally heard it and bam now it’s in my playlist.😅

3. Touch - NCT 127

This song is so cute, and the choreography too! I’m absolutely obsessed with the choreography at the “Na na nananana” part, it’s addicting to watch. 

4. Beautiful Goodbye - Chen

Chen’s voice, I mean do I even need to say anything more?

5. Playboy - EXO

This song does things to me. I mean, the way Kai whispers “Play... boy” or rather half moans half groans should be declared illegal. 😉

6. Dinner - Suho, Jane Jang

I love the music and how well both their voices blend in with it. It’s one of my favourites, for sure. ❤️

7. HIP - MAMAMOO

This was the first ever song of MAMAMOO’s I ever heard, and dare I say I fell for Hwa sa after that. I mean have you seen that woman? And the rest too, of course. Such badasses.

8. My Love - Baekhyun

I love his voice so, so much ❤️ ! This song is so calming, so peaceful. It’s the kind of music I would play when I’m stressed, when I’m out, when it’s raining and basically the point is why would you stop playing this?

9. Stay With Me - Chanyeol, Punch

I needn’t explain my obsession love for this song, need I? This song is loved by almost everyone I know who watches K-dramas (even if they don’t listen to Kpop), and that’s because it is indeed such a great song! If you haven’t heard it yet, do give it a try~ 💕

10. 무제(無題) (Untitled, 2014) - G-DRAGON

If you dislike this song, we’re gonna have problems. It’s a masterpiece, one of G-dragon’s most amazing works 💙 . It’s... yeah, I have no words to describe how beautiful this song is.

List 2: Bollywood Classics

Grab a cup of tea, sit down and plug in your earphones. Close your eyes and just let the music take over you, because this is gonna be good.🤭

Honorable Mentions [DO CHECK THEM OUT IF YOU LIKE THE SONGS IN THE PLAYLIST]: Aa Chal Ke Tujhe (Kishore Kumar), Mein Shayar Toh Nahi (Shailendra Singh), Babuji Dheere Chalna (Geeta Dutt), Abhi Na Jao Chod Kar (Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi), Bade Achhe Lagte Hain (Amit Kumar), Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein (Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh).

1. Lag Ja Gale Se Phir - Lata Mangeshkar

This song is one of the most popular ones when it comes to classics, and I don’t doubt it because Lata Mangeshkar’s voice is so, so, so sweet and so perfect damn 💜 . Also it’s from a black and white movie and it’s still pretty popular so I hope that speaks for itself? lmao

2. Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Men - Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Day

Can you tell Lata Mangeshkar was a popular singer of those times? Her voice is so amazing I swear. And this song’s lyrics and tune is so catchy. Again, it’s from a black and white movie.  🤭

3. Aap Ki Ankhon Mein Kuch - Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar

Kishore Kumar is SUCH A CLASSIC. He’s a legend, and if my playlist hadn’t brought up one of his songs I’d have sued Spotify. That said, Kishore Kumar was and Indian playback singer, actor, music director, lyricist, writer, director, producer and screenwriter. Need I say more about this man? Also, this song’s lyrics are so respectful and deep, I love those times. 

4. Chala Jata Hoon - Kishore Kumar

Kishore Kumar with his voice, and Rakesh Khanna with his acting for such a powerful duo. You’ll find many more of his songs in this list, most probably. My mom introduced me to Kishore Kumar’s music (She’s a hardcore fan btw) and I haven’t looked back since. Proudly so. <3

5. Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi - Kishore Kumar, Sushma Shrestha

Sharmila Tagore was a beauty, no doubt. And this song has two versions. I’ll link the other one here. Can you tell I’m basically speechless and have no idea how to form sentences with have a flow?

6. Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho - Jagjit Singh

The main lyric basically translates to “Why are you smiling so much? What’s is this pain that you’re hiding? You’re smiling so much.” and if that isn’t meaningful, I don’t know what is. Moreover, Jagjit Singh’s voice is so soothing to the ears, I could listen to this song every day and never get tired of it.  🥰

7. Yeh Sham Mastani - Kishore Kumar

Can you guess who the actor is? Damn straight, it’s Rajesh Khanna. I need help 😅 I love Kishore Kumar’s voice so much hELp.

8. Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se - Kishore Kumar

Yes, it’s Rajesh Khanna who’s the actor, yet again. Moreover, this song is so beautiful, so awesome, so pretty, so everything I LOVE IT SO MUCH GAH.

9. Pyar Hame Kis Mod Pe - Kishore Kumar, R. D. Burman, Bhupinder Singh, Sapan Chakraborty, Gulshan Bawra

I kid you not my heart did a little flip when I checked out the youtube video to add the link and saw Amitabh Bachhan 🤭 😂 . Amitabh Bachhan now looks sophisticated and classy, but the Amitabh in his younger days looked so freaking handsome I’m deceased, and I need help. Oh sweet lords, and this song. This song is everything, such deep voices, the lyrics, the beats, this song is EVERYTHING and if you hate this we’re gonna have problems. Also Amitabh Bachhan OH MY GOD HE LOOKS SO NICE

10. Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli - Manna Day

Spotify did me good, not gonna lie. It literally saved the best for the last. ❤️ This song is one of my absolute, ultimate, top favourites and that’s because Manna Day’s voice does justice to everything, Rajesh Khanna, the lyrics, the song, us, everything. It’s so pleasing and a complete joy to listen to.

Bonus: Na Tum Hame Jaano - Hemant Kumar

It’s beautiful. I had to. That’s it. ❤️

Ahhh this was so much fun! I had such a good time starting my day off with some of my favourites, so thanks a lot for the tag again, Lin!

I’m gonna tag: @joaxotome , @bakutae , @bibbletae , @voltage-vixen , @awesomeallseeingeye , @otome-writer51 , @redninjakitty14rp , @rougepetale , @rhionhatter , and @anyone else I forgot or anyone who wants to do this!

You don’t have to do this if you don’t feel like it <3

#music shuffle tag #music #spotify #kpop #bollywood classics #loco #ateez #no:el #nct 127 #chen #exo #suho #jane jang #mamamoo #baekhyun #chanyeol #punch #g-dragon #g-idle #irene #seulgi #shaun #chung ha #kishore kumar #shailendra singh #geeta dutt #asha bhosle #mohammed rafi #amit kumar #lata mangeshkar

[tellywoodtrash]

khkt 02.10.19 lb

i hope you guys don’t mind i haven’t been including caps in the lbs these days. it’s just that capping + inserting the images in tumblr makes an lb take 3x longer, and i really don’t want to be spending that kinda time on a show that’s not giving me much joy rn. i’ll get back to it eventually, coz i’m a visual bish, but for now it’s just too much time and energy waste.

———————————————————————

i hate these preview things. i hated it on ib, i hate it now. they just spoil the episode and are utterly pointless.

naren you are a rudeass fucking bitch. i'll need you to fix that 'tude before sona gets married into this house.  

suman, you're right, but like.... calm down a little. sona is already hairaan pareshaan enough.

I AM MAMA BEAR SUMAN. I WILL MANGLE ALL YOU FUCKS TO DEATH IF YOU TALK CRAP ABOUT MY GIRL.

sona, you're too nice. if i were you, i'd be halfway to goregaon by now. fuck raima, fuck you sippys, and fuck romantic love and relationships and all this unnecessary bullshit.

great, half of sukhmani sippy’s staff and equipment have arrived.

........... ok but what zaroorat does rohit have of you rn, sona? you're not a medical professional, and you're really not in his good books at the moment. chup chaap khadi raho na yahin kahin pe.

bechaara ajit has to go all the way to j seth now. ouff.

bheed toh aise jamaa rakhi hai sippys ne jaise koi shooting chal rahi ho idhar. like, the majority of y'all work in a hospital, aur jaahilon ki tarah you’re just crowding the room and gawking like this.

god my heart is breaking for sona. why is she simply torturing herself?

ofc he has to be standoffish. ugh.

i am suman. SUMAN IS ME. can we just go the fuck home pls??????

ouff, sona and pulkit, you're both soft idiots.

men with eyelashes this good infuriate me.

this terrible waily music is adding to my dull headache.

dude. i get you're stressed, but come the fuck on, you were proposing to her 10 min back. you can afford to be civil. you could have said that in a polite tone. like ffs, be an adult and learn to keep a handle on your emotions for a bit. i'm so sick of men using any one (1) unpleasant emotion passing through their system as a ready excuse to be a fucking asshat.

oh great. Irritating Bong Mom is also here.

rohit what the fuck is wrong with you, you're a doctor for godssake, how the fuck is your bedroom a substitute for a hospital???? LIKE, IT'S NOT EVEN SOME RANDOM HOSPITAL; IT'S YOUR FUCKING HOSPITAL, YOU OWN IT, AND CALL ALL THE SHOTS THERE, SO WHAT EVEN..... lord i'm just so frustrated rn.

great, Irritating Bong Mom is shaking rohit like a pulp waale juice ka dabba.

MY GOD THIS WOMAN IS JUST SO SLAP-HAPPY; THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH HER?!?!?! AUNTY YOU CAN'T JUST GO AROUND SLAPPING PPL AS AND WHEN YOU LIKE.

OMFG SHE PUSHED SONA ALSO. AUNTY KA NAAM BADAL KE SHONALI NAGRANI RAKH DO, COZ SHE IS FUCKING ASKING FOR IT. SHE'S DYING FOR IT. GET THE FUCK OFF THEIR BACKS, GOT IT?!?!!?!?!?!?!?

rohit ki satak gayi hai. he's just yelling at everyone. if raima's family doesn't consent to her being treated by a particular doctor, fairly sure they have THE RIGHT to take her elsewhere. you can't hold her hostage here coz of your personal hangups.

sona, you need to stop pushing. like he already told you to leave, why the hell do you wanna tell him your truth RIGHT THIS SECOND??? there's no point telling a person who's not in the headspace to listen.

finally sona ko akal aa gayi.

GREAT NOW SUMAN IS LIKE NO WE CAN’T LEAVE, WE HAVE TO TELL THEM OUR SIDE OF THINGS. CAN YOU JUST FUCKING LEAVE THIS HELLHOUSE ALREADYYYYYYY?!?!!?!?

oh sona. :(((((((((

lmao suman has the most "coz men are trash, child" face ever as sona laments hysterically about rohit not listening.  

ok dipika i love you, but the shrieking is getting hard to take.

also why is sona taking responsibility for "ruining" karan's life? self pity mein kuch zyaada hi.

oh god, slap to get her outta the hysterics. how very tv serial-ish.

and ofc she went into sadma after that. ouff this show is becoming too cliche, too fast.

who woulda ever thunk suman would be my favt character in an episode????? i didn't, and i'm quite pleased about it.

oh god she's just a child on the inside. abandonment issues to the maxxxxxxxxxxx. everyone in this show needs so much fucking therapy.

god this awful fucking music, i'm getting really mad. my sensitivity to noise is super high and this episode is just hell on my nerves.

FORWARDING. I CANNOT TAKE IT ANYMORE.

oh so you've finally calmed down enough to be civil to other ppl, is it???? good. if you'd have yelled at tulsi also, screen mein ghusske i'd have kicked your damn ass.

RETURN OF MUSIC. UGHHHHHHHHH.

oh ho sona, give the dude some time. matlab, come on, let him breathe.

OMG ROHAN HOW FUCKING DARE YOUUUUUUUUUUU

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA MAIN LIARS AUR CHEATERS SE BAAT NAHI KARTI IT SEEMS.

ughhhhhhh i really cannot with you two grossass fucks rn.

is that why you came all the way here, to demand answers as to why she spoke to pooja that way???

alice's dialogue delivery is real bad rn.

ugh literally fuck off, you losers.

sona, learn to take a hint. my god, this is such a teenager-y relationship.

lol doorbell hai sir, mandir ki ghanti nahi ki bajaaaye hi jaa rahe ho.

i know this is a dream anyway so i don't really give a shit.

i still don’t understand how a ring that is thrown can injure you BEHIND THE EAR?!?!

sis, you need a klonopin. at least a shot or two of codeine waala cough syrup to knock you the fuck out for a few hours.

wow, swift return of rationality when it came to pulki's internship.

uhhhhhh, that's EXACTLY why he chose pulkit for the internship??? coz he's your brother. literally no other reason.

———————————————————————

veena asking the real (but waaaaay too premature) question.

raima asking irritating question.

director asking valid question.

#kahaan hum kahaan tum #khkt lbs #episode liveblogs

[biointernet]

Frank LaCavera and his hour glass collections

Frank LaCavera and his hour glass collections By  PEOPLE STAFF June 05, 1989 12:00 PM Like the sands through the hourglass, so are the days of Frank J. LaCavera’s life. LaCavera, a 70ish retired electrical engineer, lives in Cleveland in a house that is filled with reminders of the temporal — more than 300 one-of-a-kind hourglasses that he has designed and made in the last 32 years. Each is set on a marble base with the hourglass in a wooden frame, and the whole is adorned with whimsical decoration. “I only do this stuff when inspired,” says LaCavera. “It’s like magic.”

Frank LaCavera hourglass Among the inspirations that became hourglasses are: Castle and Dragon, which includes a tiny steel dragon next to a tiny castle, set on a piece of amethyst, all inside a crystal ball; Pluto, with the hourglass perched atop a spaceship; and Ribs, which includes a plastic pig under glass, reclining in a centerfold pose. LaCavera took up his hobby when he was looking for an hourglass to decorate his study and found out that the closest thing he could buy in Cleveland was an egg timer, so he went into business for himself. He had to invent the machinery and instruments, including one to remove static electricity from inside the glass and another to determine the proper size of the hole between the two halves of the hourglass. (His hourglasses are accurate to 14 seconds an hour.) LaCavera has sold only a few hourglasses over the years (they run from $89 to $1,500), but he prefers to hang on to his work, which now fills the modest three-bedroom frame house he shares with wife Phyllis on the city’s west side. Phyllis thinks the world should see more of her husband’s hourglasses. “Work this beautiful,” she says, “should be out there where people can enjoy it.” Hourglass maker Frank LaCavera filling 12 of his hourglass bulbs w. sand as he prepares to time test each piece that he will use in his ornate hourglass creations at his workshop in home. (Photo by Taro Yamasaki/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Frank LaCavera hourglass collections Frank LaCavera and his hour glass collections Lima News, The (Newspaper) - August 12, 1976, Lima, Ohio I lie jLiiua CLEVELAND (AP) Frank LaCavera is an hourglass master, one of the few in the world still making two-and three-foot hourglasses that can run from one to nine hours. His basement in his Cleveland home has become a collection of tubes, bottles, glass beads and other paraphernalia. He even has a small museum with a revolving stage and a curtain behind which is his handiwork. LaCavera said he became interested in mak- ing hourglasses, an instru- ment for measuring time Liquor to flow on Election Day Modern-day hourglass maker works for sentiment not money v" J mt Frank LaCavera considered expert in his hobby usually by the trickling of sand through a small open- ing, after he tried to buy one and discovered that stores only sold small ones used by housewives to make three-minute eggs., "When I saw how scarce they were, I thought I'd make them as a chal- he said Dr Warner Bundens Jr. president of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Inc., said that "nobody else in the world is making modern hourglasses. I have one of LaCavera's originals at home. It's a 60-minute COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Starting with the November election, Ohio no longer will be a state where you can't buy a drink or a bottle of liquor on election day. A new law which takes effect Friday repeals the antiquated statute which shut down taverns, bars, and other liquor along with the state's monopoly retail voting hours. All will be open Nov. 2, including the state which in the past have given their employes the entire day off although bars and restaurants usually let the booze flow again an hour after polls closed, as the old law per- mitted. Rep John A Galbraith, R-69 Moumce, sponsored Ihe new law, calling the old one "archaic He said the days are gone when people "voted publicly and sat under the trees passing the jug around. No one tries to buy votes with whisky anymore." Galbraith got little help from his Republican colleagues as his bill squeaked through the Democratic House 55-39 and Senate 17-15 Restaurant and bar owners who claimed the law unfairly penalized their businesses lobbied for him, and may have helped convince Gov. James A. Rhodes who signed the repealer without comment. The 52-year-old Galbraith said despite the lobbying, the bill represented his "personal conviction that the old law was out of date Ohio was the only one of the 10 largest states which continued to have such a prohibition." Rep Alan E Norris, R-27 Westerville, whose hometown claims to be the "birthplace of prohibition" and remains dry. carried the House opposition. He said he felt simply that "people should be sober when they vote." He said it wasn't a moral issue with him, but felt the old law "was good for more than 100 years" and was needed to help protect the integrity of Ohio's election process. Frank LaCavera and his hour glass collections The election day liquor law is among five taking effect this week, 90 days after being signed into law by the governor. Other new laws: take away the authority of county and townships to enact zoning ordi- nances affecting oil and gas operations, per- mit senior citizens to take courses without credit or tuition at state universities when space permits; bring health district subsidies under _0hio Public Health Council regula- tions, and exempt delayed gram contracts held bv farmers from the state intangibles tax on stocks, bonds, and other securities. TECHNICIANS apply makeup and an ear plug to Sen. Walter Mondale, D-Minn.. prior to his ap- pearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" program Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Mondale is the Democratic vice presidential nominee. 'Beautiful river' helped young Ohio's economy By The Associated Press The Ohio River, "La Bel- le Riviere" or "the beautiful river" to the ear- ly French explorers, re- mains to this day a prime consideration in Ohio's transportation network but it has always been (he focus of Ohio history from the verv beginnings of the state, and even before Ohio was a state. The river always kept its prestige in competition with Lake Erie as a chan- nel of trade, and from its banks came some of the men and helped make the nation's greatness One of the first com- panies of the pioneer city Marietta was a shipyard The brig St Clair, built there, reached Cincinnati in April, 1801, and got as far as Cuba on that trip It demonstrated that the black walnut of the In the library there are papers showing that the Louisiana of Marietta, in 1805, visited New Orleans, Norfolk and Italy. Purchase of the Louisiana Territory swel- led the river trade as well Ohio yesteryear Muskingum Valley, a wood now almost priceless, could be combined with Marietta iron and rope to defy the Spanish grip on the trade of the Mis- sissippi. More than 100 such ships were soon produced at the mouth of the Muskingum. Carter recalled as pious preacher LOCK HAVEN, Pa "He knocked on doors asking people if they needed Jesus Christ as their per- sonal savior. He never breathed to us he was a politician." Mrs Robert Farwell was reminisc- ing about Jimmy Carter. She remembered him as the evangelist who eight years ago trumpeted Christianity in this central Penn- sylvania town. It was in 1968 that Carter visited the Lock Haven area as a member of a six-man team of Southern Baptist laymen attempting to start a second Baptist church. "He was the most humble and com- passionate man my husband and I ever met." Mrs Farwell, a widow of six months, said recently in a tele- phone interview. "He was a man who really loved the Lord Jesus Christ You could feel it every minute you were around him." The Baptist laymen remained two weeks, working in pairs and visiting 10 to 15 homes a day. Support for a se- cond Baptist parish grew and even- tually a new church was established. For a time the new congregation was led by a divinity student from Texas, but he left. A permanent pastor was never found and the con- gregation dissolved and the new church closed. "He always wore a business suit." recalled Mrs Farwell, who lives in Flemmgton, near Lock Haven. "We knew he was a distinguished person. as the volume of ship- building However, the em- bargo of 1807, caused by the war between Great Bri- tain and Napoleon, ruined the Ohio shipyards for a time. Four years after Robert Fulton invented the steam- boat, the first such craft was seen on the Ohio It was the New Orleans, built at Pittsburgh, which went down river in 1811. It had a speed of only 12 miles an hour, but that was enough to mark the beginning of the end for the flatboat and barge lines which had en- joyed all the trade until that time. The steamboats made travel safer and cheaper as well as faster, thus adding much to Ohio's growth and prosperity. Carolina dams lose to scenery WASHINGTON (AP) After a four-year legislative fight, a bill to save a scenic stretch of the New River in North Carolina from being inundated by power- generating dams is likely to win congressional approval this year. The House passed the bill Tuesday by a 311-73 vote and sent it to the Senate, which approved similar legislation jn the last Congress. President Ford has announced he would sign the bill. Every major environmental group in the country has backed the measure to save the 26.5-mile stretch "It looks like we will finally get it through this said Rep Ken Hechler. D-W.Va one of the long-time supporters of the New River legislation. The measure would bar the two-dam Blue Ridge Pro- ject of the Appalachian Power Co. The Federal Power Commission has approved the project but construction has been delayed by court appeals. Rep. Paul Simon, D-I11, who has taken a boat trip down the river, said it is a wonder of nature that should be preserved for posterity. "If any of you have a chance to take that trip, then I don't think you'll ever vote against this he told his colleagues. "God took 100 million years to create this river. Let's keep a power company from destroying Hechler said. He cited the statement by geologists that the river is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere.

Frank LaCavera and his hourglass collections https://people.com/archive/meet-hourglass-maker-frank-lacavera-one-retiree-who-knows-how-to-pass-the-time-vol-31-no-22/ https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/frank-lacavera?family=editorial&sort=mostpopular&phrase=frank%20lacavera https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-aug-12-1976-p-7/ Frank LaCavera and his hour glass collections

See also:

Time symbolism

Time is… The Full History of Time Time in physics and time Science Symbolism of Melencolia I by Albrecht Dürer Time and Text

DADA Time

Text, Time, MHC Extinction Rebellion – Time against Life The End of Time Hourglass and Death on St Thomas’ Church Hourglass – symbol of Death Death does not Exist Hourglass and Skeleton “Hourglass and Cards” Exhibition Father and Mother of Time Time Hub Time Philosophy Time synonyms Time perception and Sense of Time Time Travel + Time Management = Time Travel Management The Hourglass, Hourglass History Hourglass symbolism Hourglass Figure Hourglass Tattoo Symbols of Time Beauty Bio-Net Father Time Department Father Time and Mother Nature Lunar calendar and Moon’s phases Time Management Time Management tools Time Travel Management MHC SM: MHC Flikr, MHC Pinterest, MHC Facebook, MHC Instagram, MHC YouTube, MHC Twitter

The Hourglass Figure:

MHC Exhibitions: Hourglass Figure Sophia Loren by Adam PierceHourglass Figure Marilyn Monroe About Hourglass Body or Hourglass Figure Hourglass body measurements – body shape online calculator Hourglass Figure Celebrities on MHC Hourglass Figure, the movie MHC hourglass figure workout by Marten Sport Hourglass Figure Department on MHC Virtual Museum Frank LaCavera and his hour glass collections Read the full article

#FrankLaCavera #FrankLaCaverahourglasscollections #hourglasscollections

[the-record-obituaries]

Dec. 11, 2019: Obituaries

Hubert Church  66

Mr. Hubert Ray Church age 66 of Purlear, passed away, Friday, December 6, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Yellow Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Sherrill Welborn, Rev. Kenny Newberry and Pastor Brady Hayworth officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Wednesday evening at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Mr. Church was born September 1, 1953 in Wilkes County to Paige and Agnas Fletcher Church. He was a retired Truck Driver for DOT and a member of Yellow Hill Baptist Church. Hurbert loved to make people laugh.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother; Ronnie Church.

Mr. Church is survived by his wife; Joan Rhymer Church of the home, a daughter; Patricia Church of Deep Gap, a son; Darin Church of Deep Gap, two grandchildren; Tyler Church and Samantha Church, a sister; Linda Steelman and husband Eddie of Deep Gap and a brother: Bruce Church and wife LouAnn of Deep Gap.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Yellow Hill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund 5160 Summitt Road Purlear, NC 28665 or Medi Home Hospice PO Box 421 Jefferson, NC 28620.

  Marilyn Hunter, 74

Marilyn Francis Key Hunter, age 74, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Friday, December 6, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. Ms. Hunter was born December 5, 1945 in Wilkes County to Vernon Edward and E. Faye Elledge Key. Ms. Hunter was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in the Mtn. View Community. She was of the Baptist Faith, attended His Light Ministries and enjoyed services at Villages of Wilkes. Marilyn was a loving, sweet and kind person. She loved animals, cats and dogs. She enjoyed watching birds, especially hummingbirds when they were eating. Ms. Hunter was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister, Barbara Jean Key, sister, Arlene Key Niston, Margaret Ann Byrd; brother, Kenneth David Key; brother-in-law's, John Willard Niston, Ronnie J. Pruitt; and nephews, Russell Hawkins and Daniel Byrd.

Surviving are her brother, Vaughn Key and spouse Incha of North Wilkesboro; sisters, Irene Blevins and spouse Hubert of Wilkesboro, Janice Hawkins and spouse Steve of Hays, Rita Pruitt of North Wilkesboro; many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was December 9,   at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Darrell Poole and Rev. Michael Brinegar officiating. Burial  followed in Scenic Memorial Gardens.  

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Humane Society of Wilkes, PO 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

   Margaret Richardson, 73

Margaret Porter Richardson, age 73, of Wilkesboro, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord, on Friday, December 6, 2019 at her home. Margaret was born November 26, 1946 in Wilkes County to Granville and Lillian Dowell Porter. She worked at Villages of Wilkes for the past 11 years. She loved her residents very much. She loved taking them out to eat, painting fingernails and helping in any way she could to bring joy to their lives. Margaret loved fishing, she made many friends on the fishing pier in Myrtle Beach, where we are sure she will be missed by all who knew her. Margaret also loved working along side her husband, Jim in the garden. Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by her parents; and husband who died in 1987, Gary Lee Billings.

Surviving are her loving husband, James (Jim) Richardson; sons, Russell Billings and spouse Pam of Traphill, David Billings and Michele Riddle of Purlear; sisters, Reba Johnson and spouse Claude of North Wilkesboro, Nancy Reavis and spouse Jerry of Rock Creek, Betty Ferguson and spouse Wayne of North Wilkesboro; grandsons, Justin Billings and Russell Billings.

Funeral service was December 8,   at Davis Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Hadley Triplett officiating. Burial   followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park.   Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wilkes South Gideons, PO  Box 323, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

The family would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice, all the family and friends that came by with food and hugs.

  Anne Kite, 102

Mrs. Anne Dulce Goode Kite, age 102 of Millers Creek, passed away Thursday, December 5, 2019 at her home.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, December 12, 2019 at North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church with Rev. R.C. Griffin and Rev. Steve Snipes  officiating. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Private family burial services will be held.

Mrs. Kite was born May 14, 1917 in Martinsville, VA, to the late John Letcher Goode and Lucy Davis Goode Draper. She was a member of North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church and Vanguard Class. She had been the keeper of the Cradle Roll for over 25 years. Mrs. Kite was a charter member of Wilkes Regional Hospital Auxiliary and also a member of the Friday Book Club. She loved the Blue Ridge Parkway, butterflies and welcoming guests to the Dodge House Restaurant. She was a great cook and well known for her pies.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Robert Francis Kite, two brothers: Ray Goode and John L. Goode and a son in law: David Eller.

She is survived by two daughters: Susan Kite Eller of Greenville, SC and Betsey Kite O'Neill and husband Jack of Virginia Beach VA, five grandchildren: Cynthia Booke, Mark Eller, Robert Eller, John O'Neill and Kelly Ogle and ten great grandchildren: David and Lauren Booke, Samantha and Sydney Eller, Archie, Trevor, Ben O'Neill, Cameron and Connor Eller and Lucy and Avery Ogle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church 804 E Street North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or a Charity of choice.

Celebrate her life as she would with kindness and grace and loving one another!

   William Grimstead, 65

Mr. William Michael Grimstead, age 65 of Cornelius, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services were December 10,   at Reins Sturdivant Chapel with Pastor Robert Duncan and Rev. Eddie Tharpe officiating. Burial was in Scenic Memorial Gardens.  Mr. Grimstead was born May 18, 1954 in Boone, North Carolina to Donald Ray and Shirley Payne Grimstead. He was a Longtime Professional Airline Pilot. Mike graduated from Wilkes Central High  School and Florida Institute of Technology Aviation Program. He was a flight instructor, ground instructor. glider pilot, seaplane pilot and corporate pilot.  He retired from American Airlines as an Airline Pilot. Mr. Grimstead was a member of Oakwood's Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Grimstead is survived by his wife; Sherree Grimstead and two cousins; Susan Clements and husband James of Bartow, FL and Cindy Hudson and husband Rick of Hickory.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Donor's Choice.

  Margaret Dotson, 85

Mrs. Margaret Hayes Dotson, age 85 of Wilkes County passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Memory Care of the Triad.

Funeral services were December 7,   at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel.  Burial was in Lewis Baptist Church Cemetery.  Mrs. Dotson was born July 29, 1934 in Wilkes County to Robert Doughton and Gena Souther Hayes.  She was a care giver for all of her family, an avid reader and loved the outdoors. She retired from Thomasville Furniture in the cabinet department.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by two daughters; Wanda Dotson, Dino of Bluffton, SC and Donna Wicker, Bruce of Reidsville, three grandchildren; Courtney Jansen and husband Stephen, Logan Nichols and Hayden Wicker, two great grandchildren;  Porter Jansen and Hadley Jansen, four sisters; Sylvia Boles of Winston-Salem, Joan Dotson of North Wilkesboro, Jane Brooks of Salisbury, Jewel "Judy" Sheppard of Mt. Gilead and six brothers; Edgar Hayes of Swartz Creek, MI, Harley "Sonny" Hayes of Salisbury, Robert "Chick" Hayes of North Wilkesboro, Gerald Hayes of Statesville, David Hayes of North Wilkesboro and Douglas Hayes of North Wilkesboro

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hospice of Greensboro, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.

 Stephen Vannoy, 73

Mr. Stephen (Steve) DeLane Vannoy, 73, of Carthage, passed away on Wednesday December 4, 2019 at Moore Regional Hospital.

Steve was born on Monday July 8, 1946 in Rowan County to Swan Aline Vannoy.

Steve is preceded in death by his mother and step father Don Royal.

Steven is survived by daughters, Stephanie Vannoy of Millers Creek, Elizabeth Vannoy of Candar, NC; son, Chal Vannoy and wife, Tammy of Wilkesboro; sister, Faye Royal and husband, Jerry also of Millers Creek; 6 grandchildren, Corey, Hannah Johnson, Clint, Cody Roten, Zylania ,MaFia Green; 3 great grand children, Delacey, Terence Hamilton, Caroline Roten; special niece, Melissa Shoemaker; special great niece, Nicole Huffman,

A graveside service was December 6, at the Vannoy Family Cemetery.  Rev. Steve Faw will be officiating.  

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Vannoy Family.

   John Caudill, 65

Mr. John "Tom" Thomas Caudill, 65, of Advance passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

He was born in Wilkes County on August 19, 1954, to John Alvin and Libby Walsh Caudill. Tom was a member of Pinedale Christian Church for the past thirty-one years. He received his MBA from Appalachian State University. Tom owned and operated Auto Financial of NC until his retirement. He was an avid train enthusiast, traveler, and enjoyed doing things for other people without their knowledge. Tom was an Eagle Scout and avid outdoorsman. Following in his father's footsteps, he loved to hike and explore the Blue Ridge Mountains. He ran many marathons and achieved his goal of running a sub - three hour race on his last attempt. Tom was Gloria's Superman.

Preceding him in death is his mother and a brother, Alex Caudill. Left to cherish his memory is his loving and skinny wife, Gloria F. Caudill; son, Jonathan Caudill and Tyler of Washington, D.C.; father, John Alvin Caudill and wife Frances of North Wilkesboro; a brother, Charles Caudill of Wilkesboro; and his beloved birds.

A memorial service was held 2:00 PM Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Pinedale Christian Church, officiated by Ministers Bill McKenzie and Matthew Sink.  

 Cynthia Shipton,74

Mrs. Cynthia Reeves Shipton, age 74 of North Wilkesboro passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center.  

Funeral services were December 6,  at Round Mountain Baptist Church with Rev. Roger Jennings and Rev. Mike Reeves officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery. The family will receive    

Mrs. Shipton was born March 18, 1945 in Wilkes County to Bill and Margie Felts Reeves.  She was a member of Round Mountain Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by a son; Jimmy Shipton of Wilkesboro and a brother; Paul Christopher Reeves of Morganton.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Round Mountain Baptist Church, 3228 Airport Road, Hays, NC 28635.  

 Ronald Hamby, 70

Mr. Ronald "Ron" Lee Hamby, age 70 of Purlear passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services were December 5,   at Millers Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Shannon Critcher and Rev. Phillip Boyce officiating. Burial was in Stony Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.  

Mr. Hamby was born January 8, 1949 in Wilkes County to Woodrow Wilson and Vergie Mae Powell Hamby. He was a member of Millers Creek Baptist Church and a member of the Slant 6 Racing Club.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister; Diane Hamby.

He is survived by Kay Bare Hamby of the home, three sons; Christopher Dale Hamby and wife Debbie of Liberty, Ronald Eric Hamby and wife Deanna of Orlando, FL and David Lee Hamby and wife Charlene of Palmetto, FL and special daughter-in-law: Tracy Hamby, three grandchildren; Christopher Thomas Hamby, Parker Wilson Hamby, Carley Lynne Hamby and two step-grandchildren; Jaden Hamby and Peyten Hamby, special extended family; Lori Bledsoe, Ivy Bledsoe, Iris Bledsoe, Ginger Hamby, Jacob Hamby, Anna Hamby and Julie Hamby.  

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Wilkes County Cruisers, PO Box 1461, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or Stony Hill Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 97, Purlear, NC 28665.

   Lura Grimes, 95

Miss Lura Mae Grimes, age 95 of Wilkesboro, passed away Monday, December 2, 2019 at her home.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, December 8, 2019, at Rickards Chapel with Rev. Richard Watts, Bishop George Morgan and Rev. Keith D. Knox, Sr. officiating. Burial was in Rickards Chapel Cemetery.  

Miss Grimes was born August 22, 1924 in Wilkes County to Fred Vernon and Ethel Vyra Barber Grimes. She retired as a Telephone Operator with NY Bell (AT&T), having worked from the 1940s until the 1970s. She was a member of Rickards Chapel and the Mother of the church. Lura was an active member of the Roots of Love and was very involved in the Lincoln Heights Community.  She was a local history enthusiast, loved to travel and was just a phenomenal person with a sharp mind as well as the matriarch of her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters; Mary Louise Anderson, Violet Mackay and Vera Jane Grimes, four brothers; Grover Columbus Grimes, Glenn Alvin Grimes, Fred Earl Grimes and Everett Lee Grimes.

She is survived by two sisters; Reba Williams of Queens, NY and Elizabeth W. Hubbard of Buffalo NY and a host of other relatives and friends.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Rickards Chapel PO Box 1689 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

 Thomas Hampton, 64

Thomas Odell Hampton, age 64, of Roaring River, passed away Monday, December 2, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. He was born January 29, 1955 in Surry County to Cornelius and Willie Parker Hampton. Mr. Hampton was a member of Mt. Valley Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Olga Sales Hampton; brothers, William Parker, James Hampton, McNeil Hampton; and sister, Mary Redman.

Surviving are his son, Scott Satterwhite and spouse Barbara of Hudson; daughter, Tina Lineberger and spouse Ruben of Roaring River; siblings, Luthedia Jones, Worth Hampton and spouse Angela all of North Wilkesboro, Sally Scales of Jonesville, Ronnie Hampton, Jennie Wilborn and spouse Timmy, Sylvia Hernandez and spouse Filemon all of Roaring River; grandchildren, Izaiah Carlton, Jaylin Richardson, Dalton Stepps, Dathan Holsclaw, LaShae Holsclaw, Sovereign Satterwhite, Christian Satterwhite, Quincy Lineberger, Keyonta Lineberger several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was  December 6,  at Mt. Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Roaring River with Rev. Casey Walker, Rev. Calvin Bryant, Bishop Ruben Lineberger and Rev. Ernest Martin officiating. Burial  followed in the Church Cemetery.  Flowers will be accepted. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

  Gary Hamby 70

Mr. Gary Van Hamby age 70 of Millers Creek, passed away Monday, December 2, 2019.

Funeral services were December 7,  at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Mark J. Hall and Pastor Steve Laws officiating. Burial with Military Honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142 was in the church cemetery.  

Mr. Hamby was born January 11, 1949 in Wilkes County to Edgar Jones Hamby, Jr and wife Brona Rae Staley Hamby. Gary served in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict from 69-70, where he reached the rank of E5 Sergeant. He retired from Holly Farms/Tyson Foods as Plant Superintendent with 37 years of service and was the owner of Hamby Auto Broker. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Gary was a devoted Husband, Daddy, (Best Friend) and Pa.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother; Ronnie Hamby.

Mr. Hamby is survived by his wife of 50 plus years; Judy Kay Minton Hamby of the home, a son; Chad Van Hamby and wife Amanda of Wilkesboro, two granddaughters; Ella Grace Hamby and Addison Layne Hamby, three brothers; Rayvon Hamby of Millers Creek, Kevin Hamby and wife Kathy of Millers Creek and Steve Hamby and wife Geraldine of Statesville and "good friend' Larry Dale Ross.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church PO Box 1516 Millers Creek, NC 28651.

 Richard Greene 64

Mr. Richard Edward Greene age 64 of Wilkesboro, passed away in Mt. Airy.

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in the Barnes Family Cemetery in Churchland, North Carolina.

Mr. Greene was born August 22, 1955 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Edward Franklin Greene and Frances Curlee Greene. He was a member of Community Baptist Church.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister; Katherine Ann Greene.

He is survived by his mother; Frances Curlee Greene of North Wilkesboro,  a brother; Stephen Greene and wife Vanya of Wilkesboro, a niece; Lindsay Greene of Raleigh and three nephews; Matthew Greene of Sarasota FL, Trevor Greene of Wilkesboro and Trenton Greene of Wilkesboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Churchland Baptist Church 7516 North Carolina Hwy 150S Lexington, NC 27295 or to the Donor's Choice.

[poorquentyn]

well hello fellow Seymour Skinner fan! *waves* Agree with you re Principal and the Pauper - also think it's a testament to how great he is as a character that people did and still do get so worked up about that episode. Could you go a bit more into why he's your 2nd favourite non-Simpson character? Do you have any particular favourite Skinner scenes/episodes?

Sure! The basic template for Seymour Skinner’s character is laid out in “Bart’s Friend Falls in Love,” definitely in my top 10 episodes. The principal of Springfield Elementary starts out his affable, nerdy self, welcoming a new student, before spinning to the window, the shadow of the blinds covering his face, regaling her with an intense Vietnam flashback. “Every night I wake up screaming…” And then his head pops back up, eyes bright and wide, the lighting back to normal. “Well, let’s go and meet your classmates!” 

Like I said in my post on “The Principal and the Pauper,” that’s Skinner: silly on the surface, traumatic underneath, but the writers almost always land back on silly. Which could come off as kinda cruel if it weren’t so loving. His character works so well because of the interstitial moments in which he’s alone, before Bart ruins everything: the principal walking down an empty hallway, a slight grin on his face, singing softly to himself or saying “Ah, the joys of *banal school object or activity*!” His rigid personality (“the rod up that man’s butt must have a rod up its butt!”) gives way in these moments to the kind, lonely man who falls for Edna Krabappel. 

Of course, sometimes you just need a dose of the silly, which is what Superintendent Chalmers is for. There are few things funnier in life than Skinner saying “SuperintendentCHALmers!” just like that. Those scenes are so fun in part because the dynamic here is rooted in shows and movies about high school and college–the hapless principal/dean feels his bull-like boss breathing down his neck, leading him to crack down on the kids. But when you translate that to elementary school, where they’re surrounded by screaming li’l tykes, it becomes such a beautiful farce. One of my favorite Skinner scenes is completely divorced from any emotional or physical reality, and is still a knockout on a pure old-timey escalating cartoon comedy level:

Pretty much every line in that scene is a candidate for “best line in that scene,” and that defines The Simpsons at its best. 

#the simpsons

[smeetahirani]

11 weeks today - Tribute to my Dad. I miss you, Papa.

“Trying to reach you on Skype yaar – kyaan cho?”

 I threw my mobile on the bed and quickly grabbed my dupatta from the closet. It was a message from my sister in Dubai and I quickly realized it was Thursday. The day my mom has recited a story and prayers for as long a can I can remember. The weekly ritual when we have a 3-way Skype video across Dubai, Dallas and Seattle.

 I hear my mom’s voice on the other end. “Beta, taree vaad joey rahee thee. Chal, havey start karoo?”

 I nod.

 I watch her on the video she has just turned on. Her white dupatta neatly sitting on her head. The agar bati, glass of water and some channas and kishmish in the same small stainless steel plate in front of her on that beige carpet.

 My sister in Dubai is surrounded by her two boys – my nephews who have brought more love to my life than I thought I had capacity for.

 I close my eyes. Over the next 12 minutes, I am transported to that room in Dallas. Sitting beside my mom. On the floor. I envision her and think that she is not able to sit as she used to.

 I can smell incense in the room.  Mom likes Jasmine. I feel my dad’s presence in the other room. I can see my grandfather’s picture and the one across is an old wooden frame of my grandmother intently listening to her brother.

 I am in the presence of what we call “buzurgh” in our family. These people are my roots, my family - the ones I turn to in hard times and ones I shout out to from the rooftops when I am filled with more joy than I can handle -- and everything in-between.

 I catch myself and tune back to my mom’s voice. I have heard the same story she recites for decades. I don’t even try to understand what it is saying. It doesn’t matter.  All I know is that these moments in some ways bring solace. Her voice fades away…

 “Beta, you want to recite aaytal kursi?” I hear my sister’s voice ask my nephew who is 12.  Gibran’s fluency in Arabic is a stark contrast to my mom’s Gujrati story. My other nephew who is almost 17 follows.  

 We share a moment of silence together.

 This moment… I am fully in this moment. It doesn’t happen very often but these moments fill me. It fills me in ways I didn’t know I was starved for. It is in these moments I feel I am exactly where I need to be. To be surrounded by this energy, this prayer and the 5 of us in silence, marking this day, this ritual with my mom.

  “Hu kene pani piravu? Kaun khasey aa chana? Papa ne bao miss kareen rahi choo beta.” My mom blurts out.

 I feel chocked up and wanted to tell her I miss Dad too but instead I use distraction. “Mummy, what are you going to cook for me when I am there? List moqlavee rahee choo.”

 She is not falling for it. I can feel her tears that have not made their way out yet.

 Mummy starts showing the picture she got framed in Karachi last week. It is a picture I had taken when Papa visited me in Seattle. I had taken him to a local pizza place called Belltown Pizza. He looks so handsome and I remember holding my head up high, feeling so proud to call him my father. “Yup, this is MY dad.”

I quickly turned the camera around and point to my bedroom wall to show dad’s pictures I wake up to every morning. His arms around my mom and he looks at peace… happy.

 “Today marks 11 weeks sis.” I hear my sister’s voice.

 Instantly I feel my heart just got heavier. I turn my video off.

 11 weeks.

 11 weeks since the night we stood by his bedside, the night the 3 sisters took turns watching over him in 30 minute intervals. I watched as the time between his breaths increased. I patiently waited for the next breath. And with every breath that followed, so did a sigh of relief and gratefulness. 

He’s ok. He is ok. Its all going to be ok.

I silently told him I love him. That I am sorry. 

It was 2:30 in the morning and I started to drift off.

 It was around 4:00 AM, that my sister woke me up. She didn’t have to say anything. I was to call the Hospice and have the nurse come over. How does one ever prepare to make a call like that? Suddenly, its like you are trying so hard to speak but there is no voice.

 I don’t know how my mom woke up. Maybe souls that have shared 51 years together communicate in ways we mere mortals can’t understand.

 I watched my mom sobbing at my dad’s feet, holding so tightly, begging for my dad to not leave her. That she can’t do this alone. That she wants to die too.

 How am I supposed to console my mother? How can I even begin to understand what it is like to have a husband for 51 years?

 What just happened?

#imissmydad

[mredlich21]

Kepzandme alerted me to it being SRK’s 25th anniversary in films today, 25 years since Deewana came out.  I am sure everyone in the world is doing 25 songs, 25 scenes, 25 films, kind of posts.  I’m not going to bother trying to add to that.  Instead, I will do something only I can do, and put in my personal 25 best memories, in no particular order.

25. Every time a new person comes over to my apartment, making them play the fun game of “find all 7 SRK pictures”.

24.  For my 21st birthday, my sister gave me a print of the DDLJ poster which is hung in the center of my living room now, as it has been hung in the center of every place I have lived since then.

23.  Going to DDLJ at the Maratha Mandir in Bombay, realizing there are no subtitles (of course) but I don’t need them, not because my Hindi is so good, but because I have memorized the script.

(somewhere I have a photo of myself standing on the street under this poster)

22. Watching DDLJ in the laundry room of the dorms on my laptop, because I couldn’t stand to pause the film, even on watch 27, even long enough to put my clothes in the dryer.

21. Saving up money and making DDLJ the first DVD I ever bought.

20.  Watching Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and being so excited that I stayed up all night sending my sister an email describing the entire plot.

19.  Seeing My Name is Khan in theaters and crying like I was going to die.

18.  Seeing Ra. One in theaters with friends, and watching them dance in front of the screen during the end credits after everyone else left the theater.

17. Seeing Chennai Express in theaters for the 4th time, at 10:30 at night, in the middle of a blizzard, with 2 friends plus the 18 other people in the theater who were also dedicated enough SRK fans to watch it at 10:30 at night in the middle of a blizzard on the 4th week it was out.

16. Myself, and all my friends, spontaneously deciding to cancel other Valentine’s plans and instead get samosas and watch the Inner/Outer World of SRK documentary.

15. Watching Dilwale opening night with 7 friends, in a sold out theater full of SRK fangirls who screamed so loud we couldn’t hear the dialogue.

14. Buying a massive 100 Shahrukh songs CD and listening to it back and forth and back and forth every time I took the bus to visit my best friend 7 hours away while she was in med school.

13. Feeling like I could fly after I watched out of the theater after seeing DDLJ for the first time.

12.  That moment, at the end of the SLAM concert, when we noticed the massive heap of overturned chairs through the floor of the auditorium, like a tornado had come through, only it was just marking where Shahrukh had passed and the crowd had surged.

11.  That moment when he arrived at the SLAM tour, and 11,000 people held their collective breath watching this tiny figure walk into the floor, and then have a mass spiritual experience as the spotlight came down and he surged into the air.

10. The moment when I was sitting in the theater, watching DDLJ, and he told Kajol he wouldn’t come to her wedding, and backed away, and I fell in love.

9. Watching Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and that moment when he bows and freezes in front of Anushka before the end dance starts, and I knew this was something slightly different from what I had seen from Shahrukh before.

8. Singing along to “Yun Hi Chala Chal” while doing kitchen chores with my sister at my grandmother’s house.

7. Walking down the street talking to my sister on a cell phone when the title song of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai came on the songs DVD she was watching and suddenly both of us are singing along together, and I don’t even care that people are watching me.

6. Following the conflict around the release of My Name is Khan and suddenly realizing just how much I had come to care about the events happening on the other side of the world only due to my fandom for one person.

5. Walking into the movie store and having the owner hand me Om Shanti Om before I had to ask, because I had been coming in once a week for 2 months asking when it would be out.

4. Being at a friend’s house on the evening of November 1, realizing it was about to be midnight, and convincing them all to put a candle in a cake and sing “Happy Birthday” at midnight.

3. Seeing the “Chammak Challo” song trailer and getting that little burst of joy that is so rare in life.  And then re-watching it 5 million times.

2. Watching Jab Tak Hain Jaan opening night, and having two friends on either side of me grabbing my arms and screaming in my ears during the kiss scene.

1.1. Right now, sitting in my new apartment, looking at the 3 SRK pictures which were the first things I had to put up to know that I was “home”.

Happy 25 @iamsrk ! Here are my 25 best SRK memories Kepzandme alerted me to it being SRK's 25th anniversary in films today, 25 years since Deewana…

#25 Years #Shah Rukh Khan #Shahrukh Khan #SLAM Tour #SRK

[amanharwara]

Thoughts On: Kailasa - Jhoomo Re

Jhoomo Re is the sophomore studio album by the popular Indian Fusion band Kailasa lead by Kailash Kher. It's a very solid pop-folk/fusion album and I've been listening to it quite a lot in the past few weeks. The album has 9 songs with a runtime of around 41 minutes. The album mostly revolves around the topics of love, inequality and God. Kailash Kher's raw, soulful voice adds quite a lot of character to most of the songs on the album. Most of the songs on the album were written by Kailash Kher himself, except for the fourth track "Chhaap Tilak" which is a ghazal written by the 14th-century Sufi mystic Amir Khusro. The album features one of Kailash Kher's most popular songs, Saiyyan. By the way, this review won't necessarily be a proper review, rather just my thoughts on it.

Bum Lahiri / Babam Bam

The first track off the album, called "Bum Lahiri" / "Babam Bam", is a very daring song written by Kailash Kher. While the song might seem to first-time listeners as a devotional song, that is not the sole purpose that the song intends to fulfil. The first three verses of the song are written from the perspective of Parvati's penance to achieve marriage with Lord Shiva, detailing her devotion and love for Shiva in each of the verses. Lord Shiva finally responds to Parvati in the third verse telling her that it is a bad idea for her to marry Shiva as the life he leads is not an easy one. Lord Shiva asks her what will she get in the jungles that Shiva resides in. He tells her that her penance (or "tapasya") might even lead to her death. He tells her how in the jungle the elephant trumpets and the lion roars. He tells her that his home is in the caves where he does the Tandav (or "the dance of fury") while wearing garlands made of rocks and ghosts. Shiv cautions her how this life is not suitable for her. He advises her to find a handsome, rich king and live in a palace, instead of living with him in the jungle. Kher's vocals are soulful and full of energy in this song that fit almost perfectly with the sounds of the tablas and damrus in the background. Song Rating: 8 / 10

Saiyyan

The second track is quite possibly the most popular song off the album. Saiyyan, as I understand, is about to lovers who are separated and yearning for each other to be re-united again. The song starts implying that the lovers need not any form of riches such as pearls and gemstones, but are rather content just by being with each other; they only wish for love. Lyrics of the song are quite touching and induce quite some emotions when listening to it. Some of my favourite lines from the song include "Baithoon naiyya preet ki, sansaar se thar jaaun mein", "Koi prem ki pujaaran mandir sajaaye", "Mere din khushi se jhumein, gaaye raatein". The song rightfully deserves all the praise that it gets, really. The background melody paired with the acoustic guitar and tabla sounds, compliment the pleasant and mellow, but very soulful and raw vocals sung by Kher. Similar to a lot of songs by Kailasa, the song can not only be interpreted as a song of love, but also as a song of devotion. Just like a person in love longs for their lover, a devotee constantly longs for God. For a devotee, their love for God is what makes their days lively with joy and their nights sing. Akin to the love of the lover, the devotee's service to God is an addiction. Of course, that is how you can interpret it if you wish to. For some people, the song is a melodious depiction of the craving of a lover's affection; and for others, it is a very soulful rendering of a hymn of devotion. Song Rating: 9 / 10

Joban Chhalke

The third song from the album is "Joban Chhalke", a song which is a celebration of youth. The song starts with some amazing horns (or maybe trumpets, I can't really figure it out) that continue to mix in further as the drums and tablas start playing. A melodious flute rhythm starts playing before the verse hits. The song has some very good lyrics as well. The chorus itself, "Oh Joban Chalke, Joban Chalke" means a figurative "spilling" of youth. "Bhaara maare aise jor, moonh ki khaavein sab chhor" refers vaguely to the idea of karma stating that when karma hits a person who has done bad deeds, it hits so hard that the person ends up falling face first onto the ground. "Bijli si kadke ghanghor, bhitar bhitar barle bor" talks about an impending sense of doom and torture in the form of heavy lightning and how the people sitting inside their houses are afraid of it. The song goes on to talk about the pureness of youth in further lines. Overall I think it's a pretty solid song. Song Rating: 7 / 10

Chhaap Tilak

The fourth song off the album, "Chhaap Tilak", is a song adaptation of the 14th-century ghazal of the same name written in the Braj language by the Sufi mystic Amir Khusro. The original poem named "Chhaap Tilak Sab Chheeni" has been sung in a Qawwali format by many notable Qawwals from India and Pakistan. While most of the song on the album is just a song version of the poem, there is a very harmonic introduction before the main verse. The song has a very good piano melody at the start accompanied by sounds of rain which transitions to another very nice flute melody before the chorus. The chorus contains melodies of tablas, drums, shakers and a piano. The lyrics of the song do have a romantic expression, but are indeed a devotional verse written by Amir Khusro in respect of his spiritual mentor Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya who was a Sufi saint. When interpreted in the romantical form, the lyrics are quite passionate and fanciful. The subject describes how their looks and identity were taken just by a glance from their lover, how they were intoxicated in love just by a glance. There is also very beautiful flute piece before the "Gori gori baiyyan" verse. Song Rating: 8 / 10

Tere Naina

The fifth song on the album might be the most mellow song on the track listing with melodious, soft, but powerful vocals on top of some basic music containing flutes, acoustic guitars, shakers and simple drums. However, don't let yourself think that just because these musical melodies might sound simple, that they cannot induce emotions in you. In fact, it's the opposite of that. These melodies have been composed in a manner that they aren't overdone, but still manage to make you immersed into the contents of the song. Also, the placement of the background vocals in the song is almost perfect - I have nothing but praise for that. The song is also the most lengthy song on the album, coming in at 6 and a half minutes of runtime. But that is not something that hinders the enjoyability of the song, as the song manages to immerse you for the whole runtime, and not bore you. The lyrics, while staying relatively simple compared to other Kailasa's other songs, do make you feel a connection to them. The lyrics will touch you even more if you yourself are in love; but even if you aren't, the lyrics will manage to move you. Song Rating: 8 / 10

Jhoomo Re

The next track, "Jhoomo Re" is a very powerful song in terms of the message. The song deals with caste-based and religious inequality. The song is introduced with some powerful lines from a poem by 17th-18th century poet Bulleh Shah. The introduction goes, "Chal Bulla chal othe chaliye, jitthe saare anhe; Naa koi saaddi jaat pehchane, naa koi saanu manne." In these lines, the poet Bulleh Shah – referring to himself as Bulla – tells himself to go to a place where the people are metaphorically blind; blind to a person's caste, religion and class. He wants to go to a place where nobody knows his caste and where nobody looks up to him with respect – exhibiting his need for equality. The first verse depicts a figurative scene of a person of lower caste fallen in a bazaar, covered in dirt, where the rich and pretentious kick him and the rational, astute people of the society help him. This has then been sarcastically and ironically referred to as the "brokerage" of the person. The second verse talks about how God doesn't need a scale to keep the world in balance and measure the good and evil. "Tere rom rom mein Ram-Ram, tu patthar mein sar kyu maare" might be questioning idol worship, stating that there is presence of God within you, so you don't need to figuratively hit your head on a stone. The third verse might be the most controversial and daring one, stating that there is no problem in destroying and breaking down temples and mosques, but God requests you to not break another person's heart as the heart is the special home of God. Song Rating: 9 / 10

Daulat Shohrat

Daulat Shohrat is another song that revolves around the topic of how the feeling of love trumps the greed for money and other material objects. Kher's vocals compliment the lyrics and the mood of the song perfectly and seem very emotional. However, I don't feel the song is anything special. I feel like I've heard a lot of songs that sound very much like this. The song is good, don't get me wrong there, but, whenever I put this song on, it doesn't really sound that much interesting to me. I don't have much to say other than the fact this is a pretty average song by Kailasa standards, although good nonetheless. Song Rating: 6 / 10

Yaar Sajan

Yaar Sajan is a step-up from Daulat Shohrat, sonically. It is a fusion of reggaetón drums and weeping strings. The song goes into feelings of love, as usual. The first pre-verse/introduction describes how the lover is his faith and what he worships. There is no one else of that much importance to him. He describes how his heart has blossomed in happiness after seeing the lover. He does not want to separate from the lover even for a moment. He thinks he is increasing the status of his love by kissing the lover's feet as they walk. The lyrics continue the theme of devotion of the lover throughout the song. It's a pretty good that you might want to listen to when you have recently fallen in love with someone. Song Rating: 6.5 / 10

Tu Meri Jaan Hai

The final song of the album is a very touching and beautiful Sufi song. The vocals by Kher on this one are just really really tear-jerking and touching and will most definitely induce some kind of emotion in you. The tone of the song might sound sad, but it is just a very impressive and energetic declaration of love for a person. The lyrics aren't hard to understand, but I'll try and break it down as good as possible. The song is from the perspective of a girl and she is celebrating her love. She is praying to God for her love. She doesn't care whether people will call her a mad girl, but she will keep reciting that her lover is her life and her desire. She often forgets about the world because she is immersed in love. She will set fire to the world if her lover isn't with her as the world would be pointless. She wants to have heart-to-heart conversations with her lover. She prays a million times that nothing bad should happen to her love. Song Rating: 8 / 10

Overall Album Rating: 8 / 10

#music #mu #sufi #sufi music #fusion #fusion music #indian #indian music #kailasa #album #albumreview #album review #sufi rock #rock music #folk music #bollywood #saiyyan

[tellytantra]

Decked up in a beautiful red lehnga, Naina took a quick tour around the room. As she glanced through, a photo frame with a photograph of her enjoying in the rain, kept on the side table of the bed, caught her attention. The photograph was taken without her knowledge, yet the memories associated with it, made her lips curve into a smile. She had topped the final year University examinations and the unanticipated rain had doubled her joy. She was basking in the glory of her success oblivious of her surroundings when Preeti took that picture. She laughed at her childishness and stopped in her tracks when she saw her reflection in the mirror and realisation dawned upon her. She was no longer the same carefree, chirpy, happy go lucky girl who had big dreams. The girl who stared at her across the mirror was someone's wife. The vermillion in the parting of her hair symbolised her marital status. The seven pheras taken around the sacred fire few hours before, had bounded her to her husband for seven births. She was Naina Sameer Maheshwari now. Her mind drifted to the memories of the day when she had first met Sameer's nanaji at the Shiv temple. She had saved his pooja thali from falling down when his hands trembled due to the sudden increase in his blood pressure. She took care of him and didn't leave his side until he was fine. He was deeply moved by her gesture and blessed her whole heartedly before leaving for his home. Naina had long forgotten about the incident until one fine day when she saw the same man she had helped in the mandir standing at her doorstep along with his family. He had come to her house to ask  her hand for his grandson. On learning that the man was none other than Jayprakash Maheshwari, the renowned industrialist, Naina was shocked to�� the core and so was her Taiji who had never thought in her weirdest dreams that Naina would get an alliance from such a rich family. That was the first day she had seen Sameer. Girls in her family were not allowed to look at boys directly in front of elders, so all she could manage was to catch a few glimpses here and there. Before leaving, Nanaji asked Naina to come forward and patted on her head affectionately 'Janti ho Naina, jis din mai tumhe mandir me mila tha, tum mere man ko bhaa gayi thi. Maine usi din soch liya tha ki mere Sameer ki Dulhan tum hi banogi. Lekin beta, tum par koi zabardasti nahi hai, ye shaadi sirf tumhari razamandi se hogi. Islie aaram se sochna aur fir faisla krna. Haan par mai ye zarur kehna chahunga ki agar tum hamare ghar aaogi to tumhe hum apni beti bana kr rakhenge. Naina's eyes began to tear up as emotions took the better of her. This was the first time when someone apart from her Chacha Chachi had talked to her with such love and warmth. Her father and taiji had always chided her for bringing bad luck to their family.  'Hume aapke jawab ka intezar rahega', saying this, Maheshwaris took their leave. The next few hours were spent in the Agarwal household quarrelling and hurling accusations at each other. While Tauji, Taiji and Rakesh  were angry at Anand for not agreeing immediately to the proposal, Anand and Bela were adamant on making Naina study further. This was not something new for Naina. Through out her growing years, she had seen her chachaji fighting for her rights while her own father never cared for her happiness. She was a burden to her father and he wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible. 'Dekho Anand, mat bhulo ki Naina meri beti hai. Uski zindagi ke faisle lene ka haq sirf mujhe hai. Aur kya karoge use aage padha kar? Graduation karwa di na. Aur ab kya collector banaoge is? Ladkio ki pdhai kisi kaam ki nahi hoti.  Aur vaise bhi itnaa rishta bar bar nahi milta' shouted Rakesh wanting to make his point clear to his younger brother. Taiji supported his argument and added fuel to the fire ' Han bhai bin maa ki bacchi hai, shakal Surat bhi theek hi hai, aur tum itna acha rishta thukrana chahte ho. Nahi Anand Babu aisa nahi ho skta.' Anand tried to knock some sense into their minds but ultimately he had to give up when Rakesh threatened to leave the house and never come back. Naina who was witnessing everything standing at the corner, sighed as noone bothered coming up to her and asking what she wanted. It was normal for girls of her age to get married but Naina was different from others. All her life, she had not dreamt of any guy.  While her friends would drool over filmy heroes, she would  utilise her time in studies. After graduation, she wanted to study more and make her name in the world. She knew that she would have to get married some day but she was not ready yet. Naina badly wanted to go and tell her father that she wouldn't get married without achieving her dreams but she didn't have the courage to stand against him. Infact, if chachaji had not intervened, her father would have got her married after school only. Dejectedly, she accepted her fate. Things proceeded at a very fast pace after Agarwals agreed for the marriage. Sameer and Naina's marriage was fixed after three months. They met only twice during their courtship period that too in the presence of their families. They did not get any chance to interact as talking on phone was not allowed in her house. Neither Sameer asked to meet her alone, nor did Naina make any efforts to talk to him. Her chain of thoughts was broken as she heard footsteps approaching towards the door. Realising Sameer might be coming soon, nervousness started building up in her mind. She immediately sat down on the bed and her head started spinning with a flood of thoughts. What was she supposed to do? She had no idea what a couple was supposed to do on their wedding night. She remembered herself and Preeti asking Pooja di about her marriage night and not having the courage to listen to any of the details. Was Sameer going to do the same with her? Or would he talk to her and befriend her?  Should she tell him about her intention of studying further? Would he listen to her? She felt so stupid. She had been sulking around for the last three months without realising that she would have to face him some day. She wished she had listened to Pooja di and chachiji's advices. Sameer opened the door and froze at his place seeing his bride. She wasn't doing anything except sitting there waiting for him and yet she appeared ethereal. Owing to his busy schedule and the restrictions of not talking over the phone, Sameer hadn't really gotten to know her better. They were still strangers, strangers who were now tied into the holy bonds of matrimony. He locked the door and came to sit beside Naina. Akwardness engulfed the atmosphere as both sat in silence for the next half an hour. Naina, not accustomed to a prolonged period of silence, began looking here and there searching for something. 'Kya dhundh rahi ho?, Asked Sameer curiously. 'Vo doodh ka glass, hai hi nahi yaha pr' Naina replied confusedly. 'Mai doodh nahi pita, islie nahi rakha  hai. Tumhe peena hai to mai laa deta hun', said Sameer. 'Mujhe nahi, aapke liye chahie, Pooja didi ne kaha tha aapko dene ke liye aur maine movies me bhi dekha hai ki apne pati ko dena rehta hai. Hearing her reply, Sameer burst into peals of laughter. His response didn't go well with Naina and she asked angrily 'Aap has kyu rahe ho?' 'Has islie raha hun kyunki mjhe pata nahi tha ki meri biwi itni filmy hai. Vaise tumhe pata bhi hai, doodh ka glass kyu piya jata hai? , Sameer enquired. 'Nahi pata, pr itna zarur pata hai ki koi bhi pati apni patni par aise nahi hasta, huh,' saying this Naina turned her face sideways. Her cuteness took his heart away and he looked at her lovingly wondering how could someone be so innocent? He inched closer to her 'accha sorry, aage se nahi hasunga, maaf kar do'. Naina turned to look at him and saw him holding his ears in an apology. His antics melted away her anger and she smiled forgiving him. Confirming that her anger has subsided down, he got up and walked toward his cupboard. He took out an envelope from there and handed it to Naina. 'Ye kya hai?' asked Naina. 'Umm mjhe laga meri biwi itni filmen dekhti hai to use ye bhi pata hoga ki first night ko husband apni wife Ko kuch gift krta Hai', to ye hai tmhara gift. Chalo kholo ise. Sameer replied calmly. Naina carefully tore the seal of the envelope and took out a bundle of sheets stapled neatly. As she began to read the words written on the first page, her eyes welled up in tears. She looked up at Sameer and said 'Ye , ye to' 'Ye to tumhari first story hai' Sameer completed her sentence and continued 'ye draft hai, do teen din me dekh lena agar kuch editing me problem ho to, hum theek kara lenge aur fir use publish hone ke liye de denge. Naina couldn't control her  tears  and managed to say in between he hiccups 'Par aapko kaise pata?' 'Yaad hai, ek din meri car kharab ho gayi thi tumhare ghar ke paas to chachaji mjhe apne sath ghar le aaye the? Tum ghar nahi thi us din. Hall me painting chal rhi thi to Preeti ne mujhe tmhare room me bitha diya. Ab hone vali biwi ke room me tha, to chedhchad to banti hai na? Asked Sameer teasingly which made Naina smile.  'Bas tabhi tmhari study table par tumhari kahaniyo vali notebook mil gayi. Preeti se pucha to usne bataya ki tumhe likhne ka bohat shauk hai lekin ghar par kisiko pasand nahi islie tum chip kar likhti ho. Maine to usi time decide kr liya tha ki sari stories pdhungaa aur utha li maine tmhari notebook lekin Preeti se bakayda permission le ke. Shayad vo shadi ke kaamon me tmhe batana bhool gayi ho. Jaise hi ghar aya sari rat jaga aur sab stories padh daali. Naina tum maanogi nahi jab main ye stories padh raha tha mjhe laga hi nhi ki ye kisi amateur writer  ki hai. Tumhare shabd aur tumhara kahaniya likhne ka andaaz dil ko chu jata hai. Tum bohat pratibhashali ho. Bas fir agle din hi publisher ke paas ye notebook Munna ke hatho bhijwa di. Khud islie nahi Gaya kyunki mai nahi chahta tha ki mera naam juda hone ki vajah se koi tmhare talent ki kadar na kare. Aur madam, publisher to pehli story pdhte hi aapka fan ho gaya. Aur baki to aap smjh hi gayi hongi' Naina looked at him not knowing how to react. Nobody except her chachaji and Preeti had ever approved of her writing. Her father had scolded her very badly when he accidentally read one of her stories. But this man, with whom she had not even shared a proper conversation till now, believed in her and was ready to share her dreams. Suddenly her chachaji's words echoed in her ears ' Beta, mujhe pata hai tu udna chahti hai aur is baar tere chacha ji tere sapno ko bacha nahi paaye. Lekin mjhe is bat ka pura yakeen hai ki Sameer tujhe vo pankh dega jo tujhe aaj tak is ghar me nhi mile. Meri Naina ke har sapne me vo rang bharega, ye tere chachaji ka bharosa Hai'. 'Kahan kho gayi? Aur itne aansoon. Mujhe to laga tha khush ho jaogi ye dekh kar, chalo aansoo poncho, Sameer handed over his handkerchief to Naina. Naina wiped her tears and thanked him. 'Thanks? Dekho ye thanks vanks nahi chalega. Hum saathi hain Naina. Ek dusre ka har kadam par haath thamenge. Jab ek dagmagyega to dusra smbhal lega aur jab ek safalta ki seedhi chadega to dusra uska saath nibhaega. Aur aise hi ek dusre ke sath chalte chalte hamara shadishuda zindagi ka ye safar haseen ho jayega. Han pr tumhe mjhe ek promise krna hoga ki aage se tum koi bhi story likhogi to vo sabse pehle mujhe sunaogi. Promise? Sameer put forward his hand. Naina hesitantly put her hand in his and replied 'Promise'. 'Vaise ye photo bhi aapne Preeti se li?' Naina raised her brows in suspicion. 'Nahi, vo maine chori kari thi tumhare room se. Ab milti to tum thi nahi, na kabhi baat kri to maine socha photo se hi kaam chala lun', Sameer winked and laughed and Naina joined him too. 'Umm ab Aisa kro kapde Badal lo fir aaram se baithna, bohat problem ho rahi hogi na ye jewellery aur kapdo me? Sameer asked. Naina nodded and went to the washroom to change her clothes. When she came back, Sameer had already changed into his lower and t- shirt and was waiting for her. 'Itna time Mrs Maheshwari. Aap to bohat slow hain, chalo ab so jaate hain, kaafi raat ho gayi hai, Sameer said. 'So jaate hain? Aur kuch nahi? Par Pooja didi ne to kaha tha ki shadi Vali rat ko ki..', Naina bit her tongue as she realised she had spoken way too much. Sameer was startled by her response. Does she even realise what she speaks, Sameer thought to himself and took slow steps towards her. 'Ruk kyu gayi, pura bolo na. Shadi Vali rat Ko ki..?? Sameer came forward and stood dangerously close to her. Naina was taken aback by the sudden proximity. Her heartbeat raced as he entwined her fingers with his and firmly held her hand. This was the very first for Naina. No man had ever come this close to her. She felt a tingling sensation in her stomach and all her senses were gone for a toss. His burning gaze was evoking  new feelings within her which she wasn't able to comprehend. Sameer leaned closer and  placed a lingering kiss on her both cheeks one by one. Naina closed her eyes as she felt his lips on her skin. His touch was electrifying and she felt she was losing herself under his spell. She clutched his hand tightly, unable to control herself. Sameer enjoyed the effect he was having on Naina. He didn't want to stop but he knew this was not the right time. He needed to give space and time to Naina to let her understand things at her own pace. He whispered in her ears 'Pooja didi ne jo btaya vo hum baad ke liye rakhte hain, aaj ke liye itna kaafi hai' and pulled apart.  Sameer lied down on the bed and signalled Naina to join him. Naina, who was still in trance, switched off the lights and out of impulse, lied down beside him with her head resting on his arm. Sameer smiled, turned to her side and hugged her tightly. They fit into each other perfectly. While Sameer drifted off to sleep as soon as he landed in her arms, Naina spent the entire night admiring her husband and enjoying the warmth of his presence in her life. She was finally home. Writer: AaishaM

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#SEO #Local SEO training Samaina OS || Humsafar || YUDKBH | Sameer | Naina http://jodifiction.blogspo

[souploves-blog]

The grand, the good and the garish

Could colour define class dynamics and taste? Aditi Murti discovers the different meanings of colour in the flamboyant homes of South India, the bright slums of Mumbai and the pop palettes of Rue Crémieux in Paris.

Do beautiful cities exist? I have only known buildings like concrete creepers, running wild, thwarting all attempts at confinement into neat and easily governable grids. Even the most beloved of urban spaces - New York, London, Paris or  Mumbai - stood somber and smelly, never quite living up to the eager expectations of migrants trying to make it.

More importantly, I had never known a city to look like candy. Vast urban areas often laid themselves out as if there were no colours that existed beyond whites, greys, mould and the occasional red brick. Yet, Chennai, viewed with my nose flattened on an airplane window, was pinkyellowbluegreenpurpleorange square globs of paint, as though flicked from a child’s paint brush.

In urban spaces, where blending in is as easy as breathing, a proliferation of bright colours is a statement, almost a protest against drabness. This sort of aesthetic dissent also does phenomenally well with people. Take for example, Pondicherry’s White Town, which grew a tourist attraction upon the backbone of its beautiful yellow walls. Or La Muralla Roja - an Arab-Mediterranean inspired apartment complex in Spain that helped inspire Monument Valley, an award winning puzzle game.  More recently, the Parisian Rue Crémieux, whose residents proposed a shutdown for certain hours to control the swarm of influencers and tourists that disrupt peace. A bright paint job is clearly cute, good for business and sparks joy.

However, you are unlikely to find tourists milling around Chennai’s pops of colour.  Rather than posh Besant Nagar or Nungambakkam, these suburban 2-3 storey homes cluster around railway stations, temples and narrow, bumpy roads.

When I ask the residents about the colour schemes of their homes, a wild set of theories emerge ranging from massive paint discounts to painters recommending expensive colours as 'in fashion’ to Vaastu/Feng Shui to how certain colours would last longer and flick away dust easier. Unlike Burano Island in Venice, where fishermen painted their homes  bright colours to spot them through the fog, there is no one Indian lore to unite everyone who paints their homes similarly.

Yet, there is inspiration. In the 1960s, designer Ettore Sottsass found himself in Tiruvannamalai, documenting the bright, yet functional decor that lined the streets of the temple town. Fast forward to the‘80s, where Sottsass founded Memphis, a design collective he described as a ‘boiling cauldron of mutations that produced bastard objects through a style that traversed metaphor and utopia.’ His most famous work was created in partnership with the Italian company ‘Olivetti’- the Valentine typewriter (available in ice-blue, lime-green, polar-bear white and most iconic, lipstick red).

Many observers and critics speak about the strong, almost appropriative influence of South India’s ‘architectural kitsch’ in his design. Sottsass himself wrote of and  published photographs of homes he encountered in South India for Terrazzo, a  magazine he had founded. In a 1990 issue, he said, “The people who drew the houses I photographed during my travels seem to me a little like the stuff of those who navigate the open seas of architecture [...]. I am ready to be a "voyeur" of architecture."

Urban, planned architecture could never buy into the Memphis kitsch philosophy “The reason why modern architecture shies away from colour is simply because it is expensive and difficult  to pull off,” says Mahesh Radhakrishnan, founding partner at the Madras Office of Architects. He adds, “Years of learning from purely European and Modern design examples does not make innovation easier.” Even with over 20 years of experience and a slew of fascinating projects in MOAD’s portfolio, Mahesh’s kitschiest project kept the colours within the house.  Play Room, a kid’s activity center in Chennai is a careful duet between bright colours and light, playing with fluorescence and softening volatile colours like red. For him, there was no choosing colour without calculating how light would fall upon, reflect off and be absorbed by it.

Over his time working for a diverse range of clients, Mahesh had also observed that the rich in India rarely externalised their tastes.

“As you grow richer, your tastes get a bit...muted. People who paint their homes in soft colours on the outside deck it up beautifully on the inside. There are art, furniture and interior design marvels that you can incorporate within a house, which leaves homeowners okay with a plain white exterior. The best example of this sort of situation would be a museum. They are plain white on the outside but possess treasures inside. Whereas, a brightly painted home remains functional within, because the home in itself is art,” he says.

Vincent Leroux, who visited Tiruvannamalai to photograph Ettore Sottsass’ inspirations, also wrote “...While the multicolored façades of Tirunamavalai's houses are pure aesthetic provocation, their interior organization nevertheless meets the traditional way of life of their owners, without any conflict.”

Just like Sottsass, Dedeepya Reddy created Chal Rang De to paint away dreariness. However, the dull bits  she wanted to be rid of belonged to the slums in Asalpha, Mumbai. Reddy, the founder of  a digital media agency, would travel via metro to work daily and find her spirits ebb when she passed Asalpha. Thus, she decided to brighten it up with volunteers, bringing in good cheer, fame and also further employment for people who lived within the region. The idea blew up, and a year later, a slum in Pune was recently painted in bright colours by a different NGO named Misaal Mumbai, with an aim to ‘change the mindset of the people living within.’

What piques interest is Reddy’s interview with the Guardian, where she says, “The metro and the road seemed so developed, and this slum looked so different. It didn’t fit in. I thought of what could be done with minimum resources. Colours make me happy, so I thought, ‘Why not paint the homes to brighten them up?”

While there is positive urbanism abound in such philanthropic painting, there is also an inherent selfishness. While these movements adopt the language of change-making and positivity, their gaze remains that of the upwardly mobile person, with both distaste for how the lower class live and the mobility to fix only their problem with the view.

In his book, ‘Rule By Aesthetics’, Dr. Asher Ghertner describes the sudden illegality and  displacement orders for slum dwellers in Delhi, all on grounds of ugliness. He wrote about a particular face off between the Delhi Development Authority and an environmental group, in which a multigenerational slum “was declared ‘unplanned’ and illegal by the DDA for being a ‘nuisance’ to the neighboring middle-class residential colonies.” This led to a court supported demolition of the settlement, minus compensation.  The evidence? A set of photographs that showed the “unsightly” conditions in the slum. Conveniently, a ‘world class’ mall soon took up its space.

Does painting a slum ease away the permanent negativity that surrounds it, especially for anyone who isn’t middle/upper class? In a country where you're not hired over the area code you inhabit, how well do painted slums fare over unpainted slums? Can a coat of paint and tourist affection save you from potential demolition?

Aesthetics is a fickle thing, making beloved kitsch of what is conventionally garish.  Combined with a city’s volatile, swelling landscape, the lines between choice, taste, and class blur till a beautiful space is just the richest looking space. Maybe, pops of colour do register protest against the austerity of the moneyed.

Or maybe, as Selvaraj, a grocer from Mylapore, Chennai put it, he painted his home bright pink just because he happened to like it.

Aditi Murti loves oven roasted tomatoes, beautiful crockery and writing as an excuse to hyper-fixate on abstract notions. Read more of her work, her Twitter whining or find her actual self hanging out with the hostel stray kitten. 

[tellytantra]

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