A psychotic believes 2 plus 2 equals 5, and he is happy with it.
A neurotic knows for sure that 2 plus 2 equals 4, but it aggravates him.
Sunday, August 30. 2009
Wise and Clever - By His Art
Naguib Mahfouz died August 30, 2006. Until then, he led a life of suffering, after an assassination attempt by Islamic extremists in 1994 had left him severely injured. That was long after, in 1988, Mahfouz, as a writer with "an Arabian narrative art that applies to all mankind", had been awarded with the Nobel Prize of Literature.
I wonder whether this is true. It's not as if Mahfouz's literature wouldn't apply, but does mankind really care? To be honest, who has read any of Mahfouz's work, not being a member of Oriental Studies?
And here is the time and place to say: It is difficult. It is difficult to understand a story that is situated in an area and culture still quite unknown to us. It is difficult to read something that concerns people with an attitude and way of life so different to ours. It is difficult to follow an unknown style of story telling that is not as easy going as the typical oriental story traded in the Western World, "Alf leil wa-leila", The Arabian Nights.
As he is quoted, “You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.”, we realize, yes, Naguib Mahfouz is bound to be difficult. He might even make readers feel uneasy, at first. But if we do care for the Arab World and don't want to remain enlosing ourselves in a stone wall of prejudice, we all should face these difficulties and get involved, line by line. It's worth it.
Naguib Mahfouz
I wonder whether this is true. It's not as if Mahfouz's literature wouldn't apply, but does mankind really care? To be honest, who has read any of Mahfouz's work, not being a member of Oriental Studies?
And here is the time and place to say: It is difficult. It is difficult to understand a story that is situated in an area and culture still quite unknown to us. It is difficult to read something that concerns people with an attitude and way of life so different to ours. It is difficult to follow an unknown style of story telling that is not as easy going as the typical oriental story traded in the Western World, "Alf leil wa-leila", The Arabian Nights.
As he is quoted, “You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.”, we realize, yes, Naguib Mahfouz is bound to be difficult. He might even make readers feel uneasy, at first. But if we do care for the Arab World and don't want to remain enlosing ourselves in a stone wall of prejudice, we all should face these difficulties and get involved, line by line. It's worth it.
Naguib Mahfouz
Wednesday, August 26. 2009
What Planet Are You From?
Have you ever felt misplaced on this godforsaken shithole called earth? Maybe you are not supposed to be here at all? Maybe someone left you here and you forgot all about it? Find out where your true origin is!
Choose your answers and note their letters:
When you get lost, what do you do?
a) I hitchhike home and get lost again.
b) I stay put at home in front of my DVD player.
c) I feel the need to help others find their way.
d) I never get lost.
e) I calmly retrace my last steps.
What is your favourite food?
f) I have no favourite food.
g) I eat everything.
h) It depends.
i) Crisps and fizzy drinks.
j) Home-cooked.
When you travel, are you alone or do you prefer company?
k) I count on companionship.
l) Whatever is required.
m) I like a friend to share my experiences.
n) I'm never alone.
o) I even slow down to take someone with me.
Do you use any devices to be understood?
p) What do you mean? My mom and dad taught me to speak.
q) You seem to have no idea about what's going. You know what you need?
r) I speak 42 languages fluently.
s) Sounds as if you spoke my language quite well. Or do I know yours?
t) I have a fully functional translator who is a good friend, too. Thankyou.
How old are you?
u) This is none of your business.
v) Old enough, believe it or not.
w) Too old, believe me!
x) I'm not sure, sorry.
y) About your age?
Note the capital letter with most of your answers
If you have a high percentage of different capitals, then, of course, you are some sort of hybrid.
G = b, g, k, s, w
B = a, h, m, q, y
K = e, i, o, p, x
T = c, j, n, t, v
V = d, f, l, r, u
Meet your true heritage
G) You are from Gallifrey
Now it's official. The Doctor is not the last of the Time Lords as long as you are in this universe. Somehow your Time Lord consciousness must have been stuffed in an ancient pocket watch. That's probably why you ended up on this strange rock. You should look for this watch and release your memories, in order to find out who you really are. (Let's all hope you're not the Master.)
And then you will know your task. Do good and let your companions talk about it! You should also contact the Doctor immediately in order to form an alliance! You should not consider fighting him, though; otherwise he soon WILL be the only Time Lord left.
B) You are from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse
You keep choosing the wrong names, you like to argue with robots that have a brain a good deal bigger than yours, and you never forget your guide nor your towel.
Maybe you should learn how to avoid trouble so that you won't end up here again. Don't you know there's no place like home?!
K) You are from Krypton
We are terribly sorry to inform you that your home planet is gone. Your parents did the right thing to send you to Earth. If you need another planet we can offer you a certain daily paper in Metropolis.
Apart from that we're afraid there is only one duty for you and that is preventing harm to anyone on this world, especially a certain female reporter who constantly gets into trouble.
And you should definitely reconsider your choice of clothes (and colours!) before you go out in the open!
T) You are from Tatooine
You are definitely a good driver, and you love fast vehicles. (If you haven't found out yet, you will!)
But, whether you're good or bad, only Tatooine's twin suns will reveal that, when the time is right. Who ever brought you here to hide in this insignificant part of this just as insignificant galaxy will have to bring you back one day so that you can find out your true destiny.
Don't worry. You're not a Hutt. They're not eligible to this kind of tests. Nevertheless, maybe you should have your blood checked for midi-chlorians. It's always good to learn in time what your responsibilities are – and your abilities!
May the force be with you!
V) You are from Vulcan
It's logical. You control your emotions. You restrain yourself from giving in to temptations. You are wise and strong beyond human capability. You are telepathic and can share your mind with other living creatures. You must have come here to study the human condition.
Or you cheated in this test.
Anyway! Live long and prosper!
© 2009
To Gina
Choose your answers and note their letters:
When you get lost, what do you do?
a) I hitchhike home and get lost again.
b) I stay put at home in front of my DVD player.
c) I feel the need to help others find their way.
d) I never get lost.
e) I calmly retrace my last steps.
What is your favourite food?
f) I have no favourite food.
g) I eat everything.
h) It depends.
i) Crisps and fizzy drinks.
j) Home-cooked.
When you travel, are you alone or do you prefer company?
k) I count on companionship.
l) Whatever is required.
m) I like a friend to share my experiences.
n) I'm never alone.
o) I even slow down to take someone with me.
Do you use any devices to be understood?
p) What do you mean? My mom and dad taught me to speak.
q) You seem to have no idea about what's going. You know what you need?
r) I speak 42 languages fluently.
s) Sounds as if you spoke my language quite well. Or do I know yours?
t) I have a fully functional translator who is a good friend, too. Thankyou.
How old are you?
u) This is none of your business.
v) Old enough, believe it or not.
w) Too old, believe me!
x) I'm not sure, sorry.
y) About your age?
Note the capital letter with most of your answers
If you have a high percentage of different capitals, then, of course, you are some sort of hybrid.
G = b, g, k, s, w
B = a, h, m, q, y
K = e, i, o, p, x
T = c, j, n, t, v
V = d, f, l, r, u
Meet your true heritage
G) You are from Gallifrey
Now it's official. The Doctor is not the last of the Time Lords as long as you are in this universe. Somehow your Time Lord consciousness must have been stuffed in an ancient pocket watch. That's probably why you ended up on this strange rock. You should look for this watch and release your memories, in order to find out who you really are. (Let's all hope you're not the Master.)
And then you will know your task. Do good and let your companions talk about it! You should also contact the Doctor immediately in order to form an alliance! You should not consider fighting him, though; otherwise he soon WILL be the only Time Lord left.
B) You are from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse
You keep choosing the wrong names, you like to argue with robots that have a brain a good deal bigger than yours, and you never forget your guide nor your towel.
Maybe you should learn how to avoid trouble so that you won't end up here again. Don't you know there's no place like home?!
K) You are from Krypton
We are terribly sorry to inform you that your home planet is gone. Your parents did the right thing to send you to Earth. If you need another planet we can offer you a certain daily paper in Metropolis.
Apart from that we're afraid there is only one duty for you and that is preventing harm to anyone on this world, especially a certain female reporter who constantly gets into trouble.
And you should definitely reconsider your choice of clothes (and colours!) before you go out in the open!
T) You are from Tatooine
You are definitely a good driver, and you love fast vehicles. (If you haven't found out yet, you will!)
But, whether you're good or bad, only Tatooine's twin suns will reveal that, when the time is right. Who ever brought you here to hide in this insignificant part of this just as insignificant galaxy will have to bring you back one day so that you can find out your true destiny.
Don't worry. You're not a Hutt. They're not eligible to this kind of tests. Nevertheless, maybe you should have your blood checked for midi-chlorians. It's always good to learn in time what your responsibilities are – and your abilities!
May the force be with you!
V) You are from Vulcan
It's logical. You control your emotions. You restrain yourself from giving in to temptations. You are wise and strong beyond human capability. You are telepathic and can share your mind with other living creatures. You must have come here to study the human condition.
Or you cheated in this test.
Anyway! Live long and prosper!
© 2009
To Gina
Monday, August 24. 2009
One British Musical Magician, No Beatle, Still Birthday Greetings
Someone's very much alive in the music business. August 24th, 2009, and it's Ken Hensley's birthday, guess which one.
We fans all truly loved Ken, didn't we? And true love never dies. But we won't believe it, it's been 40 years since he and his mates founded a rock band in Britain that was named after a character in Dickens's "David Copperfield". (How old we are!)
Of course, not everyone knows this guy, or "Uriah Heep", even though just about everyone can intone Ken's "Lady in Black". You mention this title, and they all nod vigorously, aah, aah, aah, aaha-aah, aaha-aah. Just fans will again, sorely afflicted, raise their eyes, because the song is so untypical for this band, and still, notwithstanding, a unique master piece.
Ken left Uriah Heep in 1980. It was when they had the worst of times, I'm sure. He did solo stuff, of course, as they all do, and he went to the US, where also many went. There he joined Blackfoot, W.A.S.P., Cinderella, bands that not too many people will know. It went on all through the nineties, "From Time To Time", and "A Glimpse of Glory" with Visible Faith, and then Ken jumped into the next millennia with John Lawton and Paul Newton, back to the roots, so to speak.
"Running Blind", "The Last Dance", "Cold Autumn Sunday", the rock opera "Blood on the Highway" and much, much more; always playing keyboard, singing, writing, Ken never had to have a come-back. He just never stopped being what he is, a full born musician. 64 or not, it's his destiny.
Ken's Website
Interview 2009 and part of July Morning (Live)
We fans all truly loved Ken, didn't we? And true love never dies. But we won't believe it, it's been 40 years since he and his mates founded a rock band in Britain that was named after a character in Dickens's "David Copperfield". (How old we are!)
Of course, not everyone knows this guy, or "Uriah Heep", even though just about everyone can intone Ken's "Lady in Black". You mention this title, and they all nod vigorously, aah, aah, aah, aaha-aah, aaha-aah. Just fans will again, sorely afflicted, raise their eyes, because the song is so untypical for this band, and still, notwithstanding, a unique master piece.
Ken left Uriah Heep in 1980. It was when they had the worst of times, I'm sure. He did solo stuff, of course, as they all do, and he went to the US, where also many went. There he joined Blackfoot, W.A.S.P., Cinderella, bands that not too many people will know. It went on all through the nineties, "From Time To Time", and "A Glimpse of Glory" with Visible Faith, and then Ken jumped into the next millennia with John Lawton and Paul Newton, back to the roots, so to speak.
"Running Blind", "The Last Dance", "Cold Autumn Sunday", the rock opera "Blood on the Highway" and much, much more; always playing keyboard, singing, writing, Ken never had to have a come-back. He just never stopped being what he is, a full born musician. 64 or not, it's his destiny.
Ken's Website
Interview 2009 and part of July Morning (Live)
(Page 1 of 3, totaling 10 entries)
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