Burn Out Than Fade Away ...

Most movie makers work backwards. First they look for that brilliant ending. A shocking one. Or a surprising one. One the audience cannot predict midway. Once it's in place, they work the story backward. Find the characters, build them, name them and write the story. Lay out the path that leads to the finish. Leave enough hints on the way, but not too obvious. Be vague in some places. Set them up for something, then pull the carpet from underneath. Bait and switch.

And this is how Gwindle Adams liked to make his movies. All seven of them. Each of them had left his audience surprised. Yes, the word was Surprised,  though he liked to believe they were Stunned. But this eighth movie was different. He had finished shooting almost two hours worth of footage, but hadn't thought of the climax yet. He had begun shooting before the idea came by. Six months in and no ending decided. First time ever. Gwindle closed his eyes and went into deep thought.

Joseph Newrich came in smiling, almost apologetic. Gwindle's assistant. Fancy designation - Head of Creativity. Full of ideas. None of them good. "You wanna hear #15?" he asked. He immediately realized he had phrased it wrong. It would remind Gwindle that 14 times he had failed. Before Gwindle could react, he began speaking - "Tom gets depressed, starts drinking, goes mad and burns down the last building he built." Gwindle heard him, twisted his face and threw his glass at Joe. Lost his temper. Screamed like a madman. First the glass dining table was broken, then the vodka bottle and a few books were thrown at Joe. That's when Joe walked out, wiping the blood off his forehead.

Joe had had enough. He hated his job. This was going nowhere. He sat down, wanting to quit and walk away. Ten minutes later, Gwindle came out to apologize. He tried his best to look genuine. It won't happen again, Gwindle assured him. This is not the first time, mumbled Joe as he felt the other 3 scars on his face. Gwindle ignored him and began to talk calmly and slowly.

"Listen to me carefully. Concentrate. I'll recap the story so far. Understand the flow and what I want. Ok? The protagonist Tom is a famous architect. He's built seven monuments. All of them are now tourist attractions just for the design. He's received multiple awards. Fame. Money. Women. He's living the rockstar life. But it's fragile. One bad building and it would all be over. He's now building the eighth. And he knows it isn't his best. He's struggled for ideas. He still doesn't know how it'll finally look. And he knows a ninth one will be a disaster. Will ruin his reputation. This is his last. Gotta retire now. Before people realize he's lost it. Got it? Now I need the climax scene. He has to go. The building must remain in his memory. Need the message out subtly. Not  spoonfed. Gotta make the audience interpret. So yeah, we can't burn down the building. Got it?" Gwindle made the speech and walked away, leaving Joe in thought.

Joe sat there like a statue. Forehead creased, eyes closed, fingers clenched. An hour passed. Then a smile broke slowly. Became a wide grin. Number 16 was here. Sweet 16. This time, Joe walked in confidently. He pulled up a chair and began narration. He spoke non-stop to a bewildered Gwindle. Once he was done, Gwindle was sold on the idea. He got up and gave Joe the longest hug. Holding his shoulders, he said "I love you, my man. I'm gonna miss you." They got to work.

The movie released a month later. First day first show sold out. Packed cinema hall. Gloomy crowd. Some people standing. Some on the floor. Not enough space. They watched silently for an hour and 50 min. They loved Tom. They cared for him. They loved the eighth monument. They felt sad when he cried. They laughed when Tom laughed. They wondered what Tom was going to do.

The final scene began. Tom sitting in his twelfth floor apartment. Sitting by the window. A drink in his hand. Bright daylight outside the window. Buildings all around. He spoke emotionally into a tape recorder. He spoke about his past. He spoke the truth. He said he wasn't happy with his work anymore, and wanted to stop. I want to burn out, not fade away. He told the box that he's giving up and retiring in some secluded island. Goodbye he said, but he won't kill himself. Switching off the recorder, he said to himself, but actually addressing the audience - "I don't wanna leave a lie behind. I'll be honest to myself and all my followers. No subtlety. No secrecy. Gotta go out my way" and put the tape in a bag that read "Confidential. For the New York Times."

He took a swig from the whiskey and stared out the window. The cinema hall fell silent. They saw some movement in the window opposite Tom's window. Slight movement of a man. They didn't know if it was relevant. This man walked out of the window and stood on the edge. The screen began to shake. The cameraman was adjusting. He was zooming into the opposite window. Before the blur went, the man jumped. The camera moved to the window and looked down. The audience followed the view. The camera focussed. The face of the splattered body was now visible. The audience gasped. They knew the face. This scene looked real. The screen went blank.

"Please note - The final scene was caught on camera accidentally. It was not part of the shoot" it said in the middle of the screen.

They were stunned, not surprised. The longest applause followed when the screen read "In loving memory of Mr.Gwindle Adams. Rest In Peace." A standing ovation followed. Applause went on for ten minutes.

Tears rolled down Joe Newrich's eyes as he clapped from the first row. "Just the way he wanted.", he told himself. "Gwindle had burned out. Not faded away".

(from: http://senthilsblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/burn-out-than-fade-away.html)

Internet Insecurity: The 25 Worst Passwords of 2011...

You've got locks on your doors and maybe even an alarm system guarding your home. But all that stands between criminals and your bank account information is the word "password." Sound familiar?

SplashData created the rankings based on millions of stolen passwords posted online by hackers. Here is the complete list:

25 Worst Passwords of the 2011

1. password

2. 123456

3. 12345678

4. qwerty

5. abc123

6. monkey

7. 1234567

8. letmein

9. trustno1

10. dragon

11. baseball

12. 111111

13. iloveyou

14. master

15. sunshine

16. ashley

17. bailey

18. passwOrd

19. shadow

20. 123123

21. 654321

22. superman

23. qazwsx

24. michael

25. Football

Here's a tip for creating a more secure password: Make it eight characters or more, and use multiple types of characters -- upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. 

 How often do you change your passwords?

Once a month.Twice a year.Once a year.I never change them.

  

(by Sheryl Nance-Nash)

(http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/15/internet-insecurity-the-25-worst-passwords-of-2011/)

50 Banned Books That Everyone Should Read...

As long as there have been books, there have been people opposed to what is said in some of those books. Authors who challenge the accepted norms in their literature are often the target of angry people who do not understand or appreciate their literature.

The following books are excellent examples of great literature that has become banned or challenged in an attempt to shield the public from what some see as inappropriate.

 

 Protect the Children

These books have all been at the heart of controversy over their appropriateness for children and youth to read.

1. Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. Frequently a target of censorship, this classic coming-of-age story of a teenage boy in New York is often banned due to the language and sexuality–particularly a scene with a prostitute.
2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Offensive language, in particular, one very racially-charged word, is the usual reason given for banning this book, which has been controversial since it was published in 1884. Twain’s famous story highlights the friendship between a white boy and a black man in a book that attempted to challenge the racism Twain saw around him.
3. Forever by Judy Blume. Blume is frequently the target of censorship as many of her books deal with teen issues revolving around becoming a sexual being. Forever documents a high school girl’s loss of virginity and delves into the emotional aspects of her choice.
4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. This fantasy novel says much about friendship and loyalty, but it also says plenty about not following a religion blindly. Many have seen the book as anti-religion and have banned the book.
5. Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Most who oppose this book claim the violence, language, and the implication that man is little more than an animal as the reasons. The book depicts a microcosm of society played out on an island populated by young boys stranded there and trying to survive. The struggle between good and evil and the exploration of human nature can force readers to examine themselves in ways that may not feel comfortable.
6. The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. Some parents object to the magic and wizardry that is at the heart of the Harry Potter books. Because of their objections, many schools and libraries have banned these books.
7. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. A powerful book that explores friendship, life, and death, this book is often banned due to what some feel is offensive language and scenes of witchcraft which some believe promotes disobeying authority as well as anti-religious sentiments. Oddly, the theme of death, which is a major element in the novel, is also used as a reason to ban this book.
8. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. This book depicts a child who lives under the oppression of mean caretakers and relies on his creativity and an alternate world in order to survive. Those opposed to the book dislike the violence, language, and disobedience towards adults.
9. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. This children’s story tells of two male penguins at a zoo who care for an egg together. Despite the reality that male penguins bond together to care for their eggs in nature and that the two characters in the book are based on actual penguins from the Central Park Zoo, the idea of two males creating a family has forced many to ban the book due to reasons of homosexuality and anti-family issues.
10. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. The bonds of family and friendship are at the heart of this novel, but it also highlights the battle of good and evil and brings in supernatural spirits, therefore making it a target for those worried about the religious implications they feel the novel makes.
11. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. Selling chocolates as a fundraiser at school not only sets off fictional turmoil in this book, but it also prompts parents to challenge the book. Reasons given include language, violence, resisting authority, and sexuality.
12. The Giver by Lois Lowery. The award-winning book that depicts a society driven to maintain an amazing amount of control over its members, including euthanasia and suicide. Some parents have reacted strongly to these themes in the book and have taken the book as an endorsement for killing.

 

Religion and Politics

Banned by governments, taken off shelves at libraries, and removed from schools, these books have been contested because of the way they portray religion or politics.

13. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. This book of magical realism describes a battle between God and the devil through the depiction of two men who go through fantastical journeys. This book was so reviled by several governments and religious leaders in Asia and the Middle East that a fatwa was issued against Rushdie, who had to live in hiding for many years in order to avoid being killed.
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Irving’s book is a powerful one that highlights the loyalty and bonds of friendship and family in a poignant and humorous manner. Some feel that the stance Irving takes on religion and opposition to US in Vietnam are reason enough to ban this incredible book.
15. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. When this book was originally banned in California for obscenity. However, there is evidence that shows the censorship was lead by wealthy landowners who did not want their treatment of their workers to become highlighted from the very realistic accounts in Steinbeck’s novel.
16. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriett Beecher Stowe. When this book was published in1851, it was criticized by slavery supporters and described as a false depiction of slavery. The importance and relevance of this novel has survived the censorship it has experienced to allow current generations to learn from their ancestors’ mistakes.
17. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. On the surface this book seems it should be included in the Protect the Children section, but the reason this Dr. Seuss book is banned has more to do with adult issues. The book is an allegorical story describing the effects of poor stewardship on the Earth. Those opposed to the book, specifically some in California, feel it shows an unfair portrayal of those in the logging industry.
18. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. This popular thriller is a work of fiction, but that doesn’t mean any less to those opposed to it. Catholic leaders have banned The Da Vinci Code for what it sees as its anti-Christian sentiment and for the portrayal of Christ in a physical relationship with Mary Magdalene–even having children together.
19. 1984 by George Orwell. Perhaps one of the most famous dystopian novels written, 1984 was published in the early part of the 20th century with a warning to society that has become eerily true. The book has been banned in the past due to pro-communist sentiment and sexuality.
20. Animal Farm by George Orwell. This satirical allegory was initially banned in the Soviet Union because of its anti-Stalinism, but has also been challenged in America by parents fearful that their children will be exposed to the communist sentiment expressed in the introduction and the text.
21. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. Underlying themes in this famous work include political corruption, anti-war sentiments, and the injustices of colonization. It’s no wonder this book has been banned in several countries and Swift had to publish it anonymously.
22. Candide by Voltaire. Politics, war, colonialism, and religion are all sharply skewered with the satire in Candide. Since it’s publication in 1759 through the 20th century, this book was banned by several countries.

 

Sex

Perhaps the most popular reason a book is banned or challenged, the following books all portray sexuality in a way that has made some uncomfortable.

23. Lady Chatterley’s Lover by DH Lawrence. Lawrence’s book tells the story of an adulterous love affair and includes explicit sexual language. It was banned in the UK and Lawrence eventually published in Italy, where the first edition sold out immediately.
24. Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller. Miller’s novel was banned in Great Britain and the US due to the sexuality described in the book. Miller eventually had his autobiographical account of living in Paris published in France.
25. Fanny Hill by John Cleland. Considered the first erotic novel published in English, Fanny Hill describes the sexual exploits of a woman who begins with selling her virginity and eventually ends up a prostitute by trade. Besides the typical sexuality described in the book, there are also instances of homosexuality (both with men and women), masturbation, and sadomasochism.
26. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. Whitman published several versions of this book filled with his poetry that often celebrates sexuality, both homosexual and heterosexual. From the late 1800’s to the present day, these poems have faced challenges to be read.
27. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. New wealth, old relationships, and a society trying to find itself are at the center of this novel. Opponents of this work cite sexual references and profanity in the book.
28. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Huxley’s dystopian view of society depicts adults dulling their senses with pacifying drugs and casual sex. What Huxley uses as a tool to illustrate what he felt was wrong with society is exactly what those opposed to the book latch on to when challenging it.
29. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Hosseini’s beautiful book of friendship and loyalty examines the life of two boys in Afghanistan who come from two widely differing classes. Besides the Afghanistan government’s upset over the content of the book, others around the world have challenged the book due to claims of offensive language and a sexually explicit scene in which a young boy is raped.
30. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. This touching story of Charlie, a mentally challenged young man who participates in a scientific experiment to raise his intelligence, portrays the awakening both intellectually and emotionally of the man. A part of this awakening includes exploration of his sexuality, which has prompted many to want the book banned.
31. The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Chopin’s short novel tells the tale of a married woman who discovers herself and explores her newfound freedom through bucking societal expectations, having an adulterous affair, and eventually opting for suicide as a way to preserve her freedom and not become a slave to a life she detested. Opponents object to the sexuality.
32. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. Trapped in a loveless and unfulfilling marriage, Madame Bovary engages in adulterous affairs in an attempt to find happiness. The sexuality in the book prompted many countries to ban the book on the basis of its being immoral.
33. Rabbit, Run by John Updike. The main character, 20-something Rabbit, runs to escape the constraints of family life and becomes involved with a prostitute, an ex-girlfriend, and others as he deals with the issues surrounding his marriage. A direct result of the oppressive social atmosphere of the 1950’s, Rabbit, Run includes many sexual depictions that offended quite a few people.
34. Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. This classic autobiography is taught in almost every school in America, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t faced its challenges. Parents have protested against this book as being too sexually charged, pornographic, and even claiming it was too depressing to be taught.
35. Lolita by Vladmir Nabokov. First published by a pornographic press in France, Nabokov explores the life of Humbert Humbert, a pedophile who runs away with the 12 year-old daughter of his landlady. The book was banned from many countries and still experiences challenges today.

 

Race and Gender Issues

Racism or the treatment of women are the driving forces behind having these books removed from the public eye.

36. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Racism, language, and a rape scene are the usual culprits when banning this book. In reality, Lee was highlighting the rampant racism of her time in this much beloved book in an attempt to change the wrongs she saw in society.
37. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck’s portrayal of an unusual friendship between two men, one of whom is developmentally challenged, has prompted many to oppose the book due to the language, social and racial implications, and violence in the book.
38. The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Some of the reasons this book is challenged include the violence, profanity, and sexuality in the book, including a rape scene, but most importantly are the race relations that Walker depict. Racism is difficult to face for many and the reaction to ban literature that depicts it is a strong one.
39. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Sexual content, racism, offensive language, violence are the most popular reasons this book is challenged and continues to be today. Angelou’s autobiographical book is both shocking and beautiful as she recounts the experiences of her early life as she endured racism, abuse, and other challenges she eventually overcame.
40. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Perhaps one of the most surprising books on banned book lists, Little Women is a very wholesome depiction of a family of four sisters who struggle in poverty but are rich in love and familial ties. The reason the book is challenged may be based on what some view as punishment of the one character who has a strong feminist approach by her marriage to a boring and much older man.
41. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. This anti-war satire is surprisingly not challenged due to that theme, but because of the depiction of women in the novel. The word "whore" is used frequently and there have been claims that the book promotes misogyny.

Multiple Reasons

Sometimes a book is so controversial or so powerfully written that it hits people on several different levels. These books have been banned for many different reasons, usually including profanity, violence, and sexuality.

42. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Perhaps the most ironic banned book situation, Fahrenheit 451 deals with the issue of censorship in a dystopian society that sends firefighters out to burn down houses discovered to have books inside. Those opposed to this book claim various reasons for banning it including profanity, portrayal of smoking and drinking, and anti-religious and anti-establishment sentiments.
43. Native Son by Richard Wright. Violence, sex, and profanity are the reasons this book is frequently banned. The hard depiction of life in the novel highlights the hopelessness and racism suffered by one man and illustrates what happens to a man caught in a society that marginalizes him.
44. Beloved by Toni Morrison. Morrison’s book about an escaped slave who rears her children in a world of fright and lack of freedom includes instances of violence and sexual abuse. On the surface, the book may appear to contain gratuitous scenes, Morrison ties everything together in a cautionary reminder for society to heed the mistakes of the past.
45. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. This masterpiece of American literature explores the physical and mental journey of those oppressed by a life of poverty. The reasons many feel the need to ban this book include the references Faulkner makes to masturbation, abortion, and questioning the existence of God as well as profanity.
46. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kessey. Telling the story of a group of mentally ill patients in an oppressive hospital, this story explores what happens when someone stands up to that oppression in order to create a more equanimous situation, moral choice everyone must face, and forming friendships despite hardship. Those opposed to Kessey’s novel claim it glorifies criminal activity, is "garbage," includes bizarre torture, bad language, bestiality, and promotes secular humanism.
47. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. This dystopian story tells of a society run by men that remove all freedom from women and class them according to what purpose they can serve for the men. The story is told from the perspective of a handmaiden, or a women who is used solely for providing babies to wealthy couples. Those opposed to the book claim it is anti-Christian and pornographic.
48. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. This true story details the violent murder of an entire family by two criminals in search of money that they were wrongly informed existed at the family’s farmhouse. This book is considered to be the first true crime book, and upon its publication, many were appalled by the violence depicted in the book for what seemed no good reason.
49. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut’s book about a time-traveling prisoner of war who has no control of where he will end up next has faced challenges against what opponents feel is unnecessary sex, violence, language, anti-religion, torture, ethnic spurs, and misogyny.
50. East of Eden by John Steinbeck. The battle of good and evil in humanity is the major theme in this powerful novel that parallels the book of Genesis in the Bible. The book has been challenged as an obscenity that is ungodly.

(http://www.onlinecollegedegrees.org/2009/05/20/50-banned-books-that-everyone-should-read/)

I have a tattoo (stereotyping at its best)...

Children know laughter
They know tears

Children know peace
They know chaos

Children know acceptance
They know rejection

Children know joy
They know pain

Children know abundance
They know lack

Children know health
They know illness

Children know fulfillment
They know emptiness

Children know hope
They know dismay

Children know love
They know hatred

What they don’t know is WHY! 

(By : Namie Elisha -10years)

50 Reasons to Read Books ...

1. Books help to feel more confident
2. Books help to travel around the world in the cheapest way
3. Books develop your personality
4. Books provide food for thought
5. Books make you laugh and think
6. Books draw you towards perfection
7. Books stimulate creativity
8. Books bring out writing talent
9. Books help in communicating
10. Books clear you vision
11. Books satisfy your curiosity
12. Books help you make more choices
13. Books help you build literary talent
14. Books do not require any special device to teach
15. Books increase your attention span
16. Books are fruitful pastime
17. Books can be used anytime, anywhere
18. Books provide entertainment, when others fail
19. Books make you powerful
20. Books help you know the 'Whys' and 'Hows' of everything
21. Books help you to create and spread fun
22. Books help you travel across time intelligently
23. Books keep you updated with facts and figures
24. Books, spread love, affection and knowledge
25. Books make the best of friends
26. Books take you to intellectual environment
27. Books help you feel the world around you
28. Books entertain your mind
29. Books broaden your horizon
30. Books bring Nature to your doorstep
31. Books bring about a 'personality change'
32. Books increase comprehension
33. Books do not require company
34. Books are stress-busters
35. Books develop a sense of belonging to people around you
36. Books provide mental and physical relaxation
37. Books act as a communication tool
38. Books are an intellectually satisfying activity
39. Books provide spiritual experience
40. Books provide emotional strength
41. Books build your self esteem
42. Books help and encourage your imagination to soar
43. Books make you smarter and wiser
44. Books help you grow
45. Books take you to a 'world of dreams'
46. Books can change your life and vision
47. Books help in achieving 'life goals'
48. Books develop wonderful experience
49. Books transform lives
50. BOOKS INSPIRE, BOOKS MOTIVATE, BOOKS BUILD NATIONS

(http://tutorsden.blogspot.com/2011/10/50-reasons-to-read-books.html)