Thin flames.

The fire burnt like thin flames,

engulfed within itself.

Wanting a home so bad,

locking itself in.

Guided by no air,

the lungs were left hollow.

The fire, thin, was closing,

closing in, on itself.

Of one thing, I guess I'm sorta/kinda sure.

Life goes on, forever. Of course, most probably until you die.

But it basically goes on for a long time. You may think it's over, but no; Your story never starts. Never ends. It always is. What's true is the fact that you're alive.

You are able to think, choose. We are lucky to be born in an age where there isn't much to be afraid of, to fear. You are free. Free to use your speech. Free to make choices, judgements. But for many people, the freedom is only almost. The only one thing that would, and is ever stopping you, is you. You create the barriers in your own mind.

From whatever had or has happened to you.

Or from whatever you fear.

It's all a false facade.

Imperfections. Lies. Fake. False. Deceit. 

All, are but the reality, the truth. They exist. And you have the choice, and intuition to know what is right, and wrong. You always do, or have to means to find out the truth. 

If you have wings, and the wings are trapped, don't cut it in pieces, hoping to see tiny bits of your wings fly a little mile on their own.
Fight for freedom that will so easily be yours if you desire. Dream, and the wings will know how to break free.

It's all about how ready you are to reach out, how far you can go, how hard you can try to test your limits.



(Fuck. I preach a lot to do me any good.)

Oh hello, Steampunk!

Welcome to the world of Steampunk!

Imagine an alternate universe where romance and technology reign. A world of automations, ornate clockworks and time travel, where scientists and dreamers, intrepid orphans and schoolgirls, solve dastardly crimes, escape from monstrous predicaments and hover over volcanos in steam-powered airships.

These were the words written behind a carelessly dropped book in a bookstore I went to recently. I took a look at these words, and thus was introduced, unawarely, to the world of steampunk.

Steampunk is a sub genre of science fiction. It basically revolves around machines, or steam powered machines, life like machines, clockworks, making the impossible - possible, via simple yet amazing mechanical jobs, by gifted engineers. The 14 stories I read in this anthology (a compilation of stories) were pretty interesting. All of them were pretty weird, morbid. But every story left some sort of an impact on me. Science fiction was always my favourite genre. Anything becomes possible.

I'm always smitten by any book that I read. But as I retrospect, this book wasn't all that amazing. I did have problems understanding a few stories from this book for they were based in an entirely different culture all together. But never the less, I was introduced to the world of steampunk, and it's actually pretty interesting! Of course there are so many more steampunk based stories out there.

There are plenty of movies based on steampunk too! I had watched quite a few without even realising it. The Golden Compass, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Stardust, Around the world in 80 days, The Prestige, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Hugo, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (still have to watch this one), are all that include elements of steampunk.

This genre is indeed very interesting! The internet is filled with steampunk art. Some of them are way too beautiful. Here are a few of them.

So there you have it. The steampunk that I know of through my little tinkering with the internet. But I'm sure this genre has a lot more to offer. With time, perhaps, I shall discover more.

Sources: 
www.deviantart.com
www.google.com

Random, but not-so-random, things.

I was bored. I looked around. I noticed.

My companion. Pink. Bronze.

My love.

The best. Bronze. Pink.

My box of special trinkets. 

The innocent intruder. Mr. Shadow.

Currently reading. Steampunk!

Mindspace. Rants. The things that cross my mind.

Planets. Stars. And the sky overhead.

~ * ~

Driving!

Driving is awesome.

With the advent of the summer holidays, I was completely keen on having some new experiences while going on a drive. Well, I really didn't expect them to ACTUALLY happen, but they did.

My recent trip to Delhi had been amazing. The day I would like to share about, is when my uncle took us cousins for a drive. We were returning from the India gate to our home. Now the thing is, this uncle of mine is apparently known for his amazing driving skills. He has crossed long distances in a short time intervals, so I knew he was awesome, already. All he needed was a push I guess, and he could unleash his awesomeness driving! I was totally excited. I asked him that I'd like to sit next to him while we drove back home, for I really had heard a lot about his driving skills. Little did I know, that it was going to be one of my best experiences ever!

Delhi roads. Smooth, and clean. The traffic was well, kind of moderate too. We started of pretty nicely, and I was just gearing up with my seat belt, when suddenly, due to acceleraton, the car zoomed pass a couple of cars and I was left breath taken! All the cousins were shocked, some aware, probably used to this sort of a driving. I was just amazed! It was amazing. The thrill. The rush. And the tiny race we had against a petty Honda Civic guy was fun! Ours was a Zen. Damn, the olden cars were always so amazing. I wish I could own a Maruti 800. Probably a vintage one when I get older and richer. The turns the car took were exhilarating! Pretty dangerous too, if I am to be honest. When we reached home, my uncle made very clear of one particular thing. "Such stunts are to be performed by professionals only." - he concluded with a chuckle.

The other amazing day while we drove was again in Delhi. This time, it was my elder brother driving. Well, he doesn't really count as someone who drives rashly, but the drive itself was amazing. Delhi is usually very hot (Summers!) and if you're driving without using the air conditioner, well, be prepared to turn into roasted human pies! Even so, it was evening, so we left our windows open. Driving in Mumbai with windows open is another experience all together. (Especially as it rains!) Delhi had indeed been different.

Remember the times you've heard and realised, that yes, some of the best moments of solitude and self reflection are spent in the shower? I agree. But not completely. Because for me, it's always when I'm out on a drive.

I like watching the traffic. The buildings. The pedestrians. People in general. And I realise that life's pretty much like this drive. We just keep moving on, meeting different people as we move on, and that's about it. The drive with my brother was awesome too. I'd like to add that music makes a huge difference while on a drive. The songs played in the background gave perfect meaning to whatever I saw with my eyes, as we travelled around.

When we were back in Mumbai, I was keen on getting my hands on my OWN drivers licence. But it had to take time. 2 months, perhaps? I spent time doing the usual things I do. Making lists of what needs to be done, doing it, going crazy. Watching movies. I had a couple of movies to be watched before college started again. The Star Wars movies were included. And I enjoyed them, to the core!

Wondering why I mention this here? Well that's because, in the evening, after watching the Star Wars movies, me and my cousin brother went to check if our own car was working fine. With dad not in town for weeks, it becomes mandatory for us to take it on a small test drive now and then.

As I sat on my seat, buckled up and ready. I took a neat long look at the dashboard. The first thought in my mind were the buttons in front of my eyes. Then the light button overhead. I blinked my eyes and started to giggle. For what was just a car, seemed like a space ship to me. I wanted to sit on the drivers seat. Hold that steering wheel and just zoom off to some place unknown, with loud music, yes. And with every passing moment that I spent inside the car, my want to start driving was getting unbearable!

I have returned, just now, from the regional transport office (RTO), having completed the procedures that are needed to make a learners licence. The licence should be issued in about 2 - 3 days. After which, well, I will be able to drive.

I cannot wait to start off with my lessons! Every moment of those classes are going to be a big deal for me. It's like an opportunity, not many are blessed with. I couldn't fly my own rocket. I could start off with a car. Who knows, if I feel like it, I might even buy myself my very own custom designed bike one day.

Travelling will become oh so much more easier then.

The Tiger in the Well. My thoughts.

This one's the first Philip Pullman that I've tried out. This author is an amazing story teller! I brought the book recently, along with his Dark Materials trilogy. I wanted to compare his writings in both the scenarios taken the fact that this one's not a science fiction. It's based in the 19th century London, and describes perfectly well, the situation and the circumstances during those times. The imagery for my imaginary eye was brilliant. I could totally imagine the various scenarios described in this book.

The following is what I made out from the book. The protagonist, Sally Lockhart, belongs to the capitalist society. She's rich. A lady. And is well off with her life, settled perfectly well, surrounded by her family, friends. It takes a single push that suddenly threatens her entire life, and she comes face to face to the reality, the horrors, of the poor. What makes a difference, are the choices that she makes. As the book goes forth, it tell us, that yes, even if she belongs to the richer side of the society, she would count as 'evil' only if she chose to cast a blind eye at those horrors. She chooses not to. At the same time, she is struggling with her own problem, a fight against a man she has no clue about, who suddenly wants to steal away everything that Sally has; even her own daughter.

Pullman has described all to well what she might have been going through. Sally Lockhart is the protagonist of these other two books too, that he has written. I presume I should have read them first, for Sally was younger then.

It's a true fact, whenever I read a book, I always end up doing something extremely crazy and reckless, within 5 hours of reading its last word. I was pretty calm by the time this book ended though. But yes, I certainly decided on some things. There were certain things that I was doing, and I always chose to look past it. If I see the bigger picture, I am a criminal. It's only if I stand up, face it, that I'd be able to think of myself as a good person.

Another fact that I adored about this particular character, Sally, is that despite being a brave, and in some ways, even notorious, she kept her calm, remained strong, for herself and others. A perfect lady, in all senses. I love the ending of this book. It gave me hope. Hope, that there are good people out there, in this world, no matter how difficult a situation might be. And I also realised, that these good people were the bad ones too, who chose to differ, and to take the correct choices, even though they were difficult. That's what made the bad, the good.

Those children of the moon.

Dearest Moon child,

Did I ever complain?

Those children of the moon always seemed to cripple my thoughts.

Like the straight road ahead, wandering off into streets unknown.

Did I ever ask for you to do so? 

I shook with my beliefs, and they proved them all wrong.

Whether or not, I was correct in the end.

Did I ever tell you that I don't trust you? 

I spoke of my thoughts, like those droplets of water that fall so easily.

Into the vast lake of your beliefs, they mix.

But my thoughts were lost. A silent voice, muffled by your gentle ebb.

Did I ever ask for a reason?

Why was it, that being the child of Jupiter, I was so easily moved?

The force of your nature, did nothing to me.

It was me, who chose, to be pulled by you.

But as I left my spot, a gap was certain.

Did I ever tell you how much I miss my home?

I tried blaming them, as I retrospect.

Of how the Moon children, left me drained of myself.

Of how I was lost, in the light, of those moon children.

Of how their light, kept them safely, away from my judgement.

Why would they shine so bright?

Dazzling my eyes, shielding me from the other stars that twinkle. 

Dearest Moon child, it's not your fault.

It's mine, for I let your light guide my way.

Away from home, for you, it stings.

With you, away from home, I would find peace.

Did I ever complain? 

I could never.

Who do you choose to be?

I believe, that the world can be divided into three broad classes of people. 
The leaders, the followers, and the spectators.

Every person has a choice. 
"You're the pilot of your own plane."
The artist, the critique, or the spectator.
Who do you choose to be?

• The leader, the artist. Do you speak of your views openly, without a care in the world? Not afraid of criticism?
• The follower, the critique. Are you the one, who criticises others for their views, not really offering your own original ideas?
• Or yes, the spectator. Do you keep shut, and simply observe the chaos around you, not offering any view on any matter, but simply gulping in the situation, not judging, but observing everything?

The world needs more of the first kind. These 'rebels', that would guide our generation forth. I personally despise the second kind, but then again, they have their own reasons for behaving the way they do, which shouldn't be judged. The third kind, are fine. Nothing great, nothing bad. They just - are.

Everyone is a bit of the three, I suppose. I personally think I am a cross between the first and the third. I beg to differ, for what I believe is right, yes, but at the same time, am alright with anything that others have to say. Everyone has a reason. Everyone is right, in their own way. My perspective, though.

The first kind have a knack of asking questions, and answering them on their own. The second kind, don't ask, just simply answer. The third kind don't do either. They just agree, to whatever that ever was.

The point here, lies in a single question.
Are you working over what you believe in? Or are you simply following others, like a sheep, lost in a herd? Will you listen to them? Or be confident enough to pursue your own beliefs?

Every great legend that the world has known, has had his or her own original personality. They were surely the first kind. A leader. The artist. People followed them. People judged them. There were a few spectators, who observed them. These artists had their complete attention.

Adolf Hitler, John Lennon, Audrey Hepburn, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, these were the people who listened and answered only to their own soul. They were never the ones to judge. These were the people, who drove others in the direction that best suited their own selves.

On a lighter note, even if we consider characters like, well, Superman, Courage, The Powerpuff girls; these belong to the first kind too. 

Lets concentrate on The Powerpuff girls. The mayor, more often than not, represented the second 'afraid to take their own decision' kind of people. The one who judged, between the right and wrong, but never had his own original views. Considering Mojo Jojo, he too had his own persona. Everybody (outside the TV show!) adored him, I'm sure. He belonged to 'first' kind as well.

We should strive to be the 'first' kind of people. The artists. The creator. The leader. The aim shouldn't be to garner followers though, it should be to strengthen ones own personal ideas, views. People should respect each other for what they are, and do what it takes, to do what they most love to do. Originality, creativity, yes, that's what the next generation humans should keep in mind as they continue to evolve.

The society has a funny way of binding us in the invisible ties of social norms. People are scared to break away, scared of taking risks, scared of taking a stand. The one's who do, well, are the 'first' kind of people. As I have coined before, these are the rebels. 

We live as though, we shall never die. Compromising, all the time. Don't settle for the second best. Your time is now. Do everything you can, for everything that you have ever wanted, for the change you wish to see. Be the first kind. The leader, the creator, the artist. Ask what you need to, allow your soul to answer, and follow what you believe in, always.

Because, they are beautiful creatures.

*

*

Snow leopards. Aren't they gorgeous?

For miles and miles.

A quick thin slip, and a huge fall.

Gracious be the ones that hold on to you.

Never did I seek, nor do I help.

I stay for I search, the source of everything.

I wonder if I can claim, but I know I could never.

Birds are meant to fly in the sky.

My never-ending will abandons me, time and again.

Yet I am here. Always am.

Ready, to offer, that hand,

which you too, long back, had once offered me.

So I set you free, I decide.

That makes me free too.

Play, I play along. Pity, and laugh.

Smile for the weak, and cry for the strong.

Trembling fingers that try to measure the heart,

don't deserve to handle, what they cannot.

Can I say, that I have abandoned myself again?

For a while, I tell myself,

but it seems like forever.

I must stop. I can't, I know.

I resist, hold on.

If I seek the end, I'll never reach the goal.

The goal was always, to be where you are.

The moment that counts, the present, what it is.

The rest is a myth, in the mind, fabricated.

So we fly. We fly, for miles and miles.

Not knowing, scared, yet at peace, at the same time.

I spread my fingers, but my hands feel hollow.

Then I clench them, and shake my head.

It is now. I forget. The bird is out of the cage.

.

This would be one of those attempts of mine wherein I try and put forth my creativity for I am trying to come up with something new and explaining which, hopefully wouldn't be much of a problem as I try to well keep writing and come up with something more solid as a subject to write about which on the first place was never related to this creative decision of mine and thus I shall speak about time, which as a topic itself, talks so much about itself for time will always be, and never be as well, creating it within itself as a multi layered dimensional setting creating more and more universes along, around, within, or no where near our own tiny world, thus breaking the popular belief of it actually being the fourth dimension of this world where we humans reside and keep moving forward in time so what I think of now are the possibilities by which one person could not ever stop and keep moving forth, or backwards, just like how I keep writing, word after word, creating new things out of what once were mere thoughts, which too were nothing but a culmination of all the influences that surrounded me from the advent of whatever was that made me today, parents, their parents, the seed of evolution, the non living things that existed before life existed, and everything that made those things, which takes me back to the moment where I as a being came first into existence, not as a physical form, but perhaps a thought itself, a thought that was certainly thought of since the beginning of every thought that ever was, and thus perhaps I was, just after time came into existence, hence I prove that I too am nothing but an entire universe with my own views and thoughts moving further like the roots of a tree, deeper into the soil wherever it shall reach and be reaffirmed of it's survival, better if prolonged, but still, me being a universe shall not exactly be same as the multi dimensional situation that I had earlier mentioned, perhaps just like a layer within, around, along, or no where near another layer would be, similarly a universe would be surrounded, or not surrounded, by many others, or by none at all, every universe having it's own layers of dimensions and time extending in all directions possible, the infinite possibilities around everything that ever was, and everything, like nothing being inside, or outside everything or nothing else, as a point in a line that extends away in one continuos progression, and that dimensionless point, being a single infinite dot, lost within the infinity of that line.
                                                                                    .
                                                     
(Looper and Pink Floyd did this to me.)