Assignment:Comment on life.

Based on a screen shot. Or maybe it's just a whim on the anniversary of the birthday I have. 

I won't allow the obvious potty humour. We deserve better. As a cohesive society. It's a remembrance of blogging days today, when attention spans exceeded tweets. Still, it's a sign of the times that we are 'developing' 'ahead'. No matter what happens, deep breaths (sighs) and patience will aid the time interval left to the ultimate end. Peace. #6hourism  

Quiz Modern Wonders of the World

1. Begun in the 7th century, this wonder is more than 4,000 miles long (1 mile = 1.6 km)

2. Which wonder is named "city in the clouds "?

3. A height of 125 feet makes this wonder an achievement of humanity. Hint: who stands so tall?

4. The only thing left of this 9 BCE wonder are the carvings in the pink stone it is made of, what was the city?

5. This wonder is still considered the role model for sports stadia around the world. 

6. One continent has 3 out of the 7 modern wonders of the world. Which one?

7. The Mayan calendar had ended in 2012, but what structure has remained to become a wonder of the world?

8. The city of Rio de Janeiro is home to which imposing figure of the religious world?

9. Even though it is ancient, which wonder was discovered only in 1911 after a long search?

10. The Mongols found it hard to continue their attacks against this feat of engineering. Where did this happen? 

11. There is a pyramid near the centre of the ruins of this wonder, which was probably used for religious purposes. Which wonder, we wonder?

12. This wonder was built in France, then broken down and shipped to its current location. Which wonder got built this way?

13. Almost 50,000 people could enjoy games and sports while sitting in this massive wonder. Where would you be if you were one of the people watching?

14. In the 17th century, a monument was built and so that it could never be replicated, the workers had their hands cut off in the orders of the person who got the wonder made. Which wonder has this bloody history?

15. Paul Landowski put in a huge effort to make his image of a deity, and the result towers near a beach, with its arms outstretched. What did he make?

16. King Aretas the Fourth got caves and rooms built into a mountain, big enough to become the capital city of an empire during Roman times. What is it called as a wonder today?

17. A combination of Mughal and Persian architecture, this wonder is now threatened by pollution and vandalism. What do we call it?

18. Gladiators and emperors were part of the big spectacles that made this place famous. Which city would you be in if you visited this giant wonder?

19. The capital city of a country is blessed by the Christian 'Son of God'. Which country's visa do you need to visit this 'City of God'? 

20. List the 7 wonders with the city, country and continent.

A Small Play on Booker T Washington

(From Up From Slavery: an autobiography)

Scene 1 

Characters: BTW + Olivia Davidson 

(Setting: office in school; od has just joined the school as a teacher)

Btw (b): I hope you are not too tired from the journey, ma'am?

Od (o): Not at all! I'm used to travel; before coming here to Tuskegee, I spent quite some time around the South of our country!

B. I'm honoured by your decision to join our small institution. O. Not at all! The privilege is mine, Mr Washington. If we can teach our fellow men and women to utilise our new-found freedom, it would mean the world to our future generations!

B. We are on the same page, Ms Davidson.

O. Shall we have a look at the school, then?

 B. Why, certainly! Allow me to show you the way.

(Outside the school) B. This is it, I'm afraid. This little old shanty and that abandoned church are the only roofed buildings the townspeople have generously lent to us to hold classes. 

O. Well, we must put them to good use!

B. I agree. The coloured youth around these parts want education so that they may use their wits instead of hands, and the number of such youth is only increasing. 

O. Indeed! In fact, the old and the young alike are desirous of better lives, and they know that education will help them more than anything else.

(3 months later; btw and oad are discussing the progress that has been made)

Good morning, Miss Davidson!

Good morning Mr Washington; how was your outing in the woods today?

Well, in the beginning, it was hard to explain to the young men that the planting of a crop would go a long way, but they see that's pertinent now. 

Yes, I am sure they failed to see the reason for you asking them to cut away the undergrowth.

We are almost halfway through what I deem to be enough ; approximately 20 equals should suffice. 

My goodness, it sure must be hard work out in the sun.

No problem exists that cannot be solved through a united effort. 

Yes, and you leading the way with an axe made such an imposing figure that it surely inspired a lot of them.

Now that we are settled in a new location, I must find a way to pay the remaining $250 to our landlord. The money that General Marshall lent to me went a long way in securing this location for our school.

Kindly thank him for me the next time you write to him, won't you?

Certainly, Miss Davidson. How are your suppers coming along?

I am glad to say that even the white folks are contributing handsomely.

That is great to hear.

And even our fellow people are making as much of an effort as they can.

I appreciate their good wishes with all my heart; it touches me to see their dedication to a noble cause. Just the other day, a septuagenarian lady came to see me and donated half a dozen eggs towards the education of the young boys and girls.

We shall ensure that such touching contributions have the best effect on our students.

Final scene

Interview with Mr Booker T Washington name

Name of interview on

Date of interview date of interview

Mr Washington you have called the art of raising money for the education system begging. Would you care to elaborate on that?

As far as raising money for philanthropic purposes is concerned I have reduced the science of begging to two rules.

First always to do my whole duty regarding making our work known to individuals and organisations. Second, not to worry about the results.

Interviewer:and which of the two do you find more hard to follow?

Strange though it may seem it is the second. But over the years I have learnt that worrying does not lead to anything productive. The energy that is wasted worrying uselessly would rather be better used if put to productive work. 

Interviewer: is it just your experience what have you seen this trait in other men as well?

Indeed, President William McKinley comes to mind when I think of people who double quotes keep under the body double quotes close. 

Interviewer: do you feel that rich people give money to make themselves feel better about being rich?

No, in fact, many anonymous donors have done so much for Tuskegee that I would not know how to thank them even if they would allow their names to be known.

Interview on: What do you think is the one thing that rich people cared for when considering philanthropy?

My experience has taught me that the presentation of facts on a high, dignified plane is all it takes for rich people to decide whether they would like to contribute or not. 

Interviewer: do you feel that the prospects of running education for the coloured people by asking for money from rich white people are good?

Let me tell you that at one time the grant of the hefty sum of $10,000 from a white benefactor had saved us from dire straits. 

Interviewer: you are known to have a good friendship with Mr Huntington. Would you care to elaborate on that?

I must say that the large part of Mr and Mrs Huntington has been a blessing for Tuskegee. From the first time that I met him to the last Mr Huntington was a source of inspiration. The initial sum of two dollars had grown to $50,000 and may I say that there are so many of our people who have benefited from their charity.

Question: and how about the Scottish steel tycoon, Mr Andrew Carnegie?

It is only through his kindness that we have managed the library building and reading room. On December 15, 1900, I wrote to him in New York......wrote to him in New York and the very next mail brought back his positive response, promising a princely sum of $20,000.

Question: any last insights that you would like to share with our readers ?

I would like to stress that the greatest proportion of money that has helped in our cause has come in the form of small donations from hundreds and perhaps thousands of donors. Thank you for helping in spreading the word about a noble cause.

Curtains. 

Survivor Guilt

The vision presenter's voice rang sweet and clear. His intonation hit the perfect chords, just as every detail of his unblemished facade was crystal clear. It was as it should be, since I had set the controls for - no, not the heart of the sun, yet I wished I could - maximum clarity. I wanted to see the show, and more so because the show was about me. 

Almost half of 2015

What a nice place to find myself in; routinised and comfortable. The Maggi controversy puts me in a vindictive position; I have long preferred as close to "organic " food as possible. Now I'll throw out the instant soups and that leftover noodle cake (how I slurped and gobbled it when a child; now, however naive I may be in some respects, i avoid instant and junk food altogether as much as I can - how times change!). 😇

S C Update

Tech Timing

Waiting playing watching 

spawning duelling slashing

Buffering the net into my palm as we speak

Which way to go where is the next peak

Levelling up upgrading 

Points sitting there for the taking 

Ensure you don't get beat down by the crowd 

Check msgs and back - oh wait - there's a laugh out loud

From the a to the w to the s to the d

Slashing burning shooting claiming XP

Getting ready for the next battle 

Smashing spinning with the Move as a paddle 

To be continued...

S C 6/7

Finalè perhaps 

Don't you even think of ever cutting me down 

My thoughts go in helixes I'll turn your mind upside down 

When you're done unjumbling the web that I weave 

The show is over you may just as well leave 

Lay The Line verse 2

Maybe eminem and raftaar are feeling like rap gods

In my mind it's the one for whatsoever my head nods 

Generally it's my way

To live life

Slow climb

To the top of the world 

And I look down 

And I lay the line 

Two more self compositions

Plans Fall Apart

I dream I am armed

Anagrams play with my thoughts

Words are formed 

Letters fall into their slots

The speed of my sound 

Emanates from deep underground

The place where I found

That thoughts of death abound

Rejecting negatives

Setting objectives 

Moving to consolidate 

A bright and shiny fate

Finalé

To clear my mind, I take a walk

Grit my teeth hard, to myself I talk

Figure out new ways to beat this clock

All-clean lyrics are a bit of a block

Wanna get my point through 

Without resorting to 

Violent or cuss words 

Just maybe one or two

Talk of luck and fate just sets me off

What do stars have to do with cold and cough?

I make my life my way, I take off

No wonder people think I'm just too soft

But I got a fire burning deep within

Not one of us has been living without sin

Balrogs can't hold a torch to me

Death is the only way to be free

Till the day that I'm on my funeral pyre

This world is gonna feel my full-fledged ire

Surprise, surprise

Open your eyes

Open your ears

Let go of your fears

Prepare to be treated to a basic fact

You're gonna die despite all your tact