Rants & Banter

I'm listening to...

2006-03-15T17:43:00.000+05:00

Since this blog is all about me (ME!!!!!) I figure I should also say something about one of the biggest influences in my daily mood and well-being; music.

Now, quite frankly, I don't have a definite "musical identity." I listen to a lot of shit. I like a lot of different types of music...and I have no compunctions about trying new music based on the genre-branding that is so fucking popular these days.

In view of that, here's the junk that I'm regularly listening to these days:

1. Katie Melua - Just Like Heaven
I honestly don't know why I like this song. It's like a watered down, pretty sad version of the classic Cure version, but I don't know...whenever I listen to it, it just puts me at peace and all I want to do is read a good book, sleep, or umm...do something involving a certain weed...

2. Greenday - Time of Your Life
Quite possibly my favorite Greenday song, and one of the only ones that I can still bear to listen to after the fiasco that was American Idiot. The opening chords of this are classic, and the whole theme is something that appeals to me. Mostly cause I seem to always be saying goodbye; to people, places, things...The thing is, this song makes sense to me and helps me relate to the world. And in my book, them's good music.

3. Bowling for Soup - Almost
This song is fucking hilarious!! Seriously, it's one of the most funny, heartfelt songs I've listened to in a long time and I love it. I've actually been hearing it in the background of a lot of teen movies for the last 2-3 years now, but didn't realize the actual name of it till I saw Dirty Deeds. The movie was bleh-worthy, but it gave me the name of the song, so for that it does have a semi-fond place in my heart (I doubt this goodwill will last very long...the movie was fucking American Pie with bread...yes, that's right.)

4. Story of the Year - Anthem of Our Dying Day
I'm probably reading waaayyy to much into this song, but the whole package of lyrics, video and music tell me that this song deals with the end of civilization through decay. What decay is left open to the listener, and in the current state of the world and my mental processes, this song makes incredible sense and thus is getting a heavy rotation on my playlist.

5. Bethany Joy Lenz - Halo
The lyrics. That's basically the only reason I like this song. Lately I've been feeling...trapped I guess is the word I'm looking for. I'm trapped in my patterns, my feelings, my perceptions...and I don't know how to break free of these. This song kinda mirrors what I've been feeling lately, and well...it's the reason I listen to it.

6. Morningwood - Nth Degree
Don't ask me why...but I love this song. It's just plain, simple fun. I haven't heard a song that was this much fun in a long time, and I dunno...it makes me want to have fun, to do something. I just really, really like this.

7. Orgy - Blue Monday
A cover of the Cure classic, this is just fucking fantastic. Orgy on the whole is an excellent group...but this cover blew me away. Definitely something I'll probably be listening to for a long, long time.

That's it. What? You were expecting more swearing or some shit? C'mon...even I need a break. Probably have another I Hate...post soonish...it's in the works. It just requires a certain level of pure, unadulterated bile that I just can't manage to spew right now...it'll come though.

Things I HATE - #1

2006-03-08T20:25:00.000+05:00

          I've discovered something about myself after that moronic post-loss. Swearing and ranting on a blog is very cathartic. VERY, VERY FUCKING CATHARTIC (See...feel better already). In pursuit of this (since this is the first thing to break me out of this horrible funk I've been in for the past week) I shall pursue a new posting format. 100% more swearing and 100% more ranting!!! The two things that I apparently love the most are now combined to bring you...THINGS I HATE!!!

          This will be a semi-regular feature going uptill whatever amount of things I hate run out...which won't be any fucking time soon since I hate a lot of fucking things...a lot a lot. So, without further delay, here's THINGS I HATE #1: "Pure" Love.

          I really fucking hate "Pure" relationships. For those who don't know...this is the kind of relationship based on "true love" where the two people love each other so much *barf* that they don't care about the physical aspect of their relationship. They just like each other's company. Awww...what a load of CRAP!!! Ladies and Gentlemen...there is no such thing as a fucking "pure" relationship. The only reason guys get interested in girls is to get in their pants, and believe it or not, vice versa (sorry kids, but it's true). It's not even that hard to understand, it's all biological after all. We are designed as a race to procreate and the people we are attracted to are people we believe can provide the best offspring to us. It's too deeply ingrained to be denied. The people who claim otherwise are fucking liars and shouldn't be believed. I hate it when people claim that they are only attracted to someone for the "purest of reasons." It's a lie...they know it, I know it, heck, the kid from across the street knows it.

          GET OVER YOURSELVES!!! There's nothing wrong with admitting that you're hot for someone's bod...if anything, I think the direct approach is much more unique and could actually prove to be advantageous in the long run. I especially hate this from guys (I know, I know, I'm perpetuating a fucking double standard...but fuck that! I don't mind girls being slightly more...enigmatic. It's part of their charm) What kind of pansy guy goes around spouting idiotic comments about his "pure" relationship? Someone who's either retarded or emotionally handicapped. Heck, this "true" love is a sham anyway. There is no such thing as love. It's a hormonal response to seeing a potential mate which blossoms into a pleasant feeling due to the proximity of what could prove to be very fruitful mating. That is what "love" is!! (Hi, honey!!)

In short...I FUCKING HATE pansies!!!

Ah...that was fun. Be here next time for more ranting...lots more...against gardeners and shit. (But never against ninjas, no...ninjas are cool...and mysterious...and I like ninjas...)

M@therfuckers!!!

2006-03-08T18:08:00.000+05:00

FUCK! FUCK! FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!!!!!

I wrote this huge rant for this thing!! It was brilliant, it was fucking superb. And it's gone thanks to the stupid electricity giving out 5 seconds before I posted it.

BAH!!! It shall be posted again...oh, yes, it definitely shall...

Comics - What I Read This Week...

2006-02-24T12:27:00.000+05:00

Here's another review format I've been tinkering with...let's see how it goes.

Wolverine v3 #39
by Daniel Way, Javier Saltares and Mark Texiera

This issue was actually fairly decent as far as Wolverine issues go. Personally, I don't like Daniel Way's writing style. There are some things he writes (like the Bullseye mini) which I enjoy, and then there are books like Wolverine which make me question my sanity at reading them at all. Anyway, this issue wasn't that bad because it focused on actually telling us something rather than giving us vague hints and covert ops that make no sense. I really like Bucky's connection with Wolverine, and the characterization made sense with what we've seen over in Captain America. This issue was still somewhat...light...but atleast something happened. And that's better than nothing. Either way, I've been hating the Origins and Endings storyline, and can't wait for this book to separate itself from the past.

Batman #650
by Judd Winick, and Eric Battle

I don't like Judd Winick's DCU work. It just seems to be intended for shock, and controversy purposes and if that's the whole point of the book...then the book cannot possibly be any good. On that note though, I was enjoying the whole Red Hood storyline in this. Jason was becoming a truly effective foil for Batman and we got to see a side of Bruce that isn't readily shown in Bat-comics these days. The ending this issue however...sucked. It was the least satisfying ending I've seen since this whole "Countdown to OYL" thing started and if weren't for the fact that James Robinson is going to be writing Batman starting next issue...I would not be bothering with this book anymore.

Green Lantern v4 #9
by Geoff Johns, and Ethan Van Sciver

This will be the last issue of Green Lantern I read for a good long time. I've given this book a lot of leeway...mostly because I like Johns' writing and I was enjoying the Bianchi fill-ins. But OYL is the perfect oppurtunity to jump ship and I'm taking it. Hal Jordan is quite possibly the most boring Green Lantern ever. I've hated the guy since I first read him in an old issue of JLA from the Satellite era. He was always too smug, too "cool" and too annoying to bother with. Still, I figured what the hell...if anyone can revive the old fossil, it'll be Johns. Unfortunately, other than punching people and being a jerk, Hal does nothing else. Apparently that is his character...and as far as I'm concerned, I don't want to read about the guy who probably used to bully kids shorter than him in school. The book itself was ok, but man was that the most contrived Batman-Punch! in history and had the most stupid, out-of-character ending I've ever read.

That's it for now. This isn't by any means everything I read this week...but it's a start. Expect more every saturday-sunday from now on since I've read about 80% of my pull-list by that time. Hopefully this will work out for the best.

*P.S. Sorry about no covers today, but my connection's acting up...and I'd rather post something than not post anything based on some puny images.

Cats - B.T.

2006-02-19T13:03:00.000+05:00

As promised, here's another one of my cats. This time it's the mighty hunteress herself...B.T. (which stands for Bhalu 3...yeah, we like legacies in this house). Anyway, B.T. is one our "fat" cats who likes to sleep and eat...and when not doing these two things, she likes to attack anything smaller than her that can move. We're talking about birds, lizards, snakes, insects...anything she can get her paws on, she grabs and then mercilessly plays with until they're dead. She's one of the luckier ones fortunately...never bit off more than she can chew and always careful in attempting to jump off walls/shelves that are too high even for a cat's prodigious abilities. By the way, for those wondering, B.T. is the granddaughter of Pheeney and the daughter of Peachy...who I shall be posting right here very, very soon!

Comics - Some Stuff I Finally Caught Up On...

2006-02-17T22:54:00.000+05:00

Here comes yet another bid in attempting to convert this blog into a semi-regular thing. I figure if I even get something new up once every 2 weeks, it'll be a good start and I can slowly work my way up to the coveted daily position! But for now, let's kick things off with a 2 comics that I finally managed to get around to reading.

7 Days to Fame #2 (of 3) - After Hours Press

I read the first issue of this series expecting to hate it. This was ofcourse based on two reasons: 1) My hatred for reality t.v. shows, and 2) My hatred for comics based on reality t.v. shows. Anyway, I read an interview by the writer, Buddy Scalera, and it appeared to me that he had some of the same ideas about where reality t.v. was headed if it continued in it's current vein as I did. So, I read it...and it was great. Cool concept, nice art, and a cohesive, complete story contained within a single issue. Considering that, I had some pretty high hopes for this issue, and I'm glad it delivered. We finally see how such a show can exist (through webcasts...it's so simple I'm surprised that someone already doesn't have anything like this in place), the thought processes behind creating such a show, and most importantly, the feelings that a person would have to go through in order to consider becoming a subject on this show. Excellent story which examines our fame-obsessed culture and looks at it from both sides without demonizing either one. Definitely a must read.

Overall Score: 4/5

I (Heart) Marvel: Web of Romance - Marvel Comics

I'm a sucker for romantic comedies, and I love seeing Marvel try their hand at attempting to re-introduce the Romance Comics genre. While of the two I (Heart) Marvels I own, one was a mixed bag at best (I (Heart) Marvel: My Mutant Heart), this book was a true gem, and I absolutely adored it. Tom Beland (Better known for True Story: Swear to God!) writes Mary Jane and Peter as if he's known them his entire life. They are close personal friends and we are being allowed an all too rare glimpse into how much love they truly have for each other. I'm a big fan of the Peter/MJ pairing and actively abhor Gwen Stacy at this point just for having been first (although the fact that she was killed off soothes me somewhat). This issue was especially dear to me because of it's focus on Valentine's Day and the trouble with gift-shopping. I tend to go through this problem every single year and usually, much like Spidey in this, end up buying something or coming up with something at the last minute. I also adore Corey Walker's artwork, so it was nice to see more of it outside of Invincible (which you should all be reading!!!) This issue was funny, sweet, and just plain old fun...something we haven't recieved from a Spider-Man comic in quite a while. Well worth the cover price, and probably the only I (Heart) Marvel book I'll actively recommend.

Overall Score: 4.5/5

That's it for now. I will try to update soon. Maybe even do a Major Infinite Crisis review session covering issues 2-5 and I'll probably offer up some thoughts on why, although I like the idea, I'm dreading the excecution of One Year Later. Also, expect more pictures of the cats (since I have been taking a lot more...) and very, very soon, a rough plot of a Mighty Thor fanfic I'm currently percolating in my mind.

Yet Another Attempt...

2006-02-06T10:28:00.000+05:00

If any of you are stil following this out there...if any were in the first place anyway; I thank you. Mostly humbly and graciously, I thank you. I know I've been horrible about updating this, and the ever-changing format doesn't exactly help to gain me any supporters. See, the fact of the matter is that I'm not sure what I want to do with blog...not yet anyway...and so I'm just trying different things and seeing what works, what doesn't and what will allow me to post to the utmost of my ability without compromising the other aspects of my life (I wish I were like some other bloggers who practically live online...but I, unfortunately, still have school and it does end up taking a lot more time than you would think.)

So, anyway, in light of all that, it's time for yet another format change. Instead of posting at random like I've been doing. I'm going to combine all my disparate interests together and attempt to write atleast a weekly (twice a week maybe) thing about everything that interests and kinda have a huge post which encompasses everything. The first attempt at this will be up either tonight or tomorrow morning depending on how long I spend shopping for a new cell today (yay! new cell!)

Until then, thanks to anyone who's bothered to read this, and a possible welcome to anyone who might show up!

Currently Watching - Part 1

2005-12-02T23:52:00.000+05:00

          In the interests of keeping this blog a general interest one and not a comics-specific one as it seems to be becoming, I figure I might as well share some of the other interests in my life. The primary one right now happens to be serial television.

          That's right, I'm a t.v. junkie! In support of this dread habit, here's a list of the current crop of t.v. shows that I watch atleast semi-regularly:

1. Veronica Mars - As much as it pains me to admit this, I do follow a lot of Teen Dramedies. For those not in the know, these are the shows which focus on teen characters and tend to more about relationships and feelings than anything, well...exciting. Veronica Mars is a happy exception to the rule. This show revolves around a central mystery, and while the characters do enjoy their fair share of soap opera antics, the mystery is always the key, and it never disappoints. I must admit, I was more than a little skeptical of this from the previews I saw...but the actual show is worth the time spent watching it, and is quite possibly one of the best hours of serial television currently on the screens.

2. Lost - C'mon...this one's a no-brainer. No self-respecting sci-fi/fantasy/weird mumbo-jumbo fan can honestly miss this show. I personally am not that big a fan...mostly because I think that the central premise is too weak. I love the character arcs, I love the acting, and the writing is top-notch...but the stretched out island sequences make me cringe and half the time I just want to stop watching it out of frustration. Still, there are 3 reasons I continue to watch it; a) It's a J.J. Abrams show, and he tends to come through in the end. b) It has Evangeline Lilly, and c) It has Evangeline Lilly. 'Nuff Said.

3. Prison Break - Bar none, the best t.v. show I'm currently watching. It has cliffhangers that make you cringe, storytelling elements that make you question the sanity of the writers, and more than one wtf! moment in each episode, and yet I just can't get enough of it. The acting is superb, the writing tends to focus on the entire ensemble cast (even when it devolves into stupidity of unparalleled proportions) and more happens in one episode of this than does in entire seasons of other shows. Currently this show is on a long hiatus...but I'll definitely be waiting for when it comes back.

          That's it for Part 1 of my t.v. habit. Next time I'll try to explain some of my more...guilty pleasures on the small screen. And hopefully, soon, I'll even get around to reviewing Infinite Crisis #2.

Infinite Crisis #1 Review

2005-10-17T00:00:00.000+05:00

          The wait is finally over. Quite possibly the most anticipated comic event of the year has arrived, and to put is short and sweet...it doesn't disappoint. Quite frankly, I was keeping my hopes pretty well grounded for this series. That's nothing against Geoff Johns and Phil Jimenez whose work I adore...it was more of a defense mechanism to make sure that I wouldn't be as disappointed as I was with some of the Countdown to Infinite Crisis minis. Fortunately, or not depending on the perspective, this issue not only kept pace with my expectations, it raised the bar to a whole new level for every single subsequent issue and damn but this is a fine book.I have way too many praises for this so I'll save those till the end...the nitpicks I'll cover right up front.

          First off, I would like to say that while this was a DC fanboy's dream come true, this issue was not even slightly new reader friendly. The cut-aways to events being referenced from the minis, the slavish degree to which continuity which goes back 20 years was referenced, and the appearance of more than a few characters who new readers would have no idea about make this series a headache for any reader who is either new to the DCU or new to comics entirely. Supposedly this gets fixed in issue 2, but since most people determine he effectiveness of a comic by the first issue, it does not bode well for the browsers. Another nitpick, and this is most likely personal rather than general, is that this series is now most definitely a complete and total sequel to Crisis On Infinite Earths and while that's ok, it's unfair in the sense that DC kept saying it either wasn't or the old refrain of "wait and see." I don't mind the secrecy, but the few times that Dan Didio has outright lied about this not being a sequel really burns me. The readers should get atleast a modicum of respect in that they should be allowed to formulate their own theories rather than lying to them flat-out. Anyway, that's pretty much it for the bad stuff about this issue...and considering that it's a 30 pager...that definitely ain't half bad.

          The good, the fanboyish squeal-worthy moments in this issue far, far outweigh any and all things that may be construed as unsavory. First off, kudos to Johns for making me absolutely adore the 'Goddamned' Batman. These panels not only captured everything that I believe defines the Superman-Batman relationship, but also, very effectively showed how wide the rift between them has actually become:Jimenez also perfectly captured the inner workings of the two and brought them to the surface. Superman looks so wounded, so raw right there, that it's hard to believe that this is the strongest mortal on the face of the planet. Batman ofcourse, does not give anything away, and therein lies the beauty of this book. Each character (with the possible exception of Wonder Woman...that's a matter of argument) acts exactly like you would expect them to act. Far too often characters starts acting like polar opposites in minis which and I'm glad to see that the writing is consistent between all the DCU titles.

          Rather than go on and on about each and every single page of this book (and trust me, I could) I would rather like to comment on the end while trying to not give it away...Friggin' Awesome!!! That's the best ending ever, and while I still am on the fence about what exactly it means, it undoubtedly made me want to yell out loud and pump my arm in the air (I didn't...but I did want to). Absolutely brilliant, and I cannot wait for the next issue. I plan on reviewing every single issue of this series, so if nothing else, this blog will be on a monthly schedule for a while...that's something huh?

          As much as I love talking about comics, this is a general interest blog, so expect the next entry to be about another one of my cats...and then maybe I will actually be the last blogger to discover Scott Pilgrim...we shall see...stay tuned!!

Pakistan Earthquake

2005-10-15T20:57:00.000+05:00

Let me take a break from my self-imposed silence and speak seriously for a minute. For those of you who live under rocks, today is the one week anniversary of what may have been the worst natural disaster to ever strike Pakistan in it's short history. The Earthquake which struck most of the country, but most especially the Northern areas was felt first on Saturday, October 8th, 2005 at approximately 9:00 AM. It was a massive (for Pakistan) 7.6 on the richter scale at the epicenter which was very near to Azad Kashmir, and was still at 6.2 in Lahore when it reached here, which is a distance of over 450km. I can't comment on everyone's experience although let me assure you...there has been nothing else on the minds of the people of Pakistan since this tragedy occured. All we've been able to talk about is the Earthquake, and like it or not, it has forever become our JFK Assassination or 9/11(as in, 'Where were you when the Earthquake hit?')

Fortunately for me, I live in Lahore and we barely felt the quake as it tore it's way through Pakistan. Sure some old buildings did collapse, but they were barely noteworthy. The real tragedy occurred in the small town of Muzaffarabad. There is now nothing remaining of this town. A classmate of mine is from here, and I'm sorry to say that most of his family is now no longer with us. The only survivors of an extended family of over 10 people are now down to 3; the classmate, and his parents. When the whole world was filled with tragedy; be it the tsunami, or the katrina fiasco, it never really hit that close to home. Having something like this happen to someone I know, however, has really struck a chord. It's made me question my own mortality, as trite as that may sound, and more than anything, it's really made me think about my life. I feel blessed to not have lost anyone close to me in this Earthquake, and while I can't even imagine what these people who have lost everything must be going through, I wish them the best, and hope that they can somehow find the courage to go on and continue with their lives.

If you want to help the earthquake victims...be it money, clothing, anything really, please contact the people at this site: http://www.earthquakepakistan.com/

A lot of people need your help, and anything, no matter how small in your eyes, can help. Please try to devote some of your hard-earned money this way.

Help me get a Free Ipod!!!

2005-09-20T19:55:00.000+05:00

C'mon...do it!!! You know you want to!!! Plus, I'm never gonna see that kind of cash (atleast not in my current state of affairs) so help a brother out. And...you can eventually get a free ipod out of it too!!!

Free Ipod!!

Prelude to Regularity...

2005-08-23T23:52:00.000+05:00

I know, I know...I haven't been the most dedicated of bloggers. What can I say? Life intruded and I was not really in a position to spend time maintaining a blog, even a low maintenance one like this one. I will try to do better...I plan on being here for some time...but I can't guarantee anything now can I?

As far as this post is concerned...hopefully this will result in, if not a daily, atleast a weekly post-structure. I will try to make large all-encompassing posts once a week in an attempt to "stay on the radar" such as it were, but considering my school schedule and the sheer amount of time it takes for me get anything done these days, it's anyone's guess how regular this blog will be...atleast till november. I should be able to post much more frequently after that :fingers crossed:

Today, rather than blather on as usual, I figured I'd do a Link Dump. It's a common enough exercise with other bloggers, most notably on Augie's wonderful Various and Sundry which has enabled me discover many blogs, sites, and web-related activities that I would never ever discover on my own. So, in keeping with that, here's a couple of websites that I'm visiting on a semi-regular basis these days:

-Life of Reily A wonderful column dealing with the most controversial, and in many cases, reviled storyline dealing with Spider-Man. This convinced me to go out and find a copy of The Osborn Journal, not to mention this is the first time I have ever felt sorry for the Ben Reily character even after the long time which has passed since the Clone Saga ended. A must read, and the inner workings of the Marvel Entertainment Offices revealed in this are real eye-openers and definitely worth a look through.

-True Porn Clerk Stories An absolutely hilarious, and at times, incredibly insightful look into the life of a porn clerk. I find it fascinating that a person's porn needs can determine their life, and the tales presented by Ms. Davis are truly funny as hell. Definitely check this one out.

-Quotes Database Also known as bash.org. If you have even a passing interest in mirc, then you probably already know this site. Filled with absolutely hilarious, witty, and sometimes fascinating true conversations between people on irc. I especially love the Wizard cyber-sex ;)

- Neptune Video I'm a huge fan of Veronica Mars. I love the mysteries, and I must admit, I have a soft spot for most teen tv shows since they tend to feature the best (sometimes the worst) up and comers in the tv and movie field, and it's always nice to get a glimpse into the future. This site features fanvids, or fan-made music videos, featuring characters from veronica mars. It's a very nice site, great content, and is regularly updated. A must see for any VM fan.

- Cute and Funny Animals Finally, the last site of the day, this one is dedicated to animals and their funny antics. A fun site, filled with movie clips, sound bites, pictures, etc... featuring some of the most adorable cats, dogs, and what have you out there. A great site for animal lovers.

That's it for today...I hope this somewhat lengthy post makes up in some small way for the lack of anything in the past few weeks...hopefully this is the first of many. Check back every few days, and hopefully I'll have something to maintain your interest...if not, well, it was nice seeing you :)

P.S. Btw, the image uptop has nothing to do with anything...I just think it's really cool, and will hopefully the topic of an upcoming post.

Comics Spotlight

2005-07-22T01:35:00.000+05:00

           From time to time, mostly when I have nothing else to say, I will be talking about one of the primary passions of my life; comic books. This will probably happen haphazardly, sometimes more regularly, and sometimes not, depending on my mood. I will be talking about anything I am reading (both old and new) and just offering little tidbits about the book in question and in general, just blathering. First off, I figured I would start off with a book that I just started reading, but which has already become one of my all-time favorites, right up there with Starman and Legion of Super-Heroes. That book is Gotham Central.

           GC is a book that I had heard a lot about, but had always avoided for one simple reason: Batman. Now I love Batman as much as the next guy, but he's like the DC equivalent of Wolverine, meaning that he is everywhere, regardless of whether he fits the situation or not. I had thought that since this book was about the GCPD, appearances by ol' Bats would be numerous and frequent. Man, am I glad I was wrong. Batman has only shown up in the book's 30+ issues 2-3 times and even then purely in a cameo capacity. The book is about the cops, the people who live in the world which is populated by the villains that Batman faces every single day. Villains like Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, Joker, and Penguin. Villains who Batman takes on with ease, but who can prove to be more than a little disconcerting for regular people.

           Since this book involves a huge cast, I don't want to focus in on one single cop, but the characterizations by Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker are fantastic. The characters feel real, and more importantly, face absurd situations with a strength of will that would put Batman to shame. The art-side is no different. Michael Lark is the regular penciller, but is joined regularly by artists who help make the book more real than words alone can. I cannot stress enough how much I like this book.

           Now, this time I was trying to encompass the whole series so the writing seems a bit...blocky to say the least, but from next time onwards I plan on pursuing this segment in the format made easy by Dave's Long Box, an excellent site, and one I visit often, because the guy is just plain friggin' hilarious. Do make visits to this site a regular deal, as it is perhaps one of the funniest review sites I have ever encountered.

Dogs - Lobo

2005-07-21T02:14:00.000+05:00

Since I figured you people had seen enough of my cats, for something different here's a pic of one of my dogs. This fella is called Lobo. He's actually my younger brother's dog, but German Shepherds are a breed that adheres to the whole family, not just one person, so it's like he's everyone's dog. Lobo is currently the oldest animal we have, coming in at slightly over 5 years of age (35 in dog years). He's a sweetie, although I don't think there is anyone outside of the family who is not terrified of him as he cannot tolerate strangers. Excellent guard dog, and father of quite a litter, most of whom have been given to good homes.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Short Review

2005-07-20T20:03:00.000+05:00

           Begining a review is always the hard part. You don't want to give anything away, and at the same time you want to draw people in. I think this is the best begining possible for this book as there is no way I could talk about it without spoiling it horribly, although I will try my damndest.
           First off, the death. I must say it was handled very well, and in keeping with the character in question. His death at the hands of anyone else would feel cheap, and there is a sense of "I told you so..." in the writing. Rowling seems to be trying to tell us that trust is something which should never be given lightly, and which, for better or worse is something which cannot be rescinded once given. Now, like I said before, I think this book is easily one of the best books in the series, but again this is based on my own opinion. I know a lot of people will not like this book as it contains a lot of set-up and resolves barely anything, but therein lies the beauty of this book. It sets up the end perfectly, gives us all the info we need heading into the end, and most importantly, finally gives us the origin of Voldemort. The one story I had been waiting to read since book 1 finally surfaced and I couldn't be happier with the result. Excellent method of giving us the story without it seeming force-fed, and anyway, I love non-linear storytelling so it was a treat for me.
           Now, the reason why I thought this book was far better than the last two is quite simple. I prefer my books with more substance to them than a round-the-clock fight session (Goblet of Fire) or boring explanations dealing with a prophecy which was debunked in this book (Order of Phoenix). This book had maturation, and heart. This was an adult's Harry Potter, and I couldn't be gladder for it. I know the kid's will not enjoy it as much (most of them) but it was great, and actually makes me look forward to the next book...whenever it shall appear.

Harry Potter 6 - Pt. 1

2005-07-20T18:24:00.000+05:00

So I finally caved and bought the sixth book in the Harry Potter series. I must say, apart from the shoddy hand-holding begining 2-3 chapters, the rest of the book is one of the better one in the series. I know there isn't a lot of love for this edition and a lot of people don't like it, but from what I've read thus far (still got 4 more chapters to go) this is turning out to be the best book in the series since the Prisoner of Azkaban which is my favorite in the series. I hesitate to review it fully till I'm done, so no more thoughts on why I like this part so much, and why I didn't think 4 and 5 were all that great, but expect an indepth review (well, not so much indepth as full of explanations) soonish.

Fitna!

2005-07-19T02:02:00.000+05:00

From the oldest to the youngest. This little fella is part of the newest litter. They're approximately 2 months old at this point, and prone to get into all kinds of mischief. This one along with one of his sisters is my particular favorite in the batch and these two are the ones we'll be keeping. The others have already been promised to loving families and will be moving on soon enough. By the way, for those of you interested, this is the grandson of Pheeney.

Cheap Books!!

2005-07-18T10:20:00.000+05:00

I love, love, love going to Anarkali on Sundays. I mean where else can you find an excellent copy of Dune for only Rs. 5??? Not to mention I also managed to get a copy of the Princess Diaries (don't ask) book...also for Rs. 5. I mean, let's face it, the main reason I go on regular sundays is to be able to find comics, but since Pakistan, and especially Lahore seems to be going through a phase of no comic availability, I have to satisfy myself with any books I find. Which, considering I bought 2 books for the price of one comic these days, isn't all that bad :)

I've also managed to dl and start reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I must say, the first chapter is more than a little underwhelming. One of the worst summarizations I've personally ever read, and I may be completely blanking on the last book, but I have no clue who this new Minister of Magic is. Rowling seems to be slipping, and well, it is the penultimate chapter in a series...which almost always tend to suck...so my expectations weren't all that high to begin with. I'll be buying the paper version soon enough. We'll see if reading it without the glare of the computer screen helps the book any, or whether is sucks regardless.

Pheeney!!

2005-07-16T20:26:00.000+05:00

My favorite kitty :) This is the little one who started it all, and who is related in one way or another to about 10 of my cats. The others are ones that people dropped off, but the family cats...well, they all stemmed from this regal cat.

The Begining...

2005-07-16T19:06:00.000+05:00

I hate talking about myself...although I love talking about the things around me. So, in a nutshell, that's what this literary fiasco in the making will cover. I will blather, I will bore, and occasionally, I will even enlighten (although don't expect too much of that...I'm not here to teach you people :P) Fair word of warning, this blog will be filled with talk about any and all animals which pass through my house (both the 2-legged and 4-legged variety) and occasionally will contain pictures of the same. Sometimes I'll comment on my passions (which refer to comics, and some tv shows, for those 2 or 3 of you who don't know) and other times I'll try to actually talk about something meaningful, like how the current world has no more room for idealists and dreamers, and the only ones who can truly succeed are people whom you want to loath on sight.

Finally, I will try to mix things up, and actually lend a little variety to the topics at hand (heh...you people may be in for some very amateurish, and more than a little annoying poetry I have lying around) not to mention a short story I started a while back and since I want to see it go somewhere, on slow weeks/days I may just publish bits and pieces of that. And finally, expect a lot of pictures when I have nothing to say. After all, a pic's worth a thousand words, right?

And, well...what else is there to offer in the form of an intro? I'm an aries who likes long...nah, just kidding ;) Drop by soon for something different. Thus ends banter #1...