Zombies- The living dead?

How did it all start? 

The zombie obsession goes back to 1930s. It was in 1932, when the first movie called White Zombie came out and the fixation with the zombie has continued ever since. Back then, the concept of the zombies was based on voodoo and magic. In the movie White Zombie, the first movie of its kind, there was a zombie master who had control over an army of zombies through voodoo. In the movie, he orders his zombie army to kidnap a woman he had fallen in love with. Subsequently, the woman is rescued by her fiancee, who also manages to throw the zombie master off a cliff. Joining the master are the “faithful” creatures, who jump along.
The next groundbreaking twist with this zombie fixation came in 1968, when The night of the living dead was released. This brought about a new concept of zombies and showed the "phenomenon" as a plague, spreading beyond redemption. It is worth pointing out that 40 years hence and still the same concept has been followed.

Having bewitched the human fascination, Zombies have made numerous "appearances" in literature, video games, and most famously in television and movies. One of the most popular music videos ever, showcased Zombies dancing along Michael Jackson in the 1983 Thriller.

The Zombie Apocalypse scenario, first created by the aforementioned The night of the living dead, has even inspired numerous Zombie Walks, which are organised public gatherings of vast crowds of people dressed up as zombies. These Zombie Walks are at times used for political protests but mostly for the mere fun element involved. These walks are however mostly prevalent in the United States as of now.

Is it possible?

So the question is- myth or reality? Can it really happen? Perhaps certain brain parasites can cause, if not the same, a similar condition. Also the condition known as Catatonic Schizophrenia is often associated with Zombie-like characteristics.

Furthermore, an epidemic of mad cow disease could trigger the Z-day or the Zombie Apocalypse. Mad cow disease is so called because it causes a cow to lose control over the nervous system disabling it from doing normal things, like walk. If a person eats the beef of an infected cow, the person is at a high risk of getting a human form of the disease, called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or CJD. It is a very rare, yet serious disease that affects the brain. It was estimated that only 1 in a million get it.

In its entirety, the Zombie legend is one of the most popular forms of the undead. Other famous forms include Vampires and Mummies. The Zombie legend has its own place in the human pysche having featured in numerous forms of entertainment comparable only to the Vampire. Sure they are not as glamorous as the Vampires, but with over 50 movies set to released from 2010 to the end of 2011, the gory and rotting skinned legend is here to stay as one of the darlings!

The Great EPL 2010-2011 Title Race

14th August! The date when the much awaited EPL kicks off to begin another season of franticness. This EPL season is most likely to be another topsy-turvy ride, with many teams pushing for the honors. Apart from the usual top four of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United; Spurs and Manchester City would also be pushing hard for the title.

Manchester City

Having already splurged 75 million pounds in new acquisitions in the summer in addition to the 100 million Pounds last term, Man City are looking stronger than last year. Manager Mancini said in a Press conference that he wanted two quality players for every position. A squad boasting of new signings of Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jerome Boateng, and Aleksandar Kolarov, he has certainly managed that!

However, with the new EPL rule of having a cap of 25 players with atleast 8 home grown players, it remains to be seen who Mancini decides to drop or let go. Even then, keeping so many top players happy may not be the easiest of the tasks for the Italian tactician. Moreover, with each passing day, City close in on Balotelli and James Milner.

On paper, they easily have the best team in England. But how they play as a team will be interesting to watch!

Tottenham Hotspur

With talented attacking players like Modric, Lennon and Kranjcar, Spurs played one the most flowing football last season. The find of the season for them was Gareth Bale. He was terrible initially when he played at left back. But he reveled as a left winger.

This should be the season where Spurs build on their 4th finish from last year. Whatever be the case, they are sure entertainers!

Liverpool

Having disappointed everyone last season, Liverpool will keep a realistic target of finishing in top 4. They seem to have a mediocre squad in comparison to the title contenders.

With the signings of Serbian winger Milan Jovanovic and Joe Cole on a free transfers, Liverpool seem to have won a lottery. Also the signing of the promising 18 year old defender Danny Wilson from Rangers for a mere 2 million Pounds seems to be a bargain.

Liverpool fans must be delighted to see the flop Alberto Riera leave. Liverpool have let go of the talented Israeli, Yossi Benayoun to Chelsea. However, he would not be missed much as they already have Joe Cole to fill in the boots.

Liverpool will in most likely struggle to finish in the top 4. However, with former Fulham manager, Roy Hodgson who guided the mediocre Fulham to the finals of the UEFA Cup last term, at the helm, anything can happen.

Arsenal

Arsenal play a brand of football which is very close to that of Barcelona's. Having almost lost Captain Marvelous to Barcelona, Arsenal can surely compete for the title this season with Cesc in the team. A squad which boasts of tremendously talented young players this can be their turn around season.

Having signed Bordeaux striker Chamakh on a free transfer and the French Laurent Koscielny for a fee in the range of 10 million Pounds, Arsenal look stronger than last term. Koscielny will act as a direct replacement for WIlliam Gallas who has moved. Chamakh will add more firepower to the squad.

In all fairness, Cesc will again be the center of Arsenal's play. They look amazing when he plays and the opposite otherwise. Their season will depend on a lot on their want away Captain. Given the young squad has one more year of experience, Arsenal should be competing for the top prize come the business end of season.

Chelsea

Having lost Ballack and Joe Cole, most will think that Chelsea would be a weakened unit this season. But with one of the most experienced sides in the Premier League, they are stronger than ever. They have Essien coming back into the team and he is a real match winner.

The signing of Benayoun from Liverpool is a master act. He will surely add more creativity to the team and is a replacement for the talented Cole. Chelsea are also closing in on Brazilian Ramires, and if the deal is done he will be a direct replacement for the German Ballack.

With their experience Chelsea will surely be right up there from start to end.

Manchester United

This season would most probably be a transitional season where Sir Alex gives more games to his crop of young and talented players. Gibson and Cleverly are talented to say the least. Cleverly has especially caught the eye with his goal scoring prowess from midfield.

Having signed two young players back in January, namely, Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling, Sir Alex Ferguson chose to be quite in the summer. The Mexican Hernandez has looked especially promising with his performances in the World Cup and the pre-season friendlies.

This season will surely act as "change of guard", given the old horses will most probably retire after the current term. They may find it difficult to compete with Chelsea, but one thing is for sure, with the current mix of youth and experience, they will surely be among the mix come business end of the season.

Whatever happens this season, it is sure going to live up to the expectations. With atleast 6 contenders competing for the Title, it is going to be the best EPL season yet!

The Rat Race

 

The rat race is a seemingly endless pursuit with little reward or purpose. There is always somebody ahead. Ever pause to ponder, why we need to push, shove, nudge, elbow and shoulder to overtake one, then the next, then another, only to be overtaken by fellow humans or rather “rats” who stayed alive at our finishing line.

The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat. —Lily Tomlin

The Rat race starts right from childhood. It starts off with the parents of a 3 year old being interviewed in order to decide who the better “rat” is for entering school. Once the poor rat is in, the life aka the rat race begins.

“Top of the class, bottom of the class, you’ve failed, passed, topper, failure,” Come on. It’s (rat) just a 4-year old. That’s called “killing softly”. This race goes on for about 12 long and gruelling years, and then we’re in “The Tenth”. We’re told, “Just do well here and you are set for life.” Little “the rats” know. They fall in the ditch and it’s like an abyss. Soon “The Tenth” is in the past and up comes “The Twelth”.  The greatest test, yet! There are boards, there are competitive, and then there is this new found urge to do ‘different’ things ;) Hell, that’s competitive and leaves everybody rattled, so much so, that we don’t realise that it’s just the sign of things to come. The thing told to us about being “set for life” is simply a deception created to hide the ultimate truth concerning life; life is a rat race.

Perhaps, the more intense the race and the more it is contested, the greater is the claim to an elevated level of development. By any reckoning, it appears to be a primitive stage, rather than an evolved stage of civilization.

It is a known fact that a very long time ago we were primates. Even though this was millions of years ago, we still live the “primate” way!

Primates are hierarchical. The higher up the hierarchy one is the better the chances of survival. We compete with each other over access to food, education, jobs, “mates” etc. Available resources rarely meet the demands made by wild primates or indeed humans and thus competition is a way of life.            

"No matter what you do in the rat race, success is not guaranteed, but if you do nothing failure is" —Paul Ulasien

Subsequently there is college, which is definitely the best time of anyone’s life, where the ultimate “rat race” ensues. Session exams are always a pain. So is the week long studying before the exams and “that” week of the exams. There is an explicit race in these exams. The race can be incredibly like chalk and cheese for different rats that are like chalk and cheese.  Some are racing to come amongst the toppers and beat their “friends”. While others are racing to fail in as many (or less) subjects as their immediate “adversaries”.

Nevertheless, the more interesting race starts a week before the exams, when the “elite” rats are running around to gather notes/books to get them photocopied. They’re often willing to pay extra to get their hands on the photocopies, just in time, and that is as early as a day before the exam. Yes, these rats are that elite.

School, college then what follows is obvious, a JOB.

First, as always, the rats have to race again. Compete against thousands of people. Those who get in, think for a moment that they’re at the finishing line. “Set for life.” Yes? No! The line just got further. Now the race is of a different kind, a marathon. Earlier rats used to crib about “not seeing” themselves work in a 9 to 6 environment, citing reasons like “it’s hectic”. LOL. Well, that is true, isn’t it? It’s more like 9 to 12 now, with atleast 12 hours obligatory.

“Raceism” or more popularly the rat race is not just limited to the professional front. Enter Facebook! We toil late into the night, unleashing an endless stream of status updates and tweets. Then there are always those farms, fishes, homes, mafias to brag about. I once read that this ploy by virtual rats is just an attempt to keep themselves relevant, desirable and in. Well, I think that’s a little offensive. Anyhow, if it is true, then it’s a race, the virtual rat race.  

It turns out virtual life is less about connectivity than self-branding.

People are like lost sheep that have gone astray and don't know who they are, so instead of   searching who they really are, they submit to society and do whatever is in. Be it related to career or “love” life or this virtual life!

At the end of the day, there is just one outcome of ‘The rat race’; fear. Fear of outcomes debilitates us. We begin dreading futile and little things in life. Moreover, that in turn leads to obsessing about the future and obsession is always a bitch! That will make anyone compulsive, cranky and unhappy. Not sad, but unhappy.

There are always reasons, mostly material, to be unhappy, Raceism being the major. The smart thing to would be to stop agonizing over them, especially when they are inevitable. Not only must one want to be happy but it is the very purpose of life. In other words, it is okay to be happy. It is okay to want to be happy.

God, we have been told, helps those who help themselves

`Raceism’ has come to stay in the world.

Once a year, every year!

It's part of the New Year ritual – an annual attempt to start afresh and turn over a new leaf. But making resolutions is a near pointless exercise.

"New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual." ~Mark Twain

On January 2^nd, every year, millions of people begin the annual ritual of New Year's Resolutions. Memberships at health clubs and diet programs soar in the following weeks. Sales of Chocolates, alcohol, cigarettes are at their lowest in January.

"Time for a new beginning?"

Despite all the ballyhoo, by February, almost everybody gives up on their “New Year’s Resolutions”. They remain no more than a dim memory. So, the pertinent question here is not “Why not make New Year’s Resolutions?”, but “Why NOT make New Year’s resolutions?” I’d say, just to avoid the overwhelming guilt feeling which comes once you start “not keeping” them, as if you didn’t feel guilty enough!

New Year’s resolutions are far easier to make than they are to keep. “Guilt” is a cardinal when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. One makes these resolutions to overcome the guilt of past failures! Whether being out of shape or out of touch, or out of luck, it’s all got to do with guilt. What is even more interesting is that guilt is the root cause to the failure of one’s resolutions. The guilt of impending failure, the guilt of not being up to it. And too much guilt is never good!

To thwart any further guilt on one’s conscience, I’ve come up with an ingenuous gray idea, which is in between “make” and “not make”. Why not make resolutions which you’re certain that you could accomplish. J Like eating Chicken atleast once a week, every week! J That way you could stay cheerful knowing that you’re living up to your resolutions and perhaps even happier because you’re having “awesome” chicken. And top that staying healthy! Aaah peace of mind!

"A dog's every New Year's Resolution: I will not chase that stick unless I actually see it leave his hand!”

And we all know that it never lives up to it!

There is a great deal in this world to distress upon with, I believe we could do away with atleast one of them! My point here is, make resolutions, but only those you’re sure to keep! Avoid yourself with all the guilt which would come with not keeping New Year’s resolutions! A little extract from the result of a research, is sure of offering a fresh perspective

“Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals”

So trust me on this! Unless you’re Chuck Norris, which I’m sure you’re not, (because it is scientifically impossible for Chuck Norris to have had a mortal father and the most popular theory is that he went back in time and fathered himself) make these gray resolutions! For staying happier rather than repenting on why you broke your resolution.

These “gray” resolutions are by far, easier to live upto. And thus making you merrier! What is even better is that these maybe a little funny, so enabling you to start your New Year with a atleast a laugh! What’s better than that? These gray ones can be funny, random and innovative at the same time! Far better than those dull, hard to keep ones! It can vary from chewing your toothbrush while brushing your teeth (now don’t tell me you’ve never done that or don’t like it) to spotting a UFO or Sasquatch in your locality, and telling only your best friends about it! Now won’t that make you happy?

Just to persuade all of you, here are a few “gray” resolutions you might want to keep:

> Procrastinate more

> Cut/grow your hair

> Atleast have one meal at a new restaurant, if not weekly then monthly. And top that by having a new dish everytime.

> Not tell the same story to every other person at a party(Women).

> Chew more Orbit!

> Text from your “un” deft hand.

> Take neither the author of this crap nor any of the above seriously!

“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!” ~ Joey Adams