The Dark Post

Warning : A very dark, traumatic and chilling post ahead. Discretion Advised. Please quit reading/ viewing the very instant you feel overwhelmed. I apologize in advance if you get depressed after reading the entire post.   

The mood of the week has been synonymous with the weather; cold, dark and not to mention depressing. The weather can make a compelling excuse owing to the approaching winter but the cause for the gloomy mood can  squarely be pinned on the visit I made last weekend to the Concentration Camp in Buchenwald, East Germany.

I admit, I have been to morgue, a crematorium and an autopsy lab, I have seen death take away some of my loved ones but never before have I visited a place that has given me constant shivers down my spine by its mere remembrance. Buchenwald is one such place, located in the midst of thick woods, it was built by the Nazis to house political opponents, Jews, Homosexuals and Gypsies among others. Primarily an extermination through labor camp wherein inmates were made to slave 15 hours a day without much food, water or toilets. Death came by the dozens with an average of 200 odd people dying at the camp on a daily basis that a permanent crematorium had to be built there to dispose of the bodies.

The following photo was taken when the Allied Forces wrested Buchenwald from the Nazis. 

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.

                             A pile of human corpses outside the crematorium waiting to be burnt.

The Corpse Cellar

             

The Height Gauge in the Infirmary

One of the many Nazi extermination techniques was that a random inmate would be picked and sent to the infirmary for health inspection. The camp doctor there would ask him to stand against a height gauge to measure his height. Lying concealed to the inmate would be a hole in the wall of the height gauge which would help a shooter at point blank range standing by on the other end of the wall complete the task at hand. This apparently was designed for two benefits, the victim would never guess how his death might come about and the shooter would never have to face his victim. 

      

Just like the citizens at the end of the video, our expressions too assumed melancholic proportions with a young lady in our group passing out on seeing some of the exhibits kept at one of the exhibitions.  

Survivors of the holocaust were regarded very lucky, the following is an account of one such survivor.

 

I left Buchenwald wondering exactly how severe my problems were in comparison to what the inmates of Buchenwald must have gone through and realized what luxurious lives we lead; being able to live a life of limitless freedom without the thought of death looming large over our heads, getting to eat lavish meals without a bother in the world and being able to do what, when and how we please without fearing for our lives. 

At the end of it all, I only felt the gratefulness multiply for being blessed with such a positive upbringing that I surmise what hurt and pain the affected must have gone through and also realize how grossly important being humanitarian is.

Lets End this one on a happier note, shall we?

        

  Our Deepavali Spread, 15 of us got together and churned out the above. 

PS: It was only after this meal that I felt some reprieve from the gloom and melancholy.

Hope you all had an awesome Deepavali.   

Tag TIme

This post has been pending for a while now and will firstly result in my hind being kicked by the parties to be mentioned hereupon. My sincerest apologies to them for the delay in carrying out the honors that they have so graciously bestowed on me. 

Ms Nirvana and Ms Spiff (in that order) had awarded me with the following awards on their blogs sometime back. 

They were either inebriated, hallucinating or both and decided that this blog be awarded. I'm grateful to them for thinking that this blog deserved mention. Another point worthy of mention here is that these were my first ever accolades in the blog world and coming from some of my favorite blog writers meant a whole lot more to a rookie like me.

Believe me this took some blog hopping and then it finally dawned on this dimwit that I am to state Seven Random facts about myself and also pass on the award to 7 other blogs. 

Cutting to the Chase -

1. I am as lazy as they come. I have been scolded umpteen number of times by the mother because I could not bring myself to walk 3 exact steps forward to switch off 2 tube lights in my room before falling asleep but would wrap the pillow all over my head to avoid the glare of the lights.

2. I`m an extremely morning person, so much so, that my body clock has accurate tuning. If I happen to set the alarm for 5 AM, 99 out of a 100 times, I would disable the alarm at 4.59 AM and also wake up the people around me because I cant bear the sight of people sleeping when I`m awake. For proof, ask the Kid Sister as to how she was force converted into a Morning Person. Yes, I know I`m evil.

3. I`m blind as a bat. Ask me for a book located in the most inaccessible shelf of a library that has the architecture of a labyrinth and I will bring it to you in a flash but ask me to get you something that's right in front of my eyes and I will fail you.

4. I have this uncanny ability to sniff out as well as throw surprise parties. Don't get me wrong here but my friends have thrown me many a pseudo surprise birthday party but someone or the other would make an excuse/ make one wrong move and the surprise would prematurely reveal itself. I for one have thrown a surprise party  to someone outside a police station calling the person up to get the original insurance papers from home claiming to be in an accident in which the car was supposedly pulverized by a truck.

5. I have the memory of an elephant. I can state to you in increasing order of size, the breakfast menu on my first flight which incidentally was the first time I traveled alone when I was all of 7. Questions such as - Are you also the size of an elephant will be politely ignored.    

6. I have this habit of keeping notes of larger denominations in my wallet because of this constant fear that if there are many 5's and 10's then the temptation to splurge will grow stronger and it is fairly easier for me to curtail the need to spend the 50's and 100's. This has nothing to do with the fact that I am a certified Miser.   

7. I am a failed cause to alcoholism. I have once downed One and half tall glasses of Long Island Iced Tea and didn't have a clue as to why my friends were sniggering away to glory but remember having sound sleep that night. I have drunk half a dozen Irish Coffees consecutively but only recently did I find out that Irish Coffee contains one quarter Irish whiskey in it. My point of contention - If I`m not getting high, why the heck should I lose money over it. 

                                                    

The award is hereby passed on to every single reader of the blog. Would love to read seven random facts about those who read this blog.    

The Reason

I`ve been asked time and again as to why I chose to baptize my blog - Atrocious Scribblings among a gazillion other possible names.

Well, the following Video clip is my inspiration.

On watching this clip, I thought to myself, if I ever blog on a platform I would try writing something as flamboyant(if not more) and wacky. The language is sheer brilliance no?

For the flamboyance to take shape, one does need a compelling enough name, doesn't one? Hence the obvious took place and this blog has and will be known as Atrocious Scribblings.

PS: What do you people reckon about the look of the space?
        

Oh Mother Earth Swallow Me

Just breathing a mammoth sigh of relief; been giving exams, vivas, project presentations and all that degree related stuff;  left,right and center for the past 3 and half months. I haven't had time to get a haircut or a shave and now look like a famished and weak War Zone Refugee (No offence to War Zone Refugees, if any are reading). Amidst the fury of exam season, I`ve had quite a few 'Oh Mother Earth Swallow Me' moments which are basically instants in which you wish the earth would actually break open beneath you and swallow you completely till the embarrassment passes away or pacifies. 

Moment 1:

Background: Weekly Skype Call with home.

Amma: Appa tells me, you have some new neighbors. Where are they from? Are there a lot of Chinese people?

Me: Yes Ma, there are some new people who have moved into the floor, they're very friendly.

I hear a knock on my door and go answer it to see my neighbor from Hong Kong standing there offering me a slice of her birthday cake.

Amma,watching the entire scene unfold, thanks to the power of Broadband Internet.

Amma: You stay away from the Chinese Okay(Stern Voice), they will act all friendly and trap you. Especially those Chinese girls, they'll trap with you with their silky hair and their Chopsuey making skills. It's an international conspiracy I tell you.

Before I could respond to her utterly racist and stereotypical observation, 

Appa: Dont worry, the girl isn't BLIND to fall for him. 

Oh Mother Earth Swallow Me, I think to myself as I proceed to close the door and find the Birthday Celebrating girl standing there giving me the coldest possible stare.

Moment 2: 

Background : Room mate's Girlfriend in the house on a weekend.

GF: You guys take a break today, I`ll cook up something special and then we can watch a movie together.

Roomie: Are you sure? I`ve never seen you enter a kitchen in your life.

GF: Wait till you eat the Biryani that's going to be made today, you'll thank your stars that you have me in your life. Just tell me how this Pressure cooker of yours works.

Roomie: Just put in the rice and the veggies into the cooker and it will do the rest. 

Two Hours later, the room is filled with a burnt stench.

Roomie: Is it done yet? I`m starting to get hungry and what's that smell? 

GF: I`m not quite sure, I used the cooker like you said.

The Roomie and me go take a peek into the cooker to find a Blackened soot of what was supposedly veggies and rice 2 hours ago. 

Roomie: What did you?

GF: I put in the veggies and rice like you said, I also added Garam Masala and a some spices. 

Roomie: Didn't you add any water?                  

GF: You didn't tell me to.

Me: Oh Mother Earth, Swallow me NOW !!!

Moment 3: 

Background : Viewing highlights of Past Chat Conversations with an erstwhile batch mate I seldom spoke to.

1st Year: We come to college to study no? I don't get how people come in Single into college and walk out with their future spouses.

2nd Year: I think it's ok to freak out a little.

3rd year: I don't think falling for someone is wrong, How foolish was I?

4th Year: Bro, Just proposed to her and she responded positively. I`m so happy, Lets Partyyy. Drinks On Me.

Just as I was going through these past chats, his Chat window flashes on screen

Yesterday: I just spoke to your friend, You're still single? WTF?

Me: Oh Mother Earth, Swallow Me NOWWWW !!!!       

               

HUBBA, HUBBA, HUBBA

Dear Reader,

                      I write this with the hope of sharing my predicament with you and wait with baited breath for your valuable inputs, critiques and possible solutions to this predicament I find myself in.

The following is a short description of my predicament:-

I was at the recently concluded Frankfurt Motor Show which could only be described as a single guy's paradise. The place was a deadly concoction of everything a Single guy can ever dream off ---> Beer,  Smoking Hot Cars, Futuristic Concept Vehicles, Smoking Hot Cars with Smoking Hot babes on them, in them, around them, under them; in all possible sizes, variants and models and I don't just mean the cars. It was a holy pilgrimage for Car enthusiasts such as myself to get up, close and personal with the Gods and Goddesses of the car world including the likes of the Ferrari's, Porsche's, Bentley's, Maybach's, Rolls-Royce's and many many more in their most divine and plentiful incarnations.          

HUBBA,HUBBA , HUBBA, were the only words that my mouth seemed to be voicing out all day, apart from the jaw dropping and gawking action that was taking place shamelessly. 

Here's a quick glimpse of what was on display

   

BMW's i8 Concept Car which will feature in the movie Mission Impossible 4 : Ghost Protocol later this year.

    

The Sexy Alfa Romeo which won many a heart.

The Alfa Romeo with some Add-On's. It was so Freaking hard to decide on what to Gawk at.

Classic Instance of the predicament I find myself in.

 

Mercedes Benz Concept A Design - Another Hottie that I just couldn't stop ogling at.

The Mercedes Benz F-125  (125 marks the 125th anniversary of the first patented automobile) 

The Fiat Abart 695 Competizione. Aint she a beauty?

At this, one of my friends asked me, Who's hotter? The Car or the Model? This was the tipping point,

I am still scratching my head, ripping off my hair but the answer still eludes me. 

I haven't slept in 28 hours or eaten in the last 15, please help me out before I'm taken to the loony bin.

I feel like Joey Tribbianni being asked which he would give up among Food or Sex. Like Joey's answer; which is Girls on bread, I too wish I had an answer, unfortunately I don't and so I ask you, the reader; to help me with this predicament I find myself in. 

Yours Sincerely 

Confused and Hungry Single Guy

PS 1: Did I mention HUBBA, HUBBA, HUBBA? I've not been able to get that out of my head. Wonder Why?

PS 2: I hereby truthfully admit that I shed a silent tear on the train ride back home when nobody was watching  owing to being forcefully dragged out from the Show venue at closing time. I loved the show so much, it HURTSSS.

*bawls like a baby* 

Picture Courtesy : Friend's Brilliant Camera Work and Google Images.

PS 3: Copying these images without prior consent gives you Gonorrhea.           

Atrocious adds another Awesome year to his Life

I dread special days like birthdays, anniversaries and the likes. One week into their lead up, the atmosphere around us just seems to change into manic crazy and depressing; more so if you are the poor soul who's special day is coming up. Gifts and goodies are of course the sunny end of the bargain but there are by-products like anxiety and curiosity.    

So here's my birthday 2011 in Review

6.00 AM -

Wake up to find that I`m running a temperature and begin to experience joint pains. Note to self, this birthday is going to trump them all (Note the optimism :D). 

Wow, I`m sick at 6 AM on a day on which I thought giving two exams back to back was going to be the spoiler. This just keeps getting better and better.

8.00 AM - Load up on pills before writing First Exam. Curses, For Pete's sake, whoever makes you write an exam at 8 AM on a Monday morning deserves to be stoned to death.

12.00 PM - Done with the first exam. Come out of the exam block and find that rains always welcome you when you don't have an umbrella. Look up at the sky and smile at your wretched luck.        

1.00 PM - Lunch at the university cafeteria. 

Blyuugh, this is what they call food, no wonder the Germans look so Grumpy and pissed off all the time.(Apparently being sick makes me a racist, who would've known?)

2:00 PM - Get ready for next exam.

5:00 PM - Done with the second exam. *Pats own back and gives self a handshake for pulling off an Anil Kumble.*

6.00 PM - Reach room dead tired after 2 bus changes and crash on the bed while making sure from the corner of my eye that the quilt doesn't look too crumpled (Yes, I`m a Virgo and have this fetish for organization - a La Monica Geller, So ???)

9.00 PM - Wonder if something edible can be made out of Cheese and Nacho Dip in the fridge ??? End up having a glass of warm milk and calling it a day.

9.15 PM - Snoring Away to glory.

10.00 PM - Woken up by a knock on the door by a group mob of 17 people who give me a cake facial with a 3 inch Toblerone chocolate topping - custom baked cake. End up getting a couple of cuts across my face because the Toblerone topping has walnuts/almonds in it, Oww. Did I mention that I`m typing this out while standing, these people kicked (Birthday Bums) the Be-Jesus outta my hind, some even wearing 4 inch snow shoes. Don't know if I`ll be able to park my rear on a chair properly for the next 2 days.      

PS 1: Had my birthday taken off my FB page to avoid replying to a 100 different people who I seldom interact with. Probably for the best, as only the people who felt I was worthy enough to be wished and blessed; did so.

Ms Spiff from Senseless Sense? or Sensible Nonsense? gets a special mention here because she wished me by email. Thank you so so so so (*spreads hands wide apart to indicate how much*) much. 

PS 2: 

Birthday 2010: Friend Meets with an Accident, breaks elbow and jaw. Spend the entire day at the hospital till his parents fly out from Singapore.

                            

Birthday 2009: Neighbor attempts suicide by hanging, slap him so hard for trying something so stupid, that his neck sprains and has to use a neck collar for a fortnight.

Either I don't have people around me doing crazy things on my birthday or Birthday 2011 hasn't been as eventful as the previous two years. 

PS 3: Why God ?? Whyyyyyyy ??? We had a deal, let the others grow old, not meee, Why are you doing this to us???  *sob sob sob*

PS 4: Dear God,

                         My prayer for the year ahead is a Fat bank account and a thin body. Please don't mix these up like you did last year.

     

Picture Courtesy : bingee.com  

   

Of This, That and Sublimity

The last one week has been; whats the word I`m looking for, A Dream. Yes, A sublime dream at that.

Instance 1: 

It's Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesh Utsav) and I`m a couple dozen thousand kilometers away from home. Now, I`m not really the  homesick kind(much more the sick of home kinds), but missing the festivities back home is surely something that does leave you pondering, even for a emotionless tin chested robot like me. So, I do what any other person 'who slightly misses home but doesn't have the balls to explicitly say he's homesick' does ---> replicate the 'homey' feeling in the closest way possible. I gather up two of my buddies and we decide that we would go visit one of the largest Hindu temples in the EU. 

2 train rides and 3 hours hence, we reach the town where the aforementioned temple is located and we start walking in search of the temple courtesy Shree Google-Maps-a-Nanda. We come across this slightly South Asian looking gentleman who makes small talk with us; inquiring as to where we were from and a few more blah-blah-blah's later, he informs us that there were 2 more temples in the same town and that he would love to drive us there. So we decide we would visit them as well especially since it was Ganesh Utsav and plus we don't get to visit temples on a regular basis. So we tagged along with him and he took us to one of the most homely places I could have opted to be in. The smell of Camphor intermingled with the fragrance of Incense is by far the closest simulation I have lingering of home now. I couldn't take a 4 inch smile off my face for a whole 2 days just thinking that I had just experienced home simultaneously while being so far away from it.

Instance 2: 

Flash forward to the 7th ---> Did I mention EPIC ???  

1. First thing I did in the morning when I opened my blogger dashboard was check out Nirvana's Post and did the 'Roger Federer' backward fall; off my chair. Yes, I fell off my chair backwards in joy because I got awarded by her.There started a day, I will remember and reminisce for a very long time because it was purely sublime in all respects. In hindsight, I think her award was a sign of things to come later that day. I just cant thank you enough Nirvana. 

2. It wasn't raining on the 7th because what was happening outside my window could easily be termed as a fine and persistent yet irritating sprinkling of water from the heavens. As I sat refreshing my university email id for updates regarding the project I`m working on, I hear a knock on the door. 

As I go and answer it, I see my college mate of 6 years standing there with the brightest smile on her face and a silver foil package in her hands. I invite her inside and offer her some hot Desi Chai while we catch up. She opens the package and stuffs my mouth with the most hot, delicious Aloo-De-Parathe I've ever had. I really couldn't have asked for more surprises from a single day; Rainy weather + old friend who shows up at your door step with a smile  +  Lip Smacking Aloo-De-Parathe = SUBLIME.

Instance 3:

If you're a T.V show freak like me, you'd not miss one single episode of your favorite shows. If you haven't watched Suits or Burn Notice, what are you waiting for? The Universe to give you a divine signal? 

Both these shows had their season ending finales yesterday, they just had class written all over them. The downside however is that I have to wait a couple of months to watch the next season of both these shows and I have not stopped raving about both the season finales of these shows to my friends ever since I watched them yesterday evening. 

I have frankly run out of adjectives to describe Suits, the writing is just brilliant and the actors have added finesse to the respective characters especially the female leads who not only look smoking hot but have elegance in equal dosage. All you lawyers would love this show, although how much of it is actually true and how much is hokum; you will have to enlighten me on that.   

  

Burn Notice has been successfully running from 2007, so watching it if you like Wit, Sarcasm, Action, Crime and a superb story line all packaged into one is not something you will regret doing. The attitudes of the characters and first person narration is what draws you hook,line and sinker.

That was my week in review, What have you all been upto?

PS: Happy Onam to you all , May your cup of Joy be filled with Happiness,Prosperity and Success and over flow with Celebration.

Picture Courtesy: Swami Google-Image-aa-Nanda