Its been quite a while since I have last posted and yes I have had quite a few thoughts on my mind recently. Things mostly involving death and the afterlife. Do not worry I am not going to make this a supernatural discussion board. More to come in the weeks to follow.
Melroy Coelho
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Heaven or Hell?
I have had an ongoing debate with myself since the age of 12 and it involves the human-made concept of heaven and hell (yes I know this comment starts another topic all together). But lets take some time to think of the things that actually constitute each of the said after-life planes of existence.
Heaven (Simple Rundown)
-------
1 - Cant have crime
2 - Cant do anything bad as God comes from there
3 - People would have to behave and be polite at all times
4 - Everlasting pleasure
Hell (Simple Rundown)
----
1 - Eternal suffering and pain
2 - Sinners getting flogged
3 - Total sin as the Devil comes from there
4 - Crime has to be prevalent
In recent times, many people have tried to justify the non-existence of heaven. The best example I have found, and I can't remember where I heard it, is where someone said that heaven and hell actually exist on the same plane and the decisions we make as people takes us closer to the final actualization of whether or not we live on either one of the planes. For eg. When you go to work in the morning and say hello to someone and smile pleasantly then its existing on a heavenly plane, however, when you go to work and start giving that same person the brunt of your frustration and start cursing then its hell. The interesting thing about this is the gradual progression of someone into hell which coincides with the concept most religions have about hell. The more good deeds you do, the more chances you will have of reaching heaven. Unfortunately the world does not work like that and if we all did good deeds then at some point someone would forget what good was and deem it as standard life.
Someone has to be doing something bad for us to know the concept of good so I think the earlier concept does have to hold true as there needs to be a very consistent balance between people doing good things and bad things in the world for the two, heaven and hell which I shall call H/H from now on, to exist. But then comes the question of whether or not the decisions made by an individual at an instant also depend on perception of the other individual and hence leaving the choice of us going to H/H in the hands of another. Confused? Here lets try an example ...
You wake up in the morning and say hello to your wife, get out of the house, walk to the car and start driving, you call a friend; of many years; and start talking about how your marriage is in a rut and you wish you were out of it. Your friend gives you the advice that maybe you need to work on it. So you go home at then EOD and talk to your wife about the thoughts in your head. With little or no thought, she gets upset saying that its been the major reason she has been sleeping with a person on the side. Now we break into two scenarios ---
Scenario 1
----------
You decide its best for you'll not to be with each other anymore and leave it at that. More points to go to heaven? Well we will see that at the end of this discussion.
Scenario 2
-----------
You take it pretty hard and tell her all the wonderful profanity you have accumulated over your tenure in the realm of the living. Finally, in a fit of rage you'll start fighting and you push her down the stairs and break her neck thus ending her life.
Scenario 1 happens to be a bit more trickier than 2 because in the fact that some religions consider breaking marriage a more grevious sin than actually being a bigger person and letting it go. Also, in that case, the breakpoint can spin either way depending on who is more forgiving and that ultimately decides who is being bad or good. It's not some supernatural force but another living being that decides whether your living in the heaven portion or the hell portion. There is truly no logical answer to Scenario 1.
Scenario 2 can work alot of angles as well. The first one being that all murderers go to hell. But what about the catalytic act of sleeping with someone else and tainting the concept of marriage, trust and responsibility? On the other hand, some fanatics would say that its ok for the man to have pushed the woman down the stairs as it was the right thing to send a sinner to where she had to go. On the other hand, the lady in this situation can also be considered as a victim and hence doing no wrong as her marriage was going to the doghouse and as an act of self-preservation and being emotionally unkept she slept with someone else. So who is to blame here?
So infact, the concept of Heaven and hell really breaks down to other people letting you into the gates. Its not about going to mass or eating communion or going to a temple or going to a mosque or praying five times a day or giving money to the poor or even helping that old lady cross the street (but you better do it lol). Its actually about letting other people see the good in you and letting them decide how the moment shifts in your favor to end up in H/H.
Of course, if your a religious fanatic you'll probably read this post and hang me like a sheep before the slaughter but then again I don't really care as its time to get somethings on the table just so that they can be discussed in a good/clean fashion.
Heaven (Simple Rundown)
-------
1 - Cant have crime
2 - Cant do anything bad as God comes from there
3 - People would have to behave and be polite at all times
4 - Everlasting pleasure
Hell (Simple Rundown)
----
1 - Eternal suffering and pain
2 - Sinners getting flogged
3 - Total sin as the Devil comes from there
4 - Crime has to be prevalent
In recent times, many people have tried to justify the non-existence of heaven. The best example I have found, and I can't remember where I heard it, is where someone said that heaven and hell actually exist on the same plane and the decisions we make as people takes us closer to the final actualization of whether or not we live on either one of the planes. For eg. When you go to work in the morning and say hello to someone and smile pleasantly then its existing on a heavenly plane, however, when you go to work and start giving that same person the brunt of your frustration and start cursing then its hell. The interesting thing about this is the gradual progression of someone into hell which coincides with the concept most religions have about hell. The more good deeds you do, the more chances you will have of reaching heaven. Unfortunately the world does not work like that and if we all did good deeds then at some point someone would forget what good was and deem it as standard life.
Someone has to be doing something bad for us to know the concept of good so I think the earlier concept does have to hold true as there needs to be a very consistent balance between people doing good things and bad things in the world for the two, heaven and hell which I shall call H/H from now on, to exist. But then comes the question of whether or not the decisions made by an individual at an instant also depend on perception of the other individual and hence leaving the choice of us going to H/H in the hands of another. Confused? Here lets try an example ...
You wake up in the morning and say hello to your wife, get out of the house, walk to the car and start driving, you call a friend; of many years; and start talking about how your marriage is in a rut and you wish you were out of it. Your friend gives you the advice that maybe you need to work on it. So you go home at then EOD and talk to your wife about the thoughts in your head. With little or no thought, she gets upset saying that its been the major reason she has been sleeping with a person on the side. Now we break into two scenarios ---
Scenario 1
----------
You decide its best for you'll not to be with each other anymore and leave it at that. More points to go to heaven? Well we will see that at the end of this discussion.
Scenario 2
-----------
You take it pretty hard and tell her all the wonderful profanity you have accumulated over your tenure in the realm of the living. Finally, in a fit of rage you'll start fighting and you push her down the stairs and break her neck thus ending her life.
Scenario 1 happens to be a bit more trickier than 2 because in the fact that some religions consider breaking marriage a more grevious sin than actually being a bigger person and letting it go. Also, in that case, the breakpoint can spin either way depending on who is more forgiving and that ultimately decides who is being bad or good. It's not some supernatural force but another living being that decides whether your living in the heaven portion or the hell portion. There is truly no logical answer to Scenario 1.
Scenario 2 can work alot of angles as well. The first one being that all murderers go to hell. But what about the catalytic act of sleeping with someone else and tainting the concept of marriage, trust and responsibility? On the other hand, some fanatics would say that its ok for the man to have pushed the woman down the stairs as it was the right thing to send a sinner to where she had to go. On the other hand, the lady in this situation can also be considered as a victim and hence doing no wrong as her marriage was going to the doghouse and as an act of self-preservation and being emotionally unkept she slept with someone else. So who is to blame here?
So infact, the concept of Heaven and hell really breaks down to other people letting you into the gates. Its not about going to mass or eating communion or going to a temple or going to a mosque or praying five times a day or giving money to the poor or even helping that old lady cross the street (but you better do it lol). Its actually about letting other people see the good in you and letting them decide how the moment shifts in your favor to end up in H/H.
Of course, if your a religious fanatic you'll probably read this post and hang me like a sheep before the slaughter but then again I don't really care as its time to get somethings on the table just so that they can be discussed in a good/clean fashion.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Google Taking Over The Media
So today I was logging into my blog and I noticed there was a Beta version of it and lo and behold I have now found Google in yet another part of the my web-based entertainment. Its amazing how at every corner I seem to find the name Google. For example, Orkut is now linked to Google Talk and also, Google has now decided it wants to be on the radio. Only time will tell what they have in store next.
Only good things will come of this ...
Only good things will come of this ...
Monday, November 13, 2006
You have much to learn Grasshopper
<-- Adithi Belting NotesEvery now and then I teach people things that can only be taught by actually seeing and listening to other people. Music is one such concept. Most people will come up to you at a party and say 'man can you teach me to play ... '
Of course, like any good-mannered musician, I always say that I will take time out of my day to teach music to the person asking the question.
Teachography (I know get a dictionary) [People that I appreciate more than they'll ever know]
===================================================================
1997 - Manish
1998 - Raymond Shimra, Danny, Andy
1999 - Anil Mendonca, Nigel, Gary
2000 - Matt Tash, Joe
2001 - Sachin Mendonca, Jake Whitmore, Mr. Ed
2002 - Hemanth Kumar, Jen, Ilya
2003 - Robbie Porro, Carmen
2004 - Broken wrist takes time out to learn music theory
2005 - My sister, Sristhi, Elvis, Bikram, Damien Lythcott (I was one busy Nigger)
2006 - Adithi, more to come
One thing I always take away from teaching someone music is the fact that they don't just learn from you, they also teach you new styles of music that you probably never heard before. Sometimes I sit back and look at all the people I have taken time to teach and how their choice in music has made me a more rounded musician over the long term. I would never have given the time of day to Dave Matthews or even sounds like Pantera and Sepultura unless I had spent time from 2000 - 2001 listening to and playing the stuff.
I don't think i'll ever stop teaching people until of course my wrist breaks and I am no longer able to play. Even then, I think my schooling and self-education in music won't let me be inactive about the second biggest passion that I have in my life.
Viva la Musica ....
Nandi Hills et All
So this weekend past was good and the only reason that it has taken me so long to get to blogging about it is the fact that I have so much work and pressure on my head these days that when I take time out I actually feel guilty when I'm done ....
Anyways, onto my trip to Nandi Hills. I got there first class thanks to some drinks at the bar and of course when I awoke in the morning I was greeted by the back seat of the car coupled with a backseat companion, a guitar. Its been so long since i've actually played a guitar that it took me a few minutes to actually orient my hands to what they used to be good at. The place, Nandi Hills, really doesnt have too much to offer for the sightseer, there is Tipu point but even that has a charm that can only last for a few minutes, maybe an hour at the most depending on what you go there to comprehend. However, the highlight of the day came in the form of an unexpected visitor with a tail, a monkey. Its amazing how many monkeys there are on that hill and how unafraid they are of human presence.
The rest of the day revolved around recuperating from the hangover as well as making up some music. I now have a new song, kinda like an x'mas jingle, that sounds like it came out of Curious George movie.
At the end of the day I feel that the trip was worth it just to get out of Bengalooru (how will people ever cope with this) and to see a place other than the smog laden city that used to be nice.
Pix
==
Azad and Rahul enjoy a moment on the rocks near Tipu Point
Current mood : Sleepy
Word for the day: Persistence
Anyways, onto my trip to Nandi Hills. I got there first class thanks to some drinks at the bar and of course when I awoke in the morning I was greeted by the back seat of the car coupled with a backseat companion, a guitar. Its been so long since i've actually played a guitar that it took me a few minutes to actually orient my hands to what they used to be good at. The place, Nandi Hills, really doesnt have too much to offer for the sightseer, there is Tipu point but even that has a charm that can only last for a few minutes, maybe an hour at the most depending on what you go there to comprehend. However, the highlight of the day came in the form of an unexpected visitor with a tail, a monkey. Its amazing how many monkeys there are on that hill and how unafraid they are of human presence.
The rest of the day revolved around recuperating from the hangover as well as making up some music. I now have a new song, kinda like an x'mas jingle, that sounds like it came out of Curious George movie.
At the end of the day I feel that the trip was worth it just to get out of Bengalooru (how will people ever cope with this) and to see a place other than the smog laden city that used to be nice.
Pix
==
Azad and Rahul enjoy a moment on the rocks near Tipu PointCurrent mood : Sleepy
Word for the day: Persistence
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Dixie Chicks - Taking The Long Way
I've always liked the Dixie Chicks, and this new album really is a different sound from their usual happy twangy sound. I guess in all the time they've spent recovering from insulting the president and losing popularity with the masses on their take on the invasion of Iraq, they've refined their sound and come out with something that sounds more mature. The best song in my opinion on this album is the opening one because it takes us right back to why we love these girls so much, their lack of common sense when taking political stances lol.
There is a good selection of music on this album that will keep country fans well entertained for a long time. Another good song with a fresh sound is Bitter End. Good for you girls and to add salt to the president's already gaping wound, this album has worked wonders for the girls
Playlist
1. The Long Way Around
2. Easy Silence
3. Not Ready To Make Nice
4. Everybody Knows
5. Bitter End
6. Lullaby
7. Lubbock Or Leave It
8. Silent House
9. Favorite Year
10. Voice Inside My Head
11. I Like It
12. Baby Hold On
13. So Hard
14. I Hope
Overall Rating : 8.5 / 10
There is a good selection of music on this album that will keep country fans well entertained for a long time. Another good song with a fresh sound is Bitter End. Good for you girls and to add salt to the president's already gaping wound, this album has worked wonders for the girls
Playlist
1. The Long Way Around
2. Easy Silence
3. Not Ready To Make Nice
4. Everybody Knows
5. Bitter End
6. Lullaby
7. Lubbock Or Leave It
8. Silent House
9. Favorite Year
10. Voice Inside My Head
11. I Like It
12. Baby Hold On
13. So Hard
14. I Hope
Overall Rating : 8.5 / 10
Bar Report - Surya
Surya bar is located in what can only be described as the Boston of Bangalore. Situated among a throng of colleges, this bar offers the visitor a range of mostly college students. The highlight of this bar is its rooftop where groups of students/visitors sit in circles (on the ground I might add) and consume copious amounts of alcohol. Now I know what your thinking, how can that be fun? In some ways it can be because it offers an ambience that most other bars don't offer which is the openness of the drinking experience. For example, if you went to a place like Pub World then you'd be forced to just drink with the crowd that you went with unless of course you sat at the bar.
The one thing that did seem of place at this bar was the lack of a guide railing to stop innocent (in more than way) students from pretending to be Clark Kent and try and fly off the roof. The drinks cannot really be gauged here as there really isn't a plethora to choose from but then again once you find the drink you like then the place takes more precedence.
The food was good and from what I could tell, the service could have been better but they really aren't paid to serve well nor are they inclined to step up to the situation and make a better effort.
Drinks Rating : 8 /10
Food : 7/10
Safety(Special Rating) : 2 /10 (But who wants to be safe anyways)
Service : 5 /10 (being kind)
Overall Score : 8/10
The one thing that did seem of place at this bar was the lack of a guide railing to stop innocent (in more than way) students from pretending to be Clark Kent and try and fly off the roof. The drinks cannot really be gauged here as there really isn't a plethora to choose from but then again once you find the drink you like then the place takes more precedence.
The food was good and from what I could tell, the service could have been better but they really aren't paid to serve well nor are they inclined to step up to the situation and make a better effort.
Drinks Rating : 8 /10
Food : 7/10
Safety(Special Rating) : 2 /10 (But who wants to be safe anyways)
Service : 5 /10 (being kind)
Overall Score : 8/10
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