Friday, March 25, 2016

When A Prostitute Saved The Day

Boule de Suif (loosely translated as Ball of Fat) is possibly the late 19th century French writer Guy de Maupassant most famous short story. This is one of those stories which I would remember for life.

You can read the full story for free at Project Gutenberg:-


In the story, set during the Franco-Prussian War, a courtesan named Elisabeth Rousset (aka Boule de Suif due to  her horizontally-challenged physique), was fleeing Prussian-occupied Rouen in a coach together with nine other travellers. 

Realising who she was, her companions gave her the cold shoulder. They whispered among themselves and even spoke with audible derogatory terms concerning her.

By the by, when they became hungry and had nothing to eat, Elisabeth offered to share her basket of provisions consisting of two whole chicken, four bottles of clarets, bread rolls, pies, fruit and dainties of all sorts. Then, their attitudes towards her changed somewhat.

Alas, their progress was slow and they stumbled into a Prussian-occupied inn en route to Le Havre. There they were detained by a Prussian officer. Over the next few days, the office asked for Elisabeth repeatedly and she eventually disclosed to her companions that all of them could not leave unless she agrees to sleep with him.

Elisabeth's staunch refusal was initially supported by her companions. Then they turned on her and reasoned with her to acquiesce. She said finally: "I am doing it for your sakes, remember that!"

After her ordeal, she was reportedly unwell and did not join them for dinner. Through a discreet inquiry with the innkeeper, they learnt that: 'It is alright.' Cheered on by their imminent release, they celebrated over dinner. None of them, not even the ladies inquired on Elisabeth's well being.

The very next morning, they were let off. But, instead of gratitude, her travelling companions avoided her and looked at her with disdain. They even gossiped and spoke unkindly of her.

In her haste, Elisabeth forgot to bring provisions and was hoping that her companions would share some with her. Nobody offered her any morsel of food and her sobbing went unheeded. Her heart's cry goes beyond mere physical food.



Food For Thoughts:

When we do the right thing against our will, we sacrifice ourselves for the good of others. Alas, we may end up having to bear the pain by ourselves.

It is always easy to laugh with those who laugh, but would we spare a thought or a cup of kindness towards those who cry?

"Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it." -- Sai Baba

  
  

Thursday, March 24, 2016

True Love

"Time is love."

"Only time can reveal the nature of true love."



With such love-and-time inspired taglines from Solvil et Titus (or Solvil & Titus), you may wanna get it as a gift for a loved one or even get one for yourself and be reminded that the passage of time is like a journey of love.  

As gleaned from Wikipedia, the company was founded in 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel, Switzerland by Paul Ditisheim who created 2 brands of watches: Solvil and Titus.

"...through his studies on the impact of atmospheric pressure and magnetic fields, Ditisheim invented the affix balance. Thanks to his inventions, he was able to make the most precise chronometers ever made. By 1903, his watches were awarded by the Kew and Neuchâtel Observatories contests. In 1912, he won the world's chronometric record of the Royal Kew Observatory."


If you are interested, please click on the following homepage:-



By the way, you can view Leo Ku's music video at the following link:-




Sunday, March 20, 2016

Bondi Beach, Sydney

When you are in Bondi Beach, you can't help but think that life is beach. It is an all-natural vast seaside playground with sand, sea, sun, waves and a picturesque view to invigorate your heart, soul and body.


While a picture may paint a thousand words, the experience of being there is magical and unforgettable. It is like what Benjamin Disraeli has famously observed, "Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen."








The Coogee to Bondi Beach coastal walk is ranked as the top 8th place to visit in Sydney. 


I didn't get to complete it, but you may wish to click on the following YouTube footage for a preview:-

Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_dZelGBSqU



Have a nice day and go to the beach whenever you can to unwind and get blown away, figuratively.



Tuesday, March 15, 2016

New Home for Hermit Crabs

While watching BBC Earth weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to see a feature on how the hermit crab finds its new home or shell.

Kudos to the camera team for showing the hermit crabs in such a full blown scale and details -- it was unlike anything I have seen concerning these crabs up till now. 

The highlight is, of course, the phenomenon of them lining up in pecking order to take delivery of their new home like passing on a hot potato quickly as they are at their most vulnerable without a shell.

Oh, yes, you will also be entreated by the affable and compelling narration by no less than Sir David Frederick Attenborough.

Click on the following to view and be refreshed:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1dnocPQXDQ



Friday, March 11, 2016

Introducing AHW Studio's Creations From Sydney

While at The Rocks recently, it was packing-up time and I missed the chance to browse but managed to jot down the web site of AHW Studio.

Here are some pix of their creations from www.ahwstudio.com to pique your interest. 


Mechanical Memoirs - Russian Gold
(Image source & credits: AHW Studio)

Raw Aesthetic - Geneva Striped Wittnauer Cufflinks
  
(Image source & credits: AHW Studio)


Image of SteamPunk Industrial :: STEAMPUNK SIGNATURE  - 'Wings of Once Ago, Rose'
Steampunk Signature - 'Wings of Once Ago, Rose'
(Image source & credits: AHW Studio)

The following blurb is as extracted from their web site:-

"Based at the popular Rocks Markets in Sydney, AHW Studio has been designing, making and selling hand-crafted jewellery for over 5 years, each piece a unique combination of old elegance and modern detail. 

Using classic watch parts, vintage novelties and industrial fragments, we believe it is imperative to salvage everything possible to recycle, reinterpret and re-create what some may see as old junk and obsolete objects, into beautiful, wearable jewellery."


Be refreshed, stay inspired and have a nice day!


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Table Tennis Is Gritty and Smashing

Just when you thought table tennis is not a sports or that it is akin to taking a stroll in the park, the following YouTube clip would change your mind. Try verifying the number of smashes and retrievals.




And, get inspired by Ibrahim Hamato as he shows that with hard work you could achieve success -- he has qualified for the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.