The Anti-"Match Thread" Thread | Imaginary vs Nonexistent | Fictitious Stadium | February 30, -2015

[Firebreaker]

Shama banaspati?
[MENTION=14431]blinding light[/MENTION]

Yes.Shama Zindagi Ki

 

[Mamoon]

You want to be adopted by a rich man so that you can marry her but you are also open to all kinds of relationships. You should be ashamed of your existence.

 

[CricketCartoons]

You want to be adopted by a rich man so that you can marry her but you are also open to all kinds of relationships. You should be ashamed of your existence.

wait till you hear my gf's views. we are basically friends, not man and woman.

 

[Nostalgic]

What if one truly follows the lessons of the match and doesn't watch cricket anymore (thus not being able to actually teach other people lessons from what they learnt from the match)? Or is it only supposed to be anti-match as long as you are still passionate about the match?

What match? There's no match. To quote Francis Urquart/Underwood, "you may think that, I couldn't possibly comment."

 

[CricketCartoons]

My unofficial father in law also agrees that this is an anti-match.

 

[Mamoon]

wait till you hear my gf's views. we are basically friends, not man and woman.

So her dad would only allow you to get out of the friend zone if you have money. What a cynical man.

 

[endymion248]

What match? There's no match. To quote Francis Urquart/Underwood, "you may think that, I couldn't possibly comment."

The match between Mamoon and CC, obviously.

About Frank Underwood, I recently bought a rowing machine. It's the the first step in my plan to become the most powerful man in the world. The rest of the plan is confidential but, if you were really curious, you could hear me muttering all the bullet points while rowing back and forth. My only disappointment is that it doesn't make the same pfishing sound as Frank's...

 

[endymion248]

BL is basically threatening me

I think that you can lose the ''basically'' in there.

What a sad day. The heir to the industry moguls that are Shama Banaspati threatened by a colourless lady. Is your father disappointed by the man you became, FB?

 

[Mamoon]

Supposedly, while studying in Government College Lahore, Iqbal got drunk and ended up murdering a man/woman outside the campus. His friend marked him present during the lecture(s) which is why there were no charges against him.

Iqbal's love for alcohol is well-known, which is why I won't rule out the possibility of him committing murder.

 

[blinding light]

Interesting. Where did you read it?

 

[blinding light]

You're right, I am special, I'm not nameless, faceless, colourless, formless,... like the rest of those mere mortals. Thanks BL, I have got a new mirror motivational speech.



I'm interested to see your contribution to the luco-endumo-alchemical theory (LEA for the intimate).



Haha, I know that feeling. I'm always supposed to catch all the non-bookwormish experiences the world has to offer after my exams but I just end being too exhausted for any of it.

This faceless, nameless, colourless, formless entity will live life through you, snowflake. Seems like the tides have turned - an aspirational psychiatrist looking to live through his patients, finally turning into a unique snowflake and allowing others to live through him. The dialectical struggle is now complete - the slave has become the master

I will let you know of my musings as soon as I can make time to accommodate these musings

Yeah, well - I'm just slaving away at Mortal Kombat. Playing the storymode. Wish Kenshi had a chapter

 

[Slog]

The match between Mamoon and CC, obviously.

About Frank Underwood, I recently bought a rowing machine. It's the the first step in my plan to become the most powerful man in the world. The rest of the plan is confidential but, if you were really curious, you could hear me muttering all the bullet points while rowing back and forth. My only disappointment is that it doesn't make the same pfishing sound as Frank's...

Depends on the kind of rowing machine

whats your split?

 

[Slog]

Guys - I have had to delete a lot of posts and am putting the thread back on for now.

No personal remarks from hereon!

 

[Nostalgic]

Guys - I have had to delete a lot of posts and am putting the thread back on for now.

No personal remarks from hereon!

Thanks. I panicked when I saw two months' worth of heartfelt, introspective baring of souls lost. I'll hold my tongue because you said no personal remarks, but I think we all know who the frog, sorry, culprit is.

 

[Nostalgic]

Anyhow, to business.

Tonight, I want us to dwell on the concept of trials and tribulations. Tests, if you will.

The hardest tests are the long drawn out ones, lasting days. The ones where the playing field has been trampled on and is therefore no longer level, leaving you in a spin towards the end. Some emerge burnished from the baptism by fire, others as ash. Sometimes the best one can do is wait and see what the outcome will be.

Thoughts?

 

[endymion248]

This faceless, nameless, colourless, formless entity will live life through you, snowflake. Seems like the tides have turned - an aspirational psychiatrist looking to live through his patients, finally turning into a unique snowflake and allowing others to live through him. The dialectical struggle is now complete - the slave has become the master

Don't pat yourself on the back just yet, I still want to become a psychiatrist, just a roaming one. I think that there is a real scope for the profession of itinerant psychiatrist. I'll have a roulotte with comfy seats and lots of gypsy trinklets. Maybe even introduce mystical elements to the therapy in order to please the [MENTION=22846]Nostalgic[/MENTION]-like folks.

Although it's pretty insidious from you to use flattery and self-effacement to turn the attention away from your own struggle. Fear not, the first task of the guy who got out of the cavern will be to liberate the rest of the little snowflakes.

Yeah, well - I'm just slaving away at Mortal Kombat. Playing the storymode. Wish Kenshi had a chapter

Well, tell me what the story of this one is, you have

 

[endymion248]

Depends on the kind of rowing machine

whats your split?

Yeah, it's not a water machine.

I just do 8 splits on the middle resistance level for now.

 

[saadibaba]

Some emerge burnished from the baptism by fire, others as ash. Sometimes the best one can do is wait and see what the outcome will be.

Thoughts?

Jalaa hai jism jahan dil bhi jal gayaa hoga
kuredate ho jo ab raakh justaju kya ha?

-Chacha Ghalib

 

[endymion248]

Jalaa hai jism jahan dil bhi jal gayaa hoga
kuredate ho jo ab raakh justaju kya ha?

-Chacha Ghalib

Always let your conscience be your guide.

-Jiminy Cricket.

 

[blinding light]

Don't pat yourself on the back just yet, I still want to become a psychiatrist, just a roaming one. I think that there is a real scope for the profession of itinerant psychiatrist. I'll have a roulotte with comfy seats and lots of gypsy trinklets. Maybe even introduce mystical elements to the therapy in order to please the [MENTION=22846]Nostalgic[/MENTION]-like folks.

Although it's pretty insidious from you to use flattery and self-effacement to turn the attention away from your own struggle. Fear not, the first task of the guy who got out of the cavern will be to liberate the rest of the little snowflakes.



Well, tell me what the story of this one is, you have

You wound me, snowflake. The ways of the world have changed me. Far from revering or celebrating myself, I will the strength to let my mere image say and do those above things. The said image, my own portrayal, manifests itself in various ways - sometimes Machiavellian, sometimes decidedly altruistic, sometimes apologetically lost, sometimes consciously self-aware. Nevertheless, t'is an image that I am never really fond of. Ever.

Also that sounds like you literally want to be a non-blind Kenshi No kidding, it's what he did/does - in both the games timelines, he converted two major opponents to the light (previously Ermac, and now Scorpion - the guy who is practically the face of Mortal Kombat) - all side events in his own quest to quench his wanderlust .

You want me to tell you the story of Mortal Kombat? I think it'd be better if you watch the first movie

 

[Mamoon]

Interesting. Where did you read it?

My grandfather had a mutual friend with Iqbal. You can actually find some vague info on the internet as well, so I'm not the only source.

 

[Slog]

Yeah, it's not a water machine.

I just do 8 splits on the middle resistance level for now.

Splits are usually 500m pieces

So you do 4000m in one go? That's impressive for a newbie if you manage to keep it anywhere around 2:00/split

 

[Nostalgic]

When life sends chances your way, you should grab them with both hands. Securely, not with butterfingers. Cup the palms under the chance, cradle it, absorb the shock, hug it to your chest if need be, roll over if you're into theatrics, but grab them.

There's no use crying over spit milk later.

 

[endymion248]

Splits are usually 500m pieces

So you do 4000m in one go? That's impressive for a newbie if you manage to keep it anywhere around 2:00/split

I thought a split is just a couple of reps. My machine doesn't measure distances but I doubt it's anywhere near 5 km.

What about you? How long have you been doing it?

 

[endymion248]

You wound me, snowflake. The ways of the world have changed me. Far from revering or celebrating myself, I will the strength to let my mere image say and do those above things. The said image, my own portrayal, manifests itself in various ways - sometimes Machiavellian, sometimes decidedly altruistic, sometimes apologetically lost, sometimes consciously self-aware. Nevertheless, t'is an image that I am never really fond of. Ever.

Also that sounds like you literally want to be a non-blind Kenshi No kidding, it's what he did/does - in both the games timelines, he converted two major opponents to the light (previously Ermac, and now Scorpion - the guy who is practically the face of Mortal Kombat) - all side events in his own quest to quench his wanderlust .

You want me to tell you the story of Mortal Kombat? I think it'd be better if you watch the first movie

But what image does this elusory panchi see in the mirror?

How do you know I'm not blind? Or a master swordsman for that matter.

You tell it better. It's like hearing Nostalgic talk about the beauty of ageing aunties, I don't find them attractive but his passion makes them read attractive.

 

[Slog]

I thought a split is just a couple of reps. My machine doesn't measure distances but I doubt it's anywhere near 5 km.

What about you? How long have you been doing it?

did for 5 or so yrs. I used to row.

but haven't done since 2 yrs

splits normally mean the time to cover 500m distance in rowing vernacular.

its the best workout if you can maintain the intensity. but its tiring and takes out a lot. and rowing machines have been hard to find since I stopped it competitively

but I want to do it again this summer. atleast the machine just for fitness' sake. actually going in water seems unlikely and too muc hassle at this point in life

 

[yeh cheez]

did for 5 or so yrs. I used to row.

but haven't done since 2 yrs

How many times did you flip over during your training days? [emoji12]

Did you go to the rowing club next to Beach Luxury? I went there once with a friend to check it out.

 

[Nostalgic]

Especially with the drought hitting the Western US, you would be up the creek without a paddle. Or with a paddle, but no water. Marooned.

 

[yeh cheez]

Especially with the drought hitting the Western US, you would be up the creek without a paddle. Or with a paddle, but no water. Marooned.

Going to Boundary Waters for canoeing is popular in MN, it takes an enthusiast to go on such an adventure.

 

[Slog]

How many times did you flip over during your training days? [emoji12]

Did you go to the rowing club next to Beach Luxury? I went there once with a friend to check it out.

thankfully only once

saw boats capsizing a lot though. and in khi the water was on the dirtier side usually :/

yeah. in Karachi there. Its called Karachi boat club

then here in america

 

[yeh cheez]

thankfully only once

saw boats capsizing a lot though. and in khi the water was on the dirtier side usually :/

yeah. in Karachi there. Its called Karachi boat club

then here in america

I was disappointed that my friend didn't want to get in the boat with a first timer. He had been rowing at this club for a few years and had seen his share of newbies flipping it and didn't want to be a part of it.
Instead he joined three other senior rowers in a boat and whizzed away, and I just practiced a bit on the stationary one and left - never to return again. [emoji107]

 

[endymion248]

did for 5 or so yrs. I used to row.

but haven't done since 2 yrs

splits normally mean the time to cover 500m distance in rowing vernacular.

its the best workout if you can maintain the intensity. but its tiring and takes out a lot. and rowing machines have been hard to find since I stopped it competitively

but I want to do it again this summer. atleast the machine just for fitness' sake. actually going in water seems unlikely and too muc hassle at this point in life

I am thinking about joining my university's rowing club once I get a decent form out of the machine.

It's definitely a full body work-out. Don't really understand why people prefer treadmills.

 

[Slog]

I was disappointed that my friend didn't want to get in the boat with a first timer. He had been rowing at this club for a few years and had seen his share of newbies flipping it and didn't want to be a part of it.
Instead he joined three other senior rowers in a boat and whizzed away, and I just practiced a bit on the stationary one and left - never to return again. [emoji107]

I think not putting a newbie on the boat the first day was good decision for everyone involved lol

atleast a day or 2 on the rowing machine and stationary one is required I feel esp if no coaches are gonna be on the boat with you

problem with rowing is that on a boat you can have a 3(asuuming its a four) very good rowers and if the 4th guy is really bad and has no clue he can still make the boat capsize. So in order to avoid potential curses from the other rowers on the boat he prolly though the risk was not worth it

you missed out though. rowing is an acquired taste

 

[Slog]

Don't really understand why people prefer treadmills.

I cant be on a treadmill for more than 5 mins. start losing my mind with the aimless and pointless motion. id rather run outside.

I prefer cycles.

rowing machines are good but ive developed a personal dislike for them ever since I was in my uni's rowing team and was on these machines for a few hrs every day so I avoid them. but yea its a full body workout and hopefully I can get back on them

 

[yeh cheez]

I think not putting a newbie on the boat the first day was good decision for everyone involved lol

atleast a day or 2 on the rowing machine and stationary one is required I feel esp if no coaches are gonna be on the boat with you

problem with rowing is that on a boat you can have a 3(asuuming its a four) very good rowers and if the 4th guy is really bad and has no clue he can still make the boat capsize. So in order to avoid potential curses from the other rowers on the boat he prolly though the risk was not worth it

you missed out though. rowing is an acquired taste

I tried to convince my friends to give rowing a shot but no one was interested.

I then joined Jansher Khan squash center and played one year there. [emoji109]

 

[Slog]

I tried to convince my friends to give rowing a shot but no one was interested.

I then joined Jansher Khan squash center and played one year there. [emoji109]

was that the one near shahra-e-faisal?

never played squash unfortunately. atleast to an extent where it would count as playing

some of my friends are really good and its a exhausting sport too.

Pakistanis have good rep in squash in the US among the tiny %age of ppl who know abt the sport

 

[yeh cheez]

was that the one near shahra-e-faisal?

never played squash unfortunately. atleast to an extent where it would count as playing

some of my friends are really good and its a exhausting sport too.

Pakistanis have good rep in squash in the US among the tiny %age of ppl who know abt the sport

Yea that is the one. Top notch courts/facility.

 

[saadibaba]

Always let your conscience be your guide.

-Jiminy Cricket.

I try to. Unfortunately I feel I let fear be my guide most of the time.

 

[blinding light]

But what image does this elusory panchi see in the mirror?

How do you know I'm not blind? Or a master swordsman for that matter.

You tell it better. It's like hearing Nostalgic talk about the beauty of ageing aunties, I don't find them attractive but his passion makes them read attractive.

Literally, of course, it's just me. Figuratively, I see someone who has very little control of all that is happening around her. And for some strange reason, she has now found comfort in the uncertainty of it all..

You can't be Kenshi. You're endymion. Like that guy in those Sailor Moon cartoons

I bet I can never ever reach that level of eloquence! ) I swear whenever I meet an auntie, I just think about Nostalgic, and then gauge the auntie on her auntie-ness and wonder if he'd approve or not

But since you're flattering me, I'll give it a go In essence, MK is a fighting game but with a huge, expansive lore that tries to, in it's own weird way, make sense of the crazy-level violence that it portrays and celebrates. The lore in itself is primarily fantasy-based, and pretty interesting at the start - unfortunately, you can tell the points where the devs run out of ideas in its midst.

Generally, its one of your typical Earth vs other galaxies/realms/what-have-you. The idea is that there are several 'realms' out there, all vying for supremacy and/or survival, and our 'Earthrealm' is considered a prize, an untouched world with unbound potential and a pure life force (Ha. Go figure). In order to create some modicum of order within this anarchy-ordained set up, the 'Elder Gods' decided on setting up a competition - a fight to the death - by the name of Mortal Kombat. Trained, expert fighters from all the realms would participate in this brawl, all fought with martial arts of course, and the 10th consecutive loser would see his/her realm being taken over by the other contending realms.

When MK first begins, Earthrealm has lost 9 of the previous 10 Mortal Kombats, and is on the verge of being taken over by Outworld (another realm), ruled by the dreaded, ruthless Shao Kahn. A warrior-monk from the White Lotus faction, Liu Kang (your generic Bruce Lee/Ryu type figure) represents Earth in this final kompetition - and defeats Outworld, thereby, maintaining Earth's independence from other realms by the rules of Mortal Kombat. Kahn, after being so close to victory, simply defied the rules and began an invasion on Earth as he disregarded the legitimacy of the said tournament. Massacres were murdered, including Liu Kang and co. but the only way to thwart the invasion was to let Kahn win - only then would the Elder gods intervene. They do so, in the end - destroy Kahn, and the 'thunder god, protector of earth' - Raiden, alongside a few other Special Forces members, are the only people left alive from the original Earth's fighters to rebuild.

Now in this game, we see all these events being manipulated so that a fallen Elder god, Shinnok, could take over Earth, corrupt the Jinsei (remember Earth's pure life force?) and take over the whole universe. And its upto these new fighters and their parents and Kenshi and whathaveyou to stop him.

 

[blinding light]

I try to. Unfortunately I feel I let fear be my guide most of the time.

I know you're not religious, but I used to be like this as well. Not very long ago. Actually, less than 2-3 months, I'd say. Used to keep zero expectations, would expect failure from myself everytime, would expect the worst of everything so I can be mildly surprised/sated later on.

I read something by Yasmin Mogahed on her instagram page, I think, which completely changed my way of thinking. I'll try to find her exact words, but the gist was something like this - if you let your negative feelings (low expectations, fears, hatred, envy, etc) guide you, then you sabotage yourself of all the good that is and could come your way should you be more receptive of it.

I'm not doing that great of a job summing it up, but the point made was really poignant - so let go of the fear, SB. And let your conscience be your guide

 

[Nostalgic]

I usually let the rhythm be my guide. But I make the mistake of choosing syncopated jazz grooves, which really mess things up.

 

[blinding light]

I usually let the rhythm be my guide. But I make the mistake of choosing syncopated jazz grooves, which really mess things up.

I can see you moonwalking your way to your Saib-job

 

[Nostalgic]

I can see you moonwalking your way to your Saib-job

The Saib naukrani is a mirage. A will o' the wisp.

This is the second time I've thought of the will o' the wisp on this thread, which is strangely appropriate.

 

[blinding light]

The Saib naukrani is a mirage. A will o' the wisp.

This is the second time I've thought of the will o' the wisp on this thread, which is strangely appropriate.

You'll get it. I foresee it

 

[saadibaba]

I know you're not religious, but I used to be like this as well. Not very long ago. Actually, less than 2-3 months, I'd say. Used to keep zero expectations, would expect failure from myself everytime, would expect the worst of everything so I can be mildly surprised/sated later on.

I read something by Yasmin Mogahed on her instagram page, I think, which completely changed my way of thinking. I'll try to find her exact words, but the gist was something like this - if you let your negative feelings (low expectations, fears, hatred, envy, etc) guide you, then you sabotage yourself of all the good that is and could come your way should you be more receptive of it.

I'm not doing that great of a job summing it up, but the point made was really poignant - so let go of the fear, SB. And let your conscience be your guide

Thanks!

I truly believe that life is precious and it's every moment needs to be cherished. Yet, I am unable to detach myself from the feeling that at any moment, all will be taken away from me. The more possessions I acquire, whether sentimental or worldly, the more I grow fearful of their ultimate departure. I'm haunted by the thoughts of my own mortality, the constant pressure of making the most out of everything. Knowing that time is passing, yet I can only helplessly watch it slip through my fingers. Even if I live to be a hundred years old, it will still not be enough to truly appreciate nature, to understand the intricacies of even a crumpled and dried up autumn leaf or to grasp the brilliance behind even a single molecule of matter.

And what to say about the fickleness of our existence, that at any random moment something can happen which can effect our lives dramatically and yet we have no control over it. The unpredictability of it all, the fact that we are truly helpless and rely totally on chance. Those thoughts and others over take me at times and don't seem to let go despite me best efforts. I still feel that I am foolish enough not to have completely crossed over to the dark nihilistic side of the psychological spectrum. I continue to harbor silly notions of a higher power which seem to bring some sense of stillness in my otherwise unnerving and perturbed mind.

I guess "fear" is deeply rooted in our genes as part of the fight or flight instinct. It made us survive the Stone Age, kept us physically secure yet imprisoned us into confining ourselves to a life of routine and mundane rituals. Of constantly be on the lookout for danger, making our actuality one long slow and painful walk towards eventual failure. Yet, life in all its glory awaits us each day. Love demands us to keep walking. To let the charade go on.

Like Faiz said

Laut jaati hai udhar ko bhi nazar, kya keeje?
Ab bhi dilkash hai tera husn, magar kya keeje?
Aur bhi dukh hai zamaane mein muhabbat ke siwaa
Raahatein aur bhi hain vasl ki raahat ke siwaa

I'm trying.....

 

[Nostalgic]

I'm haunted by the thoughts of my own mortality, the constant pressure of making the most out of everything. Knowing that time is passing, yet I can only helplessly watch it slip through my fingers. Even if I live to be a hundred years old, it will still not be enough to truly appreciate nature, to understand the intricacies of even a crumpled and dried up autumn leaf or to grasp the brilliance behind even a single molecule of matter.

The constant thoughts of one's own mortality can be sheer torture. I've suffered from the same problem for close to two decades now. There is not one moment where the fear of my own demise does not torment me.

Back home in Pakistan, attending a funeral, which happened often enough because as was the norm, if there was a funeral procession passing through the market we would just tag along, made it even worse. The reason of course was that Muslim funerals are so quick. I distinctly recall a relative's funeral. He had been sitting with his family watching the 8 PM TV serial, when he felt chest pains. By the time they rushed him to hospital, he was dead. Everyone was informed by 10 PM. People started showing up the next morning. He was buried by lunch. Everyone left by sunset. I remember returning home and turning on the TV, and noticing it was 8 PM. 24 hours was all it takes for someone to die, be buried, and for the mourners to reach back home and carry on with their lives. Every time I lay down to sleep, I wonder if tomorrow night I'll be in my grave, not on my bed. And wondering about what happens in the grave is another story altogether, that can give you the chills if you dwell on it for even a few seconds.

Over the last few years though, I've had a bigger problem: thoughts of my parents' mortality. I sit around dreading the sound of the phone ringing. It could ring any moment, bringing with it the ultimate bad news. There are times when it becomes so acute, I start getting premonitions of some tragedy about to strike, and I start mentally preparing myself for booking a flight, getting my bags ready, rushing to the airport...

Both eventualities are inevitable. It is torture knowing they are inevitable, it is torture not knowing when, it is torture waiting for them.

 

[Haroon786]

Just realized that I enjoy helping people.

 

[Slog]

Over the last few years though, I've had a bigger problem: thoughts of my parents' mortality. I sit around dreading the sound of the phone ringing. It could ring any moment, bringing with it the ultimate bad news. There are times when it becomes so acute, I start getting premonitions of some tragedy about to strike, and I start mentally preparing myself for booking a flight, getting my bags ready, rushing to the airport...

It makes it worse if someone you care about is not in the same country as you :/

This is one of the major drawbacks of living abroad whilst your whole family is back home.

 

[yeh cheez]

^ it's a fear I live with as well, specially if parents live in a city like Karachi, where the ambulance has no chance of getting to its destination, because of the utter chaos and lack of empathy by other drivers on the road.

 

[Slog]

^ it's a fear I live with as well, specially if parents live in a city like Karachi, where the ambulance has no chance of getting to its destination, because of the utter chaos and lack of empathy by other drivers on the road.

Yup. is your whole family back home in Khi?

 

[CricketCartoons]

I am very close to my mother (she is the source of my strength) and we have discussed this quite a few times. I tell her that one day I will wake up and you will not be there. Then whom will I talk to and whom will I fight with (she hates my temper).

 

[yeh cheez]

Yup. is your whole family back home in Khi?

My parents and extended family are all in Karachi.

 

[endymion248]

Literally, of course, it's just me. Figuratively, I see someone who has very little control of all that is happening around her. And for some strange reason, she has now found comfort in the uncertainty of it all..

I don't see that as a strange, I think that everyone at a point or the other realize that we are inexorably all going to be undefined and forgotten particles in the darkness of the ocean, the question is just whether you want to fight the current by trying to find refuge in the little comforting meander you found for yourself or go with it and see all the beauties the banks have to offer, besides outrageous interest rates (yes, I stole that metaphor from the journey to the end of night).

You can't be Kenshi. You're endymion. Like that guy in those Sailor Moon cartoons

No idea what that means but I'm going to take offense for the sake of it.

QUOTE]
I bet I can never ever reach that level of eloquence! ) I swear whenever I meet an auntie, I just think about Nostalgic, and then gauge the auntie on her auntie-ness and wonder if he'd approve or not
[/QUOTE]

I rank all aunties as either N+ or N-.

But since you're flattering me, I'll give it a go In essence, MK is a fighting game but with a huge, expansive lore that tries to, in it's own weird way, make sense of the crazy-level violence that it portrays and celebrates. The lore in itself is primarily fantasy-based, and pretty interesting at the start - unfortunately, you can tell the points where the devs run out of ideas in its midst.

Generally, its one of your typical Earth vs other galaxies/realms/what-have-you. The idea is that there are several 'realms' out there, all vying for supremacy and/or survival, and our 'Earthrealm' is considered a prize, an untouched world with unbound potential and a pure life force (Ha. Go figure). In order to create some modicum of order within this anarchy-ordained set up, the 'Elder Gods' decided on setting up a competition - a fight to the death - by the name of Mortal Kombat. Trained, expert fighters from all the realms would participate in this brawl, all fought with martial arts of course, and the 10th consecutive loser would see his/her realm being taken over by the other contending realms.

When MK first begins, Earthrealm has lost 9 of the previous 10 Mortal Kombats, and is on the verge of being taken over by Outworld (another realm), ruled by the dreaded, ruthless Shao Kahn. A warrior-monk from the White Lotus faction, Liu Kang (your generic Bruce Lee/Ryu type figure) represents Earth in this final kompetition - and defeats Outworld, thereby, maintaining Earth's independence from other realms by the rules of Mortal Kombat. Kahn, after being so close to victory, simply defied the rules and began an invasion on Earth as he disregarded the legitimacy of the said tournament. Massacres were murdered, including Liu Kang and co. but the only way to thwart the invasion was to let Kahn win - only then would the Elder gods intervene. They do so, in the end - destroy Kahn, and the 'thunder god, protector of earth' - Raiden, alongside a few other Special Forces members, are the only people left alive from the original Earth's fighters to rebuild.

Now in this game, we see all these events being manipulated so that a fallen Elder god, Shinnok, could take over Earth, corrupt the Jinsei (remember Earth's pure life force?) and take over the whole universe. And its upto these new fighters and their parents and Kenshi and whathaveyou to stop him.

Encoar

 

[Nostalgic]

I had the urge, for no reason whatsoever, to bump this thread, but Endy's beaten me to it. Great minds and all that.

 

[endymion248]

I had the urge, for no reason whatsoever, to bump this thread, but Endy's beaten me to it. Great minds and all that.

I did sense a great disturbance in PakPassion's code, as if a thread cried out to be freed but was silenced.

 

[Nostalgic]

I did sense a great disturbance in PakPassion's code, as if a thread cried out to be freed but was silenced.

It's just that, while I'm very proud of the thread itself, it gives me no pleasure whatsoever when one of my compatriots has to resurrect it from the backwaters of Page 2.

Actually these days it never even gets to Page 2.

 

[Saqs]

When the oceans waves get rough and treacherous and take you from one direction to the other with no end in sight, what is the anchor you use? What is your anchor?

 

[Saqs]

The above is a question to all in this thread. Not just Nostalgic bhai.

 

[saadibaba]

When the oceans waves get rough and treacherous and take you from one direction to the other with no end in sight, what is the anchor you use? What is your anchor?

Khudi Woh Behar Hai Jis Ka Koi Kinara Nahin
Tu Aabjoo Usse Samjha Agar To Chara Nahin

Khudi Mein Doobte Hain Phir Ubhar Bhi Ate Hain
Magar Ye Hosla-e-Mard-e-Haichkarah Nahin

- Iqbal

 

[Nostalgic]

When the oceans waves get rough and treacherous and take you from one direction to the other with no end in sight, what is the anchor you use? What is your anchor?

Kashtiyaan sabb ki kinaarey pe pohonch jaati hein
Nakhuda jin ka nahein, unn ka khuda hota hai

 

[Nostalgic]

When the oceans waves get rough and treacherous and take you from one direction to the other with no end in sight, what is the anchor you use? What is your anchor?

Honest answer, I roll out the ol' prayer mat. I need a divine kick up the ass every so often. I'm due one now, the proverbial rope has been stretched for a few months.

 

[saadibaba]

Kashtiyaan sabb ki kinaarey pe pohonch jaati hein
Nakhuda jin ka nahein, unn ka khuda hota hai

Na Tha Kuch To Khuda Tha, Kuch Na Hota To Khuda Hota,
Duboyaa Mujh Ko Hone Ne, Na Hota Main To Kya Hota...

 

[Saqs]

Honest answer, I roll out the ol' prayer mat. I need a divine kick up the ass every so often. I'm due one now, the proverbial rope has been stretched for a few months.

So is it your belied in God? Fear of death? The example of the Prophet? What is it that brings you back to the prayer mat?

 

[Haroon786]

When the oceans waves get rough and treacherous and take you from one direction to the other with no end in sight, what is the anchor you use? What is your anchor?

Over dose on paracetamol tablets.

 

[Nostalgic]

So is it your belied in God? Fear of death? The example of the Prophet? What is it that brings you back to the prayer mat?

Crises. At work, in family life, cricket. Could be anything. It's usually an exercise in selfishness. I need something done, and once things fall into place I drift away again.

 

[Saqs]

Crises. At work, in family life, cricket. Could be anything. It's usually an exercise in selfishness. I need something done, and once things fall into place I drift away again.

Human nature.

But you're still just picking at the surface here.

Even in times of crisis, there is an inner belief there is a higher power that can bring you out of your plight.

What about the times when that actual belief is shaken to the core? What then do you use to hang on to?

 

[Nostalgic]

Human nature.

But you're still just picking at the surface here.

Even in times of crisis, there is an inner belief there is a higher power that can bring you out of your plight.

What about the times when that actual belief is shaken to the core? What then do you use to hang on to?

Really probing, thought-provoking question!

I don't think I've really ever had a true crisis of faith, where my actual belief is shaken to the core and I begin to question it. I do go through phases, and extended ones, where I'm upset and angry at the Almighty, and I give up on practice almost as a protest. But the fact that I'm protesting implies the continued existence of belief.

If I did ever have such a crisis of faith, I would be even more lost that I am now

 

[Saqs]

Really probing, thought-provoking question!

I don't think I've really ever had a true crisis of faith, where my actual belief is shaken to the core and I begin to question it. I do go through phases, and extended ones, where I'm upset and angry at the Almighty, and I give up on practice almost as a protest. But the fact that I'm protesting implies the continued existence of belief.

If I did ever have such a crisis of faith, I would be even more lost that I am now

Indeed, but it may mean that when you rediscover yourself, you end up being much more firm in your belief.

I think every man goes through a crisis of faith. You may have already and not realised.

 

[Saqs]

To answer this question myself, the only thing that brings me back when I start questioning things is the example of the Prophet.

Whereby everything else is belief in the unseen, this is something that is recorded in the annals of history. His example is always there. He is my anchor. As cheesy as that may sound.

 

[Pakz]

What about the times when that actual belief is shaken to the core? What then do you use to hang on to?

Then you're lost, nothing really makes sense. You lack interest and you become disenchanted finding it more difficult to be the same. All you encounter is gloom, you've lost any way to untangle yourself.

 

[Nostalgic]

Indeed, but it may mean that when you rediscover yourself, you end up being much more firm in your belief.

I think every man goes through a crisis of faith. You may have already and not realised.

Or it may mean you lose your faith completely, never to recover. But that's just my opinion, since I'm always so bright and positive and optimistic.

Come to think of it, we are limiting this debate to the divine. If we extend it to the profane, this thread itself is an exercise in how to deal with losing faith in a long-cherished ideal.

 

[Saqs]

Then you're lost, nothing really makes sense. You lack interest and you become disenchanted finding it more difficult to be the same. All you encounter is gloom, you've lost any way to untangle yourself.

This is why you need to know what your anchor is.

 

[Saqs]

Or it may mean you lose your faith completely, never to recover. But that's just my opinion, since I'm always so bright and positive and optimistic.

Come to think of it, we are limiting this debate to the divine. If we extend it to the profane, this thread itself is an exercise in how to deal with losing faith in a long-cherished ideal.

Is it a risk worth taking? That is the question.

 

[waqar goraya]

It took me weeks to visit this website after a long break, although i get online everyday. T.V or sports pages had been agonizing enough that i could not spare a minute for PP.

The last time i came here weeks ago and i did not bother to open the cricket forum, and now i start with this thread.

Well, there is no charm, excitement and passion left for the game.

 

[Nostalgic]

It took me weeks to visit this website after a long break, although i get online everyday. T.V or sports pages had been agonizing enough that i could not spare a minute for PP.

The last time i came here weeks ago and i did not bother to open the cricket forum, and now i start with this thread.

Well, there is no charm, excitement and passion left for the game.

What game? There's no game.

 

[Nostalgic]

Totally random bump. Any coincidental correlation with events elsewhere does not imply causation, and is completely and utterly inadvertent.

 

[Haroon786]

I hope my professors don't exit the building so quickly.

 

[yeh cheez]

For someone with only a rudimentary interest in Chinese culture, hopefully it won't be a yawn fest. Will let you know soon.

How was the Shen Yun concert?

 

[saadibaba]

How was the Shen Yun concert?

A drag.....but again, I'm not big on Chinese culture. A rather watch russian ballet dancers prance around in customary renditions of Tchaikovsky masterpieces like the Swan Lake or the Nut Cracker.

Apparently this She Yun group is banned in China. The group pushes the Falun Dafa religion pretty hard and also didn't let go of any opportunity to demonize the Chinese govt. for their autocratic policies. That might be all be true but just wasn't expecting political messaging in between the performances. Went there to get some idea on Chinese classical dance, which is apparently the root of gymnastics and acrobatics. The old folk fables, costumes, dance routines were all fine, just got repetitive after a while. I would recommend it for those who are absolute suckers for China.

 

[Nostalgic]

Today, I wanted to comment on that feeling of loss that gnaws at your conscience, in spite of raw statistics suggesting there is nothing to worry about.

Like when your bank account shows no net gain or loss from last month, but you nevertheless feel guilty about having squandered some of it away in one particularly profligate spree, a mere three days after receiving a hefty raise.

Or when an argument ends in a stalemate, yet you realize your adversary has landed a number of telling blows. Especially when said argument happened in public and you can sense the neutral third parties quietly acknowledge the adversary's point of view.