Sri Lanka

Since January of this year there have been over 6,400 civilian casualties in the Sri Lankan Civil War between the government and the rebel group, Tamil Tigers. This accounts for more than half of this year's total casualties. You can compare this to the total number of civilian casualties of 2008 (400), which was only 3.6% of the total casualties. These contrasting proportions can be attributed to herding of the innocent to what was thought to be a 'no-fire zone' where they were mixed with Tigers. Tigers and non-combatants were killed side by side in civilian dress making it impossible to attain accurate information concerning casualties for the 2 groups separately. Both the Tamil Tigers and the government are pointing fingers at each other for killing non-combatants. The UN has requested that the Tamil Tigers allow removal of civilians from the war zone to reduce these casualties, but currently land removal is not safe and all must be done by sea. The group is now on route to internment camps where they will attempt to differentiate civilians from guerillas. Neither group will agree to cease fire. This 25 year battle is thought to be in its end stages , but rebel activities are sure to continue.

Incubation

It is no coincidence that aliens are envisioned in the image of new born babies.

5 I:(= ????;? ??e?? ???t??. ???s?} ???0;]v?As???>?? yy^n???9?]???o? $ ??????R(??? DG???{x j?A??|N ??x:H?~?]????R(?.?k? ???2(= ???1:?>??

All I Need

Music brings every nerve ending in the mind and body to life. Float the focus of this sensitivity over every square inch of flesh and organ. Song becomes a lover's whisper and embrace. Melodies swallow one into a sea of elation. The brain is inundated by dopamine and ecstasy is reached. Addiction is born. I'll spend my whole life chasing that high.

The Brain: Friend or Foe?

How does one undo the flipping of a switch in the brain, the turning on of a light bulb, or a u-turn of the heart? I would say this first requires an understanding of these triggers and their causes, but I can't claim that to be true because I have personally never been successful in it. Thoughts and feelings that were dormant or in hibernation are no longer. Our minds are so stubborn and rebellious in their ways. Mysterious and explosive. Once this is acknowledged you can feel your brain at work behind your back. Firing little messages in the form of electrical currents to neurons amongst itself with complete disregard to my mental stability and discontent. I'll solve this mystery of the brain and finally understand what it means to be human.

Focus

I've come to the conclusion that a cubicle is the worst place to sober up.

State of Mind

I feel similar. I at least resemble myself physically. It's my mind that is changing, and I have no idea if it's for the better or the worse. In the past I've known exactly what I want and exactly how to get there, but now I am in the middle of a sea of ideas....None of which are easily accessible or comfortable whatsoever. It's a state of being that is incredibly refreshing yet a sense of fear comes over me. Fear is the one thing that I've never truly felt in my life. Every challenge, every trial and trib that I've come across has had a foreseeable solution. I'm not saying these paths haven't required a lot of time and tremendous dose of pain, but I've always known that "this too shall pass." My decisions were always accompanied by a step forward, but lately...I've been still. In limbo. I'll embrace the pain and overcome the fear. Nerve endings rise closer to the surface of my skin and the elements become my constant companion and confidante. With this comes wings. Breathe the air in and reach capacity. Good morning.

Those who know....know...

Enough said.

Uncomfortable flight companions

I am unsure of why what I'm about to tell you is not something that I remember on a monthly basis. In fact, I haven't pondered this occurrence in about 9 months. Why did I remember this today? I likely subconsciously overheard a conversation in another quadrant of this sea of cubes concerning the unfortunate happening of being seated next to the crying baby or human furnace on a plane. Right now, however, I broke the silence with a closed mouth, throaty giggle in remembrance of this event. On a plane ride home from NYC (6 hour leg) last May a coworker and I had the misfortune of sitting right next to/in the armpit of a large lady wearing Depends. Well, let me tell you, she pooped.....while in her seat....and nobody was there to change her....so....we were forced to marinate in it. "Really," I thought. "REALLY?!" For the next 4 hours I cycled through every emotion (except joy).

64 square feet

A lot of people wonder how a person can spend 40-50 hours per week in 64 square feet of grey cubicle space that is surrounded by other blocks of similar size but containing people of VERY different size, shape, taste, smell, and temperment. An observer would say that habitants of cubes stay calm and collected thanks to the occasional chat, online shopping, and stroll to the soda machine. Well I have news for you... while that bull does keep me from "offing myself" in the break room (death by coffee stir sticks), it hardly keeps my brain from pressing against my skull in attempt to "break on through to the other side." In order to keep the coffee stir sticks out of my eye balls, I've decided to let my brain seep through this firewalled network and into the WaCkY WIde WoRLd of WhImSIcal Web!!!!!!!.... I told my brain that's where it's going, and it's really excited, so please don't ruin this for him. (Please also don't tell the network security team in the basement...or my boss....actually do tell my boss because I'm trying really hard to get laid off...that'll be another blog though.) While all of these blogs will be produced from cube land, I HOPE that I'll have more to talk about than office happenings. So, let's go cube blogging!

Let's wrap this up with name for my brain because it's 5:08 PM (I'm letting her name herself, which is probably a mistake, but here goes nothing).... It is my pleasure to introduce to you... Umtra (what?! Shit.)...The floor is yours, my dear!