Newfound love for language and grammar on Internet

My body cells divided and redivided themselves somewhere between 'grammar' and 'grmmr', 'love' and 'lve'. Now the complexity in this case is that ‘lve’ can stand for both 'love' and 'live'.

Hash tagging every important word and being part of the new trend, sending ':D' even when one doesn't curve his lips in the shape of a crescent moon after those lame jokes, is by the way, a trend these days! What say do you have regarding 'stahp' in place of 'stop'? Typing another alphabet didn't cost u much, did it? We live in a world where "switch off" has a lesser significance than "fuck off".

In the process of growing up, we abridged our texts, trimmed our feelings and conquered emotions. Not to forget blaming the prediction software every time the 'Grammar Nazis' point out our mistakes. Introverts get a chance of exposure while extroverts make every unnecessary and sadly, very necessary things for themselves, public. That summarizes the social media in today’s generation. I know you can read "Iliad" if you decide to read it just then but sadly e-books neither smell as sensuous as old books nor are as voluptuous as the new books do. Due to some mysterious reasons, I have always preferred flipping pages over clicking mouse buttons to slide the page forward, favoured ransacking different libraries for an appropriate criticism on Alexander Pope, than being satisfied with Wikipedia and the copy paste of its contents on several other less important sites.

I know that the internet is an inexpensive, easily accessible and extremely economic source in its terms and conditions but don't blame me when suddenly the airtel 3G net pack and wi-fi stop being sympathetic towards your endless demands. Though at some point I fear I cannot defend my arguments since they have their own set of advantages too, in today’s fast paced life, where I will sound like the 'meek lamb' and the people who love the Internet as a medium for learning or propagating language will be represented as the ferocious 'tyger'.

But if one claims his preference for long-term relationships over those one night stands, so can I for my 'old school of thoughts' and learning.

About the Author:

 Ahana Bhaumik is an English Honours student at Loreto College. A determined atheist, she will be found doodling anytime, anywhere. A writer and amateur photographer, she lets music speak her mind.

Good Hair Days!

‘I want a hair cut!’

- by a hair cut you mean a wave, a curl, maybe the steps? Hey! The fringes are definitely one whole step ahead of the hair game.

But, you know what? You're old. Your haircut is old. Your take on hair cuts are old. Your entire thought-process regarding haircuts are old!

Because, you can't even begin to think 

what the new haircut is all about. So maybe it's not the trend. So maybe it's not what you

 see everyday. But, these haircuts that a lot of people all over the world support aren't just

 unusual. They are quirky! They are quirk redefined. They are quirk personified. Could you

imagine a haircut that is cut in the form of a horse?

Would you want a pineapple on your

head? You could want anything on the planet and you would get it because these hairdresses aren’t just plain talent- They have a vision and capability that is beyond the

world - for they are artists! Now this whole take on hair cuts has been taken up by the film industry itself in the movie ‘blow dry’ where a small town sees a whole hair-dressing 

competition and one of the competitors is our very own Alan Rickman!

Now the next time you decide on cutting your hair - watch the movie. Check out these pictures from Google. Think of your hair in a different light and voilà - you've got art on your head!

About the Author:

 Joyeeta Majumdar is pursuing her passion - English, at Loreto College and continuing to believe in the small joys of life that are basically photography, poetry and debating. Never failing to understand that in the end it's your mother's kiss on the cheek, the best friend's smile and the smell of mint and paper backs that matter.

Overtoun Bridge- A Mystery

A number of spooky mysteries have been taking place through ages now that have remained unheard to most of the people. Media and social messengers haven't really gone to spots to scrutinize and hence get to the bottom of such concealed affairs. 

But, no wonder the incidents kept recurring over the span of vast time period. 

An arch bridge near Milton, Dumbarton, Scotland, called the 'Overtoun Bridge' has been identified lately as a creepy locale where dogs have been recorded leaping off the bridge. Well, you might call it 'committing suicide'. Needless to state it sounds pretty weird, but repeatedly since mid '90s, long-nosed variety like Collies have been marked falling fifty feet to their death. However, the dogs that luckily escaped the danger climbed up the bridge again to fall off it. Locals termed them 'second timers'. 

Now, what will creep you out more is that many of such dogs have been found jumping almost from the same spot: between the end two parapets on the right-hand side of the bridge. The question that is disturbing your psychological system a degree more is why! Why in the world is it happening? 

Some believe the bridge to be haunted. A tragic past event has been referred to now and again that could possibly be a reason valid enough to justify the mystery. In 1994, a man threw his baby son off the bridge claiming it was the Anti-Christ. Later the man himself attempted suicide there. A lady years down took her dog out for a walk and to her utter surprise she found her dog pulling its leash to the right side of the bridge.

Perhaps because dogs are sensitive to the paranormal.

Many mark the Overtoun Bridge "a thin place" where the partition between the world of the living and the world of the dead meet, and sometimes cross over.  Compiling these arguments can we reach out to the conclusion that these are a few reasons that are responsible for this gruesome happening? Debatable nevertheless. 

Getting goosebumps eh?

About the Author:

 Manjima Sarkar is an English Honours student and also the founder of 'Quirkopedia'. A dance enthusiast and music fiend, Manjima nurtures an immense love for writing. 

Seven reasons to party!

Though you never really need a reason to party, sometimes it's good to have one, just to satiate your own guilt conscience. In the absence of a legit reason, you can always make one up for yourself. And if nothing suggests itself at the moment, you can  refer to these absolutely ridiculous (but solid) ideas:-

1. Because it's 102 days to go to your birthday!

2. Because one of your friends finally got his or her car fixed. 

3. Because you finally reached the next level in Super Mario. 

4. Because your ex just got fired from his new job.

5. Because you took your driving test, failed and will never own a license.

6. Because your crush finally smiled at you.

7. Because you are amazing. Period.

Stacked with reasons? Now go ahead, get hold of your cronies and get wasted. Cheers!

About the Author:

 Debopriya Samanta is a First Year student of English Honours at Loreto College, Kolkata. A movie buff, dedicated viewer of 'Sherlock' and a sincere Kathak dancer, Debopriya is a promising writer.

Six Interesting Facts on Republic Day

'Republic' is proposed to be a state where the supreme power is held by its people and the decisions are taken by their 'Elected Representatives'.
It is a system in which India was finally declared to be freed from monarchy or foreign colonisation and was legally termed to be 'Independent' in nominating its elected head.

Now, why is it 26th January? The date people across the country celebrate as its 'Republic Day'.

India was awaiting its Independence like a starved animal eater does. The hungry eyes were counting on the days. It was the very '26th January',1950, that the country became a 'Republic' in true sense with a democratic government and when the Constitution of India came into force. However, the date was particularly chosen because it was the anniversary of 'Purna Swaraj Divas' (26th January, 1930).

So, would you like to give your ear to some interesting facts that revolve around this date? Hold your horses!

• Okay, so for how many days do you celebrate this event? Is it all about just a date? Well, to bring it to your notice, the 'Republic Day' celebration actually lasts for three days! The gong beat at the end of the third day of celebration marks the end of 'Republic Day'. 
  
•   The Constitution of India is the longest in the world that one definitely cannot finish reading in a single day. Penning it down wasn't easy as well. It took 166 days that extended further to 2 years, 11 months and 18 days, for the Assembly to form its final version. Nevertheless, the entire Constitution was hand-written.
• The two original copies written in Hindi and English, are carefully preserved in helium-filled cases in the Parliament House's library. 
• 'Abide by Me' is the song that marks the end of the 'Republic Day' celebration along with the beating retreat. 
   
  
• President addresses the 'Republic Day'. A 21 gun salute is fired as soon as he unfurls the tricolour denoting it as the military signature of honour. 
• The most surprising of all is that it takes only 52 seconds to sing the complete National Anthem! So would you like to give it a try?  

About the Author:

 Manjima Sarkar, the founder of 'Quirkopedia' is presently pursuing her Graduation in English Honours from Loreto College, Kolkata. An art enthusiast, Manjima nurtures a  keen passion for writing columns. 

Five weirdest painting techniques

'Creativity' knows no bounds. It dares to shock you and cares to awe you! A number of painters over decades have kept creating wonders showing up the 'Artist' in them on the canvas they choose to knit their tales fine.

A true artist asserts that when a brush stroke brings along with it a jaw-dropping experience, when the viewer, flabbergasted, stands in awe before the picture he makes, the 'Artist' justifies his 'Art'.

Gain an insight into the bizarre art techniques that a few crazy 'Artists' have adapted through years. Taste the awesome sauce they create! Trust me, it's heavenly!

1. PAINTINGS MADE WITH HUMAN BLOOD:

 

'Vinicius Quesada' is a Brazilian street artist who prefers to add a different dimension to his artwork. The Brazilian artist has made a chain of Psychedelic paintings and Apocalyptic illustrations in the series 'Blood Piss Blues'. To each one of the main colours, i.e, red, green/yellow and blue, he adds a certain amount of blood and urine that concoct well. Finally what he creates is magic!

2. PAINTINGS MADE WITH PENIS:

 

Australian artist Tim Patch, who is popularly known as 'Pricasso' marks himself as 'The World's Greatest Penile Artist' for he uses his penis to paint portraits. Pricasso takes his canvas on streets at a number of sex trade shows demonstrating his art work live. His one of the most talked about works is the portrait of Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

3. SALT PORTRAITS:

San Antonio artist Rob Ferrel has been communicating with his Instagram followers with the realistic portraits he makes with nothing but 'salt'. All he needs are pinch of salt, brushes of varying sizes and a piece of card stock. Once he gets done with his portrait, he clicks a snap and post it on Instagram.

4. PORTRAITS USING LEFTOVER HAIR:

 

Chinese barber Li Hailing from Lingbao uses leftover hair to shape it to something he is passionate about- 'Art'. He collects the leftover hair in his salon, and after he frees himself from his scheduled work, he arranges every strand putting his skills into practice and makes beautiful celebrity portraits out of that. He draws inspiration from 'Sand Art' and incorporates his own innovative ideas keeping the technique same, in his quirky paintings.

5. PAINTINGS MADE WITH VOMIT:

 

Millie Brown, the 'Vomit Painter' creates actual art using her vomit. I know it is making you feel nauseous. But this weird technique has already received a good deal of appreciation across the globe. She has mastered the art of regurgitation and uses the method in her art work. She goes through the strenuous process of drinking coloured milk and ends up vomiting on the canvas. 'Art' happens! So strangely yet obviously.

Art is growing bizarre. But isn't losing its aesthetic flavour. Such vast is the expanse of 'Creativity'.

About the Author:

 Manjima Sarkar is the founder of 'Quirkopedia', pursuing her graduation from Loreto College, Kolkata. She is an Odissi dancer, a music enthusiast and also a passionate writer.