Embassies and Consulates

Growing up as part of the diplomatic corps is a unique experience. One gets to live in various places, and see various things. One gets immersed in local culture, and learns to speak other languages. That has been the story of my childhood, where I was usually behind the counters and behind the scenes.

St. Michael's Cathedral

The last time I was in Toronto, I visited a Hindu temple, and in conjunction with that, I also visited a cathedral. It's funny that an atheist would visit these religious sites, but honestly, I find it fascinating to observe people so devout in their religious beliefs, that I find myself sitting there, observing them to no end.

Book Review: The Curfew by Jesse Ball

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: The Curfew by Jesse Ball on Blogcritics.org.

A father and daughter in an Orwellian society: what will you do if it is normal for people just to disappear, never to be seen again?

William Drysdale is a single father, taking care of Molly, his mute daughter. As the story progresses, it is slowly revealed that he is a former virtuoso violinist, and that he had a wife named Louisa. Life is good, until Louisa disappears, never to be seen again.

Duplicity in Christian Metal Music

One day, I was listening to my metal station in Pandora, when a song was played, and it caught my attention. It turned out that it was called Start Again, by the band "Red". I liked the music overall, that I have decided to check out the album as well.

Later on, I realized, as I was listening to the music over and over again, that it might be Christian rock, and sure enough, it was. However, instead of aborting and not listening to it anymore, I decided to actually investigate, and see. So, as an exercise, I am putting the lyrics of this piece here.


And I remember everything,
Everything I loved,
I gave it away like it wasn't enough
All the words I said and all you forgive
How could I hurt you again?

What if I let you in?
What if I make it right?
What if I give it up?
What if I want to try?
What if you take a chance?
What if I learn to love?
What if, what if we start again?

[Chorus]
All this time
I can make it right
With one more try
Can we start again?
In my eyes,
You can see it now,
Can we start again?
Can we start again?

Emptiness inside me, wonder if you see
It's my mistake and it's hurting me
I known where we've been
How did we get so far?
What if, what if we start again?

[Chorus]

I'm lost inside the pain I feel without you,
I can't stop holding on, I need you with me!
I'm trapped inside the pain
Can we ever start again?
I'm lost without you!

One more try,
Can we start again?
In my eyes, can you forgive me now?
(Can we start again?)
Can we start again (one more try?)
Can we start again?
Can we start again (can you forgive me?)
Can we start again?


The piece begins with 4 measures of synthesized music, followed by 4 measures of a piano motif. This is succeeded by 16 measures of guitars and orchestra, then the first verse appears. Musically, it is very catchy.

There are two ways one can interpret this piece. The first, and more obvious one, is that of a broken relationship between two romantic partners. The singer wants to start the relationship once again, after admitting his mistakes. Thus, the song is one of asking forgiveness from the other party, hoping that a reconciliation would take place. That is fine, but wait until you see the second interpretation.

The second interpretation is more of a religious one. Ever heard of the story about the prodigal son? This is basically the prodigal son singing. The prodigal son finally realizes the hurt he has caused his father, and is pleading if it is okay to start again. If one is familiar with the religious themes, then the parallelism becomes obvious.

The thing is, I do not understand why it is always a self-pessimistic view that religion is promoting. It is always the case that one is mistaken, the one is defective, that one is frail and needs saving. But then it makes sense, because if this is not the mindset that is promoted, then why does one need religion in the first place?

Yes, first, you need to foster the view that one is insufficient and that one needs an external element in order to survive. Once you let people believe that, then you can make a religion thrive. You brainwash people into thinking that they are weak without something, that they are blind without something, that they are lost without something, and you can found a religion. That something is the thing that you will supply. Surprisingly enough, plenty of people believe this. It's like they forget that they have a brain, and that it actually is an amazing thing.

Anyway, the good thing is that I can tune out the lyrics. So yes, I still enjoy the music. I just don't pay attention to the lyrics.


(The Long-Awaited View, from my Machu Picchu Series)

Book Review: Henry and June by Anaïs Nin

An edited version of this article was first published as Book Review: Henry and June by Anaïs Nin on Blogcritics.org.

Is it possible to love mutliple people at once? Can one really devote oneself to several people all at the same time? Polyamory, in its various different forms, is just one of themes that run through this exquisitely written diary of Anaïs Nin.

In order to do this review proper justice, I should begin by stating where I am coming from. I am a fan of Henry Miller, and I have read both Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Both books mesmerized me, with its unusual narrative, blending fact and fiction, narrating about the escapades of Henry Miller in Paris. And of course, through the course of reading those books, I encounter Anaïs Nin, one of Miller's companions. It made me think what would it be like to be a companion of Henry Miller, this author who seemed to be sexually charged like no other human I have encountered.