Let Me Take You Down

David Kane looked down at his unconscious form, fighting for his own life. His father was in the chair next to his bed, asleep, his hand clutching his son's. The ECG beeped steadily. The room was dark and bleak. David looked down at his feet and took a deep breath.

“You're not dead... not yet at least.” a female voice said from behind him. He turned round to face a woman in her late twenties. She was wearing black court shoes, black pencil skirt and a white shirt. Her hair was up in a tight French bun.

“Who are you?” he asked her.

She smiled. “I think a better question would be 'what' are you?'... I'm Death.”

“But... you don't...” He stammered, gesturing his hand suggestively at her outfit. “I mean, what about... the...?”

“Oh I know, I know.” Death chuckled. “Where's the cape and scythe? My real form tends to... intimidate mortals, so I had to use a vessel. Don't you worry: the human's been dead for years.”

From the back of her dress, she took out a brown envelope and handed it to him. From it, he took out a piece of paper and read it. It was the death certificate of the woman Death was currently possessing.

“What do you want from me?” he asked her as she circled him, observing him from head to toe. Death wanted to make sure the soldier she was sent to recruit for Michael was fit, strong, determined.

“There is a war going on in the Afterlife: those who fight for Michael and those who fight for Samael.” she explained.

“And whose side are you on?”

'Humans... they ask too many questions...' she thought.

“Michael's, of course. He believes that mortals need to know that the afterlife exists. Samael, on the other hand, wants us to be unseen and take over the mortal world, make it his.”

“So where do I come in?”

“Michael has been recruiting brave mortals who were of service in their past life. Doctors, nurses, soldiers, policemen, the whole lot, and build an army.”

“And you want me to join this army.” David said. Death nodded. “This is a lot to take in.”

“I understand, Kane. But if you want your friends and family on this Earth to live a long, happy life then Michael and his army need their last solider... you.” she told him, and then smiled softly. “Your friends Greg and Hendrickson are in our army. They were the ones who told me about you. They told me of your experience in the army, and I was impressed. Young, but you've seen a lot of deaths.”

He smiled weakly upon hearing about his two old buddies from the army. They also died in action. “If I die in this war... what happens to me?”

“You remain in the afterlife for eternity. It's really not that bad, Kane. Everyone has their own afterlife. It can be whatever you want it to be. You can have any person you want—dead or alive—even celebrities.” She stared at his unreadable facial expression, and after a brief moment of silence, she asked him, “So? What do you say?”

David didn't say anything. He simply looked at Death with a puzzled look on his face, but then put on his most serious face and raised his right hand against the side of his forehead, saluting. Death smiled professionally—deep down ecstatic of having recruited another good soldier on their side—and kneeled down next to the bed where David's corpse was lying, the ECG still beeping monotonously, and kissed the man in the bed on the forehead. Suddenly, the ECG started beeping, displaying a flatline. The walls surrounding the room broke down as if by an explosion, and the pair found themselves standing at the top of an infinite-looking staircase.

“Welcome to the afterlife, Sgt. Kane.”

*

The Pressure of Coming Out and Why Homosexuality Shouldn't be a Big Deal

As the saying goes, it's better to just speak up than keeping something buried inside you, waiting until this something becomes so unbearable to keep you it explodes in someone else's face. Speaking from experience, this is mostly the case... emphasis on 'mostly'. It's the case when you accidentally break your mum's favourite vase and blame your sibling/pet, or when you tell your best friend you liked their outfit when in reality you didn't. But it's not the case with coming out being gay.

For most people, it's easy to just open up and say, “I'm gay.” but living in a world where being different is almost a crime, it's harder than ever, especially in the present Christian society. Christians believe that, since the Bible starts off with saying the world's first two humans were male and female, then that's still the case to date: only a male and female are allowed to fall in love, get married and have children. Despite that being the case, there is nothing in the Bible where it's opposing homosexuality. Nowhere in said Bible has Jesus ever discussed or merely addressed same-sex marriage.

Going back to the 'love should be between a man and woman issue: does that mean that the love a parent shows her child isn't real? Or the love a friend shows to another? When I, pro-LGBT, ask this question to a hardcore Christian, all of them reply with the same answer: “But that's different!” Why should love between friends, family and people of the same sex be different? What's so different and 'immoral' about it? Nothing. It's nothing different. During a discussion I had with a former teacher about whether gay couples should have kids, the first thing he told me was that he had nothing against gay marriage or gay couples in general, however he didn't agree with them raising children as the latter would grow up being gay.

This last statement made me—and most people in the class—cringe. It was like saying that all children born to a man and woman should be straight, when in reality this is mostly never the case. Most homosexuals are born to a man and woman, so why is it that Christians point at gay couples, telling them they can't raise a child because they might grow up 'just like them'? Furthermore, children born or raised by a gay couple is also believed, by Christians, to grow up 'sad, broken'... doesn't this happen in every family regardless of who the parent is?

Searching through the internet, I stumbled upon several pictures of a celebrity gay couple, consisting of actor Neil Patrick Harris and long-term fiancé chef David Burtka (picture), with their twin children, and there was nothing that showed that these children were sad or merely different from any other children.

The question I ask myself when I see gay couples with their very happy and very healthy children is why is homosexuality a big deal? A bigger, more general question is why there's a label when it comes to love. There shouldn't be pinning when it comes to something like love: people are people, not cans of food. There shouldn't be such thing as being straight or gay or anything of that sort. With several hundreds of campaigns to raise awareness against homophobia, there is hope for a more equal, united world.

De-versifying Writing

I know my blog has gone AWOL the past few months. It's not just The Block keeping me company this time round, but I've also been brainstorming on the right topic and timing for what I'm about to discuss in short. Recently, I've encountered a few blogs and... well, let's just say what I read was a bit of an eyesore. It wasn't that they revolved around boring topics—most of them were though—but it was the way the writing was constructed that caught my attention.

Most people I encounter, once I tell them I want to become a writer, point out that I'm being “safe” about my career choice, that writing “is easy”. Brainstorming, jotting down points, adding a few, removing several of them, draft copy, more adding and removing of points, final copy, publish. It all seems so easy right? Until that moment you re-read what you'd just written and pinpoint the flaws: a typo here, a grammatical mistake there, misplaced sentences... And the worst part is when this great idea pops in your head and it's too late to add it to what you wrote, because it's out there, it's already seen.

Because you what's done cannot be undone.

This is why I've decided it's best to wait and brainstorm until I actually post something that makes sense (even though what I’d just written might not make sense when I post and re-read it in the future). It takes time to plan, and it takes even longer to actually start writing, because it's easy to think and brainstorm, but when it comes to writing everything down... that's a whole different story.

Beating The Block

“Writing about a writer's block is better than not writing at all” ― Charles Bukowski, The Last Night of the Earth Poems

It's been a while since this blog saw a new—and decent—post. I’m still in the indecent posts' phase, and it's quite embarrassing, considering on of my top New Years' resolutions was to blog often—and blog decently. I can almost feel The Block staring at me right now as I'm typing, mocking me.

The Block's probably my biggest enemy. It's very bland: no prints, no meaning, no emotions. Yet despite this lack, The Block is powerful. So much it prevents me from creativity. And it also follows me everywhere I go, giving me no choice but to let it tag along... whether I want to or not! Because it's quite dominant and stronger than anyone thinks. No use pushing it aside—it won't budge.

But I showed it who's boss!

It dawned on me this morning as I was on the bus on my way to work. As usual, I was listening to some relaxing music to calm my nerves so maybe—just maybe—some idea would claim my mind. When that didn't happen, I looked down at my lap, where The Block was sitting. Looking at it in its plainness, trying to dissolve it. But how does one dissolve The Block?

The lightbulb lit. Ding (or ws the 'ding' the stop bell ringing?): write about it. Vent. Something good would come out of it right? Right: this post. To beat The Block once and for all, all one has to do it talk about it and face it little by little. I’m still facing it; I might beat it this week, I might not. I won't let time (and The Block) get the best of me this time round. I've had way too much of that in a lifetime to let it happen once more.

Saying this gave a bit of colour to The Block. It looks like a Rubik's cube, but instead of squares with different colours, they have a projection, a story.

Huh, would you look at that.

The Block's gone.

Poof.

Reporter Sings ‘Let It Go' as a Traffic Song During Broadcast // #SingingKitty Three advert

We need more reporter sand embarrassing yet cool dads like him

... and cool kids like this girl from the Three advert!

Here's to dreaming for a better world filled with embarrassingly cool dads, awesome kids and singing cats.

Birthday Post // 20(.5) Random Facts About Me

After 365 days of waiting, it's finally THE DAY! I'm no longer a broody, moaning, whining teenager. I am now a mature and strong-minded 20-year old. I honestly dreaded this day until I realised I was a step closer to achieving my life goals.

So to celebrate this glorious day, here's 20 random-ass facts about the face behind the Absurd Nerd...

Tom & Avan

1. My favourite numbers are 1, 9 and any number that adds up to 9.
   (1.5. I have a weird obsession with numerology).
2. My passion, aside from writing, is learning about different cultures and languages.
3. I am fluent in Maltese, English, Italian and French, and can understand Spanish.
4. My first (and current) job is as a sales advisor in a well-established department store.
5. I share my birthday with Tom Hiddleston and Avan Jogia, who also happen to be in my Top 10 list.
6. I hate cheese and coffee.
7. I don't have any tattoos, but I'd like to have several inspirational quotes and song lyrics.
8. My biggest fears are heights and clowns.
9. I used to love playing football (soccer for Americans) when I was younger.
10. My favourite movies of all time are Avatar and Stand By Me.
11. Apart from becoming a writer, I want to become a travel journalist.
12. I collect merchandise of my all-time favourite band, The Beatles. I have everything from DVDs, CDs, books to posters and original vinyl records.
13. My impulse-buys are usually books, particularly biographies.
14. I love horror movies even though they make me wet my pants and spend a whole week not sleeping.
15. If I had to choose one last meal, it'd be a triple chocolate and marshmallow cake.
16. I've tried doing yoga but my brittle bones don't allow it.
17. I can drink up to five pints of tea a day.
18. I have a mild case of OCD, where all my books are divided into fiction and non-fiction, then furtherly subdivided into genres, authors and year published. My CDs are also similarly categorised.
19. I have a weird obsession with foals and ponies.
20. I've been to Tunisia, France, Spain, Italy and Sicily. I've planned ahead holidays to Germany, Austria, England, Ireland and America.

(Take note): 9 Things I'd Love For My 20th Birthday

I'm turning the big 2-0 in exactly 13 days (so mark your calendars!) and despite having just about enough possessions, I can always dream and long for more, so here are 9 things I would love for my birthday

1. Trip to Liverpool

By now everyone on my social media life (and outside) knows that I have a special love for Liverpool. Before you jump to conclusions, it's not because of the football team. From a young age I knew my all-time favourite band was born and raised there, which makes Liverpool the capital city of music. So far I've only dreamt of going there. I might eventually move there if I become a well-established writer with money to throw away because let's face it, putting aside all the landmarks related to The Beatles, the place is perfect for me.

2. New phone

This is a feeling I always seem to have whenever I get used to the current phone. Since my online life seems to be far more elaborative than my normal life, I find myself urged to download apps that suit my needs, but the majority of these apps can't be installed on my lousy Nokia C3.

3. JIBCON

JIBCON (short for Jus In Bello Convention) is a yearly convention of my favourite TV series, Supernatural, held in Rome in May. Passes, even the 'cheapest' ones, aren't at all cheap. And passes always sell out within the first few hours they are released.

4. Vinyl records

My collection is very limited (and rare) and seeing as this was how people in the older days listened to music makes me want to have more. Because... well, just because!

5. Free makeover

It's never not time for a new makeover, especially when its free.

6. A weekend alone in a cottage in the middle of the forest

The ultimate dream. I'd write several novels while there, surrounded by nothing but the sound of nature.

7. 1955 Ford Thunderbird Custom

This has been my dream car ever since I knew what a custom Ford was (alongside the 1967 Chevrolet Impala for obvious reasons).

8. Unlimited tea supply

Tea. Tea. Tea. TEA. I'm probably the biggest tea person you'll ever encounter.

9. Books, books, books

You can never have too many books.

Picking Yourself Up When You're Falling Apart

Exams. Stress. Break-ups. Been there, still there. the most stressful months of the year have come upon me sooner than I expected. I have an exam in May and my entire writing career depends on it, and the only thing that seems to keep me going at this time of year is my motivational playlist.  So during one of my numerous breaks, I decided to go through the seemingly infinite playlist and pick out the first 10 (at random) songs.

1. (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles by The Proclaimers

By far the most addictive song ever thanks to a little show called How I Met Your Mother. (Anda younger, still sexy a hell Johnny Depp). The perfect song for that road trip with friends.

2. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

This song was awesome long before the makers of Glee got their hands on it. Journey threw all of their power behind this soaring, dynamic anthem. Do yourselves a favour and stick to the original. Your energy levels (and emotions) will thank you.

3. It's My Life by Bon Jovi

Can I let you in on a not-so-secret-anymore secret? I have a crush on John Bon Jovi, and he remained as sexy nowadays as he used to be back in the day, and he's a very confident rockstar (with great hair). This is one of those in-your-face songs you'd sing at the top of your lungs whenever you're stressed out.

4. I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man) by Kenny Loggins

Classic tune from the 1984 movie Footloose, and also song of the day. A song that will definitely make you fist-pump furiously while dancing around like a mental person.

5. Cannonball by Lea Michele

A song that's helped me pick up the pieces since the very first time I heard it.

6. Skyscraper by Demi Lovato

The lyrics say it all.

7. Walk by Foo Fighters

A song about triumph in life and achieving your goals.

8. Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas

Obviously, the playlist wouldn't be complete without a song from my all-time favourite series. A song that will definitely have you humming along and playing the air-guitar.

9. Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor

The tension and release in this song act as almost physical stimulants, supercharging you into action or just a general feeling of awesomeness and strength.

... and last but not least!...

10. Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme) by Billy Conti

When you need to work out or get pumped up for any situation, this is my go to song. Try it out next time you’re out on a run!

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