The Good, The Bad and The 'Ugly'

So after riding the train for quite a while, I have come to discover three distinctions between passengers. There are the good, the bad and a certain group that are 'ugly'. This is by no means determined by their looks than their character or rather, behavior. Did you ever watch the movie starring Clint Eastwood with the title, "the good, the bad and the ugly"? It's a movie based in the 60s  and as I recall, very funny! Its made up of three men looking for gold and need each others help. The 'good' man is considered a pitiful man despite his quest for gold, the 'bad' man is described as ruthless but gets the job done and lastly, the 'ugly' man is a bandit who is oafish and very dangerous! These men represent the same concept I'd like to talk about here. PS: This is is no way passing judgment to anyone.

The Good: These are the men and women who are just nice to their 'neighbors'. I see this everyday...the man who helps a lady with her kids stroller, the woman who gives way to an old woman first before getting into the train, the young man quick to give up his seat for an elderly couple...and the list goes on.

The Bad: This category may not be all too common but they are there. The man who puts up loud music on his phone and even though he uses earphones, can be clearly heard and no, it does not bother him that we can all hear it (insert personal experience). There's the lady who puts up her feet on the seat not bothering to remove it when someone else needs the seat. The young woman chewing away at her chips (yet aware of the do-not-eat or drink in the train rule). And last but definitely not least, the guy who smokes in the train station making everyone else uncomfortable
(yet once again aware of the do-not-smoke in the
train services rule).

The Ugly: Now this particular category can be best described as uncouth. I've had a few run ins with such. One experience I will share with you dear readers is when this guy asked and I quote..."let me take you to my family sister!" Gives me chills just thinking about it!!! It took all the strength I could master to not run away. I just looked pleadingly to fellow passengers. Some looked at me with pity and others with disgust. But I knew I had to patiently bear his utterances till I got to my stop. So when I got to my stop, I quickly exited and ran for my life literally! Luckily I have never seen him again! Phew! Needless to say, I am weary of such people. Another example of these uncouth behavior is that of loud mouthed women hurling insults at their kids as if they weren't children at all. It sickens me. One last example I've seen are some teenagers who run around the train crossing from car to car, scratching at the windows and just causing all sorts of chaos. If I were a Psych major I'd have a field day with this but I will not attempt to find out why these people do what they do. It's not my place. Only thing I can say is like in every society even in a train setting, there are such people and there is not much we can do but what we should not do is condone it. The train authorities face these issues daily and they do a good job actually because these cases aren't as much as they appear. So big ups to the Transperth Authority!


Despite these experiences, train rides are still my preferred and affordable means of transport! It's where I unwind after a long day, reading a book or looking out the window. It's what gets me from point A to B and efficiently at that. So, as is life, train rides have their ups and downs but I choose to dwell on the ups. My philosophy; take one day at a time. In this case, one train at a time :)

Book VS Film

For the first time ever, I can't decide whether I love a book or a film adapted from the book  more... this probably goes against reader conscience. But it's true. This 424 page book that I finished reading within record time in my opinion is a great read and so is the film. PS I Love You is a brilliant work of fiction and I must say Cecelia Ahern as well as the producers of this film did a great job. That said, I felt cheated...The plot of the movie was quite different from the original book and could have passed for just a really good fictional film instead of an adaptation of the book. Let me explain why.

If you watched this film before you read the book you must have had one of two feelings about it;that you couldn't help but compare the two and felt that the film or the book made either look bad. If you're the opposite and read the book before watching the film then you were either highly disappointed by its adaptation or just happy that the movie was really good. I fall in the first category. I had several moments of disappointment when I read the book and realised so much had been left out of the movie or just completely replaced. So after reading the book. I did what I do with a good movie that deserved my attention..I re-watched the film. And it was great! I realised I needed to just not think of the movie as an adaptation but on its own. And the book, well, I loved the plot so much I might re-read it one day. :)

PS I Love You the book is a great read. Cecelia Ahern's first book and already adapted into film. Beginner's luck maybe? Still, I loved the story. It's one of those bitter sweet stories I love so much despite the fact that such a good main character had to 'die' to make it really good. The plot is based on two main characters; Holly the just widowed 30 year old trying to come to terms with her husband's death and Gerry; the deceased who is so 'alive' in the book. Gerry, who dies of brain tumor in February decides that he will help his wife get through life after him by writing ten letters to be opened every month of the rest of the year. So from March to December, Gerry gives Holly a 'List' of things to do to get through. I must say, this was brilliant. Creepy but brilliant. Holly follows each instruction to the letter (pun not intended) and with the help of her best friend Sharon (I love her character obviously) and her husband John; who was Gerry's best friend she gets through one day at a time. Other characters such as Holly's family especially her mother, her other best friend Denise and Daniel her new friend make this book so much richer.

PS I Love You the film is great too. Despite the variations (you would have to have watched the film to understand this), it's awesome. I especially like the way the movie begins with them arguing showing that this was a 'real life' couple. The Irish funeral they had for Gerry (Gerard Butler) was also quite extraordinary. Holly played by Hillary Swank could not have been a better role as widow. The introduction of William played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan into the film is also refreshing giving the feel of moving on for Holly. Sharon (Gina Gershon) and Denise's characters also add a flair to the movie. Denise (Lisa Kudrow) played as the wild friend who finally settles down and gets married and Sharon the supportive friend who is expecting a son to be named after Gerry shows that life does move on after loss. Her mother played by Kathy Bates is a great addition to the film as the one Holly can always depend on. And finally, Daniel (Harry Connick Jr) the friend who like her is trying to move on from a heart break helps make this film more relatable.

In the end, I still don't know which I like better and it doesn't matter anyway. I highly recommend you read the book or watch its film. Only be careful not to have too many expectations of both the book and the film and regard them as separate works of fiction for a better feel. Also, the lessons on battling grief are played out well and am sure have helped a number. So, grab a copy or sit back and watch the film.
PS, for the ladies...Be Prepared to Fall In Love With Gerry.
Both in book and film. :)

Unexpected

Today I skip tradition. Its been two weeks since I posted anything up and I actually really want to tell you about this book I've finished reading just about a week ago. If you know David Baldacci or have read his books, you know that he is good at what he does. And what he does is write one of the best works of fiction I have ever read based mostly on politics, mystery and well, death. Most of his books are in series and it would be difficult not to want to read one after another. I had read three of David's books before this one and was astounded by the difference in genre. This book,'One Summer' did not have politics or mystery but it did have death and probably a little mystery or if you prefer...a life-changing miracle.

One Summer is one of those books that you pause a lot just to take in the whole scenario. You're even tempted to feel some injustice at play. You end up being so attached to characters you forget its fiction. Actually, if you've watched a movie on a family almost at the verge of a breakdown when a parent or even both parents die in an accident and the kids end up either falling into their parent's role(s) or go through through life with so much difficulty..you will immediately connect with this book. Ladies, you might need to get out your tissues. Let me introduce you to the Armstrong family.

Jack Armstrong is loving husband to Lizzie and father of three; Mikki (the moody teenager), Cory (the middle sweet child) and little Jackie (cute three year old). A military man and a war veteran, he had escaped death several times, only to have it knock on his door in the name of terminal illness. With just weeks to live, Jack decides to cherish the few moments he has with his family and promises Lizzie to stay on till Christmas. He writes letters to her so she can read them when he's gone. Only that's not how things happen. Like a twisted movie, Lizzie dies Christmas Eve in a grizzly road accident survived by a dying husband and three shaken kids. Honestly, if this was a movie I'd be crying buckets...wondering why the world is a cruel place then convincing myself its just a movie, its just a book...but is it really? Surely we know someone whose been through an equal or worse tragedy than this... It isn't however this part of the book that striked me, it's the next.

Jack felt cheated. Life had cheated him out of dying. Well, that is dying before his wife. He had thought he would go and Lizzie would move on, find another man to be with and raise the kids. But life ripped that page right out. Now here he was dying and there's nothing that could bring his family back together again. Arrangements were made for his kids to be sent to live with relatives. Another tragedy...his family torn apart and there was nothing he could do. At this point dear readers, I have to tell you. I have a feeling David wanted to imply that the Lord was at work in Jack's life but that would introduce the whole concept of God wouldn't it. Still, am convinced that if this were a real life story...I'd say it was definitely God at work. So, Jack got his miracle. Somehow, and weird enough, Jack began to heal. I know right? The man was dying! This was clearly a man who did not want to lose his family so hope triumphed science and he lived. And soon enough, he was able to go get his kids and become a family again. From here on, its a bitter sweet story with the Armstrong's trying to rebuild their life and we see this happen one summer in South Carolina on a beach side property owned by Lizzie's granny but now passed on to Jack and his kids. It is here that they come to heal and find purpose in life after Lizzie.

I have to say dear readers, I could not possibly tell you everything that happened in this book.What I can however do is make you see the unexpectedness that David so very nicely displays here. Kind of a life lesson...you never know how life goes so live every day as if its your last. Cherish your family. Create memories. And so many more that David showed us through this family. It's my hope that if you get your hands on this particular read, that you will learn that in the face of tragedy, there's despair but hope like sunshine comes new every morning. Now isn't that great? :)

When Fate Decides

I love watching movies. I think mostly because it does for me what books can't; and am not saying I'd trade books for a movie, no way! Movies give me the visuals that even a good book can't. However, that said, I'd prefer reading a book than watching a movie adapted from that book any time. So, when I went looking for my monthly read in my local library, I stumbled upon the book 'A Twist of Fate'. I remember thinking...' what a cliche way to name a book'. However, once I read the back of it, I thought...'well, this could be an adventure.' So I took it home.

'A Twist of Fate' to me was an actual drama movie in play...and in my opinion, if it were to be adapted into a film, would sell for a lot. After reading the prologue, I couldn't help but wonder where Joanna Rees derived her motivation from...a movie perhaps? I have to admit, while reading I felt a sense of 'book deja vu' if that makes sense. Most parts had cliche moments and I could figure out how things were going to turn out. However, there were parts of it that left you thinking...I didn't think it would go that way. This made  it all the more worthwhile. :)

Joanna seems to have a knack for detail, because this book oozes it. From the beginning everything is explained in more words than you would think necessary. For example, if I quote a line..."she turned now as the telephone rang next to the hotel bed, quickly fastening her dangling jade earrings, which she'd bought in Switzerland." You see, that sentence could have easily made sense without the emphasis on her earrings but Joanna wants to give her readers a visual and she goes all the way to pointing out that her earrings were jade! So immediately you can tell even without reading the book that the 'she' referred to here is rich and what's the opposite of that...well, poor! Hence the cliche theme of rich girl-poor girl is in play. However, many a time, Joanna pulled a surprise on me that got me saying.. aaaaaahhh . :)

The book speaks on two sisters born within months of each other. They are separated at a few months old, one to live a luxurious life in America and the other, to a pathetic life at an orphanage in East Germany. Romy (poor girl) manages to escape the orphanage but not her past. In a desperate fit to bury it, she makes choices that altogether lead her back to that past. Then we have Thea (rich girl) who lives happily up until her mother dies and her father immediately remarries. With a new step mother and an older step brother who assaults her, she is desperate to reclaim her birth rite and work to make her father proud. From here, we see their lives unfold and fate take its place as their paths cross severally without either knowing who the other is.

This story I have to admit took me on an emotional roller coaster. One time am fearing for Romy and another time, am feeling sorry for Thea. Don't worry dear readers, there are many a good times in this book. The general idea about it is based on triumph, love and yes, ultimately, a reunion. I do however appreciate that Joanna was careful not to make romance the main theme in the novel. One other thing she excels at is making sure the story moves along in rhythm despite the huge time span of 40 years (1971-2011). I applaud her, for this is no mean feat. She even manages to squeeze in the 9/11 attacks in the story that saw and to my surprise, the death of a character I had come to really like. Nevertheless, I give her a thumbs up for not giving me what I expected...the element of surprise was therefore not lacking in this book. :)

'A Twist of Fate' is a book for anyone who loves a good drama. With lots of stories neatly put together chronologically, it promises a good read. And if you have a lazy day, I highly recommend it. You might not want to put it down. :)

You're Different? No Worries!

I had mentioned in my previous post about how I think Aussies are quite accommodating of people
despite their differences. In fact, I bet they are the most accommodating bunch of people in the world! You're different? No worries! (a very common phrase used here) You will fit right in. :) I think in my honest opinion...there's no place on earth you can find such a laid back society. I mean, you can literally belong here from outer space! Just kidding. Still, this accepting culture is really what makes Australia a great nation. I bet that's why there are so many nations converged here.

In my train rides, I have come to actually see for myself this accepting culture played out. For
example, a guy having no shoes on walks into the train...no one even takes notice. It's actually a thing. In my country, you would get all kinds of stares especially because what you have on ankle upwards doesn't equal what you don't have ankle downwards. Actually you would probably be the talk of the town if you actually just decided not to put shoes on.
To many, you would be plain weird.

So confession time...I once sat next to this guy who stunk from here to Timbuktu... Am not being mean or anything, but it was awful. So I moved. Yap...guilty as charged. But what made me actually feel bad about how I reacted was that no one else moved. If they smelt it, they didn't show. In fact, he had a very nice looking face and the lady seated next to him actually smiled and I think that must have made his day because he showed some teeth. Talk about feeling awful... So I resigned to myself that I would try to be like those people and well, hold my breathe next time... :)

Since coming to Perth, I have observed a very wide array of diverse cultures and well, behavior. Stuff
like dyeing hair green, having a gazillion tattoos on and piercings in places I had never imagined could be was very new to me. In fact, doing this here is no more fashionable than it is culture...acceptable culture. So after a while, I came to realise that these things did not make these people who they were. In fact, I am guilty as charged when it comes to judging appearances and I have learnt what was said in the good book..."God does not look at the outward, rather the heart" (just paraphrased scripture here...the verse is 1st Samuel 16:7. So good on you mates for being better judges of character than me!

So dear readers, I will replace my jaw-dropping gazes with an appreciation of the accepting culture of Perth people and try to smile at the next guy who looks like he just dropped out from outer space!
Still kidding :)

G'day to you.

The Issue With Race

I have been sitting on this post for a while. Two weeks to be exact. And not because I haven't had the time. But because I had no idea how to begin reviewing this next book. To me, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a 'wordsmith' if ever there is such a word. She does not seek to impress you but however manages to awe you instead. Her candid writing style is a breath of fresh air. I have read just one other of her books and even then, I couldn't help but wonder who she was. This woman with her ingenuity really caught me.So you can see dear readers why this has taken a while. Nevertheless, here goes my attempt at capturing in very few words the essence of her novel, 'Americanah'.

'Americanah' is a novel based on the theme of race but with so many other aspects to it...love,
struggles, kinsmanship. I love the sheer honesty of her views on the topic. Having experienced first-hand what it meant to be an African in America, she said not what we wanted to hear but what everyone else is afraid to say. The center of her book speaks of a love-tragedy between a young Nigerian couple; Ifemelu and Obinze. Ifemelu decides to pursue her undergraduate degree in the US and leaves Obinze behind oblivious that he too goes to pursue his in England. I say oblivious because somewhere in between, due to an unfortunate experience, she ends her relationship with Obinze. Now this is the part where my relationship antennae kicks in. Am a hopeless romantic. Yap. I completely hate the part where a love so deep and strong is torn apart. Am always curious to know whether a happily-ever-after eventually happens in the end. With Chimamanda on this wheel, I wasn't too sure. But she kept me glued. I was fascinated as to how quickly Ifemelu became 'Americanised' and it got me thinking if that's how it has to be for migrants...adapt or adopt. Having recovered from a first love gone wrong, she dated first a white then a black American man. These men form the backbone of Ifemelu's story. A story of triumph in a world she grew to know as home. I was utterly impressed to read that she began to write a blog speaking on race in America. And even more impressed when she decided to go back to her real home, Nigeria. This is where the book begins with Ifemelu at a hair dressers musing over her decision to leave a land she had known for 13 years to go back to her home, a place she was not sure was home enough. Interestingly, hair is a relevant part of the race story.

The characters in this book are as real as they can get and this I guess helps to tell this story in a way that doesn't point fingers. I especially liked how Adichie chose to use the cast in her story to explain the issue on race. In this way, we can easily identify. We see for example, Ifemelu's aunt, Aunty Uju who hosts Ifemelu once she arrives in the US. Hers is a depiction of the struggles of a single mother raising a child in a 'harsh' environment with all its influences. Her cousin, Dike who in this book is depicted as your regular African-American child later on attempts suicide. An incident that would probably have been avoided if the race issue wasn't such an issue in America. This opened up to me the reality of race and being different. It doesn't become an issue until one sets out of their own country to a foreign land. And I guess that's why we can never really know the depths of it. And as Chimamanda says in the book, 'we all wish race was not an issue'. But it is, isn't it? Maybe it takes a bold person like Adichie to show it to us. So I think 'Americanah' isn't really about the perks of living as an African in America but generally about being aware that living in a society where race is most evident should make it okay to talk about rather than make it the 'elephant in the room'. I highly recommend you read 'Americanah' mostly because I merely attempted to explain a 477 page book in a few lines and because its probably the most interesting book I've read this year! :)

'Silent' Rules of Traindom

I guess you now know the drill. I do a review one week and the next I do something else, just to keep it interesting. I decided that since this blog encompasses three elements; books, photography and trains...I hope to cover all three. So, I will do a review of a book one week and the next, indulge you in my train experiences. Of course both take care of the photography bit. Sounds good? Great.

So today I speak on one thing I have observed in the world of 'traindom' (just made that up). Rules! Am not talking about the usual rules the transport authority has in place. Its those other 'unwritten' rules that kinda just apply. Let's call them 'silent' rules, or better yet, 'courtesy' rules. I bet you're trying to figure out what am talking about. Let me demonstrate. Every morning as I prepare to board the train, I alongside with others will do something that may seem completely normal; pave way for the alighting passengers before we ourselves board. Well maybe you might be thinking...that's not a rule! People are just nice. I beg to differ...and am no expert in the field of figuring people out but I can easily say...people over time do things out of habit or rather because someone did it first. Like the art of standing in line. Another concept I'll get to shortly. So, try to imagine it's rush hour and people are in a hurry to get home. The oncoming train is packed with people waiting to alight. So the minute the train stops, they alight. Then you notice one thing, the passengers outside paving way for the alighting passengers and no matter how many people alight, the waiting passengers do just that...wait. Once the last of the alighting passengers alight, then the waiting passengers board on. It's amazing. Okay, maybe this concept differs with cultures...and maybe Perth's culture is courteousness. But why do you think people do this? Out of habit? Or maybe they're just following the first persons lead. Don't you agree however that it makes things so easy and even sane. Wouldn't you agree that it in a way, its kinda a 'silent' rule? Maybe it was once a habit and slowly, it grew into a kind of rule. 

Let me walk you through another example...standing in line. The first time I saw this was during one
rush hour in the platform I take my train home at. At first, I didn't seem to notice. But then it became clear as I saw one after another person line up behind another. You might be thinking...not new at all! Let me tell you why I was amazed... Having grown up in a country where people don't really like waiting in line (and if they absolutely have to, someone would always be complaining), I was amazed that the concept works beautifully at the train station....the one place where lots of people converge all at once. That's another thing about my lovely country...the art of patience. People only exhibit patience to situations or people when they absolutely have to. Am I right fellow Kenyans? :)

However, I have a theory about this level of courteousness. It's a choice...and fortunately, most people in Perth, rather, most train passengers choose to be courteous. So whether it grew out of habit or by following the first persons lead, being courteous especially in 'traindom' has its benefits. Things certainly move along and sanely at that! And like I said before, as long as you don't disturb the peace, no one really cares where you came from or even how you look. That's one other thing I have come to appreciate Perth for...how accepting they are. A topic for another day!

Have a sane week :)