2012

Spoiler alert! -- for whatever that is worth.

Stayed up late to watch the movie 2012 online. The special effects did give me a sense of dooms day (the huge tsunami, the falling of ground into the abyss, etc.) , but at times it was a bit too dramatic (but, hey, it's Hollywood). I have to say there are also some touching moments in the movie, especially when the father-and-son teamed up to fix the jammed door. The overly eager young son reminded me of mine. The general plot of the movie was somewhat disappointing because I was thinking space travel was the only way out, but in the end it's just a modern rendition of the Great Flood of the Bible, which, as W was quick to point out, has been promised in the Bible to never happen again! Then again, what can we expect from Hollywood?

At least two things hit home for me: one is that Noah's day was a mighty terrifying one; and two, the end will come (though probably not in 2012).

A simplified view of Islam

Islam was founded by Muhammad (570-632). The word 'Islam' means 'surrender' (to the One God, who is Allah). It was founded when Muhammad was 40 years old, as he began to receive the words from God after a long meditation. The Islamic movement began as a continuation of (or even restoration to) the Jewish and Christian religions.

Two important places for Islam: Mecca and Medina. Mecca is the birthplace for Muhammad, and Medina is the place he retreated when he left Mecca due to oppositions during the early years. This migration is also marked as a turning point in his life and in Islam, and the event is coined 'Hijra'.

Muhammad's involvement in Islam lasted roughly 22 years and usually divided into two periods: the first 12 years in Mecca, and the last 10 years in Medina. However, he did return to Mecca by conquering it before his death. In his life time he united the tribes in Arabia into one religion entity.

After his death, the Islam movement eventually separated into two main branches: the Sunni and the Shi'a. Sunni is formed by one of Mohammad's wives, Aisha, who is called 'the favorite wife of Mohammed' by her followers. Shi'a is formed by one of Mohammad's daughters, Fatimah, who is regarded as 'the only daughter' of Mohammed. Historians believe that Mohammed had four daughters and two sons by his first wife alone, but half of them died before he. Mohammed married multiple times after his first wife died.

Guitar Chords

Rule of thumbs (digits):

1: 1, 6m*

2: 4, 2m, 2

3:

4:

5: 1, 3m, 5/7

6: 4, 6m*

7: 5

i : 4

* 6m is the relative minor

A Bit of Music Theory

Explanation:

1. For C Maj, 1=C, 4=F, 5=G; Similarly, 1=D, 4=G, 5=A; and so on;

2. the overlapping key (e.g. C/Am) on the little finger is the corresponding relative minor; this works for C/Am, D/Bm, F/Dm, G/Em; but not quite (add #) for E/C#m, A/F#m, B/G#m;

3. For 1=C, the common chords are: C, Am, Em, F, G7 (for 1, 3, 4, 5); and so on.