Giants Causeway- Eerily symmetric stacks of rock

Was at Giants Causeway in Norther Ireland recently. The rocks are hidden beyond a bend and are not revealed till you actually reach the spot. And man - what a sight to behold. Columns of hexagonal slabs stacked on top of each other. What is startling is the symmetry - every rock is honey comb cell shaped and how on earth are they of the same thickness? The scientific explanation states that following a volcanic explosion the molten lava solidified along the coast. But what explains the symmetry and precise dimensions. And seeing a columns of these cells stacked- surely this was nature's way of showing us how symmetric art should be

Amazing and bordering on disbelief - here's to Giants Causeway

Stonehenge rocks

Stonehenge is a well preserved time capsule- it takes you right back in time. The minute we stepped in a feeling of being in a different age set in. There is so much history in the place -I just had to close my eyes and could be transported back in time.
Stonehenge also has its share of mysteries - how were the huge rocks transported from such far off places? How were the huge structures raised and fitted together? And what was the purpose of the structure?
The first two questions conjured up images of elephants dragging these rocks. Dismissing the fantastic I thought about the purpose of Stonehenge. There were several graves near by so maybe it was central burial area. Or given the fact that the rocks are positioned with precise maths - maybe it was a season tracking device. Or maybe it was an ancient party zone where folks got together to celebrate the seasons.
As I let my imagination run wild, one more thought struck me. Given the solemnity and grandeur of the structure and the painstaking detail of its design - it obviously served an important purpose. Maybe it was the equivalent of a town center- or a country center - maybe maybe maybe....Heres to the mysterious and wonderful Stonehenge

Mousetrap - taut and timeless

Saw Agatha Christie's Mousetrap at St Martins, London yesterday. What prompted me to go was that this play has been running since 1974. Most murder mysteries are only charming till the whodunnit bit is revealed. I wondered how the play lasted so long and decided to check it out.

And what a play it was - so tightly woven, every character well etched and the element of mystery right till the end. The play throws up so many facets of its characters and just when you think you have a character figured out- bam - a new disturbing fact is revealed. I thought I had the mystery solved half way through. I flashed the ' I told you so' look around but was soon jolted out of my smugness. As the play progressed and threw up more twists, I struggled to keep up with the pace.

When the final climax unfolded - there was an audible gasp in the audience. As for me I went through all the elements of drama - initial boredom, smugness, surprise, absolute confusion, shock and finally the wonderful feeling of having seen a masterpiece. The play is timeless because the issues it deals with are very human and are relevant at any time. Mousetrap is meaningful and touches several issues that I could identify with.

Here's wishing Mousetrap continued success