Price on the head

Warning: this post may not be suitable for all.

Literally, a price on the head - at least, the skull!

I am not sure if it is still legal (not even sure if it was ever), but when my brother was starting his dental studies, he wanted a human skull for understanding better the facial and jaw bone mechanism.

So, me and my dad went to MMC to buy a human skull. We knew someone who knew someone else (probably in the mortuary!) who brought the skull in a cardboard box (Nippo cooker box I think). It was several years ago but I think we paid some 150 Rs and some more for the guy who brought it. Now, if you have observed a human skeleton in the zoology lab, you would see that the whole skeleton is mounted on a frame, with wires supporting the rib cage, foot, etc. Now, that is fine if the skeleton is not going to be moved around. For a separate skull, on the other hand, there is no such support. In the absence of the actual flesh, the mandible (lower jaw) is loose and will be separated from the skull. So, the guy who brought the skull was not sure which lower jaw used to fit this skull, and so he brought two! Yedhaavadhu onnu fit aagum saar! At that time, I was also interested in medicine, so I used to observe my brother fiddle with it and sometimes I myself would check it out. Kind of strange to have someone's head around the house! I think we still do have it in the attic.

Anyway, the reason for this post is an ad which I saw at my workplace - "Human skull for sale" - with a spring mechanism for the lower jaw, so that it does not topple out. The cost? not much, $2000.

Law and Order problem aaidum saar

What the hell is happening in TN?

While a police station was set ablaze by the advocates, vehicles parked in the court complex were smashed by the policemen.

High Court judges who came to the premises to see the damage caused to advocates’ vehicles had to run when they were confronted by lathi-wielding policemen. Fire fighters who tried to put out the flames engulfing the police station were attacked by the advocates.

The games we played...

.. in school during boring classes.

Pencil cut:

A fresh sheet of paper is needed. Rarely used E.V.S -II notebook would suffice. Two, or maybe one sharp pencil (sharpness tested by poking self on the cheek, gently) required. Note that the pencil must not be too new (long) or not too short (ends before it begins).

The players choose their corners which are diagonally opposite on the sheet. Each has X arrows drawn in his corner. Position the pencil hook-down on top of first arrow (now the tactic is to keep it exactly vertical) and flick the pencil. Follow the graphite marks and draw an arrow head. The other player has to somehow cut the "current" mark of the enemy. The guy who got cut needs to restart while the other can continue on.

This may sound simple, but it requires a lot of technique and cunning. Especially during the start and very close calls. Also, it is advisable to have a referee to settle "old" marks versus current paths. There is also a genuine case of marks mysteriously disappearing and re-appearing as a "point" when an expert flick is made.

Beginners should also exercise caution when flicking too enthusiastically and thereby making the pencil land in the side benches filled with girls who scream "Miiiiisssss" at any given chance, or worse, if it hits the "miss' herself!