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Xtreme
Paintball Just opposite to the "third largest mall in south-east Asia", Bashundhara City, lies a seemingly inconspicuous recreation centre the Xtreme Paintball arena. For the uninitiated, paintball is a team-based game where you battle with (toy) guns which use paint pellets as ammunition. These pellets are marble-sized, break upon contact and splatter out where-ever they hit. While it seems much safer than the gun fights we have here, a word to the wise: a paint pellet can still sting prettttty badly! Since this is the first ever paintball "arena" in Bangladesh, my friends and I decided to go check it out. Finally being able to "live out" our videogame and action movie dreams was a pretty big incentive, so we were pretty excited. We went there one sunny Friday afternoon and……On to the review! The
guns look and feel real! But… The
gear makes you look like a real trooper! You also get a military camo vest which can hold your extra magazines and generally make you look like a soldier. Lastly is the "gimp" mask a, well, mask that's used to protect your face only. After donning the gear and carrying the gun, you may even start to feel like a real soldier as you head out onto the playing field! But… The
terrain looks like a proper battlefield…with obstacles to boot! But… The
Verdict They have a small fast food joint there, but despite the flashy names (Frag Noodle Soup, anyone?), it's expensive and tasteless. In the end, it'll be an experience that you'll probably recall (to complain about) and be glad that you went there once and got it over with! Review ByLe Chupacabra Leaving
life Over the years, I have become the person I wanted to be. I have traveled to many places in Bangladesh and in some regions out of the country. I have a dedicated and loyal group of friends who I am happy with. I have done quite well educationally, particularly in the past few years. I have had access to many accessories to remain smart and trendy. I have eaten a lot of delicious cuisines and deserts. I have subsequently seen many films and documentaries on television and by means of rented cassettes and dvd's. I have visited Comilla, Savar, Gazipur, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sundarban, and so on. I have gone to Nepal, India and the USA. I have traveled by all the major modes of transport. I fondly remember the boat rides in Ashulia, the speed-boat rides at Cox's Bazar and the late night bus journeys to many localities in and around Dhaka, to Comilla, etc. I have seen the beauties of nature; the water in the lakes, the birds flying across the sky, the kittens playing and chasing each other, the red roses, the foggy hills. I have gotten wet under the rain, have felt the cool breeze passing through. The cows eating grass in the meadows were always a source of pleasure, the trees bearing flowers of various colours; purple, red, yellow, etc. impressed me immensely. Most of the teachers I have come across, have been extremely supportive. They have inspired me to better myself, have always had full confidence in my capabilities. Some of my relatives have been good company, I have spent some memorable times with them. I have been lucky in many ways. A lot of people tell me that I am one of the happiest persons they have come across. Remember the saying, 'all good things must come to an end'. This statement is appropriate considering my current health situation. I have been diagnosed with leukemia and my days are numbered. But, I do not want a sad and miserable end to my life on earth. I will always cherish my friends and relatives. I will leave with fond memories of my life; the beauty of nature, the love of people, the achievements, the support of well- wishers. It is for these reasons that I hope not to have a discontented death. I look forward to
my life after death with great anticipation. I believe that my Creator
will reward me for all the good that I have done. Life after death is
a mystery to all, and, I will be able to uncover that in a short while.
Anyone I have misbehaved with or have mistreated, please forgive me.
By Arbab Quadri Book review White city blue First person narratives have always been a personal favourite; but when I first started reading 'White City Blue', I wasn't entirely sure how long I would take to finish it. The book had a number of things going for it. A, it wasn't another romance-heartbreak-happily-ever-after 'chic' book. Tim Lott, the author is said to write under the newly emerging genre of 'lad lit'. This means, it was different from the usual Kelly-Keyes. B, it had a great awardunder its belt: the 1999 Whitbread First Novel Award. C, I thought, why not? Frankie Blue, also Frank the Fib, as he is 'affectionately' called by his friends, introduces himself to the readers quite… honestly. He is a real estate agent who is smarter than real estate agents usually are. After all, he has a degree from a university; the only one to have one among his friend circle. Now his friend circle consists of four of them: the self-obsessed, selfish but charming Tony, who is not a barber, but a 'hairdresser'; serious, politically correct, literature loving, taxi driving Nodge; nervous, awkward, computer genius Colin and real estate agent, Frankie, himself. Frankie has the habit of… err… embellishing the truth; mind you, it's not lying; just a bit of polishing. The guys hang out, have fun, do the 'guy' thing. In other words, they compete. All men do and though things aren't all that great sometimes, adulthood has taught them that it's better to stay quiet than complain; whining is for kids. Then enters Veronica Tree. Sounds posh, and posh she is. She is a pathologist, which means she is used to probing the insides of dead bodies to find out what went wrong. And she is equally good at doing this even when the person isn't lying in the morgue. Frankie falls in love with her (has to, of course) but life doesn't transform to cupid's hearts and roses. As Veronica gives him more insight on life, much to his annoyance, a process of self introspection is triggered within Frankie. He actually pauses… and thinks. A difficult task for many men, I guess. Just kidding! The worlds of his friends with unwritten rules and the world of him and Veronica, a couple engaged to get married don't go all that well together. There's conflict and there are choices. And there are opportunity costs to these choices (Gaah! No economics!). In the face of having to make life altering decisions, Frankie starts realizing who he really is, and comes face to face with some things in his life which he normally wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole… A novel that starts as a good book and ends as a great book. Quiet and reflective and makes you give some thought to the necessity of friendship. Funny and just a tiny bit sad; not enough to deplete your tear ducts. As for the name, it's meant to be philosophical, I guess and must have some connection to the fact that the main character's a real estate agent. No, it's NOT a book about any city. It's about a man. Or rather a man who still has some growing up to do. And who, while growing up, forces you to see some of the less fine truths about your own life that you wouldn't have wanted to see otherwise. e-mail: rs.readers@gmail.com By Maliha Bassam |
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