*snip*

According to Greek Mythology, the three Fates are Goddesses who supervise destiny by controlling each person’s “thread of life”. Clotho selects the thread, Lachesis measures it, and Atropos cuts this thread to signify the end of a person's existence.

What does that sound like, I wonder? The end of a person’s life? If I were making a movie about these whimsical Fates, I know what sound-effect I would use at the moment that Atropos cuts that slender thread. It would be a clear, simple, razor sharp-

*snip*



Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.



Ranjana Bose looks out of her office window. What a beautiful day! The sky is overcast and it looks like it’s going to rain. A welcome respite from the recent heat wave in Delhi. Ranjana looks down at the paperwork on her desk. Is there time for a quick cigarette? Probably not, she tells herself hurriedly, recalling guiltily that she is supposed to be in the process of quitting. And the documents need to be turned in by the end of the day anyway. Ranjana looks out again. Is it drizzling? People seem to be scurrying under that bus-stand.
The landscape lurches.
Her hands are clammy.
A shooting pain.

*snip*

Young Corporate Whiz Kid Succumbs to Untimely Heart Attack



Bill Malkovich trips down the steps from the lobby onto the sidewalk. Oh my god, it’s already 2:00 pm? He curses himself for losing all track of time in the young girl’s room. While one can easily call Bill Malkovich a cradle-snatcher, one can just as easily see that he is a fantastic father. The divorce hasn’t stopped him from attending Parents’ Day Meetings or taking Jenny out regularly for pizza and movies and story-telling sessions. Today is an exception. He should have been at the school right now. His gaze rakes the parking-lot on the other side of the road. Where is that damn car? Oh, there it is! He steps off the kerb as the pedestrian-signal turns green.
The horns blare.
He is momentarily blinded.
Screeching to a halt.

*snip*

Successful Publicist Fatally Run Over As Speeding Bus Turns Corner



Jenell Morrison leans over his Physics textbook. The jingle-jangle of the lecturing professor’s silver bangles is un-fucking-bearable. He wants to crawl back into bed but he knows the test tomorrow will include material from the lecture today. He sighs and glances at Abid, who is glancing at Maria. Jenell tries to suppress a grin. Abid is truly hopeless when it comes to Maria. All his charm and arrogance melt into awkwardness when that girl looks at him. Jenell appraises Abid carefully. Is he really dedicated enough to become a permanent member of Jenell’s beloved band? Well, he did write that great song last week… Jenell looks up at the whiteboard.
The door crashes open.
Something whizzes toward his collarbone.
The room tumbles into chaos.

*snip*

School Student Goes On Arbitrary Killing Spree



Melanie Costa walks in and sits down in the train, comfortably sated after the delicious Italian meal with Gabriella. She rummages in her backpack. Where is that I-Pod gone? She often thinks that perhaps buying the Nano was not such a good idea. So easy to lose! Especially with her messy bag and careless ways. Ah, there it is! Melanie settles back onto the seat. Hmmm… She feels indecisive and there is an inter-generational, musical conflict. Cat Stevens or James Blunt? She thinks about Idan all of a sudden. Good-looking, witty Idan with his sharp cheekbones and crooked smile. Okay, James Blunt it is. “You are beautiful...” the singer’s voice croons into her ears.
A loud, grinding explosion.
She smashes into iron and steel.
Flames towering high.

*snip*

London Underground Rocked By Terror Attacks



Chonburi Sopon tosses the fish up expertly, one last time. It falls into the plate and he takes it to the lone customer sitting outside in the sun. Chonburi smiles at the Australian woman as he hands her the fish, and then decides to take a walk down the beach. He is calmly content today. Thankfully, the loan has been approved and he can finally open the club on the beachside. He is still hesitant about the colour scheme of the interiors though. He is rather partial towards a deep green but Annie has her heart set on a dusky shade of pink. “It’s more vibrant! More club-like!” Chonburi can almost her slightly high-pitched voice over the crashing waves. Are the waves a little more powerful than usual today? He turns to look at the Australian woman who is enjoying her meal.
The waves gather force.
His eyes widen.
The furious water crashes.

*snip*

Asian Tsunami Disaster’s Final Death Toll Over 300000


***
I have been told that bank-balances and moderation and career plans and health insurance and stable relationships are excellent things to possess because they give us:
security and stability.
Except that I’m pretty sure that security and stability are fairly fragile castles.
At that *snip* moment, I do not want to regret the things I did not do- however trite that might sound.
Which just makes me think that Horace got it right, back in 23 BC, when he declared:
Carpe Diem.
Seize the day.
Take hold of the day.
After all, one never knows when Atropos might decide to slit the thread.