The situation of the global community today has left a lot to be wary in times of emergency. Not long ago we have heard of the disaster affecting New Zealand. Then came the Middle East crisis. And just a week back, that unfortunate tragedy in Japan that affected millions of lives, costing to unaccountable billions of dollars.

While the threat of a nuclear meltdown has been elevated in Japan (and is even seen as inevitable by some), the crisis in the Middle Eastern countries is also heating up. A very near future might let us see a crisis comparable to that of the Chernobyl disaster. And NO, I am not even talking about the probable meltdown in Fukushima here.

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan was an effect of a natural hazard. "Cause and Effect" could well be laid out by Science to explain what has affected millions of lives. All we can do right now is pick up those pieces that are still worth salvaging. Or, for lack of a better statement, THEY need to pick up whatever is left worth salvaging.

The Middle East Crisis on the other hand is a result of human interaction. I am no expert on this field, but I am pretty sure Reason has something to do with this. A simple misunderstanding should have resulted to peace talks, other than a hasty exchange of bullets and grenades.

Reason. This made us different from the wild. But this too made rabid dogs out of human beings. And maybe Kurt Vonnegut was right when he said we're terrible animals. The Earth's immune system is trying to get rid of us, as well it should.!

I watched the first item on the news yesterday evening with dread knowing that I do not have the means to help these people in their distress. If prayers could really move mountains, then I pray to Whoever is listening that these people may be able to move forward. I pray that they may find the courage to dust themselves off, mourn for who and what they have lost, and pick their lives up.

I continued to watch the news, still with dread, knowing that the wars and uprisings going on in Libya and Bahrain could have been prevented if only the parties involved are willing to reach some sort of an agreement. Peaceful settling of differences is not impossible in this kind of situation, however, they seemed more at ease with throwing grenades and ammos at each other- hence the continuing decline of reason among men.

The point of this rant was actually a result of my dilemma in packing up my "disaster kit." I mean it's not everyday that I get to do so, so I might as well make a seamless job in doing it.

I already have food, water, clothes, towel (the type which can be use as a blanket), and a book. The real dilemma comes in here. Which book to bring? If I am to bring an epic fantasy, my favorite stories does not end on the third book. They go as long as ten to twelve volumes. And I only intend to bring two books.

So I decided to pick up something that could last me a life time to figure out. Ulyssess. My love- hate relationship with this book is beyond compare. I have read probably the first 200 pages of this book, and absolutely hated and loved every 200 pages of it.

True, this is not a review of this piece of literature which is, by the way, considered as the number one book of all times by the Modern Library. It's just that I am scared, in a biblical level, that I might not do justice to it in my review. As much as I wanted to describe this as the best of all the bests. I can't. This book is definitely NOT for everybody. Which gets us to the BIGGEST question in the history of mankind, why the f*@# did they put this at the top of the list?!

I am not one to complain Modern Library's decision in putting this at the top, but surely those who were included in making that decision should have read Ulyssess from cover to cover, right?

Browsing through the reviews of the this book would really caution you NOT to even think about picking it up from the library. Much less buying a copy from the book shops. Comments like: "Caused me to describe being anally raped by one of my own ribs at a mixed gathering." OR "I literally threw the book across the room" are common among readers.

So why was this book hailed as the number one book of all times? Read it! If you do not have time yet though, start packing your disaster kit! :)