The Reasons...

I am not a defensive person, far from it. I don't like to explain why I did what I did. Being defensive, in my opinion, is a sign of weakness. That said I am in a situation where I have to defend myself!

I had a very stupid argument with my sister a couple of days ago. While I respect her opinions and take them into account, I cannot agree with whatever she says. I don't blog as consistently as millions of people in the world do. I don't read other people's blogs - let alone comment on them. My exposure to blogs is minimal; my blog's exposure is therefore minimal.

I started this blog to get a better grip on writing. I needed to get some control over what I wrote, in terms of length and precision... and believe me; I still need to get some control over those things! While I have noticed improvements, I have a long way to go. Yes, I haven't been altogether committed to blogging off late. The reason for that is - I do things when I feel like... or when I can. When I can't do something or don't feel like doing it... I don't do it! Same applies here.

I have great respect for public speakers. I feel that they're really brave people, facing up to loads of people. For me, writing about stuff is easier. I find writing comfortable. I feel that on stage and in front of people - I wouldn't be able to talk as fluently as I can write. Writing, for me, is spontaneous. That doesn't mean I look down upon blogging. That doesn't mean that I want to become a public speaker either!

For me, blogging is something which people do openly and notoriously. Whether people are writing things about their private lives or about various public issues - they're writing on the internet. While I don't have a problem with personal issues being written on blogs, some of the responses which these experiences get are odd. It’s almost as if there is a parallel community on blogs, where people discuss their lives with others. I find that strange. Why? For me, whatever happens in my life remains just that. Maybe I don't have the bottle to write about those things here... maybe I just don't want to because I feel that it is private.

Only after the argument with my sister did it strike me that the "blogosphere" is now very much a society. People write about stuff when they're ecstatic, distraught, jumping with joy or completely depressed about something. It is an outlet, a place where people vent. There is this Indian myth that there are 3 people who look like you in the world. That could very well be a myth, but why can't people have similar experiences to the ones that you've had? Well, that was the question that I wasn't able to answer.

I will continue to blog. I enjoy writing about stuff, so why should I stop doing something that I enjoy? Blogs don't only teach you to write better, they teach you about respecting people's private spaces and opinions. Perhaps I haven't learnt to do any of those things yet.

Cocktail..... Part 1

Well... if there isn't a single thing to write about, I figured that I should write about a lot of things.. I had a couple of outstanding posts. I must admit that I didn't even have the slightest inclination to complete them, until I completed the last one. I feel that writing about more than 1 issue in one post is not all that bad - so when I'm suffering the now proverbial "blogger's block", you're going to see a "Cocktail"!

The dog is man's best friend, there is no question. That said, I don't think that any of us would leave 12 million dollars behind for one. I think the late Leona Helmsley would disagree. She left the largest portion of her fortune after her death to her dog! I had to bang my head on the wall a couple of times before I read the amount mentioned and who it was going to. How is a dog going to make use of 12 million dollars? Get some accessories? A mani-pedi? I don't even know what I would do with that much money!
You know what the irony is? The dog's name is Trouble. So, her will must have read "I leave 12 million dollars to Trouble"!

I haven't written about football for a variety of reasons. This is worth writing about though. Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal has signed a new deal and this is like an insurance policy for the club. This man, despite all the criticisms thrown at him stays loyal to the club and to his principles. I love that about him. If there's anyone I want to meet and have a good talk with in the world, it would be him. He's a genius and a modest one at that. Arsene knows!

Indian Idol 3 has been a superb 'talent finding show'. The problem is that the concept of voting for who you like doesn't work in India. Contestants get votes for their state rather than their talent. So, it was no surprise when a girl from Uttar Pradesh - one of the larger if not the largest state in India reached the top 4 (totally undeserved in my opinion). The bottom line is simple though, Amit Paul is going to win. He's simply brilliant. He's got a voice which is indescribable. A great find - so most of the people who voted have some music sense.

Another football issue which is in every way disturbing is that Antonio Puerta, a Spanish footballer, 22, died of a heart attack late last month. This was after a 17 year old footballer in England collapsed in training and died as well. I don't know if there was a sequence of events for these deaths but it just goes to show that life is so fragile. We're here one second and could be gone the next. When people die so young, it does bring tears to the eyes. I hope both of them Rest In Peace.

I hear that R.G.Verma's Aag is a failure. That is why the so called great hits should never be re-made. He's a good director and I think that he should avoid wasting his energy and the producer's money on such lousy remakes. For a man who seemed to pride himself on original, innovative scripts - I am surprised that he wanted to remake Sholay (copyright G.P.Sippy).

I guess that I've covered everything that I can think of for now. Hopefully I'll come up with a single thing to write about next time!

60 Years.. Many Happy Returns...

India celebrates her 60th Independence Day in a few hours from now. Despite whatever I've written about India, this is my country. She has gone through a lot of ups and downs and has certainly been going good for the last few years. We just forget how good we have it here sometimes. That's why I believe that after a long, long time - we should be thankful.

When British India split into two, it was India which was getting more of everything - many people forget that we got more of the population too. Nehru and Co. had a lot of responsibilities. They had to cater to a nation which was in turmoil in every single way. I think India chose the right path in doing many things - even politically. We believe in equality and have a 'no-no' policy on discrimination. I know countries who almost make themselves non secular.

60 years is just such a long time that my mind boggles at what could have been had even a tiny detail changed. Of course, that could hold for many things relating to the past. Over these years, we certainly have progressed a lot more than our neighbours. We have risen sharply as an economy and our society has become a lot more liberal in the decade gone by. It has been a turbulent transition without a doubt, but I think that we’ve survived. We are quite easily the strongest nation in the sub continent – in every which way.

The Beeb has come out with a bunch of statistics about who has how much amongst India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is a no brainer that India has the most of everything (land, population, military stuff, ammo, nuclear warheads).

The problem I have with such anniversaries is that people tend to look backward. We tend to look at history and forget that we do live in the present. We have a future to look forward to. Everyone thinks of the hardships of the partition and forgets that we live in a free country where we get to do pretty much anything we want today. Everyone thinks of the bloodshed and the events of August 1947 and forgets about August 2007.

I think that over the last 60 years we have come a long way. Yet people look at the poverty (yes, me included) and all the other negatives. I say, think positive, think about the future. We can be a world power and at 60 years - India is a fairly young nation. When there is a will, there is a way and I dare say that we have so much will that the next 20 years could well see India rise to the top of the world. I really see that vision becoming a reality.

Tagged - Part II

Here's the second part of my tag, the kind of people I judge. Keeping in mind that I would have probably judged every person I know, I have to try and keep this list short! Here goes..

1. People who have no clue about the concept of trust.

2. People who talk behind other people's backs - if you can't say it in front of the person, don't do it behind their back!

3. People who seem to be diplomatic in every situation. These people will have to stick their neck out one day.. I can't imagine what that would be like!

4. People who say things without even knowing what they mean - we were always taught "think before you speak".. these people need to "know before they speak!".

5. People who back out of stuff at the last minute - I can't stand their sheepishness or apologies.

6. Gate crashers. If you're not invited, people probably don't want you there!

7. People who set their "Relationship Status" on orkut as "Committed". Please, you're probably just 18.. do you even know what the words "Relationship" and "Commitment" mean?

8. Guys who can't put together one proper sentence in English. I know, sounds kind of snobbish - but I judge them.

9. People who incessantly judge others. It gets kind of irritating.

10. People who are getting into something they don't know anything about.

11. Finally.. the guys who think they "know it all". Well.. you ain't seen nothin yet!

It wasn't as long as I thought it would be. Maybe certain things just didn't click. I think a lot of us do or have done some of what I've written about. In any case - as long as we don't do that anymore.. I think we're safe!

"Justice Delayed is Justice Denied..."

When William Gladstone came up with this quote in the 19th century, he obviously had very little knowledge of what would become the Democratic Republic of India. Well, the judicial system in India to be precise. So when I came across this quote, I felt, as every Indian would feel that justice is denied in every which way in this country. I am certain that most of us felt the same way when Sanjay Dutt walked into a special TADA court set up in a corner of Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.

By bad luck or good judgment though, the actor who so famously portrayed the self righteous gangster - Munna Bhai was sentenced to a 6 year term in jail. People who said that the Indian Judiciary didn't have the bottle to sentence big names had to eat their words. Sanjay Dutt himself would have felt hard done by as he had already served a year and a half in jail.

Sanjay Dutt was erratic in his behaviour to buy 3 guns (or whatever the number) from underworld members. He was incredibly stupid to buy them at a time when the TADA Act was in force. He was ignorant of the fact that he was breaking the law and that has ultimately cost him 6 years of his life (in theory). The odds are now stacked against him and his legal team probably will have to do a lot of convincing to the Supreme Court for his bail.

As for PD Kode, the judge - he was incredibly strong and put his foot down in terms of this case. It was a remarkable display of bravery by the judge and in a case where there was so much scrutiny by the media and the public at large, his performance must be commended.

Laws are such that they can only judge people at the time they are committing the crime. In 1992, Sanjay Dutt committed a very big crime. His actions could have potentially lead to many people's killing. He had a rifle to "protect his family" - an explanation I don't understand. He had to be convicted. We live in India, where cases move incredibly slowly. So what if he has become a better person? Does that take away what he did 14 years ago? He was merely out on a technicality in any case.

Sanjay Dutt might be a great human being with good intentions. He is a good actor without a doubt. There are so many good people who do things against the law though. Do they get the media coverage and the pleas that this man gets? Do they get shown any sort of leniency?

The thing that lets me down is that people who have a portfolio in the cabinet have denounced this verdict and have said that he has suffered enough. Who are they to say this? I think the public will be happy if justice is served. If you commit a crime, you have to do the time.

So, I do hope that even if justice is delayed, it isn’t denied. I know that for now, in this case it has been delivered by and large. The scene may change very quickly and easily in 4 months time though. That's because this is India - justice is pretty much always delayed and as William Gladstone said - pretty much always denied.

Tagged - Part I

Well.. I feel like I'm writing after a zillion years! It’s nice to be writing after ages in any case. I've been tagged to write about 2 things: What kind of people I admire and What kind of people I judge. So, here's part one!

I admire:

1. People who say "I don't cheat" - and actually practice that!

2. People who value friendships and know what it is to be a friend.

3. People who actually know what the word "trust" means - there aren't a lot by the way.

4. Independent people - who hate relying on others for every little thing.

5. People who don't renege whatever they say - people who are as good as their word.

6. A person who is brave, who has courage.

7. People who are liberal - people who aren't rigid in every way.

8. People who think about others before thinking about themselves.

9. People who have it in them to have a smile on their face even though they have had the worst day of their lives.

10. People who don't sit on the fence all the time - people who don't know what it is like to play politics.

I know that most of the stuff that I've said above is farfetched. I still believe there are people who would qualify for 9/10 of these qualities. In any case I'll be writing my second part next - which I believe will be slightly easier!

What is Free?

I'm really starting to wonder what is free these days. When I used to be in 2nd standard or 1st, our teacher used to tell us "air & water are natural resources.. they're out in the open, so they're free". Considering that I used to breathe in air and get a constant flow of water in my house I believed her at face value. Only today do I realize what a hilarious statement that's turned out to be.

When I moved to Chennai, there was an acute water problem here. We had to pay a considerable amount of money to actually get a water tanker to our house and fill up the tank once every 3-4 days. We used to pay 500 rupees, if I'm not wrong. If we hadn't, we wouldn't have been able to bathe and our sanitary system would've been messed up.. to say the least! So, we must've paid a fortune just to "buy" water. We also buy drinking water to date, I must add.

The other day, I went to a petrol pump and did the usual thing - fill petrol and fill air in my vehicle. When I went to the part where we fill air, I noticed a sign above the air pump saying "Free Air". I almost burst out laughing, but trying to maintain a straight face went about the air filling. The irony is that everyone paid Rs.2 for the air filling... for "labour" or whatever.

My inspiration to write this entry came when I went to another petrol pump to fill air. I didn't have any coins that day so I told the guy "I don't have coins", indicating that I will not be able to pay anything for the air - I know, it sounds stupid. The guy tells me "give me a 10 rupee note, I will give you change". I was totally taken aback. That's when it struck me - nothing is free in this world.. not air, not water. The dumbest fact is that I, knowingly used to pay for both up until that time.. and will continue to do so.

We pay water tax these days - well that at least is fair. I'm afraid that very soon we're going to pay air tax. To put those 2 words together is odd - but trust me, we're not far away from paying air tax.

Women's Rights?

We all talk about the patriarchal society in which we live in. We always stress on the fact that we're moving away from that particular phase in our endeavour for social development. This can also be affirmed by the fact that the future Indian President may be a woman. The aforementioned facts are all so general that we actually feel that women are going places. Are they really?

I read this incredibly horrible story about a 2 day old baby being buried by her grandfather ALIVE into a field in southern India. Thank God, and whatever was in that soil.. the baby survived. It is acts like these which makes us wonder, where are we headed? We're a nation which has a massive woman entrepreneur like Kiran Majumdar Shaw and yet we see female infanticide. There have been other cases of female foeticide, if I'm not wrong near the capital. Talk about irony.

Then, there's the story of a woman parading herself 75% naked on the streets of Rajkot. Why would a woman do such a thing? Due to the fact that she wanted to embarass her in-laws and her husband who basically destroyed her emotionally on another very stupid practice which is being carried on since time immemorial - dowry.

Being a guy, I might not even understand 50% of the problems women go through on a day to day basis, let alone stuff like fighting against your in laws or giving birth. I was shocked when I read the story of the attempted female infanticide. I don't even understand the rationale. How can a mother actually agree to her new born baby being killed so brutally? The mother is a woman after all.

It really does irk me when stuff like this happens. I'm sure it is reducing. There are laws against things like these. The various Women's Rights Organizations try to take people like Aishwarya Rai to court on a "public display of affection". They only care about their own recognition and forget all about the core issue - Women's Rights.

I feel sick. I'm appalled at all this nonsense going on... I'm simply disgusted.

Crazy Kiya Re!

Talk about sheer consumerism.. the launch of the incredibly stylish iPhone happened yesterday and the amount of attention that it has created has amazed me. I have not seen many other products having such an impact on people. Apart from Harry Potter, I've never seen people in these volumes queuing up for anything. Not that I was actually there but still... it seems to be generating a lot of media hype.

As an owner of an iPod, I do know how enthusiastic people will feel about owning something like an iPod and a phone in one. It is quite a superb bit of engineering. The iPhone, like the iPod is going to be a pioneer in its field. Here's the thing... (there's always a thing!) People have tried to sell on their iPhones and even spots (in the queues) for upto $5000. To my knowledge that is a rip off.

It sure is crazy what people do to actually make money. That is one of the funnier things that I've heard. This really seems analogous to what people in Chennai did for the movie
"Sivaji". I think that all the cinema halls in Chennai were booked up for 10-15 days. Although I don't understand what the hype is all about - avid Rajni fans will tell you that they will sacrifice pretty much anything to watch his movie on the first day.

So, then all this raises a question.. are we, as humans crazy to want something so bad? Are we insane to pay astronomical sums for just a couple of days of happiness? I guess that we are. Apple has marketed iPhone pretty damn well and I don't even need to say anything about Sivaji. That movie marketed itself.

I guess I could one day pay over the odds to watch Arsenal play... so I guess we're all crazy in some way or the other!

India... Model Democracy?

I live in a democracy. Well, that's what the constitution of India says - we are a Democratic Republic and are secular. How can a constitution - an incredibly complex document actually be of any practical use? The simple answer is that it cannot. We are taught everyday that various things in theory seem to be simple and to actually put them in practice is incredibly tough.

So, when the President of our country is voted for by a bunch of parliamentarians, all of whom are politicians - it really does pose an incredibly ridiculous question. Are we a democracy? The answer is that we are a quasi or a pseudo democracy. We 'elect' our MLAs who then elect the President. We don't even elect the Prime Minister! We just vote for the various political parties and they come out with who they want as Prime Minister. I don't think many people even thought that Dr.Manmohan Singh would become PM after our last elections.

The Right to Freedom is probably the most fundamental of the Fundamental Rights. So, my question is that when India appears on the list of countries which regularly tracks website activity of its citizens - how does that give us adequate freedom to express? Many people don't even want to report crimes to the police for fear of death. Where's the freedom?

Mahatma Gandhi, I hope envisaged an India free from oppression, free from political disturbances, economically forward - well the latter most point can be partially satisfied but the former ones are the ones that cannot be. We are a country where bonded labour seems to be common. We have a Constitution and the zillion safeguards but in practice have zero.

So, when Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam - probably the most admired human being in the country was cruelly made a to be in the centre of a political tug of war - it begs the question.. where on Earth are we headed? For all the potential we seem to have - bureaucracy and red tape negate development.

I know that the business of being a democracy is probably the toughest thing on the planet - priding ourselves on being the largest democracy in the world is probably not such a good idea. It is probably the biggest misconception - it makes us look as if we're the model of democracy. The fact is that we have a massive population - that's what makes us the biggest democracy. Ironically, the politicians and politics itself makes India a mockery of a democracy.

I'm sure people who have been oppressed in various other countries would beg to differ. Then again, they've not been independent countries for over 60 years and certainly aren't the 'biggest democracy in the world'.

Judging.... I still don't get it...

I've had fairly empty thoughts till date until I stumbled upon something which I get irritated a lot. So, I'm writing about it! I'm not all that bad and English. There is this word though, which still tears me apart - because I simply cannot understand the precise meaning of it. That word is called judgement.

I think I wrote in one of my previous posts that I do judge. Yes, I will still subscribe to that. My only question is, who doesn't? I cannot find a single person who doesn't brand another person something even though they don't know him or her from Tom or Betty. Its a pathetic state of affairs primarily when I am branded as someone who judges too much.

When I have a point of view, I stick to it and defend it with all I've got even if I'm 'wrong'! How does having strong opinions or just speaking your thoughts get you into a mess? I'm the guy to answer that because more often than not, I've been termed harsh and one who is negative - just because I said something bad about certain people. The strange thing is when that person says something negative about someone else, I'm supposed to listen to that - without saying a thing. Smells like hypocrisy to me.

Everyone has an opinion about everything and everyone in the world. Just because you say it - you are branded as someone who judges which I feel is ridiculous. I do realize the difference between thinking and actually speaking and I'm similarly sure that everyone realizes the difference between transparency and being translucent.

Also, people feel that it is okay to let others judge them and not the people who know them. Yes, familiarity does breed contempt. I still don't understand though, why everyone is so afraid or tired of defending themselves in certain situations. I know it is tiring but, that's the way the world works.

The fact is that the only difference between the person who 'judges' and doesn't is that the former actually thinks aloud. In my view, there is no difference between the two people - in a way it is better to know what people think about others and various other things rather than them being quiet.

I still am not quite familiar with the whole term judging.. but hey.. I probably will never get it!

Putting Myself To The Test

Saw these tests taken in another blog and was intrigued.. here are the results....

Your Dominant Intelligence is Interpersonal Intelligence

You shine in your ability to realate to and understand others. Good at seeing others' points of view, you get how people think and feel. You have an uncanny ability to sense true feelings, intentions, and motivations. A natural born leader, you are great at teaching and mediating conflict. You would make a good counselor, salesperson, politician, or business person.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

You Are A Good Friend

You're always willing to listen Or lend a shoulder to cry on You're there through thick and thin Many people consider you their "best friend"!

What Kind of Friend Are You?

Are Air Hostesses "Worth the Weight?"

There was a point at the end of the last millennium and the beginning of this one, where a lot of people in the World would flatly reply "India" to a question. That question was, "Which country do you think has the prettiest girls?" Today, external beauty and "attributes" are viewed to be important for guys getting hitched and apparently for being an air hostesses in Indian, the domestic carrier in India.

I don't have an issue about either of those parties' views. That's their taste, their opinion. The part I cannot accept is the fact that the airline has actually cited safety reasons for not allowing "over weight" air hostesses. The even funnier thing is that a high court, chaired by a woman actually ratified this view. Talk about women's empowerment - or should I say mockery of it?

For an airline which has aircrafts whose age can be compared to most ageing things on the planet and which has the policy of having air hostesses up to the age of 58 - this is something which is completely out of colour. People argue that an increase in competition has forced their hands into such a move. The simple fact is that Indian is not good enough because of poor efficiency. Pretty airhostesses are just the icing on the cake. So, how can you put icing on a cake that doesn't even exist?

My question is that will an airline refuse tickets to an obese passenger? The answer is no. I have not once seen an obese air hostess in any airline, so why the discrimination? Instead of saying, "we need pretty, thin air hostesses who are presentable to the public" - they've taken the easy way out by citing safety reasons. That's just my personal opinion. I know many companies have regulations, but they don't go about changing the rules so radically - especially rules like these.

Air hostesses are integral to an airlines' success. Today though according to law, they aren't worth their weight. I really don't know whether this is right or wrong. The only thing I can say is that only the people who have the bottle to speak the truth will succeed. Will Indian succeed in their quest for thin air hostesses? That is the proverbial million dollar question.

Bangalore Beckons...

At last.. something to look forward to. I'm going to Bangalore in a couple of days, the city where I resided in for 2 years. Whatever I remember of the city is good.. so my hope is that I will come back with better memories.

There's nothing like a trip that can take your mind off all the nonsense going on in your life. So, I'm going to go out and have a blast. Who knows? I might get more than I expect out of the trip.

So, in that spirit I would like to recall the theme song of "Felicity" - A New Version of You.

Can you become
Can you become
A new version of you

New wallpaper
New shoe leather
A new way home
I don't remember

New version of you
I need a new version of me

New version of you
I need a new version of me

Yes, that is what I want.. a fresh start, a new beginning. After all, where's the fun in life if there is no change?

Who Can I Trust?

Belief. Yes, that is the word that I think is the backbone of every relationship. Without belief or trust, no relationship can ever go on. Once the trust has been broken, it is hard to even contemplate trusting anyone again. You feel like you're falling into a deep, endless pit your trust has been broken. Can I give another chance? Is it worth trying to trust the person who in my view has blatantly broken the backbone of any relationship?

The mind boggles as to what can be done in situations like this. Maybe I can move on, act as if this never happened. Maybe I can say "go to hell" and part ways. All my life, I have been inclined to do the latter. Any breach of trust would lead me to believe that the person is simply not worth living, let alone talking to. I don't even care if that is right or wrong. My beliefs on this issue are strong and I don't ever think that they will change.

Why is it that today, I feel like I can trust people who I would have never associated that word with a couple of months ago? How can I feel like not even looking at the faces of people who I could have said anything about my life to at any time? Is this just a knee jerk or am I over reacting about the whole thing? I don't know what I'm going to do, I don't even know how to react properly.

One thing is for sure, things will never be the same ever again. I realize that and I'm sure everyone would realize that. Sometimes people don't really think rationally in certain situations, but can that be an excuse for whatever is said? I think not. Time might be able to put a band aid over a fracture, but the fracture will never heal. That's where I begin to think that its all futile. I guess then, that it is all over. Once the trust is gone, so is the relationship.

Life's never Easy....And It's getting Tougher!

Whenever there's been a bad week, you think - this has been the lousiest week of my life. I've just had one of those weeks. The thing is that I've had so many pathetic days in the span of 7 days, that I can't help thinking - was it coming all along?

Is there anything called a rut? Well, I'm strongly of the opinion that boredom and things related to it are brought about by one's mentality. How can you think that a person is inactive by just looking at him? Can anyone look inside the brain of a human?

If there's anything I've learnt in the past 2 days - I judge. I judge to no end and that makes me a pretty bad person. I always felt that opinionating is good. I thought expression of thoughts, whatever they may be is healthy. Well, I have news - none of that is good. There are some things which should be said, the others should be locked tight in a compartment in your brain. Saying your thoughts aloud is never going to help.

Where's the place for genuineness in the World then? How can I behave in a way different to my beliefs? This is a dilemma that I will face and I'm pretty confident that I will never come to a proper resolution on it. Sometimes, opinions are uncalled for - I realize that. Why do these issues pile up and bury you under though? Why can't things be said to your face when there's a clear wrongdoing?

That is why most of us are pathetic. We don't have the bottle to say whatever we want to anybody fearing for their reaction. That is why many of us will definitely face psychological disorders before we die. That is why we will never be able to say anything to anybody, no matter who they are - family members or friends for the sole reason of fear.

Only when such fears diminish can we be a transparent society. There are no grey areas in this World, they're either black or white, yin or yang. I hate people who beat around the bush. Only when people communicate can we make things easier for everyone. Life's already tough enough and with such trash happening, not only in my life - it is definitely becoming tougher.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

I'm Bored and Its OK!

Life is filled with a bunch of rotten ironies.. yes I'm going to get all philosophical about the whole ironies in life but it is true! I don't think that in any situation can anyone say.. "I'm happy and completely satisfied". There's always a void, something to fill and that something has kept on eluding me and probably will continue to do so forever.

What is boredom? Boredom is a really pathetic state of mind where we're so inactive that we can barely think of anything else other than how bored we actually are! We never feel the need to do anything in such a rut. It is probably the most frustrating time of my life because as much as I would want to get off my bottom and do something - I just can't! Why on Earth isn't that possible?

I'm beginning to get so bored that I'm reading stuff about boredom. Apparently, boredom is a symptom of depression. Wow, now there's something scary - it makes me want to get up and do something! I have so much to do and no will to do anything. Without motivation and and any inspiration which would make me see the light at the end of the tunnel, I am starting the painful process of self evaluation. What's the void? What can that gap be filled with?

That is, I guess the real million dollar question! At a time where life seems to simple, I want something complicated to come along to spice things up and of course at complicated junctures, I need clarity and simplicity! One of the zillion ironies of life I guess.

The other irony is boredom. When you have loads of work to do, you feel bored because you have the same old routine and want to break away from it. When you don't have much work to do.. you wished you had all the work in the world to do!

At this point, the rambling ends.. and so will the boredom (or so I hope). Hopefully my boredom is not rubbing off on others. At the end of the day, I guess I am always bored but just don’t know it. Not knowing is the best thing.

It is said that “empty vessels make the most noise”…. I’m just beginning to wonder how much noise I’m starting to make.

Happy 50th!

There's an anniversary for everything these days, be it a wedding anniversary or an engagement anniversary or an anniversary for which 2 people have been together! The list seems to be endless! The most common anniversary is the Birthday, without question and today I just found out that there is an 'Anniversary', but not for a person.

This was invented in 1957 in Switzerland. American Airlines, Gap, Panasonic, Lufthansa and Tupperware are among its users. It is one of the best known in its field, both in a positive and negative way. I'm even astonished to say that a book has been published about it.. which is an emotion you might also share with me when I reveal what I'm actually talking about!

I've looked at a bunch of descriptions of it and they seem to be so similar to a way you would describe a car or something... "It has smooth, clean lines, and an unobtrusive geometry that almost suggests it was designed not to stand out." It has also made an appearance, if you can call it that in the sitcom "Friends" in Season 10.

We all use computers and take so much for granted. Don't you think that a font should be given a birthday too? Well, apparently this incredibly popular font is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year... so here goes - Happy 50th HELVETICA!

Whatever has been mentioned before is true. This font has hate clubs and has followers. Every brand mentioned before also has its 'typeface' in Helvetica. It even makes an appearance in Friends Season 10. It is truly incredible that we miss so many things which are right in front of our very eyes! There are so many anniversaries we celebrate these days that adding this one would barely make a difference. After all, Helvetica is a true Swiss beauty!

I Salute Man Utd, Not Their Fans...

The Premier League is all done and Manchester United are the champions contrary to what many others and I said. They deserve it without a doubt - playing fantastic, consistent football which they lacked in the previous years. They have a good manager in Sir Alex Ferguson, a man who was criticized so heavily in the last 2 years by his own fans all over the world.

I've managed to step onto the topic of fans then - this in reference to the ones I know and the ones in India as a whole. The thing is that these 'fans' actually became fans after the 'glory days'. I know people who became supporters in this millennium where they won only once before this season. So, these people have it in their heads that it is their god given right to roll over anyone else and that whatever happens - the other teams are useless and there is only one team in the world, Manchester United.

The fact is that, as an Arsenal supporter I do get a lot of stick. It is part of being against a brigade of pompous and arrogant fans who believe Arsenal will not do anything significant in the future and that Chelsea are a team made by money. On the face of it, everything looks correct because they've just won the title and are basking in the glory of victory. It wasn't a long time back when Manchester United kicked an Arsenal team out of the park at Old Trafford and then scored the most undeserved penalty of the century. So, not all of their achievements are creditable.

I hate Manchester United, not because they're the arch rivals of Arsenal, but because of their incredibly useless fans who believe that they are the sun which all teams revolve around. I guess they've never been introduced to a word called modesty... and they probably will never know what it is to be modest.

Chelsea might have been built on money, but money cannot buy the spirit and courage that their players showed yesterday. Mourinho might be criticized heavily, but the fact is that he protects his team superbly by stealing the limelight. He has excellent tactical acumen and in my opinion is a brilliant manager.

Arsenal have had a tough couple of years and could well have some more to come. The test for a fan is to stick by his or her team when the times are tough, not to just give up all the possible hope there is for a comeback. I love Arsenal and whatever Arsene does, I will take it in the right spirit and get on with life. I will not call for him to be sacked for whatever reason! We might be bad losers, but the Manchester United fans are bad winners. You guys are just going to create more hatred for your team. I just hope that next year something incredibly drastic happens to Man Utd and then, we will see the real fans stick around because the others are just pretenders.

Congratulations to Manchester United and at the same time my commiserations - you might have won the title, but your fans down here in India are just pathetic winners!