Thursday 25 September 2008

Train journeys

College, Pa's office, my office - i have always travelled by trains. Being the most reliable and speedy mode of transport, i have always preferred going by train.

When i was in college, chatting with friends, gossiping and talking as if no one's around used to be the ritual.

When i was going to Pa's office, reading, listening to music on the cell phone was the ritual.

Now, reading and observing people is the mainstay.

Sometimes in second class, mostly in first class, myriad experiences are attached with the train travels. Striking, recent and old ones with my perceptions & judgments of it, listed here -
1. A really fat, good looking, fair girl reading the autobiography of Muhammad Ali - the boxer. Very likely that she or some of her family member would be associated with boxing.

2. A brand conscious girl wearing Nike floaters, Esprit Bag, Levi's Jeans, a huge Diamond ring, Sprint sunglasses engrossed in her book. i saw her a couple of times and the elite struck each time.

3. A girl boarding the train at almost the same time as i do, stays near my area, as 'healthy' as me, remains aloof, looks introverted like me. i always think we should be friends but never take the initiative.

4. Educated, high-paying job holding, smart, English-speaking, modern women throwing leftover food, food packets, wrappers outside the window unabashedly. i keep staring at them and giving them looks that should make them feel ashamed. But, they just carry on and i don't gather the courage to tell them anything.

5. Middle class women trying to take full advantage of travelling in the first class compartment.

6. The struggle visible on the faces of middle class women who have travelled in second class all their life and can now afford to travel first class.

7. The loud chatter of Gujarati, small-time businessmen playing cards and discussing their moves in a typically irritating manner.

8. Young Gujarati fellas making a loud, irritating show of their stupid ringtones thinking girls get impressed by such antics.]

9. Women informing some unsuspecting and some intentional women passengers getting on the first class compartment about their folly. The undertones range from concern to show-off.

10. Few women trying to seem cool by looking into their books and from the corner of their eye watching who's noticing.

11. Number of women asking one by one where i would be getting down, so irritating.

Everyday the experiences get richer and educative by more observations. If you want to read and know more about human nature, you have to take the train ride. Easily the most educating, the hundreds of human emotions and feelings get displayed here every single time. Some days, i just observe each one of them putting down my book. Guess, they educate too.

Tuesday 23 September 2008

Astrological Sunday

This Sunday, 21st September 2008 was an astrological day. Felt like the Almighty, my destiny was trying to tell me something.

On the same day, one astrologically inclined man told me that i may have to compromise my dreams. And, in a matter of few hours, another told me you have an outstanding future ahead of you. All your dreams will come true and your future is just too fabulous.

i even talked with a few persons about their beliefs regarding astrology and whether they follow the predictions and 'remedies' suggested by the consultants. i heard mixed views. Extremes too. One was a staunch believer in the science of astrology and another one in the futility of it.

i got confused about my beliefs myself. i had decided that i'll never consult anybody and always do my best to have the life i want after the Me magazine experience. The story goes like this - A couple of years back, i used to read my weekly forecast in this magazine called Me published by DNA. One week, it so happened that i read some very positive things in my star sign column. Things like, i'll have success and approvals from those who matter, my views would be appreciated. So, i started getting a little overconfident. i did not put in the required efforts thinking that i am destined to be appreciated so i don't need to do my best. The forecast was more or less right. But after a few days, those half hearted endeavours backfired and i had to listen to some music.

Some other week, i read that this week would be negative. Your efforts may not get appreciated. With immediate effect, i slackened in my efforts. My enthusiasm dipped. my thinking went something like this that whatever or howmuchever i try, my work will be criticised. Later on, i realised that, had i put in some sincere, honest efforts, my work would have been good and at least, i would have the satisfaction of giving my best.

Both ways, whatever the forecast, i can surely say that, it had a negative effect on me. So, when i was asked to get my future read by somebody, i was in a state of dilemma. i did not want to know. But i am proud of myself in one respect - i still believed that my thoughts will decide how my life will be.

Though the dreams that i have been holding on to, the visualisations that have become the reason of my existence were a little jostled. my beliefs were shaken or at least questioned. Of course, no astrologer can tell you the exact events of your future life. But sometimes such talks tend to make you go back and maybe reassess your dreams. Rather reassess the reasons for wanting what you want.

i was just thinking what is driving my passions. Is it jealousy, competition, one-upmanship or vision, betterment, growth? Maybe, that is what i had to rethink. And that is what i am thinking now and putting into perspective.

i immediately arrive to this idea - one thing's for sure - my life will meet its purpose and be a life lived. Amen!

Destinies are being realised.

Monday 15 September 2008

Desire

i am working on this website for Thailand. Reading about it has upped my desire to visit it. The range of shopping options available there are just too amazing. The water activities immensely tempting.

i have already started imagining myself shopping stuff for myself, for my family, friends...
Being underwater watching some beautiful creatures...
Biking on a countryside road...

i think i should start saving or buttering Pa to plan a trip.
Hmmm.....

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Beloved blogging

Man! i have got hooked on to this blogging thing. i put on my headphones, listen to some melodies on the laptop and log on to my accounts. i check out the articles posted by fellow bloggers.

Half listening songs, reading articles. Almost following lives.

Look at the way Amitabh Bachchan is using his virtual space. Paulo Coelho posts on his blog interesting stories and stuff. It is fun reading them, almost like bedtime stories that has a morally beautiful take out in it.

There is so much you can do with blogs. From addressing larger issues (larger in terms of affecting masses) to expressing the most delicate personal emotions. You can voice your opinion about issues in your gully as genuinely as any national issues. Or maybe express your love for somebody. :)

Sometimes, you are allowed to ramble too. Yes, if you want your thoughts to make a difference then you have to write levelheadedly. You can absolutely write anything. It is your space, explore!

Monday 8 September 2008

Rock on and on and on!!!

Yes, i saw the movie and cannot keep my opinion about the movie to myself. It has to be expressed.

Overall impressive movie involving a contemporary style of filmmaking.
The Pluses -
+ Farhan Akhtar is brilliant. (methinks tis the first time a director has turned actor. His credibility in acting too shows. Brilliance can be moulded in any art)
+ Prachi Desai is a surprise package. (dear, move away from those mindless Ekta Kapoor soaps, you have talent to fit into bigger screens and challenging roles)
+ The entire cast is a natural. Yea...Arjun Rampal too.
+ The wise thing is Arjun has been given a suitable role. If he has had a track record and labelling of being a woodden actor, well, then so be it. Some real life characters are like that.
+ The script is very tight.
+ The lifestyle, presentation is very sleek, urbane and cool. Just the way me and most like me like it.
+ Romanticises rock culture quite authentically. (theme under utilised in Hindi film industry)
+ The scene where Sakshi is asked to sing and she says, I know only Hindi songs. Beautiful to say the least.
+ The real scenarios and practicalities of real, family life.
+ Joe's entry on the stage when he ultimately turns up after other members lose hope. Total rock star material.
+ The subtle, diluted, toned down contempt portrayed. And no enmity or scenes created when confronted.

The minuses -
- Music could have been better.
- More detailing on Adi's character in terms of depth in portrayal of why he keeps himself tightly shut on matters related to music.

If you want one take away from this film, then - follow your passion and live a happy, fulfilled life.

Wow!!! Inspiring.
Shall get a DVD when it's out.

Saturday 6 September 2008

Till next Paryushan!

Yesterday was the first day after Paryushan. The day we bow our heads before elders and seek forgiveness. More importantly, forgiveness from the Almighty for all the known and unknown mistakes, sins and vices we may have contracted. Ditto for family and friends. Knowingly or unknowingly, if i hurt somebody through my words, deeds or action, then i bow my head and sincerely, with all i have, ask for pardon.

Forgiveness is given and asked for from people of any age. We have been taught to touch the feet of our elders. Older not just in age. i touch my sister's feet who is just 3 years older to me and who i fight with day in and day out. Well, that's what the whole point is. So, that forgiveness is rightfully deserved. The fact that the fighting starts the very next day after the act is a different story. After all, what would i ask for forgiveness next year.

That reminds me about one more aspect of Michchami Dukkadam. You even ask for forgiveness to somebody you haven't spoken with in years.

Hmmm....over the last few years, i have become consistently disinterested in celebrating Paryushan. There's no celebration in terms of festivities. Paryushan is more towards penance, tolerance and giving up. Jainism advocates you to not do a lot of things you do in everyday life and do a few noble things. Not that you are whipped or looked down upon, but it kind of makes you feel guilty, lesser mortals.

When you see people come out of temples wearing new outfits during Paryushan they have a serious look on their faces. The enthusiasm is lacking. You can be enthusiastic even when you are fasting for 8 days straight. Maybe, my lack of enthusiasm has got to do with my upbringing. We were never among the very keen Jain families. Having said that, i am sure someday i would really enjoy it all. Till then, i am cool with the formality of going through it.

Well with work & all this year, it really didn't seem like it except of course for the food. Food is a big time low point of Paryushan. Just for 8 days, though :)