Warriors fall

What is it about idealism? It attracts, promises, seduces and makes you follow it. With fanatic zealousness. You are prepared to fight for it, to die for it, to kill for it. It is the single idea that holds scores of people together, and alienates them. It makes them love, makes them hate, makes them think, hope and pray. What is it that makes people close their mind to all but their beliefs.

But still... why is it that like a handful of sand that you have, the harder you try to hold it the more of it that slips out of your hand? Why is it people 'grow' out of their beliefs, and think it's ok to forget their beliefs, to act against them, to stop being idealistic and start being 'practical'?

Maybe it's the demands of the new life you have discovered, maybe it's another ideal which sounds more correct, or maybe you're just bored out of it. You abandon a belief system and label it a mistake of zealousness of youth, change it, call it practical and move on as if nothing's changed. No remorse, no regret, no apologies....

Your ideals lie in the waste bin, to be picked up by the next zealous idiot who is stupid enough.Maybe it's just a bee in my bonnet or the fact that I'm too cynical but people disappoint me. Actually idealistic practical people disappoint me.

Food for thought :-)

Snippets from a chat conversation I had with a friend...Thanks T! This one's for you!

Her:
wat plans for weekend?


Me:
no plans


Her:
how sad


Me:
plans are dynamically adjusted to accomodate largest number of meetings with maximum number of people
he he


Her:
u and ur proportions :P


Me:
optimization rocks
getitng annoyed with people.. no one has time for others these days


Her:
why do u say tat
who does not have time for u


Me:
general attitude is to think meeting up on weekends is a waste of time
for some
a distraction for others
and a pain in the neck for the rest


Her:
now now...wat does tat mean
i understand pple r busy
but u call and see na
all wilc ome :P


Me:
yeah with the longest faces they can muster without touching their cheeks to the ground :D
and if you are 5 mins late then heaven help you :D


*************************snip****************************


Her:
he has changed huh?


Me:
everybody has
:D


Her:
ok...we all grow up
tat is y :)


Me:
i know... i don't resist change... it just fascinates me


Her:
i call it growing up and becoming mature


Me:
it's not always that :)
you'll know when it's time....


Her:
u still think i am not mature huh :)


Me:
what you think is 'growing up' may in fact be a futile attempt to align to a view that has been formed by various external factors


Her:
hmm...tat is intersting
:)


Me:
if you think about it....everything that you are now is because of things that you have experienced in the past
you are continuously aligning to suit the needs of a few people that matter the most to you


Her:
hmm
tat is sooooooo true
i agreee


Me:
that includes you too of course but to a very large extent what you want yourself to be is rarely defined by just you :)


Her:
its never abt wat u wanna be
its always abt wat others perceive na


Me:
nope but it is finally your choice isn't it
you can say to hell with this i am wearing what i am comfortable in to office
though every manager you meet emphasises on the impact of appearence in the corporate world


Her:
but ...
hmm


Me:
you are a rule breaker to some a cool guy to others
but as long as you get the work done, it doesn't really matter does it?


Her:
i understand
tat makes sense


Me:
so is it childish of a person to wear jeans to office... or is it considered 'grown-up' to get to client location in a blazer?
people start taking you seriously the moment they see the potential value you can create (irrespective of what you are wearing)

The Dreamer

The old man smiled at his neighbour. She pretended to be engrossed in the magazine she was reading. "You know, I've been flying for almost 7 years now and the in-flight reading of this airline is probably the worst ever!" He said as he grinned. The young girl smiled politely and looked out the window, making it clear that she did not intend to engage in conversation. "Isn't that such a wonderful view!" said the old man, still taking no hints to her apparent disinterest. She looked him squarely in the eye, glaring and pulled down the blind. The old man chuckled. Looking straight ahead, he said in a low voice, "You know I had a dream last night, I was among the clouds, soaring along." She bit her tounge to keep from replying, and looked with more intensity into the magazine she was thumbing through. "Khalil Gibran once said 'Yesterday is but today's memory, and tomorrow is today's dream.'" the old man continued, as if unaware of the irritation he was causing the girl, "Wonderful things dreams are. I always believed in them, since I was a kid. They say Dreams are God's way of telling you your heart's deepest desires.".

"Dreams are a waste of time!" shot back the girl, before she could stop herself, "Life is a tragedy for dreamers,a comedy for doers and a reality for achievers!" she said, her face glowering with anger "All these fairy tales are to amuse kids and grown ups stupid enough to believe in them. Dreams are for losers. Those who cannot dare to do, dream.". "You mean you never had a dream? In your entire life?" asked the old man. " She shifted in her seat, looked him in the eye and lied "No!". "Liar Liar pants on fire" chuckled the old man. "I think you had a dream broken so bad, you are afraid of dreaming again. It's made you cynical hasn't it?". She started sobbing. Memories started flooding her eyes and she cried. For the first time in years she cried like a little girl. The old man just kept staring ahead. "We announce the arrival of the flight to Bangalore. We should be able to land in approximately 10 minutes." the pilot's voice boomed out bringing her back to the present. She excused herself to the washroom. She washed her face and looked in the mirror. Then she smiled. She went back to her seat, relieved and light. She smiled at the old man as she got back into her seat. "Thank you" she said as the announcement was made and the seatbelt signs went on. The old man grinned at her "Thank yourself. You have your whole life ahead of you." he said mysteriously.

The old man was out of his seat as soon as the flight landed. He was the first to get off. She looked through the window as he waved to her. She waved back.

"Hey! You are writing again!" said Smitha as she walked in to see her on the table. "Finally! So you are going to finish your book?" she asked. "Yes. I don't care if it doesn't get published. I needed to finish it." "But your job? You said you didn't have the time" said Smitha. She tossed an envelope at Smitha. "Oh my God! You... Resigned?" asked Smitha, only to be greeted by a grin. "The stranger who taught me to dream again." she wrote, the last short story in her book. She smiled as she sipped her tea.

"...and that is why Dreams are so important. They say Dreams are God's way of telling you your heart's deepest desires. So dare to dream and dare to act upon them. Thank you." The speech was greeted by a thunderous applause. "Ma'am" asked one of the reporters, "Is it true that your last short story 'The stranger who taught me to dream again' is a real life incident?" She grinned and nodded. "How does it feel to be the author of a best selling book?" asked another. "Like a dream come true." she replied.

She smiled for the cameras once more as she walked back to her car. "Thank you" she said, to no one in particular.

The futility....

of orkut pickup lines.... ;)

Ok so they aren't the best... Or the brightest.. But all of them are desperate to meet someone through orkut! And they will go to any length to add you to their friend list. Yes, I've heard a lot of orkut love stories... Some tragic some successful some mostly funny stories... In fact orkut has also helped in rekindling long lost flames and stroke the fires of the past.. But the desperate guy looking for friendship is the funniest! And some of the replies are amazing too! One of my favorite past times is looking through random profiles and see this phenomenon of 'can i be your friend weirdness'.

1. Really really desperately desperate guy

Doesn't talk! Just sends friend requests to any girl who has pics in her album!! Sometimes just the word 'female' in the profile will do!

These guys... I dunno what to say to them! Maybe they just like their friend list longer ;)

2. The desperately desperate guy with weak vocabulary!

"Hi! How arrrreeee yooooouuuu? I wanna make fraaandships with you......"

Dude! First, get a life.... Second, learn english!!

3. The innocent sweet guy

"Hi, I was going through your profile. We seem to have a lot in common. I like banana milkshake topped with chocolate ice-cream too! Wanna be friends?"


Ok nice try buster! But liking the same milkshake doesn't qualify as 'lot in common'! You need improvement!!

4. The ego inflater

"Hi! You have lovely eyes! And a beautiful smile! Can we be friends?"

Good one. Yes the girl has lovely eyes and yes she has a beautiful smile.. Why not? SHE HAS RANI MUKHERJEE AS HER PROFILE PICTURE!! Moron!!

5. The pretentious prick

"Hi! I am 6ft 3 inches and weigh 73 kgs. I have big muscles.... and all girls say I look hansome. I like making friendships with online people. Will you be my friend?"

Ok.... I have nothing to say... Wait! Dude! "I have big muscles??" "hasome??" "all girls??" "online people??" yeah! right! Keep dreaming!!

6.The funny man

"he he! Looks like you had fun in goa. You look awesome! Lolzzz! Can we be friends?"

These guys look like right out of a Yahoo chat room with the smilies and everything.... But why would you laugh out loud after you compliment someone on their looks? Gawd!

7. The innovator

Hmm these guys are tricky! They come up with different lines for different people... They try to find a common friend, a common community or just outright lie to get some kind of response...

"Hi I have a problem I want to discuss with you. It can only be solved by a female. Reply asap"

Right. Should she also bring her broomstick and cauldron along? Idiot!!


"Hi! Hey do you know Rashmi who used to work for that xyz firm who had a kid sister called Raji who was friends with Nikhita whose Brother's sister-in-laws' colleague was my friend's cousin's husband who is also on your friends list?"


Wait! I'm confused who the hell are you talking about??

8. The master!

Oooh these guys are pros! They read the girl right and strike when the iron's hot! All the buncha losers ought to learn from them.

" I will not flirt with beautiful girls on orkut.
I will not flirt with beautiful girls on orkut.
I will not flirt with beautiful girls on orkut.
..........................................................
..........................................................

Damn! Look! You made me break my new year resolution ;) "

One word: Awesome!!

Ok I am off to see if I can borrow some lines from these guys...... Online relationships... Here I come!!

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

One phrase which separates the constitution of the USA from every other country in the world. One decisive factor as to which the US is considered a great country to live in. One phrase which has inspired the greatest of the greats to achieve feats impossible to mere mortals. One phrase which means a lot to me. One phrase which has gotten me thinking.......

Note that the sentence, taken from the USA's declaration of independence does not say that one of every man's unalienable right is not happiness itself but the pursuit. See? So subtly and tactfully said that you hardly notice the difference :)

Well what can I say? The pursuit of happiness is one thing that no man ever gives up... No matter what the end result.... Thoughts? Critiques?

Olave Vismaya.............

Just a while ago we (well, technically just me :-) ) were talking about how romantic relationships or as Rithish pointed out, relationships in general were based on a need. I thought we should talk more about the most major (and perhaps the most overrated) need "LOVE". Thousands of people have tried to describe it million others have felt it. Everyone knows about it but nobody really knows.... Love will always remain an enigma for everybody. Everybody understands it and interprets it in his/her own way. From the guy who thinks PDA is 'gross and inappropriate' to the happy couple snuggling on a park bench, love has it's own charm based on their beliefs.

People also (unsuccessfully) try to 'categorize' love. Puppy love, true love, mother's love, sibling love and even love for the Almighty. But is it fair? I don't know.......... (I know.. Most of my sentences are extremely 'diplomatic'.. But I would rather be agnostic than a believer/non-believer.. There's gray between black and white you know ;-) )

I believe Love is an emotion..... A very strong one at that. It makes people do all kind of stupid, silly, brave things..... But, like all emotions, I do believe it can be controlled. Just like with anger..... If you avoid confrontation, it only bottles up... And grows into something unmanageable until it explodes.... Feels familiar doesn't it? I mean how many of us have done this (both in Anger as well as in Love!)

"Whenever you get angry, take a deep breath and count to 10 slowly" yeah this works for Anger Management just fine... But can you control Love? Well, I surely think it is possible. But unfortunately, since I have had no practical experience I cannot tell for sure. Any yogi's out there to confirm this? ;-)

I was under the illusion that I was in Love (there! I've said it!) but I do not know what that feeling is... Perhaps wishful thinking... Or Infatuation... Or whatever you call it.... But the feeling is exactly like Hobbes describes in the classic Calvin and Hobbes strip....

"When the object of your affection walks by, First, your heart falls into your stomach and splashes your innards. All the moisture makes you sweat profusely. This condensation shorts the circuits to your brain, and you get all woozy. When your brain burns out altogether your mouth disengages and you babble like a cretin until she leaves."

Yes, I have felt the exact same thing....... on more than one occasion....... for more than one girl.......... Is this Love?? I have no clue whatsoever ;)

But I sure hope it isn't :P

Or like Calvin says... It might be the cooties :-)

I am not an expert or anything......


But I do believe that romantic relationships are the fulfillment of a need... You look for someone who is fit to suit your needs. And vice-versa. The needs match and love blooms....

It's really sad but if you really think about it, Love is just the realization of your needs nothing more nothing else.... It's sad and pathetic that I have broken every romantic's heart with this view (if they choose to accept that) but love's not as special as the novels/films make it out to be.....

Flame away people.... I have a fire extinguisher :P

Next time: More thoughts on Love as an emotion....

India as a consumer centric country.......

Shoot me for telling the truth but India cannot become a consumer centric country for atleast another 10 years. Why you ask? Because, frankly, the consumer is not serious enough about his rights! And the producers don't give a damn! I mean where else would you tolerate a box full of worms instead of chocolates and a bottle full of pesticide instead of a cool drink? You can always get back more customers, all you need is a new ad campaign with the latest sensation in the media!And consumers are too bound down by their inertia to anything about it. Yes, there are a few rare people who win 43,000 rupees for a pack of chocolates with worms, but, only a handful! We need to realize that our money is what is driving their life and not the other way round. If you want to make a better country out of India, well, good luck my friend! You will need it!!

Change is good...... or is it?

"Change is the only thing which is constant!"

Then why are we so averse to change. We like to be in our 'comfort zone'. The place where we are at ease, in control. We hate when something changes. Slight annoyances arise when something subtle changes. And we panic when major changes happen. But when will we realize that change is going to happen weather we like it or not! And adapting to change is NOT about finding comfort zones. It is about coming out of your 'comfort zone' and still being comfortable. Of facing the reality and adapting. The whole theory of evolution is basd on this... Change and adaptation. So, when will we realize that change is a good thing and not something to be feared. Well, I for one love when something changes. Hope you do too! :D

Bang Bang Bangalore!!

Ok so they have decided to rename Bangalore to Bengalooru! I can never think of this city as anything else but Bangalore. I believe it represents the cosmopolitan culture, the acceptance of ousiders, the great Indian Silicon valley... But the REASON is what irks me! It's for political milege and nothing else.....Man I hate politicians... More on that some other time!

Is the name change gonna affect the spirit of the city? No way! The soul and heart are going to remain intact, like shakespere once said "What's in a name?"!!