Aw Fish

If this is what destiny has in store and has planned for me, then I believe it is time for arm-twisting. It is midday and after overcoming the early Monday blues, I have, rather unwillingly, reconciled myself to this place for the rest of my day. Well, for those of you are reading this, I am sure you must have deduced it by now that I am sitting in my office.
Right in front of me sits pretty a computer with the most ridiculous screen saver ever designed, only adding to the worlds’ energy crisis. A wonderfully lit office floor makes me wonder who designed these high rises to such perfection that even a single ray of sunlight fails to force its way in. Keep adding to the energy crisis fellas! And despite all that, the occasional pop-up stresses on the importance of energy conversation. Where were the brains safely tucked away when this ‘office’ was planned? A quick glance all around and I can see the ever-content faces bobbing up and down without the slightest hint of sync. Five clocks adorn the walls and yet each one has a different time to tell. Where on earth can it strike five different times at the same time? Yeah, it is possible in the place where I am sitting! So much so for my sense of vision!
The buzz and murmur that starts at the beginning of the day only multiplies (exponentially at times). Isn’t that wonderful? There is not a moment of silence that one can buy in here. Vernaculars, choicest at times, seem to have replaced the ‘official language of communication’. Could be another path-breaking brain wave of the HR team- they are very efficient, I must say. Their policies seem to be much more than that actually meets the eye. The unwritten and unchartered ones happen to govern the way we work, I work. So much so, that every decent (and otherwise) website imaginable has been blocked. The lightning speed of the internet has reached such an extent that that the only page that willingly opens up is Google. Sorry! I forgot that almost all other sites are not meant for the highly-privileged employees!
If it were not for the occasional chain mail that turns up, I wonder how life would be in this pseudo-jail. It would not be much different. We would surely adapt to it as well. If this is hard to believe, a look around at some of the people around will prove the point. The omniscient(s) rule the roost while the dopey(s) second their thoughts.
To think about it, all this happens in an office- my office. If ever I am asked about my work experience, I will be hard pressed for an answer!

Vision of an Illusion

“Thoughts through the mind while sleeping” is how the dictionary defines dreams. A little more into the technicalities and it is further defined as the thoughts which race about neuron cells when the human mind is in a sub-conscious state. Can anybody tell me why people attribute such a difficult rationalization to one of the most pleasant (or unpleasant at times) aspects of sleep? And why there exists this taboo which restricts dreams to sleep only?

I believe and second that every instant we spend awake, we relive our dreams over and over again; more than we do when asleep. Dreams, in my humble opinion, would be more relative to personal goals that we all strive and desire to achieve. They are those fine, sublime thoughts which have been carefully crafted and woven together over the years and remain etched in stone.

Dreams are perhaps the spark that keeps us going; the spark which often exceeds reality, arising from the stretches of our imagination, from the mirages that our minds perceive, from the stairs of Heaven to the abysmal depths of Earth. It is perhaps the priceless suspension of belief in reality.

Perhaps there comes this stage in life when certainty is desired and uncertainty is missed; although both are integral parts of life. As I stand today on the crossroads of destiny, my eyes see ahead, clear in vision awaiting the unknown. A smile hits my face; I realize that my extensivedreams are secure, in my safe hands.

Fly By

And yet again this year the dreams have taken wings; although a full week and a few controversies later. The dream of every speed demon, the dream of every driver, the dream of all those mechanics and pit bosses who have slogged their hands and minds has finally taken shape and by this time must have finished the inaugural race of the 2010 Formula One Grand Prix.

The smell of burnt rubber, the undying buzz of the super power engines and the sublime geometry of those beautiful beasts has been the trademark of car racing from the days of its origin. Not to mention the strategies, dare devilry and passion that goes into this exorbitantly costly yet enticing sport. Well, to call it a sport or not is a matter of intense speculation in our country especially now that it is due to host its first ever race next year.

Sport or not, it is undeniably the pinnacle of human brain power , the show case of cutting edge technology which makes it the most sophisticated ‘sport’ to be played.

Personally, what mesmerizes me is the tremendous and perhaps ‘karmic’ connection that exists between each driver and his machine. In this show case sport, as I would like to term it, there is no scope for error and herein lays the vulnerability of each driver and his machine. It is also perhaps testimony to the invisible faith that exists between man and machine.

On a more personal note, at times I wonder why they call it racing. A race is run when feet are grounded; here they do not drive fast, they fly low!

Shades of Life

Every year there comes this time at the onset of summer which leaves its mark on the faces of every Indian. From the concrete jungle in the cities to the lanes and by-lanes in villages, every corner that the human eye can traverse is bathed in a different hue altogether. The festival of Holi, with all its new colours brings about a new spectrum wherein every individual dons a new identity for a day or two.
Young and old alike, everyone feels a sense of belonging in this wonderful festival. It starts with songs and ends in sweets. Whatever happens in-between is the celebration. Hands, palms, feet and faces lose their identity completely and nobody seems to bother. True to the sense of celebration, people willingly put on shade after shade, colour after colour. And there is no further scope for colours, people gorge on sweets and of course ‘bhaang’. Shouts of joy reverberate across; colours hang in the air like some ethereal mist. There is not a dull moment in this rather busy holiday.
In the City of Joy, Holi is celebrated over two days. Personally, I added a third day to my celebrations- in a different way, at a different place and …. .