Nice but a whirlwind affair. How many times am I going to go through the same feeling now?
The reasons may differ but the end seems to be the same each time. Either I return numb wondering if at all I had achieved anything over the trip (be it personal or professional) or with a feeling that why couldn't it last longer. Just that wee bit extra to make it that bit more enjoyable. Greedy? Some may say that the reason that it was delightful was perhaps the fact that it lasted for such a short time. A burst of joy and happiness. Even I say that each place and each person in one's life has a certain time dimension associated. Nothing more nothing less should be spent there or with that person. Arguably some may wish to keep certain relationship out of such kind of a theoretical ideation. But then come to think of it. How much time can you spend at same place or how many hours would you willingly spend with one person in one day? Unless there is that element of uncertainity that how long will that long last you always prefer taking it in bites? You take people for granted. You give more importance to yourself in other's life and less to theirs in ours (as my friend says). So isn't it ironic that while we may long for longer associations we actually remember most of those which have been short but more enjoyable?
So what is that creeps in us which leads to such kind of a dillema? Or is it just me? I wonder .. I wonder coz I see the same expression on so many faces that surround me. As if asking questions about themselves. Their needs expressed in an enigmatic fashion. Trapped in their own illusions they seem to be searching for that elusive mirage that they have built for themselves. They are thirsting and searching for the oasis without knowing that the solace may be in that moment where someone by them has left footprints in the sand. The footprints that may be showing them the direction that they have always wanted to take and yet have not been able to take. So much for the fortitude that they may display in their own capabilities they will not be able to understand eachother's turmoils. The chaos that has a madness but a method to it. The method that is common across. The method that can bind us and the method that can define us.
And yet that self discovery is alien to so many and that method is known to so few. I won't call it enlightenment. But a love for the moment. The moments that make an era. The moments when we may have touched our ownself in quarters unchartered. In quarters where we feared to tread. Quarters where we need no illusions to be with ourselves within our own solitude. Even if it is in someone else's arms...
It may read out as a very convoluted post to many. It is not in defense for it. But those who feel it may find the method in the madness. After all being crazy has its own fun.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
A flying experience
This post was supposed to be posted on 18th April .. but coming today just shows how much time we have been getting... anyways this was on my way to Delhi from Mumbai.
Well I'm on a flight yet again, but for a change this time it is not official. It is a happy occasion that I am going to celebrate in Delhi, that of a marriage of two of my closest friends.
But though the reason of flight may differ what doesn't change is the experience that one may have. This is the first time that I am travelling Spice Jet. A no frills airliner that has already got delayed by around an hour. So much for the punctuality. In addition to that there are these two gentleman sitting right next to me with no intentions of letting me sleep due to which I had to resort to writing this post. With their hands clapping on either of them cracking most amusing sort of jokes (without a hint of joke for me in those words) they are pretty much attentive when any of the petite air hostess approaches. Further, to add to my pleasures of flying, is another gentleman sitting right behind me. He has apparently not been told that there is a button to summon the flight crew in case something is required, so what does he resort to? Snoring off course. With his swan song on, he has obviously been heralded into a dream world which is not in anyway is connected to his fellow passengers. So much for wishing to have a good company in flight.
It is interesting to note however the distinct change in the kind of people I see in this budget airline. The Samsonites and Levis having been replaced by V.I.Ps and Parx or a Numero Uno (yeah its one of the brands which does pretty well in the middle income groups, thanks to its distribution strength, check out their exclusive showrooms in locations like malls in Lucknow's Gomati Nagar). Coming back to my point, how on the one hand these airlines have changed the skyscape of of India and on the other, we are increasingly witnessing a class divide in each aspect of a modern living.
While the rich may go on to afford any levels of expensive services, having crossed the threshold of utilitarian value, this attempt to dive lower in the strata while energizing the economic charge, is also creating a tension in social fabric perhaps. While the dream of equitable growth remains just that, an elusive dream, the aspirational needs are on a high. The need to be distinct and the need to be "progressive" is overtaking the need to live and the need to be content. Obviously the growth oriented may term that as cynical or risk averseness while the puritans may attempt to exacerbate the same into a pseudo-nationalistic cultural protection. Afterall, as a nation we are a nation of extremes perhaps.
So while only time will tell where exactly are we headed, for the time being I'd request these airlines to please use an air freshner at least to save mere mortals like me from the fart machines sitting next to them .. HHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP
P.S: As a final note, Jet and Sahara are finally getting merged and Jet is planning to have Sahara as a budget platform. Will that mean the death knell of the best food in the skies? I just hope there comes an airline with the food and flight crew of Sahara, ground staff and punctuality of Jet and in-flight entertainment of Kingfisher. Possible?
Well I'm on a flight yet again, but for a change this time it is not official. It is a happy occasion that I am going to celebrate in Delhi, that of a marriage of two of my closest friends.
But though the reason of flight may differ what doesn't change is the experience that one may have. This is the first time that I am travelling Spice Jet. A no frills airliner that has already got delayed by around an hour. So much for the punctuality. In addition to that there are these two gentleman sitting right next to me with no intentions of letting me sleep due to which I had to resort to writing this post. With their hands clapping on either of them cracking most amusing sort of jokes (without a hint of joke for me in those words) they are pretty much attentive when any of the petite air hostess approaches. Further, to add to my pleasures of flying, is another gentleman sitting right behind me. He has apparently not been told that there is a button to summon the flight crew in case something is required, so what does he resort to? Snoring off course. With his swan song on, he has obviously been heralded into a dream world which is not in anyway is connected to his fellow passengers. So much for wishing to have a good company in flight.
It is interesting to note however the distinct change in the kind of people I see in this budget airline. The Samsonites and Levis having been replaced by V.I.Ps and Parx or a Numero Uno (yeah its one of the brands which does pretty well in the middle income groups, thanks to its distribution strength, check out their exclusive showrooms in locations like malls in Lucknow's Gomati Nagar). Coming back to my point, how on the one hand these airlines have changed the skyscape of of India and on the other, we are increasingly witnessing a class divide in each aspect of a modern living.
While the rich may go on to afford any levels of expensive services, having crossed the threshold of utilitarian value, this attempt to dive lower in the strata while energizing the economic charge, is also creating a tension in social fabric perhaps. While the dream of equitable growth remains just that, an elusive dream, the aspirational needs are on a high. The need to be distinct and the need to be "progressive" is overtaking the need to live and the need to be content. Obviously the growth oriented may term that as cynical or risk averseness while the puritans may attempt to exacerbate the same into a pseudo-nationalistic cultural protection. Afterall, as a nation we are a nation of extremes perhaps.
So while only time will tell where exactly are we headed, for the time being I'd request these airlines to please use an air freshner at least to save mere mortals like me from the fart machines sitting next to them .. HHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP
P.S: As a final note, Jet and Sahara are finally getting merged and Jet is planning to have Sahara as a budget platform. Will that mean the death knell of the best food in the skies? I just hope there comes an airline with the food and flight crew of Sahara, ground staff and punctuality of Jet and in-flight entertainment of Kingfisher. Possible?
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Perceptibility-Understanding-Insecurity
In the past few days, one thing that has figured quite a few times in my dialogues with my friends, is being perceptive - the ability to understand a person very fast and be observant. One of my friend told me that I'm perceptive, while the other shredded apart this attribute when self proclaimed. It set me wondering about the three things mentioned in the title- perceptive, understanding, insecurity.
Why the three together? Well somewhere I feel as human emotions, the three are connected. Simply put, a perceptive person understands someone too well to make him/her insecure. Naah ain't that simple right? So lets look at each of them individually first
per·cep·tive
–adjective
having or showing keenness of insight, understanding, or intuition
I doubt if there would be people who'd not wish to associate this adjective with themselves. And yet there would be very few who would perhaps understand the real truth behind it. What exactly do we mean by being perceptive? Don't we confuse understanding with being perceptive? Isn't it just a need to be acclaimed as someone knowledgeable who can read between lines or see through the things? Is it just a chicken or egg kind of situation - which came first .. perceptiveness or understanding? Is it just the more and more of understanding about more and more people that makes us perceptive? Or is it trial and error of perceptiveness being proved right or wrong basis the experience? Too many questions .. Isn't it? And as usual too few answers.
un·der·stand
–verb (used with object)
to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend:
Ah .. perceive the meaning of .. So perception comes first doesn't it? Then what's so special about being understanding? Ok for a change lets not make it a question. Its just a need to find our own stereotype images that we have built and the images that we need to prove our perceptions right. We understand and then we judge. Perfect recipe for pain. We judge and we are right so we hurt. We judge and we are wrong, so we get hurt.
in·se·cu·ri·ty
–noun, plural -ties.
lack of confidence or assurance; self-doubt
One illness that has no cure. No one can do a bit about it but oneself. Others can only comfort you in the fact that we shouldn't be judging ourselves. And yet this disease inflicts all of us. In one manner or the other all of us are a victim to it. But some overcome it and most don't. The same gets expressed as the vlunerability or fear in one form or other.
So what is the point that I'm heading to? Lets get back to the core of the co-relation between the three. The chain begins where we feel the need to be understood. The much celebrated foundation of relationship. And to be understood we celebrate the presence of perceptiveness. We are drawn to such people who hold this quality in the hope that they would satiate our hunger to be understood. Yet so often when this quality is overbearing we start feeling threatened, insecure. The fear of being revealed more than we wish to. Lets face it, when we say we want to be understood we are referring only to the part that we wish to reveal. We still wish to keep a part as mystery within ourselves. No one wants to be naked.
Thus, the vicious cycle, of finding someone perceptive, being understood and being understood beyond the comfort levels to land up being insecure.
So what's the alternate? Where do we end up screwing? Is it the fallacy that attraction is presumed to be in the invisible. Or is it that we hate the power of observation because we may lack it ourselves? On this two quotes
"The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible."
-Oscar Wilde
"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
-George Bernard Shaw
What's the conclusion then? I believe till the time perceptiveness is overrated and celebrated, for those who have it, it will be a curse. And those who don't have it, it will be a fatal attraction. The only escape is the drive to discover ourselves, both through our own eyes and through others as well. Because if we discover ourselves we'd not be surprised by perceptiveness and we would inhibit our own insecurities as well.
To end on that note:
"It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late."
- W. Somerset Maugham
Why the three together? Well somewhere I feel as human emotions, the three are connected. Simply put, a perceptive person understands someone too well to make him/her insecure. Naah ain't that simple right? So lets look at each of them individually first
per·cep·tive
–adjective
having or showing keenness of insight, understanding, or intuition
I doubt if there would be people who'd not wish to associate this adjective with themselves. And yet there would be very few who would perhaps understand the real truth behind it. What exactly do we mean by being perceptive? Don't we confuse understanding with being perceptive? Isn't it just a need to be acclaimed as someone knowledgeable who can read between lines or see through the things? Is it just a chicken or egg kind of situation - which came first .. perceptiveness or understanding? Is it just the more and more of understanding about more and more people that makes us perceptive? Or is it trial and error of perceptiveness being proved right or wrong basis the experience? Too many questions .. Isn't it? And as usual too few answers.
un·der·stand
–verb (used with object)
to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend:
Ah .. perceive the meaning of .. So perception comes first doesn't it? Then what's so special about being understanding? Ok for a change lets not make it a question. Its just a need to find our own stereotype images that we have built and the images that we need to prove our perceptions right. We understand and then we judge. Perfect recipe for pain. We judge and we are right so we hurt. We judge and we are wrong, so we get hurt.
in·se·cu·ri·ty
–noun, plural -ties.
lack of confidence or assurance; self-doubt
One illness that has no cure. No one can do a bit about it but oneself. Others can only comfort you in the fact that we shouldn't be judging ourselves. And yet this disease inflicts all of us. In one manner or the other all of us are a victim to it. But some overcome it and most don't. The same gets expressed as the vlunerability or fear in one form or other.
So what is the point that I'm heading to? Lets get back to the core of the co-relation between the three. The chain begins where we feel the need to be understood. The much celebrated foundation of relationship. And to be understood we celebrate the presence of perceptiveness. We are drawn to such people who hold this quality in the hope that they would satiate our hunger to be understood. Yet so often when this quality is overbearing we start feeling threatened, insecure. The fear of being revealed more than we wish to. Lets face it, when we say we want to be understood we are referring only to the part that we wish to reveal. We still wish to keep a part as mystery within ourselves. No one wants to be naked.
Thus, the vicious cycle, of finding someone perceptive, being understood and being understood beyond the comfort levels to land up being insecure.
So what's the alternate? Where do we end up screwing? Is it the fallacy that attraction is presumed to be in the invisible. Or is it that we hate the power of observation because we may lack it ourselves? On this two quotes
"The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible."
-Oscar Wilde
"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
-George Bernard Shaw
What's the conclusion then? I believe till the time perceptiveness is overrated and celebrated, for those who have it, it will be a curse. And those who don't have it, it will be a fatal attraction. The only escape is the drive to discover ourselves, both through our own eyes and through others as well. Because if we discover ourselves we'd not be surprised by perceptiveness and we would inhibit our own insecurities as well.
To end on that note:
"It is cruel to discover one's mediocrity only when it is too late."
- W. Somerset Maugham
A non-mumbaikar's guide to "Locals"
This post was long overdue and I had decided to post it on the day when I get rid of my daily 1 hour travel to the office in Mumbai. The travel part has ended thankfully but I couldn't post it as I was packed off to Pune.
Over the period of 10 months that I was forced to make believe that one has to actually enjoy Mumbai locals as there are no better options than that I just noted down a few finer points. Obviously ones who have tasted it, may be knowing it but just in case someone new can make use of it.. who knows? My experience stems out of daily travel from Vashi to Mumbai CST (formerly VT) and part travel on Churchgate to Andheri. So here are a few notes out of my travel diary on Mumbai Local
Western Line starting from Churchgate is the worst of the lot, followed by the central line and then the harbour line (on which i've survived for 10 months).
If your monthly income allows you to spend around 400-600 Rs extra without burning a hole in your pocket you can cut down around 25% of your woos by travelling in 1st Class. However in the hours that matter this may prove to be ineffective.
Now for a few tips:
Getting In ...
There can be two situations for this:
Situation One- The train is starting from the station where you are boarding it. In
such a case you are advised to know the time when that train actually comes into the station and make sure that you arrive before that time. Identify the side which people use to get in. And if you are a good athlete you better be well trained to acclimatize yourself to the speed with which the train enters the station. Also know the spot where the your
compartment/gate is likely to come. For first class choose the larger compartment's second gate as that's usually the lesser mobbed one. And since most of the people lack common sense they will go right from that gate towards more number of seats while you can buck the trend and hit left towards smaller block. If you don't get a seat also, wait as there might be some gentleman who'd be waiting to get down.
Caution: If anyone falls in this wrestling match, don't try to show your chivalry by trying to pick him up as you may actually pile up his agony by falling flat on him and be rained down by footsteps.
Situation Two: The train doesn't start at your station. If its the rush hour and you badly need a seat. You better go in the opposite direction to a station from where the train starts and get in. Else you just need carry a lot of weight and power in your arms to push and shove people.
All this to just get in .. Pray to almighty that you get a seat because despite all the planning and agility you may still end up without a seat and may have to spend the rest of the time standing.
In transit ...
If you travel regularly during the travel and you get a seat, be courteous to give your seat to someone who also travels regularly. Someday they may return the gesture and you may even make some good friends.
If you are standing be aware of where you are standing coz if you are blocking the exit route you may get to hear the choicest of abuses which may just make your day.
Don't let anyone get into the area between the two rows of seats, that's their most convenient way of blocking your chance of getting a seat in case someone is getting up.
If you haven't got much into the compartment, the best place to stand is next to the door with the support of the bar and back resting against the rear of the seats. And once you are packed (this can actually defy the logic of space constraint in terms of how many objects can be packed in a give space) do not try to shuffle of move. Learn to be a statue. Be ready to enjoy various kinds of odor. And keep feeling for your pocket to ensure your wallet is where its meant to be.
Please do not.. i repeat DO NOT stand near exit point or a queue that's not meant for you.
If you do that you can be assured of being thrown out of the train at a station that is not meant for you.
Getting Out...
If you are travelling in the opposite direction of regular traffic of the train (e.g coming to Churchgate/VT in the evenings) you better not stand at the gate of the train. Else before you realise you will be assumed as a punching bag and knocked out in no time. In such a situation hold on to the bar next to the gate with your face towards the seats. This way maximum damage will only be to your ass.
Make sure that in a crowded train you get up at least one station before the one that you intend to get out.
If you are struggling how to get out, just make sure you are in the queue of ppl who need to get out. Rest everyone else will do to ensure you are out of the train.
General :
As far as possible don't even risk taking a train that goes too far a distance beyond your station. On western line, unless you have to go to Borivali or Virar, don't even think of taking a fast in the rush hours. You'll never get down.
Remember the dates of your monthly pass. The TTEs have a knack of catching you at the worst possible time.
Keep an eye on any suspicious objects/humans ..
FM can be one of the better partners in such journeys. Recommended channel : FM Rainbow between 7-10 in the morning. FM gold between 5-8 in the evening.
Finally if you are not tired of this post already, don't forget to thank god if you survive one more day in the locals. On an average around 3000 people die every year in one or the other accidents involving Mumbai Locals.
And yes to its credit, each day could make you come across a new kind of character enriching your life with a different experience...
Over the period of 10 months that I was forced to make believe that one has to actually enjoy Mumbai locals as there are no better options than that I just noted down a few finer points. Obviously ones who have tasted it, may be knowing it but just in case someone new can make use of it.. who knows? My experience stems out of daily travel from Vashi to Mumbai CST (formerly VT) and part travel on Churchgate to Andheri. So here are a few notes out of my travel diary on Mumbai Local
Western Line starting from Churchgate is the worst of the lot, followed by the central line and then the harbour line (on which i've survived for 10 months).
If your monthly income allows you to spend around 400-600 Rs extra without burning a hole in your pocket you can cut down around 25% of your woos by travelling in 1st Class. However in the hours that matter this may prove to be ineffective.
Now for a few tips:
Getting In ...
There can be two situations for this:
Situation One- The train is starting from the station where you are boarding it. In
such a case you are advised to know the time when that train actually comes into the station and make sure that you arrive before that time. Identify the side which people use to get in. And if you are a good athlete you better be well trained to acclimatize yourself to the speed with which the train enters the station. Also know the spot where the your
compartment/gate is likely to come. For first class choose the larger compartment's second gate as that's usually the lesser mobbed one. And since most of the people lack common sense they will go right from that gate towards more number of seats while you can buck the trend and hit left towards smaller block. If you don't get a seat also, wait as there might be some gentleman who'd be waiting to get down.
Caution: If anyone falls in this wrestling match, don't try to show your chivalry by trying to pick him up as you may actually pile up his agony by falling flat on him and be rained down by footsteps.
Situation Two: The train doesn't start at your station. If its the rush hour and you badly need a seat. You better go in the opposite direction to a station from where the train starts and get in. Else you just need carry a lot of weight and power in your arms to push and shove people.
All this to just get in .. Pray to almighty that you get a seat because despite all the planning and agility you may still end up without a seat and may have to spend the rest of the time standing.
In transit ...
If you travel regularly during the travel and you get a seat, be courteous to give your seat to someone who also travels regularly. Someday they may return the gesture and you may even make some good friends.
If you are standing be aware of where you are standing coz if you are blocking the exit route you may get to hear the choicest of abuses which may just make your day.
Don't let anyone get into the area between the two rows of seats, that's their most convenient way of blocking your chance of getting a seat in case someone is getting up.
If you haven't got much into the compartment, the best place to stand is next to the door with the support of the bar and back resting against the rear of the seats. And once you are packed (this can actually defy the logic of space constraint in terms of how many objects can be packed in a give space) do not try to shuffle of move. Learn to be a statue. Be ready to enjoy various kinds of odor. And keep feeling for your pocket to ensure your wallet is where its meant to be.
Please do not.. i repeat DO NOT stand near exit point or a queue that's not meant for you.
If you do that you can be assured of being thrown out of the train at a station that is not meant for you.
Getting Out...
If you are travelling in the opposite direction of regular traffic of the train (e.g coming to Churchgate/VT in the evenings) you better not stand at the gate of the train. Else before you realise you will be assumed as a punching bag and knocked out in no time. In such a situation hold on to the bar next to the gate with your face towards the seats. This way maximum damage will only be to your ass.
Make sure that in a crowded train you get up at least one station before the one that you intend to get out.
If you are struggling how to get out, just make sure you are in the queue of ppl who need to get out. Rest everyone else will do to ensure you are out of the train.
General :
As far as possible don't even risk taking a train that goes too far a distance beyond your station. On western line, unless you have to go to Borivali or Virar, don't even think of taking a fast in the rush hours. You'll never get down.
Remember the dates of your monthly pass. The TTEs have a knack of catching you at the worst possible time.
Keep an eye on any suspicious objects/humans ..
FM can be one of the better partners in such journeys. Recommended channel : FM Rainbow between 7-10 in the morning. FM gold between 5-8 in the evening.
Finally if you are not tired of this post already, don't forget to thank god if you survive one more day in the locals. On an average around 3000 people die every year in one or the other accidents involving Mumbai Locals.
And yes to its credit, each day could make you come across a new kind of character enriching your life with a different experience...
Pune Visit
1st April, Not a fool's day at all for me at least coz I'm returning back to Mumbai after excruciating 10 days in Pune. So much so for having a good time here, I ended up working from 10AM to 2AM every day without fail including the much celebrated Sundays. But in a way the amount of work I did and the learnings I had, it offsets all the discomfort that I might have faced. Soon I may actually be called Key Account Manager (loading unloading trucks) in fact.
This city has supposedly the best climate after Bangalore. Not true if you were to take my experience as the test sample. Obviously it may be too small a sample for statistical significance but for me that's the only one. And 10 days with temperature hovering between 38-40 degrees certainly doesn't make your work at a distribution centre easy. But yes this city does seem to come alive on a weekend as I realised last night.
Some of the highlights and the lessons from it in the last 10 days.
Lesson one: Sexually starved perverts can be your worst nightmare as colleagues. Stay as far as you can from them.
Lesson two: If there are any dependencies in your work make sure you either put them in place or cut them short.
Lesson three: Whenever things are not happening and you are skeptical if at all they'll happen, term that as "Work in Progress" and say that you are trying instead of owning up the responsibility.
Lesson four: Unhealthy competition sucks but its prevelant everywhere.
Lesson five: Take the gatekeepers into confidence and your work will flow smoothly.
Lesson Six ... Last but not the least ..its not a lesson but reaffirmation of what I seriously believe .. One can find most incompetent people at the most important of chairs!
And thus, most of the companies succeed not because they have the best of the people, but perhaps because the others have the dumbest of them.
So end my ten days in Pune. I don't know how I survived without net, without sleep, without books, without music, with only me and the work. But I did. Hope I don't have to give another survival test.
This city has supposedly the best climate after Bangalore. Not true if you were to take my experience as the test sample. Obviously it may be too small a sample for statistical significance but for me that's the only one. And 10 days with temperature hovering between 38-40 degrees certainly doesn't make your work at a distribution centre easy. But yes this city does seem to come alive on a weekend as I realised last night.
Some of the highlights and the lessons from it in the last 10 days.
Lesson one: Sexually starved perverts can be your worst nightmare as colleagues. Stay as far as you can from them.
Lesson two: If there are any dependencies in your work make sure you either put them in place or cut them short.
Lesson three: Whenever things are not happening and you are skeptical if at all they'll happen, term that as "Work in Progress" and say that you are trying instead of owning up the responsibility.
Lesson four: Unhealthy competition sucks but its prevelant everywhere.
Lesson five: Take the gatekeepers into confidence and your work will flow smoothly.
Lesson Six ... Last but not the least ..its not a lesson but reaffirmation of what I seriously believe .. One can find most incompetent people at the most important of chairs!
And thus, most of the companies succeed not because they have the best of the people, but perhaps because the others have the dumbest of them.
So end my ten days in Pune. I don't know how I survived without net, without sleep, without books, without music, with only me and the work. But I did. Hope I don't have to give another survival test.
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