And back!

My previous post was all agony. Therein I was so lost- I forgot to mention the one significant thing that did happen after all. I had been reading The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and had finished already at the time of my previous post. The book was an experience in a new way. I had earlier read Dickens “David Copperfield”; and I was expecting some familiarity in style- distinctive to each writer. Those I did- the vivid imagery depicting love, poverty, apathy and anger. But what was new was a whole matured style of putting things around.

The story itself was not much, but it’s the manner which was intriguing. Looking forward to start a new book by the same author- Bleak House.

Something now on the other front but on the same topic: books!

I have never been much fan of fantasy as a genre. The fantasy part has never fascinated me. What does and more than piques my interest is the mannerisms and the customs. And I refer to the battles, the sword fights, spears, the horse chases, the bowmen and I could go on and on. The slow gentle pace with which the story unfolds and then accelerates on the battle field. The sole reason why I literally worship and would pick Lord of the Rings over the Harry Potter series.

So why these fantasy talks? Because I found a new entry to my list; and it didn’t even start with a book! But, the other way around which is quite unusual- as my custom is to read the book first and then switch over to the movies. I am referring to the Game of Thrones TV series which is based on George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books. The series is based on 7 books, out of which only 5 have been released. Season One is based on the first book and consists of ten episodes.

It’s literally a mind blowing series, the actors are well cast and each plays their part to perfection. There’s however a lot of nudity and sexual violence which is quite unnecessary for most parts of the series. But oh what the heck, I love this series! And what luck- Season Two is only 2 days away!

Speaking of TV series; I am a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory. The Director- Chuck Lorre publishes a Vanity Card at the end of each episode. The contents of this one today is worth a share:

Cheerio!

Ps: to those concerned, my allergy is now at bay- which means “The happy days are here again….”

The Return of the Demon...

Its been considerable time since my last update. Though there has been no significant anything to talk about, but yes “the Demon” has returned to torment me. It’s like a constant “thorn in paw”; “Skeleton in the closet” which haunts me every now and then.  Yeah, there are way too many phrases and clichés in the previous sentences.  But such is my mental state. Tired and bogged down.

I feel suffocated and unable to breathe- literally.

So what is it? Some bad deed?  A lie? Or the Seven Sins?

No, none of the aforesaid candidates qualify.

Behold, I reveal my worst fear- my nasal allergy. I am sensitive to dust, pollen and pungent odours. Woe to the dust storm in Rajasthan, and woe to the winds which have blown towards the Capital- driving the dust here and making my life hell.

I remember last year when I was giving my exam for Compiler Construction- I was sneezing in every 10 secs. Watery eyes, running nose- I could barely fathom the words on paper, let alone comprehend them. So much so, after the exam; a friend mocked me who was in 3 classrooms away, that the invigilator in his room was telling one particular guy who was feigning cold and cheating - by pointing at me and saying “that’s a cold, and not the nonsense you’re fooling me with”. Imagine three classrooms away and this!

The worst thing about this particular ailment- there’s no cure. All medicines are laced with sedatives- a cocktail which is not to my liking. I hate sedatives. Groggy eyes, clogged mind. Totally unproductive and boring for the next 16 hours. And still it might turn out to be fair bargain if it would give respite-  but it doesn’t.

People are on verge of curing cancer, perhaps they should think about this one.

In and Out

Last Sunday, as is the custom; my day began with the Sunday sentiments of Karan Thapar in HT. It was an interesting read- one that concerns people involved in the Bhopal Gas tragedy, the Dow Jones Chemical Company and London Olympics.

The conclusion that the esteemed journalist reached was though India had already lodged protest against the inclusion of Dow Jones Co. as a sponsor in the London Olympics it would not withdraw from the same. Why? Because the matter has bitten dust for 3 decades, and no longer would be pivotal in India’s decision.

I would of course disagree with the idea. And this week’s developments have only confirmed what I believed was right in first place. London announced that “It would be sad, if India withdraws as it can not drop Dow Jones as one of its sponsors.”

London has played a gamble. India would fall for it. New Delhi has only to announce its official withdrawal from the games, and the World shall take notice.

 A govt. is elected by the people, to serve the people. That very govt. has made a mockery of the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy for the last 30 years by denying them justice. Stepping away now for want of a few Olympic medals- is betraying those people again. It would perhaps be more humane to subject them to a firing squad and be done with it. Those people would only have to suffer some moments of pain and misery- saved from the prolonged anguish and hopelessness.

The world’s largest democracy has to assert itself. Now is the time. Flex some muscle; announce “Britain still hasn’t got over its Colonial history where profit is measured in Indian blood.” This is the age of hype. When there isn’t any, there is a demand for such. America uses it all the time. Steve Jobs made a fortune out of it. Closer home, Mamata Bannerjee whipped Ratan Tata at Nandigram with it.

Surely, India could do some good with it.

Sometimes...

A lot has gone since the past four months- the phrase "plethora of emotions" does me no justice, nor would the word "an amalgam". The word I look for is explosion. I have experienced much, more than I would normally average in say- 3-4 years. Yes, the one-to-one mapping of a month to a year does balance it just right I suppose.

Things may have gone downhill like never before, but I can only say

Its not a good time, its not one of those worst times. It's not the happiest of moments, certainly not the saddest.

Here I Am...

The idea of a blog is no alien to me. I had started out of curiousity 5 years back- when blogging actually started. It was a fad back then- now it's twitter. Needless to say, I deleted that one. Maybe I didnt understand what blogs really were, maybe I still don't. Of course not from the technological view point- that I most certainly do, but then lets say its one winding road- not sure in entirety.

So a few days back, something clicked, and I decided to give it an another shot- something I have being doing a lot online of late; shooting people in face with my shotgun when they are looking the other way round.

I love to rant. Having said that I have hence declared my intentions for this place.

More to come soon.

PS: For folks who are interested in joining me online for the duck hunt- my Game Ranger id is 2453639.