Below is a random listing of some clips/songs that struck a chord with me ...

The list is by no means exhaustive ... most of them I can't find on Youtube ...

There is no meaning to them collectively ... atleast not that I can fathom at this point in time ... may be sometime later ...

(Pls. open the hyperlinks in a new tab/window)

Memories

Aam Aadmi

Fun

Love & Despair

Life

Katha

Lonely

A Second

The End

Celestial Fix

People who know me, know that I have very poor directional sense. Quite often I end up taking a wrong turn or miss a turn and then find myself lost. Its not that I am not aware of the route, its just that I am not aware of where I am going. And its the same story with my life as well. No prices for guessing why. I am not aware of where I am going. Needless to say, this blissful state of unawareness has put me in embarrassing situations countless number of times.

Unable to cope with such repeated embarrassments I decided to analyze the problem with a strong desire to find a solution. This blog is more of a log of my analysis.

On the face of it, the problem is not dynamic, its static. If it sounds a bit complicated, allow me to explain. Hypothetically suppose during my drive from point A to point B there are 3 turns. First is to left which leads me to point B in least possible time. Second is a right which also leads to B but is a slightly longer route. Third is a left which does not take me to B, so I have to take a u-turn there. During this dynamic process of driving from A to B, I am faced with 3 static decision making points. The problem becomes more complex if the route is long and circuitous, as is the case with life. However, the point remains, outcome of the dynamic process rests on decisions taken at static points.

Analyzing further, the problem faced by me is similar to the problem faced by early explorers, albeit at a much reduced scale. I can relate to navigator in the middle of the ocean wanting to reach shore but not knowing which way to go. So, if they were able to find a solution to their problem, may be it will apply to mine as well. Their solution was the science of Navigation. Following is a gist of my understanding of this science.

To Navigate is to determine and traverse a geographical track so as to avoid all hazards between the departure point to destination. The process to develop a complete description of a vessel from departure point to point of destination is called Voyage planning.

Studies show 80% of navigational accidents are caused by human error and in most of these cases information to prevent the accident is ready at hand to the navigator.

In order to avoid such accidents, a set of daily tasks were defined for prudent navigation. Most basic of those are:

1. Continuously monitor project the vessel’s current position by maintaining a log of vessel’s previous position, speed and direction. (A process called ‘Dead Recokoning’)
2. Verify the current location of the vessel by observing its relative position from fixed objects (Stars, planets etc.) (A process called ‘Celestial Fix’)
3. Recording and keeping track of exact Time (without which tracking of longitude is impossible)
4. Determine the error in his instruments by tracking the Sun (A process called ‘Azimuth observation’) and account for the error in his calculations.
5. Determine the drift from the normal course on account of wind, waves etc. and correct it.

Modern day navigators have a whole set of near ‘zero error’ electronic tools and techniques to rely upon. Yet, the basic tenets of navigation set out above are strictly adhered to.

To narrow it down further, I think the mantra of navigation is:

Periodically keep an accurate record of where you are, reorient yourself to know which direction to proceed and keep heading towards where you want to be!

Applying this mantra of navigation to my problem, i realized my earlier problem definition of, 'I am not aware of where I am going', is flawed because every time I set out driving on the road, I know where I have to go. Same is the case with life, I know what my goal is. So the problem is not my lack of awareness of where I have to go, rather it is ignorance of which direction to go in. Once I know where I am, it is easier to re-orient myself and choose my direction. I can take the correct turn between A & B only when I know at which turn I am at, 1st, 2nd or last.

Its interesting that quite a few books on self-help relate life to a sailing adventure. I always felt its a very dramatic way of looking at life. Only now do I realize that its probably one of the best ways to set a context to your life. Application of tried and tested navigation techniques do find traction in such a context.

I am quite sure application of the science of navigation will solve my problem on the road. But, when it comes to life, I am not so sure. Coz finding 'Celestial fixes' (or signboards as some would like to call them) is easy on well traveled roads but they are not so evident in personal life. But I am sure it will help avoid many of the hazards. So, I am off to find my 'Celestial fixes' and recommend you do the same!!!

Him and Me

It is morning already. The clock hung on the opposite wall shows 7.00 a.m. when it actually is 6.50 a.m.

Logic – Rationale behind his clock being 10 minutes ahead of whole of India – “Waking 10 minutes early gives more time to get ready and get going, there’s a train to catch at 8.16”.

Fact – With His first glance at the clock, He thinks “F**k 8.16 … will take 9.12” … ends up reaching the station at 9.10 and runs with firm belief that His life leaves from platform 3 @ 9.12 and He has to be in it to stay alive!

Thoughts – 1 Hr 15 minutes commute to Andheri station invariably feels longer with following thoughts of His:
“Look at these bozos … crammed into one FIRST CLASS compartment, thinking they are a Class above people in the second class. Lazy buggers all of em .. why can’t they wake up early to catch the 8.16 Vashi local?”
“Shit man!!! An hour late .. so much work to do .. and that 60 year old dinosaur (a.k.a. Boss) will make every minute count … why doesn’t he drop dead?”
“Mankhurd … GIANT SHIT HOLE … shoot em all.”
“BLANK”
“Read the paper a*****e .. be sharp”
“Drive the f***ing car to office”
“BLANK”
“What’s happening with her .. hope she’s alrite”
“BLANK”
“BLANK”
“ZZZZZZZZZZZZ”
“You step on my toe and I’ll kill ya”
“Get down man .. lets get going”

The walk – Feeling fully refreshed with such philosophical thoughts during his 1Hr 15 mins meditation He prepares for His 20 mins long walk of glory. Rayban shades .. Red Tape boots … Glittering watch … Hero’s gait … “Look at me girls … PLEASE …”.
Walk of vanity fuelled by tons of inhaled carbon monoxide ends at the dullest place in this universe .. this is where He is supposed to WORK.

Switch – He plugs in his laptop (rather .. into his laptop) .. switches the power on .. and then it happens. For the next 8 hours what ensues is random switching between his world and world of Excel sheets, Word docs & Lotus notes. There is also a third world .. the world of voice .. good old telephone. Ofcourse only one lord has dominion over his three worlds .. you know who .. the boss!

Packup – He switches off his laptop .. tidies his desk .. walks out of the door. Begins the same journey back home again .. only this time the thoughts are different … “ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”

Back home – Dinner .. TV .. Chat ..

Me – It is bedtime again. He is about to sleep. We begin our bedtime talk and He is listening to me attentively without any arguments or reservations. This night, like every other night for so many years now, I share my observations about Him and dispense my advice. He knows that I always keep an eye out for him, observing him from a distance. He has made so many mistakes in the past. Painstakingly, we have worked towards righting them one by one. Some may never be solved. But its alright. Time heals. I look at Him and feel such deep kinship with Him; I am sure he will be me someday. But I think about tomorrow and a sad, sinking feeling engulfs me all over again. I hate Him and everything He does.

Questions –
1) Who is He?
2) Why is he living the way He is?
3) Does He need me or is He ok being left alone?
4) Does He need someone else?
5) Do I need Him???

A masterpiece everyday ...

BORED of the monotony in your daily life?

Tired of lack of creativity and colour in your life??

Need to see a masterpiece to satisfy your taste for art???

Well, you do not need to go to those expensive Art Galleries. All you need to do is JUST LOOK UP!!!!

Behold a masterpiece everyday on the biggest canvas one can ever see.

Ripples in the pond ... waves in an ocean .. is there any difference?

Isn't it facinating how humans are always amazed by tall skyscrapers, big machines, giant ships etc? It seems, our perception of size of every object is a function of awareness of our own dimensions. When we say, "Wow! Look at the size of this Elephant is?" we really meant how big is it compared to us. If we had to choose between a wrestler and a marathon runner to lift a huge log, we would bet on the wrestler without hesitation. Why? Because, in the physical world size does matter.

But, come to think of it, the word "big" is an ambiguity. Size is always relative. Size, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder. A person standing in a open field able to see the horizon is all directions will perceive our planet as a huge, never ending landscape of incomprehensible prortions. But, take the same man to the moon, and his perception of our planet will be very different. A blue planet with finite dimensions. View the same Earth from a distant star, it will be no more than a spec in the distance. That being the case, any object on this planet is not really big in the true scale of things.

The same holds true at the other end of the size spectrum as well. Imagine your self sitting on an electron revolving around the neucleus of an atom. This atom os one among many making up a molecule. There are millions of such molecule that make up the tip of a needle. For you, this subatomic world is your universe, a universe in another universe!

Dimensions of any physical object are relative in this existance. Only "thought" escapes this relativity. Perhaps this ability to think is what makes our existance "big" in the true sence of the word.

Why everyone should be Lil bit Lazy

Laziness, considered by some to be one of the seven deadly sins, is generally agreed to be a condition in which a person is not disposed to exertion, work or activity. Whereas, Rest, considered to be essential in every person's life, is defined as a period of relative inactivity to allow recovery and growth. Why are these two essentially same activities on man seen in such different light? Having jogged my thoughts on this issue, I am inclined to think laziness is nothing but a term coined to describe rest-abuse. But, if rest is essential for recovery and growth, then why is excessive rest i.e. laziness a bad thing??? Faced with this conundrum, and in no small part, my allegiance to the cult of lazy people, I present my first blog in defence of us lazy folks.

I am sure all of us, at a very young age, must have been told by our parents and well-wishers that laziness is a disease you should do without. On the contrary, I feel it is 'Dis' very 'ease' of body and more importantly of mind that every person tries hard to find throughout his/her adult life. Some are able to find it, others get a crash course on it by Mr.Death. Most of us never learn to control this 'state of ease' and hence avoid indulging in it. Controlled laziness, in fact, can be used as a very effective stress-buster provided we know its correct dosage. Its different for different people and there is no doctor who will be able to give a correct prescription. I have done many trials on myself but am still unable to arrive at the correct dosege and overdo it on most occassions ;). The trick is to indentify the exact moment when a prolonged bout of laziness fills you with the energy and desire to get back to action.

Having said that, I venture in the next few lines, to justify my take on laziness. Besides the obvious benifits of physical recovery and mental peace inherent to resting, a sufficiently long period of laziness can open up new creative vistas in us. The reason being creativity stems from virgin thoughts and our mind will be able to think such thoughts only when it has broken down all the previous thought streams. A good night's sleep or a short nap in the afternoon (power naps is what they call it) which we tend to call as rest last only for few hours. Hours are not sufficient for old thoughts to dissolve. It is possible only with days of relative inactivity which is nothing but a bout of laziness.

So, in my opinion laziness is the seed of creativity. So people, there is nothing wrong in being a lil bit lazy. But mind you, once the seed has sprouted the best manure for it is long periods of relentless action. If anyone knows how to do this, tell me how!!!!