India and beyond: unhappiness

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Upside Down!!!

Some 70 people have been laid off in my company!!! I have been "invited" for an all india bureau meet soon. These people (who have been given the pink slip) have been given three months of salary in advance and asked to go home. God knows whats in store for me!!

The book that i am reading right now... The Japanese Wife is a real treat. Written by Kunal Basu, it transforms me into a different world. It opens up this can of desires that lie within each heart. Its beautifully written and Basu's imagination about the human relationships is out of this world. Lovely.

Gujarat's coast is under threat. Its not my concoction. India's Intelligence Bureau says so. So the security has been beefed up. (Now whatever this word - beefed up - means) Modi is crying hoarse again about Centre not doing enough. Meanwhile his government has activated whatever machinery they have to thwart a possible attack. As far as i know... some policemen... must be on the coastline, with their shoes off and feet buried in the sand... enjoying the sun, sand and breeze... Who cares about Lashkar-e-toiba sailing away right before our eyes???

One of my cousins messaged early morning. He has bought a piece of land in one of the most livable cities on this planet. And he is going to build his nest soon. Aaahhh.... i can already imagine myself on a holiday there... reading, eating, sleeping. Might add 'going on a walk' to it. And if my dear cousin is reading this... NO, I WILL NOT HELP AROUND THE HOUSE.

Q: Why havent they sent any married women to the moon? A: Because it doesnt need cleaning yet.

'Women have a wonderful instinct about things. They can discover everything except the obvious.' - Oscar Wilde (He's a darling... i love him)

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

What do you do when you cant go on a vacation? Coz its unethical to get out of work and take a holiday when you know that the prime time to work is NOW... but at the same time... your friends want to go on a holiday (and if i may add, they very well will) ... So what do you do??

Say NO. I think thats the most basic simple answer to all the unhappiness in life. Why say 'yes' first, then fight with everybody at work to let you go, just to realise you are fighting the right battle for a wrong cause.... and finally just get a NO as an answer from your boss, just spoiling your impression.... all the while letting the decision remain hanging in air. SO, to avoid many disappointments that are bound to come later and ruining your friends' happiness and patience, simply say NO.

The reason for my cribbing is that Amul is almost headed to Gir with his brother (chintan), Mayur (friend) and Kevin (Scottish Australian Friend). Now when you cant get out of Ahmedabad for a holiday... and you cant even stop Amul from going... this entire melodramatic 'i hate him... but how do i stop him either?' feeling starts churning in your head...

Its a complete Urban life stress dilemma as the psychologists would call it. Had i been a villager, i would have never be working as a journalist, nor would be in this highly stressful job nor would have to deal with bosses netheir fight with my emotions. Its only because i live a urban life that i have to deal with these kind of things. Its literally like 'not going and not wanting him to go'... i know i am being cruel and self centred... but i am just being honest.

But if one has to be practical and ideal, i will have to just get on with my work as if 'it doesnt bother me' and stop thinking about it. And that's exactly what i will do. I hope Amul has great fun at Gir forests. I would have loved to go but perhaps its not meant to be.
lets look at the happier side though... i fell upon this site.. which has a photoessay on 'People in the car on move'... I hope you all enjoy the pictures... here's to people who have freedom to 'move'.