Stories

Engineers, Teachers, Programmers and Scientists can never earn as much salary as business executives and sales people.
This theorem can now be supported by a mathematical equation based on the following three postulates: 
Postulate 1: Knowledge is Power (Knowledge=Power) 

Postulate 2: Time is Money (Time=Money) 

Postulate 3 (as every Physics student knows): Power = Work/Time
It therefore follows: Knowledge = Work / Time and since Time = Money, we have: Knowledge = Work / Money

Solving for Money, we get: Money = Work / Knowledge

Thus, as Knowledge approaches zero, Money approaches infinity, regardless of the amount of Work done

Conclusion: The Less you Know, the More you Make!!!
 

Seconds roll away - The feeling remains the same. It seems like just yesterday when he would hear “What is this?”.  He strolled around the park - the running was getting to the point of self-infliction of pain, the ten pound weights seemed like it had a two hundred kilogram weight attached to it and definetly alcohol had not helped. Every single item he saw, felt, heard, touched and tasted - had her fragrance and voice. He felt miserable when he smiled, he felt cold when he could not cry and he was shattering himself slowly. The awakening moment of every single day that passed by, had the agony of depression - the ambience of an absent soul and the hopelessness of another second. Nights were linked to vikodin he thought, yet he could not summon the strenght to take it most of the time. He wanted to fight the hurt, the pain and then there was this unusual, ego-centric obsession with the whole process. He felt if love was a chemical reaction of ecstasy - then he had to embrace the cruel deterioation of his faint heart.

As the interrogations and investigations begin on the aftermath of the Mumbai tragic episodes of the past few days, I have a skeptical feeling that within the next few days - there is a high chance that these horrific scenes would vanish from peoples’ minds or simply become a distant memory of the past. Talking to a few colleagues and friends, they seem to disagree and remind me that “this time it is different” - “the bloggers let the world know what is going on”, “it was for 3 days - the terrorists’ siege on the city”, “the media exposed it to the world”, “we have new outlets of media”, “the world is watching”, “this is India’s 9/11″, “citizen journalism has taken this way beyond borders”, and “we are going to be tough from now on”. These are some of the frequent replies and statements that I seem to be receiving when I put my thought across. So maybe it is time we took a look at the past and see whether we see any differences from some of the tragedies that have taken place and whether we remember those tragedies everyday and whether we appreciate - what I think these days with all that is going on in the world - our privilege to live. The tsunami of South East Asia took hundreds of thousands of lives. These days I hardly hear anyone talk about it. Hundreds of people die in Iraq everyday - I hardly hear a whisper. A US soldier dies in Afghanistan - the media is more concerned whether Britney has left her house. Millions of people die of starvation everyday - does anyone care on a everyday basis? There was a clip on CNN IBN where you see people walking as if there was no time to waste in a crowded area. The video looked like it was filmed in a major city. There was an old man lying on the street - seemed like he was suffering from some heart attack - literally dying - and none of the bystanders or people passing by cared. What does this mean?

I think we as humans only need a small dosage of suffering from time to time to keep us grounded. We cannot afford to hear “bad news” everyday. Our own lives, our own problems and our own dilemmas take over and our priority becomes “I” rather than “WE”. It is a sad fact of human life, something that I doubt we can control. When a man is thrown out of his house, loses his job, has to feed his kids - I doubt he has time to look at the Mumbai tragedy or any other sad story of the day and reflect. So to answer my own question - How fast will we forget? Well I think it depends on how fast you want to and how fast another personal issue tries to perpetrate your world.

If we were to take a lesson out of the 9/11 that took place in New York - it is that maybe we can give the job of reminding us about such tragedies - to the media, certain commissions, an organization and other propaganda machines. As much as it sounds sarcastic it is in fact NOT. We need something to consistently and constantly remind us - and outsourcing this element of our lives might be helpful - thus creating that period or second everyday in your life - where after watching that commercial/infomercial or small documentary - you take time to reflect, appreciate, mourn and try to think about the families of those passed away and just hope that they wake up with a smile. Maybe for a second there you might have just thought about “WE” rather than “I” - and that is all that matters.

A million words would not be able to describe,

How I feel about you at times…

A million years pass by and I hope I feel,

Just the same way when I dream of those beautiful eyes…

A hundred thousand women would walk on this earth,

Yet right now I feel that you are the prettiest in my world…

A hundred thousand times I would wonder what you think,

I doubt you will tell me, but I hope that some day you will…

A thousand times you would ask me not to think about you,

Every day goes by, and I wake up with what I thought last night,

And that’s you…

A thousand cruel words you might say and a thousand more,

So that you make sure you are clear,

But that sweet word I long for will vanish those thousand away…

A hundred breaths I would take to slow my beating heart,

Yet even on the slowest beat, I can hear it – your whisper, my love …

A hundred reasons you might give to stop me from courting you,

Yet I have a billion more to say, to stay with this feeling so true…

One second goes by; I am stilling thinking of you …

One more word and I feel like a life time is through …

One call in the morning and this life’s worth has been fulfilled and true …

One day, I hope you feel the same way as I do about you …

Heart pounding, dimensions of the world unknown, he sat and waited patiently in a car he had only dreamt of never driving - a Toyota hybrid. The iphone sat next to him quietly and he wished it would shout out, so that he knew her presence was near. It was his dear friend though, because he rarely met her and it made sure that he could hear her voice loud and clear. AT & T’s new city was called Housportfrancolbai and it served its purpose. Looking behind, he saw the red symbol of his honest feeling, residing peacefully, waiting for its owner to whisk it away. He felt and hoped that the single sign would be enough to make her understand his true intentions, in its purest and meaningful form. “Can you ask a rose to do anything more?”, he thought to himself. Maybe, he chuckled to himself, he could ask it to never fade away, and then reflected again on his cheesy thought. Seconds seemed like years, and the usual vibrant, always on the run fool, was sitting patiently.

The strumming voice of the iPhone echoed out in the small car and he picked it up as it were pure gold about to melt in his hands and he had the sole power to save it. Responding quickly, he shifted gears and made way to the arrival lounge of the airport, in eager, earnest and his hands sweating. Swirling his head around, he looked for as if he had lost the most precious object in his life, and being in the smallest car in the world didn’t help his cause. After the quickest 4 minutes in the world, he caught of the sight, he was waiting to see - elegant, beautiful, and adorably wearing a kurtha. He caught sight of the lip gloss as well and had to deviate his mind to ensure that he was not fascinating about it - at least not till she was dropped home. He felt like he had to get down and open the car but the policeman standing beside the vehicle had the most “get out of here” face and he had to do the next best gentlemanly behavior - open the door for the lady from inside the car.

Her “hi” was just a squiggle of the hands as she was busy on the phone. Decreasing the volume, he began to admire her cute voice, the one that he would hear over his best utility. He wasn’t the fastest driver, and he did not mind having the quality right now. She hung up the phone and looked with a friendly smile. He knew there was nothing more in those eyes, or was there, he thought to himself. As the night poured in, he strolled out the hybrid onto the quiet roads of the hilly city. A wonderful car drive, he thought to himself, I hope this doesn’t fade away …

He held the bottle tightly, remembering everything about her as he swallowed the wine, as if it had the healing powers he had imagined it to possess. Never so much pain, and he laughed. That thought just trickled on forever, he felt. Would it ever stop? He looked around to see whether anyone had been noticing him. The silent night seemed his only partner and as a small gust of wind passed by - he started crying inside again. Why could he not cry out aloud? Shame, fear, hurt, pain or the mere thought that if he cried inside - she would hear him. Was there ever an imaginary thread that could hold two people together, he wondered. He chuckled to himself as he saw a tear fall into the glass - the mere thought of such romantic fantasies should have been left to the television set. He wanted to tear himself apart - for the mistakes he had commited - but what were they? Had he cheated on her, had he played around, had he led her on - the answers to all those he knew were not one that she would believe. Or was he hurt by his unforgivable mistake of just trying to let her go. Hearing those words, none of which were spoken to him - yet words that mattered - the greatest crime of any kind - betraying the trust of someone he cared about as much as he could have cared. The words kept piercing him, letter by letter till he slide down the wall with his back, till he was on his knees. As the river flowed more graciously, he began to feel the word he did not want to hear himself - regret. A beautiful voice, a calming laugh, mind puzzling words and the constant reply of “NO” - it was all gone. It just happened and not it was not there anymore.

He clinched the glass tighter, and saw himself - reflected on a small prism - shone by the slightest moonlight - on the background of a dark red fluid - he still loved her.

She arrived, the prettiest thing that I had seen and it was worth the thousand miles I had traveled. I had wanted to spend the whole day with her and she had obliged, and all I wanted to do was just observe - her, her face, her eyes, her hair and just her. She sat quietly, not wanting to say anything but maybe wondering what she was doing there. I did not want to read her mind. Her presence was overwhelming enough and I began to grow a conscious awareness of my stalk-eyed glances. I think she knew it too.

The Coastal Highway was a remainder of why a convertible would have made more sense. But I reminded myself why between the balancing act of watching her hair brushed by winds and the constant silence that I wanted to embrace, I had chosen the latter. She turned around and smiled when we figured we were lost. I could not help but amuse myself with the notion that maybe I did not mind getting lost - with her. Another precious minute is more than what I had bargained for. She did not want to flirt but smiled, she did not want to be touched but held my hand for a lifetime of seconds, she did not want to glance but knew I was looking at her and most of all - she did not want to feel but I think she knew what I was feeling.

Lunch was a matter of choices. The first restaurant we arrived at was closed. I had to tease her about the  unknowns in her own surrounding. She was not very amused but tried to tackle me right out of my routine by questioning my judgement on directions. I had lost.  The Indian restaurant was a quiet place, just enough people to make sure the food was fresh but a tranquil ambient that allowed me to focus and hear her. We had ordered more than we had thought we could munch in and to relieve the pressure of too much food, I had to carve out some of my embarassing acts. A bicep contest between us judged by the waiter eventually led to a small but hearty laughter - I had hoped that the food got digested in the process. I was not sure.

{To be Continued …}

Heart pounding, dimensions of the world unknown, he sat and waited patiently in a car he had only dreamt of never driving - a Toyota hybrid. The iphone sat next to him quietly and he wished it would shout out, so that he knew her presence was near. It was his dear friend though, because he rarely met her and it made sure that he could hear her voice loud and clear. AT & T’s new city was called Housportfrancolbai and it served its purpose. Looking behind, he saw the red symbol of his honest feeling, residing peacefully, waiting for its owner to whisk it away. He felt and hoped that the single sign would be enough to make her understand his true intentions, in its purest and meaningful form. “Can you ask a rose to do anything more?”, he thought to himself. Maybe, he chuckled to himself, he could ask it to never fade away, and then reflected again on his cheesy thought. Seconds seemed like years, and the usual vibrant, always on the run fool, was sitting patiently.

The strumming voice of the iPhone echoed out in the small car and he picked it up as it were pure gold about to melt in his hands and he had the sole power to save it. Responding quickly, he shifted gears and made way to the arrival lounge of the airport, in eager, earnest and his hands sweating. Swirling his head around, he looked for as if he had lost the most precious object in his life, and being in the smallest car in the world didn’t help his cause. After the quickest 4 minutes in the world, he caught of the sight, he was waiting to see - elegant, beautiful, and adorably wearing a kurtha. He caught sight of the lip gloss as well and had to deviate his mind to ensure that he was not fascinating about it - at least not till she was dropped home. He felt like he had to get down and open the car but the policeman standing beside the vehicle had the most “get out of here” face and he had to do the next best gentlemanly behavior - open the door for the lady from inside the car.

Her “hi” was just a squiggle of the hands as she was busy on the phone. Decreasing the volume, he began to admire her cute voice, the one that he would hear over his best utility. He wasn’t the fastest driver, and he did not mind having the quality right now. She hung up the phone and looked with a friendly smile. He knew there was nothing more in those eyes, or was there, he thought to himself. As the night poured in, he strolled out the hybrid onto the quiet roads of the hilly city. A wonderful car drive, he thought to himself, I hope this doesn’t fade away …

“Focus”, he thought to himself. Eyes filled with vengenance and hatred spilt from his brains to his blood. Fist gripped like steel, ready to strike at any given moment. Oppurunity was the key. Thoughts and memories swept on his highways, ever reminding him of his past. “Focus”, he said to himself. Pain, agony, depression and hate were all his good friends now and he needed them. He bit his lip, savoring the moment when he would plunge himself into the grasping hands of revenge. He flexed his teeth to cling onto both sets and the nerve broke off his forehead while his cheek muscles bulged out. The eyes opened wider, the broadness of sight enlarging every second as the prey got closer. He would not breathe. The small sound of breath could bring risk to his very existence. The day was dark; an irony indeed in retrsposect of a brilliant, good man turned into the devil. The smell of blood was close nearing and he longed for it. Grabbing his axe ever so quietly, he crept towards the naive object. Hungry he was but without the need for any digestion other than justice. With a sudden burst of anger and proximity on target, he ran towards the object - 200 men without any clue of his presence….. [To be Continued ...]

ok this happened out of the ordinary. No i did not plan it but circumstances and events that were about to follow were just too coincidental and thus one would assume otherwise.

I had a facial this Saturday. LOL. Yes I did. I went to a saloon called “Green Trends” near my Aunt’s house in Chennai and asked for a haircut and a shave. The hair dresser obliged and after giving me a haircut, he started on the shaving part. As soon as he had the first go, he looked at me with bewilderment - “Sir, you beard is a bit rough. Do you shave twice?” I was confused - Shaved twice???? Me being the person I am inquired as to whether it was really rough and what I can do about it. The hair dresser sensing that this was a good sales oppurunity said that I should have a facial. Being rather amused but curious I said yes. Oh boy what a painful process just because it requires patience and I dont have a lot of that.

First they do some kind of face massage with some cream. Then they apply another cream and ask you to lay there for 20 minutes so that it dries off. Then they come and wipe that cream off and massage your face again. Then they apply something called a “patch” {I could be wrong} and this is supposed to be the main “thing”. Again i have to lie there for 20-30 minutes. By this time I had lost all patience and kept asking the folks to hurry and finish the process off. The last part was a bit scary and hurtful. They take a needle and start pricking on your nose. And since I kept twiching the lady stopped. Trust me that thing fucking hurts!!! Then they wash your face and well you are good as new or atleast think that way .

So conclusion - That will be my first and last facial try out.