Su Do Ku

How I detested it in the past and how I adore it now! Once there was this puzzle-solving session during my college days and I struggled to complete correctly even half of the Su Do Ku the prof gave. Highly amazed at some of my classmates cracking it in less than half an hour, I came to deciding then and there that this is not gonna be my cup of tea. Never. Ever since then I never bothered or volunteered to try it. So all these years, a strict no-no to Su Do Ku even if someone would offer me a crore to solve one easy puzzle. And more so, not even a head-turn from me on those appearing in the everyday newspapers, either.

Therefore it all remained the same until one fine day when my neurons worked overtime and sent (rather received?) a signal to try it out. I was so surprised at how I could do it too. Not to mention that all these days, I had consiously put myself behind and never let myself try the simplest of things. Today, things are upside down with it. I don't find a day complete without solving atleast two of it. Day by day, I am observing myself the improvement I show tremendously.

Practice makes perfect and hopefully someday I will reach heights with my writing, too. Still there are lots of areas where I would wish to lay my hands. The list never ends. However, glad, my thought processes are continuously improving and so am I. Kudos to myself, this time. I love Su Do Ku!

Security As Such

Of late, I must say, certain undesirable happenings have forced me to think over the importance or perhaps the role of men in any woman's life, in general and to point it out straight- in terms of security. All these years I have never felt the uncontrollable adrenaline rush of noticing someone frequenting around your residence trying to capture a glimpse of what's in who's, let alone seeing a robber.

Twice has it happened that I came to casually note that 'someone' moving around at midnight and the sense of panic cannot be described in words. The ever-increasing pressures of economic conditions remain one of the main reasons for increase in thefts, not to mention the influence of films. Darn it.  By God's grace nothing serious has happened in our appartment as safety measures have been undertaken, yet questions keep popping in my brain's window on the security issues that still bothers women in our so called modern society. I repeat the nostalgic verses from my high-school prayer - My angels, protect me.

Having said that, anytime, it is an undeniable fact that the presence of men poses an increase in security irrespective of whether they are truly courageous or not and if they will really be of help in case of emergency or when in need. The mere presence of such a male, I guess, protects us to a great extent. I sense that, the much needed psychological feel of security is practically multiplied with a father/brother/husband figure.

I recollect that once we got stuck at a famous temple with no buses to catch at midnight. Thankfully came another family under similar situation and know what, with the aide of a woman, her entire family including her hubby and us, could catch an auto, chase a bus, successfully get into it and reach home back at that odd hours. All of this was led by a woman and the man in her family was nothing more than a simple presence. But as I imagine the situation without him, I could strongly relate that the already prevailing challege of getting back at untimely hours would have still become a bigger problem, had the gent not been there.

Although it is commonly worded that women are independant now-a-days, events such as these reinforce the necessity of a fatherly figure in the least of concerns. I constantly wonder what gave my mother the courage to bring her children up single-handedly and I consciously keep myself up and brave when insecurity raises its head at times. Nothing is totally new in this world and it is all to be faced, I tell myself.

Hopefully

Back to blogging with my first post of this year. With all the hustle-bustles of life I had almost forgotten that I own a blog and that I wanted to pen down as and when I was triggered to write. Not been into blogger for quite a time, now as I read myself my posts it looks as if the events have all happened yesterday.  2011 was a mixed year, I have had my own share of happiness, desires, sorrows, disappointments, the grief of missing loved ones, confusions and what not! A year filled with experiences to mould myself in and out. And before I could blink, a month has crossed in 2012! How time runs, hmm.. And it sounds interesting and a bit funny to re-read my own few posts and now I imagine how much would I have progressed/transformed in terms of thought processes and as a person as such if and when I go through all of my writings years later. To discover and rediscover what I was, I am and what I would be.. this is a neat platform. I hope and wish to continue writing! May blog keep me inspired and motivated! God bless!

Pirate Coelho

Through mouth-word had I come to know of the inspirational writer Paulo Coelho and his works. Years ago, that was. The Alchemist, Brida and The Witch of Portobello, to name a few by this passionate human. When words about his books had hit my ears, an immediate mental note was recorded in my head that I must read them all someday. An international bestseller, The Alchemist has won accolades and is the first book to have been translated to over 35 languages, if my memory is flawless. Having heard never-ending praises for this book, I couldn’t wait to grab a copy of it.

I did not strain myself to purchase it from the bookshops when I could get it from a library, though I have always noticed it flamboyantly shining on the display at the book vendor’s and had had a deep wish to read it. Once the book was handed to me at the library, I was little puzzled at the size of it, comparing it to the giant reputation it had gained. Perhaps, size of a book need not always be directly proportional to its popularity, I felt. I flipped through its pages, had a glance and reconciled with myself that I should proceed with the read. Back home, I began to read it with all interest and there was this appealing phrase which was close to something like ‘The entire universe conspires when you truly desire something’. The intended meaning was, when you really dream of something, the whole universe comes all your way with open hands and guides you in getting your wish fulfilled. True and very much inspiring.

The pages were swiftly turned and as I advanced to around 40th page, an indefinable hurdle struck and I couldn't continue reading due to a sense of blockage which hindered my reading further. And I didn't want to stop reading either. I persisted and moved forward until I reached 50th page and after that, nooooo... I just couldn't. I closed the book for time-being, hoping that I would be able to catch up from where I had stopped. Flop! I inexplicably and irresistibly felt that such writing style doesn’t suit me. I remember the sentences being too short and hence weren’t too occupying. Not very keen to engage myself with something that didn’t impress me, I gave up reading. The book was returned to the library without any delay. A book of massive fame, not for my average persona.

A year later or so, I read Brida and another book of his whose title no more exists in my brain, which, to me, proved a better reading. But then there was this little concern and tiny lament of still having not read The Alchemist. All that had remained in my memory was a vague outline of the story. Naturally, once the book was out of sight, the story was out of mind. Not completely, though. But the wish to read it prevailed as always. To add to it, more often than not, I kept hearing praises on it and I borrowed it from the library yet another time. Nope. It didn’t work this time too. Incidentally, my full-stop to reading it for the second time was at the same page again. And once again, as you would expect, I gave in to give up the read. I no longer long to read it anymore, although, I wish to know how the rest of the story goes. However, until now, it hasn’t happened for me to come across someone remembering the story. Blithely, I still wait to hear what followed next.  

Nonetheless, I must proudly admit that I was intensely impressed by the philosophy of this author. And I believe that he preaches only what he practices. The abstract on him that I read long back had pointed out how Paulo crossed the various hindrances that he stumbled upon, to follow his passion of writing. A man of dreams and kudos to him!

With a common knowledge that any author is fervent towards saving his/her creations from piracy, would you believe that Paulo Coelho wholeheartedly permits piracy of his books? Really. He trusts that piracy takes his works to millions of people which would result in only increasing the sales of his indigenous collections. And I strongly second his opinion that an elongated e-reading can never equal the pleasures of reading a book as such. Dramatically, he elucidates that the more people read pirated versions on the web, the more they would want to possess an original copy. With all these into consideration, Paulo Coelho has set up his site ‘Pirate Coelho’ and according to him, all of his books are available in it. So, what are you waiting for!! Go ahead, have an enjoyable e-reading and oh, don’t forget to seize the original versions! And do let me know the story of The Alchemist, without fail!! :P

Aren't You Curious?

Nothing could be so strange as human beings in our bluish planet. At times we and our involuntary actions are so cranky and puzzling, which probably indicate that a lifetime is not enough to explore ourselves. Curiosity - to say one. I think curiosity is a part of reflex action, about which I shall illustrate here. So go ahead, feel it all and if you hadn't given a thought on such a thing so far, make sure you observe yourself right from the next time.

Here it goes -

You need to get a book and you step in to a library or a book shop. Assume you know what you need to buy/get. An unknown person next to you is on the look out for say some novel or a magazine irrelevant to what you are looking for.  Now, aren't you curious to turn your head or atleast struck with a  sudden small wish to know what they are searching for? Not necesarily a book shop. Could be a shopping mall, a grocery shop next to your door or anything of that sort. While we know what is required for us to get from a store or whatever, why are we so curious to know about others?!

You have boarded onto a heavily rushed train/bus and with luck wind having blown towards your favour, you got a seat, of course, with an unknown companion right next to you. Before you begin to breathe casually, try searching for something inside your handbag, bag or a purse even if you know it is not worth it. Next step - Be sure to notice that your co-traveler is gazing at you or peeping inside your bag from a distance, curious enough to know your pursuit! And the moment they find it out, there is a almost a sense of satisfaction! But then you were just intending to get something out of your own kit! So why this curiosity with others?

Again, during a short journey, just after you get seated, imagine that your phone rings. You pick it and answer the call. The person nearby has heard your voice as you begin to speak. Yes, now as you would expect, he/she can not wait to turn towards you and see your face. Curiosity to link voices with faces?

All these are just samples from day-to-day lives and a lot more could be listed if we consciously notice such petty things. These are merely weird reflexive actions left unobserved most of the times. So next time, you go out and if you catch similar experiences, feel funny if not amused and do remember to remember this post!