The Aftermath

To put things mildly, I might write about college a lot. And mostly not very positively. It's hard for most people to think of college as something positive (anyone under VTU, anyway) and I'm usually pessimistic with a vengeance. Put that together and you get...Hell. Yup, Two days of hell, in sixth sem and I'm already so sick of it all, It takes every inch of my almost non-existent patience to keep from lamenting about the sorrow of being there. See, I'm the kind of person who NEVER gets bored in holidays. Being jobless is something I haven't associated myself with for the last four years, probably. So holidays are heaven. And after the second day of college, I can safely say that I'm experiencing an exhaustion that prisoners would be able to relate to.

Making yourself Pay attention in class is exhausting. What's actually even more exhausting (And I actually think so) is pretending to pay attention. Why not actually pay attention, you ask? In a word-boring. The day does all it can to remind me of why an MS degree is off the table. This science thing...For so long....Incredible. And under VTU...so incredible that you can't take it. So much so that attending all classes even on day one of Sixth Sem (code word -War six) was impossible. Ho, hum. To make things more dull...this whole thing suddenly makes me feel like I'm doing absolutely nothing with my life. I'm sure no one wants their epitaph to read "There she just sat, in class." I know I don't.

So once we got through the day (which did a considerable amount of mental damage, I can assure you) some of us couldn't just go home. We needed something. Something to seem like, after the war, we could make peace with our oh-so-bored minds. So we went to the BDA and had good old chaat and mithai and Sugarcane Juice. All for 25 bucks! Wasted around, walked around. And boy, student life is something else. There's just a certain joy in knowing you can eat some mouth watering paani puri for less than ten bucks. Having a lot of dosh is everyone's dream...but the mad delight of eating and travelling cheap and enjoying it...That's something everyone should experience. Then you can sit back years from now and talk about the good old days like everyone does. Ho, hum.

So it struck me....Maybe to enjoy the peace, the freedom, the aftermath...to truly, really feel that joy, we need the war. Maybe, to actually appreciate those precious few hours of fun, we need those hours of torture in class. Not want, but need. With the Yin comes the Yang, they say. Sad, but true. Relief is a spectacular thing, really. And its best felt in the smallest, teensy things. We do a lot of fun stuff...but the simple, unplanned things end up being the Best.

So the aftermath turned out okay. Back to square one, tomorrow morning, and every morning for the rest of this sem! But I'm going to try and take comfort in knowing that the aftermath...might just make it all somewhat worth it.

And the winner is....

Maybe this is why there's a writers' strike on in hollywood...*wink*
The only thing left to do, Is a Red carpet and Gown style ceremony for the writing world too!

The Fine Print

Ho, Hum. Why do bloggers blog, you ask? I'm sure you've asked that. Everyone has, at some point.If you havent' well...then you should. I know I did, many times. I never really got an answer to that. Then I started a blog. papoose-spruce@blogspot.com. I never really got very far. I wrote two posts. TWO. This blog is pretty new, not more than two weeks old or so, I'd say, and I'm upto 9 posts or more (I'm not very good at numbers). I don't want to jinx it, but what kept me interested this time, was that...I'd figured out why I wanted to blog in the first place. And suddenly, petty things didn't matter so much.

Blogging was suddenly something I was doing, for me. More than anything else. I'm totally and completely happy about the prospect of people reading it, of course, and a huge whoop-like THANK YOU to all the people (how many ever, two,ten or more) who've read the fine print(or not) and got my hit meter to cross the big 100. I won't deny that I get completely flattered if someone comments positively on a post...It makes my day! Maybe even my week!

I'd be lying if I said that others reading my doodles and scrawls and commenting didn't make a difference, but that hasn't become the ONLY or MAIN reason why I continue to Blog. It all digs a bit deeper than that. What sub-consciously happened, was that, once I'd started Blogging..I started to do something else that I'd never given two hoots about before - I started reading others' Blogs.

...And it was good. Really good. I mean it. You can learn from anywhere. From books, magazines, activities, events. Even movies, art, music. I've always considered myself an avid reader, and I've been reading ever since I was little. But the learning I've experienced by reading other Blogs....is learning like no other. It depends a LOT on the kind of Blogs you read, but once I delved into the fine print...I discovered things that no other form could bring to my notice. By that, I mean..learning from someone else's train of thought. The more blogs you read, the more posts you read..the style of writing of that person comes alive. You start getting their drift on things they haven't even posted on. You learn from their opinions, their lives. Its like an exchange program. You learn to value other's opinions. Once you actually READ the fine print, you figure out stuff that you wouldn't have figured out even on a date or lunch with that person. That's...pretty Big. In such a huge world with so many people. That's Big.

A lot of people don't even read the fine print. They read maybe, less than half a post. That doesn't really qualify as anything, in my opinion. You can't judge a book by its cover, a Blog by its template and a post by its title or opening paragraph. If you do, then you're missing out on a whole lot. You might as well not even look at the bits you do look at.

So Once I read others' stuff, I actually felt like writing mine. I felt like if I actually indulge in the same mind-speak others do, maybe I'd provide food for thought for a lot of others. Just maybe. Most of all, for myself. I can't begin to describe what its like reading older posts and going....What frame of mind did I write that in? For people who've been blogging for years, its like opening up a page of your life that you just typed away. Its funky! That's something even looking at old pictures can't give you. Ho hum, this was the person I was.

My take- Read the fine print. Even if you don't blog, no biggie. You'll learn a ton of stuff. You'll laugh at a ton of stuff. You'll draw parallels between others train of thought and your own. You'll understand all these things about human existence. In some cases (where its not, you know, so gosh-darn profound) you'll be really entertained (some people have blogs that can give you more laughs than you bargained for). If a blog is really bad (That's opinion based, of course), atleast you'll know what you should NEVER write like. You won't come out of it with nothing. I know I didn't.

Here's to everyone that Blogs, everyone that reads Blogs, and to all the minds out there who want a voice. At times Its severely unrewarding ( like when no one sees your stuff..you think...Man! I should just go watch tv. ) and at times it makes you want to go Yabba Dabba Doo like Fred Flintstone. No Shit!

The fine print has arrived, folks. And we all want it to reach somewhere.

YouClick!

A lot of recent events have prompted me to think that the most GOSH-DARN-AWESOME thing about today's technology is not that you can keep in touch with people in atlanta, not that you can type out those boring reports and be professional even with the handwriting of a 3 year old, not that music is now (illegally) free..(although that is a HUGE perk!) not that you no longer depend fully on that DVD store down the road that has movies made 2 years ago, but that now, finally, and indefinitely, the POWER is in YOUR HANDS. The power to do just about anything. The power to change the face of journalism, the power to change someone's reputation, the power to impress, amuse, confuse, influence, and convince.

Confused? As an example...My friend chacks made an audio clip of him singing some song, "Jaya Nagaraj Tara"....and this work of pure genius enthralled me so well, I don't think I've ever been THAT entertained with a one minute (or less) audio clip. Now, this medicine (and By that I mean laughing that hard will definitely cure anything) wouldn't have been released if it weren't for the wonders of today's technology. For one, he'd have probably recorded it, and it would've stayed with him. But now, that clip was retrieved, and put up on my friend's blog! And its out there! The truth is out there! The truth can also spread like wildfire ( I can include a link to it, someone else can do the same thing...but I'm not going to do that because I might get slaughtered.)

The same goes for a lot of other things. Someone sings funny? Or dances funny? The wonders of bluetooth enable everyone to share the fun. A crazy Prank call? Its now on your phone. These are all things that we can keep and amuse ourselves with anytime. Another friend of mine recorded this guy's bathroom singing..(Yeah..You're not safe even in that private domain!) and..well..let's just say the music brought tears to our eyes..(If you know what I mean.)

Going beyond personal amusement (Which of course, is the most fun way of enjoying the POWER of it all...), the Impact of technology today means journalism is no longer single-handedly in the hands of media giants. Everyone now has the right to report, record, capture moments as they see it, and given that Journalism deals with such an unpredictable world, this is a benefit that everyone can see. Pictures were captured by people's cellphones during events like earthquakes, the recent assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Bomb Blasts, The tsunami..and these pictures were the ones that eventually made it to the headlines. These people just happened to be there...and sudddenly..they had the power to report. They had the power to tell their story. They had that power to make a difference.

Photography and Impromptu video making is no longer reserved for the experts. Anyone can get into it..I've seen people who don't even possess a professional camera take stunning pictures with their cellphones. I know people who make stunning music just by using mixing software. Youtube became a sensation because suddenly, everyone had the power. Everyone could put up what they wanted, noone was restricted to the views of others anymore.

I missed the 'We the people' episode on TV, and I got to watch the entire thing online. That kind of power was un-imaginable before. Its fabulous-everything can now go according to your time, your requirements. You get to decide. Its all about you. Don't get a certain show aired in your country anymore? You'll get it online, no problem. You don't have freedom of speech in the media in your country? You blog, and tell the world what you think. The number of pakistani writers expressing their angst online during the time of the country's emergency recently was astonishing. No one can curb that power anymore. You might have to face dire consequences if its on print (see my earlier post titled "Petty Poetic License") but if you want the right to information that is legal,all you have to is reach out and grab it. That is power like none other.

Obviously, with the Yin comes the Yang, and here comes the downside. Everyone has the power. The upside IS the downside. Record Labels no longer make the money they used to with their music. Anyone can put up anything, and credibility is definitely compromised. In India, a few years ago, The DPS school video(No prizes for knowing about that!) messed up the lives of the students involved in it. But people need to get smart. People need to try and be aware of who is recording what. People need to understand that with that kind of power, all you can do, is make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of people it shouldn't be with. Its not easy, but it has to be done. Everyone's recognized that the power is now with the people. I'm glad Radiohead and Madonna considered the internet a prime factor when it came to releasing new albums. It just doesn't work the way it used to.

What I'm trying to say through this entire essay-like post( I promise I'll try and restrict these...sometimes I can't help myself) , is that...don't misuse that power ( Why mess things up for yourself?), but don't shy away from it. Its now our world. Record, write, Participate. Because you actually can. You can actually get things going your way. In a strange way, we all possess the power that makes us the heroes of this generation ( Yeah, yeah..I know..I like being this dramatic!)..so..no sense in wasting it. And...P.S- if you do have some videos or clips that MUST be watched or heard...Let me know...

Jack - Happy b-day song!

If you already haven't seen this, this birthday song is the cutest form of sarcasm!
Happy birthday! (It's gotta come sometime, right...)

Britney Spears......

Ha! I did that just to catch your attention. But really, if Al Gore wants Greater attention paid to his global warming campaign, he should just rope in Britney spears. If you can't beat em, join em. Right? Right.

The times-are-a-changing! Taare Zameen Par is THE movie. Really, it moves you to tears. It does have moments of relief thrown in, though. Neat Music Score , has that element of freshness and on the whole, a very well made flick. Aamir Khan must be grinning all the way home, to the bank, singing in the shower, whatever. So must the boy, Darsheel. And no reason why they shouldn't folks! This movie single handedly increases your respect for Aamir Khan by many, many notches. Finally, more people are looking at learning disorders in a new light. And that = progress! Step One!

The new Tata Nano promises to be kind to your pocket! Step Two, I say. We can either be sceptical or Happy. But really, there are so many times when I've seen four people holding on for dear life on a bike in India and wondered why I couldn't do anything about it. Mr Ratan Tata, however, saw the same scene and DID decide to do something about it- Thumbs up, really! My only worry is that the car doesn't have power steering, something that I (selfish spoilt brat, I Know) really need. I mean..I can't swerve round and round and round just to park. I'd be the killing machine to look out for on the roads then, for sure.

I couldn't watch We the People, But Blogs being taken that seriously here is definitely step Three!! *Squeals of joy!* Indian Bloggers need to be taken even more seriously. I mean, do we just know it all or what? ( My modesty helps, I'm sure. lol.)

The MacBook Air is out! DREAMY! Its making headlines everywhere...now if only I had a cushy job with the money to buy myself one. Sigh! I mean, check out the details! Don't get me wrong, though. Charlie is the man! (charlie is my laptop. He's the most Patient, Loving Laptop I know. Gives me NO trouble at all.) Rock Solid Dependable. Aww, he's all jealous of MacBook Air.

Its holiday time and the combination of the sunset out my window and my Cuppa in my hand? Step 5. Engineering students have a weird schedule, which means I'm oh-so-relaxed right now. Definitely a Plus!!

Times-are-a-changing! Now if only my hits would actually go up, I'd be ecstatic. It helps that I put up a hit-meter DAYS after I started Blogging. Oh well.

*Slurp*....Cheers!!

Who are you people kidding?

Nope, we don't have it. We don't have true freedom when it comes to writing. You think I can write whatever the heck I want to here? You think You can start a blog and write what you want? Ideally, you can. Ideally, I can. I should be able to, right? This is my space. I can write what I like.

Wrong. I can't. No one can, anymore. There are lines we can't cross, as writers, people, human beings. Racist lines. Objectionable lines. Factual Lines. Offensive Lines. Abusive Lines.
Petty Lines.

Maybe its different for a Blog, because Its not mass produced. Its that way for written works that are published anyway.

For instance, If you've ever read this book
Then you probably know the volume of controversy surrounding it. I've only recently started reading it, and I'll admit..this book, in a word- interesting. Sure, a lot of it is extremely debatable, but most people have failed to see the bottom line-Its The author's OPINION. That does not necessarily translate into fact. That does not, put down any religion or faith. A religion that millions follow, and they're worried about the opinion of one writer? Doesn't that seem like they themselves don't have enough faith? Isn't the general public belief, then, subject to doubt? Are followers of Islam so worried about one published work? Or two, or three. In my humble opinion (And I would like to stress on the fact that I mean no offense) Islam has a long, long history. It runs long and deep, and considering the number of followers it has, No one has the right to question it or comment on others' faith. I respect those who follow it, for it is their belief, their right to their religion. No one can question that. This respect, for that matter, goes for any religion, just the same.

I can't even stress further, considering, for all you know, I'd be the next target. But it seems to me that People should stop worrying about individual opinions regarding religion and just move on with their lives. Religion, in any case, is a personal choice, in my opinion. You offer it to someone, they either take it, or leave it. If they do choose to leave it, that does not by any means make the religion any different, it does not render it less pure. It only means that someone had a different opinion. Its sad to see that writers don't even possess the right to express their opinions anymore. Writers who write literary works, possibly of fiction, mind you. Not journalists who report events.

There are so many stories like these...consider Author Taslima Nasreen, (and if you haven't, click here). Claims of her written work being incorrect with respect to detail regarding people and events can be resolved by a disclaimer or retraction, but the Anti-Islamic nature of her writing rendered her no place in the world. Is that the price to pay for writing what you genuinely want to- Death threats and an escapist life? What motivation do writers have to really put themselves out there then? What ever happened to writers just penning down their thoughts? What happened to poetic license? What happened to it all? If these fundamentalists had their way, then every book would be fact. Raw, politically correct, carefully written fact. And no civilization grows just on fact. Culture spins on a lot more than that. Culture spins on opinions, imagination, ideas, thought, feeling. Suppressing it all means suppressing the very spirit of people who just want to express themselves. I thought we, as a race, had overcome these basic issues. But we haven't. There's a long long way to go before we do.

There are lots more stories that way, that were told, and the authors paid heavily for it. But we need our freedom of speech back, before our poetic license gives way to petty arguments about preserving religious beliefs that can't be shattered by a few books. People who do have that faith, need to seem like they really do have it. Ignorance is bliss, and ignoring these opinions if you don't like them, would probably leave everyone a lot happier. Otherwise, we'd only have stories that would never be told.