Yashas Mahajan's Blog, page 30
February 5, 2019
Word of the Week #149:
As a writer, I often get the opportunity to converse with readers and learn what they like or dislike in books.
Over the past few years, too many of the readers I encountered are of an unusually impatient variety.
They have neither the temperament to endure the few pages, and occasionally chapters, of descriptive background a good book might need before the plot takes over, nor do they have the ability to appreciate the mood that needs to be bolstered by the seemingly insignificant details in the background of the story.
These are the kind of people who think Edgar Allan Poe is dull and Agatha Christie is slow. Well, not that Christie isn’t slow, but that is part of her charm.
It may seem odd, but I believe this impatience is borne out of mental lethargy. Minds that have been benumbed by decades of cinematic indulgence.
Think about it. If I want to talk about a secluded cabin in the woods, it would take me hundreds of words to make the reader understand the extent and limits of its seclusion. In contrast, a movie can do that in a single still, and cover the cabin, the woods, the weather, the sky, everything you could want and more.
After all, they are not stupid to say that a picture is worth a thousand words.
But in a book, there are only words. And this is exactly why we need thousands of them to tell our story.
If only each reader could differentiate the subtitles of a movie from a book…
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January 29, 2019
Word of the Week #148:
Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
That’s what the guys over at R.E.M. taught us, many many years ago. And everybody heard them, because it does make sense, right?
Unfortunately, they seem to have forgotten to mention that everybody processes the pain in their own ways. I suppose that is why nobody realised that a person can be in pain even if you don’t hear them whining about it.
For years, people have been telling me that I need to discuss my problems, share my pain, express my feelings… And I just cannot understand why.
Empathy? Please. As if I can be understood.
Sympathy? Please. As if I need pity.
Counsel? Not interested.
Perspective? Resolution? Catharsis? I can get that from within, thank you.
You know what I need when I am in pain? Some space, some time. Perhaps some sugary drinks.
You know what I do not need? People encroaching on my space, taking up my time, giving me grief. As if I don’t have enough of it already.
Or, to put it very simply, for all intents and purposes…
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January 22, 2019
Word of the Week #147:
How to detect traces of toxicity in yourself?
Simple. Swallow a pill of bitter truth, and observe your own reaction.
If you feel any inflammation around your cheeks or ears, you may be experiencing some symptoms of chronic toxicity. Let us take a look at the following video, for instance.
Thoughts? Generally, a nice video.
Nice message. A rare, but refreshing, example of a corporation taking a stand. Right?
Well, oddly enough, the video has twice as many dislikes as it has likes, presently around 1.2 million, with thousands of men claiming they felt attacked by the ad and vowing to never use a Gillette product ever again.
Just take a moment to think about this. What exactly does the video say?
Misogyny is bad.Sexual harassment is bad.Violence is bad.Bullying is bad.Men shouldn’t do above bad things, and set good examples for boys.Now, if any of the above points seem like a personal attack on you…
You’re probably NOT the best a man can be. Just saying…
Word of the Week #146:
How to detect traces of toxicity in yourself?
Simple. Swallow a pill of bitter truth, and observe your own reaction.
If you feel any inflammation around your cheeks or ears, you may be experiencing some symptoms of chronic toxicity.
Let us take a look at the following video, for instance.
Thoughts? Generally, a nice video. Nice message. A rare, but refreshing, example of a corporation taking a stand. Right?
Well, oddly enough, the video has twice as many dislikes as it has likes, presently around 1.2 million, with thousands of men claiming they felt attacked by the ad and vowing to never use a Gillette product ever again.
Just take a moment to think about this. What exactly does the video say?
Misogyny is bad.Sexual harassment is bad.Violence is bad.Bullying is bad.Men shouldn’t do above bad things, and set good examples for boys.Now, if any of the above points seem like a personal attack on you… You’re probably NOT the best a man can be.
Just saying…
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January 15, 2019
Word of the Week #146:
We live in interesting times.
Just last month, the central government gave itself the power to snoop into any computer.
No warrants, no limitations, no nothing. Unlimited unbridled power.
Big Brother is watching. Cool.
I guess I’ll have to set up a VPN and a private browser just to read the news. Oh, how the world has changed.
Additionally, political opponents of the ruling party were thrashed by the police last week. For what Crime? Wearing black clothes and releasing black balloons in the presence of the Supreme Leader.
Who here is surprised?
35 years too late, but let us still take a look at the 1984 checklist.
Personality Cult? CheckDenouncement of Facts? CheckRewriting History? CheckHateful Propaganda? CheckEternal War? CheckUnlimited surveillance? CheckThought Police? Well, we are getting thereAdvertisements
January 8, 2019
Word of the Week #145:
‘No’ means ‘no’.
We’ve been hearing that a lot; perhaps more often and more loudly over the past few years.
But is that really true? Does ‘no’ always mean ‘no’? Does ‘yes’ always mean ‘yes’?
You know, humans aren’t the most honest of beings. We are trained to lie and deceive, to blend in and hide our true feelings and desires in order to survive in this world.
Think about it. Try to remember the times when you would attend a birthday party as a kid. Remember how you would be offered an extra piece of cake, and when you took you it your parents would glare and frown at you.
If you were at all smart, you would understand exactly what it meant: “The next time someone offers you more cake, you better decline, you little critter.”
Makes sense, right? After all, nobody wants their kid to be branded as a glutton.
So, the next time you are at a party and someone asks if you want more cake, what do you say? Well, there have been many, many times when I said ‘no’.
Did I mean ‘no’? Occasionally, yeah. If the cake is bad, I’m not interested in seconds… But if the cake is soft and moist and just the right amount of sweet, why would I not want more? Then why would I still say ‘no’?
Well, in some cases, ‘no’ might not mean ‘no’.
It might mean ‘yes, I do, but I cannot.’
Or ‘not right now.’
Or ‘Yes, but I am just too full.’
Or ‘I do, but I am on a diet.’
Or ‘Yes, but I have to fast before my colonoscopy.’
Or ‘Yes, but that amount of chocolate will kill me.’
Or ‘Yes, but I don’t want it from you; who knows where those hands have been.’
Or simply ‘Nah, I don’t do chocolate. Cheesecake only.’
Regardless, that is far from an invitation to come and try to stuff that piece of cake into my mouth. Try that and you’re going to got killed, boy. DO NOT test me.
No matter what was meant or why, when you hear ‘no’, you better take it as a ‘no’.
To paraphrase a beloved poem from my childhood,
Their’s not to make reply,
Their’s not to reason why,
Their’s but to get the hell out of my face.
Consent. It’s a piece of cake.
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January 1, 2019
Word of the Week #144:
So, another year has passed by us.
On occasions like these, it is customary to take a moment to look back at the key events of the year. Luckily, I managed to outsource that task to an engineer in Bangalore…
Boy, am I going to get smacked for that… Eh, moving on.
You see, when we do do these kinds of things, we tend to focus too much on events that are merely stepping stones that lead us to more stepping stones.
You might think getting that new job, or a major promotion, made the year special, but did it, really? Sure, it may lead to something else that is special, but is it special in and of itself?
I don’t know; to me, it is not the big events that make my life special. It is the little things, things that are almost impossible to substantiate, but are substantial nonetheless.
Things like the smile on someone’s face when they taste the food you cooked, or the quiver in their voice when you get them something they really need but refuse to buy for themselves, or the shimmer in their eyes when you tell them how they make you feel.
The little things…
“Some moments are nice, some are nicer, some are even worth writing about.”
― Charles Bukowski
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December 25, 2018
Word of the Week #143:
NemeSis:
How rare is a year when all the things you look back at are beautiful, cherished memories? I don’t know, I have only got this one out of the 31 that I have seen so far.
If you want to know more about my lovely memories from 2018, let us talk over some good wine, while I keep interjecting the conversation to show you pictures of my babies. ^_^
For now, how about we go absolutely cheesy with the post #”I love you”? (1-4-3? You really did not know that reference? How old are you?)
I am going to now share with you some anecdotes about my Top 10 words from 2018.
First up – Number 10
Word of the Week #97:
Critter
No, do not like this word at all. As a child, I always thought a critter was something to eat. I was quite disappointed to find out the real meaning.
BUT, this post is about Luca boy and I wanted us to start on a sweet note.
Moving on to Number 9
Word of the Week #111:
Amend
This is a very interesting take on democracy. We have tried our versions of governance, seen some success and failure, but what about a review?
I don’t think it is ever too soon to start with continuous improvement. What do you think? Let us ask everyone to vote for their pref-… never mind.
Here is Number 8
Word of the Week #126:
Sloth
For those of you who do not know my little brother, I must tell you, he can lie motionless for days.
This particular Tuesday was in the middle of one such patch of inactivity. The fact that he got the post out is a miracle, and some may find the honesty in it quite endearing.
Also, he had been on a roll with 2 very carefully written and researched pieces right before his one. See if you find them on this list.
Number 7 please!
Word of the Week #117:
Maladroit
Adroit was a word that I liked before someone at work named a training after it.
Maladroit walks right up and takes its place on my list. Clever boy unveiled before you a good insult. Use it well!
On the other hand, the post itself makes a very important point about the plastic ban and the general lack of awareness around the issue.
Next, Number 6
Word of the Week #124:
Secession
Have you played minesweeper in life? I was actually very good at it! My brother, not so much. But he has done well on this piece, no?
On to Number 5
Word of the Week #102:
Defiance
A word I have heard so many times while growing up that if I hear it anywhere, my hand shoots up and I hear myself saying, “Present, Ma’am!”
It might be genetic. Point is, defiance is an inherent quality – not necessarily a good quality. Like, intelligence. And something tells me there is no actual relationship between the two.
For instance, little brother is quite intelligent and smart in general, but at times, he can be quiet… _maladroit_ with his decisions.
March to Number 4
Word of the Week #125:
Amour
Unless the user is French or is marketing a pink product, I find this word nauseatingly pretentious. However, I like the word philautia and we can talk about that one later.
The post is more about the right to love, or the lack of it. It is astonishing, disgusting, and frustrating that people in my generation are willing to give up on love rather than fighting for it “for the sake of their family”. These, mind you, are the same people who would be drooling endearments on each others social media profiles. -barf-
Number 3, your turn
Word of the Week #112:
Ammunition
Clever! Very clever! A child would get that analogy… umm… a smart child would. I am not talking about the ones that bark at Luca from our window.
Anyway, I have always wanted a gun and this post does not change my mind. And now, I want a car, too.
Before I forget, Number 2
Word of the Week #140:
Amnesia
Just so you know, he wasn’t really kidding.
Finally, Number 1
Word of the Week #96:
Vitriol
Disturbing. I do not aspire to be on that list. But, I will not go quietly either, right? Defiance remember?
And, that is all, folks!
I’d gladly run into the new year knowing that I am not alone.
Happy New Year!
December 18, 2018
Word of the Week #142:
Oh, it is cold, out here… Oh, I so hate this weather, and it me.
I struggle to do all of the things I truly love: Eat, sleep, work, play, breathe. God, I so miss being able to breathe.
The thermometer might suggest it is not too cold, but thermometers have been known to lie on this matter.
With the piercing winds, the unseasonal rain, it is almost reminiscent of Wuthering Heights.
It is probably no surprise then that I have halted my work for the week to curl up under my blanket with the very book in my hand, trying to read as much as I can between increasingly painful bouts of cough.
There are some pleasant feelings associated with this season, with the holidays and the merriness with it, but I am just not interested in all that.
I will just stay in my bed, for now, sulking till the weather improves. And I will keep trying to breathe.
“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
—Percy Bysshe Shelley
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December 11, 2018
Word of the Week #141:
Ah, Test cricket… There is just a beauty to it that the other formats lack.
Of course, the Indian team playing well overseas makes it all the more special, regardless the result.
Now, while India may have beaten Australia in Adelaide, can we really say that we played well? Sure, the pace bowlers have been impressive and Ashwin did exactly what was required of him, as did most of the batting line-up, at least sporadically.
The victory was still too narrow, in my opinion, especially against this severely depleted Aussie squad.
The good news is that there is one obvious aspect where we could see significant improvement. Take a look at this video, and see if you can notice it.
This is what happens when your top order is more accustomed to T20 than Test cricket. People get out flashing outside the off-stump. Repeatedly.
Back in my day, temperament and shot-selection actually meant something. We didn’t give our wickets away. The opponent had to pry them out of our sticky, sweaty hands.
But the kids these days, I tell you… Sigh…
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