Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The devil's deputy advocate - 1

Frankly, I am a little tired of the numerous "social networks are making us unreal" articles floating around on the social networks posted with tags like "So true", "Absolutely agree", "Check this out" etc. Okay, I get the frustration that these guys have about people losing their real faces behind an imagined reality or about people getting so sucked into the virtual world that real life relationships are forgotten and authentic face to face conversations are lost.

To all these people, I just want to say - duh. And here's why.

Reality is most times a grave and boring ritual to me. I find it such a relief to be safely behind the internet in so many cases. I am not a social butterfly in any sense of the word. However, that doesn't mean I am an introvert either. I enjoy good, witty conversations. I enjoy meeting people I genuinely want to meet. But I still say social networks are a dream come true for me.

I can have all the conversations I want on a chat client and still spare myself of the ridiculous judgmental tones, pronunciation errors and sarcasm filled sentences which I would otherwise have to politely deal with. Its easy, because I just choose to ignore the absurdly constructed smileys (sometimes even the sentences) which are supposed to convery sarcasm and similar sentiments.

I can let the world know that there has been some development in my life without actually going through the rigmarole of listening to them analyse and give unasked for opinions! Its easy, because I just pretend my internet was down when they sent me that message that contained advice filled with concern towards me.

As for the complaints about sending text messages when 'they are just a call away'. Right! As if we dont know it! Why would I want to call up a person and talk for hours when all I actually want to say is 'Hey maybe later, a bit busy now(yeah, right!)' Its easy, because I just choose to keep my sanity and their sentiment. Why is that so bad?

More importantly, I am sure all of us on these social networking sites have two kinds of people on our friends list:
1) Those that you know, love and would keep in touch - social networks or not.
2) Those that you are supposed to know and be polite, though you couldn't stand them for more than 4 lines even on your chat client!

These social networking websites, I think, are a blessing in disguise when it comes to dealing with the second category of people. You dont get rude, they dont get mad. You hide your irritation under a " :-) " and they under a " :-| ". And as for the precious few who come under the first category, nothing in the cyber world can stop me or them from sitting next to each other in a cozy cafe and conversing endlessly for hours!

It is a total win-win I say!

Ever grateful to "social" networks,
Gargi

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Poetry & writing contests

1) To all those interested, 'cha' is conducting a poetry contest for Feb 2012 issue, last date being 15th Jan 2012.
Theme: Encountering
Details here:
http://asiancha.blogspot.com/2011/10/cha-encountering-poetry-contest.html

2) And there's another:
http://www.sampad.org.uk/learning/opportunities/competitions/
Theme: Tagore

Gargi

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The unspectacular quirks.

The Rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you – Sadhwi (sadhwi.wordpress.com)
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Quirks:
1) I have always felt that my hair has a mind of its own. It never settles the way I want it to. Ever.

2) Its extremely rare that I can sit through a movie completely.

3) I have a very deep, almost maniacal regard for: humility, kindness, capability and courage in the same order.

4) I hate falling ill. The most important thing that cures me when I am ill is the fact that I hate falling ill.

5) Most people I meet, find me cold, aloof and almost arrogant and therefore I find it very convenient to actually make an effort to befriend the ones I genuinely like and let the others remain thinking as is :P

6) I have a very wild desire to win the Booker prize someday for my 1st book and my 10th book (sigh!).

7) I don't care too much about rules and hence the addition of the 7th quirk and of not tagging others.

Gargi

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Sins and Forgiveness

A certain summer's morning,
a little flower foolishly flew
a little away from the tree
not knowing mistakes came with a fee.

It flew with no direction
only to find sunken void spaces
only tempest winds and sullen seas
all full with empty thoughts where life ceased to be.

It came back a little later
back to the all encompassing tree
hoping to find the same warm groove
where it could cuddle safe and finally be free.

Alas there was no groove no love
it was received like an untrusted dream
only to find its place was now fully taken
by thorns called resentment and animosity.

The tree had judged and shrugged,
and welcomed to the groove thorns anew
There was forgiveness there for all..
for all - except for the flower that flew.
'Tis the most tender part of love, each other to forgive.
 
Gargi