From shadows to the stars

The following are the lyrics of a song called "Lateralus" by the band Tool. These lyrics have been intriguing and inspiring to me. They seem to have a deep sense of meaning that has appealed to me. Do check it out. LATERALUS TOOL - Lyrics Black then white are all I see in my infancy. Red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me, lets me see. As below so above and beyond I imagine, drawn beyond the lines of reason. Push the envelope. Watch it bend. Over thinking, over analyzing, separates the body from the mind. Withering my intuition, missing opportunities and I must feed my will to feel my moment drawing way outside the lines. Black then white are all I see in my infancy. Red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me, lets me see. There is so much more and it beckons me to look though to these, infinite possibilities. As below so above and beyond I imagine, drawn outside the lines of reason. Push the envelope. Watch it bend. Over think...

Standing in a crowded public transport bus, amidst the blaring horns and the chaos of the rush hour(s), I somehow managed to, magically, find some peace of mind. The madness of the world surrounding me notwithstanding, calm and clarity prevailed. I was in a trance, bliss, whatever one might prefer to call it. With some wonderful, soothing music playing in my ears (some which of course, was that of Pink Floyd) I felt a feeling that I had long lost, but yet remembered vaguely. My fears, emotions, needs and desires completely vanished, my mind felt elated, bathing in the peace that it clearly deserved, but was long overdue. I asked myself, what must have triggered this off? I tried to recollect, but no clear answer surfaced. I certainly was tripping on the magic of Pink Floyd (High Hopes, Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, etc.). But I do that most times. Then why not every time? What was different and special about this particular time?  It seemed to me that I was incapable...

Few years ago, I was able to post a blog almost weekly (even if it was complete crap). Now it takes me a hell of an effort to even post one in a few months. I started analysing this. I felt upset with myself that I wasn’t writing much and was assessing what had changed since then.  After quite a lot of thought, it struck me. I wasn’t reading as many books (not effing academic related ones; novels and the kind) as I did in those days. Now my time is spent more on watching movies and TV series’.  I asked myself, could there be a relation between the two? Is reading less books the reason why I don’t write much anymore? If I started reading more books again, would I be able to write more often? I think it’s definitely possible. So I guess my new year’s resolution (I don’t do take resolutions generally) is to cut down on watching movies and to start reading more books. Hopefully, if this is true, I will start to post more often (even if it is complete crap). Fingers ...

The Liverpool Syndrome is a condition found generally in sporting teams. A team which performs well against "good" or "big" teams, irrespective of current form/ state of affairs is said to be possessing the Liverpool Syndrome. the name of this condition is derived from the English football club Liverpool FC. Though it is uncertain, Liverpool are arguably the first team to possess this syndrome. This syndrome is generally found in fiercely proud teams, with a long and honoured history. It has been suggested that the thought of losing to rivals or the "big" teams invigorates the players, giving rise to the Syndrome. The Syndrome will rise to effect, no matter what the present state of the team. A team which has the Syndrome might be on the back of successive defeats to lesser opponents. But a "big" match will certainly mean a change of fortunes. This quality is has bamboozled some of the greatest brains. Liverpool FC, the club whose n...

Human's are in their very own way, objects of curiosity. The behaviour of humans in certain situations is very interesting and funny. I like to call observing humans and their little awkward behaviour as "Human watching", inspired by British author Desmond Morris, who uses the term in his books. In certain social interactions, people tend to be a little dishonest. This dishonesty, when becomes apparent at a later stage, generally leads to a tension between the two parties and an inadvertently creates social awkwardness. This social awkwardness has been dubbed as a "Larry David moment", due to the sit-com "Curb Your Enthusiasm" starring Larry David. Let me explain what i have been saying with an example. Recently, i had gone to watch  movie with a friend of mine. After getting into the waiting area of the theater, i spotted another friend (more of an acquaintance really, rather than a friend) and he walked up to me and the usual "hellos" ...

What is yours, but used more by others? If you were Jerry Seinfeld, you could say its your kitchen. But cuz you ain't him, its your name. Your name is your identity, your everything. So what would you do if you were named something like 'Jaffeshwar Gamla'? People would be calling you, 'Arey Jaffa! Get me a can of Pepsi' and what not? You have to live with that for your whole life. Unless you have the patience to go change your name. And if you happen to be in this unfortunate country called India, you will have been dead for 50 years and even then the process might still be not over. And therefore, I ask you, should the power to name you really be allowed to rest in the hands of your parents? Would you be able to live with that name, even if you don't like it? Imagine if your parents were fans of Sachin and you were named Sachin. But what happens if you turn out to be a fan of Shane Warne? You would be a contradiction in yourself. When people as for your n...

One of the few people I worship has passed away. The feeling of shock and disbelief haven't sunk into me yet. Steve Jobs, the modern messiah, is no more. People call him a monarch, a man who looses his temper much too often (and for almost trivial reasons too) and one infected with OCD. But for me, he was and still is more than just a man. He is a legend, a God. Millions of people pay tribute to him, via technology, the field where Steve changed the whole scenario. FB and Twitter are over flooded with witty sentences to the cliched 'i' references. The world mourns its loss. Jobs was an enigma. A man who craved perfection and innovation. His business acumen earned his company countless wealth and also a lot of critics. People hate his insistence that an Apple product has to be linked up with other Apple products. But then Jobs was a man who stood his ground. You either love him or hate him. He was a cult figure.   Fervently followed by a group of fanat...