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Bookstore

•November 27, 2011 • Leave a Comment

As this holiday long weekend ends with a lot of eating and shopping, I realized the one place where very few people go shopping is a book store. As I was returning from the mall, I decided to make a quick trip to the bookstore for 2 minutes and instead was immersed in that store for quite over 40 minutes. Not that I bought anything at all but browsing thru the store captured my attention.

A bookstore is a lot of things for a lot of people but for me, it serves me as a report card. It represents, the status of what I have done from my last visit and my mind begins to classify them as “Done”, “Yet to Do”, “Could have done” among other things. Lets put it into perspective, like as I go thru like fiction section looking for a particular book, thoughts come to my mind as “I am yet to finish the first book of that series” or “I should have bought that book and read it quite a while ago” or just mark a book setting a goal for myself, “If I finish reading x, y and z books I will come and get you”

But a bookstore also represents inspirations for things that provokes my mind. Things that challenges, or things that needs to be planned soon enough. It does not mean, that I need to buy a book, but if you are looking at the International Travel section – A thought comes to mind that I can probably travel there or if you see a travel book and you realize that you have been just procrastinating a visit to that place.

A bookstore is not just a storehouse of knowledge, but sometimes, I feel it helps me setup goals. And I do not mean that when I see “10 ways of writing a resume”, I would like to thing about a job switch, but something more acheivable like reading a finance title helps you wonder, probably I can do that if I read it a little bit. Or, looking at a “Digital Photography” book reminds you, how long its been since I have take a photograph or posted one online and a thought to post one soon enough.

But more than that, a bookstore is like a treasure hunt of collectibles. Books that you have read by borrowing and you would like to own a good copy as yours, those are the treasures you are hunting in a bookstore. Not to mention, journals, planners, writing pads and more.

As I finish to return back, I am more concerned about the bookstore being an endangered species in the digital world. With a plethora of eReaders and digital eBooks and Audio-Books, does a bookstore containing these physical books stand a chance. I say this because today I subscribed to a digital version of the magazine since its better to read digitally then to wonder what do I do with the magazine once I read it. As I pass the Microsoft Store and the Apple Store, I realize that these stores have opened up so that users can touch and feel the product before they commit to buying them. It doesnt matter that these stores sell most of their stuff online but it allows users to feel it first hand and talk to knowledgeable people about it. So does a bookstore, helps us browse thru the whole book if necessary, touch the knowledge that it contains before deciding on a purchase. I dont feel the online format does the same justice.

And finally, a fact to ponder on:
A written ‘fact’ is considered innately more true than spoken gossip or hearsay. But physical documents have no greater claim to accuracy than an anecdote from an actual eyewitness.

Posted in Reflections

ShadowyWaters 2.0

•November 27, 2011 • Leave a Comment

So here I am. Back on the horse if you might say or Shadowywaters 2.0. I thought, I will reboot my blog or as they say a hard boot.

So where was I you may ask? And my answer would be the same old .. “Traveling through the journey of life”. A lot seems to have changed in the last two years and it also seems a lot still remains the same. To be perfectly frank, at times it is very difficult to distinguish between what has changed and what remained the same. Somewhere in middle, somewhere gray? I ask myself.

I felt like writing again and so here I am. Felt like writing a lot. Felt, I have a different if you might call it that but I would say an enhanced perspective on things that matter as well as does not matter. Not sure, if anyone still has me on their rolls or will read me, but I will apologize to one and all, whom I read and couldnt follow due to lack of time. Ah! yeah! the time tested tradition of blaming lack of time for everything that you didnt do. But, I remember that my professor once mentioned to me that, ” Only a busy person ever finds time!” and so I will take that a good advice and will be disciplined in future and make a point to write atleast one post a week. (Dont hold me to that … but I will try!)

Signing off now. Will be back very soon.

– The Pilgrim

Posted in Uncategorized

Lazy!

•July 1, 2011 • Leave a Comment

He eyed his surroundings suspiciously
Laundry basket filled to the brim
Important Papers/Bills filling up his desk
Work documents lying on his bed,
enmeshed with a book from the library
the national geographic magazine he received 3 months ago

He moved his vision near the window
The camera lay lonely near the bookshelf
The violin stood silently
and so did the tennis racquet
Lenses and tennis balls lying around
along with his swimming gear

The cycle was in the other room
motionless and waiting
The kitchen was stocked except for
Milk and Cereals
the freezer was empty
and so was the fridge

He sat on the couch,
and looked at the time
3am it screamed
Go to sleep it prayed
He took the remote and
started up the Wii

Posted in Attempts at Poetry, Rant

Believe

•September 14, 2010 • 2 Comments

I saw a bumper sticker today that said – ” With God everything is possible”.Nothing wrong with that, although, I don’t have an opinion one way or the other. I do not believe or dis-believe that god is there.

But what I strongly believe is that With Humans, everything is possible too. I dont understand why this is underestimated. Afterall, didnt we build the Pyramids or the Hanging Gardens. And dont we have the destructive nature of the gods too – We build atomic bombs and plastic to kill ourselves and the world.

Why don’t we believe that we can do it – both good and bad as the gods. We are fallible, but so are gods too – according most older civilizations – Greek, Indian, Egyptian or Hebrew.

Haven’t most religions espoused that god made humans as their image. So who says, we do not have all the things that god has. Maybe, not immortality but everything else. And this brings me to my next point – We want results in our lifespan. Unlike before, when the lifespan was much less, but the decisions and actions were more far-sighted then now. What we have started needing is instant gratification and this is what affects our decision. Our own mortality !

Bottomline, to end my rant – Stop beliving what is possible for the gods and start relying on what humans can do. Maybe the task will take a lifetime, but better stick with it and get it done.

Posted in Rant

Light

•August 18, 2010 • 1 Comment

Have you ever thought of that light
That glows in the dark?
When your house is tangled in the darkness
The light that tells you,
There are no monsters under the bed
And you sleep safely tucked under the covers.

Have you ever thought of that light
That you can see throughout the night,
That guards you from a nightmare,
That is your friend when no one is there?

Do you know what that light is?
It is the light of the lamppost across the street.

Posted in Attempts at Poetry

The One

•May 20, 2010 • 2 Comments

Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.

– Bob Marley

Posted in Uncategorized

Jokhon Nirobe Dure

•February 2, 2010 • 1 Comment

Jokhon nirobe dure darao eshe,
jekhane path bekechhe

Tomay chhute chaoar muhurtora
Ke jane, ki abeshe dishahara

Ami-o chhute jai she gobhire
Ami-o dheye jai ki nibire

Tumi ki morichika na dhrubotara

Jokhon roderi kona dhaneri shishe
bichhiye dey roddur

Tomay chhute chaoar muhurtora
Ke jane, ki abeshe dishahara

Ami-o chhute jai she digonte
Ami-o dheye jai ki anonde

Tumi ki bhule jaoa kobita-ra

Tomay chhute chaoar muhurtora
Ke jane, ki abeshe dishahara

Posted in Uncategorized

He Died

•August 2, 2009 • 3 Comments

“He dies! ” thats what William Shakespeare wrote in King Lear in the last line and imagine the genious or the slef control he had to have to just say that. He did not give an obituary or wax eloquence of his deeds but just put it plainly that he died. And I marvel at that simple statement while I am at this reflective mood this weekend with a huge tonsils infection that has bogged me down or rather cramped my style if you may. Sorry Jocelyn to ditch you on the tubing trip!

But I digress. Somehow, I remembered my dad this weekend and I remembered the phrase which I have always described his passing away as simply put – He Died. Not to mention the librarian at British Council Library thought to chastise me with her english and said – He passed away and that stuck me as so artificial.

Why did it stuck me as so artificial? Maybe, because he was the most down to earth person I have ever seen. I have never seen any pride in the person who had achieved so much in his life.

He was a person, who never said a lie, and was totally not colorful in any way but he had this unique knack of bringing people together. He could bring the people who fought against each other to play holi and end up enjoying it. He was a glue who kept all the different threads and people in his life knitted together and during holidays really enjoy the holiday spirit forgetting their differences.

And it wasn’t just his peers, but the kids, the parents all held to those threads. And once he died we saw the threads unravel. I couldnt enjoy the festivals the same way I did before, but I could definitely feel the divisions among the elders.

Some stayed close, some drifted away. Some were near but no longer close and he was a man of few ambitions who only thought about having three square meals a day and provide the same to his family. And when someone said, you can try to be him, I don’t think I would ever be him.

But at the end of the day, for a person who had a great attitude towards life, made people close to each other, when people ask me where is he, I can just say as Shakespeare said once, He Died and leave it at that and yet sometimes I feel to recollect all that he had done and the moments he lived for.

Posted in Reflections

Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps

•August 2, 2009 • Leave a Comment

I know I have been quoting other things .. but this is one TV show that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Its Brit TV show called Coupling (2000-2004). I do enjoy most of the Brit TV shows, but this is the best TV show that is a satire on relationships and how it is all so true and this is their title song – Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps

You won’t admit you love me.
And so how am I ever to know?
You only answer
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

A million times I’ve asked you,
And then I ask you over again.
You only tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

If you can’t make your mind up,
We’ll never get started.
And I don’t wanna wind up
Being parted, broken-hearted.

So if you really love me, say yes.
But if you don’t, dear, confess.
And please don’t tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

If you can’t make your mind up,
We’ll never get started.
And I don’t wanna wind up
Being parted, broken-hearted.

So if you really love me, say yes.
But if you don’t, dear, confess.
And please don’t tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps,
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps,
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Posted in Songs

Modern Man

•July 23, 2009 • Leave a Comment

I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium, digital and smoke-free. A diversified multicultural postmodern deconstructionist. Politically, anatomically, and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been uplinked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech lowlife. A cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, bicoastal multitasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond. I’m new wave, but I’m old school, and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat-seeking, warm-hearted, cool customer, voice activated and biodegradable. I interface with my database, and my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive, and from time-to-time I’m radioactive. Behind the eight ball, ahead of the curve, riding the wave, dodging a bullet, pushing the envelope. I’m on point, on task, on message, and off drugs. I got no need for coke and speed, I got no urge to binge and purge. I’m in the moment, on the edge, over the top, but under the radar. A high concept, low profile, medium range ballistic missionary. A street-wise smart bomb, a top-gun bottom feeder. I wear power ties, I tell power lies, I take power naps, I run victory laps. I’m a totally ongoing bigfoot slam dunk rainmaker with a proactive outreach. A raging workaholic; a working rageaholic. Out of rehab, and in denial. I’ve got a personal trainer, a personal shopper, a personal assistant, and a personal agenda. You can’t shut me up, you can’t dumb me down. ‘Cause I’m tireless, and I’m wireless, I’m an alpha male on beta blockers. I’m a non-believer and an over-achiever, laid back but fashion forward. Up front, down home, low rent, high maintenance. Super-size, long-lasting, high-definition, fast-acting, oven-ready, and built to last. I’m a hands-on, foot-loose, knee-jerk, head-case. Prematurely post-traumatic, and I have a love child who sends me hate mail. But I’m feeling, I’m caring, I’m healing, I’m sharing, a supportive bonding nurturing primary care giver. My output is down, but my income is up. I take a short position on the long bond, and my revenue stream has its own cash flow. I read junk mail, I eat junk food, I buy junk bonds, I watch trash sports. I’m gender specific, capital intensive, user friendly, and lactose intolerant. I like rough sex, I like tough love, I use the F-word in my E-Mail, and the software on my hard drive is hardcore, no soft porn. I bought a microwave at a mini mall;I bought a mini van in a mega store. I eat fast food in the slow lane. I’m toll free, bite sized, ready to wear, and I come in all sizes. A fully equipped, factory authorized, hospital tested, clinically proven, scientifically formulated medical miracle. I’ve been pre-washed, pre-cooked, pre-heated, pre-screened, pre-approved, pre-packaged, post-dated, freeze-dried, double-wrapped, vacuum-packed, and I have an unlimited broadband capacity. I’m a rude dude, but I’m the real deal, lean and mean. Cocked, locked and ready to rock. Rough tough and hard to bluff. I take it slow, I go with the flow, I ride with the tide, I got glide in my stride. Drivin’ and movin’, sailin’ and spinnin’, jivin’ and groovin’, wailin’ and winnin’. I don’t snooze, so I don’t lose. I keep the pedal to the metal and the rubber on the road. I party hearty, and lunch time is crunch time. I’m hanging in, there ain’t no doubt. And I’m hanging tough, over and out.

~ Modern Man by George Carling

Posted in Uncategorized

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