Tag along..

I got tagged by mnm310.. here is my confession

* Alone, or with people?

There is difference between Loneliness & solitude:

Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.

I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. The Thoughtful soul to the solitude retires.

Isnt Man a Social Animal?

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

...love from one being to another can only be that two solitudes come nearer, recognize and protect and comfort each other. There are moments when we all need somebody with whom we can speak of our deepest concerns, and who do not fear to speak the truth to us. It seems to me that trying to live alone is like milking a bear to get cream for your morning coffee. It is a whole lot of trouble, and then not worth much after you get it.

* Summer, or winter?

I am bored & weary of everything summer has to offer.

I want to skate on the frozen lakes of Mystery, Alaska. Have snow fights and make snow angels :)

* Black, or white?

Black: Mysterious & elegant.

* Observe, or get along from the very first moment

Content to observe but eager to socialize..

* Clown, or Drama (Queen/King)?

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go
I strive to be the former.

* A Hummer, or A BMW convertible car

If I consider the car as a mode of transportation I don’t bother about the trade name as long as it gets me from Point A to Point B with ease & comfort. If I were to consider it a status symbol then Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano to emphasize POWER & Bentley Continental GT to underline elegance.

For the two choices I have… BMW M3 Convertible please :)

* Loyal or………

Unless you can find some sort of loyalty, you cannot find unity and peace in your active living. Oscar wilde said.. If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life.. that’s loyalty J

* Favorite Material Posession....

My ring.. My wrist Kara (something like a bangle but more broad).. My Collection of Poetry..

* When I look at someone, the first thing I see is....

Their Smile.. A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home. A smile is the universal welcome. "Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day".

* My life is....

My candle burns at both its ends;
It will not last the night;
But oh, my foes, and oh, my friends --
It gives a lovely light.

My life is just a chance to grow a soul. When I do breathe my last I hope its not the years in my life that count but the life in my years :)

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.

Probably, the common aspect in all our lives is the realization that all the things you really want to do are either immoral, illegal or fattening ;)

I pass on the Tag baton to Widad,Sarah and any body who wants to be tagged..

How difficult?

The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference. This is the birth of True Friendship.

Such a friendship between a man and a woman which does not lead to feelings or desire for feelings may be a life long experience of the greatest value to themselves and to all their circle of acquaintance and of activity; but for this type of friendship both a rare man and a rare woman are needed. Perhaps it should be added that either the man or the woman thus deeply bound in lifelong friendship who seeks marriage must find a still rarer man or woman to wed, to make such a three cornered comradeship a permanent success.

How difficult is it for a man and woman to be close friends and not harbor any feelings for each other?

If you do develop feelings for a close friend and are doubtful that the feelings are mutual would you divulge your thoughts even if you risk destroying your friendship or would you maintain your silence and enjoy their company?

Daftness Personified..

Daft: An new inclusion to the list of terms used to describe me.

Am I foolish if I refuse to confirm to my cultural stereotype.

I have cynically wagered my freedom against another resolute soul who refuses to settle down. Albeit we both apparently have different reasons for our existing solitary states we both concur that whenever we get hitched its probably going to be due to compromises. Maybe I have bitten off a little more than I can chew but I am certain like all prior wagers I shall emerge victorious. I must agree that losing would be quite expensive on the pocket.

Are we not more responsive on the Internet? Do we have a better opportunity to voice are views knowing full well that the overlaying anonymity will not allow people to judge us on our caste, color, creed or other physical attributes. The said anonymity also serves as a dilemma during establishing a relationship over the Internet, as one can never be sure how genuine the other person is. Internet Relationships as beautiful as they are, there is always a bridge to cross if you are going to make them work. Some falter during the crossing others are too timid to take the risk.

Don’t all relationships carry some amount of risk? Maybe that’s the proverbial thinking of someone suffering from relationship phobia. It’s a very frightening term, which holds deep implications. Sometimes you try to fool yourself by setting high criterions and lofty ideals but isn’t that an approach of denying your irrational fear.

I was suggested many times to check out marriage sites. I feel flattered that people care about me and think it’s in my best interests to settle down. Do they feel I am an anti-social hermit, a cultural anomaly or as lately so eloquently pointed out just “DAFT”.

I always wonder what leads to people posting on such sites. Is it shear despondency, desperation or a last attempt to finally get lucky?

Burnt..

29th July 2006, I should be awarded for surviving the hottest day in Dubai this year. It was an excruciating and utterly uncomfortable experience. No matter what the Met Department says the temperature was well above 45 Degrees and the humidity levels were soaring. A strong gush of hot air was blowing up a sandstorm. Visibility was low and the immense heat intensity was piercing the eyes. Proper Protective Clothing was imperative. It was just my luck to be out there with no shade in sight. I was clad in semi-Bedouin attire; white cloth covering my head and sunglasses protecting my eyes. I was perspiring buckets and regularly in taking water. It was difficult to stand, let alone work in this torment.

I took a sip of water and handed the bottle to my colleague Shashi. He held the bottle briefly and collapsed instantly. I yelled for help. I immediately removed the cloth covering my head, moistened it and tried to cool Shashi. I tried to revive him back to consciousness and slightly panicked, as he was not responding to my voice. As more people came, we picked him and ran towards the closest visible vehicle. Aslam Bhai, an experienced Forklift Operator, had seen the incident and he came running towards us with a pack of ice. We got him into the back seat and Aslam bhai told us to strip him and then he began to apply the ice pack to Shashi’s groin and armpits. He asked us to keep his leg elevated and ordered the driver to proceed quickly to the hospital.Its strange how quiet you become when you are helpless. Weird thoughts start crossing your mind and you try to maintain your composure. I just prayed that nothing terrible happened to shashi. I hated myself for not going along with him to the hospital. I had my work obligations *grr*

Three more people apart from Shashi collapsed due to extreme dehydration or Heatstroke. We dispatched them swiftly to the hospital and continued slogging. When you are in the logistics business the work never ceases, as “Time is Money”.

I think I have over tanned myself and need a few days to recuperate.

I wish it would rain so as to ease our agony.

I wish the air-conditioning went kaput in the High-rise buildings so these tyrants who exploit the poor labor can savor this living hell.

I checked up on Shashi today. Him and the others are doing well. They have earned a well-deserved rest. I heard on the Radio that August is going to be hotter. Temperatures are expected to reach above 50 Degrees. It’s going to be a tough month… I hope I don’t get Burnt.

Wonder Years...

My Neighborhood is decimating, as I grow up. Constructions mar all my childhood playgrounds. Wheels of progress & development are in motion. I had hoped to revisit these places when I was old & grey perhaps to reminisce on those wonder years. There is going to be nothing to return to now. Everything that could be associated with my youth has vanished. Ironically, the only remaining object was the one I had despised the most: My junior high school.

A few months ago it was demolished too. A couple of my friends decided to pay a last visit to the old structure. We had detested greatly coming here every morning and now as we stood before it we were overcome with emotions. A brief stroll down the empty corridors brought back memories. We pointed out places where we executed various pranks & monkey business. We tried to remember the names of our teachers and searched frantically for walls where we had scribbled our initials. We actually cried as we walked by the principal’s office. He was a stern man who was always warranting discipline from the students. He had given us numerous scary moments when we were vigilantly evading him as we skipping classes or just loitering around the school. We missed those days. It was intended to be a ten-minute tour but we stayed for well over an hour.

The more we grow older the more we learn how beautiful our childhood was. We all carry a part of our childhood within us. Maybe it’s a place or an object but whatever it is we embrace it very dearly for it reminds us of those wonder years..

We all fall down..

My definition of family includes all close kin of my parents. I have a large family and while superficially we are immensely congruous & cohesive; various differences do exist within.

When necessities & individual egos within a family reach colossal stature a clash is imminent; such a conflict in turn would lay the entire family in ruins. Yearning for wealth triggers mostly all feuds. It’s justly said, “Money is the root of all evil”. You can comprehend some reasoning whereas others are better classified as idiocy.

It is difficult to maintain a neutral stance when a dispute begins. Any appeal for tranquility is often lost on deaf ears. With raised voices consumed with malice, malignant words are bellowed which are always regretted afterwards. For those who hold an unbiased position this serves as a disturbing spectacle unfortunately they are unable to interfere and impede the bickering. Occasionally the spats are over such trivial issues that you feel like weeping over the depravity of those involved. God having created us never promised a trouble-free & effortless life instead he reiterated to turn to him in our hour of need and he will unquestionably assist us. Our despondency makes us utter absurd gibberish. I have heard such sacrilegious phrases, which have stunned me and compelled me to solicit forgiveness on their behalf. When matters get out of hand I withdraw to solitary seclusion underneath the night sky to find my peace.

I try..

IF I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Sometimes we experience severe hopelessness at the hands of fate. There is no righteousness in tragic endings but we lack the authority to amend them. We learn to live on..