Version
Originally published August 2006
Inversion
There are many interesting and quaint little modifications that I have had to make. Far from being a burden, it’s a very amusing situation. I’ve tried to explain one particular situation to people a couple of times and it’s been hopelessly lost upon the souls. But let’s see.
So in the Arab World — which is a very solemn way of putting across what I want to say without getting muddled in politics! — the weekend is on Friday. Now although that is mathematically trivial — all days of the week are equal — the interesting bit is that the other day of the weekend is Saturday. Now this is the confusing part. So there is a two day weekend. Quite normal. But the major weekend day (which would be Sunday for most of the world) is Friday. So if you had one day off — which is what I am subject to — it is Friday. And Saturday is the relaxed chilled out sillier cousin. Now I have to say this is a little disconcerting, having lived all my life in a Saturday-maybe-a-half-day and the-real-weekend-comes-afterwards-on-Sunday world. There have been anomalies — my father used to have Thursdays off, because that was the day for “Load Shedding”; a term for selective scheduled power cuts — but this is quite novel. And somehow it seems to be a more relaxing proposition, when it does kick in that is.
Conversion
Have had theological debates with people in the recent past. And am really surprised at the adaptability of faith to fit “prevalent interpretations”. Without going so far as to tread the man-created-God vs God-created-man argument, I should say that it’s amazing how open people in the Middle East are and also how much more inquisitive about their faith. Although I’ve lived in a secular state all my life; I can plainly see the case for a religious state. I once told a teacher is school that religion could have nothing to do with God and yet be entirely helpful in living life. She did not have anything to say. I’ve begun to believe that it is more the case about the real world religions better than I had imagined.
Aversion
I don’t like to do well. And it is increasingly becoming impossible not to do so. I have to admit that the situation in my life is so perfectly balanced towards my own liking that I don’t have to do anything. I have a kitchen, house, engineering job and the fortune of being in an interesting linguistic environment. I have time (which is a consequence of the ease with which I am handling this part of life). But I don’t want to do well. Success, as an aim or a habit, indemnifies one against satisfaction. That I cannot do. For as I once told someone, I must not regret what I do. Ever. I am also fairly certain that I am the only person in the world who could have this problem.
Diversion
My demands on entertainment are not as strict as it was a little while ago. I seem to be able to appreciate “popular” music. I did not mind a movie that I would classify as excessively melodramatic. I think they must have used a commercial ocean liner to get all the glyscerine to Rani Mukherjee across the seven seas. I have been satisified with one pint of Corona — which Nandan aptly describes as “horse piss”.
When Abel saw a sign saying “Diversion” — with an arrow — in a parking lot near Landmark; he was amused — because the word means something akin to fun in Spanish. It seemed very ironic after having waited an hour for a ten minute taxi ride to what essentially turned out to be a supermarket. I just think it meant that you take a few turns and go around looking for the right place to park.
Update
I should be happy that I spoke to three of the four most incredible women I met, in the worst chapter of my life. Consequently it wasn’t the worst chapter of my life — in a Kelleresque way. They were in a nice little place very far away, with each other, together. Somehow, that is one thing I will never ever have. Friends around. Staring at a screen for 10 minutes doesn’t seem to have made things better. And sleep will probably evade me. I need to find a solution to this problem. Maybe I should go do that MA sooner than I thought. Or maybe it’s already too late. Or too far.
“Wherever You Will Go” — The Calling
So lately, I’ve been wonderin
Who will be there to take my place
When I’m gone, you’ll need love
To light the shadows on your face
If a great wave should fall
It would fall upon us all
And between the sand and stone
Could you make it on your own
If I could, then I would
I’ll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I’ll go wherever you will go
And maybe, I’ll find out
The way to make it back someday
To watch you, to guide you
Through the darkest of your days
If a great wave should fall
It would fall upon us all
Well I hope there’s someone out there
Who can bring me back to you
Runaway with my heart
Runaway with my hope
Runaway with my love
I know now, just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart and your mind
I’ll stay with you for all of time
If I could turn back time
I’ll go wherever you will go
If I could make you mine
I’ll go wherever you will go
…
Could I. Who knows?