True Calling

Monday!

If by Sunday evening you haven’t realized what’s next, all you need to do is to wake up the next morning, get ready and step on the Light Rail. Sure, there are pretty girls and stiff suits too, but what catches your attention the most is that look on almost everyone’s face. Tired, frustrated, irritated, gloomy. Not a hint of happiness or joy. Monday reveals itself in different ways each week.

Today, I am a little less morose than on most weeks – probably because my plate is not so full and my calendar is empty. Days like this give me the time to think about what’s going on.

I think I’ve written about this before, on more occasions than one.

What am I doing here, sitting in this cubicle and staring at the monitor all day? Although I don’t resent it, it’s not something I would like to do all my life. But then, what is it that I want?

I want to create – let my imagination loose and see what is it that I can conjure.

The problem, dear reader, is finding time.

But I will never lose hope.

Wanderlust

Imagine… Setting sail on a boat, with only your will and strength to fight against the elements. Dropping anchor in the middle of nowhere, and rowing out to the island. Footprints that become less pronounced on the sands as you walk towards the edge of the forest.

The forest’s edge is like an invisible line. Brightness on this side, eternal darkness within. Free, open ocean here – and a claustrophobic tangle of trees there. The safety of your boat behind you, and the unknown staring at you.

Will you go in?

Alone?

And what do you think you will find there? Carnivores waiting to get you? Or a hidden glen with beautiful waterfalls and a crystal clear stream? Or both? Think about it.

Close your eyes.

And imagine.

Weekend Getaway

My in-laws are here with us – they wanted to spend time with their daughter & grand-daughter, and we wanted to spend time with them. Well – they are here and we have been having a rocking time!

Last weekend was the first time in many months when we went out for a real picnic. On Saturday we visited Fraser (Winter Park), and on Sunday we went to Colorado Springs – to see the Garden of the Gods and the Cave of the Winds. My father-in-law is a Geologist, and he enjoyed every moment.

While we did have a lot of fun in all the places, we enjoyed the journey too. The road to Fraser wound through snow-capped mountains, and the road to Colorado Springs showed us spectacular vistas of open plains with the Rockies in the background. On the way to the Cave of the winds, the road cut right through the mountains, exposing the red rocks inside.  Looking out of the car’s window, my wife said, “The US is beautiful after all.”

As far as I’m concerned – it’s nature that’s beautiful. And all countries that maintain their natural heritage will continue to stay beautiful.

Sign of the Times

When I was learning English, my grandfather would constantly remind me – read good books, learn your grammar well, read newspapers. “At least read The Times Of India regularly”, he would say.

Twenty years later, I see my daughter starting to learn English herself. While I won’t teach her in the same way as my Grandfather taught me, I will still encourage her to read good books (though there’s still a few more years for that stage).

But yes, one thing is certain – I will stress upon her a variant of my Grandfather’s advice – “Don’t read The Times Of India“, I will surely tell her.

Twenty years ago, The Times Of India was known as a “good” newspaper – delivering good content, and impeccable English. But today, it’s different.

No matter when I read it, no matter which city’s edition – grammatical and spelling mistakes abound. I have even caught spelling mistakes on front page headlines.

Where are the editors and copywriters of the past, who would ensure that only correct language would make it to the printing press? Retired, I suppose.

Or worse, indifferent.