young and restless
Turning 23 is not a big deal, says my wise friend.
So I explain to him how when you are 22 you are closer to 21 so random acts of craziness are permitted.
But at 23, you are closer to 25, so you have to under any circumstances, act MATURE.
I hate that word. And the fact that my colleagues think I am an 'ageist'.
I have completely stopped writing here. Maybe because my work involves so much of writing. I like it. I am learning a great deal.
And I have been forced to come to term with the fact that I don't really know it all.
There is a deadline at work this month, extreme deadline.
So I haven't had a proper weekend to rest.
On the brighter side, my closest friend has come back to my side of the town, so there will be many meet up!
Yesterday at work, I was listening to Satisfaction and couldn't help wondering what if I simply unplug my headphones and let the speakers blare, my wise friend replied that if it were a musical, my colleagues would join me in the chorus, but mostly I would be reprimanded. So I guess it's a pity my life is not a movie.
There is a lot of negativity at work these past days. But I try not to get affected by that.
Thank god for small mercies. Being with my family and meeting my friends probably saves my life in some way.
I watched Inception last week. I always liked these dream-reality-alternative world movies, Matrix, for that matter or Constantine.
I wish I could hide the dull ache in my heart every time I read you. The only thing that reassures me is that I didn't dream or imagine it. And there won't be a going back because comfortable is a nice place to be.
So I explain to him how when you are 22 you are closer to 21 so random acts of craziness are permitted.
But at 23, you are closer to 25, so you have to under any circumstances, act MATURE.
I hate that word. And the fact that my colleagues think I am an 'ageist'.
I have completely stopped writing here. Maybe because my work involves so much of writing. I like it. I am learning a great deal.
And I have been forced to come to term with the fact that I don't really know it all.
There is a deadline at work this month, extreme deadline.
So I haven't had a proper weekend to rest.
On the brighter side, my closest friend has come back to my side of the town, so there will be many meet up!
Yesterday at work, I was listening to Satisfaction and couldn't help wondering what if I simply unplug my headphones and let the speakers blare, my wise friend replied that if it were a musical, my colleagues would join me in the chorus, but mostly I would be reprimanded. So I guess it's a pity my life is not a movie.
There is a lot of negativity at work these past days. But I try not to get affected by that.
Thank god for small mercies. Being with my family and meeting my friends probably saves my life in some way.
I watched Inception last week. I always liked these dream-reality-alternative world movies, Matrix, for that matter or Constantine.
I wish I could hide the dull ache in my heart every time I read you. The only thing that reassures me is that I didn't dream or imagine it. And there won't be a going back because comfortable is a nice place to be.
The Last Song of Dusk
Just read Siddhart Sanghvi’s The Last Song of Dusk.
Somehow, his good looks and elegant clothes made me very expectant about his book. So young and his eyes already so serene and writing books at this age about big big things!
Ah! But then, looks are very much deceptive. Now, after reading his book, he appears to me as the male counterpart of Jhumpa Lahiri. Much-hyped, less-delivered types.
His novel didn’t make sense to me. His characters were inconsistent. His wit forced, so was most of the plot. Bad play with surrealism and magic. A climax that was too quickly delivered, not like a good and strong final blow, but more like things were made to end as if for a lack of time or pages...
There were some hints of genius, a couple of lines, an expression, but not enough to last the entire book.
Nothing prosy about his style. And more annoying was his use of uppercasing for words like Hope, Fate, Quietness!
Arundhati Roy and Salman Rushdie influenced?
Maybe his only other book (he has given up writing for good) The Lost Flamingoes of Bombay will be a better read.
All in all, I have at least realized my 18 year old self was as lost in crushing on Sanghvi, as he was in trying to write a book on half baked ancestral stories.
And if I already didn’t know he was gay, after reading the book, I would have been certain.
There is this way with which he describes the male body… Something only a lover could do so well.
Talking about gay writers, I dreamed of Vikram Seth last night! If my dreams get any more crazy, I am going to have to write a book about them!
Anyway, next up on my reading list is The Moor’s Last Sigh. Now there is an original psychedelic read.
Raindrops keep falling on my head
It’s been four months of scorching restless summer since I last posted here.
There are times when I can’t write, either because I am too happy or too sad. It was the former these four months.
It’s raining now, and my wordless happy season is ending too. There is something about monsoon. It makes me want to run away somewhere far, maybe Khasak, if it actually exists.
Last week I got completely drenched looking for a rickshaw back from work, took a cab and paid 4 times the normal fare and all this was after the first horrible day at work in my latest company.
I think I should quit and get back to studying. There are so many things waiting to be learned.
Clarity where art thou?
:))
I quit my old company. And that must be the best decision of the year. :)
I am so satisfied with my new job. My work is very much appreciated. And it involves so much brainstorming, so much creativity.
I have my weekends back! I am financially happier! This new place is honest, such a breath of fresh air.
There is so much to write about!
I am so satisfied with my new job. My work is very much appreciated. And it involves so much brainstorming, so much creativity.
I have my weekends back! I am financially happier! This new place is honest, such a breath of fresh air.
There is so much to write about!
:)
You've got your ball
You've got your chain
Tied to me tight tie me up again
Who's got their claws
In you my friend
Into your heart I'll beat again
Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock
And sweet you roll
Lost for you I'm so lost for you
You've got your chain
Tied to me tight tie me up again
Who's got their claws
In you my friend
Into your heart I'll beat again
Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock
And sweet you roll
Lost for you I'm so lost for you
And I come into you I come into you
In a boys dream
In a boys dream
Touch your lips just so I know
In your eyes, love, it glows so
I'm bare boned and crazy for you
When you come crash
Into me, baby
And I come into you
In a boys dream
In a boys dream
If I've gone overboard
Then I'm begging you
To forgive me
In my haste
When I'm holding you so girl
Close to me
In a boys dream
In a boys dream
Touch your lips just so I know
In your eyes, love, it glows so
I'm bare boned and crazy for you
When you come crash
Into me, baby
And I come into you
In a boys dream
In a boys dream
If I've gone overboard
Then I'm begging you
To forgive me
In my haste
When I'm holding you so girl
Close to me
*sigh*
~Dave Matthews Band
~Dave Matthews Band
Another death somewhere
What can be worse than dying?
Knowing that you are dying.
What can be worse than knowing that you are dying?
To know that you are already dead.
Knowing that you are dying.
What can be worse than knowing that you are dying?
To know that you are already dead.
Interview assignment
This was last year, an assignment for my Journalism class.
From an internship at Strategic Newspapers to handling the editorial section of Hindustan Times, Zara Murao has come a long way. Currently the Subeditor of Hindustan Times, she is working her way to the top. I spoke to Zara at her office in Mahim.
 |
| Zara at Hindustan Times headquarters in Mumbai |
What do you think of the current state of Indian Journalism?
I think there is too much stress on entertainment these days. It’s only about TRP's now. What is missing is actual information. The journalism world before, during the freedom era, had a lot of integrity. Now we have become this yuppie nation behaving like we are selling quality ice cream, it should look good, feel good. Real news is avoided because there is a fear of readers or viewers getting bored and switching over to the next newspaper or channel.
Describe a typical day in your life.
I work on the desk. My working hours are mostly from 1 to 10 pm. It’s pretty flexible. After coming to office I read some 5 or 7 newspapers. That takes a couple of hours. Then the rest of the day goes in planning the page, editing copies, and planning special features. The newspaper is put to bed by 11.30 pm.
What do you like and dislike about your job?
I like the pace, the speed. Everything is constantly moving about. It’s challenging to meet deadlines everyday. What I do not like about my job is that it’s very taxing. Your personal life has to take a back seat.
What are the common problems faced by a Sub Editor?
I can only think of two problems. First is that you have to get everything ready before the deadline, no matter what happens. Second is the lack of proper communication with reporters.
Who is your favorite journalist?
Indrajit Hazra. I love the way he blends politics and music and humor. He writes about serious stuff with a witty and sarcastic pen. And then politics is my best loved area.
What are your views on Yellow Journalism?
I think there will always be an audience for such type of news. It’s human nature to gossip. But it should be done in the right spirit. Like not giving out gossip as truth or presenting it as fact.
Is there any particular incident that you would like to share?
Yeah there was this funny incident. I had just started working and there was a copy I had to edit. The article was about annual IIT fees and instead of 1 Lakh I wrote 11 Lakhs! The copy was printed and we had to rectify the error later. I was miserable and wanted to quit as I thought I was not responsible enough for the job. In the end my entire team took me out for ice cream to cheer me up. That was the best part!
Tell us something about HT.
Hindustan Times has some of the best minds. They listen to you, no matter where you belong on the hierarchy. There is total democracy. You can march up to the boss and yell if you are angry. Believe me, that is a satisfying experience.
What do you like to do in your private time?
I love to travel. I love collecting stamps on my passport. I have been to Kenya, Finland, Egypt, Tibet, and Nepal. The best experience was in Finland. We went sledging and ice skating. I like trying out unusual cuisines. The weirdest thing I have had was Yak's testicles!
What will you like to tell budding reporters?
I would advise them to not be prejudiced. Always be ready to move with time. If you do not adjust you are likely to fall behind. Be open to ask questions, do not be ignorant. Do not be stubborn whether you like something or not. Do not be biased. It’s a very exciting and respected profession. You get to do interesting things and see interesting places.
-Kavita Mishra
-Kavita Mishra
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