I’m twenty-something. I live alone, and have a decent income.
I still hate shopping. And I don’t mean navigating crowded streets and striding through stacks of flashy clothes. That I kind of enjoy. But what I hate is “shopping”. Online, on mobile, offline — I hate ’em all.
Because shopping is over rated and has way too many choices. You might have heard of the paradox of choice: the more choices you have, the more problems you have.
And that’s my problem. I can’t bear to think that there are hundreds of different types of — everything.
It happens all the time. I walk into a store thinking about jeans. And what do I see?
Denim jeans, pencil jeans (is that a real thing, or am I just being Indian?), straight fit, slim fit, stretch jeans, torn jeans, faded jeans, cotton pants, maxis, knee-length pants, bell-bottomed pants, and more on a list of never-ending pants.
All that, in one store. After seeing that, I walk out thinking I can manage for at least another couple of months with the pairs of jeans I already own.
Sometimes, when I feel brave, I go through every type of jeans and pants in the store — for about an hour or so — only to realize, nothing fits my style or my size. And I’d leave hating myself. That’s enough to keep me away from shopping malls for a few months, before someone starts commenting on my dressing. Again.
It’s a vicious circle. But it’s only vicious when you’re looking to spend.
Sometimes, towards the end of the month, I go out shopping. Just for the fun of it. I carry just the amount I’d need for essential getting-around, and go shopping.
I look through windows. But I also walk into some stores and lace through the smooth fabric, take in the glow of new clothes, enjoy a silent joke at the woman who sneaked in more than three outfits into the dressing room, and roll my eyes at the price tags.
And then I get out for an ice cream. I prefer dark chocolate. But that’s a rare find, and I’d find all these other flavours I might like. Like chocolate, chocolate & vanilla, chocolate with chocolate chips, double chocolate, death by chocolate, chocolate & coffee, white chocolate, and a more chocolaty goodness.
By the time I finish reading the options, I’d have made my decision. I’d go straight home, switch on Friends and never leave my bed.
It was 2 pm at the office, and everyone was busy staring into their computer screens. On one corner were a few Windows users sitting by the window, sneaking glances down at the barren streets; anything is distraction. On another corner were the few Mac users, caressing their fingers over delicate keys. They all knew the value of metal, the value of technology.
Time crept away. From 2 pm, to 2.30, and 3.30 and then at last, 4.00 pm.
Like a bunch of young girls hypnotized by a famous boy band, they rose from their places. It was time to take a break from the monitors. They grabbed their smartphones instead and headed towards the pantry for a cup of coffee and something to munch on. Some of them queued up, while some others hung around in the pantry, all of them checking their phones for updates from friends, colleagues and loved ones.
Ah ha. There’s a funny video a colleague had shared — they hit Like and moved a step closer to the vending machine.
In walked a maintenance staff, her arms laden with a tray of steamy samosas. As soon as the scent spread across the pantry, everyone darted their eyes from their mobiles just in time to crowd around the snack tray. They all grabbed a samosa — or two — and stepped back, with a questioning glance at the staff. She stared back, nonplussed, and in complete wonder.
As more and more people turned a glaring eye at her, she grew visibly uncomfortable. One young man decided to ask, “Sauce?”
Oh, right! She hit herself on the head and rushed out of the pantry. The young man and many others shook their heads in exasperation. With the few minutes’ break they had, the delays!
Seconds went by, but the maintenance staff didn’t return. People began shuffling their feet in restless abandon. Some even snorted and left the pantry staring into their handphones. They only just managed to go through the door frame without colliding into it.
Of the few who remained however, was a girl who, remembering something, rushed out the pantry in a hurry. The others stared at the new girl who had just run off. These kids nowadays, had no sense at all. They waited around, their patience ebbing away.
As more of them decided to leave, the new girl strode back into the pantry, head held high and a bottle of ketchup in her hand. She poured herself a generous splash and handed the bottle around.
Not sure how to react, some of the seniors stared at her, while more and more people decided to take the ketchup. Bit by bit, the bottle emptied and everyone had had their share. The tension within the clutter had reduced as the bottle went around, and they began talking.
“So, what’s your name?”
“Where are you from?”
“Really? That’s where I live. You know Mr. Weatherby?”
“Who’s your team leader?”
“Oh, pity you. I heard he is a tough boss.”
“Hey, where did you learn design?”
Soon, they all knew each other. Someone cracked a joke, and the rest of the party threw their heads back laughing, when the maintenance staff returned with a fresh bottle of ketchup. Out of breath, she apologized and said something about running short of stock.
Curious, they all turned to the new girl. A little red in the cheeks, she explained that she had bought that bottle of ketchup to bring home with her.
They all turned to look at the almost-empty bottle. Everyone felt the gratitude, but no one knew how to convey it.
And then the young man saw it. A little label on the bottle. Something about buying seeds online. He pulled out his smartphone from his pocket, and did a quick search.
After a few moments of confused silence, he handed his smartphone to the rest of the group. As they all peered into the screen, they saw that the ketchup brand had a new campaign that let them buy tomato seeds online. As one, they all knew what to do. The young man placed an order at once.
When they all met again at the pantry, the young man had a tiny box-ful of seeds. He handed them to the new girl. He said it was on behalf of everyone.
Flushing a little, she accepted the gift. On one condition, she said. She told them about her plan. Together, they moved towards the window and peered down at the brown soil around their building.
The HR in the group promised to get clearance and permission. Something good was about to happen.
—
Life went on. Day in and day out, they all clocked in, and clocked out. Like machines, staring into machines, serving machines.
But exactly at 4.00 pm everyday, they bloomed into a group of friends. Over a cup of coffee, and oily samosas coated with fresh tomato ketchup.
And the tomato seedlings grew on. Into trees that would last the test of time.
This post is for a campaign by Kissan India about #RealTogetherness.
Every day at work, I see people with their heads together over a cup of tea and a snack. I wasn’t sure how to connect nature and ketchup, until this scene popped into my head. If joining hands for the greater good isn’t real togetherness, I don’t know what is!
Sometimes we have the habit of volunteering for sadness. That’s how I watched this movie.
This is not the kind of movie you’d watch on a lazy Saturday afternoon with the best tasting food on one side and some bitter beer on the other. It’s far from a romantic comedy that would help you relax and probably fall into a deep sleep.
It’s not the kind of movie you’d watch in the theatre, or on a chilly Friday night, with friends looking for adventure.
This is one of those good movies that tug at your heartstrings and make you feel bad about yourself.
It makes you hate yourself — it’s one of those movies people say would change the way you see the world.
True that; it does. But it also makes you realize how evil we are as humans.
The story is of three friends who are a part of the National Donor Program. A program that raises children in isolation, monitors everything from their food intake to their life choices, and ensures they are healthy enough — until they are old enough to fulfill their purpose. Their purpose: to donate vital organs to save the lives of people they’d never meet.
Every donor goes through multiple donations until they complete — or die, in simple terms. Some complete after four donations, but most do sooner than that.
‘Never let me go’ is the story of Tommy, Kathy and Ruth – three youngsters who fall in love with themselves and then into life’s greedy hands.
This movie will leave you miserable. The music – the violin solo – will painfully clench your heart and will render you speechless.
I’ve been a little behind the times lately; I almost missed to accept the Versatile Blogger award. Ha, will happen never again!
It’s all thanks to Cel who nominated me for this award. Sorry, I didn’t do this sooner Cel, and I will take that challenge as well. Just give me some time ;)
So another award! I just realized how great it feels to be recognized as a part of the blogosphere; sometimes I can’t help but feel like just a negligible speck in such a vast space.
Anyhow, the rules:
Thank the person who gave you this award – Yup, done that.
Include a link to their blog – that too.
Nominate 15 deserving bloggers you discovered recently for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site – 15, huh?
Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself – get ready Cel!
Me:
I love coffee, but I drink tea as much as coffee. That makes me a double addict!
I almost always eat healthy – and often top it with a piece (or two) of chocolate.
I don’t like pizza – I can take a piece or two, but certainly not more than that. And I’m not a fan of cheese either. Yes, you read right.
I love road trips. And I hate having to reach a destination; I’d rather keep going.
I so badly want to go on a solo trip, but my sense of direction is pathetic and sadly my parents know that.
I just recently realized how much it hurts to hold a DSLR for long at a stretch.
I love trekking.
So, there you have it! Hope it’s random enough.
I nominate:
Catherine – Leaf and Twig – Have you ever felt like hitting that Like button a thousand times? That’s how I feel about Catherine’s work. It’s pity she’s disabled Likes. But I enjoy every post; she never ceases to thrill.
Lucas – Through Open Lens – It’s always great to see the world through someone else’s point of view. And with someone like Lucas, you also get to enjoy a funny one-liner and an interesting fact. Classy!
Meisaan – Curving toward the center – Home to some of the best haiku I’ve ever read! And she picks the greatest accompaniment photos!
Quail – Butterfly Sand – A friendly voice in the neighborhood. From shady quips and daily quips to poetry and short stories, she’s like the fun aunt whose advice I’d really listen to.
Sue – WordsVisual – Sue’s up to some great photography and poetry. That’s one killer of a combination; you wouldn’t want to miss that.
I’m a known rule-breaker, so there goes the ‘nominate 15 bloggers’ rule. I follow plenty of awesome bloggers – you know who you are, and you’re all awesome. Unfortunately, most of you don’t accept awards.
Anyway, it’s been great fun blogging with you guys. Stick around, and let’s keep sharing stories.
I’m a huge Friends fan, and I had to look no further for some weekend humour and advice. Here’s something I’ve always loved about the show: Phoebe Buffay. There’s also Joey. Chandler, Monica, Ross and Rachel, but Phoebe has something more.
She is an original character with whom anyone can so easily relate to. On countless occasions, I’ve felt myself silently screaming, “I’ve done that too!”
“You know, I mean, didn’t you ever run so fast you thought your legs were going to fall off? You know, when you were like running toward the swings… or running away from Satan?”
“The neighbour’s dog!”
The greatest lesson from Phoebe: be spontaneous. It’s more of “you”.
The Chaos Within 