She came to a wheezing halt. It was minutes away from midnight.
Would he show up today?
Each day, Brownie the Alsatian would wait for the master who had left without saying goodbye — five years ago.
Another one for the collection, Flash Fiction.
Tag: friends
What I’ve Learnt From Eating Alone
I eat alone. Not only because I’m comfortable with it, but also because no one else is comfortable with my schedule.
Breakfast at 6 am. Lunch at noon. Dinner at 7 pm.
From where I come, that’s insane. But that’s how I am, and I don’t expect anyone to comply with my schedule either. I’m perfectly fine with eating alone.
I’ve been following this schedule for some time now, and have come across a lot fine myths about fine-dining.
People’s natural reaction towards lone-diners is that they are lonely and depressed. Some people even go as far as giving lone-eaters some company, believing they’re doing us a favor.
But here’s the truth: eating alone is a cherished art.
When I started, I was a little self-conscious. I was uncomfortably aware of what I was eating, and sometimes the food felt really squishy in my mouth — a sensation that had nothing to do with the food.
As time went by though, I became more confident. Yes, people do raise eyebrows and concerned looks, but it doesn’t bother me anymore. Because I’m too involved in my meal.
Eating alone, I’ve noticed a few changes in myself and my eating habits.
- I now eat slower and more mindful than I used to. This is odd, because people usually say you eat faster when you’re alone. I look at my plate, take in the meal, and then taste it. And as I eat, I sometimes try to figure out the ingredients and the preparation of the gravies. Since I make my dinner, I like to try out new stuff.
- I eat my full. Another paradox. I’ve seen in a diet article, they recommended eating alone because the anxiousness makes you eat less. I successfully busted this myth. I indulge in my meals, and being alone only gives me more freedom to spend time on myself.
- No one to satisfy. With only myself at the table, I don’t have to engage in conversations and other social niceties. I can focus on what matters most, and be rid of the compulsive need to agree, or provide an opinion in discussions I hardly care.
- What table manners? You know that awkward moment when you’ve just finished a great meal, and all you want to do is lick the remains off your plate, but you’re worried what your fellow dinners might think? Well, I don’t have to worry about that at all! And it’s the best part of a meal; savouring the last.
There’s something much more important than these though. For the first time in my life, I was appreciating what I ate. This would never happen if I were surrounded by a bunch of over-excited people talking about the latest movie.
I learnt to appreciate the art of cooking and the science of blending flavors. South Indian cuisine thrives on a combination spices and, here I was, experiencing it all by myself.
Nothing can compare to the thrill of it. Anyone here who’s a lone-eater?
Play Terms
“That’s it — we’re done.”
“No, we’re not,” — Defiance, the only solace of the weak.
“Yes we are. I’m leaving and I’m taking her. Goodbye.” She turned to leave.
“No — wait. Please, give me another chance. Please?”
“You do this every day — I can’t take it anymore.” She folded her hands across her chest, waiting to hear the apology again.
“I won’t do it again!” — The hysterical plea. “I promise, don’t go.”
Heaving dramatically, she sternly added, “Alright. But if you pull out my doll’s hairs again, I’m taking her away, and we’ll never be friends again.”
Dialogues are fun; you hardly know where you’re going until you’ve read it whole. Just over a year ago, there was a Weekly Writing Challenge for dialogue. I liked the idea but couldn’t think of anything to write then — I suddenly remembered it and took it up for today.
Oh, Fandoms!
I love Pinterest. Because it fuels my multiple fandom needs. Facebook – well, not so much. Because that takes it all a little too far.
What is with fandoms that makes the hair in my neck stand erect, in utmost attention? And what is that feeling that leaves my spine tingling? Even I know it’s not that cold where I live. It’s the feeling of being satisfied by an image, a quote, a photo or a simple not-so-exact reference to a popular fandom.
I love BBC’s Sherlock. And the Backstreet Boys, Westlife, Harry Potter, Friends, The Big Bang Theory – the list goes on.
When I see a photo of Benedict Cumberbatch on a Facebook page I’ve liked, it makes me smile. It reminds me of Sherlock’s wit and Benedict’s acting. But I’d like to leave it that way. Simple.
Nowadays though, all I see are posts of Benedict’s photos with captions of how handsome he is, describing him as a cutie-pie, or a cherry blossom – or whatever crap.
And that’s annoying.
Admins of these pages use my interest in the show to manipulate me into ‘liking’ posts and even believing stuff my sane-self knows to be bull shit.
Something similar happened with the BSB – troll posts and all other fake people posting from their name – social networks became painful. It’s like they have to do whatever it takes to entertain their fans – even if it means stripping themselves naked. It all feels wrong and immature – perhaps it’s just me – but I don’t want to spend my day staring at old photos of the BSB, following them to recordings, sharing a vehicle, selfies or meals. That doesn’t mean I don’t like the BSB but I’d rather sit home enjoying some of their greatest music.
Using the natural affection for someone, or something seems to me like a cheap way of earning bucks. It’s like porn – the more you see this stuff, the more addicted you get and the higher the chances you participate in that fandom. Isn’t that the lowest level of insult possible?
I respect my fandoms enough to know where to draw the line.
National Blog Posting Month – #Day4
What I Learnt From Helping People
I’ve been a WordPress member for 2 years now, though I haven’t been blogging or taking active part in the forums for that long.
Ever since I started reading the forums and replying, I’ve enjoyed it so much that it’s like a way of getting high. Nope, I’m not exaggerating, but it’s so satisfying to see someone walk away (!?) with whatever little help you offered. It’s such a peaceful feeling.
A couple of days ago, I went through the threads I had replied to about 4 months ago, and it definitely made me smile. To see people succeeding in doing something for themselves — wow it was inexplicable joy. But more than that, I was proud of myself. I was proud that the knowledge I had gained from blogging on WordPress has really helped some else blog better.
And, I was getting better at relationships!
I hate to get involved in communities offline. I get claustrophobic whenever I’m in a large crowd of people, particularly around friends of friends. Strangers, I don’t mind — but people who could be potential acquaintances — that’s a scary moment for me. I get scared at having to live in some one else’s shadow. That awkward feeling when you are with a bunch of people you partly know, only because you have a mutual friend? What happens if the friend suddenly moves away, and you’re left alone with these people?
I know — that’s my chance to make friends of my own — but it’s a bit awkward. At least for the first few times. I tend to take some time with people.
But all these changed online. The forums really helped me interact with people easily, and without making a fool out of myself.
Well, I did make a fool out of myself once or twice — or more, but the thing is, no one seemed to think that way. Besides, even if they did, no one comments on it, or makes it a big issue. After all, we all make mistakes and we need to learn somehow.
From chipping in at the WordPress Forums, I learnt the details of a few features that I use myself. Not to mention how much I enjoyed being a part of the WP community.
Also, I learnt how awesome the internet is.
National Blog Posting Month – #Day2
The Chaos Within 