Tag: people

Rediscovering Wheels

Remember the time when the Internet was loaded with teasers like, ‘when are you going to start living?’ and ‘when was the last time you did something for the first time?’ ?(love that, by the way)

Well, today I did something for the first time — in about 10 years. It’s not as noteworthy as ‘I broke my brother’s toy car and ran before he could catch me,’ or anything fancy like ‘I paraglided without hugging on to the back of an instructor,’ — but mine is pretty special too.

I rode a bike.

Or as I’d rather say, I rediscovered wheels! Oh, and the joy of it! It was an unforgetable thrill to ride on as the wind pushed me opposite the direction in which I pedaled. Still, it felt so good to experience the rush of adrenaline through my veins and the sweat tracing my forehead.

I hadn’t got on a bike for ages. And I was a little worried about making a fool of myself. That’s why I chose the early morning to try it out — when there would be fewer people to see me picking up the bike from the ground.

Anyway, after a couple of falls and plenty of curvy and insecure twists, I managed to look straight and align my arms with the bike’s handle bars.

And then there was no looking back. I went round and round. I realized my love for riding. And I didn’t want to stop. My mouth opened in laughter — in spite of myself. The people around spoke to themselves, some smiled and some even waved. And I managed to wave back without falling!

Now this is a day worth remembering. Or capturing!

rediscovering wheels

The Man

For the past few weeks, I’ve been reading Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The original play in full. And it’s given me moments of solitary pleasure and bliss like none other.

A long time ago, I read a simplified version of the play, and I thought it was just too cinematical. It felt like watching an old movie with a plot that’s been beaten to boredom.

But when I read the play now, I realize how wrong I had been. The story isn’t new, yes, except that everything about it feels new. Shakespeare’s use of words, his insults, his puns and vivid descriptions make Hamlet such an interesting read.

And no one makes imaginary characters utter advice and words of wisdom like Shakespeare does. I’ve found a new respect towards the man. He’s The Man.

And here’s a little titbit.

“Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works”

Pure genius, huh? I know!

Reworking

reworking

We think much and scrutinize on details. We’re always poring over our work with such intense repetition, until we often get lost in it.

It’s satisfying – to turn over and look at your own work, with pride swelling within your chest. It’s gratifying — to know that your work is worthy of recognition.

But to get there, we need to peer at our work. Sometimes we ask others to look into it, all the while pondering on that word choice or the particular shade of blue. Something stronger? Bold, perhaps?

It’s natural. We’re engineered that way — to rework and to reconsider. To recycle, rewrite, to recommission. And recommend.

But that thirst for precision, that repetitive craving to improve could also become our downfall. Because the longer we work on something, the more accustomed to it we get. Repetition breeds expertise. At the expense of a mundane life.

Remember the thrill of learning crocheting? The details! The scrutiny, the absolution at every twist of the fingers — everything about it filled you with excitement and anticipation. It was the perfect summer course.

But then, imagine having to do that everyday for the rest of your life.

We’d still be looking for that precision, but now it’ll be pronounced. We’d be so used to redoing that we’d be redoing just for the sake of redoing and not for the thrill that it once was.

And therein lies the risk of repetition.

Crafting A Dream City

Cristian

I’ve been following Cristian’s blog for a while and I feel guilty each time I read one of his posts. Because though I’ve had his book on my kindle for a long time, I’ve never read it.

I should have read it sooner.

The one constant in the story is Cristian’s voice. He kept seeping through the words. There were either sentences he often uses in his posts or thoughts that every writer could relate to. The story itself is about artists, art and the consequences of choosing art.

I loved the story. And the main reason: simple words ringing hard in your ears. This book lingers.

“But the truth is, what doesn’t kill you makes you wish it did.” – Cristian Mihai, Dream City

This is Cristian. Every syllable of that line screams Cristian. And it’s more; it’s every artist. And it was gripping that in many places, I felt the protagonist and Cristian interchange. Not just him, I felt myself intermingle with the protagonist too. Because the characters speak to you, and you suddenly realize their life is your life.

The author knows the pain of being an artist, and he translates the emotion with so much art.

Dream City

That’s it. The essence of everything we do.