Tag: people

Of Watching People

Cheryle Strayed

I agree with the woman. I recently realized how much people-watching inspires me. I conjure up stories based on characters I observe. The way people walk, the way they react in social situations. Sometimes it’s funny, but most times it’s interesting to observe and try to guess what’s going on in people’s minds. They all have different lives and different ways of responding to pressure and personal issues.

People-watching teaches you how not to react, and behave in public. Because it’s only when you see other people, that you understand how you might appear to others in similar situations.

Observing other people gives a lot of insight into ourselves. Don’t you think?

The Game, Is On

The game is on

What is it like to successfully help the government on a top-secret mission for years, and then be sentenced by the very same government?

What is it like to be forced into suicide, and have all your achievements kept secret for over 50 years?

Benedict Cumberbatch will give you a vivid image. In The Imitation Game.

What if machines couldn’t think — ? Well, the world wouldn’t be what it is today, that’s for certain.

Once again, I was stunned into silence by Cumberbatch’s performance on screen. But this time, it wasn’t only him.

Powerful, aren’t they? Words?

Every conversation goes deep into your soul, and makes you question yourself.

Why do people enjoy violence?

What is normal?

Why do people conform to normality, and punish those who aren’t?

What is indecency?

What’s a better marriage?

If you’re looking for answers, then the movie isn’t for you.

There are no answers in the movie. But you will find yourself wondering about everything society has ever taught you about normal. And that, can keep you awake for hours into the night.

I’m at a loss for what to say without quoting the entire script here. I enjoyed this movie like no other, and after a long time too.

Keira Knightley was beautiful. Which is not much a surprise. But what is, is that both Keira and Benedict had a wonderful chemistry on screen. A chemistry with the absence of fleeting passion and rapid breathing.

You don’t often see love depicted as in this movie. It’s both sad and nice, that two people who are so unlikely for each other, are perhaps best suited together.

“We’ll have each other’s minds. That sounds like a better marriage than most.”

For some reason, I could see a lot of resemblance to the Benedict’s characterisation of Alan Turing and Sherlock.

Arrogance. Soft chuckles. Total loss of sociability.

And, The Game.

You need to watch this movie, alone. To understand, to revere, and to appreciate the power of simple words.

And some badass acting.

The Gift

The neatly wrapped box sat atop a pile of garbage.

A heavily ragged man emerged from a nearby alley, limped purposefully towards the trash can, picked up the wrapped box and walked away mutely. As he did everyday.

Halfway around the city, on a pile of trash, sat another box.

A short story in 50 words. What do you guys think?

The Plan

After all the hype and all the changes in schedule, the weather forecast turned out to be completely wrong. Today’s Author

He re-read the schedule. Everything had to be perfect. Everyone had to obey orders. All had to go as planned.

He didn’t waver even when — without warning —  it started to snow. The others rejoiced, but he knew the plan had to go on. A lot was at stake.

“All right kids,” he called aloud. “Nothing’s stopping us.”

They looked at each other, mutely.

“Let’s do this!”

And he led the group to their deaths.

To Do or Not to Do

paulo coelho - university
I know a lot of people who regret not getting a college degree. It’s hard to not feel bad too, because all anyone’s ever talking about is what you do after high school, and after the first degree. Somehow, people have taken a liking to the idea of children living off their parents.
In India, in particular, parents are proud to spend for their child’s education – for as long as they want to study. Even though education has become one of the highest earning businesses in India, they hardly accept the futility of a degree.
So for everyone who regrets not getting a degree, Paulo Coelho has said it well. Besides, the world already has too many engineers, what it needs now is artists.