Graveyard Shift- A Nightmare too much!

Jaaagte Rahoooo!!!! *whiiiissstttttlllllleeeee*
Thak...thak...thak...


When the rest of the world is getting disturbed by these tantrums of our watchmen...we at the Graveyard Shift our beating away the sleep by slapping ourselves while struggling with the ever jinxed machines!!!

Talking about machines, I just realised, maybe they need as much rest as we do. As in, our always efficient engineers keep telling us to shut down the edit machines for a few hours in a day to save them from crashing! Which is exactly what we humans need. To crash for a few hours in order to avoid screw ups at work :) . And here is the catch my friend! Where to find the time for everything?!?!?!?!?!?!

That's right! Almost all of us are running behind 'time' and well, literally so... I wonder yeh itna bhav kyun khata hai yaar? Probably the more you try and concentrate on being on time the less you concentrate on actually doing that'll help you to be on time. Guess it is getting a bit too confusing and if I continue I will definitely waste a lot of time!

So people, my heart goes out to all of you who live (read 'sleep') through night shifts and who've at one point or the other experienced the trauma. But I guess its life.. dont worry too much, chill a bit and neend aaye toh soo jaya karo yaar, phir kya ghar aur kya office ;). Its all about respecting the dream fairy!

Life is beautiful!

So this is how I started my day. Nourishing my eyes with a view of raining rhinos, trees outside my home as green as they could get and a spread of yellow flowers adding that much appreciated gloss to my car. Uhmm... did I mention that memory of a ruined, sleepless night was part of the list? Let me give you a brief backgrounder.

Divya after having a hectic day at work on Wednesday and reading the 'ever so confusing' novel finally decides to call it a day at 01.30 AM so that she's on cue for another hectic day ahead!
2.15 AM: The night shift editor calls!
Divya: (thinking to herself) Be patient... he might just be cross checking something if his luck is with him...anything more than that, then he's definitely had it from me.
Editor: (In a mood to irritate Divya as usual)... blah blah blah
Divya: Finally speaking her heart out and giving it to him... what he deserves... a bashing beyond explanation.
Editor: But... if... no no... am just saying... I'll do it.
20 mins later.
Divya: Goodbye and good night!
Mom: Who are you shouting at in the middle of the night??
Divya: Oh don't worry! Later. Good night

And now tossing and turning as at the end of the day, the editor was (unfortunately for me) successful in ruining my night :( And when finally the dream fairy blesses me with a beautiful dream... tring tring... and this time, its a colleague! Time? 6 AM!!!

Divya: What the f*ck is wrong with everyone?
And then in a couple of hours came the most beautiful moment of the day! And that's how I started my day.

Rightly said. Tomorrow is a new day (despite the terrible night). And if you start your day at a good note, you are bound to be happy throughout. And that's what happened. Reached office, brimming with efficiency and enthusiasm, finished the major part of my work in the first 2-3 hours. Of course the weather had a major contribution as I credit the good mood almost entirely to the beautiful weather.

And then comes colleague no. 2. Bursting with energy and always with a funny story up her sleeve.

Divya: I've got some work for you.
Colleague no. 2: Sure but first listen to this funny story... and then she goes on about a stoned autowallah and even more stoned passer by... in short her take on this blessed morning.
Both together: In splits!! Rolling on the floor... laughing of course.

And so the stage was set for an equally entertaining day ahead. And without going into any details... here are the highlights... high points rather:
1. We did what girls best do! We bitched people out. (Nay, I don't do that very often, but you see, there are some people who you have to bitch out! And I know a couple of them.)
2. The highest point, and well, literally so was this man on the roof top of a neighbouring office trying out various positions and points from where he can, perhaps, commit suicide!?!? Well have never seen a guy trying out such depressing poses otherwise. He went to the lower level then. Soon after actually. May god bless his soul! Well he took the stairs, in case you are thinking in the other direction. But yes, was quite amusing.

Thanks to him and other such funny creatures around my workplace, the day passed swiftly and was quite entertaining. And soon it was time to head home!

Truly said:
“A well-spent day brings happy sleep”
-Leonardo da Vinci
p.s> Looking forward to some... tonight!

WUTHERING HEIGHTS

By Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights is the tale of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, of their love, their hate, of their good times and the not so good times, their childhood and their youth, of their lives and their death. The story revolves around Earshaws, habitants of Wuthering Heights and their neighbours, the Lintons from Trushcross Grange.

The narrative is non-linear and the 2 narrators- Lockwood (tenant of Heathcliff at Trushcross Grange) and the house-maid, Ellen Dean keep going back and forth in time while narrating the story of the last 30 years or so. It's a novel told in a series of narratives, and interestingly, these narratives are themselves told to the narrator (Lockwood). The novel, at times slightly incomprehensible (Joseph's crap).

Not to be missed or misunderstood are the larger than life characters of the novel. Agreed, it's a work of fiction but Wuthering Heights in particular is more fiction than a fiction. Atleast, I couldn't identify with any character in the novel. Not even Ellen Dean for that matter. Though, many will argue that she was the most sane among others, but in my opinion, even she was no where close to being imaginable or real. Another remarkable thing is the author's style of writing in a 'detached' yet 'beautiful' manner. With the author's detailed description of the surroundings, they could very well be imagined and lived.

Something that definitely deserves a mention are the supernatural hints (presence of Catherine's ghost) thrown in and some questions that were left unanswered (Heathcliff's transformation to a gentleman and the source of his wealth). As far as the former is concerned, I believe the author took it a bit too far (even further from reality) and for the latter, I believe, all questions raised should better be answered by the author. Again, some may argue that such open-ended conclusions and unanswered questions give the readers a chance to form their own conclusions but I think differently.

Wuthering Heights was first published in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell. Later, the second edition was edited by Emily Bronte's sister Charlotte.

The Last Word:
An interesting read, thanks to an innovative narrative!

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

By J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye, covers a few important days in the life of the protagonist Holden Caulfield, a highly critical and depressed sixteen-year-old who academically flunked in 4 subjects out of 5 from the Pencey Prep boarding school.

While "recovering" in a sanitorium, Holden relates the events that occurred during three December days the previous year following his expulsion from the school. Within this part of the story, Holden frequently flashes back to experiences and people from earlier in his life.

Written in the first person, the narrator gives only 2 very subtle hints of him being in a sanitorium at the beginning and the end of the book. Although he is intelligent and sensitive, Holden narrates in a cynical voice. He finds the "phoniness" and ugliness of the world around him almost unbearable. And through means of alienation he tries to protect himself from the pain and disappointment of the adult world. Holden is also uncomfortable with his own weaknesses and at times he displays the same hypocrisy of the people he says he despises.

Another event which keeps reoccurring in the book is Holden's disdain for anything that takes away children's innocence. Like for instance, his favorite teacher, Mr. Antolini rubbing his head and when Holden tries to rub off some vulgar graffiti from the walls in his sister Phoebe's elementary school, a temple of learning and culture. Child exploitation is seen by Holden as another way how adults destroy childhood innocence. He admits being taken advantage of as a child by adults. Holden being a innocent (child) at heart, but trying hard to prove to everyone that he is an adult, takes it a bit too far.

One thing which was hard to digest was how much did he whine 'and all'. Its commendable how simply he described his frustration and insecurities.

INDIA UNBOUND: FROM INDEPENDENCE TO THE GLOBAL INFORMATION AGE

By Gurcharan Das

In India Unbound, the author, Gurcharan Das offers a ringside view of the economic and social transformation of India from independence to the new millennium. It is an account of the country's rise from poverty to prosperity.

The author begins his story from just before India gained its independence in 1947. He talks about Nehru's ''mixed economy'' (aimed at combining the best of socialism and capitalism) which he argues achieved democracy but ignored entrepreneurship and competition, resulting in an absence of industrial development (crucial to India's economic growth). The author says, though Nehru infected us with his idealism, he also reinforced our prejudice against businessmen and profit. Thus, we never learned about the virtues of entrepreneurship and competition. He continues through to the economic reforms of 1991 under Prime Minister Narsimha Rao who he labels a "reluctant liberalizer". Along the way, he talks at length about Indira Gandhi's License Raj, the Bombay Plan which showed Indian capitalists' willingness to accept "important limitations on the freedom of private enterprise" as well as the Green Revolution.

The author, in his account of events, includes almost everything that had an impact on India's post independence socio-economic history. At every chance, he sets the personal story of his family and ancestors in the larger context of history creating a detailed picture of Indian life. And that first hand account is what, I think, really brings the issues discussed to 'life'.

Nevertheless, the author remains optimistic that the future will be one of competition and decentralization, "thanks to our intellectual capital and the opportunities opened by technology and globalization." India, he writes, "will never have speed, but it will always have stamina."

Some interesting bits:
1. The account of battle between Alexander the Great and Raja Puru (Porus, in Greek) of Punjab...

2. Bazaar Power - Here, the author basically described his years in India as a marketing executive with a whole lot of management principles thrown in. He began his career at the Indian subsidiary of Vicks and rose to become head of its Indian company, Richardson Hindustan, in 1981, and eventually, a CEO at Proctor & Gamble. Soon after the economic reforms of the early 1990s, however, he left the company to become a journalist and writer. He is currently a venture capitalist and a consultant to industry and government.

3. A Million Reformers - The author discusses some general observations about the changing India from stray street encounters over the past five years. He gives a very interesting account of his encounters with fourteen-year-old Raju, who worked in a village cafe in Chennai and wanted to become another Bill Gates; twenty-year-old Sushila, who worked in a leather factory in Pondicherry and rattled off "Florsheim, Hogarth, Marks and Spencers", the names of her customers on being asked. She clearly knew the secret of success in the global economy- care for the customer.

All in all, very informative (the book was a pool of information), and a wholesome account of events. Though the account is in no chronological order, but in a way the in-depth analysis and real life connections drawn help in understanding it better.

India Unbound, Gurcharan Das writes, is "about the past, the present, and a certain vision of the future."

joie de vivre

Yes, you guessed it right. Credit for the new title 'joie de vivre' for this blog goes to my recent weekend getaway trip to Mcleodganj and Dharamshala. Don't remember for how long have I been wanting to visit that place and finally did make it. But ofcourse it wasn't that easy to get there. What with work dominating all aspects of my life...and narrowing it down to just one aspect- professional.

But on deeper analysis...it was definitely worth it. Yes, I had a good time...everyone was happy (it was a family trip) and if I had not taken those 3 days off from office (weekly off + extra), then I'd have ruined everyone's trip. And that was the last thing I wanted to do, what with me being informed by my folks like a month in advance to plan my work accordingly. But how can I ever explain it to them that the kind of work I do, I can never plan it that well in advance....there are always last minute screw ups...it's almost impossible to stay away from office for 2 days at a stretch leave alone 3 days... Anyways this blog is not about work...or I should say it's not just about work...it's about everything...about my life (no not the past or the future....just the present which is truly a gift!).

Well, for those not quite tuned in...I'm working with a TV channel which is a best place to be in for workaholics (read majdoor) and the worst place to be in for sophisticated and nerdy ppl and probably anyone and everyone who wants a balanced personal as well as professional life...cuz once you are here you are made to forget everything and I mean it everything else than work. And if someone can manage to have some personal life after working for 14-16 hours a day on an average then he/she is definitely worth appreciation.

Anyways I'm sure by now you must've realised that there is nothing particular I'm going to talk about here and more or less just faffing. So here is a chance to move on...and for the rest who are still reading...best of luck :P.

Well, I think I lost track somewhere...anyways enough cribbing about work...I honestly enjoy what I am doing...have no grudges whatsoever. So back to Dharamshala- Mcleodganj trip. Yea so, since I couldn't get an off on Saturday as the show I work on goes on air.. we hired a cab and left around 9:30 on Saturday night for Dharamshala...man it took us like a good 15 hours to reach that place (includes journey breaks and a diversion that we had to take because of a landslide). Which means it was almost Sunday afternoon and it took us another hour or so to find the place where we were supposed to stay-- an army cantt by the name of YOL Cantt. (Now here I have to tell you the interesting story about the cantt.-- YOL- Your Own Line... well, I dont know the exact and the full version but I was told that this cantt got the name YOL because during world war II when there was no place as Dharamshala and it was just a jungle with no habitation whatsoever...some Italian prisoners of war were dropped here from an airplane/helicopter and so the name 'Your Own Line'.) For more information kindly google!

Anyways coming back to where I left. So:
Day 1: Sunday afternoon-- Driver decided since he drove all night he will not go anywhere after this (after we reached YOL cantt)...though i threw my charm and suggested, "bhaiya abhi thoda rest kar li jiye shaam ko agar theek lage aapko to kahin chalenge aas paas...". But the answer was ofcourse a straight and clear cut "nahin- aaj main kahin nahin jaoonga..." There goes waste the first day...why did we ever leave at night and spoilt our sleep if it was to be wasted like this... *frustration*. Anyways this paved way to spending some quality time with folks...went out for a stroll with brother and bhabhi in the evening and played cards till late that night with mom and dad and everyone...and ofcourse not to miss the tasty food from the army mess added to the fun. So all in all not bad.

Day 2: Monday-- Started early all set to rock...no no rock climbing :( it was a family trip...anyways so headed straight to mcleodganj...all happy and excited...and guess who was giving us company?? Dalai Lama himself was there to welcome us :D... Well so we obliged him by arriving in the middle of his teachings... Though didn't get a word of what he was teaching or preaching but yes could see a lot of devotion on the faces of people there...sitting patiently in pin drop silence and listening to him....

Anyways that was that...some shopping from the Tibetan market and lunch...and by this time we were in the midst of clouds. Simply Beautiful!! Post this we went to see Dall lake...which wasn't such a great place but ofcourse it started raining and the garam garam chai made it a blessing!!! And so since we had exhausted all worth seeing places leaving out a couple of temples...everyone was pretty much ready to go back to the Army Mess and call it a day... But since there were teachings going on in the monastery when we visited it... I didn't really get a feel of it and enjoy it, I decided we should go back to Mcleodganj if they had no plans to bring me here again the next day (as everyone was planning to leave by noon the next day). And so we went...and that's when the below pic was taken along with a few more. A bit more of shopping and I was satisfied. We came back to the guest house and exhausted enough...everyone slept early...except me...I think I am a bit over enthusiatic when it comes to things like these...
A day well utilised...

Day 3: Everyone got up early and since we had nothing much to do except to eat, get ready and leave by noon...we decided to play cards for sometime...once we got bored of it we got ready and left around 12:30 pm from YOL Cantt...
Just for fun sake me and my bhabhi started talking about how we should have bought 'stuff' from Mcleodganj and so on...listening to which our driver got psyched and definitely got some wrong ideas (you'll know what I mean as you read on)... hehehe :)
Anyways on our way down the hill we came across a water fall....crystal clear water...and this became the best part of the entire trip. We got down from the car and spent like a good 1 hour there...that was real fun!!! And when we were leaving that place and going towards our car...there was this bunch of kids probably from a nearby village who were so happy to see us that they wouldn't stop waving at us..."didi, didi, bye bye..." Such cute kids!!!

So, when we reached our car parked at a distance...the driver was doing something which I really didn't understand at first and just joked..."bhabhi, see he's taking out some weed". And so it turned he actually found some of those plants nearby...by the end of it he had enough for one joint...as told by him...and I was amazed!! Amazed at the way he did it...and they way he was boasting about it. Anyways so we moved on from there and at one point somewhere in Punjab he showed us those plants again and stopped and prepared some for us (again enough for one joint as told by him)... but ofcourse I never touched that thing again after that day...what was intriguing and interesting was the way he took it out from those plants...that gave us like more than 'called for' excitement...

We reached back home around 3:30 Am the next day. Slept as soon as I reached and was in office by 9 Am the same morning...back to that grilling...

But hey that's joie de vivre!!

P.S> Forgot to mention the highlights of the trip:

• Dog lying in the midst of a meditation session of monks (refer to the post below)
• Stopover at a waterfall in the middle of nowhere
• Learning how to gather weed
• Amazing chai at roadside dhabas

By the way there were 3 other guesses for what's the dog doing in between the 2 sets of monks sitting and meditating facing each other, apart from the comments (refer to the previous post):

• The dog is unconscious and these people are about to kill him for god knows what reason so they are just reciting some prayers before that...
• The dog is already dead and so they are praying so that his soul rests in peace... hahaha :D

Anyways, the correct answer as told by another monk present there is that this dog finds a lot of peace while these monks recite their prayers and meditate so he usually comes and sleeps in between the two groups whenever it happens...surprisingly he got up right on time to get his picture clicked by me!! he's definitely looking at the camera while I took that picture and so are a few other monks if you noticed :P

Phew! that was some explanation!!

May the best guess win!!!

Mcleodganj

What do you think is happening here???

Of course there is a prize for the right guess.

Coming up next: More on Dharamshala and Mcleodganj!!!