Crossed over

Today marks the beginning of a new mode of book purchases for me. From today on, I have decided to push most of my book purchases through Flipkart. I have done few transactions through them and loved their service. So that brings to an end a long and cherished association with Crossword. I would still pay them a visit every now and then, but loyalties have changed.

Wall

I have a new addition to my room wall

Dedication: Coldplay

I is he

He could be the artist

who got up to turn dreams into reality,

A job and money to live and

skipping an obsession-a-week to kill boredom, is that him?

Is he the one with flag and

a cause to change the world

or is he the one with a crazy idea and long hair,

the one who didn't give a damn

Examples and inspiration in abundance,

my search for answers and myself

returned a no donut for you

and the journey continues...

The Abandoned Road

As rubber hit the road,

for a trip down the road abandoned,

a smile here and few words there is all it took to start,

a journey towards discovering an old feeling.

I was back in world of magic,

where every moment was filled with excitement and expectation,

where difference between reality and dreams seem to blur,

where small was significant.

Your presence seemed to make it worth everything,

it made past irrelevant and future out of context,

all I was living was now and

I wish this moment was life.

Something inside me called out -

We think in dreams but live in reality.

Every thought of yours brought with it a mirror and a magnifying glass,

I was romancing a thought, while you stood alongside.

Someone inside me reminded -

Words of love have to be paid with pain,

I am bankrupt, and all I can afford is silence,

I let go of the promised land for the status quo.

As rubber hit the road,

for a trip down the road abandoned,

few memories here and possibility there ended

the journey to bring me back to this old world

and the road remains abandoned.

-Rake Thinker

T tales - 1

Some of the most insightful conversations I have had are with Autowallahs. They are smart and give the aam admi perspective on most issues.

When I was bullish about TDP chances in the recent election, many auto guys recounted tales of progress under Congress. Most of the instances they gave were standard propaganda material, but as it turned out that is how aam admi thought. They have talked to me about the city, people and other issues. Most of these thoughts are raw, blunt and true. They talk to you, tell you what they think. It is always a delight to have such a talk.

Couple of days back, I got into an Auto to Railway station for my return journey. I generally asked him, given that it was Sunday if he had more customers. He told me how his business did not run on days but on people coming in to the city - the visitors.

He continued "Hyderabad ke loga kahan ghoom te saab, office jaa te ghar aa ke TV dekhte." Somehow his argument did make some sense to me.

He continued on how the last 4 months have been the worst with his income going down by 50% from around 500-600 to 200-300. I was wondering if it was a coincidence or is he referring to the T-movement. To confirm I asked him innocently if it was because of the T-movement.

"Nahi toh kya saab, koi abhi Hyderabad nahi aa raha" He went on to tell me how small businesses are suffering. He continued "Hum bhi toh Telangana ke hai, humare yea saare paise kaun dega saab? Uske kya jaa raha, uske party mein saare leadera jo hai, uske khandan ke hai, itna paisa kamaye Telangana ke naam pe, humare pet pe laat maar raha. Telangana aaya toh bhi humare auto wale ko kya milta saab"

After his monologue I was left wondering if T happens- what will I get?

What matters now ? - Youth Factor!

There is something common to all the people who have brought about great change in the world. These are people

who question status-quo,

who dare to dream different,

who follow their passion irrespective of the support they got,

who have great energy to achieve their goal,

who are inquisitive to learn, experiment and experience.

This is ideal or natural state of youth and something most of us lose out on as we grow old and hence this is something I term Youth Factor. I think that is what matters now, to preserve and nurture that youth factor in every young person.

Post is inspired by the e-book put together by Seth Godin answering the above question . What is your answer?

Looking back

Days, dates, anniversaries serve their own purpose. To remind you of the person you were and discover the person you are. They give you a reference point for comparison. It is also sometimes an occasion to realize how few things still mean as much, how your priorities haven't/have changed. Other times the energy, excitement and feeling were special and are just worth reliving. A smile here, tear there, hope here, cynicism there, I wait for another day and date.

Dedicated to a month which is filled with moments and occasions. Dedicated to a friend who shares similar emotions for this month.