Can We Just Get Over The Madness Already?

Call me a retard, but there has to be some sort of respite from the ongoing gaga over retirement of Sachin Tendulkar. I mean seriously, there has to be some sort of a limit to everything. I look at the news papers, you have 2-3 sheets which talk about him retiring, never seen before stats, never heard before quotes and not to mention the kind of farewell that is being put in place for him; I log on to my Facebook, twitter- the epidemic prevails there too.
 

So, what is the big deal about him retiring, everything ceases sooner or later, everyone has to hang his boots some or the other day, one cannot go on to enthrall people throughout his life. I have nothing against Sachin, no not a thing, in fact I believe him to be the greatest cricketer of all time who has nourished the bowlers like no other batsmen, who has played shots that would have been possible only from his bat, and needless to speak about the records that he has under his belt.

Everyone seems to be taking pleasure in discussing and betting on the no. of runs he is going to score in his farewell test, had they been so keen towards their life miracles would happen every other day.

  

I mean people have made cricket their religion ever since it has come into life and cricketers their demi-gods, and this madness has etched so deep into their brain that other sports are just passing clouds for us. We have legends and world champions in other games too, but they hardly get any attention as cricket is what everyone has on their mind.

In spite of players not scoring well, losing matches in a streak, scandals and controversies the madness still prevails as the like some kind of incurable epidemic. As harsh as it sounds if at all anyone should be looking at the stats they have to be stats from the past years Olympics and Soccer, no wonder we couldn’t host Olympics nor Soccer the two greatest spectacles on this planet. What a pity that a country with over a 100 million population couldn’t host the two most sought after spectacles in other parts of the world.

I have known people who would watch a test match day after day and ball after ball munching nachos and popcorn, now what would that fetch them apart from a couple of pounds to their belly fat? Seriously, there has to be an end to this madness. I know writing about this would only fetch brick-bats, and this write up would be touted as “we don’t care what you say” write up.

In all honesty I have nothing against cricket and not to mention Sachin. But, what I couldn’t get over is the kind of hype that has been doing rounds ever since he has decided to call it a day! 

As, I said other games have legends too, no one received this grand farewell or hype when they hung up their boots. Imagine the kind of good that the money spent on one man could do to a all those people who cannot quench at least their thirst and work day and night to make their family’s ends meet.

If anyone should be blamed I think it should be the not-so governed government, had it (government) paid a tad attention to other sports, this epidemic would have been eradicated long ago. Also, cricket in India has turned in to a religion and opium of masses if you will, and, they- cricketers are used to and enjoy the cult following!

The Free Advise Paradox!

It has been quite some time that I have written something for my always-thirsty blog, and here I am now quenching its thirst. I have been pondering on the way people advise people, and I somehow had the urge to colour my thoughts by penning them down. 

Most of us might have gone through that phase of life where we had to play the advise seeker role, regardless of the outcome the advise produced, if at all it was put in to play. But, has it ever occurred to you that most of the time you ending up on the giving end instead of the receiving end. “Glass Shatters”

Now that the glass has shattered, most of you might have realized that it is strikingly true that you have unknowingly been on the giving end. Well, let me keep the give and take thing aside and shed some more light on the way one pours his soul in giving an advise. I don’t mean to be sarcastic or rude to anyone here but then, soon, the glass will shatter.

Not all of the people come under this category, a category that I like to call “I-now-own-your-life”, that name speaks for itself, you ask the cult of this group for an advise, and you are in for a spin. Most of the advises that people of this group are based on the events of their lives, and in a way ill-logical, what are the odds that same advise will lead to ground breaking results? They give you advise and then follow up, they like to be kept posted on all the events henceforth, and they take utmost pleasure in dealing with your problems as if they are the ones going through it, and this endeavor they tend to slip away and starting digging the problems in their life and end up being on the receiving end. 

“Thank god-I am-not-going-through-this”, huh! This breed is one of my favourites. They listen to you; nod, and then, they listen more. No, they are not deaf and dumb; they are talking to themselves, elated inside with a sorry face on the outside. And, at the end of the feels trip they come up with something out of the box, that actually is shallow, and undulates your mind in a negative way for the lone fact that they have never been through it, and ergo have devised a subtle sorry line during your heart pouring session.

“Aah-could-you-keep-it-to-yourself?”, well these are the ones that play neutral, they neither give advise nor take it, they know there are slight chances of ending up on the ugly side either way- you give advise, you screw up others life- you take advise, you screw up your own. These have life of their own and are belligerent about dealing with it alone, regardless of the repercussions. 

“I-will-advise-you-anyway”, yes, these are the always blabbering ones. The ones who have seen it all, the “had been there done that” types. They have this arsenal, an arsenal full of- how do I put this delicately- CRAP. They somehow have this striking ability that makes them realize they are needed here, and they hop down to you, and well, there you are witnessing your faith in yourself and humanity plummeting as your ears are in for a feast.

Well, during the pursuit of finding the right advise, you either see the light at the end of the tunnel or you get hit by the train (read as future). Needless to say, only few of them actually work, and most of the time you just end up with nothing on your plate. You place your life in forfeit for what? Nothing

Most of you might ponder on the times that you have got the right advise and it actually changed the course of your path, but some part of you might have realized that had you not wavered during the tough times, and had been as strong as a nail, you would have actually paved a path for yourself- a better one. “Glass Shatters”

Since time immemorial, we human beings couldn’t suppress the oozing impulse to help another human being and that impulse was passionate and not to mention “gone are those times”, the clock has struck hard. Times have changed and so have homo-sapiens.

Now, bring in those advises about this write up let the glasses shatter!

Life always has the last laugh!

Most of us might have come across the above phrase, but you would only get the essence when you feel it. We take too much for granted that when we are let down by someone we give up on them, then we give up on ourselves and eventually we give up on life.

All through our lives, we have ups and downs, some have more ups than downs and vice-versa but, moving on taking whatever life throws at you in your stride, is what makes one’s living worthwhile!

I was at the local hospital yesterday, with my Mom for her regular check-up. Walking the corridors of a hospital has always given me creeps and hence I always preferred to stay in the lobby, while my Mom went upstairs to get herself checked up. I was busy reading Jhumpa Lahiri’s book “Interpretators of Maladies”, yes I had to have someone for company, and books can be the best companions. 

I looked up and saw a woman in a burkah with a kid probably 10 years old walk past the door of the lobby. The woman came back, gaped at me uttered something to the kid and left, he started walking towards me and I in a way felt intimidated by the way he walked and his head bobbled around.

 

“What’s your name?” he said, clapping hands together, making sure they don’t make sound.

“I looked around for a second and said, my name is Aditya” and I could see the disappointment in his face.

“Oh, sorry” I thought you were my cousin Ayub, you look similar to him. His mouth twisted in a weird way as he spoke.

That is when I understood why people assume a person with no moustache, only beard as a Muslim. “No problem” I said.

He extended his shaky hand and I extended mine. “Nice talking to you” he said.

“Same here” He then sat in the chair opposite to mine, got up and sat again, “whi..which school?” he asked. (I often encounter this question even at the age of 22)

“I am working for a gaming company called Electronic Arts” I said, and I could see the glow in his face and the smile that etched from ear to ear.

“Nice Nice, I like games” but mai khel nahi sakta because...

I could see his mom from over his shoulder calling him; he then got up and turned to leave then came back.

“I have brain fever and a tumour so is the reason I cannot talk and walk properly and often mistake people to one another” he said.

I stared at him for a second, flinched and said “I am so sorry to hear that”. 

“It is okay, bye!” he said and I could see him walk to his mom in the same manner he walked towards me, only this time his head did not bobble the way it did before, or maybe he did not let it bobble thinking of the possibility that I might find it funny.

I sat still for quite some time, thinking of cruel life could be, we take many a things for granted, we wish for luxuries right from our childhood, we want a hassle free and peaceful life always, we want and always wish for our parents and grandparents to live for 100 years. Then there are people who in a way are just an added weight on the planet with no use whatsoever. Mere vegetables if you will.

But then there is this kid, who fighting for his life right from the age of 10 with faith and hope being the only 2 players in his arsenal, the age where most of us spend in front of televisions, playing our favorite video games munching cookies and then demand for a new game.

 I could see my mom walk past this kid from a distance and I saw she turned twice to look at him before she could reach me. “Mom, remember the times you wish Dad could have lived for a few more years?” See that kid? He has a brain fever and a tumour and he is bloody 10 years old. “What possible crime he would have committed, that he is being put through this hell at the age when he supposed to be in the play ground amidst friends.

We humans are never contended with what we have, we always desire for more, regardless of the need, we just want it. Be it money, happiness, luxuries, materialistic pleasures but not sorrow because we wish others have it. And despite our sincere efforts of eluding sorrow if at all we encounter it, we blame it on life saying "life has been harsh on us" even after savoring numerous happy moments. Balls to that!

No matter how hard one tries to carve his life into being good or bad, you will have to dance to its tunes at all times, at one instance your face might wreathe in smile and agony ain another, you have good times, and bad times. Memories that leave behind the scars be it good or bad, no matter how hard one tries, life always has the last laugh. Period.

Adios!

Nostalgia Level: Childhood!

Yes, that is phase of nostalgia I am going through right now, and it only gets worse every passing day. Needless to say everyone wants to go back to peeing on bed, watching cartoons, sleeping all day long, eating, and well pooping this time!

Hackneyed as it sounds, childhood has always been everyone’s best phase of life. No worries, no tensions, no petrol hikes, no economy downfall, nothing. Though the above parameters hamper our parents’ lives and etch lines on their forehead, we would still be getting the remote-control car for our birthday that we have been demanding for, now that is what still article talks about.

Now, having learnt how to not pee on bed for about 18-19 years ago, as I write this article I feel how times have changed, how the hell did we grow up this fast? From being the boss of everyone, getting the needs fulfilled by crying the lungs out for about an hour, we are now down to getting everyone’s needs fulfilled but our own, and though you manage to fulfill your needs, it would be of minimum satisfaction after maximum contemplation.

Waking up in the morning itself seems a hard task for me these days, let alone the tasks for the rest of the day. Remember the time the only thing we complained was about the new toy your friend has just acquired and you want one for yourself and your parents put this is the RED ALERT priority. Now, we have a million things to complain about, starting from waking up to going to bed again- office, colleagues, lunch, boss, work, e-mails, the lame boyfriend of the hot chick in the cafeteria, another shot idiot with his hot chick and, well, the boss again so that he doesn’t feel left out!

Now adding the agony above, we have our very own daily demons; for starters we have the petrol hikes, lay-offs, taxes, monthly bills and the newbie rupee downfall (yay). Well, it is the same rigmarole over and over again, and sooner or later one realizes that the agonies only pile up and you will have to deal with it.

Now, remember the meaningless albeit exciting games we used to indulge ourselves in during childhood and manage to have great fun. We do play games now too, like the very famous “Blame game”, “You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours”, “To hell with this life” and this one’s a kicker “Pour your agony out, and I will be pretend I am sorry for you”.

As it seems, we have only grown in to larger chunks of fat with the ever-lasting longing of going back to being the smaller ones. As we speak, I reckon the rupee is taking a dip again in the holy-agony of people and our beloved government is trying harder to do nothing about it. 

Had this been the case in childhood, we looking over the shoulder would have said, “I need a bi-cycle for my birthday” and walked of the hall without being hit in the back, while our parents gape at us, eventually getting that bi-cycle anyway!

I wish I could go back to being a kid again, play incessantly, laugh, cry, poop (that is the highlight of being a kid) demand for the toys my friends own and I don’t. Now we have stooped to such level, that we don’t even complain goddamn it, we get a better toy than our friends so that our ego doesn’t feel left out. There was no ego back then during childhood, only revenge to acquire the same thing so that we could brag about! 

Get your pictures clicked in random poses with a broad grin that speaks volumes and feel elated about it, but, now you get pictures clicked alright, but with a grin the aches more with every other picture.  

Well, it is about time, I go back to sleep and wake up without wetting my boxers, and many things to crib about, have many games lined up tomorrow, and the only way I can emerge winner for the day is by winning the tournament!

Adios!