Thursday, February 26, 2009

Stay phunny!!!

Man it really helps to retain your sense of humour even in the midst of misfortune. Ok misfortune here wouldn’t really mean life or death circumstances, but those kinds where you meekly gulp and say ‘shit happens’ and frenziedly try to move on.

So when ‘shit happens’ to keep a firm grip on things and keep away from slithering into despair, humour comes in real handy.

To laugh at our own foibles can be genuinely hilarious, I tell you. Honest humour discloses weaknesses that’s holding back happiness, but without disdain. It’s like this pointer of our inadequacies, not a censor of it. The intent is to fortify, not to injure. Like a shock absorber that makes it easier to get over the jolts and bumps in life.

I have noticed those with a fine sense of humour (not essentially malicious sarcasm); have a good sense of life too.

A dear friend whose adversity makes mine look absurdly stunted and puny, has this rare ability to guffaw through her problems. She is most definitely a rare breed….and a happy one indeed.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Friday, February 6, 2009

+vely 4th Street

You got a lotta nerve /To say you are my friend /When I was down /You just stood there grinning
You got a lotta nerve /To say you gota helping hand to lend /You just want to be on/ The side that's winning
You say I let you down / You know it's not like that / If you're so hurt / Why then don't you show it
You say you lost your faith / But that's not where it's at / You had no faith to lose / And you know it
I know the reason / That you talk behind my back / I used to be among the crowd / You're in with
Do you take me for such a fool / To think I'd make contact / With the one who tries to hide / What he don't know to begin with
You see me on the street / You always act surprised / You say, "How are you?" "Good luck" / But you don't mean it
When you know as well as me / You'd rather see me paralyzed / Why don't you just come out once / And scream it
No, I do not feel that good / When I see the heartbreaks you embrace / If I was a master thief / Perhaps I'd rob them
And now I know you're dissatisfied / With your position and your place / Don't you understand / It's not my problem
I wish that for just one time / You could stand inside my shoes / And just for that one moment / I could be you
Yes, I wish that for just one time / You could stand inside my shoes / You'd know what a drag it is / To see you

Man…. This song really cheers me when I am in a sour disposition. Even though the ruefulness and bitterness of the betrayal/ wrongdoing is unadulterated…..you have to hand it to Dylan for keeping the humour strong. I read somewhere it was directed towards the editor of “Sing out” who tore Dylan for going electric.
This witty insult can be cathartic for anybody betrayed/cheated.
Could work well as an astringent dedication to low down and rotten bitches of the world.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Dogs style

A friend of mine had sent me a FWD, one of those with cute adorable pups pics tagged with sappy homilies about friendship and sacrifice.

This had me reminiscing about the canines (I mean real ones, not the bitches!!!) that I had as pets.

I never had a snooty breed but scores of mutts, some flea infested strays that I used to clutch home, which of course horrified my mother. Poor woman.

Not surprisingly one thing great about mixed breed mongrels is that they rarely fall sick, must be those robust street genes they have. And boy they have character and attitude. Not just tail wagging and face licking.

Some are dignified like war heroes, loyal like an old friend. Those kinds sit near you content and at ease, no tail wagging exhibition of faithfulness. Almost like buddies, no master and pet chain of command for them.

Some are scheming; I had a bitch whose mate selection skills would put some of her human counterparts to shame.

As in humans some are downright stupid, I had a pup which would lose itself under the bed and howl till someone retrieved it.

And there was this hilarious mutt who had the habit of peeing every time the doorbell rang. I have heard of Dr Pavlov’s experiment, where ringing bell meant food for his experimental dog. So the ringing bell would make the dog salivate. But for our mutt, I fail to understand the stimulation. That too totally different ends!!!

Of all the dogs no one rescued me from flaming buildings and raging rivers, like Lassie would have. But boy they were fun to be with.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Altruism and the 100 rupees note.

Somebody I once knew, drove back 5 km, to hand a gloomy looking sad-eyed tramp a 100 rupees note. Smug with ‘feel-good’ benevolence she sped away.

Is there such a thing as absolute altruism? I mean an act of kindness bereft of any personal motive. Well, not even that ‘feel-good’ reward, no craving for ‘karma’, nothing….just pure kindness.

Studies (in psychological annals) have shown that people who have recently committed a misdemeanour, more readily, help others. This private balancing of guilt and good actions can very well be subconscious, without us even realizing. It also means that it will make us feel less guilty after an act of kindness, even if the endeavour is unrelated to the primary guilt causing offence. Guilt, after all is an unrelenting emotion.

The 100 rupees note must have bought her the ‘karmic brownie’ she was seeking …..

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

that hormonal thingie

This is sombre science.
Here goes….a published study in a peer reviewed journal found that women with high concentrations of the hormone oestradiol were most liable to flirt, kiss and have flings outside an ongoing, evidently steady relationship. The study goes on to advocate, that such women are incited to relinquish a secure relationship — to seek a more affluent partner.
Darn the hormone….

Anjana

Last weekend I went to meet my favourite couple….Anjana and Suvarna….
Anjana is expecting.
She now shuffles around with a basketball stuck in her tummy and a 100 watt smile. She always had the smile but now the radiance is twofold.
I know this is a normal but challenging biological task, my young friends are thoroughly enjoying this fundamental need. Their transition to parenting will be pleasant I am sure…..good for them.