9.81 m/s2

[kiranvittal]

Madness of Horcruxing

Merlin’s beard said the potions master professor Slughorn when he heard Tom Riddle say that he wants to split his soul to 7 horcruxes. #PotterMania. For the mere mortals who are not Potter fans, here is the long version of it. For the rest, here’s a quick recap, there’s no harm in a quick recap. Tom Riddle is he who’s name shall not be taken aka Lord Voldemort. He’s a student at Hogwarts, where they teach ‘Dark Arts’ , #FunSchool #Hogwarts !! And in this class of ‘Dark Arts’ where Tom Riddle’s interest lies and fantasizes to see himself as an immortal. By splitting his soul into several pieces and hiding them in objects and making them hard to destroy. Each of these pieces called horcrux. By this, even if there were to be any fatal attack on the Dark Lord’s body, wouldn’t render him dead. And that true means being by destroying all the horcruxes. Voldemort would be thinking himself as all powerful and perpetual until Potter comes along to prove all that wrong. Noteworthy point to be noted here and #SpoilerAlert, : Potter himself is one of the horcrux. There were much hyped debate that JKR would kill Potter or already killed him in the end, which didn’t go well with fans and she had to restrain from doing so.  Nevertheless, good prevails over bad, and it’s all a happy ending. No, not that kind of happy ending that you’re thinking right now. Yes, right now, at this very moment. You stinking brain!!          Changing gears. Let’s now take a quick count on number of smart devices we own ? Smart phone, tablet, ebook reader, smart TV, laundry machine, refrigerator microwave oven and the list goes on. In the near future all these devices will be connected to network and can be operated by a touch, oh wait ! , you don’t need any touch these days, thanks to gesture control and part of smart home which is #IoT enabled. With all this are we not doing a similar thing as Voldemort by splitting our ‘smartness’ to different horcruxes. If one needs a reminder on bills, phone will do that. Want to catch up on your favorite program and navigate to that channel, smart TV dude, smart TV, use brain and buy a smart TV. Or forgot to turn off your oven, …….. do I need to say anymore. The once all powerful smart brain, now relies on smart horcruxes for an easy functionality. This is what we call #IoT. #IronyOfThings. No wonder Wachowskis came up with such a brilliant plot for their movie. Not to discount Terminator as well.         The madness of horcurxing, if such a word exists, is happening in our social life as well. In this era of social networking explosion, every new brand is becoming a verb. I don’t WhatsApp frequently, I will Instagram it to you,

This is our decision to live fast and die young. We’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun. Yeah it’s overwhelming, but what else can we do? But there is really nothing, nothing we can do. We were fated to pretend. To pretend !

[poonamkhatri-blog]

I just want to listen to the most beautiful song, read the most moving words and meet the most amazing person before I finally give up on those things.

(via poonamkhatri)

[kiranvittal]

Science of Signs

Nostalgic pre university college days never fail to bring a smile on my face. The sheer excitement we had that we were college students now was gargantuan. Just the word “college student” to refer ourselves was like a halo light o'er our heads. Having to think about it today , I feel those were the days of age of the new coming, where we wrestled and tussled to see ourselves as erudite or if not a potential erudite at least. #StudentOfTheYear. Indeed it was the foundation to our characters of what we saw ourselves in graduation college days, not sure how many would say this as far-fetched thought. Many subjects were vehemently pursued. One such a subject was Physics for which many of us had keen interests. Pure love towards Physics added pure attention to the subject. And this makes me recall one of the early experiments we had, the tuning fork experiment. A tuning fork of an unknown frequency would be given, and the aim is to find the frequency of the tuning fork. And here comes to light the concept of resonance. Text book definition of resonance goes as : a sound or vibration produced in one object that is caused by the sound or vibration produced in another. After theoretically knowing this concepts to the best of our understanding, we would go on to the experiment. The meek experimental setup consisted of a hollow wooden box with 2 holes to aid propagation of sound. A string was tied to the ends of this hollow wooden box. 2 pegs were used to under the string to generate tension. A hanger of a small and feeble piece was placed on top of the string between the 2 pegs. As we were all immensely supremely simplistic personalities back then, we used a small piece of paper as a hanger. Moving on to the actual procedure part of the experiment : the tuning fork was struck and placed on top of the wooden box. This would cause a certain movement in the string. The position of the pegs were altered  to create a tension on the string such that it resonates to the with the tuning fork and causes the piece of paper of tumble down from the string. This was like the moment of truth. #SacchKaSaamna. Based on the distance between the pegs, the frequency of tuning fork was calculated by a God forsaken formula. I find a parallel with the tuning fork experiment and to .. ahem… *clears throat* … * wipes unformed sweat on forehead*... understanding in relationship. Individuals are like 2 pegs, with a certain distance between them. If they are to create resonance, they have to be at flawlessly impeccable distance from each other. Neither too close, not too far. A perfect space between the two !! This perfect space helps not to consume each other up. And at the very same time this perfect space doesn’t create thoughts of opposing quadrants. I believe when perfect space is not matched, different signs show up. Too less a space, a sign of irritation, too big a space, signs of aloof. One should be cognizant of these signs and read the science behind them and pursuit for the perfect space.

Kareeb Itna Raho Ke Rishte Me Pyar Rahe, Door Bhi Itna hi Raho Ki Aane Ka Intezaar Rahe, Rakho Ummeed Rishtho Ke Darmiyaan Itni, Ki Toot Jaaye Ummeed Magar Rishte Barkaraar Rahe

[kiranvittal]

Drawn with the wind

Many of us go thru vacation withdrawal symptoms. And these may act out in different phases. Not necessarily in the same running sequence as mentioned below, but a mix and match of all. And at several junctures they may overlap as well. I just keyed in some thoughts on the same. Here it goes :  

Phase 1: Desiring Reality

After spending a sizeable number of days in a land far far away, taxing the body with the mountain loads of hiking, the body inclines to desire reality. Away from all the coziness of the comfy couch , drink of one’s choice at the favorite adda or be it the #GharKaKahna ,  the indolent human body hankers for homely heavenly comforts. The sight which once was a deterring force , now the same sight attracts the eye. The sight of the office desk ! The entity which made us ran away from, is what we seek now. Reality !! May be it’s the addiction to reality that makes us desire it. And , if the vacation is packed with bountiful events , and if the spawning rate of the events is grander than assimilation, it more likely constructs the longing for reality ahead to the grand finale itself.  

With opting reality, comes the ancillary reality activities: unpacking, running the laundry machine for straight days, streamlining homely artifacts by adding holiday remembrances in a particular order, and in case of OCD, in “the particular order”. And exchanging gifts with the near and dear ones. With no much mutilation to the zeal and gusto yet. Not yet !

It’s now we are with the reality we desired for. We relish this as much we relished the vacation.

Phase 2: Nostalgia and bargain

After tasting reality for mouthful of days, then comes the phase where one starts bargaining with reality by reminiscing nostalgic moments of the trip. Sharing pics with friends and family where they go #AurDikhao #AurDikhao, and if the friend/family is with some sense of humor, hear some funny and jealous remarks from them for the fun time you had. Brag about the adventures/misadventures one had during the vacation. And have a jolly good laugh on the experiences had during the trip. And from thereon it goes further to start seeing commonalities or drawing parallels with vacation experiences and trivial life events. Such as cloud patterns , one may be sipping a cup of drink of their choice and all of a sudden cloud patterns looks familiar to what was seen before. And resemblances in random faces with acquaintance made during the trip. And find more  such instances to bargain with reality. The sweeter bargain is generated when one changes the redundant DP to a newfangled one which resonates the just concluded trip. 

Phase 3: Facing reality

The desire of experiencing reality, all of a sudden now becomes a game to face. One is face to face with reality. Time to bring on shield for reality, as it might bite bad. Be it in settling accounts , paying bills or filing IT returns. #GearUp. This is the acceptance phase. You are in reality. No wonderland anymore. Neither the momentum of nostalgic moments can push one forward. This is where, as my good friends terms it,  #ChaarDinKiChandini expires. And one comes to acceptance that there is no new meaning to pre or the post-vacation life. #ItsTheSameShit. But that’s not where the it ends. Picture abhi bhi baaki hai mere dost.

Phase 4: Hope and Plan

Once when all the battery is drained, when all the fizz is discharged, it’s the hope, hope of another vacation, hope of another rollicking trip boosts the morale. It’s the desire again to be drawn to a land far far away with the wind, from a withdrawn felling to end up drawn with the wind is where the buzz lies. And as Buzz says ‘To infinity and beyond’.

Phir ke chali hain thandi hawayein kya tum miloge hum se, jahan le ke jaayein

dil bhi kahin hai pahadon mein thoda sa kahin hai kinaaron mein..

ab rehna kis ko yahan..

[kiranvittal]

Reading Comprehension

In my primary school days(7th standard to be precise), I had an English teacher Miss Madhura. She was either born in London or might have done her school/college in London or spent a good part of her life London or something like that. She was hep, She was the only teacher who drove her Red Maruti 800 everyday to school to the contrast few teachers who either came walking or  in a moped which had not seen its mechanic for may be a decade and occasionally made a rattling sound. Miss Madhura was a little authoritative. She used to limp, and had some problem walking. She would have a "pet" student who would get her things from parking to classroom back and forth. Given all this, a lot of students , a really lot of students did not like her. She also had an accent for her English which made the students more bitch and whine about her. I gave a rats' ass for all this. My only and only goal in 7th standard was to secure a 90% and get a seat in one of the prestigious high schools of Mysore (Marimallapa's or Sadvidya). I fell short of 0.84% of my target, but still made it to Sadvidya. I never bothered about anything else.                     One of the important topic in the curriculum was called "Reading Comprehension". There would be a 1 to 1.5 page paragraph and at the end of it would be some questions 5 or 6 on the aforementioned paragraph. Generally 3-4 question would be straight forward and its the 1 or 2 that would be tricky make you brain tickle. Miss Madhura did not wanted us to drop even a single point(typical of any teacher for that matter). She was aware of our capabilities that we can get those easy ones correct with no difficulty. And hence she would emphasize a lot on those tricky ones. Once in one of the preparatory exams she gave a whole list 5-6 tricky question, and the entire section of reading comprehension was hot red flame, couldn't even get any close to it. This added more to bitching and whining. Days went on we all completed our 7th standard and in pursued education in prestigious high schools.                      During my high school as well I had a very good English teacher, her initials were PRV (yeah its not PVR). Later i joined SBRR Mahajan College ( PUC 11th,12th equivalent). The college was famous for all wrong reasons. But everyone knew that English teaching faculty was the best in town. Mr.Umapathy was the HOD and I cannot explain his might in words. I'm gonna save some time and skip describing Miss PRV and Mr.Umapathy.  Given that we were in high school and junior college by now, it was advanced comprehension, and it was both reading and writing. Reading comprehension went all the way to 4-5 pages. Both of them again emphasized the importance of not losing any points for tricky questions. Some students did try to make that leap of faith and gave some extra hours for languages. I again did not care much here, I was happy with my natural self , and did not push myself. But however I made sure i attempt all the questions and answer them putting out all my thought process to it.                           Of late I'm seeing my life is a "Reading Comprehension". The paragraph that I have to read and comprehend here is my inner self. Life throws me a lot of questions, some are easy some are tricky. Answering those tricky questions was taking a lot of time to me. As there were always contradicting answers from my Ego and Alter-ego. Both of them had proved to be right at various occasions, But for some of the questions I just did not have answers and I was at cross roads for quite a long long time. It was kind of getting on my nerves. At any given point of time, there were too many thoughts going on in my head. In order to pursue the answers, I had to zone out. I found this at running. It helped me comprehend my life. And its only in the past 3 - 4 months where i found answers to lot of my questions.                       Adding on top of all this was the conversation I had on Friday. It cleared almost all the clutter i had in my mind. I realized the so called problems i had were pseudo problems. It made me grow bigger than my problems. All my pseudo problems were minuscule.                      Now why am I typing all this at this ungodly hour. Touch wood, as of now, as I'm typing this, I have no problems in my life, i have no regrets in my life and most importantly I have answers to all my questions. I'm not at cross roads anymore. If I have any problems later, I have the confidence in me and come what may, I will handle. I may not have answers to all, but i will figure it out and not cry and crib about it.                  In order to come to this concrete conclusion, few of the initial chapters of the book "Dare to Run" also had some influence. I'm happy in my life today. I have to do lot of "things that matter" in my life ahead. I do not know why I was in a hurry all this while to do it in a day or two. I was creating imaginary boundaries for  myself. I have a beautiful life ahead, I have lot of time with me in-spite of 2 hours in shower everyday.

P.S: I had this same conversation with my dearest nearest friend here in Mysore, with whom I share and crib a lot. He was in total sync. He said he felt the same for himself some time back. I may be a bit late to reach here, nevertheless I have reached here. I hope life is a song all the way ahead.

The only reason I mentioned my teacher's names was because i'm not just thankful but grateful to have them.

The curiosity to know about English literature has been since 4 - 6 months now. Its become stronger now. Reading about works of Shakespeare, T.S Eliot, John Newman, Alfred Lord Tennyson and etc. my next hobby.  If you come across a nice poem, do share it.  And having said that.......

We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.

[kiranvittal]

The Wander Drug

Early stages of human evolution, we were wanderers. In the due course of evolution we grew into settlers befitting to our needs.  We revolutionized in sundry aspects, harnessing natural resources and making the sedentary exemplary. We built a wall , we built the pyramids, math, science, history, unraveling the mystery, it all started with the ……… Wanderers. But the lack of kinematic built the potential more and more for every revolution blue marble made. The potential to be wanderer, what we were. Perhaps because the wanderer within us just did not die yet ! As a tribute to wanderers, a cricket stadium at Johannesburg is named after the same. We were not meant to stick onto just a single place. Places made us, in contrast to we making places. Just for instance the top realtor’s projects in my city names goes as : “serene county”, “cloud city”, “esplanade” #Whatay name. Supremely spectacular names. What would it be, How would it be, to literally be in such a soothing place. Cloud City. Oh Man. (just a metaphor, I’m not gender biased). Just the recital of the name makes me excited. To be precise true cloud city is Meghalaya. Megha + Alaya = Meghalaya- swara dheerga sandhi. What would a trip to Meghalaya add to one’s experience. Outside wander brings inside wonder. Places make us ! Egyptians worshipped cats. A dog can be tamed but not a cat. Not easily. Cats always do what they feel like doing. They symbolize free will. And hence the worship. Was it because of lethargy we tamed the cat in us to be settlers ? #ImportantQuestions ! The all knowledgeable homo sapiens race tries to strike a balance between a dweller gene and a wanderer gene. Introducing traveler gene. ta-da….. Summer tour or a monsoon trip or a winter holiday , there is travel for every season. Bachelors party or a honeymoon, there is travel for every reason. It’s our instinct that made us wanderer , it made us dweller and the same instinct makes us travelers today. If anything, instincts make us think, they make us learn. #TrustYourInstincts In addition to wandering the external spaces, one need to wander within one self. How outside wander brings inside wonder, inside wander equally brings wonder outside. Yoga’s slogan goes something like – sound mind in sound body. Extrapolating same to  travel can the slogan be – wondering mind in wandering body. I’ve had this feeling for myself and heard the same from few others as well. They say they need a change, they need a break. Are they looking for the Wander Drug ??   Udne Ko Sau Pankh Diye Hai Chadne Ko Khula Aasmaan Mudne Ko Hai Karwat Karwat Aur Badhne Ko Mera Jahan   Hundred wings to fly Open sky to climb Many places to look around And to enrich my world !