votre chérie

Seeking Socrates, Plato, The Buddha, Aristotle, Descartes

2007-03-30T09:12:00.000-05:00

I’ve been bored as hell, so I thought I’d make a list of insightful questions I’m looking for answers for. Please take a moment to answers my questions if you can . . .

Not to take the song title from Creed, but
What is this life for?

Do we really exist?
Or like it is in mathematics, is ‘I’ really imaginary?

Oh yeah, this is a big one,
Does God really exist?

I feel blessed to be able to see, feel and experience the world around me. I know that some are not as lucky as me, so am curious . . .
What would the dreams of blind people be like?

This is one question that has always been on my mind . . .
What is the definition of good and bad?

At the risk of sounding really bitter for having been wronged . . .
Does justice really prevail in the end? Or is “a perfect circle” just a myth?

Life Nouveau

2007-03-14T10:45:00.000-05:00

A door opens screening choices and a new life,
Glimmer fills my eyes and its aroma I inhale,
Sunshine reflects on the road ahead, I tread,
Cautious not to fall, ironic, but my heart is sheltered.

As I stroll down the boulevard fringed with flora,
I turn my head; look back at the door and wonder,
If I will regret the life left behind, but smile
Because I know, where I go, is where I’ve been.

Pro Life/Choice

2007-02-28T16:47:00.000-05:00

By the books of Hinduism, Jeeva hathya (killing a life) is a grave sin and abortion is considered a bigger sin than killing a priest or a Bramhan (Brahm hathya). Some people argue that life begins at conception instead of at birth and it is believed that the fetus or embryo has a soul and therefore has a right to live. The mother or the medical practitioner does not have the right to take the life away from it because nature and the parents (of course!) put it there to begin with. Some extremist social conservatives even consider contraceptives tantamount to abortion and abortion tantamount to murder.

Pro-choicers are sick of how the government regulates our personal decisions and forces a mother to bear an unwanted child. They question whether it is morally justified to bring a pregnancy to term when one knows that the mother cannot give the baby the good life it deserves. If prolifers argue that the embryo feels pain then pro-choicers say choose the fetal anesthesia option. After all ours in a democratic country that offers freedom of choice and one doesn’t have to be strained to choose motherhood.

I’m trying to find a middle ground here. I am somewhat pro-choice even though I am personally against abortion. It is unquestionably a personal decision of each individual.

My little angel

2007-01-22T17:28:00.000-05:00

She was my little angel that razed sorrow
In my and every life that she touched
Gave all her love like there was no tomorrow
Cheerful even though her life was tough

Was it just yesterday that her smile stirred my heart?
Can’t believe we are now miles apart
Who will now tuck me in at night,
And tell me ‘It’s going to be alright’?

Tears blur up my eyes, miss her
Knowing she is watching us from afar
Her memories will always stay and
I never feel alone for she is in my heart

Rock Paper Scissors

2007-01-05T14:02:00.000-05:00

I was introduced to Rock Paper Scissors at a bar while I was on my way to being wasted after funneling a few too many beers. It’s a dull, illogical game used to make quick decisions on minor conflicts or settle arguments. The choices are rock, paper or scissors gesture with the hand. Paper covers rock, rock crushes scissors, scissors cuts paper. Ha! I can understand how rock crushes scissors or how scissors cuts paper, but what I can’t fathom is how paper beats rock. It magically wraps itself around rock leaving it weak and blind??? Shouldn’t it be able to do the same to scissors?

An extension of this game (which is Dr Z’s favorite game) is Rock Paper Scissors Slap. The winner of the game gets to slap the other person. Drunks take this game far too seriously and slap the s*** out of the other person! But you can’t hit a lady unless you are a lady yourself. I have my own exclusive way of playing this game; I shake a couple of times and make the rock gesture with the closed fist. If I win, great; but if I lose, I punch the brains out of my opponent with the previously clenched fist! ;)

Hard work and excellence

2006-12-05T17:23:00.000-05:00

I’m back after a 3-week long hiatus and man, it's good to be back! I defended my master’s thesis last week after many painful years of drudgery. My grandfather always tells me that there is no substitute for hard work, that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. And today it all makes sense to me. By the way, my grandfather is an exceptional man, legendary for the brutal discipline he maintained at home. Dr Z pushed me to work hard just like he pushes himself to unlock his potential, and now excellence has become a habit to him and in turn, my thesis presentation was a grand success, quite a display of excellence actually! I guess my grandfather taught me the importance of hard work but failed to show me the value of humility ;) he he!

And as always, with donkeywork comes rewards. Shown above is a picture of what was waiting for me after my presentation :)

Lost and found

2006-11-16T15:14:00.000-05:00

This verse was written by an old friend, I don’t have his nod to put this up on my blog but I’m sure he won’t mind. I couldn’t help it – it’s just so beautiful . . .

Tuesday, June 6, 2000 12:06 AM
You are bright as a light, full of fun
SunShine, you have fled even 'ere it began
You have flown, you have wings, I know you wish to fly
Please don't go, oh please don't say goodbye

SunShine, my Sunshine
though I know you must be free
don't go tonight
stay a while with me

In your mind there is someone far away
and you'll miss all the fun if u stay
you believe that love is elsewhere to be found
but you're wrong, it's here look around

Look around, look around and you'll see
a better fun and by faith you won't flee
and if you fly away, you'll break my heart in two
please don't go, I'm in love with you so!!!!!

Striking a different note, I’ve been pondering if it’s a good idea to rekindle an old flame or get back together with an ex. I know it’s tempting to hold on to past memories and seems much easier than getting back on the dating scene. Your ex already knows what makes you happy/angry/sad, what your favorite games are, how you like your eggs – there is this familiarity that makes you feel secure. . . . But, it broke for a reason! And old discontents will resurface eventually if they haven’t been dealt with and you will be just signing up for more pain. It may be easier to move on and find happiness elsewhere. One other thought, after a serious breakup, one should take some time out to do some soul-searching and get on track. Some post-breakup healing to make sure the feelings from the past do not impact the way you relate to the present. Don’t make someone your rebound!

My love to all those who have loved!

A momentary lapse of reason

2006-11-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

The tone of his kiss echoes in my memory
Those big hazel eyes put me in a trance
I’m guilty for not suspecting the aftermath
Just wanted to savor the romance
A momentary lapse of reason
Will he still love my residuum?
The words that I withdrew too late
Will it be tempered in time?
Was it the love I saw in his eyes?
Was it the White Zinfandel?
If I had to live my life again
I know I would still do it all the same!

Hallow's Eve

2006-10-31T15:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween Y’all,

I dressed up as the black widow this Halloween. One interesting fact about the black widow is that she kills her mate after mating to help her through the pregnancy and the potency of her venom is higher than that of a rattlesnake! Ok, make that two facts :)

I know I’ve been on the blink in blogdom for a while now. My thesis advisor (who we will call Dr. Z in this blog) is keeping me on my toes with his oh-so-genius ideas on how my thesis ought to be. But I still love the man; he’s cast quite a spell on me – he is by far the most charming man I have ever met. He can bring the house down with his charisma and the ladies seem to melt every time he looks at them. That’s my professor for you! What’s the deal with tweed suit crushes? Not that Dr. Z wears tweed suits – on the contrary he wears blue jackets that make him look pretty – what’s the word – suave. Anyways, Dr Z is driving me up the wall with all his corrections on my thesis and every buzz session with him makes me want to pull my hair out. Now don’t get me wrong, he has some pretty good pointers but I can’t wait to wrap it up and get a job. More pointers = more work = more days as a poor graduate student. And I’m rambling :)

On a slightly different note, I have been reading about Archimedes ever since this cute (read: superlatively sexy) guy I just met told me about him. From what I have read, Archimedes was quite a genius and like all geniuses he had his share of eccentricities. He hated taking a bath even though he was the guru of hydrostatics. And it’s ironical that one of his better discoveries or insights on buoyancy was when he was in the middle of a bath and went screaming “Eureka!” butt naked out on the streets. His most popular quote is “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world” The cute guy seems very impressed with this quote and so am I. Some of Archimedes’ other works include the Archimedes screw, Pi and the density of materials. I suggest you get a book on him and read it when you find the time – his life makes for some very interesting reading material.

Renaissance

2006-09-19T14:20:00.000-05:00

Minutes turn into days that turn into months
Lonely days turn into long endless nights
Sadness turns into an overdose of anesthesia
A heavy broken heart becomes a cold fish
And I have lost myself to the sunset of my time
I cry in the rain and wake up in pain
My being will never be the same.

Now I’ve picked up the pieces and faced my demons
Stopped fighting a battle that had a ghost of a chance
Ironic as it is, during my moments of weakness
Closer to the night, is when I find my strength
When I touch the center of my sorrow
And let it fill me, the second wind blows
And I realize that the best is yet to come

Memories of you

2006-08-21T14:03:00.000-05:00

Can you hear me? Can you feel me now?
Do you know that I am talking to you?
Time, my enemy is here to take a bow
And all I’m left with is memories of you

Alone and in agony, I look at the sky
I feel a glow because it reminds me of you
And I hear your name echoing high
I can’t live without you, it’s tried and true

Now I realize how happy you made me
Yesterday was a dream, gathering the wool
The time we spent by the banyan tree
Miles away, I'm defeated to the full!

Unfaithful*

2006-07-31T15:29:00.000-05:00

Her hair tangled up
Her skin tender
A wild night of passion
Forbidden love propagates

He gives her his everything
Oh, he loves her dearly
Yes, she loves him back
And some other men too

She looks in the mirror
“Unfaithful” it screams
She cannot help herself
Polyamory is her life’s theme

*inspired by Rihanna's latest hit - Unfaithful

Low spirits

2006-07-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

Cried myself to sleep last night,
Nothing seems quite right,
There’s a darting pain inside
Is there really a bright side?

Sickness and sorrow never say goodbye
I suffer silently, no one hears my cry
Bereaved, I clasp my hands and pray
Will tomorrow be a better day?

Here I am, running for my life
My hopes, torn apart by an evil knife
Every muscle in my body is sore
What good is this life for?

Turned away

2006-07-07T11:17:00.000-05:00

He put me on a pedestal, was so tender and gentle
I hurt him, but he just wiped his tears and smiled
I said he was a distraction uncalled for, shattered pieces
Of his heart on the floor, he picked up one by one
And I turned away

He confessed the feelings he held within, that shy smile
That warm face, wanting to be loved so badly
I pretended I didn’t care, made him twinge
His body, spirit and soul broken beyond repair
And I turned away

Now I walk along a lonely street, darkness looms
Wishing I could turn back time, remorse takes over
There is a vacuum in my heart, only he can fill
Crying for yesterday, begging for another chance
And he turned away.

Cubism

2006-06-15T13:19:00.000-05:00

My dear readers,

I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate all your upbeat comments on my previous post about my orange paintings. Truth be told, you guys inspired me to paint some more and am back to showcase my paintings on my blog to my lovely readers.

This week I worked on a different set of paintings maintaining the abstract and modern art theme – Cubism. This kind of modern art was given impetus by Picasso and Braque in France in the early 1900s. Simply put, cubism is characterized by the disintegration of natural forms into abstract. In this style of painting, geometric figures like cones, cubes, spheres, cylinders are superimposed and constantly play against one another. Hope you like this work and as always : keep those comments coming.

"Senses deform, and spirit forms"*

I call this painting yin-yang. If you look closely, you can see that the face that looks like a single entity is actually that of a woman’s profile and directly behind her is a man watching her – so it’s actually two that gives you an illusion of it being one. This runs parallel with “two bodies, one soul” idea.

This painting is a borrowed idea. I did a google on cubism and found a similar picture and wanted to imitate it. You can see a pot within a pot. Dedicated my friend Chad who is the biggest pothead I know :)

This painting was not what I had in mind when I started off but I actually like the outcome. At first, it looked like many targets or bulls eyes, then it evolved into colorful sushi on a plate and later mutated into a gift wrap design with colors playing against one another.

*as told by Braque about Cubism

Orange

2006-05-24T20:51:00.002-05:00

I have always enjoyed working with my hands (even though I wouldn’t call myself artsy-craftsy), so I recently decided to take up painting as a sideline activity. My buddy M3 thought I should write a poem about my paintings and put them up on my blog, so voila!

Orange is in between yellow and red
Orange marmalade is superman’s favorite spread
Orange is the title of my friend*
Orange, yellow and maroon make a nice blend

Orange is the setting sun
Orange is the color of fun
Orange is the hue of a flower’s bloom
Orange is the theme of my dining room!

* I really do have a friend who likes to be called Orange, I am not making this up just so it rhymes :)

my dining room

my orange paintings

Forever and a day

2006-05-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

You came to me like sunbeams through the cloud
Scattering your radiance, warmth and laughter
I resisted, my loneliness wrapped in a shroud
The prospect of delight ran parallel my rafter

Blithe and light, soaked in peace, love and merry
We discovered a life, a symphony of passion
And then you said, ‘Walk with me, Cherie’
Our souls dancing the tango in repetition

With every passing year, I pray our precious love
May never wither, never ever fade away
Sunshine oscillates with the stars shining above
I know I will love you forever and a day

My take on eugenics

2006-04-14T13:08:00.000-05:00

You know how fascinated I have always been with the concept of twins, doppelgangers, dead ringers and how I look forward to meeting my double someday. So for this week’s post I thought I should explore eugenics, cloning and all that jazz.

The term eugenics roughly means improving human genetic qualities or the human gene pool. So one would (in layman’s terms) sterilize people with bad genes and alter the hereditary makeup of the offspring of the ones with good genes to enhance human physical and cognitive abilities and improve the human condition (like maybe eliminating a hereditary disease). People will be able to live longer and healthier lifestyles, by injecting an artificial chromosome into a fertilized egg to cancel the effects of a genetic illness. There are endless possibilities and this science might affect the entire human race for the better.

But let me tell you in the same breath, the desired traits in a human are debatable. There is no certain rule or consensus which says this is a good or bad trait and determining a beneficial trait is a crunch and is mostly guided by culture or social class. What one culture might perceive to be an intelligent trait may actually be a negative or not-so-intelligent trait in another culture.

But then again, if that is answered, I say “When you are not opposed to selective breeding of animals, why eugenics? It is after all self direction of human evolution* .”

I'd love to hear your viewpoint. So do go ahead and leave me a comment.

* Second International Congress of Eugenics, 1921

Kramer Vs Loungers

2006-03-27T12:05:00.000-05:00

M. Kramer walks into the lounge and says “What’s up, lounge lizards?” The sprawled out bored loungers gaze at this nerdy looking guy with messy hair and worn-down clothes. They answer almost in chorus “Not much”.

Kramer says “Say, I have an idea. I have put over 150K miles on my car and its resale value has shrunk. I was thinking I could drive my car backwards (in reverse gear) on the highway and bring down the miles. Am I da coolest or what?”

Guess what the loungers said to that?

My grandmother

2006-03-21T18:52:00.000-05:00

Written in the memory of my grandmother 'Radha Obalappa'
Oct 21 1922 - Jan 9 2005

My grandmother was an extraordinary lady who led an ordinary life. My earliest memory of my grandmother is the way she would sing the lullaby 'Jo Jo Shri Krishna' when I used to get asthma attacks as a child every other week. My mother would pack me off to my grandparents' because she knew that that was where I wanted to be, where I would be pampered and cared for. My Momma, as I used to call her, was deeply religious used to sing songs like 'taarammayya' and tell me stories about 'prahlada' to take my mind off the pain.

If I had to describe my grandmother I would say she was the picture of dignity. She wore a big maroon bindi on her forehead, very nicely made ruby earrings that looked like a flower with gold petals would hang low, big framed glasses that were little too big for her small face, yellow stoned nose ring and a very kind smile. She was so petite that I would always worry about her frail body. I remember this one time when I went shopping for my grandmother, I was looking for a sweater for her and ended up buying a sweater made for a seven year old. When she tried it on, it fit her perfect!

She was so selfless, always putting the needs of others before her own. She was happiest when she was doing something for others. She would fold my clothes in a neat pile and look at me for my approval. When I told her it was great, her smile would light up the whole house. It was always very easy pleasing my grandmother; all it took was a flower or a stuffed toy. She truly believed in the simple pleasures of life.

Right from the time I've known her, I've seen her perpetually busy, doing something all the time, be it cooking, cleaning or just waiting on my grandfather. She would make pickles every mango season and they lasted for more than 4 years usually. No illness could keep her down; she would always bounce back with endless energy and constant activity. Towards the end of her life, her memory began to fail and she felt angry and helpless when she could not remember things. The day before her death she told our maid what a nice girl I was but did not recall my name. She always said the nicest things to people just like she did about me:). She was also a very God-fearing person who always did anything only if it was morally right and her last words a few moments before she left us were the names of God itself.

One other quality my grandma possessed that never ceases to amaze me is her incredible love for my grandfather. She was so crazy about him, worship him, would always talk about him when he was out of town selling land in Chitradurga and I could tell that every essence of her being craved to be close to him all the time. She would hate spending time at my parents' house without him and would sneak out of the house and go back to her house thinking my grandpa would be there. Now, I think about the times I would be angry at her for going away from our house without telling us and I understand that her place was always beside my grandfather, and she could not help the way she was devoted to my grandfather. They had spent over sixty years together and he was the person closest to her heart.

I will miss my Momma very much and she will always have a cherished place in our memories and in our hearts. She was a wonderful combination of warmth and kindness, laughter and love. Her spirit and strength lives on in each of us and in the lives that she touched. I am much of who I am today because of her. I feel proud and blessed to have had a grandmother like her.

Alternate reality

2006-03-17T13:54:00.000-05:00

Hope you have a great St. Patrick’s Day! I know I did! Wore green and went Irish pub crawling yesterday ;-)

An atom is the fundamental building block of matter - the ultimate and smallest division of matter. They say each atom has a charge or a spin to it – positive or negative and they attract or repel each other.

(Side note: Have you heard of the latest idea in nanotechnology? Making the world’s smallest motor is a snap assignment. Take 2 atoms with opposite charges, and put them close to each other – such that the charges cause it to spin.)

Now some of these atoms are bound together and make an object. Different permutations and combinations are possible - some of which make a human : you and me. Now with zillions of similar atoms floating around in space, don’t you think there could be another object with similar chemistry/constituency as yours? Could this be your doppelganger?

So I read a book on this topic – the existence of a parallel universe. We are only aware of 3 dimensions – actually four when you include time and rumor has it that they are infinite dimensions. There are some cosmological observations that demonstrate the possibility of a parallel universe – like how gravity is actually such a weak force in this universe but may be a bigger one in the parallel. Also some wise men think it could be like Schrodinger's cat. Will it be the end of the universe the day we stumble upon the parallel universe?

When will science catch up with philosophy? I'm dying to meet my double.

Update : The best comment on the post so far . . .

Paolo Magnone said...

VC, you have opened up such an awesome topic. In your Indian scriptures it is written that "The One who can understand an atom and experience at the atomic level shall be liberated from bondage eternally".

Yes! Thats right some of these atoms are bound to each other and they form objects such as stone, human, elephant etc etc. I have a theory ... just from an intellectual perspective .. no experience! Have you noticed that in an atom the tedency is to fall into the center? If such a thing happens there would be no atom! There would be no object! There would be no universe. There would be "nothing". But there seems to be an opposing force(?) that keeps them apart.

Have you noticed that when you have heard a wonderful song or have had a sad experience or have had the best experience through a movie, friend or a Master ... you want to share it? I remember when we were kids we used to listen to Heavy Metal songs and there were some songs that we loved and we would take the pains to take it to each others place and play it and make the others listen to it .. share it with the hope that they feel the way that you feel! I see it now as my innate nature to "merge" with the other .. looking for some common ground .. looking for understanding and some acknowledgement!

Then think about this .. your appreciation for the song was not felt by whom you shared with .. or when someone is not able to see your side of the story! You hear of family members fighting .. "You don't understand me" they scream ... My theory is at that point of time they are feeling the separation! The distance between the one and the other! This is the force that opposes the merging ... The force that keeps two beings apart .. so that they maintain their identity .. their chemical properties. So everytime you experience distance, if you remember, you could think that you were experiencing the force that opposes merging.

Think about the times when you were understood .. and without you having to speak a word someone had heard .. without you having to ask ... you were taken care of .. then I tell you .. you have expereinced the "oneness" ... the force that is propels you towards merging with the other.

Now we all understand that in the material plane if everything merges there would be nothing .. there would be only a void. There would be nothing at all isnt it ..

No one .. No other ..

No separation .. No merging ..

No freedom .. No attachment ..

So my questions are Should we really prefer one over another?Are'nt these forces supposed to co-exist to maintain the balance?So why seek understanding or why seek dispute?

Girls have it better than boys

2005-12-19T13:37:00.000-05:00

So superman says

Girls are pure evil – they have all the worst emotions like envy, distrust
So moody - they seem to have PMS all the time
Terrible with machines, engines and electronics
Girls are ready to cry at the drop of a hat

But I beg to differ

Girls do better than boys in school because they are more dyed-in-the-wool and organized. That is why the number of boys failing out of college is higher than that of girls. Now that is an alarming statistic!
Girls definitely are better drivers. Why do you think the insurance rates for a woman driver are lower?
Women live longer than men because their presence on earth is more significant and they have so much to accomplish before they die.
Girls express their emotions honestly instead of masking it like men. It takes more nerve to cry in public than to bury it in.

And then there are some who think that

Both genders track pretty closely – be it in academics, career or sports.
Talk about how studies show that the size of a boy’s and girl’s brain is the same – hence they have same levels of intelligence.
Yeah, whatever!

What do YOU say? Couldn’t agree with me more? ;-)
Aite, have an exam in less than 2 hours!

Identical twins

2005-12-15T11:28:00.000-05:00

( Source : Trivia Toons by Jerry King)

For Amma

2005-12-02T11:16:00.000-05:00

A tear of gratitude comes flowing down
for the best mom ever in town
As I look into that face so nice
I just know, you are my angel in disguise
so many memories fill my eyes!

Amma, I owe my whole life to you
which otherwise would have been in shades of blue
I know I've always been a rebel
but you've been there for me each time I fell
and taken care of me sooo well!

You sacrificed your whole life for the family
gave your everything so selflessly
and on this special day, your day
I am honoured to say,
thanx for being there and showing me the way!

I've been tagged!

2005-11-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

Truthfairy is the culprit!

Here's what I have to do . . . .

Flip open a dictionary and point to a word / get word of the day from dictionary.com
Type the word into google images.
Pick an image that strikes you.
Write a 10 line riff off the image.
Use the word or the meaning at least once within the first 5 lines.
Tag 3 other bloggers on your list.

ok, so I opened a latin to english dictionary and this is the word I found.

Sui caedere : suicide : is the act of willfully ending one's own life; it is sometimes a noun for one who has committed or attempted the act.

(Source: http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol6is3/st-matthew-martyr.html)

Here's a verse that I had written almost a decade ago when I was in the 9th grade. I was very sore at my folks for having grounded me and slipped this verse under their bedroom door to scare them a little bit. Yeah, I was a little monster!

Here I lie greeting Death in open arms,
In this profound abyss my misfortune has driven me to
The unreasoning scorn of some mortals
Makes me quit my life that I now loathe.
My voice filled with constant throes is not heard,
They have hounded my soul to death by cruel rigor.
Oh! Dont they see a thousand scars bleeding from my heart?
I clasp my hands and beg for mercy,
But they tie my hands with twisted rope.
"woe is me, victorious thou dost remain"*, I cry
Cant they see how deep the wounds are
That now consume my striken soul?
When one day, they'll hear of my death,
They'll discover that I'm so worthy of their sympathy

*stole this line from the book "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes.

Now I tag

Debbie

Flickering Flame

ROhan

now you guys get to work ;)