So, at work I got a promotion. Not a big promotion, but a promotion none the less. The perks which come with it are more money - again, not too big, but a rise non the less - more work, more responsibility and so on.
My issue is this: I am going to India for six, seven months, leaving in eight weeks from now. Were I staying, then yeah, sure I would have taken it and things would be fine. But the thing is, I don't want to take it, but becasue of that, my parents are not happy, thinking I'm wasting a great opportunity. And that may well be the case, but its also risk I'm willing to take.
But the one thing this points to is that work defines the lives we lead. Its primarily because of work we move cities or countries. Its becasue of work we can or cannot do the things we like. I'm not a big fan of that attitude. Maybe because I'm more risk-averse, not sure, but people should enjoy the freedom to live a life of their choosing. But then obviously to do this one needs money to survive, or one needs money for the basics.
The idea of being a full time back packer has always intrigued me. Maybe this trip is my mini-back packing life. Life would entail no responsibilities, no savings accounts, no insurance premiums or excess, no "i hate this person" or "i really want to be with that person"...life would be carefree and enjoyable and full of experiences.
Counter to this of course, is ones basic duty to family, and unless you win the lottery, how does one survive when they can no longer work. It is also said, the soul is freer when discipline is followed. All that stirred into one pot serves a meal with a big "no" to the idea of back packing. But finding a job which allows freedom or at least enjoyability is a must me thinks....
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Ancient India
So I’m researching for my trip to India, and one of the places I really want to see are the remains of Vijayanagar, a highly advanced kingdom in Southern India.
The other thing which really struck me, compliments of none other than Shah Rukh Khan, and Kareena Kapoor, was the reign of Asoka the King, and his grandfather, Chandragupta. I was amazed to hear that firstly Chandragupta had connections with Alexabder the Great during his attempted conquest of India. After Alexander was defeated, much of the territories he once controlled fell into the hands of Chandragupta.
During Asoka’s reign, the domination of the Maurya dynasty continued and Asoka was able to realise the goal of his grandfather by creating the largest empire of the time. As a result of this, however, Asoka also found out the nature of war, and turned to Bhuddism. His next battle was to spread the meassage of Bhudda and in doing so establised pillars on common trade routes, with an emblem of three lions. Today this is a symbol of modern day India. His emissiaries traveled all across India, and to present day Sri Lanka, as well as to Europe.
India has such a rich and diverse history, that is quite untapped. I think often these histories are by passed as not being sexy enough. You have the Romans, the Greeks, the Pharoes, etc, and theres a touch of magic and mystery. The same is not associated with India, or its history. In any case it exists, and is in the same league as the histories of other parts of the world.
The other thing which really struck me, compliments of none other than Shah Rukh Khan, and Kareena Kapoor, was the reign of Asoka the King, and his grandfather, Chandragupta. I was amazed to hear that firstly Chandragupta had connections with Alexabder the Great during his attempted conquest of India. After Alexander was defeated, much of the territories he once controlled fell into the hands of Chandragupta.
During Asoka’s reign, the domination of the Maurya dynasty continued and Asoka was able to realise the goal of his grandfather by creating the largest empire of the time. As a result of this, however, Asoka also found out the nature of war, and turned to Bhuddism. His next battle was to spread the meassage of Bhudda and in doing so establised pillars on common trade routes, with an emblem of three lions. Today this is a symbol of modern day India. His emissiaries traveled all across India, and to present day Sri Lanka, as well as to Europe.
India has such a rich and diverse history, that is quite untapped. I think often these histories are by passed as not being sexy enough. You have the Romans, the Greeks, the Pharoes, etc, and theres a touch of magic and mystery. The same is not associated with India, or its history. In any case it exists, and is in the same league as the histories of other parts of the world.
Go the Swannies!
The Sydney Swans, after a drought of over 70 years, have finally won the AFL grand final!
They beat, in an "epic, titanic struggle", the West Coast Eagles, who spent the first 17, 18 weeks of the season undefeated. The team to end their unbeaten streak was, of course Sydney.
I think the Swans had a team which lacked the talent and skill of the Eagles - the Eagles polled the top two in the Browlow Medal count - but for this, they made up with pure team work, aggression, and an insatiable desire to triumph against the odds. Infact its the qualities of the people, combined with the talent of the player that determines their selection in the team. This was highlighted in a report on Channel Ten before yesterdays grand final. Indeed the club was lampooned for turning down some highly talented players, but the vindiction of their decision is proved by these same players having disciplinary issues today.
Maybe it was destiny? They won in the death against Geelong, and then came back from behind against StKilda. Earlier in the season they were written of by the CEO of the AFL and a highly respected commentator.
But what can be said of the coach, Paul Roos? He took over mid-way through 2002 and won six of the remaining eigth games. As the board debated who was to be coach, the players and fans demanded it be Roos. And so it was, and how he has repaid that faith in him. In 2003 he took them to one game from the Grand Final, and last year, took them to the Finals Series. This time he took them all the way. He must have an unbeliveable coaching record, with an unbelivable coaching technique.
They beat, in an "epic, titanic struggle", the West Coast Eagles, who spent the first 17, 18 weeks of the season undefeated. The team to end their unbeaten streak was, of course Sydney.
I think the Swans had a team which lacked the talent and skill of the Eagles - the Eagles polled the top two in the Browlow Medal count - but for this, they made up with pure team work, aggression, and an insatiable desire to triumph against the odds. Infact its the qualities of the people, combined with the talent of the player that determines their selection in the team. This was highlighted in a report on Channel Ten before yesterdays grand final. Indeed the club was lampooned for turning down some highly talented players, but the vindiction of their decision is proved by these same players having disciplinary issues today.
Maybe it was destiny? They won in the death against Geelong, and then came back from behind against StKilda. Earlier in the season they were written of by the CEO of the AFL and a highly respected commentator.
But what can be said of the coach, Paul Roos? He took over mid-way through 2002 and won six of the remaining eigth games. As the board debated who was to be coach, the players and fans demanded it be Roos. And so it was, and how he has repaid that faith in him. In 2003 he took them to one game from the Grand Final, and last year, took them to the Finals Series. This time he took them all the way. He must have an unbeliveable coaching record, with an unbelivable coaching technique.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Salaam Namaste
Well I must admit with no hint of embarassment that I watched Salaam Namaste for the second time this evening, only a week after I watched it for the first time.
Why? Well becasue I enjoyed it. Becasue I like to see the human spirit triumph through adversity, and even though all these movies can be cast out of that same mould, each story takes a different route to get there, and therefore, can teach or exhibit different values or morals or lessons, or whatever, quite frankly. And they also entertain.
Salaam Namaste is, I imagine, quite a controversial movie, as it confronts some key issues which are thought to be quite taboo for mainstream Indian society. These include a guy and girl who are going out, moving in together, the substition of the glorious hug-after-a-run-through-a-field-of-flowers scene with quite provocative kissing; and the standard western, M-rated sex scenes. And these are all played out by two of the leading lights of Bollywood, Priety Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan.
I can only imagine what the elder members of Indias society must be thinking. Not that this is a true barometer of society, but only as an indication of where things are at from only a few years ago.
This subject has the ability to open a whole other debate, which we won't go into, but the movie is controversial, and will continue to be so, until this becomes the norm.
Why? Well becasue I enjoyed it. Becasue I like to see the human spirit triumph through adversity, and even though all these movies can be cast out of that same mould, each story takes a different route to get there, and therefore, can teach or exhibit different values or morals or lessons, or whatever, quite frankly. And they also entertain.
Salaam Namaste is, I imagine, quite a controversial movie, as it confronts some key issues which are thought to be quite taboo for mainstream Indian society. These include a guy and girl who are going out, moving in together, the substition of the glorious hug-after-a-run-through-a-field-of-flowers scene with quite provocative kissing; and the standard western, M-rated sex scenes. And these are all played out by two of the leading lights of Bollywood, Priety Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan.
I can only imagine what the elder members of Indias society must be thinking. Not that this is a true barometer of society, but only as an indication of where things are at from only a few years ago.
This subject has the ability to open a whole other debate, which we won't go into, but the movie is controversial, and will continue to be so, until this becomes the norm.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Faraway Tree to Phumble...
Hello All,
On this cold spring night in the midst of the Sydney basin, a computer flickers with pain to the nonsesical msuings of a...
I have this site, a Web Log, a blog, in which I entreat the vast world to my thoughts, innermost as well as outermost...whether I post something beyond this initial, is well beyond me. I live a dodgy life, governed by the mind at the minute. One of these minutes in the last one year was governed by a mind of malaise, where a ruling was passed to the effect that I was to spend a few months in my home land, mujhe ka desh, Bharath. Now this has distinct under tones of patriotic ferver, and you would be right to think that.
So welcome, feel at home, and hopefully you won't be waiting too long for the drinks and some decent conversation...
...H
On this cold spring night in the midst of the Sydney basin, a computer flickers with pain to the nonsesical msuings of a...
I have this site, a Web Log, a blog, in which I entreat the vast world to my thoughts, innermost as well as outermost...whether I post something beyond this initial, is well beyond me. I live a dodgy life, governed by the mind at the minute. One of these minutes in the last one year was governed by a mind of malaise, where a ruling was passed to the effect that I was to spend a few months in my home land, mujhe ka desh, Bharath. Now this has distinct under tones of patriotic ferver, and you would be right to think that.
So welcome, feel at home, and hopefully you won't be waiting too long for the drinks and some decent conversation...
...H
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