TAG-athon

So, after a lot of pondering (see previous post), here I am, "trying" to revive my blog. Thanks to Preethi and the TAG.

The whole point of this tagging business is to get (not-so) lazy-procrastinating-bloody-bum bloggers to oil their brains; and let thoughts flow again..! (presumably after eons.)

I should now be discussing "11 Things about me". But being an extraordinary introvert in ordinary circumstances, I am not quite comfortable sharing intricate issues here. So this discussion is bound to take unpredictable (de)tour(s). Take Diversion it is.

1. Why 11 things about me? Why the number 11 I mean. The thing is I could have more (or less) stuff that make up all that is me, me. Here I am, questioning the astrologically or astronomically significant value which is helping me out in updating my dashboard.
The-questioner-who-almost-always-doesn't-know-the-answer.

2. The introvert part chips in again, forcing me to make it a point, EMPHATICALLY. The not-so-introvert-me, created this blog for voicing out views on general issues.
The-not-so-extrovert-introvert.

3. Reminded of the quote, Cogito Ergo Sum. For all the deep philosophical meaning of this statement (I think, therefore I am) by a predominantly mathematically inclined Rene Descartes, this is definitely taking a different shape in my dictionary. As for me, it's I read, therefore I am. Yes, reading makes me think, no doubt. But it's the impulse, the irresistible urge to read whatever I lay my hands upon, that makes me a predominantly avid-reader.

4. How can I ever forget to reiterate that this blog - the name and the so called tagline, make most of what I am trying to say here? It's getting boring, just like a 16-mark-answer to Anna University question. You state, and elaborate. You draw block diagrams, and re-elaborate in different words that explain the same thing. Getting to the point, The-Silent-Spectator is all of what I am. The sleeping dragon of an extrovert peeps it's head from inside, lethargically & occasionally.

5. Yes, the tagline. I had to split the explanation okay? Otherwise I would never ever get to the not-so-magical 11! I have this ambivalent attraction towards anything that makes me understand how our brains work. In the sense, how can a simple train of electrical impulse, combined with the interplay of a lot of sensing-actuating organ systems, fueled by hormones-juices-and other chemicals (that we should all be familiar with :P) make us do things that we are (or not) supposed to? A-mazing! Slight hatred and confusion owing to the complexity. Here I am, Verbally responding to all of my Visual Stimuli. (I know it generically characterizes all of homo sapiens, but see, I pointed it out!)

6. It's tiring already.
I get easily inspired. But getting me to DO something is as difficult as getting an unwilling child to eat/sleep. I see greatness in many things that everyone around me does. But acting upon what I've got inspired for - that's a stretch away! Dreamer. One who needs external push.

7. I am partially in the borderline-OCD category of weirdos! (That's my spot! :P) I am way too flexible at times. Extremes-of-nature.

8. There is always this Simmering Anger that is getting ready to burst as powerfully as Mt.Etna. At? Apathy for social issues. I would love to throw bricks at people who say things like "I hate Politics." "Politics is Scum." "Government, bah!" "Oh you are discussing political issues, pch (giving a foolish smile thinking it's intellectually cool), that's not what I would like to talk about..!"
So who do you think you are? You are worse than those "corrupt" politicians and the "corrupt" government that you are fighting against with the weapon of a noble aim to pass the janlokpal bill! Not to mention the crusader who is associated with a right wing institution! What-eh-WoW!
You don't find time to read newspapers. You think India is shining. And India will become a superpower by 2020 only if all the black money stashed away is retrieved. You watch and dance to the tunes of IPL. You smile at Vedanta ad, not knowing what it is to do. You become so cheerful about Olympics 2012! Oh yes, Dow Chemicals that destroyed Bhopal is sponsoring the event! You view that with a Why-should-I-care-about-it approach! You support NaMo, hail him as the best CM ever! But you don't know Zakia Jafri, Gulberg Society etc.

So this was the major detour I promised.

9. Cycling is an IN thing. With Sprinter vs. Long-distance runner as an analogy, I might belong to the Long-distance-cycler(!) category. No, I missed the Chennai Cycling Marathon on Feb 26, 2012.

10.

I am affectionately known as Nadamaadum Naalkaati (Walking Calendar, when roughly translated from Tamil). Yes, I almost always (not always) remember all pointless/pointful(!) stuff with date time year blahs. And I was cloyingly titled so, because of the relatively little more (may be 1%) capacity to recollect nonsense. (This is remotely similar to Dr.Sheldon Cooper of Big Bang fame. Remotely-because I cannot match the intellectual level of that character in a thousand years.)

11. WoW. Finally. To sum things up, I cannot be summed up. Just like everyone, I cannot be generalized in any sense. I am a normal (!) human being with my own set of idiosyncrasies, whims-and-fancies; and normalcy is again a variable threshold. I can be too happy for simple things as much as I ponder and mull over seemingly casual issues that can be sorted out with the blink of an eye.

This was a challenge I set to myself. To blab 11 (not-so) different things. And I succeeded I hope.

Patting myself on the back, continuing with the TAG-athon task.

Preethi wants me to answer a few questions.

1. Your views on God, Spirituality, Ghosts and Athma.

-- Everyone has some set of beliefs based on which their life moves. Something like a road one lays for oneself. Or may be the vehicle one chooses to ride depending on a lot of factors including safety. Some prefer Car, you don't skid as in a 2-wheeler (including cycle :P), although it also has a lot of disadvantages. let's not get into the 2-stroke, 4-stroke details.
Ya, so some people need a protector, a guardian-angel that helps and guides them through the travails of life. For a few others all these aren't needed. Theism is one such thing.
As for the rest, the same explanation holds good given the boundary conditions of "belief". Ghosts and Athma aren't my things. And so it is for the former two as well.

*singing, peigala nambaadha pinjula vembaadhe....*

2. What makes your life meaningful?

--People (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, "Networks"). Man is a social animal you see. I am no exception.

3. The best ways to tackle anger and detest.

--Drink a cupa tea. Read something. Go cycling.

4. How do you visualize yourself in another 10years.

--As a person who is 30 years old :P

5. What remains as your far-fetched dream till date?

--Traveling. India majorly. I want to visit all places that P.Sainath manages to dig into, observe and write about. And experience that pain.

(for those who are wondering who he is, please google him. And read "Everybody loves a good drought")

6. Something that makes you proud or stays as your identity.

--I am not proud of the blunt remarks that I give out. It is my identity though.

7. How do you connect with me?

--As a fellow CDB (Content Development Board) member :P A fellow blogger, ex-busmate and most impportant of all, a great friend. Oops.. I missed the question, connection through physical meetings in college and virtually through facebook and blogspot.

That's it for now, thank you!

So, now it's my turn to question, I would like to ask the same set of questions as Preethi (curious to know how you will respond to these)

1. Your views on God, Spirituality, Ghosts and Athma
2. What makes your life meaningful?
3. The best ways to tackle anger and detest.
4. How do you visualize yourself in another 10years.
5. What remains as your far-fetched dream till date?
6. Something that makes you proud or stays as your identity.
7. How do you connect with me?

Tagging,

Trisha
Irfan
Manish
Rohit
Aswin


Whew, that was quite a task..! Hope atleast 2/5 respond with their set of tags..! :D