Merciless Rickshaw driver tales

Our notorious auto drivers have a way with words. Blasphemous language and derisive comments come to most of them naturally; their verbalization of words almost a tsunami of expletives waiting to happen. This band of brothers are often disliked for charging exorbitant fares. I for one have had treacherous experiences with some, though I can't rule out the better ones. Haggling with auto drivers inevitably drains my energy... it is one of those few things that takes a toll on you not just physically but also mentally. I try hard to keep my cool around them, hoping they will come around but all the effort is in vain. The ubiquitous influence and camaraderie amongst auto rickshaw drivers leaves you with limited options. Time constraints generally dictate our commuting choices unless one is located close to a bus stop or metro station or has hired a cab. That leaves us with our "honorable" auto rickshaw chalaks.
There was a time when I undertook the task of enlightening the auto driver about how much it hurt to shell out hard-earned money, over and above the true fare. "Come to think of it," I told him, "You choose to negotiate the fare/your earnings every time you take a passenger on board, whereas I don't have the option of negotiating my salary everyday, how is that fair?" Of course he didn't pay heed to my tirade, choose to look away, blurted some curse words and chugged along in his motor.
In another such instance where the auto rickshaw driver claimed a higher fare, my anger peaked, leading me to question him about the purpose of installing a meter in his vehicle. Frowning and fuming the auto fellow demanded to know If I thought I was Katrina Kaif. Of course there is no correlation between the purpose of utilizing a meter and whether I thought I was Katrina (which I definitely don't think I am), but even if I was she (Katrina Kaif) I doubt  if "Rambo's driver" (as was scribbled on the back of his auto) would've extended me the courtesy of charging fairly. I was left speechless while the guy grinned and revved up his engine, discharging a cloud of smoke in my face.
Though the worst case I can relate is that of rickshaw drivers quoting unprecedented amounts during the monsoon. This is when they really go full throttle. The situation roughly engenders a lesser mortal sentiment.
Errant drivers have the audacity to dismiss your protests, refuse to travel by meter or avoid travelling altogether, based on their convenience.
I believe at some point you have to put your foot down and become thick-skinned. On providing the due amount for an auto ride, drivers have refused to take it alleging that they won't get a passenger on their onward journey from my destination. At times like these I never yield to the pressure exerted by them and simply leave the money in the vehicle. Some have a tendency to get livid and may even follow you till the point you render the extra cash, but don't get bullied.
Unfortunately, rigged meters have now become the norm. Commuters often find themselves ill-quipped to tackle verbal assaults from auto drivers in the absence of logical reasoning for exorbitant fares. When told a complaint will be lodged against them, they appear unfazed. On one such occasion, I pledged to make the situation known to a traffic police officer, betting on a favorable outcome. Much to my dismay, the traffic officer seemed amused and told me there was nothing he could do.
Expats haven't had a joyride either with our infamous rickshaw drivers, read more: http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/1830142/report-expats-want-auto-drivers-tamed-nightlife-relaxed

An sms-your-complaint-about-auto-drivers scheme was introduced by Bangalore Traffic Police in 2011. There is no evidence to indicate the success of the scheme, however, if you would like to lodge a complaint, try this: http://www.delhitrafficpolice.nic.in/complaint-card.aspx
Though not all rickshaw drivers are out to pauperize you, some of them turn out to be courteous and just. It is a pity we don't find them often. As one of the bloggers put it, it is about being treated with respect (Read: http://nomadicsamuel.com/travel-stories/the-time-i-tipped-my-rickshaw-driver#respond, http://www.srikumar.com/family/moral_inspirational_stories/inspiring_story_an_autorickshaw_driver.htm)

So till the time our state governments come up with concrete solutions for better public transportation (considering our population is only growing), we must take the matter in our own hands. Having witnessed a staggering pace of growth for expanding the metro network (in Bangalore), I'm dubious of immediate action being taken. However, I do believe we can tackle the problem at hand (in context of auto drivers) by being thick-skinned and holding our ground on auto fares. But honestly I can't wait for multiple metro routes to be operational, that'll cut out the everyday hassle.

Fore more on rickshaw drivers, read:
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/1786754/report-how-bangalore-s-auto-drivers-intimidate-women
http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/rehabilitating-auto-rickshaw-drivers-bangalore
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/170473/some-auto-drivers-never-learn.html

My quest to getting inked

As a child I always cast about for opportunities to play in the open air, wander about green fields and bask in the sun. One such evening I stumbled upon a fascinating creature with petite wings and an elongated body, that left me mesmerized. Therein began my  preoccupation with dragonflies or helicopters (as I elected to christen them, stemming from my inadequate knowledge of the insect family). Once you start watching dragonflies, you can't help notice how amazing they are. It's agile flight and ability to move in all directions is reflective of the cognizance it bears of its surroundings while exhibiting iridescence. Much like a Gemini's desire to satiate his/her intense curiosity, the dragonfly wanders from pillar to post exploring uncharted territories, leaving no stone unturned. In other words, me -- with a dash of awkwardness, thick spectacles, learning to deal with a tall frame, all at once during my formative years.
Given the impressionable age, popular cultural icons such as the Spice Girls (particularly Sporty Spice) and Buffy - The Vampire Slayer, and a bit of sports on the side influenced my preferences. I considered myself tough and developed a bond with gory, action-oriented televised images (I'm guessing my friends would refute the tough part :)). I was especially in awe of Mel C a.k.a. Sporty Spice with her back-flips, tattoos and easygoing attire. The Celtic tattoo on her arm was my favourite, emblematic of allegiance to one's tribe.

The childish infatuation with tattoos lured me into getting temporary Celtic bands, that I preserved for days on my body.  So its safe to assume that she was partially instrumental in motivating me to get mine. My parents, of course, were far from being thrilled with the idea of marking myself for life. I knew I'd have to wait till a respectable age to convince them. The gravity of the situation could only be determined through my patient, unshakable devotion to the art. However, getting a tattoo went from being a fad to meaning something much deeper. According to some,  people get tattoos either to rebel, be different or on a drunken whim, but my reasons stand far apart from those (Also read: http://www.thetattooedengineer.com/2011/05/26/why-do-people-get-tattoos/).
Change is imperative, though it may not come easy, but there are certain things that help you hold your ground, such as family and love, which is encapsulated by the etching on my shoulder. It signifies the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity from the perspective of self-realization.
Drawing from my beliefs and childhood memories, I designed my tattoo starting with a series of Celtic symbols and varied compositions of the dragonfly. Deep down I always knew I wanted the dragonfly, due to the symbolic inference attached to this enchanting creature. Despite the physical pain it was expected to cause, I vowed to see it through.
My tattoo is a part of my identity, stating my belief in evolution, love, family and peace, all that I have come to embrace.


THE JOURNEY

MY CONVICTION, PARENTS' DILEMMA
Understand that your parents belong to a different generation when tattoos were almost exclusively seen on  gang members, bikers etc. The circumstances and conditions involved in carrying out the task were not always safe or hygienic, hence the anxiety. For someone who has been raised with all the love and care in the world, I was conscious of my parents grief and their inability to comprehend the arguments I put forth. There was no other alternative but to keep at it and remind them, time and again, that it wasn't to cater to my "cool quotient" rather it would denote elements that I held in great regard. In retrospect I'm glad I spent all those years contemplating what I wanted, it helped me realize the seriousness of it. Considering it will stay with you forever, become a permanent feature, you ought to give it a lot of thought. In order to expunge your parents' prejudice, make them aware of how artists are extensively trained on safe handling and disposal of equipment. Present them with solid facts to allay their fears. Getting a tattoo is not worth losing your parents respect...give them time to come around, trust me..they will, knowing you've grown up into a responsible adult.


MYTHS ABOUT PAIN & ENDURANCE 
Honestly, I was petrified when I walked into the tattoo studio. The thought of the blood and pain, kept me up all night. Nevertheless, I had made up my mind to go through with it. Since I got inked on my right shoulder blade, I was spared from the trauma of witnessing the needle pierce my body. Let me dispel the myth for you...the pain is not as bad as you think! Tattoo needles perforate your skin only by about 1/16th of an inch, very insignificant when you consider it. There is blood, of course, but the constant motion leaves you no time to fret about the pain. I barely bled and was done in 40 minutes or so. The threshold for pain varies for every individual and depends on the area you choose for your body art (Read more about tattoo pain scale: http://www.tattoos-hurt.com/tattoo-pain-scale/)
Eventually the pain is worth the beautiful piece of artwork.
.

TREASURING IT FOREVER
As I laid eyes on the timeless piece of art, I was filled with immense joy. I couldn't help feeling that I'd battled all odds to get here; my perseverance finally winning over my parents. Just as a dragonfly lives through different stages of its being, I believe I have evolved as an individual too. It symbolizes the change and transition in my life. A dragonfly's short lifespan exemplifies the virtue of seizing every moment and living life to the fullest. By living in the moment I have learnt to be bold and courageous, growing in tacit knowledge. The joy comes not from belonging to a clique but from the pictorial depiction of my belief.
What was once considered a taboo has now evolved into a sophisticated art form, however, take the time to educate yourself about the entire process and in choosing the right artist.

                                                                               Voila!

THROWING IN MY TWO CENTS
Get inked when it means something to you as you are going to live with it for the rest of your life. I for one would love to get another tattoo but am shackled by my family's orthodox views on body art. Their resistance stems from the sentiment that the dragonfly tattoo is all the body art they can handle, after all I am the first in my family (or even extended family) to get one. To top it all...I belong to the female sex, which from an Indian traditionalist standpoint makes me a rebel (or so its said).
Think it through before taking the plunge, doesn't matter if the whole task takes a few years (it worked out well in my case).Truly comprehend the philosophy behind getting inked, because it's bound to become a part of your identity.
If given the option to get more tattoos, I would probably put a stop to it after another two or three. I wouldn't want to go overboard with the number, but of course "each to his own", do what makes you happy. I'm attempting to settle with happy, though itching to get the next one. Any wise words/ experiences you'd like to share?


Tattoo ideas/ Tattoo blog posts:
http://www.contrariwise.org/
http://www.thetattooedengineer.com/2011/05/26/why-do-people-get-tattoos/
http://www.tattoos-hurt.com/tattoo-pain-scale/

http://thejoyunderneath.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/i-got-a-tattoo/

There is a tide in the affairs of men...

"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat;
and we must take the current when it serves
or lose our ventures." -- Julius Caesar, Act 4, Scene 3


There come many tides in our lives, but taking advantage of a high tide will shepherd our path to fortunes and enable us to experience anything glorious than mundane events. In this scene, Brutus urges Cassius to initiate battle against Octavius and Antony by combining their forces with the people of Philippi, thus robbing the enemy of additional troops. The ratio of forces, in Brutus' view, is likely to put his brigade in an advantageous position,  subtly alluding to the fact that power is a force that flows and ebbs in time and that they must defeat their enemy by making most of their situation. Cradling the opportunity and not letting it pass, alters our path. If we chance upon such a situation but resolve to proceed past, we may spend the rest of our lives thinking what could have been. We must be vigilant in protecting these opportunities because we rarely chance upon them. It is these occasions that help us distinguish ourselves from the herd. These junctures present us not just with success driven opportunities, but also define the lives we choose to lead henceforth. However, our choices must not be confined to success or overlook the opportunities to live, laugh or see the enchantment in the world.
There is a tide in all things, but recognizing when they reach their peak and seizing  the opportunity it presents also brings forth a complex interplay between fate and free will. Life is influenced by both fate and free will, it  is up to us to comprehend the many omens that we encounter. It is not always easy to identify these nudges of fate, awakening us to the truth of lack of total control over our lives. So we must rise up to the occasion and evaluate the various options before us. The characters' repeated failures to identify the signs correctly and adapt to events as they unfold, form the basis for most of the tragedy that occurs in the play.
Fend off being your own nemesis.

Art and its wider implications

Claude Oscar Monet's impressionist art captures the general impression produced by a scene or object, attempting to accurately and objectively record visual reality. His painting above depicts a pond in a set of mural-sized canvases where abstract renderings of plant and water emerge from broad strokes of color. As inspiring as it is, art is a powerful medium used to manifest our existence, thereby giving us an opportunity to make sense of the world around us. The art piece above (as per my interpretation) conveys the fullness that life represents, and the different canvases comprise different stages in our life and the diverse set of people we meet. Each stroke illustrates the whirlwinds or the quiet we encounter through these different stages and the colors epitomize our moods. Monet's paintings more often than not articulate calm, reflection and the fullness that life represents.

Though art in general can be soothing, healing and may even project our latent desires onto a canvas.

Carl Jung, a Swiss Psychiatrist, said that the creative process consists of elaborating and shaping an image into a finished work. Through this shape, the artist translates it into a language of the present, making it possible for us to find a way back to the deepest springs of life. The aesthetic consideration for any creative work provokes thought and enables us to view things from an alternative perspective. I believe that the intellectual stimulation ignited by art is inspiring.
Art speaks to you, capturing the inner essence of nature or objects. However, many ideas that transform into works of art are an attempt by the artist to declare the unsaid. Similarly authors, songwriters and bloggers don't realize that their subconscious finds a way into their writing, indicative of hidden truths lurking in their minds. For every artist (be it a sculptor, painter or writer), expression equates to catharsis. And as an observer we may somehow be emotionally invested in what we view. Therein lies inspiration, giving birth to creation.

Back after long hiatus

Ever wonder if you could turn back time and do things differently? Would my current situation have been better had I acted differently? This raises a very potent question in my mind...am I living with regrets? As I ponder over this question and look back on the last three years, the metamorphosis seems surreal.

A new phase of my life began as I stumbled upon a unique role in a different city. As in any new city we struggle to find our feet, and I had my share of predicaments. However, being with family and indulging myself with books helped me reel back to the life I had long forgotten.

The journey also comprised a spiritual awakening and reinvigorating family values, helping me set my priorities right. Blogging and writing for pleasure took a backseat as authoring business stories found its way into my life. Surprisingly this lively, boisterous movie buff found solace in seclusion, though not to the extent of being an introvert; drawing parity between time spent with self and others.

Through all these experiences, I began defining my path. The choices I made, the answers I chased and the fight to avoid losing myself in the crowd, made me who I am today. And then the staggering truth came to light...my journey was anything but regretful because during the course of it, I found me...

Hungover over 'The Hangover'

Still hungover and raving about this delirious and nutty comedy. Three men, one Vegas night, that's enough to get your stomach roaring. Celebrating their friend's last days of bachelorhood, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) & Alan (Adam Galifianakis), set out to give the best bachelor party to the soon to be wed Doug (Justin Bartha). In the midst of their adventure they lose track of events & awake with no memory of the previous night. Soon after which they come to realise that the groom is missing. In an attempt to retrace their steps and find Doug, there unfolds a series of misadventures that lead them to one revelation after another of what transpired. Alan's eccentric yet innocent character outshines the rest of the cast, despite his attempts to emulate Phil. The suave and know it all, Phil, is bemused by Alan, who's recurring attempts to impress his new friends are met with condescention. Stu, the nerd, living under the oppressive regime of his girlfriend, experiences a sense of emancipation with this short but self-annihilating journey. Each character paints a vivid picture (with the exception of Doug) of the different perceptions of life and surviving it.

Shooter

Disillusionment riding on the shoulders with the guilt of a friend's death, Mark Wahlberg (The Big Hit) airs a good show, true to his character. With the cinematography being an asset for the film, along with the plot of treachery... the film could be a gunners paradise with its surge of gun laden jargon.
A dual conspiracy laid three years ago, leaves this patriot short of motivation and will to return to his profession, landing him as a hunter in the woods. Political Influentials caught in a dilemma of the Presidents assasination, recruit this wounded soldier to tackle the impending danger. This is where his journey begins to unravel the truth behind his friend's death. An action oriented film with some brilliant gunnery, the film is a must watch for action lovers and Mark Wahlberg fans.
This actor has come a long way from being a Calvin Klein model to a movie star...are the Indian models listening???

Eragon

A curio of a kind that adds up nowhere to the Dragon stories... rendered useless..
The story of a boy, destined to fight evil and retrieve the days of the dragon and the dragon rider. The amalgam rides short of its depiction, making this 'fantastical journey', into a babble of cliches. The story indeed falls short of a flow and has a rather hap-hazard line to it.
Even the costumes for that matter, are not in tandem with the context of the film, where Eragon is seen in well-finished leather pants and contemporary styled cotton shirts.

An amateurish representation, that wastes the talent of John Malkovich and Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty). The archetype of fighting evil and good winning the battle however is due to get extended to a sequel, which is an intolerable proposition. Hence my suggestion: Don't even think of watching it!