Friday, May 25, 2007

Lucky Me

What is luck?

Different people think of it in different ways. And everyone creates their own definition of luck. Some of these definitions sound so wise, you'd think they'd been spoken by some hotshot religious leaders. But it ain't like that. You can have your own definition of luck, but unless something lucky happens to you, you don't get it.

There is nothing called luck, actually. It is just a concept that the mind of mankind has created, skulking around looking for a solution to some random question of philosophy; a solution that cannot be called false since it does not cross any principle that has yet been established as reasonable true, and while yet lying in the realm of doubt, is comfortable enough that it may be accepted without too much discomfort. Basically anything that happens in such a manner that you wanted or expected or hoped it would happen, is taken as an instance of luck.

Logically, is this justified? Not really. Because almost everything that you do nowadays has your hand in its making, consciously or unconsciously. You get whatever you worked for. And based on your own experience, you know, consciously or subconsciously, how well or badly you performed, and what the outcome of what you did should approximately be. You would thus end up with some expectation, however slight, of the result. Human nature never talks of itself exactly; it's either always self-glorifying or self-deprecating. So when the result comes out better than expected, it's good luck, and if it's worse, then it's bad luck.

Look at it this way, and you'll be able to actually explain all those instances of 'good' luck as very favourable or pleasant logic. And then you'll see that the instances of actual 'luck' are nothing but very nice coincidence. And they will be quite few and rare to find!

But regardless of how rare the coincidence it's fun to see the consequences of it. Like when you have a certain minimum score that you're hoping to get in a test, and it turns out that you just manage to get that minimum score. The luck part of it is that you got the bare minimum you need to scrape through. And as a result, a lot of nice things happen, because life just got a little simpler with that bare minimum score.

Interesting things happen in life. You only need to keep your eyes and ears open. You'll never know what's happening otherwise.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Parallel To A Football Match

I'm watching a football match on TV at the moment. Everyone's asleep. I've never paid football any attention before.

A friend of mine just recommended this match. He seems to be a sports freak - I've only recently started talking to him. I don't know any rules of football, I don't know the playing procedure or the scoring protocol; I've never even kicked a ball before, let alone play football. But I'm still enjoying the match.

I'm on vacation, and I'm pretty bored at the moment. A vacation is supposed to be spent usefully, to take time out and do stuff that you don't normally have time to do, in the course of school, college or work. I'm not doing anything. I feel like such a lowlife, such a cheat. I'm ashamed and that's probably why I haven't called or talked to anyone. The list keeps mounting day by day.

Anyway this match is something different. I'm feeling the urge to write, so I guess this means some of the cobwebs are being blown out of my brain. I wish I had a proper writing table.

Okay, one team just scored. Both teams seem to be quite evenly matched - this team that just scored got it because it was a penalty kick awarded thanks to being fouled by the other team. I get the feeling a lot of goals are scored that way... else the way this game seems to proceed, each team will always get blocked every time they try to score! Even though the goal net is so wide, it doesn't seem to be an easy task to kick the ball in, particularly when you're being cobbled by the other team, and you have a particularly wary goalie facing you!

Anyway game's over, and one team managed to win. God, they're so happy. They have a goal to chase!

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Meat!!!

For this I thank the one with whom I've been friends before birth. Sorry girl, for ripping the link off your blog, but believe me, I give you full credit for spreading the cheer!!!

They're made out of meat... by Terry Bisson 

Enjoy!!!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

The Last Day in College

It's the last day in college. Of this semester.

For me, of my second year as a college student. There are so many things I've seen, so many things I've heard, and a glimpse, very vague, of the huge amount of stuff yet to come.

There are just a few hours left. Before I leave this city. Before an entire generation of people leaves forever, embarking on a journey each to his own horizon. Only a few hours I have, in which to gain the maximum I can from this generation. There are only four that I really want to know or meet. Three are easy to obtain. It's the thought of the fourth that kills me.

My character has gone through a complete apostasy. It's not visible to most, though. But where it is, people are completely shocked, though they're getting over it now. Not more shocked than myself though. It's amazing how someone can change in twelve months.

My thinking, my attitude, my behaviour, my tolerance, the rationality of judgement, the purity of my character, the sweetness of my nature, the generosity of my heart, the clarity of my mind - everything has gone through a sinusoidal shaped curve upon the axis of time. I am quite still what I was, to a great extent, and yet some things have changed, irreversibly, some things have begun, irrevocably, and some things have ended, irrefutably. I have both lost and not lost, gained and not gained.

I didn't have any idea where I was headed. Or where I wanted to be. I still don't. Time's ticking away, and it's so unreal I could just stand still and watch all the colours just swirl and spin by in fast motion, and nobody would ber able to catch me as I fall, and I wouldn't be able to comprehend what's going on around me, even though my mind is completely aware of what's taking place.

I'm actually writing all this, and will type it into the blog later. But at the moment I just realize: I have really nice handwriting.

People are amazing. And the way you can get to meet and know people, interact with them, learn from them, teach them, talk to them, argue with them, make acquaintances, make friends; it's all just so amazing. I've come to meet and know three times more people in second year than I did in first year, which is natural and logical, and yet pleasing to know.

So many events have shaped the course of thought, as it meanders over the plains of time, to join the ocean of the past.

I've had so many firsts this year. So many new things as well. So much has happened to me, both good and bad. Everything has served to teach me a lesson. Somebody once told me, nature teaches you a hundred lessons everyday, of which perhaps only two get into your head. Doesn't matter, because the remaining will continue to be taught, until they get drilled into you.

How right he was.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

2.5 Diggers? I Say It's Possible!

Textbooks can say a lot of stupid things as well, besides the sensible stuff. Of course, very few textbooks actually go to the extent of giving wrong stuff (unless they're sponsored by the State Government!), but there are some priceless examples which are technically correct, but just can't be allowed all the same!

Take for example, Organic Chemistry, by P.L. Soni. It lists out the uses of paper:
1) As tissue paper
2) As napkins and toilet paper
3) As gift wrapping paper
4) Envelopes and packaging
5) Cardboard
6) Sandpaper
7) Heat insulation
8) Writing and printing books
9) Printing newspapers
And yes, they are printed more or less in this order!

More examples to follow as the process of discovery continues. Watch this space.