Today evening, I happen to surf the news channels and saw Mr.’hope’ wishing  merry Christmas. How can the world cheer when nothing constructive came out of the Copenhagen summit?

Fight the climate change- was the central theme of the summit and a very important one. But for a news viewer,  like me,  the live feeds appeared as ones from a board room meeting. Everybody looking for their own interests; with the least consideration for  mother Earth. What are you going to do with that stash of money, once the Earth is irreversibly damaged? Do we always need a reactive approach to issues ?

In my opinion, the developed world need to lead from the front; which I don’t see happening, as of now. It is a war against ourselves, our beliefs, capitalist interests, selfish needs. The American heroes and the developed world should take the lead. I’m not saying that this is completely their obligation and the rest can lean back and enjoy polluting. Absolutely not. Everyone is equal when it comes to sharing the burden. But can’t the developed world understand that this part of the world is still developing.

For instance, funding programs/processes aimed at reducing emissions in developing countries, sounds like a good idea to my mind. But again, this may result in sovereignty issues, for countries like India, when ‘they’ make reviewing a mandatory procedure. Theoretically this may be minuscule issue for them, but for us, Indians, – it is important and should not be overlooked.

I have this secret hobby of observing my surroundings- people, buildings, cars, trees, and a bottle cap on the pavement, mostly anything!! Recently, I was on a clubbing spree with my friends and had successfully jumped three by 2:30 AM, finally settled then. What’s common to people visiting these places is the fact they want to forget their lives for some time, and have a good time. For the young it is more about experiencing an unknown realm, and potentially be cool; I have a very strong dissociative feeling for the use of word ‘cool’ in conversations.

The process may involve booze, drugs, getting laid, music + dance floor et al. Well, these people are a marketer/entrepreneur’s delight as they spend a decent amount on funding the ‘process’. To be honest, I have done it all when it comes to chasing peace and have realized over time that it is over rated. For me, it is the stress taking a toll on me and one ignores its sheer existence.

Yoga is a brilliant way to beat stress and helps you connect with self. Sounds bizarre as it may, when I say ‘connect with myself’, but I have experienced it. I’m a practitioner, but my lifestyle is plagued with nicotine; I have been on and off cigarettes. One thing is for sure,- Yoga and booze/cigarettes don’t go hand in hand. It’s a see saw kind off an equation, it’s either this way or that.

If  ‘vote bank’ politics is a brand, then I see Telangana creation as a line extension. If you go back into recent history, then you’re reminded of the language based politics. Dig further into time, and you find yourself faced with the evergreen politics of religion.

How does the government intend to cope up with future demands? ‘Bodoland’ for instance.

You know, when I was a child, I would very often see this commercial which talked about National integration.

I guess all similar efforts have come undone !!

We have several national issues to deal with, and here comes the frugal one. Terrorism, naxalism,- to name a few, are issues which need our immediate attention. Have we ever thought as to why is naxalism is there in the first place. I read this article by Shoma Choudhary of Tehelka, and recommend it totally.

Tehelka Article: \’Weapon of mass desparation\’

I realize that there’s  no room for ‘regionalism’.

Then there’s this category who claim to be the biggest pink floyd fans ( for instance ), and haven’t heard, at best, more than 3-4 hits; Comfortably numb, Wish you were here, Another brick in the Wall -2, Money.

- My biggest peeves.

You rock guys \m/.

The other day I read about this article which stated that only 16 paise reaches the ‘aam aadmi’ out of 1 Re spent by the union. The ‘erosion virus’ is nothing but a common ‘virtue’ of today’s times,- Corruption. Schemes like NREGA, are rendered virtually useless. Why’s there so much wastage of tax payers money? Some would suggest use the RTI to good effect. But I do question the power of the act. Despite its much success, the simple question at heart is -’Why are judges beyond the purview of the same?’. I can understand national security issues; but to my mind,- this is nothing but a case of ‘personal’ security. What a bloody waste.

A vast radiant beach and cooled jeweled moon
Couples naked race down by it’s quiet side
And we laugh like soft, mad children
Smug in the wooly cotton brains of infancy
The music and voices are all around us…… ‘ – Jim Morrison ( Ghost song – The Doors )

I’m not much of a Doors fan, but have huge respect for Mr.Ray Manzarek and have always considered Mr.Morrison to be a rather wasted talent under the aegis of drugs. But this piece of lyric, from the Ghost song, stays with me.

What really interests me is this man’s love  for the bottle. Well, drawing a parallel of sorts, I’m no different. But the funny part is the known outcome of overindulgence, and associated downsides. Hangover- difficult to deal with at times; but a good movie !!

What is it that drives a man to drink ? Potentially – Psychological dependence, addiction, too much money to save, peer pressure, social fad, blah blah…….

Who needs a bartender ?

Many avoid liquor during certain  festivals; a religious call, you see. But it is heartbreaking to see the same take bribes, commit adultery, blaspheme most times, lie at the drop of a hat. Eccentricity ? No, this is ‘piousness’ in our part of the world. You may do hundred uncalled for deeds, but as long as your ‘public’ image is clean, you’re clean; I guess conscience is of little relevance in the ‘New York minute’ age.

I wonder as to why are the Premium scotch makers focusing on the Indian market ? Rising demand, saturated markets world wide, – what ? Well, I’m sure they would have done their market research.

Anyways, without digressing too much from the topic, I’d like to talk about a controlled alcohol consumption. But the point at heart is : ‘can we do anything about it?’ Not quite, as we’re part of this ‘democratic money machinery’ and is all what we think about, apart from sex and the city !!

We despise a hangover, and yet  proudly display it as our social networking status.  Despite the disgust surrounding the consequences, most of us are still found drinking away to glory on a Saturday night.

Who’s to blame ? John Travolta ? Certainly not.

I’ve been a smoker for good 8 years, and have twice in the past attempted to quit. But I guess the cigarette is smoking me !!

I write this post, so as to illustrate my experience with the truth, which persists and forces acceptability; in spite of  constant aversion. For long I have ignored the quitter’s yelp, but finally decided to hear myself out. My year-on-year improving average, also indicative of the profitability quotient for sellers, is an affirmation of the fact that addiction can become unbridled, and capable of dire consequences.

As funny as it may sound, but these are times when I N-E-E-D-E-D a cigarette:

• Watching television
• Reading a newspaper
• Accompany its family,- tea, coffee, booze, carbonated drinks.
• Watch others smoke
• To remain awake; a presumption most smokers make.
• After food; more like a dessert
• Listening to music

Well, dear reader, if you have any one of the above, please consider yourself an addict. I’ve arrived at this not-so-comprehensive list after analyzing my behavior.

Off late, I had begun to ask myself questions;  ‘Am I slave?’ , was the first one. And as it turned out, I was. I just could not control myself once I got my smoking cue !! Kick the habit, to avoid kicking the bucket; inherent players, most of us are. Lousy comment, I’d say.

Reading about Emphysema, left me worried. Not to forget,- the carcinogenic attribute of a cigarette. It’s the fourth day since I kicked the habit, yet again, but feel a definite improvement. The initial days are pretty ugly, in terms of the bodily adjustment; the third being the worst.

In retrospect, I feel that smoking proved to be unnecessary burden, carried too far off. It was absolutely uncalled for, and completely avoidable with a little effort.

The quintessence of quitting and refraining, is determination.

I’ve quit, how about you ?

You know, if I had the guts to leave all this and become a traveler, I certainly would. But I guess I have other issues to address, which are just waiting to cause disaster if unattended. How many times does it happen that we want to follow a certain aspiration, but instead become subservient to cowardice. Life’s like this boxing ring, but what differs is the number of boxers; multiple, and invisible. You only discover the ‘invisible boxer’, once you’re hit !!

Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay, but who stops the human spirit to dream.

Dream on.