Random thought of the day

failure to follow instruction can lead to destruction followed by construction.

Having fun seriously

What do I do for fun is an often asked question when meeting new people.

I try not to scare them by mentioning that I create physics problems in spare time or think about hitherto unsolved theorems i.e. fermat. I ride motorcycles for fun, I have flown kites, play tennis, bowl. In each of these past times the more I get involved the more interested I am in details. For e.g. riding motorcycle is not just about finding a new road or going for a long ride. It is also about understanding the machine. How does the front suspension settings help a quicker turn in or tire pressure and fuel economy and tire life. Or why is double fisted backhand more firm than a single handed forehand or how does a higher toss help a serve.

Sooner or later when I am explaining some of these intricacies to a self proclaimed enthusiast, a hint of a yawn stops me dead in the tracks and that is where it stops being fun and more of work or non fun.

Sometimes it is not about how a 2B pencil works better on a handcrafted paper. Just grab a pencil and put your thoughts on a medium.

The good bye

I had not seen my room mate or heard her since two days. Even if I don't see usually I hear her. I was busy with looming deadlines. Once in awhile she did have a habit of being quiet but that did not last for hours much less days. I never understood these phases that well. The friendship had stuck right from the first day we met. We were not the reluctant room mates though she would not have been my first choice.

At first I was alarmed but I could not call up the police either. Legally we were allowed one per room. I had not much choice but to keep fingers crossed till she showed up eventually or risk the music of justice. I remember the days when she was sick adn I used to feed her. It was time consuming ordeal to cajole some food through her mouth. She had given me courage in ways she never knew or probably could ever understand. We could never communicate in any normal sense but her mere presence would elevate my moods and heighten my spirits.

In an attempt to keep my mind away from any desolate thoughts of her I started cleaning up a strange stench caught my attention. As I looked past my window I could see her on the edge of the sill where her maiden flight ended.


-Originally written in 98 or then abouts

Are you bored?

During the first few months of marriage it was plenty hectic getting used to new schedule after the wedding and the whole jet lag and missing family thing going on. It was during this time the boss was getting the boredom virus which refused to go away even after treatment by movies, food and magazines. It was then with great trepidation an anxiety she said to me I am bored.

I gleefully announced "Fear not my lady, for I have the panacea right here" and proudly and unmagically produce a rectangoloid object originated from Russia "borrowed" from a classmate. The said object was revered for years and had been my companion through various nights of passion. It had never failed to stimulate me and through the years my respect for it grew and then steadied.

It was a feared one for novices and even seasoned veterans acknowledge it like a great opponent or a warrior. It was Problems in General Physics by IE Irodov. While I was narrating how my friends and I would be creating (not solving) physics problems while sitting on the terrace or by the college tennis courts my woman was horrified by the suggestion. She could not even fathom how I could suggest something which is close to blasphemy of entertainment.

I did confess apriori that I was a geek. But I guess the degree of geekness was left to imagination. Even now she thinks twice before claiming boredom lest I bring out the two pound 500 page linux manual.

So who won this round