People, Friendships, Relationships and... Escapism.

Hats off to life .. again.. and again. Another set of lessons! I might not be able to explain the lessons. But the following are the things I saw around me.

- Friends being drifted off to worlds apart....
- People being confused a lot...
- Escapism helps a lot of them... escape from the problem, escape from the confusing situation.

I am seeing that quite a lot lately - it teaches me a lot too. Like.., What not to do? How not to act? How not to think?

As I had said earlier... confusion is a good thing - it gives you clarity, even though it takes you through troubled times. But don't give up -- don't ever give up. Don't try to escape. Figure out the reason and fight the problem. If everything else fails, fall to the option of seeing things materialistically. Try to look into the future - try to see which action would do what in the future. Plan the actions accordingly. ***

Isn't life so simple? Like everyone else, I do have my fair share of problems, my fair share of demoralised, low moments. Still everything has always looked so clear to me. Even when there were confusions, I could steer clear of them (Not always very easily and sometimes with the help of the below mentioned friend; sometimes other friends too). Still, mostly, I have been able to ... perhaps because I am unknowingly learning from others.

As Vimal said, I have too much time to think. I should give a thought to giving less time for thoughts! ;)
Glad that it's not devil's workshop... YET! :)

Time to sleep. Signing off, Sands.

***: Easily said than done. ;)

Not so Perfect Murder(s)

First, let's read a short conversation between Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. [Ad. of the Speckled Band]

"What do you make of that, Watson?"

"It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be tied."

"That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." [source]

Recently I read about some murders which happened in Kerala. I am specifically talking about the guys who murdered their wives (respectively) and one of them killed all his children too. I do totally resent the whole affair.

Both of them had planned their deeds beforehand. Well, there must have been a trigger - but they were pretty sure about the murders to be committed.

Now, the surprising thing is that they were caught within a week's time. They had left all the clues/evidences which had pointed to them. As a good citizen/man, I am happy that they were caught, as they should be.

The surprise comes from the fact that they were caught within a few days - was that all their planning was? Shouldn't they have done a little more of homework before doing the thing? Idiots!!

Well, according to Mr. Holmes, then they weren't clever enough. According to me too.

I have always known that I am good at finding loop-holes and at closing them too (if needed). The few times I have got inside our locked home@Nellayi without keys, and some other wonderful experiences at Hyderabad have proven me right. [Those experiences would account for a long post - hence later].

If you are a criminal, before your act, try to get into the shoes of an investigator, THINK WELL and then do it. If you are an investigator, try to do the other way around. That would make you more successful. Don't you think so?

These idiots obviously didn't do that. Lack of competence and efficiency is something which I hate. Hence the post. Even the police officers wouldn't have enjoyed the investigation for the lack of challenge in investigation. Kerala Police is usually pretty good with complicated cases (exceptions are there though).

Enough said. Perhaps I should join the police force .. but if the criminals are this way, where is the challenge? ;)

Well, anyway as I said this much, I shouldn't leave without giving this wonderful link to a documentary from BBC - How to commit the perfect murder. You could watch it here_at_video_google [not for the faint of heart].

Moral of the post: If you do something, do it right. If you can't... just don't do it.

Signing off, Sands.

PS1: I am a good, law abiding, fellow-being-loving person. But this total idiots did make me think about their lack of planning and stupidity; and I wanted to comment.

Clarification: If so, why would I watch such creepy/negative stuff? - because, I am interested in literally everything. Starting from  Atom through Spy in the Jungle, Physics for future Presidents [vid] ,  Dangerous Knowledge [vid], Planet Earth, up to  Cosmic Voyage - touching the different areas including Physics, Mathematics, Nature, Sociology etc.

I did it?

This post is based on an incident - which happened just 20 minutes back. [Bragging included]

I was coming from the city, in the train, talking to a friend over phone. I was sitting in the last seat of one of the compartments of the train.

There was a Turkish family, with a kid, on the other end (front end) of the same compartment. At one station, when the train was stopped, the little kid (perhaps 4 years old) started running towards the backside of the compartment.

The compartment was more or less empty and she could run quite fast. [The picture shows the empty compartment after most people got down. The kid was at the far end and I was at the place from where I've taken the picture]

Seeing her starting to run, I knew that she would fall very badly if the train starts to move. The trains here have very good acceleration and it would really push her towards the backside of the compartment.

And on top of her running, when the push comes, she would have a pretty bad fall. I was sure.

The train started to gain speed.

I myself didn't know that I jumped from my seat and ran towards her. Well, I wasn't quick enough... She, kind of, was thrown by the push and fell just two feet in front of me.

But even before she realised that she fell, I had taken her. Just behind her was her father and I handed her over to him.

When I came back, the three people who were sitting around me were looking (staring) at me. Then I remembered that I had had my iPod on my lap. I hadn't even thought about it... it was lying somewhere (switched off). I was worried for a moment that it was damaged. Fortunately, it was working! :)

The surprising thing is that, when I usually ride my bike, I hold the iPod in my hand and always think - if I happen to have a fall/accident, make sure that only I get hurt; not the iPod.

Today in that reflex action, I didn't even think about it! Isn't it amazing?

And, when the family got out of the train, her mom and dad made her say good-bye to me and she waved her hands. It did indeed make me very happy. :) .. That's probably more than what I wanted!

Sometimes you need only small things to make you happy! :)

Signing off, Sands.

PS: Again accused of writing cryptic stuff. I hope that this one was not that bad. :)

The Manipulator - a quick entry

Four years back, I was alleged to be a manipulator. Well, it's kind of true - as I am good at manipulating, brain washing, giving convincing arguments - to get anyone to my side.

I always have believed that one has to have a bit of all those qualities(?), but should never get caught using them. That is the real success. His actions should look normal/natural.

For the same reason, when I was caught, I wasn't very happy about it. The person who did that was the smartest-girl whom I have ever met in my life, a born manipulator, diplomat. And I could see through her mask. So, we were of the same creed - and that was the relief.

Some time later, I ceased to be one. And started to be a raw man - thinking that the whole world is good.

Now, I am back to the old one. Situations forced me to. And I did good too. Writing this much is beyond the limits, let alone giving more details.

Again, the coincidence is that, when I had to be one again, I was meeting her after a long time. (Was it a meeting of manipulators?)

On a different note: A friend of mine is getting married today. It's a European marriage, a little complicated one too, and there aren't anyone around her. I am her ONLY friend in the city. What shall I get her? 

Signing off, Sands.

PS: I am accused of writing too frequent posts, too much of blogging... If it were anyone else, I would have said what I should say. But this person happens to be special!

Negative Thinking (brag)

Negative thinking is a contagious disease. I have been talking to many fellow Munich-ers who need treatment for this illness. As Mitlesh said once, I believe that I have some little ability to share some of the positive energy I have.

There is only one little thing which affects me adversely -- that is the bad weather. And I think the reason is that I am a Malayali. Being one of those blessed population who always have wonderful weather - never too cold, never too hot. (sometimes a little too humid though). After having enjoyed such pleasant weather for years, when I don't see the sun for a couple of days, I get a little moody. From which I recover in no time too!

Otherwise, I am always very energetic and active. There are people here around me, who have worse situations. My life is neither a bed of roses. I have my fair share of problems too. But I find most of them to be tired, energy less - very often.

The best part is, I happen to be the one who they choose to speak  - when in need. Isn't it a privilege? Of course it is. I too like it to be helpful  - except when it takes too much of my time.

But at the end of day, there is only a one-liner which I want to tell you all "Life is a good teacher, if and only if you are a good student".

So, when life teaches some hard lessons, take it happily and see the good part of it. Is it that difficult? Try it out, you'd find it easy. If not, you are always welcome to N321.

Signing off, Sands.

PS: Happens to be second post on a single day. I don't like to post so frequently, but have a reason.