People watcher!

Use the same route three days in a row, the fourth you know you're being watched.

You wouldn't know it, but you mark somebody's time and ease another's eyes. You walk, head averted, not caring for anyone else. But you're being watched; an opinion's being formed. One day you'll find that people know you well by sight and take the freedom of coming up and having a chat, like you were their long lost friend.

A boy was waiting at a theatre, waiting for his group to show up. Tall, fair and well-built he was, drawing the glances of those milling around. a tap on the shoulder, he turns, looking around. A middle-aged lady stands her ground. "Are you a northie, son?" she asks. He nods in the affirmative, finding the question queer, trying to break away. Again the same question is posed, tying down weight on the both the asker and the answerer. "what's your name, son?". He replies hesistantly. She promptly asks for his number.'This is getting really weird' he thinks to himself and asks her "Why?". "Oh, my daughter seems to like you, so I'd come over to ask." The young man was stunned and couldn't find it in him to reply!

Another girl was waiting for her regular transport, as she'd been doing for the past 2 months or so. She was fair-skinned and an attractive sight, geared in power suits most of the time. That day, her transport did not show up, leading her to look for an alternative. A man walks up,"I believe we're heading in the same direction, why don't we share a taxi?". The girl's surprised, she never really noticed this man before and wonders how many more 'know' her. She accepts the ride, he refuses to go dutch. Although chivalry hasn't died, the girls vows never again to ride with this man.

You're being watched and you don't even know it. Your appearance gives someone reassurance and to another, some mental notification. Yet you walk like you're the only one. You're being watched and you don't even know it.



Clarification: These are real incidences.
"To go dutch" is to split the bill

a starry-eyed life

Have you ever heard dreams, yearnings and a strain for a celeb-style life, all at one point, from one source?

I have, I'm sure you have too. Call the help-line of any service, or listen to the average guy trying to impress the girl he wants, even the way the guy who irons your clothes answers his cell phone (yea, that's a whole other topic!) with a hello that's quite 'far-away' from his usual self.

One aspect that comes out sharply is that a new lifestyle is taking over. At first dignity was something that emanated from one's self. Now it radiates rom the clothes, mannerisms and possesions that self-respect clings on to, in some cases, hides behind.

Technology, radically different cultures and a rapidly localising world have drilled themselves into the starry eyes of many,pulling sand castles from the clouds and bringing continents to their feet. Any thing's posible in a monied world, here, even credit rolls free, with card companies harassing people into accepting cards(literally).

It's difficult to maintain perspective in a world where promses are like lollipop dreams, sweet and succlent, but going pop! on reaching out. It's tough to remember that while 15,000 may not be much in inflatonary markets, it is definitely much more than one with the same qualications earned for the same job, not less than 5 years ago.

Sometimes I get starry eyed too, then i measure the distance, it's a bit far for now. Better wait a while and do as this blogger once heard, "Spend on luxuries from the excesses of your wealth"

back flash - dark ages

Recently, I've been experiencing throw backs to the Age Without Power. In my city, we've been experiencing a severe diesel shortage. The supply of electricity too, has become undependable, unlike before.

Rows of vehicles empty out what fuel is available. Men fight over that last pint, weary from waiting, itching to fight. Once diesel is guzzled, petrol begins to run high and dry. Strikes by the fuel vending companies do not help either.

It's tough but pinchingly true that we have become technology dependent. Technology runs on hardware; hardware feeds on electricity. Electricity, unfortunately, is not consistent. Refrigerators, music systems, mobile phones, computers, television, fans, even basic hot water, require electricity.

We'll be damned if this city does not recover. There is a glimmer of hope, but we need to wait until it becomes a merely a story once told.