Tangible is INTangible

“Two States” was on my Books to Read list for quite sometime. I was glad to receive an e- version of it from my friend. The reason is quite simple – It is ECONOMICAL (word is complicated though in the so called management terms). I am not a voracious reader but off late books also keep me occupied. I quickly e-mailed the soft copy to my office id so that I can read it at breaks between which I work and then started to read the e-version in my DELL. Hmm… It was interesting to read for the tinge of humor in Chetan's narration of the cross cultures and of course, the inquisitiveness to know the personal life of one of the popular writers of India today. But I could not continue to read for some reason. I din't have the same pleasure that I do when I hold the book in my hand and read. My mind travels from Murugan Idli kadai’s jigardanda to the client presentation scheduled in the following week – having my e -book window opened. I was wondering what is it that SO appealing having the hard copy in the hand!!! – Too many things –
The paper aroma,
the pride of holding “My Own Book” in my hand,
feeling the book when I turn on pages,
scribbling with pencil on the book amidst reading,
the feeling of looking back the books I have read in my book shelf after some days,
and the most important thing – I can avoid the embarrassment of minimizing my e-book window when my boss suddenly invades my cubicle

The total experience of holding the book in hand and reading it – isn’t the tangible - intangible?

It is also one of reasons which stopped me from writing blogs as they are “E” versions. The joy of penning it in a paper is more wonderful than writing an e-ersion. I do appreciate the e-versions for I am able to share it easily with you though the intangibles are close to my heart.

Feels Heaven in the Company of Fools..

Am I disguising myself when I step into my office cubicle everyday? I am forced to maintain a difference between the Professional I and the Personal I or atleast I’m in the transition phase of trying hard to reduce this gap. Very often people in corporate say “Y don’t you think logically?”. I certainly get lost when I’m beaten up by this weapon “logic” all the time. For a change – why don’t we be foolish at times?
Days in college never demands you to be logical / sensible all the time. Even if it does – we are surrounded by a gang of fools OUR FRIENDS who never let that happen. It feels like heaven, feels at home in the company of these fools. Believe me – the fun you get in doing foolish things, then smiling at each other – fills the heart. I still remember the 10 minutes - when I ran with my pal around 10.00 pm in a heavy rain – just to buy a newly released audio CD. We ran, got drenched fully and finally laughed when we found the shop was closed and then ran back again in the rain. May be this is the essence of inner tranquility – Being foolish!!!
I ‘m trying to locate these fools and their company as much as possible wherever I am. I have a few in offices too. We try to bunk the good for nothing discussions, try to work in between breaks some days. All the craziness culminates within us in a small gang that we start singing merrily the sad songs of Isaignani…..(like “Oora therinjukkiten Ulagam purinjukitten”)