Hello, hello! This is my first week-note, prompted by the lovely folks at IndieWebClub (IWC, for the title that probably doesn't make sense). Today, I'm trying something new — conversational writing, and a lot less thinking.
Prompt: What did you recently change your mind about?
I think, in hindsight, I've had a lot of new discoveries, revelations and first-times this week. I'm pretty proud of myself.
Monday: Have a break, have a KitKat
I attended a workshop at my client’s office. While the workshop overall was a haze, the ice-breaker was, ironically, quite refreshing. The in-house research team decided to assign objective, pre-decided answers to subjective questions and reward the person who guessed correctly. (For example — Q: What’s everyone's favourite chocolate? A: KitKat.) I won that one, and got a free KitKat to boot. I guess it was their way of proving how nonsensical data can be when we tie qualitative and quantitative information together.
Thoughts: I don’t think I’ll ever change my mind about KitKats.
Tuesday: Staying calm in the face of road rage
It was definitely not my day. I got rear-ended and partially run over by a rogue taxi driver who was 100% not driving within the speed limit. That experience left me with a sprained leg and a sprained neck, and I felt it for the next two days. However, on a positive note, I learnt that I’m not one for road rage — my patience refuses to be tested, especially in the face of someone who is clearly very wrong.
P.S. A whole lot of love to my campus guards for calling an ambulance (though it was very much not needed) within minutes.
Thoughts: Patience is like training wheels you take ages to outgrow. It’s far less intuitive and natural than I expected. You really need to work at it, and that takes time.
Wednesday: On loving scripted love and reality TV
Given that I was crippled, I discovered a guilty pleasure I never knew I had — reality dating/TV and trashy-not-so-trashy web novels. I’ve been binging a web show called EXchange4 that has quite an interesting concept. Participants come on the show with their exes, and the others have no clue who the pairs are, with the sole premise of finding someone new. It’s an emotional orgy, but PG.
I was so intrigued by how past and current lovers react to their exes interacting with someone new in real time that I got completely hooked. It’s riveting, and I think I’ll be done watching all four seasons by the next week-note. I’ve also been reading Osora, a Korean web novel that’s so well illustrated I’m genuinely wondering if I should just pay for the chapter releases as they come.
Thoughts: Reality TV isn’t always bad — especially when it tries to teach you a moral every two business seconds.
Thursday (part 1): No-alcohol birthdays, writing and loving photography
I attended a friend’s birthday and swore off alcohol before I left home. That led to a fun night indeed. Another friend and I watched, fully sober, as the rest got into a riveting game of Truth or Dare, angry tiffs with waiters, and spilled two pitchers of beer — because, to quote: “You only turn 29 once, and the bucket list needs to be ticked.”
While the majority of the group was drunk, I had a lot of fun experimenting with flash photography. It’s been an interest of mine lately, something I picked up while travelling in Italy. The compliments have motivated me to keep going. Who knows, maybe after writing, photography could be the next endeavour?
Thoughts: I appreciated staying sober and watching the mayhem unfold. Things can be surprisingly fun when you’re not under the influence — plus, you can actually hold honest conversations with people who are usually hesitant. I think I’ll do it more often.
Thursday (part 2): Jo Nesbo and not knowing what things are about
I have an uncle in Kerala that I’m quite attached to. He has the habit of giving me a book or two every time I visit. While his tastes are… peculiar, I usually end up enjoying most of his suggestions.
He gave me a book titled Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo on my most recent visit, and I’ve started reading it without knowing what it’s about. I’m quite particular about the things I watch and read — I always tell myself not to read the reviews, but I usually cave because I don’t want to waste my time. This time, though, I’ve decided to go with the flow.
Thoughts: Not every experience needs to be meticulously planned to be enjoyable.
Friday: Nipple pasties, self-grooming and compliments
I’d bought a new backless outfit and was stumped, because I definitely couldn’t wear a bra with it. As someone who has recently started experimenting with different fashion styles, I was excited but also wary. It meant I’d have to try wearing nipple pasties.
I’ve always shied away from them because of how “free” they can make you feel, but it was an interesting experience to say the least. Bottom line: nipple pasties — 1, internalised prudence — 0.
Thoughts: Fashion can convince you to try almost anything.
This week had a lot of activity, to say the least. I’ve been enjoying spending time with my friends, my family, the new clubs I’ve joined, and life in general feels pleasant right now.
I’m grateful.