Astrology domine

For reasons that had nothing to do with me (except driving), I ended up spending the better part of a day in the company of an astrologer who was dispensing his cosmic wisdom and interpretation of astral positions to various members of my family who had assembled for this very purpose. And as I found out after reaching there, my mother had come prepared to pose a question or two about yours truly as well.

Her chief worry was to find a way to keep me at home, I think she is afraid that I will my parents to suffer in their old age. While Mr Astrologer, or rather, Dr Astrologer (the man has a PhD) did not tell her of a remedy that will keep me tethered near her, he did reassure her by saying the stars speak of much too much familial love in my heart. Her other big worry was my marriage. To this, the stars say I have a "very very high possibility" of two marital associations. Hmmm... interesting. Either way, if my mother bought that, I don't think she will be bothering me about marriage any time soon again.

The astrologer also told me about the phases of my life that will bring prosperity or destitution, not necessarily material but in general. He told me colours I should and should not wear, some stones wearing which could do me good and he probably would have told me a lot more such amusing, interesting stuff had we not been interrupted by lunch. Either way, I can't wait to see what February next year will bring, since it is supposed to be the start of a 10-month long golden run.

After I got back home, I did some research about this whole subject. I had never been a complete non-believer in the 'science' but had always distrusted the 'scientists'. And as such, I had never really bothered to read about the science itself. But the little I read has got me quite interested, and when I have a little more of the luxury of time, I shall delve in to this topic deeper. Who knows, may be the stars and planets actually do reveal a lot more than one would expect inanimate objects to know about!

Hubble hobble

Astronauts are on their way, for the last time, to the Hubble with the intent of giving it life for another five to seven years so that it can continue sending back to us wonderful spectacular images of space - that we had otherwise never see - before it becomes a part of the seemingly infinite capacity of human pollution, this time in the form of space debris.

Many are bemoaning the demise of this 'eye in the space' while they look at the brilliantly coloured images it has sent back to fascinate and delight both space enthusiasts and laymen. I used to be amazed too, till I learnt the truth about them. Yes, there is always the pesky truth of things, waiting to jump out and spoil (or increase it, whatever your take) the fun.

So what happens is that the telescope only 'sees' in black and white, and such are the images it transmits to the scientists back home. Those guys add on layers of the primary colours (based on electromagnetic wavelengths) and voila! we have a coloured picture. By the scientists' own admission, this process is part science and part art, as also that the colours shown us in these photographs are not the same as we would see if we took a spacecraft (like that is possible!) to go and see those sights for ourselves with our very naked eyes. And then we have people complaining about 'Photoshopped' images in advertisements!

And that is not even all. Before Hubble even captures these images to transmit, it filters out a whole range of light that is for some reason "unwanted". The idea, I suppose, is to remove shades of light that are inconsequential to human senses, but I can't help wondering how much scientifically tampered data of this sort is passed off as the true picture of things. No wonder we haven't spotted any aliens yet. Who knows, may be H.P. Lovecraft was on to something when he wrote "The Colour Out of Space".

Anyhow, go ahead, star-gaze some more and hope that there will soon be a day when the likes of Virgin Galactic become as common as the average airline and we can all rely on our senses than on the scientist-artists whose well-meaning work is distorted by an ever-celebrating media to make people like me feel cheated!

Third of its kind

After my journalism BA and finishing my advertising course back in 2004, I spent 5 frustrating months between 2 cities looking for a job and finally found one that had nothing to do with either journalism or advertising. After finishing my anthropology MA, it took another 5 months of frustration before I landed myself a proper job and it had nothing to do anthropology. And now, after coming back from London, I am hoping the cycle will continue at the same pace.

It has already been 4 months, and I have yet to find myself a job. But then again, I have only begun looking last week. Obviously, what I am hoping is the fifth month to bring about a small windfall in the form of a job, despite the present depressed employment scene. More that that, I am hoping for a drastic change of industry. I mean, I haven't done another academic course, so I have nothing to contrast with, except my career record which is a trail of things I have despised doing.

As such, I am only applying to sectors where I have no experience, and not much knowledge either, but only the cliched burning passion (and of course, my over-arching genius) which I am guessing is a workable route to being happy. Now, this becomes a bit of a problem because jobs of this sort that I might get will most likely want me to start at the bottom of the food chain, which I don't mind per se, but what I do mind is the pittance that will come my way in the guise of a salary. I am beginning to understand better the circumstances that perpetuate the philosophy of the casting, or in this case, the employment couch.

These job sites, the lesser said, the better. And once again, the Times group takes the cake by a wide berth. I updated my 5 year old CV there, adding on an MA, some more diverse work-ex and my current 'entrepreneurial' state. Till before the updation, they had been sending me random marketing and BPO job offers. Guess what they sent me now? Work as a driver. Yes, a driver! I mean, agreed, I have 3 driving licences now, but still... And as if that wasn't quite enough, they call me today to sell me their premium paid services! Maybe I should try to replace someone at the Times job portal...

From the cup to the ocean

Who would have thought there would be a day when I would actually and seriously and soberly and pleadingly ask someone to marry me? Surely no one sensible who knows me. And yet, the day came. I popped the question and it flew straight to Hera. And when the answer didn't come quite flying back, I knew it by its absence. I had been denied my chance - my chance for many things - instead I was told that I had created this chance too late, and that the question should have flown by earlier. And I have to be content with the taste of shit in my mouth.

So what all chances did I lose? The chance to love for ever; the chance to hold her ever again; the chance to hear the melody of her voice say my name dripping with love; the chance to redeem myself in my own eyes and her's; the chance to heal both her and me; the chance to become myself once again; the chance to make her her again; the chance to change the course of this miserable planet; the chance at assured happiness in life; I think this list is endless, so I will zip it.

I was willing to sacrifice a lot, and I made my pitches as I sensed the delay in the expected answer. Aye, they certainly didn't fall on deaf ears, but she stood her ground. She had her reasons too and it doesn't matter whether they are good reasons or bad reasons so long as they are reasons. To each their own obviously.

So now, what next? I had planned a lot based on this, even though I half-expected her to say no. Hera, o my Venus, tempting as it may be, I cannot blame you. And despite everything, my love for you flows unabated, unrestrained. I can't get rid of this queasy feeling, like the bobbing head of a chicken that has just been made headless. And yet, I can't stop loving you.

Now it is but a matter of time before my life takes a drastic turn. I can't yet say if it will be for the better or worse, and that is something time will show me. For my part, since I have lost so many chances, I think I will leave the rest to chance.