A class apart?

I changed my blog ID from my name to me-and-erring, a clever twist on meandering, thought out by my husband. But when I think about it, of late the name often portrays how I feel. As I take a break from the daily humdrum of regular work life, leaving an existence on the highway and move into irregular work life from home (and the lessening of my social web- often its just my baby and I climbing around in the web), to an existence in the service or even by-lane, I see life and hear conversations from an observer's perspective.

I don't remember what we used to talk about when we were in college or growing up, but from conversations, I distinctly get the feeling that we have grown up. From now on when I use the term 'we', I use it very loosely. I am a part of the 'we' in some contexts and a mere spectator in others (where I am totally left behind and actually "me-and-erring").

I notice that of late, as a peer group we finally seem to be getting a hold on finances or at least giving it importance. The budget interests us; we see ourselves as tax-payers. We see the value in buying a house or investing in property; we don't want to pay rent anymore. We are concerned when the stock market crashes. We figure that instead of buying this or that we could invest the same amount. All in all what seemed very boring at one time, is well....what we now talk about.

That's alright, but often have you noticed that a little devil called snobbery, whether we realise it nor not, ever so subtly pops it's head in, . "Where did you buy that house? In the suburbs? Hmm..we were thinking we'll take the plunge for one in South Mumbai/ Delhi. You haven't bought a plasma TV yet? I guess our 'double income' helps....Haven't you planned that foreign holiday yet....check out my pics on orkut..the one in the Swiss Alps...you should do it sometime... ...I mostly fly business class...I cashed in on my accumulated miles....Its so difficult breaking off from work; my blackberry doesn't help."

I wonder whether it is this innocent banter and sharing of the latest in our lives that later on creates barriers in allowing a broader set of people into our little coterie. Does this lead to a 'class - consciousness' that we didn't recognise earlier when we were in school, college and in the earlier years of work life? Is this how stereotypes are formed?........Is this growing up?

In all our glory...

I was channel hopping the other day when I saw a streaker run across the cricket grounds while India and Australia pitted against each other. It must have been a good laugh for the players and the spectators watching him and all his glory being dragged away from the public eye.

That's when it struck me..the public eye. What really separates us from the streaker? Is it not just our means of gaining the public eye....our way of getting noticed. How different is that from show-casing ourselves at work or climbing on the stage to act, sing or speak or for that matter writing a blog. At the end of the day, aren't we all seeking our own unique space under the sun, our one moment in time?

From one generation to another...

With the backdrop of the Pakistani elections, Karan Thapar in his 'Sunday Sentiments' last week, spoke about how India and Paksitan are separated by a shared history. To quote him, "India and Pakistan are different countries with rivalries, animosities and a thousand misunderstandings. Yet we have a lot more in common than most people realise....I mean (India and Pakistan have in common) the qualities that define the sort of people we are and will become...There is a new generation of Pakistanis who want to break with the past and create a new country. They are proud to be Pakistani, confident of their talents, eager for the good life and free of any burden of history. Doesn't that sound like young India?".

This post is not about India or Pakistan but it is about the last few lines, and how we, as a generation are proud, confident, don't carry any burdens from the past and most of all are eager for a bright future. Most of us have been fortunate enough to have had 'peace-time' lives by virtue of being born in the right country, at the right place, at the right time. Any wars and unrest we have witnessed have been at the safe distance of the TV, in books and in stories that have been passed on through generations.

In fact war, peace, unrest, violence and all things dark and macabre have just been fleeting thoughts in my mind. I've briefly seen the negative face of mankind on TV and in magazines, shuddered and switched channels or turned the page. If a second thought has ever crossed my mind, I've shut it out or dislodged it and gotten back into my own bubble gum existence.

I have a 9 month old baby and at this stage, children are extremely aware of their surroundings and wonder at the tiniest of things. As my child points out in amazement at simple things like the trees, birds, grass, insects, the fan, cars, people and shops, a thought crosses my mind; every time she points and I tell her what it is, I am fortunate that I can show her beautiful things. There is a soft, vulnerable feeling that rises in my throat, one of being responsible for bringing a life into this world....and as a parent, I want my child's world to always be a beautiful wonderland. For the first time, for a brief moment, I relate to the phrase and ponder over, "what kind of world are we leaving for our children".

It is in this brief moment that will pass before I realise, I say a silent thanks to God for peace-times where I am and a thanks to earlier generations for having secured peace for us.... and I wish it for many a generation to come.

Sold! The IPL bazaar.

This is my first post so I'm not really sure how you are meant to start off. Do I write a "Hi", "Hello" or do I welcome you? Not sure so hello, hi and welcome and here goes.

I've been reading, watching and hearing a lot about the crores of rupees that our cricketers have been 'auctioned for'. I'm generally the sort of person who does not have much of an apetite for numbers and often wonder how many zeros a crore has (though I definitely know that a million has six, beyond which the confusion starts). I came across this interesting article on the IBN Live site about "Cricket's Big Bazaar" and it ocurred to me that it's true that Indians are no longer shy talking about money and money does not seem to be a dirty word anymore. But what surprised me was when I saw "Dhoni sold for 6 crore", splashed over my tv screen and newspaper. I am sure that 6 crore in anyone's bank account would feel great, but what I do want to question is, was Dhoni himself sold for 6 crore or was his cricket or the brand that Dhoni has become.....or is India heading towards a culture where such a distinction between selling yourself and your services really does not matter?
http://www.ibnlive.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/50320/crickets-big-bazaar.html