Friday, December 7, 2007

A Familiar Face

For three years now, I was so used to going out and not knowing anybody. Every face I saw, was for the first time. Everyone I met, I met for the very first time. Not to mention, nobody ever recognized me either. I was so used to it, that never thought it would make any difference to me.
I have realized the importance of that feeling now, when things have changed. Today I went to a totally new city on the other side of town and met three acquaintances... felt awesome! Just like home. That gives me a sense of belonging...I guess it really is important, as we are a social species. We like to gather!
That reminds me of a short story I read in school. Its written by Anton Chekov. Its called ''The Bet." I guess it is available online now. I found it on Google. It is about the sudden change a bet brings about in the life of a rash young lawyer. Years later now, I am still trying to grasp the entire meaning of the story. A man in isolation for fifteen years. Never sees a human or an animal. Just has books to spend time with. His point, a life sentence is better than capital punishment. Living is better than dying! I can only imagine how heated that argument could get. But that's besides the point.
Right now, my point is that I just enjoy meeting people I know. (No offense to people I haven't met so far!) And, a familiar face does make me happy.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

A Real Good Movie

Browsing through our local library, I came across this movie "North Country". I remember seeing some trailers of it about a year or two ago, so I just picked it up to kill my time over the weekend. Was I in for a surprise or what.
Its inspired by a true story. Its a movie about the first, class-action lawsuit against sexual harassment in the work place, in America. It is about women miners in Minnesota, back in the 80's. It definitely marks a historical event, but at the same time stirs up a very strong emotion. It did, at least for me. It is because of those women that I feel safe going to work today. That is huge.
Each and every character in the movie has done an amazing job. Hats off to the director, Niki Caro. I can't say enough about it. Probably, it might not leave as big an impression on others, but it is a powerful movie nonetheless.
The one question that comes to my mind after some introspection is that if I were one of those women, would I have stood up against injustice? When everyone else was against me? When my livelihood was at stake? It is a very brave choice and I am almost thankful that I have never had to face anything like it. Wow, that is rough terrain, I am sure at some point of our lives, some of us have or will have to make these tough choices. Some, stick it out and some don't, they fight back. I just hope I belong to the latter half.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Vertically challenged.

This afternoon I was having this conversation with one of my patients, about well, being short. My grandfather was a six footer, but grandma could not make it to 5 feet. So, Dad got her genes and uncle got the tall genes. Well, that makes me 5 feet tall. I usually tell people that I am an inch taller! Jokes apart. I think it affects my life everyday.
Its almost like I have to prove myself to everyone that I meet for the first time. Especially my patients. Its twice the work. At times I have to deal with nasty people, who want to vent all their pent up anger and frustration on me. Sometimes I wonder, what if I were a foot taller and about 50 pounds heavier. Would people talk to me like they do now? Would I command more respect? Would it be easier to impress people. Guess I would never know. But I do notice myself being intimidated by bigger individuals, well not every time. Well sort of.
I even found a bunch of studies on the internet, stating that taller people make more money and breed more respect. The worst is that one study claims that taller people are smarter too. Well, that's not always true, because I've met some really dumb dudes who are really tall. So, looks like it's not just me, who is bothered by this. All my short brothers and sisters throughout the world face this. Oh well, we just have to work harder then I suppose.
At this point of my life I have come to terms with the fact that I will forever belong to this 'underestimated' if you will, lot. But what if we get to spend a day where it was the other way round? Where it was cool to be 'vertically challenged'?