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.