I Will Survive - From The Scribbles Of A Workaholic.

I shall be in Delhi from the 26th to the 30th of November, for Guppy's wedding - and I have a Macbeth exam on 1st December. But I will survive.
I shall miss the Bou-boron and Bou-bhaat because the Macbeth exam is right at that very time. But I will survive.
After our reception party on the 3rd of December, I have a Modernism exam the very next day. But I will survive.
Come on, I've managed much worse than this.
I can get through all of it - studies, work (and there's a lot of it, make no mistake!), and wedding planning, not to forget leisure time.
All I need to do is slog my behind off these next few days, so that I don't sink during the exams. It's going to be tough, but hopefully with less time-wasting and better time-management, I shall get through.
Like I said, I will survive.
It's such lovely weather. Ideal for a steaming cup of sweet milky coffee, a blanket, a good book and a furry cat. Too bad I have articles to write, mails to send, work to supervise, essays to read, and syllabus to complete. But somehow, I quite like being a workaholic. God forbid I should be one of those people who revel in having nothing to do. I have nothing against them! But I don't think I'd be able to live as one. Takes all kinds to make a world, eh?

Whirlwind Of Days.

I can't believe it's already mid-November. Time is flying by so quickly that I feel breathlessly caught up in this whirlwind of days. One assignment after the other, a Term Paper to write, an approaching wedding, my usual work, books to read and movies to watch... It's a wonder I get any time to sleep. I have been told my time management is good - perhaps it is, perhaps it's not. I don't know. All I know is, sometimes I find myself wishing that I could at least enjoy these moments, and feel them, if you know what I mean. But everything is passing by so fast... Ah well - I guess c'est la vie.
On a less philosophical note, I'm glad to note my best friend is blogging again. She's been through a bad patch lately, and I think returning to the Blogosphere will do her some good. Life's always screwed up, it's how we deal with it that defines us as people. She'll get through everything fine, I know it. Besides, what doesn't kill you just makes you stronger, right? Cliche, but true. Hugs to you, Shreya!
Coming back to me, there's a lot of stuff I need to get out of the way. Academic, non-academic, work-related, I could go on and on. For the moment, though, listen to this song: "I'll Be There" - by Escape Club. It's my latest obsession.
And now, to work, to work! Hark, the Term Paper calls!

It's Sometimes Hilarious...

...How funny my line of work can be. I tell you, I meet such characters! People who stand out for their sheer eccentricity, who are so extremely comical that meeting them is an experience in itself! I shall tell you about 3 of the many people I've met, and you can judge for yourself.

Number One: The Shy Interviewee (A Real Pain To Talk To)

Why grant an interview if you're not going to talk? This one lady I interviewed, just refused to open her mouth! Sure, she answered questions, but it's difficult to get material for my copy if she doesn't elaborate, you know? This woman just clammed up and said, "I don't like talking about my achievements!" Well, that's admirable, I suppose, but not when you're giving an interview.

In some context, I asked her her husband's name, to which she dryly replied, "Is that necessary?" Oh come on, why not let me be the judge of that? Plus, if it wasn't necessary, would I really be asking it? (Perhaps she was too shy to say her husband's name aloud, who knows?)

Number Two: The Over-Excited PR Man ("Wow! An interview!")

PR professionals are a dime a dozen in this country, but some really stand out. This particular one I met, while covering a L'oreal parlour and a restaurant (both accounts of which he handled) was just bounding over the place with excitement, at the thought of them being covered in Femina. He didn't stop talking the entire time, I think he asked me a minimum of 7 times whether I wanted tea.

This man was so thrilled, he even suggested I get my hair done at the L'oreal place, to which I said a shocked NO, I didn't let anyone but Asif (Transcend, TollyClub) touch my hair! He seemed disappointed, but just for 2 seconds. Right after that, he asked me if I wanted a manicure. Enough said.

Number Three: The PR Guy Who Gave The Interview On Behalf Of His Client (This one takes the cake!)

Again, a reticent interviewee, who just wouldn't talk even though I knew for a fact that her achievements were many. Her PR guy, on the other hand, more than made up for it. Not only did he tell me about her involvement in some TV programmes and an award she's recently been given, but he even told me her favourite movies, her favourite kind of tea, and the city she'd travelled to last! (To which the interviewee said to him, "Baap re, tumi toh amake besh bhaloi jano, better than I know myself!)

I tell you, it's worth it doing what I do, if not for the exposure, then for meeting these gems!