Aargh!

Right now, my backlog consists of:

1. Four tests before the end of the semester - two for Criticism, one for The Tempest and its Aftermath, and another one for Indian Writing in English.
2. Two term-papers to submit, one for Literature and Censorship, and another one for The Tempest and its Aftermath.
3. One upcoming Bengal Chamber event on "Tagore and the Bengal Renaissance".
4. The usual work - a couple of interviews, articles, plus pending content writing work.
5. Books - Media and Violence; Sex, Literature and Censorship; Roald Dahl's Switch Bitch.

Gah. Too much work. I need 72 hours in a day. I'm feeling ill at the thoughts of those tests and term-papers. Plus exams next month. On top of all this, the heat isn't helping. I'm surviving on Iced Tea, Tang, tok dal, and shukto. Bye-bye, chicken and mutton - I really like you, but you're just not eatable in this weather.
But gah once again. Gah. I want to start swimming again. But where's the time?
Aargh, like the subject of this blogpost!

A Life Without Stress Is An Empty Life.

I was thinking today, that I like being stressed. I like having lots of things to do, lots of assignments to complete, lots of articles to write... Well, you get the picture.
For me, sitting around is not an option. Most of my friends think I'm a little nutty because I don't indulge in endless hours of lyadh (something unique to my University), but the truth is - I feel empty if I don't have a lot of things to do. Time is precious, and I like being productive.
Right now, this is what's on my plate.

1. An article on Art and Serigraphy.
2. An article on social, environmental and political awareness of the youth.
3. A conference regarding the capabilities of the visually handicapped.
4. Organising Press for the upcoming Theatre festival at ICCR.
5. Finish reading William Dalrymple's The Age of Kali.
6. Write and upload the Wikipedia article on John Gay's Polly for Literature & Censorship class.
7. Hopefully get around to reading the two academic books on Shakespeare I have issued from BCL. (Hah!)

Yes. I am a workaholic. And I love it!
Once, I'd felt a little more stressed than usual, and had told my boss, "Can't take on any more work, I have way too much on my plate right now!"
You know what he'd said?
"Get a bigger plate."
Profound, and oddly touching. I've never forgotten those words , and I go by that philosophy even now.

Some Thoughts.

1. After many, many months of continuous work, I finally have some free time to myself. I have quit my boring, thankless content writing job, with the intention of concentrating on this last semester's academics (or so Ma thinks) and catching up generally, on all the books and movies I have been putting off. While I still have other work to keep me busy, the absence of the regular job leaves me relieved, yet still empty. It's strange not feeling stressed. I'd forgotten what having free time feels like.
2. This semester is turning out to be rather screwy. Just a week into it, and I'm already gnashing my teeth at the Criticism classes, and the less said about Indian Writing In English, the better. The Tempest And Its Aftermath and Literature And Censorship, on the other hand, are shaping out to be very interesting, enjoyable courses.
3. I am now addicted to Porcupine Tree. And Foo Fighters, to some extent. Plus a whole lot of random music which I won't go into.
4. A friend of mine asked me the other day why I like working - whether it makes me happy or whether it prevents me from being sad. He said there was a difference, and yes, I do see that there is one. I had told him it makes me happy. Now, with no immediate work to do, I can't help wonder about what he said, and what my answer would be, in the current situation...

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!

All In A Day's Work.

Wake up. Pet Pickles. Point and laugh at bed-hair in the mirror. Brush teeth. Agonise over what to wear to university. Shower, breakfast, Pujo ritual, and oh yes, the kajal - before leaving for class. Gnash teeth at the Jadavpur-Thana traffic jam. Attend 4 classes back-to-back, more often than not. Groan at right hand that is nearly falling off after pages and pages of note-taking. Sit around for some lyadh and the usual dose of PNPC. Rue the fact that there are NO hot men in Calcutta. Come back, gnashing teeth at the Jadavpur-Thana traffic jam once again. Shower and change into T-shirt and one of my many pairs of denim shorts. Time for quick snack. Get down to work. Get bored and pass the time on Facebook and Youtube. Study if I'm feeling geeky. Listen to all of Ma's work stories when she comes home. Talk on the phone for a bit. Eat dinner. Read for a while. Go to sleep.

It's another big day tomorrow. *sigh*