Guldasta

A bouquet of flowers picked along the way ….

The Solitary Lover January 4, 2009

Filed under: life,love,photography — gurdas @ :
Lake Johnson, Raleigh, NC, USA, December-2008
Lake Johnson, Raleigh, NC, USA, December-2008

 

He looked out of the window, his right hand caressing the frame. He had been there all afternoon, a distant look in his eyes, unmindful of the movements and noises that crowded the street. It was difficult to get Nupur out of his thoughts. They had not met for many years, hardly spoke to each other, and yet it seemed as if he knew this woman better than any other woman in his life. Or was this a trick that his mind was playing? Does he really know Nupur or does he know an image of her?

And does it really matter?

Love between them was always unsaid. Like a whisper which never escaped the lips. When she was around, he would become unmindful of the world. Like when he met her at Delhi’s railway station. A crowded, sweaty, cacophonous place. But that he knows from past knowledge. His memory of the meeting held nothing but her image. There are no sounds but those that belong to her. No images beyond her person.

But what about the rendezvous at Barista in Pune? He waited all evening, until his feet could not bear his weight for a moment more, inspite of knowing she will not come. Yet, now the image his mind conjures of that evening includes her. It is frightening how real the dream is.

Yes, that is how it is. She lives in his dreams. And he can continue to love her there.

 

Be the light January 2, 2009

Filed under: life,Me,photography — gurdas @ :
Glowing heart

Glowing heart, Malaysia, Sep-2007

 

New Year Greetings!

This year, may the candle of my heart burn at both ends. It will last less, but while it lasts, let the light spread far.

 

Fortunate December 31, 2008

Filed under: life,love,Me,philosophy,photography — gurdas @ :
Abandoned Farmhouse

Abandoned Farmhouse, Morrisville, NC, USA, Dec-2008

The winter storm has come to an end. Another day is waiting to start. When the dust settles, I am going to find myself very alone. Some will lose the love they had. Some will find the love they never had.

I will lose the love I never had.

And my solace is in the words of:
Alfred Lord Tennyson : ‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Washington Irving : Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.

And what the heck, I was born a romantic! I am ready to love again. Even if it means losing again.

Fortunate, eh?

 

I do December 29, 2008

Filed under: Uncategorized — gurdas @ :

I thought I knew what love is. I did not.
Did I do enough for her? I did not.
Did I stand by her at all times? I did not.
Did I keep my faith as her friend? I did not.
Do I deserve her? I do not.
Do I love her? I do.

 

Amazing Amazon September 17, 2008

Filed under: Inspiration — gurdas @ :

I have purchased from Amazon.com on sufficient occassions to comment that they are exceptionally good. They are the best I have seen. Their prices are more often than not better than anyone else in the market. But that is not what I wanted to talk about.

It is their customer service that bowls me out. How can this super store manage to reply to your emails in time? And deliver on time. And take such complete responsibility that it embarasses you.

Some years ago my order had got stuck at the Indian customs. Amazon sent a replacement without blinking an eye. I have repeatedly ordered for books to be delivered in India. Oh boy! the books come neatly packaged and on time.

At the core of Amazon is their software. I would go so far as say that they have probably the greatest software implementation on Earth. The software is intuitive, and gives you such delicious choices that without moderation you could go bankrupt!

And it is not just software. They are a truly high-tech organisation. Jeff Bezos, the founder, was Time’s Person of the Year in 1999. I read that issue and was awed by the technology they were using.

If you have shopped at Amazon.com you would know what I am talking about. They have third party sellers who are tightly integrated into the system. They usually have the highest number of reviews for the products that they sell. They also have nice lists titled “So you would like to..” and “listmania”. All by customers. And it says how active the customer community on Amazon is.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/amazon.htm

Their links work. Their help works. If you search for something, you usualy find it. Product details are good (though they can be better). You can peek inside books. You can buy suff from other sellers, both new and used. You have free delivery on most items above $25. Your items arrive on time and in good shape. And the shopping experience is exceptional. The software gives you suggestions that are intelligent. You have wishlists. You can place orders easily, you can track orders, and if you changed your mind before it got shipped, you can also cancel your order.

I simply cannot find a flaw with these folks.

That is why I call them Amazing Amazon.