Human Condition - Part I

I am perpetually amazed by the complexity of the human make up. It is not for me to sit and casually criticise as I know that I am nowhere near perfection. Yet, still, I continue to be amazed about the imperfections that are often flaunted in the face of challenge. Imperfections that are worn with pride; some consciously and others unfortunately not. I must have fallen into the latter a number of times and I cringe to think of that. What of those who consciously display traits or habits that are just too ugly, I would think, to be associated with.

Gossip is one such trait. Has the art of conversation dried up to the extent that one resorts to indulging in others misfortunes? That is really what gossip entails. No one 'gossips' about someone doing good or someone successful (unless it involves insinuation of course). You will often find gossip associated with rumours and sob stories. It is often accompanied by lip biting and shocked expressions, parties leaning forward in awe and surprise, edging one to 'carry on' with the clouds of ridicule. Let us face it, gossip is ugly. Yet people indulge in it. In fact I would go so far as to say that there is a gossip culture firmly engrained in society. Workplaces thrive on it over a coffee break. Morning tea gatherings use it as a way of extracting community news. I would even go further on to say that men might oblige each other to gossip about their 'endeavours'! Shameful really. Do people really stop to think that 'what goes around comes around'? Do they realise that the same way one gossips about this person or that, somewhere in the future they could be in that same situation too. Sometimes I hear the feeble excuses that this is not gossip but "learning from other people's mistakes or experiences". Another good one is "oh I would never put myself in that situation - that would never happen to me". Little do they know that it does because no one's life is smooth and clear of imperfections.

The Right Mix

I came across a new flavour today; salted caramel. 
Caramel tends to conjure sensations of flowing and sweet pleasures. Sugar is the name of the game when it comes to caramel but not as an imposition but rather as an accompaniment to another one of those rich substances - butter. That is what caramel brings to me. An autocratic richness that one cannot but acknowledge and appreciate. So when I came across salted caramel today, my first inclination was to flinch in horror. I flicked the box and started reading the components, diligently. Salt, caramel and all the other usual ingredients and then I halted in thought - dark chocolate. That was when my mind suddenly became aware of the true weight behind this. I relaxed into an inquisitive smile.

Dark chocolate is one of those fluid materials where experimentation is the only way to bring its full flavours to furore. It is raw and pristine enough to invite you to enjoy it on its own accord, if you are adventurous enough of course. It opens up a whole new avenue of exploration within your taste buds. No two people tasting the same piece of dark chocolate arrive at the same description or effect for that matter. Guaranteed. It is one of those foods that is open to free interpretation. I took the little box to the counter as if in trance, trying to imagine what the intense buttery sweetness of caramel contrasted with the sharpness of salt would bring out in the dark chocolate. It must have taken quite a bit of fun and games in the chocolate laboratory to come up with the right mix. Should the caramel be more on the buttery side? How much salt should one add? What about the type of dark chocolate or its cocoa percentage. I was excited by the thought of trying this daring flavour.

The balance was just right. Each of the core ingredients were distinct enough to make their awaited appearance before your taste buds but they were also working as a team. At the right moment, they each played their parts and blended in to what one can only describe as a perfect piece of art. Salty, buttery sweetness with a rich, bold sharpness combined in every bite. At the same time a unique smoothness that washed over and brought them all together. It was to die for. The taste lingered in your mouth even after the last morsels melted. I relished the moment and wondered how the idea came about.

It made me realise how, given the most extraordinary idea in the world, when applied using the right tools and attitude, one has the capacity to arrive at something almost amazing, if not ground breaking. Is this how innovators work then? Is this how successful endeavours are brought about? I would like to think so. It seems that the sky truly is the limit and at the end of the day, it really is all about the right mix, the right attitude and a strong belief coupled with determination. Above all, it would not be possible without daring to dream.

Young and Restless

That is how I would describe the [ ]-something of today. Notice how I used brackets so as not to offend any age group. There are exceptions to any hypothesis after all; my disclaimer would be that these submissions are my own and are only based on my first hand observations. Nevertheless, when it comes to the young and restless as I would like to refer to them, I would put more emphasis on the restless aspect rather. Youth can be extended indefinitely depending on one's frame of mind. Restlessness cannot and should not. It brings along with it connotations of immaturity and fickleness. It shows a degree of apathy in specific situations. Typical manifestations of restlessness include mood swings and varying attitudes given the same circumstances. It also brings with it an unpredictability.

I am not used to being at the whim of a person who decided to talk to me yesterday but cannot be bothered to acknowledge my conversations today. I cannot perceive the reasons behind being genuine and sincere on one occasion but then displaying uncalled for irony on a another. Repeated occurrences of such incidents have now made me vigilant and more reserved. I find myself succumbing to any brashness or bumptious comments just by not responding. Wasted energy in my view.

I often wonder whether others see things from my perspective. Am I the only skewed observer who fails to fit in amidst a group of young and restless partisans? Are there others out there who, like me, believe in consistency? 

Relationships are a complicated thing. The civil norms that govern how acquaintances should deal with each other seem to be lost amidst this confusion. Friends take on a whole new meaning for the young and restless. The divide between stranger, acquaintance and friend blends in. You are my friend today but a mere acquaintance tomorrow. You will be my friend again tomorrow but a stranger the day after. It goes on as such where the permutations are endless. The young and the restless have created relationship anarchy while I try and continue to maintain a positive attitude.

I think back to when I once was young and restless. I do not feel any guilt pangs that immediately attack my bile however. Sincerity was always a part of my personality and I struggle to comprehend. It could be boredom or it could just be plain immaturity. Whatever the reason, I liken it to a storm. Sit it out and let it pass. Water thrown across a pane of glass. It does not break it, instead it flows across. Sooner or later the restless will find a safe haven but by then they could one day find themselves where I am now. I know by then this would just be a mere memory to me.