Directionless

I understand people do hit the crossroads after high school when they ponder over what they really want to be... from aptitude tests to career guidance sessions, they have it all... I went through it too, only to realise that I made the wrong choice of taking up computer science when I ended up being a journalist. Absolutely no regrets...

However, today I see the crossroads again after 8 long, passionate years in journalism. Am I questioning my passion? or my work environment? or the work culture? Or 'em all?

If monotony sets in, opt for change... but what change am I looking for? location to help in rekindling lost passion in a new environment? or... I am still trying to find another option...

I'm really stuck, aren't I?

This directionless journey in the prime of one's career is frightening. Especially when you've proved nothing in your personal life as well. I'm tired of opinions... suggestions... and advice. I want to do what my heart says. Unfortunately my heart is as perplexed, drowned in an emotional turmoil, that is best left unsaid.

The signal is still red!!! Can google maps help take me to that destination of joy and peace?

Not even 'a minute's' rest

In a word - gripping!

I'm talking about a 100-odd paged novel that was handed to me by a dear colleague, who said his niece is a budding writer. What caught my attention was the title - A Minute To Death. Murder mysteries are generally a fast read, 'sure-to-not-bore-you' theme. It was easy to carry... kept me engaged even through my most important of assignments at work. Kudos to Ganga Bharani, the author.

Set in Chennai, I could relate to the context - right from the name Raghavan Colony to Kamal's movie - Vettaiyaadu Vilayadu... Reason is simple, the city has always been my first love... It was a refreshing change from the books that I have read where it starts in Philadelphia or a Seattle. But to see a Roshan and a Riya there was a bit alien, until you get used to the names in the following chapters.

The story had to start with the death of a young girl that sets both Roshan (an inspector) and Riya (a passionate fresher of a writer) rolling through a spate of thrilling events discovered through interrogations... chilling facts drawn through social media analysis and ultimately find themselves drowned in solving what appears to be a serial murder.

The disappointment comes when you realise a few typos that impedes the speed as the suspense grows rapidly through the chapters; 'stuffs', for instance. Certain scenes (I almost imagine a book like a movie as I read) too could have been said better... scenes involving the romance between the two, for instance...

However, all said and down, I couldn't stop for a minute until I finished 'A Minute To Death' entirely. It taught me what death is... it made me feel old when I learnt the trending talks of youngsters in college... It made me smile when the guy in love makes a fool of himself... and finally, it made me write this to let Ganga Bharani and my colleague know that we would love to read many more such books. Good Luck!

The Elusive Luck

Hi all...

It's quite exciting to enter the world of 'virtual' diary to pen your thoughts... let me start with marking the date and the time... It's that time of the day on July 4, 2015, when I am sitting in office, nibbling at my food, fondly packed by my mom for lunch... Alone, and desperately fighting for a breaking twist to the Lokayukta corruption...

For the ones who will take a peek into this diary of mine, I am a journalist working for a TV channel. Now, did that eyebrow of yours rise in surprise? It's really not worth it, 'cos talent is one... but proving it needs luck. Can this luck ever be ever elusive? Ask me, yes it can....

I am born with a bunch of volunteers who ensure that I continue fighting for it, hunting and even sometimes yearning... A full force that can clone themselves to temporarily branch out to perform the same act to those close to me as well! I smile to myself, as cliched as it sounds... Why me?

So their duty is round the clock, just like my profession. No offs whatsoever. Their exclusives are based on exposing my faults, making me cut a sorry figure by meekly getting caught in the most embarrassing circumstances... Bonus assured when I am fretting over completion of tasks... with a minimum of 10 futile attempts.

It's interesting to note that they have only one single beat to focus on, unlike us journos who handle everything from a Lokayukta corruption to a gruesome murder in the break of dawn. It's then not surprising how skilled they are in this unfortunately singled out beat.

Having learnt to live with it, resigned to life's vicissitudes, I have fought and broken many sensational stories... and broken the OB dish to desperately send the feed on time... But I'm unable to use my press power to call upon some damned powerful military force that can overpower this for emancipation.

Beaten with ill-fate.. forgotten by past mates... Unfasten is the need of late... Luck, can we finally meet for this at least?