Excursions

I watched (finally) The Rise of Skywalker yesterday. I am surprised I managed to stay spoiler-free till now. I have so many thoughts, but a quick review - am disappointed. Not satisfied. I will be frank, I liked both Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. This was a big let down.

The guidelines that we follow during these days - to stay clean, healthy - is affecting me in many ways. I cringe and shudder when I look at a crowded or dusty place even in movies now. Same when I see someone cough or sneeze on screen. Or touch something in public.

I am tired of listening to the same old rants about surveillance. I get it - the apps being used for contact tracing can potentially be used to hamper our privacy. However, such apps have proven effective in controlling the spread in many regions and nations. If you live in a democracy, you will always have a chance to curb the harm caused. If you point at the apps and shout “privacy killer”, you are no better than the population that is protesting armed, asking for their freedom back.

Understand that these aren’t normal times. The normal rants won’t help in these times. Empathize with the decision-makers, especially in a democracy. This is new, an unknown territory for all of us.

I don’t like Micro.blog’s app on iPad. The sidebar need not be sticky. It sticks out ever so more in the portrait mode. @manton.

I received a call from my daughter’s school today, enquiring if all was well with her online schooling. I was left completely clueless on how to respond to that.

My daughter’s school has enabled schooling of 5 subjects via an app. Each week, the app presents a new set of chapters, worksheets, quizzes across all 5 subjects. Besides, each week there are video conference sessions with teachers to recap what was learned in the last week.

Sorry to report, but just two weeks in, this process already seems overwhelming. It is especially so given both me and my wife are working from home.

I knew we weren’t alone. AP published a brilliant article on how parents in the US are already getting burned through this distance learning — something that is especially tricky with young kids. And they are forced to make a very difficult choice.

Amid the barrage of learning apps, video meet-ups and e-mailed assignments that pass as pandemic home school, some frustrated and exhausted parents are choosing to disconnect entirely for the rest of the academic year. Others are cramming all their children’s school work into the weekend or taking days off work to help their kids with a week’s worth of assignments in one day.

It is just not easy. Parents aren’t trained to be good teachers. The technology was never given a chance to prove it can work independently for teaching. It was always an additive. Plus nothing, nothing can replace the in-person learning from the people who are trained throughout their lives to do that. The comment below from one of the parents is very, very apt.

This is a very crude bandage we’re putting on a very big wound. We’re just doing the best we can. A video can’t look at your child’s face and see the confusion. A teacher can do that.

It is only April and I already hate 2020. In times like today when the world is already engulfed with a sense of hopelessness, the news like these won’t help for sure. May God have mercy on us all and bless us with the strength to ride through these challenging times.

First Irrfan Khan. And now this - Rishi Kapoor hospitalised passes away, not doing well. I pray for his good health, hope he gets well soon. He too had recovered recently from cancer. 2020 isn’t done with us, I guess, yet. We are only into April. Updated

I am really surprised by the sheer amount of heartfelt tributes pouring in for #IrrfanKhan from his fans all over the world. He never attained the conventional “stardom” - he had no quality to do so. But all he focused on was to master his craft and excel doing it. He just sincerely did what he loved. I remember he had said in one of his interviews - “just avoid getting bored with yourself”, doing what you like to do and you shall achive that you want”. Yep, I guess that is all it takes to be recognised. And loved. Sincerity.

We lost a brilliant artist very early today — this is a big, big loss to the film industries all around the world. There is so much that we missed to see from this man. The world was just starting to appreciate what he is capable of. #RIPIrrfanKhan

I recently came across this brilliant article at Quartz at Work suggesting to “move beyond “how are you doing?” and get more serious about the questions we’re asking our colleagues, friends, and family”. It presented a list of questions that one should lead with while talking to others.

I thought I will try and attempt to answer a few of these myself. Maybe you can give it a try too. And if you do, I would like to read how you are dealing with this challenging moment. Here’s my attempt.

How are you taking care of yourself today?

Listening to music — spending some time with myself. It’s been some time that I did that. I used to do that very often. Of course, it was a lot easier to find some lone time. Not that easy any more.

What part of your shelter-in-place residence have you come to appreciate the most?

The corner with my study table, I am happy that I spent some significant time designing it while I was renovating my home. And another room I like to go relax in now and then is the bathroom.

What surprising thing have you been stocking up on (that isn’t toilet paper)?

Body lotion — I do not know why, but I have got many of them now. And biscuits. I never knew I liked biscuits so much.

What’s a story — from a book, a movie, an article, a conversation — that you’ve been gripped by recently? Why did it capture you?

All the stories of sacrifices that get published every single day — when the humans have behaved just the way they should. It has been rare to read about recently.

What habit have you started, or broken, during the quarantine?

I have fallen out of the habit of writing the morning pages. I know I shouldn’t have. But for some reason, there isn’t much that’s different that every new day dawns with.

I have fallen into my old habit of listening to the music — lots of varied music.

I am not listening to podcasts. Or Audiobooks. I am reading lots of books.

Which specific place in your neighborhood are you most looking forward to visiting once this is all over?

Every part of the neighborhood. Everything that’s outside. That’s crowded. The streets. The restaurants.

What’s the easiest part about the quarantine?

Finding stuff to idle the time away with.

What are some things you have realized that you don’t really need?

Air conditioners. Cash.

What’s something you own that feels useful?

Internet. Kindle. Plants and Garden.

What is your COVID-19 nickname/alter-ego?

The chatty, social one. I have been part of many zoom meetings, few even those where I knew no one on the other side.

What problem—either yours, or something more global —do you wish you could solve?

Illiteracy. Stupidity. Rebelism.