I received many lovely comments on my earlier post, which made me feel both sad and happy simultaneously. Thank you to all of you who read and reached out to me. I feel so grateful and humbled that someone would take the time out of their lives to reply to me. I truly appreciate everyone who took the time to write these comments. I read many newsletters and blogs, but I rarely comment on anyone's posts. So, thank you again. I want to write more, not just about movies, but about random events from life, because, as they said in The Lunchbox, "We forget things if we have no one to tell them to." I used to write those posts in the early 2010s about the daily happenings in my life. I plan to write this type of post more often.
This is the summertime in Seattle, and many interns join during this time. So, last week, I ran into an intern. I was entering my office, and he entered right behind me. It was a Sunday. He looked at me and said he was surprised to see someone in the office on Sunday. So, he asks me, "What are you doing here?" I was like, "What are you doing here?" He said that he did not work last week, so he wants to finish his work because he has a design review. And then he introduced himself and started talking. He thought that I was an intern as well. I was like, brother, I was an intern when you were probably born. He is in his early 20s. And then, he spoke about his project, his university, his apartment, and all the cool (and some unprintable) things he is doing. And then he said he likes Seattle, but people don't talk here (finally, someone who agrees with me). I was listening to him with fascination. He has this zest and enthusiasm. Every day, he posts a thoughtful status on Slack that holds meaning for him. I told him I wish I were young again and could live life the way he is living. He has now become my friend, and I took him out to the lake one day, and then we went for dinner. Oh, to be young again! These days, there are numerous exciting opportunities available to young people. The young people today are incredibly sharp. I miss growing up in this time. It also reminds me of the time I met my cousin's kids in California last year. Her younger one is sixteen and is quite popular in school. He already knows how to drive and his eyes light up when he sees a fancy car on the road. He wears the best perfumes. He plays volleyball for the state. He coaches young kids in tennis lessons. He told me he has a girlfriend, but he pleaded not to tell his mom. But I told him I will tell his mom. He got so scared. Haha. But my cousin knows already. It is not a big deal. Moms know everything. When I was sixteen, I was such a shy, stupid kid, learning about electrophilic aromatic substitution of benzene. You see, I still follow all the content creators and teachers on Instagram who teach integration. Two months ago, I downloaded all the NCERT books and was reading them. I wish I could be young again and live life differently.
I read this tweet, and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. It reminds me of what I was trying to say in my last post. Some people are so articulate with words. It is a beautiful and sad tweet.
I also watched Bhakshak, which is a very well-made film. I was avoiding watching it because of the grim subject matter. But after I watched it, I was surprised. I will try to write a paragraph or two on it and The Mehta Boys. Hopefully soon.
Also, birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama—one of the most graceful human beings on earth. They don't make people like him anymore. Sharing this excerpt from the Open magazine.
Dialogue of the Day:
"There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide. No matter what people call you, you are just who you are. Keep to this truth. You must ask yourself how is it you want to live your life. We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone. No one can help us, not even the Buddha. So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?"
— Dalai Lama XIV