Hello humans
Itās 18.33 hours of a chaotic Sunday. I couldnāt take a proper break this week. On top of that, the book I started reading turned out to be unexciting.
After writing this newsletter, Iāll start reading Malgudi Days. Re-reading. I loved reading it in school and I loved reading It again a few years ago.
It would be a good book to get over my current state of misery. Mitali mentioned last night that she is reading it these days. So, why not? A partner for post-reading discussion.
Maybe Iāll wrap this newsletter short today. Letās see. I donāt know.
But first, a song.
I havenāt found anything worth looping these days. So, just playing random playlists. Sometimes Spotify, sometimes Amazon.
That reminds me of a post I read about Netflix.
It mentioned that Netflix has dedicated ātaggersā hired to describe a show. What do taggers do? Well, they tag the movies and TV shows in different genres.
And Netflix shows you three of the relevant tags to help you decide faster.
The logic is that if you canāt decide to watch something in some x seconds (I donāt remember the exact number), youāll switch to another platform.
I find it true in my case, at least these days. When I canāt decide what to listen to on Spotify, I go to Amazon Music. If I canāt find a song there that suits my mood, I check YouTube.
Wait!
Just now, listening to a random playlist, I came across one of the first songs I liked.
Itās from Mohabbatein. Watched it? It was released around 2000. And it has this song, Aankhein Khuliā¦ that I used to hum back then.
Yes, I remember things from 20+ years ago.
And this one particularly because I was caught in an embarrassing moment.
I remember such moments almost like a photographā¦
So, it was an afternoon, weekday, after school. My home tutor was sitting next to me (or in front), and I was writing something in my notebook. Probably, completing some assignment he gave me.
So, I was writing, fully focused on the notebook. And thatās when I started humming the song unconsciously.
I didnāt realise I was going loud enough to be audible to my tutor. One foot away. He wasnāt a strict teacher, by the way.
He heard me, I assume for 10 seconds. And he asked me what I was mumbling.
Then, he told me to sing it. I froze.
I was a shy kid, you know. I have spent 70-80% of my classroom time sitting at my own desk.
Still, I sang two lines, I guess, when he asked. I donāt remember much. All I remember is I was so out of tune.
And thatās why I remember āAankhein Khuliā was one of my favourites. Oh, I adored Shahrukh in the movie. Not that I hate him now.
Maybe, I should set that song again now.
OK, now where was I?
Ahh, Malgudi Days. Will read it tonight.
Iām experimenting a lot with reading these days, picking random titles to read. Particularly because of the free ebooks Iāve been getting lately. I mentioned that in my previous newsletter.
In the rush to try reading these unread books, Iām reading absolutely anything and everything.
Occasionally, I find a good book. One out of five times. Mostly, the book is not so engaging.
By the way, I did read a good book recently. ReWork.
It was 2-3 days ago that I was busy finishing the last pages of the book. I finished reading it. And Iāll put the lessons online by the end of the month, hopefully.
So, while I was reading its last few pages, a client messaged me with an assignment. I accepted the task and got back to reading.
It was a moment later that I realised I should add it to my to-do, or else I would forget. I added it to my Trello board āDoingā list.
And Trello saved me again.
As I feared, I forgot about the project entirely the next day. I recalled it late evening; that too, while I was moving another project to the āIn Reviewā list.
You know, it has happened twice earlier that I have forgotten to do an assigned project.
The first time I recall was five years ago. I wasnāt using Trello at that time. And it was three days later, when the client asked me for an update, I realised I hadnāt even started.
It was a quick task, though. So, I told him that I would send it in an hour. I did so. Good save.
The second time I missed a project was last year. I mentioned it on Trello but didnāt check my board for two days. Only when I was adding an assignment from another client to the board did I see this pending task smirking at me.
I still had a few days to deliver, so allās good.
Someday, Iām gonna land in trouble for sure. Iām having a strong gut feeling.
I will take your leave now. Have nothing more to share.
Malgudi Days is waiting for me. Itās already 21.05.
Bidding adieu. Live long and prosper.