Too much of a good thing?

Dear Readers,

I am exhausted. At a time, when I am drowning in work, am travelling a bit and have little access to personal emails, I feel rather exhausted when I open my gmail account. I get random invites to FaceBook, Twitter and what have you. These invites come not just from close friends/cyberfriends but from people I have only randomly interacted with on LinkedIn (not LinkedIn friends) or met just once, only once at a networking event and exchanged cards.

Why on earth would I want to follow you on Twitter if you are not a friend. Perhaps I will just join Twitter and put a stop through twitting with a single message: Sitting on potty, am constipated. I do not see any sense in knowing whether A is stuck in traffic, or B is having a chilled beer, or C is working over the weekend. All that in 144 (am I right) words.

True, Twitter has its uses. Such as when Mumbai was taken over by terrorists. Then a minute by minute twitter update would have been invaluable. But to tell me that you are in a crowded local train - big deal!

I am active on LinkedIn. In fact, I have a lot of fun on one or two fun groups, I exchange views on writing on "writers groups" and learn and share on "tax groups". So yes, it is nice being on LinkedIn. Apart from that I cannot handle anything more.

Is social networking becoming too much of a good thing? I know years ago, I had mentioned on how I have reduced my personal emails and in fact catch up with friends when they pop up on gmail chat.

Just today I wrote to a very close friend with whom I haven't interacted with for several weeks. Her story - she now meets people only on FaceBook Walls/Scraps or whatever it is that they are called. Of course I know she is there, if I need her.

It is just that social networking is changing our lives completely. I had raised this topic earlier and can see the situation worsening. I am not sure whether I like it.

It is nice to interact with new people who share your interests and I have many friends whom I met through blogs or LinkedIn, but at the same time, I think social networking is taking over our world.

So even though work is taking over my life right now, I will make sure to meet some friends, actually meet them, even if for a quick cup of coffee.

We often talk about worklife balance. Perhaps it is now time to deliberate on social networking v/s real life balance.

And isnt' it ironical that I am sending this message through another social networking tool - blogs.

PS: I need to apologise. There were two comments to my earlier post (don't remember whose) and instead of uploading it, I accidentally deleted them. Sorry.

Promise not to repeat this error, so your comments are more than welcome.

Have a good Sunday.
Best,
Lubna

"If I abandon this project, I would be a man without dreams"

Hi Readers,

There are two kinds of people in this world. Avid movie watchers and bookworms. I belong to the latter category. It has been ages since I last ventured into a movie hall to watch a movie. But recently, I was loaned two CDs to watch and I must say I began to watch it merely because I trust the person who lent it to me and knew there was a reason behind the same. But I was rivetted with Burden of My Dreams

(1) Fitzcarraldo and
(2) The making of this movie - Fitzcarraldo, a documentary called "Burden of My Dreams".

But first a little bit about the movie. Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, known as Fitzcarraldo by the locals who cannot pronounce his name, has failed in his project of building a railroad through the rain forests. Even though bankrupt and running a business of making ice - which is not in demand, he now dreams of something bigger. Of building an opera house in the rain forest and bringing the music of Caruso to the people.

Did he succeed? Not quite. Yet he achieved his aim of bringing the opera, even if temporarily to the forests of Peru. The people did get a chance to see and hear the famous Italian opera singer Caruso and his troupe perform on Fitzcarraldo's ship.

The movie is all about being passionate with your dreams. So passionate that you are willing to move mountains to achieve what you want.

However, it is the documentary, Burden of My Dreams that I found more appealing. It is obvious that the director, Werner Herzog is in love with his work, especially so with the project Fitzcarraldo.

As the documentary - Burden of My Dreams shows, there are problems with local Indians who act in the movie - a fight between two tribes, allegations against the film-makers, the star Jason Robabrs falls sick and is unable to return - this after 40% of the movie has been shot. Mick Jagger cannot commit more time and is forced to drop out (he is not replaced). Klaus Kinski, who replaces Jason does a fabulous job.

The focal point of the movie is moving a ship (an actual three storeyed ship) over the mountain and this has its own glitches. No investor is willing to pay till the ship moves. Investors, in Germany, ask Herzog:

"Do you have the strength or the will or the enthusiasm to continue?". He replies, "How can you ask this question? If I abandon this project, I would be a man without dreams. And I don't want to live like that."

Yes, despite all odds, Herzog attained his dream, the movie was made.

It is nice to have a deep passion for something, nicer still if you are able to make this passion your occupation. If this is not possible, you must set time aside for your passion.


At times, however, I guess it is also okay to realise that you are tired out. Perhaps at such point in time, it is vital to finish your pending committments and to take a complete break, rest, recover, think, and decide how best you can utilise your passion.

If you can find this DVD do pick it up. Burden of My Dreams is worth a view.

Best,
Lubna