<![CDATA[GreyView Productions - Che's Space | Blog |]]>Sun, 27 May 2012 17:01:50 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Momma's Boy]]>Sun, 13 May 2012 04:26:25 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2012/05/mommas-boy.htmlI recently had the joy of experiencing a middle ear virus. Of all the colds, flus and viruses to catch, it’s one of the most annoying. You’re basically relegated to either sleeping, or sitting there with your eyes shut. Imagine you’ve just spun yourself around 100 times really fast- the sensation you’d get from that is essentially what it feels like if you open your eyes. With other colds and flus, at least you can also rest by reading or watching TV... but when you’re relegated to just listening to your iPod...

Anyway, in my absence, Eric has done an outstanding job in stepping up, and taking care of the 3-UP material- the readings, advertising & marketing, venue organisation. He may not admit it, but he’s doing an awesome job as the 3-Up Producer- especially considering this is his first foray into the role.

With the third reading now complete, I’d like to thank everybody who attended, and also give my thanks for the invaluable feedback. Massive props to Rebecca and Lee for the awesome work they did on the script... It’s not easy to get other people to follow ideas which are well conceived within your mind- so it’s a great feeling when the actors play it how you imagine it. It was exciting to get a glimpse of how our line-up is shaping up. We’re entering crunch time as scripts now need to be finalised and rehearsals start very, very soon.

Today is of course a special tribute to our unsung heroes. Like Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day is a great day to honour the blood, sweat and tears our loved ones have gone through, for us, the other 364 or so days... Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being cynical or anything- I always go with the flow and make sure I get something my Mum will like / enjoy- like a new vacuum, or a great set of bakingware to make our desserts... Jokes. I can’t speak for other cultures, but I can definitely say that a lot of traditional Indian Mothers I know are some of the most selfless, loving people out there. It kind of saddens me thinking about how a lot of them give up their dreams and ambitions to be the loving mother and wife (and sometimes daughter-in-law) for their family. I’m not sure how people can say there’s no such thing as true altruism...

I’ve spoken before about the trials and tribulations my Mum has gone through...  I’m grateful for the things she’s passed on... she is the reason I’m so well versed / well-read... Without knowing it, my inclination towards Commerce seems to be genetic, as her brief foray into Uni life was in Economics. She has worked tirelessly for our family without second thought. And so while the generations past pave the way for the rest of us, I guess there is a silver lining, as my mum gets to see my sister, my brother and me follow our dreams and goals.

So yeah, it seems funny we spend just the one day trying to somehow thank one of the people who has shaped who are (and who we will be). It probably sounds cliché to talk about being eternally grateful, and never really being able to thank my Mum for doing what she does... she’s an inspiration and a role model. And anybody who wants to call me a ‘momma’s boy’- I’ll take it as a compliment.
 ~Chetan

]]><![CDATA[Life's little challenges]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:54:43 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2012/04/lifes-little-challenges.htmlPrep for the 3UP is going well, as we get set for our 2nd group reading at
the end of the week. With the venue locked in and marketing about to get under
way, there’s been a lot of script writing going on. With Easter been and gone,
it was a good  4 days of write, write, write.

The 3UP has presented some interesting challenges- some for the better.  Although I like writing the type of comedy where everybody plays off everyone else’s reactions (i.e. an ensemble cast), the challenge has been to write with less characters from my last draft.  Like Eric says: it’s about being smart, and being able to work with what you have. He’s exactly right, and to be honest the story has become a lot better for it- it’s a lot more focused, and I think it’s worked out a lot better. I guess the adage ‘less is more’ rings quite true.

In other news I’ve moved on to another job. I feel really bad with all the job hopping- but given the situation, sometimes you have to think of yourself, or rather, the overall picture...

My friend has also just been through the process of changing jobs. As she was going through the trials and tribulations of job hunting, I recall her words were “Man, nothing is easy in this world is it?” My response was something along the lines of “Yeah, you're right- nothing in this world is easy... except Paris Hilton”... 
I know, not the classiest response- sometimes I have a bad habit of responding like I’m in a sitcom or something...  I wonder if it’s some sort of affliction / syndrome from script writing... 

Aaaaaaanyway the main point is, I agree with her- especially with the good / important things in life- there’s a lot of work involved to get anywhere or anything . And now as I’m writing and thinking about it, there’s a few things I would add to her statement.

I think part of society’s problem- mine included- is that we  look to take the easy way out too often. Things like procrastination (one of my biggest vices), doing things half-pie, or just letting things slip...
Sometimes I think the world has become so obsessed with streamlining, cutting corners, and generally making life easier, we forget what it’s like to actually put in the hard yards and get the satisfaction after putting in a good slog. In some ways, I’m glad that some things aren’t easy- there’s greater satisfaction in being made to work for something- it feels more deserved.

Probably not the best example, but one case in point- food. While the occasional
junk food binge does appeal, it’s hard to compare with something DIY like a BBQ
(yes, I’m talking about you, bacon-wrapped chicken fillets...). Probably more
relevant- Tendulkar’s 100th century. While an awesome achievement, I’m sure he, and everybody else, would’ve liked to see it raised against someone like the
Aussies.

 I guess one of our other problems is we’re so averse to risk- it’s a subject I’ve touched on before.  A lot of the time we’re comfortable being reactive, rather than proactive. Sometimes it’s because we’re afraid of the risks involved, and what’s at stake. One of my biggest problems has always been my complacency as I remained comfortable within my cotton wool surroundings... Going back to my job-hopping-I took a risk with my previous job. Even though it didn’t quite go as expected, I don’t regret making that decision. Through the process, I believe it’s helped me become one of those people who is more willing to put their feet in the water, rather than stand there, looking, and say “Nah, screw it, looks too cold to me”. Of course that’s not to say I’m just going to suddenly take a big leap and just cannonball in... 

If anything, it’s the willingness to accept that sometimes things won’t go as planned, and be willing to fail trying, rather than wonder about what could’ve been, and flitter away lost opportunities. As Mr Shakespeare says- It’s better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all...

It’s also about having the patience and perseverance, and not just take the easy way out- especially with the things- or people- that matter... 

 I think my script writer’s syndrome is starting to play up, so I’ll wrap things up.

 Yeah, nothing in this world is easy. It just depends on how important those things are, and how far you’re willing to go for them...

So, yes, currently I look forward to taking on the challenge of the 3UP. Stay tuned.

]]><![CDATA[In the Holidays...]]>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:53:06 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2012/02/in-the-holidays.html In the holidays I went to Wellington. It was fun. We went there by bus. That was not fun. I went with my sister, and we saw my uncle, a friend and some other relatives. We went to the shops and I bought a cool T-shirt. We also went to the beach, the movies and saw some old stuff at a museum. We ate lots of food and got fat. I liked Wellington, and I liked the holidays. It was awesum!!!

As we get older the holidays seem to breeze on by so much faster. I miss the good old days of school and Uni, where it was months and weeks, not days you had off… Of course at Uni they made you pay for it by cramming a year’s worth of learning into a 3 or 4 month semester…

Returning to work every year it’s the same old story, but never gets easier. I’ve been in that phase where I’ve pushed in the clutch but haven’t really changed gear from ‘Holiday’ to ‘Work’- just coasting along in ‘Neutral’… The remnants of a blissful holiday still linger. It’s just over 8 weeks of work, but already I’m feeling withdrawal symptoms- cravings for another vacation… Returning to a ton of paperwork is never a good way to break yourself in… Coasting along and then finding the road suddenly dips, and now you find yourself careening downhill… Acclimatization- that should be the byword.

Now that things have slightly settled down at work (emphasis on the ‘slightly’), I can get back to the blogging…

So…

Aside from the fact that I didn’t get to tick anything off my Wish list (and to add insult to injury, it seems the Indian cricket team is also stuck in ‘Holiday’ mode…), it was a great holiday. The Family Xmas BBQ soldiered on despite the threatening clouds. Wellington- ahhh, Wellington… when the madness of Auckland gets too much, it’s become the perfect getaway. I never did buy much into the whole Auckland vs Wellington business. At the mention of Wellington, my Auckland friends always seem to have the same typical jokes (You know, the ones about Wellington wind and some lame pun using the word ‘sucks’) while the Wellington crowd always have the usual JAFA jokes. Both are are nice places, and I like them both- that’s all there is to it.

Over the break, it was good to see there was general goodwill and peace on Earth… except for Jeremy Clarkson managing to piss off another country… That’s something I’d like to address in an upcoming blog.

Work aside, I am looking forward to the year ahead.

My brother will be turning 21, and there are some crazy / nasty ideas brewing for his 21st party. He finally decided to cut his hair, though I’m not sure if it was due to the wishes (i.e. incessant nagging) of our Mum. We thought he may have plans to join a hippie cult.

Also our regular GreyView meetings have started up again. Eric and I are keen to keep the momentum from last year going (albeit the short interlude that’s just been).  As GreyView forges ahead with more productions, I can’t wait for the 3-Up to be … um… up. We’re expecting to have another key meeting soon, and I’m keen to see the progress we’ve all made with our 2nd Drafts. I’ll keep you posted as I can.

Well, Auckland Anniversary and Waitangi Weekend have been and gone- now I’m looking ahead to Easter. Bless the long weekends- for they are the workers’ equivalent of a nicotine patch…

P.S. Special birthday shoutout to my little sis who turned 22 last Sunday. Only 22, but the wisdom and mannerisms of an 88 year-old…

]]><![CDATA[So this is Christmas...]]>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:05:29 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2011/12/so-this-is-christmas.html

So here I am counting down the clock until I’m on holiday. It’ll be a simple holiday- a bit of R&R at home, and a few days down in Wellington after New Year’s. Normally I’m gearing up for the holidays a few weeks out- anticipating and waiting. But this year has been different… it’s been one big blur, and Xmas has crept up on me like a ninja- but in a good way. What can I say- 2011 has been one amazing year. One big amazing blur…

I can honestly say I’ve never faced a year like this before- and I don’t think I will for some time. If I were to sum up the year in one word, it’d be ‘Change’. Yeah, every year we face change- but for me it’s like a whole new era…When I think about the job change after an 8-year stint, and the launching of GreyView’s first production, the game has changed in a lot of ways- for the better. I can’t forget that the year has seen some other exciting events like the Rugby World Cup, and milestone birthdays in the family. Yeah, it’s safe to say it’ll be while before I have another wild year like this… Famous last words, right?…

Eric introduced me to an important saying- “No Man is an Island”- nothing could be truer… While I have my burdens to bear, I’m thankful for the friends and family who’ve been there. I’d like to thank everyone out there for their support and encouragement. We don’t have Thanksgiving in NZ, but I know what I’m thankful for.

Going back to my partner-in-crime, I’d especially like to say ‘thank you’ to my Samoan bro. Where would all this be if not for the other half of GreyView? With the year that’s been, my heart goes out him. I only met Eric’s Dad a few times- but that’s all it took to see how nice he was- one of those kind, gentle souls with a big heart. You can also see from his family the kind of guy he was…

But, also, I’m happy for Eric- that he has pulled through to do what I’m sure his Dad wanted for him.

As we wrap up 2011, this is usually the time where a lot of people do the ‘Top 10 [insert subject] of the year’ list. But let’s face it- it’s all subjective, and most of the time it’s nothing like we’d pick. So instead I thought I’d share with you my personal Christmas Wish List.  I’m not talking about the typical stuff like World Peace and Love; and I’m not talking about stuff you can easily buy off the shelf.  No, this is the more obscure, personal stuff; the ones that’d take something of a Christmas miracle (or maybe just the right people reading this):

  • A laptop that doesn’t sound like it’s going to blast off into space.
  • A car that sounds like it’s going to blast off into space. (i.e. The Batmobile)
  • Failing that a Lamborghini Aventador. 10 years waiting since the Murcielago, I think the wait is justified… of the cars from 2011, for me, this is the one (Lamborghini, if you’re reading this, I’m not above a bit of product sponsorship / product placement…)
  • One more century for Tendulkar. This’ll be the easiest thing on the list… I hope…
  • The Black Mages on Guitar Hero / Rock Band. No, they haven’t made one- yet. I don’t know of any other band more perfect for Guitar Hero or Rock Band. And they’re part of the gaming industry already- so what’s the problem? Oh yeah, they’re pretty obscure- relegated to video game nerds… like me…

 

  • Tour De Japon does an international tour. Again, video game nerds will know what I’m talking about…I’d go just for the live version of One Winged Angel (AC version) (i.e. rock version). That and Aeris’ Theme (Yeah it’s a little girly, but it’s one of the best damn written compositions ever).

 

  • Whose Line Is It Anyway? on DVD. Mainly because I don’t have the time nor the bandwith… And, um, plus piracy is wrong…

 

There was more, but I’m in holiday mode now…So anyway, thanks again for tuning in. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year. See you in 2012

 

~Chetan

]]><![CDATA[Looking forward to things to come]]>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:27:52 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2011/12/looking-forward-to-things-to-come.html_It feels good to finally catch up on my sleep- but even better to have done the 1st reading of our 3-Up scripts. With a handful of actors, we read through our scripts, last Saturday. Even though it’s still early days, the shape of the 3-Up is looking good. We’re each bringing something different to the table- it’s a like a Bollywood movie- a bit of laughter, a bit of drama, a bit of action… I guess all we need is the massive choreographed dance number…

But, yes, the predictions for the 3-Up are looking good…

While the actual dialogue in my script needs work and a LOT of editing (what was supposed to be around 20 pages, I ended up with 27 odd pages… but at this stage I reckon more is better than less), I’m happy because the foundation is there. Next step is the 2nd draft which is set for early in the New Year.

The timing is perfect, because my brain has been in overdrive while burning the midnight oil. To be honest, I sometimes wonder what goes through my head when I write some of my material during the small hours- including my last blog (it’s a sad irony that the topic was on dorkiness…). So I think it’s time to get those brain cells recharged...Bring on the holidays!

I can’t believe the Xmas holidays are here already.

And is it just me, or are the shops getting earlier and earlier trying to promote the Xmas shopping? I swear I saw decorations up back in November…

As everyone’s preparing to wind up, I guess now is a good time to review the year that’s been. What more can I say- it has been a big leap for GreyView, as we finally got the GreyView machine rolling with our first stage production. Eric, said it himself, last year- he said “2011 is going to be a big year for GreyView”. Amen to that brother.

It’s been a mammoth year personally - along with IDDC, there’s been the start of a new job, after 8 years at my first one… Milestone birthdays in the family (Sister’s 21st, Dad’s 60th, Cousin’s 1st)… The Rugby World Cup… A lot of hellos and goodbyes…

So yeah, I think time for a little R & R is due… although the plans are still up in the air- the usual road trip is pretty much on hold this year. I seem to be in the same boat as a lot of other people- money is tight, so we’re looking to keep it simple. I haven’t spent much time with the family...I know there’s a bunch of Top Gear episodes waiting to be watched with my Dad and little bro…

Of course with the year that’s been I’d also like to get out of Auckland for a bit, so hopefully I can go see my uncle in Wellington. And no, it’s not because I can skimp on accommodation charges (although my Indian heritage probably suggests otherwise…). Holidays at my uncle’s place- right back to a childhood years- has always been that perfect getaway… the sanctuary away from any troubles or worries. Days filled with junk food, movies, music, Monopoly, and anything else besides work… My uncle is big on movies like myself, and while we tend to differ on preferences for movies (He’s more ‘Rialto’), I think he’s played a part in developing my interest in movies.

So yeah, I am looking forward to the holiday season- but I’m not signing off for the year just yet… still another week to go at work- as I imagine a lot of people have as well. So hang in there people- not long to go now.

]]><![CDATA[Moments of Dorkiness]]>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:55:45 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2011/12/moments-of-dorkiness.htmlLike Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage" and sometimes you have to wonder what your 'role' is... sometimes I feel mine is 'court jester'...

Today I had one of my usual bouts of dorkiness. I managed to do the whole ‘inadvertent call while phone is in the pocket’... For some reason it’s been decided this is my lot in life- to have those moments going from feeling like ‘The People’s Champ’ to Mr Bean... I don’t know, maybe it’s the universe conspiring to give me script fodder for future scripts...

If that's the case, then I think it wants me to write some sort of romantic comedy, because my luck with girls has been... um, well...
Classic Example:
I’ve been very lucky with my contact lenses– had the same pair from near the beginning- never had them drop out, lost or anything. So why, why, why, did one of them decide to drop out, (luckily onto the table and not the floor), when I was having lunch with a girl I really like?...
I guess it was an opportunity to prove how calm and collected I can be, or show her I can laugh at myself... but, nah, I naturally slipped into dork mode from there, and, well...
Sometimes I wish life was like a Microsoft Office program and you had functions like ‘Undo’ and ‘Cut’, or a warning prompt ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ before doing anything decidedly embarrassing or stupid...

I wonder what I’d be like as a pirate or a ninja. Knowing my luck, I’d have moments like trying to sail away as the boat is still tied to the port, or rush into battle with a practice sword. Woe to the ninja who forgets there is a shuriken in their pocket...

I know these things happen, and I’m making it sound like it’s the end of the world... Speaking of which, yes, it’s my dorky segue way into the 3-Up. Yup, it’s beginning of The End, as we enter the first phase- 1st drafts. The 3 writers will have their 1st drafts completed by 10thDec. 

So what exactly is the 3-UP? Simply put, it’s a collection of 3 Short Plays; 3 Writers (Eric Smith, Chris Malloy and yours truly); 3 Genres. We’re set to go to stage early next year.  And although it may seem like it’s a potluck party, there is a central theme. Oh yes, by the not-so-subtle hints, you can probably tell the central theme is ‘2012- End of the World’ 

Following the buzz from IDDC, I can’t wait to see this one up. I like the fact that it’s 3 different plays in one go- it’s like a box of those Sampler biscuits your relatives usually give you for Xmas- it’s got something for everybody, in just the right quantities... except don’t expect any plain vanilla biscuits. I've come to embrace and channel my dorkiness- and you can expect it to shine through in the script.

And for the record, no, I don't think the World is going to end next year. I think life is going to go on as usual. Just as it has done after the numerous dorky episodes I've faced... It didn't work out with the girl, but the thing is we're still friends. So it's not the end of the world, and I can live with that...
 ~Chetan

]]><![CDATA[The Great Debate]]>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:13:35 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2011/11/the-great-debate.html

I’d like to get a bit topical for this blog… at the moment my pressing concern is a contentious topic… one that unfailingly divides a lot of people…As two great sides vie for attention, I’m mulling over the choices with the pros and cons; and it’s hard to pick when both sides have their strengths and weaknesses… in my mind there’s just no real winner…

And so the great debate continues- which is better, a Ninja or a Pirate?

It’s a question that has been around for ages (8 to 9 years according to Know Your Meme). And I hate to say it, but I can’t really decide, as I like both...

Like a lot of people, my interest in Pirate culture grew after seeing Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl.
Ninjas? That came part and parcel with my fascination (i.e. obsession) in Japanese culture… although it did start at an early age with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Snake Eyes from the old-school G.I. Joe (a commando / ninja who has a wolf as a sidekick… that so damn rocks).

 

I guess it all depends on the context. For example, if we’re talking about who would win in a fight… Again it depends on a lot of things… E.g. terrain plays a big part. If the fight is out in the open, or on waters, advantage- pirates, because ninjas are like cats- agility-wise, and also water-wise…

Generally in a fight though, I’d have to give it to the Ninjas- masters of stealth, and trained killers. You can’t really claim pirates have the advantage with guns. Assuming that they’re not wasted off their face, even a sober pirate will find their head rolling away from their body before the fight has even begun. And let’s face it, a pirate’s weapon of choice is usually a bottle of rum…

 

Which brings me to the next point. Lifestyle.

Ninjas require a focused and dedicated training regime to hone their awesomeness. And while the dedication has its rewards, the life of a ninja is usually very quiet, dark and solitary.

A pirate on the other hand are loud and doesn’t give a damn about anything. In terms of free spirit and non-committal, pirates reign supreme. As Johnny Depp so rightly put it, pirates were like the rock stars of their time.

In other words, a pirate’s life is drink, booty (treasure) and more booty (women). To them ‘rules’ is a four letter word (pirates can’t spell).

So in that respect (and notwithstanding the numerous debilitating diseases), I have to give that one to the pirates.

I could go on about the other significant factors (Like who are better dancers (Ninjas); who would be better at party games (Pirates, although ninjas would kick butt in Charades), etc.), but what’s the point? What is the point?

Simple Answer: 3-UP, 2012

Stay tuned for more details… ]]><![CDATA[Finally...]]>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:52:41 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2011/11/finally.html_ … Chetan has come back to the GreyView Blog…

[N.B. Today’s blog has been bought to you by The Rock. The Entertainment Superstar… not the Radio Station]

Wow…um so it looks like I haven’t blogged in ages… Back when the Rugby WorldCup was just starting… 2 months ago…

Don’t worry- I’m still alive. It’s just been busy. Really, really busy. At work we were dealing with Rugby World Cup tourists AND at the newspaper it was Diwali. Oh, and of course GreyView put on it’s first production. It finished up just last week, but I still feel the buzz of excitement of finally getting ‘I Don’t Do Coconut’ up.

It’s an awesome feeling to get our first production out there. The icing on the cake was that we did it on a madman’s (and / or  madwoman’s) schedule; and thanks to our awesome cast and crew, pulled off a great production. At the moment we’re dealing with the ‘aftermath’ (ie. Post-production tidy-up_ and excitement.

I’ll give a general thanks here, because I pretty much gave my ‘Oscar speech’ in the programme, and on the nights. But thank you to EVERYONE. The cast, crew, sponsors, friends, family, newfound fans, and everybody else who has supported us throughout the project.

So now that GreyView is finally off the ground, we’re making damn sure we keep those propellers running. We’ve got plenty lined up for 2012- including the 3-Up and the ‘restaging’ of IDDC… I know the correct term is ‘remount’… but me, with my high school mentality can’t help but snigger at the word… it feels like a word that should be kept behind closed doors… Yes, I’ve learnt a lot from this experience- but no, my sense of humour hasn’t grown up… Oh, the 3-Up is going to be so much fun…


So yup, back into everything again... including the good ol' blog. Stay tuned as normal transmission will resume very shortly…
 ]]><![CDATA[Those other three important words]]>Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:40:43 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2011/09/those-other-three-important-words.html To stop myself from overdosing on the rugby, I’m rewatching episodes of The Office (UK version). I’m not going to get into a debate over whether it’s better than the US version or not- I like both on different merits. But one thing I’ve always admired about Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant is their art of subtlety and ability to get to the point. They did in 14 episodes what other shows take 2 to 3 seasons to do…

And yeah, I’ll admit to being a Tim and Dawn shipper…
Those who’ve watched it will remember that moment when Dawn opens her Secret Santa and read those three words:

Never Give Up.

Aside from being my favourite TV moment ever, it’s the perfect example of why I want to be a scriptwriter. To have something that culminates into one awe inspiring moment…

It’s rather ironic then, that given what has happened in the past few weeks, how important those three words are. After regrouping, Eric and I realise that now- more than ever- we want to get I Don’t Coconut up there, and that we won’t be giving up on the dream.

And just like Dawn, we have others who also want to see the dream realised. So to you, I say thank you.

After regrouping and rescheduling, we’ve got November 7th to 9th set as the new dates for I Don’t Do Coconut. And, as originally planned, it will be at the Herald Theatre in the Auckland CBD.

We look forward to seeing you there, for what we’re expecting to be the culmination of something awesome.

~Chetan

]]><![CDATA[Breaking the Bounds- Pt 2]]>Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:22:11 -0800http://www.greyview.net/4/post/2011/08/breaking-the-bounds-pt-2.html"You know what the greatest tragedy is in the whole world?... It's all the people who never find out what it is they really want to do or what it is they're really good at. It's all the sons who become blacksmiths because their fathers were blacksmiths. It's all the people who could be really fantastic flute players who grow old and die without ever seeing a musical instrument, so they become bad ploughmen instead. It's all the people with talents who never even find out. Maybe they are never even born in a time when it's even possible to find out... It's all the people who never get to know what it is they can really be. It's all the wasted chances." Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

Sometimes I wonder what my mother would have become if she got to do the things she wanted to do. Like finish her degree at Uni- instead of having to give it up for the sake of her parents... Where she would go if she had the courage to get her own driver's licence?...How she would spend her time if she didn't dedicate it to others as she does- if she didn't have to be the typical Indian housewife she's expected to be? I wonder what she would've been if she had the choice?

But then there's those of us who have the choice and the chance and don't take it... wasted chances.

I don't know which is more tragic.

After 8 years in the same job, I've finally made the move to a different job. There were people saying that it was a long time coming... 5 years maybe... but 8 years?! Loyalty is a fine thing...  And it wasn’t the job itself- I enjoyed connecting with all the different people... bonds and attachments...  Leaving was hardly a consideration.  

Even when I did think about changing jobs, part of my reluctance to leave was also because of a lack of confidence and worrying about what would happen if I left and it all failed.

Sometimes what's holding us back is fear of the unknown. And that’s not just because we tend to like taking the easy way out... If it’s one thing some of us  don’t have, it’s the willingness to take risks. We're more comfortable dealing with the devil we know. 

And even when we are prepared to take the risk, it comes back to the whole bonds and attachments. Maybe it’s cognitive dissonance- I don’t know- but some of us are experts in talking ourselves out of the situation. When presented with an opportunity to do something different, we ask ourselves “If I do this, what will
I be missing out on?” and figure that we like the status quo and so don’t bother.

It’s funny how we never ask instead: “If I don’t do this, what will I be missing out on?”

Rather than celebrating the new job, I’ve been lamenting my departure from the old job.
But as one of my friends so rightly put it- “...you've also got to think of the exciting new opportunity for you.” My thanks for helping put things into perspective.

No more wasted chances.

I'm hoping one of these days my mum decides to get behind that steering wheel...
~Chetan
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