In the Pursuit of Happyness

Being of the conservative kind, who seldom tries something out of the blue, I have been quite relieved to observe that, of late, I have been surprising myself quite a wee bit. My best guess is that it all started somewhere during my days in hostel where a lot of innovation went in doing even the smallest of the things. Small things led to even smaller actions, albeit with great implications. My gang used to snatch the steam inhaler machine from a fellow friend who hardly used it but claimed to have sinus. And in it we boiled majestic eggs. It remains one of my favorite anecdotes which I often narrate at those intellectual type get togethers, hoping that the ladies might be attracted to my goofier side. Because I know for sure that I stink when I try to act as an intellect of sorts.

The latest fad to hit Nalinville is to gain weight. So these days I have been hogging on the kind of food which Vir Sanghvi describes as uncomplicated, unhealthy and delicious. Before those of you who know me start to make judgments about how it was time for me to gain weight, let me be clear on the onset that the impulsion to eat more is not to attain a Adonis like physique, but to make sure that I can flaunt half a grand’s worth of a sleek black belt in the manner it deserves. Yes, in the times like these, the will of a materialistic consumer has taken over and has a more profound effect than the repeated pleas of a concerned mother for the same cause.

Let me tell you more about the whole scenario. The previous belt purchase, from a bustling Janpath, was basically done by my father. I had no idea about the cost, quality, length or type of the belt and it remained that way for just short of a decade. Then, as a, fifteen year old, I was concentrating only on the cold coffee from Deepaul’s. Things changed drastically between then and now. First and foremost innovation paved way to aloofness, and secondly my sister turned fifteen. Cold coffee being a passé for her and a socialite in her own right, she decided to give me a makeover. Stern looks and verbal bashing were used when humble requests did no good. And unlike most elder siblings I succumbed to the pressure. My visit to malls with a ‘target rich environment’ was reduced to mere window shopping. Now here comes the surprising bit I initially mentioned - I started enjoying such an experience. Even the cheap thrills of trying on expensive watches and sunglasses. Even the courage to purchase outrageously high priced goods.

One of which is the belt. Though it wasn’t love at first sight, but the impulse to acquire good things made me buy one (and of course the pressure). And during the process I forgot the fundamentals while making a purchase, which my folks taught me to address the dual concerns of comfort and value for money. At half a grand it was comfortable no doubt, but I didn’t try it. I was devastated to find out that its length was such that I could wrap my waist twice over. I had hit rock bottom. The only reason as to why I didn’t hit the bar to drown my sorrow was not to spend another fortune, this time on cursing the purchase. Instead, I came across a joint near my place which serves some form of chicken – an absolute delight. This has given me a new found motivation to use the belt as a yardstick of my gastronomic adventures and waist maturity.

All in all, with the purchase of the belt (and also a shirt during the same spree) I believe I have joined the compulsive buyers club (a club wherein they also serve a lot of tasty food.) And with it have shred another chunk of conservatism.




June 13, 2007