“Coal and diamonds are nature’s landfill, we should stop worrying about exhausting them. Instead, let’s use direct energy nature’s giving us!”

I simply don’t understand human sustainability. Sustain human beings for what, forever? For another generation? For ten more generations? I see it only as human greed – to want to survive longer, to resist change – against the very nature of existence. Look at the earth’s life history! Everything is going to change! Even though the earth might not have seen a species like ours before, we are still making attempts against the inevitable. Apart from our deeply selfish intent, I have problems with the apparent urgency of the matter. If it is the 11th hour, why isn’t petrol absolutely unaffordable yet? Things are moving in that direction, but we’re not there yet. Not yet.

I have started understanding what ‘power’ feels like. Such a miracle it is, to demand or experience it – provides for such an intellectual high! The power of a guitar playing in a tunnel, the power of sculpture, the power of excellence, of meaning exactly what you say, of saying only what you mean, of choosing to be open to new experiences, of choice itself, of being able to mould your own life – is this what we live for? Power expresses itself not only through bloodshed or courage – but also through intellect and trust! I can feel the power of a voice over me, of a 500 year old painting on a ceiling, of a great man’s lifelong work, speaking through time. And this realisation is only the beginning.

“Words,” Rahmat says every time I squeak with joy or whine in sorrow- “I need words!”

My class in school has 34 people from 18 countries. It is the most diverse environment I have ever been in, and makes for very good staring points for conversation. Chilling out over lunch one of those terribly busy days, I realized from across a table of 7 that every one of us had had a direct experience with a terrorist attack. Each one was either around when it happened, or had a sister who missed the train that was bombed, or was close enough to hear the shots. What does this mean?! Can terrorism be universal? Or shocking still - unifying?

If I thought I had a cumbersome and lonely childhood, God’s making up for it now - BIG time. Thanks mate.

I miss Shilpy. Now that I look back, I realize she was a silent force in my Mumbai life- soaked in all that came in her way, rarely complaining. In times throughout my application madness, mood swings and inability to talk about anything else, she fed me, asked about my progress, and did not complain of the alarm or the light. Not once. How does one sustain that? It takes deep strength of character to get where she is, clean or not. And I feel now that I did not get to thank her for it all – I almost feel ungrateful, insufficient. I’m getting my chance :)

The time has come. I knew it was inevitable – to revisit every opinion, reconsider every direction of thought – to change my mind – in the context of a revised time, location and environment. What is my fundamental character? What am I building on? What ‘Indianness’ must I carry on, or choose to leave behind? Which is a better way, which is more logical? Are we really living in a globalized world? Has the beauty of travel been lost or will it stand its ground? Should I just do what I feel? Feel, and Do? Two very powerful words.

“I want to be name dropped.” One of the smartest answers ever to “What do you want to do in life?”. Benjamin Alun-Jones. Oh, I think I just name dropped him!

When I met Farzin, I was shocked and surprised – kind, open, trusting, simple and calm – qualities that I thought people grow out of with time. Then, I met Jaosh. So there were two of them. Then I came to London : there are hundreds here! It’s such a wonderful solvent to be in – helps in being true to your own personality – to be celebrated for how weird and crazy you are – no judgments! It makes me feel whole, independent and proud of what I am, am not, and can be. Maybe worthiness is measured by this ability? That’s the hope.

Hardware stores are the answer to everything.

What you are is an absolute, independent entity; something that must not and should not, be dictated by other sides of your life. Even if Anna Kournikova hasn’t won a single major tournament, she is hot. And there is nothing wrong with that. Who said one needs to be successful to be good looking? Or smart to be witty? Even if your crit didn’t go well, you are still the same funny guy you were before the crit. If you didn’t win the match today, it doesn’t mean you’ve got to stop being well dressed. One part of your personality does not have to earn the other – they can coexist independently and in peace. Nick, my man – thanks.