Life, Laughter and Everything Else

The videographer slid open the transparent door. The air blew in, fresh and cold. The pressure in my ears continued to build up and the twin propeller plane continued to rise in a steep ascent. The instructors and the amateurs shared fist bumps and high 5's to build some courage. "We will go third", she shouted in my ears behind me and I nodded in agreement. First went the videographer. Then the first pair went up to the door and they steadied themselves. The instructor asked the girl, locked to the contraption on his chest using a series of safety locks, to put her feet at the narrow edge of the plane while he placed both his arms on the two ends of the doors to hold them inside. Then after about 4 seconds he let go and they were gone, out of sight. The second pair did the same and my instructor pushed me up to go to the door. I moved up and placed my feet unsteadily on that thin stair at the edge of the plane. The wind was stronger. Before I had any time to think,

"My mum used to tell me. Never chase after girls. Be successful and they will chase after you" , he proclaimed with all due seriousness, something that amused me given the passion with which he chased after (and successfully seduced) them. "I am not sure if that is the type of girl I want. Because it sounds like she wants my success more than she wants me" , I retorted. He thought for a quick second. "She did not mean it in that way. She meant have the right kind of character and you will attract the right kind of woman" Wishful thinking or reality? As they say, only the mother knows...

At last Philip said:  “Well, I can’t say anything about other people.  I can only speak for myself.  The illusion of free will is so strong in my mind that I can’t get away from it, but I believe it is only an illusion.  But it is an illusion which is one of the strongest motives of my actions.  Before I do anything I feel that I have choice, and that influences what I do; but afterwards, when the thing is done, I believe that it was inevitable from all eternity.” “What do you deduce from that?” asked Hayward. “Why, merely the futility of regret.  It’s no good crying over spilt milk, because all the forces of the universe were bent on spilling it.” -Of Human Bondage, W. Somerset Maugham Once in a blue moon, life brings a quotation or epiphany to light that altogether changes one's perspective of something. Elizabeth Taylor's 'Nothing lasts. Did you notice that?', was one that reduced the exaggerated importance of the to-do list that society imposed on me.