There doesn’t seem to be an extensive “about me” section on blogspot, so let’s begin with introductions. My name is Anjali and I’m a nineteen year old second year student (unless you’re reading this next year. heh) studying Political Economic and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney, with Hons in political economy, most probably. No, it isn’t a double degree and no, I am NOT going to be a politician. Most people who know me would readily agree that is the most ridiculous idea in the universe.
A lot of people ask me what I plan to do with my degree. Generally when one studies, say, medicine, you have a reasonable degree of assurance that you will become a doctor, or commerce, a corporate clown with no soul (JOKES GUYS!*). but Political, Economic and Social Sciences? I picked it on impulse after watching 3 Idiots at the end of year 12 (don’t judge me) and I don’t really know myself… but hey I’ve never really known where I was going… though I’ve always ended up somewhere :) The only burning ambition I’ve ever had was to become an author, from the age of 7 till at least 15 or 16. That was my idea of a glamorous, distinguished life :p Unfortunately somewhere at this point came the crushing realisation that this will never happen; I never actually had any talent in, or even liked writing stories much.
I like painting and stuff but it’s just something I dabble in in the holidays when I have a lot of time. Sometimes I wish I could do something more with it, but, umm, I’m Indian so no :p I also love reading; my ambition is to finish all the books on the classics table of Basement Books before I graduate. Only 10 to go! On the side, I like watching movies; usually either European/”world” cinema or Indian films. I even watched a few Iranian ones, and they were actually amazing! I particularly loved one called Baran (2001) which blew my mind. In recent times, though there are many exceptions, I’ve discovered that Hollywood does not seem to appeal to me much any more. They have the biggest budgets, I suppose, but are generally emotionally insipid.
I recently bought a Canon eos 650, a 1987 slr film camera (on ebay for $17!!), which I’m pretty excited about. According to the internet it’s one of the best cameras Canon ever put out. I’m not really in to serious photography or anything; I just like the idea of being able to flick through a solid, tangible photo album, as opposed to clicking through (likely modified and photoshopped) images on facebook or twitter. It has personality. I also like the fact that I won’t be able to see the pictures until they are developed and the element of anticipation and surprise it entails… the rawness of the whole thing generally appeals to me.
I suppose a small note about the point of this blog would be pertinent here… well, I don’t really like facebook and have fiiiinally managed to succesfully wean myself off it. Facebook is just weird and distorts natural human relations. you find out too much too easily about people you’ve barely met and care very little about; then spend hours wasting time stalking their random “likes” and inane crap about their daily lives. A quick witticism on somebody’s photo or status does not really amount to ’friendship’, and has nothing on a proper face to face conversation. I understand that this is really dependent on how you personally choose to use and see it… but overall I found that I was becoming creeped out by my own activity, sobconsciously turning into an exhibitionist and now I only check for a minute or so every few days :) I tried tumblr as well and I like it a little even if it's SO FREAKING PRETENTIOUS! Blogs do not fit into the "social networking" zone at all and I find them filled with many interesting things :)
*not really
A lot of people ask me what I plan to do with my degree. Generally when one studies, say, medicine, you have a reasonable degree of assurance that you will become a doctor, or commerce, a corporate clown with no soul (JOKES GUYS!*). but Political, Economic and Social Sciences? I picked it on impulse after watching 3 Idiots at the end of year 12 (don’t judge me) and I don’t really know myself… but hey I’ve never really known where I was going… though I’ve always ended up somewhere :) The only burning ambition I’ve ever had was to become an author, from the age of 7 till at least 15 or 16. That was my idea of a glamorous, distinguished life :p Unfortunately somewhere at this point came the crushing realisation that this will never happen; I never actually had any talent in, or even liked writing stories much.
I like painting and stuff but it’s just something I dabble in in the holidays when I have a lot of time. Sometimes I wish I could do something more with it, but, umm, I’m Indian so no :p I also love reading; my ambition is to finish all the books on the classics table of Basement Books before I graduate. Only 10 to go! On the side, I like watching movies; usually either European/”world” cinema or Indian films. I even watched a few Iranian ones, and they were actually amazing! I particularly loved one called Baran (2001) which blew my mind. In recent times, though there are many exceptions, I’ve discovered that Hollywood does not seem to appeal to me much any more. They have the biggest budgets, I suppose, but are generally emotionally insipid.
I recently bought a Canon eos 650, a 1987 slr film camera (on ebay for $17!!), which I’m pretty excited about. According to the internet it’s one of the best cameras Canon ever put out. I’m not really in to serious photography or anything; I just like the idea of being able to flick through a solid, tangible photo album, as opposed to clicking through (likely modified and photoshopped) images on facebook or twitter. It has personality. I also like the fact that I won’t be able to see the pictures until they are developed and the element of anticipation and surprise it entails… the rawness of the whole thing generally appeals to me.
I suppose a small note about the point of this blog would be pertinent here… well, I don’t really like facebook and have fiiiinally managed to succesfully wean myself off it. Facebook is just weird and distorts natural human relations. you find out too much too easily about people you’ve barely met and care very little about; then spend hours wasting time stalking their random “likes” and inane crap about their daily lives. A quick witticism on somebody’s photo or status does not really amount to ’friendship’, and has nothing on a proper face to face conversation. I understand that this is really dependent on how you personally choose to use and see it… but overall I found that I was becoming creeped out by my own activity, sobconsciously turning into an exhibitionist and now I only check for a minute or so every few days :) I tried tumblr as well and I like it a little even if it's SO FREAKING PRETENTIOUS! Blogs do not fit into the "social networking" zone at all and I find them filled with many interesting things :)
*not really
