Love Thy Neighbour(s)

How do I revive this blog? It’s been on my mind forever.OK, for a few months at least.

Earlier today, a big (and notorious?) name faded from this state’s activity list. And with that, a bit of perceived chaos amongst local populace and several migrants is in play. All this has been incessantly discussed and debated on so-called news channels over the past few days. Now it’s all over. So that’s that.

Independence. It’s hygiene nowadays. If that’s what I feel , the next generation is a lot bolder about this topic with the wants and/or dislikes. The mid-older chaps have “earned” it over the years – you know, moving out, doing well for themselves blah blah - ultimately acquiring that perk. And I think the oldest lot faced a plenty of friction on the liberal front. I’m not sure what or how independence was looked at then. Or if it was there even.

Is the drive for independence bringing a lot more into societal dynamics?

Think about this: Talent acquirers of the IT/ITes industry find greater appeal in having a 20 something on board than someone who’s in his/her mid 30s. Reason being the pace and adaptability of the former to pick up or leave technology that directly influences business outcomes. With that, they’ve managed to assign a shelf life to the “techie” crowd in that same article – that of 15 years. Better make the most of that. Enjoy.

Coming to today’s meat : NH7 Weekender was a superbly organised concert, an outdoor  musical event for me after ages. It was also a new format for me to experience, similar to a mini Woodstock version spread over 6 stages across the park, each sporting a different genre of music. Stroll to your preference and head further on after your ears are content. Or trace back (on foot) to a favourite. Like I was telling AH and SP, the audience for this concert was divided into 3 distinct groups, names for which have only been conjured now:

Younglings : The super peppy collegian lot armed with high-pitched vocals (boys included) swarming about in groups of minimum 6 -  the girls dressed in little or nothing and prone to misbehaving chumps/sleazeheads while the guys brandishing newly purchased band t-shirts or riff-raff attire coupled with half worn footwear  - formed a significant part of the event. Bold, vibrant and up for a challenge, we’ve got to learn a bit to learn from these girls and guys.

Mid-levels : Mostly standardized (acceptable!) attire with a subdued vocal contribution to the performances. Males bore stubble stricken facials with checked shirts and trousers or jeans. Females with the variety and combination of a casual outlook. Guess a large part of this audience was sporting both the white and blue band on the wrist. Alcoholics synonymous. Woohoo.

Few & far between :  Oldies goldies. Retro raving lot of them. The “advisory board” lot you know. Understandably, they appeared in cameos throughout the crowd, probably in cautious approach of the inadvertent wandering into unknown territory – say for example a NotSoFriendly mosh pit – and emerging from it, never the same again.

The music as such was alright. No big bang for me. No fresh cuts. Just come and go. Noted a few songs that appealed.  Then fade out. All this in spurts throughout the event.

What’s certain from all this however, is the stark dynamics of society on individuals.

In absolutes or in like-minded groups, I don’t think age can ever hit you. You’re gallivanting as long as you’re with the same kind, momentarily sharing life’s achievements, troubles and whatnot along the way but ignorant of the change in mental pace. Throw in people from another age band and feel your eyebrows raise ever so often at the seemingly odd behaviour of this neighbour .

And so, at times like this, maybe we can turn to the other to help us understand.

How I love my neighbours from Few & Far Between.