ABOUT US Vertex Magazine is an online-digital magazine. We are a group of people who are passionate about learning new things and we believe that there are many people like us around the world. So, we came up with a plan to connect with people and make an online community who feels passionate and driven by the same things as us. We will curate articles on topics ranging from real-life stories of artists and businesses to health and lifestyle. Stay tuned to know more about our categories!
EDITORS’ NOTE I am truly excited to see how all the readers like reading the first issue. For me, Vertex is like a meeting point of different ideas. So, we have put together a lineup of a range of articles and hope that everyone can find something worth reading!
Ananya Shah, Aspiring Environmental Health Professional In light of the current circumstances, each of us has the opportunity to slow down, reassess, and get clear about what we value in life. We created Vertex magazine which helps us find our own way to the present moment. This is my journey.
Rutva Gandhi, Aspiring Interior Designer We created Vertex with the aim of creating a platform where different talented minds can interact. I hope that this issue becomes an exciting element for the readers, during these difficult times. Karishma Desai, Psychotherapistin-training
CONTENTS Just a Thought... Maintaining Sanity in the times of uncertaintyWays to take the Corona Crisis in your stride Vadki Vehvar- An element of the Pol community Inspirational Eco-story Venezia – The City of Canals DIY Home-Makeover in a Budget A Quick Scientific Note What works good is better than what looks good, Because what works good Lasts Monsoon Menu Movie Review: Grown Ups(2010) BOOK RECOMMENDATION- It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War Graphic alert
Just a Thought.... Between bouts of normalcy, induced by assignments and my pending final year project, lie my thoughts as scattered and random as stars in the night sky. My thoughts have a way of smoothly segueing from one to another. Sometimes, it feels like when I was little, I enjoyed connect the dots so much that now I have a habit of doing that with my thoughts. And currently, somehow, all these thoughts are influenced by my feed and messages on Social media. My phone is flooded with not just information about the pandemic but relatable and humorous memes about it. It feels as if my college friends and I have a tacit policy of sending at least ten ‘Laugh out Loud’ emojis to each other per day. Instagram is full of delicious recipes and stay at home concerts from my favourite artists. And Facebook is filled with photo challenges and posts from celebrities and relatives, as if the algorithm is insisting me, ‘come, read what these people have to say about the current situation.’ Now, I feel saturated. Each time I hear, read, say or even think the word, ‘Corona,’ it agitates me! When I was really young, I had read on the print out of some scripture in a temple that chanting the Navkar Mantra a couple of lakh times in your lifetime, can help you attain Moksha or Nirvana. I had found it quite unbelievable, so I had asked my grandmother about it. To my disappointment, she told me that the doors to Moksha are currently closed for us, humans, as this is the Kalyug. I was quite unhappy on hearing that. In these few days, the whole world has been either thinking or subconsciously chanting the word, ‘Coronavirus,’ this got me into thinking- is the salvation door of the viral world still open? Can our thoughts ring a doorbell on the door of the salvation path and help it take away from us? Can we spiritually help the army of medical professionals and other workers at the frontline of battling these RNA- filled lipid monsters?
Maintaining Sanity in the times of uncertainty We all have experienced in the last few months what an unpredictable wave of the ocean can life sometimes be. The COVID-19 crisis came like that wild wave in the calm ocean of life which we could have never seen coming. While we are trying to wrap our heads around this global crisis and the consequences of it, the most important fact that we need to focus on is ourselves. This crisis has significantly affected our mental state by throwing things at us which we had never experienced. One of these is the period of complete lockdown or the social distancing period. The lockdown has acted as a very difficult period for some people across the world who were unfortunately locked up their houses alone, far away from their families or any other social support. Even the people who have been locked up with their families are facing different kinds of issues like missing company due to social distancing and struggling to maintain the balance between family and work from home life.So here are some things which we can do to make this phase of our lives feel less daunting and tread this path victoriously Talk about what you are going through- It is normal to feel emotions like sadness or hopelessness in these times. But to make sure that we don’t let these emotions bundle up and cause long-term stress, we need to let them out of our system. It is a helpful practice to talk about it with the people we trust and people who support us. Even knowing what they are feeling might help us know that we are not the only ones feeling this way. Knowing that someone is there who understands our feelings is very helpful.
Using the social system around us for our support- All of us have friends whom we regularly use to meet in the pre-corona period. We regularly shared stories about life and experiences with them. Then why not do that now? Lately, everyone has been feeling a little down due to the pandemic. What we can do is seek support from our social circle whether they are friends or peers or community members and build strong social support for each other. We can create groups on social media where we regularly talk about the things we are doing at home, things which we did for the first time in life because of the lockdown etc. It can also be as simple as starting a book club or music club with them where you regularly discuss creative things with each other. Having social support lessens the distress in us.
Image source: Pinterest
Taking time out for yourself- Doing daily chores like cleaning and cooking or managing work from home can leave all of us exhausted physically as well as mentally. If this happened before, we would go out on short trips or meet up with friends and family to relax. But now that it is not possible, we need to find ways in specific time throughout the day or once a week where we devote time to the things we love doing. This can include gardening, painting, reading or any other thing which calms our mind down. This time would help us unwind from all the tedious tasks that we did throughout the day or week. Staying away from negative news- We are in a time where every other news is a negative news about the number of cases in our country or the effect that the pandemic has had on the financial status of the country. If you are someone who gets very upset by reading this news and spends the rest of the day pondering upon the news, then it might be a good practice to stay away from these news till we successfully get out of the pandemic. It doesn’t mean totally cutting yourself from the world, but you can start reading just the headlines of important news or take this news from people around you which will not let you get into the spiral of thoughts that you have after reading these news articles.
Vadki Vehvar- An element of the Pol community “See the light in each other, be the light for each other,” what proverb describes community living better than this one? Probably, none. When it comes to community living, we often think about retirement homes for the elderly. While it is meant for the elderly, it is actually breathing with laughter and warmth of companionship. It is a place where youth is more alive than is in youngsters. There is another place that used to be just as alive. And that place is not far from my home. An Amdavadi Pol can be considered the epitome of community living. There are many Pols that still thrive on community living, however, sadly, a large number of the residential plots have either been vacated or commercialised. While an Amdavadi Pol has many elements that make it a fine example of community living, Vadki Vehvar is a very popular one. Vadki Vehvar is a system in which the people in a neighbourhood especially next-door neighbours have a bond with each other. Sharing with affection is at the heart of this bond. To break it down, “Vadki” means bowl and signifies any container or “dabba.” And “Vehvar” means a relationship of give and take or reciprocity. Simply put, if I am making a sweet and I know that my neighbours or their children really like that sweet, I would send it to them in a ‘dabba.’ And when my neighbour makes something that they specialise in or I like, they fill that very dabba and return it to me.
It is noteworthy to mention that this was more relevant when everyone used Steel dabbas. Sometimes, they also had to remind people to return their dabbas soon. For a while, there was a wave where everyone used plastic dabbas to send things. And no one minded if they never returned, of course with the exception of beloved Tupperwares. Such a system increases proximity and warmth between families in a neighbourhood. It can also serve the purpose of helping each other when in need. However, just like anywhere in the world, there is a tinge of injustice in this as well. Some people are particular while some are not. Some are keen on maintaining a good relationship while some don’t care all that much. So, sometimes the Vadki or the dabba returns to its owner while sometimes it doesn’t! What happens in this scenario is that there is always someone that gives but never gets anything in return while there are some who tactfully get what they want but never return it. Yet, sharing and being considerate is what makes Vadki Vehvar a quintessential element of community life. We all have practised Vadki Vehvar at some point of time even though we don’t live in Pols. It is simply the gesture of giving something to someone out of affection. This very gesture reminds us that: It isn’t always about the system but the sentiment behind it that needs to be conserved.
Inspirational Eco-Story In this issue, we will be sharing the story of Dr. Binish Desai, also known as the “Recycle Man of India’’, whose story inspired us with its uniqueness. We were amazed by how a man, at such a young age has achieved such business outcomes and not only helped the economy, but also the Earth with his ideas. Dr. Desai had started the journey towards his dreams when he was only 16 years old. His motto in life is “Nothing is useless in this world; what can be a waste to you is someone’s asset”. With this motto in mind, he set on his journey of recycling waste and turning it into many valuable products ranging from products of daily use as well as essential construction material. Till now, he has 178 innovations on his name and he has recycled around 1996 metric tonnes of waste and converted it into upcycled utility products. His company EE Tech Group is situated in Valsad, Gujarat. One of his most sought after innovations is the “Eco Brick’’ which was made from paper slurry waste from all around the industries. Just a few months ago, he launched the product called “Brick 2.0” which is a brick made out of waste PPE kits and Masks which are collected from all over the country. These bricks use 7 kg of biomedical waste per square foot, which tells us about the speed and efficiency of its conversion from waste to best. These bricks are supposed to be light in weight, strong, water-proof and fire-resistant as well.
Image source: https://www.binishdesai.com/eetech
The cost of each brick is as low as 2.8 Indian rupee, which makes it very affordable. His innovations are a boon to the Earth at a time when there is a need for a social change which can save the Earth from the hazards of industrial waste. Because of his achievements in the field of recycling, he was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of Social Entrepreneurs. In the list of his honourable achievements, the latest feather in the cap is that he is going to be present in the Time’s Economists World Sustainability Week, where he will be speaking with Bill Gates, Alan Jope and other Business Heads of Renowned Companies from all around the world.
Image source: https://www.binishdesai.com/eetech
He will be discussing the future of recycling in the industrial sector with these dignitaries. Dr. Desai not only believes in doing good for mother Earth through his innovations, but he has also taken initiatives which will benefit the marginalized communities from these inventions. His project Eco Light Studio is a micro-social enterprise which empowers women in villages to work from the comfort of their home and create these eco-friendly products for the company. His latest project is “Project Yes She Can…” where women working in sex trade in the area of Bhiwandi, will be equipped and trained to make recycled products from waste, which will empower them to build their own identity while creating best out of waste. The various other products which EE Tech Group is creating are eco paver blocks, eco tiles, eco wood, eco acoustics, and waste gardens. They are also open to privates and corporates sending their collected waste PPE kits and Masks which will help the company make Brick 2.0 from it. We are highly inspired by Dr. Desai’s journey of dedication, courage for setting out on a recycling journey to help the world, as well as his conscious efforts for uplifting the people around him through his journey. Who would have thought of accepting waste as a productive material!
VENEZIA-The City of Canals
“To build a city where it is impossible to build a city is madness in itself, but to build there one of the most elegant and grandest of cities is the madness of genius.� Alexander Herzen
A city which oozes love and charm. One of the most romantic cities of Europe. Often most of us would have dreamt of visiting this beautiful city of canals either alone or with the ones we love. Well, I had the chance to visit it with people I love - my family. I saw my father explaining to my mother how the city is called the city of romance. There was a glint of excitement in her eyes and the next sentence which came through her was, "Then we are so lucky to be here with our children". This made me wonder if love has so many different faces. And this city made me see those faces. Love for sunsets, bridges, canals, architecture and each public square proved it correct. Every bird passing through the setting sun, every bridge holding the support of the lovers above them, every canal transporting the gondolas to their destination, every Venetian monument having traits of Gothic architectural style and every public square which gives not a visual but a sensual experience as well, proved it that romance is not only for lovers. You can fall in love with an abundance of things in heaps of different ways. Love is like a playlist and you have a range of songs to choose from. Which song do you like, which of those you hate and which one becomes your go-to song is in your hands. But all those songs combine to form a beautiful playlist which you would never want to let go of. So, love your life, love the people who are a part of it even if it took you through the hardest of the routes because those are the paths that will lead you to form a divine playlist which would forever be an element of you. By-Rutvi Vyas Follow her on Instagram: https://bit.ly/33aoWwu
DIY Home Makeover in a Budget If you are looking for a budget-friendly makeover, especially in these times where we have become so bored by seeing the same four walls of our house again and again, then these are the tips that you had been looking for!! We are facing such times where everyone is yearning for a bit of a change in their surroundings. But unfortunately, it is not logically possible to have a full-blown home makeover right now. Moreover, it might also be a time where all the other expenses related to health and safety have taken over the budget that we had left aside for the makeover we wanted since such a long time. But don’t worry, these tips will get you covered and help you get a much-needed change of scene in your home without burning a hole in your pocket. All of these tips are coming from a person who has not much of a formal knowledge in interior designing, but is as passionate about aesthetics, as you could imagine. So, let’s see what we can do to create a perfect environment at home from our layman DIY skills, and make our home isolation a little more fun. Here you can see the DIY makeover that was done in a balcony which was crying for help during the lockdown times. Of course, at that time, there was no scope for getting anything from outside the house so everything was done with the help of what was available at home.
Here are a few things that you can keep in mind while setting out on your space makeover spreeMaterials to be used- Look out for all the materials that you can use from your home. This can include the artist colour tubes that have been lying in your cupboard, or the blank canvas which you had wanted to paint since long. It can also include any piece of furniture that you can either use as it is or add some elements to recreate it. And plants are your best bet any day for filling the empty space in any place. Here, I used the seat of a swing or what we call a Jhula as my center piece. I also used two pouffes which were lying abandoned in my living room. Bringing in smaller elements- The second important thing that you would want to keep in mind is the smaller elements which will fill your space and also add a decorative element. For this, there are plenty of DIY options that you can go for. You can create anything from a canvas painting, to some painted bottles like I did, you can also use newspaper scraps to build tons of creative elements as you want. If nothing else, different fairy lights, candles and artificial flowers always come to the rescue for filling up a space. Utility- Here comes the most important part of the makeover. Decide the utility of the room or space that you are creating. It can be a living room cum TV room where you would want to sit with family and friends, or a workspace where you want to create a motivational space for work, or it can also be a balcony like mine!! This balcony was created keeping in mind the needs during the lockdown and a space was created where close friends and family could sit and spend a good time together during these times. According to the utility of the space and the vibe that you want to give it, you can decide on the other smaller elements and also the large pieces of furniture that you want to put there. For example, in a small study space, you would need a table and comfortable chair and the smaller elements could be motivational quotes written on canvas which are put across the room, and a good table lamp. You can also build DIY bookshelves for your study with the help of waste filled storage cardboards and a piece of wood.
DIY- Here comes the most exciting part!! The DO IT YOURSELF part. DIY can be as easy or as difficult as you want to make it. It DOES NOT HAVE ANY RULES!! I am a person who does not have a very artistic hand so I decorated my wall but chose a very simple design which I could do easily. But it also added to the whole boho vibe that I had wanted to create. Thus, you can choose simple crafts which don’t need a very artistic hand but still add to the vibe of the place. On the other hand, it can also be a very artistic painting or a skilled piece of furniture that you have built from scratch. It all depends on your level of comfort and different skills that can come to utility. Sources of inspiration- Finally I would like to say that there are plenty of sources which you can use to get inspired for creating a fun makeover. My go-to sources are Pinterest, The Architectural Digest magazine, and any other Home DIY pages on Facebook and Instagram. To conclude, don’t worry about the final product. Just enjoy the whole process of building your space on your own. It is an immersive experience for people who like creating personalized spaces for themselves and especially those who have a knack for good interiors.
A quick scientific note Cold plasma can inactivate viruses What is cold plasma? To answer this question, we must first know what plasma is. Plasma is a state of matter, similar to the gaseous state. Unlike gases, plasma is made of atoms that have lost some or all its electrons. Plasma is made of only: positively charged particles- protons, and neutrons in a nucleus. Such nuclei are free to move around and are called positive ions. Cold Plasma is artificial plasma in which the temperature of the positive ions is lower than the temperature of the electrons. How can it help us? Viruses are of various kinds the ones that can make us or other living beings sick are called Pathogenic viruses. Scientists say that Cold Plasma can inactivate viruses that infect humans, animals and plants. In humans, Cold Plasma can inactivate viruses that are either transmitted sexually or infect the gastrointestinal system and respiratory system. How does Cold Plasma inactivate viruses?
Photo Source: Wikipedia
Due to the movement of positive ions and electrons, plasma has a lot of energy. They are highly reactive. Cold Plasma generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species i.e., made from atoms of oxygen and nitrogen. These reactive species when targeted on the virus, degrade either the protein or the genetic material i.e., DNA or RNA that the virus is made of. Intrigued? Read more at https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology/pdf/S0167-7799(20)30108-6.pdf
‘What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts’ Some of the most iconic and timeless American mid-century designs till date can be credited to the couple- Ray Eames and her husband Charles Eames. Ray Eames was not only a design icon, but also a style icon. She believed and preached that anything that functions is more important than anything that looks good. With respect to her styling pattern, her clothes were functional (which served the purpose) but they were not stylish. Simply, because they were designed to be functional. They are still in use, simplistic and iconic. Many women across the globe prefer wearing them. Mid-Century Modern design is a design movement that has proved timeless despite its title being based off of a specific time period. It has remained a classic style in both interior and graphic design for decades. This style- characteristic to the middle of the 20th century is difficult to put in a box. It has transformed and evolved yet stayed true to its core values over time. The Mid-Century Modern style developed and flourished in America somewhere between the early 1940s to the late 1960s (depending on who you talk to). Bauhaus in Germany and the International style are the very foundation of this style from which it grew and evolved into what we know it today. After World War II, German architects and designers moved to America to escape the tense political, social, and economic climate in Germany and brought their design ideologies with them. Social and technological advances after the war gave rise to using new materials and textures that weren’t possible before, developing an entirely new aesthetic that is desirable and high-in-demand even today.
Everyone these days expects good quality products, whether it is lifestyle products, grocery items, or furniture. Anything which has a good quality is going to last long. As the quote says, “what works good is better than what looks good”, the function of the thing has to be considered and not the looks because at a certain point to attain that specific function or requirement there has to be some changes to the design which result in change in its looks. Like our grandparents used to say, “Hamare time pe toh yeh itna chalta tha ya itna achha tha”, the reason behind it is that it was of a better quality because the demand was less, but now a days the demand is more so there is compromise on quality. For example, the buildings of the ancient period are made of the finest of the materials, some mechanism inside the buildings are still appreciated, the function is served. However, the appearance is compromised at certain stages to attain the quality. We might find them old fashioned or dull or boring but they are long lasting because their quality is maintained. For example, if I make a chair out of wood with different kinds of joineries and on the other side if I make the same chair out of plywood or Corian. There is a possibility that the chair made out of wooden joinery might not look sleek finished and crisp like the chair made out of plywood/Corian. But the chair made out of wood is definitely going to be used for years without getting damaged but the chair made out of plywood/Corian is definitely going to break or get damaged after a few years. After the Bauhaus, the concept of detailing was in trend. People started focusing more on detailing than on design.
Image source: Archilovers
As we know Form follows function is a principle associated with 20th-century modernist architecture and industrial design which says that the shape of a building or object should primarily relate to its intended function or purpose, an iconic building, designed by a very well-known architect, the building did not serve the purpose and did not respond to the climatic conditions and the surroundings hence it could not be used. The aim was to have maximum utilization of space. The building in aesthetics is good, it is quite appealing, anyone could get fascinated by its appearance but it did not serve the function and did not workout, hence, it is a waste. With respect to that we always get attracted to things which are beautiful. Here the phrase 'What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts' is directly applicable. It is not necessary that everything that works well is not good in looks but there are certain things which look good as well as work well. Valuables made out of German silver or the fake jewellery very commonly available these days is attractive and many people buy it. But over a period of time, the coating of the jewellery fades and the entire look of the jewellery changes. That jewellery compared to real gold jewellery does not have as much power or value over a period of time. Here we come to know that what works well is better than what looks good. To conclude, Aesthetics is a very subjective topic, opinion on it changes from person to person and with the quote ‘What works good is better than what looks good because what works lasts’, it is understood that as long as something functions well, it doesn’t necessarily have to be visually appealing.
Bibliography: https://www.google.com/search?q=premabhai+hall+ahmedabad&rlz=1C1SQJL_ enIN795IN795&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0v5nAoqHhAhX_7HMBHbkdCgAQ_ AUIDygC&biw=1536&bih=754#imgrc=KxxobBDBNxFloM: https://www.archilovers.com/stories/10794/what-works-good-is-better-than-what-looks-good-because-what-works-good-lasts-ray-eames.html https://instoregbc.com/blogs/blog/what-works-good-a-brief-overview-of-mid-century-modern-design
Monsoon Menu
Bajra rotla, Urad dal & Konkoda shak: A Characteristic Gujarati Menu Characteristics: Vegetarian, Vegan (avoid ghee) & Jain
Ingredients: For Bajra Rotla (Makes 10 small rotlas) Bajra flour (Flour of Peal Millet): 2 cups Wheat flour: 1 cup Salt to taste Water as required Ghee or white butter to apply on prepared rotla For Urad Dal: Urad dal (Split Black lentils): 1-1.5 cup Chana dal (Split Bengal gram lentils): Handful Oil for tempering Red chilli powder Turmeric powder Ginger (finely chopped): 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds: 1.5 tablespoons Asafoetida (Hing): Pinch ½ finely chopped tomato Curry leaves 2 Green chillies Amboliyu (Pieces of sun-dried mango seed): 1 large piece Water as required Salt to taste Lemon juice to taste
Nutrition Profile Bajra: High in magnesium which is an essential micronutrient for a healthy heart. Carbohydrate source, high in insoluble fibre. Urad dal: High in iron, potassium and magnesium. Konkoda: A rich source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Also high in Zinc, Potassium, Phosphorus, and Sodium.
For Konkoda Shak: Konkoda (Spine gourd): 500g Oil: 3 tablespoons Red chilli powder: 1 tablespoon Turmeric powder: ½ tablespoon Coriander/Cumin powder: 3 tablespoons Asafoetida (Hing): Pinch Ajwain (Carom/ Caraway seeds): ½ tablespoon Salt to taste To serve as side: (Optional) Patarvela Green salad Jaggery Why this menu in the monsoons? During the monsoons, digestion is slow. Bajra is a millet that is high in fibre and helps in constipation- a common problem during this season. Urad dal or split black lentils are packed with energy but are a little heavy on the stomach. When paired with bajra, which is easy on your digestion can help maintain a balance. Konkoda or spine gourd is fresh and available during the Indian monsoon. And you can never go wrong on eating seasonal fruits and vegetables! I am no expert of nutrition but this menu has been a Monsoon Sunday special in our family for years!
Step by step Recipe: For Bajra Rotla: Take Bajra and Wheat flour, add salt. Mix well. Add water slowly as you knead the dough. Knead until a soft dough is prepared. Make 10 small balls. Roll a thick rotla. (A rotla is a lot thicker than roti) Cook on a tava on low flame for a minute. Flip the rotla and let it cook for a few seconds. Put it directly on high flame so that it becomes puffed like a fulka. Repeat the same process for the rest of the dough balls. Serve hot and fresh. For Urad Dal: Soak urad dal and chana dal for at least 2 hours. Drain the water. Add water to a pot. Cook it on medium flame and stir continuously till grains are soft. Add salt and turmeric. Cook till it blends with water. Once it is cooked, add amboliyu. For vaghar (tempering): Take 1 spoon oil, add cumin seeds. When the cumin seeds sizzle, add curry leaves, asafoetida, red chilli powder and pour it in the dal mixture immediately. Add finely chopped ginger, tomatoes and green chilli. Mix well and boil the dal until blended. Serve with lemon juice and coriander on top. For Konkoda shak: Wash and peel the spine gourds. Chop them vertically or like you cut juliennes. Add 3 tablespoons of oil in a pan, add ajwain, and hing. Add the chopped pieces of the gourd in the pan. Keep stirring every minute. Add salt. Cook until crisp. Add chilli powder, turmeric powder and coriander/cumin powder. Mix well. Serve hot.
Other Accompaniments: (Optional) Papad, Salad, Sukhdi, Garlic chutney, Jaggery (gul) Additional notes: Avoid cooking dal in a pressure cooker to avoid it from becoming sticky. Adding wheat flour makes the rotla puff. If you want it gluten-free, avoid wheat flour. You can use kokum or lemon juice instead of amboliyu.
Movie Review-GROWNUPS Grown Ups is a humorous movie starring several actors such as Adam Sandler and Kevin James. It is an American comedy film released in 2010, and is about a bunch of friends who reunite after years of growing up. The movie was directed by Dennis Dugan. The plot unwinds in a very easy-going manner, and gives the audience a distinct feel of nostalgia. These friends – Lenny Feder, Rob Hilliard, Marcus Higgins, Eric Lamonsoff and Kurt McKenzie won a basketball championship under the guidance of their coach “Buzzer”. Thirty years later, when most of them are happily married and with kids, they receive the news of Coach Buzzer’s death, and they decide to reunite for his funeral. Lenny rents a lakehouse for everyone; the same lakehouse where they had celebrated their victory with Coach Buzzer thirty years ago. The plot of the movie unwinds hilariously such that you cannot take your eyes off the movie. It makes you laugh; it makes you jumpy, emotional and what not. I would describe this movie as a roller coaster of laughter and nostalgia, leading to the most important topic: life. Each friend has his own conflicts that he tries to hide from his buddies, for example, one of them has a wife of age sixty, while the other is unhappy because his children never got the outdoors experience like he did. When I watched the movie, personally, I was envious. I would love to have such friends; all so different and yet so in sync. The way they made their kids enjoy their childhood rides and tricks reminded me of when my father talks about his childhood. The movie taught me that being a ‘Grown Up’ is a difficult job, but life is too short to regret anything. We should always hold on to our true friends and cherish our memories with them.
Image source: Wikipedia
-Muskaan Shah
Book Recommendation- It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War is a memoir of Lynsey Addarioa photojournalist who has worked with the New York Times, National Geographic and many other reputed publications. One of my friends recommended this book to me. I wouldn’t say her taste in books is similar to mine, however, we share a love for memoirs and biographies. Being a photography enthusiast myself, I thought reading a war photographer’s perspective would be quite interesting. As I read the book, I realised that like most memoirs there was more to learn about life than just photography from this book. The vivid descriptions of war-torn places, its people, and the riveting real-life encounters that she had in those places are just one of the many reasons I enjoyed reading the book. There were multiple events happening in the world during the early twenty-first century. The author beautifully weaves an account on how those events changed the course of her life and always kept steering her toward her passion- being at the frontline of documenting major events in the world. Whether it was Afghanistan before and after the Taliban reign, the Iraq war or the Libyan Civil War, she was out there like a force that was in search of truth- the unfiltered truth, devoid of political biases and manipulations. Like when she says, “I became fascinated by the notion of dispelling stereotypes or misconceptions through photography, of presenting the counterintuitive.” What is most striking is the fact that being a woman, there are both biological as well as societal limitations. She doesn’t let any of these limitations come in the way of her passion. She along with another one of her female journalist friends were out there capturing the events at the most dangerous places in Afghanistan while being several months pregnant. Her story is truly inspiring and empowering. Of course, she considers herself fortunate for never having to deal with a certain kind of taboo or limitations when it came to her profession from her family but the situations in which she did have to make difficult decisions are worth reading about.
The writing style is also noteworthy. Even though she is describing disturbing events in disturbed parts of the world, I never felt perturbed or like giving up reading the book. This is because she wanted the following message to reach most people, “Trying to convey beauty in war was a technique to try to prevent the reader from looking away or turning the page in response to something horrible. I wanted them to linger, to ask questions.” My favourite quote from the book is, “Journalists can sound grandiose when they talk about their profession. Some of us are adrenaline junkies; some of us are escapists; some of us do wreck our personal lives and hurt those who love us most. This work can destroy people. I have seen so many friends and colleagues become unrecognizable from trauma: short-tempered, sleepless, and alienated from friends. But after years of witnessing so much suffering in the world, we find it hard to acknowledge that lucky, free, prosperous people like us might be suffering, too. We feel more comfortable in the darkest places than we do back home, where life seems too simple and too easy. We don’t listen to that inner voice that says it is time to take a break from documenting other people’s lives and start building our own. Under it all, however, are the things that sustain us and bring us together: the privilege of witnessing things that others do not; an idealistic belief that a photograph might affect people’s souls; the thrill of creating art and contributing to the world’s database of knowledge. When I return home and rationally consider the risks, the choices are difficult. But when I am doing my work, I am alive and I am me. It’s what I do. I am sure there are other versions of happiness, but this one is mine.” Regardless of an interest in photojournalism, I believe everyone who likes reading memoirs should read this book, especially women.
I prefer reading short books that do not talk about disturbing things and yet I kept coming back to this book. I read it about two years ago but never came around to writing a review of it. Have recommended it to a lot of people and here I am once again, recommending it hoping that you like reading it or get value from it as much as I did. And to quote her one last time, “I choose to live in peace and witness war—to experience the worst in people but to remember the beauty.�
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Graphic Alert! "Yes having body hair is also beautiful ! The society has developed a stigma about body hair (especially for the females) but it's time we realise that it's ok to have hair and that every body is beautiful in its own way! "
By- Spandana Patchigolla Follow her on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2S9j8NA
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