Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: 2020

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Sapiosexual Romance

PRETTY GIRL and HANDSOME HUNK

Sapiosexual Romance

A Love Story By VIKRAM KARVE

“She hasn’t come…?” the “pretty girl” asks the “handsome hunk”.

“No. She hasn’t turned up. I had specially invited her – I personally spoke to her and I asked her to come…” the “handsome hunk” says.

“And – she ditched you…?”

“I have been wooing her for the last few months – but – she always gives me the “cold shoulder” – she just ignores me…”

“Maybe – she is not interested in you…”

“Of course she is interested in me. Tell me – which girl is not interested in me…? Aren’t you interested in me…?”

“Well yes – I am interested in you – most girls may be interested in you – but – she may be an exception – she may not be interested in you…”

“I think that she is just playing “hard to get”…”

“Oh – so it is your ego that is hurt…?”

“I genuinely love her – I am really attracted to her – I have asked her out on a date so many times – but – she always refused me – I thought that maybe she didn’t want to come out with me alone – so – I organized this class picnic – and – I personally invited her – but – she hasn’t come…”

“Are you saying that you organized this picnic just for her…?”

“Yes – I thought that she would come if I said it was a “class-picnic” – so – I invited everyone in the class – and – everyone has come – except her…”

“Bookworm hasn’t come…”

“I am least interested in why “Bookworm” hasn’t come – to hell with him – I am feeling upset that “She” hasn’t come…”

“Why don’t you just forget her…? You are rich and handsome – with such awesome looks and magnificent physique – you look so sexually attractive – so virile – you are a true “hunk” – the most “eligible” bachelor around. There are so many girls who desire you – in fact – any girl in our class will “die” for you…”

“Except her…”

“You can keep trying – but – you will never get her…” a new feminine voice says.

“What do you mean…?”

“You need to do some “research” – have you seen her profile…?”

“Yes. I have seen her Facebook profile… ”

“Have a look at her Twitter profile…”

“Why…?”

“She seems to be a kinky type – she has written a funny word to describe herself – “sapphosexual”…”

“What – “sapphosexual” – don’t tell me that she is a lesbian or something….!!!”

“No, No – she’s not into girls….” another feminine voice says.

“How do you know…?”

“I know – but – don’t ask me how I know…”

“Hey – let’s see her Twitter profile…” the “pretty girl” says.

The “handsome hunk” takes out his smartphone.

“Ah – the word is not “sapphosexual” – it is “sapiosexual” – she has written in her bio that she is “sapiosexual”...”

“Sapiosexual…? What does it mean…?”

“I don’t know…”

“Just “Google” it…”

“Ah – “sapiosexual” – it means “a person who is attracted to intelligence”…”

“No wonder she is dating “Bookworm”…” a male voice says.

“She is dating “Bookworm”…?”

“Yes…”

“Who…? The same girl…? She is so gorgeous and sexy. How can she date “Bookworm” – that “nerdy geek”…?”

“Well – “Bookworm” may be a “Nerdy Geek”. But – Yes – it is true – my dear handsome hunk – the object of your desire – the girl you are so desperately pursuing – I have seen her with “Bookworm” so many times – hanging out in the library – browsing in bookstores – Ha Ha – she really seems to be true “sapiosexual” – just like she mentioned in her profile…”

The “pretty girl” looks at the “handsome hunk” – and – she says to him:

“I think you should forget about her. Yes – you should forget about the “sapiosexual” girl. You may be a “rich and handsome” hunk. But – tell me – “intelligence-wise” – do you think you will be able to match “Bookworm” intellectually…?”

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

This blog post is a repost of my story SAPIOSEXUAL posted online by me Vikram Karve earlier at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/sapiosexual.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2019/10/pretty-girl-and-handsome-hunk.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-hard-to-get-girl-romance-story.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2016/08/25/the-sapiosexual/

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Am I a Victim of “Gaslighting”…?

Am I a Victim of “Gaslighting”…?

Story by Vikram Karve

______

GASLIGHTING

“Gaslighting” means trying to convince someone that they are wrong even when they are not wrong.

Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse in which people try to manipulate your emotions and make you feel guilty about something that is not your fault – but – in fact – it may be their fault – for which they should feel guilty about.

The aim of gaslighting is to make you feel guilty about something that you don’t need to feel guilty about.

Let me give you a recent example from my own life.

We (my wife and I) – we are looking after my mother.

My sister neglects her duty to look after my mother.

Yes – for the last 20 years – my sister has consistently shirked her duty and avoided looking after my mother – and whenever the need arose – it was we (my wife and I) who had to take care of my mother. Even now – my mother is living with us – and my sister is not even offering to look after her for a few days.

So – in a nutshell – my sister is constantly shirking her responsibility and avoiding her duty of looking after her mother.

However – my sister tries to “gaslight” me by creating an impression that I am not looking after my mother “properly”.

My sister does this by indirectly (by remote control).

She keeps calling my mother on phone and manipulates her emotions in such a way that – despite the fact that it is we who are looking after my mother – a few days ago my mother called me “selfish”.

Believe it or not – we (my wife and I) – we look after my mother – and I am called “selfish” – and – my sister who neglects my mother is projected as a most “caring” person.

Let me make it clear that it is my wife who is doing much more than me in taking care of my mother. My wife has an extremely caring nature and goes out of her way look after my mother and make her feel comfortable – and she has done so for the last 20 years – especially during my mother’s two hospitalizations and long convalescences that took a few months each time – when my mother had multiple orthopedic surgeries due to falls. On both occasions – my sister was conspicuous by her absence when she was needed the most.

What hurts me the most is that despite all that my wife has done for my mother for so many years – sadly – my mother still favours my sister – who neglects to look after my mother. Maybe it is a universal phenomenon – a woman will always love her daughter more than her daughter-in-law – despite the fact that her daughter neglects her and her daughter-in-law cares for her. They take undue advantage of my wife’s good nature and take her for granted. I feel they are “gaslighting” her too – albeit in a subtle way – and this has really alarmed me. If they succeed – my wife may actually start feeling guilty for no fault of hers – or – she may start thinking that I am “selfish” – as they want everyone to believe.

Dear Reader – let me tell you of a recent attempt to “gaslight” me.

For the last 10 months – due to the COVID Pandemic – we have been cooped up in our flat (my mother, my wife and me). My wife works from home – and I have seen that it is extremely strenuous and stressful – involving long hours of demanding work. Though I do try to help to the extent feasible – the major share of work is done by my wife – so – you can imagine the tremendous stress and strain on her – “work from home” + house work + taking care of my mother – all this is taking a toll on her health. Even I am feeling quite depressed. I feel that we need a break. So – I requested my sister to look after our mother for a few days. She refused – giving a specious excuse – as usual. But worse – she called up my mother – I don’t know what she said – but it is likely that she indulged in a fake “emotional outburst” trying to gaslight me – and the result was that my mother called me “selfish”.

It is inexplicable.

Those who are taking care of their parents are being called “selfish” by those who are neglecting their parents.

If you call someone who looks after you “selfish” – will you call someone who neglects you “magnanimous”…?

My mother has a soft corner for my sister – since childhood. That is her prerogative. But does that justify blatant favoritism and always covering-up her faults and rationalizing her wrong actions…? My sister neglects my mother – and – my mother calls me “selfish”…!!! Isn’t it bizarre…? Are they trying to “gaslight” me just to whitewash their own guilt…?

I have been keeping these thoughts inside me – and this has caused internal anger, despair and depression – so – I felt it would be best for me to “vent” out my frustrations – and since – I have no one to talk to – I am writing this as catharsis to release my pent-up emotions.

EPILOGUE

“Gaslighting” means trying to convince someone that they are wrong even when they are not wrong.

The aim of gaslighting is to make you feel guilty about something that you don’t need to feel guilty about.

Dear Reader – think about it – has “gaslighting” ever happened to you…?

Have you been “gaslighted” – at work, at home, in society, at school/college, in relationships…?

___________

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Why Your Kids Are Smarter Than You

ENTROPY

I love telling stories to put across a point

Do you wonder why the younger generation is always smarter than the older generation...?

Why are your kids always smarter than you...?

It has all go to do with the concept of ENTROPY

What is Entropy...?

Well – I will not delve into the complicated depths of Information Theory – or Thermodynamics – to try and explain the meaning of Entropy.

Long ago – I taught Electronics and Communication Engineering and Information Technology at the Post-Graduate Master's (ME/M.Tech.) Level – and – in order to explain the concept of Entropy – I narrated this simple story about a Hat-Seller and his encounter with some Monkeys

THE MONKEYS AND THE HAT SELLER
A Teaching Story
Retold By
VIKRAM KARVE

Once upon a time there was a young hat seller who used to roam around the country from town to town – selling hats for a living.

Yes – he was a hat-seller – and – he sold hats for a living.

On one summer afternoon – while travelling from one town to another – he felt very exhausted.

He was so tired that he decided to take a nap in the forest.

He found a mango tree – with lots of branches – and cool shade.

Placing his bag of hats beside him – the hat seller went to sleep.

When he woke up after a refreshing nap – he found that there were no hats in his bag.

Bewildered – he exclaimed to himself:

“What bad luck. Of all the people – why did the thieves have to rob me...?”

Suddenly he looked up – and – he noticed that the mango tree was full of monkeys – wearing all his colourful hats.

He could not believe his eyes.

Yes – all the monkeys were wearing his hats.

He yelled at the monkeys.

The monkeys screamed back at him.

He made faces at the monkeys.

In response – the monkeys made the same funny faces back at him.

He threw a stone at the monkeys.

In response – the monkeys showered him with raw mangoes.

“Oh my God – how do I get my hats back...?” the hat seller wondered.

He pondered for some time – but he could not find a solution to his predicament.

Finding no answer – he got so frustrated – that he took off his own hat – and he threw the hat on the ground.

To his surprise – all the monkeys also threw their hats to the ground.

The hat seller did not waste a second.

He hurriedly collected all the hats – and he went on his way to the next town.

50 years later – the grandson of the same hat-seller was passing through the same jungle.

The grandson had continued the family business of selling hats.

After walking all afternoon – he was very fatigued and tired.

He found a nice mango tree with lots of branches and cool shade.

So – he decided to rest a while – and soon was fast asleep.

A few hours later – when he woke up – he realized that all the hats from his bag had vanished.

He started searching for the missing hats.

Then he looked up.

To his surprise he found some monkeys sitting on the mango tree wearing his hats.

Yes – the monkeys were wearing all his colourful hats.

At first – he was confused.

He was at a loss not knowing what to do.

Suddenly – he remembered the story his grandfather used to tell him – about the monkeys and the hats.

“I know how to fool these monkeys...” he said to himself, “I will make them imitate me – and very soon – I will get all my hats back.”

He waved at the monkeys – and the monkeys waved back at him.

He blew his nose – and the monkeys blew their noses.

He started dancing – and the monkeys also danced.

He pulled his ears – and the monkeys pulled their ears.

He raised his hands – and the monkeys raised their hands.

Then – he threw his hat on the ground – expecting all the monkeys to do likewise.

Yes – he expected the monkeys to imitate him and throw the hats on the ground (like his grandfather had told him)

But instead – one monkey jumped down from the mango tree.

The monkey walked up to him.

Then – looking into the young man’s eyes – the monkey said:

“Do you think that only you had a grandfather...?”

_______

ENTROPY

Had a laugh...?

Liked the story...?

Now – Dear Reader – you please tell me:

What is the meaning of Entropy...?

Still clueless...?

Read the story once more.

In fact – keep reading the story again and again – till comprehension dawns on you.

It is simple.

This story emphasizes the importance of “continual learning”.

Unless you keep continuously learning – you will soon become obsolescent – and soon – you will be rendered obsolete.

This is especially important for senior citizens like me – who have to keep learning new things – especially with the advent of information technology, internet, online processing, social media etc – and as and when new gadgets are introduced like PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones etc.

Just imagine – if we “Old Fogeys” had stopped learning – if we had not kept abreast of the latest technologies/techniques – we would have become “antiquated relics” – as the world would have moved ahead at a rapid pace.

The only way to defeat entropy is to keep learning.

Entropy is a measure of uncertainty – of ignorance – and if you don't keep learning – your entropy will keep increasing – and you will become more and more clueless – relative to your outside world.

That is what a law of thermodynamics says – isn’t it:

“THE ENTROPY OF THE UNIVERSE KEEPS INCREASING...”

So – Dear Reader – remember the story of the Monkeys and the Hat-Seller – and keep learning – and have a nice “entropy-free” life.

___________

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

Copyright Notice: