Sunday, September 5, 2010

NUMB – ERRRR….

Numbers have always confused me, made me numb, scared the life out of me, made me fake stomach aches, sometimes actually gave me stomach aches but, to sum it all numbers and I have never been on good terms. I mean, I’ve tried my best and I still am, but numbers and I never seem to hit it off and no matter how hard I try, they just don’t leave me. I’ve tried many times, but numbers and I never seem to part ways.

After having my fair share of quarrels and struggles with numbers as a math student, I decided to end it right there. No more mathematics or statistics or anything remotely “numerical”. My decision was harsh, but I had to do something about it. I chose to study human behavior – I mean that doesn’t have numbers right? But sadly I was wrong, destiny had other plans – it had teamed up with numbers and they decided to play it rough. Now, even after all my endeavors to avoid the inevitable, I find myself at the losing side. I am being bombarded by the number attack from all ends and I am having a hard time.

There is no winning absolutely. My performance as a student is still judged by numbers. My “popularity” depends on the “number of friends” on a networking site. My success in the gym depends on the number of calories I lose or the number of inches lesser on the waist. My health depends on the number of healthy meals per week, or the number of times I exercise or the number of glasses of water I gulp down. From remembering pin codes to mobile numbers to security codes to credit card numbers to salary to locker combinations to shoe sizes to birthdays and anniversaries -- how on earth did I think I could ever escape numbers.

All I do now is pray for a numberless existence… Amen..

11 comments:

Faisal said...

Though the significance of numbers could not be overlooked yet there exists a craving within seeking libre from the numbers, sometimes this slavery suffocates, the only case of exception being the money matters. you have spoken your mind but this speaks for millions...
an office accountant, a reservation clerk, a bank cashier, everyone who deals with numbers all the time must have felt the same at times but the compliance to follow law of the land had them all, powerful portrayal of an untold saga that has lived in the minds of many, bravo !

Unknown said...

I lved it,actualy i laughed...really really loud...n i do udstd d pain becoz in phd also i wl b judged by numb-errrr,i mean no. of paper published,stipeds depends on attendence....n so on.............

Ankita Verma said...

If I had to give you a number for this article, it would be 10 out of 10!! Love the way you've married phobia and humor :D

Hajra said...

@ faisal bhai - thanks!!!!

@ amrita - my sympathy is always with u!

@ ankita- that number made me glad!! thank u!

Abel said...

It was a nice read Hajra, i liked the flow. Looking forward to see you write on ruwais!

faizi akhtar said...

hmmm....its seems loneliness is taking its toll on you.being from the field of science i believe ur taking very objective view of things.rest agreed,there r things in life which r numberless and cant be quantified like,my luv for u....cant quote a number for that,or the same in u for "the backup"(if its still......?)....nevertheless a great observation about something so obvious but largely overlooked.keep posting.....freud in making!!!!

Hajra said...

@ abel - thanks a lot, lets see what further fits in the scheme of things :)

@ faizi - its just a thought... u were supposed to follow!!!!

Anonymous said...

Brilliantly put - being a wordy person, I've struggled time and time again with numbers, so much so I think my brain automatically shuts down when it hears them.

Hajra said...

Hey,

I totally understand!
Thanks a lot!

suboor said...

Seriously I too tried to escape frm numbers but Psychology too had it!!!!!

Hajra said...

Yes..that was a such a surprise (unpleasant though!) Thanks a lot...