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Tuesday, April 28, 2020

X : XY chromosome in danger #AtoZChallenge2020

Few scientific facts first, to understand the post better -

The XY gender-determination system is the gender-determination system found in humans, most other mammals, some insects (Drosophila), some snakes, some fish (guppies), and some plants -(Ginkgo) tree. In this system, the gender of an individual is determined by a pair of gender chromosomes. Females typically have two of the same kind of gender chromosomes (XX). Males typically have two different kinds of gender chromosomes (XY). (Source: Wikipedia)

Since Covid19 outbreak world wide, it has been found, that males (XY pair of chromosomes) are more susceptible to this disease. They have a higher mortality rate than women. And they tend to remain infectious for a longer period as compared to women. (Source: Several news reports)

From here on the post becomes non-scientific and I will be giving my mumbo-jumbo theories on "Why a typical male / XY chromosome is in danger due to this C virus".

I will be using the SWOT template for explanation.

Strength: Men are brave and risk takers.

Evidence: They can drive at 100 mph on the roads with maximum speed limit of 60 mph. They jump a lot. Especially into other people's fights. They are the ones breaking most lockdown rules with a swag.

Impact: Corona Virus is smart and loves a symbiotic relationship with risk takers and brave people. It is good for the virus' evolution.

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Weakness: Men are idiots. Since Covid19 outbreak, many call them covidiots too!

Evidence: They tend to repeat their mistakes. Like getting involved into drunken brawls. Or falling in love. They are the ones who think wearing a mask is not cool.

Impact: Corona Virus falls in love with idiots. It is clingy like men that way. Men are great carriers for its spread. It is good for the virus' gene pool increase.

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Opportunity: Men are braggarts.

Evidence: They tend to exaggerate their performance data. They normally overstate their performance in bed and video games both. They wash hands just for 10 seconds and report that they have done it for 20 seconds.

Impact: Corona Virus doesn't go by reported data. It just knows the real performance like girlfriends do. This opportunity created by braggarts is something good for the virus' virility.

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Threat: Men are lazy.

Evidence: They can watch TV whole day long, without moving an inch. They sometimes don't even take a shower. They are used to staying at home for long periods without any form of socialization.

Impact: Lazy Men are a big threat to Corona Virus. Corona Virus hates them. Brave men - idiots and braggarts, are of no use to the virus, if they don't step out of their homes.
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Key Actions for Men:

Be Brave. Cook something apart from Maggi noodles.
Be an Idiot. Ask silly questions during office Zoom calls.
Be a Braggart. Exaggerate about your exercise routine.
But Stay at Home. Stay Safe. Till lockdown is not over.

Make the XY pair of chromosomes great again!

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is Lock-down Blues. I intend to write and talk about how I deal with it, what it inspires me to read or watch or any aspect of it which fascinates me. You can read the theme reveal post here.

Previous Challenges : Letter X

2017: Xeroxed

2018: X words and other tough things

2019: XL sized egos in Hindi Films / Bollywood

Monday, April 27, 2020

W : Work/Life/Wife in Lockdown #AtoZChallenge2020

This is not a didactic post. So if you believe that you will get some great tips for a good work-life balance, you can stop reading right now. Because I am really, really, really bad in managing work-life balance. If I am immersed in work, I don't realize the passage of time. I find it very difficult to switch off my work-mode. The gears in my brain are constantly moving. Thinking the thoughts. Making the plans. Optimizing to-do lists. Even when I am sleeping. I get dreams about my work. Some might call them nightmares. Now you know how bad I am with work-life balance. And at rare times, like on longer holidays (anything more than 3 days) when I am able to switch off, I get so immersed in my personal life, that I need a serious kick in my butt, to switch on my work-mode. So inertia works both ways for me. I can't seem to do anything in half measures.

But there were some factors pre-lockdown which helped me somewhat. Like it was clear to me that you could afford not to work on weekends and instead be a couch potato. If I could see darkness, outside my office cabin, I instinctively knew, I could now go home. Fixed office timings helped a lot, as you couldn't have meetings if everyone had left. Also my stomach used to tell me it is time for dinner and thus I knew I should shut down my laptop.

But this lockdown has played havoc with my carefully cultivated habits and instincts. Now every day is same - the concept of weekends is like a thing of past. I don't need to go home to eat, as now food comes to me. So another signal to shut down my laptop is taken away by these really cruel times. People can now call for meetings at the drop of a hat. They think if you are 'Working From Home' there is no point in following office decorum, of not calling some one late in the night. And in these dark times, even if you get engulfed by physical darkness, your natural instincts - of calling it a day - are curbed.

So if you are like me and you too have a spouse who is totally totally aghast at your inability to be at home while 'Working From Home', here are few things your spouse can try at his/her own risk. If any aggrieved spouse is reading this post, don't hate me. Thank me for the suggestions below.

1. After 5 pm, start mixing alcohol in his / her beverages. It will lull him / her into ~~sleep~~ putting the laptop on sleep mode.

2. Start playing music / TV at a really high volume. He / She can't have too many meetings by just being on mute.

3. Jam their mobile signals and kill their WiFi - without them suspecting that it is not God's act

4. Throw his / her laptop outside the window, by mistake of course

5. Video call his / her office crush. That will force him / her to come out of makeshift office space, in a more agreeable mode. And may be with his / her pyjamas on too.

Reiterating. Aggrieved spouses should try these things at their own risk!

What are the methods you will try which are less riskier? Help my wife know, in the comments section!

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Previous Challenges : Letter W

2017: Wikipedia

2018: WhatsApp Groups - Types and Management Techniques

2019: Whites in Hindi Films / Bollywood

Saturday, April 25, 2020

V : Very Good Questions #AtoZChallenge2020

A behavioral scientist, Elizabeth Weingarten, recently published an article titled - 20 questions to ask instead of "How are you doing right now?"

She goes on to say that when the pandemic started it was a useful question at first, an assumption-free signal of care. But when you keep asking this question on default mode, the responses become almost scripted and reflexive. Also when you keep asking the same question again and again you lose out on a chance of building deeper connections. It is a beautiful article which then goes on to list 20 questions which go beyond "How are you doing right now?"

Though I must also say, that in a totally different context, I had dabbled with this subject myself two years back. You can click here to read that post as well.

For today's post, I am going to answer the questions listed by Elizabeth, for myself. May be this exercise will help me get in touch with my inner self and help you understand me much better. So here we go.

Eleven questions for making a true connection

1. How are you taking care of yourself today?

Answer: Not something earth shattering, but during this lockdown, I have reduced my diet a bit and have been drinking less and also ensuring some physical activity whenever I get time off from my work.

2. What part of your shelter-in-place residence have you come to appreciate the most?

Answer: Our terrace and balcony. I mean these are the only open spaces we have access to right now. I envy people who have gardens.

3. What surprising thing have you been stocking up on (that isn't toiler paper)?

Answer: Surprisingly nothing. We are not panic buying. Though we have to always keep enough cookies in stock for our son. Also I wish I had stocked up some liquor before the lockdown started. Now I have to ration it judiciously.

4. What's a story - from a book, a movie, an article, a conversation - that you've been gripped by recently? Why did it capture you?

Answer: I recently finished Jaya by Devdutt Patanaik. It is a retelling of Mahabharata. It had some fascinating stories. A total escape from these dreary times.

5. What habit have you started, or broken, during the quarantine?

Answer: Nothing much. But I think I am watching lesser TV on weekdays. And I am spending relatively more time with my son. Now whether these are habits or the situation is forcing these acts, time will tell.

6. Which specific place in your neighborhood are you most looking forward to visiting one this is all over?

Answer: Obviously, a cinema hall and the neighborhood bar.

7. What is the easiest part about the quarantine?

Answer: There is no commute to office. But I must say 'Work From Home' is something I have come to dislike as it means that one has to be connected for more hours.

8. What are some things you have realized that you don't really need?

Answer: So many shoes!

9. What is something you own that feels useful?

Answer: Internet connection, microwave and books

10. What is your COVID-19 nickname/alter-ego?

Answer: No one has kept a nickname for me but I think my alter-ego should be Iron-Man. Because, I keep tinkering with stuff. May be this is not an honest answer. So my dear reader, why don't you give me a nickname in the comments section. Moderation is on. So be nice please!

11. What problem - either yours, or something more global - do you wish you could solve?

Answer: Fake news & people who think 'Work From Home' is a holiday.

Nine questions for taking things a step further

12. What's something that you miss that surprises you? What's something that you don't miss that surprises you?

Answer: I miss office and its more regular working hours. I am not missing watching films, in a cinema hall. Surprising, because I am a movie buff, who can watch back to back movies on a big screen, every weekend. May be that is also because nothing is getting released anyway so I am not having FOMO.

13. Which member of your family / friend group have you been thinking about the most during this time? Why?

Answer: My parents. They stay far from me. But I always had this comfort in my mind that we can visit each other, whenever we want. Now I realize how we take things for granted. Something as simple as flights.

14. What's the most generous act you've seen recently?

Answer: I really appreciate the work, doctors and nurses have been doing. And people who are ensuring delivery of essentials. I know some people who are feeding the hungry. That makes me feel the goodness all around.

15. What's the last thing you experienced that made you laugh, or cry?

Answer: My son always makes me feel happy and makes us laugh. Last night, we played hopscotch on our terrace. Me and my wife. For a brief time, we went back to our childhood.

16. What times of the day or the week are hardest?

Answer: Every night when I lie down, I am more anxious these days. When I am engaged in work, I feel okay though. Also Sunday evenings are gloomy. Because you may believe it or not, I still get the Monday Blues.

17. What's giving you hope right now?

Answer: That I am not alone in this. My family is with me. And the fact that I still have a job.

18. What's the best thing that happened to you today?

Answer: Few people gave nice comments on the blogpost I wrote yesterday.

19. How do you want this experience to change you? How do you think it will?

Answer: I don't know if it will. But I want that it helps me make more brave choices in life.

20. What do you hope we all learn or take away from this experience?

Answer: I hope that we all learn that joy is in smaller things and let us hope we all slow down a bit and reflect on the purpose of our lives.

I urge all of you to do the following:

1. Read the original article written by Elizabeth by clicking here

2. Read my post on a similar subject but written in a different context

3. Give me a nickname (refer to Q10) in the comments section