lonerinyouryard

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I-It & I-Thou-Learnings in Philosophy

You don't come to live here unless the delusion of reality made a pass at you. It begins to shape all your desires and personality. You enter the world and face indifference, a bit of discrimination but mostly kindness. Living in France has made me think about my relationships and all my encounters starting with both living and non living beings. Reading more books than I ever have (Zadie Smith was my inspiration here) and expanding my brain's realm of knowledge which was very limited, made me curious and interested in a branch of meta philosophy called I-it and I-thou, proposed by Martin Buber, a German philosopher. I first began to think of every relationship I made when I started living in Paris temporarily. For instance, my first encounter with French people (house I now accommodate intermittently (a very kind human made this possible) , an ongoing friendship with an Indian pen friend I met over Instagram, people I met at school and generally every meet and great relationship can be a real meeting or a false one not destined to stand the light of the day. Now what does this mean ? You can meet the local bookseller but not meet them in the real sense  you can see your friends from school on a daily basis but never have met them. You are living with your family for 25 years but you have never really known or met them. The attitude of man is two-fold in accordance with the two-fold  nature of the primary word which he speaks. The primary words are not isolated words but combined words meant to be used together, irrespective of English coherence.  One is is I-Thou The other primary word is I-It These are two attitudes that one makes use of to meet the world. I-it - Man sees the world and experiences the sea, foreign lands, nations and institutions, these encounters hold the content of his life, the invention of every cruel device under the moon, emotions like despair, suffering, hunger and calamities are also thrown in here. For example objects and illusionary people on the screens are I-It relations, we think we love a football player, our mobile gadget or a celebrity star but in the final analysis they are just an object of the world placed in our path. We need to understand this in order to forge a new path ahead to create more meaningful I-thou relationships. You cannot solely survive with the I-it-attitude. It can satisfy all wants and desires. The materialistic world is endless, a sinking hole I've come to believe, i-It encounters are narrative and burst almost instantly after they are told and retold. It's already in the past and loses credibility. The 'It' relations are formed out of arguments with people on the subway,  fighting for the last almond milk at the local grocery store,  or even being clowned by a friend for not supporting a political party. We are human beings to form relationships with other beings. Genuine meetings with people constitute i-thou. I-IT relations are presentations of external stimuli. They amount to nothing compared to loving a human or alien, or getting advice  from a doctor, or saying thank you to kindness and compassion; which is categorized as I-Thou. These encounters takes place in the present and will stay in the future. When you look into the eyes of your parents at their 25th wedding anniversary or when you meet a stranger at a museum and decide you want to keep the person in your life as more than a passing spectator, that moment makes you attentive and aware. You know you are living it. You might have feelings but to dwell in real love is different- this is the I-it relation at play- thinking you love that ‘Chanel’ handbag or Cristiano Ronaldo. It's not real. Most of the time, in this rat race of catching the first bucks, we never stop to listen to the sounds of nature, to have conversations with fellow humans if they don't promote or fulfill financial self interest. We even go to the extent of presenting a false mask to the world, much like the resume we showcase to the corporate jungle. We morph out that presentation each time we meet someone new, failing to remember what and who the people we meet constitute. The capitalist society makes use of these internal feelings we have and so-called cravings to build their own recipe and resume presentation, slyly compensating for the inadequacies in our mundane lives. We cave in. Feelings can be wrong, misguided. Using I-Thou to explain meetings with people means moving them from the world of things to experience he/she/them more than one time, and being certain they exist and not just in your imagination. In monologues often with our mind, desires, and feelings, we fail at making headway and just have relationships in one's mind. We map out stories and fantasies, and miss out real world sights and sounds. You are physical, you occupy space, you have your limbs and human flesh to distinguish you, but you are only identified by the kind of relations you enter with the other inhabitants of this world. If you can see their reality without adding your commentary, beliefs, judgements and feelings. The solution to discover more I-thou relationships is hard, easy to speak, I know.

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Giroud is a monster in front of goal! He even offered one to Griezmann who sadly missed the shot (besides the penalty) #FRAALB

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Watching France v Albania with French commentary. #⚽⚽⚽Edutainment

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Klopp, the manager of your dreams...

“I don’t remember much that makes sense.( A rival team was probably trying to kidnapp him or steal one of his game plan strategies)

” I was really drunk , something that could be noticed in some interviews. But I remember one thing, I’m not sure if I told anyone before. I woke up in a truck inside a garage . I was alone. I remember it, but I don’t have no idea what happened the previous hours .”

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What gives me anxiety: Making a social plan and then forgetting that my team plays that very evening

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Vincent van Gogh, Atelier des Lumières is worth a visit.

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Poetry and magic.

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Aggie, the cat loves staring into the mirror. Contemplating life and how best to ignore people.

Cats are just humans in soft fur and claws.

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The monstrous colors of flowers in bloom, trickle into your eyes, 

Creating a dancing sun, that reflects on another's face

Such joy, such a dream. But only a dream!

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Why Arsenal needs Modric, Virgil van Dijk & Szczesny?!

Luka Modric: A real play-maker of the game, with the ability to trick and counter-tackle defenders of opposing teams whilst tailing opponents in fluid, slick movements. Branded a failure on his first season by Spanish media, the humble Croatian midfielder soon won over the hearts of fans as the second season came underway and statistics went on a roll, the results of more play time and a new manager who was able to understand his position and build the team around him. Now the holder of the “best player in the world” title, Modric does not seem to be slowing down, he still can deliver star performances and is just the player Arsenal needs right now! As a huge supporter of the Arsenal Football Club, I believe Modric could really take up the football reins and lend a leadership position to the current pack of lost lambs. At times, Granit Xhaka just runs into space and even football pundits are unable to understand his favored position. The defenders can’t stop attacks from strikers. Which brings us to the next piece of business.

Virgil Van Dyke is another superstar defender that can tackle any problem and make it look so easy. "Any player not just a striker would quickly find themselves in the dark, " in the physical presence of the stopper of 1.93 m for 92 kg, elected player UEFA of the year ahead of Messi and Ronaldo. That’s just what Arsenal needs, as the defense is in shambles and needs a resurrection.

Well Arsenal can certainly call back Szczesny, who was a cheeky, arrogant kid when he came to Arsenal, however, now, has been able to step up his game, and create iron-hard stops and saves at Juventus. I am already crying writing this post, thinking of Szczesny and Ramsey having a good laugh of how they escaped the perils of having to work with Mustafi and Xhaka. So, with Arsenal not able to keep a clean sheet for a long time, (depression sets in when you count the number of goals undefended), the team is need of a hero in shining armor to take Arsenal back to the time of the “Invincibles”. A period when being an Arsenal fan didn’t mean depression, unprecedented heart attacks and the need for football interventions.

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The end of Summer

A balmy summer soiree The smell of strawberries in your salty hair Silky-smooth sand to play with your feet Red, yellow, blue, pink All the colors of the sun Reflect gloriously on your azure gold skin

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Sustainability in Fashion- why is it so important

The meaning of sustainability is educating the world on its importance-creating awareness and portraying the ignorance of the negative impact of fast fashion and mass production with poor quality resources. Eco-friendly, sustainable, up cycled are no longer words which evoke a stereotypical polite yet uninterested reaction, instead the world waits at the edge of their seat – ready to take part in mind-blown actions that actually make a difference. Another point that needs to be taken into consideration is that organic and sustainable fashion needs to be more affordable and readily available for it to turn into a mass revolution, contrary to what mass brands like Zara and H & M are doing. We need to challenge the notion that sustainable fashion is just for the elite and glamorous runway, not for everyday wear. We need to be present where the common man sees sustainable designers and understands what they are doing. Its only when they believe in the eco-friendly cause, that they will want to be active players in this movement.

Sustainable fashion is more than just clothes, it’s a way of lifestyle. Simple things like not excessively shopping or following fast trends, supporting local handicrafts and vintage concept stores, re-using and recycling old garments or belongings, proper waste disposal, energy management, all go a long way.

The goal is to slow down the global production and consumption process in order to form an industry that will be more sustainable in the long run. 

Examples of fashion brands already using sustainable fabric:

Veja: Veja has long since favored ethical fashion and have devoted all their resources towards to manufacturing in a sustainable way. Production is undertaken in Brazil, where they have access to fair trade cotton, pay workers fair wages. They utilize common resources like recycled plastic bottles, flannel silk, and other eco-friendly material that are as good looking as well made.

Salvatore Ferragamo has been selling scarves made of orange fibers while Stella McCartney produced two outfits made with the spider-inspired silk.  

Fashion Tech Lab: Already has an investment of 50 million with help from Carmen Busquets, the e-commerce investor, and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Terracycle is one of the fastest growing eco-friendly manufacturers in the world. They find innovative, unique uses of materials that would be otherwise discarded ( granola wrappers). Inspire people to look at waste and not think of rubbish. In partnership with Mexican company mitz, create great accessories like bags, whose income funds underprivileged children.

Withintent: They upcycle thousands of broken and damaged tents that are left behind by festive goers to produce shower proof clothing (jackets, caps). No packaging is used and the cleaning products used are completely environment friendly)Production is done in London, limiting the transaportation costs and impact on the environment. Always working on new ways to create something new from salvaged material.

Research suggests that the most commonly used fabrics like cotton could soon get depleted and the need for alternate fabric sources not only reduces dependence on such fabrics but also showcases new, unique fabrics of tomorrow. Right from the production of fibers, transportation of fibers (for manufacture into ready-made-garments) to mega factories in East European countries and even Indian or Sri-Lankan markets, the finished products then go through a rigorous cleaning process in the washing machine, and then are maybe worn one or twice in a year, after which they are discarded to the back of our closet. Each person could purchase almost 7kg of garments in one year. Those figure should really hit your cerebral cortex the next time you wish to make a purchase at the shopping mall!

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines ‘conscious’ as awake and able to understand what is happening around you; aware of something (such as a fact or feeling) or knowing that something exists or is happening. Simply being aware of the problems facing the industry, might be half the battle won. When there is consciousness, the correct actions follow, wrong-doings are addressed and there is an opportunity to correct oneself. A lack of awareness is living a life without any possibility of rectification.

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Surrealism- Everything is Art

Surrealism is fashion's favorite art "The marvelous is always beautiful, everything marvelous is beautiful, nothing but the marvelous is beautiful- Andre Breton The surrealists believed that there was beauty in the unexpected, ordinary objects, inspired people to discover their own creativity. Everyday objects interacting with one and another in a mysterious, humorous way, trigger a psychological process in the viewer, affecting society and life.

How it started: The French were hardened by their hatred of the enemy, at the senseless destruction. And that was where the art movement was born. It was coined by Guillaume Apollinaire, when three young intellectuals-Andre Breton, Phillipe Soupalt and Louis Aragom came together. 

 "Any art is only possible if it denied the validity of the bourgeois good sense and morals" Many socialists wanted to fight the perils of the war- namely imperialism, capitalism. Ironic, that they were as opposed to the war as determined to wage war to fight against mounting royalism. Breton and Soupalt often conducted experiments, delving into the subconscious and trying to conjure images from an unconscious, creating a kind of trance that would serve as inspiration The surrealist tone was often suicidal- no respite from the conditions of the human mind. The surrealists also demanded an end to prison systems and the serving in military. Surrealism sought to evoke all senses, fear and laughter. 

For Surrealist artists, an engagement with the material world led to the creation of artwork for all the forms of media.-furniture, jewellery, textile and clothing. The world need more fantasy. 

The destruction of old forms to create something new. 

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Poetry in Jewellery- A mini Essay for Van Cleef Jewellery

I enjoy creating stories and editorials, whilst using poetry or humorous anecdotes to add a fun, catchy storytelling element to a brand. Content writing comes from a place of honesty, holding more credibility and adds a personal, almost-human touch to any brand’s essence. I am also drawn to the poetry and dazzle of fashion and jewellery. 

Van Cleef begins with a charming romance- the daughter of a stone cutter and the son of a gemstone broker-it perfectly illustrates the pull and fairytale aura that any delicate piece of Van Cleef jewellery has on any person! After attending a Jewellery seminar and studying art history from books, I am certainly held in wonder at the sheer power exerted by a beautiful gemstone- something that far transcends materialistic qualities. As Chinese philosopher, Laozi, says “everything has its way, which is not the same as others. Everything can be named but not all the same.” It is difficult to create artistic jewellery. You cannot see the technique and workmanship in the final design. It symbolizes emotional happiness. It might remind you of a vacation, an old forest or beach, share dreams, happiness. Offered as a gift-allowing love to further grow. Be it the dainty between-the-fingers ring with fluttering butterflies, the mystery setting necklace or “passe partout” necklace that can be transformed into any piece of jewellery as per your whim and fancy, Van Cleef gives birth to jewels and jewellery that stand the test of time, and become part of your fairy-tales for years to come.

The charm in transforming something beautiful into real works of art.

[lonerinyouryard]

The Artists at Montmartre- A story written for a collection.

A dazzling city, lit up by the light of a thousand suns

Punctuated by delicate wisps of Picasso color

A decadent dreamy pink, a gentle blue

It encouraged dreamers, artists and painters alike

To create and learn

 The city whispered hymns of comfort and nurtured storytellers and poets

Conjuring inky messages on ancient scrolls

The paths, bedazzled with the shine of hidden jewels

Paying tribute to enchanted cobbled paths and the bearers of wisdom and imagination

 The city preserved art in every corner, travelers were invited from unknown lands

Lending their adventure, their shine and their talents

Extravagant women dressed in the richest of fabrics

Butter-y soft velvet and crumpled lace in bright hues

Acting as the perfect canvas for legends and stories

Blanketing the neck in elegance, high ruffle collars and dramatic puffed sleeves

With billowing backs and rich feather hats

 Daydreamed like ancient wizards, easily recognizing the poetry woven in the threads

They were greeted into each chamber, floating through time

Each journey a blissful reverie, a reflection of their hearts in love

They were welcomed by dancing maidens and mythical creatures, a charming night goddess

Like celestial queens, wearing billowing gowns in the dreamiest romantic pink and light cream shades

Frothy cascades of lace at the shoulders, exposing just a hint of decolletage.

  Into shiny, brightly colored cafes

Joining in the spectacular art

Bathed in the luminous beauty of unseen minarets and misty gardens

 Hearing quiet whispers as if the walls were talking

They were once greeted into magical towers

The walls were dancing with fresh strokes of color, a rainbow shimmer of dots and squares

As if the sun traced its path across the precious surface

 A new door opened as they left the grandeur of color and light

The room was filled with dancing shadows and cackles of laughter

Fairy performers dressed in the most beautiful midnight blue and silver ensembles

Woven with glistening sequins and turrets of lace

Exuding an aura of mystique and romantic charm

 The last door of gold soon appeared,

As they bid farewell to the nightly magicians and artists,

They savored each step, reveling in the magic

Ready to take flight again….

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The Future is Cars?- Written for Ferrari

A world where flying cars in dark silver and black zoom past skyscrapers, almost like dots in a sky.

Where you don’t need fancy fuel for your car engines, rather only a few pints of that special plant-based elixir. Where engine fumes don’t cause cancer or noise pollution.

An age when you don’t need to commit to the long-term relationship with the Ferrari, but you can take it out for a spin whenever you wish to, you can change the color and its malleability according to the occasion and season. Red, pink, purple; your wish is the car’s command!

You don’t have to spend hours at the car wash facility, simply let one of your car’s superficial single-button-operation facilities do the heavy lifting. Where 3D printing can make your day seem longer- reducing the number of hours you would have to spend asking your car to behave at the auto repair shop.

Picture an elite car with plush leather interiors, whose tyres are made of the softest rubber that won’t wear out, even long past your body’s degeneration.

In the future, cars can be automated as per your every whim and fancy, freeing up their passengers’ time for more important things.

Imagine your car knowing your personal interests better than your better-half! To instantly know your mood and then take your mind and soul on a crazy travel sojourn- a real solo siesta…Just for you

Where users want the whole on-board entertainment system, and simply want to experience the car in its truest and most luxurious form.

Where a special health monitor can detect what’s wrong with your car. So, you don’t have to.

[lonerinyouryard]

There are people who wave a wand of happiness your way and it never ever dulls down Someone who has lost far more than any one is the calmest and sunniest person I know Happy birthday to the girl who wasted her Sunday on a visit to a government hospital just cause I couldn't speak fluent hindi or Marathi and would be unfamiliar with the surroundings. Two years later, this sweet sweet girl still feeds my starving Skeleton many times... I will never be able to return your kindness in kind, but I will keep trying. You have taught me to laugh and help out strangers even when you don't want to! I love you forever. Here's something for you! #poem In a city of glittering palaces, a million stationery faces There is one that shines far brighter Than any living glacier That hardly ever melts, a glowy joy, limitless and hearty In a town that almost never looks back At shadows, at past moments At broken wounds At unknown skies There is jovial voice that ever listens In a sea of thousands of whispers from unkindly sources Where every breath feels like skin falling off one's bones Where pain is nestled to grow far larger A sobbing, sweet sound still manages to discover hope, to find courage, to save a dying soul To lessen the burden To keep alive and safe a dream, for another xxx Raynah