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rhyllI believe this because I've already had two people hang up on me, saying something along the lines of, "We've already got one!" (except with an Indian accent, instead of a hideously overdone French one.)
For a start, I gave up on phonecalls because two hangups plus four or five busy tones was all getting a bit depressing. So instead I sent out a heap of emails to everyone I could think of who might be able to talk to me.
And I went to the post office, which was pleasant because a) sending letters gives me a pleasant kind of 'tick: done' feeling and b) there is a nice lady there who smiled at me again and didn't mind, again, that I didn't know what I was doing. (I remembered to bring my glue stick this time. It is necessary because Indian postage stamps are not gummed. There is a fun fact for you.)
It helps that yesterday was very pleasant. I decided that a day inside trying to get transcription done would end up being counterproductive, since too much time inside makes me unhappy. So I spent the day hanging around with Raj, which was relaxing. Jyothi was "busy crying", because a distant relative had died, although she did call to say hello when they had a half-hour break from crying. I made Raj take me to Cubbon Park, where I found the kids play equipment. It is my new favourite place - there are lots and lots of nifty kids' toys (including some of those spinning-around things), and while I didn't play on any of them I did take some photos, and go on the little toy train. It was pretty exciting.
I also got to have lots of arguments with Raj and, later on, with his friends. It was good because I got to do some yelling, and lots of talking, both of which I like. Also, I am getting increasingly angry at Indian men, so it was good to have a chance to vent. (Recently I've started getting a heap of messages from some guy who overheard my mobile number while I was getting my credit recharged. From the complete lack of surprise evinced by people I've told about this, and the fact that it's the second time it's happened, I gather that people here don't see this as particularly rude. I've sent a couple of angry messages back, and since then have been ignoring all messages. Grrr.)
My plan for today is to attempt some more phonecalls, and then if no interview is forthcoming I will go visit Jyothi, since I am fairly sure it will help me to feel less stressed out.
Additionally: does anyone still believe in representative democracy? The myth takes another hit, at any rate.
Also: I can't make up my mind whether or not to go to Karachi at the end of this month for the World Social Forum. Either way I will be coming back at the same time (as soon after April 1st as humanly possible). The indecision is because I can't work out whether or not it's safe. Points for going: an amazing research opportunity, a chance to see what Pakistan is like, Bangalore is starting to get me down. Points for not going: more time to research here, possible safety issues. Ideas? Opinions?
For a start, I gave up on phonecalls because two hangups plus four or five busy tones was all getting a bit depressing. So instead I sent out a heap of emails to everyone I could think of who might be able to talk to me.
And I went to the post office, which was pleasant because a) sending letters gives me a pleasant kind of 'tick: done' feeling and b) there is a nice lady there who smiled at me again and didn't mind, again, that I didn't know what I was doing. (I remembered to bring my glue stick this time. It is necessary because Indian postage stamps are not gummed. There is a fun fact for you.)
It helps that yesterday was very pleasant. I decided that a day inside trying to get transcription done would end up being counterproductive, since too much time inside makes me unhappy. So I spent the day hanging around with Raj, which was relaxing. Jyothi was "busy crying", because a distant relative had died, although she did call to say hello when they had a half-hour break from crying. I made Raj take me to Cubbon Park, where I found the kids play equipment. It is my new favourite place - there are lots and lots of nifty kids' toys (including some of those spinning-around things), and while I didn't play on any of them I did take some photos, and go on the little toy train. It was pretty exciting.
I also got to have lots of arguments with Raj and, later on, with his friends. It was good because I got to do some yelling, and lots of talking, both of which I like. Also, I am getting increasingly angry at Indian men, so it was good to have a chance to vent. (Recently I've started getting a heap of messages from some guy who overheard my mobile number while I was getting my credit recharged. From the complete lack of surprise evinced by people I've told about this, and the fact that it's the second time it's happened, I gather that people here don't see this as particularly rude. I've sent a couple of angry messages back, and since then have been ignoring all messages. Grrr.)
My plan for today is to attempt some more phonecalls, and then if no interview is forthcoming I will go visit Jyothi, since I am fairly sure it will help me to feel less stressed out.
Additionally: does anyone still believe in representative democracy? The myth takes another hit, at any rate.
Also: I can't make up my mind whether or not to go to Karachi at the end of this month for the World Social Forum. Either way I will be coming back at the same time (as soon after April 1st as humanly possible). The indecision is because I can't work out whether or not it's safe. Points for going: an amazing research opportunity, a chance to see what Pakistan is like, Bangalore is starting to get me down. Points for not going: more time to research here, possible safety issues. Ideas? Opinions?
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no subject
on 2006-03-06 09:47 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-03-06 11:43 am (UTC)Biased advice
on 2006-03-06 01:08 pm (UTC)The man harrassing you by leaving messages... could you report him to the phone company? He shouldn't be allowed to get away with such behaviour. Another sigh. I don't like this stuff...
On a more positive note - I'm glad you got to do lots of talking and arguing today, and that information about Indian stamps was quite startling (in a non-threatening, funny kind of way).
Re: Biased advice
on 2006-03-06 01:21 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-03-06 01:12 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-03-06 01:22 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-03-07 10:17 am (UTC)but i went to a party and this guy got his lady friend to ask my friend for my number! i assumed that the lady friend wanted my number and gave permission for my friend to give it to her. turns out that she was getting it for her male friend (who was too cowardly to ask me for mine. which he has reason to be, b/c i definitely would not give it to him). so, he called, i acted friendly....i was just surprised about the whole thing. he then sent some text msgs and i lashed out on him for that and he has returned to his cowardly self and will hopefully never call me again.
notions of privacy! i feel like i am on the receiving end of access (to phones, to public spaces) gone awry.
no subject
on 2006-03-08 02:03 pm (UTC)I swear, it is a good thing I'm leaving India within a month - otherwise I think I'd end up making elaborate plots for tricking these guys into some kind of big...mashing...mousetrap-like machine. Or something. (Never mind me, I'm incoherent with irritation right now.)