I have been often asked to talk about myself. The usual opening gambit being - "Let's talk about you..." Mind you, this is a loaded opening move. Whatever one states and says will then be minutely analysed, dissected and put through the wringer. At the end of the play, one leaves the table with more knowledge of oneself than one knew was ever possible [Anonymous]
And this is a feeling all of us have experienced sometime or the other. We dread the question, feint and dodge to avoid the inevitable and then at the end - "Let's talk about you...". Therre we are. Right where we started at the very beginning.
The song implored people to start at the very beginning, 'cause it was a very good place to start. And so shall we. Currently I am involved with a group of highly motivated and immensely talented "hackers" who are bringing Bangla to the GNU/Linux desktop. It is in this context that I attempt to see my relevance (or as some say, my irrelevance). I have never been a "hacker" in the truest classical sense of the term. Have fiddled around the edges of using some small inconsequential scripts to get my work in statistical analysis done. Did some freelance (unpaid but exciting) work and then some contractual (paid but staid) work in copywriting.
Was an accomplished hand at the violin, but can't seem to play it now. Taught myself to do water-colors and now the thought fills my mind with vile ideas. The only thing that seems to consume me nowadays is reading. My reading habits are eclectic and varied. I have been known to read through magazine stacks at dentists and hospitals with an avid interest hitherto unseen.
I live in Kolkata, but like to state that I am a citizen of the world. A long time back, along with a friend, I took one of those personality tests (Sayamindu talks about something similar) and lo behold - I was revealed to be an introvert. Now that was something ! And in a flash all those itchy cravings to be alone, to think, to comprehend and to analyse were explained. Nowadays I do some consulting work with regards to management practices and do a whole lot more of advocacy of Free Software.
I like to listen to the radio. Given the inordinate amount of time I tend to spend glued to the monitor, perhaps that is the best option. The FM channels are dime a dozen and an all night long music fest is really a treat if one is in the mood. I also blog, and surprisingly do have people reading it too.