All’s well that ends well

Measured in degrees of stupidity, few can match my resolve. “I will continue to use my old phone until I win a new mobile from a blogging contest.” Unfortunately, this was a public declaration made in the presence of family and friends. In my biased mind, I was fairly certain of winning one. Many are doing it, I can do it too! This illuminating streak of stubbornness has its roots in my being a true Leo. Maybe Salman’s infamous commitment dialogue played some role. I am not sure, but what I do know is that once the commitment was made, it was impossible to give up.

So far so good. I jumped at every contest which fired my imagination and offered a smartphone as a prize. Holiday destinations, tablets, Reebok vouchers were nowhere on my radar. The target was a sleek smartphone. I even dreamt of the courier guy delivering the prize, clicking a smug picture with my prized phone, uploading it on Facebook and viewing more than hundred envious likes.

Well, nothing of the sort happened.

Why I wonder, why am I not able to pen that perfect post, which can win the hearts of sponsors and judges alike? The self-esteem was bruised. The confidence punctured. Serious doubts about all the effusive endorsements dressed in hyperbole, ‘Keep writing’, ‘Good one’ ‘Enjoyed it’, began plaguing the mind.

At a time when the country is going to hell, my obscure rant may appear inappropriate. Not really! Consider the fact that some are amassing crores simply by lifting their lungis, winning a writing contest is indeed a small pleasure. And isn’t life all about small pleasures?

Unable to watch my glum face, the husband suggested a novel idea. “Why don’t you ask our son to send his old HTC? You can uphold your resolve and yet upgrade to a better phone.” Hope flickered. But as luck would have it, sonny dear somehow managed to drench his HTC bought a year ago. The funny thing is that whenever he wants a new gadget, he manages to eliminate his present one in mysterious ways.

Now I am stuck between my resolve, and my old phone which has become quite an embarrassment. The Kindles, the Flipboards and the WhatsApps are adding to my misery. ‘Read on your Kindle’, ‘Come on WhatsApp?’ ‘Click our picture’ say friends. For all those who regularly rub lemon on my poignant cuts, here is a declaration.

“I have an old phone which does not allow latest apps. Okay? It has an archaic four mega pixel camera which is as unpredictable as Ranbir Kapoor’s love life. Please don’t ask me to click pictures. Since it is a small phone, I am unable to read long posts, so don’t expect me to respond immediately.”

Phew! I said it.

Regardless, I am not buying a new phone. As I whine, my blog wins

the award for being the best blog in the ‘News and Media’ category. Phone be damned, time to rejoice and thank all my readers who visit this blog. This is my 'Miss India' moment, albeit two decades late - complete with the cupping of the face and popping of the eyes. So a big thank you for spending your valuable time here.

Finally, the resolve was about not buying a new phone. As far as I remember, there is nothing against buying a tablet or an Ipad.