Recently I realised I had not posted in well over a year. This, given that I started this blog only 'cause I had stopped writing in - forever. I of course, blamed the job, the working hours, the constant state of exhaustion for it. But in the past year, all that has tremedously reduced. So why have I not been writing? Well the simple and straight forward answer is: I don't know. But I do know that I want to change that. Rectify it as best as I can. The only way I have realised to improve my writing, is by writing. Writing more. More often. Often as possible. When ideas take root, words take flow, posts happen. Or something like that.While I write out my next post - on my recent Bangalorean soujourn where I was sent to report, manage reporting, essentially keep a track of things, instead pondered on other essentials - here's a recent exchange with someone who read my blog. I'm still getting over the fact that someone still reads my stale blog. But hey there's atleast one person and that person's written to me. I don't know if he would want to the world to know, but that's a risk I'll take. Simply cause the exchange itself brought out some nice writing (I think so, you are welcome to differ). Read on

LETTER 1
On 5/23/08, JR wrote:
Hi.
Are you Visualscribe from the blogspot Existential Crisis?
Best,
J

THE REPLY
On Sun, 5/25/08, Visualscribe wrote:
Yes... Why do u ask?

LETTER TWO
On 5/25/08, JR wrote:
Why do I ask?
Because I liked you blog. I liked your candour and your insight.I identified with your existential crisis.. And last but not the least..I liked your photo! Someone of your age and your appearance shouldn't be having an existential crisis at all! On the contrary, there should be a myriad reasons to 'exist' in the true sense of the word. Your blog spot has not been updated in a while..so I wondered if you really 'exist'..It is a relief to know you do. Maybe we can meet up some time.. that is if you still live in Bombay. I do.And also if you have the time and the inclination...
In the meanwhile please continue to be a scribe.. even if you don't become visual..
Cheers,
J

THE REPLY
On Mon, 5/26/08, Visualscribe wrote:
Well i do exist... Crisis or otherwise... How did you stumble on my blog though.... Having not written in over a year.... shocked it's been seen...much less read.... Well age - and i am of a certain age and not burdened by it - is all a state of mind... I truly believe we all lurch from one existential crisis to the other.... Each "crisis" being greater than the previous one....making us question our path ahead.... But as experience is our teacher... Each crisis is only temporary... Permanent only in that moment in time ... Ok too much pontification.... Perhaps an introduction to start off? A profile to share.... That can then be followed up with a coffee?

LETTER THREE
On 5/26/08, JR wrote:
I exist too.. Crisis or otherwise!
How did I stumble on your blog? It was an interesting progression of searches that led me from looking at bodies to trying to look inside heads (no pun intended), and that led me to Bombay Dost's list of Best Indian Blog sites ..You can guess the rest. Didn't you know you are one of The Chosen Ones?! You are being read.. I am testimony to that. I must say yours is one of the better sites.. yeah, I actually ploughed my way through all, believe it or not. Some of them are kind of smartass, some are wannabe cerebral, some are randy, but very few, like yours, seemed from the heart. That's what touched me.
I wouldn't call it pontification..let's call it a stream of consciousness/awareness about your existential 'angst'..You have a way with words and there is a progression and clarity of your thoughts that make your verbalisation both interesting and thought provoking.
A profile.. hmmm.
I'm a Bombay Bong.. more specifically a Bandra Bong.. I was born here and have lived in this suburb all my life. I mention Bong because somehow my identity has remained distinct from the the Bandra Boy archetype.. our family has retained it's cultural identity despite strong local influences and change all around. No, I don't spout poetry and burst into Tagore songs at the drop of a hat.. and I am not a diehard Marxist. I don't actually know what I am or who I am.. and thereby stems MY existential crisis! I do know however that I am single, I like reading.. not terribly intellectual stuff, but not exactly pulp fiction either.. my current favourite is Murakami. I like music.. I'm not into sports. Basically solitary pursuits. Is that ok for starters?
Coffee sounds perfect.. I'll be ready whenever you are. No rush.
For the moment, I'm enjoying and savouring this exchange..

THE REPLY
Tue, 27 May 2008, Visualscribe wrote:
I have to confess that I am enjoying this exchange of letters as well.
Though digital there's still something tangible to it. I am a
journalist: hence a scribe. The medium's TV: hence visual. Born in Shivaji Park in the year of Poongi bajao lungi hatao. Grew up in Matunga. In the days when the Tams ruled its roost. But my kind has hardly affected me. If anything I'm hardly like them and am happy not being so. That doesn't mean I won't lust for good curd rice and pickle on a hot summer afternoon. I do. What's your chosen skill? Keep the mails going. The coffee will come.

Will I keep posting our further correspondence? Hmm I really don't know. Only the writing will tell. Cheers!