Initial D

This anime has left a very deep impression on the way I see myself up to this point and the way I want to see myself from this point onward. It is surprising how an anime on something as extravagant and flashy as racing on mountain passes can have characters and plots that translate in a shockingly direct way into everyday life.

The characters, especially, are so ideal yet believable. Though there are several impressive characters, here I will just focus on three. The innocent and strong minded prodigy Takumi  Fujiwara who the series is built around, is a perfect example of a fearless executor, given the right guidance. His ability to grow from every challenge faced or every sticky spot he is put in is remarkable and makes one wonder if it is possible to grow so fast in the absence of a prodigious talent. This question is deftly answered by the determined and hot-headed Keisuke Takahashi who ultimately proves that exceptional natural talent is not the only way to reach the top. His masochistic attitude toward attaining perfection is definitely not viable to everyone but it doesn't take a genius to see that it certainly shows results. The fierce unspoken competition between the two only makes each of them grow more.

The third and perhaps the most ideal character (yes, its not the prodigy) is the charismatic Ryosuke Takahashi who is a brilliant logical and calculating machine, besides being one of the fastest street racers, nicknamed 'Akagi's white comet'. He is shown to be exceptional at deducing and copying driving styles of his opponents only by observing them drive ahead of him for a very short time. The brain of  'Project D', he is instrumental in developing winning simulations for both Takumi and Keisuke on each of their expeditions. He pushes both to their limits by setting rigorous training regimes for Keisuke and making sure Takumi doesn't rely only on his natural driving talent while being oblivious to the technicals of his machine.

These characters take shape revealing more about them in each battle. Their thought process and course of action instantly makes them believable and thoroughly enviable. How is all this applicable to real life, you ask? I think the ability to relate comes from the emotions experienced by the characters in troubled and challenging times which are bound to have come to everyone of us at some point in life, and the tactics used to overcome them and more importantly learn from them. For the rest, watch this epic series for yourself. If you have a thing for fast cars, this shouldn't be disappointing. I conclude with one favorite from arguably one of the best anime sound track.

A Good Bad Feeling

I had a rather unusual habit. Some would have called it crazy, some would have considered it bad. In any case, it made me happy. Not today though.

I had the habit of choosing monetarily or opportunistically rewarding options, the options that under usual circumstances would be too good to be true, and try to force my way to see them through to completion. In simple terms I would call myself greedy in a kleptomaniac-sort of way. Just as the latter steals as a habit and not necessarily for the thing itself, I gained happiness, more from the fact that I could squeeze out the maximum I could have from any given situation. Of course the 'maximum' also contributed to my happiness, but I hope you got my point.

This obviously came at a cost. There was often uncertainty, displeasing someone else (because obviously if you are getting something you wouldn't in a normal case, someone else is bearing the brunt of it),  relying on requests and favors and very often putting a herculean effort into getting through it. Once I saw that there was even a slight possibility of making it, I wouldn't care about the surrounding events or people.

Today, I had tried to make most of two such 'opportunities'. One of them was to make it to my flight in time which I was barely able to, after a nervous hour and a half and non stop running to the gate. But right then when I thought I was all good, the second one showed up in the form of angry flight personnel and I ended up having to drop the flight. Now, had I been ethically right in my decisions, I would have defining got on the plane. But I was in the wrong. Why? I had taken advantage of something I shouldn't have and the airline staff obviously didn't like it.

The good feeling I had for finally making it to the boarding in the nick of time was completely trashed away by this feeling of utter loss and helplessness. And the worst part was that I knew it was all because of my own choices.

I had to get a new ticket and I'm writing this on the same plane. Amid a flood of thoughts and a lot of contemplation. Something needs to change. It won't be easy. I won't be the same again. But this has to end. Why? Because I can't rely at all on living in this manner. I intend this note to serve more as a reminder to me, should I start to waver again, than a blog post.