Reaching 100 – Part 3

- The School of Commentology

The School of Commentology - You’ve never heard of it, but like Hogwarts, it’s there.

You just have to get on the right train station to reach it (and it’s not Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross).  Of course, admission is by invitation, because you are either “commentical” or you are not!

When you get to the School of Commentology, here are some of the lessons you might learn:

Lesson 1: In the School of Commentology, you focus on your similarities, not on your differences

On Feb 6 of 2011, I wrote a post about a little known Japanese philosophy called Wabi Sabi. This post appeared to pass like a ship in the night.  Then boom... on April 21, 2011, comes this comment:

“Hi, I am lucky, I got to read the right article. Thoughts like these were brewing up…at last I found the words I wanted to voice…Thank you for the wonderful post. Looking forward to more posts.”

Or...

On July 2 of 2011, I wrote a post about the similarities between me and Lakshmi Mittal.  The response, on July 8, 2011, was:

“This post is hilarious...Some of the challenges you faced were mine too…so, I think it’s time I wrote something called -  What do Minoo and I have in common…lol... Got to check the link about Hormonal Balance”

Lesson 2: In the School of Commentology, you get instant attention by adding intrigue to your comments

On August 27, 2011 I wrote a post called Top Recipe Secrets, the main highlight of which was a recipe for kichdi.  On August 28, 2011, comes this enigmatic response, which sets off a back and forth question and answer session, worth reading in itself:

“This post is appropriate at this juncture.
'Anna' may resume eating solids with this harmless, humble (if you don't use cashew) dal-chawal dish”

Who is Anna?  And what’s wrong with cashews? I had to find out.

Lesson 3: In the School of Commentology, ideas smoothly carry over smoothly from one language to another (and from one family to another)

On September 10, 2011, I wrote a post called The “Porki” and “Bonkers” Tradition about the pet names used in my family. In response, on September 11, 2011 came this volley:

“Sort of samosapaedian... 'electric horn'-the one who gave shock with her periodical seizures as a baby. The same child was called aaru for what i don't remember. Some beatiful names have short forms-aari,vandi,rakshi,appi,bangari-babbulu,mummi,jalli,paapu,amunu, pappu. My paternal grand father would address his DIL as thaayiley(thayi=mother+ley=a term used by elders to address youngsters). My grandmother would chide her sons'anekara'. kari doddappa (dark uncle),'kirik'-who used the word kirik very often in his conversations, 'Fiscodi yeppa (square face) continent yeppa(round face)(yeppa=appa/man)  shabari ajji(an old neighbour who wore naar-madi and stored water in earthen pots. She sported sandle paste bindi(probably a spinster/a widow) pylvan,kaddi,sonakli-for a thin person. Dummi(u as in Gulmohar)for a fatty. A person who ressembled a skeleton was addressed-assp-'arogya shastrada prathama puta' when translated in English (first page in biology text book). The list seems endless. That's it for now Minoo. Thank you for the jolly post."

Lesson 4: In the School of Commentology, if there’s a list of any sort, you add to it

On October 2, 2011, I wrote a post called She Victories which listed several women and their breakthroughs in different male-dominated areas. On October 4, 2011, came this comment:

"I congratulate and wish Tanita and the team 'All The Best!'
There are quite a few women who are SHE VICTORIES. Among them Late Professor C.N.Mangala,Principal NMKRV college for women.
She established SHASHWATHI-a women's museum at the NMKRV college Bangalore.
She translated 'All My Sons' a noted English play under her pen name Chi.Na. Mangala, to Kannada and was responsible for the staging of the same for public at Ravindra Kalakshetra by 'Nataranga' an amateur theatre group in Bangalore.[The play was staged for the first time for only sympathising members of literary elites by "Ravi Kalavidaru" one of the leading amateur theatre groups.]
In an obituary note, a Kannada NEWS daily quoted her as "Chatuvatikeya Chilumey"(a fountain of activities.)"

Lesson 5: In the School of Commentology, you never hestitate to share new information

On November 23, 2011, I wrote a post titled You Are a Mosquito in Somebody's Room, in which I declared that several people in my life were mosquitoes, including my friends Krysia, Nadya and Julia. On December 3, 2011, included in a multi-comment response (which also contained a request for me to listen to the song Mukta Mukta on You Tube) was this P.S.:

PS: A few minutes ago, I read online about an anti-loitering device 'mosquito'

Based on this comment, I did a Google search on 'anti-loitering device mosquito'. And guess what? I discovered there really is a teen repellent device called The Mosquito.  You can read about it here.

P.S. The School of Commentology is a one-woman powerhouse commenter called Aarathi. She is so clever at commenting, I could probably find 10 lessons more on commenting if I studied all the comments she has posted on my blog. Currently you can follow her on Minoo Jha Life Strategies, where she is a regular commenter. If she joins Toastmasters (as I have been advising), or starts tweeting on Twitter which is also something she should consider, you will have other means to follow her.

 P.S.2:  Thanks Aarathi for all the lively comments contributed to Minoo Jha Life Strategies in its first year. Thanks to all the other readers and commenters as well. Much appreciation to you all.