Wonderful as usual. kya khoob likhto ho miyaan. Accha batao, likhte same tumhare chehre pe muskurahat hoti hai kya? Kyunki padhte samay humare hoti hai.
Another masterpiece! Absolutely loved this piece (as usual!) Labubu love had me ROFL!! But hard relate…sigh, so many things I own are from a momentary desire that doesn’t unfortunately pan out to anything:( as usual, though, you validate those things and their continual existence in my life! Printing and framing this piece in my living room so have something tangible (literally) to point to when my parents visit next!
I agree with you in regards to Labubu obsession - it’s mind-boggling to me! What a great article, love how you connected it with cycling and your love for hot wheels!!
This post was all sorts of wonderful and resonated so much. Even in the top 2 favourites for a child, there is a clear hierarchy and my child has made me known I am a distant second. For now.
The way you showed how you got hurt trying to put the gloves on your bike rather than tell us was masterful. Thank you for a wonderful read Rohan. It made me look kindly towards my dwindling material possessions and just between you and me - made me feel smug about the high horse that I sometimes sit on as I deride my fellow humans' need for conspicuous consumption. Heh.
Thanks a lot, Hari! Appreciate it and glad you enjoyed reading this.
Yes, conspicuous consumption is almost a way of life now. It is harder *not* to buy something I don't really need. It is always heartening to know that some people are able to fight it more ably!
I despise Labubu toys with a passion! They make those stupid, worthless LOL dolls look good. Also, I wanted to restack your piece but just couldn't pick one paragraph...it's all soo good, so witty! Loved the bicycle analogy too lol Oh and you make me want to buy hot wheels for my 17yo who's just completed his college (or, in current lingo, hes graduated!). It used to be his favourite :)
Brilliant this: "Unfortunately, a right-handed man trying to control a hurtling cycle with his left hand is a little like a rich megalomaniac kindling a bromance with another rich megalomaniac, who also happens to be the President. It can only end in ignominy."
Also, I have a bicycle too. Comes out exactly once a year. But you are clearly a driven man -- Good luck Labubu.
Also, I read a part of this piece before boarding a flight and now I have a feeling I saw one of these hideous things at either T3 Delhi or Ranchi. Or maybe I just dreamt that I saw Labubu somewhere.
Thanks for enlightening me on the Labubu craze, had never heard of it - I live in a cave perhaps! Your cycling journey and the link to collections and hoarding came out really well! Your writing style is so languid and easy!
Fellow cave dweller here! Thanks for dragging me into the Labubu light. Now I too can join the ranks of Plato's enlightened... or at least pretend I knew what those cute little creatures were all along.
Please, the Labubu enlightenment is appreciated! Though I do wonder how you cope when I inflict my existential musings on your timeline. Seems like a fair exchange of philosophical burdens!
Hard relate on so many levels. Gazing at the track set from the other side of windows, walking past sports goods stores and seeing Nike/Adidas cleats that I couldn't - and obviously, shouldn't - have. And the Prof isn't wrong. When I got the Nike cleats, at age 24, I was well beyond playing a level of football that required anything more than a Nivea.
And the fuck is up with that toy man? I have seen rats with more pleasing facial features.
I love them. Quality gear at less than half the price of the other brands. On treks, I look like a (crawling) advertisement for them. Head to toe, covered in Decathalon merchandise.
Wonderful as usual. kya khoob likhto ho miyaan. Accha batao, likhte same tumhare chehre pe muskurahat hoti hai kya? Kyunki padhte samay humare hoti hai.
Thank you for another collective.
Thanks a lot! And, yes. That is the joy of writing, no? :)
Also, imagining you reading aloud your comments or messages is another time when there is a guarantee of muskurahat!
I am truly enlightened by this post. Too many LoL moments in the post. Lovely.
Haha, thanks a lot, Rakhi! :D
Another masterpiece! Absolutely loved this piece (as usual!) Labubu love had me ROFL!! But hard relate…sigh, so many things I own are from a momentary desire that doesn’t unfortunately pan out to anything:( as usual, though, you validate those things and their continual existence in my life! Printing and framing this piece in my living room so have something tangible (literally) to point to when my parents visit next!
Thanks so much, Reshma! Very much appreciate your unwavering kindness. :)
Glad to have helped, but maybe we will both benefit from going the other way and buying less!
I agree with you in regards to Labubu obsession - it’s mind-boggling to me! What a great article, love how you connected it with cycling and your love for hot wheels!!
Thanks so much, Harry! :)
Labubu craze is wild.
This post was all sorts of wonderful and resonated so much. Even in the top 2 favourites for a child, there is a clear hierarchy and my child has made me known I am a distant second. For now.
The way you showed how you got hurt trying to put the gloves on your bike rather than tell us was masterful. Thank you for a wonderful read Rohan. It made me look kindly towards my dwindling material possessions and just between you and me - made me feel smug about the high horse that I sometimes sit on as I deride my fellow humans' need for conspicuous consumption. Heh.
Keep writing, thank you for this gift!
Thanks a lot, Hari! Appreciate it and glad you enjoyed reading this.
Yes, conspicuous consumption is almost a way of life now. It is harder *not* to buy something I don't really need. It is always heartening to know that some people are able to fight it more ably!
I saw a great image of a labubu shaped jalebi recently :)
Oh no. First they come for our backpacks. Then they come for our jalebi. :(
😂
I've been so frustrated with this trend of that doll, I've started calling it the Annabelle doll. What a fun piece. 🌻
Haha, yeah, Annabelle is an apt comparison. Thanks a lot, Gargi!
I despise Labubu toys with a passion! They make those stupid, worthless LOL dolls look good. Also, I wanted to restack your piece but just couldn't pick one paragraph...it's all soo good, so witty! Loved the bicycle analogy too lol Oh and you make me want to buy hot wheels for my 17yo who's just completed his college (or, in current lingo, hes graduated!). It used to be his favourite :)
Thanks so much, Sanobar! Very kind of you and your assessment of Labubu is spot on.
Congratulations to your son on graduating! Hot Wheels would be a great gift. :D
Ok I am so square that this is the first time I am hearing about this doll. I am tempted to sing “yeh labubu labubu kya hai” 😄
Loved the thoughts thrown up about consumerism.
Thanks a lot, Binu! I am sure now you'll see them all over Dubai.
A Gogo-inspired Labubu - that's something I could tolerate.
Brilliant this: "Unfortunately, a right-handed man trying to control a hurtling cycle with his left hand is a little like a rich megalomaniac kindling a bromance with another rich megalomaniac, who also happens to be the President. It can only end in ignominy."
Also, I have a bicycle too. Comes out exactly once a year. But you are clearly a driven man -- Good luck Labubu.
Also, I read a part of this piece before boarding a flight and now I have a feeling I saw one of these hideous things at either T3 Delhi or Ranchi. Or maybe I just dreamt that I saw Labubu somewhere.
Please you enjoyed this, Savvy! Labubus are everywhere - in airports and in our d̶r̶e̶a̶m̶s̶ nightmares.
https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/ugly-cute-labubu-doll-trend-pop-mart-ceo-wang-ning-among-china-richest-person-10075260/ 🤣🤣
Yeah, I saw this 😁
Thanks for enlightening me on the Labubu craze, had never heard of it - I live in a cave perhaps! Your cycling journey and the link to collections and hoarding came out really well! Your writing style is so languid and easy!
Thank you so much! Really appreciate it. :)
Start cycling!
I should, I should. Let me get the cycle repaired. (Again.)
Fellow cave dweller here! Thanks for dragging me into the Labubu light. Now I too can join the ranks of Plato's enlightened... or at least pretend I knew what those cute little creatures were all along.
I apologize for being Labubu content onto your timeline. Thanks for reading, Sid! :)
Please, the Labubu enlightenment is appreciated! Though I do wonder how you cope when I inflict my existential musings on your timeline. Seems like a fair exchange of philosophical burdens!
Haha, it is absolutely a fair exchange. :)
Hard relate on so many levels. Gazing at the track set from the other side of windows, walking past sports goods stores and seeing Nike/Adidas cleats that I couldn't - and obviously, shouldn't - have. And the Prof isn't wrong. When I got the Nike cleats, at age 24, I was well beyond playing a level of football that required anything more than a Nivea.
And the fuck is up with that toy man? I have seen rats with more pleasing facial features.
I have gone from Bata Keds to Nike/Adidas/Puma to Kipsta. But those track sets, man, never got over them.
The world is a strange place, my friend.
Kipsta is where it's at. Half my wardrobe is straight up Decathlon gear.
I love them. Quality gear at less than half the price of the other brands. On treks, I look like a (crawling) advertisement for them. Head to toe, covered in Decathalon merchandise.