Today's Page

Wish

2011-10-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

The buzz of the conversation flew all around her, but Nisha was not saying much. She looked down at her plate of salads and at him. He knew she loved to hear him talk and talk he did. Talked to every one at the table. Glancing at her every now and then to see her smile. He loved to talk and she loved watching him. He also loved the way she looked at him with out staring. Her quite smiles, her soft words, her beautiful face. The more she looked the more he talked. He looked all around the lunch table to look at everyone -friends and colleagues hanging on to his words. He looked back at Nisha to smile at her.

The topic was the last premier league match. He was a die hard Man U fan and he was talking about Rooney's late entry to the game, that it was the blunder that allowed another Liverpool victory at Antfield. He knew that the comment would draw a few words from the Stevie G fan who was watching him. He liked to see the passion for football in her eyes, perhaps more for 'Captain Fantastic'. But it could only elicit another smile from her. Then he saw a flash of panic , he looked around to see her nemesis carrying her lunch to join them. He was amused. For a kind soul, Nisha couldn't find it in her to forget the barbs that the dragon lady approaching them had thrown at her a few months ago. He watched Nisha to see if she would leave. She didn't. The conversation had moved on to the weekend plans.

He suggested a trip to the beach. Nisha's eyes were back at him, excited. He didn't look at her though. He sought the attention of the guys in the group alone. The dragon lady was going at it again. Regaling tales of all the lakes that she has seen in the various continents. He continued his conversation with the other guys. He heard a tiny scrape of the chair. He looked around to Watch Nisha get up. He waited until she looked at him, the smile gone, murmuring a bye at everyone, refusing to meet his eyes and then she was gone. He smiled at her vanishing back, knowing she would be back tomorrow,just as she has been all these months....

He looked down at the small mirror on the table....and smiled... he looked good.. didn't he?

Frenemy

2011-09-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely evening with someone I do not even consider to be close... A lovely long walk in the evening along a cananl, wathed the kids feed swans in the water. Italian food and wine and then finally sat outside the restaurent just on the banks of the canal and it iwas a full moon night. It was a lovely lovely night. The conversation flowed from bitching about common friends to work to home and Indian joint family system. And to to think that I do not get along with the this lady, not really. But looks liek she enjoyed my comnpany too... One evening wonder ? Only time would tell. But I guess it just adds weight to the saying - Never say Never....

Lone Wolf in the City

2011-09-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

The end of a party is like a ravaged city after a storm... Literally and figuratively..More so after a good party..Suddenly the walls seem to talk all at once..

Loneliness. That is the only word I can think of. But I am not sure, the feeling wouldn't exist even if I wasn't living alone.. Guess it's a bitter pill that just needs to be swallowed...just like falling and getting the knees skinned while learning to walk..

And somehow writing about this helps...:)....

When you've had enough
when you've got it bad enough
and you can't let go
when it comes to blows
and you start to overflow
but you can't get home
it's a subtle kind of cruel
it taps my spine
here I'm drawing a line
I'm asking you please
don't you wanna be
happy with me?
don't you wanna be
happy with me?

Candyman

2011-09-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

Who can take tomorrow, dip it in a dream,

Separate the sorrow and collect the cream,

The candyman can, the candy man can,

the candyman can, 'cause he mixes it with love

and makes the world taste good...

-Roald Dahl

Love those lines, I would say this would apply to icecream man too. These men are mythical creatures placed strategically on this planet to spread some much needed cheer. Last Sunday was a classic example - was limping back home from a trip, blistered feet and a prissy mood. And lo and behold an icecream man.. A raspberry - vanila cone and a lovely smile later, I was practically skipping down the road, injured feet and the whole world forgotten... Well, it did help that the icecream man was cute...

I met him out for dinner on a Friday night
He really got me working up an appetite
He had tattoos up and down his arm
There's nothing more dangerous than a boy with charm

- Christina Aguilera 'Candyman'

The magic numbah!

2011-01-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

The sojourn in Chennai was god sent. A glance of an old home, college so and so forth and at the same time, reinforced my love for the city for reasons unknown... But, before I get into the dejavu mode, some tit bits on the trip

=> Stayed with S and 11 (? I lost count I will take S's word for it) other people. The joint families are extinct no longer. They exist and if S 's home is an example, they thrive.

=> Saw S's grand mama who has written a cook book after she became a grand mama!

=> Met a couz of S who has 13 degrees! ( tops my list of interesting people that I have bumped into ever)

=> Saravana bhavan - Veggies delight!

=> T nagar - shoppers turned paupers paradise

=> Chennaite hospitality - World class!

=> The best puliogare is Cehnnai born.. And if someone suggests otherwise, be ready to be clubbed.. grr.

=> Chennai - Three cheers!!!

Shakespeare for lunch

2010-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

Heard someone talk about going for BA literature. Well, the someone is not battling paranoia of a midlife crisis but is a focussed young thing. But the choice of course caught my fancy. When it was my turn to choose a course, well, there was no choice really. (Or I was blind), The choices were - study and learn to chop your fellow beings or study and learn to make cool programs (hello world .. remember? That was the coolest one so far!)...

Of course the cool person that I am, chose the later and well, now I enjoy 'hello world' like hell.

( language.. language tsk tsk!). In fact I would say that was the trend with most focussed young things of my time ( I sound antique.. ).. But come to think of it, literature would have been a great option. Imagine reading Emma / Shakespeare for work ... Or participating in a discussion about the Renaissance with the students. Or research on what makes a hotshot writer tick....

Or would have been cribbing about empty pockets, lack of onsite. Or having to read the 16 century by product of a demented guys ramblings year after year. Or having to bear the short attention span of Gen Y..

Case of grass on the other side being greener.. Now back to Hello world ....

Austerity

2010-12-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

.. is something I can do without. But looks like its been named the word of the year. Not surprising since the recession monster was dancing in our midst. It may be the most searched word, but its certainly not the most used one. Actioned up on yes, but used verbally ? No! What do I hear the most? A lot of 'whatever', plenty of 'awesomes' , 'like this' and 'like thats'. Then there is the 'nike', 'ipad', 'cricket', 'world cup', 'sachin tendulkar' , 'cwg', 'kalamadi' and 'Rajnikanth'. All this is casual talk ..

Waht happens once you step inside the office ? 'Scale up', 'rationalization', 'Pareto', 'top/ bottom 20,' , 'deviation' and of course' screwed up' and 'Rajnikanth; (yeah he is every where isn't he?)

Now what are the words that I would like to hear ? Books (Duh!), travel, bonus, free, subsidy, petrol, onions, efficient, beautiful, Salman Khan, holidays, break, Salman Khan, growth, did I mention Salman Khan? :-))

No mention of austerity anywhere eh ? :-)

Man's best friend

2010-12-20T10:36:00.000-08:00

Not dogs.. While I love them more than some of the friendly people around, for now, I am talking about books. Mark Twain once said ' Good books, great friends and a sleepy conscience contribute towards a blissful life'. While I have a good stock of the second and third items in that list, I just do not seem to have enough of the former. The result - my home looks like that of a crazy cat woman.

There are books on the floor, under the cupboard, over them, near the bed, on the bed, under the pillow, near the TV (in case there is a power cut!), in my bag ( well .. I need to confess something, I have two of them in my bag and I am reading both the stories at the same time) .. well , you get the drift.

And here I am , sitting and contemplating, how did I get here?

First there was the need for a few to put me to sleep every night ( I am one of those creatures who cannot sleep with out a book in hand) , then came the desire to collect - other books by favorite author, classics, the must haves.

The next stage was the experimentation stage - read the books suggested(aping is also a possibility here) by the other book worms - biographies, psychology. And since every loony bin in the world is coming out with a book, this point covers a lot of ground.

Then there were those intermediary stages where I bought bags full of books while I took others to the book store, or the phase where every gift that I got was a book ( birthday, anniversary, farewell, get well soon, Happy 40th Happy 50th, err..somebody stop me).

And finally, the compulsive stage where I cannot stop myself from buying books.. I go out for a movie, I come back with 2 books, I go out for dinner, I spend 40 mins at the roadside bookwala's vehicle, I go to buy clothes and I end up in Blossoms. Who needs a new cardigan when I can read about Egypt eh?

Sigh.... The situation has reached a stage , that I carry books every time I visit my folks.. its an ideal place to store books. That would stop with immediate effect since mom has threatened to start charging me for using up space there.... So I think I do not need to spend too much time thinking of a resolution this year.

By the way, did I hear someone say the latest Mathew Reilley is out already??

Which I am I

2010-10-25T07:37:00.000-07:00

Another friend of mine falls prey to the eunuchs at the Sony World junction. This one is interesting ..

Her Highness Queen C had taken the chariot out one fine morning, to meet the commoners of err.. Koramangala?

OR It was freaking hot and C had managed (finally!!!) to barge into an auto after fighting with 2 dozen auto guys. .. Come Sony World and there is this long pause in the ride... like the pause that the garrulous aunty takes in a saah bahu saaga .. a very meaningful pause .. na? But back to Koramangala, as everyone in Bangalore knows, is the the most happening hangout for the men-women of the third gender. Now, I consider myself to be quite accommodating , but the specimens haunting the sony world junction are evil, in its purest form. Honest!

There was this guy ( a good looking guy *wink*), who also had to take a pause at the same junction and since he was so HOT, he decided to remove his helmet ...and well..the dainty fluff puff sways towards him...saying' Hai mera Shahrukh Khan' and plants( I was in favour of 'plonk'.. but hehe) a kiss on his face!!! Well, its another story that .. none of us have been able to figure out the real reason for him to remove the helmet in the middle of a hot afternoon on a dusty road , just after walking out of a saloon....

Oh yeah , back to C. Now, the story here is on the same lines...nooo.... dirty minds... she didn't get kissed... the guy got into her rick and threatened her.. 100 rupaiye de de nahin to types

Well.. I do not know how much she had to shell out to get the devil out of her chariot... but you know what I mean ... when I say ... stay away from Sony world Junction....and keep those helmets on... :P

I love 'love stories'

2010-08-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

There, I said it. I love chick flicks - the kind which is made only to depict a happy ending. A boy meets girl love stories - a lot of laughter, a few tears and then the feeling of everything is alright or will be. The final hug or kiss is a promise to that effect. I have always wondered why women love such movies , why they love to read about them . Now, I know why I do. I used to think its for the obvious reason - an escape from reality for a couple of hours. And now ? I like it for the optimism - the belief that everything would be alright in the end. I do not necessarily agree with the love conquers all, I would do anything for love , I would die with out themes but I agree with the basic feel of it. That there would be a beautiful sunset in the end. Come ot think of it, it is not blind optimism. Have you not noticed how most things, most unwanted things that we entangle ourselves in, have a way of unraveling some goodie after a while ? And at the end of it, what is wrong in looking at the world with rose tinted glasses, once in a while at least? Its not illegal, its affordable and your neighbor does not have to call the cops over it - so why not?

And this realization dawned after watching the worst chick flick of all times - Aisha. It was no chick flick. It is a colorful photo album of Sonam Kapoor that daddy Anil is flaunting to the world. But where is the love, the tears or even the sunset. All we got was lots of fashion and a ladder!

Looking at my collection for a good one to watch. Aah, I think I know the perfect one - All about love.

Blues and Blahs

2010-07-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

Haven't had much to write about in a long time. Oh well,been lazy too. I would call it the period between blahs and blues. And now on to my fav thing - Bullet points :-))
1) A, I did try your way of making myself grin and it works. So thanks for that .(still grinning :-) !)
2) Had a whirlwind trip to Kerala and the never ending rains made its presence felt everywhere. Literally - in the form of droplets on top on my neighbor's head during the onward journey, and since I had sighed and thanked god for small mercies, the drops kind of gravitated towards my head on the way back. Justice or cheap thrills? And yeah it rained every second I was there . So my turn to say ...rain rain go away .. for heaven's sake.
3) Met an enlightened person. No sarcasm. Been to a gurukul. The environment was nice but the rest was like something out of Kate and Leopold. I would probably read this one a couple of decades from now and snicker.
4) Suffering from book craving. Lots of it. In fact, had to go to the bookshop on a weekday to pacify the monster. Its another story that I ended up taking the next day off .
5) And go a Matt Bomer screen saver. I have nothing to say to that! :-))

Nite

Need a few happy smileys!

2010-07-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

Show me some happy people.

People around (everywhere) have so many reasons to be sad. Some do not have husbands to bitch about, or cranky kids to have sleepless nights over, some have satan incarnate bosses / MILs /FILs /DILs all of the above and if someone claims to have none of the above, there is always some neighbour who is richer than thou and that is enough to lose peace over.

And then once you have successfully become sad, there are various ways to express it - droopy mouth, brooding eyes, sulking ears and then whine about to anyone in sight or brave enough to pick up your calls and whine till the sadness is successfully transmitted to the other side( hey osmosis can happen though the phone too, who says a freaking translucent membrane is needed). Well, yeah there is no dearth of agony aunts ( yours truly is a sad people magnet) .

But hey I need a break. Show me some happy people. The chirpy ones (even if the chipiness can get on your nerves most of the times) Whatever, I need some happy faces....

Any human smileys around??? Any body? sigh! ... :(

Dark thoughts

2010-07-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

I had known that this was coming. A woman's instinct, perhaps, or just plain common sense. It could also be due to the fact that I know her well. Not the best of friends but have got used to having her around. She has watched me walk through my personal thorns. She has also been friendly enough to not ask but just be around. I am grateful to that. I will always be.

Now when I watch her walk towards disaster. I can only close my eyes and pray. I have been praying that it wouldn't come to this. I can only watch. I am no coward, but these demons are yours to fight,to vanquish. These do not die after death. They come back to haunt you for a long time. I so wish you didn't have to face them at all. I wish I could ask her to turn back while there is still time.

But I cannot. This is some thing you have to do on your own. My loyalties lay on your side. But I hope you understand I can only lean back and watch you jump into a endless dark hole.

Hmm.. Another dark blog..... Cant help it.

Dost

2010-07-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

And no .. this is no story about dostana, only musings on friends, or their effect on me.

Well, after a lot of deliberation, decided to disturb the symmetry of my body, by joining the torture chamber - a gym. In spite of the crankiness before the session, (associated with being out of bed at an ungodly hour on a weekend) and whimpering muscles after crawling out of the place (literally!), I had a great time. The chats in between the muscle wringing, the teasing, the yapping , the breakfast and the long walk after the session made my day. All this thanks to a friends couple. ( yeah you read it right - couple of my friends who are married to each other :-)) ) It felt strangely alive and peaceful at the same time. Although we did nothing out of the ordinary!

Contrast that to to another outing in the evening, this time with a totally different friends set. A masala movie which is usually prescribed for the depressed, followed by shopping. Now what could have been better than that . But no, I returned with a sense of hmm.. emptiness. Not any body's fault . Just my reaction to em.

Moral of the story, ... still searching

This is not turning out to be a fun blog. Blame if on the Argentina slaughter that is happening as we speak... The song that I am listening to at the moment does not help either .

Bin tere Bin tere , koi khalish hai...hawaon main bin tere..

Hit a high high and a steep low in a single day. Was just the last post that I was talking about life hitting a plateau??

Kick the ball

2010-07-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

Letting the imp out with that title! *grins*

Have been away from blogdom for a while now. the graph has plateaued down these days. Call it the 'daal chaval' days. Watching life in 2D - The soccer world cup, Wimbledon and then there is cricket where India seems to have added yet another insignificant cup (?!) to their collection. And since TV has taken over all my spare time, I have nothing to say...

On second thoughts , there are a few things in no particular order...

1) It was a week when I had to visit 3 different banks on the same day .And no, I have not changed my profession. It did make me wish for a trip to another planet though.

2) Visited Firangi Pani. Hmmm......Hmmmmm....Hmmmmmmmm...

3) Have started writing a diary the good old way again. And enjoying it . Especially drawing those smileys on the edges.

4) Just realised I have a thing for vampire human love stories - Is that even normal???

5) Was talking to a friend with problems and people around me asked if I was alright ..WTH???

6) Saving the most unladylike comment for the last - The strange fascination of the Williams sisters for public display of outlandish UGs . Somebody stop em , for heaven's sake.

And I almost typed 'Regards, N'.

Nite

Up Up and Awayyyyy!

2010-06-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am scaring myself these days. A friend of mine now thinks I am his own personal good luck charm! Let me explain. The friend was having trouble with his workstation and the good Samaritan ( yours truly, in case you are wondering) offered help. And honest to god, I did nothing different from what he was trying to do , but hey presto! the monitor blinked back to life , slow as a Monday morning, but alive! That's when I happened to mention that I have the golden touch! Well, yes yes, I am a paragon of modesty. This was a few days ago. The next episode ran today. The guy is shifting base to Bangalore and just when his furniture was to arrive in the city , the packer decided it was a good time to fleece him and suddenly all his trucks were unavailable.. so on and so forth. Needless to say, the friend was fuming. and Of course superwoman came hopping to rescue and said 'Do you want me to step in and spread my magic?' an hour later, the guy comes running saying 'How did you do it?' .

I did try waving my arms all over my head, no sign of the billion dollars that I wished for . :(. Not yet.

And yes, the guy went home , a big grin on his face. Although , now he wants to bring a list of his problems for superwoman to solve. Does anyone know where Krypton is???

Don Juan of Montreal

2010-05-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is an old one..Never posted it. Its kinda funny. so here goes...

====

I am not sure I should be writing about him. After all I am still in touch with him. And I am sure I am going to read this to him. The 'him' I refer to here is a dear friend of mine . A friend, period. Incase anyone i wondering, if I am getting defensive, the answer is - No. Controversies are messy beings...

Now that we have that out of the way , lets get down to the crux of the tale. I have known him for a very long time, close to a decade perhaps. Younger than me by a few years. He used to live in the same time zone as me till a few years ago before he moved to Montreal, still on the right side of 25 and mirror cracking material. Of course the title of the blog would demand that from him. However, that is not the only reason for the tag, there was always something else...

Since the time I have known him, he has always got more than his share of female attention more than his share by a few miles. It is true, leaving loads of disgruntled uncles and bfs in his wake. I am sure their collective sigh of relief when he left India was the sole reason for good rains in the heart of our country that year.

But then as I have always said there was something else about him. He was not just a common eye candy. That would be insulting him. He had a knack of talking to wounded damsels and making them pour their hearts out.He had a gift of making them talk, just talk.Oh Boy! but those talks sometimes did bring out some stinky skeletons... :)

However, In the years that I have known him, I have never seen him getting shocked. No matter what comes out during these associations that he has. I am anyone else in his shoes would have had their jaws kissing the ground after hearing some of those confessions. Perhaps that was his biggest weapon or his biggest charm?

Accommodating to a fault. If I had to name one person totally devoid of expectaions it would be him..I am yet to understand how someone could be that accommodating. Heights of enlightenment or emotions running thin? Perhaps its an act. Who can say?

Then there was this genuine need to please everyone, a desire to bring a smile on the faces which has seen tissues and handkerchiefs far too many times, the willingness to spend time with the women who wanted some one to just listen. May be it always started like that but that was not how it ended every time, i am sure.

Almost every time the lady in question found that the don juan has charmed his way into her heart. Intentionally ? I am not sure. May be, it gives him a high to be able to do it consistently... May be not. May be its just misguided affection.

Everytime I hear from him, there is a new pet project which soon has him as a pet....:) Everytime I hear from him, I hear him donning the role of an agony aunt and the next time ofcourse I would have him wonder aloud as to why she has a fixation on him instead. I somehow feel its the story of the patient getting hooked to the shrink. Of course , I cant tell him that. My neck would then be in danger of being wringed. But the point here is he does spread a lot of joy around.

Hmm, I know a lot of em would look back and smile when they think about him an adorable lil puppy is what he is... but then careful dear friend. Didn't somebody tell me the other day that Cassanova was lynched to death.

So long Don Huan of Montreal...

It's a .. GOAL!!

2010-05-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Goals - chronologically

At 5 - to GROW UP!

at 10 - Marry Salman Khan

at 12 - Become a teacher ( I get to wear a sari )

at 13 - become an astronaut (those body suits look sexy)

at 14 - become a vet - (Villy aunty needs to be put down - humanely)

at 15 - Get 90% in the board exams ( folks need to have something to talk about at the annual family reunions)

At 16 - Get 90% & Become an engineer ! ( bang on imaginary keyboards)

at 18 - Finish education

at 19, 20 , 21, 22 - Finish education(Sigh!)

at 22 yrs 6 months - get a job

at 22yrs 7 mnths - Get a JOB!!!

at 22 yrs 8 months - GET A "!£"!$£ JOB!!!

at 23 - play .. how soon can you blow up your sal!

AT 24 - go onsite (foren pics look good on Orkut!)

at 25 - play ..how soon can you blow up your sal! .. this time at onsite...

at 27 - dream of buying a house...( couz has bought one in the US)

at 28 - get another ' challenging' job (another appraisal is round the corner)

at 29 - continue dreaming of the house

30 - eternity - Find a goal...

Singing 'Dil to bachcha hain ji'

Fire and Forget

2010-05-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine once said that there is no such thing as fire and forget. There is a reaction to every act that we perform. Good, bad, evil, divine - there is always a reaction. And the action reaction may not necessarily follow a rule. Good may not necessarily spawn good , or bad reaction to a bad action. The only rule that it does follow is that there is a reaction. The comment was not made in the heat of a philosophical discussion. It was made when he was bidding goodbye to his girlfriend the last time he met her before she got married. Yes it was sad and all that but that was one heck of a line.

Now, the reason I brought it up - life these days seems to be a series of full circles. I am not sure that line makes much sense . But a lot of things that were set in motion a decade ago seems to be coming back to me now, limping towards a conclusion. It wouldn't have mattered either ways . But there it is - on your face, demanding a 'period'. I do not want to sound like Ayn Rand or Virginia Woolfe . I would explain. Expressions of gratitude from people I have supposedly helped long ago, demands for explanation for ignoring people I have not seen in ages, almost like stumbling into places just so that stories left hanging so far reach their logical end.

And in a way, the time between the action and reaction is good, a matured view on things is helping me sort it out in a way that would not have been possible a decade ago.. Hmm, that philosophy also has an impact on any future action. Always driven by the thoughts of possible reactions. Gone are the carefree , devil may care way of doing things .. :)

New perspective for this decade of ma life!

Listening to 'Robert D Niro's waiting.. talking Italian'

Cruel Summer

2010-05-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Some random thoughts...

A new old friend on FB says that he remembers my name and my face but nothing else.Well, not sure if my ego should feel bruised or bloated. The face and the name is everything for an average person, right? Since I haven't done anything remotely Mother Theresa like , nothing else is really worth remembering! Then why am I miffed, a wee bit?

Reconnected with many people on FB. With my life split into 5 year slices, the friends also fall into different groups. The Pune colony and school group, the Kolkatta primary school group, the secondary school group, the UG group in Madras, the PG group in Madras, the first company group , again split into people from different projects and then there is the second company and so on so forth. Not complaining. Just happy to meet all those people again. And surprised too . I have a new found love for humanity these days!

And grooving to the strains of 'its a cruel, cruel summer'. Yes, am into retro too now. Bananarama time. Just the music though. Thanks but no thanks to the buffy hairstyle and high waist jeans, It would only confirm that I am running towards the past than trying to crawl towards the future!

Oh, something that I forgot to mention in my previous post. The American mentioned that she found my English to be best among all the Indians that she had met. She had already spent a few months in India. Am still floating. I know I am not going to write a 'God of small things' but hey its a compliment, which I accept with no hint of modesty what so ever!!!!! (ET, don't burst my bubble yet! you can correct my grammar in a while :)))

Someone was talking about women having to work doubly hard (when compared to the men) to succeed at work, any kind of work at that. While I agree with the comment up to a certain extend, I have to admit that I have observed that it has always been a man who has sorted out problems of that sort. Never a woman. Wonder if feminism has gone too far in our times and we have started using men as an excuse for any or all of our problems. I mean no offense to the victims of genuine discrimination. Just wondering if there is more to the problem than, well men! An example would be this recent show on TV where a few city breed women celebrities are sent to a village to live with the villagers (not sure if the villagers are genuine. I didn't last long enough through the program to find out). The show thrives on showing the silly problems these women face like waking up early in the morning and making tea and more such crap. I fail to understand why any strong independent woman would want to project herself as a helpless babe in the woods( literally in this case). C'mon, one of them has even survived jail. But no, off they go creating this aura of helplessness and then you go and blame men for not giving you your share. Shame! Shame!

And its past midnight... singing ..

He was really saying something

Hey yeah yeah

I was walking down the street

Do-wah do-wah)

When this boy started following me

Oh yeah

Now I ignored all the things he said

Do-wah do-wah)

He moved me in every way

With his collar unbuttononed

On my side he was struttin'

He was really saying something

Saying something)

Really saying something

Saying something

Bop bop shoo be do-wah

Sigh.. Nite....

(P.S : Found the the Bananarama cover on the web during a search. Drop a line if it involves any violation and it shall be removed)

Yeh Bhi Hain India

2010-05-12T19:58:00.000-07:00

Back from a trip back home and its been a happening weekend!

As usual amma had news about everyone I knew and this time news was zara hatke... Turns out

that my lady driving tutor ( out of the several tutors that I have had... That would form a different blog all together and now back to my lady tutor) she has eloped to Mumbai. Now you would ask whats great about that... The twist in this tale is that she has eloped with another girl.. and a small town in Kerala is abuzz with the news.. Now I kinda knew her inclination towards girls... Not what you think.. Just that she had too many questions about UK's gay culture. Now, surprises do not stop there . After telling me the news , amma wanted to talk about homosexuality. Well, dad staged a walk out, immediately. And I followed him, promptly . I am all for gay rights, but talking about homosexuality or sexuality in general with parents is not a very gay thought...Yeah go right ahead and call me a prude!

And while I am still on the Kerala trip, on the way back, an American sat beside me in the bus. A girl from California who is in India to learn about ayurveda! And her specialization - natural childbirth, at home. I was surprised, I mentioned that in India , atleast among the educated lot, the trend of giving birth at home has gone. Personally its unthinkable, unless I am marooned on some island. Her reply was that, while you guys chase 'technology' we are going back to the olden ways. You are teaching kids to eat cornflakes , while we are learning to eat idli! Yes , idli! The crazy one has a totally unplanned trip, visiting one guru after another as and when she hears about them and all this alone! When I said Americans are adventurous, her reply was ... 'or Stupid!' .. :) I have to say she is my inspiration to plan a trip to the north.. Lets see about that one...

And a pic from my trip..This one is Athirapilly...

Yap yap yap...:)

2010-04-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

I have not stepped out of the boundaries of propriety in any of my posts so far. But this one , tests it just a wee bit ... :) . But its something that has been swirling in my mind for a while. I tried sleeping on it for a few days ( no pun intended). But the story just wouldn't go away. So here goes.

Sajan looked down at the girl in his arms and smiled. She continued chattering about her day while his mind chattered about the days gone by . This bubbly girl had always taken the first step. She had walked up to him one day and said 'Hi' followed by a 'Coffee?' and just like that , they had become friends, despite the age difference or because of it. She was still in college when they had first met and he was already a manager at a MNC. He had no doubts that she would follow his footsteps into the IT industry.

He loved listening to her. About her day at college, her worries before the exams, the hunks at college , the latest movies, feminism even Mao was not spared. She had dragged him to college on the day of the results. He had been hugged fiercely , the day she cam running out after her first job interview. The first job and she was floating on a tiny cloud. She had so many questions that day - would they like me , am I too emotional, how do I succeed, would I make friends and many more. He had answered all of them , patiently and then she had hugged him again. And he had let emotions be his guide that day.

And he was lost. Her eyes, her hair, her endearing lisp. He was lost over and over again.

That was a few months ago. Something about a guy's name brought him back to Ammu's present. She was talking about a guy .. 'Oh I love him...he does not know yet... Oh Sajjan, you have to tell me .. How do I tell him ?..' He looked down at Ammu, the beautiful Ammu in his arms. She looked at him and tugged his cheek .. Tell me , how do I tell him ?.

A tear rolled down his cheek, unnoticed ... while she continued chattering...

P.S... :)... ok Am out of the mush mode now...

221b Baker Street

2010-04-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

And yet another friend request on Orkut. Another ghost from the past. However this one was a pleasant surprise. 15 years, a receding hairline and a prominent paunch later, it was still dear old Yudi. It was the first time somebody from the City of Joy had got in touch with me. I took my cup of coffee and stepped out my room onto the terrace and a few decades back in time.

I think it was in class 8 that I saw Yudi for the first time. Yudi, the class entertainer and the sidekick of the most handsome guy around. My first crush, well technically the second. I was one of those confused teens who had a thing for a 40 yr old man. A man who lived in Baker street. Sigh, not something I can explain. I guess the charm of intellect was irresistible. I had recovered soon enough to fall for looks though! And Dilwale style, the guy was called Raj. And this Raj could sing too. I still remember his version of ‘Is pyar se meri taraf na dekho…. pyar ho jaayega’. Although I do not remember pursuing the crush, I think I did moon over him for a year.

For a year, until the entry of Aradhana in Class 9. Ethereal was the word to describe Aradhana. At least that is how all the boys described her. For me it was ‘best friends for life’ time. A shy, introvert, mini geek and the pretty, restless and often loud Aradhana. She was the first person who introduced me to the world of trinkets, shopping, achar outside the school and bread cutlets in Gariahat. Perhaps, I was a project for her. But I did change. And unlike most friendships where there is some competition, this one was fun. Each had their own worlds, even satisfied in them, he only time they ventured into the other’s side of life was when they were together. I must admit I was a stubborn child, most only kids are. But there were never any disagreements with Aradhana. I am not sure if the friendship was perfect or if time has erased the imperfections of the reality of a long time ago. But whatever the case, there were no grudges, there still aren't. Even the fact that my crush fell for her and ignored me for the rest of my time in school didn't mar the friendship. Who can blame her? The whole school and half the world seemed to be in love with her.

What about her? She fell for the dancer – Jay. Jay was one of the most popular guys in the school's history. He had already passed out by the time we were in class 9 but often performed in school annual functions on public demand. My memory of incidents after that are vague, the mini geek in me had taken over my soul for the next few years. Friendships of the time are blurred images now. But the affair and the gossip about it floated around for a few years after that and then time and distance relegated her memory to a frame in my past.

My coffee had gone cold while I watched the traffic go by. Even though I had stepped back to the present, I was still gripping a fragment of the past – Yudi’s friend request. Hmm.. I think I would accept this one. I would love to know the rest of the story…

A Love story...

2010-04-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

Was walking down Brigades on the way back from Blossom's with P, and there was this old sweet couple walking in front of us. Old - 70ish and sweet - they were holding hands. Yes it was an 'awwww' moment. And I think P said something on the lines of 'this is what I want, to walk down Brigades when I am old with my hubby, free, happy and in love'. Completely agree with you P. And this story has been lingering in my mind ever since. Not really a story. Some bit of it is real... :)

Arundhati waited for him with a glass of milk when he was back from his long walk. He smiled his thanks and walked towards the study, newspaper in hand and switching on the laptop whiled he gulped the milk. He had not forgotten the date . It was the 20th of April. He knew he would have mail today, announcing the venue of the meeting. And sure enough, the promised info was waiting in his inbox. He read the mail quickly. It contained nothing else, just the name of the restaurant where the meeting was arranged and nothing else. He closed his laptop, lost in thoughts. There was still time before he needed to leave home again. He had already packed everything that he would need.

He wandered into the kitchen chatting with Arundhati, cutting onions, adding dhaniya patta into the sabji until Arundhati chased him out of the kitchen, telling him it was time to get 'hygienic'. He laughed and said , he was not going to challenge her monopoly after all these years.

He left home after breakfast. He had not been to Cicero's in years. It looked different now. But the crowd was still a good mix of youngsters and the old. The deep red sofas looked familiar and it definitely felt familiar. He smiled. He ordered coffee and looked around while he waited.

He didn't want to think about the meeting. He read the snippets about coffee on the wall in front - 'It is legal for a wife to divorce a husband if he did not provide her with a daily cup of coffee' . He had to smile at that one. He has always been a 'tea' man. So he could afford to sympathize with the coffee husbands.

And then he watched the lady in white walk towards his table. Age had not diminished the power of her smile . It was still impish. She sank into the sofa opposite to him and continued smiling. He said ' So how have you been'. ' Beautiful, as ever' . And she laughed. That was always the answer. He had to smile . That answer set the tone for the evening. They talked about old times. Happy, sad ones. They talked and just talked. It was almost nine and it was almost time to leave when he asked ' Have you found happiness?' . The reply was 'Yes, and peace'. He had to ask. He looked at her one more time and then it was time to leave. She got up and they walked out of the cafe together. She touched his arm and asked ' So until the next decade?' . He smiled and waved as he walked away.

He walked back home and Arundhathi was waiting for dinner this time. As he ate , he watched his wife of 30 years. Arundhati looked up at him, with a raised brow. He smiled and said ' you look beautiful tonite!'.

P.S. I didn't to end it on a sappy note., But hey I had given a fair warning. It is supposed to be a love story ..:)

The flag..

2010-04-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

Ahana toiled valiantly , she had already skinned both her knees from the fall a few mins ago. But she could not stop even if she wanted to. The crest of the hill looked down at her, mockingly. Ahana, wiped an impatient hand over her face, pulling her hair, now slick with perspiration, out of her eyes gulped some more water and started again. So intent was she on reaching the top that she scarcely looked back at Maddy who like her, wouldn't have been able to stay away if Ahana had insisted. Maddy for his part let her climb alone.

She looked around to see if the temple was visible at the other end of the hill. The saffron flag flew over the tiny temple. She had almost reached the tip of the hill. The stone factory seems to have closed down. All the sounds associated with it- the siren, the dynamite exploding, and the hustle and bustle of the workers were absent. She waited for a few minutes, remembering the giant craters which used to get filled with water during the rainy season. She smiled faintly. Preeti had shown her 'back strokes' in one of those craters.

Maddy waited and watched Ahana forcing herself away from the sight of the crater towards right. There was no path anymore. Shrubs and creepers had swallowed the old ones. But Ahana picked her way through it. She didn't seem to stop even when the sleeve of her top tore from forcing herself through the plants.

He wanted to cut a path for her, but he knew, Ahana was only just about aware of his presence. He had to let her continue. Ahana continued to stumble forward until she came to a standstill

near a tree. He didn't know if it was the place. It didn't look much different the everything that they had crossed so far. But he knew, Ahana couldn't be wrong.

She continued staring at the ground where thick shrubs grew blocking the view from the other side. Maddy moved away, giving her time , but he knew without looking that , her breathing was getting heavy and tears were flowing. He wanted to be near Ahana . But it was not time yet. She had to let it out . He turned around and waited. Ahana was silent. But Maddy was restless. It was heartbreaking to know that she was hurting. Ahana turned to see if the flag was still visible. Maddy saw that the shrubs hid everything. He didn't wait any longer. He moved silently and laid a hand over her shoulder and Ahana flinched, the way she did every time a man touched, no matter how innocently, the way she always had ever since he knew her. But he let his hand stay, he didn't move away, waiting , watching Ahana trying to forget. From where Maddy was standing, he got a glimpse of saffron.

Perhaps there was hope yet.

A girl....

2010-04-03T00:45:00.000-07:00

She has always loved water, and this place was special. Nikitasha was back at the beach after a very long time. She looked at the huge splash of blue - content and relaxed. She looked across towards the edge of water where her husband was holding their child's hand while the child jumped into every incoming wave. She smiled. It certainly looked like the love for water has been passed on to the next generation. She wanted to join in but right now she was content to watch them.

Her thoughts flew back to the last time she was here . It was a few months after she had got her job after college. She had to smile again . They were out for the last time as a bunch of singles, love had found two people from her group and the wedding bells were ringing fast and loud. They had all spent the whole evening playing on the beach , water, sand, Frisbee , catch ball, chit chatting and of course embarrassing the new couple. They had even forced one of the beach astrologers to forecast the future of the blushing bride to be. It was 10 rupees worth of comedy. Then the astrologer had turned towards Nikitasha and in the spirit of the game she had asked the lady to tell her about what was in store for her. The usual - a great husband , a big house and a baby girl. And in the spirit of the the industry that they were all in, the prediction was copied and pasted for the entire group. Looked like the whole bunch was going to have identical futures. She remembered the cheers and hoots that had erupted after the last one had got his results from the happy astrologer who had by now collected enough for an evening in the snazzy restaurant at the beach!

She laughed, remembering that evening 5 years ago.

She looked around to watch the tourists haggling with the kids selling trinkets. The sun was setting and it was almost time to go. She was about to get up to move towards the sea when a hand touched her elbow. She turned to see an old lady. She knew it was another beach astrologers. She smiled and was about to move away when the lady said 'Five minutes, beti'. She looked back at her husband and decided, another five minutes wouldn't matter. And it would help her relive that evening 5 years ago. Would it be another 'copy, paste' of the last prediction. She almost giggled at the thought. The astrologer uncurled the fingers of her left hand, forehead furrowed in concentration. Nikki watched her, a smile on her face silently predicting what the astrologer would say. And then it was the moment of truth - ' You are happy, a successful job and married'. Nikki nodded, gently allowing the lady to continue. 'And you have a child - a girl'. This time the bubbling laughter erupted - a loud happy laughter. The old lady frowned at Nikki. Nikki stopped for a moment and pointed towards Ashwin who was walking back towards her , their son in his arms.

Nikki looked back at the astro scholar and continued laughing..... :)

The End.

Alternate Ending

=============

The astrologer struggled on to her feet . She watched the father and son and then at Nikki who was still looking at her and laughing. This time she looked down from Nikki's face, lower , back up and smiled . Ashwin reached Nikki and held out a hand for her to get up, puzzled at the reason for her laughter. Nikki got to her feet and watched the departing figure and ran a hand over her flat stomach. It was her turn to wonder....

P.S. : Was not able to choose between the flippant one and the other one. Hence posted both of them.

The Midnight Visitor.

2010-04-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

The thundering knocks woke him, he could see the door vibrating from the shock. He waited, hoping it is a dream. They cannot be back. Not so soon. His mind wandered around his broken home. Battered beyond recognition. He did not have to look. He knew. His home.

The knocks had not stopped. But they had become feeble. Or was reluctance playing games with his mind? He waited. They would not stop. He got up from his bed and staggered to the door. With a final sigh , he unlocked he door.

He waited for the ear splitting aggression, the noise, the colors , the pain. Nothing. Only silence. Yet, it was not nothing. He gave way for his visitor to enter, although it was not whom he expected. His earlier inertia gave way to an urgency to shut the door and the world outside.

When he turned around, his visitor was still standing staring at the destruction. He was the only thing in one piece. Barely.

He nodded towards his bed and the midnight visitor sat down. They looked at each other. There was nothing to say . They could hear the sounds outside. The sounds that they knew so well . Yet it was far away. There was time.

The leaned on the wall beside the bed each lost in thoughts of what was and what could have been . They would look at each other as if they were conversing, or their thoughts were. The sounds outside were getting closer as their thoughts grew closer to the present.

And then the door shattered. And then the familiar noise and silence.

The destruction was complete.

P.S. Trying a hand at writing a small piece after a very long time. And it was mush that I wanted to write. Look where it got me though!

Breathless

2010-04-02T19:23:00.000-07:00

One of the topics of discussion at the long lunch with P was when was the last time someone took your breath away? I mean literally - heart thudding against the ribs, the glazed look , perspiration on the forehead, stammering and a general woozy feeling - that is what I call taking your breath away. So when was the last time ?

I think I can answer that question honestly but what is funny is that I do not remember the face now. The answer ? Last week, near the lift at work, had a cup of tea in one hand (and my eyes which were threatening to fall out in the other!) and for a moment , I forgot where I was . Time stopped. It was almost like I was wearing blinkers, I couldn't see anything else, hear anything else. And I am not head over heels in anything. Like I said , I do not even remember the face now , just the feeling! So does anyone else remember and is brave enough to admit ? *wink*

And no, ET, I have not got my brains scrambled from all that mush that I have gobbling up. I know what is coming.

It's not me!

2010-04-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

In a bit of a fix. A ghost from the past has sent me a friend request and like a coward I have been steadfastly ignoring it for the past 2 days. The 'it' here is the request. As if ignoring it would make it magically disappear and I would not have to do anything about it . But no such luck. Checked in the morning and it's still there .Sigh!

Now, I do not want to accept the request and let the ghost know about the current me and well, declining is - rude! And mommy says being rude is not ladylike!

Why oh god .. Why ? and yeah the awesome request comes with an equally delightful message 'finally managed to track you down' .. Yayy .. Hurray .. Jump up and down and sideways too.

Anyways , the ostrich mode continues ..for now.. Yeah yeah go ahead and snicker. Check what's waiting for you today!

Stroll

2010-03-27T07:48:00.001-07:00

Observations during my stroll yesterday:

* There was something wrong with the road. It sure looked like the skin of a newborn indicating a recent makeover, but the horns were insistent. More so than ever, I was walking at the edge of the road , but still, the horns had an angry ring to it. What am I doing wrong. After about 5 mins of ignoring it, I realized, that there was a shiny piece at the edge of the road which I have never seen before. But like me , everyone seemed oblivious to it. Not just me , even the dogs were walking alongside me on the road. Forgotten its name now, been a while since I seen or used one. Hmm.. what is it called? Aah yes, I think its a .. Footpath?

* A new vadapav cart near Laddoos. I was on my compensatory stroll, to make up for the one that I had missed in the morning. But then vadapav is not as plentiful in Bangalore as panipuri for example. And it was not a poor cousin of the real ones. All further walks would henceforth be planned along the same route. Losing weight needs tasty incentives.

* I am miffed. Got into a shop to make inquiries and the shopkeeper wouldn't look into my eyes while responding. Guess he could see a piece of heaven in the book he was pretending to read. Buddy , you need to attend a session on listening skills. And what is with the attitude? I am not a tax collector.

* Lots of Nariya l Paani guys and huge crowds around them.

Heat, people, crowds , horns, the noise, the elements of a very crowded city . But hey , I feel alive in the midst of all this. Alive .:)

Alive ...

2010-03-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

S asked me the reason for the lull in blogging , and I honestly do not have a reason. Guess I was

in a non chatty , non bloggy mood. But since I have typed so far , I guess I am out of that mode .

Its been a week of mush indulgence .. mushy movies .. ahem.. :)

The age old antidote to bored spirits is a girl meet boy story Well, yes, its not as simple as that , there is always a scheming ex, a protective parent, a psychotic admirer , sometimes it could be all of them. But the end is always the girl and boy walking away to the sunset (I prefer them galloping away on a black horse) .

Sigh , but I think I have had too much of it this last week It's like that feeling after having too many sweets.

But hey there is IPL now!

Yaaaaaaaa ba daba doooooooooo

2010-03-05T05:01:00.000-08:00

In a great mood... Lots of reasons to jump up and down and say 'yayyy' :-))

Onnu -> Fakie is back .. Fakie ? Fake IPL plyer.. and So is IPL season 3. Love the excitement, love the cricket, love the glittery package as well! and I love Fakie's blogs! So yayy for IPL and FIP

Rundu - > Today, not one but two people said that I have lost weight. One of them even asked me how I did it. ( of course I had to come up with a tale of long walks, strict diet , some yoga thrown in as well, the truth being , I have no clue how that happened! and trust me , its better not to say, you didnt do anything in particular about it , people would accuse you of being secretive!) . For someone who has been a close rival to Mr Santa (and perhaps still is !), this is great , stupendous , wonderful news. Yayyy!

Moonu -> And its Friday!! double yay!!!!

Nalu - > And well, nothing I am just happy!

Well, celebrating all of the above with ice creams ! ( a couple of grapes too , to assuage my guilt. Now its no longer a high cal monster, just a harmless fruit salad ;) )

Granted!

2010-02-22T08:20:00.001-08:00

Hmm, This one is thanks to ET.

He says, if someone takes you for granted more than once, its your mistake.

I agree . Completely.

But, do we not always make excuses for people?

But I agree , loyalty does not equate to tolerating disrespect... :)

And on a happier note, I had been to a baby shower of a dear dear friend. It was a traditional Kannadiga celebration where my friend's head was buried under a lot of flowers and she was dressed in a beautiful green sari... But she looked radiant and .. err.. very pregnant.

The food was awesome - typical South Indian fare with lots and believe me when I say - Lots , of sweets. Its supposed to be a prestige issue , more the number of sweets you serve, more talked about the function is going to be. Well, there is a dakshina too at the end of the feast ..

While leaving, I happened to mention it to my friend's husband that she looked beautiful and he says - ' Of course, she is my gorgeous sweetheart'...

Awww!!!!!

P.S : Thats a pic of an Onam feast ... Couldnt find any pic of a Kannadiga feast :-)) . Would take some next time!

This child dreads fire!

2010-02-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

Still struggling.

I am worried. Really really worried. I haven't been so worried for someone else in a while. The story sessions as mentioned in my previous post continues and she seems to have made up her mind. There is nothing more I can do .

I can only sit back and watch the drama unfold. This reminds me of a Diwali a long long time ago.

There was this big group of kids in the society who used to light firecrackers together. And well, all of us used to get a kick out of lighting it in our hands and throwing it away seconds before the explosion. The kid in the group would ape the 'elders' and well she was flirting with danger. Her father was watching the game and he did come down to chat with his princess - nicely and politely, not the 'do it again and all your crackers get thrown out of the window'. But well as expected, the kid continued the game till she burnt her fingers . And daddy was there to hug her and surprisingly, to encourage her to light up a few more crackers, from a distance of a few feet though!

And btw my friend was part of the group. I hope she remembers this one and no, I am not going to play the Agony aunt this time.

Time I got another title!

Judge me not

2010-02-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

Hm... I consider myself to be very open minded. It takes a lot to shock me. For me , what people do is not really my business. Live and let live and thank god I live in a free country ( or so the constitution says).

But the last few days , I have been struggling. This has to do with the fact that the characters involved are close and old friends. Not really the 'others' category. So while my friend pushes the boundaries of morality and common sense and at the same time pushes me into a very uncomfortable position by regaling her tales and perhaps seeking understanding or wanting me to wave the green flag vigorously, I struggle to keep my lips zipped.

It is not my business I tell myself, the right hand patting my heart saying 'All izz well'. I struggle.May be I should tell her what I really think or I should just avoid the talk all together or I can think of pink umbrellas and flying pigs whenever the topic raises its foul head.

Now that is a plan ..

Ugh!

Rush

2010-02-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

I am still in in the 3rd phase mode and I am still seeing things in slow motion. The title , well, is a case of 'JLT '.

But, I did have an adrenaline rush last week. You know the kind that you get when you get your first cycle, or your first watch or hmm... I think you get the drift. And the reason this time was travel. Whatever the reason for the travel, I feel the rush every time I have to hop to a new place. the thought of seeing new roads, new faces, new buildings, change in weather , the whole package.

And it need not be a vacation, just the usual trips back home holds the same magic too. I guess anything would do as long as the vehicle's posterior is facing Bangalore!

And this time it was to the financial capital of India. Loved the wave of heat that struck my face the moment I got out of the airport , the antique piece of black and yellow metal, (in case you have not figured it out the mumbai ka patented cabs ), the roads so full of energy at any time of the day or night for that matter ( have taken walks on the roads there both at midnight and at 6 in the morning!), the mumbaiya slang, the food( I have already talked about Kulfi, the sabudana vada, the chats, ) , the shopping ( hill road, linking road are the only places I have been to , but liked what I have seen so fat , and 'like' is a mild mild term) and then the drive to Pune... the ghats the new highway.. sigh! Didnt get time to see more . Like I said . Loved what I saw.

Next is Chennai I guess .. Esp, since I have heard of a new restaurant where food would be free for ever for me!

Nite

Slow

2010-02-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

The day was slow. And no you would not hear me whining about it. I watched the day go by. In slow motion though . Unlike those songs where the protagonist is standing still where as the world around him whirls past him a 100 miles per hour..One of those days where the mind was not circling around people, work, money, tax, the boss, friends , - just pleasantly empty. Its almost like I am seeing it all for the first time. There is no anxiety though, curiosity perhaps. Wonder if this is what a baby feels - while sitting on a mat on the floor, watching the others walking around with a purpose, or without ?

Its not intentional. I am going through a '3rd person' phase. I am not really involved with anything that seems to be happening around me, just an outsider taking notes.

Weird... hmm

.

2010-02-16T07:37:00.000-08:00

An empty title , staring at the blank notepad hoping for words to magically appear , waiting for my mind to translate some of the restless background chatter into something I can write about...Something different , something ordinary, something happy, something nice .. Hmm.. something like a Kulfi!

Kulfi is one of my inanimate 'Ranchos' - the happy thought trigger. A fairly new one at that . The cold sweet that refuses to melt fast enough for me to gobble it up fast. ?(and addictive as Farmville)...

Another one would be a library, one where the computers are away from sight. Just books and comfie coaches inviting people to lounge on them for hours together, piles of books . Not a very crowded one . Wooden floors with sunlight pouring through the huge windows - warm and cozy. Oh its not a figment of my imagination . I have known a library like that . Perfect, isn't it?

Hmm.. Not bad . Looks like happy thoughts are flowing again but sigh, time to hit the sack, there is a bus to catch at an ungodly hour!

Nite.

Spin a yarn... a km long...

2010-01-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

Was telling Pixie the story of the story teller at work yesterday . And yes, when someone starts spinning the bundle at work, it usually means , you are in for a useless conversation.A long winding conversation which is designed to confuse rather than communicate.

I have never been able to understand the need for twisting sentences. Its so much easier to just say things the way they are . Something is either right or wrong. It is not right because of A , B or C . Simple!. Why would someone want to bring the rest of the alphabet into it ? I can understand it if the speaker is not articulate enough. But that is not the case in this instance. Its deceit.

Deceit .

And its intended to waste some one's time .. Now , That is a crime.

And a crime always invites a punishment, In this case , it was a snub.

Sunday serenade

2010-01-17T09:02:00.000-08:00

Mohit's song from Love Aaj Kal

Yeh dooriyan...

In rahon ki dooriyan

Nigahon ki dooriayam

would be my choice for a serenade on a Sunday evening - the fading light, sinking into the still waters, and watching..

Hun rahon ki dooriyan

Fanah ho sabhi dooriyan

The questions, and hesitation on both sides. It would be interesting to see who steps forward first.

Kyun koi paas hain

Door hai kyun

Jaane na kio yahan pe

Does it matter ? Not really. Just as long as we are looking at each other and the eyes are talking. The way it has been - all this while.

Aa Raha paas ya

Door mein ja raha

Janu na mein hoon kahan pe

Yeh dooriyan

A slight flush, a guilty glance towards the sun. After all we were here to watch the beautiful treat

In raahon ki dooriyan

Nigahon ki dooriyan

Hum rahon ki dooriyan

Fanah ho sabhi dooriyan

And then the smile, a shake of the head, as if reminding oneself of the foolishness of all this . Its silly, silly .....silly.

Yeh dooriyan

Watching the sun, waiting for it to pass. For the heart to stop fluttering.

Kabhi hua yeh bhi

Khali Rahon pe bhi

Tu tha mere saath

But glancing back and smiling again. Almost apologetic . Its irresistible. The smile again.

Kabhi tujhe milke lauta

mera dil yeh khali khali haath

Yeh bhi hua kabhi

Jaise hua Aabhi

Tujhko sabhi mein paa lia

And now laughing , walking up to you. Pointing to .. anything and laughing . Hoping you wouldnt notice .. Or hoping you would.

Tera mujhe kar jaati hai dooriyan

Satati hain dooriyan

Tarsati hain dooriyan

Fanah ho sabhi dooriyan

And walking away feeling on top of the world , euphoria, bliss, peacful - content..

P.S : Listening to the song for the 25th time while writing this. Had fun. Feel like I had danced with the song.. :)

Rancho

2010-01-14T05:01:00.000-08:00

Yes , I have watched 3 Idiots and I would be the 4th idiot if I went ahead and tried to pick faults with the movie. That is not my intention, there are other qualified people( who incidentally also get paid for it!) who have written enough and more about it. But I would say, I enjoyed the movie. (the reunion scene - Would visit that place someday - has potential to be a great profile pic! :-) )

But the title of this post, the protagonist of the movie - Rancho is fascinating. Someone whose presence expanded the world of the people around him, - expanded , enhanced, improved - take your pick. Was thinking if I have had any Rancho in my life . Is there one person who barged into my orbit and kicked it neatly into a new course ? Yes and more than one !

P - who lived the mantra - Smile and the world smiles with you. (Well, she has a beautiful smile. The XY population was always ready to exercise those cheek muscles for her even if she wasn't! . :) ) I still fail to understand how she could smile while battling so many personal demons.. Hats off Lady!

Mrs B - A Buddhist who had crossed over from east Bengal in '47, she would sound divine while reciting poems . I used to look forward to my weekly Bengali classes at Mrs B's home. And that was not all, she could sing , she would write stories , paint .. She was an artist. Well, I cannot say I have imbibed any of her talents, just that her memory gives me peace. Its almost like thinking about a still lake... She taught me to think about a world outside books.. :)

SC - Toughened me up for the corporate life even before I entered the jungle. The stories that he used to tell me used to keep me entertained and in a way prepared me for what was to come

And Vily Aunty - Cant forget her in any of my posts can I ? Why my fav aunt .. Where else could I learn how to walk on burning coal. :)

There are a few others Ranchos too. :) But I should stop before this post starts sounding like an acceptance speech at Oscars *wink*

P.S ..While on the topic of movies, did anyone listen to the song , 'Dil to bachcha hai ji' .. Lovely song!

Back to the Cradle

2010-01-09T08:42:00.000-08:00

No, its not what you think. Its me who has jumped right back into a cradle. Yes back home on a mini vacation and enjoying being an only child. (I had almost typed - ' being the centre of attention'. ) Enjoying the things that has not changed -
1) Pa waiting at the station to pick me up. (yes, every single time! )
2) Pa reaching 30 minutes before time and calling every 5 minutes to make sure the bus has not taken a wrong turn.
3) Ma cooking while I enter the house and the house itself smelling of Sambhar.
4) The cats crowding ma's feet as soon as she steps out of the kitchen into the backyard. (The number of cats in the compound has increased to 5 this time!).
5) A new jar of pickle in the fridge . (pickles -> amma's speciality).
6) Gossip time after lunch/ dinner and amma sleeping halfway thru the conversation. ( This has been happening for as long as I can remember ).
7) Obligatory visit to Villy aunty's place ( and the scowl that clings to my face for the rest of the evening, but its become a habit now, the only necessary evil in this list).
8) The temple visits and the numerous archanas, aradhanas and pujas. ( my reaction to this one has changed over the years)

9) Hours of silence with pa and me reading with ma's comments offering thebackground music. (ma is the only talker in the familiy).

So here I am, leaving the tag of being an 'adult' and enjoying some moments of 'cradle' time ..
Nite

Change of state ...

2010-01-07T07:38:00.000-08:00

An article in today's newspaper read ' tribals being reconverted'. Goes with out saying they were given a taste for something else and then someone else wanted them back. I guess providing basic education, health care , eliminating poverty are out of fashion fads now. Why else would people be interested in something as personal as faith or beliefs? I am not interested in what TV channel my neighbour watches (unless his volume control button is broken). Of course if we watch the same reality shows, we would have something to make small talk over. So why are people so preoccupied in something as abstract as Him, that too when when no one even know is he exists or if he even cares about how many followers He has. And if He had a problem with the other Him , I am sure he is quite capable of fighting his own battles. If he does exist, he must be having a good laugh over the circus being enacted on this plane.

N then one thing leads to another and the circus becomes bigger , larger, meaner. Is there anything that would teach us to mind our own business and let people be ? Technological advancements, cultural and industrial revolutions have not taught us that, not yet atleast. Perhaps what differentiates us from the rest of the animal kingdom, apart from our supposedly high IQ, our lack of uniformity (relatively) is intimidating. It could be a combination of both too. And if coercing some one to conform doesn't work, force is step two. Hence if you see someone the road with a white shirt when you are wearing red, paint him red , easy ?

Na, easy would to be to live, learn, enjoy the differences. Easy would be to have choices. Easy would be a place where everyone is content . But does it not sound as dull as - Heaven ?

Adam at work

2010-01-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

The new year has started with a bang, my ears are still ringing from it! And an interesting question from a friend of mine today - how do you handle men at work.. Although cloaked in innocence , the question was tricky.

Hmm. I gave a lame reply - that I treat them the way I treat a woman . But honestly speaking , I am still thinking about the answer. Never really thought about it that way. Well, we treat people differently , but not necessarily depending on the gender, especially in a formal setting like a work place. Atleast, I would like to believe its that way.

But then as I said , the question was not that easy . I guess it was about how I handle a guy who is being difficult . If its worth the effort perhaps I would meet him half way. A smile and giving someone their due respect usually helps in building a rapport. But if he is a bundle of grump just for heck of it, ignoring him is the way I would choose. Again all this would depend on the person involved too . Age, level in the hierarchy, his background, temperament etc would dictate my response.

But then its the way we treat any person who is being difficult , why just men ? Wonder what prompted the question in the first place ..Hmm..

All the best..

2010-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

That was a text from a colleague who was moving on to another city , to 'greener pastures'. Lets call him 'S' - a REC grad, a great sense of humour (most of the time it was unintentional), a very very modest geek. I have been his mentor as part of my last assignment and it was a laugh riot for about a couple of years. The way he landed in my team itself forms an interesting story.

This guy sounds gruff on the phone and when he joined the team some of us were at the client location. And well, the 'hello' sounded more like 'yeah, don't waste my time'. And my good friend K at onsite lost his cool one day and the manager had to step in and take S out of his team and into mine. Yes, I would admit, I did want to wring my friend's neck that day . The manager's neck would have been a bonus. But the modest geek has saved many a day for me ... so no complaints..

But hey am not going to talk about work.. S has lots of stories . My favourite is the one about his various accidents. 3 accidents - One when a stray donkey was found waltzing on the road, two - and then it was a dogs turn to break into a little jig and wait .. the best is yet to come. His third hit was a pig and not just any pig it was oscillating' pig .. whatever that means. In his own words - ' it was 6 in the morning and I was flying thru the empty roads and suddenly there is an oscillating pig on the road. and wham!' This time it was S who was flying through the air - minus his bike. There were about 20 people rolling on the floor that day. Well, its made S a legend. Most of my friends know S as the oscillating pig man.. :)

There is another story that a lot of us are fond of. S was driving ( again but the wild life on the road was safe this time). It was the turn of his pillion driver to be part of the drama. Now this friend was under the influence of .. err . something. Now this funny guy suddenly said to 'S' I want to jump and S being S said .. jump, All this with the bike going well over the speed limit. And yes, the friend jumped! Rolled on the road laughing - the laugh lasted only for a few seconds though, before the effects of a broken limb kicked in.

There are many many such stories, remind me to tell you more when you meet me next time.

When I had started writing this post, I was a little emotional , but hey I am glad to have known him,.. :) My turn to say .. All the best!!! Would miss you!

P.S : Yesterday's date was interesting too.. :) 02/01/2010

01-01-10

2010-01-01T10:06:00.001-08:00

Its like the aftermath of a party right now. Like the scraps of decoration still stuck to the roof. The day I mean ... After the excitement of yesterday and today its awfully silent now.

Endless mails and texts from friends, even got a call from one of my bros, it was nice . The social obligation that dictated a reply to each of them was less fun .. *a cheeky grin*

Yes, a lil sadness about a few who should have a called an guilt over the ones that I should I have texted at least.Hey, it maintains the balance of my world.

But it was kind of perfect - lots of less work, a happy boss, a weekend and generally ,

the good vibes of the day ..

Nite.

P.S : BTW the date was perfect too - 01-01-10.

Hello 2010

2009-12-31T05:20:00.000-08:00

And the New Year is here ...

Time to make new promises ,

Feel a surge of hope, Happiness and cheer

Time to connect with every one around...

and celebrate the dawn of a fresh year...

So here is wishing everyone a great year

Hope the new year brings fulfillment to all your desires...

and peace on earth..

Happy 2010!!!

Gud bye 2009

2009-12-31T05:10:00.000-08:00

Looks like the heavens was giving a tearful send off to 2009 ...

and I was at home enjoying the rains today ...

So here is a pic of me frolicking in the rain.. and the lake in the back ground..

101 crushes of 2009

2009-12-29T08:36:00.000-08:00

With everyone writing about their resolutions and non resolutions for 2010 ,I thought I would write about my 101 crushes of 2009.. Yeah ...101 .. what do I say I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.. :)

Lets not get naughty ... all these crushes are not 'he's ...They are all 'its' and lets get realistic and narrow the number down to 10 ..and listed in no particular order...

1) Honda C-RV - Ruff n Tuff...Civic is just a pale memory now

2) HP Mini - Love at first sight!

3) Itouch ipod...Sigh..

4) Crosswords in MG ... After 6 yrs in Bangalore... Finally ...and well I have found my soul mate..

5) FabIndia.. you make me feel so special..

6) The Twilight series..yet to get over that one

7) Grameen .. Pixie...I owe you one ..

8) Big Boss ... yeah the second time in two posts.. I might be in love

9) Nokia N97 .. what do I say ..

10) And well the last one .. and perhaps the one I have been oogling

for the last couple of days ... ASUS wireless router...dont ask.. (if anyone is curious check it out - the model is wl 700ge)

and as crushes go, some or most of it is unrequited .. *wink* and now me going back to an unlisted love ... the other idiot box

Void in the Paradise

2009-12-28T08:19:00.000-08:00

Inspite of the title , nothing earth shattering is happening in my paradise. (forget about my paradise , nothing seems to be happening in the 4 km radius around me.sigh!)

So back to the title and the reason for my whining, Bigg Boss has ended and i do not know what to do with my TV slot between 9 to 10. And a whack for anybody who even thinks of turning his / her nose up in the air at that sound of Bigg Boss.. :)

Oh those cat fights and ego trips and silly tasks... The best part was the horrid music that used to knock the contestants off their beds... I know I am being a sadist but there is something about watching people sulking at not getting 10 hrs of sleep .. :D

Anyways .. its all over and its left me flipping channels aimlessly..

Done with the best goals of 2009, Ranbir Kapoor Senior doing the lil dance to the tunes of Damini Damini oh meri Damini. Even watched an extra large guy cook something scary... and Schwarzenegger swatting a few 100 human beings... cricket hooligans in their full glory...

And then finally ... there is this lovely movie about two women fighing over a guy... Its silly fun... especially when one of them happens to be a ghost...(ugh! )

sigh... I miss Bigg boss...

Help me not...

2009-12-26T10:38:00.000-08:00

It's been an interesting couple of weeks. A friend of mine, an acquaintance (Z), has been helping me out on something that has been giving me a lot of heartache for sometime now.

What is interesting is not that there was an extra large pit in my path but that , Z has been hand holding me out of it. The first time, I considered it to be fluke , the second time just that he is a nice human being, but the third time , I started questioning his sanity.Hmm its left me thinking , during the course of my adult life , have I become so jaded that I am unable to accept an act of humanity for what it is ?

Most of us have no such problem at 5 when the girl with pony tail who sits beside you offers to help you out with a complicated spelling or at 19 the guy in your class offers to ride with you the first day you take your scooter to college .

As part of earning the 'adult' tag, we learn to be less trusting, to watch out for the wolves and yes we do become quite adept at it. Most of us are good judges of character. I am not denying the necessity of being careful. All I am worried about is that in the process of being careful, we probably have stopped appreciating the essence of being human.. :)

Its' a dangerous thought, tomorrow when I see a flower in my garden , I would probably want to question the Creator's intentions .. :)

Wheee... It's a Kodak Moment!

2009-12-24T06:42:00.000-08:00

A pic that I had taken some time ago at home ...Kerala... Hmm How I wish I had a tail...

And Merry Christmas... and wish you a nice long weekend :)

Creativity - Yet again!

2009-12-23T05:51:00.000-08:00

Since I had wasted ink on ranting about lack of creativity .. or scope for it at work , putting up this one ( feeling of guilt is a great motivator!) as part 2. You would remember that I was going for a session on creativity today . And?

It was interesting. Lots of food for thought was passed around during the course of the day. Wouldn't run through the session here but just a couple of things, since I think it has had a deep impact on me . For example, generally when someone describes a problem, the first instinct is to come up with 'A' solution and then refine it , re refine it and finally present it .. Now one of the creativity tools discussed during the session talked about coming up with 100 solutions. Cant? Force yourself. What happens is , after say the 20h solution, we start tapping into those that have never been explored before. Its one of those small things that could make a lot of difference in the end.

Ok, another one, want to make the one I that have just described a little more interesting, pick one word from the dictionary. Say 'pig'. Now write as many attributes of the animal as you can ( smelly, cute, fat, cute tail,). Now try to tie the attribute to the solution of your problem. Sounds silly, I agree, but its actually a very interesting way of coming up problem busters. It may not be much of a solution producer in itself, just that it gets the creative juices flowing and its so much fun!

Hmm... Bless the place where I work... :)

P.S : Thats a Chrismasy me in my creative hat...thank you Google.

Christmas of '89

2009-12-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

I like this time of the year - the holidays, the excitement of a new year and the whole place looks colourful , thanks to Christmas. I think the origin of the 'excitement' is from the good ol days of Doordarshan. Those were the days when the film stars used to descend on the Indian homes only on the night New years eve. Hmm.. those dances in glittery clothes and garish make up and the look of 'that 70s show'. Then there were the likes of Baba Sehgal, Alisha Chinai, Parvati Khan - the Indi popstars, no correction , I think there was one rapper, one pop girl and a couple of others who tried everything else.

Those were the days when you had the film stars and then there were the TV stars. Mix n match was a no no. Today of course you see the film stars more on TV than on the silver screen . They prefer doing their thing anywhere but on the big screen these days. Not too hard to understand too - it is hard to keep your nose out of the cricket field, the reality shows , the dance shows, the musical shows, the comedy shows, the spelling tests , the elocution contests, poster competitions- err I would stop. I think you would have got my point. Yeah, thank you, I did miss GK contests from the list but it is hard to find candidates of the same 'intellectual level as the 'stars' - It is not easy to find earthworms at this time of the year. Sigh!

If extra TV time was not enough, there was winter vacation, cakes, handmade cards with cheesy lines to bring lots of cheer.. Yet another Sigh!

Christmas this year is not going to be as exciting as the one in 89 but then there is still hope. Just saw the cakes on display in Nilgiris... :)

Mushy Musings...

2009-12-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

Statutory warning - This is a very girly post . Reader discretion is advised!

My status on FB today reads : 'Setting myself up for a lovely afternoon... drawn curtains, Jayne Anne Krentz and a new play list.' Perfect day to laze around too. Its cold , no exams to write and nothing much that would need my immediate attention outside the four walls of my abode.

When I was going though a pseudo intellectual phase, I would shudder at thought of someone seeing me with a M n B or Sandra Brown.. Hell no, Ayn Rand and Naomi Wolfe is all I read. Small concessions would of course be made for Grisham, Cussler and the likes. Admitting to liking mush would be suicide on the social front. That was THEN!

But then I think its a heavily guarded open secret that most women like reading mush .. or at least the ones around me do and not one of these are the airy fairy type. They enjoy serious literature as much a good love story. So what makes today's woman read about one of them falling for a guy who is interested in her inheritance. Of course it helps that the guy is not a hideous brute but if a pretty face was the only reason, a good movie would do. But it is not the same. I would pick a book over everything else. But talking about why a book over a movie would form a different post altogether. Back to the subject on mush, its not thought provoking, its does not give me a high the way a Cussler novel does. I would also agree that most of it is even silly.

Its funny . At 18 I used to silently giggle while reading an M n B (well, a guy , a horse, sunset, and those things together were still within the realm of reality). Even now, when I no longer look at the world with rose tinted glasses, the reaction has not changed much and from the looks of it, I do not think it would change at all in future too. Some time back, I had struck up an unlikely friendship with Ms Laing who loves mush perhaps even more than I do and she is about 60. I do not think I have any hopes of being cured. But I agree with her when she says , when you are ill, physically (err.. or emotionally), 3 hours of mush works like magic.

Also, its an escape .. Successful romances, passion and ideal ends to love stories is like a vacation from real life.. :)

Now back to Jayne Ann. Phila and Nick are about to get into another squabble :D

Forty Winks

2009-12-17T17:22:00.000-08:00

And its done. Finito! The thing that has kept me awake for a while is over. I sure had fun while at it but 40 winks was literally what I was getting at night. And the end result ? I see pillows floating around everywhere! So after eight hours of zzz time, I am chirpy as a well fed bird today(hmm.. well fed cat sounds better, but then they are lazy!). Simple pleasures in life - sleep and potato chips.. :)

Have I not read somewhere that the Nazi prince survived on 4 hours of sleep everyday ?Wonder how a heart attack never claimed him. The world would have been spared of a world war.

I am not big on losing sleep over anything - work, studies or good old stress, A cranky me is not in the best interests of mankind. Moreover, after one of my colleagues died , possibly due to insomnia and 'workaholism'', I am paranoid..and well I love my beauty sleep :D , lets not make any excuses :-)

While on that thought, if H had slept better his disposition would have been tolerable..Charming would be far fetched, maybe tolerable.... Just a thought!

Have been adding sentences to this post since morning and the mood has dipped from chirpy to weary..

Oh by the way , the guy up there does seem to be in a very benevolent mood . After that grump story about creativity, there was an announcement about a workshop on creativity ( at work) and well,yours truly , has promptly got herself nominated. Not sure, if its going to bring creativity any closer to work, but it would definitely keep work away from me for a day :-)
And while he is such a good mood, may be I should be asking for that holiday in the Venice that I dream about!

P.S : Trivia time - Hitler died the day after his wedding . Something in common with Romeo and Juliet ? :-)

Cant seem to stop today - A song from Sathiya is following me today. Just when I was done listening to it on my mobile, its being played on the radio.. :) 'Aye udi udi udi'

Creativity on Crutches

2009-12-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

I cannot sing nor can I dance. I cannot draw a straight line even if my life is on the line. So any art performed on an easel, wood, glass, roads, clay , beach, (did I miss anything?) all of them goes right out of the the big fat window near me. So what do I do , I write about what I wish I could do. Yeah, I am leaning towards the grouch couch today :)

And before I get cozy there, my thoughts for the day. How many of us actually get the chance to be creative at work. I am not referring to the painters or musicians who had spare brownie points carried forward from ir previous lives. I am talking about the ones like me who stare at the the monitor the whole day and some more during the night. In theory, creativity can be deployed ( Java ?!!God I need sleep!!!) in practically everything we do .

Theoretically . Yes, the first time we try something , perhaps we think of new ways to do it, there is that positive energy that propels us towards something interesting. Perhaps even the second and third time, but after that what do I do with all my pent up creative urges ? Search for a new assignment, new things to learn , or a new job ? (By the way, that was sarcasm, my ego is still a midget..:)) . But on a serious note, I am thinking about what others do to chase the boredom away out of working life. Some people would say that , the day goes by too quickly

to think about creativity , some keep hunting for that elusive change, some of course do not

really worry about it as long as they get to see home as early as possible. I do envy the last kind.

Again, its just boredom, not really frustration... Any ideas , anyone?

And now back to my grouch couch .. :)

Poinsettia

2009-12-15T04:33:00.000-08:00

I love poinsettia. It's made me rich. For the last couple of weeks I have also been sharing the spoils with all my dear friends and the best part - it takes just a day to bloom. My life has undergone a major makeover since the time I discovered the flower. I have managed to buy a new house - a cottage no less, a small pond right in the middle of the designer garden, a tractor and a seeder.

Yes , I do love poinsettia.

I can see a few smiles from fellow farmers.If you are wondering whether I am sleep blogging, then let me explain, I am talking about the game Farmville on Facebook. Where you earn points by sowing seeds that you buy from the market, sow , wait for a day or two and then harvest them. The time that you spend watching them grow is determined by the seed that you buy. There are ways to get bonus points - buy cattle , grow trees, get chicken, help other farmers, adding more neighbours so on and so forth. Just checked my friends list and found that about one third of my friends are addicted to the game, the age group being from 22 to 45. It has become such an integral part of our lives that the lunch table talk revolves around , date trees, black sheep, lost reindeer and carnival tents . ( I have never seen any of those for real!).

In fact its now getting into the land of crazy, last weekend a friend of a friend had to run back home after lunch and why ? Because it was time to harvest! . Another one had a sleepless night thanks to a faulty net connection . (Well, the crops wither if they are not harvested on time )

But no , as usual, there were some party poopers, walking around with their nose up in the air claiming to be above these childish activities. But the last time I checked, one of them was found begging for a 'white fence'!!!! (Wonder what happened to the anti Farmville groups they are members of . I am serious , there are such groups).

So any thoughts on why the game is so addictive ?

And by the way , has this managed to convert any of the innocents?

I do need more neighbours to buy a plantation ..:-)

Ghost Town

2009-12-13T20:07:00.000-08:00

The other day in reply to a question on Bangalore,I had said that it lacks a soul. It was an instinctive reply.And this comment was made while comparing Bangalore to Chennai. Now, at that time, I had not really thought about why I had made that comment. Talking about 'soul' brought it back and I am left thinking as to what does Chennai have that Bangalore doesn't. Both are biggies. Bangalore is not a metro,but that does not take away anything from it . It shares the same IT frenzy, traffic troubles and unbelievable population figures as Chennai. In fact, Bangalore even boasts of a pleasant climate and taps guarantee water any time of the day , all through the year. So what is it that Bangalore lack.

I would say it lacks the warmth of Chennai. The rickshaw drivers for example. I know for a fact unless you are a veteran in Chennai, rest assured you would be taken for a grand ride. But, if like me you have the habit of getting lost whenever you are out on a two wheeler, the same rogues, turn angels. Some of them would even get out of the vehicles to have more space for the arm waving while giving directions and by the time it is over, I would be left staring at the halos floating over their heads.

Try that in Bangalore, and you would end up near the army barracks in Cantonment. I did!

Even otherwise, in the midst of the crowd in Chennai, there was a sense of safety, somehow, the crowd was like a warm blanket. Well, there is nothing really wrong with the crowds in Bangalore, its just that Bangalore has a large floating population and the chances are higher that the person next to you would be as ignorant as you about the city. The floating population also means that there no sense of belonging to the city, everyone is here for the ride, the youngsters to enjoy the first whiff of freedom, the others for the jobs that the city offers in abundance. Also, Chennai is or was more Old India, at least the last time I saw the city and I believe it still is . The neighbouring aunty would still you a cup of coffee if you happen to be on the terrace. She would also stare at you if your guy friend loiters around the street. Bangalore - well, I do not know whether its an aunty or an uncle who stays in the floor below mine.

After everything is said and done Bangalore is just not home although I still love the city for everything it has given me . Its like a rented DVD though, super fun as long as it lasts.

Oh before I forget , the other reason I have a soft corner for the auto guys in Chennai is , because one of them even took me to the hospital when I had dared to indulge in rash driving in the rains. Good Ol' Chennai.

P.S :

P -Take a deep breath before you comment :-)... Remember I am you friend!!!

Sting

2009-12-13T09:02:00.000-08:00

Whenever scrapbooks made rounds around the classroom, one question that

inevitably came up after reading my entry under sun sign was 'Scorpio! ouch you sting?'

Well, people sting each other all the time, nothing new about it. Infact my Villy aunty would not even spare the unsuspecting strangers on the road.

A few decades ago, when my ancestral home was still standing, one of my aunts had a dog. With uncle away and the house being inhabited by 3 women and as many ghosts ,a dog was a sensible choice. Now, this one was a monster. I love dogs , loved this one too but it does not change anything. I repeat- this one was a monster. It snarls , growls and would bite everyone in sight. Tommy,just didn't keep the thieves at bay, even the village postman was petrified. The letters would arrive by airmail - stand 20 feet away from the gate and shoot. Well, Tommy did pay for his sins and met his end before he reached old age. Someone poisoned him. Now the reason I am talking about Tommy is, I have a feeling ,Villy aunty would meet a similar end if she doesn't put a lid on her sarcastic instincts..

I can see my father's disapproving stare at the last statement and my mother's smirk..:)

Like I said at the beginning, this post is about the sting and Villy Aunty stings the best.

Why? because as Edward Cullens would say, blood, any blood is like a drug to her. And how do people handle it ? Like the village postman, most people just look for the nearest exits when they see her.

My mother has perfected another technique over the last few decades. Catch hold of the nearest aunt and talk about abhishekhams , homams, deeparadhana, latest CDs of devotional songs, temples , practically anything about GOD. That is one topic that Aunt villy keeps out of. I have my suspicions that amma even says a little prayer when she sees Aunt V coming. The uninitiated are usually reduced to tears .. literally. Pa of course belongs to the land of the brave. I have seen a few war wounds but usually he emerges the victor .. As for yours truly, I have learnt that there is not better way to handle bullies than to ignore them.

And in case anyone wants to know if I sting , well I am an aberration in the Scorpio land - a harmless pup.. :) ET of course is another story..:-)

Not Lonely!!!

2009-12-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

A dear friend of mine mentioned about not being lonely in a long long time and that has got me thinking . For me, lonely means being alone and being miffed over it . A lot of people associate lonely with being alone physically - bereft of a near and dear ones. I for one have felt lonely in a room full of relatives with Villy Aunty spouting venom over her latest victim and the room echoing with the sound of chairs scraping the floor - the rest of my clan was trying to get closer to the drama.

Watching Goliath maul the weakling usually can get me going and amma's firm grip on my arm meant I am not supposed to interfere. I did think, am I the freak here or is everyone
really enjoying this ??

Perhaps I use the wrong example , but the point here is it is possible to feel lonely bang in the middle of a crowd - that too a known one !

Infact , I would say I have been more lonely when I am with people than when I am with myself.

There is a theory that are 2 kind of people - A - one who derive energy by being with people and B - the others who derive it from inside themselves. Which basically means feeling lonely is very very easy - man being a social animal, type B gets their chance to be lonely almost daily where
as for type A - it is difficult to be in the middle of a crowd all the time. so loneliness is bound to sneak in once in a while

So in a world where feeling lonely is a norm, my dear friend is one lucky girl! :-)

50th Post!!! .. yayyy!!!!

2009-12-06T21:18:00.000-08:00

The destination of a nomadic existence
Filled with serene warmth and unintrusive love...
spontaneous gentle laughter..
and perfect harmony with co existing minds
A Utopian bubble or the manifestation of a dream?
No..its home...
I am home...

Look at me...

2009-12-05T03:20:00.000-08:00

Look at me while I walk down the stairs...
Wait for me while I sit with you ..
Stare at me as I turn to face you
Judge me as I speak...
Laugh when I do ..
Question my thoughts..
Understand my actions..

Look at me ..

P.S..
This is a half finished one.. not meant for a spacial someone
A few words that popped in my mind as i did walk down the
stairs to meet a few strangers today .. :)

BTW.. new status :
would love to go to heaven for the weather and hell for the company!

Musings

2009-12-01T09:09:00.000-08:00

A few things to ponder over while I count the dots on the ceiling today ...

1) Is there an equivalent for split infinitives in any of the Indian languages?
2) Famous Indians who could have been part of the Free Masons... An Indian equivalent to it?
3) *Giggle*... What if Edward Cullens is for real ? ...

This is another of those 'ink wasted' posts... But felt like posting something today ..:)

Dark..

2009-11-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

The wild night drew him out of his dark abode
Water seeping through the Lord's roof...
his long locks dancing in the wind...
Long strides...towards her ...
Unaware of his unbridled darkness
He glided close to her and dipped his head.
As he rose from the ground..
flowing down his fangs,were drops of her essence,...

He was back in his dark cave...
but No silence reins...
The storm continues unabated...

Fourth wave

2009-11-28T03:20:00.000-08:00

A cacophony of chatter..
Amongst a meaningless crowd
Unseeing eyes on the mannequins around

The monotony of commonness sprouts
the sole flare of mutation..
A voice of conviction
accompanying a swagger
that dares to defy the
rigid march...

Welcome the fourth wave ...

Beautiful ... :)

2009-11-25T08:46:00.000-08:00

The silent breeze...
a party in the sky ..

a still lake .. .
and fire in my eyes

I wish I could fly..
for its a beautiful night...

Thank you!

2009-11-22T03:54:00.001-08:00

Thank you Pixie and C for the wonderful surprise!!!!!
The cakes and bubbles and the lunch and the buzz .. :))
Thank you for making my day special!

And thank you ET ... :) ... for being my twin!!!!
yours was the first call of the day!

Infinite Mode

2009-11-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

I was back
to a known strange land

Back to meet a face
I knew once up on a time..

I hesitate to alight
would you like what I
have become today ?

A smile and a hug
was all it took... '

to know that ..future holds
a new old friend ..

.

Shiva Shiva

2009-11-21T06:05:00.000-08:00

Happened to miss the bus back home, sometime last week. That's how
I found myself in a cab with about 10 other strangers. And this one
was a Gypsy and I found myself in the back with another guy and a girl.
So far all good,I get a ride, there are other people so i can relax
the grip on the pepper spray can, no stops in between and the vehicle
is cozy and everyone is busy with their ipods or mobiles or just staring
into the night and well, I am bored. Not for too long though!

The night was young and so was the couple in front me . They started
a game of footsie, 'handsie' , accompanied by giggles, groans and
what not. Ahem, Shiva Shiva!

I am no Victorian , but come on!!!! .I wanted to scream, I am right here in
front of you. Love is blind but please do not assume the ones around are
blind too!!!!

The only saving grace was , that the guy held a backpack which shielded
some of the drama, and if anyone wants to ask , why cant you look away,
the answer is , there was no where to look, to my left was a bald head,
to my right a door with translucent windows. But I did find a way,
I looked down, started a series of smses to practically everyone
in my contact list.

But wait, the the climax is even more interesting, the guy asks the cabbie
to stop at Silkboard, and he walks out telling the cabbie that the girl
would pay for him! ( for once I was glad, I do not undertand Kannada,
I can tell you the girl was definitely not yelling love songs that time)

Err... One more time .. Shiva Shiva!

Off Day!

2009-11-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

I am playing hookey today , no secrets about the title. But
by 'off' I meant a forgettable day. What do I do to make it worth
framing and hanging on the wall ? :-)) or a bare minimum - tolerable?

1) Order / Cook my fav food, sit back and enjoy it with a good movie,
mush preferably . (yeah, predictable and the competition with Santa begins)

2) Reread Adventures of Tom Sawyer, have been wanting to do that
for a long time. (Would do it today!)

3) Spend time with big bro Google - (or wiki ). ( looking for reviews of
James Patterson's latest, today)

4) Call amma - Catch up on the gossip at home.(works all the time,
my clan is an entertaining lot, there is always someone up to some mischief
or the other. Heard that Villy Aunty was caught counting the coconuts
from last month's harvest, but where was she found ?
in the neighbors plot! Sigh ..)

5) Or talk to pa ( wouldnt get any gossip. But he is a great listener.
(life philosophy, maths, work, pick any of the above and I am in the safe zone)

6) Keep the door open and gaze at the lake outside.
There is something between me and water. (and also me and cats, it all began in Calcutta, Bongs love cats. Infact, I have seen cats that look like pomeranians.).
Back to the lakes. I have lived near water ever since I
left home , even during the years I was away from Mother India .. Foster Ma
Lake ???

7) When I am at home (Kerala) , there is another activity that I love
(n amuses my folks).Rummage through old boxes. ( There has been so
many transfers for pa,that we still have a few trunks, unopened
since the last shift. and Invariably, they bring surprises,
The last time I was home, I found old letters written by a
friend from Pune about 12-13 years ago. Also , found an old diary.
*giggling*, (I am not going to explain that one !!!)

8) Looking at old pics ( nah, not the onsite pics, those are beautiful, but not the kind that triggers a memory). My folks had a tradition of taking a family pic on my bdays. hmm.. Thanks to them , I have pics which say 1992 - Nov, with me in a cute skirt and trying to look old, the glasses sure helps. There is another one with me in a sari while I was still in school. But my fav is the one with me in amma's arms while I was a few months old. Its a black and white pic , slightly tilted, with a slight worry on amma's face. Its not cute. It screams 'Life!'.

9) Book hunting at Blossoms or a kutty shop in Jayanagar.
(Looking for boooks by Virgenia Woolfe, didnt someone tell me
that she chased insanity during her later years ?)

10) Reading about obscure places , that I would see in future ( did you notice the confidence in that statement, Atta girl!)

Hmm.. re reading these, and almost all of them are solo activities and of the to be done at home variety. I need to get out more often. ( looking for a play to watch today)..

Random Squiggles!

2009-11-17T06:56:00.000-08:00

For lack of a stick on board in my house, I am going to stick all those lines that I want to read again and again, in here. So here goes :

*** Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assault of thoughts on the unthinking
- J.M. Keynes
*** Information can tell us everything. It has all the answers. But they are answers to questions we have not asked and which doubtless don't even arise.

*** A powerful agent is the right word. Whenever we come upon one of those intensely right words in a book or a newspaper the resulting effect is physical as well as spiritual and electrically prompt. - Mark Twain (I love him!).

*** One ought everyday at least to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine
picture, and, if it were possible , to speak a few reasonable word. - Gothe, Apprenticeship

*** 'Though this is madness, there is a method in it' - Hamlet ( a literary paradox!)

*** We need words to keep us human. Being human is an accomplishment like playing an instrument. It takes practice. - Micheal Ignatieff.

All these lines make me think , are jargons the work of the ones part of the world domination campaign, who wants to keep communication intentionally hazy or blurred.. Confuse the junta .. keep them from thinking.. for who can think when you have time to only mug up the bombastic words???

And the world with out thinkers is like a body with immunity system on a strike!!!

Will sign off with that thought!

Cure

2009-11-15T09:33:00.000-08:00

Girly giggles...
wandering eyes
tempting colours
N enchanting patterns ..
Trinkets, veils n redolence
Waning coffers
but pleasure guaranteed

P.S : This is an ode to shopping delights.. :))
then why the title ? ... JLT :))

LOL moment of the day!

2009-11-14T09:36:00.001-08:00

A board outside a nursing home near by which says - ' PMS Nursing Home' .
(Err... No comments!!!)

Ghosts

2009-11-14T00:10:00.000-08:00

Pretense of normalcy shattered
Ancient wounds exhumed
Haunted by dreams of the past
Helpless pain shredding the soul
Silent tears giving way to a numb silence..

Stranger

2009-11-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

Knocked on your door
to say I am sorry..

but the words faded..
as memories raced all around

Rooted to the ground
I stared.. at you..

waiting for ..:)
The smile was familiar..
not the eyes though...

I watch you staring back
at a stranger ...

the mist was lifting ..
n the cold setting in ...

I knew there was nothing left to say

Realised the words had already been
spoken...

A part of me dead ..

it was time to move on..
for closure was finally mine..

Piece of Khandala..

2009-11-11T19:33:00.000-08:00

This is an old post ...didnt upload it due to its reference to
Karmabhoomi.... but then this was one meeting where I didnt have to kill the frown on my face ...so here goes ...

Had a meeting with the customer and the various other units
who are working to make this assignment a success(!)...
The objective was to break the dealdlock between the
customer and the home - look n feel team!
Now the look n feel guys were trying to force a new
new idea down the customers throat and they in turn were resisting
it with everything had..

Amusement galore for the rest of the people in the meeting .. .

Usually the customer asks for a piece of moon and we say...
with this money we can only take you to Khandala ..
.. Itne paise main itnaich milenga!!!!

But here the situation was we are hand holding them
to the 22nd century but they say..
'No! No! No! I do not want the moon...Give me back my cave!'

Devil's own...

2009-11-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

Devils own...

Morality on a break ..
Giving vices a free reign ..

Unadulterated arrogance...
Unfettered anger ..

Wicked thoughts
instigated by boundless greed..

Sloth' my shadow
Gluttony a virtue..

Heaven hath no place for me

For,

I am the demon child...

Shukraan Allah

2009-11-11T09:57:00.000-08:00

hmm..

Shukraan Allah Wallah Alham Dulilah ...

Lovely song ...but what caught my eye.. or in this case my ear ..
was just the first line...

Big Bro Google tells me .. this is arabic and a rough
transalation is ... 'Thank god.. All praises belong to God'

Which got me wondering about a Sanskrit translation to it ...

Which is no easy task...
Its easier to get a translation from Arabic than Sanskrit!!!

But the search finally yeilded results ..

The translation is ...

Had typed that before I could even find the answer... I will leave the story hanging there... Given up after an hours search... Sleepy as hell... and God in heaven u could have helped me praise you in Sanskrit .. :)

And btw .. I shudder to transalate the rest of the song...
Its just a raunchy serenade .. :) Not sure if He felt too 'praised' with the rest....

Peace on a hiatus

2009-11-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time not too long ago
was the kingdom of peace

where a tussle meant - a smile was round the corner

a frown meant - a song was not far away

where year long celebrations was the envy of one and all ..

Now, with the kingdom lost

natives - lost, wounded or exiled

peace takes a hiatus

I pen a question that is on every single mind

Would there be another incarnation

of the prosperity not too long ago?

........

2009-11-09T08:04:00.001-08:00

I watch him walk ahead...
without a backward glance..

Resolute strides ahead..
head held high...
like a soldier on a mission..

i watch him as I watch
the sun rise from the sea
to be swallowed by another at dusk

DAy after day ...
night after another ...

Dont you ever tire ??

A boulder lay ahead..
rest a while
Perhaps you have a moment to
spare for me

For Father time ...
I wish to see your face.. :)

City of Joy

2009-11-07T06:39:00.000-08:00

People say a picture says a thousand words. So is the case wih a photo. Happened to see an old pic from my days in The City of Joy. Saying that it brought back a flood memories would be an understatement. More than a decade later , some of the things that gives me a funny feeling inside when someone says Kolkatta..

1) The incredulous look on my classmates' faces when I admitted that I didnt have a bf ( I was 16!!) . Well. They start early ( dont ask!).

2) Macher jhol, the noodles in the roadside stalls near rashbehari, the achars sold in front of our school, hasmi (its a tangy concotion of some kinda herbs, good for the tummy, a hit with my taste buds), the gleaming vegetables in winter( I am not kidding, the veggies actually looked healthy , they have this glow around them like they had either indulged in something naughty or had just found the secret to long lasting happiness) and do not get me started on the fish .I can still see the bengali babus, on sunday mornings- a triumphant smile on their faces and a fish hanging in their hand ..yes...no plastic cover... no banana leaf to cover it...Reminds you of Shikari Shambu.. isint it ?? (Check Champak... the old comics for the indian kiddies)

3) Books - They can be found in abundance, on the streets, peoples homes, even my bed.

(this is one trait I am proud of!!!!) . Bengalis love books, education and everything associated with it...atleast I know for sure where my love affair with books started from..

4) My english teachers - All of took it onto themselves to be the first one to get me to participate in debates.. Had dabbled in a few essay , poetry , short story writing skirmishes. But debate and elocution have always given me the beejeebies (still do! But then I have added acting to my talents basket, so doesn't matter anymore, or so I tell myself).

5) Rabindrasangeet - The half yearly get togethers used to be only time , when some of my neighbours would emerge from their abodes. Cant generalise, but the bengalis I knew were not very social, or should I say , were not as social as the people I had lived with before

After Pune, Calcutta was a shock ..But before I go to Pune... I would get back to Rabindrasangeet...These get togethers used to trigger numerous rounds of singing.. and this was where I had my initiation into Rabindra Sangeet.. More than the music I can still hear the passion that Bengalis had for Gurudev's creation... ( my only regret... I should have learnt how to sing as well!!! Would have been useful now... would have used it against anyone who dares to come to the terrace before 8 in the morning on weekends .... insensitive people who do not care for the fact that the walls are thin .. I am a super light sleeper)

6) Durga Puja... I have seen the Ganesh Pandals and the Durga pandals...and 2 different reactions... By seeing, I mean , I have seen them again and again .. year after year...

not the see click and stock away in memory type of seeing.. Having lived in both the places where

these festivals are celebrated.. I have more than a tourist's view on both these festivals...

and being a non -Maharashtrian and a non- bengali... I am not biased either... Ganesha was more fun .. :) ... but the new dresses and the late night strolls to the pandals round the city .. the crowded roads with hundred of food stalls... wouldn't mind experiencing that again..

But after all this .. do I miss the place ?.. Nope... I am happy where I am .. relatively speaking ofcourse..

Lady Da Vinci

2009-11-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Standing by the window ..

Searching for visions in the past ..

was a maiden in white

Pouring a memory on to the easel

Quill in hand .. and wrinkle on the forehead

she brushed away the sleep

of the night ..

As she set poetry in motion...

The lake and the mountain held no allure ..

Nor the faces and the sounds closeby

Unaware of the moonlight kissing her cheeks

or the wind raising her hair in a symphony

the colours convulsed in an unrestrained orgy

The strokes ended as the night eased by..

She stood back to look

to watch for the first time

a slice of the past

imprisoned for the future..

A smile later she walked away ..

searching for more captives of her past

The message

2009-11-01T17:23:00.000-08:00

The wind swept a lone leaf

across the dry mountains and tall plains...

A long journey lay ahead

A relentless journey forward..

It was no aimless saunter..

A preordained destination awaits

A springly step to start with

but as it watched time fly by ..

Hope faltered

But the co conspirer ... was a kind friend

It lifted the the traveller brown

away and and away

past twilight and dawn

Until they reached a kingdom known

Where a princess stood in the lone tower

waiting with an arm drawn

Reaching out to the leaf now dry

It wasnt too late for the rejoicing pine ...

It had reached home to deliver ..

the message etched on its fair side...

from a friend once known..!

P.S Pic Courtesy ET.

An Ode to Gurudev

2009-11-01T04:31:00.000-08:00

A dam spills over unfettered in the summer breeze

A smile blooms in winter ..

Sping brings a song in my heart

And, ... love springs forth in autumn...

Gurudev ... thankyou for Geetanjali...

Forgotten tales..

2009-10-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

I have forgotten my past..

Forgotten the lies

Forgotten the truth..

Forgotten the friends turned foes...

Forgotten the true ones too/./...

I have forgotten the daggers disguised as words

n the notes of love from the ones I still hold dear..

I have forgotten my lost affections

Forgotten the the ones I have won too ..

I have forgotten my tiny achievements

N the mammoth failures

I have forgotten the places i have crossed

n the ones i have called home..

I have forgotten the faces.. the smiles

the words ...

I have forgotten it all

I have forgotten me...

Perfect day

2009-10-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

I feel my eyes grow heavy
After a day of bliss...

A solitary walk...
The highlight of my existence?
Karmic blessing
Stolen giggles
And an evening with my lost clan

I pen these words,
at the vampires hour..

I cannot help but smile
as I savour the memory of the
day gone by ...
A perfect day...

Bloodbath

2009-10-25T01:02:00.000-07:00

I rush towards them..sword in hand..

n anger in my heart .. .

I feel nothing..

I see nothing ...

Blind hatred clutching my soul...

The words .. I am God... resonating in my ears...

I feel no compassion

I see not the lips making a plea

I hear not.. the cry for mercy

I swing my sword..

Now I can see...

the blood spilling everywhere...I look down

to see some splatterd on me .. I smile

I feel the cold invade his body

I stay .. I wait...

I watch life drain out of him..

I feel no remorse.. I feel no pain..

I walk away .. sword in hand

n anger in my heart...

Disclaimer .: Na.. Am not in a murderous mood. nor have I ever been in one This is a work of pure fiction and all that blah. This is in response to the article that ET asked me to read..Stop cruelty to animals... and while you are at it l.. Love thy neighbour too .. if you can !!! :-)

Courage

2009-10-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

Earth is no longer my beloved as I walk...

Nor do i look thru the familiar faces that cross by me everyday ..

my gaze has lifted and so has my will...

I look.. I see.. I recognise...

Life...

Show me your might ..

Bring on my future...

I stand still ...

Armed with a smile ..

And a speck of strength growing within

I owe it to a dream ...

I know that too ...

But dreams spawn reality

the wise men say ...

Hope whispers ..

this warmth is a reality beyond the dream...

For eternity ..for mine atleast... :)

Free

2009-10-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

A flash of white drew her towards the minar ...

She glided , gracefully towards it.. her white

feathers gleaming in the morning light ...

Warmth with a tinge of pain filled her being...

The familiar face .. only memories of which had sustained her

through the night ..

White.. That was all she could see...

n Wished to drown in ..

she knew she could ...soon...

She drew closer and closer to her dream ..

.. She landed on the proud golden minar ...

only he was no where to be seen...

she looked all over... it was no dream ... was it ?

reality lay a feet away ... it was a rag from the torn flag...

she closed her eyes ..as hope drifted away...

A deep sigh later she opened her eyes...

There is tomorrow ... and She would find peace again...

She unfurled her wings and Flew again...

free.... to a hope ...to a tomorrow....

yel tied to a white memory...

Once up on a time

2009-10-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

As I say good bye to yet another tale...

i float over the beginning... the present and the end...

collecting smiles , erasing the tempest...

I cling to the begining one last time ...

memorising ....before its time to glide to the future....

when i would glance back to say .. once up on a time...

Glimpse

2009-10-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

As my conciousness awakes with the rising sun ..
so does my hopes for a glimpse..for a simple glimpse..
I join the crowd of believers all hoping for the famous glimpse..
Would today be another day bereft of this simple joy?
I hope .. I pray ... I plead...
I believe..
I smile...
I rejoice..
I sing...
For I know..
Today is the day of the awakening...

Snowwhite

2009-10-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

As tears rolled down a well treaded path

wishes and hopes

desires, fear and love ?

lay burried in the forgotten kingdom...

waiting .. waiting for midnight ?

or for the winter to fade ...

or for spring to invite her into its bloom

is she dreaming in vain ..

perhaps...

Maybe not...

Denial of dreams is not her destiny ...

says the angel within..

but the endless abyss is a dark prince

promises of paradise... death of pain

and endless joy...

She looks down into his disturbed eyes...

is this her real destiny ..?

She ponders ...

She looks up...

and sees the kiss of life ... floating down

ever so slowly...

As she wakes up from her long slumber ..

she bids goodbye to the dark eyes....

aware .. that its real too .. just like

the kiss ... always round the corner ...

waiting ...

ready to sweep her away again..

if she ever looks back ...

waiting... Always....

Knight in striped shorts!

2009-10-14T04:51:00.000-07:00

Who says chivalry is dead..Its alive and kicking ...And some of the knights do wander
around in shorts on saturday mornings around BTM area of Bangalore...

I was back from a gruelling trip to God's own country ...The details of that would
form a different post ... Anyways... Saturday morning found me lugging my luggage towards home
after a quick stop at the nearby bakery...cooking in the morning after a trip is never something
I look forward to... The bag was heavy... so heavy that I had to do the stop , sigh, swap
to the other arm routine every two minutes...the traffic was low too... there were no
autos in sight.. and suddenly I notice a fine specimen of our species walking towards me ..
I didnt realise I had given him any 'damsel in distress' signals until he walked upto me
and asked me to hand over the bag.. he said he would carry it for me ...
Logic . reason ... pragmatism.. or any just plain common .. garden sense would have told me
handing a bag over to a stranger could well be a way of saying goodbye to your precious
possessions... but then that part of my grey matter was absolutely dazzled by the knight
or his exbhibition of chivalry ... The conversation from there on only constituted of my asking him ' why do you bother'

followed by a 'just like that' from him.. not the greatest of lines... but that is all I could
come up with at such short notice with me painfully aware of my dishevelled state after the overnight
journey... Garden sense soon returned in full force and I decided to end my exploittion
of his generosity ...I told him ..that I can manage from there .. to which he had
a very understanding smile ... he did offer to help me till my building...
but i wasnt taking any chances... i would rather write a blog about a knight ...
than worry about a potential stalker who knows where I live... :-)

I think I thanked him before I took charge of my load a couple of lanes away from mine...
the dazzle had not waned completely...but then the point is ... there still are a few shorts
.. err.. knights around...You just need to look... today might be your lucky day ..!!!!

Forbidden Fruit

2009-09-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

In this case it would be a melon ...Not a girl's but a guy's .. Naughty Naughty!!...:)
I do need to get all this ut before I burst .... On the way back from a stroll in Total mall, I happened to get into a bus thanks to all the rick pilots who absolutely refused to save the not so young damsel...
And back to my story ... and back to the monster on wheels that i was on...or more precisely to the demon who was driving it and his sidekicks... Saturday afternoon.. and lunch time was the reason the monster was runnin half empty which allowed the conductor to lean against the door in the front near the driver to chat up with him ... By this time the bus had reached a signal ... a favourite haunt for eunuchs in the city ... and one of them happened to be around at that time .. well .. what followed was not exactly the eunuch's fault... who in their right mind can resist a cute butt hanging in the air ... and the eunuch fell for it ... reached for it and gave it a nice tight pinch... The poor conductor ... yelped ... moi giggled ... and the eunuch smirked...

To be honest .. I did enjoy the role reversal ... a joke by a joke of nature...

Arinjaa

2009-04-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Sangathi Arinjaa

No its not gossip time.. It just the name of the play I just watched... its the name of the only play I have watched..

So that makes it the first play I have watched .. Howzzat ????

It was madeup of a some of Basheer's short stories stringed together by a group called Perch ..

I had managed to catch it at RangaShankara..

I had gone there with no expectations, the way I approach anything new I guess, but i was sceptical about the idea though.. I was really not in the mood for any hanky wringing sessions. But I was surprised, I not only liked the play , I have found the media enchanting too ...

There was so much energy in the auditorium, from the active troupe and the silent crowd,that I didnt realise the play was more than 2 hours long.

I had assumed that there wud be some time lag in between scenes considering it is live ...but it was seamless..The change in scenes were perfect..Television with all its killjoy ads should take a leaf or two out of the theatre.

It was awesome.. I am not a great fan of the word .. but in this case I would use the word.. It was awesome..Arinjolu.. Play nannayirunnu ketto ? :-)

Kiss and tell

2008-12-29T08:44:00.000-08:00

Yawn...yet another Monday morning and yet another grumbling session ..

Aah yes the title ... If you think you are going to get my M&B story here ..think again... It so happened
that Father Santa told me an interesting story this christmas ...*wink*

Now the story is set in Europe.. where Father Santa was busy making snow fairies and attending parties..
*sigh * Europe!... before I digress from my story .. Back to granps Santa..

This being The old man's first visit to the place .. I was scooping out the juicy gossip from him..
and he did mention that he got KOTCs from an old lady there...In case there is any ignorant innocents around
KOTCs are those pecks on the cheeks that old ladies offer you and you deny the young ladies..

yes a real KOTC from a very real Ms C in Europe.. Remember that this santa is an Indian .. and a peck
even if it didnt come a millimeter near the cheek is still a memorable event ... hehehe..

so now Santa was high up in the air for a couple of hours ... all the wine in the party sure helped too

... and now you might ask me .. is that all this piece is all about.. Dahlings... the best part is yet to come..

Well Santa was floating around bumping against the ceiling for a couple of hours ... but our dear old man had to go the Humpty Dumpty way soon...

And I am sure you cannot guess the reason in million years... Looks like our Ms C has a made in Australia tag :D

Ahem.. lemme explain .. a certain Mr C went to Australia and didnt bring back a Mrs C .. but BECAME a Mrs C ... lol...

Now that is what i call a good Christmas story ..

and yes .. our poor old Santa has been found wiping his cheeks everytime someone mentions Christmas

... but hard to wipe out a memory like that isint it..hehehe

Now old proverbs are there for a reason.. never never.. Kiss and Tell .. :)

Hullo 2009 ... Let's Talk

2008-12-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

Been a long time since I have had anything to talk about....

Perhaps its beacause I was heard without saying it outloud. But that illusion has evaporated and I find myself with the unsatiated urge to talk to myself to someone .. to everyone ...

And my little heart(LH) is doing summersaults - its has seen enough episodes of Gossip Girl to last a life time.. Its been waiting for me to get up from my laze chamber and to get to the mall ... The one where I havent seen in a long time ..wait .. did I just hear myself giggle... I sure need to hunt down the nearest shrink..

My LH also waiting for me to burn ahole in my wallet .. the size of a dino egg and get a witch mobile..and a pricey watch and some swank shoes and ..well.. I can go on all night .. somebody stop me please ...

Its also been waiting for me to stop the flood.. i have enought to drown myself in..
Its also been waiting for my horns and the tail to grow back ... ( ahem ... yeah glad u noticed...no claws ..no catty avtaar)..

So here's to illussions ..Gossip girl .. chatter and witch mobiles...2008... It was great knowing you ... But its time to say Hullo 2009... glad you are here ..

Lust

2007-11-27T07:33:00.000-08:00

The mind is restless ..
The body tired...
The spirit all but vanished or vanquished?..
Every single particle yearns for a release ..
what keeps me going..
Nothing but Lust ..
Lust for .. the obvious..

Eyes

2007-11-25T09:56:00.000-08:00

The bus is late.. I can see it waiting for the light to turn green.. and as always she is just in time.. Looking to the right waiting for the queue of vehicles to settle down to the red lights before she can scramble across the road..

The ridiculous cap she has on forcing her curls to settle down across her face.. Panting ..a smile for the cabbie who has let her cross.. and a quick glance at me .. The smile does not fade but the smile wasnt for me ...