For the love of Double Trouble

With overwhelming joy I took the box in my hand. I closed my eyes for just a second and in the same instant did what my friends call the 'Goat Dance'. 

After a mundane day at work, reading the plaints, tracking them down, checking to see if anything interesting was happening in the virtual world, I reached home ready to call it a day. Another 'nothing-special' day I thought to myself. If this is how my days are going to be once I start working full time, I wasn't so sure I wanted to do it. Pondering over how I'm going through a quarter-life crisis (yes, you read it right and yes it does happen!) the BB went ping.

Friend: ''Stay at home tonight''.

Me:"Ummm, Ok..where else will I be?!"

Friend: "Good! Stay awake till 11pm"

Now having known this friend for a while I was pretty sure she was going to pass by my place on her way someplace and so as the ritual at such a time was, would give me a call, say "hiiiiiii Ko..Byeeee Ko" in those 3 seconds it takes to cross my house, laugh, exchange a few stupid lines, laugh some more and hang up.

I was curious nonetheless. So a few more nonsensical messages were exchanged (yes, the word mental was created for us) and I went back to waiting for the day to end. So when I got a call from this friend to step out of the house my curiosity levels peaked. This was strange, I thought. What could possibly be the reason for a casual hi at this hour?

Saw her cab (she came here directly from the airport?! What's going on?!) pull up in front of the house. She got down holding something, in that instant Simba came running down and I got a little distracted trying to get him to go back in the house. I turned to say hi when my eyes fell on the cover she was holding. And then I heard the words "You always keep talking about them so I thought I'd get them for you"

And in the cover was *drum roll please* a box of *even more drum roll if you may* DONUTS! Yes, donuts from Mad Over Donuts, Mumbai, donuts that I abso-fricking-lutely love, donuts that I was craving for since so long, donuts that made me do the 'Goat dance'!

You would too if you were a dessert deprived foodie with an extra sweet tooth. 

Made. My. Day.

Authors note: Goat dance is a form of dance that one does in euphoric situations to express the immensity of one's happiness. Normally the person exhibiting it hops around the same place with hands bent at the elbows and fists clenched, head tilting to the right and left with each hop. There can be variations to it depending on the Dancer's level of euphoria and lunacy. The name has been inspired by the goats of Farmville in Facebook (No you needn't like the game to use this form of dance, you just need to be a little silly)

I'm Not Twenty Four... A review

"There are two types of stories. One, where you sit up and say 'this is so me'. Second, when a story takes you to a world you would hardly believe actually exists." This being the very first line I read about the book raised my expectations from it. It created a sense of mystery waiting to be unfolded in those pages.  Even more so when the description added that this story was the latter of the two.

The story as opposed to the description takes you to a world that any person with a minimal knowledge of the world around knows exists. A steel plant in a remote village of India. Big surprise there! Throughout the story I was anticipating something unbelievable, something that would completely throw me off the regular path. Unfortunately I was left anticipating till the very end.

This tale is that of a Delhi girl, Saumya, who loves her fashion, her shoes, her city, her malls, in short all the perks that living in a metro provide. She finds herself placed in a steel plant situated in a remote village in South India (which I'm guessing is the world she never thought existed, MBA grad? Really?) How she copes with the alien surrounding strutting in clothes too scandalising for such a place, being subjected to a whole lot of stares from everyone in the vicinity, witnessing some very gory accidents that working in a Steel Plant bring with it, basically trying to survive the place and deciding whether to run back to the comforts of the city or hold ground and stay put. She then meets one Shubhrodeep Shyamchaudhary, interesting, mysterious, Indian version of Hugh Grant, hippie, world-trotter, creator of the move-on theory and maybe more?

The story looks to convey Saumya's journey and the process of growing up, realising what you wish to do in life and  falling in love. There seems to be something amiss when the story reaches  the 'falling in love' part. It's abruptly just declared. Where are those small but highly meaningful scenes and events like that special look in the eye, a touch of the hand, a tiny but significant gesture that builds this emotion in the characters and the reader as well? But if you say they're in love and so immensely at that, we believe you.

The brilliance of the book is not in the story, its characters or the plot but the fact that the author has written the book from a girl's perspective. Commendable attempt and a successful one I must add. It has very rightly been said that 'You may take everything away from a girl but please don't take away fashion'. Yes, I could relate to Saumya's  joy on finding her cubicle in a corner where no one can see the screen (Facebook!). And her love for shoes strikes the right chord. A girl's story through and through. Another part that I totally enjoyed was Shubro's story. Two thumbs up.

I wish I had a more positive feedback about the book, but I personally think it was a let down. It probably would prove to be a good read if you happen to randomly pick it, knowing and expecting absolutely nothing about it. And yes, disregarding the description given. Enjoyable read if you ignore the grammatical and printing errors, and you don't mind the Indianism (reading about how someone 'went off to sleep' doesn't particularly earn brownie points in English Fiction).

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

Diwali Snippets

Deep jalte rahe, roshan karte rahe raahe

Is duniya se, apne hee dil se,

Hatae ye andhere, mitae ye andhere

Har zindagi ho is ujale se roshan

Har manzil nazar aae, mitenge ab jo ye andhere.

Rangeen ho ye zindagi humari,

Rangon se bhare rishte humare,

Oob na jaaye kabhi raaho se hum,

Aisi khoobsurat ho ye saare pal humare. 

Author's note: The lines in Hindi are my first. Pardonnez-moi for the complete amateur attempts at shayari :P
The rangoli was my first as well, surprisingly turned out pretty don't you think? 

A shopper's delight!

With just two days to go for the grand festival of lights Diwali, most of us find ourselves rushing to finish the never ending last minute tasks. In the process of seeing through all the preparations, juggling work, getting all the chores done, it wouldn't be a surprise if some of us have had to sacrifice our favourite leisure, retail  therapy! Shopping always calms the nerves , no matter if it's just 5 hours of store hopping to buy the perfect belt, there's no better feel good factor than the shiny new cover holding your best buy! (I can see you nod in agreement, you know I'm right :P)

Well in this day and age you needn't sulk over the no-time-to-shop situation, a click of the finger does it all. As for myself, I've picked out a few things for my wishlist that I would LOVE to have in my wardrobe. Normally I'd need a credit card that has got no limit to splurge to my hearts content but the Diwali sale is on and these prices might not burn a hole as big as a crater in some of our pockets. Check out where you can find this sale at the bottom of the post. But first without any delays here's a look at my wishlist:

1) Tommy Hilfiger by Helana Christensen (Limited edition) Handbag for Rs 8,900.

Priced at RS 32,500, this mimosa yellow bag is a frigging steal! I'm more into neutral shades, but this eye catching arm candy will surely bring that added fun element and can pep up your outfit, your mood, damn even your day. I absolutely love the clasp with the metal knot detail. Spunky much!

2) Calvin Klein white trouser with Denim Effect for Rs 5,400.

This classic cotton white skinny trouser originally for RS 9,500 is a must have for every wardrobe. The denim effect makes it a winner for not only can you pull off a great formal look in them but you can totally rock a more casual get up as well.

3) Dolce & Gabbana Black leather belt for Rs 5,400.

Originally priced at Rs 9,700 this D & G beauty will make any look ultra chic. The right belt when accessorized the right way can totally alter how your outfit looks. Go fab with it on your shirts, tops and even dresses. And since when does anyone have to think twice for anything D & G!?

4) Dear Cashmere Pink Waistcoat Rs 5,600.

This was love at first sight. Honest. Priced at Rs 23,000 this Dear Cashmere Pink waistcoat stole my heart. No matter what you say, a girl will ALWAYS like/love pink. Great colour that pops out, stylish neck, gorgeous material, what's not to love? Oh-so-girly or not, this one's sure to make you all Pretty in Pink!

5)CK blue Satchel for Rs 3,500.

I would already have lookalikes of this bag, but still buy another one. This is one of those pieces that you could never go wrong with. The dark blue is great, love the effect of the CK logo printed all over the bag originally priced at Rs 9,100. This blue nylon satchel bag with leather trim comes with a removable shoulder strap and CK logo. Two thumbs up! Look for the day-Uber stylish with the no nonsense bag.

6) Fornarina Antique Pink Pumps for Rs 4,300 and Chloe Strap Black Peep-toes for Rs 11,900.

It's possibly my weirdest fantasy (as of many others I'm sure) but I dream of having a shoe closet as big/glamorous/happening as that of Carrie Bradshaw *swoons at the thought*.The clothes, the bags, the jewellery ALL take a back seat when I think of ALL THOSE SHOES! My collection would just get that much better with these two pairs of fabulous shoes I would love to have.

The leather pumps, originally priced at Rs 8,400 in the antique pink colour give a very delicately feminine feel. I believe shoes tell a lot about how you feel, your mood for the day. With this one the mood reads shy, girly, loved, relaxed, romantic.

The black peep-toes priced at Rs 27,900 (sales make me oh-so-happy when I get to have something as amazing as this), are definitely très belles chaussures! Mood? Read sexy, fun, flirty, bold! Let your hair down and party the night away in them!

7) Magic Diva Black Dress for Rs 2,200.

This Magic Diva viscose black dress has an eye catching contrasting neck design. Originally priced at Rs 9,200 this is a great piece for your wardrobe since the LBD is a must! Accessorize it with chunky bracelets complimenting the neck design and you're ready to burn up that style quotient.

8)Calvin Klein grey top for Rs 3,600.

This Matt viscose top worth Rs 6,500 is a must have basic top for any wardrobe. It gives a sporty, casual and chic look. Throw in a scarf, add a belt, maybe pair it up with a jacket, wear it over a trouser, a skirt or even shorts! So many options, so many fantastic and different looks.

9) CK Belt with Logo Punched for Rs 2,400.

This Rs 6,300 worth White leather belt has the Calvin Klein logo detail with punched holes along its length. Glam up a boring tee/shirt/dress with this belt and what you have is an instant transformation from dull to glamorous! Love the white!

10) Emporio Armani Shades for Rs 6,700

At Rs 18,200 originally, these Unisex sunglasses with 100 % UV protection are just what you need to complete your fab look for the day. Formal, casual, day-out, no matter where and how you ALWAYS need a pair of sunglasses and these really gorgeous Armani ones are just perfect! Keep those eyes protected in style. Have an Armani, keep it classy.

Yes I know it's a big list but it's a WISHLIST plus I'm a greedy child *naughty smile*. There were many more really great items I would've added but this is the 'best 10 must have essentials I would love to own' list A girl loves to shop so now, coming to where one can find all of these and much more (the kids and men's collection are great too). I've been browsing through a few sites and I cannot believe I didn't see this earlier (mental kick to self) but Qvendo is having a grand Diwali sale! Whoooopppiieeee! If you haven't heard about the site, make sure you check it out. The merchandise is top notch, with exclusive brands, top designers and the deals (whenever they come by)are great. And no it's NEVER too late to shop. Still don't agree. Have a look at their Diwali sale catalog and tell me if you don't do a mental dance of sorts looking at the offers! Here's where you can register yourself and it's done. Start shopping, splurge, give yourself a Diwali gift, you've earned it! And as an added bonus, the site offers free shipping till the 27th of this month on all your purchases.

Happy shopping, have a fun and safe Diwali!

P.S. The items listed above are all available in the Diwali sale catalog and the sale ends on 27th October.

That kinda day...

And so it rained.., the melancholy within accompanied with the storm ushered by the daunting clouds, and its predictability like the uncertainties around. Nature's mockery in giving a night with tears on her dark face; weather sure is a great metaphor.  

Ever wonder about the tale behind a tear? The deceiving calm hiding the tumult; fixing the world around yet broken within, exuding strength covering up the crumbling faith, a helping word for all and yet a dejected silence for self. Ever wonder why is it so easy to get through hell and high seas for another and helping them see a better time? Because you know, you realize, the trouble with giving yourself a pep talk is that deep down you know it's all bullshit. And you know those lines they repeat to you, they were yours. Your very own words that got them to their happy state. But they don't work on you. Nothing does. When everything takes a downward tumble, when it's out of your hands the best thing you could hope for is the knowledge that you really couldn't have done anymore than you already did.

Wishing you could fix it all gets you nowhere. Don't seek, don't search, don't demand, just relax and it will be there; things in their own time. In the mean time don't try making sense of life as it seems to be. It is but a doodle, you can either appreciate it as a piece of art or rubbish it as nonsensical patterns, or maybe be indifferent to it and do what you have to anyways and the answers will come to you in their own time.

And when you realise it you will see that it was with you all along. The answers, the way out, the sane voice, the right words. You. All you. 

Festivals, Birthdays And Assignments?

So September started off with a festival, and welcoming it was another festival. One day devouring Biriyani and Sheer Korma a friends mom had made for Eid and then immediately the next all the sweet dishes made specially for Ganesh Ji. Festive spirit throughout the month for Ramzaan which will now be followed by Ganesh Chaturthi. Man I LOVE this about our country.
 My eco-friendly Ganesh Ji’s clay idol.
I have a whole list of books to read this month starting with ‘The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy’. Got ‘Lessons In Forgetting’ by Anita Nair lined up next followed by the entire collection of Khalil Gibran. 
Also around the corner is my best friend’s birthday AND my bro-in-law’s birthday. Naturally you’d think there’ll be a lot of partying, cake smashing, impromptu trips etcetera. Oh well, if only things were that easy and life was Vegas. Two assignments to be submitted by Monday on Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Rights each won’t leave much scope for guiltless enjoyment. Throw caution in the wind and go party? That’s when those voices in your head start to CONSTANTLY remind you, lecture you, scold you about how you’re supposed to be a good student and to not neglect your books for that’s how you’re going to be a top-shot-smarty-pants Advocate. Who can argue with that, and to live with the guilt!? Nahiiiiiiii….!!..
So no impromptu trips to the nearest beach (Sigh..Suryalanka, how I miss you), no surprising friends in other cities with a visit (SHRU! Happy birthday in advance!), no staying out late and dancing like it’s the last last night of your life life!
Here’s to completing your assignments on time. Punctuality wins Round 1.
*Procrastination sulks*

Shantaram Quotes-Part 1

♥ It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured. I realized, somehow, through the screaming in my mind, that even in that shackled, bloody helplessness, I was still free: free to hate the men who were torturing me, or to forgive them. It doesn't sound like much, I know. But in the flinch and bite of the chain, when its all you have got, that freedom is a universe of possibility. And the choice you make, between hating and forgiving,can become the story of your life.

♥ Every life, every love, every action and feeling and thought has its cause and its reason and significance: it's beginning, and the part it plays in the end. Nothing in any life, no matter how well or poorly lived, is wiser than failure and or clearer than sorrow. And in the tiny, precious wisdom that they give to us, even those dread and hated enemies, suffering and failure, have their reason and their right to be.

♥ To know the truth, all you have to do is close your eyes…. We can know God, for example, and we can know sadness. We can know dreams, and we can know love. But none of these are real, in our usual sense of things that exist in the world and seem real. We cannot weight them, or measure their length, or find their basic parts in an atom smasher. Which is why they are possible.

♥ I clenched my teeth against the stars. I closed my eyes. I surrendered to sleep. One of the reasons why we crave love, and seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, and shame, and sorrow. But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again. Some truths about yourself are so painful that only shame can help you live with them. And some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you.

♥ There's a truth deeper than experience. It's beyond what we see, or even what we feel. It's an order of truth that separates the profound from the merely clever, and the reality from the perception. We're helpless, usually, in the face of it; and the cost of knowing it, like the cost of knowing love, is sometimes greater than any heart would willingly pay. It doesn't always help us to love the world, but it does prevent us from hating the world. And the only way to know that truth is to share it, from heart to heart, just as Prabhakar told it to me, just as I'm telling it to you now.

♥ I stood in the harsh electric light of that new tunnel, in Bombay's Arthur Road Prison, and I wanted to laugh. Hey guys, I wanted to say, can't you be a little more original? But I couldn't speak. Fear dries a man's mouth, and hate strangles him. That's why hate has no great literature: real fear and real hate have no words.

♥ My heart broke on its shame and sorrow. I suddenly knew how much crying there was in me, and how little love. I knew, at last, how lonely I was. But I couldn’t respond.  My culture had taught me all the wrong things well.  So I lay completely still, and gave no reaction at all. But the soul has no culture. The soul has no nations. The soul has no colour or accent or way of life. The soul is forever. The soul is one. And when the heart has its moment of truth and sorrow, the soul can’t be stilled.

♥ The cloak of the past is cut from patches of feeling, and sewn with rebus threads. Most of the time, the best we can do is wrap it around ourselves for comfort or drag it behind us as we struggle to go on. But everything has its cause and its meaning. Every life, every love, every action and feeling and thought has its reason and significance: its beginning, and the part it plays in the end. Sometimes, we do see. Sometimes we see the past so clearly and read the legend of its parts with such acuity, that every stitch of time reveals its purpose, and a kind of message is unfolded in it.

♥ Cruelty is a kind of cowardice. Cruel laughter is the way cowards cry they are not alone, and causing pain is how they grieve.

♥ Every human heartbeat is a universe of possibilities. Every human will has the power to transform its fate. I’d always thought that fate was something unchangeable: fixed for everyone of us at birth, and as constant as the circuit of stars. The truth is that, no matter what kin of game you find yourself in, no matter how good or bad the luck, you can change your life completely with a single thought or a single act of love.

Leaving you to appreciate and ponder over these for today. More later. Peace.

SHANTARAM

When a friend who is not an avid reader or stays away from books as much as he/she can help it, asks which one to read, I almost always suggest Shantaram. I know there are whole other choices and really great ones too, but there’ something about this book that has everyone hooked to it from the word go. And to me it’ll always be a special one; my first love when it comes to books. Many ask why, why is it that I feel so strongly about it right from the time I read it in 2005 even to this day. You know how you go through a phase in life and find comfort in the most unexpected quarters? This was it for me.
Charles W. Eliot had said that ‘Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers’. Shantaram was all that and more for me then when nothing else seemed to make sense and life wasn’t a happy picture;

And so I hold it above every other. I’m too much in awe and in love with it to possibly write a review of this marvel by Gregory David Roberts.
Instead, posting a few lines from the book that make me realise what a masterpiece this book is every single time I read it is a better option. Trying to limit them to a sane number will be a difficult task since there are umpteen quotes, paragraphs, pages even that strike a chord and leave their mark forever.
Simply put, the only way to do justice to this book is to read it, cover to cover. These are words that have spoken to so many readers all over, but to each they seem to be written only for their own self; such is the intimacy, such is the bond, such is the wisdom.
P.S Read it before the movie is out. Movies always ruin your experience of a great read.
P.P.S EVERY person who has read this book has loved it. Fact. Just sayin’.

The Count of Mounte Cristo- A Review

The Count of Monte Cristo

Having read Alexander Dumas’ The Three Musketeers as a kid and absolutely loving it, it didn’t take long for me to pick up a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, to escape into a world of adventure and heroism, tragedy and treasure, utter despair and vengeance, unfailing gratitude and generosity, of lost love and disguises, of fate and hope and more…

Dumas’ hero, Edmond Dantès is at the threshold of a perfect life. He is about to become the captain of a ship, engaged to a beautiful woman, Mercédès, the love of his life. He is admired by almost everyone who knows him. This perfect life, however, stirs up dangerous jealousy among some of Dantès’s so-called friends who
wrong him hence causing him to lose everything that he held dear. His one innocent act of delivering a letter, the contents of which are unknown to him, and the plotting of his enemies against him land him in a dungeon where he is to spend the rest of his days, till life itself betrays him. Thus thrown into such formidable conditions, he must face his fate alone with his wits, courage and an immense fortune put in his path he begins his journey to seek justice against those whose greed and evil ways cost him everything he ever had and so nearly made him lose his sanity and life.

From Edmond Dantès to the various faces that emerge as the story unfolds the reader gets to ride along with the sheer audacity of the Count, the unshakeable belief of the priest in a Just God, the generosity of the English Lord to the deserving, and the mysterious ways of Sindbad the Sailor.

In a single word: Enthralling.

Women's day: Our place in a man's world

8th March, a day dedicated to women worldwide, a day celebrating womanhood, but somehow this doesn't in the least bit makes me feel any special about being a woman. The very need to put up a date specifically to remind the world to acknowledge and appreciate women all over is in it's own way tragic. But sad as it may be it's all done in good faith, with hope that people all over accept and admit that women face problems well beyond the understanding of a man.
Today my inbox was flooded with inspirational messages for women, lines describing a woman's greatness, a silent plea to love, care for and understand us in the way we deserve. We celebrate this day even as we had a gruesome reminder of what happened in the case of Aruna Shanbaug; even as she lays in the hospital bed, where she has been for the last 37 years of her life, not moving, not talking; even as the person responsible for her condition now roams around free after serving just 7 years jail time for the most brutal crime imaginable.
We celebrate this day even as each of us have been at one time or the other been at the receiving end of what generally is called eve-teasing. To always be on guard, to always have a male relative/friend around to feel safe, being subjected to the never ending list of gender-discriminations, this constant need to stay alert and so much more and yet to be put through all of this over and over again does not quite seem to be in sync with the notion that it's a woman's world as much as it is a man's.
We prove ourselves, we do it over and over again and yet we're still expected to. Even if we end up conquering it all, scaling all heights, and we miss out one small thing we hear the same old line again 'Women cannot do it'. We've reached the pinnacle of success and we still find the time to be a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a friend...managing these without breaking a sweat; yet this goes unnoticed, because we're simply 'expected' to do all of this, simply because it's a woman's job to do everything right.
We celebrate this day even as Natalie Portman was criticized for being happy about being pregnant, criticized by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee for having a baby out of wed-lock. Ok so I paid attention in the sex-ed class, I'm sure I got this right that it takes the male sperm to get woman pregnant. Not only does Mr Huckabee not mention her fiancée Benjamin Millepied (leave alone blame him too) but also accuses Portman of being confident about being a single parent! Her fault he says is she is glamorizing single parenthood.
We celebrate this day even as female infanticide is as big a problem as ever, even that it exists is such a shame. We celebrate this day even as the girl child is being deprived of education and left to learn the household chores to perfection lest her male relatives face any discomfort. We celebrate this day even as each one of us is judged as under constant scrutiny of the society lest we disgrace our family and their honour.
We celebrate this day even as I will be termed feminist for my views and opinions that differentiate women from a doormat. We celebrate this day even as this article will be called cynical as opposed to realistic.
So is emancipation of women in the truest sense a far fetched dream? An illusion to the most part...? For every girl to be able to walk free, feel safe, and live well is what we wish for. In the hope that there comes a day as such here's to all the ladies around. Happy Women's day.

The week that was

The 3 things that had my constant attention this past week…

1) Census 2011- Bright and early as my days are for quite sometime now, I was up when a young girl in her early 20’s accompanied with a young boy came ringing the bell to my house. Soon I was helping her fill out the census form which focused on the education and livelihood details of the family. Rightly so as this was for population enumeration; Governments efforts to have a National Population Register. I had doubts about the accuracy of such a large operation which were confirmed when the girl who was filling out the form was doing so with a pencil and when I asked her why she said ‘So I can erase and write neatly’ :-/ Right. And some columns that she conveniently ignored as she didn't understand what was required to fill. Only when I interrupted and said I’d fill the entire form was it complete and accurate; till it would get erased out to be filled again ‘neatly’. With more than Rs.6000 crore being spent on this, lets hope for the result to be somewhere close to the the real thing.

2) Aarushi unsolved mystery- With the highest investigation team of the country throwing its hands up and giving the no-clue say, we’re left to speculate of what actually transpired that fateful night 2 years back. After requesting for a closure on lack of substantial proofs which was rejected by the court, the parents of the girl were accused with murder. Even with a number of witnesses we see the people responsible for the crime get away with it; with no witnesses, tampered crime scene and inconclusive proofs, can there be justice in this case? Lets hope there is, there’s a little girl who deserves that.

3)The crisis in Egypt-  To see a country that tops my to travel list amidst such a crisis was saddening. The past few days saw the results of years of oppression, of that unyielding desire for a democracy even as we take ours granted, the future of one of the oldest civilizations on a knife’s edge. All eyes on Tahrir square and on this growing movement of protest against the administration the Egyptian nationals are unwilling to settle for anything less that the Presidents ouster. Well if over 30 years you haven’t quite made an impact as a leader on the people of your nation then this had to happen.As a last resort to cling on to power Mr.Mubarak’s plans of forming reform panels and amending the constitution didn’t go down well (the time for that has now long gone), what do you expect to achieve in 8 months that you haven’t in 30 years?

On the brighter side now Hosni Mubarak has finally stepped down, having to give in to his own people; with the nations hope for a government of representation to build on the pillars of peace and equality, all we can hope for is for the beautiful country to save itself from the after effects of this turmoil, for a future it deserves best.

It's good to know you

So here I am done with breakfast, done reading the paper, finished reading the news online (checking if I missed anything really), latest scandals involving politics, sports, the entertainment industry, while simultaneously checking my FB home feed and tweeting my thoughts (social media gets to you), wishfully browsing the different smartphones in the market and ordering a laptop (finally) for myself. How gadgetfreak-ish do I sound! I mean I was far from being one; you tell me anything techtype and I’d go zzzzzz but not so much anymore, now I listen and you have my unfailing attention. I find myself reading the entire article about the new Hp touchpad being launched and wonder will it give the ipad any competition. That’s NOT me! I was a complete dud when it came to this, I’d have a better shot at understanding Greek and Latin.

What started as a simple research for the right laptop, reading a million reviews and the specifications, gave way to curiosity that clawed its way in till I was reading not just about laptops and notebooks but about phones, tablets and ipad, DSLR’s and the likes. And today when certain terms didn’t feel all that alien, when I knew what I was looking at and understanding the words when I was reading them, I did a mental happydance jig of sorts in my head, because FINALLY I was able to crack that solid wall of defense system that technology seems to have against people like me! Ok so it might be a centimeter of a crack but who cares! Achievement is just that, big or small regardless :P Being an amateur is better than being completely inept and looking plain foolish!

Such joy…

Scary looking gadgets, I shall conquer thee!

Old love

There’s something irresistible about them, like wine they keep getting better and more enjoyable with each passing day. People from every generation can’t help but fall in love with them, finding them intoxicating; and very rightly so for they serve the same purpose, wine for the soul...the classics, the eternally loved…
Old Hindi songs. Ok enough with the dramatic intro but with the topic at hand it was needed, melodrama was the life and soul of old bollywood movies and the songs were just overloaded with it. Not that we don’t like them quite the opposite in fact. Oh no we love these songs, like we’re listening to a shiny gramophone which plays the disk oh so brilliantly, not minding the minor tweaks in the sounds now and then. I say listening because watching these songs is quite different, I tend to find the actors, the costumes, the entire set-up a tad bit too weird to concentrate on the amazing music and the beautiful lyrics. A few favourites of mine..off the top of my head in no particular order would be…

♥ Pyar deewana hota hai Movie-Kati Patang Singer-Kishore Kumar (I love all the songs from this movie, Yeh Jo Mohobbat hai, Ye shaam mastani.. all of them!)

♥ Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se Movie-Ajnabee Singer-Kishore Kumar

♥ Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Movie-Blackmail Singer-Kishore Kumar (Awwwwwness)

♥ Chu Kar Mere Mann Ko, Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet, O Saathi Re, Ye Shaam Mastani, Aane Waala Pal Jaane Waala hai, Dilbar Mere Kab tak Mujhe, Hum Bewafaa, Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya Hai… there are so freaking many!

Let’s just say every song that the legend Kishore Kumar has ever sung. Simple. And all of them are so melodious, such a treat to the ears.

♥ Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha Movie-Anpadh Singer-Lata Mangeshkar

♥ Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye Movie-Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai Singer-Lata Mangeshkar (This HAD to make it to the list)

♥ Lag Jaa Gale Movie-Woh Kaun Thi Singer-Lata Mangeshkar (Double in the awwwwwwwness quotient)

♥ Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi Movie-Aandhi Singers-Lata and Kishore

I think this establishes the fact that almost every song by these two is undeniably great.

♥ Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Movie-Kabhie Kabhie Singer-Mukesh (Love his ‘Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hu too)

♥ Bade Ache Lagte Hai Movie-Balika Badhu Singer-Amit Kumar (This one is the cutest… the pangs of innocent love, sweet grief)

♥ Baahon mein Chale Aa Movie-Anamika Singer-Lata M

♥ Tujhse Naraaz nahi Zindagi Movie-Masoom Singer-Anoop Ghosal

Omg look at the list and I haven’t even stated with Rafi! I fell in love with his ‘Tum Bin Jau Kaha’ the first time I heard it. And the others like Tumne Mujhe Dekha,  Badan Pe Sitare, Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya…..Uff!

All those crazy solos, all those beautiful duets with Lata Mangeshkar like Teri Bindiya Re, Baago Mein Bahaar Hai, Kitna Pyaara Waada hai…

The entire album of movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat, Amar Akbar Anthony, Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi, Padosan etc.

Eeeks I’ve got to stop this post right here else I’ll end up writing down EVERY song there possibly is! I sound like a music junkie! It’s 5 a.m and I’ve had all these wonderful songs to give me company through the night. Any amount of appreciation is still insufficient. AND what I did here was spread the love, so peace.

What’s new?

I’ve always been big on procrastinating. Each time getting more adept at it and somehow the guilt quotient seems to be on a decline; works for me. So here we are almost a month into 2011 and I’m wondering what is so different apart from the date, the year, what has changed? The monotony of my days suddenly seems to hit me in the face, what’s frightening is that I’ve become quite comfortable in it.

Yes I have a very big and grand to-do list, all the glorious things I’ve always wanted to do, but somehow these things always have remained in the corner of my handbook, on my study table. They just lay there, never forgotten but never put into action. And the list keeps growing, as does my interest in the varied activities. Today I found 5 such lists I’d made for the last couple of months and when I sat to tick off the things imagine my shock to see the same 1st list with a few additional to-do’s from 1 to 5!! Why didn’t I go for those painting classes I’ve always wanted to? Why didn’t I go learn the art of pottery that has always been on my mind from the time I had seen a documentary on TV showing a woman molding clay into the most beautiful urn ever! And so on… Damn I did not see this coming. Ranting is good, but also I think I had enough, my sincere efforts this year would be to let procrastination be for things I DON’T wish to do, but for things I’ve dreamed of, there’s no putting them off anymore. To-do lists are bad, just plain useless. I’ve decided to have a list that reads ‘things accomplished’ list. So much more better, serves as a reminding slap on the face when ever you look at it and see how short it is than the ‘ever-growing-warming-my-table-to-do’ list. To write, to travel, to do all those things I’ve always wanted to, to stop existing and start living my life, for myself, that’s what 2011 will be for me. *fingers crossed*