Tryst with Self

Book Review: The Reluctant Detective

2012-02-20T19:41:00.001+05:30

"The Reluctant Detective" is the story of Kanan Mehra aka Kay, a home-maker married to an MBA-husband and having a five year old son, who is driven into being a detective or someone close owing to the situation where there were back-to-back murders in the locality.

Just when the Mehra family was headed to a party, the police knock on the doors of the Mehra house to indicate that Mrs.Sheetal Jaiswal, the person who Mrs. Mehra used to see everyday when out for the morning jog and had vaguely known, was murdered.

When the Mehra family was getting back from the Bollywood party they had attended in the evening, they encounter the dead body of a man close to their apartment complex.

The serial murders pushes the folks of the locality to panic and fear and a lot of curiosity on how Mrs. Sheetal Jaiwal was murdered. While Mrs. Mehra is panic-stricken herself, she gets a calling from within her heart to help find justice to Sheetal, who she establishes a virtual bond with. Kay feels Sheetal was always trying to say something to her via the dreams the former saw.

While the police made a thief confess for the murder of Sheetal, Kay refuses to believe that Sheetal was murdered for reasons of theft alone, because in the death spot, the ipod Sheetal had been using was left alone. Kay tries to find clues to nail down the actual reason/person being Sheetal's murder. She talks to the maids, her detective friend Runa and inspects the location where the murder took place to find clues which ultimately gives good reasons to suspect and identify the person responsible for Sheetal's murder. I will spare the thrill-factor here by not mentioning who the person was.

While the story line is a bit guessable, a little weak, there is a dash of humor to the whole story. Bound to enjoy the funny narrations in some pieces, but it seems an over doze in several other situations. When talking of murder and death, perhaps, humor is not always recommended or natural. Kay seems overly obsessed with the weight and looks she possessed and on ways to improve it, a reader gets about fifty percent of the book to read about the description of the weight/dress issues which gets a little redundant.

Some things that I couldn't stop taking notice of, how can a child "talk" with wrong spellings, "write" I agree. Although I understand the intent and perhaps the idea was to differentiate the kid's conversation and say that the child pronounces words differently, but he also happens to talk in sms language. How can a child say "u" instead of "you", as I said, for writing, I agree and its believable.

Another observation was, if only Mr.Mehra who followed Kay during her morning walk post the murders to ensure her safety had called out her name instead of seeming like stealthily following her, he would have been spared the pepper-spray treatment! Perhaps, I was getting a little too involved here!

Nevertheless, it brings out the thought that situations can turn a home-maker who had very normal agendas in her daily routine into someone to help in different capacities. The concept is appealing. Good attempt for a first-time novelist. I wish the author many more successful ventures ahead.

Rating: 3/5

This review is a part of the http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews" target="_blank">Book Reviews Program at http://www.blogadda.com">BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

Book Review: Harbart

2011-12-26T11:16:00.001+05:30

Nabarun Bhattacharya's "Harbart" translated to English by Arunava Sinha is a story revolving around Harbart Sarkar. Born to LalitKumar and Shobarani on 16th Sep, 1949, grew up to be a fair and lean man having caucasian build. Although Lalitkumar had made handsome money from the war economy, he didnt need much time to lose it by gambling with films. When Harbart was less than two years old, he had lost both his parents, his father due to a jeep accident and his mother within a gap of eight months due to electrocution when putting the clothes to dry.

Owing to twist of events in life, he went on to stay in his uncle, Girish Kumar's house. Growing up amidst indifference and neglect, so much that it had not come to anyone's notice that Harbart had discontinued going to school, his aunt was the only person who had some love and care to offer. Harbart had dropped out of school after class five and did self-study at home.

When Harbart was fourteen, he discovers the presence of a skull and a few bones in a tin trunk in his room. This incident had a indelible impact on him and evoked his curiosity and imagination to link the personality to which the skull may have belonged. Although he held on to them for a while, a couple of years later, he disposed of them into the AdiGanga. This was the beginning of his irresistible attraction to the concept of death and after-life. He got engrossed in reading more and more about the topics closely. He spent most of his days reading 'All about the Afterworld" and such on the attic-roof of his house, which had become his abode, more or less.

Growing up amidst bullying by his nephews, he took instant liking to one nephew of a different kind, Binu who came to Calcutta to study and stay at his uncle's house. Binu's episode in Harbart's life was going to change the latter's life forever. Binu, a committed communist got severely injured by police firing during one of his movements of protest. When in death-bed, Binu revealed the secret of the location of his diary in the house before he departed to the other world.

Life moved on, faint memories of Binu and yet after about thirteen or fourteen years post Binu's death, Harbart had a dream in which he supposedly saw Binu and the latter seemed to give him out a secret of a diary. He followed the instructions he got in his dream to find the diary. Then began, the belief and trust in his super-natural powers as a god-man being able to have dialogues with the dead. He was inclined to start a business with his new-found potential as the investment. Harbart, in his delirium, had not realised that the location of diary was told by Binu himself before he breathed his last.

Harbart, with his "Dialogue with the Dead" office, was able to mesmerize a few people and make some pennies as well. It looked like there was no turning back until a letter came from a Rationalists' Association which challenged his powers and condemned Harbart of fooling people. An encounter, well planned by the Rationalists' Association which had planned a sting operation by sending a Belgian lady to Harbart to talk of her mother who was told as being dead but was actually not. Harbart, with the given information, had made comments assuming the lady's mother was dead. So, this conflicting behavior was reason enough for the Rationalist group to fight morally. This event shook Harbart from within and unable to handle the situation, he gave in. He breathed his last.

Thus ended the life of a person who was struck by delirium, brought up around sheer neglect and ignorance to believe in his fantasized thoughts. Perhaps, a little affection and attention early on in his life, would have saved him?

A story well-woven and vocabulary supreme, is a engrossing and thought-provoking read.

Rating 3.5/5

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Brave show

2011-11-21T19:47:00.000+05:30

How often do we take things for granted? Things that get so less focus from us as long as they function properly can seem insignificant too. Today, I want to make a conscious effort to applaud one such thing ( or a pair) for putting up a good show and saving grace. They stood the tests of time and ups and downs (stairs)of life for the day.

My footwear, my saving grace for the day. When I left home, they looked seemingly fit, but as the day progressed, one of the pair tried to hold itself together just to get me 'going' until I called it end of the day!

Thanks to you, for being on guard when fit and more even when you weren't. RIP.

Book Review: I'm not Twenty Four...

2011-11-06T21:54:00.005+05:30

Sachin Garg's "I'm not Twenty Four..." is an easy-read. If one forms audience for the kind of books that don't lay much stress exhibiting literary richness, but attempt a casual and college-goer approach to narration, this is one such.

A story centered around Saumya, an MBA-graduate based out of Delhi, placed to work at Toranagallu, a small village in Karnataka.

A city-bred girl with desires and wants like any other care-free girl happens to land in a setup demanding rigidity, strong-will and dare to face real challenges in the form of deaths and accidents of employees at workplace. Certainly the job at hand was not for the soft-hearted. Partly, her name which could be mistaken for a boy's, lands her in a job so highly-demanding.

While Saumya introspected about handling the job or calling it quits, Amit, Mallappa and Shubro form her friend-circle during her stay at Toranagallu. Saumya didn't need to sweat to seek attention, she got more than she desired for, sometimes more than it could annoy, primarily for her looks and her being the lone lady employee in the department. However, her meet with Shubro, a Bengali hippie, during her visit to Hampi stumps her. His Hugh-Grant-like looks was an instant attraction for her and his stories of 90-day stay in a place and move-on theory amazes her. Although a short meet, it was going to change her life forever, sooner or later. Before she departed from Hampi, she left him her address with a ray of hope he might consider his next 90-day stay at her place.

Not all meets transform into love, so she thought and got involved with her work and work-place, developed a short-lived flair for Mallappa which ended in a tragedy. Hit by trauma, she was vulnerable and needed someone to support her emotionally. To her luck, Shubro does come over to Toranagallu for his next 90-day plan.

A person who had travelled around the world but said less about himself was being a mystery to Saumya. She always felt the love for him but feared to admit that he might walk out of her life at the dawn of 91st morning.

It happened, they fell in love and he walked out on the 91st dawn while he remained the mystery he was. She was unsure if he really loved her and made attempts to erase him from her memory, but as luck would have it, she chances upon his blog where he had posted about his love for her. The mystery surrounding the man unravels in his blog and she loves him more than ever for all the philanthropic causes he had worked around the world and made a difference to thousands of poor people. She discovers that he loves her truly too. She heads straight to find her love in Andaman and Nicobar, where Shubro had planned his next 3 months, and the story ends talking of a new beginning.

My Rating : 3/5

A book one would not drop mid-way if the expectation doesn't rise beyond easy-read.

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Interface with the world

2011-10-25T19:58:00.000+05:30

The more we are out of our "Hello World" domain, the more we learn the lessons for life. The other day I happened to meet a cab driver who was as frustrated with his work as I probably was with mine, but the difference being he had an attitude to face life head-on, which I probably didn't have. When his boss called him up to impose certain restrictions on him and the protocol he needs to follow, which the driver felt were unreasonable, the driver strictly refused to budge and said, he would park the car at his (boss') house in one hour after having dropped me and quit the job! For once, I felt he was being impractical and short-sighted to be quitting the current job, but I was amazed at his confidence to see what ensues but not deal with insanity being driven to him.

What I see is that being tolerant can be mis-read as being submissive. Talking what we believe in and being assertive about what we think and do is of utmost importance to safeguard our identity. Jobs can come and go, but identity needs to stay. Lesson learnt.

Two for life

2011-07-16T16:37:00.000+05:30

X is a friend known to my husband as well as me. He is due to get married in a few months and as would any about-to-be-married guy be ragged and instilled fear, he is done the damage too.

X seemed to have found my hubby online on fb and has had a conversation on random things.The topic of marriage has come up and X was pretty surprised at how my hubby has responded. Unlike others who seemed to have scared him off marriage ( well, almost), my hubby has encouraged him to get married saying "It takes two to make lives meaningful" or something in that sense.

X was so happy to hear that from him that he pinged me to say what my hubby had told him. He said he had never heard such encouraging words from other friends who were married. They always made fun of marriage like many do (including me).

X was happy and went. But tell me, when my hubby says, "it takes two..." , don't I have the right to know when the second one is coming? Or if she already has?

Defy Aging

2011-06-28T19:46:00.001+05:30

When a set of girls from college meet after a long time, there would be no dearth of topics. They can range from family to work to colleagues to stress and what not. Among them, cosmetic-tips sharing forms a part too. More so for the girls then are now women in late 20s.

It surprises us to no end to realize that we are no different from the women we used to see and gossip about earlier, for being so conscious about looks. I guess, age does it. I wouldn't say we think about looking good all the time, but sure not as ignorant as earlier.

A friend of mine has been a patron of Olay products and was all praises for it and recommended each one of us to use it. From what she says and how she looks, her skin has got a good treatment.

When the product cost more than 700 rs for a tiny bottle, one has to be thoroughly convinced to buy it.The Olay-patron believes that although it is expensive, it works out fine because initially more amount of cream is needed but after a couple of days, a little of it would suffice.

Wondering if the cost of the product pricks her when she starts seeing the bottom of the container that she uses less of it after a couple of days unlike more amounts when it was brimming!

Office so much like home.

2011-05-31T12:01:00.000+05:30

X:    Are you working from Home today?
Y:    No. It's a different thing I am not working at office either!!
X:    LoL
Y:    But why?
X : Got some snacks from home, thought of sharing.
Y:   Wow.. thanks.. will drop by.

Broom too needs time to groom

2011-05-30T19:11:00.003+05:30

A new broom sheds more dust than it can clean. If one failed to give it enough time, probably one would never realize its worth.

We might deny it however, we do go by first impression at many times. And if a broom were to be judged by first-impression, we are failed.

Giving every situation that's not in our favor some time perhaps might do some good?

Well, if you ask me why this dawned upon me, yes, I did some cleaning this weekend :P

For the broom to groom, I gave cleaning some time!!

Seven steps to success

2011-05-27T20:53:00.002+05:30

If you wonder what, here are the seven steps to ensure that your man eats the sprouts that were packed for him.

1. Soak the grams overnight.

2. Drain the water in the morning and tie it in a cloth for a whole day.

3. The sprouts are ready next morning.

4. Add some salt, lime juice and if needed some chillies and garnishing.

5. Pack it in a container and send a spoon along.

6. call up at an appropriate time to remind him to eat.

7. Pray to God to help accomplish the goal.

Guess, I faltered at the 7th step. I tried calling, but he was too busy to pick the call. So the sprouts are back home, more or less turning plants!

What I fail to understand, when a lady can meticulously follow the 7 steps ( I agree, I missed the 7th), can't men just remember to EAT?!!! Sigh! Yeah I know, Mars' entities!

And here, I am not even accounting the efforts going into cajoling and lecturing the husbands to eat sprouts for good health.

Pls help me, (Female) God!!!

Why Marriage?

2011-05-02T20:51:00.001+05:30

Well, a dear friend chatted with me for quite a while today. She is currently staying alone abroad and is due to come back to India very soon. She is a bag of mixed emotions. Happy for being able to get back home and sad or worried or anxious to realize that she may have to get married as soon as she returns.

I am no expert, but I have been there, done that. So, I totally understand her anxiety or fear of the unknown. If one says, 'Haven't you heard of Love marriages?', I would say, Love has to happen, it can't be made to ( unless they are Arranged Marriages :P). Some people just don't find or don't like to find the love of their life on their own. Or maybe, the first sights never did the magic. For whatever the reasons might be, if one lets the parents decide or help decide whom to marry, naturally they have several of questions.

Why marriage?
Well, I think one should not get married until one has this question in mind. Marry only when you think you should, for want of a partner. After all, having a companion for journey might help.

Honestly, for me, getting married was not an issue, but when it had to happen was. This is what I thought, one day I would want to get married, so why not sooner than later?

How do I know if I will consent to the right person?

Are you sure you know yourself all too well? I am afraid, I am not. As I often say, I might contradict myself anytime. If such is the case, how can we judge the other person completely, in a meeting or two or in a year or two? All of us evolve, don't we? ( well, at least most do!)

Also, marriages fixed post one meeting have worked too while living-in of a year or two resulting in marriage might not have turned successful. All I want to say is, we can't define a personality and can't get into marriage after 'completely' knowing the person. If you think, the person respects you, then probably, he/she is good find. Because, he/she respects, all else like love and compromise will follow.

I understand, to conclude that a person is a good find, is a risk, but tell me, if you are not a risk-taker, then you are not made for marriage :P It is like stock market, no one knows future, all you can bank on is hope.

What if it doesn't work?

Well, some marriages work and some don't. Just like any other thing. As long as we think marriage is THE thing rather than, 'just another thing', we tend to lay so much stress on it and eventually get paranoid. As I said, I think we have to bank on hope.

Let God forbid, if it doesn't work, is it the end of the world? Are we not INDIVIDUALS who know what to make of our lives? We are educated, we work and have will to grow. What else? Life has to go on, perhaps with a few more challenges.

What if it curbs my Freedom?

If a person loves you, your freedom is never gone. If he doesn't, then there is no point in being with him. So, Freedom stays, whether he does or not, depends.

Staying away from parents? In-laws? New house?

Different Folks, different strokes. As we adjust to new set of people, we are equally new to that set too. It does call for a lot of exercise to be able to gel well and get along. Respecting space and choices might help. Well, not that we are never angry with our parents? All in the game, baby :)

And lastly, all who are single are not always happy, and who are married, not always sad, and if sad, not necessarily because of marriage.

Well, I might have blabbered here, but this is what I felt when I got married!

Confession

2011-04-01T09:45:00.002+05:30

She: You know what, I love you!

He: Really??!!

She: April Fool!!!! :P

Sulabh tricks?

2010-09-08T15:55:00.002+05:30

Yoga, Homeopathic therapy,Hinduism, Indian cuisine and Classical music have sure drawn the Westeners' attention to India. But Indian toilets too?

When I read the headline "US Army fascinated by Indian Sulabh toilets" on one of the media channels' website, I was curious, no doubt. When, in the new-age Indian homes, it is difficult to find Indian-style toilets, what makes the West embrace the concept? Was it something to do with the posture or medical recommendations to aid lifestyle? Well, the headline had caught my attention and one click to get more details , answers my queries.

US Army is fascinated by Indian Sulabh toilets, so they want to implement the same (not in the U.S, but )in Afganistan!!

I for sure agree Sulabh toilets have been an extremely commendable step in the area of Hygiene and cleanliness and it has to be appreciated that such benefits are extended to Afganistan too, but didn't the headline mis-lead? At least, I felt as if the web-site giggled and said "gotcha!!" when I had finished reading it and understand the complete story! They got me to read their stuff,however!

A U-turn?

2010-07-26T10:46:00.002+05:30

Just when we saw Sanias, Sainas, Malleshwaris and quite a handful of women sports-persons, putting India on the global map, a cloud of Sexual harassment claims hover around. Unfortunate, isn't it? It perhaps existed and rooted long ago, but coming to light now. It feels terrible to imagine what many might have gone through to uphold their passion for sports. And how many who could have brought glory to India backed out to show opposition for compromise ?

Just when people were opening up to different avenues, outside of academics, such bursts of flame will sure make parents shun away from providing any encouragement to try the unconventional avenues. Who is to blame? The parents and guardians for not supporting their kids to try something that interests the latter? Or the dirty ugly world that sucks the modesty and kills the sportive spirit?

Every single time, we as a nation, take a U-turn, only the difference being the font of 'U', which seems to be getting only bigger!

When there is a dearth in morality, how can we correlate the Indian population to strength? With monsters lurking all around, we will only go round and round.

Almost there

2010-07-23T20:01:00.000+05:30

I hope I haven't lost it all. A lot of thoughts on mind and the lack of zeal (read lazy) to blog it.

Maybe blogging has lost casting its charm on me and I most certainly not happy about it. The last I remember doing anything to my blog is changing templates.. from horrible ones to more horrible ones!

Now, blogger has some cool templates and customizations, perhaps some reason to give blogging a retry.

Will come back, soon,perhaps!! Almost there, like you care??!!

Passion, face to face!

2010-04-13T20:20:00.001+05:30

Does this mean that passion earns its reward, someday?!
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/article388837.ece?homepage=true

Tall expectations!

2010-03-05T09:41:00.003+05:30

As we passed by Richmond circle yesterday, we saw a foreign national lady, extremely tall and this discussion followed:

Me : I think there would be no one as short as I am, in the western countries!

He: Why not, there will be and they are called Dwarfs!!

Grrr... oh to be a 5-footer!!

Wish-list

2010-03-04T14:04:00.001+05:30

Dear God,
May I know if my wish-list is big or small?

Well, I am supposing that this question will compel You to take a look at it !! :)

Anti-theft Mobile

2010-02-17T11:57:00.002+05:30

First, my Lunch-mate[LM], then my cab-mate[CM] and finally my soul-mate[SM], were all bewildered for the same reason -The wallpaper I had on my mobile.

Scene1 :

Time: Afternoon
=============

LM: Oh, you have your own photo for wall-paper?
Me: Yes :)
LM: My friends sometimes steal my mobile to put mine, I remove it.
Me: Oh,is it? Why so?
LM: Come on! How can one have their own !

Me: Hmm.. (mutters... like me!)

Scene2:

Time: Evening
===========

CM: Heights!
Me: What?
CM: You have your own photo for wall-paper!
Me: Hmm.. yeah, you see, I don't have a kid that I can put his/hers!
CM: Makes sense! I have put my kid's :)

Not bad.. could convince him!

Scene 3:

Time: Night
=========

SM: Funny.. Your photo for wallpaper??!!

Me: Funny? What? Photo?
SM: Come on.. how can one put one's own snap for wallpaper?
Me:Why not?
SM: Well.. no one does that!
Me: It is a Chinese way of saying that it is my mobile, picture communication, you see!

[Did I hear him mutter 'seeing this pic, no one will flick!'] Ok.. it works as anti-theft too. Cool!

Dear LM, CM and SM,

I am as surprised as you are, for different reasons. You on how one can have, and me on why you consider it it a big no-no! When we can have every other random person,puppies,kitties,trees and flowers for wallpapers, why not one's own? After all, it is boring to have good wallpapers, all the time!

Wafers or kith?

2010-02-10T12:31:00.001+05:30

....not a tough choice really, I mean, is there a choice? Wafers, of course!

While we make friends, I am sure we also make some enemies or 'I-dislike-you' folks, every now and then. About new friends made today, I am not sure but most certainly I would got some folks added to 'I-Dislike-Rashmi' bandwagon.

And you know what the problem is, a pack of yummy wafers!

It is so crunchy and one bite can be so noisy that your colleagues can't help but distract themselves from work and raise their eye-brows to give a weird glance. Besides that, they feel bad that you are not considering yourself close to them that you don't offer them one.

It is so crispy that one bite and so many flakes fall on the carpet, to fetch enough blessings from the house-keeping staff.

It is so untidy that however efficiently you wipe your face, you will fail in removing that one nagging flake stuck somewhere near your cheek.

And the real worse part is that the wafers are so additive that you care less for the raised eye-brows, 'you-are-not-giving-it-to-me' looks,sweetened carpet, untidy face that got untidier still...

Well, Pardon me folks, one last bite...crunch...

Single again? Dream not!

2010-01-12T21:05:00.002+05:30

She calls him up. He cuts her call. SMS conversation follows:

He: In a meeting.

She: Is it? Ok. Will talk later.

He: Anything urgent?

She:Hmm... oh yeah.. Indeed. It's decided. Calling it quits. Gonna divorce you!

He: Really?!! Coooool!!!

She: Aah? ok.. it's cabbage and beet-root for dinner today! .. and tomorrow too!! How dare you!!

He murmers, 'only gals can manage to give pleasant dreams and shatter them too! '

He: OK.. no divorce, no cabbage and beet-root, ok ?

She: Done!... I mean you ! Get home and bear the brunt!

He: I was only kidding!

She: I was too, but now, dead serious!

He murmers, 'Gals are like weather , so fickle! Gosh! '

For once, He is happy about late hours at work and the traffic jams!
Only gals have the ability to make the world ( with traffic jams) look beautiful, isn't it? :P

Dark and Lovely

2010-01-07T21:54:00.001+05:30

I have been fairly dusky (pun intended) all my life. However, my mother feels I was fair when I was an infant and she finds it a mystery that I turned ‘slightly’ dusky. I can confidently say I was born dusky. The love for kids will make mothers blind or make them forget that black and white photos don’t give clarity or proof to the complexion.

If complexion gives an inferiority complex, it does not come as a shock. It has happened for ages and still does. However, for the upbringing I had , I least cared for what others said of my complexion. It takes importance more so because my sister is fair-skinned.

"Your Sis is very beautiful, isn’t she? She is fairer than you " or some such form was a very familiar observation and pronouncement I used to hear from relatives.

"Thank God, I am not beautiful. Else someone would fall in love with me and I would be compelled to go for love marriage. It would then be a head-ache for parents, isn’t it?” I would say with giggles.
That would suffice to shut their mouths, more often than not. I guess, they also got wary of their fair-skinned daughters and their love affairs!!

My sis is indeed beautiful, more for the person that she is than for the complexion she possesses. It didn’t need relatives to know that. I am so happy how we dealt with it so maturely even when we were kids. Never jealous or irritated with what others had to blurt. All goes to my parents who never once brought such bias or thoughts on to us.

I consider beauty-parlours the places where the inferiority complex is cashed upon. The more ugly(?!!) adjectives are given, thick eye-brows, dusky skin, rough feet, body hair etc, more the money is spent. After all, in a world where external beauty weighs more than the soul, people might be willing to be beautiful, rather look so. Not that I don’t visit parlours, but most certainly not to gain confidence! That has to come from within.

“ Ma’am, it would be good to get a bleach and facial done for your skin is dusky”,said the lady in the parlour.
“ No thanks” is all I had to say. Now that needs confidence, doesn’t it? I was more proud than what I could have been had I got it done for the sole reason that she suggested it.

Black is beautiful! Come on! You don’t think so? Ask you parents if they are ok with Love marriages?? :P

P.S: I do not belong to any Sena that opposes Love Marriages. Just love the look on parents’ faces when they get wary!! :D

Walk to Freedom

2010-01-01T13:15:00.003+05:30

Once upon a time, in the centre of Bangalore city, Gandhinagar that is, there existed the Central Jail guarded with huge walls and fence all around. As the urge to peek at things is proportionate to the urge to hide them, we would gape at the walls with the hope that our sight would pierce through them to help us catch a glimpse of the dark world, so hyped in the movies. Thoughts of criminals as being different entities altogether harboured in our minds then. Back then, we were kids, you see!

As I went past the location today, I was reminded of the hide-and-seek game we played as kids. There exists no such need anymore. I didn't mean to say that criminals are easy to see outside than within the boundaries of the jail. Transformation to the core has occured. Strange contrast one might call it, what was once a Central 'Jail' is now 'Freedom' Park! Yes, Central Jail is relocated to make space for a park for public.

While I write this, I am so reminded of a kannada song, so philosophical and touching but unrelated perhaps, which says "tappu maadadavru ellovre... tappe maadadoro ellovre.. kalrannella jailige haakodaadre bhoomige beli haakabelava?" meaning to say, " Is there anyone who hasn't committed a mistake? If we have to jail the wrong-doers, we have to fence the whole world!!"

The Long and short of it

2009-12-22T21:16:00.007+05:30

So has the tread been, walking at pace, side by side all through the journey, of glorious three years.

Come to think of it, it has been a rapid trip and victorious one at that!

Trust me, he agrees that he is as happy as I am to be together. Isn't it evident in the snap? :P

No, my cooking hasn't reduced him to bones! He is into rigid fitness regime,of late :D

On a serious note, I am totally amazed at the contrast our marriage has offered.We are bonded together, yet independent. Free to think and be.We are vulnerable alone, yet strong together. And you know what, I don't fear my husband a bit. He might :P Although I threaten him against it ... :D

Well, if I write this post ten days after the day I had to, doesn't it prove that people in love think slow, if at all! Considering that, ten days' delay is reasonable, isn't it ?

The wrong of right

2009-12-22T19:32:00.001+05:30

In certain countries, people fought for years to obtain the right, to vote. We the people, of the biggest democracy in the world perceive the right for the liberty to evade from execution, if not all , at least a significant 'we'.

30-40% or less turn-out at the polling booths, is shocking, considering the populous wealth our country possesses. As much we might argue that there hardly is any consequence in our voting or otherwise, but evasion will nip the ounce of the prime opportunity at hand, to do our bit to correct the system.

Unfortunately, it takes voting to be made a duty rather than right to get citizens out of their cozy beds on a paid holiday to lend their opinion on who should rule them. Whatever it takes...

For once, I am impressed with this decision of Narendra Modi and his government. Quite a dynamic move, beyond doubt.
More on this can be read at http://www.deccanherald.com/content/42164/voting-mandatory-gujarat-local-polls.html

Between Ear-rings and the world

2009-12-18T22:03:00.002+05:30

She pulled out the neatly starched and pressed pink salwar suit with crystal white dupatta, from the wardrobe. Held it against her in front of the mirror to see if suits her the way it always did. A mild grin came on her face when she recollected the compliments she got from her dear hubby every single time she wore it. It made her look thin, beautiful and gave a bright outlook. So, the decision was easy to make. She had chosen the dress for the occasion. The pearl necklace and bracelet to adorn her(Anniversaries help, don’t they? More so, the magical ones like 5th),there was no stopping her from looking gorgeous.

She relentlessly searches through the huge collection of ear-rings, in the drawers until she laid her hands on the pair she looked for.As she put them in place to hang through the holes in her ear-lobes, tear-drops that where crystal clear, almost washed her kajal away to draw the smudged lines on her once impeccably dressed face. The world before her collapsed. She sank.

Guilt killed her. What was she up to? To meet him who once gave her the ear-rings but never could come back to see her graced by them? To meet him who was jailed for violence.. of hitting a set of eve-teasers when she was targeted? To cheat on her dutiful husband? She didn't know. She sat still.

Sometimes, the most loved people are the ones you would never want to see again. For peace to prevail . For emotions to hibernate or die...

She sat still. Until the door bell rang. A splash of water to wipe the lines on her face that separated her worlds, of heart and reality. Ear-rings back to where they were, dumped to be never seen again.... or maybe, until a time she is never tempted to.

She ran to get the door. Her husband walked in. Planted a kiss on her fore-head. She smiled.. perhaps.

Secrets that got wings

2009-12-07T15:16:00.005+05:30

My secrets are travelling overseas.. with the only person I might have shared them with.

An extremely amicable person that she always has been, never failed to put me into comfort zone and been there whenever I wanted. There were so many things common between us (just that she is fair and I am dusky ;) ), I hardly remember if we had objections to each others' thoughts. She has been my best friend, mentor and a lending ear. My agony aunt ( not an aunt, literally!), I could say.

I am not going to say, I wish she could stay here, for I know there are better bundles of joy awaiting her and no person could be as happy as me to see her joyful.

I thank God for having given me this experience of knowing a wonderful and down-to-earth person in her. A great source of influence she is.

Wishing Kanchan the very best in life and I really want this long distance relationship to work! Some compensation, God!

"Some people are born to leave a mark wherever they go and you sure did, my dear!"

Daddy's Gal

2009-12-04T21:08:00.000+05:30

As a kid, I was dad's gal, big time. All my dad said was intellectual, meaningful and sensible. There was no way I would disagree or find fault. If he said yes, yes was my answer too and if no, so it was.

Over the years, in sportive spirit, we have had several arguments over differences of opinion. It meant, I started thinking otherwise of many opinions that I had inherited from my dad. Dad being a perfect gentleman, has always given scope for free thinking.Some still converge and some opinions diverge to a large extent and we leave it at that for every individual has an opinion and it has to be respected. As I mentioned in my previous post, I go-kart and I like Swift car too!
We do think different.

I find it funny to recollect that I always liked actors my father was a fan of and disliked the ones, he did. But now, I have a bunch of 'good' actors that are not in my father's list. Trust me , he doesn't like Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar.

The one thing of some that was a yes then because my dad felt so and still is a yes for I feel so too, is that Aamir Khan is a supreme actor. Man! I saw some of the promos of "Three Idiots", and I must tell, he is all set to do the magic yet again.

I recollect another one, my dad always disliked Shahrukh Khan and I share that opinion till-date! Some things never change :)

Standing Instructions

2009-12-04T15:18:00.004+05:30

Do not go-kart in front of your parents.

If I were sad that the four laps that were given to me got over in a flicker, someone out there was relieved for the same reason, that there were just 4 and it got over in a jiffy! My Father, you know.

To parents, kids remain so forever!

Fact is, kids grow, parents don't seem to ;).
Sometimes(when not go-karting, that is), that very fact is such a pleasure!

Festival of sorts

2009-11-30T10:23:00.005+05:30

Yesterday, I announced to my husband that two incompatible entities were going to come together the next morning.
The "incompatible" tag is very much an opinion of his, with respect to him. He hates them single as much as seeing them together. It was going to be incompatibility squared!! He wouldn't care if they were incompatible to eachother, but to him they sure are.

He: " I am going to be on leave tomorrow, for sure".

Me: "Huh??!! Why? Monday Blues? "

He: "Isn't there a food-festival happening at home!!?? How can I imagine going to office??!!"

Me" "Grrrrr"

Well, it was the coming together of Chickpea and cabbage in the curry!!

I have decided to continue the celebrations, much to his dismay.Tomorrow, it is most certainly going to be beet-root's day out ( of the refrigerator)!!

I hate T.V

2009-11-10T20:47:00.003+05:30

I declare that I hate T.V. These words take significance as they are coming out of the mouth of a person who was once a T.V buff.

Coming to the reason, well, not sure if it is because I watch so less of it or if the less that I watch is itself more than enough to bore me out!

Stress maker or breaker?

2009-11-07T22:01:00.010+05:30

Lady: You know what, you try to rule over me!

Man: No Baby, how can that be possible?

Lady: Enough is enough. I don’t want to compromise all the time.

Man: I totally agree.. but what is the problem?

Lady: Why do I have to always watch a sci-fi movie in which eyes pop out of some deadly creature having some stupid antennae and robotic body.

Man: When do I object to your watching anything?

Lady: Well.. you get to object something only if I watch,, I mean, if I get to watch!

Man: Ok.. take the remote.. all yours.

Lady: No.. I don’t want anyone’s mercy. Women don’t need mercy, they want equal rights!

[She gets up to walk out of the living room]

Man: What do you want me to do now?

Lady: Whatever.. like you care for my wishes. You have a bunch of those extra-terrestrials to

gape at !

Man: Ok.. come on.. cheer up, lets watch Comedy circus now.

Lady mumbles, Gosh! So much of emotional black-mail to watch a one hour show, once a week!!
Man: You said something?
Lady: No.. what's the theme for comedy today?

T.V is supposed to relieve one of stress, more often than not, does all else but that!

Picture perfect

2009-11-02T11:22:00.001+05:30

Right now.. everything around me looks just perfect.. not an inch here or there, I want modified. Isn't that one of the rare things in life, to love what we have and want it that way too?

I am happy :)

Made in China

2009-10-30T23:19:00.005+05:30

Yet another article "Made in China" I own today. Some I owned when on my short foreign visit and a lot when my kith and kin visited us shortly.

China's got all the talent in the world, but just is due to realize that it can and is ruling the world, controlling other countries' economy and most importantly ,making life easy for people staying abroad, visiting us on a vacation!! It is so natural to expect 'imported' gifts and one wouldn't mind fulfilling the expectation as long as 'Made in China' articles are there to be gifted.

I am not complaining at all :) After all, I got an imported gift !

Loss or Gain?

2009-10-20T20:55:00.002+05:30

Besides loss of hair, if you happen to discover the presence of grey hair, what should you attribute it to? The stress... of hair loss? or Age gain?

Sheer conspiracy

2009-10-14T21:10:00.002+05:30

One of those days , I tell you , you and you.

Just when the world conspires with my bad luck and impatience, worse to happen,for sure.
In fact, worse is not the word!

If there is some enclosure I have to attach urgently and I prepare that for 3 hours only to lose it for having closed the window of the editor per chance.. what do you say!!

Stupid me or is it the conspiracy to be totally blamed?!

Boytalk

2009-10-13T19:45:00.003+05:30

One of my colleagues is due to get married in a couple of months. When he announced the news to friends, a gang of guys surrounded his cube and started ragging him.

I was forced to EVEsdrop for the laughter was so loud to seek anyone's attention.

Gang leader : Congrats,man!
Colleague: Thanks.
Gang leader: Continue to be happy man [Echoed by a huge burst of laughter by married men!]
Colleague: So difficult to be happy is it?
Gang Leader: Well, it depends. Sometimes, it is difficult, sometimes, it is more difficult!!

I must admit, I laughed out loud hearing that. Can't stop imagining how my husband would be 'motivating' other bachelors to get married! Men will be men, huh?

English with Indian Tadka

2009-09-11T12:29:00.004+05:30

Whoever belittles Indian-English accent, has to keenly notice that it has indeed a prime place in structuring English.
Why do you think "Especially" got coined as if "specially" wasn't enough?

Rakhi ka swayamvar

2009-08-04T10:08:00.004+05:30

I knew it ! It could possibly have been none other than the Toronto Businessman. I always felt it was pre-cooked as one wouldn't want to risk their life by marrying any body turning up for a TV reality show. I still feel, she knew him before and wished to tie up with him and helped NDTV Imagine make a show out of it by gathering some set of folks!

Whatever, I must admit, I have watched the idiotic show , if not all, at least quite some episodes for the sheer fun that gave to see the pretentious bride-to-be!

When it was the D-day ( the latest one) of Rakhi's life to choose the groom, The emcee asked the gathering to stand up to wish the couple-to-be.

"Are people going to sing National Anthem that one has to stand up?" ,I said.

"No... it's a stand-up comedy!! That's why. Now, stop adding to the TRP of this funny show!", he said.

Moment of Truth

2009-08-04T10:06:00.002+05:30

In a restaurant, last saturday, I witnessed a true test of character and someone passing it too. Good food relished with the family. When it came to foot the bill, the person called the waiter for some clarification. As the case normally would be, I thought there was some mis-calculation and some dish being charged more or charged for extra rotis that were never ordered for. The person promptly told the waiter that the cost of Chicken Biryani was not included in the bill and asked him to get that included.

The waiter was so grateful for the person for having helped him out from being in a soup.

It really made me feel good, more so for honest act being of my husband. I appreciated him for it and he said "I know, the restaurants however over-price things, they will not lose a penny by missing out on billing one of our orders, but I really pitied the waiter. When the manager tallies things and gets to know, he would be rebuked. Why get that done, knowingly?"

Speaks volumes of the person he is, isn't it?

What an Idea?

2009-07-31T08:11:00.005+05:30

Which is ideal to have? An Idea connection or a Motorola ring-tone?

Should you be reminded to "walk when you talk" or be told "Hello Motu(Moto)" every time you get call to remind you to lose weight and keep in shape? Or, an Idea connection with a motorola ring-tone, works just fine?

My husband was browsing through the ring-tones on his new phone to get a good replacement for the "Hello Motu", now that he is fed up of being called Motu on every single call .

Foolish Irony

2009-07-15T19:09:00.003+05:30

Only a fool can be happy at all situations, practically speaking.
It amuses me that all it takes to be happy in life , is to be a fool!

Afore the world

2009-07-13T10:33:00.004+05:30

Walk I can, sure
On my own.
But, my love,
Afore all,while I do
I need you to hold my hand
For me to walk,
With hope,pride and gaity.

What motivates you?

2009-07-10T09:29:00.002+05:30

To come to work everyday, one most certainly needs motivation.
For today, it has been my new sandals. To 'come' , it sure motivated!

End of an Era

2009-07-08T12:17:00.005+05:30

She was cute and lovely. She caught rats. She was loyal . She was naughty, to sneak through the gates and give false scares to people on the road. She was a true pet, tolerant to our man-handling.
A part of our life for the last 11 years. "Rakshi" to all of us and 'Pup' to my brother. Now, she is no more, leaving behind just her memories in our hearts.

For the first time about 15 years ago, when we had a pet dog that died of sickness, I had insisted at home that we should no more have pets at home fearing the sadness that might strike as it had in the past. But then, my brother, a true animal freak, wanted to have some at home. His interest ranged from a rooster to Fish to birds to dogs. That's how Rakshi came into our life ,as a cute baby doll and now she is leaving being a void. She passed away, yesterday.

If she were this cute, who wouldn't miss her?

It hurts. We will miss her, truly.

Shackles

2009-07-01T20:18:00.004+05:30

'What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare?'

..... makes more sense than ever to me, right now.

I just want to unleash myself, do whatever I want to, idle without feeling a pinch of guilt... just be me...

If only I could....

Is someone wondering how one can be depressed on 1st of a month? Well.. my pay day is not 1st, but 25th!

Hit or Miss?

2009-06-27T19:35:00.008+05:30

He : I am missing you, my dear.

She: Really? Hmm..

He: Don't you?

She: No..

He: Huh? Don't you love me?

She: I love you more than myself.

He: But then, you don't miss me, huh?

She: No dear, I would 'miss' you if I ever felt that you were not with me. You are always in my heart, so near,how can I miss you?

He: Oh really? That's so sweet!! [ Hangs up and whispers," I guess, now I don't have to feel guilty that I wasn't really missing her!! Love mera hit hit, soniye" ]

:)

Mine that was, is no more!

2009-06-27T08:40:00.004+05:30

I am unable to access my, I mean MY gmail account !! :( Someone has hacked my password and changed the same. Doesn't that answer why my orkut account looked weird with unknown communities getting added like nobody's business? I am head over heals to get my authority back on it, will take an other couple of hours before it happens,I believe. I hope, at least after couple of hours.

What the hell?! Mine that was, all along, refuses to accept me! You know how it feels like, don't you? Hurts!

Priority Scheduling

2009-06-26T10:18:00.003+05:30

To prioritise is important, more so in a busy life. But what and when?

Today, one of those multiple situations, when you really don't know what to do. Have some important work at office and at the same time, some very important guests to entertain at home. To feel guilty about not giving some time ,once in a while, to familial commitments or to refrain from office work, which is eternally critical, for one day? Real dilemma.

Not sure, today I chose the former one. Very often, I choose the latter option. But then, how does it matter, guilt feeling does kill. And being physically and mentally in two different places, serves less good.

Dog-fights

2009-06-22T10:49:00.010+05:30

A couple of days ago, one of our relatives visited us. When our dogs were lazing around on the floor on a Sunday afternoon,

Dad: These are our pets, Moti and Rakshi.

Relative: For how long have they been here?

Dad: Well, he is here (pointing at Moti) for 12 years and she (pointing at Rakshi) for 10 years.

Relative: Really? Nice, that's a long time. Out of curiosity, don't the dogs fight with each other?

Dad: No, they don't. They have been together for long, they know each other well.

Me : Come on, papa! If being together for long meant no fights, then no husband and wife should fight with each other. We need to give the doggies, their due credit.

Relative: Ha ha ha ...Point!

Dad: Hmmm....

I promise

2009-06-21T18:28:00.007+05:30

As I gaze at the snap that captured one of our good times together, I feel lost. That snap, the one in the living room, got it? Still not? Man.. hadn't you torn apart a beautiful wedding card to handcraft an even more beautiful photo-frame to frame it? Yes, that one.

Ok, I tell you. Please come back soon. I promise to not comment ( for long) that your shirts are boring and your hair-style is funny. I won’t even say that you have grown fatter, ok ?
*If that is not enough, I will resist fights too.
(*conditions apply).

Threat

2009-06-20T20:50:00.006+05:30

... a serious one at that!

If Orkut application does not come up with security, or offending folks/viruses around in the cybersphere don't start minding their own businesses, I threaten to withdraw myself from the Orkut magnetism. I mean it.

Nagging rubbish really, of late more bane than boon it is bringing along. Automatically, some communities get added, those which I have not known or heard of! There will be changes in the "About me" section to an extent that makes me wonder if I really know much about me!! Too much to bear with! A stake to identity, not excusable, isn't it?

Just one good thing, if at all, it has has done is to add me into the zoozoo fan club, something I concur with. Even then, I say I could have pretty well managed that all my myself, thankyou.

Nip me or not?

2009-06-20T16:32:00.011+05:30

It’s dark in here
I hear, it’s darker yet, outside
For me, for souls like me.
A soul like me, you ought to tell

For reasons unknown,
The hatred on me, fears me
Clinging to you, tight
Does it hurt, momma?

Will you nip me or give life?
Either way, you are saving me.
But promise me, you will never cry
Now or later, with me or without.
Do you hear me?
A soul like me, you ought to..

Hurt or Heart-felt?

2009-06-19T13:36:00.006+05:30

Blame me not if I hurt you

No control I own

On emotions or words

For I am carefree with you,

With you alone...

Is that why, I hurt you ?

Hurt you the the most,

So often, so much?

Necessity, Mother, Discovery

2009-06-19T12:06:00.003+05:30

My tech-savvy brother and myself broke every cell of our gray matter before we got the new cordless phone that was gifted by a friend,installed at home. It looked cryptic ( signature of an imported material,maybe) and took a lot of reading and understanding of the manual before we got it right,yesterday. More credit to brother there.
Today, none at home but mom. She was not given Knowledge transfer of the way to use that cryptic device. I tried calling her for some urgent information. After not getting response for 3-4 times , I realised she must be facing difficulty in using the device. Another ten minutes, there comes the call from that device to my mobile.

"I tried a couple of things and I got it! " ,she said. Wow... necessity indeed made my mother discover it .

Waiting to wait

2009-06-07T21:31:00.006+05:30

Hugs
Kisses
Tears
Smiles
Hand-shakes
Bouquets
Byes

I saw all of them at one place on Friday night. No, I wasn't watching any Bollywood movie in a theatre; the Airport, you see.

By the way, it's extremely tough to see someone off, more so if it's your spouse. But then, I was a sport, wasn't I, dear?

Waiting to wait in front of the Arrival section.... soon.

But when?

2009-06-04T13:57:00.009+05:30

Mamma in the living room, reading news paper. Sanju back from school, dropping the bag on sofa, runs towards her.

Sanju, Why don't you remove shoes before entering in? How many times do I tell you?

Sorry Mamma...

Ok....be a good boy next time.

Yes mamma. You know what!!!, I have a good news for you.

Is it? What, baby?

This time, I stood first in the class !!!

Mamma kisses Sanju on his forehead

Wow!! Way to go,baby. Very well done. That's like my boy!!!

What about the promise, mamma?

What Promise? ... ah that one, ok dear, I will take you to the amusement park.

No ... not that.

What else do you want, dear?

You had told last year that papa will come home when I stand first in the class.

A drop or two of tears and she runs into the room and locks the door.

Sanju knocks on the door, not to be opened.

Mamma, sorry... next time I will not walk into the house with shoes still on. I will be a good boy.

Mamma cries uncontrollably inside the room, staring at the roof. Lumps in her throat. No answers in her mind.

Birthday or Achievement?

2009-06-02T10:48:00.005+05:30

Not sure of the source as I read it a number of years ago. But, it touched me . "After 25, celebrate achievements, not birthdays", someone had told or quoted. However, it makes a lot of sense.

As I turn 27 today, not sure why umpteen number of phone calls, scraps or treats could not make me get excited about the day at all . Feeling happy is a different thing, which I did for all the wishes from near and dear. But the excitement part, not sure why, was missing.

For the first time in life, I have treated the day quite as much as I would take any other day.
Ageing huh?

With no achievements yet, need to go a long way for an occasion to celebrate!

God can't either!

2009-06-01T16:05:00.002+05:30

There is no one person on Earth who can please everyone. Not one!

I guess, God can't too; Otherwise, why would there be Vishnu, Shiva, Allah and Jesus?!

Nano Black-mail

2009-05-27T21:38:00.006+05:30

No, I don’t mean, ‘small’ blackmail.

Not sure, how helpful Nano has been/would be to others. To me, it indeed has been. After all, I got to steer the wheel of my Husband’s (taunt ,this is) car after 2.5 years!

All I had to say was “ Let me drive, or get me a Nano!!” . It worked!!

Had this major breakthrough in the automobile industry happened years ago, I wouldn’t have to write Rash driving? call xxxxxxxxxx

Issue-less or an Issue?

2009-05-27T21:12:00.002+05:30

If only she had spoken up-front, she could have avoided the marriage; Of her husband.

Besides bearing the brunt of being childless for no fault of hers, she drove another innocent lady to an unhealthy matrimony, helplessly.

I guess, it's quite improbable now,rather, I hope so. But I wonder if it were ever the reason for getting a man married for the third time for not having heirs from the first two wives. Could it be a case of ego for men ( I still wonder why!!) and restraint of freedom of expression for women?

I was shocked when one of my relatives, married for over 12 years, got a suggestion from "well-wishers" to go for a second marriage for being issue-less. Come on! Even now, one says so!!??

Strong? Me or Love?

2009-05-27T16:21:00.009+05:30

Interesting conversations with people make me wonder...

Which is stronger? To let go of love or hanging on to it, come what may?

One said, " I am a strong person, I could come out of the depression of letting go of love and was able to move on in life".

Another said, "I was strong enough to cling to the love , came whatever hurdles ".

What is Love?

2009-05-26T12:59:00.004+05:30

Trust? Care? Faith? Or what else ?

Well, I have come to the belief that it has to be nothing but “Centre of Attention (CoA)”. If you are the CoA of someone, then you can claim to be loved by that someone. Likewise, you reciprocate with ‘Love’ for whom you are CoA.

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke to a mother of 3 month old baby. She said, “It feels great to know that the baby wants none but me! I am loving every moment of being wanted". She loves the kid for she is the CoA for the baby that makes her feel wanted. The same would apply to the baby when it starts realizing that it is CoA for parents and ‘loves’ in return.

A time will come when for an individual, his/her immediate family, spouse and children, would mean more than any other relationship ( Parents, to be specific). If that has to happen, meaning to shift priorities, it has to be because of getting undivided attention from someone, and made felt as the most important person in one’s life.

Basically, to feel wanted is to be loved. If CoA shifts, Love drifts.

If one claims to love someone, one is doing no help/favor to that someone. One likes to seek attention, so much like others, and if he/she is the CoA of someone, love is indeed found in that someone.

Rags, let me tell you, I am doing no favor by loving you. In fact, I am thankful to you for making me feel wanted!

One to give up or not?

2009-05-05T11:29:00.004+05:30

If I give up reading "Midnight's Children" (Booker of Bookers) after the 5th chapter,
should I call myself a person who gives up quickly or one who doesn't?!!!!

Looking back...

2009-04-29T21:15:00.002+05:30

Bored to the core, I took to reading the archives on my blog. Some made me feel "eew" and some ,"wow". Can't believe I wrote what I wrote , some silly and some fairly nice ( at least to me).

When I wrote them, I guess, I remembered every word of it for a while. Unbelievably, now I can't recollect the gist even after taking a look at the topic! Perfect symptoms of aging I display, ain't it?

Also, maybe with time, "eew" things become "wow" and vice-versa! Puzzled I am !

Looking back does help, silly thoughts sometimes mature with time..

Some more archives to dig through to vote for the best /worst post of mine ( according to me). So far, haven't been able to judge, is it that the best/worst is yet to come? ;)

I will

2009-04-22T10:22:00.001+05:30

My Moral Responsibility?

My Duty?

Does it matter? Not if I dont try?

However, I will vote tomorrow as I have been doing for years. And continue to believe, or try to.

Free @ 'The Forum'

2009-04-13T19:49:00.001+05:30

Can anyone believe that I have been a proud recipient of a free commodity at The Forum?? "Free" literally means free, no 'conditions apply' tag in small fonts whatsoever!

We go for a movie at the Forum, on a saturday afternoon with no particular wish of watching a particular movie. A change is all we wanted and tickets were available only for one movie, and we headed for it.

A kannada movie "Venkata in Sankata" was the one with some tickets left and we decided to watch the same. It was on the 50th day of its running that we went, we were told. As it was a special day for the movie production team, it visited the theatre with quite some lead actors to give us a surprise... no this was not the free commodity.

Post interval, when a girl sitting next me passed two pastries, I for once appreciated her gesture of sharing her snacks with us, but then, I saw a long line of pastries exchanging hands...

Pretty decent comedy movie, some actors and then 'free' yummy chocolate pastry... wow!!!

The thought of death...

2009-04-10T21:38:00.002+05:30

...scares me to death. More so of beloved ones than of mine.

Last night, when all seemed so silent, an ambulance,beeping the emergency alarm, came to a house three doors away, to take a person for urgent attention. I do hope that all is well with the person.

But silly thoughts that run in the mind as a consequence , makes me only pray to God to save people from experiencing such situations, more so of beloved ones ( Not that I don't wish the same for others, but thoughts of beloved ones alone come to mind).

Love makes one vulnerable to such phobias, isn't it?

The truth is that, one day will indeed be the last in our life. Yet,not an easy fact to accept easily and move on.

Understanding, really??

2009-04-05T20:31:00.006+05:30

If not a thing of rarity, one can't understand another person in a certain situation unless having been through it in the past.

It does take a couple of rough patches in life to become an 'Understanding' person, isn't it?

How motivating?

2009-03-26T11:13:00.000+05:30

Some captions are motivating,say for example,
"Born to win...Leave your mark"

..... but how safe is it if put on a car?!!

Thought for the day

2009-03-19T18:42:00.002+05:30

Don't make faces when receiving the calls. The person calling might just be far enough to call, but near enough to see!

Taj and Recession

2009-02-28T20:16:00.004+05:30

Recession might have made people think twice before heading for restaurants frequently, more so to the 5-star ones.

However, during recession, Hotel Taj would be the best one to visit!! Stunned??!! Well, let me tell you... there was a program on TV highlighting the standard and quality of services offered by Hotel Taj.Amazing!!

Another thing, of course most importantly , they have dishwashing machines! :D

Does that answer why I said, it's best to go to Taj to experience good service even with no money?? (I reiterate , they have dishwashers!!)

We-Day

2009-02-14T19:55:00.006+05:30

At 1.00 a.m in the night, I woke up to see my husband preparing this beautiful collage to depict our lives together. I am impressed.Period.

Love you too, Honey. You have truly made me feel special.

Three years ago, when I saw you for the first time, I was instinctively and instantly convinced to spend the rest of my life with you. Love at first sight, you may call it. Now, three years later, convinced more than ever for a wonderful gem that you are.

Interesting?

2009-02-13T18:57:00.001+05:30

Isn't it interesting to see that the word 'interesting' is used for the most uninteresting of situations in the corporate world?

Moron Policing

2009-02-11T09:48:00.001+05:30

To all those folks supposedly on a march to set the world right on Feb14th just by getting some people married, all I can say is "Go, get a life".

Not that I am all for Valentine's day, I have always felt that love is not something one has to recognise on a certain day. I would not celebrate that day,either. Rather, I celebrate it the way I do every other day.

But, I am not against and have no right to be against people who wish to live life their own way , of course, as long as it is not a mis-deed they are getting into. Celebrating a day, for whatever reason is no misdeed.

What of those senseless folks yelling out there? What is the C of Culture they know? Is it that one has to forget humanity? Is it that one has to develop hatred? Is it that one has to turn violent?

If making noise on issues (??!!) that are not qualified to be even trivial can be a sure shortcut to get them to lime-light, then why would they want to trouble their grey matter ( if they have it, that is ) to think about the bigger and real problems of life.

Mr.Mutalik is a bachelor by choice or inevitable destiny, I don't know. But, in any case, a woman's life is spared from being dis-respected all her life. Maybe, that can be his only sane act !

Plant or Tree?

2009-02-02T20:09:00.003+05:30

A couple of days ago, as I was just gazing at the footpath while I travelled to office, I saw a skinny boy with a huge back-pack that almost made his chin touch his knees. I agree, nothing new about it and there are innumerable kids who undergo that. Well, I did too.

I do not know if it is inevitable now, but when I was a kid, I suppose it wasn't ,yet I did. Not that I was too studious,I was plain lazy! I never had the patience to arrange my books as per the day's time-table, so the safest option was to carry the load everyday. Stupid or not, I don't know. Laziness so much ruled me that I was game for physical labour! Gosh!

So, for once I pitied the boy, later I had doubts if he were as lazy as I was or things have changed a lot over the years.

There is a saying in Kannada " Gidavaagi baggaddu maravaagi baggithe" roughly translating to " If it doesn't bend when a plant,it never will when a tree". I never disciplined myself then, no hopes now, is it?

Are there any takers for the idea of not folding the rug every morning for the reason that you anyway have to use it in the night? Or am I the only lazy one on earth celebrating individuality in a peculiar style?

Why!!

2009-01-16T19:05:00.000+05:30

Why is it that some days are just not yours????

Better at least only if 'some' aren't!

Sigh!!

House-Arrest??

2009-01-08T19:19:00.003+05:30

One of my aunts, decently educated, is looking for proposals to get her son married. A wonderful person he is and for sure, his wife in future would possibly not have regrets. Today, I got to talk to that aunt of mine and I asked if she is for doctor-daughter- in-law, as normally the trend would be. She has a big NO, not just for a doctor daughter-in-law but a working DIL in general. For once, I raised my eye-brows, but looks like she has her intentions clear.

"If my DIL happens to work , I would always be entangled with house-hold work, now cooking for son, later would have to for DIL too. How long can I work",she said. I had no answer for that.

An expectation of getting untangled from house-hold only through DIL and not from son for whom she has done her best for years is right or not, I really don't know...

Well, I really hope a girl who whole-heartedly wants to be a home-maker becomes his soul-mate. As long as the decision is own, "Home-making" is a career in itself. But if enforced,a slow poison.

I am not on a conclusion that the decision is right or not, because she did not expect women not to work, but she has her specifications and maybe has rights to specify too. But, for some reason, it deeply saddens me that women are channelized into the physical-labour stream than the mental-labour one.

What of economic-independence and empowerment??

When me??

2008-11-29T22:55:00.008+05:30

I am not shocked. Well, not a typo error there. I am really not shocked. If time and again it happens, one tends to take it as a routine. Today somebody,tomorrow me?? Terror is in such a proximity.

I do not think any strong military or other security forces can curb terrorism. Not in India, not in the U.S, not anywhere. If it has to be curbed, it can be done only by the individuals who indulge in it. Let conscience awake!

Everytime, hundreds or thousands die , some widows,some widowers, infants turning orphans, kins of both of innocent and terrorist folks! A day or two and memories vanish from minds. Does it serve any purpose at all?

Hatred? For what? Which religion advocates killing? Of Innocent people, of all?

I am depressed. Period.

Now or Never

2008-11-25T20:31:00.004+05:30

At Sanjana's wedding, 2nd June,2008

Lady A: Hey Sujatha, look, there goes Ms.Vanitha's son. Isn't he handsome?

Lady B: Oh yes, he is. What does he do?

Lady A: He works with XYZ MNC as a software engineer.

Lady B: Oh really?!! That's good.

Lady A: Why don't you approach his family for your daughter's marriage proposal?

Lady B: Truly. I was thinking just the same.

Lady A: Exactly, handsome and software engineer, what more ?

Lady B: I pray to God that it works out.

At Nandini's wedding, 24th Dec,2008

Lady A: Hey Sujatha, look, there goes Ms.Vanitha's son. Isn't he handsome?

Lady B: Oh yes, he is. What does he do?

Lady A: How works with XYZ MNC as a software engineer.

Lady B: Oh really?!! Hmmm

Lady A: Why don't you approach his family for your daughter's marriage proposal?

Lady B: Markets aren't that good, are they? Quite a risk to consider.

Lady A: Hmmm, you are right. By the way, Ms Saritha is looking for proposals for her son.

Lady B: Is it? What does he do?

Lady A: He is a doctor. Preparing for P.G. Entrance exams.

Lady B: Oh really??!! Doctors settle late, but they settle ultimately. Less risky.

Lady A: True, that's why I suggested.

Lady B: I pray to God that it works out.

Wedding proposals to Software engineers seem to be an epitome of markets.
Hurry up guys, now or never!!!

Laying hands off the matter!

2008-11-19T21:39:00.005+05:30

Any working wife and husband would indeed talk of markets and their job security now, don't they?

Husband: Sun Microsystems has announced it finally!!

Wife: Citigroup did it too!!!!

Husband: Hmmm... so what does your company have to say?

Wife: No clue. Fingers crossed.

Husband: 'Wait and watch' is the mantra. No other go anyway.

Wife : True. So how are you going to take care of me after lay-offs?

Husband: ?????!!!!!!!

Whatever happened to gender-equality and equal opportunity? Exploiting the edge, huh? :D

Last Chance!

2008-11-14T09:32:00.001+05:30

God,
This is your last chance. Stop being unfair to me!

-No regards,
Rashmi.

P.S: Offense intended. Well, ‘no’ that is prefixing ‘regards’ will shift its place to prefix ‘Offense’ only if the response action convinces the accuser.

Twice-fold Effect!!

2008-11-13T20:42:00.012+05:30

As I belong a generation consisting of folks about to enter or who have just entered the matrimonial phase, I quite often get to hear of the match-fixing, negotiations, horoscope matching and if all succeed ,marriage.

Of all, to the phase of horoscope-matching, I have complete disapproval. Is the institution of marriage so simple that all one’s life, just the spouse is the entity the person deals with? Not really! If only horoscopes are important for compatibility checks, then why haven’t people realized, rather than checking the compatibility of the bride/groom-to-be, verifying that of saans-bahu will make Ekta Kapoor go bankrupt and restore sanity to the world.It’s quite unfortunate if the guy and girl like each other with the horoscope horror to dismantle their dreams.

As will the case be with many, marriage applicants will deny, parents will deny their denial. Looking for the right time of my absence, at time of my match-fixing, my mom had visited an astrologer with the horoscopes of Rags and mine. Just when I was back, here’s what she had to say,

Mom: Finally, I got the horoscope matching done.

Me: Come on, mama.

Mom: Shut-up! What do you know?

Me: Hmmm…

Mom: However, he said the compatibility is great.He said, that guy is the right person.

Me :oh!!

Mom: .... (Brimming with joy) ...and this is the right time to get married. If done so, everything will be twice-folded in your life.

Me: Huh? What about marriage then? That twice-folded too?

Mom: Shut-up! Won't you? He meant your happiness in life will increase.

Me: Looks like the Astrologer was right.

Mom: (Seeming quite victorious for having convinced me).. So finally you agree? Good.

Me: Of course, mama. You did say ‘shut-up’ twice. Twice-fold effect you see!!

Mom: God save Raghu!!

I was only kidding when I said that to her, quite an ugly joke that was. But my intent was to explain that not horoscopes, but hearts play a role in compatibility. Just ‘Put yourself in others’ shoes’ principle in life would lead to understanding anybody, not just the spouse. If I need to get compatible, I need to understand his priorities in life and so should he, right? Well, has there been any horoscopically-approved couple that hasn’t fought? That must be a wonder, I say.

Open Kitchen

2008-11-12T19:18:00.006+05:30

Visitor Sandeep drops in to Aunt Revathy's house.

Aunt: Hey Sandeep, nice to see you.

Sandeep : Thanks Aunty. I came to invite you to my sister's wedding.

Aunt : That's pleasant news, Sandeep.

Sandeep : Yes Aunty.

Aunt: So where is your brother-in-law working?

Sandeep : Aunty,He is a software Engineer with an MNC.

Aunt : Excellent.
(She makes a move towards the kitchen)

Sandeep :No..no..Aunty, I just had my lunch and came.

Aunty: Come on Sandeep, eat little at our house too.

Sandeep :No Aunty, I am so full.

Aunty: Hmm...ok then...
(Aunt looks for Milk in the fridge )

Sandeep : No Aunty, no coffee too.

Aunty: Sandeep, how can I send you without giving anything?

Sandeep : Its perfectly fine, Aunty. Some other time , I will drop in .

Aunty : Ok, please do. Regards to your parents.

Sandeep : Sure, Aunty.

Open Kitchen does help, ain't it?

Hawaii Slippers

2008-11-08T18:39:00.001+05:30

About 15 years ago, on one of the days I played with my friends, I had lost my new shoes. In the mind to avoid any wear and tear, I had them rested them in a corner and played bare feet. For every time-please in the game, I ran to the corner, gave a glance at my shoes and continued with my play. Then came a time- please and there I ran huffing and puffing to see, but not to find my footwear that seemed to have slipped into the hands of some stone-hearted person.

Mom’s reminder of carelessness ( but tell me, how careful than watching the shoes every now and then and preventing them from wear and tear can one get??) and dad’s venture to buy me a new pair with mom’s advice to buy me nothing but Hawaii slippers for as per her, kids of such age keep losing things and it would only be less painful to lose Hawaii slippers next time.

So off we went to a shoe showroom, dad, brother and myself. I eyed at a very good red colored shoes but never opened my mouth to express my wish for two reasons, one being that I was guilty of losing an expensive pair of shoes and another being that we were constructing a house then and I had thought that going for less-expensive shoes would save some money for my father ( Did I think that it would help him construct another floor!! Hmmph.. no clue). We were back home, dad, brother, Hawaii slippers and myself. I was not as happy as I would generally be whenever anything new was bought for me. Well, my brother who knew the fact told that to my father (well, kids of our age and my brother who is four years younger to me would generally know the kiddo secrets). Usually, his normal trait would be to threaten me of revealing the secrets, but this time, he said it. Amidst the anger that I had on my brother for having done that to me, I really didn’t concentrate on my dad’s response. I suppose he opined that I must have expressed my wish.

Kids will be kids, don't they? Wishing for small things, fighting for small things, threatening for small things and getting scared of small things!!

Well, these thoughts refreshed in my mind when I watched an Iranian movie titled “Children of Heaven”, translated into English on Star movies a fortnight ago. One of best movies I have ever watched I must say. A movie revolving around shoes and kids, gosh, it looks so real!! It brought back so many of my memories .What runs in a kid’s mind maybe beyond a parent’s perception. Composition the same, yet brains work different.

Title Picture!

2008-11-05T16:04:00.005+05:30

In the saturday supplements of 'The Hindu' newspaper, there is a column called 'Caught snapping' to which readers are requested to send an 'out-of-the-ordinary' photograph( meaning not the ones of one standing next to the flower vase or in front of statue of liberty!!) with a 'good' caption. Winner of the contest get published and would carry home some gifts as well. Now, if all it takes to participate in the contest is to send an e-mail with a photo attachment, wouldn't a software engineer grab that opportunity? I did.

Picture :

Caption : "Tryst with Self"

Well, this is not a success story. When I was saying that I might win, rags had only told 'provided they understand the caption' !!! Was that enough to predict the result? It seemed like.

Nevertheless, as every movie would have a title song, my blog would have a title picture!! If not to allot a space for the unpublished content, what else is a blog for? More so,there's always another saturday!!

Safe Diwali

2008-10-28T14:57:00.004+05:30

Yesterday, when Bipasha Basu wished a very safe diwali to the viewers of a certain channel, Rags,to respect her wish,instantly pledged not to watch her movies during Diwali!

Safe? Staying away from bad(?) movies or from 'hot' entities ???!!! Diplomatically said, ain't it?

Hmm...

Priceless ride

2008-10-22T20:19:00.006+05:30

Strange are people's ways. Sometimes we enjoy things that come when we shell money. If it comes for free, we search for means to escape from those situations, isn't it? Take for example, most of us would be prepared to shell out so much money for all the high-thrill roller coaster rides in Amusement parks, but never to volunteer to accommodate the back seats in the cabs because of the bumpy rides!!

Well, today my roller coaster ride to home was indeed excellent. Does someone want to take the pleasure tomorrow?

Injurious Ban

2008-10-21T21:10:00.002+05:30

Perhaps, I am quite traditional for I still stand by the feeling that smoking is a sick,not hep thing. I could not have been more ecstatic when I read the headline that smoking would be banned at offices too. When I went on to read in more detail, I felt that it was more of a bane than a boon to the inevitable passive smokers. Who on earth felt that smoking in a confined zone is more dangerous than smoking on streets,thereby increasing the scope of harm to passive smokers.
Rule banaaya bhi to kya banaaya! Wah.
At this juncture, I am reminded of my visit to Goa,last year. I was impressed when I got to know that smoking in public was banned and implemented more or less.

I thought smoking in public needs to be banned, if at all the agenda is not just about gathering publicity for a brief while!

Devil or Deep blue sea?

2008-09-20T19:22:00.008+05:30

Bid Goodbye to that dream job of your life or every morning, play (?) hide-but-no-seek-until-back-from-office-game to handover the crying kid to the maid's supervision?

Tough decisions, ain't it? Devil or Deep blue sea? Who should decide, mother or baby?

Majority of the working women, married or yet-to-be, mothers or yet-to-be, have in them the worry or fear of failing to effectively fulfil the duties of being a mother. As a consequence, some quit careers to devote all of their time and interests towards their home, some manage to seek help from the world to deal with things to the best possible extent. Well, it's a personal choice if one wants to quit, but for demands of the situation if one has to quit, that's not doing justice to the knowledge acquired over the years or the potential of the person.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Govt_staffers_can_take_up_to_3_yrs_child_care_leave/articleshow/3487022.cms
A ruling, most welcome, has indeed come as a boon to the women working for public sector. Which mother wouldn't thank God if she gets a 6-month maternity leave and 2 years of Child-care leave ? Awesome ruling in the favor of women, family and hence, nation.

As of now, to the working ladies in the private sector, it is still devil or deep blue sea. Hopefully, in the near future, God, unlike most of the Bangalorean auto-drivers who get demanding with the folks of private sector assuming that they are 'extra'-terrestrials, bestows the same privilege to the latter community too.

In any case, kudos and a zillion thanks to the minds of people who thought that there was a need to accomodate a supreme ruling. Now, it's like giving women running the career-oriented race , a fair chance.

Anything but......

2008-07-13T09:44:00.006+05:30

Perchance,a channel telecasting the mythological serial "Ramayana" got honoured during our mindless channel browsing. The scene was that Hanuman goes to Lanka to convey Rama's regards to Sita. He does so and in return gets Choodamani as a mark of memory from Sita to Rama.

Rama: Hanuman,hope Sita is safe and doing alright.

Hanuman : Yes Lord, she is. She is fine but for the worry of not being with you.

Rama : Yes, I understand. I shall get her back very soon.

Hanuman: Ture Lord. By the way, here's the choodamani Sitadevi has sent through me to you.

Rama : [At his emotional best looking at the choodamani] Hanuman, I am grateful to you for having been a messenger for us.

Hanuman : The honour is all mine, Lord. I am ever-ready to do anything to the Lord of my heart.

Rama: Hanuman, please tell me what I can give you for the favour you have done...[This is where Rags pitches in, assuming that Rama's sentence was incomplete, he went on to complete it. As per him, This had to be Rama's dialogue,

Rama: Hanuman, please tell me what I can give you for the favour you have done, well, anything but for a site in Bangalore!!!]

Thankfully, Hanuman only asked for a place in Rama's heart and not a site in Bangalore!!

Perhaps,he must have understood the helplessness of his Lord, unsaid.

Bug-bites

2008-06-26T17:09:00.004+05:30

Well, if there was any individual who visited my blog, read my blog (more so the last one) and wondered if I met my last morning,no...................
Me alive, breathing.
A laptop at hand and two hours of travel, hold on , I too thought I could blog mindlessly of whatever I could think of. Well, sleep has been my latest 'hobby' of late that blogging went on the backburner. Could not have forgone the much-desired sleep while travel.

Any repellent to bug-biting at work which is interfering with my sleep?

The last morning....

2008-05-12T11:43:00.006+05:30

maybe not too.

While posting this, I am amidst inexplicable sadness, so much that I am unable to concentrate on my work. The reason for this being the visit to the site helpsameer.org . I read an article (http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/05/11/stories/2008051150080400.htm) on Vinay, a leaukemia patient, yesterday and wanted to follow up on that. Great people these, faced/facing the tough challenges of life with utmost confidence and zest. Hats off.

Maybe , I am not showing the right spirit or instilling confidence, but I do not want to disown my feelings here. I wanted to put forth what I am currently feeling, be it not right to think so.

Don't we all, at some stage in life desire or aspire or strongly work to become famous? We all want to be well-known amidst our friend circle,relatives and better still, even if people whom we don't know,know us. It gives a sense of pride that we have accomplished a great deal if people know who we are.

Agreed, deeds that better the society are indeed commendable and a sense of gratitude has to be shown to people who have strived to make a difference. They deserve to be famous. The very fact that other people know us, about us, is considered being 'famous' and the amount of joy it can bring to us is amazing.

But then, when fate beckons us to vacate this place, do all the accomplishments, fame and prosperity make any difference to us or the way we depart ? Maybe yes, maybe not. The truth remains that there is a final morning to everyone,be one a great soul or not. Sometimes I wonder, what motivates people to be good? Why should people work so hard and be ambitious to possess everything that they can think of?

I suppose, the journey would not be enjoyed sans challenges, hope and goals....

I know I am not being spirited here, today;but I failed to tame my mind to think otherwise. For now. Hope I feel better in a while. There have been people facing the bitter facts of life, yet sportive, but look at me!! I don't intend to send wrong message to the real warriors of life, in fact, trying to pick up a lesson or two from them. They are the hope and relief that what we face could not necessarily be deserving to be called a problem. If not to the extent the people I noted in the article are dealing with, I have also been through such circumstances and seen from a closer distance, how people have battled it out to live a more energetic life later. I take a bow.

Vote for.....

2008-05-07T19:40:00.003+05:30

Alcohol. To be or not to be.

Mr Janardhan Poojary, the Karnataka State Congress President, could not have embarassed the party more when he said that the party, if brought to power, would lift the arrack ban!! He justified his stand stating that the poorer classes that were accustomed to cheaper forms of alcohol are now switching to more expensive forms like rum and whisky and eventually shelling out the hard-earned money! One possible solution to the problem, as per the political genius is to lift the ban so as to 'aid' poor people to settle for cheaper drinks! Either lifting a ban or prohibition of alcohol would be done, he said. By this, I wonder if he wanted to attract the teetotaler (and women) voters as well as those who drink too!

Mr.Janardhan Poojary, isn't drinking before addressing press/people injurious to health, more so just before elections, be of whatever quality the pegs are made of? Pegs speak for themselves,huh?

Workers' day, huh?

2008-05-01T21:11:00.002+05:30

Guilt almost killed me when my maid asked me why I had a holiday today.Workers' day applies to all strata of society unbiased to gender and economic strength, is it? Practically not.

One of the plethora of instances where the purpose could have been defeated.

Mark your calendar

2008-04-25T21:35:00.005+05:30

Different folks.Different strokes.Period.
Quite amazing it has been to notice that people associate certain days with certain memories,by this I don't mean the memories of Gandhi Jayanthi on Oct 2nd or Children's day on Nov 14th. I mean to say, some very routine things that acquire prime importance in one's life. Either it is a case of changing priorities or interests in life it must be.

Wasn't it on the day ....
I wore colour dress to school?
Royal Challengers played against Knight riders?
I prepared vegetable curry and dosa for breakfast?
the stocks fell a hightime low?
I paid the premium of the loan?
I bought the ration?
I got my eye-brows tweazed?
the school was let off at 3 o' clock?
I got my pay ?
the maid did not turn up?
the exams got over?
the wedding of Abhi and Aish?
Kareena annonced her breakup with Shahid?
I watched 'Race' in PVR?
of my wedding anniversary?
of five days from my anniversary day?

What of the day of the month of the year? Too spice-free it is to use, isn't it ?

Who is that?

2008-04-25T20:44:00.003+05:30

Who is that person who never ages.. Well, did someone say Rekha or Devanand? Hang on a second till I complete the question. Here comes the complete question:

Who is that person who never ages with respect to retirement from service?

It doesn't take longer to guess, does it?

However, to make things easy for the minds that gave themselves a break, the answer is HOUSEWIFE!!
Maybe, most of the ladies affirm this, more so the housewives.

How true is that? Hmmm.... at least with middle-class families.

Foreign Land

2008-04-18T17:42:00.006+05:30

Not knowing the language in a totally different part of the world can be unimaginably shaking. Well,that's how it has been for the whole of this week amidst geeks who, come what may, never budge to speak in anything but Greek!

God bless the new entrant, be it by giving her the potential to catch up with Greek or to motivate others to speak in English. The first case is most desirable for the benefit of all, although the second case looks more like a sure possibility.

By the way, does someone know how to say 'Sigh' in Greek? If so, fill in the gap here. Jseuklk hlijoiskjh jdhfjhktlylt (This means 'Thanks in advance' in Greek :P)!!!!!

For or from?

2008-04-05T13:14:00.012+05:30

One of my friends congratulated me for having fetched a new job getting along with it, relatively flashy features.
A snippet here...

K : Hey! Congrats. Glad to know that you are into 'that' organisation.

Me : Thanks buddy.

K : Big bucks, huh? I know...

Me : Well .... moderately, yes.

K : Cool...

Me : :)

K : So, you are gonna buy a house now, right?

Me : What???

K : I mean... a house. What's the problem?

Me : Dude, the job is giving me work-from-home option, not work-for-home option as yet!

K : he he he

Me : A house? In Bangalore? What an oxymoron!

One week

2008-04-04T20:05:00.003+05:30

Catch up with all the good movies on the net.

Hit the last page of "Memoirs of Geisha" and pick up (being slightly liberal there,not expecting to finish reading ) "To Kill a Mocking bird".

Download the ever wanted songs from the net and store them in the mobile playlist.

Catch up with friends and relatives.

Wake up late in the morning. Take the much desired afternoon naps.

Stumble upon all the blogs that I would like to spend time on.

Just walk on the terrace gaping at the evening sky.

Take 5 passport size photographs.

Travel to attend medico sister's convocation.

Clean the clutter in the room.

Do all these seem far-fetched in the one-week unemployment period ahead? Especially the last one!!! Well, tough deadline to fulfil it seems like.

Oops! It's three hours past the onset of the jobless period and gosh, I have just seen two parts of the movie, 6 more remaining! I have to perform better! No hopes at this rate,ain't it?