Your Power Color Is Lime Green |
 At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?" |
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Yes, I love green, but this?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Going nuts...
is a word which now reminds me of pine nuts and basil paste in olive oil (yes that's the incredible smelling concoction they call pesto sauce)... indicating exactly how food obsessed I've become. Not so much with the eating as with the cooking. Every evening (Yes, you heard right) I spend 15 minutes browsing through the supermarket picking up exotic veggies (Zucchinis are my latest obsession) to take home and cook exotic dishes with.
I've cooked 3 types of risotto, 1 from scratch pasta with rosemary and parsley and such items in the last 1 or 2 weeks. Tonight I'm planning on making this Zucchini + Tomato + Potato something in sweet sour gravy to be eaten with rice (hopefully plain, coz after a 2 km run and shower and all that chopping, cooking anymore will be a bit too much I think).
So yes, I'm letting you all know I've gone completely nuts. And not in a good way. My mother might be proud if I tell her though. Who knows.
Also, I really want to write, but work's being a bit of a bummer right now (in a nice way, if you can imagine such a thing. I'm rediscovering my fire at work, so to speak) and between sitting at my desk, reminding myself to sit straight and "lock my neck" (physio's instructions) and spending more than fair share time surrounded by food (at home, outside, everywhere thanks to aforementioned obsession), I'm not really rich on time to write the things that currently threaten to spill out of my little brain.
Also N's left on his annual vacation to exotic European destinations (k fine! they're not that exotic. But Europe is Europe no?) and I'm sitting here fantasizing about my upcoming 2 week break on the West Coast of the You. Es. Yay. Sigh. But I get to laugh at him once he's back coz his vacation will be over and mine won't even have begun! HAH!
K. Bai. Another deadline looms over my head. Bah. The zucchini *must* wait (and its image must really stop making those little circles around my head trying to entice).
I've cooked 3 types of risotto, 1 from scratch pasta with rosemary and parsley and such items in the last 1 or 2 weeks. Tonight I'm planning on making this Zucchini + Tomato + Potato something in sweet sour gravy to be eaten with rice (hopefully plain, coz after a 2 km run and shower and all that chopping, cooking anymore will be a bit too much I think).
So yes, I'm letting you all know I've gone completely nuts. And not in a good way. My mother might be proud if I tell her though. Who knows.
Also, I really want to write, but work's being a bit of a bummer right now (in a nice way, if you can imagine such a thing. I'm rediscovering my fire at work, so to speak) and between sitting at my desk, reminding myself to sit straight and "lock my neck" (physio's instructions) and spending more than fair share time surrounded by food (at home, outside, everywhere thanks to aforementioned obsession), I'm not really rich on time to write the things that currently threaten to spill out of my little brain.
Also N's left on his annual vacation to exotic European destinations (k fine! they're not that exotic. But Europe is Europe no?) and I'm sitting here fantasizing about my upcoming 2 week break on the West Coast of the You. Es. Yay. Sigh. But I get to laugh at him once he's back coz his vacation will be over and mine won't even have begun! HAH!
K. Bai. Another deadline looms over my head. Bah. The zucchini *must* wait (and its image must really stop making those little circles around my head trying to entice).
Friday, June 06, 2008
Your cup overfloweth...
at my expense ...
I'm all for everyone getting their share of time/ attention and blah.
Really, I am.
But when we've been preparing for 2 weeks for a 3 hour training as a group of THREE trainers, and I'm slotted to be the 3rd and LAST, kindly draft your own portion keeping in mind that I put in time and energy (just like you did, I'm sure) to get this done by TODAY, with the same level of CONTENT RICHNESS (as you did) amidst my OTHER DEADLINES (yes, you have them too, so you know what I mean) and hence understand that when you exceed your quota for whatever reasons, and I miss my turn to speak, it's extremely frustrating, to say the least.
We've all overshot our share of time in the past, but experience teaches us to cut down some slides and manage it all so we don't eat into somebody else's time no? I wish that as a generation we could understand the fine line between saying everything we'd like to say and everything that absolutely needs to be said.
Know what I mean?
Thankfully I still went and caught the Sex and the City movie last evening after work instead of sitting home to refine my portion of the presentation. Must thank the Penguin for making me go.
I loved the movie as I love the series.
My favorite part was where Carrie reaches Miranda's place 2 seconds before midnight on New Year's eve and pants "You're not alone!" ... The movie may have finally given the men their due, but for me it was still about the women. Hence the loving.
FYI, I know it's becoming fashionable for men to pooh pooh this movie just as most of us like pooh poohing Ekta Kapoor's productions. Which brings me to the disease of presumption which exists even among the most evolved of us. This time it's men, but that's not to say women aren't guilty of it as well. A worthwhile trend to fight, don't you think?
I'm all for everyone getting their share of time/ attention and blah.
Really, I am.
But when we've been preparing for 2 weeks for a 3 hour training as a group of THREE trainers, and I'm slotted to be the 3rd and LAST, kindly draft your own portion keeping in mind that I put in time and energy (just like you did, I'm sure) to get this done by TODAY, with the same level of CONTENT RICHNESS (as you did) amidst my OTHER DEADLINES (yes, you have them too, so you know what I mean) and hence understand that when you exceed your quota for whatever reasons, and I miss my turn to speak, it's extremely frustrating, to say the least.
We've all overshot our share of time in the past, but experience teaches us to cut down some slides and manage it all so we don't eat into somebody else's time no? I wish that as a generation we could understand the fine line between saying everything we'd like to say and everything that absolutely needs to be said.
Know what I mean?
Thankfully I still went and caught the Sex and the City movie last evening after work instead of sitting home to refine my portion of the presentation. Must thank the Penguin for making me go.
I loved the movie as I love the series.
My favorite part was where Carrie reaches Miranda's place 2 seconds before midnight on New Year's eve and pants "You're not alone!" ... The movie may have finally given the men their due, but for me it was still about the women. Hence the loving.
FYI, I know it's becoming fashionable for men to pooh pooh this movie just as most of us like pooh poohing Ekta Kapoor's productions. Which brings me to the disease of presumption which exists even among the most evolved of us. This time it's men, but that's not to say women aren't guilty of it as well. A worthwhile trend to fight, don't you think?
Sunday, June 01, 2008
It's done ...
For months I've incessantly yapped about this play i'm asst directing and acting in.
Tonight, we screened our 3rd and last show. It's late in the night, so this post won't be long.
Just wanted to say that it went incredibly well. :-)
Especially the last show we staged this evening. After 2 shows of being applauded by the audience, but still thinking of scope to improve, today, in our last show, we finally got it to look the way we'd envisioned it and probably better :)
It was amazing!
My co actor and I would crib after every run about how this and that was 'off' in our story and finally, this time, we had our best most perfect run so far.
I feel so incredibly proud and happy and I'm warning you that for the next few days, if you run into me, this is likely ALL you'll hear me talk about. Sorry in advance!
To friends and colleagues who turned up - THANKS! It means so much when people you know and like are there to see something you've put together with tremendous effort. It was lovely having you there, and your words were music to our ears. We only hope you were being honest about how much you liked it :-)
Sigh. The thing now is, I'll miss weekends as they were, and I'll miss this supremely talented bunch of people I worked with for the last 7 months. It'll really be a pity if we don't do this again soon. But S, the director for this one is caught up with other commitments until December, and there's few people willing to start a production, so if something has to be done, it'll have to be started by yours truly. Time to wake up my snoring sense of dramatic initiative, perhaps?
Speaking of people who mean a lot, 3 people I'd loved to have had here with me most would be Mom and friends A and M. The video recording is a shoddy replacement for what you could actually have seen, but this is a world with distance and expensive airlines and limited leave - I get ALL that.
I still wish you were here to share this with me, though. Bah.
*Whine* *Pout* *Sulk*
Anyway, tomorrow's dinner with the team. About time we did something together outside of rehearsals! So very very excites is came! :D
Sleeping happy and proud tonight after an incoherent rambly gushy post. Phew. Good night!
Tonight, we screened our 3rd and last show. It's late in the night, so this post won't be long.
Just wanted to say that it went incredibly well. :-)
Especially the last show we staged this evening. After 2 shows of being applauded by the audience, but still thinking of scope to improve, today, in our last show, we finally got it to look the way we'd envisioned it and probably better :)
It was amazing!
My co actor and I would crib after every run about how this and that was 'off' in our story and finally, this time, we had our best most perfect run so far.
I feel so incredibly proud and happy and I'm warning you that for the next few days, if you run into me, this is likely ALL you'll hear me talk about. Sorry in advance!
To friends and colleagues who turned up - THANKS! It means so much when people you know and like are there to see something you've put together with tremendous effort. It was lovely having you there, and your words were music to our ears. We only hope you were being honest about how much you liked it :-)
Sigh. The thing now is, I'll miss weekends as they were, and I'll miss this supremely talented bunch of people I worked with for the last 7 months. It'll really be a pity if we don't do this again soon. But S, the director for this one is caught up with other commitments until December, and there's few people willing to start a production, so if something has to be done, it'll have to be started by yours truly. Time to wake up my snoring sense of dramatic initiative, perhaps?
Speaking of people who mean a lot, 3 people I'd loved to have had here with me most would be Mom and friends A and M. The video recording is a shoddy replacement for what you could actually have seen, but this is a world with distance and expensive airlines and limited leave - I get ALL that.
I still wish you were here to share this with me, though. Bah.
*Whine* *Pout* *Sulk*
Anyway, tomorrow's dinner with the team. About time we did something together outside of rehearsals! So very very excites is came! :D
Sleeping happy and proud tonight after an incoherent rambly gushy post. Phew. Good night!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Bollywood goes to hell....
What's happening to Bollywood? After I wrote this 6 months ago, I want to sit down and cry when I watch trailers on TV these days. Has anyone else noticed the BAD BAD BAD movies coming up in the next few months?
Wait. Let me list for you.
1. Khushboo: Lame looking movie. Both new actors. Both baddd looking and seemingly talentless. Adnan Sami sings nicea. But OH GOD the song "Badi albeli hai tu, gud ki meli hai tu" .. something with godaawwwwful dance steps will kill me before my achy hand or sensitive rhinal tract do!
Have you noticed how sometimes Javed Akhtar writes the inanest lyrics?? Why like that he does? Not for the money no? He's rich like that. Then why?
2. Mehbooba: Old looking Sanjay Dutt, tragic looking Ajay Devgan and Manisha Koirala who I fully despise from the bottom of my heart. Doing 80's style rain scenes, no less. Afzal Khan made this movie long ago and is hoping to recover costs, I think.
Wat, Afzal uncle? Like this a? By inflicting torture on us? Pah!
3. Haal - e - dil: 3 new kids. Same old seeming tripodish love story. Both boys look nice. Girl looks VERRRY bad and from the 3 shots of her face you can tell she can't act for nuts. The boys look like they just might be able to , but. Who will watch? WHO?
4. Woodstock Villa: Eh this is that girl from that "Love in Lovedale" story with Aftab Shivdasani. She couldn't act there, and I'm not sure her "Buy one dhoka, get one free" (Ik dhoka dee jeeye, dooja muft paaiye- Value for your money, dear Sir/ Ma'am) item number will save her pretty ass this time either.
5. Ghatotkach: Does anyone else find that repetitive "Mainnnnnnn hooooooooon Ghatotkhach, main duniya mein sabse nirala" tune irritating enough to want to throw something at the TV? I DO! I'm tired of seeing that little animatic kid jump out of his leafy bed and spring that song at me again and again and ettagain. Gah! STOP little kid! You're cute, but shuddup already!
6. Dashavataar: Who will watch this movie about the 10 avataars of Vishnu? Kids who need to be taught mythology? Our grandparents? Ok fine.
Then why is there one animated couple smooching in full view in this animated film?
Or was that Ghatotkach?
You see what I mean? It's all too confusing and undifferentiated and bah to even remember anymore!
7. Don Muthuswamy: DO NOT get me started on this one. Mithun is back (is anyone else asking why?) and apparently his idea of humor is kicking people on their butts. Literally. I'd understand if the butts belonged to hot girls. But that also no. Then why? And that horrendous tam accent borders on offensive, dude!
Dear Ashim Samanta (director uncle), why after this terrible trailor does your name appear in embossed gold frame as if you deserve to be applauded when all you deserve is a kick on *your* rear end?
So amidst all this, the only ones with a reasonable cast and seemingly decent production value are 'Jaane Tu, ya jaane na' (Jolllworthy boy), 'Love Story 2050' (Fine, I like Priyanka Chopra) and 'Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic' (a Mary Poppins remake, but it has Rani and Saif. So.)
Someone give me good news no. Like good movies coming up? Something. Anything.
Wait. Let me list for you.
1. Khushboo: Lame looking movie. Both new actors. Both baddd looking and seemingly talentless. Adnan Sami sings nicea. But OH GOD the song "Badi albeli hai tu, gud ki meli hai tu" .. something with godaawwwwful dance steps will kill me before my achy hand or sensitive rhinal tract do!
Have you noticed how sometimes Javed Akhtar writes the inanest lyrics?? Why like that he does? Not for the money no? He's rich like that. Then why?
2. Mehbooba: Old looking Sanjay Dutt, tragic looking Ajay Devgan and Manisha Koirala who I fully despise from the bottom of my heart. Doing 80's style rain scenes, no less. Afzal Khan made this movie long ago and is hoping to recover costs, I think.
Wat, Afzal uncle? Like this a? By inflicting torture on us? Pah!
3. Haal - e - dil: 3 new kids. Same old seeming tripodish love story. Both boys look nice. Girl looks VERRRY bad and from the 3 shots of her face you can tell she can't act for nuts. The boys look like they just might be able to , but. Who will watch? WHO?
4. Woodstock Villa: Eh this is that girl from that "Love in Lovedale" story with Aftab Shivdasani. She couldn't act there, and I'm not sure her "Buy one dhoka, get one free" (Ik dhoka dee jeeye, dooja muft paaiye- Value for your money, dear Sir/ Ma'am) item number will save her pretty ass this time either.
5. Ghatotkach: Does anyone else find that repetitive "Mainnnnnnn hooooooooon Ghatotkhach, main duniya mein sabse nirala" tune irritating enough to want to throw something at the TV? I DO! I'm tired of seeing that little animatic kid jump out of his leafy bed and spring that song at me again and again and ettagain. Gah! STOP little kid! You're cute, but shuddup already!
6. Dashavataar: Who will watch this movie about the 10 avataars of Vishnu? Kids who need to be taught mythology? Our grandparents? Ok fine.
Then why is there one animated couple smooching in full view in this animated film?
Or was that Ghatotkach?
You see what I mean? It's all too confusing and undifferentiated and bah to even remember anymore!
7. Don Muthuswamy: DO NOT get me started on this one. Mithun is back (is anyone else asking why?) and apparently his idea of humor is kicking people on their butts. Literally. I'd understand if the butts belonged to hot girls. But that also no. Then why? And that horrendous tam accent borders on offensive, dude!
Dear Ashim Samanta (director uncle), why after this terrible trailor does your name appear in embossed gold frame as if you deserve to be applauded when all you deserve is a kick on *your* rear end?
So amidst all this, the only ones with a reasonable cast and seemingly decent production value are 'Jaane Tu, ya jaane na' (Jolllworthy boy), 'Love Story 2050' (Fine, I like Priyanka Chopra) and 'Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic' (a Mary Poppins remake, but it has Rani and Saif. So.)
Someone give me good news no. Like good movies coming up? Something. Anything.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Empty weekends gazing back at me from the crystal ball ...
Bah!
It's the 1st day in a while that rehearsals start later than midday and yet I've spent the morning wondering "Eh, what do I do with all this free time?".
I shudder to imagine what I'll be thinking once we're done staging next week. 15 to 16 hours every weekend day for the last 7 months were spent practising???
NOW wth am I supposed to do with all that time?!
*Wanders off busily to chart weekend plans and errands to keep self busy*
It's the 1st day in a while that rehearsals start later than midday and yet I've spent the morning wondering "Eh, what do I do with all this free time?".
I shudder to imagine what I'll be thinking once we're done staging next week. 15 to 16 hours every weekend day for the last 7 months were spent practising???
NOW wth am I supposed to do with all that time?!
*Wanders off busily to chart weekend plans and errands to keep self busy*
Friday, May 23, 2008
A *drama*tic turn of events ...
The play!!!
A Straits Time's reporter just called S (who's the brainchild behind the play I keep mentioning here) and asked her for more details on the production so she could list our play under the events section in the Life Section of the newspaper!!!
In other news, we're SOLD OUT for both shows right now!!! :D
We planned for 2 screenings and counted on selling about 80% of seating capacity, ensuring we'd just about break even on rent.
But it looks like we've crossed 100% and not only will we break even, we'll even have money to give away to charity :DDD And we've contacted this group at work who officially interface between employees and this organization called World Vision and the money will likely go to the Burma Disaster relief fund :-)
As if all this isn't awesome enough, the waiting list currently counts to some 20 odd people :) This afternoon, this person from the legal section in my company mailed me and asked about tickets and after having politely assigned him to the wait list, I happened to paste the mail to N (while I was gloriously raving about the SELL OUT!) over chat, and N informed me that this person is like this REALLY senior uncle in the company and we should just have kept VIP seats aside for junta like this. PHEW! Who would've thought!!! :)
We're planning on doing a 3rd screening on Sunday if the wait list reaches 50 people :) Let's wait and watch :)
Now I just hope we perform to expectations! Prayers and wishes are welcome and needed, so please to send our way!! :)
I'm off to cook V's brother some delicious asparagus risotto and spend the evening over conversation and white wine (after SO long!). My bags are packed and I'm ready to go off to this weekend filled with rehearsals before the final screening next weekend ....
Edited to add: Here's the Risotto...garnished with mint and cheese.. tastes divine!!! Couldn't find white wine, so don't go telling me red's the wrong choice!! :D Camerawork credits to V's brother :)
Have a lovely weekend, you too!! :)
A Straits Time's reporter just called S (who's the brainchild behind the play I keep mentioning here) and asked her for more details on the production so she could list our play under the events section in the Life Section of the newspaper!!!
In other news, we're SOLD OUT for both shows right now!!! :D
We planned for 2 screenings and counted on selling about 80% of seating capacity, ensuring we'd just about break even on rent.
But it looks like we've crossed 100% and not only will we break even, we'll even have money to give away to charity :DDD And we've contacted this group at work who officially interface between employees and this organization called World Vision and the money will likely go to the Burma Disaster relief fund :-)
As if all this isn't awesome enough, the waiting list currently counts to some 20 odd people :) This afternoon, this person from the legal section in my company mailed me and asked about tickets and after having politely assigned him to the wait list, I happened to paste the mail to N (while I was gloriously raving about the SELL OUT!) over chat, and N informed me that this person is like this REALLY senior uncle in the company and we should just have kept VIP seats aside for junta like this. PHEW! Who would've thought!!! :)
We're planning on doing a 3rd screening on Sunday if the wait list reaches 50 people :) Let's wait and watch :)
Now I just hope we perform to expectations! Prayers and wishes are welcome and needed, so please to send our way!! :)
I'm off to cook V's brother some delicious asparagus risotto and spend the evening over conversation and white wine (after SO long!). My bags are packed and I'm ready to go off to this weekend filled with rehearsals before the final screening next weekend ....
Edited to add: Here's the Risotto...garnished with mint and cheese.. tastes divine!!! Couldn't find white wine, so don't go telling me red's the wrong choice!! :D Camerawork credits to V's brother :)
Have a lovely weekend, you too!! :)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Is it really the X factor that makes him what he is?
It's been a while since I've had a crush on someone I saw on television. Heck, it's been a while since I've had a crush on anyone at all! I remember 2 months ago when a friend and I listed out our top 5 (people we'd ..err.. you know ...err if we had the chance to - ok my bro visits this page and this is as candid as I'll get here!) and it occurred to me exactly how long it'd been since I'd fulla jolled over someone.
And then David Cook happened.
What is with this boy exactly that makes me like him as much as I do? Yes, he has an incredible voice that can effortlessly traverse a vast range of pitches, yes he looks like this luscious dream when he strums the guitar, but obviously it's more than just that that makes my heart go out to him and want to ask him "will u marry me?". (Yes I'm just that shallow. Eh stop judging.)
Getting serious, the thing I haven't been able to articulate to all those taken aback by my fanatic rooting for David Cook is the thing that sets him apart from Archuleta - TEXTURE!
Let me illustrate by way of analogy. Imagine the difference ...
- between a pure silk sari and a silk cotton one
- between the erstwhile popular soft light polyester dupattas and the crushed cotton ones
- between a plain diary milk chocolate and a fruit and nut variant
- between between perfect seeming people and those with quirks
- between bourbon chocolate cream biscuits and my personal favorite - the hide and seek ones
- between just plain soup and soup with croûtons
- between plain ice cream and icre cream with almond and chocolate shavings sprinkled on top (sigh)
You get what I mean? If yes, then hurrah with me! If not, then full fail. My guy won, and yours lost. Go sit in corner and feel bad for yourself. Go.
And then David Cook happened.
What is with this boy exactly that makes me like him as much as I do? Yes, he has an incredible voice that can effortlessly traverse a vast range of pitches, yes he looks like this luscious dream when he strums the guitar, but obviously it's more than just that that makes my heart go out to him and want to ask him "will u marry me?". (Yes I'm just that shallow. Eh stop judging.)
Getting serious, the thing I haven't been able to articulate to all those taken aback by my fanatic rooting for David Cook is the thing that sets him apart from Archuleta - TEXTURE!
Let me illustrate by way of analogy. Imagine the difference ...
- between a pure silk sari and a silk cotton one
- between the erstwhile popular soft light polyester dupattas and the crushed cotton ones
- between a plain diary milk chocolate and a fruit and nut variant
- between between perfect seeming people and those with quirks
- between bourbon chocolate cream biscuits and my personal favorite - the hide and seek ones
- between just plain soup and soup with croûtons
- between plain ice cream and icre cream with almond and chocolate shavings sprinkled on top (sigh)
You get what I mean? If yes, then hurrah with me! If not, then full fail. My guy won, and yours lost. Go sit in corner and feel bad for yourself. Go.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Murphy's law indeed ...
Just when you started to lower your defenses and tell yourself you're being stupid and paranoid in expecting bad things to be round the corner instead of enjoying the good stuff, Mr. Murphy, feeling ignored and untended to, lands up at the door.
And (at the risk of sounding redundant), everything that CAN go wrong, goes wrong.
A mother's concern that cannot be alleviated thanks to an erratic phone network, a looming deadline that eludes finishing, and worst of all an unfinished blog post lovingly and painstakingly written out only to realize that when I hit post, the internet had died on me, and everything I'd written straight from the heart has vanished.
I don't have the energy to try anymore. I think I'll let this day beat me after all.
And (at the risk of sounding redundant), everything that CAN go wrong, goes wrong.
A mother's concern that cannot be alleviated thanks to an erratic phone network, a looming deadline that eludes finishing, and worst of all an unfinished blog post lovingly and painstakingly written out only to realize that when I hit post, the internet had died on me, and everything I'd written straight from the heart has vanished.
I don't have the energy to try anymore. I think I'll let this day beat me after all.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Why?
...is it that I miss being passionate about the things I was passionate about 3 years ago? Have I really run out of 'fire' as they put it? Or have I just channeled it into other things? If I have, and if it was a choice, why do I crave it all over again?
...is it that I assume that the same behaviors can have different outcomes? It never worked, it never will. Why don't I learn from my mistakes then? Ever?
...do I always have so frigging much to say? I was labeled too talkative sometime ago in rather specific terms and it stuck with me. I don't usually care for labels like that, but when the doc tells me my headaches can be attributed to a swollen jaw, it occurs to me that this might be God's way of telling me to finally SHUT the hell up.
...do I put all my proverbial eggs in the same few baskets over and over again? Really, how difficult is it to know that it's a bad bet in the long term? But then what about 80:20? How do I reconcile 2 contradictory theories I admire equally?
...do I love stories that involve serial killers, multiple personality disorders and/ or dinosaurs? And why then am I amazed at the "weirdness quotient" of my dreams?
(Last night it was a man being mauled to death by a grizzly bear, while he communicates telepathically with his infant child that lies lost in another part of the same forest. While trying to navigate his way through the forest toward his child AND fighting the bear, he finally gets killed (head ripped off by the animal, no less) and his soul floats up into the sky, soon after joined by the soul of his child).
Seriously, my mum will FREAK if she hears this. So will many others. WHY then do I stay up until 1 am and watch shows on Discovery about 'most evil people' and 'crimes that shook the world'? Serves me right only!
...am I suddenly scared this play thing that goes on stage in 2 weeks might see last minute goof ups? Everything's been so good so far, and suddenly we all seem to be slipping, slacking, forgetting cues, missing lines... overall not doing our best when we can least afford it. So many people at work and otherwise are excited about this production and coming to see it. This is going to be top of mind in my prayers in the next 2 weeks. Please can I request that you pray for it too? Thanks!
....am I up at 1 am thinking and writing negative thoughts and words?
I'm going to slap myself, say NO to this night time negativity, speak to someone who makes me happy and sleep with a smile on my face ok?
===============================================
-Passion can and will be summoned upon when needed. I don't have to wait for it to come to me.
-Mistakes are the only way to get better no? Yes. So I'll stop berating myself for making my share.
-The day I have no one to listen to me, I'll stop talking. Not just yet. I still know people who like to listen. If *you* don't, go (take a) hike. Ta! Bye!
-Eggs and baskets my (size 10) foot! I'll just have to trust my instinct on the goodness of where I put my eggs, even if it's only in 20% of the baskets I know. (Gah, that could be read SO wrongly!)
-Serial killers, MPD and dinosaurs aren't the worst things one could be fascinated with. So long as I don't kill, switch between personas or try to manufacture dinos like that idiot John Hammond (Ref: Mr. Crichton's book), I think I'm fine.
-The play will turn out fabulous. Just like the team that's working on it. Nothing less is deserved. Nothing less will be settled for.
- Coz I just got home from play practice at 12.45 and felt like writing. And negativity is OK sometimes. 'Sugar and spice' includes spice, doesn't it?
=================================================
No more bad dreams.
No more bad anything.
Good night to you all too. SMILE! :-)
...is it that I assume that the same behaviors can have different outcomes? It never worked, it never will. Why don't I learn from my mistakes then? Ever?
...do I always have so frigging much to say? I was labeled too talkative sometime ago in rather specific terms and it stuck with me. I don't usually care for labels like that, but when the doc tells me my headaches can be attributed to a swollen jaw, it occurs to me that this might be God's way of telling me to finally SHUT the hell up.
...do I put all my proverbial eggs in the same few baskets over and over again? Really, how difficult is it to know that it's a bad bet in the long term? But then what about 80:20? How do I reconcile 2 contradictory theories I admire equally?
...do I love stories that involve serial killers, multiple personality disorders and/ or dinosaurs? And why then am I amazed at the "weirdness quotient" of my dreams?
(Last night it was a man being mauled to death by a grizzly bear, while he communicates telepathically with his infant child that lies lost in another part of the same forest. While trying to navigate his way through the forest toward his child AND fighting the bear, he finally gets killed (head ripped off by the animal, no less) and his soul floats up into the sky, soon after joined by the soul of his child).
Seriously, my mum will FREAK if she hears this. So will many others. WHY then do I stay up until 1 am and watch shows on Discovery about 'most evil people' and 'crimes that shook the world'? Serves me right only!
...am I suddenly scared this play thing that goes on stage in 2 weeks might see last minute goof ups? Everything's been so good so far, and suddenly we all seem to be slipping, slacking, forgetting cues, missing lines... overall not doing our best when we can least afford it. So many people at work and otherwise are excited about this production and coming to see it. This is going to be top of mind in my prayers in the next 2 weeks. Please can I request that you pray for it too? Thanks!
....am I up at 1 am thinking and writing negative thoughts and words?
I'm going to slap myself, say NO to this night time negativity, speak to someone who makes me happy and sleep with a smile on my face ok?
===============================================
-Passion can and will be summoned upon when needed. I don't have to wait for it to come to me.
-Mistakes are the only way to get better no? Yes. So I'll stop berating myself for making my share.
-The day I have no one to listen to me, I'll stop talking. Not just yet. I still know people who like to listen. If *you* don't, go (take a) hike. Ta! Bye!
-Eggs and baskets my (size 10) foot! I'll just have to trust my instinct on the goodness of where I put my eggs, even if it's only in 20% of the baskets I know. (Gah, that could be read SO wrongly!)
-Serial killers, MPD and dinosaurs aren't the worst things one could be fascinated with. So long as I don't kill, switch between personas or try to manufacture dinos like that idiot John Hammond (Ref: Mr. Crichton's book), I think I'm fine.
-The play will turn out fabulous. Just like the team that's working on it. Nothing less is deserved. Nothing less will be settled for.
- Coz I just got home from play practice at 12.45 and felt like writing. And negativity is OK sometimes. 'Sugar and spice' includes spice, doesn't it?
=================================================
No more bad dreams.
No more bad anything.
Good night to you all too. SMILE! :-)
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Dichotomy ...
Of feeling, is when you're completely immobilized by the ferocity of what you feel and are at a complete loss yet as to whether it is incredible happiness or abject sadness that is at work.
Of deed, is when everything you want to do revolves around how to deliver delight and yet all you're able to attain as outcome is disappointment.
Of intent, is when you're afraid to lose someone, and yet unconsciously, with every word, with every action, you're sending out the message that you want them to leave.
Of faith, is when despite believing that you deserve the good things coming your way, you continue to wonder what nasty surprise lurks around the corner.
Of state of mind, is when despite the puffy eyes and the sordid thoughts running through your mind, you know where to look to find warmth and gladness.
Of reaction, is amidst the many many things that you're sorry you've royally screwed up, you're proud of the things you've now promised yourself never to screw up.
Of deed, is when everything you want to do revolves around how to deliver delight and yet all you're able to attain as outcome is disappointment.
Of intent, is when you're afraid to lose someone, and yet unconsciously, with every word, with every action, you're sending out the message that you want them to leave.
Of faith, is when despite believing that you deserve the good things coming your way, you continue to wonder what nasty surprise lurks around the corner.
Of state of mind, is when despite the puffy eyes and the sordid thoughts running through your mind, you know where to look to find warmth and gladness.
Of reaction, is amidst the many many things that you're sorry you've royally screwed up, you're proud of the things you've now promised yourself never to screw up.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
There's a food crisis in the world ...
I'm usually pretty cut off from what's happening in the world around me coz I hate the newspapers here. And since I'm not much of a TV watcher, I don't even get my dose of news from TV. A very close friend actually works for a news company and has often tried getting me to be more 'aware' under the guise of reading at least items that she reports. All in vain, though.
Recently, friend A referred to a world food crisis and how troubled a good friend of his was by it all. Coincidentally, that weekend, as I flipped through channels on TV, I chanced upon a BBC series which covered this in far more detail.
As the repercussions of the crisis were highlighted and case studies of poor families showcased, I was shocked that I was so blissfully oblivious to something so major happening around me
For perspective on how bad things out there really are, here's some links
- The magnitude of increase in food prices
- The impact on rich vs. poor nations in the world
- An Asia specific perspective
You'd probably wonder why I'm writing about all this (cause obviously most of you out there, unlike me, are in touch with world news and know all about this). Esp given most of what I write about on this blog alludes to frivolous non events from my own life.
The thing is, this is the kind of thing you and I take rather lightly. We're the kinds who don't bother about a 5 % increase in the price of rice in the supermarket. We're blessed with pockets deep enough to absorb the impact, and hence minds that can afford to not pay attention.
Many many others, unknown to us, are in the unfortunate position wherein a 5% increase in the price of food items instantly pushes them below the poverty line .
As the fortunate 'haves' in this situation, there's many things we can do at an individual level to help. I figured if I could list even 2, and tag more bloggers to list an idea each, this could collectively acquire the form of a worthwhile contribution on our part to alleviating the impact of the crisis a majority of the world faces today.
So here's my 2 tips to help make a difference ...
--------------------------------------------------------------
1. If you or the person who cooks in your home (household help, a parent, a relative, anyone) are prone to being a bad judge of proportions when you cook, and if you're the fussy kinds who won't eat leftovers, then please be careful with how much rice, lentil or pasta you cook starting NOW.
These are the most popularly misjudged food items cause they start out looking very little, and we realize we've gone awry with proportions only after they're cooked.
Don't be fussy about leftovers. When there's people out there who don't get one square meal a day, it's almost criminal to be whining about eating food that YOU had cooked 24 hours ago.
Being a tad careful in your day to day cooking and consumption will help save at least a cup of food per household on a daily basis. That's one extra mouth fed for every cup we refuse to waste. Even counting a paltry million people who do this on a regular basis means a million incremental mouths getting fed on a daily basis. That's almost a tiny country. Huge no?
2. The other situation where I've seen tons of food go to waste is social gatherings. Not only do hosts tend to overestimate the amount of food needed at such events, typically 20% of expected guests don't turn up and don't RSVP.
Every time artificial demand is created (purchase that is not consumed) as in the above case, at a collective nation wide level, it influences prices of goods. So each time we overestimate the food order at an event, the raw material for that food (rice, lentils, vegetables - the very basics) becomes unaffordable for a few more people.
It makes a huge huge difference if as a guest who plans to not attend, you could be considerate enough to inform your host that you're not turning up. That gives your host one less person to feed at that event, and artificially inflated demand is stemmed.
As a host, if your guest group comprises people you can expect understanding from (friends at a casual dinner, close family), try and order lesser than you feel tempted to. In all likelihood, what you order will suffice, and if not, you'll know by the middle of the meal anyway, in which case you can simply order a little more as a follow up. And no one will mind.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The intent of this post isn't to be pedantic and tell you how noble I am. The intent is to make as many who are unaware of this, aware.
And to let you know that the little things done at an individual level can make a difference if there's enough of us doing it.
And this world, the blogosphere, is a superb network to start with. So start helping by passing around the links posted above to other people you think might be amenable to making small changes in their lifestyle to accommodate a growing population that is being pushed below the poverty line.
I'm also tagging some co bloggers to put down 1 thing they think we can do differently with our food consumption habits to help the food crisis in what little way we can.
So Chandni, MadMomma, Parul, and Nutty: I'll hope that you can take up this tag and pass it forward into the widespread network of bloggers around the world :)
=================================================
Edited to add:
The Penguin's tip here: (pasting from the comments section so you can read easily)
"My 2 bits - My favourite food-saving mechanism is to buy frozen vegetables and readymade pastes. I know loads of people disagree and say, the fresher the better. I do agree with them, but my problem is that since I'm by myself, my grocery stocking and cooking is quite erratic. Also, frozen veggies taste quite nice actually - They sort of ensure that I eat healthy food and also do not leave fresh veggies to die in my fridge :-)"
And Lucky's post on the same issue outlining how he plans to contribute.
Recently, friend A referred to a world food crisis and how troubled a good friend of his was by it all. Coincidentally, that weekend, as I flipped through channels on TV, I chanced upon a BBC series which covered this in far more detail.
As the repercussions of the crisis were highlighted and case studies of poor families showcased, I was shocked that I was so blissfully oblivious to something so major happening around me
For perspective on how bad things out there really are, here's some links
- The magnitude of increase in food prices
- The impact on rich vs. poor nations in the world
- An Asia specific perspective
You'd probably wonder why I'm writing about all this (cause obviously most of you out there, unlike me, are in touch with world news and know all about this). Esp given most of what I write about on this blog alludes to frivolous non events from my own life.
The thing is, this is the kind of thing you and I take rather lightly. We're the kinds who don't bother about a 5 % increase in the price of rice in the supermarket. We're blessed with pockets deep enough to absorb the impact, and hence minds that can afford to not pay attention.
Many many others, unknown to us, are in the unfortunate position wherein a 5% increase in the price of food items instantly pushes them below the poverty line .
As the fortunate 'haves' in this situation, there's many things we can do at an individual level to help. I figured if I could list even 2, and tag more bloggers to list an idea each, this could collectively acquire the form of a worthwhile contribution on our part to alleviating the impact of the crisis a majority of the world faces today.
So here's my 2 tips to help make a difference ...
--------------------------------------------------------------
1. If you or the person who cooks in your home (household help, a parent, a relative, anyone) are prone to being a bad judge of proportions when you cook, and if you're the fussy kinds who won't eat leftovers, then please be careful with how much rice, lentil or pasta you cook starting NOW.
These are the most popularly misjudged food items cause they start out looking very little, and we realize we've gone awry with proportions only after they're cooked.
Don't be fussy about leftovers. When there's people out there who don't get one square meal a day, it's almost criminal to be whining about eating food that YOU had cooked 24 hours ago.
Being a tad careful in your day to day cooking and consumption will help save at least a cup of food per household on a daily basis. That's one extra mouth fed for every cup we refuse to waste. Even counting a paltry million people who do this on a regular basis means a million incremental mouths getting fed on a daily basis. That's almost a tiny country. Huge no?
2. The other situation where I've seen tons of food go to waste is social gatherings. Not only do hosts tend to overestimate the amount of food needed at such events, typically 20% of expected guests don't turn up and don't RSVP.
Every time artificial demand is created (purchase that is not consumed) as in the above case, at a collective nation wide level, it influences prices of goods. So each time we overestimate the food order at an event, the raw material for that food (rice, lentils, vegetables - the very basics) becomes unaffordable for a few more people.
It makes a huge huge difference if as a guest who plans to not attend, you could be considerate enough to inform your host that you're not turning up. That gives your host one less person to feed at that event, and artificially inflated demand is stemmed.
As a host, if your guest group comprises people you can expect understanding from (friends at a casual dinner, close family), try and order lesser than you feel tempted to. In all likelihood, what you order will suffice, and if not, you'll know by the middle of the meal anyway, in which case you can simply order a little more as a follow up. And no one will mind.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The intent of this post isn't to be pedantic and tell you how noble I am. The intent is to make as many who are unaware of this, aware.
And to let you know that the little things done at an individual level can make a difference if there's enough of us doing it.
And this world, the blogosphere, is a superb network to start with. So start helping by passing around the links posted above to other people you think might be amenable to making small changes in their lifestyle to accommodate a growing population that is being pushed below the poverty line.
I'm also tagging some co bloggers to put down 1 thing they think we can do differently with our food consumption habits to help the food crisis in what little way we can.
So Chandni, MadMomma, Parul, and Nutty: I'll hope that you can take up this tag and pass it forward into the widespread network of bloggers around the world :)
=================================================
Edited to add:
The Penguin's tip here: (pasting from the comments section so you can read easily)
"My 2 bits - My favourite food-saving mechanism is to buy frozen vegetables and readymade pastes. I know loads of people disagree and say, the fresher the better. I do agree with them, but my problem is that since I'm by myself, my grocery stocking and cooking is quite erratic. Also, frozen veggies taste quite nice actually - They sort of ensure that I eat healthy food and also do not leave fresh veggies to die in my fridge :-)"
And Lucky's post on the same issue outlining how he plans to contribute.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Teacher teacher, I have a koshtin! Ok, not just A koshtin ...
1. Why can happiness or sadness not come in the manner of a phased sine wave to me and the people I love most?
Why is it that when they're in the midst of a wondrously happy phase in life, they have to deal with my abject sadness, and when I'm going through delirious joy, they've outgrown their happy phase?
I'd like to, for once, not weigh down another person's joys with my grievances in their happy times OR refrain from expressing my own crazy happiness for fear of being insensitive cause they're going through shit in life during my happy phase.
2. Why am I constantly hungry these days?
(No Nayak, it's not what you're about to say! *That* isn't possible given my current life situation. Bah!)
No really. It's not funny when you hear what I have eaten only since this morning:
1 Banana
1 tomato and cheese sandwich
2 cups of tea
1 cup of dal fry + rice
1 muesli bar
1 apple
1 more muesli bar...
...and I'm now looking forward to my next meal which will be a 1/2 vodka pasta + 1/2 veggie lasagna + 1 glass of wine (Yes, I meticulously plan the dinner menu even before I step into the restaurant that Penguin will treat me at, you have a problem with that?)
all this in less than 18 hours from sunrise to sunset. Somebody STOP ME!!!
3. What is with the sweeping generalization on Long Distance Relationships (henceforth referred to as LDRs out of pity for my ailing hand) and how they must be avoided cause they're a bad idea?
I get that there are SOME people who cannot deal with distance, who need the other person to be around them from the start to the end of a relationship, some others who cannot express themselves from a distance resulting in a communication breakdown (no really, what else exists when you can't talk?), others who cannot bridge contexts between them and another person coz their context is too strongly rooted in a location, not in their equation with another person, others who value the physical factor in the equation too much to be able to survive without it and so on. I understand that there are some people who are fundamentally ILL CONSTRUCTED to deal with LDRs. I get it.
But that's the same as any other thing in this world no? There are people who can do long hours, others who can't. Those who are 'morning people', others who do nights better. We deal with grief differently, we manage our finances differently... we're all geared to do different things differently. Some better and some worse than others.
The same logic applies to LDRs no? Then why ask EVERYONE to shy away from them? Why make them the basis of NOT establishing relationships with amazing people and taking incredible equations to fruition? BAH.
4. Why do too many of us not wonder about what we really want to do with life?
It's never about time. There's ALWAYS enough and more time to think about this. There's just this laziness that lets you inertly rest on a couch and watch meaningless television, or drift into random meandering thoughts, but keeps you from thinking about and acting upon what would really bring you the satisfaction that'll have you wake up with a smile every morning and sleep with satisfaction every night.
Why?
5. How in this day and age can we still talk in terms of "He's a Brahmin", "She's not"? "He's a marrying lower than his class" and blegh like that?
Really, how does education and evolution do nothing to cleanse our minds of petty distinctions such as caste and sect?
I still hear stories of parents creating a fuss about letting their kids marry beyond their caste/ language/ religion/ social class and blah.
Really?
You'd rank your offspring's happiness and incredible (which is rare to boot!) equation with another person, LOWER than your own petty beliefs? If they're making what you deem a mistake, that's really their call to make no? And just as likely across caste and language as it is within. Then how can you possibly ask them to give it up?
How?
=========================================================
Ok, I have a terrible ache in the shoulder, back and the general neck region (I think the worst is when you can't even pin point where the pain is located!) so I think I'll head out to that nice free dinner the Penguin has planned to treat me to. *Smacks lips in anticipation*
(SOMEBODY STOP ME!!!)
Why is it that when they're in the midst of a wondrously happy phase in life, they have to deal with my abject sadness, and when I'm going through delirious joy, they've outgrown their happy phase?
I'd like to, for once, not weigh down another person's joys with my grievances in their happy times OR refrain from expressing my own crazy happiness for fear of being insensitive cause they're going through shit in life during my happy phase.
2. Why am I constantly hungry these days?
(No Nayak, it's not what you're about to say! *That* isn't possible given my current life situation. Bah!)
No really. It's not funny when you hear what I have eaten only since this morning:
1 Banana
1 tomato and cheese sandwich
2 cups of tea
1 cup of dal fry + rice
1 muesli bar
1 apple
1 more muesli bar...
...and I'm now looking forward to my next meal which will be a 1/2 vodka pasta + 1/2 veggie lasagna + 1 glass of wine (Yes, I meticulously plan the dinner menu even before I step into the restaurant that Penguin will treat me at, you have a problem with that?)
all this in less than 18 hours from sunrise to sunset. Somebody STOP ME!!!
3. What is with the sweeping generalization on Long Distance Relationships (henceforth referred to as LDRs out of pity for my ailing hand) and how they must be avoided cause they're a bad idea?
I get that there are SOME people who cannot deal with distance, who need the other person to be around them from the start to the end of a relationship, some others who cannot express themselves from a distance resulting in a communication breakdown (no really, what else exists when you can't talk?), others who cannot bridge contexts between them and another person coz their context is too strongly rooted in a location, not in their equation with another person, others who value the physical factor in the equation too much to be able to survive without it and so on. I understand that there are some people who are fundamentally ILL CONSTRUCTED to deal with LDRs. I get it.
But that's the same as any other thing in this world no? There are people who can do long hours, others who can't. Those who are 'morning people', others who do nights better. We deal with grief differently, we manage our finances differently... we're all geared to do different things differently. Some better and some worse than others.
The same logic applies to LDRs no? Then why ask EVERYONE to shy away from them? Why make them the basis of NOT establishing relationships with amazing people and taking incredible equations to fruition? BAH.
4. Why do too many of us not wonder about what we really want to do with life?
It's never about time. There's ALWAYS enough and more time to think about this. There's just this laziness that lets you inertly rest on a couch and watch meaningless television, or drift into random meandering thoughts, but keeps you from thinking about and acting upon what would really bring you the satisfaction that'll have you wake up with a smile every morning and sleep with satisfaction every night.
Why?
5. How in this day and age can we still talk in terms of "He's a Brahmin", "She's not"? "He's a marrying lower than his class" and blegh like that?
Really, how does education and evolution do nothing to cleanse our minds of petty distinctions such as caste and sect?
I still hear stories of parents creating a fuss about letting their kids marry beyond their caste/ language/ religion/ social class and blah.
Really?
You'd rank your offspring's happiness and incredible (which is rare to boot!) equation with another person, LOWER than your own petty beliefs? If they're making what you deem a mistake, that's really their call to make no? And just as likely across caste and language as it is within. Then how can you possibly ask them to give it up?
How?
=========================================================
Ok, I have a terrible ache in the shoulder, back and the general neck region (I think the worst is when you can't even pin point where the pain is located!) so I think I'll head out to that nice free dinner the Penguin has planned to treat me to. *Smacks lips in anticipation*
(SOMEBODY STOP ME!!!)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Updates!!!
Life's been busy and full of surprises, and deadlines. (Dear blog, I'm sorry I ignored you for so long, how will you ever forgive me?)
Things seem to be easing out somewhat, though, and hopefully I'll finally sort out this hand thing by seeing the physio this weekend. I've put it off for over a month now, despite all my claims to being disciplined and organized recently. Sigh. I need the fearful threats of Penguin to make me do this sooner than later. This is why I have friends. To twist my ear and stop me from messing up my life.
Now you know.
Anyway, fun things have been happening in life. So updates follow.
The play's coming along beautifully. We recently did full runs of each short story, and it looked much better than I'd ever expected! :) One of the actors kinda dropped out and guess who steps in to do her part? Yours truly!!! :D Now, it's a pure voice led role (meaning no one gets to see my pretty face, alas (but hurrah, some might say?)) so the limelight hogging won't be all that literal, but hello, the lucky audience gets to hear my sexy (ahem, stop coughing, it's impolite!) voice. So all's good!
The West Coast trip is now looking better than ever. For starters, the wonderful Penguin has decided to accompany me on this 2 week getaway! :) I get to have her delightful company on all flights and her abilities to find discount stores in every nook and corner (She's discovered this one place in NJ which has ALL big brands under one roof. I mean, I seriously and genuinely LOVE this woman!!!).
Also, I get to spend my birthday eve with some of my favorite people in the world in a city I absolutely love - New York!!! :D I desisted writing about this one for a while cause I was so scared I'd jinx it horribly. But now that ALL tickets are booked and only Penguin's Visa remains to be acquired, it is indeed OK to put it out there. (Evil eyed people, if any, pls pls don't jinx this? This trip means a hell of a lot to me. Ktnxvermuch!)
Cooking's been fun as well. Now that the flatmate's vanished for some time at length, the kitchen's all mine to cook in and keep clean. I've been eating in more than ever before, and my new found enthusiasm to pick up interesting groceries is good news for my tummy (and others', when they're invited over to partake of the awesome meals :D), but is seeming like terrible news for my hand which basically wants to cringe and fall off every time I put it through the rigmarole of chopping and cooking.
Blogging (my pride and joy, in case you didn't know already) becomes a pain (literally so) on the evenings that I choose to cook, and I consequently cannot type chat or even leave comments on people's blogs (My reader shows 6 new posts on various blogs today, and i managed to comment on all of 2. GAH!!!). So well, despite taking my meds almost regularly and wearing that funny neck collar when typing from the pathetic work table at home, the hand seems to be doing no better. Sigh. Maybe the coming 2.5 months of no travel and no lugging around heavy baggage (ah dhang u?) will do me some good. :-)
And finally, I'll leave you with the star achievement of this evening, my 1st time ever making Dal Fry inspired by a dear friend (You piss me off, and I give you credit on my blog. Stippid you and stippider me wonly!). See and crave. (No? Ok!)
And now cause my best friend, the allergy induced cold is sitting inside my nose, giving me a massive headache and putting me to sleep, I shall. Sleep, that is.
Night, everyone!
Things seem to be easing out somewhat, though, and hopefully I'll finally sort out this hand thing by seeing the physio this weekend. I've put it off for over a month now, despite all my claims to being disciplined and organized recently. Sigh. I need the fearful threats of Penguin to make me do this sooner than later. This is why I have friends. To twist my ear and stop me from messing up my life.
Now you know.
Anyway, fun things have been happening in life. So updates follow.
The play's coming along beautifully. We recently did full runs of each short story, and it looked much better than I'd ever expected! :) One of the actors kinda dropped out and guess who steps in to do her part? Yours truly!!! :D Now, it's a pure voice led role (meaning no one gets to see my pretty face, alas (but hurrah, some might say?)) so the limelight hogging won't be all that literal, but hello, the lucky audience gets to hear my sexy (ahem, stop coughing, it's impolite!) voice. So all's good!
The West Coast trip is now looking better than ever. For starters, the wonderful Penguin has decided to accompany me on this 2 week getaway! :) I get to have her delightful company on all flights and her abilities to find discount stores in every nook and corner (She's discovered this one place in NJ which has ALL big brands under one roof. I mean, I seriously and genuinely LOVE this woman!!!).
Also, I get to spend my birthday eve with some of my favorite people in the world in a city I absolutely love - New York!!! :D I desisted writing about this one for a while cause I was so scared I'd jinx it horribly. But now that ALL tickets are booked and only Penguin's Visa remains to be acquired, it is indeed OK to put it out there. (Evil eyed people, if any, pls pls don't jinx this? This trip means a hell of a lot to me. Ktnxvermuch!)
Cooking's been fun as well. Now that the flatmate's vanished for some time at length, the kitchen's all mine to cook in and keep clean. I've been eating in more than ever before, and my new found enthusiasm to pick up interesting groceries is good news for my tummy (and others', when they're invited over to partake of the awesome meals :D), but is seeming like terrible news for my hand which basically wants to cringe and fall off every time I put it through the rigmarole of chopping and cooking.
Blogging (my pride and joy, in case you didn't know already) becomes a pain (literally so) on the evenings that I choose to cook, and I consequently cannot type chat or even leave comments on people's blogs (My reader shows 6 new posts on various blogs today, and i managed to comment on all of 2. GAH!!!). So well, despite taking my meds almost regularly and wearing that funny neck collar when typing from the pathetic work table at home, the hand seems to be doing no better. Sigh. Maybe the coming 2.5 months of no travel and no lugging around heavy baggage (ah dhang u?) will do me some good. :-)
And finally, I'll leave you with the star achievement of this evening, my 1st time ever making Dal Fry inspired by a dear friend (You piss me off, and I give you credit on my blog. Stippid you and stippider me wonly!). See and crave. (No? Ok!)
Night, everyone!
Monday, April 07, 2008
The pink of dawn ...
It's pretty early. By my usual standards. Today is an aberration for work reasons, and I've been up since 5 am, seated by the window for the last 2 hours.
It's weird, but I never quite saw dawn the way I see it this morning. The sky was pitch black at 5 am and started to *lighten* up at about 6. Gradually more colors filled the horizon, many many more shades than I'd known of or seen in a long time. And now as of 6.53 am, the sky stands at a certain hue of peach/ pink as the sun bides its time coming up.
It's all simply gorgeous, for lack of non-trite adjectives.
It's true. You can't appreciate dawn, unless you've been watching the horizon since the time darkness prevailed.
It's weird, but I never quite saw dawn the way I see it this morning. The sky was pitch black at 5 am and started to *lighten* up at about 6. Gradually more colors filled the horizon, many many more shades than I'd known of or seen in a long time. And now as of 6.53 am, the sky stands at a certain hue of peach/ pink as the sun bides its time coming up.
It's all simply gorgeous, for lack of non-trite adjectives.
It's true. You can't appreciate dawn, unless you've been watching the horizon since the time darkness prevailed.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Sunday mornings ...
There's something incredible about Sunday mornings. Peace inducing and reassuring.
Normally they're awesome cause I have the chance to cook up a nice breakfast unlike the usual hurried bread/ cereal that I gobble down on weekdays. And good hot tea. And at a reasonable hour like 9 am, the wonderful Penguin will sms to check if I'm awake and then proceed to call me.
The awesome thing is, even if we've spent Saturday evening together, there's enough and more to talk about (it's such a special thing this ability to converse without pause even after knowing someone for months and months!) always! And so the 1st 1 hour of the morning is spent in chatter, until a parent calls from India to remind us we have families and hello, can we speak with them every once in a while?
The rest of the day in the last few months has passed in drama practice, which is kinda fun in its own way, except for having to travel halfway across town. And evenings are gloriously spent indoors, online or reading or meeting up with a friend. All in preparation for the week ahead.
I remember waking up this morning, for e.g., and after pondering on how I'd woken up on my own unlike usually with an alarm of sorts, I suddenly had this fit of panic wondering what day it was. The joy at having dismissed the possibility of weekdays, and realizing it was a Sunday is immeasurable and somewhat indescribable!!!
And a glorious Sunday at that!
Brunch plans at Marmalade Pantry with my favorite women in this city and then 5 hours of play practice (some work, but let's not go there, shall we?) followed by simple dinner at home and sound sleep before the week ahead. :-) Worth looking forward to no?
Yes, I know Saturday mornings are better. I know even Saturday nights are better. But I'm turning into an optimist against my own will, and I don't need you getting me to revert to cynic mode. So all you cynics, SHOO!
The rest, say it with me - Sunday mornings rock!!! :D
Normally they're awesome cause I have the chance to cook up a nice breakfast unlike the usual hurried bread/ cereal that I gobble down on weekdays. And good hot tea. And at a reasonable hour like 9 am, the wonderful Penguin will sms to check if I'm awake and then proceed to call me.
The awesome thing is, even if we've spent Saturday evening together, there's enough and more to talk about (it's such a special thing this ability to converse without pause even after knowing someone for months and months!) always! And so the 1st 1 hour of the morning is spent in chatter, until a parent calls from India to remind us we have families and hello, can we speak with them every once in a while?
The rest of the day in the last few months has passed in drama practice, which is kinda fun in its own way, except for having to travel halfway across town. And evenings are gloriously spent indoors, online or reading or meeting up with a friend. All in preparation for the week ahead.
I remember waking up this morning, for e.g., and after pondering on how I'd woken up on my own unlike usually with an alarm of sorts, I suddenly had this fit of panic wondering what day it was. The joy at having dismissed the possibility of weekdays, and realizing it was a Sunday is immeasurable and somewhat indescribable!!!
And a glorious Sunday at that!
Brunch plans at Marmalade Pantry with my favorite women in this city and then 5 hours of play practice (some work, but let's not go there, shall we?) followed by simple dinner at home and sound sleep before the week ahead. :-) Worth looking forward to no?
Yes, I know Saturday mornings are better. I know even Saturday nights are better. But I'm turning into an optimist against my own will, and I don't need you getting me to revert to cynic mode. So all you cynics, SHOO!
The rest, say it with me - Sunday mornings rock!!! :D
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Marching on ...
In the last 2 days, I have...
1. Paid off all pending bills.
2. Applied for reimbursements on all medical expenses in the last year.
3. Paid people money owed. Rent, utilities, other stuff.
4. Spent the requisite time on play practice
5. Wrapped up "The Time Traveller's Wife" and started on "The Glass Castle" in keeping with the "1 book every 2 weeks" resolution.
6. Gotten back to running and gymming. (I'm hurting all over. It's been a while, clearly. OUCH)
7. Said my prayers and thanks every single day. Morning and evening. Without fail.
8. Stocked up on groceries and cooked diligently almost everyday.
Within the week I plan to...
- File taxes
- Apply for my 1st ever personal credit card. (I've already figured out which one)
- Cook the 1st of my 10 new recipes for the year - either Koftas or Gojju. We'll see which. I'll put up pics as always.
- Get play practice on Wednesdays started and regularized.
Workwise ...
- I'm on track to be in office by 8.30 am every morning. I'm hoping to make this 8 am in the next 3 days. And leave by 6 pm. At ANY cost.
- Things look busy, but on track to wrap up most major things within the next 2 weeks I think. Atleast all of it is marked into my calendar in planned hour by hour slots - a throwback to my Class 10 and 12 prep schedules.
On the whole...
I'm being a good child - disciplined and meticulous. Like mom taught me to be.
Bringing back order into my chaotic life. Starting my days with a smile, and sleeping with good thoughts on my mind. Like I've always wanted to.
Someone pat me on the back, please?
1. Paid off all pending bills.
2. Applied for reimbursements on all medical expenses in the last year.
3. Paid people money owed. Rent, utilities, other stuff.
4. Spent the requisite time on play practice
5. Wrapped up "The Time Traveller's Wife" and started on "The Glass Castle" in keeping with the "1 book every 2 weeks" resolution.
6. Gotten back to running and gymming. (I'm hurting all over. It's been a while, clearly. OUCH)
7. Said my prayers and thanks every single day. Morning and evening. Without fail.
8. Stocked up on groceries and cooked diligently almost everyday.
Within the week I plan to...
- File taxes
- Apply for my 1st ever personal credit card. (I've already figured out which one)
- Cook the 1st of my 10 new recipes for the year - either Koftas or Gojju. We'll see which. I'll put up pics as always.
- Get play practice on Wednesdays started and regularized.
Workwise ...
- I'm on track to be in office by 8.30 am every morning. I'm hoping to make this 8 am in the next 3 days. And leave by 6 pm. At ANY cost.
- Things look busy, but on track to wrap up most major things within the next 2 weeks I think. Atleast all of it is marked into my calendar in planned hour by hour slots - a throwback to my Class 10 and 12 prep schedules.
On the whole...
I'm being a good child - disciplined and meticulous. Like mom taught me to be.
Bringing back order into my chaotic life. Starting my days with a smile, and sleeping with good thoughts on my mind. Like I've always wanted to.
Someone pat me on the back, please?
Friday, March 28, 2008
Saying thanks ...
I've come to be acutely aware that all the times I've asked for something from the "powers that be" that I believe are somewhere out there, I'm usually granted some version of what I asked for.
(The secret is also that when it's really too important, I ask amma to ask for it, her prayers seem to evoke better response than mine, better karma I think).
So anyway, what I've also realized is that once these prayers are granted, I usually am very very bad at saying thanks, sometimes even just once.
We all tend to do that as people no? (Or is it just me? Am I an ungrateful wretch, and the only one around?) We're really earnest about the "asking" portion and much much less earnest about the "thanking"?
Just writing this to remind myself and everyone out there who ever has wishes, don't forget to say your thanks when they're granted.
Many many times, if you can.
(The secret is also that when it's really too important, I ask amma to ask for it, her prayers seem to evoke better response than mine, better karma I think).
So anyway, what I've also realized is that once these prayers are granted, I usually am very very bad at saying thanks, sometimes even just once.
We all tend to do that as people no? (Or is it just me? Am I an ungrateful wretch, and the only one around?) We're really earnest about the "asking" portion and much much less earnest about the "thanking"?
Just writing this to remind myself and everyone out there who ever has wishes, don't forget to say your thanks when they're granted.
Many many times, if you can.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Long time no see no?
I really do want to write. But am unable to for the moment.
You know how sometimes, you're trying really hard to do this thing, and you know inside your mind and heart that you really want to be another place, doing something else? I have that feeling now.
It happens when I read these days. I used to have this voracious appetite for reading once upon a time, and now when I sit with a book, I'm haunted by this feeling that I'm not really doing anything useful, and so I shift to painting, talking on the phone, or cooking something.
Writing is kinda becoming like that.
Or is it just that my offline conversations are letting me say it all, which is why my thoughts online are devoid of content?
Did I come off sounding sad right there? I feel quite the opposite, really :-)
Oh well.
You know how sometimes, you're trying really hard to do this thing, and you know inside your mind and heart that you really want to be another place, doing something else? I have that feeling now.
It happens when I read these days. I used to have this voracious appetite for reading once upon a time, and now when I sit with a book, I'm haunted by this feeling that I'm not really doing anything useful, and so I shift to painting, talking on the phone, or cooking something.
Writing is kinda becoming like that.
Or is it just that my offline conversations are letting me say it all, which is why my thoughts online are devoid of content?
Did I come off sounding sad right there? I feel quite the opposite, really :-)
Oh well.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Chemistry anyone?
I wrote this 3 months ago, and sent it out by email to a select bunch of people. It's just the kind of thing that would invite too many "Is something up *wink wink*" kinda questions, you know?
But someone replied to it only today, and I was reminded of it, and how strongly I felt about it. And so I'm putting it up anyway.
============================================================
I've cracked it, I think. That thing we call chemistry.
I think it has mostly to do with laughter.
But someone replied to it only today, and I was reminded of it, and how strongly I felt about it. And so I'm putting it up anyway.
============================================================
I've cracked it, I think. That thing we call chemistry.
I think it has mostly to do with laughter.
When you think about it with all your heart, what really is it about someone else that makes you want to be with them for extended periods of time? Their ability to make you smile through everything, no?
Sounds awfully simple but there's another layer to it all. The fact that someone CAN make you smile is in itself already an important thing, it means you can appreciate the things that seem amusing/ interesting to them, there's already a bond there, but the more important thing is something that goes beyond their ability - it's intent.
No one needs to spend time putting a smile on your face, really - they don't. We all have better things to do with our lives than sit and wait for someone to laugh, much less TRY to make them smile or induce happiness.
But for this person to stay there, in conversation with you for hours and continue to put that smile on your face.. that level of INTENT .. that's something! For you to sit there and make them laugh in turn is icing on cake, the two rarely occur together, so when they do, it's sorry to have to let go of it.
Opinion could of course be divided on how sustainable this smile thing is. I mean people do stop at some point of time, the laughter does die out. But laughter, and subsequently the shared happiness is the best way to carve a place in someone else's heart, and it carves nice and deep so you make this long term space for yourself there. Know what i mean?
So even when the laughter is gone, you're still there. Of course, this is assuming the intent to keep someone in ur life and heart persists, assuming nothing else (another life away from them, another person, another interest?) replaces it and u keep them in.
But that's chemistry. It starts with the ability to smile with someone. I'm not saying it's the same as being able to love them - I'm just saying it's chemistry.
Sounds awfully simple but there's another layer to it all. The fact that someone CAN make you smile is in itself already an important thing, it means you can appreciate the things that seem amusing/ interesting to them, there's already a bond there, but the more important thing is something that goes beyond their ability - it's intent.
No one needs to spend time putting a smile on your face, really - they don't. We all have better things to do with our lives than sit and wait for someone to laugh, much less TRY to make them smile or induce happiness.
But for this person to stay there, in conversation with you for hours and continue to put that smile on your face.. that level of INTENT .. that's something! For you to sit there and make them laugh in turn is icing on cake, the two rarely occur together, so when they do, it's sorry to have to let go of it.
Opinion could of course be divided on how sustainable this smile thing is. I mean people do stop at some point of time, the laughter does die out. But laughter, and subsequently the shared happiness is the best way to carve a place in someone else's heart, and it carves nice and deep so you make this long term space for yourself there. Know what i mean?
So even when the laughter is gone, you're still there. Of course, this is assuming the intent to keep someone in ur life and heart persists, assuming nothing else (another life away from them, another person, another interest?) replaces it and u keep them in.
But that's chemistry. It starts with the ability to smile with someone. I'm not saying it's the same as being able to love them - I'm just saying it's chemistry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)