Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Of Post Partum Depression, Being Let Down, and Moving Up the Value Chain..

So, finally my project is gone. Went out yesterday night. for the last 40 days, I was all the time thinking about data on data (can we call it metadata??).. I don't know what the client thinks about it. She will let us know. Whatever! But as I went to office today, I don't know there was this weird feeling. I was almost feeling as newly-became-mothers experience sometimes a.k.a post partum depression! It felt as if I lost something very dear to me. No, I am not that obsessed about my work, it is just that after you have been thinking on a topic for so long a time, it gets ingrained into you, occupying a tiny space in the brain completely like becoming a part of the body. It didn't make me depressed, I was rather happy it went, but I could experience post-partum-mixed-feelings. My work is anyways like a delivery (deliverable) ;)

Anyways, yesterday papa who never says anything to me regarding my job, suddenly told me that I shouldn't have done engineering, instead should have become a CA. I felt terrible on listening this. It made me feel as if I failed him. He always wanted me to be someone worthy of respect in life, but when he said this, it was like I had let him down. My cousin Divya had once said that if you give happiness to your parents, you will automatically get happy. I kept thinking about it for a long time but...there is this community on facebook that says, Dad, one day I will make you proud.. I haven't joined because one should not promise what one cannot promise. I had made a resolution to be happy, so I will try to be :) Not to be sad! I have reduced the amount of cribbing especially about petty issues like cab problems, lack of time in life. What is the point to do it? Unless there are better options, all this cribbing does is spread negativity..

Meanwhile, one of India's most famous blogger Amit Verma of India Uncut writes on his blog

That’s really the great mystery about bureaucracies. Why is it so often that the best people are stuck in the middle and the people who are running things—the leaders—are the mediocrities? Because excellence isn’t usually what gets you up the greasy pole. What gets you up is a talent for maneuvering. Kissing up to the people above you, kicking down to the people below you. Pleasing your teachers, pleasing your superiors, picking a powerful mentor and riding his coattails until it’s time to stab him in the back. Jumping through hoops. Getting along by going along..

He adds
Besides this, I found that I was much more productive while working on my own than in a company environment. Maybe it’s just me, but I found that in a normal office day, I might be at work for 10 hours, but within that period I’d only actually work for a total of maybe one. The rest of the time would go surfing, faffing, idling, day-dreaming, gossiping and other such ings. When I am by myself, on the other hand, I may idle all day, but when I work, I work. It may only be for an hour, but at least I don’t waste nine more in a pretense of work, in an elaborate charade that benefits no one.
Still, that’s just me, and I speak of my experience in television (in the last millennium) and journalism (in this one), and I’m sure there are other corporate environments which are more productive. But Deresiewicz’s observation about the greasy pole, I suspect, holds true for them all. That’s the nature of the beast..

I was nodding my head all the while reading this, not that I am saying I am intelligent.. this is just so bloody true.. I wish I could think like him.. objective and to the point!!

Hmmm

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Of Old Recyled Resolutions...

I know it's a tad late for making resolutions, but things have begun on a very gloomy and depressing note. My uncle expired 4 days back, although we weren't that close but still family is family, you feel sad when some one of your extended family parts away. I can only pray for his soul. And the fact that have been so loaded with work, was working on New Year's eve :(, things have been pretty dull in the new year.

But I have been thinking a lot about resolutions and it's never too late for resolutions, all that is required is will power and the strength to follow them. I had written one of other resolution posts in 2009 and these are almost carbon copies of each other.

1. Read, read, read and more read.. the number of books that I read last year have shocked me!! Reading is perhaps the only thing that I have inculcated and to lose such a thing would be a shame. More of Salman Rushdie, more of classics, more of philosophy, more of history..but no non fiction!!

2. Watch more movies and learn from them

3. Try to be a little more positive in life (considering the melancholy themed posts on my blog), perhaps most difficult to follow in view of my glass-half-empty outlook towards life

4. Continue with self learning of piano lessons and play at least 2 full hindi songs (have started with ajeeb dastaan hai yeh)

5. Write more and not necessarily my-life-sucks posts but more of interesting anecdotes, events, incidents to remember by..

6. As Monica had the resolution to click more photographs, I have the same (though Ross's seems more interesting to do one new thing everyday).. Photography is a brilliant way of capturing time..it is perhaps the only way to go back in time and relive the memories that make us misty eyed.. So more photographs of people, places, poses, naturals, random, things, anything and everything..

7. Think something about the future..about the big picture..give some sense of direction to life..this should have been No.1 actually..

8. Be happy.. and enjoy the small tiny moments of happiness..

एक छोटी सी ख़ुशी की कीमत तुम क्या जानो रमेश बाबु! ईश्वर का आशीर्वाद होती है एक छोटी सी ख़ुशी॥

okok.. as Saroj Khan says in Nachleve ...नाचते रहिये, खुश रहिये, अल्लाह हाफ़िज़..

ok tata bye!!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Monday, January 3, 2011

Of Aman-Anjali-Rahul and Vanraj-Nandini-Sameer


Kal na TV par Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was coming..one of those films that reminds me of my childhood..I clearly remember Class 6 it was and in those days, I didn't go to cinema halls every week as I do now.. used to wait when cable vale bhaiya will show it on TV..as soon as he used to show his pirated version, there was discussion among gali ke bacche like hamare cable vale ne to dikha bhi di..tere vale ne nahi dikhai..

Anyways, of topic..as I watched it for I don't know like for the nth time, I think Aman's character was much superior to Rahul's. I have been fascinated by sacrificial love since long (perhaps that is why Vanraj of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam remains one of my favorite characters ever).. Talking of KKHH, Aman was the scene stealer..and just look at his character.. he knows that Anjali doesn't love him..he could see it in her eyes..as he says to her at the end "maine tumhari aankhon me mere liye hamesha vo pyaar dekhna chaha jo meri aankhon me tumhare liye hai..aur aaj mujhe vo pyaar dikha..lekin mere liye nahi Rahul ke liye" .. He clearly understood that Anjali is just doing marriage for the sake of it..he even told it to Anjali's mom that he thinks that Anjali doesn't love him...but still he loved her immensely despite Anjali did or did not love him.. that is called true love..perhaps it was his love for her that he wanted to see her happy that he let go of her..

And compare Rahul's character!! He didn't even realise that Anjali is totally in love with him, even Tina could make out but how could he not?? And then he says.. hum pyaar ek baar karte hain, aur shaadi bhi ek baar karte hain.. then why did he marry Anjali if Tina was his first love? And not once did he say to Anjali to that he loved her..even at the end he just tells how he feel about her by using dumb charades of I-love-you and that when he sees Anjali fully dressed as a bride..Yes, perhaps he didn't realize that he was in love with her.. He coud not understand Anjali while Aman did, therfore wasn't he a superior character than Rahul..isn't love about understanding?

Rahul may have got Anjali but for me Aman came out the winner.. and in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Vanraj rightly came out the winner as Nandini says to Sameer..tumne mujhe pyar karna sikhaya lekin pyar nibhana maine Vanraj se seekha hai.. that is why she leaves Sameer and comes back to Vanraj..

But I still loved both the films.. movies are magic. 

More later

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Of Last Posts of the Year..

So am writing the last post of 2010. I saw some blogs talking about the end of decade. Although decade could be any period of 10 years but wasn't this decade over last year itself from 2000-2009? But we like to end things completely..2009 gives a feeling of one year left, so the end of 2010 feels more complete. But let's talk about 2010!! One of my favourite tweeters Surekha Pillai says "the last day of the year feels more important than the first day..it is like seeing off an old friend and meeting a new one" very true..

Yamini gave a beautiful summary of 2010 through photographs.. I don't have photographs (have some though, but not worth telling a story).. So I guess I will pen down..whatever I remember this year for..

Well, now I when I think about writing..most of what happened to me this year, I have put already here in that job poem post. Moreover, I have the habit of writing year gone by reviews ever since I started blogging, which look carbon copies of each other.

2010.. I finally came to terms with life. You know this thing like when we are in Class 10, 11 and 12, everybody realises that school is about to come to an end and everyone will go to colleges and everybody starts working towards getting in to the best college, and when we reach college, it is like you have three-four years, you enjoy your college life but in a way you know that college is also a means to attaining your as they say dream job or dream life. I mean we all are working towards a larger goal in life when we are in school on college, how so ever confusing or obscure that goal or life may be. Now, since I have gone pass through this school and college phase and finally started working for almost 1.5 years, I realise this is it! What next are you aiming for? There is nothing to go ahead to work towards a larger goal? Someone in office had put this status message.. Retirement is still 35 years away!! and I was like shit! I have to work all my life for earning my living!! I know I am sounding like what-is-that-word.. ummm defeatist I guess, I could start my own business or I could do whatever I like..but since I haven't been able to figure it out yet, I finally accepted that there is no goal now.. this is dead end!! I have to accept this.. I really don't know where will I be in 2020. Like I was in Class 8 in 2000, and in 10 years what a drastic drastic shift life has taken. Board exams, entrance exams, college life, started working, fall in love or lust whatever you call, develop physically (though not mentally in my case) and as they say boys stop growing after 21, in a way life has also stopped growing.. In 2020, if I am alive, I will be working in some job.. enough of this coming to terms with life thing, life goes on.. but I am totally shit scared.. In 6.5 years I will be 30!!!! OMG, panic.. Gul Panag's next film is Turning 30..I have already developed bald patches in my head..


Ok.. next.. everybody around me is getting married!! Richa got married!! I still remember the day she called me out of the blue and I was having lunch in office that she got engaged and I gasped like anything. I mean the person you literally grew up with and you see them married is surreal. That was another highlight of the year. In 2-3 years, people will have start having kids!! Talking about my marriage, I am safe because I will not get married because I am incapable of being loved by anybody : Hum itne bade ho gaye kya :( Now little kids have started calling me uncle :( Uncle mat kaho na..


Meredith said about her sister Lexie in Grey's that she has inappropriate feelings for inappropriate people. Having crushes is a part of life, in school, there would be definitely be some english or chemistry teacher, that you developed a crush for..There was this phase in 2010, when I realised that I had inappropriate feelings for inappropriate people, still do though :( I didn't know what happened but sometimes it just happens.. that was a very very difficult phase.

I have so much to write more..will continue in other posts. Till then Happy New Year

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Sugar Cubes

On Christmas, there was this thing called for Sugar Cubes, in which you could write a message to a person you want to send one and it would be delivered to him/her by the people. You could also write it anonymously. Nice no?
These were the ones I got.
Am guessing this is from Arpita..

This is from Jaspreet..

This is again from Arpita I guess..

This one is from our manager who sent it to all


This one is from Aastha..

These small things make us more happy than those material gifts..ain't it? And looks like that many people like my smile..didn't know that :)
I loved all of them. I had written for
आस्था, जसप्रीत, हितेश, अर्पिता, जेन्नी and ऋषि
I hope they liked it. Jaspreet put what I had written on FB which became quite controversial :D
And I wanted to write for अभिषेक but since he is not here, so will write for him here only...
Someone who is one of the very few genuine and real persons,
who is an inspiration to be good at everything one does..
I liked Sugar Cubes because some things you just can't say especially someone like me, so why not write...
Hmmm..Will write more..Cioas..

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A New Solar System

What awesome pic na? I know totally photoshopped but still amazing concept. The yolk in the egg as a solar system, a harbinger of new life.. People just think brilliantly.
Pic Courtesy: The famous lyricist Swanand Kirkire of Bawra Man Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna fame, via Twitter

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Karz Signature Tune

Hi again.. it's me playing the tune of Karz. I felt so happy when I played it for the first time without any mistake. The notes were

G# F# G# A, G# F# G# A, G# F# G# A F#,

F# F# D# F# G# F, F F# G# G# F#

All that is required is practise, practise, and practise.. Isn't it wonderful that only seven notes can make an awesome music. Fascinating ain't it? Will put some another song next time.. Ciaos..

Friday, December 17, 2010

Kahan chali gayi hai saali khushi..

Sad again.. Don't kill me ya but whenever I am sad, I find solace here only..I promise, next time I will also write a post when I am super happy. The past week was terrible work wise. I had some client call, in which she wasn't happy at all and screwed our work..errr my work :( So, now have to work in less time..Now, had brought work home, so now working in 3 day weekend :( isliye na sad :( bahut sara kam hai.. and upar se aise hi thora low time chal raha hai ghar par bhi and personally also..:'( DevD ka gaana mere dimaag yaad aata rehta hai...
Saanp jaisi kaal raatein hai yeh..
Hai yeh zeher si yeh zindagi..
Kahaan chali gayi hai Saali khushi..
Kahaan chali gayi hai saali khushi..

Friday, December 10, 2010

Aur in aankhon ke peeche kaun si duniya chupi hai..kya pata..

this was the link by the Dil Chahta Hai community on FB. I had to put this!! How can I not?! If I make a list of Hindi movies you have to see before you die, this one will come in Top 5 for sure.

And this dialogue will rank 1 in my list.

Tara - Aaj maine tumhare bare me ek nayi baat jani hai..kehno ko to tum logo se milte ho, unse baat karte ho lekin tumhari ek alag hi duniya hai..tum apne khwaab kisi se nahi baante..balki main to yeh kahungi jo log tumhe jaante hai vo bhi nahi jaante..

Sid - Aur yeh aap kaise keh sakti hain..

Tara - Darwaza band hai andar koi ja nahi sakta, bakse ko kas ke tala lagaya hua koi kuch chura nahi sakta..aur yeh..in aankhon ke peeche kaun si duniya chhupi hai..kya pata..

I need to find this scene. Tara..how deep you can go?? I want to be like her. If only..

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Gubbare!

I am getting this intuition something is going to happen and I am going to land in some deep trouble. I am getting this feeling that someone is asking me to pay for my sins. Why? Because I sense negative vibes all around in office..in cousin's wedding..But what can I do, except only hope, a feeling which I don't have a good relationship with. Meanwhile, I went to my cousin's wedding. *Yawn* I wasn't interested at all but still went to show my shakal and eat some shadi ka khana.. The best part was playing with the balloon (those big round ones) with my 6 year old cousin..So much fun!! I love balloons. Nice concept no? playing with hava!!
Meanwhile, went to Anish Kapoor's exhibition..Will write more about it.. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant..what an artist.. exhilarating!!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Of Twinkling Stars..


It's me playing Twinle Twinkle.. Apologies for any mistake or lack of continuity as I am still learning.. Also learnt Mary had a little lamb. Will put that after some more practice.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Yeh kya baal bana rakha hai..kuch lete kyun nahi..

The next superstar is here :D
OMG..It looks like that I have a full fledged tond in this pic...yikessssss...
This wig is of my manager in office..borrowed it from her to get clicked :P
I will also buy one sometime..it is so cool..how different can clothes make us all look..
Anyway, super Ad show at office..loved the India TV reporter selling Men's fairness cream in Africa..what acting..what satire..a terrific black comedy..in just 30 seconds, one can express so much..brilliant!! I won an audience prize for identifying the logo for NCERT..my favorite books..still have all NCERT books of classes 9, 10, 11 and 12..Will put pics..sigh..I want to go back to school.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Going against your grain?

Will you go against your grain? We had our Unit Lunch today and as usual it was not a very great experience. Not because the food was terrible which actually it was, but because I felt so out of place. I had nobody to talk to, everybody was busy conversing in some topic or other..cracking jokes, narrating experiences..blah blah..but I felt so out of place..Yes, I agree that I am introvert and shy but I don't feel comfortable to just randomly start any conversation.. For the last 2 weeks, A and J have been forcing me to change myself..I agree that I should change myself but is it that easy to change yourself so easily..is it that simple to go against your grain..to do what you are not supposed to..I remember Priyanka Gandhi once saying in an interview that she has immense respect for her mother, Sonia Gandhi not because she is her mother but the way she has gone against her grain to become someone who is totally opposite to what she wishes for. She never wanted to be a politician but still she has moulded herself into a new avatar. Now, when I look at her, I can see what she meant..I know one thing.. I will never be successful or happy in life.. I will always remain a laggard :(
I keep on saying the Serenity prayer to myself but to no avail.. it actually makes me serene...
God, grant us the
Serenity to accept the things we cannot change..
Courage to change the things we can..and the
Wisdom to know the difference...
I don't want to end up like this ya :(

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Ruk Ja Ohh Dil Deewani...


I finally bought a keyboard for myself. No, it's not that I am a connoisseur of such a fine instrument but for the last 2-3 weeks things have been going real bad...it was all so negative..nothing felt good..now things are a bit better but still not completely ok..To ward off this negative aura, what better than music na.. I know nothing of it.. but I will try to learn online myself or play randomly.. I can't listen to music while working in office because then I can't concentrate on work, so I don't listen to music also...which makes me keep thinking some horrible thoughts :( I wanted to learn either a keyboard or a flute.. no guitar for me..it doesn't go with my uncool image :( So I bought a keyboard..Music is the soul of life..any art for that matter..photography, reading, cooking, designing..anything that helps you connect with your soul..with your passion.. I saw some videos and now know all the keys..I hope I am able to keep my resolve to learn it as my usual propensity to let go of things easily :( One day, I will play Ruk Ja Ohh dil Deewani like Shah Rukh did in DDLJ :)

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Jab jab karta hun..mehekta hun..behekta hun..


Guzaarish :)

One of my most awaited films of the year..Ever since I have seen my all time favourite movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, I have been a big fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali...Devdas (what a grand film), Black (another all-time favorite; I still cry loads when I see it), or Saawariya (I will not call this a favorite, but it still has a special place in my heart). Although I still haven't seen Khamoshi completely. Here comes Guzaarish..and this film will also become one of my all-time favorites.

Guzaarish is about Ethan, a quadriplegic magician played by Hrithik Roshan. After living life as a vegetable for 14 years, he finally decides to file a petition for Euthanasia, or as he calls it, Euthanasia. His nurse for 12 years, Sophie, played by Aishwarya, and friend Devyani, played by Shenaz Patel, assist him in filing this petition. The story, as one can imagine, is tragic, but it still gives out a message of hope to live life fully and love every person who matters to you.

Bhansali's films have this larger-than-life, and his strong sense of opulence always enthralls him. The film is beautifully shot, in every scene one can see the immense detailing that has gone into it.

Some genuinely emotional moments will make you cry. Here are some of my best scenes from the film

1. When Ethan's mother, Isabel says to the judge to stop his pain and let him live a life of dignity

2. The magic tricks are spectacular!! the song tera zikr..
Ke tera zikr hai, ya koi itr hai...
jab jab karta hun, mehekta hun, behekta hun, chehkta hun
What lines, awesome :)

3. Ash—what a beauty!! Her eyes, earrings, dress, red rose, lips, emotions through eyes, dance on song Udi—I loved her in Jodhaa Akbar also for her ability to convey expressions through eyes, and now this also.

4. When Omar asks him about Ethan's first trick - he says the laughter of his mother

5. Omar: Sir, I need to give you a hug. Ethan: I have enough attachments already

6. 100-gram zindagi song - the scene where Ethan sees boys playing football and then a scarecrow that in a way, reminded him of his life

7. The scene when Ethan asks the lawyer to spend just 60 seconds in a box so that he can experience how he has been living like this for 14 years

8. The haunting scene when Ethan fights a battle with the drop of rain from the leaking roof

9. His song at his mother's funeral

10. In that crackling scene when Ethan gets aroused and starts making sounds, Sophia surprises him by reciprocating with her own moans :)

11. Sophia's outburst at the court

12. Ethan's accident

13. Above all, Hrithik and Ash are brilliant..magic..tragic..

In love with Guzaarish :)

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Flower of the Day


I love clicking flowers.. they give a very relaxing feel when I look at them. This is the pic I clicked in the market today. I had read this on some body's slam book: Your idea of beauty and the person had answered A Red Rose. So true, nah!! beauty like happiness is subjective. What may appear beautiful to one may not necessarily appeal to the other. No more bhashan. Just admire the pic.. So comforting.. Sigh!

Loser

Life is fair but some people are born losers...

Friday, November 5, 2010

Kuch bhi nahi ab mere kal me...Guzaarish

Happy Diwali :)

As usual, long time no see, but what to do..my old crib office has been doing some really bad work for the last week or so :\
As I said in my previous posts, I had to write about many things.

So, finally, writing about Guzaarish.

I am in absolute love with the song Udi from Guzaarish. It gives a very Italian-Spanish-tangoish feel to it.. and Aishwarya is looking stunning in it and what a dance.. I wish I could dance. It reminds me of the tap dance in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. It's so cool, na!! If I had to tap dance on it, I would dance exactly like Vanraj with my two left feet. 

But what gives me the ultimate high when listening to the song are the lyrics.

The lyrics are trying to show the unexpected happiness the lady feels.. she is probably in love or has attained something very dear to her..that she has come ahead of everything..

My favourite line is this

Jee lee umar sari is pal me,
Kuch bhi nahi ab mere kal me..

I mean, how exhilarated she feels that she has entered a trance and doesn't want to live anymore. This line always makes me think? What is that one thing if I can sing the song like her?

I have no answers. I don't know. Remember that episode in Friends when the spirit of the old lady enters Phoebe and says that she won't go unless she has seen everything? That spirit finally leaves when she sees Carol and Susan's lesbian wedding. 

This brings to mind another related post that I had told I would write after Anjaana Anjaani. What is that thing you want to do before you die? I thought of so many things but couldn't narrow it down to one, and I really don't know. Which is a shame, isn't it? A life with no purpose?

So my next challenge is to identify and make a list of things I want to do before I die so that I can also sing.

Udi, neenden annkhon se..

Judi, raatein khwaabon se..

Mudi(a), yeh jaane main kahan..

Hmmm, meanwhile, I had also seen Pyaasa. It's an awesome film—probably one of the finest Hindi films ever!! Now, I'm waiting for The Social Network, HP, and my love, Guzaarish (Come fall in love with life once again).

Also, Have you seen the awesome magic Hritihik does in the song Tera Zikr? I have just one word for you: spectacular. 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Stuck

Terrible week going...please finishhhhhhhh :( stuck in jams, work, time..and moreover, stuck in life...

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Suno Aishaaaaaaaaa :)

I saw Aisha yesterday night, and I don't know if I liked it. I mean, it was kind of ok.. it seems I have started to like films that have been panned all over (No, don't include that grotesque Hisss, which I have no intention of watching ever, even if someone calls me to its premiere in LA). Aisha is a typical sweet story inspired by Emma (one of my favorite books since we had it as our supplementary reader in Class 8). I love Jane Austen's classics. As Abhay Deol essayed in Aisha, Mr. Knightley was such a cool character. But since it is inspired and modified for an Indian audience, the characters weren't that witty. I really liked the girl who played Shefali. I love Sonam Kapoor, no matter what others think of her. I loved her in Saawariya and I hate Luv Storys and now in Aisha..that girl has style and kick ass attitude..and importantly she acts well..
Anyway, talking of Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice is another must-read classic. What I love about her books is that her heroines are not typical of Miss Goody Two Shoes but very real, selfish, self-centered, and independent. Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennet, Marianne Dashwood.
Back to Aisha, I liked 2 dialogues.

1. Aisha: Muje laga tha jab mujhe pyaar hoga, to meri sari duniya badal jayegi. Chitra Massi : Pyaar koi toofan nahi hai jo aye aur zindagi badal de..pyaar to zindagi ke chote chote lamhon me hai.
2. Pinki: Hum kisi fairytale me nahi Delhi me rehte hai..yahan hum rainbow nahi traffic ka dhuan hai..agar is me ek sitara bhi dikh jaye vahi bahut hai.. Hmmm
Meanwhile, I am addicted to the song Udi from Guzaarish. What awesome lyrics, na?

Friday, October 22, 2010

A year in which...

On 19 October 2010, I completed one year in my first job..Well..it had been a bit of a roller coaster ride with ups and downs..

A year in which I joined the so called nasty world of corporate life, leaving college behind..
A year in which I was actually paid for my work (still can't believe that though??!!)
A year in which I lost a little of my innocence..
A year in which I travelled outside Delhi after 5 years..
A year in which I travelled in an airplane for the first time ever..
A year in which I saw the beach and sea waves for the first time ever..
A year in which I walked the deserted streets in a mountain at 12 in the night...
A year in which I swam in an 80-feet deep lake relying only a life jacket..
A year in which I worked on a 6 month long project to a 6 minute project..
A year in which I got screamed at for not putting italicised inverted commas..
A year in which my oft repeated phrase has been "witnessed a growth of X%, primarily due to"..
A year in which I saw countless pictures of baby nipple bottles on countless websites..
A year in which I had some great gossip sessions..
A year in which I dressed up as a Hippie (with Dabangg sunglasses) for the office costume party..
A year in which I made and lost some great friends..
A year in which I sang a medley of songs with my fellow cabbies DJ in my croaked voice..
A year in which I literally fought a battle to reach office..
A year in which I actually prayed for no rain, in spite of my eternal love for it :(
A year in which I saw Yamuna flowing over the danger mark..
A year in which I got a certificate for being a quarter finalist in a pictionary game..
A year in which I got my first (maybe last) promotion ever :(
A year in which I came back so happy after a good day (read: no work)..
A year in which I came and cried nights after some really horrible days (and people) at work..
A year in which I realized how good case studies clinical psychologists can do on some characters in office.
A year in which I cut my first birthday cake ever..
A year in which I danced on Khawaja Mere Khawaja in front of the entire office (Thanks Karan!!)
A year in which I lost the sense of time..counting days instead of dates..
A year in which I started loving Fridays more than ever..
A year in which I started getting goosebumps from Sunday evenings..
A year in which I also realized how far behind have I been left..
A year in which I hurt so many people :(
A year in which I felt how terribly lonely people are..especially cab drivers..
A year in which I was humming Bepanah Pyar hai aaja (cab bhaiya's ear splitting ring tone!!)
A year in which I finally accepted that mediocrity is my second name :(
A year in which I questioned my self and my existence ( still do that )
A year in which I was taught so many lessons by life..
If only, I could teach life a lesson one day.....

My past year has to be defined only by my office.. Naturally like for others, it seems there is nothing else in my life..I don't know what is in store for future..I wonder if I'll be able to survive till my next year..Life has become very difficult..Anyway, I will try to be happy as always.. And I will be giving a a fashion makeover to my blog very soon..Ciaos!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I love Salman Rushdie. Period!


I just love Sir Salman Rushdie. He is a brilliant writer and am in total awe of him ever since I have read Midnight's Children. I have started reading his next Luka and the Fire of Life and the following passage is an excerpt form the first chapter, just love his imagination!! His writing gives me a high!! I still remember his description of Qara Koz in The Enchantress of Florence...what a piece of writing it is!!!! And Saleem Sinai of my favourite book ever Midnight's Children..what magic that book is...Sigh..he is never going to get a Nobel :(

Here is my collection of Rushdie...not showing off!!! just want to show my latest addition to it..Ahem Ahem!!


It's a pity that people don't read much of him out of hatred for him writing The Satanic Verses (which I desperately want to read, not the ebook but hardcover, but sadly banned in India)

The only thing that I look forward to these days is his writing :'(

Just read this passage!!

When Luka was only a few years old, his father's hands acquired lives and even minds of their own. They had names too; there was Nobody (the right hand) and Nonsense (the left), and they were mostly obedient and did what Rashid wanted them to, such as waving about in the air when he wanted to make a point (because he liked to talk a lot), or putting food in his mouth at regular intervals (because he liked to eat a lot). They were even willing to wash the part of Rashid he call bee tee em, which was extremely obliging of them. But, as Luka quickly discovered, they also had a ticklish will of their own, especially when he was within their reach. Sometimes when the right hand started tickling and he begged "Stop, please stop", his father replied, "It's not me. In fact, Nobody's tickling you", and when his left hand joined in and Luka, crying with laughter protested, "You are , you are tickling me", his father replied, "You know what? That's just Nonsense"

You are truly next to God as Prateik says.. Will keep looking forward to you always..

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Finding someone you can't live without...

So many things happening together..I can't think... Wednesday :
Still not feeling well :(
Please help me God!! I don't want to remain stuck forever..Will I be able to break this cycle?
Hmmm
Saw Anjaana Anjaani finally..liked it..not great though..just about ok!!
So quote of the day is from it only..it comes before the clock outside the church..
Love is not finding someone to live with, it's finding someone you can't live without

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Goodbye and Goodluck..

Hmmm long time..Nothing much has happened, so nothing much to write.. Every thing has become very dull..no excitement for anything.. just office office office and nothing else.. And I have become sick and tired of travelling and getting stuck in traffic.. I used to commute 3 hours a day when I was in college..and now also I takes me 3 hours daily even though distance is less than my college (and at least I could come early in college)..this CWG mess and the perennially jammed Kalindi Kunj..Now I have to reach office at 8..so sit in can at 6.50 AM :( But what can I do?


Also, had a costume party in office..earlier I wasn't planning to..then decided to go dressed normally but just a day before the party decided to dress up as Hippie.. I wanted to be a retro hero like Akshay Kumar looks like in Action Replay or Veeru of Sholay but just an hour before the party is not the time to hunt for dresses..but it was kind of cool, the party I mean..got some compliments on the look not necessarily good though ;) thanks to Y and J..the party was kind of good..some hilarious characters..my personal favourites were Lady Gaga (awesome wig), Hip Hopper, Ram, Gabbar, Thakur and Rocket Singh..Here is a look of mine with S's Dabanng glasses..




I know I know..it doesn't go with my image..though I was feeling a bit out of place which I always feel in parties :( In fact, there are very few places where I don't feel out of place.. I have kind of become a social recluse..today, a friend of mine pinged me... I wasn't in a mood to talk..So I made an excuse that it is my sister who is using my account and I forgot to sign out..very bad of me :( but I will write a long mail to my friend.. I love writing mails to friends..I miss writing letters too but sadly there is no one to whom I can write letters..
And it's almost 2 months that I haven't watched a movie (except Dabbanng, which I watched half heartedly) Anjaana Anjaani is the one I am currently waiting for (obsessed with its trailers as evident form the previous posts)..was supposed to release last Friday but Babri verdict put it off.. was planning to take a chuuti on that day to watch that movie but alas!! I hope it is good..looks good from the trailers and the music (Tujhe bhula diya is an awesome song)..will write another post on its theme..What do you want to do before you die? very thought provoking question..
It is exactly one year to Wake Up Sid..one of my fav movie released last year at this very time.. I have said this before also and repeat.. Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra (no matter how many surgeries she has undergone) are such 'beautiful' people..drop dead gorgeous..every time I see them together I am in complete awe of their beauty.. another person who makes me think like this is Scarlett Johannson..very very pretty..there are many others (both men and women!!) who can just capture you by just their beauty..
Hmm..and I am currently reading The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo..totally kick ass book..the film is making waves all over..
On the personal front, things not going very well but I have learnt to accept some things that some things (and some people too!!) in life are just not made for some people..
I want to do so many things in life but I never take the first step I will try to...OK enough for now... more later.. instead of dialogue today I will put a quote

Goodbye without reasons is the most painful one..Love without reason is the most beautiful one..

Saturday, September 4, 2010

I do give a damn...

Mere saath na kuch bhi theek nahi ho raha hai :(
For the last 2 weeks, I am feeling helpless..and alone...
Some people say to me..you have everything..what else do you require in life?
It is very hard to explain to them because they won't understand..everybody tries to look at the surface from their own perspective...no one is able to quite understand what the other person could be actually going through..I am not blaming anyone..it is a simple fact of life..
And my mom has stopped talking to me and the reason she gave to me made me angry and sad..sob :'(
I hate myself.. That is why I don't deserve anything in life..
I wish I could be like Rhett Butler: Frankly honey, I don't give a damn..
I can't be like him..anyways..
Three weeks I haven't watched any movie..not even at home.. I am also not reading any book..I am missing the old me who used to read so much :(
I hate change if it doesn't make me feel good.....
I will still try to be positive *hopefully*

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Of Lovers, Made For Each Other...

I had written a post Of Lovers not made for each other, that post made people think I am in love ;) here is another version but with a happier conext. Some instances have been inspired which you will figure out, the rest howevr is me..

Here it is...

Six billion people..six billion souls.. and all you just need is one..Yes, I have found my soul mate and you know who it is? Of course you know that who could else be...It is you :)

I don't know why but ever since we have been together, my life has changed. There is this new optimism and a sense of exhilaration that has come up, the two things which I don't have a good relationship with. You have brought a new hope in my life that yes..there is someone there for me..someone who will listen to me..you have brought this new zeal in me to survive..to fight..to not procrastinate..you are like a beacon of light in the stormy sea I am sailing my rudderless ship..At the end of the day, when I see you or hear your voice, it makes me fresh just like the smell of the parched ground when the first monsoon rains come..It is like you are my rainbow bringing the colours in my dull life..

As Ross said to Emily, that when he is with her she brings out a totally different side to him, it is the same with me..I am an altogether new person when I am with you, a persona to me which I knew I ever had, you bring out the best of me..perhaps an idealized version of myself which I always wanted to be but owing to circumstances had to retreat that new 'I' into a shell to protect that side from this dark world..and also you bring out the romantic in me which I never thought I could be one ;)

You know I read somewhere that God intentionally did not make our fingers webbed..because he wanted someone else's fingers to fit into ours when we join hands. Holding hands is God's first sign of people in love. As corny it may sound, but when I hold your hands, it makes me feel connected to you..to your heart..

You remember the song Tum Se Hi from Jab We Met, Aditya sees Geet everywhere he goes..in his office, in his work, in the rains, in his dreams.. the same effect you have cast on me. You have become an inseparable part of my existence. You are not there but still you are there. You know when people look at the stars at the night and how they find patterns there like some ship or etc. I see your face in those stars..in the patterns those shiny cottony clouds make.. in the sand that has been left ashore by the all powerful sea waves..I see you everywhere..as if you have touched my soul and I was born just to be with you..

According to a Chinese tradition, people gift a ring to their beloved that is worn on the ring finger as its nerve has a straight connection to the heart..Today I found one more reason for that..Join both your hands..Now with all your fingers joined, try to separate your thumbs..they would easily separate out..try this for the next finger they would also..But try separating your ring fingers, it would be very hard to move them away from each other..that is why I am giving you this ring as this would never be separated from you :)

Sometimes I get this urge to mess up your hair..to slap you like a kid..to give you a big hug..to dance in the rain..to wear your shirt and sometimes just to keep looking at you. I don't know why but it comes from within..

Yesterday was full moon night and when I was young, someone told me that if you try and focus on the moon, you will see God in the moon. I always tried but somehow I could not. I tried that same thing again and you know what I saw? I saw you.. as if you have become my God..perhaps I was missing you so much that is the reason but from that moment, it is as if I have found out what that eternal entity siting in the heaven looks like.

Someone asked me that who is the one for whom I will be willing to die a thousand deaths just to spend some moments with you. I closed my eyes and saw you. It made me think that I was born just to be with you.

Sometimes, I pinch my self that to make sure that I am not living a dream. It is for the first time that I feel happy and being happy makes me happy instead of being sad makes me happy. You are the exuberance of my life..of my existence.. I just pray that you are there with as long as I am there. I cannot imagine my life without you..you are the purpose of my life.. Miss you always..

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

One..

Six billion people in this world..Six billion souls.. and all you need is One..

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Of A******s

I am no sadist but I just feel like slapping one person real real hard..bloody asshole.. who does this weirdo think he is?
Today was a real real bad day..not because of work..but because of some bloody homo sapiens..but what did I do then? Just came back from the scene and kept cursing myself :(
Anyway why spoil my mood because of a bloody fool..
I will be happy.. One person just made my day..felt real nice after talking to you..thanks a ton R :)
Song of the day: Dil hai chota sa..choti si aasha..
Dlaiogue of the day: Main ek aisa khel khel raha hai hun jisme dono taraf se haar meri hi hai......#Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 8-)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Of Jaane Bhi Do, Peepli [Live] and Class 11 Essay...

I remember watching Jaane bhi do yaaron for the first time ever on 26 January 2010 i.e. Republic Day. I had heard it to be the funniest Hindi film ever, instead I found it be one of the saddest films ever (of course, not in a ridiculing sort of way!). There was this uneasy hopelessness and a feeling of tragedy associated with it..as a black comedy, it was meant to be this way but it made me real sad..And see the co-incidence of fate, here I am watching Peepli [Live] on a day before 15 August i.e. Independence Day..

Peepli [Live] is one of the finest films that I have seen in a long long time and must say I had the privilege of watching a film second day first show ;) that would go down as a classic in the years to follow. Another black comedy in the same league as Jaane bhi do.. the satirical film would leave you in splits. Behind the veneer of humour, the movie is full of pathos and has a utter melancholy and dystopian side attached to it.

By now, many of you who haven't see the film (Stop reading this crap and watch it now), the film is about a debt ridden farmer who is tricked by his brother who convinces him to commit suicide as his death would give them monetary compensation to survive. A local reporter overhears this and contacts a national TV channel for this 'Exclusive' story. And here it starts, the India TV syndrome to grab the most eyeballs leads to all channels covering this story leading to a mela at Natha's house. Since Peepli by-elections are also taking place, the politicians enter the fray as they say 'rajneeti ki rotiyaan sekna'. The beauty of the film lies that without preaching so much it tries to portray so many issues - the paid news, the media wars, the caste politics, the corruption, the useful (or useless) schemes, rural migration, American lobbying, the life in rural India, the sensationalism in the media, and so many more..

In one scene, Naths's brother Budhia says something like this "agar marega to kitni izzat hogi" and Natha replies "agar zinda hi nahi rahenge to izzat ka kya karenge." In another dialogue (the strength of the film), a politician says "aaj kal zindagi to bell bottom ho gayi hai, aur khudh khushi to jeans se nikalta hua pet." The obsession to grab TRPs is so fierce that Natha is followed even when he goes to defecate "18vi baar ja raha hai lagta hai julaab ho gaya hai" or that scene where Deepak psychoanalyses Nath'a multi colored turd "Manovigyaniko ke mutabik manushya ke mal se uski mansik stithi ka pata lagaya ja sakta hai aur yeh raha Natha ka aakhri aasan"

My favourite subplot of the film was with Rakesh and the poor farmer Mahto. Rakesh watching the eight-pack ab ribs showing farmer digging and he remarks "C******, kaun sa khajana khod raha hai", later realising that Mahto used to sell that mud to a brick kiln to survive and one day Mahto dies while digging, as if in a way all this time he was digging his own grave.. This scene brought a lump in my throat.. In another hard hitting scene, Rakesh goes and tells Nandita ( a Brakha Dutt look alike) that does only Natha matter? Don't the lives of other nameless farmers who are living in horrifying conditions matter to us? and she pragmatically replies "This is journalism, if you can't survive it then don't be in it" This scene summed up what we are witnessing in our society today...

Apart from the media, the politician class isn't spared either.. the red tape has become so entrenched in our bureaucracy that even Kafka would be surprised. Rajeev Gandhi famously remarked that only 15 paise reach the poor of every one rupee spent on them. It's not that we do not have the resources but everyone wants to have a pie of the resources. Like the election symbol of the Jan Samman Party (look at the irony, samman???) was a lock and a key, but the problem is who will put the key in the lock? Lal Bahadur to de diya lekin use lagvayega kaun? TV to de diya lekin bijli kaun dega ghar me?? Natha card to start kar diya lekin lagoo state governments karengi (the same is happening with Right to Education).. Mare hue kisano ke liye yojana hai lekin zinda kisano ke liye nahi.. marne ke ichhuk kisano ke liye ek yojana start kar do.. How ridiculous is that?

But perhaps, my best scene was when Natha's goat playfully nudges him while he tries to sleep and he tries to shoo them away, but ultimately gives in to them and he starts playing with them.. Amazing scene..vulnerable, innocent, dreamy Natha..

Take a bow Anusha Rizvi (and please can we have less of publicity hungry Aamir Khan) it is her script and the script and the direction truly belong to her. A special mention for all characters epecially beedi phuking kickass Amma and her fiesty kulta Bahu, Budhia, Deepak, Rakesh, and Nandita..Mahangayi dayan and desh mera rangras hai babu deserve special mention too..

Talking of media, I remember in Class 11, in English exam, we had to write on "In India, the media is glamour struck". Since it was pre-India TV days, everybody had gone on and on about how media is obsessed with Bollywood ( I know Siddharth would hate me even more for using this term) and then our ma'am said it is not only about Bollywood, the glamour in the sense means that the media has made an issue as tragic and scary as the Iraq war in to some sort of a fantasy. And how things have changed, if we are told to write on this topic today, books could be written. I am not crtiticising the media but the needless romanticisation that it has become famous for. The 26/11 attacks, the Sania Shoaib marriage, the Prince in a hole, the Arushi murder case, the Gudiya-what will-she-do-now case (remember her, the lady who was raped by her father in law) and so many more issues that media has gone overboard.. Peepli [Live] showcase this brilliantly..The Saif 12vi-umar-ka-chumbhan!!

I have gone a bit hyperbole (an understatement) but Peepli made me think a lot. I wanted to write about left and right wing economic policies as well but I guess I will keep them for another post.

Long time, I had written about a movie. Peepli [Live] is worth watching again and again..

P.S. Since I have written so much of Peepli, dialogue of the day is from the trailer of Anjaana Anjaani

Kiara: Maine tumhe bahut jaane lagi hun..tum anjaane hi acche the Aakash...

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Of Rainbows, Anjaana Anjaani and baanta hua pyar...


I love the trailer of Anjaana Anjaani..

Forget Worries
Forget Pain
Forget Sorrow
Forget Expectations
Forget Guilt
Forget Pressures
Forget Anxiety
Forget Disappointment

Sigh! if only, it was that simple in real life..perhaps that is why I love movies so much..It helps me escape from the realities I dither to accept..

Anyway..there is this scene in its trailer, when Ranbir opens his mouth and lights in the form on rainbow switch on and reach Priyanka standing on the other side..as if the rainbow is staring from his mouth..Just amazing scene that..I keep on watching that trailer again and again just because of that spell binding scene..
I like Priyanka's name Kiara too..what a couple they make!! Both drop dead gorgeous..mirror cracking material as orkut used to say when it gave shady options to define your looks on your profile..

Talking of rainbows, I have been fascinated by them since I came to know about dispersion in Class 8 I guess..isn't it just thrilling that a white light can split into seven colours forming this resplendent pattern??? Nature always surprises you!! And while sitting on the flight from Goa to Mumbai, I saw this rainbow from the window seat and just kept looking at it..as if it was following me..What a sight it was!! Maybe that is why I am in awe of the trailer from Anjaana Anjaani..

Long time since I wrote a dialogue or song of the day..
Malhotra: Shayd Rahul ki jagah aur koi hota tab bhi mujhe itna hi bura lagta..
Tina: Papa??
Malhotra: Tumhara pyar bat jayega na..

Song of the day: Tanha Tanha yahan pe jeena yeh koi baat hai..[special mention of the flute played in the song and Urmila's signature dance step :)]

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Of Chambal ke Daku and Courageous Gudia

Amazing!! Brilliant!! Courageous!! Daring!! Exceptional!! Ferocious!! Gutsy!!
I can complete the alphabetic list for this lady who had the guts to go to Chambal to get her husband back from the notorious dacoits. The dacoit sardar got so impressed that he called her sister and gave her Rs. 5,100 in cash. Now that is called brave..Would any woman, in fact anyone go to a place where there is no woman in a 50 km radius..it requires great courage and belief in yourself to do this..I simply salute that lady..After a really really long time, I saw something that gave me goosebumps..very very inspiring!! Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear..So fitting to this lady Ms. Gudia. Read the whole story here
On second thoughts, what a film this would make!! The beautiful Mahie Gill or Tabu would be perfect..
P.S.- I just saw a barsaati keeda fly in to my room and decided to scream for help :

Monday, August 9, 2010

Photo of the year...

I was so happppppppy to meet Rajdeep Sardesai at Delhi Airport..my first flight ever :) He was in our plane..late I saw his wife Sagarika Ghose was also there with him..else I would have taken a photo with her too :))
He is like my idol..I always wanted to be a brilliant journalist like him (there are others on the list too..)
Anyway what he said I will write later..
Back from Goa..I am in love with the sea waves..Can sit there all day..
P.S. - I am a horrible horrible person..I always land up in trouble or put others in to it..perhaps that is why God also does not support me :(

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Of Rachel, Ross and One Sided Love...

This is one of my favourite episodes when Rachel comes and watches Ross kissing Emily she realizes that nothing will happen even if she tells Ross that she loves him so much :(

I love Rachel's emotions in this episode..the way she said "I just came to say Congratulations" and she keeps on crying :(

The thing about Love is..Love is when you shed a tear and still want that person, it is when that person ignores you and you still love them unconditionally, it is when that person loves someone else but you still smile and say I am happy for you , when all you really do is cry...

You will know that you love someone when you want him/her to be happy even if it means that you are not a part of their happiness..

:'(

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Happy Friendship Day

01 August 2010
Happy Friendship Day
Chandler and Joey
Rachel and Monica
Phoebe and Joey
Christina and Meredith
Mark and Callie
Aakash, Sidharth and Sameer
Aditya and Geet
Zeenat and Meera
Rahul and Anjali
I missed you so much today :(