Brilliante Award
First, thanks to Ladybird for giving me the brilliante blog award. She gives it to me hoping that it would prompt me to blog frequently. Thanks Ladybird for that diplomatic nudge.
Breaking News
And after some extensive investigation, lead by my colleagues, we come to the conclusion that Asal Tamizh Penn (ATP) is a hoax and much of the blog is fiction. At least she is not a journo with TH claims the majority of the population surveyed. Though I just cannot believe it, all evidence points au contraire.
I have to tell it for this writer - "hoax" or otherwise - she/he/whoever wrote extremely well, and could weave stories out of the most mundane activities like eating curd rice, drawing room discussions and picking up an aunt from the railway station.
Yet, I never liked ATP for her stereotyped of north Indians, her obsession with gothrams amidst other things. But, who am I to judge her blog, its hers, or his, or whose ever.
But still it was a bit scary to read her blog, because I cannot in a very naive way imagine journos as anything but open minded and objective. (Yes, I can hear you laughing.)
Though some office pals are enraged and are calling for blog ethics, I on the other hand believe in Sakshi Juneja's succinct byline - to each, his or her own.
Blog fodder
Gloria Steinem and Zuheir Hammad in conversation, a link via Mekie. She sure reads a lot every day.
And this amazing illustrations on the CERN experiment. I know everyone knows about PhD comics but I cant help but marvel at their brilliance. After all, what many write in 4000 words, these guys sum up in five comic strips! Pure genius.
Some day, ah...someday, the news industry will catch up.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
the rain in spain and other phonemes
I take it you already know
of tough and bough and cough and dough?
Others may stumble, but not you,
on hiccough, thorough, laugh and through.
Well done! And now you wish, perhaps,
to learn of less familiar traps?
Beware of heard, a dreadful word,
that looks like beard and sounds like bird.
And dead -- it's said like bed not bead --
and for goodness' sake don't call it deed!
Watch out for meat and great and threat
(They rhyme with suite and straight and debt)
A moth is not the moth in mother,
nor both in bother, broth in brother.
And here is not a match for there,
nor dear and fear for bear and pear.
And then there's dose and rose and lose --
just look them up -- and goose and choose,
and cork and work and card and ward,
and font and front and word and sword,
and do and go and thwart and cart --
come, come I've hardly made a start.
A dreadful language? Man alive.
I'd mastered it when I was five.
(author?)
~~
via a forward, does anyone know its origins?
of tough and bough and cough and dough?
Others may stumble, but not you,
on hiccough, thorough, laugh and through.
Well done! And now you wish, perhaps,
to learn of less familiar traps?
Beware of heard, a dreadful word,
that looks like beard and sounds like bird.
And dead -- it's said like bed not bead --
and for goodness' sake don't call it deed!
Watch out for meat and great and threat
(They rhyme with suite and straight and debt)
A moth is not the moth in mother,
nor both in bother, broth in brother.
And here is not a match for there,
nor dear and fear for bear and pear.
And then there's dose and rose and lose --
just look them up -- and goose and choose,
and cork and work and card and ward,
and font and front and word and sword,
and do and go and thwart and cart --
come, come I've hardly made a start.
A dreadful language? Man alive.
I'd mastered it when I was five.
(author?)
~~
via a forward, does anyone know its origins?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Laloo knows best
Ha, the Indian politician knows best. Now, you know why he/she does not speak real issues but about him/herself and all about his/her glory.
But seriously, a great piece on American psychology and why Obama can still lose.
(courtesy: the office email grapevine)
And in the same political vein,
this time Indian;
another great take,
though stale.
But seriously, a great piece on American psychology and why Obama can still lose.
(courtesy: the office email grapevine)
And in the same political vein,
this time Indian;
another great take,
though stale.
happy day
Yesterday - sunday - felt so long and so good. Wonder why? Maybe it was the long, lazy morning chat with grandparents after ages or aunt's fresh pineapple juice or mum's aloo channa or simply because I filed away papers carefully, de-cluttered my shelves and concurrently my head.
To top the day, I watched Godzilla with siblings (was too scared to watch it at theatres when it first released) and the second part of Happy Days (courtesy: JJ). A dish about Happy Days: It was not good, it was not logical or perfectly made, even though it comes from the director of Anand and Godavari. Yet, the film is worth all the cliches: heart-warming, fresh, feel-good and beautiful. Though a bit of the college stereotype, it took both sis and me with a wave of college-days nostalgia and sis suddenly felt old. Not me!
I loved the Tyson and Shravanti angle of the story and am still humming its "Arey rey, Arey rey". Just been reading up on its making and the film has an impressive resume: fresh actors from internet auditions, five filmfares and Mickey J Meyer's music. It is highly recommended, even for NGs (non-golts). Happy Days was dubbed in Malayalam as well. I am determined to watch the film again, this time from start.
To top the day, I watched Godzilla with siblings (was too scared to watch it at theatres when it first released) and the second part of Happy Days (courtesy: JJ). A dish about Happy Days: It was not good, it was not logical or perfectly made, even though it comes from the director of Anand and Godavari. Yet, the film is worth all the cliches: heart-warming, fresh, feel-good and beautiful. Though a bit of the college stereotype, it took both sis and me with a wave of college-days nostalgia and sis suddenly felt old. Not me!
I loved the Tyson and Shravanti angle of the story and am still humming its "Arey rey, Arey rey". Just been reading up on its making and the film has an impressive resume: fresh actors from internet auditions, five filmfares and Mickey J Meyer's music. It is highly recommended, even for NGs (non-golts). Happy Days was dubbed in Malayalam as well. I am determined to watch the film again, this time from start.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Sigg Sigma
The Swiss fellas seem to do everything to perfection, look at their Sigg bottles. Such beauties. With a throat that beats sore grapes, I need to drink warm water as much as possible. Quite impossible at an office that beats your old fridge. I would actually be conserving energy if I choose to stock veggies at my desk.
And now that the reason I browsed for these beauties is out of the way. Let me moan some more and make this a perfect post. Its so hard that I discover them today when last week I was repeatedly telling my sis that I dont want anything from Bern; and another cousin who didnt know what to send me from LA because I have all the cosmetics that I dont want.
But here it is people: you want to get me something in future, just look up Swiss stuff. And while you're at it, an army knife too if you please. These guys really know about the good life. Sis says that even the char woman at her office wore nothing but designer stuff everyday and yes everybody in cheese country drives a merc - she naturally felt like she ought to wipe tables instead.
She is going to Singapore again this weekend. Lucky thing. I hope she again misses her bday at home, I wont have to make her the gift I have been planning formonths year now. In the meanwhile is there anything that she can bring me, that I wont find in globalised chennai managaram?
And now that the reason I browsed for these beauties is out of the way. Let me moan some more and make this a perfect post. Its so hard that I discover them today when last week I was repeatedly telling my sis that I dont want anything from Bern; and another cousin who didnt know what to send me from LA because I have all the cosmetics that I dont want.
But here it is people: you want to get me something in future, just look up Swiss stuff. And while you're at it, an army knife too if you please. These guys really know about the good life. Sis says that even the char woman at her office wore nothing but designer stuff everyday and yes everybody in cheese country drives a merc - she naturally felt like she ought to wipe tables instead.
She is going to Singapore again this weekend. Lucky thing. I hope she again misses her bday at home, I wont have to make her the gift I have been planning for
Monday, June 30, 2008
Hey riddle diddle
What nonsense! "No, it makes sense, I am seriously searching nonsense."
The authors of The Tenth Rasa - An Anthology of Indian Nonsense probably had this conversation N-times as they travelled across India to collect its multi-hued nonsense. But what fun! And everyone is accomplice, from Tagore to Vaikom Basheer to Gulzar to Tenali Ramalinga who leaves me in splits with his Meka tokaa? meka toka meka (Goat ta-tail go-goat goat tail).
Naturally we all love the foodie ones best:
Idli-Pom
Idli lost its fiddli
Dosa lost its crown
Wada lost its wiolin
And let the whol band down,
Explained
Idiyappam keeps yapping
Puttu plays golf
Uthappam's my girlfriend
Mutthu's real name is Rolf.
Frankie
I love Frankie, you love Frankie
Obviously, there is some hanky-panky.
Frankie's not a little boy
who lives down the lane.
He's a fat and juicy roll
with a kebab for a brain.
Then there is the bathing hymn:
Sounds just like my mum on a sunday morning
Om havum bathum namaha
On the body applyum oilum namaha
Scrubscrubum namaha rubrubum namaha
This like me
Glugglugum namaha blugblugum namaha
And this like my brother
Om niceum cleanum namaha
Bring out sum snacksum namaha!
The book is a soofer treasure. It has nonsense picked from hindi cinema (wait, that doesnt make any sense), urdu poetry, folk tales and rhymes. Then there are the absolutely hilarious takes on Ramaswamys and a take on the tamil "marma naavals". I am not upto any semiotics at the moment, but for more details, here and there.
haia, haha, heengheengheeng,
none of these mean anything.
The authors of The Tenth Rasa - An Anthology of Indian Nonsense probably had this conversation N-times as they travelled across India to collect its multi-hued nonsense. But what fun! And everyone is accomplice, from Tagore to Vaikom Basheer to Gulzar to Tenali Ramalinga who leaves me in splits with his Meka tokaa? meka toka meka (Goat ta-tail go-goat goat tail).
Naturally we all love the foodie ones best:
Idli-Pom
Idli lost its fiddli
Dosa lost its crown
Wada lost its wiolin
And let the whol band down,
Explained
Idiyappam keeps yapping
Puttu plays golf
Uthappam's my girlfriend
Mutthu's real name is Rolf.
Frankie
I love Frankie, you love Frankie
Obviously, there is some hanky-panky.
Frankie's not a little boy
who lives down the lane.
He's a fat and juicy roll
with a kebab for a brain.
Then there is the bathing hymn:
Sounds just like my mum on a sunday morning
Om havum bathum namaha
On the body applyum oilum namaha
Scrubscrubum namaha rubrubum namaha
This like me
Glugglugum namaha blugblugum namaha
And this like my brother
Om niceum cleanum namaha
Bring out sum snacksum namaha!
The book is a soofer treasure. It has nonsense picked from hindi cinema (wait, that doesnt make any sense), urdu poetry, folk tales and rhymes. Then there are the absolutely hilarious takes on Ramaswamys and a take on the tamil "marma naavals". I am not upto any semiotics at the moment, but for more details, here and there.
haia, haha, heengheengheeng,
none of these mean anything.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The fringe benefits of failure, and the importance of imagination
- Joanna Keane Rowling's address to Harvard graduates.
I have one last hope for you, which is something that I already had at 21. The friends with whom I sat on graduation day have been my friends for life. They are my children's godparents, the people to whom I've been able to turn in times of trouble, friends who have been kind enough not to sue me when I've used their names for Death Eaters. - read more.
- Joanna Keane Rowling's address to Harvard graduates.
I have one last hope for you, which is something that I already had at 21. The friends with whom I sat on graduation day have been my friends for life. They are my children's godparents, the people to whom I've been able to turn in times of trouble, friends who have been kind enough not to sue me when I've used their names for Death Eaters. - read more.
Whirligigs by Paul Fleischman
A simple, slim, poignant, heart-warming, high-school story. Whirligigs meanders self-discovery pretty well, except for one part on a street sweeper, which seems unconvincing enough. As the book evolves and comes to a fitting end, I made up my mind to pass the book on as Brent, the hero, does with the exchange bookshelf (not so easy for me, gifted by a favourite cousin) to someone who needs it.
In the true spirit of whirligigs, which passes a smile onto someone. A warm read.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
PDF converter
For people like me at the laggard end of Roger's bell curve, this PDF converter, must save a lot of time battling to make documents. Thanks to Madhu.
Short Story
And Madhulika Liddle's 'A suitor for Saraswati' is a delightful light read. Also by her 'The Morning Swim'.
I am not a Pink, but I like this Red
I have not discovered my political thought yet. I do work for a Left-inclined magazine but cant even be called a Pink. Why such a disclaimer? Because in post-lib India, I dont want to be defending anything to a high-end mnc/techie pal.
I just like some and then dont like many in a quaint way. My thoughts change depending on my mood to Vandana Shiva, calvin and hobbes, street food, SEWA, M17 bus, Tehelka, kalamkari paintings, Wikipedia, detesting chennai autowallahs, Pudiyador, udipi sambar, BBC, early morning marina visits, BSNL, bhavra mann, Khadi bhavans, rip van winkl-esque sleeping to Suzlon.
Though not in that pedestal, I also like Rossana Rossanda's 'Comrade from Milan', some wonderfully penned memories of war time and how it felt to be 15 and 21 in 1939 and 1945. Some of her other writings like this and that, have impressive co-authors. I love this piece sent by Mekhala ages ago. Some day if I visit Italy and she is still alive, I want to look her up.
I just like some and then dont like many in a quaint way. My thoughts change depending on my mood to Vandana Shiva, calvin and hobbes, street food, SEWA, M17 bus, Tehelka, kalamkari paintings, Wikipedia, detesting chennai autowallahs, Pudiyador, udipi sambar, BBC, early morning marina visits, BSNL, bhavra mann, Khadi bhavans, rip van winkl-esque sleeping to Suzlon.
Though not in that pedestal, I also like Rossana Rossanda's 'Comrade from Milan', some wonderfully penned memories of war time and how it felt to be 15 and 21 in 1939 and 1945. Some of her other writings like this and that, have impressive co-authors. I love this piece sent by Mekhala ages ago. Some day if I visit Italy and she is still alive, I want to look her up.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
On a lighter note
Red Signal:
Stuck in a train reading a heavy tome on globalisation for eight hours....it isnt exactly Asok Bhattacharya's preferred mode of travel. But the CPI(M) leader was forced a taste of his party's own medicine in a bandh-derailed train. Feel good article.
What's showing in your city today?
Google lists with a simple enter key all the flicks playing in your city. Aint this cool?? (Oh well, maybe I am just discovering it late.)
Stuck in a train reading a heavy tome on globalisation for eight hours....it isnt exactly Asok Bhattacharya's preferred mode of travel. But the CPI(M) leader was forced a taste of his party's own medicine in a bandh-derailed train. Feel good article.
What's showing in your city today?
Google lists with a simple enter key all the flicks playing in your city. Aint this cool?? (Oh well, maybe I am just discovering it late.)
State of fear
Weird things happen in Chennai (I dont know about other metros).
Why did that guy leave me his number at Pizza hut, while the others in his gang stared me like that?
Now, who sent this guy to hit hard on my hand and bum when the harmless me was walking on the road and he on his bike?
I remember my roommate visibly scared running towards the house we stayed at around 11 in the night saying that a guy on his bicyle tried to sexually harass her. And the very next week she was followed by a group of four people in a car till our house....
Some days later when we thought the place we stayed was not safe and decided to move to another other place, we happened to come late to the house once after a late night food festival assignment, and one guy followed us begging to spend some time with him.....we felt the insecurity, which was far terrible than the thought that we are helpless.
Hating Chennai was not the solution, we knew....but what was the solution, we didnt know. But initially I felt unsafe only in the place I stayed. But the present area, the places I go for reporting and even the most familiar place to me in Chennai - my cousins place where I stayed for more than three years - everywhere seems unsafe for me now just for being a woman.
Its shameful for all of us if a girl has to walks on the road holding her hands against her breast to protect herself from the sex-starved bastards...
- renitha is a journalist based in chennai. She plans to work as an activist in gender and children-related issues - CSA and empowerment.
Update: I have seen that Tulir does some amazing work on CSA-related issues and there is the blank noise project, one of the few places where you get to hear the dissonances. Tulir has a great quote from Einstein: "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Thank God, I am Indian
a guest blog on Khuda Ke Liye:
~~
i dont know why, but in spite of not feeling upto stepping out, i decided to watch Khuda ke Liye on its last show at Chennai..
for the uninformed, KKL is a Pakistani film that has won rave reviews all over the world, and was finally permitted to release in India..sadly because we Indians live in such fear of communal hatred rousing our cities into violence, the ads for the film dint even feature in the papers.. as a half muslim myself, i urge EVERY muslim to watch this film and understand how fragile our relationship with the world community is and how easy it is for our people to fall prey to what we can only dismiss as 'fundamentalism'..and as a half-hindu, and more importantly, as an Indian (and Muslims make a large part of our demography) i urge EVERY Indian to watch this film and decide whether we want to make the fallacy of reducing every Muslim to a beard touting, skull cap wearing terrorist..
for those who arent interested in the politics of the film, or the issues it raises, there's something for you guys as well.. the music is FABULOUS..a fine blend of hindustani classical to western jazz and very indo-pakistani Atif Aslam kind of music..the girls in the film are lovely.. the Pakistani girl is a replica of Sonali Bendre, and the American girl is attractive in a very innocent kinda way.. both the leading men are great and fit their roles perfectly..and they look good too *wink*
but again, about the film..i left the theatre thanking God silently for making me an Indian..freedom alone means nothing-being able to study or work-it alone is NOT freedom..what i enjoy today is my freedom of spirit, the freedom of choosing whether i want to be hindu, muslim or an odd combination of both (or neither)..
and for those Indians who believe that all muslims are communal, rigid in thought and judgemental, i have news for you..SO ARE YOU!!! by default you become all of that when you defame them and stereotype them so..
i am half -muslim and i can honestly and bravely confess that my muslim side of the family do want me to settle with a muslim boy, want me to raise my kids muslim and would like to see me a little more religious than i am right now..but again, i'm quite sure every other family, Muslim or not-wants their children to be raised the same way as them, would like their kids to marry spouses of the same caste (leave alone religion) as them..the phenomenon is universal..nothing singularly muslim about it..
i am able to say this with the confidence that i can get away with it..because very rarely am i seen as 'Muslim'..I'm seen as some kind of free spirit who has strong opinions sometimes and expresses it..but for a second if you could read this entire mail and believe that any total Muslim, say a Sameera or a Suraiya had written it, your perception about them and this mail would be very very different..and i admit, so would mine..and thats the sadness of it all..
In a nutshell, enjoy the movie..maybe you might be inspired to write a piece as well..
- Reshma
Author info:
Reshma is a specialist in fiction, films and motor RJing. In her free time, she is a writer and a management executive. Reshma can be contacted at Sathyam Cineplex if she is not driving down to it.
~~
i dont know why, but in spite of not feeling upto stepping out, i decided to watch Khuda ke Liye on its last show at Chennai..
for the uninformed, KKL is a Pakistani film that has won rave reviews all over the world, and was finally permitted to release in India..sadly because we Indians live in such fear of communal hatred rousing our cities into violence, the ads for the film dint even feature in the papers.. as a half muslim myself, i urge EVERY muslim to watch this film and understand how fragile our relationship with the world community is and how easy it is for our people to fall prey to what we can only dismiss as 'fundamentalism'..and as a half-hindu, and more importantly, as an Indian (and Muslims make a large part of our demography) i urge EVERY Indian to watch this film and decide whether we want to make the fallacy of reducing every Muslim to a beard touting, skull cap wearing terrorist..
for those who arent interested in the politics of the film, or the issues it raises, there's something for you guys as well.. the music is FABULOUS..a fine blend of hindustani classical to western jazz and very indo-pakistani Atif Aslam kind of music..the girls in the film are lovely.. the Pakistani girl is a replica of Sonali Bendre, and the American girl is attractive in a very innocent kinda way.. both the leading men are great and fit their roles perfectly..and they look good too *wink*
but again, about the film..i left the theatre thanking God silently for making me an Indian..freedom alone means nothing-being able to study or work-it alone is NOT freedom..what i enjoy today is my freedom of spirit, the freedom of choosing whether i want to be hindu, muslim or an odd combination of both (or neither)..
and for those Indians who believe that all muslims are communal, rigid in thought and judgemental, i have news for you..SO ARE YOU!!! by default you become all of that when you defame them and stereotype them so..
i am half -muslim and i can honestly and bravely confess that my muslim side of the family do want me to settle with a muslim boy, want me to raise my kids muslim and would like to see me a little more religious than i am right now..but again, i'm quite sure every other family, Muslim or not-wants their children to be raised the same way as them, would like their kids to marry spouses of the same caste (leave alone religion) as them..the phenomenon is universal..nothing singularly muslim about it..
i am able to say this with the confidence that i can get away with it..because very rarely am i seen as 'Muslim'..I'm seen as some kind of free spirit who has strong opinions sometimes and expresses it..but for a second if you could read this entire mail and believe that any total Muslim, say a Sameera or a Suraiya had written it, your perception about them and this mail would be very very different..and i admit, so would mine..and thats the sadness of it all..
In a nutshell, enjoy the movie..maybe you might be inspired to write a piece as well..
- Reshma
Author info:
Reshma is a specialist in fiction, films and motor RJing. In her free time, she is a writer and a management executive. Reshma can be contacted at Sathyam Cineplex if she is not driving down to it.
Tata NoNo....
Update:
Seven blogs a day are talking about the environmental impact of the Dhamra project. And more than 70,000 Tata customers have written to Ratan Tata, asking him to relocate the project....we need to save the ridleys and a sensitive ecosystem.
The project's banking agent is also reconsidering the project because of the environmental impacts. Wow! We can do something here. If you want to leave a message, write to Greenpeace and Light a candle .
Seven blogs a day are talking about the environmental impact of the Dhamra project. And more than 70,000 Tata customers have written to Ratan Tata, asking him to relocate the project....we need to save the ridleys and a sensitive ecosystem.
The project's banking agent is also reconsidering the project because of the environmental impacts. Wow! We can do something here. If you want to leave a message, write to Greenpeace and Light a candle .
I am gonna ask for more....
Turning twenty-four?
You got to ask more!
Life is devilish, often crazy;
Whirl around 'til you're dizzy.
A'int running any race,
Don't forget any cheerful face.
Around the world you hop,
Your folks wave from the top.
Ancient footsteps on the pristine sand,
Many a friend follows the wedding band.
Let's hit the old highway by morning;
Drinking the red wine as we're rolling.
- mekhala writes this for a bday wish, aint it the best?! By the way, I didnt like red wine when I tried it long back at a pal's wedding. Maybe I should try it again, this time, rolling!
You got to ask more!
Life is devilish, often crazy;
Whirl around 'til you're dizzy.
A'int running any race,
Don't forget any cheerful face.
Around the world you hop,
Your folks wave from the top.
Ancient footsteps on the pristine sand,
Many a friend follows the wedding band.
Let's hit the old highway by morning;
Drinking the red wine as we're rolling.
- mekhala writes this for a bday wish, aint it the best?! By the way, I didnt like red wine when I tried it long back at a pal's wedding. Maybe I should try it again, this time, rolling!
Friday, May 09, 2008
An open letter to Ratan Tata
Greenpeace alerted me to this and is collecting mails to make Tata listen, and we are sure that Tata will, if we make ourselves heard.
~~
Dear Ratan Tata,
Many tell me that the Tatas are generally supportive towards social causes.
Conservationists such as Shyam Chainani respect JRD Tata for his understanding and for not holding any personal grudges, when similar projects were vetoed. I am referring to the way in which the Colaba Uran bridge proposal was reconsidered 30 years ago.
The proposed Dhamra project in Orissa will destroy one of the last nesting sites of the Olive Ridleys, and with them an entire ecosystem will be lost forever.
I, as a loyal customer of Tata, request you to relook into the project and consider the environmental costs. I am sure, the project can be relocated at a place where these costs are much lesser. Please look into it.
Yours truly,
Romila Sudhakar.
~~
Here is what conservationists like Chainani have to say about the Tatas.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
I will be beary beary happy!
An amazing forward that I had to post.
~~
In this life, I am a woman.
In my next life, I'd like to come back as a bear.
When you're a bear, you get to hibernate.
You do nothing but sleep for six months.
I could deal with that.
Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid.
I could deal with that too.
When you're a female bear, you give birth to children (who are the size of walnuts) when you are sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs.
I could definately deal with that.
If you are mama bear, everyone knows you mean business.
You swat anyone who bothers your cubs.
If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.
I could deal with that.
If you are a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling.
He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.
Yup, gonna be a bear!
~~
In this life, I am a woman.
In my next life, I'd like to come back as a bear.
When you're a bear, you get to hibernate.
You do nothing but sleep for six months.
I could deal with that.
Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid.
I could deal with that too.
When you're a female bear, you give birth to children (who are the size of walnuts) when you are sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs.
I could definately deal with that.
If you are mama bear, everyone knows you mean business.
You swat anyone who bothers your cubs.
If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.
I could deal with that.
If you are a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling.
He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.
Yup, gonna be a bear!
Friday, May 02, 2008
Burp!
Oh yes, I am going to go out for dinner. Actually, someone is organising a treat and I am to join on the condition that I suggest the perrrrrrfect place for an eclectic mix of veggies, chickentarians and a german with a sensitive tongue.
Being an eating-out primitive, I outsourced knowledge from an office pal. And this one is a real treasure, she can hold fort over an entire lunch session going on about the nuances of hilsa cooking! Now, of what use is it to precis-write excellent gourmet insights into an LMS (thats what my messages are popularly known as)?? Ergo, I offer my accquired expertise:
Bella Ciao - authentic Italian, cheesy and terrace seating. A winner from what I hear despite the price (400 a meal) and its location (choked Nungambakkam high road). Benjorang on TTK road sounds to be similar.
For Japanese and Vietnamese food, I am told there are places like Akasaka, Lotus and Dahlia. And there is the wide spectrum of chinese places: dragon motiffed, dark ones where we can hardly read the menu and are forced to order gobi manchurian from memory - to authentic chinese places where the meat is hardly cooked. These guys forget that our taste buds were conquered long ago by our north-east brothers who finely balance namma patti's garam masala with dollops of ajinomoto.
Places like Wangs Kitchen, Golden Dragon and Chinatown are somewhere in between. There is also Sigri above Mainland China, which I am told is good.
Once upon a time, I worked on some ads for Copper Chimney, and I cant forget that as a client, they were made in bad taste. Eden on the other hand gives some nostalgic memories as an intern and yes, their menu card is a writer's delight.
If you feel like ghooey sabjis and gheey rotis, there is Peshwari (Cathedral road), Tandoor, Kabul and Basera (nearTiruvanmiyur). In Basera, you can eat on tree tops! Now, that is something I must lobby for, even if it means having to arrange for transport.
For mallu food, there is Tharavad and Kumarakom, but then what will veggies like me eat at these places?? Nibble on the banana leaf?? Sorry people, no Karimeen curry for you'll. The same goes for Bong food, not so popular in the city. Must be the mustard. My sis once had to painfully control her puke after a fishy dish until her host finally left the table. Sorry bong pals, no offence here, I love your sandesh and rosogollas. My bong friends btw generally swear by Bayleaf in Gopalapuram, when they feel like a quick, homey, mustard fix.
I am really tempted to try Aiwo adjoining Barista (Nungambakkam High Road), for its buffet on a conveyor and tempting names of dishes. Krish Ashok has a nice blog about it. The best part is that your buffet comes in a conveyor belt and at just 200 for a person. Clear winner!
New Yorker again on the advice of blog guru Krish Ashok sounds quite tempting, maybe I will get the chickentarians to treasure hunt for a leg piece in the salad bowl.
Personally, I love masala dosa at Saravana Bhavan and authentic Udipi sambar. But I guess, one must occasionally go to places where we are forced to curse under our acidic breath for an hour as the chefs decide where to shop. I must remember my pattani sundal and tehelka for company.
Being an eating-out primitive, I outsourced knowledge from an office pal. And this one is a real treasure, she can hold fort over an entire lunch session going on about the nuances of hilsa cooking! Now, of what use is it to precis-write excellent gourmet insights into an LMS (thats what my messages are popularly known as)?? Ergo, I offer my accquired expertise:
Bella Ciao - authentic Italian, cheesy and terrace seating. A winner from what I hear despite the price (400 a meal) and its location (choked Nungambakkam high road). Benjorang on TTK road sounds to be similar.
For Japanese and Vietnamese food, I am told there are places like Akasaka, Lotus and Dahlia. And there is the wide spectrum of chinese places: dragon motiffed, dark ones where we can hardly read the menu and are forced to order gobi manchurian from memory - to authentic chinese places where the meat is hardly cooked. These guys forget that our taste buds were conquered long ago by our north-east brothers who finely balance namma patti's garam masala with dollops of ajinomoto.
Places like Wangs Kitchen, Golden Dragon and Chinatown are somewhere in between. There is also Sigri above Mainland China, which I am told is good.
Once upon a time, I worked on some ads for Copper Chimney, and I cant forget that as a client, they were made in bad taste. Eden on the other hand gives some nostalgic memories as an intern and yes, their menu card is a writer's delight.
If you feel like ghooey sabjis and gheey rotis, there is Peshwari (Cathedral road), Tandoor, Kabul and Basera (nearTiruvanmiyur). In Basera, you can eat on tree tops! Now, that is something I must lobby for, even if it means having to arrange for transport.
For mallu food, there is Tharavad and Kumarakom, but then what will veggies like me eat at these places?? Nibble on the banana leaf?? Sorry people, no Karimeen curry for you'll. The same goes for Bong food, not so popular in the city. Must be the mustard. My sis once had to painfully control her puke after a fishy dish until her host finally left the table. Sorry bong pals, no offence here, I love your sandesh and rosogollas. My bong friends btw generally swear by Bayleaf in Gopalapuram, when they feel like a quick, homey, mustard fix.
I am really tempted to try Aiwo adjoining Barista (Nungambakkam High Road), for its buffet on a conveyor and tempting names of dishes. Krish Ashok has a nice blog about it. The best part is that your buffet comes in a conveyor belt and at just 200 for a person. Clear winner!
New Yorker again on the advice of blog guru Krish Ashok sounds quite tempting, maybe I will get the chickentarians to treasure hunt for a leg piece in the salad bowl.
Personally, I love masala dosa at Saravana Bhavan and authentic Udipi sambar. But I guess, one must occasionally go to places where we are forced to curse under our acidic breath for an hour as the chefs decide where to shop. I must remember my pattani sundal and tehelka for company.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Someday, I want to hit seventy, look forty and yet feel twenty.
Now the years are rolling by me.
They are rocking evenly,
I am older than I once was
Younger than I'll be, that's not unusual.
No, it isn't strange
After changes upon changes
We are more or less the same
- Simon and Garfunkel
They are rocking evenly,
I am older than I once was
Younger than I'll be, that's not unusual.
No, it isn't strange
After changes upon changes
We are more or less the same
- Simon and Garfunkel
Friday, April 18, 2008
No entry
You cant drive-in into Woodlands anymore....I feel a dull pang for the leafy place that wooed our hearts and gastric juices. Actually, more than the food, it was the ambience that drew the salesman, college-kid, uncle and humble celebrity.
I can bet on their delicious upuma that atleast 1o businesses would have kick-started everyday at their place. The ambience was so addictive. Over those steaming hot coffees, so many plans from starting creches to HR consultancies have wafted over.
Woodlands was the heart of the city in many ways....so many kalyana alliances have been worked out there, a friend of mine chose woodlands for its onion oothappam and and friendly green, when she had to meet her prospective father-in-law. Her choice of place alone bowled over the finicky physics professor.
I have always wanted to do a photo-feature of the place - its non-interfering waiters who let us spend an hour over a podi masala dosa, the uncles and aunts who would click their tongues, relishing poori kilangu, at the stella gals and loyola boys meeting there after college, the sales guys striking a mini-lunch deal, the journos sulking over coffee and looking for stories, the occasional celeb face driving in with a chauffeur who would get the order, the school kids recharging with juices between school and swimming lessons and so many more..........
It was probably never the same as it was in the 70s and 80s - the ultimate place for a light evening meal - but it was still very special for all of us who grew up on bribes of channa bhatura and ice-cream at woodlands if we had to spend an afternoon reading at the american library bank opposite.
P.S: the state horticulture society has reclaimed the lung of a land, but given the state's record in turning heritage buildings into steel and glass high-rises, I have no hopes of seeing a lal bag a la bangalore.
I can bet on their delicious upuma that atleast 1o businesses would have kick-started everyday at their place. The ambience was so addictive. Over those steaming hot coffees, so many plans from starting creches to HR consultancies have wafted over.
Woodlands was the heart of the city in many ways....so many kalyana alliances have been worked out there, a friend of mine chose woodlands for its onion oothappam and and friendly green, when she had to meet her prospective father-in-law. Her choice of place alone bowled over the finicky physics professor.
I have always wanted to do a photo-feature of the place - its non-interfering waiters who let us spend an hour over a podi masala dosa, the uncles and aunts who would click their tongues, relishing poori kilangu, at the stella gals and loyola boys meeting there after college, the sales guys striking a mini-lunch deal, the journos sulking over coffee and looking for stories, the occasional celeb face driving in with a chauffeur who would get the order, the school kids recharging with juices between school and swimming lessons and so many more..........
It was probably never the same as it was in the 70s and 80s - the ultimate place for a light evening meal - but it was still very special for all of us who grew up on bribes of channa bhatura and ice-cream at woodlands if we had to spend an afternoon reading at the american library bank opposite.
P.S: the state horticulture society has reclaimed the lung of a land, but given the state's record in turning heritage buildings into steel and glass high-rises, I have no hopes of seeing a lal bag a la bangalore.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Republic of Blah~!
I am going on a holiday! Well, not exactly a holiday but to collect data for my research dissertation (one step towards being accepted as literate by my dad), but I am still excited. No newspaper cramming in the car/bus. No homey-duties, no hospital visits, no orkut and gmail to check, no books to catch up, no messages, no calls.......no so many things.
Wow....I am really looking forward to this. Ofcourse, I am still waiting for my questionnaire to be sorted out by my guide and have to worry getting the right research clusters, still I am chill.
I have got a new recorder/player/pendrive all rolled into one and am contemplating either changing my phone (1100) or its battery. In short, I am all enthu.
I am also surprised that I got such long leave, despite not even finishing one year with the company. generous, I say!
adios!
Wow....I am really looking forward to this. Ofcourse, I am still waiting for my questionnaire to be sorted out by my guide and have to worry getting the right research clusters, still I am chill.
I have got a new recorder/player/pendrive all rolled into one and am contemplating either changing my phone (1100) or its battery. In short, I am all enthu.
I am also surprised that I got such long leave, despite not even finishing one year with the company. generous, I say!
adios!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Media Headlines of 2007
A forward that had me in splits.....I hope I get to write atleast a few like these, the readers' will get their money's worth.
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
[No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[Now that's taking things a bit too far!]
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
[Not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
[What a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
[No-good-for- nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[See if that works any better than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[You think?]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[Who would have thought!]
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
[They may be on to something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
[He probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
[Weren't they big enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
[That's what he gets for eating those beans!]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
[Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
[No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[Now that's taking things a bit too far!]
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
[Not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
[What a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
[No-good-for- nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[See if that works any better than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[You think?]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[Who would have thought!]
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
[They may be on to something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
[He probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
[Weren't they big enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
[That's what he gets for eating those beans!]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
[Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Chewing Cud
Simply put the word "review" in your search engine along with your other topic terms to find articles of this type on the Internet or in an electronic database. The bibliography or reference section of sources that you have already read are also excellent entry points into your own research.
- Unarguably one of the best research tips that I have come across. But I took no risks, I first tried it on blogosphere with some amazing results. Ah, well.....research can wait.
Dr. Mosi's Kral is a must read link on the trail of viruses and on the art of how to hold up drinks. Quite like Krish Ashok and sometimes even better. No offence there to Jalsa and Jilpa, I simply revere it.
Anything sells on a day when you are stuck in office because of rain, but to be honest, this one does have its own little nuggets.
PhD comics - it says it all, for anyone who has photocopied the same book twice without realising, will know what it is to Pass with High Difficulty.
Lazy Geek meets samanth subramaniam circa his IIT times. Unfortunately Samanth's writing these days are too frontline-ish, I can no longer read them. Son of Bosey is still in my league.
There is something about lalita, quite like a poignant telugu poem.
Get your cartoon done or gift one, it doesnt matter, it all goes towards saving the near extinct, Panthera tigris.
Thought process is nothing much to think about but makes quite a read - particularly its Ugadi wishes and the Noodle revolution - makes a read.
Fellow Singleton, and I am quite impressed!
This is so madras, so iyer and so funny. As most of my childhood was with these geeks, I know the feeling. And in the same vein, NRI maami.
A tibetan for tibet's sake and satire.
Thulu has a script and loads of poetry in its blood....spilt here, but better out than in.
Saffron Tree makes you want to pick up a book and settle near a window.
And a green cousin of the slightly dysfunctional mutineers. And more green, this time, damn good with ground realities and satire.
Inspiring stories of rebellious people who change wrongs.
Am yet to volunteer with the blank noise project or tulir for that reason, hope this reminds me.
Local flavour and free verse that is nice here.
There is no point to this, its simple punditry, poetic and about chennai photowalks.
For once, I didnt feel like editing a blog. The Chennai Metblogs is all about the city I love.
Senior, neenga vaalga! I still remember with gratitude how he was generous about his comments on our first journal.
And these have helped me a bit or by two bytes.
A London post that I like, maybe because I am reading Bryson.
And something useful for once on blogosphere, must pass it on to my aunt.
And thus I spent a lean day at office, the rain outside added to the flavour.
- Unarguably one of the best research tips that I have come across. But I took no risks, I first tried it on blogosphere with some amazing results. Ah, well.....research can wait.
Dr. Mosi's Kral is a must read link on the trail of viruses and on the art of how to hold up drinks. Quite like Krish Ashok and sometimes even better. No offence there to Jalsa and Jilpa, I simply revere it.
Anything sells on a day when you are stuck in office because of rain, but to be honest, this one does have its own little nuggets.
PhD comics - it says it all, for anyone who has photocopied the same book twice without realising, will know what it is to Pass with High Difficulty.
Lazy Geek meets samanth subramaniam circa his IIT times. Unfortunately Samanth's writing these days are too frontline-ish, I can no longer read them. Son of Bosey is still in my league.
There is something about lalita, quite like a poignant telugu poem.
Get your cartoon done or gift one, it doesnt matter, it all goes towards saving the near extinct, Panthera tigris.
Thought process is nothing much to think about but makes quite a read - particularly its Ugadi wishes and the Noodle revolution - makes a read.
Fellow Singleton, and I am quite impressed!
This is so madras, so iyer and so funny. As most of my childhood was with these geeks, I know the feeling. And in the same vein, NRI maami.
A tibetan for tibet's sake and satire.
Thulu has a script and loads of poetry in its blood....spilt here, but better out than in.
Saffron Tree makes you want to pick up a book and settle near a window.
And a green cousin of the slightly dysfunctional mutineers. And more green, this time, damn good with ground realities and satire.
Inspiring stories of rebellious people who change wrongs.
Am yet to volunteer with the blank noise project or tulir for that reason, hope this reminds me.
Local flavour and free verse that is nice here.
There is no point to this, its simple punditry, poetic and about chennai photowalks.
For once, I didnt feel like editing a blog. The Chennai Metblogs is all about the city I love.
Senior, neenga vaalga! I still remember with gratitude how he was generous about his comments on our first journal.
And these have helped me a bit or by two bytes.
A London post that I like, maybe because I am reading Bryson.
And something useful for once on blogosphere, must pass it on to my aunt.
And thus I spent a lean day at office, the rain outside added to the flavour.
Monday, March 24, 2008
My very own Marks and Spencers
Handloom clothes I can live with….. also breathe, like and flaunt. So, it doesn't matter that my mum labels kurtas, "retired man's outfit" or my aunt or grandmum curse me, as they mean high maintenance (seperate washing, starching, ironing). I just find myself in them.
In the hope that out of sight would turn into out of mind, they seldom send my "koni pai" (a sack) dress species' for ironing and and stove them out of my sight. So I often dig cupboards like a miner to find my kurtas.
There are some great places to shop for airy handlooms and cottons – fabindia is not for the monsoons, unless you want to leave a colourful trail and its outfits fade faster than you can say "new dress". Ladybird and other friends have reported experiences, where maids look down upon their mistresses' poor dressing sense.
Anokhi is good for its stitching and designs but expensive. Ditto for temple towers and kalpadruma. Though it is my dream shope there some day and and wear something without the guilt of having wasted almost a month's-salary. Middle-class values are thicker than fashion statements.
However, one gets quite a deal at places like Gurjari, Rajasthali, Lepakshi and Boyanika. The State Khadi Gramodyog Bhavans are good for kurtas that are austere-looking, comfy and sturdy even after 10 years. Their flowery wrap-around skirts (full and half length) are quite classy too – graceful vegetable dyes and ghera lines.
New Nalli is another one stop for most handlooms and at just slightly more expensive rates than Gurjari, you get a great ambience, personal assistance and paneer-perfumed air. And there is Apco for its colourful and rich pochempalli sarees; even the khadi houses store a good collection of them. The best is, one can be assured of value for money here.
Outside madras managaram, I liked the Dilli Haat (delhi) and a friend's shopping from the Dakshinapan in Calcutta. Ofcourse, all this means burning some months-long savings….but then I do it just once a year.
In the hope that out of sight would turn into out of mind, they seldom send my "koni pai" (a sack) dress species' for ironing and and stove them out of my sight. So I often dig cupboards like a miner to find my kurtas.
There are some great places to shop for airy handlooms and cottons – fabindia is not for the monsoons, unless you want to leave a colourful trail and its outfits fade faster than you can say "new dress". Ladybird and other friends have reported experiences, where maids look down upon their mistresses' poor dressing sense.
Anokhi is good for its stitching and designs but expensive. Ditto for temple towers and kalpadruma. Though it is my dream shope there some day and and wear something without the guilt of having wasted almost a month's-salary. Middle-class values are thicker than fashion statements.
However, one gets quite a deal at places like Gurjari, Rajasthali, Lepakshi and Boyanika. The State Khadi Gramodyog Bhavans are good for kurtas that are austere-looking, comfy and sturdy even after 10 years. Their flowery wrap-around skirts (full and half length) are quite classy too – graceful vegetable dyes and ghera lines.
New Nalli is another one stop for most handlooms and at just slightly more expensive rates than Gurjari, you get a great ambience, personal assistance and paneer-perfumed air. And there is Apco for its colourful and rich pochempalli sarees; even the khadi houses store a good collection of them. The best is, one can be assured of value for money here.
Outside madras managaram, I liked the Dilli Haat (delhi) and a friend's shopping from the Dakshinapan in Calcutta. Ofcourse, all this means burning some months-long savings….but then I do it just once a year.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
singing in the rain~!
Rains make me poetic, I have to either write or atleast quote.....here's something that caught my fancy while browing on the Indian Summer Rain. Jeet Thayil, celebrated Indian American writer, brings out the sounds and flavours of a complex Indian rain. Heady visuals indeed.....
~
Oyster-tongue, mangrove maw, the river's rawsour breath, its moist air encumbered with mud,mad with waiting, with grief, ready now to shedupwards its uncoiling of earth's dry dirt-thirst,ready to exhale the season's held-in vertigo,so every fur and scurry must pause in a poseof praises and prayer, as the safe-sided contours of Kerala blur to a dazed stillness before the chaos of wind;in the small rain something fierce stirs the river's grim, single-minded currents, furrowedby history's keel, trawled by the spinning sleepers fallen to its revolving arms - even the changefulriver knows this change will turn vast systems awry - then the true rain begins: random power,endowed with shower of bounty, whips wind,shreds vine, cracks bark, mangosteen, jackfruit,slaps the baby palm, uproots lemon and tapioca,flattens the cowering tufts of pineapple, then dousesthe world in torrents of self-cycled water, maddenedby sea-rhythm and pounding heartless thudfor unclocked hours, a constant torment of delugeslow on the green land, the river, the annihilated air- snakeholes flooded, monkey and woodpeckermute, cats made fearful, cattle clustered -the houses funnel a rush of worried water,water plumes through its own wet world, fiercein its dream of water, and water made flesh by water,a perfect craze of water, the mother of water,of water creatures born from the water in this line.
- Jeet Thayil
~
Oyster-tongue, mangrove maw, the river's rawsour breath, its moist air encumbered with mud,mad with waiting, with grief, ready now to shedupwards its uncoiling of earth's dry dirt-thirst,ready to exhale the season's held-in vertigo,so every fur and scurry must pause in a poseof praises and prayer, as the safe-sided contours of Kerala blur to a dazed stillness before the chaos of wind;in the small rain something fierce stirs the river's grim, single-minded currents, furrowedby history's keel, trawled by the spinning sleepers fallen to its revolving arms - even the changefulriver knows this change will turn vast systems awry - then the true rain begins: random power,endowed with shower of bounty, whips wind,shreds vine, cracks bark, mangosteen, jackfruit,slaps the baby palm, uproots lemon and tapioca,flattens the cowering tufts of pineapple, then dousesthe world in torrents of self-cycled water, maddenedby sea-rhythm and pounding heartless thudfor unclocked hours, a constant torment of delugeslow on the green land, the river, the annihilated air- snakeholes flooded, monkey and woodpeckermute, cats made fearful, cattle clustered -the houses funnel a rush of worried water,water plumes through its own wet world, fiercein its dream of water, and water made flesh by water,a perfect craze of water, the mother of water,of water creatures born from the water in this line.
- Jeet Thayil
Friday, February 29, 2008
A whole new meaning~!
I was at the Pudiyador, Vannandurai centre last sunday. Wow!!
The place looks fabulous. For someone who saw it on the first day it opened up - an unused corporation building freshly cleaned of years-old-grime, musty and plain - it looked remarkably well-loved, full of life and bursting with energy.
Charts on the wall monitor every child's individual performance in academics and extra-curricular activities. Library and store-room duties are assigned to kids who maintain them diligently. And the decibel levels were ear-splitting as volunteers from Ivolunteer were just wrapping up the sunday's events and games. Pudiyador, Vannandurai is at home and is second-home to most of the kids now.
I still remember how I freaked out when I had to manage a film screening for the kids on the day Pudiyador Vannandurai started. After that I have gone there only occasionally, though every time I meet someone who could help us, I promptly do a PR fix....theatre, puppeteers, teachers, funders, potential volunteers.
It is nothing compared to the ground work that Pudiyador volunteers (balaji and co) do at the various centres or what the core committee does when organising funds, exhibitions, and programmes. But I am really glad that however fleeting and insignificant, I do my bit. But it is humbling when I see how much mekie and and the rest of the gang (manix, divs, swaps) does, even from as far as Ann Arbor.
If you'll have any good books for children, in tamil and english - on science particularly - do send them to Pudiyador, Vannandurai, Adayar, Chennai - 40. Alternately, if you know me, you could drop it with me. And if you have a story to tell or time to help someone with their homework, do let us know.
The place looks fabulous. For someone who saw it on the first day it opened up - an unused corporation building freshly cleaned of years-old-grime, musty and plain - it looked remarkably well-loved, full of life and bursting with energy.
Charts on the wall monitor every child's individual performance in academics and extra-curricular activities. Library and store-room duties are assigned to kids who maintain them diligently. And the decibel levels were ear-splitting as volunteers from Ivolunteer were just wrapping up the sunday's events and games. Pudiyador, Vannandurai is at home and is second-home to most of the kids now.
I still remember how I freaked out when I had to manage a film screening for the kids on the day Pudiyador Vannandurai started. After that I have gone there only occasionally, though every time I meet someone who could help us, I promptly do a PR fix....theatre, puppeteers, teachers, funders, potential volunteers.
It is nothing compared to the ground work that Pudiyador volunteers (balaji and co) do at the various centres or what the core committee does when organising funds, exhibitions, and programmes. But I am really glad that however fleeting and insignificant, I do my bit. But it is humbling when I see how much mekie and and the rest of the gang (manix, divs, swaps) does, even from as far as Ann Arbor.
If you'll have any good books for children, in tamil and english - on science particularly - do send them to Pudiyador, Vannandurai, Adayar, Chennai - 40. Alternately, if you know me, you could drop it with me. And if you have a story to tell or time to help someone with their homework, do let us know.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Pendangered~!
We are seriously endangered announces a friend in advertising. The Republic of Letters is shrinking. His search for copywriters - good, bad and passable recently drew a blank. Even my howlers, unarguably successful most of the times, didnt help.
Worse is the fact that there is hardly any fresh blood in sight. I can vouch for this, after a year of college-teaching and handling five different classes in a School of Media Studies, I cannot recall more than three kids, who I think were into copywriting. Sadly, one of them has already opted against it.
But to their credit, my pal Prakash and his CD Anantha are not just "moanies". They are taking stock of the fast-depleting wordsmiths and aspiring ones as well. Hop on this link http://pendangeredspecies.blogspot.com and register if you are one. You could also report on this link if you sight one such rare species. Distinguishing details are a must.
And I cant help but rave about my copywriting experience here....hey, its my blog!!
I had some great months in advertising in three different agencies. Ogilvy was the best, I was a trainee and had some serious fun. My work guide, Deepak Deans, insisted that I build my portfolio and with some great help I managed three print ad series apart from some work on Hutch, Jeevan Blood Bank and TN Tourism.
The best I liked about copywriting was that one could stare blankly at space, chew nails, read Calvin and Hobbes unabashedly, sip tea in the canteen and walk down the street all in the pretext of WORKING. Creative license et al. When it was deadline time, it was different altogether, but I dont want to scare people away.
Advertising is serious challenging, decently paid (when compared to obscene MBA salaries) and creatively rewarding. There was nothing like seeing one of my ads in print. But then the journalism bug bit me later at express and I am finding my way through the 5Ws and 1H. But I am glad that I am still with the Republic of Letters and Pendangered~!!
Worse is the fact that there is hardly any fresh blood in sight. I can vouch for this, after a year of college-teaching and handling five different classes in a School of Media Studies, I cannot recall more than three kids, who I think were into copywriting. Sadly, one of them has already opted against it.
But to their credit, my pal Prakash and his CD Anantha are not just "moanies". They are taking stock of the fast-depleting wordsmiths and aspiring ones as well. Hop on this link http://pendangeredspecies.blogspot.com and register if you are one. You could also report on this link if you sight one such rare species. Distinguishing details are a must.
And I cant help but rave about my copywriting experience here....hey, its my blog!!
I had some great months in advertising in three different agencies. Ogilvy was the best, I was a trainee and had some serious fun. My work guide, Deepak Deans, insisted that I build my portfolio and with some great help I managed three print ad series apart from some work on Hutch, Jeevan Blood Bank and TN Tourism.
The best I liked about copywriting was that one could stare blankly at space, chew nails, read Calvin and Hobbes unabashedly, sip tea in the canteen and walk down the street all in the pretext of WORKING. Creative license et al. When it was deadline time, it was different altogether, but I dont want to scare people away.
Advertising is serious challenging, decently paid (when compared to obscene MBA salaries) and creatively rewarding. There was nothing like seeing one of my ads in print. But then the journalism bug bit me later at express and I am finding my way through the 5Ws and 1H. But I am glad that I am still with the Republic of Letters and Pendangered~!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Nobody gifts me quite like I do or perhaps mekie~!
Everytime someone in the family or a friend celebrates a birthday I get stuck with the question of what to gift....When my dad turned 50 two years back, I wrote him out a very special card as he doesnt care much for stuff. And last year when my aunt turned 50, we got her 50 things with a small thought attached to each.
For my mum and grandmum it has to be traditional jewellery or clothing but its quite a challenge to think of something new for my grandfather, who has an opinion about everything. But he is totally pleased when we get an eggless cake for him to cut at 12!! Little bro is easy to please: games, pop music, and throw in an occasional jacket or t-shirt; but I am still making my sister's bday gift - its an album of her 25 years and how I generally upset her scheme of things by entering it two years later.
My friends on the other hand being very polite creatures are very easy to please. But this time, it is my uncle whose bday is looming and I am quite lost. This man doesnt keep anything for himself, he has to donate anything new to his juniors. I thought an Mp3 player would be good as he travels a great deal and rarely watches television, but I am scared that when he has to placate a young junior after berating him about work, he will promptly hand it off.
On the other hand, I have noticed that people seldom get me the right gifts....sigh! I wont complain my dad's gifts of encyclopaedias and quiz books; my aunt and sis too occasionally pick up the sort of clothes that I like. But mum and me like stuff that are on either ends of a spectrum. As my principal supplier of goods, I really wish we saw eye-to-eye. My grandparents knowing me, play it very safe - money, which is unfortunately spent on mobile recharges or autos before I find the right stuff.
Then there is mekie....I dunno if I have got her anything very special but she most certainly has got me some of my best gifts. Once for my bday, it was set of story books from our local used-books salesman. They were gorgeous: Rebecca, Alistair Maclean and some travel and detective writing. The musty smell and fraying book covers just added to the entire reading experience.
I read Rebecca sitting in bangalore at a cousin's wedding. Remember how G.K. Chesterton describes a book and library experience by blue bottles and silverfish?! It was something like that, I absolutely loved it and still treasure all those books.
Then last year, I got a purposely late, brilliant bday gift....Harry Potter-7. My very own, original hardback HP~!! Opening the parcel and running my hand down its spine humbled all the "roadside" copies of HP that I own. She in fact asked me to read it instead of talking to her when we met after a year!! hee, hee.....well, its good to know that someone understands all your idiosyncrasies.
Then there is vini who once simply pulled me to shop my own gift after setting me a budget and later even generously expanded it. We drove t-nagar salesmen mad before I found the right white material for a patiala salwar!
I on my part simply got vini some stick-on stars to add to her newly-painted bedroom. She claims to love it. For meki, its more like whatever I see and think might look nice on her I get. She dutifully puts them on or on her wall and sends me a picture of it.
Lets see if my uncle keeps his Mp3....
For my mum and grandmum it has to be traditional jewellery or clothing but its quite a challenge to think of something new for my grandfather, who has an opinion about everything. But he is totally pleased when we get an eggless cake for him to cut at 12!! Little bro is easy to please: games, pop music, and throw in an occasional jacket or t-shirt; but I am still making my sister's bday gift - its an album of her 25 years and how I generally upset her scheme of things by entering it two years later.
My friends on the other hand being very polite creatures are very easy to please. But this time, it is my uncle whose bday is looming and I am quite lost. This man doesnt keep anything for himself, he has to donate anything new to his juniors. I thought an Mp3 player would be good as he travels a great deal and rarely watches television, but I am scared that when he has to placate a young junior after berating him about work, he will promptly hand it off.
On the other hand, I have noticed that people seldom get me the right gifts....sigh! I wont complain my dad's gifts of encyclopaedias and quiz books; my aunt and sis too occasionally pick up the sort of clothes that I like. But mum and me like stuff that are on either ends of a spectrum. As my principal supplier of goods, I really wish we saw eye-to-eye. My grandparents knowing me, play it very safe - money, which is unfortunately spent on mobile recharges or autos before I find the right stuff.
Then there is mekie....I dunno if I have got her anything very special but she most certainly has got me some of my best gifts. Once for my bday, it was set of story books from our local used-books salesman. They were gorgeous: Rebecca, Alistair Maclean and some travel and detective writing. The musty smell and fraying book covers just added to the entire reading experience.
I read Rebecca sitting in bangalore at a cousin's wedding. Remember how G.K. Chesterton describes a book and library experience by blue bottles and silverfish?! It was something like that, I absolutely loved it and still treasure all those books.
Then last year, I got a purposely late, brilliant bday gift....Harry Potter-7. My very own, original hardback HP~!! Opening the parcel and running my hand down its spine humbled all the "roadside" copies of HP that I own. She in fact asked me to read it instead of talking to her when we met after a year!! hee, hee.....well, its good to know that someone understands all your idiosyncrasies.
Then there is vini who once simply pulled me to shop my own gift after setting me a budget and later even generously expanded it. We drove t-nagar salesmen mad before I found the right white material for a patiala salwar!
I on my part simply got vini some stick-on stars to add to her newly-painted bedroom. She claims to love it. For meki, its more like whatever I see and think might look nice on her I get. She dutifully puts them on or on her wall and sends me a picture of it.
Lets see if my uncle keeps his Mp3....
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Chicken soup for the single gal~!
Dick Cheney has a pacemaker, while Paul Theroux was talking to us after travelling across half the globe in trains and tuk-tuk's. Both were in grad school at the same time.
After making such a strong case, could anyone be unconvinced that the average travel writer has more health, morale and fun than most people?! Well, there is always the diplomat who is paid for visiting places and talking with people. But then, luck is fickle!
An evening with Theroux and two great book lovers, also colleagues, was quite like chicken soup for the single gal who is facing the maternal whiplash for having attended too many friends' weddings but refusing to have one of her own in the very-near future.
Theroux the gentleman helped by being completely charming.....he had looked up all the Medford-Madras connects and took us through many including our Ice House, which stored ice from places such as Theroux's hometown of Medford, since the 1830s. Globalisation a la two frozen atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen!
How does it feel not to be recognised with awards?
Theroux the artful dodger: Oh, governments dont like their writers, they always like second-hand writers. And Nobel Prize is more like the Swedish lottery.
So Sir. Vidia Naipaul, your mentor, was one?
There are always exceptions and he is a great writer.
Theroux on writing tips to nubile writers:
Read a lot, leave home, travel, love people and find someone other than your parents who would encourage your writing. And most importantly, never refuse an opportunity to write anything. Book review? Yes. Op-ed? Yes. Blurb? Yes.
Any thumbrules?
Write what you believe and feel strongly about.
Is writing a tough job?
It is a picnic when compared to picking prickly pineapples.
What do you want to write about?
Someday about the British, the way they write about the rest of the world.
On the whole, Theroux was trying to cover up for his relationship-gone-sour with Naipaul and refusing to be rude to anyone. He after all was now a grown man and not the punk who helped a political opponet of Hastings Banda escape to Uganda.
But when the city's social do's coincide with your lean week shift, its delightful, particularly with brownies being served. The city's US consulate sure knows how to draw a crowd.
A former colleague now with them gave J (book lover 1) a painstaking introduction with Theroux. But J simply kept her lips glued. When asked later as to why, she of all, was so tongue tied, she simply said...."he doesnt suffer fools~!"
P.S: I caught an old pal, now with IE, who was getting back home after reporting....I mean what about filing copies and all that? Oh...I can do that from home, she says. The new world of cyber journalism beckons.
P.S: I caught an old pal, now with IE, who was getting back home after reporting....I mean what about filing copies and all that? Oh...I can do that from home, she says. The new world of cyber journalism beckons.
Summer of 2008~!
Its summer again.....the mango tree outside our office canteen is in full bloom and today I saw small little mangoes announcing their season.
I love summers, despite the sweltering heat and sweat. The warm colours of long evenings, the tender coconuts at bus stops, cucumber and watermelon salads sold on the suburban train, and people finally waking up to make sure that their taps dont leak. After all, fighting with neighbours over a few buckets of water is not far behind. I am particulary glad that we will see less of mosquitoes, they have been dotting the city's sky like dust for the past few months.
Summer once meant going to the beach with my grandfather, playing from dawn to dusk at my maternal grandmother's home and the delightful knowledge that no one could ask me to put down my story book for anything else. Later it was bright internships with friends, where work was for fun's sake.
I wonder how this summer will be, last year wasnt bad....I made new friends~!!
Tagore in A Moment's Indulgence:
"Today the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs; and
the bees are plying their minstrels at the court of the flowering grove.
Now it is time to sit quite, face to face with thee, and to sing
dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure."
I love summers, despite the sweltering heat and sweat. The warm colours of long evenings, the tender coconuts at bus stops, cucumber and watermelon salads sold on the suburban train, and people finally waking up to make sure that their taps dont leak. After all, fighting with neighbours over a few buckets of water is not far behind. I am particulary glad that we will see less of mosquitoes, they have been dotting the city's sky like dust for the past few months.
Summer once meant going to the beach with my grandfather, playing from dawn to dusk at my maternal grandmother's home and the delightful knowledge that no one could ask me to put down my story book for anything else. Later it was bright internships with friends, where work was for fun's sake.
I wonder how this summer will be, last year wasnt bad....I made new friends~!!
Tagore in A Moment's Indulgence:
"Today the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs; and
the bees are plying their minstrels at the court of the flowering grove.
Now it is time to sit quite, face to face with thee, and to sing
dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure."
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
the big fat Indian wedding
I have lost count of the number of weddings I have attended this year. And mind you, there are still 10 months more to it!!
My picasa album is filled with wedding pics and my inbox (postal invites to my residence are banned as they put my mum on a hyperventilating mode) receives an average atleast two wedding invites every week......classmates, juniors, seniors, all racing madly to the altar.
And my classmates (guys) are coyly (if that adjective can be applied to them) announcing that their wives are pregnant! Listen, I am all happy for you people, just as long as you'll dont pop that "when is yours" question on us or worse still launch into the "get married soon" advice mode.
What's up folks?? Is it the economic boom?? Will a recession encourage people to stay single for some more time as Amit Varma says?!
In the meanwhile, I have decided to invest in atleast one or twodecent wedding outfits. Actually my friends have threatened me into it. They dont want me in my faded cottons ruining an otherwise classy wedding pic!
But if you are a close friend of the bride, there is actually little choice, you cant wear anything but a saree, its something like, "I as the bride have to wear one and you have to share my misery".
While I am mooning over where to shop and my budget and juggle mehendis' and sangeets, there are a few other things that caught my attention......for one, most of the weddings were "love marraiges"! hurrah people! And for those who took the "arrangement of love" route, more hurrahs!! It sure takes more commitment and from the looks of it, it sounds like even more fun. After all, you can flirt and "kuchi-koo", as parents and folks smilingly indulge you'll.
I am very glad for my friends, for having found love and a companion for life ahead....wishes for a glorious walk into the sunset!
One important trend is the growing number of parents who have relented to "love matches".....there have sure been quite a few anti-climaxes here. I must say I am disappointed with my friends' parents for being so soft. I feel sorely cheated of my moment of feeling any tangible difference.
Of what use were all the long chats and clandestine sessions on the terrace, where I suggested strategies and arguments to my friends who wanted to persuade their parents of the love match. Of what use where those painstaking cover-ups and phone calls to convince friends' mums blessed-with ESPs that I was meeting their daughters on besant nagar beach, while I was watching an old film on the tv??
I am seeing my maternal grandfather with new-found respect. He locked away my aunt when she said she wanted to marry someone outside the "community". They also say that he used a bit of force on her before finally giving in. How vindicated her friends must have felt?!
And finally, the trend of socially-approved live-ins and flirting and romancing all over the city and cyberspace. All you have to do is get a simple engagement ring and folks are happy to look the other way. The one-year engagement is really in vogue, some are even lucky to have the two-year ones. Man, how much lucky can one get?!
As I am struggling to schedule a particular sunday, which will see one friend and one junior tying the knot and another old classmate's engagement, I call out to meki, lavy, divs,vini and sai.....my fellow oarswomen on the seriously endangered single-gal raft.
Dont bailout in a hurry, okay?!
My picasa album is filled with wedding pics and my inbox (postal invites to my residence are banned as they put my mum on a hyperventilating mode) receives an average atleast two wedding invites every week......classmates, juniors, seniors, all racing madly to the altar.
And my classmates (guys) are coyly (if that adjective can be applied to them) announcing that their wives are pregnant! Listen, I am all happy for you people, just as long as you'll dont pop that "when is yours" question on us or worse still launch into the "get married soon" advice mode.
What's up folks?? Is it the economic boom?? Will a recession encourage people to stay single for some more time as Amit Varma says?!
In the meanwhile, I have decided to invest in atleast one or twodecent wedding outfits. Actually my friends have threatened me into it. They dont want me in my faded cottons ruining an otherwise classy wedding pic!
But if you are a close friend of the bride, there is actually little choice, you cant wear anything but a saree, its something like, "I as the bride have to wear one and you have to share my misery".
While I am mooning over where to shop and my budget and juggle mehendis' and sangeets, there are a few other things that caught my attention......for one, most of the weddings were "love marraiges"! hurrah people! And for those who took the "arrangement of love" route, more hurrahs!! It sure takes more commitment and from the looks of it, it sounds like even more fun. After all, you can flirt and "kuchi-koo", as parents and folks smilingly indulge you'll.
I am very glad for my friends, for having found love and a companion for life ahead....wishes for a glorious walk into the sunset!
One important trend is the growing number of parents who have relented to "love matches".....there have sure been quite a few anti-climaxes here. I must say I am disappointed with my friends' parents for being so soft. I feel sorely cheated of my moment of feeling any tangible difference.
Of what use were all the long chats and clandestine sessions on the terrace, where I suggested strategies and arguments to my friends who wanted to persuade their parents of the love match. Of what use where those painstaking cover-ups and phone calls to convince friends' mums blessed-with ESPs that I was meeting their daughters on besant nagar beach, while I was watching an old film on the tv??
I am seeing my maternal grandfather with new-found respect. He locked away my aunt when she said she wanted to marry someone outside the "community". They also say that he used a bit of force on her before finally giving in. How vindicated her friends must have felt?!
And finally, the trend of socially-approved live-ins and flirting and romancing all over the city and cyberspace. All you have to do is get a simple engagement ring and folks are happy to look the other way. The one-year engagement is really in vogue, some are even lucky to have the two-year ones. Man, how much lucky can one get?!
As I am struggling to schedule a particular sunday, which will see one friend and one junior tying the knot and another old classmate's engagement, I call out to meki, lavy, divs,vini and sai.....my fellow oarswomen on the seriously endangered single-gal raft.
Dont bailout in a hurry, okay?!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
the tag bug~!
Instructions:
Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.
1. Name Three Most Valuable Assets?
My very own mind, my family and my friends.
2. If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one?
Lets go and play frisbee!!
3. If you were to be stranded on a desert island, who are the 3 blog buddies you would take with you?
romila (rustic notes) - for we would end up talking of everything from falling leaves to carbon emissions and will forget that we have to return.
ladybird (mary has two little lambs) - for company to chat and doze. we would read and doze with amazing regularity and never get tired of it.
mekhala (into madness) - for meki and I will walk in circles and never find our way back but we will never grow weary of a new hunt or an adventure.
4. Where is the place that you want to go the most?
I want to go to a calm and deep, green forest....stand in a fresh, clear waterfall and look up at the stars in the night inhaling some deeply fragrant trees.
5. If you can have 1 dream to come true, what would it be?
Oh there are so many: I will want a less polluted, cleaner city with its usual charm and grace. I want to get back to my dance and be part of a synchronised group performance. I want to be 5 again and ride with my dad on his scooter inside MCC campus, talking to big sis of deers and lions ofcourse~!
6. What are you afraid to lose the most?
Childlike curiosity, which I guess I already have lost.
7. What would you do if you found a briefcase full of money?
give it to my mom.
8.If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
I guess I would, but would I meet?!
9. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you...
my namesake is sensitive and amicable, can make anyone feel at home and takes a liberal view of most things. I think I would grow up to be like her in a few years. Hopefully!
10. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
As of now, I dont know.....but I guess someone who would be calm and down to earth, particulary when I hyperventilate, which is quite often.
11. What is your ambition?
I want to live in a clean and green place and do something towards the environment. I want to dance and read books and tell a dragon fly apart from a butterfly. I would like to write on all that affects me and laugh at a good joke with friends and folks.
12. What is the thing that will make you think someone is a bad person?
Insensitivity to another (human, animal or insect).
13. Revealing one thing about me.....
An idealist, a dreamer, someone who never wants to grow up and take responsibility. And someone who can be very stubbborn and enjoy clashes with my mum~!
14. Christmas is coming, who do you like to celebrate with?
Family, friends....play with children and feel the christmassy spirit and tingling joy~!
15. If you could do one thing different in life, what would it be?
Redo my masters, explore a few things of my own....without the apron strings tugging about.
16. Are you a shopaholic or no?
I dont know......I hate clutter and too many things. When I buy stuff, I am dead slow and I want them to last forever. I have loved seeing many things at shops and might also want them, but on a closer look, I get scared that its frivolous and run back.
17. What is your stress buster?
My favourite songs and going up on the terrace.
18. What should be done to people who make such long tags?
I like the loop, it makes me all warm and fuzzy. But it could be crisper. So best is to make the person do this twice~!!
19. What are the 2 skills you wish you had or would like to learn?
Cooking and swimming.
20. Name one favorite song of yours.
as of now - "bhavra mann"
Passing it on to:
Romila: Thanks, it feels nice to be back and read all your posts.
Ladybird: Hey.....wassup man?!
Mekhala: Machan, do this thing okay!
P.S: I havent changed any question and have given multiple answers to many. But I honestly couldnt think of a new question.
Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.
1. Name Three Most Valuable Assets?
My very own mind, my family and my friends.
2. If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one?
Lets go and play frisbee!!
3. If you were to be stranded on a desert island, who are the 3 blog buddies you would take with you?
romila (rustic notes) - for we would end up talking of everything from falling leaves to carbon emissions and will forget that we have to return.
ladybird (mary has two little lambs) - for company to chat and doze. we would read and doze with amazing regularity and never get tired of it.
mekhala (into madness) - for meki and I will walk in circles and never find our way back but we will never grow weary of a new hunt or an adventure.
4. Where is the place that you want to go the most?
I want to go to a calm and deep, green forest....stand in a fresh, clear waterfall and look up at the stars in the night inhaling some deeply fragrant trees.
5. If you can have 1 dream to come true, what would it be?
Oh there are so many: I will want a less polluted, cleaner city with its usual charm and grace. I want to get back to my dance and be part of a synchronised group performance. I want to be 5 again and ride with my dad on his scooter inside MCC campus, talking to big sis of deers and lions ofcourse~!
6. What are you afraid to lose the most?
Childlike curiosity, which I guess I already have lost.
7. What would you do if you found a briefcase full of money?
give it to my mom.
8.If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
I guess I would, but would I meet?!
9. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you...
my namesake is sensitive and amicable, can make anyone feel at home and takes a liberal view of most things. I think I would grow up to be like her in a few years. Hopefully!
10. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
As of now, I dont know.....but I guess someone who would be calm and down to earth, particulary when I hyperventilate, which is quite often.
11. What is your ambition?
I want to live in a clean and green place and do something towards the environment. I want to dance and read books and tell a dragon fly apart from a butterfly. I would like to write on all that affects me and laugh at a good joke with friends and folks.
12. What is the thing that will make you think someone is a bad person?
Insensitivity to another (human, animal or insect).
13. Revealing one thing about me.....
An idealist, a dreamer, someone who never wants to grow up and take responsibility. And someone who can be very stubbborn and enjoy clashes with my mum~!
14. Christmas is coming, who do you like to celebrate with?
Family, friends....play with children and feel the christmassy spirit and tingling joy~!
15. If you could do one thing different in life, what would it be?
Redo my masters, explore a few things of my own....without the apron strings tugging about.
16. Are you a shopaholic or no?
I dont know......I hate clutter and too many things. When I buy stuff, I am dead slow and I want them to last forever. I have loved seeing many things at shops and might also want them, but on a closer look, I get scared that its frivolous and run back.
17. What is your stress buster?
My favourite songs and going up on the terrace.
18. What should be done to people who make such long tags?
I like the loop, it makes me all warm and fuzzy. But it could be crisper. So best is to make the person do this twice~!!
19. What are the 2 skills you wish you had or would like to learn?
Cooking and swimming.
20. Name one favorite song of yours.
as of now - "bhavra mann"
Passing it on to:
Romila: Thanks, it feels nice to be back and read all your posts.
Ladybird: Hey.....wassup man?!
Mekhala: Machan, do this thing okay!
P.S: I havent changed any question and have given multiple answers to many. But I honestly couldnt think of a new question.
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