An Escapade....

Geography and Me……

2009-05-26T17:40:00.000+05:30

Yesterday: IBNLive.com: Sikh Priest killed in Vienna and clashes all over Punjab.

A Punjabi Collegue of mine explained that there are various sects who follow different religious practices.

Thoughts running in my head…”Such a trendy name for a village in Punjab…ohhh I think there is another one in Greece or somewhere”

This Morning: News headlines on TV: Curfew imposed in many parts of Punjab. Austria government promises to take necessary action.

Again, why are they showing these two news stories together… Austria Government and Sikh clashes.

I was waiting to see some pictures of Cyclone hit Kolkata.

After a while a lady was being interviewed who made this statement “ I hope this doesn’t spoil the image of the quiet sikh community that we are in Vienna”

Voila…. it dawned on me that Vienna was in fact in Austria and not Punjab

My First Play---VAGINA MONOLOGUES

2009-04-26T10:53:00.005+05:30

VAGINA MONOLOGUES-- heard about this play in Bangalore when i was in college or may be had just passed out of College. Could not think of going to plays then as they were always in the evening and far from home. Daddy had this "rule" of getting back home by 9.00 PM. I didn't break the rule for a play :)

It was April 14th, Vishu( Malayalam New Year), Hubby and I got back from work and went out for Dinner at this restaurant "The Village" in Raguleela Mall Vashi. It was here that i saw a poster of "VAGINA MONOLOGUES" to be staged on 25th April.

I was thrilled, booked the tickets in the very first row of FAME, Raghuleela-Vashi.

On came 25th April, VAGINA MONOLOGUES, a Poor Box Production, directed by Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal. Frankly, i have not heard of her before, that's due to the limited exposure to Theatre.

I was sitting there in FAME waiting for the play to begin, wondering, where will they stage this as in front of me there were 5 chairs,behind which there was the movie screen.The theatre was FULL.

Will the movie screen go up, which did not seem feasible .Then my hubby and I were having this discussion that this was a monologue ( a usually long dramatic speech by a single actor)

Then Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal came up right in front of us and asked us how many of us were comfortable saying the word "VAGINA" , for the sake of people who were not ,we said the word "VAGINA" out aloud.I felt stupid.

Then on came 5 beautiful women dressed in Red and Black
Mahabanoo Mody Kotawal, Dolly Thakore,Jayati Bhatia, Avantika Akerkar and Sonali Sachdev.I have seen Dolly Thakore, Jayati Bhatia and Sonali Sachdev on Television.

The play covered various issues related to women, be it eve teasing, molestation, vaginal Mutilation or Sex without pleasure.

Mahabanoo played this 65 year old Parsi woman who had never experienced Orgasm.

Avantika played this young girl who was eve teased.Her monologue was "The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could" ,its a woman talking about sexual molestation as a child and finding her sexual liberation in her adolescence in a woman

Sonali Sachdev played this Maharashtrian Sex worker who had never seen her Vagina- This was a very good Monologue titled "Because He Liked to Look At It".

Dolly Thakore talks about the Vagina, what vagina means to a woman, she builds this monologue and gives a peep in to the dreamy world of women.

Jayati Bhatia stole the show with her different Moans.Her monologue was"The Woman Who Loved to Make Vagina's Happy" about this Lawyer who takes up a Profession of giving sexual happiness to Women.

These were some of the monologues

Its humorous , yet sensitive.

Should one watch this Play?, Yes , Definitely.It just says that vagina is just another biological Vital organ like your heart.

A Foreign Perspective

2009-04-20T22:52:00.012+05:30

(Thanks to a profile which provides an opportunity to interact with people across the world.)

When people come visiting India, usually the first time, they come with a lot of vaccinations and an inherent fear of the unknown.

They are fascinated by the Elephant, the colours, our clothes, and how cheap basic goods are.

A mineral water bottle, 2 Diet Coke Cans --all for less than a USD.

Oooh and they love our Indian Curries...

They have these places as a must visit in Mumbai

#1 on their list --- Dhobi Ghat (Near Mahalaxmi Station)

#2-- Kanheri Caves ( my reaction.... Is this in Mumbai?)

I am living in Mumbai for over 3 years now, never been to the above two places.

There are two Americans visiting India, some interesting conversations between them and me.

Conversation No. 1

A1: I saw these two huge bulls ( with two horns) on the street today, walking all by themselves.They were looking at me as if to say "I am a BULL" and you are not...Is that Normal for them to walk all by themselves ?

Me: Huhhhhhhhhh.....they must be owned by somebody...

A2: When i saw them, all i thought was, there are so many hungry people in India, why don't they kill and eat them

Me:Huhhhh, No they must be owned by somebody..(I know i sounded dumb)

Conversation No. 2

A1: Let me ask you this...

Me: Now what ...

A1: We have seen these three words printed behind Trucks. "HORN OK PLEASE"

What do they mean ?

Me: A stupid giggle....

A colleague attempting : All they mean is "If u want me to give way, Please HORN"

A1:Then why don't they write so...

(Laughter.....)

Conversation No. 3

A1: Now, Can u tell me, In India, which side of the corridor, street, or foot path do u walk on ?

I always find somebody walking towards me when i walk on the right..

Me: Very confidently, Oh! we always walk on the Left. We drive on the left and you drive on the right...

(All i thought was , i am glad somebody is not bumping in to you, when you walk past them)

I Vote NOBODY

2009-04-20T22:45:00.002+05:30

(A forwarded e-mail)
There is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!

Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".

Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... Because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled .

Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them .

This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way, of our whole political system... It is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public....

Please spread this news to as many as you know...... Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... Show your power,expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... So don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O)

All in the name of GOD

2009-03-06T22:48:00.003+05:30

I feel sad to think that all this terrorism, or the so called Jehad is in the name of GOD

I wish for a world free of religions and if all human beings looked up to one supreme power called GOD.

I wish for a world where each person is identified just by his intellect and nothing more..

I wish for a world, where each one of us can live without the fear of tomorrow.

I wish for a morning news paper that has all the beautiful& peaceful incidents occuring around the world.

Latest Fad

2009-02-24T22:58:00.001+05:30

Have got hooked on to these Jig-saw puzzles of late...

Billu

2009-02-23T22:12:00.007+05:30

Irfan Khan proves himself time and again.He is one of the actors who melts with the character completely.

This movie portrays Billu the Barber with his satiric humour trying to make the ends meet by intorducing a discount in the rates for a haircut.

In comes Sharukh Khan, playing himself(that's what he does in all his movies, so nothing new).

Word spreads in the village that Billu is an old friend of the superstar Shahrukh.

Suddenly ,Billu's world does a complete turn around, everybody in the village is helping him in the pretext of getting a chance to meet the superstar and his family is blissfully happy.

With certain twists and turns, finally the friendship between Billu and Shahrukh is never established throughout the film and only surfaces in the last scene.

This is another remake by Priyadarshan, the original being the malayalam movie "Katha Parayumpol"

The movie is watchable , Thanks to Irfan Khan.The movie could have been better if not for Shahrukh Khan.

Pain points: The item numbers of Shahrukh with Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

Lara Dutta as a Village belle is a disappointment.

Peep in to the world through the Lens of a Photographer

2009-02-23T12:47:00.003+05:30

For those who are even remotely interested in Photography, The Big Picture is a must see.

Vintage Cars at an Exhibition..Loved them..

2009-02-22T22:07:00.005+05:30

Loved this one...

A need..

2009-02-22T20:44:00.005+05:30

A need to be accepted
A need to be appreciated
A need to be loved
A need to be admired.
A need to be touched
A need to be kissed
These needs creep in at odd times in Life and in different forms.
Sometimes I wonder if all that iam doing , is just to satisfy these needs.... if not then what is it ?

A dream....

2009-02-22T19:43:00.006+05:30

This goes back to my school days, when a classmate of mine had been to Sey Chelles for her summer holidays,this developed in to a dream to step out of India at least once in my lifetime..

This was a dream which thought of a beautiful world outside India.A world filled with natural beauty...

I completed by Engineering and a whole group of Friends attempting their GRE for MS....This time too... I thought I will have a stamp on my passport...at least once.

I worked at a Bank, where i had customers showing me their immigration stamps on their passport while changing Currencies...this time too... at least once...

Then in to IT, where colleagues travel every other day and this time...circumstances had changed....i refused to travel...for long stints

Then, on came an opportunity to Travel for 3 weeks...grabbed it... there began my short tryst with Melbourne.. and finally i had that stamp on my passport.. at least once :)

Managing Relatives.

2008-12-14T22:52:00.002+05:30

I was in Bangalore for my sister's engagement.
Being her only sis, my Dad had asked me to to play the main host and say "hello hello " to every body...
There is nothing more artificial than doing this bit...

The standard conversation...

They :Oh! How are you..
Me: Fine
They :When did u come?
Me:Day Before Yesterday
They:When are u going back?
Me: Tomorrow

After this a stupid smile on my face , and a smile on their face...not knowing what to ask....

I dont ask the questions, as usual i would have forgotten if their children are married or not, wont remember anything about their family , as the saying goes...

"It is better to keep your mouth shut, than open it and proove your stupidity..."

I dread the wedding.......

Riddle Of the Week

2008-12-14T15:37:00.001+05:30

Answer this......
The one who made it
Didn’t want it
The one who bought it
Didn’t need it
The one who used it
Never saw it

The Pillars of the Earth

2008-12-14T15:27:00.004+05:30

This book by Ken Follet is awesome.
Takes you on a beautiful ride of the English History.
A complete pageturner.
Tanvi..Thankyou for lending me the book.

Height Of Cost Cutting

2008-12-06T15:45:00.001+05:30

This was forwarded to me by a colleague.
This is just the perfect picture of our future :)

Been a While....

2008-12-01T21:52:00.003+05:30

Have been away for a while...
Some important milestones of my life in the interim period

Turned a year old :(
This Blog turned a year old:)
Our marriage turned 3 years old ( confused about the smiley ;) )

Nothing has changed, Life still goes on...

Life goes on... but to Where?

2008-11-30T22:41:00.004+05:30

Have been away for quite a while......

My blood boils when i think of what happened over the last few days in Mumbai.It took just 10 boys not Men,to hold a country at ransom.What are these Boys made of, Is it flesh and bones?, i doubt.

Then the question, Who is responsible?

The people whom we elect to Power , so that they can have "Z- Class Security" and make ancestral property for generations to come.
The people whom we elect to Power, so that their children can have an easy entry to Bollywood.
The people whom we elect to Power, so they can go on Free World Tour with their Family.
The people whom we elect to Power, so they can conduct large scale weddings for their children by spending zillions of rupees.

The people whom we elect to Power, who comment , (An ET Excerpt) When asked at a press conference whether the terror strike was an intelligence failure, HOME MINISTER R.R.Patil said in Hindi: "Aisa nahi hai. Itne bade shahar mein chhota hadsa ho jata hai. To total failure nahi hai".

These are the b*****ds whom we elect to Power, so they can protect us.
These are the b*****ds whom we elect to Power, so they can help in the economic growth of the Country and its people.

This Man has the audacity to question, "Why should I resign?"
Are none of these people in power answerable?

When i landed in Mumbai (3 years ago), the first place my hubby took me was the Gateway of India. Had a picture taken from the Polaroid Camera of us with the The Taj in the backdrop.
This was the heritage that was destroyed. Hope the structure is able to fight back after 160 years and regain its lost beauty.

There is a group somewhere applauding what these 10 Boys have achieved, they must be celebrating this moment. My prayers to God , that you rot in Hell and the entire group dies a slow and torturous death.

How many more sacrifices do we have to make? How many innocent lives need to be lost for the authorities to do something? When will we have a Government ,we can blindly trust our lives with?

Rock On .....ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-30T19:09:00.004+05:30

Its been a while since i blogged about a Movie. Could not resist this one.
Rock On does remind u of Dil Chahta Hai in some ways-A story of 4 Friends who have lost touch due to differences and this too is picturised in a flash back mode.
But Rock On has its own story line, and the music is excellent. Shankar Ehsan & Loy are great. Farhan Akhtar is good as an actor and does sing pretty well. The performances look very natural .
The movie is not just about a struggling Rock Band called Magik, the ups and downs of a relationaships are portrayed with great subtlety. In all a must watch...

Socha Hai.... one of my favorites and some great pics from the Movie

P.S. Some great Movies I watched and did not blog --The Dark Knight & Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Dahi Handi -Vashi

2008-08-24T19:44:00.004+05:30

The festival fervour of Mumbai has begun with Janmashtami.
The Dahi handi's are highly politicised just like all the other festivals,the prizes in Vashi ranged from 25000 to 2,00,000. Reportedly one in Thane has the highest of Rs.50,00,000/-

There were troupes that were moving around in trucks from one Mandal to the other and bidding for breaking the Dahi Handi.

All through this evening, one can hear

Govinda Ala Re Ala, Zara Matki Sambhal Brijbala

The Target

Govinda Ala Re Ala

Govinda Ala Re Ala

Waiting for the Ganeshotsav in September!

China's Success Story

2008-08-20T23:41:00.002+05:30

This success story of China is to the people and Government of China.
We as Indians need to learn from our fellow Asian Country.With the kind of population India has We should have atleast one competitor in all the events at the Olympics.
Its the Indian mentality to blame. Right from school- Studies is all what is necessary.
When Michael phelps was asked what he did for a living. All he said was " I eat, sleep and swim". That's all that he does.We need not generate a Michael Phelps, i guess we should atleast come out of the mindset of making an engineer or a doctor out of every child in the vicinity.

The Mood Continues......

2008-08-18T21:49:00.003+05:30

I had some time today while i instigated my colleagues to day- dream with this question.
If you were to quit your job and start something today to earn a living What would it be ?
These were some of the answers
1. Tutorial classes for Engineering Students in Kandivali (Western Suburbs, Mumbai)
2. Play School
3. Financial Services Consulting
4.Franchisee – Jumbo King Vada Pav
5.Yoga Instructor
6.Distribution and selling of Children’s Clothes
7.Will Learn Baking and start a bakery
8.Open a restaurant

It was nice to know how each one of us nurture a small dream to go out and do something on our own. So all of you who read this ,do answer this question.. I will add on to this list
If you were to quit your job and start something today to earn a living What would it be ?

Updates as received...I am enjoying this.. :)
9.A Farmer
10.I would probably love to open a coffee cum pastry shop..on the lines of sweet chariot...i feel its one great way to stay in touch with the young ...always!!!
11.Travel show host. The one who gets to trek pn the rugged mountains, indulge in greatest spas and hotels of the world... everything straight out of the shows on Discovery Travel and Living and the likes :)
12.If someone would pay me to live among animals, learn their behavioral patterns - I'd give up my job without a blink. But the good part is - I'm getting there - through my current job - so hey(!!), Me happy!
13.A host but not to a travel show but to a wildlife show a la David Attenborough or Steve Irwin. 14.A Book shop owner! A Small cosy one with a coffe shop thrown in :o)

Entrepreneurial Mood

2008-08-17T15:46:00.003+05:30

For a change, my mind and heart seem to be saying the same thing. Both are saying "quit the job and start something on your own".

Just don't know what should i start with. I am bored with the home- work- home routine or should i say Sleep-travel-work-Travel- sleep routine.

Need to start something new.... presently scouting for oppurtunities. I just hope this is not one of the temporary phase of my mind.. which normally tends to phase out gradually.

I Yam A Malayalee

2008-08-10T10:27:00.001+05:30

Watch Out for the Ping Lungi

Quirks

2008-07-28T21:59:00.003+05:30

Tagged by Pranjal.

Tag Rules -

Link the person who tagged you
Mention the rules on your blog
Tell 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs, letting them know that they have been tagged

I always carry the correct change that is required for my travel by public transport(Bus,Auto or Train)in my hand (not in the wallet) even before i leave home.(Even if the journey is a long one where i have ample time to open my wallet)

I have to read a newspaper or blabber continously in order to avoid puking after drinking medicine (liquid form).

I am terrified of flying cockroaches.

When i eat rice at home, i need lots of sambar and less of rice more like kheer.I try to act civilised when i eat out

I sing when iam angry and upset to keep myself from crying or yelling at people.

I just cannot wake up early in the morning and study or work

The following people are Tagged
Divya
Ravi
Dimple
Viewer

Kahin tho Hogi Woh

2008-07-14T21:06:00.004+05:30

This song is really beautiful. It has to be isn't it afterall its A.R. Rehman.
That's not the reason I added this here. This song seems to have a uncanny resemblence to an old English Love song. Could'nt point my fingers to one.
I have been listening to it again and again and its the tune which is haunting me.
Somebody, please tell me I'm wrong. Coz i believe A.R.Rehman doesn't need to do this.

Traffic Woes

2008-07-14T20:40:00.002+05:30

These days travel back home from work has become a pain in the neck.
The Flyover construction is one off the reason. Just aboult half an hour of rain and no water logging results in a one and half hour delay.That means my total journey time back hom is close to 3 hours.
I didnt know that the western express highway divider had such beautiful flowers. I spend so much time on this highway that i guess i can count them now.
If this is routine then either Iam resigning from work or moving away from Vashi.The third option may be a chopper service by one of the Ambani's who have been kind enough to have a helipad in Navi Mumbai offices.

Yippee

2008-07-08T12:43:00.000+05:30

Wow, The proxy is down. Blogging from office.

Population Explosion

2008-07-07T21:59:00.001+05:30

On our way to Hyderabad in the "Hussain Sagar Express- Mumbai-Hyderabad" we were in the AC- 3 tier . We had occupied the "Side lower/upper seats"
The family next to us alighted at Gulbarga after which 4 RAC tickets were allotted to the adjacent berths.
This was a Family travelling from overseas(I think Middle East) going by the tags on their luggage.The Man looked like a 50 year old, the wife was in a burkha. Her hands looked very young. Now coming to the children, i noticed these line of kids coming to sit next to them calling them "Ammi" and "Abbu".

I started counting them , starting from the one in the Mother's lap. There were seven children , the eldest one looked like a 9-10 year old. All boys except a single girl who looked like a 4 year old.
It was utter chaos,if one would cry-another two would start along with that.If one ran to the left, another to the right.

The mother went off to sleep after sometime. I saw this kid(the girl) picking up a banana from the floor of the train and licking it . She was just dropping it and then the banana was back in her mouth.I called her Dad to point this fact.

The father actually ties the hands of this child and ties her to the seat and then goes to sleep.
This was a sight - a father,mother and seven children. It was the age group that shocked me. All below 10 or max 11.

In the last 11-12 years all that the woman has done is get pregnant and give birth to Children.
I said a silent prayer that they go back to Middle East( or where ever they came from) where human population may not be an issue.

PS: The family was not a economically backward family.

Kashid

2008-07-06T18:45:00.007+05:30

A day's picnic with my hubby's friends.
It's been a long time since i went to a beach and enjoyed myself. The last was in my Engineering days when we visited Mangalore Beaches. Murudeshwar being the best.
Coming back, we left Mumbai last morning to reach Kashid in 3 hours.Kashid is close to well known Alibaug.
The lush greenery and the never ending Arabian Sea in its full splendour.
When we reached the beach, the water level was high and we could hardly see the beach.(I thought may be this is not the right season to visit the beach).
Watching the guys play on the beach, we went back to our resort to play some Carrom and Playing Cards.(After a long time..once again)

Last evening, the water level receded and gave us a view of the pristine beautiful beach. Just feeling the sand beneath your legs itself is so beautiful. Oh! How i love the sea.

This morning was heaven. The sea was calm and an oppurtunity to play in the beach till our heart's content.This being the monsoon season the beach was not crowded sparing a few people. This place is a must visit. I am told that the sea is blue and beautiful in other seasons. A resolution to visit this wonderful place again.

I am

2008-07-06T17:00:00.003+05:30

This is from Pranjal's blog. Loved doing this.
I am: "Like this only"
I think: always, there's never a moment when i don't.
I know: that i just have to put my feet down and break the rules, but i don't and then crib.
I want: To go away from this crowded Mumbai to a small town and work in a 9 to 4 job with plenty of time for Family and Friends
I have: Plenty of clothes that i don't wear.
I wish: To loose 15 kgs overnight without any effort.
I hate: it when people want me to live as per thier rules and lifestyle.
I miss: College and Friends
I fear: Death of loved ones.
I hear: noises in my head all the time.
I write: Here and only here.
I smell: Of Men's Deo :) Coz i never buy one for myself and use my Hubby's all the time.
I crave: For some good quality time with Family and Friends
I search: for things always... meaning "Always"
I wonder: Why do people give birth to kids if they can't afford to give it a decent life.(Especially when i see kids begging on the streets)
I regret: Doing certain things (Knowingly and unknowingly)
I love: Travelling,Eating , Lazing, and last but not the least my Hubby
I care: for Family and Friends.
I am not: A hypocrite.Iam also not Organized.
I believe: that in one's life, the ratio of Happiness:Sadness is always 1:1.
I dance: Mostly when Iam alone or in a place where the lights are dim.
I sing: Off tune(Always!)
I cry: When i am in a helpless situation.
I don’t always: Do things the way I want to.
I fight: With my Hubby.
I win: in a fight with my Hubby.(I guess he lets me win:))
I lose: in most of the outdoor games.
I never: Can pray to God for more than a few seconds in a temple, after which the day dreaming starts.
I always: Never find the right words in the right situation. In retrospect i think I should have said "This" and i should have said "That"
I confuse: with the "ie" or "ei"in the spelling of the word "Friend"
I listen: to loud Music when I am alone at Home
I can usually be found: at Home or at Work :(
I am scared: of flying insects and noises in the dark(especially when iam alone at home)
I need: to be alone ,once in a while.
I am happy about: the way life has been so far.

Hectic 'n' Fun Filled Holiday

2008-07-06T16:57:00.002+05:30

Wow, the last two weeks have been highly eventful.
From Mumbai to Hyderabad for 5 days and then to the pristine and wonderful beach of Kashid.
Guess made up for all the lost Holidays.
Back to grindstone...

Enlightened

2008-06-18T22:38:00.004+05:30

Last week news paper headlines

Saturday--- Matka King dies in a Car Crash near Alibag

I think, now who is this Matka King. My mind runs through anything close to a Matka
Two options 1) Must be a famous earthen clay pot maker 2) Must be a winner of the Dahi Handi ritual during Janmashtami

Sunday --- Family cries "Murder" in Matka King's death

Now i settle on the second option --Winner of the Dahi Handi ritual during Janmashtami and could have got killed due to some gang rivalry

Monday-- MATKA KING’S RS 250-CRORE EMPIRE BEHIND MURDER PLOT

Now I am taken aback, now which dahi handi winner has a 250 Crore empire.
I read the entire article, and again no mention of what is this title "matka king".

On asking a couple of people, i was told this is some kind of gambling.Something similar to the superlotto kinds. Some more searching on the net and this is How the Matka business started.

Lost In Translation (The Catherine Tate Show)

2008-06-15T10:40:00.003+05:30

Rain God’s Mercy

2008-06-12T20:18:00.003+05:30

In Childhood,
Rains meant “Floral raincoats” on the school uniform.
Rains meant new shoes for the rains from Bata.

As a teenager,
Rains meant getting wet especially after a very sunny afternoon (Bangalore is known for a bright sunny afternoon and for cool showers in the evening)
Rains meant eating roadside Masala puri.
Rains meant pestering Mummy to make hot Pakoras
Rains meant eating Butta (roasted Corn)
Rains meant rides on Scooty in BEL Colony.
Rains meant hot snacks in BEL Club with Friends (The snacks were on credit basis from Dad’s Salary ;))
Rains also meant Bangalore traffic jams

In Mumbai
Rains mean No sweat. Respite from the sweltering heat
Rains mean Hot Kanda Bhajia from the street vendor..ooooh yummy

Last week,was eagerly waiting for the first rain -to get wet and enjoy the rain.
Finally, the floodgates of heaven opened and I ran to the balcony to enjoy the cool showers.
It was dark and I enjoyed some good water spray. After sometime, I came in to find dirty black water on me. (Is this what people call Acid Rain—may be a diluted one)
Iam told that Mumbai first rains are always dirty .With the kind of pollution in the Metros, the next generation will no longer be able to enjoy the rains like we did or i guess we are already missing what our parents had.
Last year the rains also meant walking in knee-deep water for 2 km and praying to God not to lay feet in to a open man-hole….

Ban Gutkha /Tobacco

2008-06-10T22:50:00.005+05:30

What is that one thing that you will find on the streets,walls,trains,busses,elevators of residential apartments as well as Government offices of Mumbai.
The red spit marks of Gutkha,Tambaku,Manikchand,Pan Parag etc etc.
What is it that one should fear in a two wheeler and you are beside a passing Bus--it is the "red spray of Gutkha"

This morning, i boarded a rickshaw to Station. At a junction further i was to guide the driver to take a "right" . All of a sudden I see him shaking his head up and down vigorously, guessed he was asking for directions & guided him.

We reached station and I asked him for the fare to be paid. There he spits that "red and disgusting thing" to tell me the fare. Here i understood the "head shake" for asking the directions.
When will the Indian Government ban this stuff?
Hope the Clean Up ! Mumbai initiative has some effect on the people spitting on the streets.

The Fourth Estate

2008-06-10T22:08:00.001+05:30

When somebody bares the Truth,he is bound to face trouble in a corrupt country like India where all that politicians do is try to play with the sentiments of a Common Man

Mathematical Genius

2008-06-07T00:02:00.002+05:30

This was given by a Friend

5 statements - I hate them

2008-06-03T21:20:00.000+05:30

1.Do not expect anything
How on earth can one survive without expectations, I fail to understand.

2.Thin is Beautiful...
Now please find me that guy who concorted this statement........It has to be a Guy...(Gut feeling..)

3.Come Home Early....Right from my school days till date... This is one statement which i hear daily without fail. believe me "DAILY.."

4.The Plan is cancelled
If it had to be cancelled, why Plan?

5.I told you so..

A Thousand Splendid Suns

2008-06-02T20:01:00.000+05:30

Another wonderful book by Khaled Hosseini after the much acclaimed " The Kite Runner"
If the earlier book dealt with the relationship between friends , this one deals with life of women in Afghanistan.

Mariam and Laila, the two women who lead lives worst than a (i can't think of any living creature with a life worse than them).The hard ships faced by them. The exploitation of women by men.

The book takes us back to Afghanistan in the 1970's to 2003. The rule of the soviets, the rise of Mujahideen, the ghastly acts of The Taliban and finally the invasion by the Americans.A peek in to the life of people in a country unknown to most of us.

There's one incident narrated in the book which is outrageous and hilarious. The Taliban asks a painter who has painted flamingos to cover up thier bare legs. Finally he paints trousers for the Flamingos. :)

The author takes you through all the events in the life of Mariam and Laila and how they overcome their difficulties, their sacrifices, the submission and the companionship between women, in all Khaled Hosseini is a great story- teller. A Thousand Splendid Suns is worth reading.

IPL Mania

2008-06-01T14:37:00.007+05:30

We (Hubby and I) had been to watch the IPL matches in Mumbai. Two of them to be precise.
Mumbai Indians v/s Delhi Dare Devils (4th May 2008) in the newly built D.Y. Patil Stadium, Nerul.

For a person , who has very little interest in the game called cricket , not a game i would say "madness" called cricket. The experience to watch the match live was overwhelming and now i am hooked on to it. More so since it is in the 20/20 format. It lasts for around 3.5 hours which is just right and does not take away the interest.

The stadium was packed, the crowd was "Mad" . The "Mexican Wave", the constant chant "Sachin" "Sachin" and the occasional jingle of the Mumbai Indians . It was beautiful.
The entire event was so well organised. The ticket has cost us Rs.1000/- each.

The only glitch was that we were sitting a little away from the ground and we could not recognise the players. For me i guess it was all about just being a part of the mad crowd.The icing on the cake was "mumbai" won the match.

Some pictures taken in the D.Y. Patil Stadium.

The second match was yesterday-- Kings XI Punjab v/s Chennai Super Kings, this time at Wankhede stadium. When we arrived, I was thrilled to find that this time our seats were closer to the ground and we enjoyed the watching the players practice before the commencement of the match.

As the match started, people started moving in front of our seats and stood there blocking our view. There was about 2 ft length space for people to move to their seats in front of us. People just refused to move from there. We had to call the security, who were a total failure.

It felt like standing near the door of a second class compartment local, where people will brush past you and push you to move ahead.The only change being, this time it was "men" and not "women".

I had no clue what was happening in the ground.I just knew that wickets were falling looking at the scoreboard. During this melee, one of the guys stamped my foot and i screamed with pain.

Meanwhile we had two guys who had come to add to the crowd in front of us.
A fight broke out(war of words) between a few friends and these two guys. One of the two men wore the "Muslim topi"(I don't know what you call it.) A sudden fear inside me , whether this will lead to something communal. Nothing happened, but there it is.. if he was not wearing the "topi" i would not have feared. A fear that somebody would utter something in anger and that will further lead to arguments.

We did not stay to watch the complete match. We walked out after the first half.
Security-was a total failure.A total mis-management.

This time the tickets were sponsored and was actually worth Rs.2000/- each. If at Rs.2000/- we have to be treated this way. What would be the status of people with tickets worth Rs. 150/-

And, no pictures this time.

P.S. A ticket in the A.C box in Wankhede Stadium costs Rs.25000/- each.

Prickly Heat

2008-05-31T14:18:00.001+05:30

In Bangalore, i had heard this word "prickly heat" in the "Nycil" Talcum Powder Ads on Television.Never knew what it was all about.

Now that i am in Mumbai, come summer and i have everybody at home buying loads of such talcum powder to beat the "prickly heat".

It's been two and a half years in Mumbai for me,and yes this summer... i have experienced the "Prickly Heat"..
Yuck.. I hate it... :( Alas... when will the rain gods show some mercy and save us from this sweltering heat.

P.S. Once the monsoon hits Mumbai, then you will hear me complaining as to when the rains will stop. Rains in Mumbai means blocked drains,blocked roads and ever slow moving traffic

Foot in the Mouth

2008-05-31T11:58:00.002+05:30

This was a few days ago.. My husband and I were in Matunga for some shopping. To beat the heat we decided to have a tender Coconut.
We have a habit of speaking in Malayalam about people right in front of them with the assumption that they will not understand the language.And that's actually the case normally. Be it about the Auto Driver in his auto or sometimes in a shop against the shop keeper.
This is our usual practice.
Coming back, we went to a street vendor selling Tender Coconuts.
He was cutting open the Tender Coconut with a really sharp-edged knife. There he was cutting the tender coconut with single strokes.
I was admiring the sharpness, when i told my husband (in malayalam) that this is the right kind of knife to "Slit throats".(That was very malicious but it was light hearted banter)
The vendor looked at me as though i had commited a murder or i guess he felt i called him one.
He replied(in malayalam) " We are hard working people trying to make livelihood, please don't make such baseless statements"
I just wanted the earth to open up and let me hide..

P.S.95% of the Tender Coconut Vendors are Keralites :)

Remembering F.R.I.E.N.D.S

2008-05-27T22:25:00.003+05:30

This was at work today,we were discussing F.R.I.E.N.D.S and how Phoebe Buffay has this craze for singing and her famous composition “Smelly cat Smelly cat”
My collegue pinged me the lyrics of her composition.. Here it goes...

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
What are they feeding you?
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat
It's not your fault

They won't take you to the vet
You're obviously not their favorite pet
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
It's not your fault

You may not be a bed of roses
You're not friend to those with noses
I'll miss you before we're done
Or the world will smell as one

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
What are they feeding you?
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat
It's not your fault

(Phoebe) Oh are we done?

One, two, what's that smell?

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
What are they feeding you?
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat
You're getting fat

I think that I'm gonna be sick
It's your ears, and nose and pick
Part of it, tempt me

One, two, what's that smell?

All the dogs in the neighborhood
Are saying this for your own good
What, you're fat, so you can't run
No fun, I bet, No fun

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
Porno makes you eat like that
I saw you in the shopping mall

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
It's not your fault,
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
It's not your fault
Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat,
It's not your fault

We know what was in your food
They say it might affect your mood

You smell like something dead (3x)

One, two, what's that smell?

(Phoebe)Yeah, that's not the song

Disappointed

2008-05-26T22:21:00.000+05:30

I picked up this book “3 Mistakes of my Life” by Chetan Bhagat.
The only reason to buy this book was the earlier book written by him “ Five Point Someone”
In comparison, “3 mistakes of my Life” fails to leave an impression.
The book tries to touch upon so many issues that the focus is lost.

Narnia-- The Magical World

2008-05-25T22:21:00.006+05:30

Chronicles of Narnia- Prince Caspian. This was the movie for the weekend. The movie as beautiful and magical as the first one.

Oh! How i wish this world too was magical. I wish I had a magic wand which would transfer me to a differnet and a beautiful world. I wish i had the powers to transform myself to anything i want. The wishlist continues......

Coming to the movie.. the little mouse stole the show. By the way his name is "Reepicheep"
I've fallen in love with it. And the majestic and larger than life "Aslan" was amazing as ever.
I am going to find the books on Narnia and read them.This Narnian-world is magical and enchanting

Waiting for the next sequel....

Tagged....

2008-05-24T11:20:00.003+05:30

Tagged by Deepti
Glad to know that there's so much to read...
I've never heard of most of these books.. Need to do some research..
Here it goes...

Addendum
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Anna Karenina
Crime and Punishment
Catch-22 <--
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Wuthering Heights <--
The Silmarillion
Life of Pi : a novel

The Name of the Rose
Don Quixote
Moby Dick
Ulysses
Madame Bovary
The Odyssey
Pride and Prejudice*
Jane Eyre
ATale of Two Cities
The Brothers Karamazov
Guns, Germs, and Steel: the fates of human societies
War and Peace
Vanity Fair
The Time Traveler’s Wife
The Iliad
Emma
The Blind Assassin
The Kite Runner *
Mrs. Dalloway
Great Expectations
American Gods
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Atlas Shrugged <--
Reading Lolita in Tehran : a memoir in books
Memoirs of a Geisha
Middlesex
Quicksilver Wicked : the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Frankenstein
The Count of Monte Cristo
Dracula
A Clockwork Orange
Anansi Boys
The Once and Future King
The Grapes of Wrath
The Poisonwood Bible : a novel
1984
Angels & Demons
The Inferno
The Satanic Verses
Sense and Sensibility
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Mansfield Park
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
To the Lighthouse
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
OliverTwist
Gulliver’s Travels
Les Misérables
The Corrections
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Dune
The Prince
The Sound and the Fury
Angela’s Ashes : a memoir
The God of Small Things
A People’s History of the United States : 1492-present
Cryptonomicon
Neverwhere
A Confederacy of Dunces
A Short History of Nearly Everything - SorryMr. Bryson
Dubliners
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Beloved
Slaghterhouse-five
The Scarlet Letter
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
The Mists of Avalon
Oryx and Crake : a novel
Collapse : how societies choose to fail or succeed
Cloud Atlas
The Confusion
Lolita
Persuasion
Northanger Abbey
The Catcher in the Rye
On the Road
The Hunchback of Notre Dame <--
Freakonomics : a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : an inquiry into values
The Aeneid
Watership Down
Gravity’s Rainbow
The Hobbit
In Cold Blood : a true account of a multiple murder and its consequences
White Teeth
Treasure Island
David Copperfield<--

Bold - ones I've read
Underlined - ones I read for school
Italicized - ones I started but didn't finish

(*) - ones I liked and would (or did) read again or recommend

(<--) - books on my wishlist Thanks Deepti!

Amboli

2008-05-23T23:36:00.004+05:30

Secluded and amidst the western ghats., Amboli ghat is a welcome respite from the sweltering heat of Mumbai.
My husband and I left to Amboli on a Friday night from panvel station by the Konkan kanya Express. After alighting at Sawantwadi Road, we took a rickshaw to Amboli ghat. The winding roads of the western ghats, took us atraight to a height of 2348 ft above sea level to reach Amboli Ghat. It was so great to breathe some fresh unpolluted Air.I wished if i could pack some back to Mumbai.Chekced in to the MTDC resorts. Clean and affordable. Food is not that good.

There is not much to do in Amboli. The mist filled mornings in May is all what you need.

Long walks and some beautiful Sunsets. We were told, come monsoon and the place sees continous rainfall for two months after which there are numerous waterfalls to relish in. Next time, visit to Amboli will be in the month of September

A New look...

2008-05-04T11:09:00.001+05:30

Thanks to Amanda for this new Blogger Template

IRON MAN

2008-05-01T20:39:00.014+05:30

Never read the series of Comics "Iron Man" by Marvel Comics.

Robert Downey Jr. in and as "IRON MAN" This Superhero" movie impressed me more than Spider Man(Another Marvel Comic superhero).

Watched this movie today at 11.00 AM . This is becoming a habit :) (Watching Morning Shows on Holidays ).

The Movie is a great treat for the eye.The voice controlled robots, the metallic suit, the weapons etc are such a treat to watch.

Tony Stark (Owner of weapons major- Stark Industries) is in Afghanistan to launch his new weapon, where he is taken as a hostage. They ask him to build a similar weapon for them. Instead he builds the Iron Man Suit. He becomes the "IRON MAN"

He destroys all of them and flies away back home .

He decides to stop manufacturing of Weapons . His partner Obadiah Stane steals his 'Iron Man suit ' design plans from Tony Stark's captors.Meanwhile Tony Stark is on a mission to destroy all the weapons manufactured by Stark Industries , that are in the wrong hands.Obadiah Stane builds a bigger and powerful suit for himself.

The end is a face-off between Tony Stark and Obadiah Stane .

The fast paced action, the light humour and the technology at its Best.
Gwyneth Paltrow as his Secretary "Pepper Potts" is the "Super Hero's girl"

Finally, the verdict is "Not Guilty"

2008-04-22T22:47:00.005+05:30

This is Godsend. God Bless them.
The verdict is all that matters.
Some more research and my Dream Diet will be declared the only way to weight loss ;)

Hope and a Little Sugar

2008-04-21T22:27:00.006+05:30

A weekend all by ourselves, my husband and me reached ADLABS at 10.30 a.m with an intention of watching any movie that was being screened.

There was a new movie by Tanuja Chandra "Hope and a Little Sugar" being screened at10.15.a.m.
We collected our tickets and entered the hall. The movie had just begun. The hall was dark and as the movie progressed, our eyes got accustomed to the darkness. We realized that 5-rows ahead and rows behind were all empty. During intermission, there were precisely 9 people in the theatre.
I guess there is no "Appreciation" for a good movie.
Coming to movie, it is a yet another take on 9/11 tragedy . Mahima Chaudhury , for a change has given a good performance, thanks to "Tanuja Chandra".
The movie belongs to Anupam Kher with a stellar performance as a father looking for his lost & dead son.

The movie revolves around this Sikh family of four.
Anupam Kher- Father (Col. Oberoi)
Suhasini Mulay- Mother
Vikram Chatwal-- Son
Mahima Chaudhary- Daughter-in -law(Saloni Oberoi)

Ali-Siddiqui (Amit Sial) is the free-lance photographer who is in love with the married -"Saloni Oberoi". Ali stands as a support to the family in their loss of the son (Vikram Chatwal) and a support to Saloni.
Anupam Kher who has not come to terms with the loss blames Ali (being a Muslim) for the tragedy. He comes to his senses when he becomes the victim of the racial backlash against "Turbaned Sikhs"

The 1 hour 15 minute movie is JUST RIGHT and PERFECT. There is nothing more that can be improvised.
This reminds of yet another well-made movie which is also a take on 9/11 tragedy. "Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota"

JUNO

2008-04-21T22:26:00.003+05:30

I borrowed this DVD as the label said "Academy Award Winning Movie"
I watched this movie all by myself in blissful solitude, with a bowl of Maggi Noodles for lunch just before my afternoon siesta
After a long time, a good movie. Could not resist writing about it.
This simple and beautiful movie is about a sharp-tongued teenager “Juno".
Juno finds herself pregnant at the age of 16.The movie revolves around how she decides to give birth to the baby and finds parents for her baby.
Ellen Page as 16-year old Juno with her acrid humor is excellent. I seem to have fallen in love with this “bindaas” and “life like” character JUNO
The best part about the movie is that there is no big hullabaloo about a teenager being pregnant. The movie is humorous and a must watch for all those who like movies that has a different take on reality

Hiatus

2008-04-21T10:42:00.000+05:30

Its been quite a while...the culprit is the"Routine".
I realised i missed blogging ..I'am Back for those few who cared to check this site.

National Treasure- Book Of Secrets

2008-01-15T14:44:00.000+05:30

National Treasure- Book Of Secrets, An average entertainer.

Being a sequel to the 2004 release "National Treasure", the movie did not live up to the expectations. The first one was definitely better.

One will not get bored during the movie, it moves fast and doesn't let your mind wander off from the movie. The movie is about how Benjamin Gates(Nicholas Cage) , the treasure hunter proceeds to discover the "Ci bola"-City of Gold

The story-line is weak.

The clues are hidden in the "Statue of Liberty, The Oval Office-White House, The Buckingham Palace- London and Mount Rushmore-South Dakota, USA.

The 'Unbelievable' in the movie
1. Benjamin Gates (Nicholas Cage) and Abigail Chase(Diane Kruger) search "The Oval Office" without being caught on camera

2. Benjamin Gates kidnaps "The President" just by asking him to find a new Tunnel.

3.A group of 5 proceed to wet "The Mount Rushmore" with "Water Bottles"

Why?

2008-01-13T20:28:00.001+05:30

Why is it that when Iam waiting on one side of the Bus Stand /Station, the same Bus or train is always moving in the opposite direction?Why is that the Train/Flight iam waiting for is always delayed?
Why is that the traffic Jam in the direction I am travelling, and the other direction is empty?
Why is it that there's a downpour when i forget to take an Umbrella or wear new clothes ?
Why is it that there's always a very interesting programme on the Television when i sit to Study ?
Why is it that the dish i am craving for is not there on that day's menu or was removed from the Menu an hour back?
Why is it that the style of shoes that iam looking for is not available only in my feet size?
Why is it that the mosquitoes only seem to bite me while there are others around me?

Signboard

2008-01-07T22:14:00.001+05:30

Bum Bum Bole.... (Back to School)

2008-01-05T20:28:00.000+05:30

Chaka ra ka chee chai
cho chaka lo ram,
Gando vando lakaraka tum
Akko takko idigidi gidigo,
Idipayi idipayi chiki chaka cho,
Gili gili mal
Sulu sulu mal,
makanaka re, hukupuku re, tukupuku re,
bikko chikko ,
sili sili siligo,
bagdam, chagdam, chiki chaka cho...

hahahahhahahhahahahhahahha
Back to school :)

Women in India

2008-01-02T21:04:00.000+05:30

This is in continuation to Mansi's blog last year where she described the nightmare of two girls who had gone to cheer the India cricket Team

This "New year" too , Women continue to be molested on streets

What irritates and frustrates, are the comments on the article on Rediff.com

The comments..." What were the two women doing out in the night at 1.45."

The women were not walking un-assisted. It could have been you there walking with your wife, girl friend or even your sister.It could have been anybody.

Would you simply watch if the woman with you was being "cat called" or lured comments were being passed at her?
Your answer would be "YES" if the comments were from a mob of 70-80 MEN.

"Yes" we need to live in fear of these people, i.e. in fear of our society.
If it was 1 or 2 people, one could say, they are anti-social elements, but this is a mob of 70-80 MEN.
They are a part of our society. They are our "SOCIETY"

Let us digest this fact; India is not a country that is "Safe for Women".

We are still a country where women cannot venture out alone after dark.
We are still a country filled with MEN who are sexual perverts and always looking for a chance to grope at anything that closely resembles a "Woman"

As I write this, there are No. of women who are facing similar situation daily, in crowded buses, streets or even temples.

Slumber...............

2008-01-01T19:14:00.000+05:30

(Picture is not very clear, but could not resist adding it)

This was last week, concretisation of roads on one half of the road is being done in Navi Mumbai.

At 7.30pm,I was crossing the road , and happen to see this construction worker asleep on mounds of sand and gravel right in the middle(on the divider) of the road completely oblivious to the traffic chaos and the noise around him.

Looking Back.....and to the future

2007-12-30T22:29:00.000+05:30

Another year gone by,

Looking back on 2007,the most significant change has been a "New Job". That has been a welcome and a much needed change. Thank GOD for that.

I was making up my mind to make an effective New Year Resolution for the coming 2008.
"effective"(Read easy:) ).

Now why does one make a new year resolution, I guess each one of us make a resolution as it comes with that desire for a better lifestyle, better living and need for happiness ,satisfaction and contentment.

Coming back to this year's resolution, lazy that i am ,I have decided to go public this year hoping that this would help me stick to it

"Daily Morning Walks"

This is a tough one.. :)

Taare Zameen Par- Every Child is Special

2007-12-29T11:58:00.000+05:30

An "Aamir Khan" masterpiece once again.

A welcome and a well deserved break from the SRK movies.

It would be unjust if I would not write about this beautiful movie.

I watched this movie in my short, sweet and hectic visit to my hometown Bangalore.

After a very long time, a movie that brings a "lump in your throat".

With very minimal dialogue, this movie takes you back in to your childhood reminding you of the grinding rat race which we still continue to run.

An insight in to a child's mind. A detailed insight in to the child's pictorial and a dramatic imagination of every little thing , be it as simple as "what is 3 *3?" :)

Darsheel Safary as Ishaan Nandakishore Awasthi is outstanding.

The fact that Ishaan was "Dyslexic" is so well portrayed without actually going in to the details of the disease.

Music:- Background score and the songs are made with the theme in mind.

SRK Movie- Movie is made to match the songs.

Aamir Khan -Rang De Basanti, Fanaa & Taare Zameen Par.

All the 3 movies send out a social or a political message. "Movies" with a purpose.

"Movies", that are so well made and never deviate from their theme.

Last but not the least, "Aamir Khan" is just a character in his movies

In a "SRK" movie, the movie is "Shah Rukh Khan" - period

Taare Zameen Par- A Must See .

Best Child Actor of the year 2007 goes to "Darsheel Safary"

Aaja Nachle-Madhuri's Comeback

2007-12-02T23:17:00.000+05:30

This noon, when we called the Adlabs booking section , we were told, the halls are not full and we will get last minute bookings, surprising for a "Madhuri comeback movie"

Reached theatre @ 6.10pm for the 6.15m show, again the theatre was not "Housefull"

Got a reservation in the very first row of the Cinema hall.My husband who has not missed a single "Madhuri Dixit " starrer movie was ecstatic to see her this close.

This movie is all about revival of the diminishing musical theatre presence in our lives.
A small town girl- Dia who is in a dance school cum theatre "Ajanta", elopes with a "National Geographic photographer" to USA. She has a daughter and is divorced.

She comesback to the town to meet her "Guru", who dies and asks her to revive "Ajanta".

"Ajanta" is up for demolition to make way for a shopping Mall.

Then the movie goes about, how she wins heart of the local people and stages a musical " Laila Majnu"

Konkona Sen as "Laila" is extremely good.

It was "Madhuri Jalwa" all the way. The dances, the moves, thelooks, the choreography were all beautiful.

The musical "Laila Majnu" was also very well staged and performed, makes you think of actually watching more of " Stage Plays"

This movie is not for people who do not appreciate "Song and Dance". Come to think of it , I am sure there is nobody in this world who does'nt like to listen to any form of Music or for that matter does not like to watch the " Dances" if not dance.
"AAJA NACHLE"-An average entertainer.This movie would not be worth watching if not for "Madhuri Dixit"

In the memory of Julia Campbell

2007-12-01T23:19:00.000+05:30

I came across this while browsing through sites.

Late Julia Campbell.
This beautiful woman left the rat race in Newyork as she puts it and joined the U.S.Peace Corps to serve people around the world.
In Phillipines-April 2007, she was murdered.

A beautiful life was over.

In the memory of Julia a fellow blogger, who chose to leave it all in order to serve humanity.

The Dream Diet....

2007-12-01T23:07:00.000+05:30

Its sad that all that tastes yummy is not good for health and more so fattenning
Chocolates are so heavenly, makes me want to kiss the feet of the person who discovered chocolates..
A question arises as to why is it that all what we like is fattening or harmful to health,
be it chocolates, icecreams, pastries , alcohol.....
Why can't all this be good for health?

If they were then the dream diet for weight loss would be
Simple & Quick ways to Easy Weight Loss

4 Bars of chocolate a day keeps a doctor away.
Avoid green leafy vegetables, salads, sprouts.(If one has a "vegetable tooth",one may indulge in one optional vegetable deep fried in oil once a week).
Avoid exercise, please adhere to lazy walks instead of brisk walk if required.Include a glass of wine in your diet.( One can have many if desired ).
Try to include a bowl of icecream & nuts along with every meal.
It is mandatory to have an afternoon siesta.
5 small meals a day is the key to effective weight loss(The meals must include Chocolates, Icecreams,Pastries, Deepfried stuff etc)

Drinking Tea, Is it an art?

2007-11-24T13:07:00.000+05:30

This was yesterday.

I work in an IT company like scores of others.

We had a con call with the on site team regarding certain issues. A client also was to participate in the call .

We were four of us here in India.(My Boss, a female colleague, this guy-I'll name him "Mr. Nincompoop" and me)

Mr. Nincompoop had come in to the room with a cup of tea.

While in the call, i hear a noise"SSSSSlllllllllllllllllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuppppppp" which seem to last for ever...This was from Mr. Nincompoop,he was having a sip of his tea

The call proceeded further...this time I notice his hand going to the cup again.. i dread this moment..( the caller is forgotten)..and there it goes"SSSSSSSSllllllllllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuupppp" this time i look at my watch" it lasts for a complete 4 seconds-which seems like eternity.

The client asks something and Mr. Nincompoop replies " "- after the first sentence there again"SSSSSSSSSSSllllllllllllllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuppp"

I had goosebumps all over. Our poor client must have heard this too..

Now all i remember about the call is "SSSSSSSSSSSSllllllllllllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrruuuupppppp"- 13 times. Thank God that was a small cup of tea..
This art of drinking tea is mastered by many "nincompoop"'s , this gets worse if it is in a "Elevator".

A question to all the Nincompoop's around" Does the tea taste different when u go "SSSSSSSSlllllllllllllllrrrrrrrrrrrruuuupppppppp"

Tum Se Hi (Jab We Met)

2007-11-15T15:46:00.000+05:30

I am in love with this song.

Soulful...

Mohit Chauhan has done complete justice to the song

5 Simple Pleasures

2007-11-05T21:53:00.000+05:30

Hot Onion Pakoras on rainy day in Bangalore

Alone @ Home watching a Romantic Movie

Meet Old Friends and go yak yak yak..

Dew Drop Sundae @ Corner House,Bangalore

Playing with Children

Now its time to list yours too and you need to ask 2 other people to list them too :)

Sudi, Pranjal, Sups, Dimple

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

2007-11-05T21:30:00.000+05:30

5 people who have made a difference to my life

Vishakha- My Best Friend- A childhood friend, have seen each other through all ups and downs.. Childhood Crushes, heartbreaks, binging on Food and endless talks

Meena-"Bubbly"-- Cheerful, full of life and a no nonsense girl. Fun to be with and now a "Mommy" :)

Prashant-The Child- Playful, seems to have grown up suddenly.A complete cricket fan-likes to play the game moreso than watching it. Loves watching any movie.
In Life-does not like complications , wants everything simple and nice.

Pramod-The Sensible- A sensible head on the shoulders with a tangy sense of humour. Loves Style & Brands. A Best Friend.

Sudi-The Artist- Crazy & Impulsive. He is the "Agony Aunt" of all women around him.A child at heart and a complete "people" person. Author of "Confusing & Complicated" Blogs.

JAB WE MET..

2007-10-29T21:41:00.000+05:30

A refreshing Movie...
I was inspired by the character "Geet", a girl who loves herself completely.
A person who lives for the moment and lives completely.
A person who has no regrets whatsoever for her actions...

The credit completely goes to Shahid and Kareena.
I seem to have fallen in love with Shahid Kapur.
Guess he will soon be on my favorite actors list after Aamir Khan :)

Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

2007-10-28T09:18:00.000+05:30

Have you ever noticed...The person in your head reminding u of the things u dont want to be reminded of, pulling u in to that waiting darkness,taking u in to that emotional turmoil.
I always find myself in swords with the " Mr.Hyde" in my head convincing myself that the thoughts are utter nonsense,but one has those weird moments when "Mr. Hyde" completely takes over.
The "Dr. Jekyll" in me seems to rule when I am with people.
Starnge but its true, a complete Good-Bad paradox

"Woman Oriented Movies"

2007-10-20T08:48:00.000+05:30

“Women Oriented Movies”
This is the term coined for all the Bollywood movies, where a woman gets to play the central character.

In 99% of the Bollywood movies, men get to play the central character, we do not call them “Male Oriented Movies” (Strange….)

Moreover, these so-called “Women Oriented Movies” never seem to leave a significant mark in the box-office.

Our Indian masses never give credit to women for their work done. (This can also be seen in the music reality shows-girls get the least no. of votes, irrespective of their performance)

Some of the best “Women Oriented Movies” which have bombed at the Box-Office

“Shakti “(Karishma Kapoor has given a stellar performance)

“15 Park Avenue “(Konkona Sen and Shabana Azmi—Par Excellence)

“Page 3 “( Konkona Sen again)

“Corporate”(Bipasha Basu- One of her best performance)

“Provoked “(Aishwarya Rai- Unglamorous but excellent performance)

"Ek Hasina Thi"(Urmila Matondkar- Urmila at her best)

And many more…

It is disappointing to see that women always play a second fiddle to men, their role in the movie is to add Glamour, To Dance ,To Cry and it ends there.

Smini

2007-10-17T22:11:00.000+05:30

Whats your name?

Me: Smini

What?

Me: Smini - S.m.i.n.i

Oh ok... Simini..., Sini.., Mini, and then there are S. Mini

Me: No. Smini...

next question What does it mean?

Me: Meaningless

This has been the normal flow of conversation with almost every new person that I've met all my life.

Initially I used to tell people that it means nothing. After that i got creative then it used to be a rare flower, a rare star or anything that i wanted it to be...

A search on Google search engine was also futile.
Finally I found something in Hebrew in Wikipedia,but to my dismay the complete document was in hebrew.

And 've not come across any Jews in India to understand what it meant.( Actually I was scared if it meant something which I might as well not know.)

Then like luck would have it,my sister was dealing with a client from Israel.

And she happened to ask him the meaning of my name and this is what he wrote to her ..

Quote"Smini means the eighth day of a new born and when the child makes a "Brit", a contract with God. The most important day of Jewish life. It also symbolizes the divine, holiness. You are a divine..." unquote.

This happened Yesterday...

2007-10-10T21:28:00.001+05:30

1..
Being Tuesday, my mother-in-law wanted to go to Siddhi-Vinayak temple ealry morning.And i happened to join her this time. This is my 3rd visit to the Temple, never this early in the morning...

We left home at 4.50 a.m.
My MIL wanted to offer coconuts worth Rs.500/- to our God.
We purchased 40 coconuts and some flowers for the God. This was heavy.

Just for those who are not aware, siddhivinayak has two metal detectors and screening process ditto like our Domestic Air Terminal(Not aware of the International one)

The temple is visited by people in large numbers on Tuesday(suppose to be an auspicious day),

Frankly iam not a very strong believer of any extra "POWER" in the "GODS OF CROWDED TEMPLES"(READ Siddhivinayak,Mahalaxmi,Tirupathi,etc.etc.)

Let me get back to the situation, we were not aware there are 2 sets of metal detectors, after one we just happened to join a ladies queue.
Suddenly, we heard lot of women screaming and cursing in Marathi. And some of them pushed us and got ahead in the queue.
The screaming and yelling continued..., (they were yelling at us, never realised)
We had jumped the queue. Believe me we never realised at all, I did understand that all this yelling and screaming was for some women who have jumped the queue.
My thoughts were" Why do these people come to pray, if all they can do is yell and scream"
In between all this there was this old woman(aged around 80), guess she was fed up with all this bickering and bantering, she said " Ganapati Bappa " and the crowd joined in "moreyaaaaa"
After we had darshan, my MIL tells me that all that noise was beacause we jumped the queue......( I found the whole thing hilarious...)

2....
Before I begin, Let me just brief you the normal behaviour of people in Mumbai local train-ladies Compartment.If you happen to be sitting in the train(which is rare), At every station you will face this.
Lady-1: Kaha pe utharna hai?
Me- Vashi
Lady-1: Maine Bola hai...(with a pointing index finger)... this means, she will occupy my seat once i get off the train.
Lady-2: the same thing..Lady-3: Again the samething..
During my intial days of travel, I tried to tell Lady 2 & Lady 3 that Lady 1 had said" Maine bola hai".... then i gave up... coz i would have to answer atleast 20 women... which was too much...
The above is a normal situation.....

After Siddhivinayak, I boarded the second class slow local from Dadar to Virar, I was on my way to office which is in Goregaon.
I was standing near the door, leaning to the sides of the door(This is a priced position in the Local, as one gets to lean on to something when pushed)

After a station or two, a lady approached me :Kaha pe utharna hai?
Me: Goregaon
Lady: Maine Bola hai...(With a pointing index finger)

I was confused, coz I was standing...

Me: Main tho Khadi hoon (with a puzzled look on my face)
Lady: haan, mujhe bhi khada hi rehna hai...

This was it, I was laughing all through the day..(Just in case somebody is reading,this will be difficult for people to understand who don't travel by mumbai trains..:-))

Who is RESPONSIBLE?

2007-09-25T10:40:00.000+05:30

I have not conducted any research or a study on this.....

This is something I feel very strongly about.

In the last few months I have been traveling from Navi Mumbai to Goregaon daily. This is what u call a "Mumbai Darshan" in short
All through the way amongst the four lane highways, flyovers and high-rise, I see the slums and the street dwellers.
People in the slums have a life. I am here to talk about the street dwellers.

At every traffic signal, one is encountered with children in the age group of 3-10 coming to you, either holding on to your feet begging for alms
or what you see is a mother with a baby - again begging for alms.

These street dwellers normally stay on these foot paths of highways.

On observing, you find that there is a family which includes a Man and a Woman and 7-8 children all in the age group of less than one year to 10 or 12years.

I feel extremely agitated that why do these people give birth when they cannot do justice to a new life?

On discussing my views with some of my friends, the justification as to why people give birth " is to make more breadwinners of the family". Is this a justification?

This is a very common sight in the streets of Mumbai. And if you ask me why am I writing about this, or what am i doing about it?

The answer is "Nothing

But there is something which the Government of India or the Health Authority of India can do is this....

Under the assumption that at least 75% of these women go to a local government hospital for delivery. Why cant the Doctor terminate the chances of future pregnancy after enquiring if the child is the third one or more....

This can be implemented as a Law, I am sure with our population booming in exponential we don't need more than 3 children per couple.

These are just my thoughts and it troubles me to see these kids begging in the rain....

BEHENJI!!!!

2007-09-24T23:58:00.001+05:30

These days my travelling to work is highly introspective in nature.

My journey starts in the first class compartment of Mumbai local train, (I would like to know the base reference from which they have derived (”FIRST CLASS”). I board the 7.49 local from Panvel to CST, I board in Vashi and alight at Chembur… The total journey time comprises of 14mins to be precise….
The compartment is filled with women who are rushing to work after their morning chores at home. I have a look at them and I can smell something burning, which happens to be my heart…

The cause for this burn is the dressing style, the clothes, and the hairstyle, and smartly dressed women & laptops and ear loops toooo Now, one may say, that is a stupid reason to be jealous off, coz I too have it all , except the rite curves at the rite places..
The impeccably fitting clothes, which hug close to their body, which define the vicissitudes of a women’s body, I seem to lack it all.
With this heavy heart I alight at Chembur, here I meet my collegues, who also are dressed as my first class compartment journey mates… Here my heart is on fire….. I start to hear voices, I concentrate to realize that these are voices of my collegues thoughts..

And in chorus I hear only one word”BEHENJI” and for those who think in English(who are very few in number in Mumbai) I hear “AUNTY”

Here begins my depressing day…

How long can u hold your breath?

2007-09-24T23:09:00.001+05:30

Visual Multiplication with Lines-Lateral Thinking

2007-09-24T22:57:00.000+05:30

Here's a way to multiply numbers in way most of you would have never done in your life. ! Taken from youtube.

Suppose you want to multiply 22 by 13.

(FOR 22 )Draw 2 lines slanted upward to the right, and then move downward to the right a short distance and draw another 2 lines upward to the right (see the magenta lines in Figure 1).

(FOR 13)Then draw 1 line slanted downward to the right, and then move upward to the right a short distance and draw another 3 lines slanted downward to the right (the cyan lines in Figure 1).

Now count up the number of intersection points in each corner of the figure.

The number of intersection points at left (green-shaded region) will be the first digit of the answer.

Sum the number of intersection points at the top and bottom of the square (in the blue-shaded region); this will be the middle digit of the answer.

The number of intersection points at right (in the yellow-shaded region) will be the last digit of the answer.
This will work to multiply any two two-digit numbers, but if any of the green, blue, gold sums have 10 or more points in them, be sure to carry the tens digit to the left, just as you would if you were adding.

A Beginning

2007-09-16T15:13:00.000+05:30

These days, everybody i meet seem to be blogging... so why not me..

So this is just a peek in to my own little window called "LIFE".

The routine, the ups & downs, the mind boggling, the stupid, the dumb, the happy, the sad(I'll leave that out of this space..coz there's no room for pondering over that part in my life), and last but not the least all those things i fail to understand in and around me...

This space is meant for penning it all down.....

Hope u get to c all the colours through my own little window....