Since the 4 of us (family) are hardly together, the moment brother announced his around new year's eve trip, we planned a little excursion to Shegaon (the karmabhumi of Gajanan Maharaj)
My views/thoughts about god are still evolving. Or so I think. And I have strictly no opinions about any religion. It always fails me why people get so instigated. To each his own I say, but then life/world would be too simple and there won't be any fun. For some. Anywhoo I digress.
What caught my eye the moment I stepped in the temple premises was the simplicity, the tidiness and the discipline. The darshan was arranged in such a way that it causes least problems to the bhakt. Even the wait in the queues (which are extremely well organized) seems easygoing on special days (like thursdays, weekends and public holidays).
Later baba (dad) and mama (mom's brother) told us that the Sansthan (organization) which takes care of all the temple related activities has remained free of politics for the past 100 years and more (since the time it came into being). So the management remains less cluttered. Everyone is given an equal opportunity as a visitor. There is no VIP treatment given to anyone. I think that is a win-win. When people know there is no option but to wait in the queues, patience and discipline don't remain obligatory. Moreover the sevaks (volunteers) who work there for free are people from nearby villages, who come there in groups and are trained. They are really polite, patient and helpful. Even the food that is served to the bhakt/visitors is made everyday on a fresh basis with no (its not an understatement) mess anywhere. The plates that we were served in and the vessels that we were served from were impeccably clean (From whatever my eyes could catch from the distance). The coupon, serving and sitting system are so efficient that there are hardly any questions to be raised. Even about the food quality. The entire transactions of the Sansthan run on a no profit-no loss basis, so costs for anything and everything are so less that the trip doesn't end up being a financial burden for the common man.
I was mighty impressed with all these facts streaming in. So its not that difficult to run an efficient organization on the basis of good values and with the help of people. This can definitely form a really great case study for management students. From where many of our administrators can also learn. May be. :)
~nightflier
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
the unfinished
Been quite a long time since I set myself a target.
Here's a list of books that I left unfinished/ started but lost interest midway/ just forgot about them after starting, thanks to the ever expanding library of my stanza app on the touch/ just like that.
1. second foundation (3rd book of the trilogy)
2. surely you are joking mr. feynman
3. a math book (the one which must not be named for fear of being called names :P)
4. art of war
5. othello (had started reading after vishal bharadwaj made them seem extremely interesting with his movies)
its 4 days to go for the year to end and I have 5 unfinished books at hand. Manageable right ?
I am doubtful about the math book since its not just reading I have to solve stuff and all. Anywhooo I am going to try. Plus I will be travelling for 2 days. Challenges! Love them! :P
Anything unfinished at your end which you don't want to carry over to the new year as a baggage ? :)
~nightflier
Here's a list of books that I left unfinished/ started but lost interest midway/ just forgot about them after starting, thanks to the ever expanding library of my stanza app on the touch/ just like that.
1. second foundation (3rd book of the trilogy)
2. surely you are joking mr. feynman
3. a math book (the one which must not be named for fear of being called names :P)
4. art of war
5. othello (had started reading after vishal bharadwaj made them seem extremely interesting with his movies)
its 4 days to go for the year to end and I have 5 unfinished books at hand. Manageable right ?
I am doubtful about the math book since its not just reading I have to solve stuff and all. Anywhooo I am going to try. Plus I will be travelling for 2 days. Challenges! Love them! :P
Anything unfinished at your end which you don't want to carry over to the new year as a baggage ? :)
~nightflier
Thursday, December 23, 2010
'GOA'ed
As one of the comments on my earlier posts said, Goa is a great way to end a phase and start a new one. Most of the times it would work.
I don't know if it has worked or is going to, but it feels great. I had actively stopped seeking answers to a lot of stuff and now things kind of seem fine to me. The anxiety, the restlessness, the lost feeling is somehow not nagging now. You know being with the flow and just doing routine things, sometimes one doesn't wonder but it does the magic. Like everyday's peaceful sleep ? Like being comfortable with oneself ? Like not exactly caring where the world is going and what it has come to, but being one with oneself ? Yes I am talking about the same feeling of warmth and cozyness you get, when you are eating king prawns recommended by a mallu uncle in a typical Goan shack! :)
And the joy of re-discovering new friendships in old ones ? Isn't that magical ? Maybe its the festive season or the place itself if so full of joy and happiness, that one does let go of one's inhibitions and conversations just flow. Or maybe the comforting feeling that one has a bunch of goofy friends to grow old with. :)
And clicking random snaps and video shooting whatever is possible, creating memories and capturing them as we move on. That's therapeutic too. The over the topness with all the posing and the smiles. :)
Oh and the binge drinking. Kamikaze shots as and how much one can take should be an 'at-least-once-an-year' ritual. :)
Even though one was just hopping towns and sight seeing like a whirlwind, Goa is extremely relaxing. It has an calming aftereffect. No wonder its so hyped! :)
And the realization that even though one loves the journey but doesn't really like the travelling. Maybe its time to slow down. Be Me.
~nightflier
P.S. I remember talking to a friend a month back. He bantered 'so when do you actually plan to start working?' And I had said very naively 'you know the best friend's wedding and then the goa trip..don't you think I should wait for the new year' :D to which I got the most human 'rolling eyes' I have ever seen!! :)
So moral of the story, may be its in the head..to end something and to start something new.. :)
I don't know if it has worked or is going to, but it feels great. I had actively stopped seeking answers to a lot of stuff and now things kind of seem fine to me. The anxiety, the restlessness, the lost feeling is somehow not nagging now. You know being with the flow and just doing routine things, sometimes one doesn't wonder but it does the magic. Like everyday's peaceful sleep ? Like being comfortable with oneself ? Like not exactly caring where the world is going and what it has come to, but being one with oneself ? Yes I am talking about the same feeling of warmth and cozyness you get, when you are eating king prawns recommended by a mallu uncle in a typical Goan shack! :)
 |
| at aguada fort |
And clicking random snaps and video shooting whatever is possible, creating memories and capturing them as we move on. That's therapeutic too. The over the topness with all the posing and the smiles. :)
Oh and the binge drinking. Kamikaze shots as and how much one can take should be an 'at-least-once-an-year' ritual. :)
Even though one was just hopping towns and sight seeing like a whirlwind, Goa is extremely relaxing. It has an calming aftereffect. No wonder its so hyped! :)
And the realization that even though one loves the journey but doesn't really like the travelling. Maybe its time to slow down. Be Me.
~nightflier
P.S. I remember talking to a friend a month back. He bantered 'so when do you actually plan to start working?' And I had said very naively 'you know the best friend's wedding and then the goa trip..don't you think I should wait for the new year' :D to which I got the most human 'rolling eyes' I have ever seen!! :)
So moral of the story, may be its in the head..to end something and to start something new.. :)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
updates
* Harry potter and the deathly hallows part I sucked!!! What's with making up for the gist of the story, the main philosophy by great locales and cinematography? It is fast, the narration is crisp, but you totally forget to mention the main sub plots? Its like eating a pani puri without the aaloo-chaat stuffed in between. Such acts should not be condoned. Not at least by people who read the book.
Not my forte to be this harsh or critical about something, but I am seriously hoping that part II makes up for all the disasters, expectations-wise.
* It is weird how old love changes. 2 years back if you had asked me if there was any place I wanted to be, it would have been Pune. Today I roam through the city and I see change everywhere. Old buildings are gone and malls are in. Specially the area I am residing in seems like its filled with cliches. I am not yet repulsed by 'all this change' but I am turned off.
* I dont think the questions 'so what do you like better, India or US' or 'so do you miss US (or do you miss India)' can have any definite answers. Its difficult to live in the moment, specially if you dont have a job and spend all time with your own sweet company. So there are times when I wish to be really teleported to the michigan lakeside. Same holds true for Indian things/stuff/places I used to miss or wished to be at when I was in US. Trying to like the best that every place has to offer and constantly keeping oneself in the moment is tough. It needs the right attitude and then I guess one doesn't really wish for things one doesn't have/can't have at that moment. Genuine 'missing' is human nature. That explains why I used to dress up at home and cook good food for myself for the weddings I missed in the past 2 years. That also explains why I am not missing any friend's wedding/socializing opportunity I can attend.
* And I do think as each one of us has the right to be happy, at the same time situations make it difficult sometimes. Sometimes decisions have to be taken because of the situations we get caught in. Situations always affect us in some way or other. Whether to let the circumstances change one is a personal call then. I have seen lots of friends/people around change. I don't judge them. But many of them have stopped believing in their dreams and losing touch with what they really want. And I could not compel them to be any more selfish or really not get pressured by circumstances to do something they would not be happy with in future. I really hope for some magical powers in such situations. *Some*
* Least expectations is the best way out of any situation. Period.
* I cannot wait for 2010 to get over. I know it sounds escapist, but this has been the most uncertain year so far. (coming from a person who lives by uncertainty) I am planning to start 2011 with some radical changes. 2010 get over soon! Pretty please ? [as a matter of fact the coming weekend will be spent in goa, I hope 2010 of my life feels good about itself now!]
~nightflier
Not my forte to be this harsh or critical about something, but I am seriously hoping that part II makes up for all the disasters, expectations-wise.
* It is weird how old love changes. 2 years back if you had asked me if there was any place I wanted to be, it would have been Pune. Today I roam through the city and I see change everywhere. Old buildings are gone and malls are in. Specially the area I am residing in seems like its filled with cliches. I am not yet repulsed by 'all this change' but I am turned off.
* I dont think the questions 'so what do you like better, India or US' or 'so do you miss US (or do you miss India)' can have any definite answers. Its difficult to live in the moment, specially if you dont have a job and spend all time with your own sweet company. So there are times when I wish to be really teleported to the michigan lakeside. Same holds true for Indian things/stuff/places I used to miss or wished to be at when I was in US. Trying to like the best that every place has to offer and constantly keeping oneself in the moment is tough. It needs the right attitude and then I guess one doesn't really wish for things one doesn't have/can't have at that moment. Genuine 'missing' is human nature. That explains why I used to dress up at home and cook good food for myself for the weddings I missed in the past 2 years. That also explains why I am not missing any friend's wedding/socializing opportunity I can attend.
* And I do think as each one of us has the right to be happy, at the same time situations make it difficult sometimes. Sometimes decisions have to be taken because of the situations we get caught in. Situations always affect us in some way or other. Whether to let the circumstances change one is a personal call then. I have seen lots of friends/people around change. I don't judge them. But many of them have stopped believing in their dreams and losing touch with what they really want. And I could not compel them to be any more selfish or really not get pressured by circumstances to do something they would not be happy with in future. I really hope for some magical powers in such situations. *Some*
* Least expectations is the best way out of any situation. Period.
* I cannot wait for 2010 to get over. I know it sounds escapist, but this has been the most uncertain year so far. (coming from a person who lives by uncertainty) I am planning to start 2011 with some radical changes. 2010 get over soon! Pretty please ? [as a matter of fact the coming weekend will be spent in goa, I hope 2010 of my life feels good about itself now!]
~nightflier
Saturday, December 4, 2010
un-tag me please?
So the most annoying question doing the rounds these days (owe it to the high levels of socializing) is 'Oh so you lived in the US for 2 years ?? Doesn't feel like it!' (mostly followed by a smirk, I like to imagine that its a smile of appreciation, but how much can one fool one's pretty sharp brain ?)
I proudly admit that I stayed there for 2 years and don't have the usual accent issues, don't like to show off that I am a foreign returned for that matter even foreign educated, like it if the limelight isn't on me all the time.
And I am super duper mighty proud of the fact that I returned to work here. Of course those who read the blog know that, I would have loved to work there, thinking of the education loa(d)n and fulfilling all other small desires. But I am happy that with my adaptability and flexibility reducing a little, I took the decision earlier than later.
And for my own knowledge I would really like to know how one is supposed to behave/act to make sure that one looks/feels like a foreign returned ?
But for all the irritating people stated above, I would really like them to see my fiercely independent side, may be that will prove a lot of things! :P
Anywhooo, moral of the story is for the sake of gossip its ok to attach tags to people, but constantly expecting that tag like behavior is kind of stupid.
~nightflier
I proudly admit that I stayed there for 2 years and don't have the usual accent issues, don't like to show off that I am a foreign returned for that matter even foreign educated, like it if the limelight isn't on me all the time.
And I am super duper mighty proud of the fact that I returned to work here. Of course those who read the blog know that, I would have loved to work there, thinking of the education loa(d)n and fulfilling all other small desires. But I am happy that with my adaptability and flexibility reducing a little, I took the decision earlier than later.
And for my own knowledge I would really like to know how one is supposed to behave/act to make sure that one looks/feels like a foreign returned ?
But for all the irritating people stated above, I would really like them to see my fiercely independent side, may be that will prove a lot of things! :P
Anywhooo, moral of the story is for the sake of gossip its ok to attach tags to people, but constantly expecting that tag like behavior is kind of stupid.
~nightflier
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
:-O :-O
read this as a friend's status on facebook!!!!!
"India is poor but Indians are not poor" says one of the Swiss bank directors.
He says that "280 Lac Crore" of Indian money is deposited in Swiss banks which can be used for 'tax less' budget for 30 yrs. Can give 60 crore jobs to all Indians. From any village to Delhi 4 lane roads. Forever free power supply to more than 500 social projects. Every citizen can get monthly 2000/- for 60 yrs.
I guess its time for us to become the super power that we are tauted as!
~nightflier
"India is poor but Indians are not poor" says one of the Swiss bank directors.
He says that "280 Lac Crore" of Indian money is deposited in Swiss banks which can be used for 'tax less' budget for 30 yrs. Can give 60 crore jobs to all Indians. From any village to Delhi 4 lane roads. Forever free power supply to more than 500 social projects. Every citizen can get monthly 2000/- for 60 yrs.
I guess its time for us to become the super power that we are tauted as!
~nightflier
the best friend's wedding - III
ended yesterday. Amidst fun, frolick, yummy food, really grand banquet hall, nice clothes, very less formality, meeting friends, gossip sessions, saree watching, aunty talks, running around the bride, and a few jitters. :)
I wore saree for more than 15 hours and that's a record of my lifetime. I like them but I have to teach my body to behave like a lady and not be the usual jumpy, happy me. But I managed well. that too with heels and toe nails painted! Was super fun to prance around holding the saree, and balancing the heels!
And I got to meet and spend time with all the wonderful family of the bride after 5 years. That made me a happy baby!
We danced during the mehendi ceremony. What fun! Thank you ipod touch for being so helpful and productive for that impromptu decision. It was all possible because of your portability, invisible-ness, ease of control and compatibility with all kinds of speakers!
We also got loads of bangles for us during the chudi-bharana rasam (bangle putting ceremony ?). I think I like bangles for the sounds they make and the reflections and the dazzle!
And I now have mehendi (henna) on both hands. In really dark shades of brown. I am obsessed with mehendi and have devised many-a-ways of not letting it fade for the longest possible time since childhood.
To add to all this the successful surprise of getting a friend from chennai for the wedding! It was slightly filmy as we cried when we met. Tears of joy! I was also crowned the official surprise queen owing to the number of them I have been part of in planning and execution. But after executing this one after keeping the information to very few people for more than a month I was literally feeling empty stomach! I swear. (A day before the actual event I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I started telling almost everyone around about what we were planning. Thankfully 'everyone' did not involve the bride).
Oh, and the bride was looking like a doll and really pretty in all the functions and in all costumes. I cannot post pics though.
~nightflier
I wore saree for more than 15 hours and that's a record of my lifetime. I like them but I have to teach my body to behave like a lady and not be the usual jumpy, happy me. But I managed well. that too with heels and toe nails painted! Was super fun to prance around holding the saree, and balancing the heels!
And I got to meet and spend time with all the wonderful family of the bride after 5 years. That made me a happy baby!
We danced during the mehendi ceremony. What fun! Thank you ipod touch for being so helpful and productive for that impromptu decision. It was all possible because of your portability, invisible-ness, ease of control and compatibility with all kinds of speakers!
We also got loads of bangles for us during the chudi-bharana rasam (bangle putting ceremony ?). I think I like bangles for the sounds they make and the reflections and the dazzle!
And I now have mehendi (henna) on both hands. In really dark shades of brown. I am obsessed with mehendi and have devised many-a-ways of not letting it fade for the longest possible time since childhood.
To add to all this the successful surprise of getting a friend from chennai for the wedding! It was slightly filmy as we cried when we met. Tears of joy! I was also crowned the official surprise queen owing to the number of them I have been part of in planning and execution. But after executing this one after keeping the information to very few people for more than a month I was literally feeling empty stomach! I swear. (A day before the actual event I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I started telling almost everyone around about what we were planning. Thankfully 'everyone' did not involve the bride).
Oh, and the bride was looking like a doll and really pretty in all the functions and in all costumes. I cannot post pics though.
~nightflier
Saturday, November 27, 2010
the best friend's wedding - II
Post the shopping blues we started with the bride's grooming and packing. A week back we had a little fashion parade where she dress rehearsed for all the functions. Thereby making a huge pile of the stuff which needed altering, modifications, clarifications - we were confused how to wear a ghagra saree with peculiar design issues. So moral of the story such stories happen if you have shopped for you wedding 6 months in advance owing to living in US. Anywho these were minor issues compared to what lay ahead (exaggerating for gasps :P)
Oh and do you guys know how painful it can be to not know a lot of shopping places, those precious corner shops in the city one grew up in ? Well I hope you don't. Because the both of us were literally clueless when we needed to get matching bangle sets done. Anyways we got things done after 3 hours of hard work and arguments with each other and bangle lady. The bangle lady was obviously better equipped than us with respect to experience so we let her win all the arguments as long as we got what we wanted. We are smart that way!
And today came the time to pack the bag for the d-day. Indian weddings are elaborate. We have loads of functions strewn around the actual ceremony and almost all require a costume change. So knowing what the bride is wearing and making sure it is in place with all the matching sets and in the proper order was a pretty huge task. But our ability to crack jokes, induce double entendre s where not needed and internal jokes about stuff proved a lot helpful! Plus aunty's pampering with herbal tea and other snacks kept us going. And while we were busy packing the bride's bag, the ladies were packing the 'rukhawant/shagun'. Mighty impressed with all the creativity and efforts that they put into making things look so beautiful.
The wedding is 3 days away and I can already feel the butterflies. Of course there will be jitters, some chaos, a lot of running around. But that's what makes the big fat Indian wedding, right ? :)
~nightflier
Oh and do you guys know how painful it can be to not know a lot of shopping places, those precious corner shops in the city one grew up in ? Well I hope you don't. Because the both of us were literally clueless when we needed to get matching bangle sets done. Anyways we got things done after 3 hours of hard work and arguments with each other and bangle lady. The bangle lady was obviously better equipped than us with respect to experience so we let her win all the arguments as long as we got what we wanted. We are smart that way!
And today came the time to pack the bag for the d-day. Indian weddings are elaborate. We have loads of functions strewn around the actual ceremony and almost all require a costume change. So knowing what the bride is wearing and making sure it is in place with all the matching sets and in the proper order was a pretty huge task. But our ability to crack jokes, induce double entendre s where not needed and internal jokes about stuff proved a lot helpful! Plus aunty's pampering with herbal tea and other snacks kept us going. And while we were busy packing the bride's bag, the ladies were packing the 'rukhawant/shagun'. Mighty impressed with all the creativity and efforts that they put into making things look so beautiful.
The wedding is 3 days away and I can already feel the butterflies. Of course there will be jitters, some chaos, a lot of running around. But that's what makes the big fat Indian wedding, right ? :)
~nightflier
Thursday, November 25, 2010
the best friend's wedding - I
Pre.S. I have many best friends, who entered my life (and I also entered their life) at different phases. This is one of the oldest!
I know KT since bachpan, first standard to be clear. We were in the same 'group', childhood groupism was more about eating lunches together, playing any game as a team, sitting together in all the school functions, and also in the scholarship class. And then we changed schools and kept on meeting on and off until we got into coep where we studied together for another 4 years. So you get the gist that how old and long the friendship is. I can get to business now, right ? :-)
So missy is getting married in a week and the fun has just begun! I would start off this series with my own shopping woes. I am attending and hence preparing for a wedding on such a large scale (include 6 different functions) after 4-5 years. Deciding on what to wear to actually getting that stuff has been a really tough job. I roamed around Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur to buy myself a decent saree. Mumbai was too designer for me and Pune looked all de-glamorized after my brain registered the Mumbai dazzle. In the end I resorted to Nagpur as I did not really have an option. Oh but saree buying business doesn't really end at saree, does it ? Getting it picco-fall-ed, buying the petticoat, getting the blouse stitched with all the designs and keedas one wants to do and making sure it all fits well and is accessorized properly. uuufffffff.....
During the entire process at one point my friends were really frustrated with me as I would not buy or even shortlist even a single saree/dress. I applaud your patience girls for not giving up on me! As I do have at least 2 costumes ready! :D
Considering how choosy I have become with buying stuff, I really miss hostel days, when you would just spread the word that you were looking for 'some''thing' and you would get a range of that 'some''thing' to choose from! But guess a girl has to grow up and get her own wardrobe upto-date to be able to lend stuff to other girls in a different situation. That's my only motivating factor and plus the fact that I have become this fussy converting all the ideas in her head to reality person!
So my wardrobe is looking pretty decent now with most of the costumes ready. More on the actual wedding coming soon.
Parting song of the moment - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8OOWcsFj0U
~nightflier
P.S. While cruising on Santacruz roads we came across this very amazing bag shop which housed all kinds of bags - designer to daily use. They had a really pretty collection of clutches. The way we indulged in binge bag shopping the owner was mighty impressed. Here's the link for the same. - http://www.sunbeams.in/Index.html
They also take online orders, but the shop has a better collection than online store, so must visit
I know KT since bachpan, first standard to be clear. We were in the same 'group', childhood groupism was more about eating lunches together, playing any game as a team, sitting together in all the school functions, and also in the scholarship class. And then we changed schools and kept on meeting on and off until we got into coep where we studied together for another 4 years. So you get the gist that how old and long the friendship is. I can get to business now, right ? :-)
So missy is getting married in a week and the fun has just begun! I would start off this series with my own shopping woes. I am attending and hence preparing for a wedding on such a large scale (include 6 different functions) after 4-5 years. Deciding on what to wear to actually getting that stuff has been a really tough job. I roamed around Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur to buy myself a decent saree. Mumbai was too designer for me and Pune looked all de-glamorized after my brain registered the Mumbai dazzle. In the end I resorted to Nagpur as I did not really have an option. Oh but saree buying business doesn't really end at saree, does it ? Getting it picco-fall-ed, buying the petticoat, getting the blouse stitched with all the designs and keedas one wants to do and making sure it all fits well and is accessorized properly. uuufffffff.....
During the entire process at one point my friends were really frustrated with me as I would not buy or even shortlist even a single saree/dress. I applaud your patience girls for not giving up on me! As I do have at least 2 costumes ready! :D
Considering how choosy I have become with buying stuff, I really miss hostel days, when you would just spread the word that you were looking for 'some''thing' and you would get a range of that 'some''thing' to choose from! But guess a girl has to grow up and get her own wardrobe upto-date to be able to lend stuff to other girls in a different situation. That's my only motivating factor and plus the fact that I have become this fussy converting all the ideas in her head to reality person!
So my wardrobe is looking pretty decent now with most of the costumes ready. More on the actual wedding coming soon.
Parting song of the moment - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8OOWcsFj0U
~nightflier
P.S. While cruising on Santacruz roads we came across this very amazing bag shop which housed all kinds of bags - designer to daily use. They had a really pretty collection of clutches. The way we indulged in binge bag shopping the owner was mighty impressed. Here's the link for the same. - http://www.sunbeams.in/Index.html
They also take online orders, but the shop has a better collection than online store, so must visit
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The birthday post!
Birthdays excite me! Yes crossing the silver line has got nothing to do with the fact that I should grow up and act all mature about birthdays. It will take time.
But this birthday was slightly different with the energy levels. With the numerous shopping trips for the best friend's wedding I was super duper tired and slept at 10 the day before my birthday. A slightly sad thought of switching off the mobile and dozing off also crossed my mind. In the dilemma the sweetest thing happened. 2 of my ex-colleagues called up from Singapore. They sang the besura happy birthday song (it was our trademark during office days) and we chatted about all the sundry stuff under the roof. Got nostalgic, gossiped about managers, colleagues and made promises to meet soon. One of the guys gets married next month, and in my happy haze I promised him that I would attend the function. See, I am pretty easygoing - in the happiness high I can promise you almost anything. But I would really like to attend the wedding. My social quotient is running really high nowadays and all this catching up, lets meet, get togethers, I am finding very attractive! So there, with the chatty call I was awake again and took few more calls until I rested off my old body.
And then this friend who very well knows I expect him to call on birthday and not before or after (I can be dramatic about such things) called up an hour before saying he was sure he would not find time later. So we ended up arguing with each other until sense prevailed and I accepted the wishes and he admitted he was PMSing. Hormones I tell you are a b***h. Guys should also take iron tablets, for general health! Anyways I dearly wish that whatever caused his hormones to spike has been gotten rid of!
And then the birthday morning was spent in calls. A school friend was the first one to wish on facebook, where to everyone's dismay the birthday is unlisted. We connected on fb after 6 years and she still remembered and wished. So there, the birthday will remain unlisted.
Aai asked me to avoid going out and hence I was restricted to great food and phone calls. Later I argued with Aai that how we should go out to eat to save her all the kitchen trouble. She simply said you have been eating out all these years so go for a change. Obviously her argument was better. So Idli Sambhar and Moong ka halwa made my day scrumptilicious! Aai is the bestestestestest!
In a way I know that there is no need for any drama and think that people should think about me and call me on birthday and wish. I can bet that there are people who think about me more than only on my birthday and wish all good things for me. But drama makes life fun, no ? The joy of anticipation is great! And as far as I am concerned it wont fade for years to come! :D
~nightflier
But this birthday was slightly different with the energy levels. With the numerous shopping trips for the best friend's wedding I was super duper tired and slept at 10 the day before my birthday. A slightly sad thought of switching off the mobile and dozing off also crossed my mind. In the dilemma the sweetest thing happened. 2 of my ex-colleagues called up from Singapore. They sang the besura happy birthday song (it was our trademark during office days) and we chatted about all the sundry stuff under the roof. Got nostalgic, gossiped about managers, colleagues and made promises to meet soon. One of the guys gets married next month, and in my happy haze I promised him that I would attend the function. See, I am pretty easygoing - in the happiness high I can promise you almost anything. But I would really like to attend the wedding. My social quotient is running really high nowadays and all this catching up, lets meet, get togethers, I am finding very attractive! So there, with the chatty call I was awake again and took few more calls until I rested off my old body.
And then this friend who very well knows I expect him to call on birthday and not before or after (I can be dramatic about such things) called up an hour before saying he was sure he would not find time later. So we ended up arguing with each other until sense prevailed and I accepted the wishes and he admitted he was PMSing. Hormones I tell you are a b***h. Guys should also take iron tablets, for general health! Anyways I dearly wish that whatever caused his hormones to spike has been gotten rid of!
And then the birthday morning was spent in calls. A school friend was the first one to wish on facebook, where to everyone's dismay the birthday is unlisted. We connected on fb after 6 years and she still remembered and wished. So there, the birthday will remain unlisted.
Aai asked me to avoid going out and hence I was restricted to great food and phone calls. Later I argued with Aai that how we should go out to eat to save her all the kitchen trouble. She simply said you have been eating out all these years so go for a change. Obviously her argument was better. So Idli Sambhar and Moong ka halwa made my day scrumptilicious! Aai is the bestestestestest!
In a way I know that there is no need for any drama and think that people should think about me and call me on birthday and wish. I can bet that there are people who think about me more than only on my birthday and wish all good things for me. But drama makes life fun, no ? The joy of anticipation is great! And as far as I am concerned it wont fade for years to come! :D
~nightflier
Sunday, November 21, 2010
of aaji, mamas and mamis
Since childhood we have had this tradition of meeting both sides of the family at least once an year. With baba's side all being pretty elderly and now family sizes growing with cousins getting married, and everyone dispersing and settling down, the meets are now normally confined to big family functions like weddings. Otherwise normally it used to be summers. With aai's side everyone being relatively younger and 2 of my mama's residing in the same house, the meets happen often. But with us (me and brother) growing up and moving away for education and jobs, for us the meets happen around Diwali. So this post is basically about the mother's side and the meets. The father's side and their stories for sometime later.
[Sometimes I have this compulsive need to be fair. I am pretty sure no one would have cared if the stories from father's side come or not! :D]
Ok one more fact, both sides of family are INTO food. They love cooking and indulging in the same.
So when my mama (mom's brother) saw me after more than an year, he was awed that how I am surviving by eating air - literal translation for hawa khana (remember I am infamously skinny). There are really few people with whom I don't really mind the banter on weight issues and who don't take things personally. So we immediately made plans to feed me. It started with the doodhwala, who brought us the most delicious homemade malaai wala dahi (curds). Apparently this guy has his own cow-farm and gets such delicacies on a regular basis. No wonder people go ga-ga about small towns and the fringe benefits.
I also ate with my mama in the same thali (plate) after ages! Normally I do have a habit of sharing my plate with baba at home, sometimes aai, little cousins who normally throw tantrums but eat well when sharing with an elder taai (sister), Rinku during hostel days and also when I recently visited her. It felt so wonderful to not start at the tv and eat but have a conversation with mami (mama's wife) pampering over us by serving piping hot chapatis and aaji (mom's mother) fussing over how I should eat this and then that. To tell the truth I couldn't take so much attention on a daily basis but it felt blissful during these 2 days!! :-)
We decided to make crab curry in the evening, but owing to my novice in cooking crabs, it was decided that we buy the crabs and get the curry done from someone. Now isn't this the most amazing way of cooking! :D
It was my second time eating crabs. Boy! it was such a hard work. We all were having dinner for like 1.5 hours! It seemed never ending. But crabs are the tastiest non-veg food ever! Worth all the efforts.
But the highlight of the trip was the barbequed chicken curry that we made today! Shaukeen that my mamas are, they have a chullah (a movable one unlike in the pic) in the first story backyard. In their old house they had a permanent one and I can tell you stories about how we cousins used to fight over who should fire it and who should sit by it or help aajoba roast eggplants/papad. The connoisseurs of Indian food can appreciate the importance of the chullah and the taste food cooked on it gets.And even if you haven't eaten anything cooked on it I can guarantee you that its very different and super tasty! So our grand preparations started with getting the masala (blend of spices) right! We decided to go all rustic and be minimalistic with stuff and depend on the chullah's magical cooking for the taste! So we used all basic spices like daalchini, black pepper, badi ilaaychi, cloves first roasted with onions, dhaniya and dried coconut and then ground in a coarse paste. Firing the chullah and getting the right flame was the toughest task. Took us 15 minutes to make sure the flame was getting evenly spread and was not too smoky. Aai also helped us in coating a layer of wet soil over the cooking pan to make sure it does not burn. We roasted the masala in sufficient oil for almost 30-45 minutes, with a sprinkle of water from time to time (to make sure the masala did not burn or stick to the pan). Then the chicken was added and we let it cook for another 30-35 minutes, with occasional mixing and stirring. Then copious amount of water was added to get the not too thick gravy. Getting that consistency right is proof that how close one gets to the minimal and rustic theme. End results were super delicious! All worth the hard work. (again have no pics to share :-/)
And thus my hog-till-you-get-tired weekend came to an end. I have realized eating great food is *happiness*. And if you have the most jolly, fun, sarcastic company then the ride just gets better!
~nightflier
[Sometimes I have this compulsive need to be fair. I am pretty sure no one would have cared if the stories from father's side come or not! :D]
Ok one more fact, both sides of family are INTO food. They love cooking and indulging in the same.
So when my mama (mom's brother) saw me after more than an year, he was awed that how I am surviving by eating air - literal translation for hawa khana (remember I am infamously skinny). There are really few people with whom I don't really mind the banter on weight issues and who don't take things personally. So we immediately made plans to feed me. It started with the doodhwala, who brought us the most delicious homemade malaai wala dahi (curds). Apparently this guy has his own cow-farm and gets such delicacies on a regular basis. No wonder people go ga-ga about small towns and the fringe benefits.
I also ate with my mama in the same thali (plate) after ages! Normally I do have a habit of sharing my plate with baba at home, sometimes aai, little cousins who normally throw tantrums but eat well when sharing with an elder taai (sister), Rinku during hostel days and also when I recently visited her. It felt so wonderful to not start at the tv and eat but have a conversation with mami (mama's wife) pampering over us by serving piping hot chapatis and aaji (mom's mother) fussing over how I should eat this and then that. To tell the truth I couldn't take so much attention on a daily basis but it felt blissful during these 2 days!! :-)
We decided to make crab curry in the evening, but owing to my novice in cooking crabs, it was decided that we buy the crabs and get the curry done from someone. Now isn't this the most amazing way of cooking! :D
It was my second time eating crabs. Boy! it was such a hard work. We all were having dinner for like 1.5 hours! It seemed never ending. But crabs are the tastiest non-veg food ever! Worth all the efforts.
 |
| I feel kind of foolish not to have take a pic of the original one. *courtesy - google |
And thus my hog-till-you-get-tired weekend came to an end. I have realized eating great food is *happiness*. And if you have the most jolly, fun, sarcastic company then the ride just gets better!
~nightflier
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Nothing much to say...
Life is often funny. For most of my 2 years in the US, I craved to be surrounded by friends (more) and family (occasionally). Everyone amongst them being supportive of me and my decisions, really stood by me. But you know how it is. Things do fade out as time goes on. Specially once the hard realization that one needs to make a life for oneself where one resides dawns, one eventually starts drifting apart. The people in the outermost orbits start moving away first. Number of people with whom you can actually chat (without the usual 'wassup' 'doing great' fakeness) starts diminishing day by day (I still go on gtalk just to chat with this one particular friend). And thanks for the energy and time you put in, some timeless bonds never fade/break away. So with all these not-so-happy realizations, when I had finally moved to the state of acceptance to really make a good life for myself in US, all the instabilities beckoned.
First losing the job, then dwindling finances, where to live after the lease gets over, maintaining status, whether to do some work which I don't want to do - at that time the list was overwhelming. Every night I slept thinking tomorrow I would have answers for at least one of these. (thankfully nothing of that sort happened). The most I dreaded was not having my own place to live. Even though I shared my flat with someone, I called it home. I liked the idea that I had set that place up, according to my taste. I hated the idea of selling my table, chair, bike, giving away small sweet nothings I had acquired over time, to part ways with my books and my mini library. Aren't these small little things that really bind you to a place and call it a home ? Maybe for some its the people who make a place like home. For me its more about having one's own space.
I cringed at the thought of being homeless. Nonetheless, my friends were kind enough to let me live with them, after my lease got over and until I arrived at a decision. Thus I spent 1.5 months in Dallas, few days with my ex-roommate, and some more with friends/acquaintances. I am not belittling them, but I have always craved for my space. I think almost 2 years living on your own does that to you.
I think now I have lived through my another worst fear. I know how it feels like not having one's own space, a place to call home. This is the only way I can overcome the inertia and get some motivation to venture out again and do something worthwhile (but not just sit and write silly blog posts). The sense of adventure needs to be awakened. Got any more triggers ?
~nightflier
First losing the job, then dwindling finances, where to live after the lease gets over, maintaining status, whether to do some work which I don't want to do - at that time the list was overwhelming. Every night I slept thinking tomorrow I would have answers for at least one of these. (thankfully nothing of that sort happened). The most I dreaded was not having my own place to live. Even though I shared my flat with someone, I called it home. I liked the idea that I had set that place up, according to my taste. I hated the idea of selling my table, chair, bike, giving away small sweet nothings I had acquired over time, to part ways with my books and my mini library. Aren't these small little things that really bind you to a place and call it a home ? Maybe for some its the people who make a place like home. For me its more about having one's own space.
I cringed at the thought of being homeless. Nonetheless, my friends were kind enough to let me live with them, after my lease got over and until I arrived at a decision. Thus I spent 1.5 months in Dallas, few days with my ex-roommate, and some more with friends/acquaintances. I am not belittling them, but I have always craved for my space. I think almost 2 years living on your own does that to you.
I think now I have lived through my another worst fear. I know how it feels like not having one's own space, a place to call home. This is the only way I can overcome the inertia and get some motivation to venture out again and do something worthwhile (but not just sit and write silly blog posts). The sense of adventure needs to be awakened. Got any more triggers ?
~nightflier
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Happy Diwali!!
So after much prodding from aai-baba I finally indulged in some retail therapy. I am not a 'crowd' person. I mean I like the fact that India has so many people, but its more like a distant love. So when with a grumbling stomach, tired feet, sore back, drowsy eyes I approached my last target 'the bhajiwali bai' (literal translation - vegetable selling lady), I was kind of relieved to be the only customer at her stall. As I started picking my tomatoes, her son came along and started complaining 'how she had not bought him canvass shoes this diwali and she should take him to Buldi (a really busy market place in town)'.
To this the mother replied 'main is shehar mein pali badhi lekin aaj tak buldi nahi gayi, kitni bheed hoti hai waha!' (I have spent my entire life in this city but have not been to the crowded Buldi). 'mujhe waha ki bheed se darr lagta hai' (I am scared of the crowds there). 'Hum pass wale dukaan mein jaayenge, waha bhi sab achcha milta hai' (we will go to the nearby store and buy you nice shoes).
I smiled at her and she started laughing. Guess we both had realized it is kind of lame to not like crowds when you are constantly surrounded by one! But I was glad that it was not a ME specific thing anymore. There are perfectly normal people who have similar quirks like mine. [There are days when I specifically go out in the afternoons considering not many people shop during those hours. But this being the festive season I don't blame anyone.]
On this note wish you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali! :) :)
lots of lights!
~nightflier
To this the mother replied 'main is shehar mein pali badhi lekin aaj tak buldi nahi gayi, kitni bheed hoti hai waha!' (I have spent my entire life in this city but have not been to the crowded Buldi). 'mujhe waha ki bheed se darr lagta hai' (I am scared of the crowds there). 'Hum pass wale dukaan mein jaayenge, waha bhi sab achcha milta hai' (we will go to the nearby store and buy you nice shoes).
I smiled at her and she started laughing. Guess we both had realized it is kind of lame to not like crowds when you are constantly surrounded by one! But I was glad that it was not a ME specific thing anymore. There are perfectly normal people who have similar quirks like mine. [There are days when I specifically go out in the afternoons considering not many people shop during those hours. But this being the festive season I don't blame anyone.]
On this note wish you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali! :) :)
lots of lights!
~nightflier
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Rules of engagement
Today while making my way to my aunt's place through hordes of traffic a really strange thought struck me.
I observed there are some people who look pretty focussed with proper attention to things happening around them while riding/driving as if things are really well mapped out inside their brain. I also observed another way to ride/drive is by the second guess system. You look for where people are going such that you can decide which way to take, how they are going so that you can maintain your speeds accordingly.
Isn't it synonymous to life ? You can either be the rider/driver out there who knows where he wants to go and gets there no matter what or be the second guesser who acts anticipating others' actions.
So which rider/driver are you ?
~nightflier
P.S. I hereby declare that I love public transport :D
P.P.S. A friend had given me similar life-football (soccer) analogy a while back..maybe that's why it struck me now :P
I observed there are some people who look pretty focussed with proper attention to things happening around them while riding/driving as if things are really well mapped out inside their brain. I also observed another way to ride/drive is by the second guess system. You look for where people are going such that you can decide which way to take, how they are going so that you can maintain your speeds accordingly.
Isn't it synonymous to life ? You can either be the rider/driver out there who knows where he wants to go and gets there no matter what or be the second guesser who acts anticipating others' actions.
So which rider/driver are you ?
~nightflier
P.S. I hereby declare that I love public transport :D
P.P.S. A friend had given me similar life-football (soccer) analogy a while back..maybe that's why it struck me now :P
Friday, October 29, 2010
Hum aapke hain kaun and after that...
It doesn't take much to make me nostalgic. Sometimes even a song playing on the radio or aai's cooking is enough! (Sometimes I think I get it from my parents, as they keep on talking about their childhood a lot!)
So when I get down to write about Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the 2 icons of my childhood, I am not sure how to articulate. But I am going to ramble nevertheless.
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (HAHK) released when I was in 5th standard. From whatever few promos that Chitrahaar/super hit muqabla (DD National ?)/all the best (DD metro) used to air I had made secret pacts with myself that I have to make aai-baba take me for this one! I think as a 10 year old only Madhuri Dixit, the playful banter between her and Salman, the amazing music appealed to my sensibilities. As things turned out my Mavshi (mom's sister) got engaged to be married the same year. The wedding was planned for summer and most of such family entertainers (I had no clue of this term then) released in India in summers. So during the release time we were going to be super busy with the wedding preparations and shopping. The movie was a smash hit everywhere! It was almost impossible to be able to watch the movie before school started. Biggest worry on my mind was 'how would I bear my friends who had already watched the movie!' (yes brutally honest, thats being a 10 year old for you!)
Then a really cute thing happened. Once on a shopping trip my kaka (aunt's then fiance) suggested that we all go for this movie. Unfortunately we got only 2 tickets. And don't know how but me and Mavshi ended up in the theater! God's miracle ? :D
This is just the story of how god saved me from the disgrace of not watching the most amazing movie of my childhood. The re-runs kept on happening. Every time it felt like a special experience. It left me awed. Madhuri, Salman, Lakshmikant Berde, Renuka Shahane, and all the ensemble star cast still feels like family to me. All these memories came rushing while watching it for the gazillionth time on tv today! Thankfully I am not the only mad person around to love the movie so much. It is always fun to discuss all these memories and tiny tit-bits of trivia with fellow hahk lovers.
For posterity I am going to share some seemingly stupid stories related to the same movie.
The same year I read an article in a newspaper about Madhuri Dixit which also had her address at the end of it. I immediately drafted a letter for her birthday (sometime in May I guess?) and sent it to the said address. If it was the true address, if it was ever received and read by her remain a mystery. Devil may care. But there! I have shared it on the blog and am now open to judgments!
In school gathering the next year we performed a dance on 'Maye na maye'. Our school had this weird rule of allowing only decent hindi movie songs. Dunno how one can decide that. Anywhooo for all the girls involved the highest point of the extravaganza was getting to wear Madhuri Dixit style Ghagra! The endless practice sessions, getting the expressions like MD, dress rehearsals!
All these very happy memories are attached to the movie in a way. May be that's why despite its much approved and acclaimed greatness, its still so dear to me. I shall leave KKHH for some other time. Got any such childhood connections ? Remember nostalgia is very much welcome on this blog :)
~nightflier
So when I get down to write about Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the 2 icons of my childhood, I am not sure how to articulate. But I am going to ramble nevertheless.
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (HAHK) released when I was in 5th standard. From whatever few promos that Chitrahaar/super hit muqabla (DD National ?)/all the best (DD metro) used to air I had made secret pacts with myself that I have to make aai-baba take me for this one! I think as a 10 year old only Madhuri Dixit, the playful banter between her and Salman, the amazing music appealed to my sensibilities. As things turned out my Mavshi (mom's sister) got engaged to be married the same year. The wedding was planned for summer and most of such family entertainers (I had no clue of this term then) released in India in summers. So during the release time we were going to be super busy with the wedding preparations and shopping. The movie was a smash hit everywhere! It was almost impossible to be able to watch the movie before school started. Biggest worry on my mind was 'how would I bear my friends who had already watched the movie!' (yes brutally honest, thats being a 10 year old for you!)
Then a really cute thing happened. Once on a shopping trip my kaka (aunt's then fiance) suggested that we all go for this movie. Unfortunately we got only 2 tickets. And don't know how but me and Mavshi ended up in the theater! God's miracle ? :D
This is just the story of how god saved me from the disgrace of not watching the most amazing movie of my childhood. The re-runs kept on happening. Every time it felt like a special experience. It left me awed. Madhuri, Salman, Lakshmikant Berde, Renuka Shahane, and all the ensemble star cast still feels like family to me. All these memories came rushing while watching it for the gazillionth time on tv today! Thankfully I am not the only mad person around to love the movie so much. It is always fun to discuss all these memories and tiny tit-bits of trivia with fellow hahk lovers.
For posterity I am going to share some seemingly stupid stories related to the same movie.
The same year I read an article in a newspaper about Madhuri Dixit which also had her address at the end of it. I immediately drafted a letter for her birthday (sometime in May I guess?) and sent it to the said address. If it was the true address, if it was ever received and read by her remain a mystery. Devil may care. But there! I have shared it on the blog and am now open to judgments!
In school gathering the next year we performed a dance on 'Maye na maye'. Our school had this weird rule of allowing only decent hindi movie songs. Dunno how one can decide that. Anywhooo for all the girls involved the highest point of the extravaganza was getting to wear Madhuri Dixit style Ghagra! The endless practice sessions, getting the expressions like MD, dress rehearsals!
All these very happy memories are attached to the movie in a way. May be that's why despite its much approved and acclaimed greatness, its still so dear to me. I shall leave KKHH for some other time. Got any such childhood connections ? Remember nostalgia is very much welcome on this blog :)
~nightflier
Thursday, October 28, 2010
More from India!
Disclaimer : These are random observations. Indian friends living away/abroad (you know who you are) kindly do not feel homesick or jealous :D
* Since coming back I am using a Bsnl (bharat sanchar nigam limited - India's at&t ?) sim card. Well its aai's as I have been too lazy to get myself a brand new number. The thing is one has so much choice here, that I feel the need to do some research which is ongoing for the past month now. And since I am the great Indian consumer the only private service which impresses me is Vodafone. Their new ads are so senti and touching. Great advertising team they have! The other open options are, as Vodafone I have heard have bad customer service, Idea as baba and bro use it and Airtel as I think they have good internet packages. Btw new in the market is Docomo (tata) and Uninor (some Norwegian giant), but I hardly feel like going for something brand new this time around.
Anyways, I ramble and digress. So BSNL sends these free messages which has numbers of CBI (central bureau of investigation) and ACB (anti corruption bureau) using which you can report crimes by public/government servants anonymously. Super liked it! Such a subtle way of carrying out system cleansing. I hope people participate. More power to everyone!
* We have such long wait-lists for vehicles in here. To buy a simple bike like Activa baba has now waited for more than 2 months. And the wait keeps on increasing owing to various festivals. Wonder how the demand-supply mapping takes place inside the companies ? I have heard its worse for 4 wheelers. Sometimes the wait can be more than 6 months. My god! I toh will drop the idea only :P
* These days I have a feeling that in some parallel universe life for the alternate me is going at the most superlative degree one can find for speed. Then what can be the reason that time doesn't seem to move forward here in this universe for me ? :-|
Dear alternate me in parallel universe please slow down! Or let's exchange positions if possible. That would be more convenient :P
* So much free time has made me a compulsive reader. I had no idea that my mailbox had so much of stacked treasure in the form of IEEE magazines and conference papers. Yeah! Yeah! call me names, but just reading novels and fiction can be pretty boring.
* And one of my closest and oldest (the relationship's age wise duh!) friend gets married next month. It was maha exciting to meet her parents (Oh we are from the same city!) and get all the details from aunty! My first and foremost task is to try to get as many friends as possible for the wedding. At which I am doing pretty fine I think. Next tasks aunty said will start after Diwali. Can't wait!
Normally weddings give me creeps. But this one isn't. Guess I have grown up :D
~nightflier
* Since coming back I am using a Bsnl (bharat sanchar nigam limited - India's at&t ?) sim card. Well its aai's as I have been too lazy to get myself a brand new number. The thing is one has so much choice here, that I feel the need to do some research which is ongoing for the past month now. And since I am the great Indian consumer the only private service which impresses me is Vodafone. Their new ads are so senti and touching. Great advertising team they have! The other open options are, as Vodafone I have heard have bad customer service, Idea as baba and bro use it and Airtel as I think they have good internet packages. Btw new in the market is Docomo (tata) and Uninor (some Norwegian giant), but I hardly feel like going for something brand new this time around.
Anyways, I ramble and digress. So BSNL sends these free messages which has numbers of CBI (central bureau of investigation) and ACB (anti corruption bureau) using which you can report crimes by public/government servants anonymously. Super liked it! Such a subtle way of carrying out system cleansing. I hope people participate. More power to everyone!
* We have such long wait-lists for vehicles in here. To buy a simple bike like Activa baba has now waited for more than 2 months. And the wait keeps on increasing owing to various festivals. Wonder how the demand-supply mapping takes place inside the companies ? I have heard its worse for 4 wheelers. Sometimes the wait can be more than 6 months. My god! I toh will drop the idea only :P
* These days I have a feeling that in some parallel universe life for the alternate me is going at the most superlative degree one can find for speed. Then what can be the reason that time doesn't seem to move forward here in this universe for me ? :-|
Dear alternate me in parallel universe please slow down! Or let's exchange positions if possible. That would be more convenient :P
* So much free time has made me a compulsive reader. I had no idea that my mailbox had so much of stacked treasure in the form of IEEE magazines and conference papers. Yeah! Yeah! call me names, but just reading novels and fiction can be pretty boring.
* And one of my closest and oldest (the relationship's age wise duh!) friend gets married next month. It was maha exciting to meet her parents (Oh we are from the same city!) and get all the details from aunty! My first and foremost task is to try to get as many friends as possible for the wedding. At which I am doing pretty fine I think. Next tasks aunty said will start after Diwali. Can't wait!
Normally weddings give me creeps. But this one isn't. Guess I have grown up :D
~nightflier
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The facebook effect
* I realized the post has nothing much about the book. hence reposting with an adage.
Pre script : The post is about the book by David Kirkpatrick.
I am a skeptic. It helps me getting my views/opinions about stuff straight. And I have always been a skeptic of social networking. It comes from personal experience. I am a decently social person. Not for the parties I indulge in or the page 3 (or 6 is it ?) person that I am, but because I like meeting new people and new experiences. So when I was in the US and still regularly in touch with most of my family and friends back home, I started facebooking. Rather I got introduced to it a new way there. I was on facebook, orkut, twitter, blogger, linkedin. LinkedIn was the only one I ever took seriously for obvious reasons. Then I read The Lost Symbol and the whole concept of twitter and collective thinking and action started making sense. Twitter soon replaced newspapers and tv for me. It is so non intrusive, simple and some concepts are so novel that I was hooked. Blogger became more and more personal as I started spending more time with myself. Facebook, orkut remained the places to add friends, stay connected in the most cold manner (just wishing each other on birthdays etc) and random exhibitionism. Yeah! I used to rave at people displaying their whole life on such public forums. It made me ask is this really the meaning of 'Social' ?
The book basically looks at how 'facebook' the internet giant of our times came into being. Not just those Harvard dorm stories about a break up and 19 year old's take on it. But the real deal. How Mark Zuckerberg and a bunch of his friends stuck to their guns and revolutionized how people share stuff. How his idea of an open world is changing and affecting us despite the vibes of voyeurisms, rambunctiousness and exhibitionism. It is a fascinating tale. People who have watched the movie 'the Social Network' and raving about arrogance should read the book. 'Facebook' and its story is much bigger than the arrogant vibes the trailers and movie gives. Its about entrepreneurship and being true to your believes. It also opens up new debates on how open we really are and do we really want the world around us to be as open ?
I still believe sharing stuff with a close friend over a coffee is much precious than getting updates on facebook. But the book has given me perspective. With so much data about people, generated by people it will be really very interesting to analyze it and determine trends and look at how we as a human race are progressing or think.
The book on the whole is pretty straightforward. Since it was tracking story of a company it made sense also to have events chronologically. But that makes it insipid and dull. I was literally pushing myself through the parts with the money matters and negotiations. I owe it to the fact that financial transactions normally bore me to death. So if you do plan to read you can ignore this little comment. But truth be told this is no racy thriller or tear inducing drama, though its a thrilling story in quite a few respects. So you really need to be interested in such stuff to read the book. Else one can call it a pass.
~nightflier
P.S. Since reading the book my activity has generally increased on fb. :D
Pre script : The post is about the book by David Kirkpatrick.
I am a skeptic. It helps me getting my views/opinions about stuff straight. And I have always been a skeptic of social networking. It comes from personal experience. I am a decently social person. Not for the parties I indulge in or the page 3 (or 6 is it ?) person that I am, but because I like meeting new people and new experiences. So when I was in the US and still regularly in touch with most of my family and friends back home, I started facebooking. Rather I got introduced to it a new way there. I was on facebook, orkut, twitter, blogger, linkedin. LinkedIn was the only one I ever took seriously for obvious reasons. Then I read The Lost Symbol and the whole concept of twitter and collective thinking and action started making sense. Twitter soon replaced newspapers and tv for me. It is so non intrusive, simple and some concepts are so novel that I was hooked. Blogger became more and more personal as I started spending more time with myself. Facebook, orkut remained the places to add friends, stay connected in the most cold manner (just wishing each other on birthdays etc) and random exhibitionism. Yeah! I used to rave at people displaying their whole life on such public forums. It made me ask is this really the meaning of 'Social' ?
The book basically looks at how 'facebook' the internet giant of our times came into being. Not just those Harvard dorm stories about a break up and 19 year old's take on it. But the real deal. How Mark Zuckerberg and a bunch of his friends stuck to their guns and revolutionized how people share stuff. How his idea of an open world is changing and affecting us despite the vibes of voyeurisms, rambunctiousness and exhibitionism. It is a fascinating tale. People who have watched the movie 'the Social Network' and raving about arrogance should read the book. 'Facebook' and its story is much bigger than the arrogant vibes the trailers and movie gives. Its about entrepreneurship and being true to your believes. It also opens up new debates on how open we really are and do we really want the world around us to be as open ?
I still believe sharing stuff with a close friend over a coffee is much precious than getting updates on facebook. But the book has given me perspective. With so much data about people, generated by people it will be really very interesting to analyze it and determine trends and look at how we as a human race are progressing or think.
The book on the whole is pretty straightforward. Since it was tracking story of a company it made sense also to have events chronologically. But that makes it insipid and dull. I was literally pushing myself through the parts with the money matters and negotiations. I owe it to the fact that financial transactions normally bore me to death. So if you do plan to read you can ignore this little comment. But truth be told this is no racy thriller or tear inducing drama, though its a thrilling story in quite a few respects. So you really need to be interested in such stuff to read the book. Else one can call it a pass.
~nightflier
P.S. Since reading the book my activity has generally increased on fb. :D
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Home encounters!
1. Aai is finally bugged of the whole daughter-staying-away-from-home-for-past-eight-years-finally-back-home pampering. OK. More than pampering she gets annoyed if I present the same line in a dramatic tone when asked to do anything mundane. Its superrr fun :D
But I commend her spirits when everyday without fail she asks me so what subji (vegetable) would you like for lunch/dinner ? And I like a famished denizen from Amreeka reply, 'kuch bhi bana lo..sab amrit jaisa hai' (Make anything as all tastes like nectar(??!!)). Sorry Indian friends staying outside India, I don't have the slightest notion of making you jealous.
2. But today I indulged in a lot of homely activities. I and dad vacuumed the entire living room, cleaned all the showcases and fancy stuff, did some drilling work to fix age old carpentry tasks. Mother India was super impressed. She now really believes that people actually do all these things by themselves in the US as well. (1. should make clear why she believed otherwise). And since I was so super enthusiastic about cleaning today, I also changed the pictures in all the frames that we have at home. Boy what fun it was to rummage through all the old albums and laugh at how silly I used to look!
3. It rained so heavily in the afternoon that 5-6 hours ke liye power cut ho gaya! And then the intercom started buzzing with innocent queries like what happened, when will it get fixed, which elevators to operate on inverters, when will electricity come, etc (Baba (dad) is the society secretary). Then I really felt like I am in India. Totally. :D (The electrical engineer inside me really feels bad for the power cut btw!)
4. So over no electricity me, aai and baba indulged in a sorta debate over brother's wedding. (No its not decided, not even the girl per say)
Baba (the principled sort that he is) - I think we should have no give-take stuff in weddings. (In Indian weddings people normally get you gifts, clothes etc and then you also present them with clothes, gifts etc)
Aai (the mellow sort that she is) - But we co-exist within the society and certain norms cannot be gotten rid of. Not at least for close family members.
Me - Our home is so cozy and warm. I really like it (!!??##)
After much thought it was decided that I made sense and rest of the stuff must be left to my brother.
5. My new dentist is really cool. She is from Pune and she knows COEP (my undergraduate college). I love her already! Btw she also taught me how to brush teeth properly. I dont think I will ever perfect it. After all I could not for 25 years. Sigh..
Waise isn't it quite embarrassing that such stuff needs to be taught to a 25 year old girl ??? Please say NO.
So Hindustan Times wrap their Home section. Until we meet again!
~nightflier
But I commend her spirits when everyday without fail she asks me so what subji (vegetable) would you like for lunch/dinner ? And I like a famished denizen from Amreeka reply, 'kuch bhi bana lo..sab amrit jaisa hai' (Make anything as all tastes like nectar(??!!)). Sorry Indian friends staying outside India, I don't have the slightest notion of making you jealous.
2. But today I indulged in a lot of homely activities. I and dad vacuumed the entire living room, cleaned all the showcases and fancy stuff, did some drilling work to fix age old carpentry tasks. Mother India was super impressed. She now really believes that people actually do all these things by themselves in the US as well. (1. should make clear why she believed otherwise). And since I was so super enthusiastic about cleaning today, I also changed the pictures in all the frames that we have at home. Boy what fun it was to rummage through all the old albums and laugh at how silly I used to look!
3. It rained so heavily in the afternoon that 5-6 hours ke liye power cut ho gaya! And then the intercom started buzzing with innocent queries like what happened, when will it get fixed, which elevators to operate on inverters, when will electricity come, etc (Baba (dad) is the society secretary). Then I really felt like I am in India. Totally. :D (The electrical engineer inside me really feels bad for the power cut btw!)
4. So over no electricity me, aai and baba indulged in a sorta debate over brother's wedding. (No its not decided, not even the girl per say)
Baba (the principled sort that he is) - I think we should have no give-take stuff in weddings. (In Indian weddings people normally get you gifts, clothes etc and then you also present them with clothes, gifts etc)
Aai (the mellow sort that she is) - But we co-exist within the society and certain norms cannot be gotten rid of. Not at least for close family members.
Me - Our home is so cozy and warm. I really like it (!!??##)
After much thought it was decided that I made sense and rest of the stuff must be left to my brother.
5. My new dentist is really cool. She is from Pune and she knows COEP (my undergraduate college). I love her already! Btw she also taught me how to brush teeth properly. I dont think I will ever perfect it. After all I could not for 25 years. Sigh..
Waise isn't it quite embarrassing that such stuff needs to be taught to a 25 year old girl ??? Please say NO.
So Hindustan Times wrap their Home section. Until we meet again!
~nightflier
Sunday, October 17, 2010
why do we fight ?
Guess we all need an outlet for the pent up bad stuff inside us. Thats why we do so. We is out of mere convenience here as it suits me. I fight, hurt, say stupid dramatic stuff as after the situation has subsided it makes me value the good stuff even more. I know life should not be so complicated. But 'mann se raavan jo nikale raam uske mann mein hai'
I have lost my innocence. A lot of it. Every time I get hurt or have to hurt someone by saying stupid things the realization sinks deeper.
This picture makes me hopeful though. http://twitpic.com/1h9g6o
Oh and I am also reading winnie the pooh. Pooh bear says 'Sometimes the smallest things take the most room in your heart!' How very true and profound.
~nightflier
I have lost my innocence. A lot of it. Every time I get hurt or have to hurt someone by saying stupid things the realization sinks deeper.
This picture makes me hopeful though. http://twitpic.com/1h9g6o
Oh and I am also reading winnie the pooh. Pooh bear says 'Sometimes the smallest things take the most room in your heart!' How very true and profound.
~nightflier
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Honey you will be fine!
*this is a really old draft which I found today..was written in the month of april!
P.S. This post is for 2 girls who are very dear to me. And they know who they are :)
Life is mostly weird and pointless. And oh yeah, its vicissitudes are vast and complex (to quote JKR). Things are thrown at us in such a random fashion that sometimes when they hit you without expectations, its really difficult to not get bogged down. I have learnt to call such instances happening to me as 'growing up'. It doesnt sound very wise (but who cares). But it gives me the option to choose, between what I have become and what I want to be, from what I was.
There are things a normal girl always wants. Her freedom, a place to call home, someone to love and care and her independence. When any of these things gets threatened, its really difficult to accept the change of scene or the consequences of what it might imply. And you two are doing it really well.
You are my role models. Not only because, you have managed to handle these situations, but you have never made any fuss about it. I admire your strength and courage, to keep it cool. I wish I could just give you a hug.
~nightflier
P.S. This post is for 2 girls who are very dear to me. And they know who they are :)
Life is mostly weird and pointless. And oh yeah, its vicissitudes are vast and complex (to quote JKR). Things are thrown at us in such a random fashion that sometimes when they hit you without expectations, its really difficult to not get bogged down. I have learnt to call such instances happening to me as 'growing up'. It doesnt sound very wise (but who cares). But it gives me the option to choose, between what I have become and what I want to be, from what I was.
There are things a normal girl always wants. Her freedom, a place to call home, someone to love and care and her independence. When any of these things gets threatened, its really difficult to accept the change of scene or the consequences of what it might imply. And you two are doing it really well.
You are my role models. Not only because, you have managed to handle these situations, but you have never made any fuss about it. I admire your strength and courage, to keep it cool. I wish I could just give you a hug.
~nightflier
Friday, October 15, 2010
tera zikr
In love with this song from Guzaarish. Thanks Ketaki!
Ke tera zikr hai
Ya itr hai
Jab jab karta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Chehekta hoon
Oo ke tera, tera, tera zikr hai
Ya, itr hai
Jab jab karta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Chehekta hoon
Sholon ki tarah
Khushbuon mein dehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Ke tera zikr hai
Ya itr hai
Jab jab karta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Chehekta hoon
Teri fikr hai
Ya fakr hai
Teri fikr hai
Ya fakr hai
Jab jab karta hoon
Machalta hoon
Uchalta hoon
Fisalta hoon
Paagal ki tarah
Mastiyon mein
Tehelta hoon
Uchalta hoon
Fisalta hoon
Ke tera zikr hai (haan zikr hai)
Ya itr hai (itr hai)
Jab jab karta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Chehekta hoon
Ke tera zikr hai
Ya itr hai
Jab jab karta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Chehekta hoon
Oo ke tera, tera, tera zikr hai
Ya, itr hai
Jab jab karta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Chehekta hoon
Sholon ki tarah
Khushbuon mein dehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Ke tera zikr hai
Ya itr hai
Jab jab karta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Chehekta hoon
Teri fikr hai
Ya fakr hai
Teri fikr hai
Ya fakr hai
Jab jab karta hoon
Machalta hoon
Uchalta hoon
Fisalta hoon
Paagal ki tarah
Mastiyon mein
Tehelta hoon
Uchalta hoon
Fisalta hoon
Ke tera zikr hai (haan zikr hai)
Ya itr hai (itr hai)
Jab jab karta hoon
Mehekta hoon
Behekta hoon
Chehekta hoon
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The southern sojourn
So when I was struggling to get my bearings straight on the Indian timeline, a dear friend who now lives in Chennai asked me to visit her. After the initial inertia from mom dad about the ayodhya verdict, its implications etc (which proved out to be nothing thanks to all of us maturing) they conceded :D
So off I went to Chennai for a refreshing visit to a dear friend. This was going to be my first visit to a city situated so down south in India. So my excitement kind of knew no bounds. But the hot humid airs of chennai made sure I kept myself in check. After a day's rest we embarked on an adventure reserved for every non-Rajni fan. A show of his latest flick Enthiran, in a huge theater amongst hooting, cheering crowds. What an experience! And what a movie! It is truly god level. With so many layers including the artificiality of Mrs. Bachchan, I loved it. Note to self : do not deprive yourself of such stuff in the future!
The next day was marked with visiting the real Chennai. So friend and me ventured in the killer humidity to T nagar, the market place of chennai. It seemed to me as if the entire Chennai had gathered there. We went to Pothys and did some sareee shopping. After that we visited the big daddy of Big Bazaar, the Saravana stores. Walmart guys should take a look at it before thinking of opening their branches in India. What eh spectacle this 7 story shopping store was! After such tiresome activities the time came to quench our hunger. And only typical south Indian food could do it. So we went to Murugan Idli. They serve the bestest, softest idlis I have ever eaten in my life. With 4 different equally tasty chutneys and sambhar. And seeing my liking my friend made sure that we visited them almost everyday to try all the stuff from their menu :D
Next day we visited Besant Nagar beach. A nice place to chill away from the city hustle bustle. I tried my hand at balloon shooting and got 5 on 8 targets :D
Then came the weekend and the much awaited trip to Pondicherry. Not at all overhyped. Its serene beaches and quieter townships (the french colonies) left me wanting for more. Next time I am planning a minimum 7 days trip to this place. We visited the Promenade beach and the lovely Chunnambar beach.
Due to time constraints we could not visit Auroville. Btw we had a tough time finding a good place to eat in Pondi, as we reached pretty late. Then our driver suggested Anand Bhavan and we found it to be a really decent place to hog. Plus the fact that its situated right in the middle of the market place and french colonies made it our hang out spot for the day and half that we were there. And its on these same street side shops that I bought an H&M cotton top for Rs. 150, after much haggling though. Neha you were so right about H&M clothes! :D
On our way back to Chennai we visited Mahabalipuram. A world heritage site with amazing architecture. It was worth wrapping up a bit early in Pondi to catch Mahabalipuram. A must visit once again!
And oh on my last day in Chennai, we visited a 7 story gold jewellery's shop just for fun. No offence to anyone but MY GOD! south Indians and their love for gold! I am still amazed.
And so my impromptu southern sojourn came to an end. It was fun. I hated Chennai weather due to its humidity but loved the food and the chaos. And its always a pleasure to visit old friends and be a part of their life. So am thinking where to plan my next trip :D any suggestions ?
~nightflier
P.S. somehow I am not able to transfer pics taken from my mobile camera..would have been a better post with few local pictures.
So off I went to Chennai for a refreshing visit to a dear friend. This was going to be my first visit to a city situated so down south in India. So my excitement kind of knew no bounds. But the hot humid airs of chennai made sure I kept myself in check. After a day's rest we embarked on an adventure reserved for every non-Rajni fan. A show of his latest flick Enthiran, in a huge theater amongst hooting, cheering crowds. What an experience! And what a movie! It is truly god level. With so many layers including the artificiality of Mrs. Bachchan, I loved it. Note to self : do not deprive yourself of such stuff in the future!
The next day was marked with visiting the real Chennai. So friend and me ventured in the killer humidity to T nagar, the market place of chennai. It seemed to me as if the entire Chennai had gathered there. We went to Pothys and did some sareee shopping. After that we visited the big daddy of Big Bazaar, the Saravana stores. Walmart guys should take a look at it before thinking of opening their branches in India. What eh spectacle this 7 story shopping store was! After such tiresome activities the time came to quench our hunger. And only typical south Indian food could do it. So we went to Murugan Idli. They serve the bestest, softest idlis I have ever eaten in my life. With 4 different equally tasty chutneys and sambhar. And seeing my liking my friend made sure that we visited them almost everyday to try all the stuff from their menu :D
Next day we visited Besant Nagar beach. A nice place to chill away from the city hustle bustle. I tried my hand at balloon shooting and got 5 on 8 targets :D
 |
| backwaters on way to Chunnambar beach |
Due to time constraints we could not visit Auroville. Btw we had a tough time finding a good place to eat in Pondi, as we reached pretty late. Then our driver suggested Anand Bhavan and we found it to be a really decent place to hog. Plus the fact that its situated right in the middle of the market place and french colonies made it our hang out spot for the day and half that we were there. And its on these same street side shops that I bought an H&M cotton top for Rs. 150, after much haggling though. Neha you were so right about H&M clothes! :D
On our way back to Chennai we visited Mahabalipuram. A world heritage site with amazing architecture. It was worth wrapping up a bit early in Pondi to catch Mahabalipuram. A must visit once again!
And oh on my last day in Chennai, we visited a 7 story gold jewellery's shop just for fun. No offence to anyone but MY GOD! south Indians and their love for gold! I am still amazed.
And so my impromptu southern sojourn came to an end. It was fun. I hated Chennai weather due to its humidity but loved the food and the chaos. And its always a pleasure to visit old friends and be a part of their life. So am thinking where to plan my next trip :D any suggestions ?
~nightflier
P.S. somehow I am not able to transfer pics taken from my mobile camera..would have been a better post with few local pictures.
On domestic violence
Recently while reading Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy which was based around crimes of domestic violence, physical and mental abuse I was quite inspired to write about the whole issue. Thinking that I would spoil the plot for potential readers I did not go ahead. But after reading Neha's article I am more than inspired to write. I would definitely be referencing to the book, but would try to be indirect and subtle.
Violence as a means of self defense is the only way I can justify it. In any other form its outright evil and cruel. And the trend of violence exists in every society. It has got nothing to do with 'oh we are old fashioned in India and hence its an Indian thing'. Good and bad examples exist in every society. Its the psychology behind such acts that needs to be studied and tackled.
The person committing the abhorring acts of hitting, torturing, sexually abusing another person is misguided by the sense of control which they need to display. I think these acts of controlling others, displaying dominance are attitude problems. Its a disease. And as every disease, it needs diagnosis and medicine. The only diagnosis I can think of is the victims stop being victimized. If the victims start retaliating or start giving subtle hints in extreme cases, then help can be sought. The day a person who is being victimized for such acts asks the question 'WHY ?' the day half the problem is solved. Because with that why comes a revelation that its unjust to tolerate such appalling things. According to me it applies to physical acts of violation to mental harassments like abusive relationships. I really dont understand when people start blaming situations and dont want to get out of bad relationships. My logical brain says if one of the 2 persons in the relationship is not getting respect then its time to get it done with. Though I would admit that things aren't so simple in reality. I myself know a few friends who are in bad relationships. One could get out of it with substantial emotional hurt but the other could not.
This is where Lisbeth Salander comes into picture. Despite having the physique of a teenager, she gets around bad, abusive relationships using her intelligence and skills. In her book there is no mercy for hideous crimes. If you are exploiting someone's vulnerability she makes sure you get punished. No she wont break the law or she wont kill you or she wont even do some superheroish stunt. She would simply put you in a trying situation where you would remember all the gods you prayed to (dadi-nani yaad dilana types). When everyone else in the system fails to act, she takes care of stuff in her own style. I know all this makes me sound like a childish hero worshiper, but the point I am trying to make is most of the times we underestimate ourselves. Sometimes even a loud whimper can mend ways for the abuser and the abused. The courage needs to be summed up.
A huge salute to the Lisbeth Salander's amongst us. And a pat on the back to the ones who are suffering and don't find the courage to retaliate. I am damn sure one day you guys would find it!
~nightflier
Violence as a means of self defense is the only way I can justify it. In any other form its outright evil and cruel. And the trend of violence exists in every society. It has got nothing to do with 'oh we are old fashioned in India and hence its an Indian thing'. Good and bad examples exist in every society. Its the psychology behind such acts that needs to be studied and tackled.
The person committing the abhorring acts of hitting, torturing, sexually abusing another person is misguided by the sense of control which they need to display. I think these acts of controlling others, displaying dominance are attitude problems. Its a disease. And as every disease, it needs diagnosis and medicine. The only diagnosis I can think of is the victims stop being victimized. If the victims start retaliating or start giving subtle hints in extreme cases, then help can be sought. The day a person who is being victimized for such acts asks the question 'WHY ?' the day half the problem is solved. Because with that why comes a revelation that its unjust to tolerate such appalling things. According to me it applies to physical acts of violation to mental harassments like abusive relationships. I really dont understand when people start blaming situations and dont want to get out of bad relationships. My logical brain says if one of the 2 persons in the relationship is not getting respect then its time to get it done with. Though I would admit that things aren't so simple in reality. I myself know a few friends who are in bad relationships. One could get out of it with substantial emotional hurt but the other could not.
This is where Lisbeth Salander comes into picture. Despite having the physique of a teenager, she gets around bad, abusive relationships using her intelligence and skills. In her book there is no mercy for hideous crimes. If you are exploiting someone's vulnerability she makes sure you get punished. No she wont break the law or she wont kill you or she wont even do some superheroish stunt. She would simply put you in a trying situation where you would remember all the gods you prayed to (dadi-nani yaad dilana types). When everyone else in the system fails to act, she takes care of stuff in her own style. I know all this makes me sound like a childish hero worshiper, but the point I am trying to make is most of the times we underestimate ourselves. Sometimes even a loud whimper can mend ways for the abuser and the abused. The courage needs to be summed up.
A huge salute to the Lisbeth Salander's amongst us. And a pat on the back to the ones who are suffering and don't find the courage to retaliate. I am damn sure one day you guys would find it!
~nightflier
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