warm tidings of december

N1 said very nonchalantly 'I always knew I was no good with academics beyond a limit, so I dropped out of the race and did something I could really cope with'. We beamed at her proudly. It takes rare self-awareness at a younger age to arrive at such decisions. Of course her family never objected because they must be the 'coolest parents' ever! 

N2 said very self aware-ly (at 27 also some people don't really have that!), 'I was a mess in college. Thank god for family and later getting away from home, to be on my own, I outdid myself and am in a much better shape.' Not that I agreed completely, but then she was so point blank honest, it was almost endearing!

I said, 'I have always been restless. I always need to find out whys, sometimes on my own. And I guess that is for now my 'calling'. Plus being good at studies in childhood, kind of shaped my decisions this way'. They seemed to agree.

Of course, we evaluate ourselves for fun. (remember how the whole is way bigger than the sum of parts and all that?) After spending eons of time in each other's company, not really growing up (or the other way round?) the candid and sometimes non sensical views on things/people, bring you together. Even if for a few hours. Bind you again, may be.

The most amusing thing is how non-insecure and compassionate everyone is. Questions/comments over one's hair/clothes/anything else as well evoke hearty laughs. We judge each other over our overt sense of no-dressing-sense during school. The dogs/cats in one's life at that point suddenly come into picture. And that stupid snob from school, who 'shows off' for no reason, rather every reason, is a point of conversation too! We almost exclaim, together, 'dude everyone has that/does that these days. What's the big deal!' From guys/husbands to the other woman (read his mother) in the husband/boyfriend 's life gets discussed. And how 'to each his own' needs to be the motto of the human race, echoes off the walls. 

In all this, the hotel manager can't really stand what good time we are having (despite the crates of food ordered) so rudely sends off the bill (very Puneri I tell you). We move on, find a coffee shop entirely forgetting that 2 of us have an office too! 'Lets eat something so that we dont get kicked out again' happens and dessert gets ordered. Of course 3 by 1 happens. Amidst more nonchalance towards office and winding up conversations with silly dialogues 'tu bilkul nahi badli' (you haven't changed a bit, when so much in you has actually changed!) and corny poses, the morning fades.

Warm tidings indeed!

Met school friends after a while, one after 5-6 years, the other after 2 months. Never been a nicer way to end an year (at least now that I know!). If I am allowed to be corny once more (other than the pics of course), they truly have seen the real me! :D

~nightflier

संशय कल्लोळ

Pre script : marathi in the title - means 'havoc caused by doubt'.


My first marathi broadway (natya-sangeet!) theater experience! Of course the college Firodiya musicals don't count.
The last time I watched a musical I was completely blown away. This time I have a new found crush on Rahul Deshpande. The dude has got a new stalker/follower from tonight! (his grandfather was another rockstar dude!)


Overall the musical was nice and light, in spite of the tension in the title. Though I am wondering how nicer it would have been in the original 1916 version with a male actor performing as the heroine! Oh and I am also wondering how timeless the story line is! (specially after reading love in the time of cholera).


Anywho, at least have new object of dreams :P
(link below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jez4cUZXyCA&feature=fvsr


~nightflier

Random things that made me happy!!

I am not a jaded person nor am I constantly judging my state of happiness (I do it over periods like months or weeks :D) but last week these 2 things happened which put bright big smiles on my face, inside and outside and I felt happy!


Do you ever chase down your friends on streets walking ahead totally unaware of you behind and tap them on the wrong shoulder (if you are on left side, tap on their right or vice versa). Well if the distance is manageable I do this all the time!! So I got down from bus and was walking towards home when saw brother ahead of me and I totally did the shoulder tap to him and grinned like a fool amid the crowd! :D
Of course brother got embarrassed a little. But it made me so happy to see the person I live with on a street totally unaware of me, caught off guard!! 
P.S. Shoulder taps are restricted to *ONLY* people you know very well. *NOT* acquaintances. If I have met you only twice and you do that to me, you will be thoroughly embarrassed by my reaction :P


When I do reach home early from work i.e. around 6 or 7 pm, kids in the society are playing around. So on a particularly non cloudy evening 2 boys around the age of 6 or 7 were running behind each other (playing out-out) and laughing uncontrollably after catching each other. Just watching them get a high by the running around, with huffy puffy laughs made me really really happy!! :D


~nightflier


P.S. Am on the last few pages of Love in the time of cholera and oh what a book it has been! Marquez is awesome! Next post on the book :)

the pre-birthday wish list

Since I can remember I have accepted it to accept birthday gifts graciously. Whatever they may be. But as Upasna mentioned, its time to be vain. Specially since stuff-one-can-afford limit has gone up and hence feel that my friends would oblige to gift anything from the below list. I am not including family, as I get them to gift me what I want every damn time :D 
(like for rakhi shamelessly asked brother to pay for this -> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=267729449907816&set=a.260763833937711.84759.147971171883645&type=1 )

image - google

1. NestRest. Warm, cozy, the best place to get all my reading/writing/thinking done :) 
From here.


2. A box of crayons and colored pencils. The last one got over. So need new stock to doodle with. Also colored hand made papers to doodle on :D


3. A ruled moleskine. HERE! (Normally I prefer doing my own stationary shopping, but this one is an online buy (only outlet I could find is in Mumbai!!))


4. Hog on the streets of Paris. (I am watching Amelie right now!!!! Did you know Amelie Poulain is an INFJ too ? Also, guess who else is ;))


5. A trip to Morocco (Marrakech). Like a stay for a week. Not a group trip or something. Just exploring the cuisine and culture.


6. Drive on the lake shore drive in Chicago. I somehow could not do this the 2 years I lived there as I did not have a driving license :( 
After the drive a really long walk across the Lake Michigan trail would work just fine :D


7. Bunch of white lilies or gladiolus. 


8. A really elaborate home cooked meal consisting of wine, chicken biryani, pita bread, hummus and greek salad. Weird combination I know. But I am really hungry right now and in a mood to eat these all, in no particular order!!

image - google

9. Star gazing with a telescope!! (First I have to persuade any of my friends to buy a telescope!!)
<- Until then, this would work too!


10. A silk scarf. Peacock blue to be specific.


11. How could I forget! Hand made greeting cards :)


Wow this was so much fun!! Plus a feel good :) Specially after a sleep deprived regular night. 
Please do share your list too! Would love to read and make additions to my already getting-longer-in-my-head list ;)


~nightflier


P.S. In other news finished Rabindranath Tagore's short stories collection last week. Totally mesmerized by his writing all over again.
And the Woody Allen film festival successfully kicked off last week. Since I still have not got hold of a decent copy of Midnight in Paris, watched Annie Hall last sunday. Totally LURVE!! KT if you are reading this, then this is in tow of the guru dutt festival we did 3 years back. Feeling nostalgic already :)

The Royal Wedding

Pre-script : the title of the post should have been 'The best friend's (III) wedding'. But this one suits better, as you will know why :)


In between a horrible work week (in terms of volume and dependencies) and stupid rains, I was really looking forward to Pradnya's wedding! Yes despite the mental and physical dead-ness. (They had to pick me up from office itself!!)


A brief showdown of my history with Pradnya. We have popularly had great chemistry, being the only class mates who stayed in hostel. With the inherent stubborn attitude, things were not always rosy with us. But we bonded well in spite of our differences and have stayed close friends for 9 years now :) Life has taken us places, literally and figuratively. We have been to abysmal depths and awesome highs and its always been a comfort to have her by my side :) (and vice versa too ? )


Anywho, coming back to the wedding!! The journey was super different as we had respective parents along. I have not traveled with my parents and my friends' parents being together. So this journey turned into a major kitchen-talk and gossip-fest. Well the mothers could not resist noticing how we take them for granted and gossiping about it IN FRONT OF us!!!! Poor driver! Must have felt really put of place :P
I enjoyed both, cos I like cooking and manage a kitchen myself and the other part too, cos aai no longer feels like I am the only one who does't listen to her at times :P (Come on aren't all daughters like that ? ;-))
So the journey which was a 6 hour long drive felt like a stimulating bonding session.


When we reached the venue, we had already missed the events like engagement and haldi. Thanks to our amazing navigation skills :-/ We got to have the best dinner though, cos we dined with the bride and groom :D
We clicked loads of pics with mother-daughter poses and tried to make up for time lost :)


It was decided that all the girls would stay over at Pradnya's and not at the hotel, which just made the rather dull night (for us cos we had missed all the events) funner. Many many folds!!! Once at Pradnya's after taking care of next day's preparations and helping pradnya clean up, we indulged in loads of girl gossip. From group to one on one. Which is always fun and enlightening! :P

Next day we responsibly reached the venue on time with the bride and got back to get ready ourselves. Little did we know that what all grandeur awaited us! (I wore my own saree FYI, just a little help from aai for the pallu tuck :))

Tutari :)

There was Peshwai welcome for all the guests, with flower petals showered on us by girls clad in Nauvari sarees and putting haldi kunkoo on our forehead (I was on a office call so I was saved! :P) Oh btw Nauvari sarees are very traditional and are becoming rarer these days owing to not many knowing how to wear one.
There were guys with Tutaari (another traditional musical instrument..to listen go here) wearing pheta and dhotar (called dhoti in hindi). Very traditional and royal stuff indeed!

Amid all these, the groom made a very royal entry (on an elephant) and swept off the bride to the stage to wed her officially :) Mangalashtaka were chanted, akshata were showered and thus they got married. Do you realize I did not miss any of these, like last time :P


A lot of stage-photo-shooting happened. Amazing food was eaten. And we had to leave without witnessing any other rituals/ceremonies cos I HAD TO WORK!! sob..


A few more pics to end the post..



Here's wishing both the bride and groom a lifetime of happiness and sunshine :)










~nightflier

a bit of japan

I finished my first Haruki Murakami!!! The wind up bird chronicle! And what fun it was. Not in a literal sense. But in a quirky way!

Anywho without further ado, I will jot down my musings during this phase.

* It truly felt like a diary. Of Mr. Wind up Bird.

* Parts of it was so bizarre, that I could not tell what was real and what was not. Felt like a David Lynch movie. Mulholland Dr. to be specific. One can even say shutter island or inception!

* What quirky names! Noboru Wataya, Malta, Creta, Nutmeg, Cinnamon. Of course, I am not a Japanese, but still!

* Murakamai's pop culture references, put forward Japan in a totally new perspective. Have never been there, have never read much about it, but always had a feeling that it would be weirdly orthodox. May be I am wrong.

* I again use the word dream like. I am still not sure, what was what. But whatever it was it was very intriguing and kept me hooked.

* Most of the times any writer's ability or eye for detail normally impresses me. This time super impressed by Murakami's ability to dig deep and describe weirdest of thoughts using simple words. Basically I am a word fumbler. Hence.
* I have decided my next Murakami would be Kafka on the shore.

Co-incidentally they were having an Ikebana workshop in office. I basically like flowers and the freshness they bring to any room. And I had always wanted to learn it since school days. So I automatically signed up for it. What fun it was! More than fun it was very relaxing and calming. If you even distantly like nature, trees, plants you should give it a try. It is sooo zen ;)

Some pics for public disposal. 

my first arrangement..has basic elements and teaches you subject, object  fundas - courtesy my nokia N72

my second arrangement..seeks balance..check out the flower structure to see what I mean ;) again taken from my Nokia
N72

the freestyle..again seeks balance, made using bamboo sticks and minimal objects- taken from my nokia N72

the welcome arrangement - by the teacher, isnt it just wonderful  ? :) 

~nightflier :)

P.S. Please don't copy the pics without asking, specially the last one. Thanks!

phew!

Moving/shifting is good for the soul. Specially if you are the archer types. Since most of the mess I (we) create, is in the head, starting to live in a new place feels like a fresh start. At least in the head. Plus the newer the old illusion, the better fool you can make out of yourself. Anywho I don't like condescending talk specially from me-to-me. Because, even though I *sometimes* appear like this sorted out, zen person to myself, *sometimes* I am not. :P


Digression. Digression.


The new place is so spacious and nice. I instantly felt connected.
Also my bed is adjacent to this huge window, from where I can gaze into the lovely weather (on weekends only, sob) and pass time without even getting out of the house. Lame confession, I have a thing for windows, give me one and I can sit through the day with a cup of coffee or a book without troubling anyone the slightest bit. So anywho, the kitchen is even bigger. Plus I am not sharing it with anyone, so I get to be the boss! And I am practicing all the monica gellar-ish traits of my ex-roomie, in a good way. Yay!

google image

But the house still does not have this! -> 
Alas. But I have the build myself a book-shelf project. So until then, I guess I don't mind living without a walk-in closet! :D


Oh yes and the internet at home got activated today. Finally. I must not have missed blogger so much. The way I was glued to the laptop proves it :( But the unplanned hiatus kind of worked, as I hardly missed facebook and other stuff. I feel *zen* like. Again. Almost ;-)


Anywho, a lot more awaits my blog space. Japanese. Do you get the zen fixation ? ;-)


~nightflier

Never too many

Owing to a lot of reasons I have not found time to do laundry of office wear, outside wear. Plus I have an anyone-else-washing-my-clothes-will-ruin-them phobia. Except for aai. She is like the best clothes-carer in the world. (I am making up words, did you notice? Yay!). Anywho no digression.


So I was (am still) astonished to find out how many (^many) clothes I own, when today I decided to get done with laundry first thing in the morning. But after attending a month of office, I still have stuff in my closet/bags which I can wear for another 15 days and manage to go without doing any laundry. To add to the astonishment I have not shopped in 2011 for anything except for this tee which brother got me, a day prior to his bike theft. sob. 


And since earlier I was a I-will-wear-what-I-like *only* rather than make use of all the (other) clothes in my wardrobe, I feel at peace somehow. I am a totally changed person now! (:P)


I know this isn't any record in the world of girly-ness, but 5 months without any kind of shopping is a personal best for me! *Applause*
And sadly (wicked laughter in background) it will be broken by loads of splurging as a dear friend gets married in July. *High-5*


And I am having super fun just planning what to buy and from where to buy. Ah the joy of anticipation! :)


~nightflier


P.S. The point of the post was to make no point at all! How un-like me these days :P

The best friend's (II) wedding!! - I

After promising each other unconditional love, support and wait, the better one is leaving me for greener pastures of marital bliss.. Sigh..
(all the drama is quite necessary as it basically revolves around the two of us :D)

Lee and me are a lot alike. Totally unaware of a lot of girly things out there! Though we dream of princes like Collin firths and smirk at overly girly behavior, we are not needlessly called soul-mates by fellow groupies.

So 3 days before the wedding, today was spent in a beauty spa getting all lady like treatment and us behaving in courtesy. Amidst the steam caps, bleach layers, facial creams, moisturizers, toners, lotions and weird hair bands not a single opportunity was spared by the two of us, to wink, giggle, make faces, gush, choke ourselves with sarcasm and laugh inside our heads uncontrollably. We get each other. Totally! And when we don't we make up for it by being there. Life is simple actually :)

It is true that you don't choose your friends, but life chooses them for you. And with those chosen few are formed some of the best memories one can ever make :)

~nightflier

P.S. despite the not so straight undertones of the post we really do compliment each other ;)
And lee I hope you shed some tears if you ever happen to read this post:P

childlike theories

Picked the tag from Neha's blog. 
(This is more for posterity btw :D)


# Guys give birth to boys and girls give birth to girls. I know, right ? :-| 
But then it would have been a little easier for the woman kind no ? Also do not ask why. It was an original (:P) theory based on looks and traits.


# As a kid I used to think that my aaji (grandmom) has met all the people in her stories. And I used to be in awe of her. Well eventually I did understand that most of the stories are just 'stories'. But it was fantastic. 


# I used to think that mirrors had real people inside them, who would look and dress like us. It was a very strong belief. So much that I had to actually see the back of a mirror to change it. Reflection, refraction started making sense much later.


# After watching Hum Aapke Hain Kaun in standard 5, I used to think that that's how weddings happen. Good food, great clothes, songs, dances, crying etc. Before that weddings meant meeting all cousins my age and racing with them or playing out-out. Reality did open my eyes btw.


# As a kid I have eaten lots of oranges and hence orange seeds. Well, its common to swallow one of those while eating an orange. No ? Hence would go to sleep dreading a plant growing out of the navel. And be relieved in the morning that nothing of that sort has happened.


# Anyone who knows a lot about medicines was a doctor. 


# Those who ate lots of mangoes were blessed with long, shiny hair (scalp). Every summer I would eat loads of mangoes praying for them. A cousin supported me in my theory and admitted she had eaten loads of mangoes too, the reason behind her long hair!


# Not touching any tree/plant after twilight (divelaagni as they say in marathi) because plants sleep in the night like us, I was told. And if I did then used to ask them for forgiveness :D


# God is a person.


# My barbie dolls were real people for me. I would make make them drink water and pepsi. Talk to them. Play with them. Style them and what not. Had also made a small bed for them to sleep in beside my own.


# I actually used to believe that money plant's leaves had economic value. Once when I broke a vase at home, I plucked some leaves and went to aai and guiltily told her she could buy a new one with those. Not only did she not scold me, but she laughed. :D


# I had a pair of elephant slippers (there were elephants on its belt) and I would not wear them thinking I would turn into an elephant.


# Believing any and every thing told by teachers. Like a teacher once said tea is bad for health (which is quite debatable) and I did not drink it for an year despite loving it! (this was in standard 8 I think and I hate drinking plain milk) I can be stupid that way.


# The thinking that closing my eyes hard enough will make any bad stuff pass. 


# There are actual, real people inside a TV. And hence never wanting to make it on TV. Who would like to be crammed inside a box ? It was shattered (drama) when a mechanic opened it in front of us at home. (remember those old black and white box type TVs ?)


Cannot think of more as of now. 
But will update if aai tells me anything.


~nightflier

Luring oneself into action by giving an Oscar

So I have been suffering from procrastination and lack of self discipline for a long time now. So much that I was not even doing my regular bit of yoga regularly [I think if while going to sleep any body part aches/feels pain one is not fit. (I also read similar such thing on Tanvii's blog some time back and completely nodded with a vigorous head shake) So stick to at least 20 minutes of exercise everyday]
So things needed to be straightened big time. First things first to start a good day one needs to wake up in time to have timely tea/coffee, breakfast and then daily chores. So I lured myself into this trap of watching Oscars, which started airing here at 6 am. Like a good girl got up by throwing away all impulses to snooze the alarm and go back to sleep [I went to sleep at 12 you see, after watching that GREAT match of cricket. What nonsense!] While aishwarya and abhishek gabbed about how they accidentally were in LA, I started my day on a resounding note. Successful yoga mixed with stretching exercises for 30 minutes without tiring myself out. And then I was left to nothing but watch the show. Instead of tweeting with a hashtag, I compiled all my reactions (140 characters or not) and thought would attach as an adage to the post (Again!!). 


To put it succinctly if you want to skip my tweets :D 
"The show was a sham. The hosting was really mediocre. I brightened up only when Billy Crystal, Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law were on the stage (all three are personal favorites)"


# and they start the show with a fabulous montage of all the best picture nominees


# Alec Baldwin touch is EPIC. I like Alec Baldwin FYI.


# howmuchever one criticizes the writer's sense of humor, having Anne Hathaway and James Franco up there presenting the show is refreshing for the eyes!


# the art director winner guy is actually trembling!!!


# James Franco really looks bored out of his wits!!!


# did not know Kirk Douglas was Michael's father! :0


# though toy story 3 is amazing, I had loved how to train your dragon more! but one more for steve jobs and his enterprise! (His good health features in my prayers these days)


# I will be a late bloomer - David seidler (the original screenplay winner guy) :)


# Russel Brand and Helen Mirren should have hosted, no ?


# Reese witherspoon OMG. All dolled up but pretty nonetheless!


# Had a little patriotic moment with AR Rehman's name being announced


# Now Social Network's soundtrack was really really AWESOME. Well Deserved.


# Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. Drooooooool. (I recently watched a Jude Law, Natalie Portman gem Closer and cannot get that starting shot out of my head!)


# And Anne Hathaway is looking like lady gaga (love her voice and few songs) look-a-like in that blue dress.


# I have no favorites as such. Just clearing the airs. (I have watched only toy story 3, Inception and social network amongst the best picture nominees)


# and now Anne Hathaway has turned into an eye sore. Such a pretty face and what a bad dress. 


# James Franco looked horribly bored and looked as if all this was a gag.


# Why does Steven Spielberg always present best picture award ? (or his face looks really common or I have a bad memory. Last I saw oscars was some 3-4 years ago.)


# So my twitter timeline is all sad and mourning as King's Speech won instead of Social Network.


Anyways, as I finish (check for spelling mistakes) the post, our finance minister has finished producing the budget. Baba points out price rise of branded clothes. I promptly message my brother who I am sure will indulge in some shopping before things get implemented.  
I personally care about my jeans brand (Have a strange connection between the make of a jeans and its fitting in my head). And sadly I dont need any new jeans. So there! Budget wraps up for me.


~nightflier

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

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

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

A letter ...

Partner wrote it for his would-be-parent best friend in V.P.Kale's Partner. Rani Mukerji wrote it for her newborn daughter in KKHH. And then Mansi wrote it for her future child. That was inspiration enough for me, to hunt down the age old draft and post it. [Had not posted it earlier as I always thought it to be incomplete..somehow.]


Dear Kid,


Don't be surprised to read this. Even if we live in the same household this post is a mirror to what your mother was few years back. And somewhere its your duty to remind her (i.e. me) that how cynical, and irritated an adult she has become. As I write this I hope to reflect on my own life and tell you some goofy stories about life and its lessons. If I sound too patronizing then don't mind I am trying my level best to be the coolest parent around. For some reason if you put yourself in my shoes or any parents' shoes you will realize 'why they act the way they act' and it will be quite an amusing revelation. ;)


And that's the first thing I would like to tell you from what I have learnt from life so far. Don't judge anyone randomly for their actions. Try to practise empathy and compassion. It will save you from many harsh decisions and also open your heart to a range of human emotions. Being human has its own vicissitudes. I hope you learn to acknowledge and respect them early on. Even if you dont understand all this right now, I hope you just make a note of it. It has helped me a lot, and it will help you too.


Btw do you attend your classes regularly ? And do you study regularly ? When I was in school I was too sincere. But thankfully managed my bit of fun too. I used to read a lot. Do you read too ? And what kind of genres do you read ? Please include the Potter series, Little women and To kill a mocking bird in your reading list.


Do you sing/dance/paint/doodle/write/scribble/cook/run ? Any of these activities helps you explore the world within and outside with an open mind. I hope health and the mind's well being is on your agenda. Don't just be a kitaabi keeda. 


And have I shown you the Michigan lakeside ? If not then we need to plan a trip soon. Btw I hope you do like travelling. Isnt it just fun to pack your bags, forget the humdrum and be yourself ? I also hope you love the nature and its beauty. It has the ability to heal the deepest of wounds and shoo away scariest of thoughts. When you feel really lonely, give nature a chance. It will be a good shoulder to lean on and strengthen yourself.


There is one more thing which is very important and you should remember. That is being yourself. In spite of your colour,size,height,weight be yourself. You will face identity crisis at some point or the other in life. But dont forget your principles, the little things you believe in, just to be somebody else. And even if you do forget and try to be something you are not, then don't worry. I will try to be a friendly reminder. As important it is to give others a second chance, it is of utmost importance that you give yourself chances too. Better to learn a lesson than never committing a mistake. Be generous to others and yourself. Life isn't easy, so its better not to complicate it with little things.


And do you enjoy the small stuff ? Like pani puri, a candy bar, leaving small notes behind for yourself and friends, writing letters, jumping in roadside puddles, getting wet in the rains once in a while, drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace and watching animated movies ? It is always this small stuff which matters. It is the joy of small things which sometimes lessens the pain of not getting what you wanted in life.


Life with its absurdities will sometimes amaze you, sometimes dishearten you and sometimes bog you down to the extent of giving up. But moving on is the greatest gift you have got. Use it wisely. Cultivate your faith and a right attitude towards life and people in general. Then you will be able to deal with the cynics and non believers from early on. Don't ever give up on your dreams. They make you what you are. They also motivate you to keep going despite the hardships, trials and tribulations of life. And its nice to keep the kid within alive, along with that dream.


And have an ego. But not amongst friends. They are your mirrors and each friendship you nurture will open you to fun things. I hope you are not hooked to social networking sites (if they are still the in thing that is). If facebook is gone then what do you use to re-connect with lost/old friends ? If facebook exists then are we friends on it ? I hope we are. Again I dont intend to keep a watch on you, but just want to be a part of your life and the changes you are going through. And if twitter is still there, then hope you are following me and vice versa ;) Do you have a blog ? Well not because you like writing. But its a good option for having a pensieve. And also because I would love to read your thoughts. (We have a deal on the being a non creepy parent so dont worry ;))


I hope you give love a chance. It needn't be a happy ending. But opening your heart to someone is a really warm feeling. Love will keep you grounded and humble. Also its not important to be wise in love. Let your heart choose its own way. What makes it happy, will make you happy in the end :)
Btw do you get annoyed by unsolicited advice and suggestions ? (If yes, I am so happy that you are like me) But its good to be a good listener. Also its ok to be a rebel and give your piece of mind to annoying people once in a while ;)
You will meet people who would like to change you to suit their needs or to better yourself. I hope you will be able to recognize what is what from early on.


I am so sure you are a good kid and loved by everyone. I am also very sure that you have lots of dreams and ambitions. Don't give up on any of them is the least I can tell you. But sometimes with life's unpredictability you might have to let go of some. It will be a terrible feeling, but time gets rid of all troubles. So I hope you cultivate patience too. And more than wisdom, being clever is important in life. Sometimes wisdom might take away all the fun there is to situations. And remember having fun is a necessity when it comes to leading a happy life :)


Also never take anything for granted. Always count your blessings. For every crib-thought you nurture, remember there is a kid in an impoverished neighbourhood struggling to make a living for him/her self. But you will always have me and god to crib, cry about stuff which is important to you.


I think sometimes we wont find time to be the normal parent-kid. Not always will we find time for each other, with my work-life imbalance. Then its your duty to remind me of the balance I need to seek. If I become cynical, unhappy and irked by life and people, it is again your call to remind me who I was and what I have become. As you can see responsibilities for you will start quite early in life. Please try to accept them gracefully. With a mother like me, it will save you lot of energy ;)


Keep your eyes and mind open kid. Learn, eat, explore, enjoy, love and be loved. Dream a lot and strive for your dreams. All this won't solve any of life's mysteries but it will definitely make life happy and fun.


Lots of love, laughter and sunshine,
~nightflier


P.S. And yeah do you have a pseudonym too ? 

few points me..

1. I think its torture to have your ex-employer in your network (read facebook, twitter, blogger, etc). Its like having to have a forced relationship with your ex. Every time someone new (a new hire) enters their life, you have to learn to ignore it or bear the heartache of why not me ???  In case of an ex you at least have the liberty to make a choice and not stay in touch. But after all the fundas of social networking that you have gulped down, one feels obliged to not sever ties in such (employee-employer) cases. Its like having to wait for someone else (a new employer) to be actually able to move on. Life is hard. I hope I manage to remain civil until someone else comes along.


2. I had decided to be strong and not show any human emotions about the whole situation. It seems I have no control over myself :P So having started the post on a seemingly sad (not tear inducing sad, but a more literal bleh! sad) note, I need to take corrective action. So lately I am on this lets gain some pounds mission. I have always been for following a routine when it comes to a diet. Like eating healthy, fresh food 5-6 times a day. This time the difference is measuring the calories and making sure I surpass whatever is required for me to survive. Not difficult. But needs a good memory to keep track. So with stick notes in and around my space, I am surrounded by calories. Just that in this case, we are on the other side of the weighing scale. Rare, eh ?


3. Those of you who are up for documentaries and stuff, should definitely catch the show called Vanguard. I got interested in it when I read the news of a US journo getting detained in Korea and Bill Clinton flying down to rescue them and then the journo naming her kid after him. (I still think I got interested in the news in the first place cos of him..still find him kind of cute :P) Nevertheless, its very informative and opens you eyes to globalization in a new light. I am hooked to it as of now.


4. As my dreams start becoming more materialistic (like buying pretty clothes to make yourself feel good, accessorizing for no particular reason) and less spiritual, I wonder if this change is happening for any good ? Since I kind of spent all my pre silver jubilee years in 'I dont care about all the above things' philosophy, I think this was bound to happen. Life is all about balance. Hoping that I find the balancing zero average case sooner or later. 


5. And I think there is a dearth of girl/female programmers in the world today (wow! I feel like I am talking for some humanitarian cause :P). That is one field girls should start taking seriously. I am bored of people rolling their eyes at me, when told that I can code in this, this and this language. I dont think girls have any less logical reasoning than guys. It is laziness and an attitude problem me thinks. We should not let the guys get away with all the emerging cool things. Please join the cause and dont grimace at the sound of coding. It can be fun if taken with a pinch of salt!


And thus I am done with my weekly updates. Dont forget to catch my movie recommendations and give feedback. Remember feedback is important in any social interaction venture. :P


~nightflier

Tales from skinnystan

What do you do when ...


1. You are graduating soon, and to blend with the culture need a nice, pretty outfit.
2. Every store you visit invariably seems to sell clothes only from size 2 and above.
3. Even the stores which are meant for people like you with weight issues, dont sell anything which suits your taste.
4. When you do find the 'one' you are looking for, is available in your size, but only in distant suburbia, whose names sound like quaint 18th century villages and where the buildings are 3 story high.
5. You decide to compromise and buy an expensive dress which does not fit you and get it altered.
6. Having spent almost a fortune on buying stuff which doesn't fit you, a thought crosses your mind, why all the fuss ? You might as well skip the function or wear something old and Indian.
7. Seeing your dilemma friends, family, random strangers (like the bus driver lady, the shop assistant) start giving you advice on how and what to eat.


It is then, frustrated by the injustice meted out to you for being skinny, that 


1. You decide to make cheese, milk, eggs, bananas, chocolates, french fries and the family, your best friends.
2. Even though its against your conviction, you decide to join gym and work out like crazy. After all you have heard stories of how sylvester stallone became john rambo.
3. You make a resolve to hog till it makes you FAT.


And it is then, that your eyes fall on a random dress in a corner deeply buried below other stuff. It isn't what you wanted but it fits you really well. You decide may be you can accessorize it a bit and it might be the one you wanted!
It is also at this moment that you have an epiphany which tells you, probably its time not to take things just stated above so seriously. Time to take deep breath and chill.


~nightflier ;)

Irresistibly fashionable !

Roomie was listening to this, when we started talking about him and thus my mind went back to the time when I had these.


If you were born in the same timeline as me, and if you have grown up watching all the mush, that we were exposed to as kids, I know you must not be laughing at me.


Fashion in the end is comfort :P


And I was quite comfortable carrying them on my shoulder. (Mind you I had 3-4 matching ones! And we used to get them for Rs. 40 /each in Archies Gallery!)


~nightflier


P.S. Of course fake ones laah, not the real ones ;)

the art of Fun ;)

Yeah! I met the most fun people, after eons.


Here!



I loved the lil jig at the beginning! It sets the right mood. Oh and dont even get me started on the music!
And man who had ever thought that brides' maids and best men could be so hip and cool ?
No, I am not analysing the video :P
Just that I am overwhelmed by its coolness quotient ;)


And the bestest part of the video (of course according to me) starts at 3.36.
Fantasy world eh ? 


Whoever the couple is, I am glad I met them.
Some dream wedding you guys had :)


Thanks u-tube :D


~nightflier