Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Aaarrrgghh?? Anyone??

Do you ever feel that if you think and worry anymore about things you shall flip?
Are you ever so bothered about stuff that you know you are forgetting things that matter?
Do you ever get so wrapped up in thoughts that you know you are there...but..not really?
Stressed? Worried? Or maybe just plain tired?
Need to get away from it all? Run away, hide and...sleeeeep??

...and I now sound like an advert for a holiday plan!!
Not quite the intention here..this was just to say..my answer to all those is YES!!
A Loud Capital letters one!
Having one of those Aaarghhh!! days..well the past 2 weeks have been like that..so...hmmm!!

aaarghh?? anyone? or am I here alone?

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Here Comes the Grump!


A cartoon series made a long time ago. A person I know is currently behaving in a similar pattern, this is in honour of him.

Here Comes the Grump was an animated cartoon series created by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises. The main character was a small, grumpy wizard who had put a spell of melancholy on the kingdom of the Princess Dawn. The Princess and her friend Terry Dexter (a boy from the "real" world) searched for the Cave of the Whispering Orchids where they would find a crystal key to break the spell while the Grump tried to stop them. The Princess also had a pet creature, Bip, who looked like a cross between a dog and an octopus, that could sniff clues like a hound dog. In most chapters, the Princess and her friends travelled in a flying car that was supported by a big balloon.
The premise of the series was that in each episode the Grump would fly on a dragon following Terry and Princess Dawn, searching for the cave. This led them to bizarre places with strange characters, such as the Blabbermouth of Echo Island, where the mountains were made of living Swiss cheese.
The series was very creative for its time (1969-1971) and the colors had psychedelic influences, predominantly red and pink. The Grump himself wore a pink outfit and the Princess' creature was red. A recurring gag was that at the very last minute when the Grump was about to catch up with Princess Dawn, the Dragon would sneeze and burn the little wizard.
The character of the Grump was based upon Yosemite Sam; both were created by Friz Freleng. The Grump's Dragon was the same exact one Sam had in Knighty Knight Bugs, right down to the fiery nasal explosions upon its master.
The series lasted one season and was rerun, the most recent being the airing on the SciFi Channel in mid 1990s. The complete collection DVD was released in January 31, 2006.

(from Wikipedia)

Monday, February 26, 2007

Death Cab for Cutie

Cant get enough of these people. Have been listening to Plans all through the weekend. Amazing lyrics and amazing music.

I wish we could open our eyes
To see in all directions at the same time
Oh what a beautiful view
If you were never aware of what was around you
And it is true what you said
That I live like a hermit in my own head
But when the sun shines again
I'll pull the curtains and blinds to let the light in.
(Marching Bands of Manhattan)

You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
(I will follow you into the Dark)

I do believe it’s true
That there are roads left in both of our shoes
If the silence takes you
Then I hope it takes me too
So brown eyes I hold you near
Cause you’re the only song I want to hear
A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere
(Soul meets Body)

Atta Girl!!!

The 52 Annual Filmfare Awards (the Indian Oscar equivalent) took place in Mumbai last night.
Amongst the nominees was my very own sister. OK, she did not win, but India's biggest star Shahrukh Khan read out her name. So someone voted for the sister :)

Awards in the Techincal Category: Best Art Direction: Aparna Raina for 'Being Cyrus'

Though I dont like Mr Khan per se it did sound good to know that Aparna's work was being broadcast to the nation via this famous face.

Non conventional as this area is to my family of Doctors, Teachers, Engineers, Bureaucrats and Bankers, it was not easy for them to understand this desire to be behind the cameras. She broke the mould and worked on ad films and music vidoes, now after having been in Mumbai for 3 years, she is getting there!

Someday she shall be a celebrity I hope, and I can bask in reflected glory!! I wish! Hey sis..you did us proud!! Way to go!!

Friday, February 23, 2007

Step

One step ahead,
Two steps mentally.
The path reveals as it opens.
Its sometimes clear, comforting.
Its sometimes blurred, confusing, exciting

A crumble, a crush, a bloom, a blush.
The colours are light, yet harsh at times.
There is hope for something more,
just out of reach.
Dreams show the promise of things to come,
sometimes of pasts gone by.
Revealed is that which is gone
and those that will come.

Curiousity to see further,
the ability to go only so far.
The hope of getting more,
the promise of the same.
The wish of no mistakes and happiness,
the awareness of correct choices of path.
The steps ahead will show,
what is to come.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

In Memory

This is in memory of a near and very dear one who passed away last night. He will be missed in more ways than one.

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.

Mamu you will be missed!

Monday, February 19, 2007

About Business Class and Softy Men

What is about men? They complain about being used and manipulated, but they turn soft as soon as a girl is sweet to them.
Last night for the 7th time I got upgraded for free from a crummy Economy class middle of the middle seat to 7K - business class in Virgin Atlantic. I travelled in style. All because I was very nice and smiley at the check in desk. I requested the nice young man at the desk to find me a good aisle seat as it was a long haul flight, he smiled back and said there is nothing available, when I continued to smile, he said he would sort something out, in the meantime I had a middle seat anyways. Later on I was called forward in the queue and told about my new seat. When boarding, was asked to turn left at the aircraft door..ooh! All for a smile :)

Having had this treatment done to me, now the 7th time on long haul flights (the other sweeties were all ground staff men with British Air, Gulf Air and Emirates) I was sitting and pondering about it while I soaked in the Champagne and nibblets. As I sat back with my feet up in the plush bed, and read through the latest antics of Shilpa Shetty in a UK magazine, I wondered if I would have been treated any differently if I was male.

How do airlines decide who shall get upgraded for free and why do they do it. Does a smile really work wonders on any man? I dont know if I want to think any theories here..or try and apply them. All I know is, when a girl (in this case me) smiles at a man (any man) chances are he will be really nice to her, and possibly do anything she wants. Ahh! I thank again the Lord for making me female!! Chromosome X rocks!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Pune! Visit 2

This time I am ready..to see the city and stay in it. To get up close and move around on my own! So I am walking, and auto ricking around town. Watching women bandits, wrapped in head scarves with only eyes visible..a typicall Pune thing to do! Strange..is the only way to describe it...if you really want to save your skin, you would not be wearing sleeveless clothes, and might not wearing a helmet when you ride a bike be a smarter option? I do wonder!
Also looked at women dressed in Bridal finery walking around town and eating road side food, dressed to the nines! I did think I saw one bride too many and then was told later, it was 'sari day' in some college, which meant every female in the college has to dress up..well according to me like a bride, because there are a great many ways and great many types of saris! And not all make you look like a bride.
The next thing I did do was go to a club, oh boy!! There were women in Saris there too! And the DJ played hot bollywood hits, which meant every single person was doing the same dance steps, being Kareena Kapur from Don or being Abhishek Bachchan from Guru. Amusing and entertaining and there was no other way of making me feel a lot lot older than i thought I was :)

Went up to Sinhgarh..and ate Pitala and Bhakri with some staggeringly hot red onion sauce..oh dear was it hot or was it hot! It was a nice unique place..sitting in the shade of a tree on a reed mat, eating freshly cooked food..seems like a truly 'rustic' experience if you are not Indian..but for me..it was yet another shade of India that I had not seen.
The visit to an Ashtvinayak temple in Thevur was great, saw a temple where one of the 8 lord ganesh's appeared in Maharashtra. On my way there I saw bullock carts laden with sugar cane making their way to the local sugar factory..it made a stunning picture against the sunset! On the way home, came a brisk and smelly fish market, selling produce so fresh, it was still flipping in the basket... i was tempted to buy some.
Amazing!
Overall I have let the city in, I am thinking about it. Its not a shock to my system as it was last time. Perhaps if I get a sense of direction in more ways then one..I would be happier :) But yes this place is like Mumbai, minus all the noise that comes with being a metropolis. The 7th largest city in India..but the village heart is not too far!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Snow Flakes Are Confused People

Big massive snow clouds in London,
And they changed my world to white this morning.
The snow flakes came, haltingly, hesistatingly,
And when they start to fall, they looked strange,
Like confused white alive things,
Dont know which way to go,
Helter skelter they go,
Not quite decided yet where they want to fall,
Sometimes they go 'wheeee!!' and spin round and round,
Sometimes they go running behind each other,
It looks like they are trying to dodge the ground,
To avoid being merged into the crowd,
To avoid being melted into nothingness.
While other larger flakes are tired of their journey,
All the way down to the ground,
They head straight home to Earth,
And fall down with a soft sigh,
Destination reached, now time to rest and melt.
Confused pretty white alive snow flakes!

Travelling

Miles dont matter,
To the moon and back is not far when you really want to do it.
I would change planets if required.
I am going. Going home. To where I belong, if only for a while.
To end my misery, even if temporarily.
Right or wrong, close or far. When the person matters, there is no debating.
There is no length long enough, no place too far.
I dont know about travelling through time..but a million miles is also not too long.
When you say you love someone, and really mean it.
It means a lot more than one phrase.
A lot more than love,
its about priorities, you know who shall be on top,
of your list.
You know when you wont think twice.
You will do anything to make them smile.
You will put their happiness in front of yours.
You would if you could. Anything.
Love means more than shared affection,
its more than a lot of caring,
it means more than marriage and children,
more than heart strings,
more than sacrifice and adjustments,
it includes:
'You mean the most to me, and there is nothing, that is trivial that I would not do for you, you matter that most, always, everytime and in every possible way. Everything else is trivial and matters little in the larger scheme of things'.

And so I am going..home...because 9000 miles is not that far.

"Counting Down The Days"

You were right
And I don't wanna be here
If your gonna be thereWas that supposed to happen
I'll hold tight
I'll remember to smile
Though it has been a while
And without you does it matter
There's no room
No place to start
When our souls are apart
I wanna travel through time
See your surprise
Hold you so tight
I'm counting down the days tonight
I just wanna be a million miles away from here
I'm counting down the days

How've you been
It's just the usual here
And days are feeling like years
And every day's without you
Now I cry
Just a little too much
When I think of your touch
And everything about you
I feel cold
I'm in the dark
When our souls are apart

I wanna travel through time
See your surprise
Hold you so tight
I'm counting down the days tonight
I just wanna be a million miles away from here
I wanna travel through time
See your surprise
Hold you so tight
I'm counting down the days tonight
I just wanna be a million miles away from here
I'm counting down the days
I'm counting down the days
I'm counting down the days
I'm gonna be your surprise
I'm gonna hold you so tight

Yeah
I wanna travel through time
See your surpriseI'd hold you so tight
I'm counting down the days tonight
I just wanna be a million miles away from here
I wanna travel through time
See your surprise
I'd hold you so tight
I'm counting down the days tonight
I just wanna be a million miles away from here
A million miles away from here

- NATALIE IMBRUGLIA.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Yet Another Weekend

Well this weekend, I thought I would not listen to any music, but then sometimes songs come in to my head out of nowhere and then I have to sing them aloud..and if I do have the music with me..have to hear it full blast and then change the music or I shall be singing it all weekend. Well this weekend came Mr Adams in my head, in his typical husky voice and loud vocals. The only thing that could wipe him from my head was Pussy Cat Dolls..and I shall not go into that one..

This is typical Adams..loud, fast paced, straight from the heart, good lyrics perfectly balanced between being real and mushy!

When You Are Gone.

i've been wandering around the house all night
wondering what the hell to do
i'm trying to concentrate but all i can think of is you
well the phone don't ring cuz my friends ain't home
i'm tired of being all alone
got the tv on cuz the radio's playing songs that remind me of you

baby when you're gone - i realize i'm in love
the days go on and on - and the nights just seem so long
even food don't taste that good - drink ain't doing what it should
things just feel so wrong - baby when you're gone

i've been driving up and down these streets
trying to find somewhere to goya i'm lookin' for a familiar face but there's no one i know
this is torture - this is pain - it feels like i'm gonna go insane
i hope you're coming back real soon - cuz i don't know what to do

baby when you're gone - i realize i'm in love
the days go on and on - and the nights just seem so long
even food don't taste that good - drink ain't doing what it should
things just feel so wrong - baby when you're gone...

Bryan Adams
Album: On A Day Like Today.

Frog or Prince?

A close friend is getting married soon. She mentioned having what she insisted on calling 'thoughts' which I assumed were cold feet. Bearing in mind I have known her for a good number of years, I was not surprised to hear her thinking aloud. She expressed doubts and fears. The wedding is in 10 weeks time..and the plans are being made as we speak, or as I write...

Marrying someone is a BIG decision, but the person (who you are marrying) per se is the most important decision. And how would you ever know what and how it will be like in 20 years time for example. It, marriage, is almost like a gamble, you put all your hopes, expectations and as well as your heart as well in it and cross your fingers!!

I was asked some questions which I found intriguing..

1. How do I know if he is 'the one'?
2. How do I know we shall get along and not come to a parting of ways?
3. How can I for see what he will be like in 10 years time?
4. His parents sound nice but will they be like this always or is this for show?
5. Can I spend the rest of my life with this one person, knowing that there shall never be another?
6. What happens if I find someone much nicer and better in every possible way than the one I am marrying?
7. We do think alike, but there is only so much I know about him, what if we disagree?
8. Will he change after we get married?
9. What if he falls 'out of love' with me?
10. What if after a while I am not happy/ satisfied with him? What if I and what I need change?

I was unable to answer her questions. Some I think were basic questions which are common to all of us, but I think most answers we get as we get to know the person better. Life is not alwaya fair and you cant always get what you want, but you should atleast know what you want!
All I did say to her was, no one is perfect and you will find flaws in everyone, its up to you to see what is important to you and find it. Its never to late to walk before a wedding, but cutting it fine is not right, but then again marrying and splitting because you did not think it through is not right either. Figure out now will he be a frog and you dont mind that or will he be the Prince?