I’m usually very proud of my Mom.
And my pride multiplies significantly when she stands up for herself and voices her priorities. (Also when she watches TV shows like Roadies!)
However, I was not very sure how to react the other day when I saw her flicking the channels and coming to a halt on Aastha (that’s a TV channel, in case you don’t know).
The reason was... There was a session going on featuring Yog Rishi Ramdev Baba, India’s self-proclaimed Lord of the masses, the messiah of good health and the prophet of smart living.
No offence, but hey, this guy looks weird. His scrawny physique is by no means aesthetic, and his ample beard and hair sure make looking at him a highly unpleasant experience. If regular exercise and meditation can make you look this way... Then thanks, but no thanks.
So, this dude was explaining how one should live on a daily basis in order to be healthy. And mum, being the health freak that she is, could not resist this ready-on-a-platter info that the Babaji was broadcasting, in his distinctive style. Having nothing else more notable to do, I thought I’d watch.
He began by advocating the use of the Indian-style loo for passing your stool every morning. (If you find my choice of words distasteful, you ought to have seen him actually emulating the action.) He explained that the western loo is good for those that have some illness or dis-ease, but the best way to s**t is to sit down and do it like the Indians (or shall I say - like the Indians “DID”...) After all, it’s an animal virtue to stand and do all their stuff like ingesting and excreting.
Jade Goody did it to Shilpa Shetty and it’s now Ramdeo’s turn to hit back. He observed how Westerners don’t wash their bums after the call of nature, just as Jade remarked that Indians wash their backside with the same hand they eat with. (Which is better, you be the judge!)
Quite an engaging sequence of revelations, eh? Read on...
Here are some habits you could truly imbibe. They’re simple and they “look” healthy, if you know what I mean. Like not having curds at night, or not having milk with salt (now that’s not so difficult!) The part that I find a little tricky is waking up early in the morning, and early means no later than sunrise. Apparently, you stay healthy and wise if you beat the sun every dawn, and you live a long life. (I wonder how magnificent that longevity will be if you are supposed to sleep early each night!)
Back to the uncomplicated stuff. You should not drink water while standing (animal habits, remember?) You should sit down and NOT gulp your water, take it in slow and easy. Recall that each time you intake a few gallons you tend to burp? That’s what happens – gas – when you drink too much too fast. And gas is no use to the body. Besides, it causes arthritis and joint pain in the knees, back, spine, etc. Also, drink water an hour after meals – aids digestion, I think.
The other tips he gave were that you should rub oil on your face everyday for a few minutes if you want glowing skin. (Mum insists I apply all kinds of silly stuff like ripe papaya and banana paste on my face for shining skin. Too much of a bother and stink!!)
Hope you find this info useful and put it to better use than I do.
(And hope my mum stays away from the Aastha and Sanskar channels.)
Amen!
-Princess
P.S : If you're among those who have a holiday for Maharashtra Day tomorrow, and then Saturday-Sunday, then I'm envying you... Coz I gotta come to work half-day on Saturday... And hey, those of you in Mumbai, pls go to cast your vote today. Don't just take off somewhere coz you're getting a long break! Citizenship ke kuch farz bhi hote hai, yaaro!
Completely insane, bluntly stated, funnily accurate, very subjective, surprisingly universal. The story could be about me, about you or about nobody. Philosophy, rants, opinions, trivia or gyaan. This is me! And this is Life... You can love it, you can hate it. But you can't forget it! Welcome dear reader! Your dull, lonely days are over... Coz Princess is here! Cheerio!
Thursday, April 30
Tuesday, April 28
Kismat Ka Khel
Hiya!
Another occasion when I’m gona ask you to put your hands together and hail the victor!
And the hero is none other than Nauman Sait – the winner of Roadies 6.0 (just as I’d predicted). Yippeeeee!!I’m SO SO SOOOOO glad that Palak did not win.
The grand finale (which had 2 parts) had Raghu bring back Natasha and Sufi in the contest with Palak and Naumi, while the ex-Roadies chose Kiri as the most deserving chap amongst them to get a final chance to win the title. The 3 battled in a diabolic task - walking on a single, wobbly plank in the dark with flashlights dancing in their eyes – and while Sufi failed to complete the activity (poor guy), Kiri outdid Natasha, and became the final contender with Palak and Naomi.
I missed the last episode. (Sunday evenings are a bad time to show any good stuff on TV!! Please take note, folks!) But I manged to catch the repeat telecast last evening on MTV. There was a penultimate rappelling task, where Kiri was brainwashed by Raghu and Rannvijay to compete with Naumi and dump Palak in the ultimate task for the Roadies title. In which Naomi gave his best, and emerged triumphant! Well done, boy, well done!! I’m thrilled!!
The episode was very touching; I was weeping with joy as I watched Naomi literally bleed to reach his destination. Each and every person who had ever criticised or hated him admitted that he had proved himself and completely deserved to win. He now returns home with 3.62 lac Rupees and a Karizma bike... and fame... which is priceless!
You can also congratulate me for scoring 54561 on Snake 3. I ran out of time as I was busy munching on the apples, pears and cherries that act as the snake’s food. Greedy me!!
And while we’re on the happy mode, let’s wish my Dad as it’s his 55th birthday today. (Bhabhi turned 25 yesterday. Less than 3 months to go for my big day!)
By the way, I've found out a few folks who share their birthdate with me; wana know??!! They are Daniel Radcliffe (Mr. Harry Potter), Monica Lewinsky (she needs no introduction, does she?!!), Lokmanya Tilak, Chandrasekhar Azad, Slash from Guns N Roses, and hold your breath - HIMESH RESHAMMIYA!! ROFL... Goddd.... Crazyyy...
Quite a few good news-es, eh? There's also some sad stuff - Feroz Khan died of cancer at age 69. He is survived by his talent-less and witless son Fardeen and daughter Laila. I did not particularly adore the man, but I sure admire his confidence and style. He'll be missed...
The other news is that the authorities are trying to give swine flu a miss. We've heard of bird flu before, but this time, it's pig flu that's doing the rounds in US, UK and Europe. 103 folks lost their lives in Mexico thanks to this condition. (Don't worry, your pork is safe, just heat it well above the usual temperature.)
I’ve had a great weekend. Did nothing special really, except Sizzled at Yana ;-) But if sorrow doesn’t always need a reason, then neither does happiness! I’m in good spirits since last week... God knows why, but I’m loving it, and may it continue!!
I helped facilitate a Team building program for GTL at their GITA training centre ahead of Wagholi. It went very well (as usual), and there’s quite a bit of work in the office now courtesy FIRO-B reports for another team from the same company.
The best things in life are free. However, even those that come at a price can give tremendous bliss. And I mean something as small as a Ceres juice pack, which I purchased at Dorabjee’s the other day. (Youngberry flavor - tastes nice.) Or the Weikfield jelly crystals. Or the cute pair of blue earrings that suit my sexy Punjabi suit to a T! I’m happy!! Touch wood...
I told you I’m reading the Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone. I’ve finished over 200 pages of the 475-page novel, and the plot is still not completely developed. While I understand the protagonist Ephraim Carroll’s character and temperament, we’re still clueless about the vanished cadaver in the morgue that stunned Prof Osler and fishy Turk when they caught a glance at it. New people are introduced on every page, and there is no solid data about who is important in the climax and who is a mere decoration. And now Turk is dead, poisoned apparently... Heaven knows how this will end... Osler's my chief suspect...
By the way, I learnt quite a few new words while reading the book – blithely, which means casually; datum, the singular form of data; rapscallion, which means rascal; and many more.
I need a change (as usual). I want to go outa the city, meet new people, do something different. While my heart is hovering on a trip to Thailand and Malaysia, my brain suggests Goa, where I could also opt for the Basic Human Process Lab (BLHP) by ISABS. Career/personality development ek taraf, chhutti bhi ho jayegi. Two birds with one stone, good na?! Let’s see what finally happens... (My mantra for all crossroads.)
The stars foretell that my good times shall roll starting May. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. May 1 will sure be good (it’s a holiday on account of Labor day urf Maharashtra Din. Hee hee!) May the rest be better than that!!
Adios buddies.
-Happy Princess
Another occasion when I’m gona ask you to put your hands together and hail the victor!
And the hero is none other than Nauman Sait – the winner of Roadies 6.0 (just as I’d predicted). Yippeeeee!!I’m SO SO SOOOOO glad that Palak did not win.
The grand finale (which had 2 parts) had Raghu bring back Natasha and Sufi in the contest with Palak and Naumi, while the ex-Roadies chose Kiri as the most deserving chap amongst them to get a final chance to win the title. The 3 battled in a diabolic task - walking on a single, wobbly plank in the dark with flashlights dancing in their eyes – and while Sufi failed to complete the activity (poor guy), Kiri outdid Natasha, and became the final contender with Palak and Naomi.
I missed the last episode. (Sunday evenings are a bad time to show any good stuff on TV!! Please take note, folks!) But I manged to catch the repeat telecast last evening on MTV. There was a penultimate rappelling task, where Kiri was brainwashed by Raghu and Rannvijay to compete with Naumi and dump Palak in the ultimate task for the Roadies title. In which Naomi gave his best, and emerged triumphant! Well done, boy, well done!! I’m thrilled!!
The episode was very touching; I was weeping with joy as I watched Naomi literally bleed to reach his destination. Each and every person who had ever criticised or hated him admitted that he had proved himself and completely deserved to win. He now returns home with 3.62 lac Rupees and a Karizma bike... and fame... which is priceless!
You can also congratulate me for scoring 54561 on Snake 3. I ran out of time as I was busy munching on the apples, pears and cherries that act as the snake’s food. Greedy me!!
And while we’re on the happy mode, let’s wish my Dad as it’s his 55th birthday today. (Bhabhi turned 25 yesterday. Less than 3 months to go for my big day!)
By the way, I've found out a few folks who share their birthdate with me; wana know??!! They are Daniel Radcliffe (Mr. Harry Potter), Monica Lewinsky (she needs no introduction, does she?!!), Lokmanya Tilak, Chandrasekhar Azad, Slash from Guns N Roses, and hold your breath - HIMESH RESHAMMIYA!! ROFL... Goddd.... Crazyyy...
Quite a few good news-es, eh? There's also some sad stuff - Feroz Khan died of cancer at age 69. He is survived by his talent-less and witless son Fardeen and daughter Laila. I did not particularly adore the man, but I sure admire his confidence and style. He'll be missed...
The other news is that the authorities are trying to give swine flu a miss. We've heard of bird flu before, but this time, it's pig flu that's doing the rounds in US, UK and Europe. 103 folks lost their lives in Mexico thanks to this condition. (Don't worry, your pork is safe, just heat it well above the usual temperature.)
I’ve had a great weekend. Did nothing special really, except Sizzled at Yana ;-) But if sorrow doesn’t always need a reason, then neither does happiness! I’m in good spirits since last week... God knows why, but I’m loving it, and may it continue!!
I helped facilitate a Team building program for GTL at their GITA training centre ahead of Wagholi. It went very well (as usual), and there’s quite a bit of work in the office now courtesy FIRO-B reports for another team from the same company.
The best things in life are free. However, even those that come at a price can give tremendous bliss. And I mean something as small as a Ceres juice pack, which I purchased at Dorabjee’s the other day. (Youngberry flavor - tastes nice.) Or the Weikfield jelly crystals. Or the cute pair of blue earrings that suit my sexy Punjabi suit to a T! I’m happy!! Touch wood...
I told you I’m reading the Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone. I’ve finished over 200 pages of the 475-page novel, and the plot is still not completely developed. While I understand the protagonist Ephraim Carroll’s character and temperament, we’re still clueless about the vanished cadaver in the morgue that stunned Prof Osler and fishy Turk when they caught a glance at it. New people are introduced on every page, and there is no solid data about who is important in the climax and who is a mere decoration. And now Turk is dead, poisoned apparently... Heaven knows how this will end... Osler's my chief suspect...
By the way, I learnt quite a few new words while reading the book – blithely, which means casually; datum, the singular form of data; rapscallion, which means rascal; and many more.
I need a change (as usual). I want to go outa the city, meet new people, do something different. While my heart is hovering on a trip to Thailand and Malaysia, my brain suggests Goa, where I could also opt for the Basic Human Process Lab (BLHP) by ISABS. Career/personality development ek taraf, chhutti bhi ho jayegi. Two birds with one stone, good na?! Let’s see what finally happens... (My mantra for all crossroads.)
The stars foretell that my good times shall roll starting May. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. May 1 will sure be good (it’s a holiday on account of Labor day urf Maharashtra Din. Hee hee!) May the rest be better than that!!
Adios buddies.
-Happy Princess
Monday, April 27
When Insults Had Class
After the quotes I shared on Saturday, I just HAD to share this one... It's about remarks people have made about others... And how insults can be subtle yet effective!! Take a hint ;-)
He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire - Winston Churchill
I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure - Clarence Darrow
He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it - Mark Twain
He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends - Oscar Wilde
I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend. If you have one - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
... followed by Churchill's response:
Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second, if there is one - Winston Churchill
I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here - Stephen Bishop
He is a self-made man and worships his creator - John Bright
I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial - Irvin S. Cobb
He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others - Samuel Johnson
Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it? - Mark Twain
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go - Oscar Wilde
Lady Astor once remarked to Winston Churchill at a Dinner Party, “Winston, if you were my husband, I would poison your coffee!”
Winston replied, “Madam if I were your husband I would drink it!”
Lady Astor also once remarked to Winston Churchill at another Dinner Party, “Sir Winston, you're drunk!”
To which, Winston replied, “Yes, Madam, I am. And you're ugly! But in the morning, I will be sober. And you will still be ugly!”
Mast, eh?!!
Cya!
Princess
He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire - Winston Churchill
I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure - Clarence Darrow
He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it - Mark Twain
He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends - Oscar Wilde
I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend. If you have one - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
... followed by Churchill's response:
Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second, if there is one - Winston Churchill
I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here - Stephen Bishop
He is a self-made man and worships his creator - John Bright
I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial - Irvin S. Cobb
He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others - Samuel Johnson
Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it? - Mark Twain
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go - Oscar Wilde
Lady Astor once remarked to Winston Churchill at a Dinner Party, “Winston, if you were my husband, I would poison your coffee!”
Winston replied, “Madam if I were your husband I would drink it!”
Lady Astor also once remarked to Winston Churchill at another Dinner Party, “Sir Winston, you're drunk!”
To which, Winston replied, “Yes, Madam, I am. And you're ugly! But in the morning, I will be sober. And you will still be ugly!”
Mast, eh?!!
Cya!
Princess
Saturday, April 25
Quotable Quotes
Hey leddies and jentss ;-)
I was talking to myself the other day about how there are people from all over the world taking a peek at my blog, except for those from Australia and South America. And wonder of wonders, now my Feedjit tells me that internetters from there have visited my page, too! Cheerio!!
(That effectively leaves the northern part of North America and South America, Antarctica, South Africa, and quite a bit of Europe. Come one, come all!! This is the place to be, fellas!!)
Now that the business development bit is over (!!) leme start with the topic of the day... It's short and it's sweet... So lay abck and relax!!
Remember I told you I went to Landmark the other day... But I didn’t tell you about the witty quotes and funny facts that they have on the Landmark carry bags. They’re pretty and they blue or green, and they make for a good 2 minute read!!
Here’s a few... Enjoy!
The bones of a pigeon weigh less than its feathers.
He who lends a book is an idiot. He who returns the book is more of an idiot – Arab proverb.
We know nothing about motivation; all we can do is write books about it – Peter Drucker.
In all his life, John Milton received 10 pounds as payment for Paradise Lost.
I was married by a judge, I should have asked for a jury.
43.3% statistics are made up on the spot!
The bloodhound is the only animal whose evidence is admissible in an American court.
Charles Dickens used to touch everything three times for luck.
20% of books sold in Japan are comics.
Shakespeare has used 29000 different words in his plays.
The people of Iceland read more books per capita than any other people in the world.
Once during prohibition, I was forced to live on nothing but food and water.
Time wounds all heels.
And several by Groucho Marx :
I must say I find TV very educational. Every time somebody turns it on I go to the library and read a book.
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them, I have others.
I don’t care to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.
Quite a remarkable man, eh, Groucho?!
Get these bags for yourself! And while you're at it, get something to read as well... Of all the habits you’re planning to drop, let reading be the last!!
Take it easy!
Princess
I was talking to myself the other day about how there are people from all over the world taking a peek at my blog, except for those from Australia and South America. And wonder of wonders, now my Feedjit tells me that internetters from there have visited my page, too! Cheerio!!
(That effectively leaves the northern part of North America and South America, Antarctica, South Africa, and quite a bit of Europe. Come one, come all!! This is the place to be, fellas!!)
Now that the business development bit is over (!!) leme start with the topic of the day... It's short and it's sweet... So lay abck and relax!!
Remember I told you I went to Landmark the other day... But I didn’t tell you about the witty quotes and funny facts that they have on the Landmark carry bags. They’re pretty and they blue or green, and they make for a good 2 minute read!!
Here’s a few... Enjoy!
The bones of a pigeon weigh less than its feathers.
He who lends a book is an idiot. He who returns the book is more of an idiot – Arab proverb.
We know nothing about motivation; all we can do is write books about it – Peter Drucker.
In all his life, John Milton received 10 pounds as payment for Paradise Lost.
I was married by a judge, I should have asked for a jury.
43.3% statistics are made up on the spot!
The bloodhound is the only animal whose evidence is admissible in an American court.
Charles Dickens used to touch everything three times for luck.
20% of books sold in Japan are comics.
Shakespeare has used 29000 different words in his plays.
The people of Iceland read more books per capita than any other people in the world.
Once during prohibition, I was forced to live on nothing but food and water.
Time wounds all heels.
And several by Groucho Marx :
I must say I find TV very educational. Every time somebody turns it on I go to the library and read a book.
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them, I have others.
I don’t care to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.
Quite a remarkable man, eh, Groucho?!
Get these bags for yourself! And while you're at it, get something to read as well... Of all the habits you’re planning to drop, let reading be the last!!
Take it easy!
Princess
Thursday, April 23
One + One = Eleven (??)
The wedding season is here again!
(Congrats Neeta, Vishweta, Abhijeet, Sayali, Rujuta, Gaurangi, Amruta, Rahul and all you others whose names I’ve not mentioned here for space/privacy reasons. Wish you all happy wedded lives!)
As you can read above, a lot of my batch mates – both from school and college, are tying the knot – amongst themselves, or with “sundar, shahani, layak pora and pori” (=smart, pretty and eligible young men and women) searched by their families from around the globe.
Conversations with friends (or even other folks) sooner or later land up on the topic of bachelorhood and impending matrimony. I’m wondering if this is creating any kind of stress among those that are yet single or in the market out-for-grabs. The pressure is not just on marriageable “kids” but also their parents, who are busy searching for potential brides and grooms as a primary task.
I have been ruminating on the concept of “peer pressure” over the last few weeks. How the same peer pressure that acts upon a person as a child, also continues to affect an individual when he/she gets married and has a job. And that’s not the end! Peer pressure also operates among the elderly in various pertinent ways. Owing to influence by age-mates, a school-going kid learns to smoke/smoke up, a professional takes up a responsibility or position he/she does not enjoy, and the grandfather starts using purgative when his digestive system is doing great!
I’m not saying peer pressure is always bad. If peer pressure makes you vote, it’s great!
(Pune went to the polls today. I hope you voted, too! The media and youth made tremendous efforts to get people to the polling booths, and I’m hoping this will create a strong government with able people in the times to come. Amen.)
So why exactly am I talking about this? Coz I’ve been wondering how people cower down and identify themselves with the gang that they hang out with. The adapted habits could be voluntarily chosen, subconsciously accepted or internalized simply through the fear of being bullied or ridiculed. Like when I used to spend entire days at CCD while in junior college, I used to meet a bunch of friends regularly, most of who used to smoke and dope. While there was no force on me to start doing the same, there were others who decided to try it, and then continued doing it coz it looked “cool” and made them feel like partners-in-crime. Now when I meet those buddies again, they smirk how they stupidly joined the rat race in a bid to “fit-in” and create an impression. Some have got off their addictions, others are still enjoying their definitions of style and youthfulness. Each one to his own.
I believe values and principles play a major role in what you choose to do, and what you choose not to do. For me, drinking might be acceptable, but for someone else, eating meat could be a bigger crime than doing drugs. Hence, we really cannot say what is right and wrong. People grow up with their own unique experiences, they meet a different set of individuals, they belong to various groups... And thus, the final product, that is the person, is possibly the best he/she could be. And if we can accept that, well and good. Else, who cares?!!
I care. For people who are close to me. For people I’ve known for a long time. For people that mean something to me. And so, I try to change them. Not for selfish gains, but for their own good. Which is why I shout on you, M, when you let people walk all over you. Or you, S, when you do something that is bad for you in anyway – personal or professional. Or you, N, when you go out of your way to do something for those that don’t deserve it. I know I should keep my trap shut and let you do what you guys please, after all, it’s your life and your choice. But I care... And I speak... And I get hated... But that’s OK... As long as I know you’re OK...
Well, I’ve sure come a long way from where the post started. So, let me retrace my steps. Orkut and Facebook are abuzz with pictures and status messages that are informing the network about people’s engagements, weddings and babies. It delights me to see those that I hung out with as a kid or teenager, now taking vows of love and loyalty. It is a little difficult, I admit, coz the person suddenly seems older and distanced, but it sure is a happy occasion. I just find it weird that people don’t want to invite their school and college buddies to their grand ceremonies. What could the reason be? Too many guests to invite? Not worthy enough? Too much expenditure? I’m guessing...
Hey people, I’m gona post a public announcement when I tie the knot. I want you all to come, regardless of how many times we’ve met or whether we were close or not. Coz each one of you is special to me. And I want you to join me on my special day.
(Nope, it’s not happening anytime soon. Shall let you know when the pipeline’s buzzing!!)
So, be ready to block your calendars.
This is one smile you owe me for all the times my blog has made you smile :-)
Cheers!
Anuja
(Congrats Neeta, Vishweta, Abhijeet, Sayali, Rujuta, Gaurangi, Amruta, Rahul and all you others whose names I’ve not mentioned here for space/privacy reasons. Wish you all happy wedded lives!)
As you can read above, a lot of my batch mates – both from school and college, are tying the knot – amongst themselves, or with “sundar, shahani, layak pora and pori” (=smart, pretty and eligible young men and women) searched by their families from around the globe.
Conversations with friends (or even other folks) sooner or later land up on the topic of bachelorhood and impending matrimony. I’m wondering if this is creating any kind of stress among those that are yet single or in the market out-for-grabs. The pressure is not just on marriageable “kids” but also their parents, who are busy searching for potential brides and grooms as a primary task.
I have been ruminating on the concept of “peer pressure” over the last few weeks. How the same peer pressure that acts upon a person as a child, also continues to affect an individual when he/she gets married and has a job. And that’s not the end! Peer pressure also operates among the elderly in various pertinent ways. Owing to influence by age-mates, a school-going kid learns to smoke/smoke up, a professional takes up a responsibility or position he/she does not enjoy, and the grandfather starts using purgative when his digestive system is doing great!
I’m not saying peer pressure is always bad. If peer pressure makes you vote, it’s great!
(Pune went to the polls today. I hope you voted, too! The media and youth made tremendous efforts to get people to the polling booths, and I’m hoping this will create a strong government with able people in the times to come. Amen.)
So why exactly am I talking about this? Coz I’ve been wondering how people cower down and identify themselves with the gang that they hang out with. The adapted habits could be voluntarily chosen, subconsciously accepted or internalized simply through the fear of being bullied or ridiculed. Like when I used to spend entire days at CCD while in junior college, I used to meet a bunch of friends regularly, most of who used to smoke and dope. While there was no force on me to start doing the same, there were others who decided to try it, and then continued doing it coz it looked “cool” and made them feel like partners-in-crime. Now when I meet those buddies again, they smirk how they stupidly joined the rat race in a bid to “fit-in” and create an impression. Some have got off their addictions, others are still enjoying their definitions of style and youthfulness. Each one to his own.
I believe values and principles play a major role in what you choose to do, and what you choose not to do. For me, drinking might be acceptable, but for someone else, eating meat could be a bigger crime than doing drugs. Hence, we really cannot say what is right and wrong. People grow up with their own unique experiences, they meet a different set of individuals, they belong to various groups... And thus, the final product, that is the person, is possibly the best he/she could be. And if we can accept that, well and good. Else, who cares?!!
I care. For people who are close to me. For people I’ve known for a long time. For people that mean something to me. And so, I try to change them. Not for selfish gains, but for their own good. Which is why I shout on you, M, when you let people walk all over you. Or you, S, when you do something that is bad for you in anyway – personal or professional. Or you, N, when you go out of your way to do something for those that don’t deserve it. I know I should keep my trap shut and let you do what you guys please, after all, it’s your life and your choice. But I care... And I speak... And I get hated... But that’s OK... As long as I know you’re OK...
Well, I’ve sure come a long way from where the post started. So, let me retrace my steps. Orkut and Facebook are abuzz with pictures and status messages that are informing the network about people’s engagements, weddings and babies. It delights me to see those that I hung out with as a kid or teenager, now taking vows of love and loyalty. It is a little difficult, I admit, coz the person suddenly seems older and distanced, but it sure is a happy occasion. I just find it weird that people don’t want to invite their school and college buddies to their grand ceremonies. What could the reason be? Too many guests to invite? Not worthy enough? Too much expenditure? I’m guessing...
Hey people, I’m gona post a public announcement when I tie the knot. I want you all to come, regardless of how many times we’ve met or whether we were close or not. Coz each one of you is special to me. And I want you to join me on my special day.
(Nope, it’s not happening anytime soon. Shall let you know when the pipeline’s buzzing!!)
So, be ready to block your calendars.
This is one smile you owe me for all the times my blog has made you smile :-)
Cheers!
Anuja
Tuesday, April 21
Hafta Vasool
Hey fellas...
Sometimes I wonder whether you all are really interested in reading all that I rant about... or whether you just land up here and go through the posts on my updates coz you have nothing else to do...
Whatever the reason, that’s not gona stop me from telling you all that I’ve been up to!! ;-)
The latest is I’ve visited this awesome place called Toons - Café Down Under, which like the name suggests is “under” Wonderland (I’m not talking about some fictitious Alice in Wonderland locale; there’s this complex called Wonderland in Pune Camp, and if you haven’t heard about it despite being in the city, then you know how bad your local guides were).
So, well, I’ve heard about this place numerous times before; but never went there for two reasons. One, the folks I spend my time with prefer to go someplace else, and two, the café belongs to my dad’s friend, so I didn’t quite know how safe it was for me to hang out there. I finally set food inside... and came out high and joyful...
Toons has an Apache kinda ambience (if you've been there), and they serve beer and snacks in a very non-stylish and in-your-face way. Which is it’s greatest charm. Youngsters drop in for some booze and soccer (cricket, if there’s anything big going on) and the rock music fills in the gaps amazingly well. The place is frequented by rock enthusiasts, so you tend to see shabbily dressed people, their skin pierced all over, their hair falling in tangles across their face. And some decent people also, like me, for instance. Hehe.
I spent a lovely Saturday evening there, though the queue is pathetic, and you need to wait anywhere between 45-120 minutes to enter the restaurant, leave aside find a table and chairs. The owner must be minting money like anything, boss!
You can now test me on my knowledge (just the names) of beers... I’m not sure whether they’re strong or mild or what, but here’s a few for GK sake... Foster, Tuborg, Kingfisher, Budweiser, Carlsberg, Cannon, London Pilsner (which my mate said is pronounced “Pisner”; is that right?!!) I also dunno much about the terms “fermented” and “draught”, but well... I’m not doing a Ph.D. on this subject anytime soon...
I also learnt quite a bit about the IPL, thanks to a patient buddy. As I’ve already told ya, I’m not too keen on the game and the jargon, but I’ve got the basics of the event that’s happening at South Africa at the moment. Test me!
There are 8 teams, I dunno the exact names, but the geographical locations are Punjab, Rajasthan (Royals), Delhi (Daredevils), Mumbai, Kolkata (Knight Riders), Chennai, Bangalore, and... (shit, I forgot the last one!! Can I cheat a bit? No, I won’t. Gimme a second...) Ya! Got it... Deccan something. Yippeeeee!! (All perfectly named, right Sibs?!)
To tell you more about the places I’ve been to over the weekend – count in Garden Court, Dorabjee (can’t pass a Sunday without their large Frappe!), Pizza Hut (was dying to eat the Mushroom sauce Fusilli Pasta there; love the Ebony Ivory dessert, too, but was overstuffed), Smoking Joes (for their SJ Special pizza that has chicken in all forms and shapes – including salami, chunks, sausages... yummm!!)...
And hey, before you start thinking that I’ve done nothing but hog throughout the 2 days, leme mention that I also went to Landmark and bought 2 books – Twilight (finally) and the Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone (it’s got to do with medical blunders and ethics) .
Super holiday! (No, I wasn’t celebrating anything... Or maybe I was... celebrating the joy of being myself!) I sure did not enjoy some parts of it... like sleeping on the hard floor and bathing without a shower/mug. No child’s play, sirree, and Anuja’s neither. But hey, what’s a little trouble as compared to an excellent getaway!
The curtains on this weekend fell in an equally wonderful way. You remember I told you about this bhajan sabha that my mum had planned? It went great, the bunch of women who sang did a marvelous job, and the snacks from Rajdhani were superb as well. I was munching on the corn patties (they looked like cutlets to me) as I ran around the house doing odd-and-ends, and I relished the Mango Rasmalai the next day at work. Ohh, and I enjoyed meeting the people, too! It’s fun to meet my parents’ gang – they laugh and say all types of crazy things, and just bring the house down with their merry mayhem!
I’m missing going to the cinema. Wonder when the clash between movie-makers and theatre-owners will end. No movie has released over the last 2 weeks... Calm down you guys! And reach a compromise soon... The box office can’t do with this kinda hush.
GTG people. See ya soon!
Love,
Princess
Sometimes I wonder whether you all are really interested in reading all that I rant about... or whether you just land up here and go through the posts on my updates coz you have nothing else to do...
Whatever the reason, that’s not gona stop me from telling you all that I’ve been up to!! ;-)
The latest is I’ve visited this awesome place called Toons - Café Down Under, which like the name suggests is “under” Wonderland (I’m not talking about some fictitious Alice in Wonderland locale; there’s this complex called Wonderland in Pune Camp, and if you haven’t heard about it despite being in the city, then you know how bad your local guides were).
So, well, I’ve heard about this place numerous times before; but never went there for two reasons. One, the folks I spend my time with prefer to go someplace else, and two, the café belongs to my dad’s friend, so I didn’t quite know how safe it was for me to hang out there. I finally set food inside... and came out high and joyful...
Toons has an Apache kinda ambience (if you've been there), and they serve beer and snacks in a very non-stylish and in-your-face way. Which is it’s greatest charm. Youngsters drop in for some booze and soccer (cricket, if there’s anything big going on) and the rock music fills in the gaps amazingly well. The place is frequented by rock enthusiasts, so you tend to see shabbily dressed people, their skin pierced all over, their hair falling in tangles across their face. And some decent people also, like me, for instance. Hehe.
I spent a lovely Saturday evening there, though the queue is pathetic, and you need to wait anywhere between 45-120 minutes to enter the restaurant, leave aside find a table and chairs. The owner must be minting money like anything, boss!
You can now test me on my knowledge (just the names) of beers... I’m not sure whether they’re strong or mild or what, but here’s a few for GK sake... Foster, Tuborg, Kingfisher, Budweiser, Carlsberg, Cannon, London Pilsner (which my mate said is pronounced “Pisner”; is that right?!!) I also dunno much about the terms “fermented” and “draught”, but well... I’m not doing a Ph.D. on this subject anytime soon...
I also learnt quite a bit about the IPL, thanks to a patient buddy. As I’ve already told ya, I’m not too keen on the game and the jargon, but I’ve got the basics of the event that’s happening at South Africa at the moment. Test me!
There are 8 teams, I dunno the exact names, but the geographical locations are Punjab, Rajasthan (Royals), Delhi (Daredevils), Mumbai, Kolkata (Knight Riders), Chennai, Bangalore, and... (shit, I forgot the last one!! Can I cheat a bit? No, I won’t. Gimme a second...) Ya! Got it... Deccan something. Yippeeeee!! (All perfectly named, right Sibs?!)
To tell you more about the places I’ve been to over the weekend – count in Garden Court, Dorabjee (can’t pass a Sunday without their large Frappe!), Pizza Hut (was dying to eat the Mushroom sauce Fusilli Pasta there; love the Ebony Ivory dessert, too, but was overstuffed), Smoking Joes (for their SJ Special pizza that has chicken in all forms and shapes – including salami, chunks, sausages... yummm!!)...
And hey, before you start thinking that I’ve done nothing but hog throughout the 2 days, leme mention that I also went to Landmark and bought 2 books – Twilight (finally) and the Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone (it’s got to do with medical blunders and ethics) .
Super holiday! (No, I wasn’t celebrating anything... Or maybe I was... celebrating the joy of being myself!) I sure did not enjoy some parts of it... like sleeping on the hard floor and bathing without a shower/mug. No child’s play, sirree, and Anuja’s neither. But hey, what’s a little trouble as compared to an excellent getaway!
The curtains on this weekend fell in an equally wonderful way. You remember I told you about this bhajan sabha that my mum had planned? It went great, the bunch of women who sang did a marvelous job, and the snacks from Rajdhani were superb as well. I was munching on the corn patties (they looked like cutlets to me) as I ran around the house doing odd-and-ends, and I relished the Mango Rasmalai the next day at work. Ohh, and I enjoyed meeting the people, too! It’s fun to meet my parents’ gang – they laugh and say all types of crazy things, and just bring the house down with their merry mayhem!
I’m missing going to the cinema. Wonder when the clash between movie-makers and theatre-owners will end. No movie has released over the last 2 weeks... Calm down you guys! And reach a compromise soon... The box office can’t do with this kinda hush.
GTG people. See ya soon!
Love,
Princess
Monday, April 20
Interesting Facts
Hey buddies!
Check out these very fascinating facts...
You may have heard/read/observed them earlier... But nevertheless, enjoy!!!
1. If you are right handed, you will tend to chew your food on your right side. If you are left handed, you will tend to chew your food on your left side.
2. If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water. For when a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts off.
3. Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.
4. Your tongue is germ free only if it is pink. If it is white there is a thin film of bacteria on it.
5. The Mercedes-Benz motto is 'Das Beste oder Nichts' meaning 'the best or nothing'.
6. The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45 percent when a person looks at something pleasing. (I've shared a joke with you on this note!)
7. The average person who stops smoking requires one hour less sleep a night.
8. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.
9. The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear.
10. Dalmatians are born without spots.
11. Bats always turn left when exiting a cave.
12. Men's shirts have the buttons on the right, but women's shirts have the buttons on the left.
13. The owl is the only bird to drop its upper eyelid to wink. All other birds raise their lower eyelids.
14. The reason honey is so easy to digest is that it's already been digested by a bee.
15. Roosters cannot crow if they cannot extend their necks.
16. The color blue has a calming effect. It causes the brain to release calming hormones.
17. Every time you sneeze some of your brain cells die. (Told you this before, right?!)
18. Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart.
19. The verb "cleave" is the only English word with two synonyms which are antonyms of each other: adhere and separate.
20. When you blush, the lining of your stomach also turns red.
21. When hippos are upset, their sweat turns red.
22. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle was built in 1903, and used a tomato can for a carburetor.
23. The lion that roars in the MGM logo is named Volney.
24. Google is actually the common name for a number with a million zeros.
25. Switching letters is called spoonerism. For example, saying jag of Flapan, instead of flag of Japan.
26. It cost 7 million dollars to build the Titanic and 200 million to make a film about it.
27. The attachment of the human skin to muscles is what causes dimples.
28. There are 1,792 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
29. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting.
30. Human hair and fingernails continue to grow after death.
31. It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body.
32. The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets.
33. Most soccer players run 7 miles in a game.
34. The only part of the body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.
35. Every day 200 million couples make love, 400,000 babies are born, and 140,000 people die. 36. In most watch advertisements the time displayed on the watch is 10:10 because then the arms frame the brand of the watch (and make it look like it is smiling).
37. Colgate faced big obstacle marketing toothpaste in Spanish speaking countries. Colgate translates into the command "go hang yourself."
38. The only 2 animals that can see behind itself without turning its head are the rabbit and the parrot.
39. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
40. Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
41. German Shepherds bite humans more than any other breed of dog.
42. Large kangaroos cover more than 30 feet with each jump.
43. Whip makes a cracking sound because its tip moves faster than the speed of sound.
44. If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural cause.
45. The human heart creates enough pressure while pumping to squirt blood 30 feet!!
Go now, share this knowledge with others, and show off ;-)
Cheers to that!
Lonely Princess
Check out these very fascinating facts...
You may have heard/read/observed them earlier... But nevertheless, enjoy!!!
1. If you are right handed, you will tend to chew your food on your right side. If you are left handed, you will tend to chew your food on your left side.
2. If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water. For when a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts off.
3. Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.
4. Your tongue is germ free only if it is pink. If it is white there is a thin film of bacteria on it.
5. The Mercedes-Benz motto is 'Das Beste oder Nichts' meaning 'the best or nothing'.
6. The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45 percent when a person looks at something pleasing. (I've shared a joke with you on this note!)
7. The average person who stops smoking requires one hour less sleep a night.
8. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.
9. The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear.
10. Dalmatians are born without spots.
11. Bats always turn left when exiting a cave.
12. Men's shirts have the buttons on the right, but women's shirts have the buttons on the left.
13. The owl is the only bird to drop its upper eyelid to wink. All other birds raise their lower eyelids.
14. The reason honey is so easy to digest is that it's already been digested by a bee.
15. Roosters cannot crow if they cannot extend their necks.
16. The color blue has a calming effect. It causes the brain to release calming hormones.
17. Every time you sneeze some of your brain cells die. (Told you this before, right?!)
18. Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart.
19. The verb "cleave" is the only English word with two synonyms which are antonyms of each other: adhere and separate.
20. When you blush, the lining of your stomach also turns red.
21. When hippos are upset, their sweat turns red.
22. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle was built in 1903, and used a tomato can for a carburetor.
23. The lion that roars in the MGM logo is named Volney.
24. Google is actually the common name for a number with a million zeros.
25. Switching letters is called spoonerism. For example, saying jag of Flapan, instead of flag of Japan.
26. It cost 7 million dollars to build the Titanic and 200 million to make a film about it.
27. The attachment of the human skin to muscles is what causes dimples.
28. There are 1,792 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
29. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting.
30. Human hair and fingernails continue to grow after death.
31. It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body.
32. The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets.
33. Most soccer players run 7 miles in a game.
34. The only part of the body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.
35. Every day 200 million couples make love, 400,000 babies are born, and 140,000 people die. 36. In most watch advertisements the time displayed on the watch is 10:10 because then the arms frame the brand of the watch (and make it look like it is smiling).
37. Colgate faced big obstacle marketing toothpaste in Spanish speaking countries. Colgate translates into the command "go hang yourself."
38. The only 2 animals that can see behind itself without turning its head are the rabbit and the parrot.
39. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
40. Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
41. German Shepherds bite humans more than any other breed of dog.
42. Large kangaroos cover more than 30 feet with each jump.
43. Whip makes a cracking sound because its tip moves faster than the speed of sound.
44. If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural cause.
45. The human heart creates enough pressure while pumping to squirt blood 30 feet!!
Go now, share this knowledge with others, and show off ;-)
Cheers to that!
Lonely Princess
Friday, April 17
Wake Me Up When September Ends!
Thanks to the power cut, I don’t need to use my alarm clock.
As much as I enjoy sleeping like a log, it’s terribly aggravating when you have to wake up sweating coz the fan’s stopped working.
(Oops, just remembered what we used to say at inlingua... Pigs SWEAT, humans PERSPIRE.)
The heat has increased multifold, not just coz of the sun, but also coz of the approaching IPL. Bouncing youngsters have started betting on who will win or lose in the league. I hear Chennai is the top favorite, but I personally know nothing about the teams, except that SRK’s gang is called the Knight Riders (Kolkata) and liquor baron Vijay Mallya has a squad, too. I could probably search a wee bit if you guys wish to know... Happy to help! ;-) Hehe...
(I'm good enough to be Vodafone's brand ambassador, right? Just like Sallu-bhai gushed "dobara mat poochna" to mediapersons in his Chlormint ad.)
News at my end is that I’ve had my first ever pedicure this week. It’s a stupid process if you ask me, takes too much time and effort (and money and paraphernalia!) for too trivial results. Of course, my feet looked yummy after the entire episode, but am I doing it again? Not anytime soon... I might consider a massage or a facial or face clean... Been ages since I did that...
Life @ work is peaceful at the moment. The boss has realized (after scolding me for delaying a job 3 days) that it can wait another week. So, I’m cool right now, well aware that this is the calm before the storm. I’m busy making my shopping list which includes a book, some garments, a pair of shoes, a watch (and some private items that I cannot mention here).
I recently visited the Modi Ganapati temple in Narayan Peth coz my mum insisted we should go there. It’s a cute little shrine, with an equally cute deity. There were lotsa old folks seated there listening as a woman recited some lessons and spiritual instructions. I also noticed some pamphlets and boards announcing the beginning of summer camps and “sanskaar varga” (which is something like a summer session where kids are taught the strotras, arts and crafts for a fee). I wonder why parents and elders cannot impart the same knowledge to their tots. Are we too busy or we ourselves unaware of our mythology and religion? Food for thought.
Practice makes perfect is a lesson I firmly stand by these days, coz I’m going gung-ho with the Snake application on my cell-phone. My latest high score is 42,000 N.O. (I believe that’s the sign in cricket indicating not out. Not too well-versed with cricketing terms and gestures either.)
Something’s on my mind; it’s not really bothering me, but it’s just that I have a need to know... Somebody I know celebrated her birthday a few days ago. I did not wish her. Do you think she missed my call? I hadn’t really forgotten, in fact, I’d purposely not remembered. We haven’t been in touch for a long time, and even the rare occasions when we did interact, it wasn’t smooth and friendly. Rather, it felt formal, something that you did consciously, as when you’re treading on thin ground, not sure what to do or say...
The gap widened, the distance grew too large to bridge... She did not make an attempt to maintain contact, and even my efforts were not rewarded too generously. So, I decided I won’t be a pushover. Why act like a pile-on if someone wishes to move on? Seems like that’s ok with her as well... (Deep inside I know it’s not... But then, I can’t be the only one driving this relationship.)
Kiska hai ye tumko intzaar main hoon na,
Dekh lo idhar toh ek baar main hoon na...
Khamosh kyu ho, job hi kehna hai kaho,
Dil chaahe jitna pyar utna maang lo,
Tumko milega utna pyar main hoon na...
That’s her favorite song... Fits aptly in this situation, na?!!
I’m there Sarikadi... Just a phone call away...
Wish you a belated happy birthday.
Wish you a great weekend, readers. I’m sure I’m gona have a blast!!
Be back soon!!
-Princess
As much as I enjoy sleeping like a log, it’s terribly aggravating when you have to wake up sweating coz the fan’s stopped working.
(Oops, just remembered what we used to say at inlingua... Pigs SWEAT, humans PERSPIRE.)
The heat has increased multifold, not just coz of the sun, but also coz of the approaching IPL. Bouncing youngsters have started betting on who will win or lose in the league. I hear Chennai is the top favorite, but I personally know nothing about the teams, except that SRK’s gang is called the Knight Riders (Kolkata) and liquor baron Vijay Mallya has a squad, too. I could probably search a wee bit if you guys wish to know... Happy to help! ;-) Hehe...
(I'm good enough to be Vodafone's brand ambassador, right? Just like Sallu-bhai gushed "dobara mat poochna" to mediapersons in his Chlormint ad.)
News at my end is that I’ve had my first ever pedicure this week. It’s a stupid process if you ask me, takes too much time and effort (and money and paraphernalia!) for too trivial results. Of course, my feet looked yummy after the entire episode, but am I doing it again? Not anytime soon... I might consider a massage or a facial or face clean... Been ages since I did that...
Life @ work is peaceful at the moment. The boss has realized (after scolding me for delaying a job 3 days) that it can wait another week. So, I’m cool right now, well aware that this is the calm before the storm. I’m busy making my shopping list which includes a book, some garments, a pair of shoes, a watch (and some private items that I cannot mention here).
I recently visited the Modi Ganapati temple in Narayan Peth coz my mum insisted we should go there. It’s a cute little shrine, with an equally cute deity. There were lotsa old folks seated there listening as a woman recited some lessons and spiritual instructions. I also noticed some pamphlets and boards announcing the beginning of summer camps and “sanskaar varga” (which is something like a summer session where kids are taught the strotras, arts and crafts for a fee). I wonder why parents and elders cannot impart the same knowledge to their tots. Are we too busy or we ourselves unaware of our mythology and religion? Food for thought.
Practice makes perfect is a lesson I firmly stand by these days, coz I’m going gung-ho with the Snake application on my cell-phone. My latest high score is 42,000 N.O. (I believe that’s the sign in cricket indicating not out. Not too well-versed with cricketing terms and gestures either.)
Something’s on my mind; it’s not really bothering me, but it’s just that I have a need to know... Somebody I know celebrated her birthday a few days ago. I did not wish her. Do you think she missed my call? I hadn’t really forgotten, in fact, I’d purposely not remembered. We haven’t been in touch for a long time, and even the rare occasions when we did interact, it wasn’t smooth and friendly. Rather, it felt formal, something that you did consciously, as when you’re treading on thin ground, not sure what to do or say...
The gap widened, the distance grew too large to bridge... She did not make an attempt to maintain contact, and even my efforts were not rewarded too generously. So, I decided I won’t be a pushover. Why act like a pile-on if someone wishes to move on? Seems like that’s ok with her as well... (Deep inside I know it’s not... But then, I can’t be the only one driving this relationship.)
Kiska hai ye tumko intzaar main hoon na,
Dekh lo idhar toh ek baar main hoon na...
Khamosh kyu ho, job hi kehna hai kaho,
Dil chaahe jitna pyar utna maang lo,
Tumko milega utna pyar main hoon na...
That’s her favorite song... Fits aptly in this situation, na?!!
I’m there Sarikadi... Just a phone call away...
Wish you a belated happy birthday.
Wish you a great weekend, readers. I’m sure I’m gona have a blast!!
Be back soon!!
-Princess
Wednesday, April 15
Dooba Dooba Rehta Hoon
Dooba Dooba Rehta Aankhon Mein Teri, Deewana Ban Gaya Hoon Main Chahat Mein Teri...
Ahem, hey guys!
Talking about sinking, leme tell you that I'm crazy about beaches, but I haven’t visited a water park in goodness knows how many years.
You’re wrong if you’re guessing that I’m hydro-phobic or ride-o-phobic; I’m neither. I enjoy splashing around in the water and sliding over thrilling pipes and tubes. What turns me off is the fact that there are n number of people thrashing about in the same water, doing all kinds of weird stunts and actions. Being the cleanliness freak that I am, I recoil from such prospects and plans.
(You may recall that I avoided playing Holi for analogous, if not identical reasons.)
However, this weekend I did not have much of a choice as my cousins spent the weekend with us (or rather we stayed with them in their rental apartment). It was decided that we’d go to Sentosa on the Mumbai–Pune highway (on the way to Hinjewadi) for a fun, activity-filled day.
For beginners, I can’t do the typical nonsense-laden, ha-ha, hoo-hoo, which women (of all ages) apparently take pleasure in. Either I take life too sensibly, or my sense of humor is more mature than my gender. So when the girls sat down till 4 am chatting and smirking about silly stuff, I couldn’t help yawning. Unfortunately, sleep evaded me so I had to sit there nodding and grinning with them.
By the time we crashed and I reached the stage of REM sleep (in simple terms, it means deep slumber - as good as dead), it was morning, and the house was gung-ho with poha and chai-doodh preparations (as if we it was cooking a meal of chhappan bhog!)
We freshened up and left for Sentosa around 1pm – quite an odd time, and terribly sunny as well. We were carrying our apparel to wear in the pool, but the board clearly said “swimming costume compulsory; rental available” so we had to do as instructed. The dresses were decent enough (I’m hoping the folks who wore them before us were the same), but that didn’t quite avert the awkwardness that we had when we stepped out of the women’s changing rooms.
What propelled me forward was the sight of my mum calmly wearing slacks and a T-shirt and raring to enter the water and experience the rides. Some energy and enthusiasm that woman has got! The way she moved on the rain-dance platform was sensational, cute and motivating! Whatta lady yaar!! I’m not half as lively as her despite being half her age!
The water park was quite crowded, and the entry was 200 Rupees. (I’m not sure whether that included any food, coz the woman at the counter informed us that all eatables were finished except wafers, which we didn’t have anyway.) I feel the charge was too much as there are hardly 8 rides there, 3 pools, and a rain dance. The changing rooms were fairly clean, but I always find the bathrooms in public places cramped and grimy. The rented stuff (costumes and lockers) were cheap and usable, and the pools were well-guarded and monitored.
All in all, it was an exciting day out, and I must say, it was fun to do something different from the usual coffee-and-hanging out routine.
Breaking news – Paulami is outta Roadies, I dunno why Naomi saved Palak, but the crew is returning to India after their 40-day sojourn in Australia. The finale, Raghu promises, will be extraordinary and outrageous. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Naoman wins... though people insist he’s girlish and gutless, but my vote goes for him when it’s Ghastly Gurmeet on the other side. (Even otherwise, actually...!) Watch out for the grand surprise on Sunday at 7... (I'm gona miss it coz my mum's organized a bhajan-party at our place the very same day. Grrr...)
The mango season is on, and my mum is dishing out aam-ras every alternate day. The fruit is supposed to be immensely fattening and tremendously hot, but what complicates matters is that it’s also very irresistible and yummy! I desperately need to lose 2 inches on my tummy. (Okay that rhymed, but that’s NOT the point here.)
Raise a toast to wishes and happiness!
Cheers!
-Princess
Ahem, hey guys!
Talking about sinking, leme tell you that I'm crazy about beaches, but I haven’t visited a water park in goodness knows how many years.
You’re wrong if you’re guessing that I’m hydro-phobic or ride-o-phobic; I’m neither. I enjoy splashing around in the water and sliding over thrilling pipes and tubes. What turns me off is the fact that there are n number of people thrashing about in the same water, doing all kinds of weird stunts and actions. Being the cleanliness freak that I am, I recoil from such prospects and plans.
(You may recall that I avoided playing Holi for analogous, if not identical reasons.)
However, this weekend I did not have much of a choice as my cousins spent the weekend with us (or rather we stayed with them in their rental apartment). It was decided that we’d go to Sentosa on the Mumbai–Pune highway (on the way to Hinjewadi) for a fun, activity-filled day.
For beginners, I can’t do the typical nonsense-laden, ha-ha, hoo-hoo, which women (of all ages) apparently take pleasure in. Either I take life too sensibly, or my sense of humor is more mature than my gender. So when the girls sat down till 4 am chatting and smirking about silly stuff, I couldn’t help yawning. Unfortunately, sleep evaded me so I had to sit there nodding and grinning with them.
By the time we crashed and I reached the stage of REM sleep (in simple terms, it means deep slumber - as good as dead), it was morning, and the house was gung-ho with poha and chai-doodh preparations (as if we it was cooking a meal of chhappan bhog!)
We freshened up and left for Sentosa around 1pm – quite an odd time, and terribly sunny as well. We were carrying our apparel to wear in the pool, but the board clearly said “swimming costume compulsory; rental available” so we had to do as instructed. The dresses were decent enough (I’m hoping the folks who wore them before us were the same), but that didn’t quite avert the awkwardness that we had when we stepped out of the women’s changing rooms.
What propelled me forward was the sight of my mum calmly wearing slacks and a T-shirt and raring to enter the water and experience the rides. Some energy and enthusiasm that woman has got! The way she moved on the rain-dance platform was sensational, cute and motivating! Whatta lady yaar!! I’m not half as lively as her despite being half her age!
The water park was quite crowded, and the entry was 200 Rupees. (I’m not sure whether that included any food, coz the woman at the counter informed us that all eatables were finished except wafers, which we didn’t have anyway.) I feel the charge was too much as there are hardly 8 rides there, 3 pools, and a rain dance. The changing rooms were fairly clean, but I always find the bathrooms in public places cramped and grimy. The rented stuff (costumes and lockers) were cheap and usable, and the pools were well-guarded and monitored.
All in all, it was an exciting day out, and I must say, it was fun to do something different from the usual coffee-and-hanging out routine.
Breaking news – Paulami is outta Roadies, I dunno why Naomi saved Palak, but the crew is returning to India after their 40-day sojourn in Australia. The finale, Raghu promises, will be extraordinary and outrageous. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Naoman wins... though people insist he’s girlish and gutless, but my vote goes for him when it’s Ghastly Gurmeet on the other side. (Even otherwise, actually...!) Watch out for the grand surprise on Sunday at 7... (I'm gona miss it coz my mum's organized a bhajan-party at our place the very same day. Grrr...)
The mango season is on, and my mum is dishing out aam-ras every alternate day. The fruit is supposed to be immensely fattening and tremendously hot, but what complicates matters is that it’s also very irresistible and yummy! I desperately need to lose 2 inches on my tummy. (Okay that rhymed, but that’s NOT the point here.)
Raise a toast to wishes and happiness!
Cheers!
-Princess
Monday, April 13
I'm Thankful...
Check out this beautiful email (that you must have been forwarded at some point of time or another) which tells you exactly how wonderful all the seemingly terrible things in life are!!
Keep up the optimism :-)
I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT
Bcoz she is home with me, And not out with someone else.
FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO
Bcoz he is home with me, And not out at the bars.
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING THE DISHES
Bcoz it means she is at home, Not on the streets.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
Bcoz it means I'm employed.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
Bcoz it means I've been surrounded by friends.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
Bcoz it means I've enough to eat.
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
Bcoz it means I have a home.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
Bcoz it means we have freedom of speech.
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
Bcoz it means I'm capable of walking, And I've been blessed with transportation.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
Bcoz it means I'm warm.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
Bcoz it means I can hear.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
Bcoz it means I have clothes to wear.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
Bcoz it means I've been capable of working hard.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF EARLY IN THE MORNING
Bcoz it means I'm alive.
AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
Bcoz it means I have friends who are thinking of me.
And I'm also thankful to you, kind readers, who make my day by posting comments and your feedback!
Thanks a bunch!
Belated Happy Easter!! And Happy Vishu, Baisakhi and Ambedkar Jayanti in advance!!
Cheers!
Princess
Saturday, April 11
Yaari Dosti
What’s in your head... In your head...
Zombie, zombie, zombie...
(I’m smitten with the song Zombie by The Cranberries. Just like I was with Green Day a couple of months ago.)
Another song I’ve been gun-gunao-ing is this one...
Chhod de saari duniya kisi ke liye, ye munasib nahi aadmi ke liye,
Pyar se bhi zaroori kai kaam hai, Pyar sab kuch nahi zindagi ke liye...
The reason? Nothing... Just...
Met another long-lost friend the other day. Catching up on the past 12 years was a gigantic task, but it was simplified by the quick rapport we established. (Establish rapport – LOL. Reminds me of my Psycho experiments in coll!!)
(A certain someone has also brought to my notice that I’m using LOL a tad too often these days. Can’t help it. I find so many situations nowadays where I end up Laughing Out Loud... Touch wood!)
The friend I met had left our school after the 4th standard, and we were reunited by his girlfriend who needed my help in her educational research. (Incidentally this girl was my immediate junior in Fergi, and we never set eyes on each other throughout those 5 years! Astonishing na?) We headed to Sweet Chariot Café off FC Road for our gupshup coz Hrushi insisted they wouldn’t kick us out, and we could sit and chat at leisure.
I’ve noticed Sweet Chariot in KP on North Main umpteen times, but somehow I never went there despite the cozy ambience. This branch next to the Canal Road is as big as the original, but parking on the road is a concern. They serve various snacks and beverages that are a good deal given the cost and the quantity. I enjoyed digging into my Fried Chicken Crumbs with wafers and ketchup (decently priced at Rs. 75) as the rest ordered burgers. The cold coffee wasn’t worth the 45 bucks that we paid for it, but the Irish coffee was interesting at 35. (I recommend you head to Model Colony for the cold coffee; the Coffee Stop tthela next to Jain boarding serves a delectable drink for merely 12 rupees.)
My rating for the place (Sweet Chariot baba! Not Coffee Stop!) is... leme see... 7 on 10. (Not more coz the service wasn’t too great. But whoever went there for that purpose anyway?!!)
Quite a few festive occasions lined up this week - Hanuman Jayanti 2 days ago and Good Friday yesterday. I didn’t have a holiday on either day, unfortunately, but I did manage to visit the temple and attend a party at my uncle’s. Twas wonderful to meet his gang after ages – Mr. and Mrs. Pawar, Abhyankar, Bapaye and Natu. Whatta fun gang! And at their age!! Awesome...
As drinks and starters did the rounds, the discussion hovered over politics (eeyuck!) and television. Two hot topics were the approaching elections and Rakhi Sawant’s new reality show where she will find a groom for herself and have her Swayamvar. I hear the show will be aired in June, and Rakhi will actually marry whoever wins the show. The promos are pathetically Rakhi-esque, where she enumerates her turn-ons and partner requirements, all in an extremely put-off, seductive and synthetically innocent tone.
It’s amazing how that daring woman who everybody scoffed at has actually earned a name for herself... I used to think (and still sometimes suspect) that all she does is fake and perfidious, with an aim to stun people and raise TRPs. However, at times I wonder whether she really is what she claims to be, and all that nautanki is really her true self... Quite possible, you see... There are all kindsa people in this world!
My office has become a habitable place now thanks to the curtains and inverter. Once the broadband arrives, I’ll be as pleased as punch. Right now what’s packing a punch into my otherwise lazy day at work are quizzes on FB (Facebook) and (Mindjolt) games on Orkut. Baaki toh same old schedule – a little bit of GMAT, lotsa cold stuff to guzzle, and the usual... Nothing to read though, since I finished the Mahabharata. Will probably buy the long-awaited Twilight this weekend...
Happy weekend to you all!
-Princess
Zombie, zombie, zombie...
(I’m smitten with the song Zombie by The Cranberries. Just like I was with Green Day a couple of months ago.)
Another song I’ve been gun-gunao-ing is this one...
Chhod de saari duniya kisi ke liye, ye munasib nahi aadmi ke liye,
Pyar se bhi zaroori kai kaam hai, Pyar sab kuch nahi zindagi ke liye...
The reason? Nothing... Just...
Met another long-lost friend the other day. Catching up on the past 12 years was a gigantic task, but it was simplified by the quick rapport we established. (Establish rapport – LOL. Reminds me of my Psycho experiments in coll!!)
(A certain someone has also brought to my notice that I’m using LOL a tad too often these days. Can’t help it. I find so many situations nowadays where I end up Laughing Out Loud... Touch wood!)
The friend I met had left our school after the 4th standard, and we were reunited by his girlfriend who needed my help in her educational research. (Incidentally this girl was my immediate junior in Fergi, and we never set eyes on each other throughout those 5 years! Astonishing na?) We headed to Sweet Chariot Café off FC Road for our gupshup coz Hrushi insisted they wouldn’t kick us out, and we could sit and chat at leisure.
I’ve noticed Sweet Chariot in KP on North Main umpteen times, but somehow I never went there despite the cozy ambience. This branch next to the Canal Road is as big as the original, but parking on the road is a concern. They serve various snacks and beverages that are a good deal given the cost and the quantity. I enjoyed digging into my Fried Chicken Crumbs with wafers and ketchup (decently priced at Rs. 75) as the rest ordered burgers. The cold coffee wasn’t worth the 45 bucks that we paid for it, but the Irish coffee was interesting at 35. (I recommend you head to Model Colony for the cold coffee; the Coffee Stop tthela next to Jain boarding serves a delectable drink for merely 12 rupees.)
My rating for the place (Sweet Chariot baba! Not Coffee Stop!) is... leme see... 7 on 10. (Not more coz the service wasn’t too great. But whoever went there for that purpose anyway?!!)
Quite a few festive occasions lined up this week - Hanuman Jayanti 2 days ago and Good Friday yesterday. I didn’t have a holiday on either day, unfortunately, but I did manage to visit the temple and attend a party at my uncle’s. Twas wonderful to meet his gang after ages – Mr. and Mrs. Pawar, Abhyankar, Bapaye and Natu. Whatta fun gang! And at their age!! Awesome...
As drinks and starters did the rounds, the discussion hovered over politics (eeyuck!) and television. Two hot topics were the approaching elections and Rakhi Sawant’s new reality show where she will find a groom for herself and have her Swayamvar. I hear the show will be aired in June, and Rakhi will actually marry whoever wins the show. The promos are pathetically Rakhi-esque, where she enumerates her turn-ons and partner requirements, all in an extremely put-off, seductive and synthetically innocent tone.
It’s amazing how that daring woman who everybody scoffed at has actually earned a name for herself... I used to think (and still sometimes suspect) that all she does is fake and perfidious, with an aim to stun people and raise TRPs. However, at times I wonder whether she really is what she claims to be, and all that nautanki is really her true self... Quite possible, you see... There are all kindsa people in this world!
My office has become a habitable place now thanks to the curtains and inverter. Once the broadband arrives, I’ll be as pleased as punch. Right now what’s packing a punch into my otherwise lazy day at work are quizzes on FB (Facebook) and (Mindjolt) games on Orkut. Baaki toh same old schedule – a little bit of GMAT, lotsa cold stuff to guzzle, and the usual... Nothing to read though, since I finished the Mahabharata. Will probably buy the long-awaited Twilight this weekend...
Happy weekend to you all!
-Princess
Thursday, April 9
Jab We Met
“There will be no white flag above my door, I’m in love, and always will be...”
She loved Dido’s White Flag.
Sucha poignant track.
She loved going on long drives, too.
Not driving, but being driven across the countryside.
The windows could be rolled up or down, but the music had to be soothing.
Listening to songs and singing along, watching the road as it meandered, thinking about nothing and yet lost in dreamy notions – calm, serene and at peace... Aah! This was life!
The car turned around the corner.
She saw a footwear stall on the road. Dainty chappals and Spartan Oshos, embellished sandals and austere flip-flops. Young buyers and sellers haggling over prices of the products in all colors and sizes.
A bike blocked her view.
She raised her face to look at the rider.
She couldn’t see his face, he was wearing a helmet.
Her eyes returned to the road.
He turned to look at her, and she looked back at the same instant.
Their eyes met. Those eyes!!
She knew those eyes.
Watery and soft.
Eyes that spoke a million words and conveyed a hundred emotions.
She would recognize them anywhere...
The guy kept looking at her as he maneuvered the bike to stay close to her window.
She froze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She didn’t realize when she raised her hand and touched the glass.
It didn’t seem like too long ago when they had spent every waking moment together – either on phone or in person. And now they were little more than strangers...
He continued riding at her side through the dense traffic.
She kept looking, her hand on the glass as if she were touching his face.
“And if you live by the rules and it’s over then I’m sure that that makes sense...”
Dido crooned. She could barely hear the words, her mind in a tumult of memories.
The first time they had met in college, how he had proposed to her to fulfill a dare by his friends. Despite being the bold girl she was, she was still taken aback when he went down on one knee near the main circle, and told her she was the most beautiful girl in the entire world. Would she give him a chance to be the luckiest guy on the planet?
She stood dumbstruck.
Time seemed to stand still. Not a word escaped her lips as she watched the handsome youth smiling at her, his eyes twinkling at her.
What lovely eyes... Her first impression about him...
The gang surrounded them and the real story was told. She sheepishly walked away as the guy came behind her and apologized. She murmured a quick “OK” and walked off to her Economics lecture. Needless to say, she was as good as absent in the class, those blue eyes haunted her...
They became friends, and they became inseparable. Discos, study, hanging out and shopping – they did it all together. People joked they even went to the washroom together! They weren’t perturbed. Who cared what the world thought anyway?!!
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Their bond grew stronger. Friendly concern grew into passionate possessiveness. Enjoyable companionship turned into a fervent addiction. And then the three fiery words... I LOVE YOU...
She said she did too. And life became rosier. They were both happier than ever before.
Until that fateful day when...
The car screeched to a halt at a signal. She was still staring at him, and he returned the gaze.
She moved to roll down the window pane.
The lights turned green. The car turned right, and the biker, with a last tender look at her, turned left and rode away.
”And when we meet, which I’m sure we will. All that was then, will be there still. And I will burst, and hold my tongue. And you will feel that I’ve moved on.....”
Dido sang on.
- Princess
She loved Dido’s White Flag.
Sucha poignant track.
She loved going on long drives, too.
Not driving, but being driven across the countryside.
The windows could be rolled up or down, but the music had to be soothing.
Listening to songs and singing along, watching the road as it meandered, thinking about nothing and yet lost in dreamy notions – calm, serene and at peace... Aah! This was life!
The car turned around the corner.
She saw a footwear stall on the road. Dainty chappals and Spartan Oshos, embellished sandals and austere flip-flops. Young buyers and sellers haggling over prices of the products in all colors and sizes.
A bike blocked her view.
She raised her face to look at the rider.
She couldn’t see his face, he was wearing a helmet.
Her eyes returned to the road.
He turned to look at her, and she looked back at the same instant.
Their eyes met. Those eyes!!
She knew those eyes.
Watery and soft.
Eyes that spoke a million words and conveyed a hundred emotions.
She would recognize them anywhere...
The guy kept looking at her as he maneuvered the bike to stay close to her window.
She froze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She didn’t realize when she raised her hand and touched the glass.
It didn’t seem like too long ago when they had spent every waking moment together – either on phone or in person. And now they were little more than strangers...
He continued riding at her side through the dense traffic.
She kept looking, her hand on the glass as if she were touching his face.
“And if you live by the rules and it’s over then I’m sure that that makes sense...”
Dido crooned. She could barely hear the words, her mind in a tumult of memories.
The first time they had met in college, how he had proposed to her to fulfill a dare by his friends. Despite being the bold girl she was, she was still taken aback when he went down on one knee near the main circle, and told her she was the most beautiful girl in the entire world. Would she give him a chance to be the luckiest guy on the planet?
She stood dumbstruck.
Time seemed to stand still. Not a word escaped her lips as she watched the handsome youth smiling at her, his eyes twinkling at her.
What lovely eyes... Her first impression about him...
The gang surrounded them and the real story was told. She sheepishly walked away as the guy came behind her and apologized. She murmured a quick “OK” and walked off to her Economics lecture. Needless to say, she was as good as absent in the class, those blue eyes haunted her...
They became friends, and they became inseparable. Discos, study, hanging out and shopping – they did it all together. People joked they even went to the washroom together! They weren’t perturbed. Who cared what the world thought anyway?!!
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Their bond grew stronger. Friendly concern grew into passionate possessiveness. Enjoyable companionship turned into a fervent addiction. And then the three fiery words... I LOVE YOU...
She said she did too. And life became rosier. They were both happier than ever before.
Until that fateful day when...
The car screeched to a halt at a signal. She was still staring at him, and he returned the gaze.
She moved to roll down the window pane.
The lights turned green. The car turned right, and the biker, with a last tender look at her, turned left and rode away.
”And when we meet, which I’m sure we will. All that was then, will be there still. And I will burst, and hold my tongue. And you will feel that I’ve moved on.....”
Dido sang on.
- Princess
Tuesday, April 7
Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot...
Namaste readers!
The heat is increasing by the minute, and I’m hating the clammy and restless feeling it spawns. The mercury touched 40 this weekend in Pune; no wonder sweat and distress levels are rising! I’m downing glasses of cold kairi-panaa and chilled fluids to keep the heat at bay, but nonetheless, this weather is getting on my nerves... Besides, as I’ve already told you, my workspace is the sun’s favorite hangout, and as there are no curtains or AC, going to office is nothing short of torment for me. Hope you’re doing better than me.
Something very cool happened this weekend – I met my college buddy after 6 long years. It was like the Bharat-milap straight out of the Ramayana! She and me were bestest chums during junior coll, and after that, as always happens, paths parted and we went our different ways with new companions. We got reunited thanks to Facebook and planned to meet up, which finally happened on Saturday.
It was great! (Isn’t meeting old friends ALWAYS awesome?!!) We’ve had some crazy times together – right from shoplifting to pub-hopping, guys and what not. Once we started talking, it didn’t seem like we had 6 years to bridge between us, the bonding was instantaneous, and the sparks flew as ever! Sometimes chemistry never dies...
The great news was that she’s met someone she wants to marry coz he loves her. I’m delighted at that! They’re quite an unusual pair, but I guess opposites always attract. I hope they have a wonderful married life together, and they have their Goa beach wedding soon!!
We hung out at Hard Rock Café (previously Pyramid Lawns) in KP, which is quite a hit in Pune these days. The place was filled with firangs and youth, and I was wondering whether the economic meltdown has really struck, or is really as serious as it’s made out to be!
Though the place is cheaper than its neighbor - Stonewater Grill (where a table in the middle of the pool costs a whopping 15 grand!) – I still found the prices pretty steep. A large vodka with Red Bull (which tastes like cough syrup) costs close to 350 and a Carlsberg 140. The other cocktails were also in the range of 250-400, and the fries were for 90 bucks. (I know the charge is for the ambience, and I must say, it’s worth it if you go with good company in good time.)
We got there before 8, and we landed a seat outside so we could enjoy the music and the breeze, both of which were scanty before 8.30 pm. But once it started, man it rocked! Hand me a couple of Carlsbergs with some munchies (can’t have beer alone, tastes gross!!) and watch me take off with the pulsating music (or you could join me on the ride! Whether you choose to drink, or not!!)
However, I grew noticeably silent as time progressed – I had too many stories to ruminate over – real-life tales of the people I met there. Girls who had left their homes and families to stay separately in the same city so they could enjoy their life and freedom. People whose sisters had married and divorced and fell in love again. Folks who went around with one person and started hitting on another as soon as it was called off...
However, the bottom-line remains the same – no one is content. Each person has his/her own problems - be it job, family, friends, relationships, or anything else. Life is mysterious, humans are stranger... Only emotions remain sane and comprehensible. And the ones who are happy are those who accept life and humankind for what they are, without complaint or regret...
Hell, what track am I taking! To get back to Pune culture, people don’t seem to want to dance these days. Almost all discotheques have shut down, and the few that remain are crowded with newbies and weirdos. I visited High Spirits and observed the same style – people swig their drinks, chat and flirt, laugh and listen to music, some may even move their heads and legs to the beat, but nobody actually misses the dance floor. Tis sucha sad thing! Sniff sniff...
And sniff... The last one coz Palak has managed to evade being voted out from Roadies yet again! Some luck that b**** has... Naomi outdid himself in both, the money task as well as the immunity task, and now that Natasha is outta the show, I’m dead sure he’s gonna bag the Roadies 7.0 title! Cheers!!
The scene for the money task was an ice-skating rink where the Roadies had to defend the goalpost and keep the puck (shot by a pro) away. Paulo did full nautanki (wonder of wonders, she’s in the top 3!!) but managed to perform a wee bit, as did Natasha and Palak. To gain immunity, the dramatic activity was collecting flags while dodging cowboys on horses and circumventing their lassos. (Rannvijay tries each task before the Roadies, and Lord, is he breathtaking! Love him man!)
Apart from Roadies, I also watched a little bit of Splitsvilla (where Siddharth and King Mohit have gone aggressively and abusively bonkers), and the movies Bhool Bhulaiya, Race and Dhamaal. I wana catch 8 X 10 Tasveer starring Akshay Kumar – the promos look interesting. Shall let you know when that occurs...
Well, that’s all for today. Stay outta the sun and be safe, dost-log!
Adios.
Lonely Princess
The heat is increasing by the minute, and I’m hating the clammy and restless feeling it spawns. The mercury touched 40 this weekend in Pune; no wonder sweat and distress levels are rising! I’m downing glasses of cold kairi-panaa and chilled fluids to keep the heat at bay, but nonetheless, this weather is getting on my nerves... Besides, as I’ve already told you, my workspace is the sun’s favorite hangout, and as there are no curtains or AC, going to office is nothing short of torment for me. Hope you’re doing better than me.
Something very cool happened this weekend – I met my college buddy after 6 long years. It was like the Bharat-milap straight out of the Ramayana! She and me were bestest chums during junior coll, and after that, as always happens, paths parted and we went our different ways with new companions. We got reunited thanks to Facebook and planned to meet up, which finally happened on Saturday.
It was great! (Isn’t meeting old friends ALWAYS awesome?!!) We’ve had some crazy times together – right from shoplifting to pub-hopping, guys and what not. Once we started talking, it didn’t seem like we had 6 years to bridge between us, the bonding was instantaneous, and the sparks flew as ever! Sometimes chemistry never dies...
The great news was that she’s met someone she wants to marry coz he loves her. I’m delighted at that! They’re quite an unusual pair, but I guess opposites always attract. I hope they have a wonderful married life together, and they have their Goa beach wedding soon!!
We hung out at Hard Rock Café (previously Pyramid Lawns) in KP, which is quite a hit in Pune these days. The place was filled with firangs and youth, and I was wondering whether the economic meltdown has really struck, or is really as serious as it’s made out to be!
Though the place is cheaper than its neighbor - Stonewater Grill (where a table in the middle of the pool costs a whopping 15 grand!) – I still found the prices pretty steep. A large vodka with Red Bull (which tastes like cough syrup) costs close to 350 and a Carlsberg 140. The other cocktails were also in the range of 250-400, and the fries were for 90 bucks. (I know the charge is for the ambience, and I must say, it’s worth it if you go with good company in good time.)
We got there before 8, and we landed a seat outside so we could enjoy the music and the breeze, both of which were scanty before 8.30 pm. But once it started, man it rocked! Hand me a couple of Carlsbergs with some munchies (can’t have beer alone, tastes gross!!) and watch me take off with the pulsating music (or you could join me on the ride! Whether you choose to drink, or not!!)
However, I grew noticeably silent as time progressed – I had too many stories to ruminate over – real-life tales of the people I met there. Girls who had left their homes and families to stay separately in the same city so they could enjoy their life and freedom. People whose sisters had married and divorced and fell in love again. Folks who went around with one person and started hitting on another as soon as it was called off...
However, the bottom-line remains the same – no one is content. Each person has his/her own problems - be it job, family, friends, relationships, or anything else. Life is mysterious, humans are stranger... Only emotions remain sane and comprehensible. And the ones who are happy are those who accept life and humankind for what they are, without complaint or regret...
Hell, what track am I taking! To get back to Pune culture, people don’t seem to want to dance these days. Almost all discotheques have shut down, and the few that remain are crowded with newbies and weirdos. I visited High Spirits and observed the same style – people swig their drinks, chat and flirt, laugh and listen to music, some may even move their heads and legs to the beat, but nobody actually misses the dance floor. Tis sucha sad thing! Sniff sniff...
And sniff... The last one coz Palak has managed to evade being voted out from Roadies yet again! Some luck that b**** has... Naomi outdid himself in both, the money task as well as the immunity task, and now that Natasha is outta the show, I’m dead sure he’s gonna bag the Roadies 7.0 title! Cheers!!
The scene for the money task was an ice-skating rink where the Roadies had to defend the goalpost and keep the puck (shot by a pro) away. Paulo did full nautanki (wonder of wonders, she’s in the top 3!!) but managed to perform a wee bit, as did Natasha and Palak. To gain immunity, the dramatic activity was collecting flags while dodging cowboys on horses and circumventing their lassos. (Rannvijay tries each task before the Roadies, and Lord, is he breathtaking! Love him man!)
Apart from Roadies, I also watched a little bit of Splitsvilla (where Siddharth and King Mohit have gone aggressively and abusively bonkers), and the movies Bhool Bhulaiya, Race and Dhamaal. I wana catch 8 X 10 Tasveer starring Akshay Kumar – the promos look interesting. Shall let you know when that occurs...
Well, that’s all for today. Stay outta the sun and be safe, dost-log!
Adios.
Lonely Princess
Monday, April 6
Tired of Sales / Customer Care Calls???
Hi!
If you're irritated with those annoying sales and customer care calls, then you've come to the right place, baby... Here are ten ways to stop those credit card sales, mobile companies, insurance calls from bugging you:
Hilarious!! Enjoy...
1. After the telemarketer finishes speaking, ask him/her to marry you. (!!!)
2. Tell the telemarketer (seductively) that you are busy, but you would love to talk about some interesting personal stuff and ask for his/her home telephone number so you can call back at night.
3. Ask them to repeat everything they say, several times. (!!!)
4. Tell them it is dinnertime, BUT ask if they would please hold. Put them on your speaker phone while you continue to eat at your leisure. Smack your food loudly and continue with your dinner conversation.
5. Tell them that all business goes through your agent, and hand the phone to your/somebody else's 5-year old child. (!!!)
6. If they start out with, "How are you today?", say "I'm so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems............." Blah-blah-blah (Reminds me of Ghanta Singh!!!)
7. Tell them to speak very slowly because you want to write every word down.
8. Cry out in surprise, "Helen, is that you? I've been hoping you'd call! How is the family?" When they insist they are not Helen, tell them to stop joking. This works especially well if the telemarketer is MALE. (Vice-versa for females - "Hey Deepak! Kidhar hai sale??")
9. Tell the company call centre guy to call on your office number, and give him the rival company's call centre number.
10. Start taking the telemarketer's interview : "So, how many kids do you have? Are you married? What's your favorite food?......"
Now isn't THAT smart?!!!
Try it and leme know!
-Princess
If you're irritated with those annoying sales and customer care calls, then you've come to the right place, baby... Here are ten ways to stop those credit card sales, mobile companies, insurance calls from bugging you:
Hilarious!! Enjoy...
1. After the telemarketer finishes speaking, ask him/her to marry you. (!!!)
2. Tell the telemarketer (seductively) that you are busy, but you would love to talk about some interesting personal stuff and ask for his/her home telephone number so you can call back at night.
3. Ask them to repeat everything they say, several times. (!!!)
4. Tell them it is dinnertime, BUT ask if they would please hold. Put them on your speaker phone while you continue to eat at your leisure. Smack your food loudly and continue with your dinner conversation.
5. Tell them that all business goes through your agent, and hand the phone to your/somebody else's 5-year old child. (!!!)
6. If they start out with, "How are you today?", say "I'm so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems............." Blah-blah-blah (Reminds me of Ghanta Singh!!!)
7. Tell them to speak very slowly because you want to write every word down.
8. Cry out in surprise, "Helen, is that you? I've been hoping you'd call! How is the family?" When they insist they are not Helen, tell them to stop joking. This works especially well if the telemarketer is MALE. (Vice-versa for females - "Hey Deepak! Kidhar hai sale??")
9. Tell the company call centre guy to call on your office number, and give him the rival company's call centre number.
10. Start taking the telemarketer's interview : "So, how many kids do you have? Are you married? What's your favorite food?......"
Now isn't THAT smart?!!!
Try it and leme know!
-Princess
Friday, April 3
Hari Sharnam, Shree Hari Sharnam
We celebrated a Marwari festival last week – it’s called Gan-Gaur, where all the females worship Shiva-Parvati.
The women have to fast that day, and the previous night is called the “Sinjara” where the menfolk need to treat their wives and daughters to sweets and make them happy. (Possibly to bribe them into doing a good pooja the next day so they live long, happy lives!)
It’s pretty cute actually, there all these drawings made on a board – the sun, moon, 3 people (representing gods) and the like. Plus there are two pots of grass that are christened Uma and Shankar. The ladies have to pray to these by making dots (8 for married women, 16 for spinsters) on them with haldi (=turmeric), kumkum, mehendi (henna), and kajal. Then comes an amusing but tiring ritual, where the ladies form pairs and hold one finger while moving their hands continually so that the gods are sprayed with water droplets. (I and my partner have bagged the most-water-sprayed-award for as long as I can recall!)
I actually wasn’t going to celebrate, just some reason, but the Lord’s wish cannot be restrained. So, I ended up drawing full-fledged mehendi on my hands and even wearing a saree! The pooja went extremely well, and I fasted the entire day without any hitches.
Today is Ram Navami - Lord Rama birthday. We have a big celebration at our residence courtesy Mum Rathi. Unfortunately, I'm going to spend the evening at the dentist's (to quote a friend's impeccable description) "as my dental health's in the gutter"... ROFL :-D
Well, I donno whether this is cool or what, but my wisdom teeth are erupting, too. Wohi sochu itni akal and acchai mere mein kahaan se jaag rahi hai... LOL ;-)
Learnt some new facts about Shri Rama (and obviously I'm gona share them with you). Ramji was cursed to experience "patni-viyog" (=staying away from the wife) by two individuals. One was a sadhu-mahatma whose wife Vishnu killed (Ram was an incarnation of Vishnu, hope you know that) in order to lay hands on and punish some goonda rakshasas. The other person was none other than Narada muni who God turned into a monkeyface to kill his ego. That's when enraged, Narada cursed Vishnu that he would have to stay away from his wife, and their union would be brought about by a monkey (Hanuman). Interesting, eh?!!
Hey, my office premises have changed. It’s close to the previous office, but it’s smaller and older. Have been busy packing, shifting, unpacking this entire week, and the place is almost set. However, I don’t like it as much as I did the earlier one... There are hardly any trees around, and the sun heats up my room like an oven. The loo isn’t decent either, and there’s no mirror! Can you beat that...
Well, maybe I’m acting too hasty. Things should probably seem better as time passes...
Will be busy with a Compulink assignment next fortnight, imparting HR domain knowledge to clients with the Whizible suite of products. I’m a little anxious coz it looks like tough work, but I’ll be learning and networking a lot. So, I’m game! Here I come, Opus!
Speaking about games... The crazy show called Roadies should change their name to “The Supreme Test of the Indian Digestive System”. (Of course, the solemnity of the title would drive away quite a few of the fun-loving and cheeky baccha-log, but it would undoubtedly be more apt.)
As I’ve already shared with you, in one of the previous episodes, the youngsters had to hold in their crap after a stomach-bursting meal topped with laxative and tumbler-fuls of water. The latest had them drinking a concoction of raw eggs, milk, chocolate and god-knows-what... Simply put, it was the horrible-most drink of the century. And if that wasn’t enough, they had to sit on a crazy amusement park ride after gulping it down, and NOT puke.
The crew has reached Australia and the show is living up to its Hell-Down-Under tagline. Crocodiles and rugby in the outback, and now the thrilling “The Claw” ride at Dreamworld. Natasha performed exceedingly well, and managed to create a wee bit of respect in me for her. However, Nauman stole the show, as he drank 4 glasses of the shitty mocktail and took the ride 4 times in a row... Hats off to you mite!!
I adore the 2 guys on the show – Naomi and Sufi. I’m hoping one of them wins, coz they’re honest and cute, and they have the Roadies spirit. However, my wish is 50% crashed coz Sufi got kicked outta the show. It was very unfair, and very annoying. Palak got voted-out unanimously, but by a wild turn of events, it was Sufi’s time to say goodbye. Poor Sufi... He was an amazing guy. And so deserving. I’m disappointed. My hopes are pinned on Naomi now. If the scheming women kick him out, Roadies 7.0 shall have one dedicated viewer less than before.
I hope you didn’t mess up on April Fool’s Day or get bamboozled. I’ve got a surprise for you wonderful readers... With all my love... Just press F13 and it’ll pop up.
Ahem... Didn’t get taken in, right? I knew you were smart ;-)
(And if you did, wish you a belated Happy Fool's Day!)
Hope you doing well!
Take Care
Princess
Thursday, April 2
Slam Book
Remember high school days when Slam Books were THE talk of the entire class and every section? Who’s filling whose, and who’s writing what was such an exciting discussion! And then there was the owner’s request, “Please don’t read what anyone else has entered.” (Which we obviously ignored, and glanced through anyway.)
For those of you who have skipped this stage (poor you!), let me explain the concept.
Slam books are those cute books that have pages filled with various captions about personal details – right from name and address to friends, favorite teachers/movies, crushes and even person I hate the most, etc. (Didn’t quite like the hate bit, but as kids we weren’t too good at empathy and matters of the heart, right?)
Everybody had one; most had two, coz one wasn’t enough to incorporate their entire social circle. Besides, some got slam books every term – such was the craze! Some even filled the same book twice coz they had nothing to do, or wanted to pen in something different from the last time…
So, anyway, the point is, I’m going to fill a slam book right here on my blog today, giving you a chance to know more about me – Anuja, the live (and kicking) person. Enjoy!
I am… An emotional fool, a loyal friend, a fantastic but possessive lover, a quick-tempered and imaginative perfectionist. I’m Anuja (aka Lonely Princess), God’s favorite child…
I graced the earth on… July 23rd, 23 summers ago.
My sun-sign… Cusp - Cancer / Leo (Haven't I spoken about that enough already?!)
I like... (Gosh, there’s two posts on that already! Read this and this for details.) However, here’s some things that I can say off-handedly - icecreams, Milkybar cadbury, books, music, cosseting and laughing uncontrollably, blogging, sleeping without alarm clocks and deadlines…
I hate... Lizards, politics, procrastination and laziness, purposeless and insensible behavior, transience of decisions and relationships, braggarts, too much discussion about anything, and being stood up.
My favorite actor/actress… King Khan SRK, Urmila, Big B Amitabh Bachhan, Madhuri, Govinda, Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Javed Jaffery.
My favorite singer… (Read this) Sunidhi Chauhan, Madonna, Atif, Enrique, Asha Bhosale, JLo, Kishore Kumar, Maroon 5, Kailash Kher, Alisha, Green Day, mum and me!
My favorite books… (Check this)
My favorite movies… (Read this)
... Or you could simply visit my profile page on blogger for the above. (Always keen to save time!!)
My favorite color… Blue, lavender, black, yellow, white, magenta, orange, green… Guess that covers the entire spectrum! (Basically, all bright colors. Not fluorescents, for sure!)
Love is… A crazy feeling that can make you speechless and yet fill pages and pages with the language of the heart. It can make you the happiest of people and take you to the seventh heaven, and dash you back on Mother Earth with as much force. (An entire section! Click here)
Friendship is… That amazing feeling of knowing that there is someone who you can laugh with, cry with, enjoy with and fight with... And yet stay together without any blood bond... It is what carries you through those days when love threatens your peace and joy. (If only friendship wouldn’t always culminate into a love relationship…)
At this point in time, I miss... The rains! The delicate aroma of the wet mud, the drops of life that fall on the skin and rejuvenate all that’s dry and dead, the exhilarating sight of the showers that part for no man or creature. Multi-hued raincoats and pretty umbrellas. People running to find shelter from the rain, as tiny tots jump with glee and kiss the raindrops… Aah! Reminds me of the mad Pune monsoons…
What I do in my free time… At work, I blog and play computer games whenever I get some time off. My favorites - Spider Solitaire and Freecell, Battleship, Red Bugs, Hammer Heads, Bookworm and a Bejeweled-like but cuter Chuzzle. I also came across this funny game on the MTV Roadies website - Slap Raghu. At home, I watch TV (I’ve already told you about my fav shows), read, play cards or chat with mum, sing or listen to music.
I want to be... Famous and popular (they're two different things, you know, right?!!), humble and helpful, more ambitious, less emotional and less expecting than I am now.
My friends... Have hundreds of them splashed across social networking sites. But, those are close and in regular contact, I can count them off my fingers...
3 things I can't live without... Vaseline lip guard, sweets and music.
If I knew I was going to die in an hour... I'd call and tell my loved ones "I'm sorry for all the hurt and trouble I've given you. But I love you... And I'll miss you..."
My biggest regret... None! I don't believe in having regrets. Life is once, just live it!!
A song that relates to me and my life... Tanha tanha yahan pe jeena, ye koi baat hai, koi saath nahi tera yahan toh, ye koi baat hai, kisi ko pyar de, kisi ka pyar le le, is saare zamane mein yehi pyaari baat hai (Movie - Rangeela)
My tuppence to humanity... It's all for the best, and there's no other way it could have possibly been better :-)
Love ya fellas!
Lonely Princess
For those of you who have skipped this stage (poor you!), let me explain the concept.
Slam books are those cute books that have pages filled with various captions about personal details – right from name and address to friends, favorite teachers/movies, crushes and even person I hate the most, etc. (Didn’t quite like the hate bit, but as kids we weren’t too good at empathy and matters of the heart, right?)
Everybody had one; most had two, coz one wasn’t enough to incorporate their entire social circle. Besides, some got slam books every term – such was the craze! Some even filled the same book twice coz they had nothing to do, or wanted to pen in something different from the last time…
So, anyway, the point is, I’m going to fill a slam book right here on my blog today, giving you a chance to know more about me – Anuja, the live (and kicking) person. Enjoy!
I am… An emotional fool, a loyal friend, a fantastic but possessive lover, a quick-tempered and imaginative perfectionist. I’m Anuja (aka Lonely Princess), God’s favorite child…
I graced the earth on… July 23rd, 23 summers ago.
My sun-sign… Cusp - Cancer / Leo (Haven't I spoken about that enough already?!)
I like... (Gosh, there’s two posts on that already! Read this and this for details.) However, here’s some things that I can say off-handedly - icecreams, Milkybar cadbury, books, music, cosseting and laughing uncontrollably, blogging, sleeping without alarm clocks and deadlines…
I hate... Lizards, politics, procrastination and laziness, purposeless and insensible behavior, transience of decisions and relationships, braggarts, too much discussion about anything, and being stood up.
My favorite actor/actress… King Khan SRK, Urmila, Big B Amitabh Bachhan, Madhuri, Govinda, Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Javed Jaffery.
My favorite singer… (Read this) Sunidhi Chauhan, Madonna, Atif, Enrique, Asha Bhosale, JLo, Kishore Kumar, Maroon 5, Kailash Kher, Alisha, Green Day, mum and me!
My favorite books… (Check this)
My favorite movies… (Read this)
... Or you could simply visit my profile page on blogger for the above. (Always keen to save time!!)
My favorite color… Blue, lavender, black, yellow, white, magenta, orange, green… Guess that covers the entire spectrum! (Basically, all bright colors. Not fluorescents, for sure!)
Love is… A crazy feeling that can make you speechless and yet fill pages and pages with the language of the heart. It can make you the happiest of people and take you to the seventh heaven, and dash you back on Mother Earth with as much force. (An entire section! Click here)
Friendship is… That amazing feeling of knowing that there is someone who you can laugh with, cry with, enjoy with and fight with... And yet stay together without any blood bond... It is what carries you through those days when love threatens your peace and joy. (If only friendship wouldn’t always culminate into a love relationship…)
At this point in time, I miss... The rains! The delicate aroma of the wet mud, the drops of life that fall on the skin and rejuvenate all that’s dry and dead, the exhilarating sight of the showers that part for no man or creature. Multi-hued raincoats and pretty umbrellas. People running to find shelter from the rain, as tiny tots jump with glee and kiss the raindrops… Aah! Reminds me of the mad Pune monsoons…
What I do in my free time… At work, I blog and play computer games whenever I get some time off. My favorites - Spider Solitaire and Freecell, Battleship, Red Bugs, Hammer Heads, Bookworm and a Bejeweled-like but cuter Chuzzle. I also came across this funny game on the MTV Roadies website - Slap Raghu. At home, I watch TV (I’ve already told you about my fav shows), read, play cards or chat with mum, sing or listen to music.
I want to be... Famous and popular (they're two different things, you know, right?!!), humble and helpful, more ambitious, less emotional and less expecting than I am now.
My friends... Have hundreds of them splashed across social networking sites. But, those are close and in regular contact, I can count them off my fingers...
3 things I can't live without... Vaseline lip guard, sweets and music.
If I knew I was going to die in an hour... I'd call and tell my loved ones "I'm sorry for all the hurt and trouble I've given you. But I love you... And I'll miss you..."
My biggest regret... None! I don't believe in having regrets. Life is once, just live it!!
A song that relates to me and my life... Tanha tanha yahan pe jeena, ye koi baat hai, koi saath nahi tera yahan toh, ye koi baat hai, kisi ko pyar de, kisi ka pyar le le, is saare zamane mein yehi pyaari baat hai (Movie - Rangeela)
My tuppence to humanity... It's all for the best, and there's no other way it could have possibly been better :-)
Love ya fellas!
Lonely Princess
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