Tuesday, December 29

We're Too Different ...

Well, hello there!

Been a while since I penned poetry, a realization that dawned when a fellow poet and colleague shared his creations. 

Somehow poetry is the last thing on my mind even as I contemplate a hundred imaginary things on a daily basis. To set words in rhyme needs a very positive frame of mind, and galloping behind a kid is not a very conducive environment for that, you see. 

However, here is a little something that flowed out not so long ago... 
The context we shall ignore, but here's the poem for you to mull over. 

All you people who think compatibility is a concern when two individuals are poles apart in thought (not values). This should leave a mark and set you thinking...

You say we are too different, 
And I heartily agree.
But how different
Are we exactly? 

I love you, 
Don't you love me? 
You miss me,
Don't I miss thee? 

Being different is a boon, 
It makes us a formidable force. 
To tackle all the challenges, 
That knock on our doors. 

It means the best of both worlds, 
We can give to our lucky lives. 
The crazy and sensible stuff I bring
To your practical and unplanned side. 

I do what you enjoy, 
And you do as I say. 
We rejoice and succeed together, 
Come what obstacle may. 

It won't be too easy, 
Far from a cakewalk divine. 
But I know I shall be yours forever, 
And you mine until the end of time. 

That's what brought us together, 
Only to drive us apart. 
We can sort out all the mess, 
If we try from the heart. 

Be the man of my dreams, 
And I'll be your wife charming.
I don't want to let you go, 
You're my life, my darling. 

I know I can be tough, 
Yet I belong to you.
If I am my worst at times, 
Help me be better, won't you? 

I'll try all I can
To make you smile, my dear
Will you not try as well, 
To keep us both near? 

Let's make a life pleasant, 
And gift to each other ease
Let's bring back to our lives, 
Success, joy and peace.

Maybe this test of time
Was a wake up call for us, 
Maybe we ought to consider
Before we miss the bus. 

The ball now lies
Rolling in your court. 
You're the general and leader
Of my heart and our fort. 

Choose wisely!

***

And for those who are waiting in the wings wanting you to fail...

Nimbu mirchi to them ;-)

 


Live it up!

Cheerio!
Princess

Monday, December 21

Essential Jodi


Want to talk to you about a burning issue of today. About jodi's made in heaven. Like Heer-Ranjha, Jodha-Akbar, Romeo-Juliet, and the recent Bajirao-Mastani.

Know which jodi is the most powerful of all? Nope, not Radha-Krishna. 

It's Movie-Popcorn. 

Yeah. 

You read right: I did say Movies and Popcorn.

Movies and popcorn go hand in hand. Like literally. You walk into the theatre and first head to the popcorn queue to grab a packet of popcorn, with or without a coke or coffee, and then head to your seat to watch the film with the prized eatable in your hand. 

A movie is not complete without the quintessential snack. Be it salted, caramel, cheese or tomato. Be it regular, large or bucket size. Be it with family or alone. 

Movies are not enjoyed without popcorn. 

And yet, we are fleeced as we purchase this lifeline of the silver screen. We measure and applaud box office collections, while conveniently ignoring pantry/canteen collections. Kids and adults alike enjoy munching popcorn no matter who buys it or holds it.

And yet, these business minded cinema owners sell a measly few grams of popcorn for (sometimes) more than the ticket itself! Loot-maari, I tell you. Gross injustice. It's outright robbery and hoodwinking.

I remember when I was a lot younger (I seem to have aged remarkably since my son was born a year ago), we used to get only one variety of popcorn - salted, readily packed and amply sold in all theaters for 15-20 bucks. Buying two was a luxury which we could afford, and it was a great way to celebrate an evening out. Then came the era of the multiplex, where the movie seat was a tad expensive and so was the popcorn, but it still did not burn a hole in the pocket. 

And look what we got now! I watched Dilwale (at my company's expense, thank God) and Bajirao-Mastani (at my hub's) - but both the times I had to buy popcorn and shell out 200 bucks for a teeny weeny packet that was over way before the movie. It's probably as dear as gold in the theatre, where you try to make it last at least halfway through and fail miserably as your partner (who initially indicated that he would not eat any since he doesn't feel like it / doesn't like the flavor / doesn't want to share) digs into it with gusto and doesn't halt until the packet gives way. So much for saving it for later. 

I think it's against humanity to make a profit on something that brings so much happiness to people. Imagine all those parents and boyfriends who strive to make ends meet and then have to deny their kids or girlfriends this simple pleasure. They barely make enough to get tickets, and then to buy popcorn as well... Well.

And then if there are multiple kids, and they want cold drink as well... Double well. And then nothing ends well...

My husband says, popcorn is so important to the experience, and hence it is expensive. 

My earnest urge is, is it so important to the experience, and this exactly why it ought to be cheaper. Spare us all this simple pleasure. You suck away our life and money in a million different ways. Clothes, groceries, fruits and veggies, parking and tolls - you cheat enough anyway. Be generous. Donate in cinemas than in temples. Pay for a free popcorn for the person after you. Let greed pass. Make popcorn more economical if you can. God will bless you, and we shall buy 2 packets instead of one, bringing your profit back to what it was.

And no, reducing the size of the packet is not the answer. 

Popcorn and ice cream always need to be spilling from the sides. That's when you know you've got the right amount. 

Please pretty please. 

Before we all revolt in frustration and desperation. 

Save the popcorn. 

Save us. 


Sincerely, 
Princess

Thursday, December 17

Free Times!

Back sooner than you thought, aren't I?!!

(Thank God, for once....!!)

Have you noticed how on the days when you have a multitude of tasks and no time to breathe, you actually end up accomplishing more than you do on a normal, breezy day? 

I have realised it since my dear Mom has taken the kiddo off my hands for a few days while I get some "me" time to do things that I say I don't find time to do. 

Ironically, I wait all day for the little bub to give me 5 minutes of peace, and then when he actually does (which is only when he faints with exhaustion after running around nonstop all day), I yearn for him to wake up as I don't know what to do with my time...

So Day 1, I spent walking around the house like a zombie looking around for things that needed to be done and wondering if I have really become such a sorry loser that I have nothing to do in the evenings apart from waddle behind Aarush. 

Day 2 was slightly better. I managed to catch up with some good friends as well as my best friend - much needed sleep. 

Day 3 - Getting used to the relaxed pace and mental state, I lapped up some Maggi while my eyes devoured Karna's Wife (the book). Got about 20 pages left before I move on to the next one on my shelf. I thought I'd go to the gym that's newly opened in my society, but then I decided I needed a haircut more than I needed abs. 

Thank Jawed Habib for his Xpreso idea and outlets - I'd probably have to die with kilometer length locks if it weren't for his economical haircuts. I mean who spends 500-900 bucks on hair that doesn't even look trimmed or styled? It's all so ridiculously overpriced, and I think we allow these outrageous prices by patronizing expensive service providers. We're too tolerant, I say... 

Since consumers don't lend me their ears and minds, HairXpreso it is for me. 149 bucks and I am bouncy hair-wise and happy-wise. Yayy!

And then, this morning, the man of the house wakes me up (for a change) and insists we head to the gym together. He is a person who loves his sleep, and this love is only aced by his obsession for exercise . He can sacrifice everything in the world to have the flattest abs and the fittest muscles, and he is blessed to have a good physique (drool) and wiry body (double drool). 

So, the hubs wakes me up and goes hunting for my shoes in the shoe rack and calls out to me all of 4 times to tell me that I need to join him in the gym ASAP. I start with a "No, I am sleepy" to a "Do you really want to go?" to "Are you sure?" to "Yeah, I'm coming." I slip on my shoes, call my maid to reach me at the gym when she gets home, and scamper to the treadmill where I watch the man already going bam-bam-bam on the poor racing track. 

More out of concern for the safety of the treadmill than real passion for exercise, I take my place on the track as the hubs moves on to test the cycle. Considering that it was pleasant, cool morning, I thought I might as well roam in the outdoors, but he wanted me to hang around with him (and I suspect he wanted to show off his moves and bod). So, I indulged him and he started guiding me how to use the treadmill (like he owned it). LOL. Sweet!

It felt amazing. Crooning as I walked, first at a measly 3 km/hr speed moving on to 5 and then 6 and 7 km/hr, burning close to 160 calories in 30 minutes. I think I do better on a regular walk than I did at the gym, but I guess it's a start after a long gap, and I don't want to end up too tired and give up after the first day. Aarush has helped me shed all my pregnancy weight, but I am not in the best of shape so I believe it's the right time for me to hit the gym as a daily routine... 

At least as long as Aarush is with his grandma... 

Turns out that I managed to get all the home chores done and reached office earlier than usual. Yayy! Good start to a great day.

Quite a few good movies that could be watched - Good Dinosaur (I love animation) and Hunger Games (I like the brave, pretty chic).  

Thanks Hubs. See you in the gym tomorrow :-) 


Cheerio!
Princess


Wednesday, December 16

Annual Day Fun

Well well well...

If it isn't a new month already!

Time's a-flying (as I always say) and we're almost at the end of this year. Crazy ups and terrible lows, we're alive and we're going strong. Woohoo!

What's been up lately...

Since the last time I wrote to you, I have been pretty busy with Annual Day celebrations at my workplace - it's a gala affair with a host of events and competitions. I was the organizer, host and coordinator for the Talent Show event, and the kind of talent that oozed on the stage was no less than what you see on TV shows. There were stunning dances and innovative skits, mesmerizing creative work with sand and puppets, and so much more. The climax was the official party at Irish Village in Koregaon Park last Friday. Here are a few glimpses: 

 


 








And now its the festive season with Xmas around the corner. So are Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani!

The new year shall bring new hopes and possibilities for all of us and more happiness and excitement, too. I've been reading Karna's Wife by Kavita Kane and I keep finding myself in Uruvi's shoes every now and then with a husband as gentlemanly and generous (and sometimes misguided) as Radheya.  

There's some additional and enhanced responsibilities that I'll be taking up at work, and then there is my trip to Jammu and Hyderabad in Feb 2016. Planning to pay more attention to my health and hobbies, and enjoy life a little more calmly than trying to do it all aka Superwoman.

Wish you all the luck and more!

See you soon.

Cheers,
Princess 

Shadow

He looked at her like she was the air he breathed, Without, he would collapse.  He lived to see her smile, Her dimples, his prized possessio...