Reads and feeds

Hola!

9 years and 9 months old, phew. Been here almost a decade. Thanks for allowing me to thrive and survive, bask in your love and appreciation, dear readers! Love you all. 

I've been reading and I've been out hanging about. So this post brings you some reviews from my latest experiences.

But before that, let me tell you, I watched Logan and absolutely loved it. Brilliant movie, though I'm not an X Men fan, and I'm the types that sleeps through Martian and Expendable like films. While some folks were sniggering about it being a copy of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, I totally adored the father-daughter chemistry. To confess, I actually identified with Laura, what with her quick temper and ability to scar and scratch! I'm a difficult person to be around, and then probably yak the way she does later in the movie. Ha ha. Worth a watch, ya'all.

I've halfway through the third book in the Divergent series. Veronica Roth has kept me glued through Divergent, Insurgent and now Allegiant. While I find my head wandering at some detailed, methodical, fictional descriptions, I find the book has overall appeal for both young adults and oldies alike. I am in love with Four, which isn't a secret really. And I find Tris quite like me, Divergent in so many ways, messed up yet sorted in her own unique manner. By the by, I think I'm equal 30% Candor and Erudite, 25% Dauntless and 15% Amity. Not Abegnation at all. My co-reading friend agrees. He's out and out Amity, so well, we manage to trudge along together, especially as we hang out in the joints that I'm about to describe below. 

Teddy Boy in Baner - amazing ambience, good spread, decent service, wonderful music, amazing crowd. Checks all the boxes as a must visit joint with friends. They have a huge screen as well where you can enjoy a match and a show. 

Cafe 1730 in Koregaon Park - Went there a while ago after many folks insisted it was an awesome place. I found it just satisfactory, nothing extraordinary. Ok food, service and drinks.

Raaste Cafe near Station / Camp - Now this was so much better than 1730. They serve shisha / sheesha / hookah in some pretty stunning flavors and they also have some mindblowing cocktails and desserts. Good crowd, but an expensive place. Considering it still is a part of the old Shaantai hotel. Definite place to visit on your afternoon venue list.

Classic Rock Coffee in Kalyani Nagar - Have been here before, liked it then and loved it now. It's obviously much better in the evenings with exciting crowd, music, food and happy hours. Doesn't have a great variety of soups, though. Why soups? Just thought I'd let you know.

Sin Envy Pride in Mundhwa - Rooftop Lounge and Club. Good food and crowd and music. Expensive, but memorable. 

Elephant and Co and Little Next Door  - Both in Kalyani Nagar - Ok joints both, nothing worth a thunderous applause. Want a change, could make a pit stop. 

Bar Bar, Phoenix Mall - Good one. They have a unique concept of happy hours, where the more you drink, the less you pay per drink. So nothing that ties you down to the time of the day. Interesting spread of starters and satisfactory service and crowd, too.  

Rude Lounge near Phoenix Mall - Had been wanting to go here for a long time, but never managed to for many reasons. When I finally went, I saw that they were an okay place for family as well as friends, and okay in terms of food and drinks as well. The rooftop certainly is a crowd puller as is the location and music. Not bad at all. 

Spice Factory on Nagar Bypass Road - They've renovated a few months ago, and this time round, this place is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoy their menu right from appetizers to mains and desserts.  Their concept of pitcher is a tad warped, it only means a small jug which holds about 2 glasses of beer. But they do have happy hours and theme days, with nice crowd and music so it's a hit for me.

Texas Bar and Grill in Kharadi -  Happy hours until much later in the day, that's what takes the cake first and foremost. Apart from that, their ambience, proximity to my home, music and crowd is all fine. 

There are some old and new pubs and lounges in Seasons Mall and Amanora, which I am not sure if I have mentioned or not, but just to name a few that I have been to that worked (TGIF, TJ Brew works, Agent Jacks, Sigree, Hoppipola, Cuba Libre, Fly High) and haven't been to (Bottle Street and Altitude, heard it's too dear to go just yet without occasion).

So well, all in all, that's my take on the places you can add or strike off your hangout list. Not too many details, I know, but there's got to be some novelty and discovery even in predictability! 

Got some new destinations up your sleeve? Let me know, or better still, take me!

Party on :-) 


Cheerio!
Princess  

Washroom chronicles

Hey there!!

I wrote about Wardrobe Chronicles 2 years ago…

And this time, here’s a sneak peek into the woman’s private zone…

Are you excited yet?

Well, if you think what’s so great about a woman’s lavatory, think again.

(In fact, if you DO think that there’s nothing special about a woman’s restroom, it’s all the more reason for you to read this post. Brush up on your GK, dude!! Dobara mat poochna!!)

For women, a washroom is not merely a place to freshen up, but an essential part of living… If walls had ears, the restroom walls would have been a part of the Guinness World Records for holding the most secrets…

Women crying.

Women gossiping.

Women sniggering.

Women discussing latest fashion.

Women reminiscing about the good ol’ days.

Women experimenting with new looks and make up.

I haven’t mentioned half the list yet…

Now do you see?

Now, again you would think why I’m sharing all this with you non-members of this private and beautiful zone. Am I not a woman who loves this space? I do, which is why I’m showing you just how important and exciting this place is…

Why else would a woman excuse herself to go to the washroom the minute she steps into a home, restaurant, office or club?

Men don’t do that, do they? At least not the (comparatively) macho ones that I know…

So, women obviously sit on the pot as they chat with their friends and boyfriends, either bitching or whispering sweet nothings.

Or they could be wailing coz their boss shouted on them for something that was frivolous (according to them). Maybe a boyfriend giving them grief. Or coz they were feeling unwell and some supervisor acted rude and insensitive. No dearth of reasons to cry – we’re women after all!

The powder room, as it is also called at times, is a must visit for any woman who enters a pub or workplace. (Or anywhere for that matter, if one lives in Mumbai – the sweat and muck, yuck!!)

Staring at themselves for hours in the mirror. Curling their already curled (or straightened) hair. Lining their eyes with mascara for the tenth time in 10 minutes. Painting their already shining lips. Peering at marks (both visible and invisible, real and imaginary) on the face and elsewhere. Adjusting accessories or the dupatta or the t-shirt… And once all of this done, staring at themselves from top to bottom again – a quick check to see if everything’s in order.

Being a woman isn’t an easy job, fellas! It’s a lot of hard work…

And I bet you don’t mind when you see the great outcome that steps outta the washroom. Worth the wait, right?

The venue is also a breakout zone for a gang of giggly girls who want to catch up on lost time and updates. Like who’s dating whom, who fought with whom, what’s the masala in the work world and movie world.

I know this is taking it too far, but once I even saw a girl sipping coffee as she chatted up her pals in the washroom! Takes the cake, eh? LOL.

Well, well… Women who are taking offence, pardon me. But I honestly don’t understand the concept of wasting time in the loo. The loo is meant for a particular purpose, one that I often finish in less than a minute. And when I see chics spending a good 15 minute break at work in the loo… It kinda surprises and amuses me.

And we laugh on…

Cheerio!
Princess

Anuja Times

A round of applause, fellas. I finally bought new shoes. Nike. White. Very simple. Very stylish. Yeah.

Still no progress with the jeans though. Spent over 2 hours at Mega Mart the other day, checked out a variety of jeans. All types – slim fit, straight fit, stretch and tapering. Hated them all. Quite a few sizes, too. (Let’s skip the details about this!) No luck. Shopping for jeans and shoes is a guy thing, and I find myself extremely in need of a man when I have to shop for such stuff.

The matter was further complicated by a colleague who expressed that boot-cuts (my favorite style in bottoms) are outdated, and the latest in fashion are skin-fitting jeans. After my unproductive trip to the jeans section, the verdict is – trend or no trend, it’s boot-cuts for me. Spykar, here I come…

Hey, check out this awesome piece of information – Dorabjee now sells Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream! It’s obviously dear, with a single can costing anywhere between 400-600 Indian Rupees. But, I’m sure a special occasion deserves a Ben and Jerry’s! Go for it…

Also, the Landmark sale is still on. At least it was on Saturday. I desperately want to purchase the third book in the Twilight series - Eclipse. I was dying to watch the film (just like I've been dying to swim, but as you can see, I'm very much alive yet.) As luck would have it, one of my colleagues was dowloading the first movie at work and I've managed to catch part of it during my breaks. OH MY GOD... I dunno when I've felt SO excited before... The print is awesome (way to go, Torrent!) and Bella is verrrryy pretty - quite like Hermione in the Potter series. Jacob is a disappointment, my imagination was much better than his real character. And the Cullens... Goodness, they took my breath away... Rosalie looks mean, though and her walk isn't exactly as graceful as described in the book. But what's a screwed up gait as compared to a fantastic movie?!! Edward looks delicious, and te way he looks at Bella gives ME goosebumps! Thanks, Ameya... I owe you one... After you download the second part ;-)

By the way, I finally visited Costa Coffee. It’s such a marvelous place! I completely fell in love with it. The ambience is great, the sofa in the corner is bootylicious and the music is lovely. The prices are comparable to Barista, and the eatables aren’t too great. But the drinks are nice (obviously I mean coffee) and the crowd’s chic and mature. No rowdy teenagers, no cranky baccha-log. Must visit. Located near Zafraan and Aquaa in Panchsheel Tech Park. Close to the airport, remember?

The movie updates are like this – Blue seems to have done too much publicity yet not garnered enough interest. The movie has received very average reviews (as I’d expected). Sanju baba has loads of style and paunch, while Akki is as daredevil and boastful as ever. Zayed and Lara (expectedly) have little to do, and Kylie has created ripples with her “chiggy wiggy” track. The story is about a sunken ship that holds a treasure known by Sanjay Dutt, which Akshay Kumar is eager to set hands on. For some reason, Sanju hides the secret until he needs to save his own brother Zayed. Finally, they set out and create some cool action sequences. The climax is thanda, and so is my keenness to watch this film. Akshay is pretty monotonous these days, and too much publicity really psyches me out.

I watched All The Best, though. The trailers looked good, and I thought this Golmaal-lookalike might be interesting. Wasn’t. At least for me. My family loved it. Fardeen is as lost as he was in No Entry, and the ladies (Bips and Mugdha Godse) merely adorn the sets. Seems like changing the name hasn’t wizened Ajay Devgan (oops, I mean Devgn) much. Must give him credit for his new look, though. Sanju baba, as usual, is endearing and elegant. What sure disappointed me was that the fantabulous Johny Lever plays a dumb (I mean mute) thug. Nobody can do comedy like Lever bhai, and to make him mime is to shoot a prize horse in the leg. He makes up for it in the climax, thankfully, when one chamaat by Sanju re-starts his voice-box.

There’s no plot as such in the picchar. Sanju is a maha-rich NRI and his step-brother Fardeen keeps hoodwinking him so that he and his friend Ajay can lay hands on some extra pocket money. As luck would have it, Sanju lands in Goa unannounced one day, and then starts the series of crazy bhagam-bhag. Certainly not hilarious if you’ve watched and loved Andaz Apna Apna and Golmaal. The fun quotient of the movie is strictly average and the songs are unremarkable. You do join the uproar at times thanks to the “Just Chill” guy and some crazy misunderstandings. Definitely not a must-watch, but OK if you are bent on watching something or the other on a rainy day. Apparently the cash registers at the box office are rejoicing. Good for them all.

In my opinion, there’s hardly any good movie running. Even Aladin that released yesterday, I fear, starring Big B and Riteish Deshmukh and Jacqueline will crash at the box office. I plan to watch it, regardless. Love the man called Inquilab Srivastav. Hail Amitabh!

On my MBA abroad front, the updates are that I have finished applying to Kellogg and Cambridge. I now have to work on my other applications to Michigan Broad, Texas Austin and NYU Stern. I'm feeling very positive about the entire process, so let's hope the admission decisions are in my favor. What is sure keeping me busy is the 3rd essay at Stern (on creative description of self). I must admit I'm quite pleased with my efforts and I'm praying the admissions committee is too... After all, I've risked having my fingers stuck together each time I used Feviquick! What an awesome glue, man!! The makers deserve a pat on the back :-)

I've spent over 30,000 greenies on the applications, plus 1500 to courier my stuff to the US... And I'm wondering how I shall manage to fund my study abroad that can cost anything between US$60,000-90,000 per year for 2 years. There are quite a few b-schools and universities that are encouraging me to apply and promising waivers and scholarships to a priority candidate (coz I'm a woman and I have a pretty good GMAT score). Unfortunately, they are not choices I would voluntarily make...

Add the fact that mum's outta station for 2 weeks starting today and I'll have to shoulder all the household responsibilities single-handedly as Bhabhi's at her maika. Where's the time, people?!!!
Oh ya, almost forgot - tonight's the Bacardi Megamixx party (previously Bacardi Blast, which used to be the best party in town) at Kapila Resorts, Wagholi. DJ Suketu and Medieval Punditz will rock the show. I wasn't planning to go but a friend won free passes and it appears like I'm going. C ya there...

Catch ya later.

-Princess

Jhola Clutter

What do you carry with you when you go out?

Probably your cell-phone, keys and wallet. And perhaps a jacket, coz it’s cold these days. And if you’re a woman, then add other paraphernalia like lipstick, moisturizer, compact, and so on and so forth.

I carry my jhola. What’s a jhola, you ask?

Ahem...

Leme try.

It’s a sling bag kinda thing that you wear on your shoulder. Something that initially journalists used to carry, and then it started coming in a variety of colors and artwork so it became a huge hit with the teenagers as well. While khadi dominated the scene then, now jholas are mostly found in exquisite Rajasthani prints with chamki (=glitter).

That was the easy part. Now comes the challenge. Describing what it means to me, and unfolding its contents and uses.

My jhola’s an extension of my personality. (Ya, I know I said this blog is also one of those. But you see, everything I do is very ME...) So, my jhola - I can’t live without it. Anywhere I go, my jhola goes with me. For the last 4+ years. Be it Optimos where my colleagues identified me with the chhan-chhan of my anklet and the sparkle of my glittering jhola, or college where I carried a bunch of sheets with a pen to take lengthy Psych notes.

The market’s full of shops and boutiques that sell trendy ladies bags in all colors and sizes. I’m amazed at my Bhabi who recently returned from a shopping spree with a Dalmatian-shaded purse and huge black and gold handbag! Eww... Not my type by a long shot...

Come to think of it, I cannot remember ever having been an out-and-out feminine creature at any point in my life. I have those few recollections when I have enjoyed getting decked up in finery for some occasions and celebrations (like my brother’s wedding for instance, when jeans and tops were forsaken for heavy brocades and expensive silks). But otherwise, ask my friends and colleagues, and they’ll scratch their heads when asked to recall the last time I wore a Punjabi dress.

I’ve always been a tomboy. No nakhras-jhatkas for me. Right from my no-nonsense hairstyle to my clothes to my mannerisms. (That was the case until fairly recently. Then, God knows how and when and why, I changed my ways and started buying more lady-like dresses and acting more womanish. Grew my hair, started wearing earrings. Some crazy hormonal change, I guess... Anyway, I’m not complaining. And from what I can see, no one else is, either!)

But hey, weren’t we talking about my jhola?

Right, so my jhola is my inseparable possession. What’s in it? Well, not much. It holds my purse and keys, my Vaseline lip-balm and comb (leme peep in and check what else...) Uhh... ya, a pen at times, and that’s about it.

Oh! My cell-phone (how can I forget that?!) and maybe a lip-gloss depending on where am headed. And as I ride a bike, it is also big enough to accommodate my jacket and scarf. That’s all.

(That IS all, I said...)

The best part about carrying a jhola is that it’s trendy and practical at the same time. I can wear it diagonally as I walk fast to get someplace, and I can hold it fashionably by the side as I hang out at a coffee bar. When you’re lost among strangers, a jhola gives you the perfect excuse to dive in and search fervidly for nothing at all for a precious 5 minutes. And when you’re trying to act cool, you can finger the strap and just look around...

A jhola NEVER lets you down. Trust me.

The moment I put my hand in my jhola (just about 15 times an hour), you know I’m spinning in the abyss of mystery. On no account can I find what I want. If I’m looking for my cell, out comes my comb, and if I’m searching for my keys, out peeps the Vaseline. It’s basically something like Ali Baba’s potli (did he have one? Or was it someone else? Whatever... I can dimly vision “Potli baba ki” flashing on DD = Doordarshan every Sunday morning. And remember “Gucche” and “Chitrahaar”? Good ol’ days!)

Uh huh... Ranting and digressing again... But the point is, that jhola’s the way to go. You can carry it to work and parties, and you can wear it on jeans and salwars. Jholas look good in pink and yellow, and they also fit into your two-wheeler dickeys with ease. Girls at 10 and women at 40, jholas aren't a burden on the pocket, and neither on your shoulder. In short, I’ve thought it out, and I’ve given it the ISI mark, so go ahead and get one (if you don’t have one already). I think they look better on women, but you guys can get it for your girls and try them in fronta the mirror, just to see if they suit you... (Dunno much about metrosexual and other preferences. No offence.)

Having said that, I must say I need a new jhola, too. My first one from Sarojini Nagar – Delhi gave way to Bhabi’s gift (again from the capital), and now it’s tearing at the seams. Can’t part with it just yet... Washed it the day before coz a stupid attendant at the petrol pump doused it with fuel while filling the tank. Silly bugger...

Have a good week, buddies!
Princess

Meeting Mantras

There are 3 types of people in this world...

Those who can count, and those who cant.

;-)

Smirk smirk...

Well, ok I admit, there are a lot more types of people in this world. But I’m kind of estimating that all of us, sometime in our lives, have been to a meeting/seminar. I’m privileged to attend client meetings these days, and I have come across some peculiar behaviors that instantly register as goofy or elegant.

(You sure as hell know I’m not gona talk about anything very positive; graceful behaviors belong to all those self-help books that I recoil from!) Encouraged by your responses on my earlier post on un-taught teachings, I’m gona share some silly things that people do (yes, even the educated, sophisticated ones) that make us squirm.


(By the way, here's an addition to the teaching nobody taught post - Don't smear your head with some stinky, fetid chameli ka tel. The hair oil reeks and makes life hell for others...)

Without further ado, here is the list of don’ts in meetings (unfortunately, not exhaustive or all-inclusive):

Talking on cell-phones during meetings. Or worse people letting their cell-phone vibrate for ages without bothering to either switch it off or letting it sit silent without disturbing the rest with its earth-shattering rumble.

Playing with the hair, especially women. Or pens and bags and files. Whoever stopped you from faking your interest and total involvement?!!

Biting nails. Now that doesn’t need any explanation. It’s juvenile and it’s ridiculous. And certainly not the best thing to do if you want to come across as professional and disciplined.

Dressing too casually. Better overdressed than under. Dressing well always creates a good impression and makes you look well-groomed and focused. It also shows you mean business and are not out for a picnic or party. I know some companies don’t follow dress codes, but if it’s a meeting, you better be well dressed as you never know who might join or supervise!

Changing poses too often on the chair, or leaning back in a semi-horizontal fashion, or doing anything that makes the chair squeak. A colleague of mine keeps falling over the chair as he keeps moving his hands and legs one way or the other. He dresses impeccably, but the charm is lost thanks to these monkey tricks. (The latest is, he's screwed his high-backed chair by stretching it a tad too much too often...)

Sipping tea/coffee loudly. You’re not here to express how much you love your cuppa. If you’re the prime speaker, forget about the chai-pani and complete your assignment. If you’re the audience, don’t down the cup in a gulp, but don’t waste hours on it either. You can sip at appropriate intervals, silently and gracefully.

Not saying anything. You’re not invited to be a dumb duck! Say something relevant at the appropriate time. Don’t just agree with the boss and don’t just play the devil’s advocate. Be an eager listener and an enthusiastic audience even if it means just nodding your head and murmuring “yes/of course/true/that’s right” at calculated occasions.

On the same note, making a point that is extremely silly just for the sake of saying something is not a good idea. Try to understand what’s happening and observe where the meeting is going. Keep mum until such time when you feel a part of the group and believe you are on the same page. Then voice your observations and question gaps that are clearly not elucidated.

Dragging on. Know beforehand what you need to say, how much you need to explain, and how long. Be prepared to face a dull audience, and make sure you’re informed about the topic at hand. Most importantly, keep it simple (the KISS principle never fails!). On the same note, don't sound monotonous. Modulate your voice and speak enthusiastically. If the topic doesn’t excite you, it won’t interest anyone else either.

Well, guess I should wind up there. Too much broth spoils the cook.

Whatever.

Keep rockin!
Love,
Anuja

Teachings nobody taught

Wazzup!

I know I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I'm missing the rain... But that sure wasn't an invitation to the scary lightning and ferocious thunder that lashed Pune yesterday evening! The wind was pretty welcome, though, and so was the coolness that lasted through the night... Anyway, back to the theme for the day!

Ever wondered how things we aren’t taught in school or college are of greater essence and significance in life?

(I mean it’s not going to hamper my existence if I didn’t know who Shivaji or Marx were. Or whether the capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou. Or how good one is at geometric corollaries and chemistry.)

Of course, these may in time become your careers and then be useful to your role in an organization and society. By no standards, a matter of life or death! There are a host of things that are definitely more relevant and essential in our daily subsistence.

We did have moral/value education, environmental awareness, sex education and work-experience at school. However, nobody ever recommended or addressed the other vital day-to-day functions. What do you think should be a compulsory subject in school?
In fact, I asked this Q on LI in late 2007 (have reopened it in case any of you wish to reply on that platform, the link is : http://www.linkedin.com/answers/career-education/education-schools/CAR_BUE/108934-2748864?goback=%2Eahp%2Each_PRO*4CMA%2Evpf_2748864_0_pXm*4_name_*2_Anuja_Rathi)

I'd say : Cleanliness and presentable-ness.

We are all cultured, well-behaved, educated and civilized people. The masters of the living world! The brainiest species! How is it then, that we forget basic hygiene and etiquettes???

No, I’m not just hinting at irritating, overtly crotch-scratching men and women wearing absurdly long danglers and jazzy, suggestive attire at work. I’m talking about all of us. You, me, our neighbors, colleagues, friends, travel-companions, even strangers and the like.

Here are a few fundamental things you should remember, if you’re a responsible, mature human being; whatever your caste, age, gender or economic/social status. (If you already do, then kudos! Salute to you!)

If you go to college, office, clubs or any other public place (which basically means that you step out of the house and are expecting to meet and interact with people)...

You MUST make sure you’re tidy : A clean shave for the guys (and the ladies, too, if need be), bathed and scrubbed look alongwith washed and ironed clothes for both genders

Ample body talc / deodorant, used generously at regular intervals if necessary, so that neither you have to undergo the inconvenience of sitting with wet, smelly clothes, nor do people around you have to wrench their noses in disgust.

Ensure your hair (from anywhere over the body) do not fall around and mess the surroundings. Especially after you have your bath or freshen up, make sure the bathroom is hair-free and lather-free.

PLEASE do not eat raw onion or other stuff that smells after eaten for breakfast or lunch. If you can’t resist, then carry a powerful mouth freshener or toothpaste with you. It’s awful listening to someone who stinks of oily vegetables or meat. If you have a incessant bad breath, then please visit a dentist. Else be prepared to be avoided, ridiculed and criticized.

After you visit the washroom, leave it in a sanitary condition. Especially the womenfolk - even the sophisticated and erudite ones. I advise turning around and looking at the pot once before you leave the loo. If you don’t like the look of the partly-flushed toilet paper, then obviously the next person is going to detest it, too.

I’m sure you could come up with lot more if you sit down to think about it. For starters, lets all pledge we’ll do something at least about the 5 above. Not too many, not too time-consuming, and undoubtedly uncomplicated...

(I’m sorry if this post hurts or offends any of you. But I’m sure we all agree how much these things matter. More than a few times we cannot speak it out to the people concerned for fear of hurting or insulting them, but then, it only reflects on their upbringing, common sense and community responsiveness.)

Ahem. Curtains down.

Love,
Princess

Nayee Taazee

Heylo lovely people!

Today's post is about updates, updates and a few more updates.

At work, we completed the survey we were sweating over last week, and presented it to the mngt folks. It was a tedious process - subjecting the data to all kinds of mathematical functions and analyzing it wrt various categories and slices. Now that it's done (not quite, coz my silly colleague goofed up and we need to do some rework, but anyway), I can't help remembering the effort we put in for our college survey, and how delighted we were when we got an Outstanding grade for it! Cheers! Hope this organizational survey brings more business and erases our salary worries!

What is also very evident is that my boss has taken a keen interest in inviting me for most client meetings. She apparently wants to "nurture" me and help me "grow", and I'm hoping this works out for the best! I'm learning... and I'm enjoying the respect and involvement :-) Touch wood!

Spoke about Pune Mirror a few days ago. Here's the latest - A Chinese group in the city says Pune has beautiful girls... (Tell us something we don't know, mates!) Hehe. So much for modesty! But well, I can be honest or modest... Take your pick!! Another article described in minute details how the cops chased and caught some dukkar-chors. We really seem famished for some action else pig thieves would not command an entire page, that too the very second one! And finally, another amusing one - in a Bihar fair, a vendor sold four samosas for a cool 10 grand! (He had to refund 9,990 when the foreigners complained, but watta pleasure for him - those precious 10 minutes!!!)

UTV or some channel is showing Race next weekend - the 29th to be precise. I'm looking forward to watching it. As I shared in my review, the movie isn't as exquisite as it's rapid and stylish. But a good watch on a Saturday evening if you're at home and have some popcorn/munchies handy!

My bro has returned from a vacation in Goa, and he's got back gigantic bottles of whisky and vodka. I'm salivating at the presence of Magic Moments Lemongrass & Green Apple, and pulling my hair at the prospect of watching the men in the family sipping away as I watch them helplessly... (That reminds me, some condom company has come up with a new Green Apple flavor; what's this new fixation about apples, anyway?)
Each day as I open my cupboard, I see the Tarot deck glaring at me. This hobby that I fervently pursued last year has now taken a backseat as the novelty has worn off and there are other things that are keeping me occupied...

Speaking about my cupboard, here is the craziest of the updates for the day. Can you guess HOW MANY tops/T-shirts I have in there? 70... Freaking SEVENTY... (Not counting my kurtas and salwar suits, skirts and other ethnic/western wear.) I couldn't believe my eyes as I counted them. One fine day I decided I should arrange them so that I could see them all the same time and ease the attire-decision-process for the day. Out tumbled a few of my fav tops that I had given up for lost, but which had actually been pushed behind by the new ones... Akin the memory displacement theory we did at M.A level. Gosh, I need to do a better job at not repeating the same stuff in a month, if not two months!
Have completed around 175 pages of the Mahabharata. Cruised through Ekalavya and Drona's encounter, Duryodhana and Bheema's hostility and have reached the part where Karna challenges the Kaurava and Pandava princes in a duel. I feel so sorry for the poor lad; it's as if he was born for nothing more than pain and suffering. His birth was Kunti's way of testing a muni's boon, he was reared by a rath-driver (hence called sutaputra and Radheya) and he was turned away by rishis who refused to be his guru coz he was not a kshatriya. When he finally became Parasurama's disciple, he was cursed to forget all that he had learnt when he needed it the most coz he had lied about his caste. Disheartened when he returned home, he was cursed to death by a muni whose cow he killed by accident. I mean, WHY HIM??? By far, he is one of my fav characters for his mental strength and moral tenacity. But well, Fate just doesn't side with some people...

I'm not feeling particularly enthusiastic about anything these days. Shows in my blog, doesn't it? Guess midweek crisis has afflicted me. Lets join our hands in prayer and hope the weekend comes soon...

Until then...
Lonely Princess

Post No. 70! And another Diwali gone...

Hola!
So how was the vacation, people?! Had fun? Had your fill of delicacies and socializing and relaxation and fireworks and fun? How’s it being back at work? (Lucky you bank employees who have a holiday tomr and most of you who have a holiday today for Padva... Envy you!)

How’s it knowing there’s no holiday after this until December?! Not-so-sweet November, eh?!!

(Eeks, did I just drill a hole in your half-sunk ship?!!)

My vacation has been inundated with Diwali sms-es and visitors, sweets and crackers (I didn’t burst any, but that sure didn’t stop my neighbors!) Two days of frenzied activity. I met my long-lost friend who I didn’t expect would call... And I carried off ethnic stuff as if I was born in them. (Quite surprising for folks who’ve known me personally for ages, I know! Coz I hardly wear salwar suits and when I do the dupatta’s missing, and the churidar/salwar could also be substituted with a more comfortable pair of jeans.) But you know what, I actually like dressing up! All those jewels and trinkets, finery and glitter – I find it all very alluring. Getting ready is fun when you know someone is gona see you and notice all the effort that has gone into being what you look at a moment in time. When you know your attempts will be appreciated. Else, it’s a waste of time... Just like the popular song in Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke says – जब तक न पड़े सजन की नज़र, सिंगार अधुरा रहता है... घूंघट की आड़ से दिलबर का...

(Hey, transliteration's cool, eh? I mean the Hindi script that you see above... What technology, man!)

And another watch-word... Very important... When someone dresses up, it’s civil (and anticipated) to compliment him/her. And then, it’s mandatory to return that compliment. However one actually looks... What’s the harm in making someone feel good?!!!

I come from a typical, contemporary, middle-class family where it isn’t unusual to use worn-out pieces of cloth in the kitchen to mop grime. Until recently, I was accustomed to seeing old napkins, torn vests and frayed towels for varied purposes like wiping washed utensils and cleaning the table after meals. But I was not prepared for what I encountered the other day. I washed my hands at the kitchen sink after popping a slice of apple in my mouth, and I asked mum for a cloth to wipe my hands. (I suspect I have OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; I hate any kind of dirt and I keep washing and smelling my hands a thousand times a day. But more about my idiosyncrasies later.) I turned around and looked at what she was holding out to me – a sock. I mean REALLY! A sock?!! I’m never gona forget this my entire life... A SOCK, for heavens sake??!!!

Life's a song for me; I find a song in everything I see. (Doesn’t mean I’m gona write one on this sock-story. That would be grosser than the act my mum committed!) But, I’ve been writing poetry for as long as I can remember. Probably since the time I was 8 or 9. And the title of my first published poem was Life At Home. It found a place in the Pune Times “Budding Poets” section of the Times Of India newspaper – then the No.1 daily in Pune (I dunno now, there are so many all claiming to have the highest readership).

It was a pleasant surprise one morning, when I was in the 5th standard, as I woke up and opened the newspaper (as usual the city section first flinging away the main paper). There was my poem, complete with my name and a pleasing sunrise clipart. As if that rapture wasn’t enough, a cheque landed in our mailbox the next day gifting a cool 100 bucks to the “talented poet”! More than my parents, my Uncle-Aunty (more popularly known as Abba-Ammi) were thrilled. (They have always taken my wins and achievements with more excitement than my parents, and also encouraged me to explore myself. Thanks guys! All credit to you) So, they blew up the piece in the paper and laminated it, and promptly stuck it on the wall in their hall. Ammi still claims it’s my best ever... And I smile in embarrassment as I recall the babyish, apparent lines about fighting and making up at home. (Wouldn’t want to be caught dead with it right now...)

Well, this victory sparked off a series of submissions and publishes (publications?!) and cheques. Abba had said he’d publish a book of my poems, but that never happened, and most of them are still sheltered away in the yellowing pages of my childhood Dear Diary(s). The poetry writing continues, however, and that is what you glimpse fairly often on this new outlet that I have – Blogging rocks! Hope this has a lengthier and lucrative tenure...

TC buddies!
Lonely Princess

Wardrobe Chronicles

“Clothes make a man”

(And they define, classify and distinguish a woman.)

Who you are is determined by what you wear. And we can see this in our daily lives. People who command second looks are most often those who dress well, even if they look like a spoilt plum. (Of course, I’m not talking about the men here; they look at any and every woman who is not invisible. However she may be... And however she dresses... But women, aah, WE know what suits and what doesn’t. At least most of us do. And that is why most men take us shopping... Even tho they wouldn’t want to go shopping with us!!)

Why men take women shopping? Well, usually coz we land great bargains and get the best stuff. We don’t go merely for fancy trends and latest fashion, but we actually USE our brains to ensure what will look good on a particular body type and personality structure. It’s pretty scientific. And besides we have tremendous stamina to visit 10 shops before finally deciding that the blue shirt in shop no. 3 was the finest of the lot. (It goes without saying that we blow the $5 we saved in a quick snack later costing $25. But don’t we deserve something for having spent our precious time, energy and intellect on u?!! How particularly ungrateful! Ughhh...)

And why do you think women DON’T take men shopping? (Unless they need masculine vitality to pay the bills or give a hand with the luggage). One, you guys start fretting right at the second shop (had it not been for us, shopping malls wouldn’t have existed!) Two, you can do little besides nodding your head at things we pick up and ask for opinion. Three, when you actually muster the enthusiasm and let go of your indolence to move around and choose something for us, its so distressing that we can barely manage a sheepish shrug at your ludicrousness. Four, your leering at sexy clothes is NOT helping our shopping targets. Five, you cant stay away from your cel fone as u wait even when we try on just 8 dresses looking for the “perfect night pajamas”. Six... oh I cud go on and on and on. But the point is, when we ask u to go shopping with us, we’re actually doing u a huge favor. So don’t have any misconceptions about the entire episode.

Now that my guy-bashing for the day is done, leme share with u that what looks good on one doesn’t suit the other. And sometimes something just suits NOBODY. There’s no point in spending a bomb on that silly polka-dotted shirt coz Hrithik looked cool in it or that tattered asymmetric yellow gown that Aishwarya wore with panache. Hell, they’re gorgeous, and hell, they are on screen where anything looks fabulous! I mean all magz and tabloids hav long screamed their lungs at having that “little black dress” in your closet. Which I’ve done very well without for the last 20 years. (Even before that, when I was 3, I dint have no black dresses, little or otherwise.) And no regrets! You know what looks good on u. Or rather, what you feel good in, feels good on u. As long as the confidence is in place.

My picks for anyone and everyone who’s interested – Black isn’t the only color in the world. Go ahead and experiment with all hues and tints in the rainbow. I’m not recommending saffron at work, but you cant go wrong with violets and greens. Formals look good on young guys and the right accessories make any lady look classy. Don’t forget the footwear; people often judge others on the basis of what they wear on their feet. If you’re wearing Hawaii chappals, no Armani’s gona make u look impressive. The watchwords are clean and ironed. Not jus the clothes, even the body inside them. A few must-haves, if you must, then I’d say a good pair of jeans (not necessarily branded but certainly something that befits your assets), well-fitting T-shirts and floaters/sneakers for the casual wear. For official occasions, stick to shirts and trousers, and if women aren’t comfortable in them, then salwar kameez in soft colors without the zari and heavy work. And please, for heavens sake, NO DANGLERS AT WORK! (Men, danglers are the mile-long earrings that women wear in their ears forgetting that they should end near the ears also.) I mean at parties they’re ok, but u needn’t be a typical Ramola Sikand (some sidey K serial star on Star Plus that I cant recall right now).

What I need right now are some long tops and Ts (my older ones are bearing the brunt of the festive season and being trashed), decent nightwear and a good pair of jeans – preferably blue. Also some accessories for the hands and hair. And ya, a good stole/mini-shawl for the approaching winter. That about winds it up. Short list, eh?

Hey, I had a haircut! Was bored of the old long hair look, and wanted a change. It looks nice... (As if anything wouldn’t!)

Trust this helps!

See ya soon.

Love,
Princess