Heart to heart, in the age of social distancing

So, the COVID count in India is now over 1.50 lacs, and with the restrictions eased, it's definitely not coming down anytime soon. I hope all of you and your loved ones are staying safe and sane.

The hospitality and travel industry are ruined indefinitely, and inviestments have dipped, despite the relief package announced by the government. Quite sad to see NaMo not taking more effective measures, and absolutely appalling the way Nirmala Sitharaman is behaving. People dying and losing jobs seems to be nobody's concern, and that in itself is a huge cause for concern for humanity. I've heard people are struggling with mental issues right from isolation to depression and domestic violence. It's indeed a punishment for all our collective sins, and there's no going back to the old ways of living once this ends. We've got to figure out a better way to survive and thrive, as human beings, not just selfish and scheming machines, winning and hoarding at the cost of others' lives and dreams.

I see people seeking help on LinkedIn for jobs, and I myself have tried to support people as much as I possibly can in any way. Be it through charity or job referrals or just a conversation to coach, rejuvenate and motivate - the ways in which we can help each other and numerous. We should consider ourselves blessed to be able to assist somebody else, because this is certainly not the time to engage in anything competitive, destructive or negative.

Don't burn out, whether it is during your house chores, or while working from home for office. Take a break, do something you love and spend time with family. Count your blessings and do your bit towards those that are not as fortunate. As so many people have said, this is not a normal time, and tiny things can become daunting. Accept yourself and others with grace, we're each reacting to the situation differently and we're all justified in our experience and emotions. Life is hard, but we've got to do the best we can, and keep doing better every day. I see posts on Instagram and Facebook where moms are outdoing each other and others are just managing to stay alive and sane. I see some enterprising folks cooking like Michelin chefs and others burning meals. I watch people curse religions and politicians, and I see people engaging in random challenges and tags. Coping techniques vary, but being positive and sensitive should be the watch words.

There are days I feel grateful for all that I have, and I have a lot. But there are also days where I feel miserable like I've achieved nothing. I compare myself to others better or worse than me, and I am left with misery, either for myself or someone else. I know there are many people who feel negatively about me, and I see their response (or the lack of thereof) that reveals their hatred or jealousy or apathy towards me. I know I feel angry about certain things and some folks, but I try to be a better person each day. I fail but I try again. How about you?

Stay safe, all, and stay human!

Cheerio
Anuja

My Big Little Man

Happy Diwali, folks! (belated, sorry)

Exactly a month since I last wrote - caught in a whirlwind of activity, juggling work and home, festivals and routine. Aarush turned 4 last week, and I'm 1.5 months old in terms of NT age. Cheers to us!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - days don't pass, but years fly. I feel it when I see my son every single day. We don't think we're growing old, or our parents are getting older, but changes in kids are just so much more noticeable and adorable. From the gurgles to now complete sentences, superior Hindi and English vocabulary usage, arguments and comebacks - Aarush is a conversationalist's delight. And sometimes a bother, coz he's a chatterbox with no mute/stop button! He even sings to himself during solitary play or does running commentary and if I don't hear anything, I need to pop into his room and check if everything's okay and I generally find him asleep. Ha ha. 

The funniest words he's used recently are "Saba-naba Kich-di" instead of "Sabudana Khichadi" (= a sago delicacy frequently consumed during fasts, but also preferred otherwise). Oh he can very well enunciate "Sabudana Khichadi" but he insists that his teacher calls it "Sabanaba Kichdi" that's what it is, thank you very much. 

His favorite color is orange since birth, he loves shopping, especially for his car collection, and he is very clear about what he wants and doesn't. He does not like being touched, but he is obedient and inquisitive. You may call him shy the first time you see him, oh boy, wait till he is a little comfortable and you'll be enthralled by his energy and wit. "Your kid is not coming" - he said to a neighbor once, and "You don't care for your mother" - he told me when I chose to cross the road with him than his granny. Smart Alec.

Sonny boy made me immensely proud when he scored almost cent per cent marks in his school tests. Honestly, I would not mind much even if he got half as much. After all, I was a 90+%er all through school, and I don't think it matters at all now. Add to that, he joined the new school 3 months late, so my expectations were pretty low. Fortunately or unfortunately, he has set the bar high now, and I'm going to try and not let that color my future expectations from him! But he's a wiz, that chap - Hindi, English, coloring, writing, logic, sports, memory - you name it! Hurray.   

His EQ (emotional intelligence) is staggering, in my opinion. He's wiser beyond his years, more sensible and perceptive than most adults. (Could this be because he has immature, impulsive and aggressive parents, I wonder?)

He mediates fights, asks questions, seeks to understand, puts his point across, all very gently and honestly. He very expressive and sensitive as well, and I both, admire and fear this. Admire because he's such a beautiful human to be around, and fear because emotions bring more pain than joy in the world we live in. He is hurt when some kid refuses to play with him or doesn't do "dosti / batti". He is elated when someone else is happy, and he knows how to share and care. His demeanor with his little cousin and friends is marvelous and it almost nudges me to give him a sibling of his own, but no sirree - too high a price to pay for his companionship! I'm one and done. LOL. Got my own life, sanity and aspirations (and finances!) to consider, so no. At least not until circumstances change.


Circumstances.... all well, but nothing great. BAU (business as usual) but nothing that fires up the soul. Mild depression? Maybe. I have a hard time falling asleep at night, and then there are days when I don't want to get up from the bed. I worry about my weight, and binge on junk. Life is on track, no REAL trouble, per se. Got the resources, lack the will. Have responsibilities, but no dreams. I do shopping for others, I pursue others goals and problems as my own. Passions of the past have vanished, I feel more like the side cast of the story supporting the lead characters than actually the hero of mine. I don't know if that is good or bad, but it sure feels like I'm whiling away my time without making my time and abilities count. Matter of time, I hope. Until then, it is Facebook and Instagram checking, Bingo showdown craze, Splitsvilla and Koffee with Karan reruns, and some Netflix now and then. Oh, and when I can summon the perseverance and patience, it is to read Perfect Love by Shubha Vilas and conclude The Curse of Bramha by Jagmohan Bhanver. Writing (book or blog) is (as you can see) right at the bottom of the list. Why repeat and harp on what you've said 100 times before? Right? 

Went to get my eyes checked - and here's the news... I've got glasses again, thanks to my screen obsession - TV, laptop, mobile. 6 years spec-free was thrilling, and I have no regrets about my eye surgery - it was worth every penny and worth all the effort. Back to spectacles for now.

And time for us to say adios...

Have a good one, fellas. 

Cheers!
Anuja

Show me No Shows

I just gave someone my blog details, and then I realised... All I have been going these past few months/years is cribbing outside and flaking within. Gawd, the way my blog has evolved is from fun and happy-go-lucky, creative and lively to cynical and grumpy under the guise of wise and resilient. 

I earlier thought my long writing gaps and absences were my miss, but now they appear a boon; too much crabbiness for you to deal with already!

So, well, let me tell you what I've been doing these last 2 months, and what I plan to do these next few weeks...

Let's get the basics out of the way - I watched Sacred Games, all 8 episodes in Season 1, and I uncovered just how much social pressure shapes our actions. The show was good, though not extraordinary, but what struck me, was how much of a prisoner we have become to technology and entertainment. Earlier we used to wait one full week to watch the next episode of one of the handful shows on TV, but now with Netflix, Amazon Prime, SonyLiv, Voot, Hotstar and what not, we sit down like mindless zombies and keep watching episode after episode on loop, totally out of control of our brains, and utterly manipulated by the entertainment providers. Just how useful are these shows anyway? Do they teach us anything new, anything worth knowing, something to not be missed? 

No. All they do is give us meat to talk about to our peers who are senseless zombies like us, and ways to engage our mind and divert it from other, more ambitious, constructive actions. Real hobbies are dead today, because all we mention in our CVs and online portals under the hobby section is watch TV and listen to music. I used to write poetry and stories on my blog; these last few years - all I have done is write reviews of shows and movies and (very rarely) books. Damn! Just where did I go wrong... I thought I was a sensible lass, what crass!

The person who reminds me I am better off, is my husband, whose aim in life seems to watch all videos under the sun, useful or otherwise. The only person in my life who truly seems to have a balance of live versus unreal is my son - he is the one who enjoys conversations, likes to be outdoors and connect with the real world. He does like an occasional cartoon or two, but he's far superior to us adults when he says, "Enough now, let's play together". Child, indeed, is the father of man. Thank you, little Aaru, for teaching me this crucial lesson. 

We look for validation in all that we do. Am I watching the latest shows? What am I missing out on? What is everyone around me doing? How badly will I suffer if I am left out? 

We have lost our souls and our individualities. Me, no exception. I loved Game of Thrones after initially shunning it, until I could bear it no longer. I am eager to watch the ultimate season next year. I love Roadies that I religiously follow every week on Voot, and Splitsvilla, all thanks to my hero, Rannvijay Singha. I also have an inclination towards horror and comedy on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Koffee with Karan and BFF with Jeep was also interesting. 

I was drawn to this easy channel of entertainment, an obsession that kept me away from intelligent pursuits like reading, writing and doing something more tangible. I said work and the kid exhausted me, so I sunk into the sofa with my mobile phone and spent hours online, disconnected from real life, real people and my real self. I had no time for praying and meditation or exercise. But I was always available online. WhatsApp and Facebook made me more distant from those that sat right next to me. I left WhatsApp groups that were not relevant or useful, which made me watch dumb videos and memes, and shared endless Good Morning and mindless banter. I unfriended/unfollowed folks that I did not resonate with anymore. I make it a point to keep my phone away when I am with people, and I try not to look at it, until absolutely essential. I spend time on LinkedIn and news sites, and I have disabled all notifications from time-wasting apps. 

I am guilty, consider me reformed. 

Drawing a line is critical, to know when to stop and where to focus. It does not mean that you have to completely end something, but you need to know what is urgent and important, if you want to live life the best possible way. You decide your priorities, but your achievements determine your life. Be a fool and a slave to the wrong things, and that's all you'll ever be good for. Crap. A wasted life. Nothing to write home about, and a feeling of worthlessness long after the ship has sailed and others have moved on to greener pastures and better lives.

I hope the right people read this, I hope this post touches at least one, at least some of you. It will be my personal victory if you get on board with me in this struggle that appears flimsy, but will be a turning point in the long run. Evaluate your time, your life, your decisions. Anything that you should not be doing, quit. Something that has been on your bucket list forever, do it now. Clothes that you haven't worn and stuff you haven't used in the last 6 months, throw it - you will never use it again. Trust me. You won't miss it. For all you know, you don't even know when and where you misplaced it. Friends that you haven't met in ages - well, either you are not friends anymore, or you need to take the time to rebuild that relationship which you have taken for granted and cast away to the dogs.

I had only been thinking of blogging for some days. 

I did it today. I'll procrastinate later, I said. 

Get up, get a life. Get your life back. 

Lofty words. I know. But easy to do, no? 

Rephrase: 
Instead of "I don't have time"
Say - "You/This is not a priority"

Instead of "rejected"
Say - "redirected"

Your life will change. Don't mess up the big things for the small stuff. 

No regrets; that's what your epitaph should say.

I'm here if you need me. 

Cheers!
Anuja    

The Fake Life

I could have written sooner, I wanted to. That my (ex) husband was stalking my blog made me hold back from sharing what I had in my life and heart.

It's been a month, a very engaging one, a very happy one at that. I had a fab birthday, with lots of love and fun pouring in from all quarters. I've watched many movies, some good ones (Lipstick Under my Burkha) and others that missed making a mark (Jab Harry met Sejal, Despicable Me 3). Toilet has mixed reviews, and hence off my watch list for now. I did enjoy my experience at the Mystery Room though - an exciting team building activity with my colleagues. We played Hurt Locker and emerged victorious, gold metal et al. Bounty was a letdown, though, as was Classic Rock Baner. Easy to open a joint, tough to maintain it and provide consistent service and memories, each time. So true for relationships as well. Easy to commence, tough to uphold and deliver, time after time.

What's the brouhaha about Sarahah anyway? All I know is that it is a platform to send and receive anonymous feedback. Duh?!! Since when have we really sought and appreciated genuine feedback? People are scared to say what they've got in their head and hearts, and being fake is the norm whether at home or work. People like me who carry their heart on their sleeve and vent out all that's on their radar get judged and criticised, and then comes this app which allows people to do the same thing behind curtains. How authentic is their reaction? How willingly does one accept it? Everyone I know if posting their Sarahah ID's and sharing their messages on Facebook. Someone I know got a "you need to work on your social skills" that she readily dismissed, whereas someone got "I've had a crush on you forever" that was applauded. 

Millenials, I tell you. A confident, confused lot - the bunch of them. Immensely talented, yet most of them clueless or passionless. Want quick pleasures, yet superficial when it comes to friendships and relationships. No wonder we're got tons of research on them, right from Simon Sinek to random comedians. I've been working with fresh grads for over 2 years now at Hitachi Consulting. I'm a millenial too, BTW, so no offence to anyone in particular. Just that apps like Sarahah are popular despite the negative response on so many levels. 

Work has been hectic and fulfilling, as has my personal life. Friendship Day and Rakhi, Janmashtami and Independence Day - Aarush has brought a lot of homework and variety in my life as well, what with his school and extra curricular activities. I'll be traveling to Hyderabad soon, for work obviously. Until then, its running around the clock, tick tock tick tock.

Hope you're afloat and making merry. Everything is for the best, even though it doesn't seem so right now. Keep the faith. Love yourself. Someone does too, even though your being together is disastrous. And you'll find another, much better one, if you haven't already. 

Cheers!
Anuja

   

Generational Gap

So Simon Sinek has spoken about millenials and that's got me thinking. 
(Watch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hER0Qp6QJNU) 

Since I'm born in the mid-1980s, I am a millenial by definition and I do find myself identifying with some (not all) of the things mentioned in the video. I do, however, see how it applies to folks (kids!) born in the 1990s and later. For example, instant gratification, which is truly evidenced by the presence of social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tinder. Millenials do not want to cultivate lasting, trustworthy relationships. Instead, what gets them excited and motivated is the prospect of likes and speed dates. How well you can sell yourselves to strangers and almost-strangers is more critical than having that one friend for life, that you can turn to come rain or storm. No wonder then, that they feel lonely and burned out, depressed and stressed more and sooner than folks from the previous generations. 

My parents are Baby Boomers (1946-64) and my elder brother is Gen X (1960-80) while my husband is a millenial (1981-2000) so we have a fair mix of all thoughts and perspectives in the fam. 

I see how failure impacts us millenials far worse than it does the other generations. We often leave the company or the relation because we cannot deal with or accept the lesson that comes with it, making us resilient and far more effective and tolerant. No, so much easier to give up and start again in a fresh place rather than undo and re-do some of the bits that need mending to make life smoother in the long run. Everywhere around us are people who change jobs and partners every 6 months, so much so, that when someone mentions a 5-yr old tenure at work or with a partner, it receives applause and even a snide comment about complacency!  

We want our drinks and showers fast, we want to be told that nothing is impossible, and that nothing is too tough. Anything that we aspire is ours, without trying too hard, since we're worth it and more. 

It makes me sad, this thought that we're setting millenials up for failure - the pressure on them is immense and their heads are so messed up, it brings a sense of foreboding. I know some of them out there, wiser even than the rest. But, overall this simple categorization brings with it a lot of scope for introspection and improvement. 

And opportunity for training in organizations, which is how this actually struck me in the first place.  

So, the next time you pause to either reprimand or recommend someone, do keep this idea in mind - the concept of generational differences. It does explain quite a bit about our differing reactions and thought processing. 

Cheerio!
Princess

Sharing Anubhav's (ahem Experience, duh!)

Hola you!

I know some of you must be wondering how my nomination at the top bloggers award by Blogadda fared. While I was touched and excited by all your display of affection and support, “Life…” did not make it to the top 5. No regrets, albeit I can’t deny feeling a little blue.

I mean I started off as a teenager using text language and venting off dreams and emotions on my blogspot page akin a dear diary. The blog (and I) sure have come a long way. Thanks to all your feedback and appreciation. My first victory (which still continues) is when I see my followers list growing and people walking up to me telling me they love what I write; feels absolutely fantastic! A few bloggers and acquaintances were kind and knowledgeable enough to recommend a few changes to my blog and I took it with grace. I also did a lot of research, checked other blogs (to learn what I was doing right or wrong) and amended my blog. Thankfully I had the time then to pursue my passion with fervor. Now, with family and work commitments abounding, I have very little time to write, let alone check other blogs and aim for improvement. Apologies to you, and my hobby, for this miss. Earning bread and butter (and jam and mayo) takes precedence over pastimes, you sure would agree.      

Anyhow, I do plan to continue on my blogging journey and get better, every passing day. Someday, I hope, I stand a chance to win accolades in this area of life too. Thanks to all of you…

Well, having given you that update, let me tell you about something new I experienced at work in the past few days. There is a concept called “Friday Matinee” at Hitachi Consulting (GDC) where we screen a movie for all employees and review it together gleaning lessons. The first such program I attended a last week was highly interesting and enlightening. We watched a 1952 film called ’12 Angry Men’ starring and produced by Henry Fonda (Jane Fonda’s pop). This black and white production lasting an hour and half is a delightful watch, one that I suggest you take the time to check out. There is a Hindi remake as well, but as you all know, the original is always better than the copies or sequels.

The story revolves around 12 jurors who have to unanimously decide whether a young boy accused of killing his father is guilty or not. While 11 of the jury start off with a “guilty” vote, the last one succeeds in pulling all of them over to the other side by using his reason and logic. The unique behaviors of all the men, their stories and transformations are truly marvelous. And the number of lessons to learn, outstanding! It talks about teamwork and courage, confidence and empathy, trust and humility. But shan’t let the cat out of the bag, you must go and watch it yourself. Get some popcorn while you’re at it.

Another experience at work - I tamed the bull, a raging maniac who always communicated rudely. I was a little flustered initially, but I managed to assertively put him in his place. It was a proud achievement, and the outcome is very pleasant (and I hope lasting). Just like the movie above, this goes to show that you need not always bow down to pressure and stress. You need to stand your ground, and clearly let the others know your needs and perspectives.

Hassee to Phassee has released this week, and I have heard pretty decent reviews. Since I am on leave all of next week, I might just catch it in my free time. Also need to catch up on my reading – I have been asked to review “The Hunt for Kohinoor” by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar on request from Westland Books. Not going to spill any beans now, but plenty to say in the 50-odd pages I’ve read so far. You gotta wait for the book review that shall be published here shortly. Professional obligation, you see :-)

The Sale season is on, have you set hands on anything in the million malls yet? I got 2 jeans – they were a steal at 600 each (2 for the price of 1) at Megamart. Go go go!!  

My nephew celebrates his 4^th birthday in Mumbai today so I’m off to wish him and shower him with love. Brother and sis-in-law also complete 8 years of marriage, so it is one huge celebration with the family. We were planning to hit Imagica, what with it being my husband's fake birthday and the Valentine's day worldwide. But the recent accident there (also with some Rathi’s from Kolkata) has made us change our minds. Apparently, the amusement park is still on despite that one ride being stalled. This is India, my dears! Had it been abroad, the victims would have been compensated generously and the entire place would have shut down for repairs and maintenance. India oh India… You have a moronic Rahul Gandhi trying to become who he isn't (missed the catastrophic interview with Arnab "ArGo" Goswami - click here to laugh and.or pull your hair like a madman) and a “stupid” janta who have to immigrate in order to be valued for their work and intelligence (Go Satya Nadella!)   

I always have these arguments on Facebook with people on my friends list about our views on India. They think they need to support everything Indian merely to show their patriotism. I disagree. I am patriotic too, but I am not afraid to acknowledge the errors and shortcomings of the greatest (pseudo) democracy in the world.

And before we start off on that again, adieu!

Cheerio!
Princess

Filmi Reviews and News

Now the self-proclaimed movie critic that I am, I feel it my absolute responsibility to update you on the movies I have seen and my opinion about them.

(Tired of such posts. Guess what? Don't read. Scroll down or to the next page. Coz this is MY blog. Buhahahahaha!)

(Sorry, that's not nice of me. I know. Just find me a job that pays me to write reviews on tourist destinations, movies, restaurants and all things heavenly and nice, and I promise to stay off your back. Buhahahahaha again!)

So, the movies facing judgement today are: We're the Millers, Grown Ups 2, Phata Poster Nikla Hero (PPNH), Horror Story and regrettably, Grand Masti. You might recall that I'd named these very same titles in my previous post, and I fulfill all my movie vows with utmost sincerity and dedication.

My dad says that movie-makers spend umpteen crores to make films so it is our duty to shell out 100 bucks to watch their creations. Unfortunately, going to a cinema hall no longer is a luxury available at INR 100 unless you go for a day show in a second-grade theatre. Which is precisely why I thank God for our Reliance high speed internet. Films are downloaded in a few hours flat, and I have plenty stored for a rainy day (or for a dry one when I plan to stay indoors and not move my lazy a$$).

So, while Horror Story and PPNH were fortunate enough to be watched in movie halls, the rest were all viewed at home on my Dell laptop (which has been acting up since hubby dearest had it repaired at some shady techie shop).

Nonetheless, he's also the one that got the internet resurrected. It's even. Maybe.

Horror Story had nothing horrible apart from the acting. All the newbies (which I am not taking the pains of introducing) are a pain to the eyes and ears. The characters are far from effortless and novel. Same old ghisa-pita shit about a haunted hotel and silly youngsters who want to make their last party together unforgettable. The ghoul (who looks like Helena Bonham Carter aka Bellatrix Lestrange of Harry Potter fame) is a madwoman who died in a mental hospital which is later rebuilt as a hotel. The story has its nail-biting moments, but they do not justify the length and necessity of making a full-blown Bollywood flick. I had greater expectations from Vikram Bhatt of the Raaz legacy. I dragged my poor husband to it. For you, my advice is please avoid. Don't waste time. Take your dog for a walk, re-watch Pet Cemetry or Conjuring. Doze off. Do anything else. Just don't watch Horror Story. You'll regret it. Right down to the silly actor Achint who has a "s / sh" sound swap and the witch that keeps singing "Ring-a-ring-a-roses"...

Ditto for Grand Masti (GM) 2. It is disgusting. I would rather watch a porn movie followed by Comedy with Kapil if I wanted to LOL. GM fails miserably at both purposes - does not tickle the libido and does nothing to exercise your jaw muscles. I wonder how people can make pathetic distasteful films like these and not only tarnish the prequel but also hint at producing a third washout. Aftab, Ritesh and Vivek have a few funny scenes and dialogues but overall the movie is an abomination. And I'm not saying this coz I'm a girl, even boys have hated the sick humour. It stinks!

We're the Millers (WTM), Grown Ups 2 (GU) and Phata Poster Nikla Hero (PPNH) were way better than all of the above and definitely worth a watch.

WTM has four almost strangers - Jen Aniston, Jason whats-his-last-name alongwith Emma Roberts and Will Poulter playing the Miller family as they have to smuggle narcotics to America from Mexico. There are numerous gags that have you ROFL as each of the characters has their own personality and whims. How they come together and how the task is carried out makes for an entertaining 2 hours. Do download and check out.

GU 2 is good, though not as great as the prequel. All the actors and characters are interesting and hilarious. Jacob from Twilight (Taylor Lautner) is the bad guy this time around who bullies the wimpy seniors and needs to be taught a lesson. Adam Sandler is just too cute and his daughter's as adorable as ever. Perfect for watching with friends and family or even alone. Don't miss this!

And finally, Phata Poster Nikla Hero. PPNH is surprisingly brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie right from start to end. Shahid's entry is fabulous and his dialogues are mindblowing. What else do you expect from the person who wrote for Andaz Apna Apna? Rajkumar Santoshi has unleashed his magic once more. Uptil the interval, there's not one dull moment. I did, however, find myself wishing that there were fewer songs and even fewer romantic scenes. Fun is the USP of the movie, and they should have stuck to that. But I guess Ileana D'Cruz would have little to do then. So be it. While the climax is nothing extraordinary, the actors have certainly done an appreciable job. Do go for this one, especially the "Main tere agal bagal" track :-)

Having said my say of filmi gupshup, let me fill you in on some gossip. There are stories about Hrithik Roshan and Suzanne getting divorced. While some say this is a publicity stunt for Krrish 3, most people are denying that this is true. Married a good 13 years ago, the couple have beautiful kids and it would be a shame if they broke up. Separation is always ugly. In my world, divorce is not an option. Once married, you're hooked for life (unless of course, there's violence and adultery involved). Let's wait and watch, and pray for the best.

Another update, and a good one at that, is that the Aadhar (UID) card is not mandatory as rumoured earlier. Bless the lord. First the passport, then ration card, followed by Pan card - when should a person work if he's kept busy getting all these identification tags?!!

And let me end with this - "Rape : It's Your Fault" - a brave and intelligent attempt at making people aware of the absurdity in Indian minds about the causes of rape. Kalki Koechlin and VJ Juhi have acted in this video created by All India Bakchod (AIB365) and while it makes you laugh, its brutal reality also makes you cringe. The only problem is, the illiterate people who ought to watch this may not, and even if they do, they'd fail to comprehend the sarcasm. My only wish is that Juhi and Kalki are not made the butt of some aggressive and inhuman act. You should watch this one - it's splashed on Youtube and all social networking portals.

And that's all for now... Be good and take it easy!

Cheerio!
Princess

Godspeed Readers!

Hiya!

Been a while since I dropped a line.

My husband decided to go hit a truck bareheaded so I had to drop everything else and tend to him. With an arm in the plaster, and several stitches on the forehead and face, life’s not been pretty for him, poor guy. The bike's totally trashed. But he’s a good boy – been dealing well with the pain and trauma. And all those questions that are predictable and irritating after some time – “How did it happen? How are you feeling now? Let me know if there’s anything we can do….”

So well, a forced holiday ensued, which was as far from being a holiday as humanely possible. Running around in the hospital for insurance and then at home entertaining visitors, phew. Thank God I am not a housewife. Don’t think I’m capable of THAT much hard work and tolerance. Salute to the nation on Independence Day, and a triple salaami today and everyday to the housewives in the country and worldwide. Your work is as brave and important as that of the martyrs and jawaan’s on the border. Respect!

(Or restecpaaa – like in Ali G Indahouse. Insane actor, that Sacha Baren Cohen! Loved him in Borat and of course Madagascar.)

Which reminds me, I watched Chennai Express last week. Expected it to be a dud, but a lot of people spoke very highly about it on Facebook so decided to give it a shot. The movie was okay, but I thoroughly enjoyed the scene where Deepika acts like a possessed woman – can’t remember when I have laughed that hard or that loud in the theatre.

SRK was his regular self, what some call amusing and the resst nauseating. Overall, a one time watch – whether in the cinema hall or at home. Good time pass. Nice music as well.

But what was definitely unsatisfactory was Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobara. We downloaded the film so thankfully, no money was spent in the bargain. But the Ajay Devgn standard sure was not met. Akshay and Imran could not create a lasting impression, and to top that, there was that stupid Sonakshi woman. Silly dialogues, meatless plot, useless show-shaa, and poor acting all add up to a flop. Avoid.

I haven’t been reading the news lately, but I did find out something very intriguing thanks to friends’ FB updates – www.ireport.cnn.com. It has some really nice stories and articles that anyone can add and read. Try it!

BTW, did you know about hashtags? (Those # symbols that people put up with their posts on social networking sites.) I have been seeing them for a while but only now did I attempt to explore their purpose. Apparently, it helps pull up relevant information. Gotta check that some time when I have more time on my hands.

Which is probably going to be a long time away… so much to do and such little time… Phew! If only people would concentrate on their work and let me focus on mine rather than pulling me into imaginary shit. It’s disheartening to know that people are liars and hypocrites. Not that I am an angel, but I at least have the balls to own up to whatever I have done, be it right or wrong. But then, cant expect the world to run according to my plans and behave as per my virtues.

Raksha Bandhan and Ganeshotsav coming up. What plans, fellas? Be safe and have fun. I’ll try to come back sooner next time… hopefully with good and better news :-)

Until then, godbless and godspeed!

Cheerio!
Princess

Now even the PM has to listen to me!!!

Heya!

Given that I yak so much about everything under the sun no matter how much I know or understand, it sure is one long blog that I keep pouring my head and heart into, and you lovely people keep reading and feed-backing.

Thanks to your continued patronage, "Life..." (now 5 and a half years young), has been noticed by more than a few of the "crucial" folks and organizations. Blogadda is one, and the rank for my blog has moved up almost 20 points (from 74 to 58) in the last few weeks. While #1 position is still a dream, we'll get there together, what say?!!

Quite a few other companies and brands have approached me for writing about them or my reviews about their products and services. Club Mahindra resorts, Shaadi.com, Grapevine Publishers, and so many more. 

Another addition to this list has been Viewspaper. They recently asked me to write a letter to the Prime Minister about my views and suggestions on the state of the country.

If you know me even one bit, you sure know that politics and current affairs is not my forte. But thanks to my wise and updated friends and acquaintances, I managed to put forth my "prem-patra" to Manmohan Singh. You can read it here : http://theviewspaper.net/anuja-rathi-writes-a-letter-to-the-prime-minister/

I have spoken about corruption, inflation, education and tourism, justice and other concerns in India. Inputs have come from Anuradha Umalkar (my mentor at work and super-manager), my mum-fantastico Madhulika Rathi, Manisha Sharma (better half of my Ops boss Manish Sharma), and a whole bunch of you friends that I will thank personally. I couldn't have done this without you...

Now that sounds very much like a Nobel / Filmfare prize speech, so leme stop...

But gracias, ladies and gentlemen, for sending me your feedback and good wishes. It feels terrific when I read about what you feel for my words and thoughts, even if I may not know you personally. That's where all my motivation comes from... knowing that YOU are reading what I think, feel and say / write.

While my blog follower count is a mere 100+ and my facebook blog updates may not gather too many comments, I know you read about my rants. A lot of you walk up to me or drop a line stating you like what I pen down, or do not agree with something, or how I could have done better. I appreciate it all. Truly. Keep them coming :-)

Have a great day ahead, everyone.

Cheerio!
Princess

Chaadni Raatein

Chaandni raatein… Sab jag soye, hum jaage, taaro se karein baatein…

One of my fav songs…

I find it hard to fall asleep immediately after work. So, when I get home post midnight, I usually watch TV or read or yak with some night owls, in that order. And of course, visit Facebook - the lifeline of youth today.

What I’ve certainly not done for as long as I can recall is sit back a moment and just relish nature. Keep all thoughts at bay and appreciate the many beauties of the ecosystem…

The simple joys of living. The uncomplicated beauty of nature. The mind not engaged in any contemplations or worries. The heart not burdened by any sorrows or dilemmas. Just the cool breeze and the soul, mingling together and exchanging unspoken thoughts.

When did all this revolutionary realization strike me?

When one unthinking moment in the night, I clumsily stepped onto the elegant sofa in our living room and pushed my face outside the huge French window.

The cool night breeze caressed by cheeks and chilled my stressed eyes and head.

My aunt calls such moments “enjoying my balcony” (terrace / house / mangoes / as applicable).

To me, it was nothing less than paradise. I clung onto the moment spellbound, unwilling to let go, wanting the night to regale me with all the pleasures it had to offer a newbie…

It dawned on me why dogs love to place their wet nose outside the window as cars zoom past. Trust me, it was splendid! Pity I’ve missed it all these days.

Better late than never… I vow to do it more often and give the TV and FB some respite.

Apart from this one-off instance, what I do on most nights is watch TV. While there usually isn't much to watch on the idiot box at that ungodly hour, it’s often past 3 by the time I force myself to sleep. Reruns of popular shows and films on Sony Pix, World Movies and Zee Studio keep me entertained.

So, the other day I switched on the television, and I saw that the blockbuster Titanic had just begun. It's a lovely movie - touching, horrifying, beautiful and tragic; all at the same time. I thought I'd see a few scenes and then go to bed.

Need I tell you that that wasn't what happened…

I was glued to the sofa for the next 3 hours, despite having seen the film several times before. When I next looked up at the wall clock (a pretty and unique one that I bought when our den was being renovated), it proudly declared 4 am. Wow, time for the early birds and my mum to rise, and high time for me to catch some shut-eye.


What made me watch the film again, you ask?

Death. And the foresight of it.

Are you afraid of death? Do you not want to die? How is it knowing you’re going to die someday? What if you knew when you were going to die?

To answer my questions myself – no, I am not afraid of death. At least not death as a concept. Sure, I don’t want to bid adieu in a slow, painful way. I’d prefer the quick, instantaneous types where I don’t even realise its pack up time…

I don’t not want to die. I don’t not want to live either. I know death is inevitable. As mum always reminds me, the time for each one to be born, to marry and to die is fixed. Your time of demise is finalised the very second you’re born. So, I am aware its going to happen, and as I have no regrets in life, I don’t mind saying goodbye when the time comes… Frankly, I don’t know if I will be ready when it actually happens or if all my wishes will have been fulfilled leaving me content and happy. But I do know that I won’t curse god or beg to live. I’ll accept it gracefully.

If I knew when I was going to die, I’d definitely freak out a little and mark it on my calendar!

Before the destined hour, I would make all the telephone calls, visits and donations that I need to make, and joyfully tell everyone that I love them. I’ll thank them for making my living moments cheerful, memorable ones and I’ll also ask for forgiveness if I’ve intentionally or unintentionally hurt them. And last but not the least, I’ll tell them I’m going away forever and not to miss me too much. And hey, don’t not miss me either :-)

As Jack and Rose sped through the watery confines that were soon to become coffins for so many, I was filled with dread and compassion. It is one thing to wait for it in its own sweet time, and entirely another to see it coming, with as much certainty as night follows day. I speculated whether I would jump into the sea and just stop swimming, letting the waves take me where they may and finally drown me when they were done playing. Or would I gasp and flail and try to swim and keep afloat, hoping that someone would come to help. Or would I stay on the boat itself, like the captain and a few other passengers, savouring my last moments of life…

I had no answer then. The answer fails me now too.

But I do know this. If I ever happen to be disabled beyond repair or hospitalised for life, I don’t want that life. Please kill me. Euthanasia might be a crime. But I cannot expose myself to pain and others to inconvenience for a few hours / days / weeks of laboured breathing. I will not have needles stuck into me, so what if the absence thereof cuts short my life by a few months? I’d rather live a short, healthy, independent life with respect than a lengthy one that is a trouble for me and others alike.

Oh, and make sure my eyes are donated. I want someone to be able to see. To understand what colours are, to know what beauty is, to watch playful puppies and the sultry sunrise... to feel blessed…

Just like what I felt when I looked outta the window that night in my house…

Love,
Princess

Buyaeeeeekkk!!

That’s a term my best friend coined for the occasion when you want to vent out something so bad that it’s like vomiting out everything that’s within.

That’s the title of this post, because I want to vomit real bad about how I’ve been all this while.

Am I happy? Extremely. I love my job, and my job loves me right back. By that I mean my work is noticed and appreciated, and my colleagues acknowledge and like me as an integral part of the team. My life revolves around this aspect of my existence at the moment, and I won’t deny or discount that. I’ve met some wonderful people at work, and I’m genuinely thankful for that.

At home, things couldn’t be better with my mum. We’re the best of friends, and she is undoubtedly the most beautiful and admirable person in my life. The rest of the family is fine, too, but I hardly get to see them as my baby and bhabhi stay in Mumbai, my brother in Binsar, and my dad who lives with us works a human day shift while I work late nights.

Socializing with friends is great as well, though not as much as I’d like it to be. People are busy or not in touch, and when they are available, I have other commitments. Primarily, family expectations that I get home early, and spend time with them. Fair enough.

My health is erratic. I’ve been unwell almost all of last year – the occasional cough and cold seem to have created a permanent abode in my body. Sneezing was always on my suffering list, and now, I’m in such terrible shape that I can’t talk let alone sing or sip cold coffee. Of course, I can easily charge the silly weather in Pune that hosts a million different viruses, but let’s admit it, my immune system is to blame. And I don’t know what to do about it. Folks say that physical illnesses are connected to our mental state, but honestly, I don’t know what’s bothering my mind and culminating into bodily discomfort.

Well, that’s that about what’s visible and evident.

Coming to what’s eating me within.

I BLOODY DON’T HAVE TIME!!!

I have no time to read, and I’m afraid I’m losing inclination, too. I began Picaddily Jim and Kane and Abel a good 2 months ago, and haven’t been able to read halfway through either yet. This coming from a bespectacled girl who used to polish off entire novels in a week flat (or less), reading day and night, ceaselessly.

I watch TV when I get time off and of course, log onto the net (yeah yah… Facebook and Gtalk). Or chat up with some friends / relatives that have been calling me only to be told that I’m busy and will call them back later. Apart from these three activities, I genuinely don’t have time for anything. Unless there are bills to pay.

I want to do so many things. Like… like… exercise. Go swimming for instance. But pools in the vicinity shut by the time I wake up at noon. I could go for a walk but midday’s not the best time to be doing it, that too on the main road abounding in traffic and pollution. And gymming, well, I don’t want to join a gym. That’s that. I’d rather join a Spanish speaking class. Or learn the Salsa. But what good is either without a partner?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not looking for excuses. I REALLY want to do something outside the ordinary routine. Ho nahi pata…

I mean, what would you call it when I can’t manage to go shopping – one of my favourite pastimes (being a woman, so what if not as silly as the others that make up the majority of the species) or even visit the doc when I’m dying with a hundred aches. What else would you say when I can’t find the time to meet my uncle several times after he’s insisted on seeing me or watching movies that simply keep hitting the box office week after week? I haven’t even written a blog in ages! All the ones that get published are those that I have posted weeks, sometimes months in advance. I don't even get time to read the newspaper even; can't recall when I last held one to catch up on the current events and accidents (or maybe they are synonyms).

Ok. Time to confess. Maybe I just don’t intensely feel the need to do so, and hence, I see myself falling short of time.

As I always tell others, you’ll always find time for things that you really want to do.

I’m great at time management, but I think I’m doing a shoddy job at priority management.

Hell, I think I’ve just decided to focus on a very few fixed priorities, and I’m ignoring everything else. No wonder then that I keep meeting some friends more often than I do others and surf the internet at the cost of other recreational activities.

But you know what… I’m going to try… Starting now.

I’m not convinced about my promise myself, so I’m not expecting to persuade you either.

But I’m surely going to give it a shot.

Wish me luck…

Cheerio!
Princess

Howdy?!

Namaskar!

Kasa kay?

Nope, not that I'm scared of the MNS fellas or anything. Their Bandhs and other announcements really don't scare me. Instead, they only make me cringe with disgust. Brute force can win them fear, not support.

Whatever... that's really not wha I wanna talk about today.

Gotta give you some quick updates.

One, I am not really keen about football, but thanks to the enthusiasm displayed by my friends and colleagues, I was drawn into it without my personal desire. Sports was never really one of my passions, but it's fun watching people as they argue and support their respective teams. Of course, Oracle Paul became quite a rage in the market when he started predicting wins and losses. Must go check out what he's gotta say about my life and story ;-) If an octopus understands football, he sure must be aware of our trivial lives and details!!

Moving on... I watched Milenge Milenge... and oh my god, was it the biggest mistake ever in my life! The movie is horrible... and that's an understatement. why do people make movies, I wonder. Is it just for the heck of it, or do they truly want to make a point - be it regards the plot or their own ability to make cinema. This film was supposed to be released 5 or 7 years ago, and obviously it looks stale and badly done. Both Shahid and Kareena look unglam and dreary, and don't even ask me about the story! Destiny ki taang tod di in logo ne! I mean what sense does it make that you ask someone who loves you to reach the same floor in a building or search for a book at an old store just to see if you're made for each other?!! Rubbish... Utterly ridiculous... One hour and fifty minutes down the gutter...

Leme gargle and come back... MM leaves a bad taste in my mouth...

Yeah, so... The other thing is... I forgot...

Got it! I saw this sexy Volkswagen Beetle in Pune the other night when I was returning home from work. Wish I had one... It was sexy and cute at the same time!

I miss my Momma :-( She went to meet an ill Uncle last week, and he expired a day before she was supposed to leave for Pune. So, she has to stay there till the 12th day. Shucks... Home's not home without her... I just don't feel like being inside those 4 walls with the other folks... The baby's an exception of course! The cute darling that he is...

Hey, one of my close pals (whom I've never met till date!) has got through Stern (NYU) and I'm sooooo happy for him! If you remember, I'd applied there myself for MBA but I was denied admission. He's so definitely smarter than me!! And I wish him all the luck... Way to go, Denis! Make us proud boy!!

Here are some status messages that I've updated on Facebook over the last few days - should give you a fair idea about what I've been thinking...

* Anuja Rathi feels loved, valued, respected, supported, appreciated, cared for, cherished, needed, liked, adored, envied, wanted and blessed! ... (This was because I really thank the Lord for the life I'm living now. I've had some tough times in the past, and I am so grateful that times have changed... Thank you everybody, for making me feel this way!)

*Anuja Rathi misses swimming, clubbing, traveling, reading, and hanging out without time constraints... (This was because find just 2 holidays in a week too less, and I wish the weekend was as long as the week! There's so many things to do and so little time! I've practically stopped reading coz I can't find the time, and whenever I go out or engage in some activity like chilling out with the gang, there's always the clock ticking at the back of my head. Gotta spare some time for the family too else I'll get kicked outta the shack! Bless the Almighty though, I've got a wonderful, understanding, patient and accommodating family. yet you can never take these things for granted!)

And then there are some others about the desserts I wana eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner... and how I grappled while helping my nephew sleep at 2 am after I returned tired from work! It was worth it, though, when I saw him breathing softly in his sleep and sighing... Gosh, how I love him!! And about the desserts, well, I've had some amazing chocolates at Brugge (Dhole Patil Road, opposite Madhuban) and Chocolate Story, The deal is, for my wedding, instead of the guests bringing shitty gifts that they themselves wouldn't use, I'm gona ask them to get me bouquets from Brugge :-) You're invited too, ladies and gentlemen! Just keep the above in mind...

And hey, its my birthday on the 23rd, so I'm gona give you guys all a treat! Just visit Malaka Spice (Koregaon Park) on Friday, order your food, and get free beers!! You're welcome, darlings ;-)

See ya later, then!

Cheerio!
Princess

Jaanam Samjha Karo

Sometimes I think you're an illusion,
Yet the tears rolling down my morose face are so real.
I wanted you though you made me cry with each breath…

Just a few lines that passed through my mind and left a mark… Thought I’d share with you…

"No one knows why some things work out and why some don't." A lovely line from the movie Notting Hill. A lovely movie, though I don't like Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant looks silly when he repeats every word/sentence twice.

The weather in Pune is going from bad to worse. It's cold one evening and burning hot the next. It rains without reason at times, and I'm suffering for it! Caught a horrible cold... Sick of sniffling and sneezin... I hate being unwell! Benadryl is my knight in shining armor at the moment ;-)

The Bacardi Megamix party was not as great as I'd anticipated. DJ Suketu played stupid tracks and kept admonishing the people when they weren't shouting loud enough. Why would they when the music was so tthanda? The crowd was pretty chic, but the turnout was low. Considering Pune's sad night life and few good parties, I'd expected a higher attendance. They'd have been disappointed though, coz the party wrapped up at 11.30 pm. Why make people drive so far to Wagholi when they wanted to adhere to city time deadlines?

I am now addicted to Facebook courtesy its many fun applications. So, I now own a Café and even a Zoo :-) I’m not into Farmville and Mafia Wars yet which most of my friends play… Quite a craze!! Oh, I finally bought some earrings and the third book in the Twilight series - Eclipse. I'm afraid it won't be as exciting as the previous two, but gotta read regardless!! Downed 100 pages already and still very much in love with both Edward and Jacob... And sorry for Bella... Poor gal, stuck between love and friendship; I know how that feels...

I met a friend last week and we were just chatting away about our GMAT and MBA abroad stuff. He wanted to do dhuaan-dhuaan so we landed up at Mocha near Symbi / Law College. (One thing I hate to do is spend money at Mocha. The prices are outrageous! The bill was close to 850 bucks and what did we order – just a pasta, chicken starter, shake and of course, hookah. Silly ruffians! We could have caught some drinks and a full meal someplace else at that price...)

Anyhow, we got talking and he lapsed into the tale of his college days. While reminiscing about his girl-adventures and guy-pranks, he told me he was “kinda desperate” at that point of time for you-know-what…

I didn’t bat an eyelid. I am dead sure I would have cracked up had this incident occurred a few years ago. In fact, I appreciated his candor and his willingness to share such personal feelings with me. I find myself able to “hear” (and not just listen) a lot of unnatural confessions these days. I seem to understand a lot of unsaid emotions. Guess I’m really becoming mature! I even try to rein in my dirty temper when I'm truly annoyed. Of course, I do lose it in that split second, but I feel bad for the other person and make amends soon after. I'm nice, na? :-)

Even at work, there are so many people who come up to me and start sharing their personal experiences and hurdles without an invitation. As a trainer, I’m merely supposed to brush up their communication skills and confidence. However, more than a few of them get pally and thank me for being a good listener. Feels good :-)

And I might as well confess, I have even made 3 of my students cry… (2 women and a man, for those interested in details... No, I did not hit them.)

I don’t know how… I think I was a little harsh on them coz they JUST weren’t understanding the basic stuff despite having been taught for ages. And there’s the carrot and stick approach, right? Some people just don’t learn until they’re shouted at and pushed. One thing I can’t stand is laziness and lack of dedication. Awrite that’s two things, but you get it, right? I did apologize to them later, and now I try to be calmer… Quite a challenge given my raging temper, but if you don’t do your best (be it in class or in a relationship), you’ll have to deal with me…

People show care through anger, which is sweet, but not exactly the best way to express your concern. Wouldn’t you be spoken to softly and lovingly when you’re sick in bed rather than be yelled at coz you don’t take good care of yourself? There’s a time for everything, and there’s a way of doing things. And if you cannot judge a situation and act appropriately, then you are not worth being human. The next time you find yourself experiencing ANY emotion, please ensure that you state it truly and express it correctly. You will notice that the situation is markedly more different and positive.

Have you watched Bigg Boss lately? The place is a mess. The participants this time round are truly boring. Be it Vindu who is Dara Singh’s son, or Rohit Verma who is a crybaby fashion designer. I was unsure till the day before who exactly Kamal Khan was and what his claim to fame was, and then I saw that he had produced and acted in a film called “Desh Drohi”, which irked the MNS and obviously crashed at the box office. (Apparently, he’s making a sequel now. LOL, some people never learn!)

The guy is such a jerk! He’s mannerless, vain, irritating and repulsive. The way he speaks and behaves on the show is nothing short of revolting. He did get evicted from the house of BB but I'm guessing he'll be brought back through a “wild card” entry. Big Boss needs somebody to create ripples and excitement, can't afford to let the TRPs drop… The world’s a sly and selfish place…

Here's your respite and confidant!!

Me.

Princess

Tagged!

I have been tagged in FB before (FaceBook you dummies!) but for the first time ever I was tagged on my blog by Ms. penandpaper. This comes pretty late (she tagged me on July 26), but as they say, better late than never...

A – Available/Single? I'm a spinster, and I don't think the wedding bells are ringing anytime soon. Does that answer the Q??

B – Best friend? Myself.

C – Cake or Pie? Cake, you bet!!!

D – Drink(s) of choice? Mum-made hot ginger chai, Zaika hot coffee, cold coffee at most places or orange juice without sugar!

E – Essential item you use every day? It used to be Vaseline lip-guard, not so often these days... And how can I forget saunf (=fennel seeds)...

F – Favorite colour? The entire spectrum - I'm a colorful Cancerian... Blue, lavender, yellow, green, pink, red...

G – Gummy Bears Or Worms? Who cares...??!!!!

H – Hometown? Washim in Vidarbha, but I've been in Pune forever.

I – Indulgence? Good hangouts, good food, movies, hookah and keychains :-)

J – January or February? February... fewer days to work plus Valentine's day!

K – Kids & their names? Jai and Jia if it's a girl and a boy, Dev if there's another boy, Ria if another girl... All combinations and permutations satisfied ;-)

L – Life is incomplete without? Love, for sure.

M – Marriage date? Ahem... Shall consult the pandits when an eligible bachelor appears!! The forecast, by the way is 2009-2011...

N – Number of siblings? One big brother

O – Oranges or Apples? Apples if fruit, and Orange if it's a juice.

P – Phobias/Fears? Lizards and rash riding/driving. Hate 'em both.

Q – Quote for today? My Quote for everyday: Live Life Queensize.

R – Reason to smile? Love, success, peace, humor... Life!

S – Season? Winter... Love cuddling into the sheets and dressing up in colorful sweaters!

T – Tag 3 People? Sibi, Ani, Vishal.

U – Unknown fact about me? I can't control my smile/laughter. Even if I am annoyed with a person, I still end up grinning like a dumb cow.

V – Vegetable you don't like? Capsicum and Coriander.

W – Worst habit? My insistence on everything being perfect (as defined by me!) and clean.

X – X-rays you've had? Stupid Q... I had one done when I sprained my ankle, and another when I was being tested for employment in Tata Motors.

Y – Your favorite food? Italian, Chinese, Punjabi, South Indian... I'm a foodie!

Z – Zodiac sign? Cusp - Leo and Cancer

And here's the Award for successfully completing this Tag:


So now, you too have a chance to be a Proud Member of the 'International Bloggers Community'. Here are the Rules:


1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Copy the image above, the rules and the questionnaire in this post.
3. Post this in one or all of your blogs.
4. Answer the four questions following these Rules.
5. Recruit at least seven (7) friends on your Blog Roll by sharing this with them.
6. Come back to BLoGGiSTa iNFo CoRNeR (PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK) at http://bloggistame.blogspot.com and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List.
7. Have Fun!

Questions & Your Answers:
1. The person who tagged you: penandpaper
2. Her site's title and url: Mentally Present Physically Absent; URL: http://penpaper.blogspot.com/2009/07/tag-here.html
3. Date when you were tagged: 26th July '09
4. Persons you tagged: Sibi, Ani, Vishal, Vaidehi, Sourav, Bips, Ranu

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

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