#40

Have I ever mentioned that I love Simon and Garfunkel? Well, I do and I love them a lot. My mom used to hum their songs and that's how I got introduced to two extremely talented people. I liked the final result of great lyrics that were placed in soft, dreamy melodies and could play some songs on "repeat" mode. I believe that there's something very charming about their vocals. Why this sudden declaration of admiration and love? Just the other night I was looking out of my window while Leo was playing a Simon and Garfunkel song and for some unknown reason I suddenly felt very calm... and i knew it was the song's effect on me. No, the lyrics didn't describe my life nor did the song carry words that I would ponder over in the near future. But at that moment, it just felt like the most beautiful song I had ever heard. And that's when I rediscovered my love for the singing duo. Heck, it was their music that saw me through 9th std geometry and kept me company during my board exams... and comforted me during some terrible times. It's nice to experiment with your music once in a while but like they say - old is gold. Gold indeed.

Here is my song for the asking
Ask me and I will play
So sweetly, I'll make you smile

This is my tune for the taking
Take it, don't turn away
I've been waiting all my life

Thinking it over, I've been sad
Thinking it over, I'd be more than glad
To change my ways for the asking

Ask me and I will play
All the love that I hold inside


Mr. Paul Simon and Mr. Art Garfunkel, I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to you.

Feelin' Groovy

There are some people in this world who make an effort to get to know the 'real' you. They remember little things that you say, make you smile for no reason, threaten to pulverize you, know when to be serious and you can rest assured that irrespective of all the fights, fun and mood swings that you go through (with or without them), you are not going to be judged. Then there are the Mini-mommies - They welcome you with a meal made with loads of love, give you advice at the drop of a hat, care enough to yell at you when you're being stupid, allow you to whine about everything under the sun, make it easy for you to forgive yourself, give you adorable nicknames, try to see the lighter side of everything, stop your tears and console you behind AC ducts or the stairs and you know that everything you say will stay within the family. Being the mischievous brat that you are, you need your partners in crime. So you end up with people who are willing to spy.. Even if it means hiding behind bushes at some weird time of the day, star in your first (and perhaps only) dance video, help you find unlocked computers, play pranks on others (including their own girlfriends), agree to write miserable love letters as a joke, place rotten tomatoes in somebody's batting arrangement, dance on buses, on the road or even in some strange eating joint and laugh with you for all the stunts you pull together. Oh and yes, there are the Music lovers - They love music so much that they're willing to write a song for you/with you, lend their voice for the most annoying, mind numbing stuff you've ever heard (But pat on our backs, we actually remember the lyrics)and are willing to share a tune with you anytime, any place. Then you have the we-share-so-much-in-common kind. They make fabulous conversation, get you to think, help you grow and make you feel that you're as weird/normal as weird/normal can be. Overall, these people, in their own li'l ways, teach you something.

Do you secretly wish that you had some of the qualities any (or all) of these people possessed? Maybe, maybe not. But would you like to recreate the feeling of "awwwww! I am so cared for" for someone else? Most definitely!

If a dog was my teacher...

Someone sent me a mail with this long back. These are a few lessons I would pick up...


When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps & stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout
Run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When somebody is having a bad day be silent....
....sit close by
....and nuzzle them gently.

Revealed!

Tadah! When the mad child is low, beats herself down, is on the brink of feeling worthless and feckless and is not her sprightly self, all it takes to cheer her up is a soothing voice, a nap, a hug via SMS, muddy paws on her T, a wet kiss from the brat and Mommy's baked potatoes. Isn't life beautiful? :)

?

Why does music sound more soothing in the dark? Why are some friendships so screwed up that no matter how many times I try, it doesn't help and I just have to push every memory aside and move on? Why do some of my closest friends have to live in a different continent? Why do I wish for a dead pet to come back to life.. even if it's for a couple of hours? Why do some people infuriate me one moment and make me feel like melted chocolate in the next? Why do I get upset when certain people smoke? Why do I find it so difficult to stand in front of a camera? Why can't I control my tongue, my temper and learn to be diplomatic? Why do I get bored of things within a few minutes, hours, days? Why can't I compromise? Why do I get so excited about little things and then feel low when someone bursts my bubble? Why can't I think more critically than analytically? Why don't my tears flow when I really want them to but flood the place when it isn't necessary? Why do I dream? Why do I fear relationships with a romantic angle? Why is it weird that I read the Thesaurus like a novel? that I love stationery? Why can't I compliment people more often or better still, learn to accept one graciously? Why am I mathematically challenged? Why do I like white more than yellow, choose silver over gold, prefer baking to cooking? Why can't I stay emotionally dead? Why do I enjoy spending time by myself? Why was I born at all?

Heh! :)

Last night I submitted an assignment 10 minutes before the deadline and took a deep breath. My record's still untarnished. This might sound very "high school" but I have never delayed a submission in my life... and I intend to keep it that way. It makes me feel like I have some sense of discipline (even if it's just a wee bit). Well, after I logged out, I had this huge smile on my face. It didn't matter that I still had one assignment, a review exercise and two term papers to go. All I knew was that Tuesday was going to be my day off. I had no plans of touching my books and was going to spend the next 24 hours just doing my own stuff. It started with two drunk friends calling me up. Were they high or what? :) They had a number of stories to share and I couldn't stop laughing. We sang these old advertisement jingles (Yes, the ones people of my age have grown up listening to.. Vicco turmeric nahi cosmetic, washing powder Nirma...) and I had to repeat my address and all my answers to their questions a couple of times. Then the "Miss you"s and "When are you coming to meet us?" began. They say that the truth often comes out when you're high but regardless of all the gyaan given by the mysterious, elusive “They”, this was genuine. It felt really nice that the madness is still remembered. Or that I am still remembered. Thank you, Nishu and Varun. You guys gave my lovely day the perfect beginning.

I woke up late and sat in front of the TV. Now, I hate the idiot box and unless I have ABSOLUTELY nothing else to do, I avoid Mr. Baird's invention like the plague. You guessed right. I had nothing else to do. Actually, I didn’t want to do anything else. I wanted to suspend reality for a while. So... I watched a few movies back to back. The first one on the list was To Kill A Mocking Bird. I love the book and I’m glad the movie lives up to it. Atticus Finch, you’re my all time favourite onscreen hero! (Um.. when it comes to books, there is a tie between Phileas Fogg and you) A lot of Scout’s childhood reminds me of my own. Hmmm... Then I watched Malice starring Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin. Quite a decent movie. A nap and half of Madeline followed and before I handed over the remote to my grandmom, I watched School of Rock. There are some movies that I will never get sick of and School of Rock is one o’ them.

What strikes me is that today hasn’t been exceptionally fantabulous or filled with the most exciting things ever but I achieved what I set out to do – Unwind. I’ve been stuck with assignments and readings for almost a month and trust me; I’ve been at my capricious best! Apart from a million non academic thoughts on my mind, I’ve been oscillating between my extreme moods and just wanted time by myself. The day’s been lazy, laid back and ‘un-communicative’. I didn’t feel the need to reach out to anybody and stayed away from SMS; I cared two hoots about the worries of the world. Even the food I ate wasn’t an issue. Being a part of the silly games the brats play only added more joy. The funny thing is that all these days I’ve been advising a friend on how he should take a break from work and get back to being his fun self. Ha! Didn’t notice myself now, did I? But yeah, I can feel the stress knots loosening up. There isn’t a thing that I would want to change about today. What tomorrow holds, I don’t know. Right now I plan to grab leo and watch the rain from my favourite place in the house. Somebody’s getting her life back...:)

The land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendour and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence, of genii and giants and Aladdin lamps, of tigers and elephants, the cobra and the jungle, the country of hundred nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of traditions, whose yesterdays bear date with the modering antiquities for the rest of nations-the one sole country under the sun that is endowed with an imperishable interest for alien prince and alien peasant, for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor, bond and free, the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of all the rest of the world combined.

- Mark Twain

I'd die a million times over to be born Indian again!

This is for one of the 15 people who make me smile. It's for putting up with the drama, the madness, the mood-swingy-ness, the bad jokes, the psycho weirdness and the childlike behaviour. We'll sing Strawberry Fields Forever while standing in the middle of the street at some unearthly hour.. again and again... and again.. But for now, here's what I'd like to say to you:

When you're weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I'm on your side. when times get rough
And friends just cant be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

When you're down and out,
When you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
Ill take your part.
When darkness comes
And pains is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

Sail on silver girl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.

Thank you, AD :)

Nostalgia

I sit in that corner
The light explores my room
It moves slowly as it looks for me
I hope it doesn't find me soon

Music echoes in my ears
I stare at the silver skies
Memories come back to me
of joy, of happiness, of childhood smiles

Those days of play and fun and games
And climbing trees so tall
There were fights and punches, name calling too
But in the end, there was love for all

I close my eyes and relive the days gone by
I make every minute last longer
There is a familiar sense of calm and peace
And the feeling becomes stronger

I watch myself dancing with the wind
There's me - running free
I have no worries of tomorrow
I am untouched by "reality"

I put the future on hold for now
And ask time to pass me by
To leave me in my moment of solitude
To leave me far behind.

Time obliges and he moves on
He doesn't turn back to check on me
The light dies out, the music softens and fades away
As i hold on to my memories...

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness” - John Keats

I always remember these words when I think of Van Gogh's "Blossoming Almond Tree". The moment - when I saw the original at the museum - can be described in one word: Magical!

Free Bird

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
There's too many places I've gotta see
If I stay here with you girl
Things just couldn't be the same

Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oooh ooh ooh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I cannot change

Bye bye its been sweet love
Though this feeling I cannot change
Please don't take this so badly
Cause lord knows I'm to blame
If I stay here with you girl
Things just couldn't be the same

Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
ooh oh oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can't change

Lord help me I can't change
Lord I can't change
Wont you fly high free bird

Every time I think of my last day at work, it brings back fond memories. One of them is attached to this song. The taste of freedom; the joy of living my dream. Thank you, Nishu!

Rediscovered...

Haldi and Milk. Ah.. Heaven unfolds!

With or Without You by U2. I'm still trying to figure out why the song got bumped off my play list. Strange.

The art of making round rotis and fooling around with atta.

The fun in playing "Fetch" with the brats. Now if you're a dog owner/lover you'll understand how satisfying it is.

A hot water bath. For someone who can't get herself to bathe more than once a day, I find excuses to prolong the event when the water is bubbling with heat. It works for me 'coz it's soothing and I get to sing a longer song in the shower.

The smell of cookies in the oven. Something tells me the aroma will return this weekend :)

My moods. In a day I cover happy, crabby, excited, indifferent, miserable, angelic, wicked, playful, bored, irascible... all of it!

My half empty wardrobe. MOMMY......Guess what time it is??

Midnight conversations. It's all in the Family. :)

The frustration load shedding brings along with it! Aaargh!!

That I still don't have a secret.

The taste that lies in a cheese omelette. Mouth watering!

Old world charm. One of my friends took utmost care to see that his date had a wonderful time tonight. There were flowers, chocolates, conversation et al.

Erma Bombeck. Gosh, she made me roll with laughter this evening.

That the life I lead right now maybe boring, mundane, bereft of adventure but it's still the only one I'd want to have. I'm just thankful that I have one. As long as there's sunshine, music, chocolate, stationery, smiles and love, all's well in my world. :)

:)

Well, with my love for stationery and owning my first box of Crayola crayons when I was 5 years old, I just had to take this quiz.

You are most like: Black
You are bold with a dark side. You make clear lines wherever you go, though you color outside of the lines. Many people may just see the surface of you and think you are merely plain, but you have a lot of depth to you as well.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

No man or woman is worth your tears and the one who is won't make you cry! :)

Oooo.. Nice!

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Happy "Bear"thday!

He's not plump, does not have two short ears and a tiny tail, don't think he particularly likes honey or scratches his back against a tree trunk or sings "The Bare Necessities". In fact I don't think he sings at all. Oh, and he is definitely not the Please-Cuddle-Me kind. But people end up with the most peculiar nicknames and the man of the moment is... * drum roll *.... TEDDY!! Teddy. I first met him at Fishland (they serve THE most amazing fried fish ever) and we barely spoke to each other. It took a couple of bike rides, movies, Chaat sessions at G's, exchanging of ideas and jokes to build a friendship. Little did I know that it would become one of the most important relationships in my life :)

Teddy is loads of fun to be with. His stories and adventures keep me in splits and I am often amazed at how simple he is at heart. For Teddy, happiness lies in being with his family and friends, riding his black bike all over town, eating good food while drinking Thums Up and visiting wildlife sanctuaries. He puts people at ease even if they're meeting him for the first time. Maybe it's because he is comfortable in his own skin and is by far the most genuine person I have met. He is what he is and doesn't believe in wearing masks as and when he socializes. He's trustworthy, extremely smart, considerate, frank, creative and makes a fabulous friend. There are times when he gets sick of the sweetness and wants to bring about a change. So he passes sarcastic comments, tries to stay mad at people and show his wicked side but there's a slight problem. Listen to this carefully, you stuffed toy- You don't have a mean bone in your body! I can't think of a single time that Teddy's not been there to share my happiest highs and laugh with me (sometimes at me) when things have been miserable. Years may come and go but he'll stay the same. He'll never stop imitating people.. even if they are his closest friends, making faces every time he's called cute or just reminding me that nothing in life needs to be taken TOO seriously.

So..Here's Loosu wishing the Bear a very happy birthday! May all those dreams come true and I hope you get behind the camera soon. You do have some wonderful stories to tell. And there are awards to be won. I maybe a "VIP", but I'll always be there for you.. Anytime, any place! :)

P.S. The name Aditya has never suited you. Your gift is a crash course in Gujrati. Yeah, I know I'm the best :P