The Chronicles of a 20 Something

Adios blogger: you have been a great friend

2011-12-03T06:58:00.001-08:00

What started in 2008 as an experimental medium to kill time, turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

Sharing my thoughts and views on blogger has given me a pedastal to realise who i am, what i aspire for and why certain things happen in uncertain way. It has been a witness of my happy and sad moments.

Reading other blogs and understanding them, not only channelled new insights on issues of life, but also gave a sense of assurance that there is so much to be done.

I am moving to wordpress. Just another step to try out something different. But blogging continues :)

Dear friends, thanks for all the comments posted on my blog..it was always a fun to read them.

best wishes to all my readers.

I am available at - http://allaboutvanya.wordpress.com/

Episode 3 - Hyderabad

2011-08-08T01:29:00.000-07:00

I have completed almost 9 months in Hyderabad and the time has passed like waves of the ocean. I still remember the exact moment when I and AH came together at our new house and transformed it into "our home".

How my jaw dropped when i just glanced at the lovely terrace!!so many dreams and so many aspirations. Can not forget the surprise element added by AH's friends for my welcome...And shall always remember the very first day of living together with AH, now my husband!
blush blush :)
Utterly romantic and just splendid...

The city of Hyderabad has given me so much in terms of warmth and happiness. The new friends that I have made, new places I have been to, new experiences I have had.....are too good to be true.

Amazing rains this season have fulfilled my long desire of going crazy under the sky, awesome food right from Biryani to Khubani ka meetha has given a strong competition to my very own Dhoklas/dabelis of Gujju land ..phew! If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then shine of Hyderabadi pearls belong to a lady :) just kidding...i love them both!

Traditionally, the city is rich and with the mind blowing tech revolution, one can easily make out the modern and cosmopolitan culture.

I and AH have travelled extensively in Maharashtra for couple of months, hence am eagerly awaiting for winters to come so that we delve deep into South India.

And yeah the proximity to Crossword has added glory to my book shelf :) just had some really nice books recently.....

With all this and more, I feel good about where I live :) And I know that there's lot more left to explore :)

Hustle Bustle

2011-04-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

I spoke with Jazz after many months. It was a good long chat as usual. We talked about Delhi, the swiss days, the friends and what's happening in their lives.

It's so nice to talk about old days....though we can not bring them back...and there is no need because present is wonderful and future is yet to unfold! Anyway, the best part about talking with Jazz is, I feel the same old self like I was a few years back.

Ever wondered that why we talk differently with different sets of people...mainly because we have different wavelengths and it's hard to catch up with moods.

So, what's happening with my friends...

Jazz got a new job and he is happy. So am I for him.

Nid is on the verge of the greatest opportunity of her life. She is excited. So am I for her :)

Nix got out of an odd situation and hopefully getting into a fresh start.

Rush Gurl just had a vacation. She would be in a state of hangover :)

Rang Barse...

2011-03-20T23:04:00.001-07:00

We had a great time yesterday...not only did i and AH celebrate our first Holi together, also had lots of fun with his friends around...played like school kids after so many years...

there were colors, pichkaris and water balloons splashing everywhere..it was maddening to see everyone going crazy:)

and then there were sessions of mad talks, leg pulling, drinks!!

though, it took hours to clean up the terrace, but it was worth it. missed my family a lot :(

festivals like these brings back the spirit of enjoyment :) coming together and playing without any inhibition is actually the essence...just splendid!

Happy Holi to all :)

The mania has just begun!

2011-03-03T02:15:00.000-08:00

awesome indeed....that Ireland won against England, yesterday in WC 2011 :)

and the captain of Irish team has got a funky hairdo!

Lankan bowler Malinga, got his 2nd hat-trick in WCs '07 and '11..no kidding!

Hope to see more from Men in Blue in coming days.....whooooooopieeeee!

What about the other Jessicas?

2011-02-01T02:26:00.000-08:00

No one killed Jessica: this movie is special for many reasons.

First, I was watching it with Nix after a long gap...the first movie (with her) post my marriage and at our favorite multiplex. We have a long association with PVR, catching up after office hours and all the way gossiping about our respective bosses and clients...it was fun!! It brought up many old memories. Couldn’t help lmao thinking about that horrid day when all our “kewl” stuff was taken by that PVR lady at security!

Second, on a more serious note, it was a movie on the high- profile Jessica murder case. I watched it yesterday much after its actual release date. It was a beautiful film. One cannot relate “beautiful” with this case. But it turned out to be one because the actors essayed their roles superbly. Also, it was nice to see Rani Mukherjee in her determined avatar instead of watching her dance in chiffon saris around SRK! Sabrina’s character was neatly performed by Vidya. Although I presumed that the former was more resolute…I especially liked the police officer, the one person who did “the right thing”.

In the biggest democracy of the world, isn’t it ironical that justice is denied and hopes are demoralized. It happens very rare when media causes this much furor in the masses and masses turn up as a strong force. Justice was delayed but eventually the guilty was punished.

Throughout the movie, one could possibly feel the pain for the loss of a daughter, a sister and an innocent human being. It makes me wonder is there a price tag for a human being’s life? Unfortunately it has and will always be….Money corrupts. Power corrupts mores.

No one killed Jessica is not just a documentary or a movie, it highlights the alarming issue of women safety in our society. How media can intervene and do the just…how youth can actually contribute and actively participate in bringing about the change! This movie is not only an eye opener but also leaves behind many questions…

For instance,

What happens to those rural women who are brutally assaulted within their family?

Who comes ahead and seeks justice for the girl child still killed in many villages?

Why is our judiciary so rigid and slow that verdicts come after decades?

How does a criminal gets away with crime?

The answer lies in the bitter truth: money and muscle power are mightier in this age.

Miss-interpret these signs - part 2

2011-02-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

Really???

Of course it is...

At least they have good intentions.

Adjacent to the Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

Good advice.

Make up your mind, will ya?

Yeah, and this is the end of the Internet...

Somewhere near Plato's retreat...

Career opportunities for the select few...

Looks like they need a little help themselves..

2011 - No resolutions this time...been there, done that :)

2011-01-11T06:36:00.000-08:00

My first post in 2011....

too much of idle time and yet so late :) :)

A very happy new year to all my friends!

There is so much that I expect from this year and from myself.

To be a "good" wife (well, this role is not defined...though I hope will do well)
Not to lose my temper so often at home :)
Yeah, have to get a job...quick and get my groove back!
Cooking isn't rocket science, hence keep experimenting with food!
To keep on adding novels in my shelf..
Also, have to check on my weight..major issue to deal with!

well, am in a new city...and i am liking the fact that i don't feel alien here...like the quiet streets, the supermarket where i often go out for groceries ...plus there is so much to explore...

have furnished our home now...and its looking beautiful :) both I and AH have put our hearts in making our home - "sweet home"..yep..can feel us in each corner of the house..romantic to the core :)

living in a penthouse, has its own advantages and one of them is the terrace, just love the evenings :) we had called our friends for bonfire dinner..it was just awesome! had a great time...

AH's friends are good...enjoy spending time along with them....had gone for a party a few days back with them...it was a bowling alley competition and maybe luck was showering that night, i won ..i played that bowling game for the first time and i beat all of them in 10 rounds..happy to share that AH came 2nd and I won..I won ..I won..it was a great feeling :)

Anyway, gotta go now and set the dinner table....

May this new year bring good luck and happiness to all :)

A month old :)

2010-12-27T22:48:00.000-08:00

It's 28th Dec. today..

exactly a month back on the same date and same time i got married to AH.

I remember everything..walking towards him, glancing in his eyes and exchanging short smiles...

It was a beautiful day..just like i had imagined....

There's a lot to mention.....stuff will come in next posts..

This month was just splendid :)

Cheers to our love!

2 become 1 - Part One

2010-11-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

24 days left...

Marriage is a big thing in anybody's life. it brings about so many new aspects in us.

From being single to become a couple.

Am happy that i found my life partner just like i had thought. Actually i never gave a serious thought about "the guy" until last year when AH entered into the scene :)

I had never believed that internet could play a magic trick and bring two strangers together :) amen! well it happened for the good....

Lot of time has passed since our first interaction till date...

We have learnt a lot about our relationship, understood each other, we have fought and made up, realized the meaning of love, and sharing the lives together.

And yet, i feel a bit scared..(maybe these are pre-marital goosebumps)...like any other girl, i so much look forward to this big day of my life...there are so many things to be done when we start our new life together...yeah..have thought a lot about it...many a times made plans, changed them and re-made them...

I feel more responsible for my words/actions...(gosh sometimes i just wonder the little girl inside me does not want to become a woman..crazeeeeeee!)

As i have resigned from my office, have loads of time to indulge upon myself....

I have started to cook...mom's recipes and cookery books are my new interests.

By the way, it's a universal thing - "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach"..okay fine..so what's the way to a woman's heart?

hmmmm hard to figure out i guess :)

The "I do" moment of my life

2010-09-09T23:33:00.000-07:00

The day is coming nearer. My anxiety, happiness and excitement is soaring high.

It's a new phase, a new beginning.

I will miss my parents of course..my office desk, my office PC (for some strange reason, i like making folders within folders and naming them meticulously), my tailor who "understands" my concern for proper fitting , my parlor {yeah..they are so important in my world...how girly:) }

Oh yeah, and I will be moving in with a man i love/admire/fight/can't live without :) hmmm.....pretty interesting!

all those rom-com movies with subtle scenes and dialogues between newlywed couples hover in my mind...the whole "married" thing will be weird coz i very much enjoy my "ms. status" :)

its not so simple choosing bed sheets / curtains / furniture when one has got so many choices around...we will select the best ones... it's going to be a fun ride for me and AH.

I never thought it will be so filmy-types when it will happen to me :)

Anyway, shopping, invitations, menu, decorations blah blah blah...are being placed in order..which is a never ending story! It's all happening so fast and at random...

I will be witnessing my big fat Indian wedding pretty soon.

Just beautiful!

2010-09-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

Remember those walls I built

Well, baby they're tumbling down

And they didn't even put up a fight

They didn't even make up a sound

I found a way to let you in

But I never really had a doubt

Standing in the light of your halo

I got my angel now

It's like I've been awakened

Every rule I had you breakin'

It's the risk that I'm takin'

I ain't never gonna shut you out

Everywhere I'm looking now

I'm surrounded by your embrace

Baby I can see your halo

You know you're my saving grace

You're everything I need and more

It's written all over your face

Baby I can feel your halo

Pray it won't fade away

I can feel your halo halo halo

Hit me like a ray of sun

Burning through my darkest night

You're the only one that I want

Think I'm addicted to your light

I swore I'd never fall again

But this don't even feel like falling

Gravity can't forget

To pull me back to the ground again

Feels like I've been awakened

Every rule I had you breakin'

The risk that I'm takin'

I'm never gonna shut you out

Everywhere I'm looking now

I'm surrounded by your embrace

Baby I can see your halo

You know you're my saving grace

You're everything I need and more

It's written all over your face

Baby I can feel your halo

Pray it won't fade away

I can feel your halo...

- Beyonce's Halo!

Gymmie Gymmie Gymmie

2010-07-12T03:45:00.000-07:00

Yes..I have joined the gym. I am very glad that finally this is happening. My diet is also super cool and am strictly avoiding my favorite 3 Cs - Cheese, Chips and Coca Cola :)

In a way, it is nice as I am getting up early in the morning which had been on a constant mental denial since many months. Also, I will sleep let's say 11-ish at night which means reading till midnight will be only on weekends! Anyway, I can manage everything to get back into my slimmer shape.

Another great thing.....Monday is surprisingly less annoying. Redial is on leave for 2 days..and I am super duper ecstatic about this :)

A happy weak ahead!

So true!

2010-07-12T03:39:00.000-07:00

Love alone is capable of uniting living beings in such a way as to complete and fulfill them, for it
alone takes them and joins them by what is deepest in themselves.

- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

It's only words

2010-07-08T03:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we do not need words to convey our feelings. Silence and eyes can do the needful. And yet sometimes, we ~~wait~~ crave to hear certain words. And when they are said; the joy is everlasting.

*Title lifted from Boyzone's evergreen track..It's only words.

"...this world has lost its glory
let's start a brand new story
now my love
you think that I don't even mean
a single word I say

it's only words
and words are all I have
to take your heart away"

An ode to "Useless"

2010-07-08T02:57:00.000-07:00

"Computers are useless. They can only give you answers."
Pablo Picasso

"I am not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information."

Bill Watterson

P for Possessive

2010-07-03T01:05:00.000-07:00

Who is more possessive - I or AH?

it will be fun to watch in coming days :)

June at its best!

2010-07-03T00:20:00.000-07:00

Last week was good..no...too good!

a. Being with AH in the most wanted way :)

b. Chi-Chi became a couple "officially"

c. I wore my greenish brown Saree and flaunted it like anything

d. Took as many snaps as possible

e. Got 2 novels from AH: The Zoya Factor & My Feudal Lord, A&F's T-shirts & chocolates

f. 106 was a level higher than 511..more meaning added to the nos.

g. Took my ukhana with AH's name in it :)

just superb!

Open your mouth ..ha ha ha!

2010-06-17T05:23:00.000-07:00

I am going to my dentist today....feeling sick already :(

Finished reading the last novel yesterday. Need to get something really good!

Want to read THE GREAT INDIAN NOVEL by Shashi Tharoor.

Crisis of Self-Identification

2010-06-10T06:21:00.000-07:00

Yes yes. Here it comes. Self-identification. Self-obsessed me. But this time, it's little different.

Yesterday at dinner, my Sci-Fi uncle asked me this very simple question: How are you?

And I replied..I am fine. I usually say the same thing whenever anybody asks me about my well being etc. etc.

And then while I was eating, i just thought for a while...and said ..actually I am not fine. But I am not sad either. So, will that account for being "fine"?

He laughed and asked me...how is your work going on? I said pretty good and am coming back home on time as well. I said on personal level too..everything is calm, nice and there are no complaints.

And then came this big concept of self-identification. My dad as usual was commenting on "live life king size...and living in the present" philosophy and my mom was coming up with new questions related with the big one. I was trying to finish my brinjal curry simultaneously thinking about AH and the episode of Castle which i wanted to see.....

However I asked him, how are you? To this, he said, I am OK. Well see...that's the standard thing people say...no one ever says I am happy...because, it is not a permanent state..there is nothing like absolute happiness for mortals.

Well this discussion led to many perspectives. I have started to believe that we are never satisfied for a long period of time.

Despite living a good life (with a career of my choice, with a life partner of my choice,) something remains lacking....on a spiritual level. On a macro level, there is this universe, world, my country, my state, my city, my society, my home, my family and then I. How small is my existence in physical sense. Of course, I have touched many lives.. :) yet, when it comes to the connection with self..it's not there.

I am a religious person..not much but I believe in Almighty..and pray to God everyday before leaving for office..and before going to sleep I do the same. That is one habit that I follow ever since I was in school. Is it just a habit? no can't be because I earnestly pray...and in my prayers I ask for the well being of my parents and family..and myself. I pray to God to be with me in all situations...to give me strength to do the right thing.

In management classes, we were told to believe in the concept of "we". And I appreciate all that stuff. But it is so superficial. There is so much of "I", "me" and "myself"....everywhere.

I try to justify my mistakes with myself knowing that it's all crap until I accept what I have done was not correct.

Ohh there is some much going on in my mind...

Work.Life.

2010-06-05T02:36:00.000-07:00

If only... the rains could wash the pain!

2010-06-02T23:04:00.000-07:00

I am sad. Being sad is a recurring story. I can realize that my last post was written in a similar mood. And today when I write this, I feel just the same.

It rained in Ahmedabad last night. It was enthralling to smell the wet mud, listening to the birds chirping on balcony, watching the purple color of sky, feeling the cool breeze. I was so lazy. I tried to read for some time. But chose to sleep instead. Like that was going to help. How vain our efforts can be? We live in some self-created illusionary state.

Anyway, I listened to the songs playing on radio. To my surprise, the first song I listened was Ronan Keating’s “when you say nothing at all” and it left me with so many unsaid things. I waited for AH’s call. My cell vibrated at 11:05 pm and I answered half-heartedly. I anticipated that we will talk about something else. But we did not. And then I slept.

I woke up early with the same droning mood… I did not recall seeing any dreams also. I checked my cell for any message. There wasn’t any. Finally he called. It was cliché of last night...whoa...Could it be any more serious…duh! I feel so vacant right now.

Anyway, I don’t have much time to extend this post. Got a presentation to finish.

Damsel in dismal mood :(

2010-05-21T01:22:00.001-07:00

I am in a very bad mood. I do not feel like working. Want to go home and lie down on my bed with my face buried in pillow.

Good reads

2010-05-18T23:00:00.000-07:00

Some books are so good that they leave an everlasting impression. Here are a few quotes which I like very much.

Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts

"Happiness is a myth. It was invented to make us buy things."

"Luck is what happens to you when fate gets tired of waiting."

"News is about what people do. Gossip is about how they enjoyed doing it."

"Every virtuous act has some dark secret in its heart; every risk we take contains a mystery that can’t be solved."

"I don't know what frightens me more, the power that crushes us, or our endless ability to endure it."

The Bridges of Madison County - Robert James Waller

"In a universe of ambiguity, this kind of certainty comes only once, and never again, no matter how many lifetimes you live."

"I’m not sure you’re inside of me, or that I am inside of you, or that I own you. At least i don’t want to own you. I think we’re both inside of another being we have created called ‘us’.”

Eleven Minutes - Paulo Coelho

"At every moment of our lives we all have one foot in a fairy tale and the other in the abyss."

"If I must be faithful to someone or something, then I have, first of all, to be faithful to myself."

Here I go again

2010-05-18T02:41:00.000-07:00

I can never get enough of myself. Ever.
If I were a beginning, I would be: Beginning of the universe
If I were a month, I would be: September
If I were a day of the week, I would be: Friday
If I were a time of day, I would be: Not a day but Night
If I were a planet, I would be: Mars

If I were a season, I would be: Rainy
If I were a sea animal, I would be: Whale
If I were a direction, I would be: North
If I were a piece of furniture, I would be: Swing..to be more precise a hammock
If I were a sin, I would be: Lust…God forbid J

If I were a liquid, I would be: Water
If I were a fraud/scare, I would be: Doomed
If I were a gem, I would be: Diamond
If I were a tree, I would be: Banyan tree
If I were a tool, I would be: Screw driver..That’s the only tool I can remember at this time!
If I were a flower/plant, I would be: Lily

If I were a kind of weather, I would be: Hot
If I were a musical instrument, I would be: Piano
If I were an animal, I would be: Horse
If I were an emotion, I would be: Love
If I were a vegetable, I would be: Tomato

If I were a sound, I would be: Silence
If I were an element, I would be: Fire
If I were a car, I would be: Any SUV
If I were a song, I would be: You are still the one by Shania Twain
If I were a food, I would be: Pani Puri in Indian and Pizza in Italian

If I were a place, I would be: Ancient Greece
If I were a material, I would be: Paper
If I were a taste, I would be: Salty
If I were a scent, I would be: My own
If I were a religion, I would be: Peace

If I were a sentence, I would be: I love you
If I were a body part, I would be: Lips
If I were a facial expression, I would be: Smile
If I were a subject in college, I would be: History
If I were a shape, I would be: Circle

If I were a quantity, I would be: More
If I were a color, I would be: Green
If I were a thing, I would be: Book
If I were a landmass, I would be: Oasis
If I were a book, I would be: Entertaining like Mills & Boon

If I were a monument, I would be: Tall
If I were an artist, I would be: Madonna
If I were a collection of poems, I would be: It’s a tie between Gitanjali and Madhushala
If I were a watch, I would be: Showing wrong time
If I were God, I would be: Helping perhaps!

If I were a vowel, I would be: U
If I were a consonant, I would be: V
If I were a formula, I would be: love potion
If I were a Science, I would be: Physics
If I were a theory, I would be: Theory of Evolution

If I were a famous person, I would be: Glamorous
If I were an electronic equipment, I would be: Television
If I were sport, I would be: Cricket
If I were a movie, I would be: When Harry met Sally
If I were a cartoon, I would be: Jasmine

If I were an explorer, I would be: in Egypt
If I were a scientist, I would be: Inventing the time machine
If I were a relation, I would be: Mother
If I were a river, I would be: Saraswati
If I were intoxication, I would be: Chocolate

If I were alone, I would be: Thinking
If I were a question, then I would be: When?
If I were a hobby, I would be: Collecting things, making a scrapbook
If I were a habit, I would be: Getting up early...that would end my mom’s worries
If I were in an atom, I would be: Having magnetic elements

If I were an end, I would be: Happy
If I were you, I would be: Surprised

Gifted!

2010-05-17T23:25:00.000-07:00

Received the perfect gift from AH. Wanted this book since long.

I am so happy :)

May Blog bless you :)

2010-05-14T04:54:00.000-07:00

This is my 100th post. And am so happy today :)

I blogged first in October 2008.

I am so overwhelmed thinking of those moments when my inner most thoughts got a medium to flow. Happy moments when I was on cloud 9. Sad moments when tears just rolled by. It has been a superb journey of self-introspection, making new friends and taking out time for myself.

I owe it all to this modern day-technology ... yippee!

Introducing Redial :)

2010-05-14T03:57:00.000-07:00

It is fun to be in Client Servicing. Tests your ability to deal with all sorts of people....Apart from being work-centric it makes you people-centric. It is usually assumed, that in ad world (esp in C.S) one has to be manipulative and dominating. But it's not the case actually. Sharpness at work and understanding the psyche of Client is the key.

My job is to "get things done" as per clients requirements keeping in my mind the creative aspect and innovation (which is not necessarily in the same order!) And keeping a client happy is not so easy like keeping your friends / family happy :)
They can be more demanding than a boyfriend (ah..if u ever read this, just kidding!)

To reason out is one thing but being stubborn about something to the extent that a NO means no is really unprofessional and frustrating.

There is this is one person who has become almost part of my life now.....

Let's refer this person as

Redial. Because I very much believe that my no. is the most dialed and redialed no. on her phone :)

We share an amazing work relationship. It's more of a cat fight and who wins the share in the end and whose word is finally agreed upon.

The only intolerable thing she does, is this noise on phone when something goes wrong...and how does it sound ..."kaain kaain kaain kaain"....one can go deaf!

I have observed that she is less expressive when it comes to praising when her work is done well.

Anyway, I respect her and so does she. And we are used to each other now.

A day without her call is actually something missed :)

Lyrics

2010-05-14T00:31:00.000-07:00

Lyrix.

Just made a new label for my blog.

Collection of some beautiful songs that i keep on humming in different moods...like listening to them....

Desi Tadka

2010-05-14T00:15:00.000-07:00

Just love this one...

Delhi -6

sainya ched deve, nanad chutki leve

sasural genda phool

saas gari deve, devarji samjha leve

sasural genda phool

choda babul ka angna bhave dera piya ka ho!

saas gari deve, devarji samjha leve

sasural genda phool

sanya ched deva…

sanyan hain vyapari

chaley hain pardes

sooratiya niharoon

jiyara bhari hove

sasural genda phool

saas gari deve

devarji samjha leve

sasural genda phool

sainya ched deve

nanad chutki leve

sasural genda phool

chod babul ka angna

bhave dera piya ka ho!

bushirt pahinein khayike

beeda paan

poorey raipur se alag hai

sainyaji ki hai shaan

sasural genda phool

sainya ched deve

nanad chutki leve

sasural genda phool

saas gari deve

devarji samjha leve

sasural genda phool

choda babul ka angna

bhave dera piya ka ho!

Melody from Swinging 60s....

2010-05-14T00:05:00.000-07:00

Aage bhi jaane na tu

Aage bhi jaane na tu, peechhe bhi jaane na tu

jo bhi hai, bas yahi ek pal hai

Aage bhi jaane na tu

Anjaane saayo ka raaho mein dera hai

Andekhi baaho ne ham sabko ghera hai

Ye pal ujaala hai baaqi andhera hai

Ye pal gawaana na ye pal hi tera hai

Jeene waale soch le yahi waqt hai kar le puri aarzoo

Aage bhi ...

Is pal ke jalwo ne mehfil sawaari hai

Is pal ki garmi ne dhadkan ubhaari hai

Is pal ke hone se duniya hamaari hai

Ye pal jo dekho to sadiyo pe bhaari hai

Jeene waale soch le yahi waqt hai kar le purii aarzoo

Aage bhi ...

Is pal ke saaye mein apna thhikaana hai

Is pal ke aage hi har shae fasaana hai

Kal kisne dekha hai kal kisne jaana hai

Is pal se paayega jo tujhko paana hai

Jeene waale soch le yahi waqt hai kar le puri aarzoo

Aage bhi ...

Aage bhi jaane na tu from Wakt

Sleepless

2010-05-13T23:46:00.000-07:00

Chandni raatain, chandni raatain

Sab jag soye hum jagein, taaron se karain batain
ho..

chandni ratain, chandni raatain

Takte takte tooti jaaye aas, piya na aaye re takte takte

Sham savere dard anokhe uthe, jiya ghabraaye re sham savere
raaton ne meri neend loot lee din ke chain churaye re
dukhiya aakhen dhoond rahi hain kahin pyaar ki baatain
chandni raataein .. ho chandni raatein

Pichhli raat main hum yeh soch ke, chupke chupke roye re pichhli
raat main

Sukh ki neend main meet hamare, desh paraye soye re sukh ke neend main
Dil ke dhadkanen tujhe pukare Aaja balam aayi baharain
Baith ke tanhai main karlain sukh dukh ki do batain
chandni raatain, chandni raatain
Sab jag soye hum jagein,
taaron se karain batain
chandni raatain, chandni raatain

A classic is always a classic

2010-05-13T23:45:00.001-07:00

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair

Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
'This could be Heaven or this could be Hell'
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the Captain,
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine'
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say...

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis

Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said 'We are all just prisoners here, of our own device'
And in the master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the beast

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
'Relax,' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave!'

Hotel California by Eagles

When am in a mood for dancing

2010-05-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

Please don't stop the music
Please don't stop the music
Please don't stop the music
Please don't stop the music

It's getting late
I'm making my way over to my favourite place
I gotta get my body moving
Shake the stress away
I wasn't looking for nobody when you looked my way
Possible candidate, yeah
Who knew
That you'd be up in here looking like you do
You're making staying over here, impossible
Baby, I must say your aura is incredible
If you don't have to go, don't

Do you know what you started?
I just came here to party
But now we're rocking on the dance floor, actin' naughty
Your hands around my waist
Just let the music play
We're hand in hand, chest to chest and now we're face to face

I wanna take you away
Let's escape into the music, DJ let it play
I just can't refuse it
Like the way you do this
Keep on rockin' to it
Please don't stop the, please don't stop the music
I wanna take you away
Let's escape into the music, DJ let it play
I just can't refuse it
Like the way you do this
Keep on rockin' to it
Please don't stop the, please don't stop the
Please don't stop the music

Baby are you ready cause it's getting close
Don't you feel the passion ready to explode?
What goes on between us no-one has to know
This is a private show

Do you know what you started?
I just came here to party
But now we're rocking on the dance floor, actin' naughty
Your hands around my waist
Just let the music play
We're hand in hand, chest to chest and now we're face to face

Please don't stop the music

Please don't stop the music by Rihanna

We just love watching them!

2010-05-11T00:32:00.000-07:00

"If literature is the mirror of society, then television is definitely a kaleidoscope." - modified by me :)

Barney Stinson....the so called sophisticated playboy who thinks he can never go wrong with his ways....

Charlie Harper.......the charmer with a reputation among women

Joey Tribbiani........the master of one night stands...for him women and food are enough for living

As opposed to these men, we have

Carrie Bradshaw......a "big" (with reference to Mr. Big in her life!) city girl in search of true love who keeps on falling for the wrong guy...deals with complexities of love...

Samantha Jones.......her philosophy - "I don't believe in the Democratic party or the Republican party, I just believe in parties." and a self-proclaimed "try-sexual" (meaning she'll try anything at least once).

Hmmm pretty interesting J

Are we happy than our forefathers?

2010-05-05T23:06:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was in school...in 7th std., I had written an essay on "Are we happy than our forefathers?”

Being a 12 year kid, my concepts and thoughts were different. I believed in certain things which no longer hold any truth in my life now. But still, I want to figure out this one thing called "happiness”. And hence, I choose to rewrite it again.... in brief.

I believe that the most dynamic element in this universe is human beings. We are a different species all together. God has been really kind in making us the most intelligent amongst all :)

Over the years, civilizations were formed, destroyed and reformed. And the lifestyles have undergone tremendous change. Behavioral patterns and relationships have taken a new shape. Social networking sites keep us updated! People have become more open, they love to experiment, seriousness towards commitment is sadly not so important anymore, Generation x, y, z or whatever has issues of its own!

We are living in uncertain times.

To be continued......

Why "old wine" is better?

2010-05-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

There are some things which never die with time.. One such classic is Madhushala....

My favorite verses from

Harivansh Rai Bachchan's Madhushala:

मदिरालय जाने को घर से चलता है पीनेवला,
'किस पथ से जाऊँ?' असमंजस में है वह भोलाभाला,
अलग-अलग पथ बतलाते सब पर मैं यह बतलाता हूँ -
'राह पकड़ तू एक चला चल, पा जाएगा मधुशाला।'।

धर्मग्रन्थ सब जला चुकी है, जिसके अंतर की ज्वाला,
मंदिर, मसजिद, गिरिजे, सब को तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादिरयों के फंदों को जो काट चुका,

कर सकती है आज उसी का स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला।

बने पुजारी प्रेमी साकी, गंगाजल पावन हाला,
रहे फेरता अविरत गति से मधु के प्यालों की माला'
'और लिये जा, और पीये जा', इसी मंत्र का जाप करे'
मैं शिव की प्रतिमा बन बैठूं, मंदिर हो यह मधुशाला।

कुचल हसरतें कितनी अपनी, हाय, बना पाया हाला,
कितने अरमानों को करके ख़ाक बना पाया प्याला!
पी पीनेवाले चल देंगे, हाय, न कोई जानेगा,
कितने मन के महल ढहे तब खड़ी हुई यह मधुशाला!

I always get so touched after reading Madhushala.There is love, happiness, sorrow, frustration, beauty, life and death, search for the self.....everything in this poem.

Aaahhh, every time, it leaves me on a different note!

It envelopes so many concepts. Besides, romanticism, there is this mystic element.

The poet has beautifully expressed bitterness in society with a positivity. There is disappointment and there is hope.

Many say, that it is inspired from Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat (though I find it different in some ways) this Hindi marvel is a gem in itself.

Human ambitions, aspirations and desires never cease. It is a conscious circle which completes us all. Our desires make us who we are. Our choices decide our future. Madhushala tells us that despite our daily struggles, we have so much to look forward to.We have so much to do.

It is a celebration of human spirit!

Summer of 2010

2010-04-30T03:23:00.001-07:00

Another weekend is near.

Memories of last week are still fresh. And some memories are so special that we never want to part with them.

From the sacred lanes of Dwarka to climbing stairs on mountain.

From enchanting beaches to cool summer breeze on boat.

Leaving the corporate world, moving a step closer to nature.

Leaving my work behind me, holding his hand and running on beach.

From coconut water to licking melted chocolates.

Taking snaps, laughing, making faces & singing songs.

Cheers to........ living in the present and enjoying it :)

What's in an email id?

2010-04-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

IPL is over. But here's some fun with email ids.....

Laxman - available@home- only.com

Ganguly - nowdays@nouse. Com

Kumble - only@testmatch. Com

Sachin - cricket@divine. Com

Kaif - good@fornothing. Com

Sehwag - consistently@outofform. Com

Dravid - stick@crease_ like_fevicol. Com

Pathan - takewickets@ only_with_ kenya.com

Munaf patel - only_line&length@nospeed. Com

Harbhajan singh - no_spinpitch@nowicket. Com

Akhtar_throwing_his_bat@asif.com

Inzamam@boysdidwells.com

afridi@pitchdancer.com

hahahaaaahhhha :)

We know it all...

2010-04-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you Pakistan, says Facebook

Source: Yahoo News

Tue, Apr 27 09:05 AM

Trust social networking sites to not miss a chance to have a say in any heated current topic. Fan pages and messages on two popular sites - Facebook and Twitter - are fast becoming an ideal place for Internet junkies to vent.

Facebook reportedly has over 90 fan pages on Sania Mirza and her much talked about wedding to Pakistani cricketer, Shaoib Mallik. The page called 'Thank you Pakistan for taking Sania Mirza, now please take Rakhi Sawant also' has earned itself over 65,000 fans in a matter of two weeks. It currently has over 75,000 people supporting the statement.

And the popularity of the other group,'Throw away Shashi Tharoor and Lalit Modi', only puts in perspective how much importance the public spat between the two political figures is actually being given. As against the 65,000 fans for Sania's group, this page has only 30-odd members.

The category of this group proudly falls under Common Interest - Politics, while the description is 'throw away these un required people.' The topics of conversation on either site concern young enthusiasts making fun of how both the issues were given reverence on national news.

While a part of the page has also become a ground for debate between Internet junkies from both the neighbouring nations on various topics, the albums have been loaded with images of Rakhi Sawant and one of her alleged forced kiss with Mika Singh as well.

________________________________________________________________________________

World's strange...

2010-04-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

A for..to Z for..

2010-04-16T04:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a to z of my life's ingredients that make it even more sweet and spicy :)

A for Abhijeet

B for Baba

C for Cheese, Chocolates

D for Dancing in the rain

E for Entertaining movies

F for Foreign land

G for Grandparents

H for Humor

I for India...always!

J for Juggling at work

K for Kindness

L for Love

M for Mom

N for Nidhi & Novels

O for "Oh my God" most used phrase

P for Phone, Pizza Hut, Perfume

Q for Quiet mood

R for Reading in trains

S for Sai Baba

T for Titanic, Terminator -2

U for Universe and its mysteries

V for Vanya

W for What the hell?

X for Xcitment, adventure

Y for Yippie - most often used word

Z for Zeal for life

Battle of the Sexes

2010-04-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

Men do not like to take orders from women. It's so true!

Somewhere deep down, the male ego gets terribly hurt if the female counterpart (with reference to colleagues) is more intelligent, more hardworking and smart.

The Factory

2010-03-31T22:11:00.000-07:00

The long shoot is over. editing is going to begin.

past 4-5 days were very hectic. 7 am to 8 pm...non stop work!

it was my first exposure to a factory. heat, sound and dust.

Hundreds of workers with curious expressions, working in shifts, big warehouses, huge machines, furnaces with a temperature of 1200 degree, loud noise of grinding etc.

the experience was too good, on the flip side....i got blisters in my feet :(

Gudi Padwa

2010-03-16T01:04:00.000-07:00

Today is new year of Maharashtrians around the world.

Working on Holi-Day!

2010-02-27T02:32:00.000-08:00

Wish you all a very happy Holi :)

I am working on sunday and monday because some urgent work has come up.

Wanted to see Karthik calling Karthik.

As usual, my movie plan has gone topsy-turvy.

Happily Engaged!

2010-02-24T23:24:00.000-08:00

L'amour est dans l'air :)

2010-02-12T21:32:00.001-08:00

How does one evolve in a relationship?

It's a beautiful journey - amazing, unpredictable and every bit adventurous!

The joy of saying the unsaid, feeling the never felt before emotions is too mesmerizing.

The agony, the impatience has its own flavor.

There is joy in waiting too!

19.02.10

2010-02-12T21:25:00.000-08:00

I had no idea that 19th February 2010 will be one of the most special days of my life.

All the reasons to be on cloud 9..wowiee!

One of those boring times

2010-01-28T07:24:00.001-08:00

I am still in my office. Long day..huh! 4 cups of coffee in last 3 hours...bad!

Painting is silent poetry...

2010-01-24T04:01:00.000-08:00

Yummy!

2010-01-17T01:53:00.000-08:00

CARROT AND TOMATO SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS

Carrots - 4 medium

Tomatoes - 6 medium

Celery chopped - 1/2 stalked

Salt - to taste

Ice cubes - as required

Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons

METHOD

Cut carrots into one-inch cubes and tomatoes into quarters and freeze them for some time.

Put the frozen tomato cubes in a blender and blend.

Add frozen carrot cubes and blend again.

Add celery pieces, salt and pepper powder and blend again.

Add ice cubes, freshly extracted lemon juice and blend again.

Serve chilled in a stemmed glass.

Enjoy!!!

A Reality Check

2010-01-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

I have no sleep in my eyes.

I got back from Mumbai after a long film shoot...tiring and every bit entertaining!

A thought has entered into my mind as I am watching this MTV VJ hunt auditions and I can see the whole "youngistaan" junta going nuts on just sharing a screen with Nikhil & Cyrus(both ones).

Splitsvilla -3 has a new tagline this time "the world war 3 of love" . Cmon, gimme a break... the previous 2 seasons were not world wars of anything, leave love alone!

Anyway, there is this whole segment of reality based shows flooding the idiot box. And they come in all formats -nothing official about it, actually!

There is this show that allows people to go back to their previous lives and lets them identify their past, what connection it holds with their present. So far so good....

Finally Rakhi's sawyamwar is over and so is the mama-papa saga :) wow that one was indeed an icing on the cake (pun intended) seeing rakhi in all shades once again after the mega bigg boss season 1!

And yeah, the channel is promoting heavily on country' so called eligible bachelor ...not Rahul Gandhi, another Rahul.....Rahul Mahajan. His swayamwar. Amazing isn't it that in a nation where almost every day so many girls lose their lives coz of dowry or physical abuse, we have pots and pots of money to showcase how a rich man gets married and how a glam doll finds a suitable boy for herself with no certain future...

so, this is not that weird coz, there is another reality show happening in political circle too. The centerstage is Parliament House, where a very senior politician's scandalous story is getting flashed...

and then there is another situation. India wins the series against Sri Lanka and there is a dent in the Kotla pitch :) Ouch.

Smile when you watch 3 idiots, its a fabulous film, no doubt. Smile even more when you seeV V Chopra screeching at a media person in press conference.

zzzzzzzzzzzz

zzzzzzzzzz

zzzzzzzz

zzzzzz

zzzz

So, am sleepy now. Feels good to write my first blog in 2010 :)

ciao!

2009 : Year of Pleasant Surprises

2009-12-31T04:24:00.000-08:00

2009 had been a year full of pleasant surprises. Primarily because unexpected events took place, new people came into my life and I am so happy that all this happened :)

Looking back, I feel satisfied to a great extent on professional level. Personal level, I am on a high!

No resolutions this year as last year's remain unfinished on the chart. However, I must go to to gym regularly...ummmm let'see what happens!

Wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2010 :) And may my India grow and peace prevail in the world....

"Age old" Drama!

2009-12-08T03:10:00.000-08:00

Today, I am feeling out of place. My colleagues are all 30 plus. I never felt this way for all these months. Today something happened and I realised that despite same kind of work we do, same kind of talks we share, yet there is some unspoken, unsaid weird disparity.

The interns I had under me belonged to my age group. Though I had to really push them to work & get the job done, at the same time, it was sometimes fun to work with them.

I miss my company.

Not that my colleagues have different mindset or something...its just that my thoughts and their thoughts do not gel that easily on certain issues.

We all have different perspectives, I agree and no two minds are alike. But at a particular level, it 's hard to communicate and channel gets disturbed.

Arguments are bound to happen but the at least chain should continue and the work should not get affected. Take any field, any sector..communication flow has to be right.

I am thinking of new possibilities & new ways to avoid contradictory things in my department. Hopefully, this works :)

Loving always!

2009-12-07T02:16:00.000-08:00


Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby

We mighta took the long way

We knew we'd get there someday


They said, "I bet they'll never make it"

But just look at us holding on

We're still together still going strong



(You're still the one)

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life

(You're still the one)

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss good night



Ain't nothin' better

We beat the odds together

I'm glad we didn't listen

Look at what we would be missin'


They said, "I bet they'll never make it"

But just look at us holding on

We're still together still going strong



(You're still the one)

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life

(You're still the one)

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss good night



(You're still the one)

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life

(You're still the one)

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss good night



You're Still the One  by Shania Twain

The Green Goblin of Jealousy!

2009-12-07T00:42:00.000-08:00

I am jealous. Jealous of someone who does not matter in my life, yet I am.

And I know, tomorrow this will be a closed chapter because am too consumed with myself to fret over such things.

But for the moment, I hate this feeling :(

Bureaucracy - The Great Indian Tamasha

2009-11-28T01:05:00.000-08:00

We live in a world where "freedom" this word is so misused and over used.

There was a time when freedom was the most sought after concept, it was a belief, a reason to live for and die for.....our revolutionaries and freedom fighters laid down their lives for the service of their motherland...to set her free from the shackles of British Raj.

After 63 years of independence, "freedom", has been reduced to a mere term. A term which is synonymous to doing anything with a free license!

It is the same old story. We are making an ad...an ad for a PSU...which has following connotations:

a. this ad will be entirely different from what we have proposed

b. this ad will be sent to media 15 minutes after the deadline gets over

c. this ad will undergo many cosmetic changes

d. whatever amount of heart and soul we put for this one page color ad, people are not going to read it beyond the headline.

e. this ad will only be seen next time when similar PSU will come up with a similar activity

Anyway, this is bound to happen. What a sorry state of affair!

It is not that I criticize this eventual outcome..it's just that it hurts to see how the spirit of free writing is curbed to an extent when a copywriter is told to change the entire thing with no justification except this lame phrase - this is not acceptable...Please someone tell these bureaucrats that what is acceptable to them is totally unacceptable to all of us.

We send them the ad and we wait for hours to get an OK. Because this OK comes from several routes, several WOM happens and the message is twisted to an extent that it looks like a banner and not an ad anymore!

I am not condemning anyone, nor do I want to label anyone in particular...but when we need fast and quick actions, these people crawl under their seats. It is our job to see how creative and well written and appropriate text is flowing with correct visuals etc.

Again correct is a relative term as our definition hardly matches with their. IAS officers andother senior level officials all knowledgeable and capable enough to understand the nitty-gritty of the matter....

But even these people are not to be blamed. It is their way of "corporate-aspirational-living"!

Decisions need to be quick, fast and without two minds. Only then results can be obtained. Otherwise time just blows off under our nose and we keep staring blank faces.

Today is just a similar day. We are waiting for an approval from a very top notch person in Government. Sounds so exclusive....but believe me all that shine does not glitter!

Hmmphhhh...

I am posting a blog on my PC and holding a pen and a paper and a phone by my side, ironical isn't it?

Love

2009-11-04T00:25:00.000-08:00

What is love - to give or to receive?

Both, it is mutual. To love and to be loved is the most beautiful feeling.

In future...

2009-10-29T01:51:00.000-07:00

A thought has come to my mind. Am into advertising..my preferred choice of career since 12th std. Speaking of which, I feel am one of those lucky ones who are doing what they really want to do as a part of their job.

Suppose, suppose I get bored out of this in some years and feel like moving to some other industry, where would I like to see myself and doing what?

I want to be a film maker and get into documentary film making...Basically a factual representation with self driven beliefs. So there is a concept, a script, its development, pre-production and post-production, editing ..so many things but it is different every time...yeah it allures me like anything....lemme think for a while about this..as I just had my lunch creative thoughts are bound to come!

Given my background, where i do mostly corporate ad films which are" mostly" commercial and a "few" based on social themes.. hence, it will be a good area to explore!

Freelance film making is lucrative monetarily and also one gets a medium to showcase certain things in a particular way. A well made 10 mts, 30 mts or a 1 hour documentary when reaches appropriate audiences can make a difference.

I want to cover so many aspects. They are endless. Culture in rural areas in India, food habits, dialects, taboos, new wave cinema, fashion, people....capturing the essence of society.

There are different styles in documentaries. And so much to learn...camera handling, angles, light and sound techniques..all needs proper training. Its challenging, innovative and a piece of art.

Just hope that i make sensible use of my time in future :)

p.s. am turning into more of a self-conservationist and self obsessed blogger... whatever that means!

Mood swings are good!

2009-10-16T01:39:00.000-07:00

October 16th 14:11 pm

Just had my lunch. Tomorrow is Diwali, an off this weekend and coming days am on a vacation. Sounds good...no office ..no trin trin..no maddening voice of my clients...am happy :)

But there is another reason to be happy today. I got a compliment from our senior copywriter..."u r doing better than ur boss" wow that means something!

Finally, my friend Jazz got the ticket..he is going to his home town..poor guy otherwise he would have spent Diwali in Delhi..Though Delhi is all decked up in festivals..people are getting very innovative these days...

I just do not like noisy crackers and patakhas..am more phuljhadi types..they don't make noise and yet glitter :)

I have been thinking about something..there is wish that i really really want to come true...and I know that when we want something that desperately it happens... I do not care for the consequences but I want this to happen anyhow....This is making me cranky....please God..listen to me one more time!

And now I can see a pattern here..strange but true! Lately, I write blog posts only when I m sad or introspecting about something....coz when I am happy am doing something else..whatever!

Well, I feel this excess baggage is lifted now...back to work.........

And a very happy and prosperous Diwali to all :)

Advertising Quotes

2009-09-29T03:16:00.000-07:00

Don’t tell my mother I’m in advertising, she thinks I play piano at a whorehouse!

Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark....you know what you’re doing, but she doesn't!

Advertising is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Working in advertising is like working in a whorehouse......the better you are, the more you get screwed!

Advertising - a judicious mixture of flattery and threats.

Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it.

Life is pain, princess . . . anyone who says differently is selling something.

Chess is as elaborate a waste of human intelligence as you can find outside of an advertising agency.

To advertisers: Do not compete with your agency in the creative area. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

So long as there's a jingle in your head, television isn't free.

Advertising is an environmental striptease for a world of abundance

Sunday - 24 hours are not enough !

2009-07-12T03:54:00.000-07:00

Last night I slept a little late. I was reading The memoirs of a geisha. I have already seen the movie. But I feel that a book version is alsways better than its on screen display. It is a good read.

Well, Sunday began with getting up late, which later resulted in late breakfast, late lunch! Yeah, on Sunday, I love to eat with all my heart :)

And there was an interesting article in Times Life on the meloncholy lives of celebrities, their glam n dark shaded personas and the whole hysteria following them when they are no longer alive. Hmmmm it's sad and it will always be like that! Still after many days have passed, it seems unbelievable that MJ is no more.

Well, I watched the new ad of Moratello watch featuring Neil Mukesh & Priety Zinta. He looks goooood but Priety was a wrong choice to suit him in the ad.

Anyway, it's sad to see the mishap about the Delhi Metro under construction pull that collapsed today :(

Well, am not in a mood to sleep..though i want to make the most of Sunday...so will go back..... and get some sleep

I wonder how quickly this monday comes! Yeah and the whole week takes this devil face and screams heee...deadlines deadlines from tom :)

Well well well..there is another reason for me to be happy! Waiting for 25th of July!