Heal the World

Cannot pass this one !

On a vacation on my favourite city last month, was visiting a lovely family as I always do. I get free food, accommodation and play time with two of the most lovely little ones I have ever known which obviously makes the city so close to the heart. So with the weekend passing on eat, play and be merry ideology it was no wonder the time to bid adieu came so soon. As I always do and love to do, I offered to drop the youngest one in his school that morning as tradition.

Setting off in the direction of the school(with two children in tow) we cut through a small clearing calling out to birds around, a Tarzan's act of sorts. We raced each other, jumped over dead branches and danced all the way...!

I stopped bringing the rest to an abrupt jolt. 'Dandelions..' I cried and we ran into the green to pick two(which I concede were all that was!)
"Save the rainforests, save the Earth, save us all... " muttered the first one with an unquestionably sincere tone. Would love to see if the G20 are half as genuine as this seven year old in their concerns for a greener planet and if we can talk less and do more about recycling..
"I wish aunty stays here forever.." - the four year old, with eyes tight shut and clutching the fragile flower as hard as he could. Not hard to imagine I stopped in my tracks(again..). As the children opened their eyes and blew their respective flowers, I dropped on my knees with very moist eyes and hugged them both hard for reviving my trust in this world.

The few unadulterated emotions that are still around in this world are from the young and innocent I s'pose ! Of course, it's also not difficult to see why parenthood is a huge responsibility which should be taken up by only those who can live up to it, like me friends just proved they had !!

Dumb !

Ah, the innocence of it all !

My trysts with the upcoming generation is quite well known on this blog. So here's one more in the series.. on a sunny afternoon when I was baby sitting, my now favourite pass time..

The Lil one: Aunty, I would like a bubble bath !
Me: Uh, I don't think so, am not sure your mum is going to approve of it ! You have a cold..
The Lil one: But I feel like one..
Me: Right ! Let's call mama and ask her if it's OK to give you a bubble bath.

Did I confess to now believing age comes at a price ?? I go from room to room looking for that tiny communication instrument which is supposed to help me get in touch instantly.

I find the Lil one in the bedroom with my mobile. He looks ever so serious and means all business as he converses and with a final nod puts down the mobile, looks at me in the eye and with masked earnestness goes "Mama says she is OK for my bubble bath.."

I look at the mobile's blank screen suddenly remembering(warned you of my belief about age !) have been meaning to charge it for a few hours now. I meet his smile as memories of matching my mum's wits flood my mind when at a more intuitive age..

To live or not to

Yay, I love sneaking breaks at work when possible.. and this one is just before a team meet :o) !

Yesterday I passed this office on the way home, after a park walk - Co-operative Funeral Service. My first thought was, "people here even need to plan their funeral ?!?! Do we not leave it to our children by default and trust they would take care ?? Is it not a given we do our parents last rites ??" Yeah, that's the desi in me popping out and playing it's part.. but three and half years is a long time to be spent abroad especially if you have made only one trip back home in all the years.. the pardesi in me pops out next as expected, "What's wrong, why not do it ?? You can't seem to plan your birth but why not at least choose to be sent off in (your)style ??"

I continue thinking as I walk towards the lights. I conjure up this picture of me-no-more and suddenly wished to be burnt on sandalwood logs; could imagine people around the neighbourhood(of the crematorium of course !) sniff the air and comment, 'must have been such a sweet (smelling) person' !
As a rude reality check, I could also imagine suddenly the fodder it is likely to provide political & various other religious parties back home -
National Party One - "We need a reservation to help minorities access sandalwood more when they are gone.."
National Party Two - "We will ensure a sandalwood forest is created for the majorities, it's their land and deserve more even if no more !"
State Party One - "Sandalwood here belongs only to state-born, lets drive out everyone else after ensuring they contribute some more to help ease our sandalwood stocking budget.."
State Party Two - "We all would fast until death if no sandalwood after death assistance is provided to our neighbouring country which is another motherland to these state dwellers.."

Now shifts the scene in my mind to our media, we can never do without them, can we ! I began to sweat in spite of the chilly evening as I imagined every channel hosting chat shows about me-no-more(a person who loves to be alone in a crowd !)
"Enough is NEVER enough - a NRI's dream"
"Sandalwood Scandal vs Watergate Scandal"
Every paper in the country, digs into nooks & corners of my life to bring out some smashing headlines of my closet skeletons -
"She bought an ice-cream from Rs.5 found on the road, how immoral and unethical even when only seven !"
"She flunked her Maths(lets forget she was off ill and turned up to school to find it was an exam day), must have got through college by corruption. Please sign online petition for an enquiry into her examination results"
"CBI probing possible nexus between her and Veerappan, they were both Madrasi. (Aren't South Indians are ALL Madrasi ??)"

I reach my apartment and take the lift to friend-cum-neighbour's home, but my mind is still working out if-am-no-more facts...
The news obviously catches International attentions and I could envision the debate it was going to set off abroad too
"Migrants loot locals to die in style"
"Migrants to be made to pay for their death". Well, that's just what I thought I did !
"Let's call for a quota system on the number of migrants to be allowed to die"
"Let's tax all migrants who die in our country"

I knock on the door and my friend opens, smiles warmly and wishes "Happy B'day dear, come on in.."
Suddenly, it struck me life is more fun when you are living it than not ! I smiled :)

Tagged !!

Yep.. resurface.. oh yes, tagged.. of course, I honour friendship !
Am now obliged to reveal a bit about me but those out there issuing tall order should realise 25 is a big number !! Nevertheless, here I go..

1. I burn out fast - my blog is the proof. Can't keep at anything for long and run out of steam soon. No, redbull never worked for me..

2. Am a self confessed technology freak. Technology is the necessary evil and is bound to make us feel older than we actually are.. so am fighting the signs or rather attempting...

3. Some patronising friends of mine call me a good photographer which I believe may not be true at all but all the same it brings to light my weird experiments with the lens..

4. Love books yet I can't learn. Reading is fine but studying never was !

5. Children are my weakness. Time is never a constraint and we can cause quite a headache to parents when teaming up..though at the mo am content with playing with others children, giving them back and returning to a neat home !

6. Yes, am a neat freak. A place for everything and everything in it's place or a out-of-control me.. choose your pick.

7. Love the Sun(who doesn't !). It's a pleasure to spend sunny afternoons by Scottish countryside with music, Godiva treats, good book and my SLR for company.

8. I believe my mobile phone is for MY use, so no surprises I take calls when I only wish to..

9. Am "sometimes" opinionated which drives dear ones up the wall. Next time will remind to make them useful by pointing out the cobwebs :o) !

10. Ayn Rand - inspired me. Read her books as a teen which lead to two periods in my life - before AR and after AR

11. Can't help but wonder aloud why we find it so difficult to accept Slumdog Millionaire when Bombay by Mani received nothing but accolades... this statement is at a national level !

12. Am addicted to news. Browsing news websites during breaks, tuning into news channels at home, reading newspaper everyday to work is perceived as boredom by some roommates :o) !

13. Loves travelling ! Can go on and on but am constrained by purse strings :( ! Am not much jet lagged which maybe just goes to reiterate me being a travelling soul..

14. Can be perfectly happy alone. Not many can do this I bet !

15. I believe taking one risk every year. This year, have risked exposing myself on this blog !

16. Don't much believe in luck.. so am secretly hoping to win the lottery without having to ever buy a ticket.

17. Was fairly good with video games at a much younger age but somehow deteriorated. Nintendo Wii on the agenda to help arrest the downslide..

18. Prefer trains to any other mode of transport but with ever increasing yearly fares, am considering cycling to be a healthier option !

19. Never always play fair. Why do the hard work when same comes for lesser work ??

20. I hate lists longer than 20 counts, so I rest this post. Unfair ?? Hey, did you not read the previous line ???

Now comes the even trickier bit.. tagging more and all ! In all (un)fairness I tag thee people - friend & roomie !

Marketing a Dollar !

Hey, was over at a friend's place the other day and was having a casual chat with her hubby. He has been doing part time MBA from a top notch University and full of new ideas, strong opinions and loads of information from studying a variety of topics - hmmm, am reminded of my school days where something was learned every day to add to my knowledge database - almost history now ;) !

On brushing upon the US economy and weakening Dollar, he handed me a dollar and said, 'In Marketing terms Dollar is still not so weak..it is powerful !' He was quite right and you can see it for yourself below -

Obviously, it's not what you say but how you say what you say that matters ! In the right hands, you can see how far the Dollar can go :o) !

Mind your Ps and Qs !

Bus journeys make for such educative trips..and so what did it teach me yesterday ?? NO Thanks..literally.

Having made a short trip on the Big Red Bus from home to home(well, friend's house, also my second home !), as my habit I paused before getting off to wave and thank the bus driver. A rude voice from behind, 'He's been paid enough just get on will ya !' RIGHT. A world where people do not forget but do not WANT to thank at all - looks like we are soon getting there ! Time for me to act ! I stopped and therefore stopping everyone behind me including lets say Mr.Rude X. Calmly to the impatient Rude X I said, 'Not everyone has to see a thankless day having helped the likes of you, I can add some cheer.'

Mr.Rude X could not have cared less, he muttered something under his breath as he finally managed to get off and run towards the station..but all was not lost ! I could see a few others wave and say THANKS as they got off the bus.. ah, world goes on you see..

In dependence is Independence !

Not all Fridays bring a smile it seems as was the lesson learnt last week, not to mention of the one too many life has been teaching me graciously for a while now :o) !

Whoever coined the phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbikam must be as old or near extinct as the language itself. Or perhaps again, it's a distinct disadvantage of proudly belonging to a country which has been for centuries fuelling the economies of so called great nations. All the same, Visas are a dreaded nightmare reoccurring my way often for my liking in the recent times. Ah, but we can endure all and more for friends !

So there it was, a rise and shine early Friday morning that saw me check re-check arrange re-arrange documents for a visa interview scheduled in the City to be followed by a non-stop hop off and hop on routine on public transport to reach my workplace far away from City, made worse by an over booked outlook calendar :( ! Is it a surprise at all if am to mention my absolute detest for rush hour traffic especially on the Tube which has now taken a political turn with Leaders chiming in chorus about the ambitious expansion plans in their kitty to ease commuter inconvenience if elected.. ah, as if we ever would fall for such a silly gimmick ! Well, packed in the carriage of this train where opening my newspaper seemed an atrocious act of space grabbing, was fighting to stay near the doors to make a quick exit when a fellow-desi struggling quite like me moved over with a smile. Time has caused the cautious in me to be more active so haltingly I return half a smile. "Mallu..??". Thought quite didn't catch that until he repeated loud enough for my senses to decipher this time, "You are Malayalee, right ??". Squaring hunched up shoulders with my trademark folded-arms-stony-glance I respond, 'No, Indian.' What followed was amusing - he shrugged muttering 'that's ok..', relocated to other corner of the carriage until we pulled into a station where he alighted walking past me like I existed but invisibly.
And we blame the British for their Divide and Rule policy !!

Heal the World !

Uh..been away a bit, haven't I ?? Blame it on dog days at work which a coolie grins and bears to receive some meager wage rewards. Afterall, there is more than one mouth to feed..

So this evening happens to be yet another one where the mind is thinking of those numerous lines of code which produced a simple result - error; the eyes peering out of the bus window yet not registering; the body crying out silently still hoping to be heard of it's disdain at having to sleep irregular hours on account of the mind not being able to fix the code. Predictably it's a Bridget Jone's mood !

As the bus pulled over at a stop and passengers alighted/disembarked on journies, my eyes wandered and fixed on a figure, slowly bringing the old lady into sharp focus. She was panting but still ain't no quitter. Carrying her shopping bags, half buckling under their weight, she hastened towards the bus with every ounce of energy her slender frame could muster. I could make out the lines on her face, her wrinkled skin and her desperation to not miss this bus - probably she had a reason to try so hard.

Just as she nearly made it to the bus, just as she came up to the big swinging doors and slightly lifted one leg to try and board, the driver slammed the doors shut. They looked at each other for a brief moment - stoic, stony glance versus an indignant yet pleading eyes. The bus moved on..leaving her behind.

I simply cannot understand people.. the indifference, uncompassion and the insensitivity the soul is capable of ! Probably I should give myself some rest, might wake up to see a world somehow better(am I to believe my own words ??) or atleast a resolution to something 'BUG'ging me..

Not just the cat has nine lives !

Standing on the busy station platform crowded with the daily commuters, it was just another Monday to work.. The two white pigeons that dared defy rules cozily nestling against each other claiming their space on the railway track attracted all my attention. I veered a tad close to the platform edge, smile on my face, to have a better look. Call it instinct, call it sheer luck or call it an act of God.. something made me look up in time to notice the fast approaching train and I pulled back hurriedly as the train sped by.. At the precise moment when the last carriage passed me, the public announcement system blared, 'The train now approaching platform no.4 does not stop here, please stand well behind the edge of platform no.4..'

Can't help but think caution may or may not work but precaution will..

Men ARE from Mars, Women from Venus

...how typical !!

Standing alongside my friend who kept feverently glancing at the exit of the arrivals lounge with her equally anxious looking husband, I totally could connect to them. They were eager to receive their soon-to-turn-two son spending the past few weeks with his grandparents.

At the precise moment when my friend moved away to check the other side to the arrivals, her son exited wearing a radiant smile, rightly curious about the milling crowd, excited about this seeming adventure.. His father was beside him in a thrice, lifting him into the air, beaming with affection, holding him lovingly tight and looking about with proud happiness as if to announce, 'Listen up everyone, MY son is back !'

My friend rushed in to embrace and cuddle her son in her arms. Time lost it's meaning and world as we know it ceased to exist as mother and son stared at each other..the moment belonged but to them, as their eyes met. Hers - pleading, scared at the thought of being a lost memory, searching for a hint of recognition; His - surprised to the point of consternation to be thus suddenly confronted by the live vision of an image that haunted his dreams and thoughts alike as he went looking into empty rooms. As the child handled reality, a smile lit up his face and tears ran down his mums. I confess motherhood is divine.

Ah..what about me you wonder, no ?? I wait for him to look at me and put my tongue out(bad habit you say ?? But his parents surely would teach him the good ones, won't they ??) and he responds the same.. Yaa-hoo, he recognized me too !!

Tempt Me ;) !

Fridays are tricky if you have pending work to attend to ! As the clock moves past 3.00 in the noon, it gets increasingly difficult to do what you are paid for - work ! I tried consoling myself - login from home clear the long To-Do's tomorrow..as if that would ever happen :o), tsk !

Further more, it has been interestingly noted, hunger always strikes when less work is done..though logically it does sound contradicting. Perhaps it's the nothing-else-better-to-do syndrome striking again ! As I contemplated if a trip to the vending machine was really required or it was possible I attend to some work instead, the unopened box of shortbread from my trip a week ago flashes upon the inward eye.. Oh no, not so soon ! One does feel guilty to such a treat, especially with the To-Do list growing from a just then arriving Customer request and the 'healthy diet only' resolution adopted but the previous day popping into mind.

A plan now formed causing a quick ping to be sent to a friendly colleague on the intranet communicator(ah, the luxury brought by technology !), 'Hey.. how about some shortbread ?? Just remembered having left a box on my desk.. fancy some ??' I now tell myself, 'if she says no it's NO to you as well ! Leave the box alone.' but my inner voice feebly protested..'..you have invited a person who skipped her b'fast and made a face about lunch served, she is but a victim !..' I straightened thinking more practice should be attempted to keep one's mind from faltering.

'These are hand baked..so have some more' - conscience prick was making one turn extra nice now. As, I turned back to my desktop with a big chunk in hand to chew, I realized having understood my own question in a better light !

Well, like a friend of mine used to quote Oscar Wilde - I can resist anything but temptation ! :o)

How REALly reel !

What is it with stars and movie premiers ?? Do they think their movie might not get the thrust until they contribute star power to impress upon us ?? If that's a yes, is the movie about them or does it actually tell a story ?? I always believed story was the protagonist and Director, the Hero.

So, it was self shocking to find myself part of the overwhelmingly John Abrahamic crowd, cheering even at his poster. Sometimes it is surprising what friends can make you do; just sometimes it is surprising what you do for your friends :o) !

One could sense the crowd's feverish pitch when such statements are overheard -

'Wonder if he would walk in holding hands with Bipasha..' - I am sure this chap wanted to see Bipasha not John !!
'I hope he wears a tight T-Shirt..makes him look so macho !!' - The child looked about 10yrs old..
'Will I be allowed to touch him, else what am I waiting so long for??' - Her two daughters now giggle..

An agonizing(only for ME) 1.5hrs of wait enjoyed by the crowd as a privilege, a clean shaved, gel smoothed security personnel who was taking his duty to protect John from us a tad seriously, cleared his throat to announce - 'John says he is extremely sorry to have kept you all waiting and he promises to be here in two or three minutes..' Yeah, like John is his childhood friend !! The excitement now reaches electrifying levels, as every gadget capable of capturing any kind of image is fished out and strategically positioned to do their job !

Ear splitting screams from the upper deck confirmed what I had suspected - they had a better view than we on the ground floor did ! John arrived, clad in a fitting white Tee, much to the delight of the 'child' whose face now assumed the pallor of the fortune telling lady with her magic crystal ball. Countless(has nothing to do with my Maths allergy) hands reached out to grasp his extended ones as the screams now reached deafening levels. I took a step back to survey the crowd and for a silly moment contemplated asking - 'Any idea who the Chief Of the Army Staff of our country is ??'.. but do we care Deepak Kapoor !

Not quite MUM...

...but still special in every way..that's a Father. Captured this special moment last weekend on a Highland tour to Scotland. The picture seems to speak, am sure !

One for the road ??

Not sure if this is the greatest song ever written.. but it certainly made a 5 yr old by the aisle dance non-stop and got me interested(in the song of course !!)

03 - Ye Ishq Hai -...

Just do it !

Bought this for self, in a frenzied moment needing a bit of motivation and realized something - Self Motivation does not cost much ! ;)

Old wine in an older bottle ?!

After a nightmare time house hunting(believe me, this one's much tougher than witch-hunting), I zeroed in on an apartment having run out on time.. but that's besides the point..!

As a resident of a country proud of it's place in the prestigious G-8 summit, a reassuring standard of living is expected no doubt in this era of HD plasma screens but was gobsmacked to find such a rusty electric meter after having moved in

No surprises here, it can be operated with coins of only a particular denomination dropped one after the other in the designated coin slot followed by an anti-clockwise twist to the knob which brings about an increment to the visual counter. With no operation manual available handy, had to experiment awhile before bringing those lights alive !!

Let me put your doubts to rest ~ I do really reckon this contraption could well be on it's way to becoming an antique if retained a few extra years.. probably my landlady wishes to include it in her will perhaps.. but that's also besides the point.. !

G A P

On this yet another tired evening from work, rushing out of the station towards the lights to make it across a traffic piled road in time to catch a big red bus that makes up the last leg of my journey to reach home and relax with a cuppa and the new home cinema, I was surprised by a sudden lack of co-operation between the mind and limb. Two teenagers stood right in front, dressed very much their age, noise(mistaken for music) blaring from those hideous contraptions called mp3, shaking their head vigorously in rhythm with the noise(ah, and folks here tell me they get confused with Indian way of nodding !!)..AND sucking these !!!!

It took few seconds for the scene to sink in - the limp and rain and production support was taking it's toll I s'pose - looking around one could observe mixed reactions from annoyance to couldn't-care-less to incredulous looks. Suddenly a powerful mo(ve)ment was felt, as if falling into a Pensieve..

'Aiyoo, what kind of books have you started reading ?? What has got into you ?? What will Pattu mami(read nosy neighbour) think if she walks in now ?? Whatever is the West doing to our kids.. should unsubscribe MTv channel first thing !!'

Lady exits.An innocent(namesake) child was taking in every page of an unusually interesting plot - Betty scheming against Ronnie ! On the floor beside her lay more copies, High School teens ogling at their bikini clad girlfriends on a warm summer day on the beach..what a cover page to make a grab for !! ;) !! Lady enters, drops a bunch of books next to the child. Lady exits. Innocent kid shrinks away from those chandamamas and tinkles, nose upturned, furious at having her intelligence questioned thus !!

Drawn back to my body at the lights, I break into a sudden smile which slowly turns a grin when nearby lady murmured under her breath, '..into their second childhood when hardly out of the first..!!'

Global Warming

100s of emotions
100s of arguments
100s of statements
100s of broken promises
100s of discussions
100s of occasions to reflect
100s of moments to ponder
100s of Politicians
100s of questions
100s of demonstrations
A picture's worth more than a 1000 words afterall...
Maybe I am happy for Global Warming ~ reassuring to know warmth is still around even if not in our hearts !!