Bring It on 2013

The New Year has finally arrived. It is a new year... second chance, new beginning... Blah Blah Blah!  With the arrival of a New Year i definitely feel glad for it is a reason to celebrate but, there are some irritating aspects too.

Yesterday, while I was out on a casual walk I found the road full of people dressed flambuoyantly, desperate to barge into the nearest disco and dance like crazy.

Point 1: I hate dancing and I don't understand the concept of dancing frantically like a mad-man with my hair flying in all directions, that too in a disco; where the blaring noise just blows off my temper. I find it lame, but I don't mean to offend anyone who is fond of this...

From today I have to remember to write 2013, in every test paper, assignment or what so ever thing I write. 2012 had been an exciting year, with it's own twists and turns. With the end of 2012 I feel wiser, and yes by wiser I feel more intelligent. Anyway, enough of this philosophical talk...

So the other annoying part of New Year is, the resolution agenda.

Point 2: Lately, a few people have been asking me what my resolutions are. My reply was, 'Are you mad?' Back then, when I was an ignorant, foolish kid... I used to make up impossible resolutions like studying for 6 hours, one hour of keyboard practice, backed with half an hour of play... And That's the reason I stated that now I feel wiser, I have realized that making resolutions are one of the most stupidest thing I've ever done in life; because I hate to live by rules. I like to be free, free like a bird.

People have been asking me my plans for New Year.

Point 3: Why is there such a hype about New Year? Why is it that all resolutions are made today? In fact, if you actually want to do something; do it at that very moment. Why wait for some calender to change to change yourself? For me, New Year means tasty food, topped with some exciting movie on the television.

Tomorrow, my regular routine shall commence. And from tomorrow New year shall become just another year.

The Drama I wrote : God's having a conversation on the end of the world

Characters:

The God of Destruction

The God of Creation

The God of Water

The God of Protection (Savior)

Scene 1: The gods are seated in their heavenly couch; overlooking the lush apple gardens and they are having a casual discussion

The God of Creation: What are these ignorant humans gossiping about? The World is going to end? That wasn’t a part of your agenda this week, was it? (To the God of destruction)

The God of Destruction: May I! May I? (Foolishly) I would love to just blast this Earth into pieces. Let’s start afresh!

The God of Creation: Huh? Very funny, I take centuries to build a beautiful planet with so many wonders and you want to blow it up in a second? Just one boom and the Earth I created after centuries of hard work and toil will be gone! (Offended)

The God of Destruction: You never know! We could probably start life on some other planet, say… Mars? Ooh! That’s going to be fun. We will create new organisms, you know… That can survive the adverse conditions of the so called, ‘red planet’ and oh! New language too! I’m way too bored with this English.

The door opens. Both the gods turn their heads. The God of Water enters, clad in a dripping wet cloak.

Scene 2: The God of Water: I would apologize for interrupting your intense discussion, but I happened to be passing by the garden when I overheard your conversation.

The God of Destruction: You! Minor god! How dare you eavesdrop? Shame on you… (Arrogantly)

The God of Creation looks at him recommending him to stay calm

The God of Creation: What brings you here Minor God?

The God of Water: Have you thought of what will happen to gods like us? We will be doomed! Remember the last time you planned to create a new world? (Addressing the God of destruction) It was worse than recession! So many gods like us were deprived of work! If I aint wrong, you made me the god of infants! Oh my! My! What a pathetic experience it was, to take care of alien infants with no noses and 4 beady eyes. Your experiments are equivalent to the Great Depression in USA that set in after the, First or Second? (Scratching his head)  Second I suppose… Second World War.

The God of Destruction: That’s the fun of a new world. You get to rectify your mistakes, besides it was good to see you do the nanny service. It is really monotonous to see that same blue thing every day. Let’s go red. (Enthusiastically) And don’t you worry, this time; every one gets an assured job. You, um-could be the God of… (Thinks) Volcanoes? I’ve heard of many volcanoes on Mars.

The God of Water: Well, the deal sounds good. I just hope in this whole drama of a new world, you don’t reduce my importance. I enjoyed being the god of the wonder liquid. I don’t want a demotion.

The God of Destruction: I swear on God (and laughs) as long as you serve well you shall always be an asset to us young man!

(The God of Water exits) Suddenly the news about the Sandy Hook Gun Firing flashes on a spotless clean LED smart TV.

The God of Creation: Oh my me! Now that guy is one ruthless fellow! How could he kill so many innocent lives? He ought to be punished. Send him to hell. (Says to God of destruction)

The God of Destruction: Hell is full! Over the past two centuries the number of good has declined and the number of bad has risen rapidly! You should stop creating so many people… But, on a serious note… That guy is a psycho! I shall contact the God of Death to ensure that he pays for the sins he has committed. Things are going too out of hand. Terrorist attacks, firing, murder… The best way is to just restart.

Scene 3: The God of Protection (also nicknamed as savior) enters

Savior: God of Destruction, don’t you realize you are being a coward? You just want to run away from the problems that await us! And little do you realize that ruthless killers like Osama Bin Laden are also one of our creations! Rather than trying to correct the mistakes committed by man, you want to just get rid of it. This is not mercy killing, FACE IT!

The God of Destruction: (Irritated) This was just a discussion! I know you are the good guy… But, it was this man! (Pointing towards The God of Creation)

Wasn’t it you who started this discussion? I would say just chuck it. All I would say is that if World ends on 21^st   of   this month, don’t blame me. The only person to be blamed is man. If the world has to end, it will be solely because of man and his actions. He is the one who goes bombing nations, killing people. And I get blamed for it. (He storms out)

Savior: He is a little bugged up, but what he says is right. None of us are to be blamed if the world ends on 21^st. Because even if it does, it has to be because of another world war or some atom bomb… Definitely, not because of us. The Mayans were right. They had predicted that this would happen. They knew that there would be a day when humans would become their biggest enemies and they would finally destroy each other.

Last Scene: The God of Creation picks up the remote and changes the channel.

A test cricket match is going on

The God of Creation: Out! (He screams and does an Egyptian move. Looks around to see if anyone was looking and sits down again) Even Gods need a break… At last, cricket, my all time favorite. (Snuggles into the couch)

(Exit)

When I study Physics...

When I study Physics...


My Physics exam just came to an end. I am relieved.

I have successfully converted muscular energy into some unknown breed by writing my answers. But yet, inspite of so much hardwork and toil... Physics declares my efforts as none. Because, in Physics work is done only when i apply force and move (Ie- Displace) And this, is not said by me! It is said by some great, knowledgable soul.

By my above lines, I suppose it is quite clear that Physics aint my cup of tea. To be frank, I deteste that subject. But no offences! My best friend happens to love that subject... It is entirely subjective. For a person like me who likes to make her own theories and reasons, studying someone else's is an absoulte pain.

I remember, a person said, "Physics is a subject where one is not supposed to feel emotions. Appy the brain! Don't use your own logic."
Another person said, "Beta, Physics is a very easy subject. It is just what you see around you. Everything around you wants to tell you something! It is just a matter of listening."

These statements are not a product of my brain, they are true and they were said by two gentlemen who have lots of experience and knowledge on this subject.

I wonder, why Archimedes didn't go have a bath like a good child and come out. Why? Why did he observe so much? Ofcourse pragmatically, if this hadn't happened then things would have been way different and probably very primitive but this is what I feel when I do that subject.

I would salute Newton's dog (If this myth is true), Diamond. "Where ever your soul resides! You are great." Okay, I know this would anger physics lovers out there; but Honarable Diamond contributed to the relief of physics haters like me by accidentally tripping against a candle that ended up burning Newton's works,  some say it was a gust of wind... That is still unclear, whether it was Diamond or wind... However, I do pity Newton for his loss, because I do understand that he might have gone through trauma when he had seen that his papers turned into a pile of ash... What matters is that they got burnt :)

Coming back to my feelings and emotions towards this impassive subject...  My exam did go well. I am contended. After hours of torture, reference from various elephant like books and transformation of my spic and span table into a pile of junk; I am happy.

Feng - ah - Shui!

A perfect dream home would be a nice cottage, ambush amidst tress, far from the cacophony of the city... Add ons would probably be a glistening, clear brook or a farm land. I wouldn't say that it is impossible to find a home, ofcourse you can; provided you are ready to move out from the city, probably a hundred miles would do good. In a city, it is impossible. Forget a dream home, it would be a feat if you managed to find yourself a decent home especially in a place like Mumbai.

When you are old, retired and free from all burdens and duties of life your dream home would be:
An independent cottage, a few trees, a nice colony with old people like you and their grandchildren, a place where sparrows and crows would feed on your left-overs and close to the basic necessities of life.

When you are young or lets say in your middle age your home (Not Dream) would be:
A tiny flat with two windows to ocassionally peer out like a criminal, located close to your work place, child's school, hospital, supermarket, shopping arcade and  preferably a closed parking space for your hard earned vehicle.

Like any other family, we too have been on house hunting. What I would like to bring into picture is the pains one has to take when he looks for a house. Yes, buying a house is a lot different from buying clothes or anything that petty, but it is a PAIN. Our idea of a dream house was : Like I stated before, close to all the public places - centrally located, affordable and above all up to the standards of vaastu.

I belong to a family of astrologers and vaastu experts. This post is not meant to declare any of their predictions or views as fake, it is just my view. I dont mean to be a hypocrite. But Sometimes I don't know whether I believe in the vaastu voodoo. Sometimes it seems like some lame myth but sometimes circumstances force me to believe that yes, it is true.

Every time my family and I step into a house, be it for renting or buying purposes the first thing we do is get the trusty compass out. Basic criteria for filtering our search: house entrance's direction, cooking slab's direction and door setup, the extension of the house in terms of direction and finally proportionality of walls. So basically, if you expect all these to be perfect it would be impossible to get a home of your choice.

My say on this topic that has always been in the hit-list for debates: I hate to admit it but I do believe in it, but forcefully. I don't want to... There aint any external compulsion either but I'm forced because of real experiences. I know that things go horribly wrong when Vastu, feng-shui... goes wrong. But when one thinks practically it sounds absurd. Take for instance a condominium, almost all the flats defy the laws of vaastu... But does that mean that every soul residing in those flats is suffering? Probably it is just in the mind. When one tells you that your house has a hint of bad omen; every bad incident becomes a result of that one statement.

Our hunt continues. Every time we get into the cement caked under-construction flats we come out, not with any fruitful decision but we come out with a riot of sneezes. So, "Feng Ah! Shui". Our 'dream' house awaits us.

Telly trouble

Without the slightest hesitation I can claim that I watch the Saas Bahu daily soaps with my mother. I am a person who is hungry for entertainment and can watch anything. I watch both Hindi and English daily soaps and sometimes manage to squeeze in a few regional ones too. An year ago I used to watch them with utmost eagerness and I was literally addicted to them. But over the past few weeks the very sight of the angry and stern mother-in-law and the meek and timid daughter-in-law fills me with frustration and restlessness... This intimidated me to write this. My mind overflows with obvious questions that I want to ask the production house...

As the clock strickes 9, it is common to see the women, (predominantly housewives) rushing into the living room with all their workload; their faces pumping with blood, eager to know what happened to the child who fell down the well...

My first question to the saas-bahu daily soaps, "How much make up do you people put?" From the crack of dawn till night's brink. Sometimes it makes me wonder for how long does a box of cosmetics last for?  Upon purchasing any cosmetic product you see that it tells you to remove it before going to bed; irrespective of who you are... A flambuoyant film star or even a daily housewife. The disheartening and absolute abstract of this side are the regional shows where the artists look as if they have just walked out of the bed. Hair in an absolute mess, face smeared with oil and eyes all swollen. Extremes huh?

Secondly, "Why do you people cry so much?"
This is more inclined towards the regional side of Indian television. Melodramatic... Sometimes things get so out of hand that I feel as if I am back to Shakespear's era where the maiden crys with her heart flooding with grief to spare her lover.

Thirdly, "Hospitals..."
It is a very unusal when a show airs without a single scene shot at the hospital. A mild heart attack takes the charecter into the ICU and puts him on the Ventilator and then he miraculously manages to come out of death's domain! Women weeping... Moaning and presenting their cribbings to some divine power with tomato red lipstick and dark kohl around their eyes. Clad in expensive silk and cotton sarees they look as if they are dressed for parties.

Fourth, "Songs?"
There is a song for every occasion. Wedding? Yes sure! New comer? Definitely! Son passed medicine? Undoubtedly! Death? Annoyingly yes.

Fifth, "Please stop!"
This is more prevelant  and applicable for the regional serials. As far as my memory goes, there is  a serial that is being aired on an entertainment medium in a regional channel and this is no usual serial... It has been there for the past 5 years. A very close relative of mine watches it and everytime she comes over to my place I fail to believe that, that very daily soap is still on air? Infact I am well updated with the story even without watching it. The funny side in that daily soap, is that the characters are young but the actors are aging and so are the viewers. When are they finally going to stop!


There are many more. My cribbings and woe strinken words are endless... But my words don't matter. Out there, we have lakhs of common women whose lives are woven with these characters. Laugh with them, cry with them and live with them.

My experiments with 'tooth' - II

When the mouth waters:

So, on 2nd May... Also the mastermind Satyajit Ray's birthday i got my braces. I aint very good with dates but this one was something I had to remember. 3rd May, happens to be the birthday of a very close friend of mine; as a result she invited us over to her place for a small party-get together. Keeping this little secret of mine as a suspense I gave her a surprise on her birthday. Let me tell you, with braces... It is IMPOSSIBLE to eat for atleast a week. So I was feeding on grinded, bland and tasteless rasam rice. My tastebuds had begun slipping into depression and I was craving for anything solid that I could bite. (Which includes the much dreaded vegetable bittergourd) 

So since it was a party; ofcourse there was food. My friend ordered for two medium pizzas along with some beverages and the signature garlic bread. One with paneer and the other topped with chicken. I have a bad memory, but that day I was literally envying them so much that I remember the dishes ordered without any flaws. My poor friends felt sorry for my helpless plight and ordered a grandma mousse for me. My mother had loaded my tummy with the same 'rice-shake' so I didn't really feel hungry. But that day, every second as my friends took a bite from the bowl full of chips; I felt the Vampire inside me dying to snatch the bowl from their hands and gobble it down. The day passed, I had controlled my destructive emotions that would ultimately hurt me only 

Conclusion : first few days with braces are taxing, painful, they fill you with envy and for those few days, anything solid tastes heavenly.

My looks:

As I presented my new look before my father, he was utterly shocked. Ofcourse anyone would. The braces had pushed forward my lower lip forward that now protrudes oddly. Not too conspicious but yes there certainly was a difference in my looks. I now look considerably different from who I looked like before.

Brushing:

Having braces is like being in the military. You automatically get discipline. My dentist advised me, "Like it or not you have to brush atleast 4-5 times." I didn't take it seriously and I stuck to my 'brushing twice' habit. Only then did I realize that I had to brush after every meal even though it was extremely tedious and atrocious. If you dont get ready for a stinky mouth. 

My birthday:

Thankfully by the time my birthday arrived I had got used to my braces. We hadn't become too close but yes, by then I had begun understanding them. I feasted on a scrumptious Chinese menu without much trouble. 

Now:

Currently I visit my dentist once in a month. Now, I have complete control and sense of my braces. I wear elastics, which once again are rubberbands that are to be worn from the bottom line to the top. Even though I have now put up with those tiny beasts for 2-3 months they are still unwanted aliens residing in my mouth. But the braces are now a part of me. I don't mind them and I no longer shy away from smiling with my mouth open. 

Learnings:

Over a period of time, you get used to everything. Braces are really tiny wonders, I was utterly amazed by the ability these tiny clips and wires have and how they can magically transform a wreckage into marvels. 

Tip: If you have the patience and time to spare, then NEVER hesitate to get braces (Provided you need them ;) )

My experiments with 'Tooth'

Welcome new pals!

May 2nd 2012. It was the day all my problems began... Just a few days before my much awaited birthday, I got a new companion. Or let me say... my teeth got a few buddies who now toy, bully and tame them like hostel matrons and wardens. Braces.

With experience come all the answers

Previously at the sight of anyone with braces, I used to watch those wired marvels with awe and wonder how they were fastened to their place and how they refused to move inspite of all the fatty and gooey eatables one conusmed. Little did I know that I would very soon have the answer to all those questions.

My teeth-before:

Just a few years ago I had a decent set of upper teeth, that occasionally used to turn yellow but otherwise they were satisfactory. A dentist might link yellow teeth with some acute disease and prescribe instant treatment but I never actually minded them. My bottom set of teeth were a mess. It looked as if a newbie carpenter had experimented with them and failed. But they were hardly visible, thanks to my lower lips An year ago my right incisor started protruding forward, not too much but it used to stand out distinctly and my canines used to stand out like a Vampire's teeth. Close relatives and family used to say, "You look cute". Only then did i take this bold and sometimes regretful-sometimes intelligent, decision of getting braces.

Picking the right guy:

Remember, always choose the right dentist. Well thankfully i did. Just a week later, when i decided that i was ready for braces i began hunting for a right dentist... But oh! What a pain it was, choosing one... Hundreds of dentists to pick from. I honestly began to feel, how it was possible that every locality had 7-8 dentists? Finally I zeroed down on one clinic. But when I went for the first consultation i wasnt very convinced, besides they said the ortho.. would take a month to arrive. I was desperate to get braces as soon as possible and get over with them. So we decided to consult someone else. After hours of browsing we found a nice network of dental clinics, thankfully one of their branches was close to where  I stay; so we decided to give it a try.

The trailor:

The first time I met my dentist, I was convinced that I could trust this person with my teeth, probably because of his straightforward and honest nature. Unlike the other doctors (in general) whom i've met, he was honest with everything and told us everything about the treatment... The fruitful end and the thorny path that stretched endlessly infront of it. This little glimpse of what awaited me made me reconsider my decision and wonder whether I could actually pull it off. Finally after days of deliberation  and contemplation I decided that I would. And this is where the real story starts.

And it starts:

The horror started when my dentist proudly presented before me two coloured 'rubber bands' no larger than half the diameter of my little finger. I asked him what they were for, without any answer he took some strange makeup tweezer like thing and forced the rubberbands between my molars. He said they were to create 'gaps' within my teeth to make space for the metal disks that were to be inserted so that he could fix the braces. Ouch! That was painful. But after a few moments it felt fine. He asked me how it was and I very cooly replied, "It's good. No pain." I reached home and only then did the rubberbands start their work. The pain was very dull and monotonous. It was definitely bearable but very irritating. There it went on, for hours; when I could no longer stand it, i popped in the live-saving painkiller. And yes, very soon it was gone.

The bomb shellt:

The rubber band session was over and I once again went to my dentist. He seemed very convinced with the progess that my teeth were exhibiting. But then he threw the bomb shell. He said, "You need an extaction. Luckily only one." I was horrified. My much dreaded fear came true. He said that he could do it on the same day if I wished. I wasn't ready... I wasn't mentally prepared to accept the fact that I was about to lose one precious tooth. I declined his offer. Reading the fear that clearly glimmered on my face he said that he would wait until the x-ray reports arrived, just to re-check if an extraction was really necessary. There was hope, alright.

The unexpected guest:

And Yipeee! The dentist declared that I didn't need an extraction, much to my relief. But, he said that i was about to get my braces that day. What? I wasn't prepared this either. I am that kind of person who prefers a warning before anything unexpected, you know... just to be prepared. I was freaked out, but then i decided that sooner or later i had to get them. But that wasn't the real problem. I birthday was around the corner and braces meant no tasty food, let alone 'tasty' no SOLID FOOD {For a while though}, but when you are a foodie, that is bad news. But somehow, probably because of the pursuation by my dentist and mother i said,

"Okay"

View from the window

Out of my window i see thick stormy clouds holding on for the right moment, the right moment to quench the thirst of the city and its people. I was once a person who detested the rains, but now i just cant help liking them. These 4 months of rains are a joy to see with a roof on the top, but it aint as nice as it sounds. Ask the people, the people who everyday wait for hours for their bus to come, probably they would understand that "Pyaar ka mausam" aint so blissful as it sounds. but for you and me it might be a stress buster, a nice reason to have tea and pakodas isnt it? :P But no matter how tough it may sound, everyone at some point or the other would wish that the downpour would continue forever and you could just freeze that moment of peace and ultimate joy. So go grab a chair, sit, listen to those lovely monsoon beats and enjoy! :D

The gift of nature

The Last few golden rays of twilight glistened on the deep blue sea.. whose waves seemed to get lost in the cacophonous  frenzy of the waves. The fresh smell of the salt and weeds seemed to wash away all the sorrow that lie deep beneath each one of us. At one corner of the eye the storming flock of birds were seen returning back to their domain after a day of hardwork and toil. For that one moment the world seem beautiful. The deep purple hue of the sky seemed to be gently floating in the goddess Nut's domain and as if the weight of hundred's of stars were just a tiny flickering dot. The rumbling sound of the creamy waves flickers somewhere in each of our hearts, but slowly disappearing in the madness of  the city. Step out and revive that piece of nature that exists in each one of us :)