Two With Nature

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Snatches

Sometimes you go to a party because it’s an official invite. You may think it will be interesting to meet the current flavour of Bollywood, but you basically agree to go because there may be an open bar.

Even though the wine is cheap and the weather sultry (there’s no sign of the flavour till the end of the do), the evening becomes worth it because of a few snatches of conversations that you overhear.

While waiting for your turn at the bar – a generously rotund man tells the gentleman who’s handing him an overfilled glass of red wine, “Yeh nakko, humko daaru peena hai”.

Mind you folks, this is no regular junta – but the truth it is. The Indian male will drink an occasional glass of wine if you insist plenty, but the bulk of his kicks will come from daaru, especially if the booze is free & flowing and in a 5-Star lawn.

At 11 PM on Kandivli station overhead bridge – a boy in his late teens talking on his cell phone, “…arre, Pirates ka picture hai, ekdum accha hai. Johnny Depp hai.”

(The response from the other end, you’re not privy too)

“Johnny Depp yaar, best actor hai woh. Tu Shah Rukh to jaanta hai na? Shah Rukh accha hai, lekin Johnny Depp sabse best actor hai.”

“Woh bilkul alag alag role karta hai. Uske picture ka CD hai mere paas, main deta hai tereko. Libertine hai, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory hai – yeh comedy hai. Finding Neverland hai, lekin shayad uska CD kharab hai – waise yeh serious movie hai tujhe accha nahi lagega. Pirates ka bhi CD hai – haan tu woh dekhle…”

If you happen to cross this guy on the road, you’d never guess his movie preferences. The young folks have access to a width of choices – the long tail is here, slowly but surely.

In a local train at peak morning hour from Borivli to Churchate – a girl in a bright green salwar kameez to her friend, “…theek lag raha hai na? ajeeb to nahi?”

The friend nods in approval.

While alighting at Churchgate, the girl gathers her bags and asks another friend, “…sach bol na, yeh dress theek hai na?”

You continue to wonder what the big deal about the salwar kameez is. Then you snatch the last part of the conversation – “…yeh green colour Muslim type to nahi lag raha na?”

You don’t wait to hear the response. Sadly, this is one hangover middle class India still hasn’t gotten over – shining, emerging or whatever else it may be…

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Pranjali - Pop Art-ed!

Surf's Up!

Last May, I met some people over some surf, a lovely dinner and a crazy evening of Buckfast & beer. And it would not be overstating if I said that I had the best time ever after a long, long time.

Though I’d never met David, I attended his 2^nd death anniversary in Blacksod.

His friends & family get together every year and have a surfing competition on this day – David loved to surf. So his friends, wherever they are, whichever part of the world, come home to Blacksod to surf, pray & party – to celebrate David & his love for life. There is no better way to remember some one. I was amazed at the thought. It is a remarkable way to live & love life.

I knew only P & O - they’d invited me and introduced me to the lovely ways of the Irish. But by the end of the weekend, I felt I’d known everyone for years & drinking Buckfast was second nature! Not a good idea, that Buckfast one though!

I got a mail from P today – they’re off this coming weekend for David’s anniversary. To P – I really want to be there. I’ll miss you & everybody else. I’d fallen so in love with Blacksod, although its summery breeze would chill my bones (despite the fact that I was ensconced in layers of clothing in the middle of May!).

***

It has been a year & much has happened, some joy, some sorrow. The grains in the hourglass flow quickly and create a blinding haze. And one forgets that one has to live, not just exist.

To quote Marcus Aurelius – Remember that no man loses any other life than this which he now lives, nor lives any other than this which he now loses.

But all you need to remember is that the ocean’s warm and beckoning and...Surf’s Up!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Warhol-ed!

My grandfather's picture - Andy Warhol-ed!

Thursday, April 26, 2007

We Do?

Here's a thought. Lets get matrimonial sites to search for the perfect M-I-L instead of the right man.

Somethings we already know:

1. All men are mama's boys.
2. Mom's the final choice maker. She don't like, well, the chances are the lad won't like either.
3. Face it, Ekta Kapoor's got her finger on one pulse for a while - your M-I-L can really change your life.

Go to a wedding, and you'll see the groom's mum in her fancy best. And if she really approves of you, the rock on your finger will be almost as big as the bling on her.

The bride's sisters will always check the M-I-L out. Her saree, her jewelry, her high heels...the saree, the jewelry, the heels that she gets for her daughter-in-law. Is she okay with the daughter-in-law moving around at home in a spaghetti & shorts? Is she okay if her bahu sleeps till late on Sundays?

Matrimonial websites should get these factors upfront. Makes our decision so much easier & our life will be more like how we want it to be.

The perfect man is a myth. The perfect M-I-L can be a reality.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

53 and going down

It is one of those things that I must write down. Just to insure that I follow it.

Target – 48 kgs. Current – 53 kgs.

No alcohol for one month. Unless the company is exemplary and its red wine.

I’m attending a wedding this coming week. I will be very, very disciplined.

Eat sensibly. PLEASE!

- Giving up my morning coffee for a cup of Twinings Green Tea. The digestive biscuit stays.

Reward. 50.5 kgs by end of 3 weeks (May 12). A pair of bright coloured shoes from Lacoste.

Or perhaps a pair of wrap around shades?

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Get by with a little help...

Technology they say is the (?) facilitator.

They talk about Googlezon.

While some others talk about who’s afraid of Google.

I’ll tell you what I’d like. Sure it’s mostly because I’m lazy, messy and really well, lazy.

I’m not interested in having a social relationship with my refrigerator that sends me texts informing me that the milk is over. And about using my cell phone to program my home theatre system to record the next episode of Prison Break. So last season.

What I really need is a find function. Everything that I buy/borrow & bring into my house, I’d like Google to tag it and feed it into ‘my paraphernalia’ database. So the next time I’m unable to locate my black spaghetti T, all I need to do is ⌘ F – and type ‘spaghetti, black’. And behold, I have all I need for a memorable evening.

The citation from Wired I need for a presentation in office - ⌘ F – and the magazines and books I own get searched for the reference.

Needed most critically, the ⌘ Z function. In my life.