Love and the Whole Damn Thing

Why does love have to be so contradictory in itself. It's a beautiful emotion, but you need to be so careful with it, because unknowing you can hurt the one you love. Though the saying is that the you should set your love free, if it returns then it's yours, but somehow it seems like we are never free. There is always a doubt in your head and chain on your feet. You change to a person to please the other half. You make assumption but you are not sure if they are right or wrong. You are worried that you may say or do something and you may just loose everything for some stupid reason or something you did. You compromising and avoid doing things so that it doesn't make your other half feel bad. You need to live your life in a particular way. Why does it seem so difficult to be in love??? You care for the person so much but even then you may do something that makes them feel that your insensitive and not worth it.

Why does love have to be so difficult????

Murder Most Fowl

For the past week the whole country has been caught in the shock and gruesomeness of two murders. Though they have occurred in two different cities in the country the whole country has been shocked by the way these crimes were committed. It makes you wonder who would be such a fiend to carry out such diabolical and cold-blooded act. Though the paper pins the reason as rage, crime of passion or honor killing, who could be consumed by so much hate or ego, to carry out such an act. Is rage so blinding that it can drive a person to commit such a heinous crime.

We live in a time where there is so much of stress with no outlet for it. Is this rage a manifestation of this pent up stress??? It's scary, such a feeling can turn anyone into a cool blooded crime. Reading about the brutality in the way crime was carried out makes you want to cringe. Makes you worry what the world is coming to.

Getting Mobile

I was never too inclined to learn to ride or want to ride. Call it my lack enthusiasm for biking, lack of opportunity, my sisters never trusted me with their bikes, and I felt that i wasn't financially in a position to invest in one. But that all changed. Since shifting to Pune 10 months ago. It seemed like my foot revolted against me for all the time I made them walk. So finally purchased a scooty. Been riding it around Koregaon Park, initially just South Main road to build my confidence but have begun tackle the main roads on it traffic. Ziegler was right when he said that riding would help build my confidence. It does feel great riding for a change rather than being a pillion. So now to legally ride it around town I would require a Learner's Licence. So I found myself at the RTO office at Sangam Bridge to get my learner's licence. The verification was a bit scary because I didn't have a proper proof to prove my residency in Pune (after all me Mumbaikar) but then made it through it. Then came the other part of the procedure, taking your picture, thumb impression and your signature. I am afraid they put my old Mumbai address on it (pointed it shouldn't matter). Then came to the test, something that I wasn't prepared for but something that I aced, that is got a 10 out of 10 (though I doubted that I would even pass) without any one's help.

So finally got my licence, even if it just a learner's. So I know I am going to be back there for my permanent licence to ride :)

A Muggy Morning on Dadar Station

Mumbai's summer can be quite relentless. The humidity only adds to the misery. The combination of heat and perspiration can lead to uneasiness and annoyance. Even though it's morning, there is no reprieve for the Mumbaite traveller. Add to this misery that the train that you are schedule to catch is delayed because of an unknown or understandable (you never understand what those railway announcer are trying to say), and stuck between stations. There is uneasiness among my fellow traveller that I share and partake. People dressed in formals trying to get to their office, wanting to get over the travel as quickly as possible and reach the confines of their air conditioned offices. Families making the trip with their kids who always want the window seat even though it's not their seat, and some poor chap (read me) has to give up their seat so that they are not seen as a some cruel, stone-hearted traveller, and moreover there is no use in creating an ugly, unwanted scene. Then there are those immersed in their newspaper or books, with their sweat dripping on each of the pages. You have the couples who keep getting all lovey-dovey and cute and playful. People walking up and down buying newspaper, buying samosa, chips, teas, waiting for the bloody train to arrive. All the time getting restless. People leaning over the platform waiting to see if the train arrives anytime soon.

This is just another muggy morning on a Mumbai station. To be more specific Dadar station.

The Weekend

I know it's too late to be blogging about the weekend when it's already been a day overdue when you should have blogged about. But anyway, it better late than never blogging about it.

For me the weekend this week began on Friday night itself, when I went to the movie my friends Noella and Swapna. Not wanting to spend time alone (since my roommate had left for Mumbai) watched the movie Bhootnath. The movie seemed like fun with the story of a child befriending a ghost. Moreover the movie was marketed as a family film, so there was hope there wasn't going to be any preaching or lecturing or anyone masquerading about as a teenager. And yes the movie starred my favourite actress Juhi Chawla. The movie was fun, at least it a funny and entertaining first half, though the second half could have done away with the melodrama. Plus since this was a family film you had numbered of kids in the theater whoever somehow frightened by the appearance of the ghost, Mr. Amitabh Bachan (this also included Swapna). But once the films got to the pranks with the Ghost and the Kid and the one up-manship between the kids and the principal, the fun was enjoyable. On the whole had a enjoyable time.

Next morning, caught the movie Ironman, again with Noella and Swapna. Again what i liked about the movie that the superhero seemed real. As pointed out in the million of reviews, the superhero was man-made and not someone who got his power from bites of radioactive spider or from another planet or born with superhuman powers. Also the villains seemed real in a world constantly under the threat from terrorist who somehow are using technologies created by the West. Moreover the hero is a Man and not a teenage boy, a bad boy, aptly played by Robert Downey Jr., and not some nerdy kid or reporter. He was someone who's conscience pricked him when he saw the effects of his weapons, which according to him was meant to maintain peace in the world. On the whole a good viewing experience. It was good see the gorgeous Gwyenth Paltrow on the big screen (the last movie I had seen of hers in a theater was Shakesphere in Love). She looked pretty hot, wonder how did she managed to run in those pencil heels.

Finally on Sunday spent time reading And Then There was None by Aghatha Christie, after attending Mass. Always wanted to read it, so finally picked it from Landmark after spending over three hours browsing through the book section. The book tells the tale of 10 strangers who are invited to an isolated island by the mysterious Mr. U N Owen. Each of them with a dark secret to hide. Each wondering who among them is a lunatic murderer has been bumping each of them on the lines of the nursery rhyme that has been framed in each of their bedroom. the book made a very interesting Sunday read. And even though I did have a fair idea about the story the book kept me riveted and guessing.

..and so that's how I spent my weekend in Pune :)

Fashion & Style

At a recent audition for Mr. and Miss Pune the contestant were asked what was Style and Fashion. So what exactly is Fashion and a Style???

Fashion for one thing is something that we see on the catwalk, the weird, flamboyant creations of the designer, that probably not make it way into our humble wardrobes. Something that showcased on the catwalks and runways around the world by well toned and built model that would not necessarily suit us. These are based on what someone else envision would be the latest trend.

Style is more personal, something that you can only do by yourself. It's not only about wearing clothes and accessories that you are comfortable in, but also all about carrying them off. Style is all about making a statement. It's mixing the latest trends with stuff that makes you look good and suits you. It's all about making a statement and wearing your attitude. Above all it's about looking good.

Fashions come and go but Style remains your own forever

Horton Hears A Who

Horton Hears a Who and who exactly did Horton hear??? Horton heard the Mayor and people of Whosville who reside on a speck of dust. And how Horton the elephant saves the Whosville against all obstacles, even going against the citizen of Nool, forms the gist of the movie.

A marvellous adaptation of Dr. Seuss's beloved book, the movie brings to life the colorful pages of the book. And as with all Dr Seuss's book this one too as a message for all, subtly hidden with the dialogues.

The innocence of Horton and his freaking out and determination and imagination brings a smile on your face and make you want to root for him. His antics and imagination light up the screen. "An Elephant is Faithful One Hundred Percent" and "A Person is a Person No Matter How Small", drives home the central message of the film. The closing credits when the entire cast, both the citizens of Nool and Whosville, breaks into Rio Speedwagon's I Can't Fight this Feeling Anymore, you can't help but smile, sing along, clap, or even find a tear glistening in your eye.

Overall, as we heard with recent animated movies, a movie for the entire. A lot in it for the kids and something for the adult. But at the and a day a marvellous movie. An experience that proves why we go to theaters to watch films.

Cafe Britannia

There are just a handful of Iranian Cafes in Mumbai, mostly around the South Mumbai. These have managed to survive the sands of time and still run. This weekend went to one such cafe, Cafe Britannia at Ballard Pier, along with my friend Neil. These restaurant have managed to maintain their charm over the years without succumbing to the urges of modernising. With it's table covered in the typical red checks tablecloths and its wooden chairs, you are taken back in time to an era that is definitely not forgotten. The ambiance and feel of the place manage to maintain its old world charm. The food delicious and leaves you with the longing for more, if not that of perfect satisfaction. Had the Chicken Berry Pulav and the Chicken Dhansak. I heard soo much about the Berry Pulav from Neil and I wasn't disappointed. Had a Carmel Custard for dessert.

What I marvelled about this place is that the owner, a gentleman well over 80s, took our orders and chatted with us. Hew was chatting with others telling them that the person sitting on the cash counter was his son. What's even more inspiring and fills you with awe is that this place is opened for only around four hours in a day.

All-in-all had a great meal and wonderful time.

Seeing Yourself in the Papers

Yesterday, the 5th of May, I got my profile printed in the newspaper Yuva, a Mumbai daily. This was done on the insistence of my good friend Neil, the Chief Sub-Editor for the paper. It's a weird but happy feeling to see yourself printed. Even though it not about something that you achieved, just a simple profile, you can't help but feel proud about yourself and go around showing it off to all your friends and colleagues. You can't help but get the urge to call up or text messaging friends, asking them to pick up the newspaper (without telling them why), even though at times it may seem awkward and funny. But then at the end of the day it's yourself in the paper...and you can't help but smile and feel happy :)

Thanks to Neil :)