Category: Thoughts uncut

A Journey Within… on the Highway

I think we made a huge mistake going for the movie. It made me ache in places I didn’t know I had. “A journey within” was the caption. I should have expected it.It was a really deep journey. Particularly the last 45 minutes, with a deep message — a social one (obviously!) but told in a subtly pricking way.

The locations were amazing. The music — needless to say, a A.R. Rahman musical. But there was something else — something that made me feel like I’m missing out on something in life. Obvious, you might think. Because it is. I am missing the liveliness of Nature. And watching Alia Bhatt reminded me a bit of a nomad’s life. Perhaps it was the icy mountains that added to the coldness that the movie ended with.

Later, when I was back home trying hard to not visualize the scenes in front of my eyes, something quite unexpected happened. Every programme on tv, and everything I spoke of with my room mates, reminded me of the movie. I simply couldn’t get it out of my mind. Even now, as I’m typing out this piece, first thing in the morning, I am listening to the songs. It seems like I can’t get over it, like trying to give up after multiple attempts at an unrequited love interest.

The greatest thing about the movie was that it was a love story, but not a love story too. It’s not one that we’re used to in Indian cinema. I know we’ve heard that comment too many times to know better than to believe it, but really, for me, this was so different.

Here’s what I found out: everyone who watches that movie can find themselves relating to the characters at least once. And I don’t just mean the girls.

From what I could deduce from my fellow audience in the theatre, almost all of them had that glum feeling of being stuck in reality, and not being able to make that one journey within, the journey that could change our lives.

Even I, who can’t understand a word of Hindi, was moved by the movie. This movie will reach heights. It might not make a blockbuster hit, and make it rain dollars, but it will touch the people. And that’s what makes “Highway” a successful journey.

Valentine’s Day – or so they call it

Ah! Love is in the air.

Oh, really? I couldn’t care less. Everyone is talking about the great Valentine’s Day. Really, what is the purpose of Valentine’s Day? Everywhere I see, I can see shops all draped in red and pink with ridiculously stuffed hearts. Not to mention the sequins and the glitter that make them shine, and pain my eyes.

I’m not really against love. What I’m against is spending money on huge human sized greeting cards, each with a message of love(!), that someone wrote to make money.

I appreciate love. Pure and unconditional love. But, we don’t need a day to celebrate love, we don’t have to confine affection to one day. Any day is good for that.

Talking of unconditional love, I remember this short story. Enjoy, if you haven’t already.

The Gift of the Magi — O. Henry

One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

Read on…

The dawn of day in the city

Point of view

Man, the sun’s scorching, and it’s not even summer yet! Really, where is the world going to? In this rate, the world is going to come to an early and ugly end.

Look at the maniacs, driving around recklessly. Don’t they ever care about the environment? It’s so annoying to see these people, talking about global warming, but doing nothing. Irresponsible idiots.

Whoa! Wish I had a bike, so that I don’t need to walk all the way, sweating like a labourer.

 

Wow! This car is awesome. Such a smooth ride, I really can get used to this.

Heck, who’s that kid? “Hey, watch it! I don’t want your blood splattering all over my new car. Find someplace else to die.”

Idiots! Spoiling my mood, early in the morning. Why can’t these people sit in the safety of the pavement and beg? Why do they have to ruin my day?

This country is never going to change. Wonder what happened to my visa. Gotta call them today.

Oh, my stomach. Please stop growling.

It’ll be so good if I can get some money today. Two days without food, Ma’s become so fragile. I have to get something today.

What an easy life these people have! No worries at all, about anything. Wish I were born rich!

They drive huge, colourful cars, but so carelessly. Who’d watch out for their families if something happened to them?

I would be more careful if was driving that car.

Oh, my throat’s so dry.

There’s a young man in a bike. He might give me something. Must get to him before he leaves.

“Hey, watch it! I don’t want your blood splattering all over my new car. Find someplace else to die.”

“Sorry,” Why aren’t the words coming out?

Where’s that man on the bike? Oh, there he goes, shaking his head, talking to the girl sitting behind him.

Sigh.

Perhaps, I could ask that someone in that tea shop. Hopefully, I’ll get a job. Maybe today, we could eat.

He smiled to himself.

How great it is to be young. How great to be able to walk without the help of a rigid stick.

These young people don’t understand what it is like, to stand here everyday, begging — and how much I hate it — and displaying my helplessness.

Look at that girl, so self possessed. Not caring about anything other than her salary. She’s probably making plans for the weekend. And here I am, not knowing if I’d have another meal today.

What is that perfume? Whoa, makes me dizzy.

Urgh. I’m going to kill her. How dare she test her new perfume on me? And why is that beggar staring at me like that? As if he’s never seen a girl? I just hope I don’t stink.

What’s the date? Ah, salary day. How glad I am to think of it. Got to send some money to Ma and Pa.

I just hope they use it, instead of saving it. The dues on the loans are piling up. Got to speak to Ma and persuade her to talk to Pa about paying off the loans from the savings.

Display ids, display ids, display ids, display ids, display ids.

It’s become like my mantra. Why can’t these people just have their ids on them? I’m tired of reminding them every day.

Who do they think they are, big people? Ok, maybe they earn more than us, but we have families to support too. And here we are standing, looking at thousands of faces every day reminding them to display their ids.

Ah, it’s almost time. Can’t wait for my duty time to end. So excited. My child is going to see daylight today. Will it be a girl or a boy?

Hope she’s fine at the hospital. Hold on dear, I’m coming.

“Display ids”

Why should there be so much traffic in this city? Ya, ya, here’s my id. Stop yelling at me. I can’t even hear you through the glass.

That security looks worried. Bad news on the phone, perhaps. Where is he rushing to, I wonder?

She’s in pain. I have to go. The baby will be here any minute.

Hey watch it. You’re lucky you missed my car, you uneducated fool!

Ah, work awaits. Sigh.

Heck. What’s that sound?

Goodness what happened there? Why’s everyone crowding there? Did someone get hit?

Anyway, I got more important things to do.

I didn’t do that. I didn’t do that. I didn’t do that.

It was an accident. He came right in front of me. I didn’t do it on purpose.

Oh, my God. Poor man. Why was he running?

What do I do now? Am I going to get caught? Will they arrest me? Oh, hope he’s fine. Hope he’ll recover. Please don’t be dead. Please don’t be dead.

“The security’s dead, Miss”

What’s the hold up there?

Oh, another accident. Reckless women, holding us up.

My clients would be waiting. Going to be late for the meeting. The Boss is going to be furious.

 

This post is my response to the Weekly Writing Challenge: Leave your shoes at the door. A brief insight into the thoughts of the various people on the city streets, at the dawn of day.

Liebster made my day

When I logged in to my email, I thought it would be just another ordinary day, but no, a surprise awaited me in the form of the Liebster award. Now, where have I heard that before? Oh yeah , in a lot of places that I can’t mention one. ;)

It’s thanks to Aadi who thought I would appreciate the award. Thanks, a lot buddy. You thought right!

liebster

If I have to start thanking people who have encouraged me, I will have to create a long list. To make it short I’ll thank each and everyone reading this now, because they are the folks who read my posts every time I publish one. Just knowing that they spent their minutes on my writing is the biggest encouragement I could get. Also my brother, who really believed that I am a decent blogger. Thanks bro!

For those who look to know what Liebster is, here’s how it works.

  1. Thank the Liebster Award presenter who nominated you and link back to his or her blog.

  2. Post 11 facts about yourself, answering the 11 questions you were asked and create 11 questions for your nominees.

  3. Nominate small (no more than 200 followers) blogs who you feel deserved to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know that they have been chosen.

  4. Display the Liebster Award logo.

  5. No tag-backs, meaning you can’t just re-nominate the person who nominated you.

Those are the rules, now for the factual part. Here are eleven random facts (?) about myself.

  1. I hate the colour pink.
  2. I like the salty spray of the sea waves on my face.
  3. I like travelling adventures.
  4. I love my mother’s way of cooking mutton.
  5. I can spend a lot of time doing absolutely nothing.
  6. I’m addicted to freshly brewed coffee.
  7. I dream of being a novelist.
  8. I’ve tried hard, and failed many times, to write poetry.
  9. I don’t like romantic movies or novels. I avoid them if I can.
  10. I find it really difficult to orally express my feelings.
  11. I fancy photography.

My answers for Aadi’s questions.

1.  What do your friends and family think about your blog?

My mother and brother give me objective criticism that has helped me loads. My father reads my blog whenever he gets time and is the first person to rate my post with five stars. They’re encouraging and supportive.

As for my friends, there are only few who click on links and they mostly are the ones who come back for every post, encouraging me.

2.  If you must tell someone your secret – a scary embarrassing secret – who would that someone be?

My brother.

3.  What makes you laugh your head out?

My friends and certain books. Of late, Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (I haven’t finished it, yet it’s funny (particularly to Harry Potter fans))

4.  If you could change three things about yourself – be it physically or mentally or anything – what would it be?

Nothing; if I change anything, I wouldn’t be me.

5.  What are your “philosophies” that you strictly adhere (or at least try) to? (Eg. I must not tell a lie, I must not cheat etc)

  • I never cheat in any examination. ( I never thought it worth the trouble (but, it can also be said that I never had the guts))
  • I never have SMS conversations; I prefer voice.
  • I try not to make judgments based on first impression. I believe they can change.

6.  Name three films or three books (or both) that changed your life.

Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’
Mitch Albom’s ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul – Letters

7.  Name three films (or books) that you despise.

This is really tough. I choose books and movies selectively, but I do hate exaggerated love stories.

8.  What Myer-Brigg type are you? Take the test here. 

ISFP – Stands for Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving.

9.  Do you think that the type that you got above actually describes you?

Yes. It does describe me quite well. Thanks for that!

10.  Name three of your favorite authors and three favorite directors.

Authors – J. K. Rowling, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christy. I don’t have favourite film directors.

11.  Inevitable question : Why do you blog? What got you into it? And how’s the experience?

I blog because there are certain things that I cannot say effectively. Instead, I write them, to make a lasting impact. I write things I can’t keep in my head. I write because I like experimenting on the power of words. I blog because I have to.
Experience? I love it. Makes me feel important, like I am giving something to myself and others.

Now, my turn. Here are the questions for my nominees.

  1. How would you describe yourself?
  2. Who introduced you to the blogosphere?
  3. If you have one, what is your publishing pattern? (e.g. a post a day or a post a week)
  4. In which part of the day are you comfortable writing? (e.g. afternoon, mid-morning)
  5. Name three of your favourite books.
  6. What are your hobbies?
  7. From where do you draw your inspirations?
  8. What kind of music do you often listen to?
  9. What is the main purpose of your blog?
  10. What’s your favourite cuisine?
  11. What were your last year’s resolutions? Did you adhere to them?

Here are the bloggers whose blogs I enjoy, and nominate.

  1. Gitanjali – Poetry Espresso
  2. Nithya Grace – Well! It’s all Mine…
  3. Ana Jain – Pretty Pink Pebbles
  4. Pamela Satpathy – Resonner
  5. Haiku For You

P.S: I was nominated a long time back. But I am accepting it only now. I don’t know if I can do that, please let me know if I can’t.

A Lingering Stress Buster

There are some days, some times, that you just feel like leaning back on your chair, wishing that the song playing inside your head would never end.

Happens.

A lot.

To me.

Music.

music washes away...

It keeps playing, preventing you from doing anything other than listening. The words, the tune, the sound of the strings of the guitar that seems to quietly tease you to sing along. To forget the world, to ignore everybody.

On a dull day, it’s bliss.

On a great day, it’s bliss.

You’re sad, and some good music is all that you might need to heal. It’s what seals the heart that’s torn at the seams.

The notes striding smartly on the staves, pausing at the right time, pausing just long enough, to create an impact that lasts, probably forever.

Simple, but it has such power. I’m happy and it’s the music that shares my joy. I’m sad and it’s the music again that seems to hold my hand, whispering in my ear that everything would be alright. It’s what makes me believe, even if I know it would and could never be alright.

I don’t know if the magical world of Narnia exists, but I do know that there is one magic that makes its existence well known by persistently ringing in my ears.

Music is Might.

Music is Magic.

You probably already guessed it right.

This whole post is just a result of an overdose of subtle music that’s been playing in my ears all day.