Lasting Impressions - Often in life you meet someone who leaves behind a lasting impression for whatever reason - small or big, good or bad... more on lasting impressions...
I met him while I was overcoming a failed relationship (if you could ever call it a relationship in the first place), okay let me reword it - I met him while I was overcoming a failed albeit serious attempt at a relationship. Anyway, sometimes you strike friendship in the most unlikely of places. And this was one of those times.
We shared a few classes together - invariably it was either the first class of the day or the one before lunch time or the last class of the day. That means it was always time for a break before or after the class. Morning classes brought breakfast pangs, afternoon ones inevitably were followed by lunches and the evening class with a walk home.
He was a very interesting dude and very, very different from any other friend I had had before him. He was a body-builder, a health-freak, a rock climber, a certified gym trainer. He kept a calorie count of what all he ate (first guy I met who did that!) And he said the most audacious things I had heard before (these days I could put him to shame ;-) ). And had a wacky sense of humor. A year or two senior to me, he was a total player - he had had 5-6 girlfriends / relationships by the time we met, most of them Americans. He was in a relationship with an American (I think) while we met. I never asked. I don't interfere in personal matters... generally.
He told me once, 'Indian girls scare me!' I guess he was scared by the severity of expectations an Indian girl generally has from a relationship and like any other guy across the world he was a commitment phobic.
But even then, as sheltered as I had been throughout my life, I still liked him as a friend and found his company very amusing whatever my other friends thought about it. And I do know some of them were very skeptical about it. But he never treated me more than a friend or less than a friend and I liked spending time with him. Spending time with him also made me aware of a few things about me as well, and for that I will always be grateful for the short duration of friendly acquaintance that we shared.
Some incidents that stay in my mind with him...
While walking down to one of our morning classes, there were some sorority tables lined up serving muffins and bagels and the like. I generally whizzed past them barely glancing that way. Never had much of a sugar tooth and those bagels and cakes never tempted me. But while entering the elevator, he paused and said...
S: That chocolate muffin has 15 calories in it.
Me: So? (As I pressed the elevator to take us to the floor where our classes were being held.)
S: I can afford only 7.5 calories at the moment.
Me (with a roll of the eyes at the ever present calorie count): So?
S: So will you take the other 7.5 calories so that I do not exceed the number of calories I can spare? (The elevator doors opened to our destination)
Me: (with a laugh) why couldn't you just say, 'Will you share a muffin with me?'
S: (shrugged)
Me: okay, lets go. (With that I pressed the down button of the elevator once again)
Some other time in class, sitting next to me he was playing with some sort of clay, squeezing it again and again. It was very distracting to me, let me tell you.
Me: What are you doing?
S: My rock climbing instructor says that my fingers are too weak. I need to build up strength in them. So he has suggested some finger exercises.
Me: (shaking head in exasperation. By this time I was used to the statements pouring out of his mouth and his convoluted logic - at that time for me) okay
S: You wanna try? (with that he offered me the clay)
Not to offend him, I took it and tried instead of saying what I actually felt about that at the moment. 'It seems stupid.'
It was pretty hard and I was having difficulty squeezing it.
Me: Its tough
S: Oh. Dont worry, I will get softer clay for you tomorrow then you can try on that.
Me: Its okay. I dont need strong fingers. I do not rock climb.
S: I will still get it for you.
And sure as it was, I did find him the next day waiting for me in class with an empty seat next to him and a softer version of the clay in front of that seat.
S: For you (With that he turned back to look at the lecturer in front of the class)
The clay sure was softer and fun. And I was touched that even after me refusing he would go ahead and bring that for me. And here I thought I was giving him all negative vibes about that clay!
Another time, we were having lunch together in the cafetaria. He had got these four huge slices of brown bread and another box filled with sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, few lettuce leaves and some boiled egg white slices. With that he began assembling a sandwich while I was eating my lunch.
Me: What are you doing?
S: Making a sandwich
Me: Why are you doing that here?
S: So that the bread does not turn soggy.
Me: What about the eggs? Where is the yolk?
S: Can't afford to eat that.
Me: Why?
S: Too much cholesterol
Me: And this egg-white is fine.
S: (keeping his sandwich making at a pause) I need 70 grams of protein each day to maintain my muscles for rock climbing. These are egg-whites of eight eggs which provide me with approximately 40 grams of protein. The rest I will take at dinner time when I have chicken.
I was staring at him trying to make head or tail of what he was saying and he said all that with a straight face. I never repeated the mistake of asking about his meals again.
Some days later....
S: Would you like to come to dinner at my place?
Me: Special occasion?
S: Na. I was making roasted chicken. My roomies are vegetarian. I could use some company. Bring along your roomie, I know she is fond of non-veg too.
He actually had not met my roomie, just heard about her from me.
Me: Okay. sure we will.
The food was amazing and we had some great fun with his roomies as well trying to do some match-making (but that is another story). I sure didn't know S could cook so well.
Once...
S: I think you should take up rock-climbing
Me: I am not interested
S: You will like it if you try it.
Me: Seems too tough.
S: I will teach you. It will be fun. You don't need much to start with. Some gear, some shoes. You can get good second hand as well. It will just cost you 80 bucks to start off.
Me: And what about the classes?
S: Twice a week, 40 bucks each.
Me: I don't have that kind of money to spare.
S: Oh well... Think about it.
I was quiet, but I thought it was sweet of him to try to include me in his favorite activity. If I had that kind of money, I would have been persuaded to take up rock-climbing just to honor his offer to make me feel 'included'.
Once while we were walking to school in the snow.
S: I think you should join the gym
Me: (hesitatingly) I go there sometimes. I do not find it interesting enough.
S: I could accompany you there. I go there everyday.
Me: Thanks
S: Or we could go on a jog early morning. It will be fun. We could start with 2 miles and slowly increase it up to 10 miles a day.
Me: Are you crazy? Its snowing. There is ice all around. I will trip and fall.
S: I could motivate you.
I was too exasperated to say anything to him. I had no interest of going on a jog in the snow on an icy street. I was bound to fall. I trip way too much. I am way too clumsy. He gave up after few days.
I make friends easily, I talk a lot. I knew about half the student population in our town and also the maintenance guys, the girls working at the Rental House, the fire department and police (don't ask how!) Once while walking down the street to home with him, I was waving and wishing everyone we came across 'hi'.
S: You seem to know everyone.
Me: (shrugs)
S: I have been here before you. I don't know as many people.
Me: (shrugs again)
S: I don't talk to many Indians here I guess. Specially not to any girls.
Me: (with a laugh) You are talking to one now.
S: Yeah. But you are different.
Me: How so?
S: You don't get offended by things I say
Me: What kind of things? I didn't know you said anything to offend me or anyone?
S: Yeah. But like, if I like a girl, the first thing I would notice is her (gesturing with hands to make b**bs)
Me: (with a laugh) Stop making those gestures. People will misconstrue what you are saying.
S: See. That's what I meant. Any other Indian girl would get offended, you laugh it off. Its easy to talk to you.
I gave another laugh and changed the topic. But I wondered, was there some truth in what he said? That incident was probably what made me realize that I sure am a little different from my other friends and I am more candid or can take a conversation with more of a pinch of salt as compared to other friends of mine. Today I realize that the understanding S had of me, was just a tip of the iceberg. I do not get offended easily on stuff others in my place would.
I had very refreshing talks with him during the entire time I have known him. There never was a dull moment with him. And the best part was, it was just plain friendship, not a single romantic intent on either part.
It was fun knowing S!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
A Day In The Library
Lasting Impressions - Often in life you meet someone who leaves behind a lasting impression for whatever reason - small or big, good or bad... more on lasting impressions...
I may not be the classical bookworm, but I am a voracious reader. I read just about anything and everything, except biographies perhaps and economics. I hate those - coz I probably do not understand them - either of the two. I can't make my head understand complicated terms in economics and my heart understand the need to bare all in a book. I much prefer this coward's way of giving away snippets of my life in an anonymous blog. Thank you very much! ;-)
I can spend hours in a library, with a computer, reading a book, hard copy or online. I just love to read. In The States, I used to often go to a library downtown in the University and then later to this city library in the place I was staying with my family friends. (I got mugged one day in this library, but that's a different story!)
So, as I sat reading a novel on a secluded table in the city library of this small town in the suburbs of D.C., a guy approached the table and asked me if he could sit opposite me. Generally I was left alone, as there were always enough tables to sit on around the library, even if each table could accommodate easily six people. I looked up at him and gave a quick glance around to see there were few empty tables still. However I just shrugged and told him, 'Sure' and then I went back to my book.
The guy however started talking with me and asking me about me and telling about himself. He was a Latino and came from a large family. I think he said they were 10 siblings. We sat there talking for about 15-20 minutes and then he said,
Guy: I gotta go. But I would like to see you again. Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?
Me: I have a flight tonight to catch. (I was surprised)
Guy: Some other time then? (he said hopefully)
Me: I am afraid, I have a flight out of country. I am returning back home. I won't be back.
Guy: Oh. Its sad that we didn't meet earlier in that case. Enjoy your trip. Goodbye. (With that he bent down and kissed my cheek and walked away.)
He said it so genuinely, that I too felt it was sad that we didn't meet earlier. Although if we had, I do not know if I would have the courage at that time to go out with him or anyone. I was for sure a "kunwe ka maindak" then, still probably I am.
But I often think of that day in the library, and it always brings a smile to my face.
I may not be the classical bookworm, but I am a voracious reader. I read just about anything and everything, except biographies perhaps and economics. I hate those - coz I probably do not understand them - either of the two. I can't make my head understand complicated terms in economics and my heart understand the need to bare all in a book. I much prefer this coward's way of giving away snippets of my life in an anonymous blog. Thank you very much! ;-)
I can spend hours in a library, with a computer, reading a book, hard copy or online. I just love to read. In The States, I used to often go to a library downtown in the University and then later to this city library in the place I was staying with my family friends. (I got mugged one day in this library, but that's a different story!)
So, as I sat reading a novel on a secluded table in the city library of this small town in the suburbs of D.C., a guy approached the table and asked me if he could sit opposite me. Generally I was left alone, as there were always enough tables to sit on around the library, even if each table could accommodate easily six people. I looked up at him and gave a quick glance around to see there were few empty tables still. However I just shrugged and told him, 'Sure' and then I went back to my book.
The guy however started talking with me and asking me about me and telling about himself. He was a Latino and came from a large family. I think he said they were 10 siblings. We sat there talking for about 15-20 minutes and then he said,
Guy: I gotta go. But I would like to see you again. Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?
Me: I have a flight tonight to catch. (I was surprised)
Guy: Some other time then? (he said hopefully)
Me: I am afraid, I have a flight out of country. I am returning back home. I won't be back.
Guy: Oh. Its sad that we didn't meet earlier in that case. Enjoy your trip. Goodbye. (With that he bent down and kissed my cheek and walked away.)
He said it so genuinely, that I too felt it was sad that we didn't meet earlier. Although if we had, I do not know if I would have the courage at that time to go out with him or anyone. I was for sure a "kunwe ka maindak" then, still probably I am.
But I often think of that day in the library, and it always brings a smile to my face.
Its complicated!
I like stories where girl meets boy, they fall in love and after some minor squabbles marry and live happily ever after.
I don't like love triangles, especially if all the three corners are upheld by someone nice, coz I don't like when two of this trio fall in love and the third one is left nursing a broken heart.
What can I say, I am a die-hard romantic at heart! I just don't see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I want the world to be rosy enough, that those glasses are not required. But things never happen the way you want them to, do they?
In today's world its not just triangles that scare me, its much more complicated! Its the love Polygons stretching over a function of time that scare the wits out of me!!! We joke when someone's relationship status says 'Its complicated', but there is a wealth of wisdom in those words.
What terrifies me is when the person who gets attracted to you is a friend and though you may not think of him or her in a romantic way, he or she still goes ahead and falls for you. Its so much of a strain on a relationship, on your friendship when something like that happens. I do not know how to react in such situations and I often bungle up things. My friendships have never survived the strain of one-sided attraction, whether the fault for that lies with me or the other person is a different question.
The first time it happened, I wrote a poem; the recent time it happened, I am writing this blog.
The Past
Could have avoided the past!
Just remember what happened last?
The harsh words spoken,
Or the hearts broken:
Acting like an imp -
When it could have been a nymph!
Out in life's column
To make myself ever so solemn
The time, the impression, words that failed me;
But ever so much the friend to be -
Here when I am in need...
To be a friend indeed!
The time lost could never be gained,
Life, as it is, untamed!
Learnt quite a few things -
How to pull the strings!
If not the past, the present can be set right:
Leading to a future that is bright!
And this time, I am yet again clueless. But I hope I can come through.
Relationships scare me, these complicated ones more so. Why can't the world be a perfect place - a simple place where there is no space for complications?
I don't like love triangles, especially if all the three corners are upheld by someone nice, coz I don't like when two of this trio fall in love and the third one is left nursing a broken heart.
What can I say, I am a die-hard romantic at heart! I just don't see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I want the world to be rosy enough, that those glasses are not required. But things never happen the way you want them to, do they?
In today's world its not just triangles that scare me, its much more complicated! Its the love Polygons stretching over a function of time that scare the wits out of me!!! We joke when someone's relationship status says 'Its complicated', but there is a wealth of wisdom in those words.
What terrifies me is when the person who gets attracted to you is a friend and though you may not think of him or her in a romantic way, he or she still goes ahead and falls for you. Its so much of a strain on a relationship, on your friendship when something like that happens. I do not know how to react in such situations and I often bungle up things. My friendships have never survived the strain of one-sided attraction, whether the fault for that lies with me or the other person is a different question.
The first time it happened, I wrote a poem; the recent time it happened, I am writing this blog.
The Past
Could have avoided the past!
Just remember what happened last?
The harsh words spoken,
Or the hearts broken:
Acting like an imp -
When it could have been a nymph!
Out in life's column
To make myself ever so solemn
The time, the impression, words that failed me;
But ever so much the friend to be -
Here when I am in need...
To be a friend indeed!
The time lost could never be gained,
Life, as it is, untamed!
Learnt quite a few things -
How to pull the strings!
If not the past, the present can be set right:
Leading to a future that is bright!
- Another time, I left things drift away. I had a huge crush on the guy and it would never ever have materialized anyway.
- Another time it happened, I tried my best, but the other person gave up. I have to admit though, if things were different at that point of time, I could have, would have had a relationship here. The timing of realization was too wrong and I was, have been always too practical.
- Another time, I acted as if that conversation never happened, but due to some other reasons we drifted away from our friendship.
- Another time, I was repulsed coz the person just didnt know when to give up and I severed all ties.
- And another time, I was on the opposite spectrum and not ready to accept less. However I did come to my senses and cut every modicum of contact.
- Another time, I am gradually drifting. And since I do not want to give up entirely, I do talk once in a while - say once in 3-4 months.
And this time, I am yet again clueless. But I hope I can come through.
Relationships scare me, these complicated ones more so. Why can't the world be a perfect place - a simple place where there is no space for complications?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
You Look Wonderful (Tonight)
Lasting Impressions - Often in life you meet someone who leaves behind a lasting impression for whatever reason - small or big, good or bad... more on lasting impressions...
I have never been someone who attracts male attention just based on my looks. Don't get me wrong - I do not lack self esteem. I see the way things are. I am alright enough in the looks department if somewhat overweight. I have a crazy sense of humor. I may be pretty, but I am not beautiful. And I have always had an unapproachable aura around me as far as sexual interest goes. Of course if its just plain ol' friendship one is looking for, I come across as the most approachable kinds, I guess. Often during a mock-fight with one of my friends I used to play the 'feminine card' and say, 'Is this the way to treat a girl?' The response I got, 'But you are not a girl.' What can I say, I am one of 'the buddies'.
So when this incident happened, I was very... confused. In my final year of college, during the last 2-3 days we had 'dedicated days' each day. One of them was 'Traditional Day'. The guys had to wear Kurta-Pajama or Business Suit and the girls had to wear Sarees. My friends had planned to come dressed in their regular clothes and would change in the Ladies Washroom once the studies were over and the fun about to start. I did not have the patience or desire to either bring clothes along with me or wear them in a Washroom where 10 other females are playing 'dress up'. No, I didn't mind sharing - I just was not comfortable with the idea.
So I wore a Pink Saree from home and attended class all decked up. I even helped my friends to drape a Saree after class. I dressed most of them infact. But even after all that, I still had time to while away as all of them wanted to get on their make-up and hair. So I moved out of the Washroom quietly and left them to it.
As I was sitting alone in front of the library looking out at the central garden area of the building, a guy came up to me and sat down next to me. This seating area could seat three people at the max if you squeeze in. So for a stranger to sit next to me, was pretty close for comfort.
After a few awkward moments of silence, he turned to me me and said,
Guy: Hi
Me: Hi
Guy: I am Mishit and you are?
Me: ........ (Gotcha! You thought I would give it out to you, huh? ;-) Don't worry, I did tell Mishit my name though! :P )
Guy: Nice name. I am in MCA first year.
Me: Engg last year.
Guy: You look lovely. (He said sincerely and with genuineness)
Me (surprised): thanks
After some idle chat, the guy left. But the way he spoke and the duration he spoke, he made me feel beautiful. I could even sense him wanting to meet me again. But me being me, I don't know how to give hints or act coy. I never met him again, but I often think of that day when I felt attractive to someone in the first look for the first time.
Ofcourse, I gave the entire credit to the Saree. After all, this traditional Indian dress looks good on almost everyone and I sincerely believe 'every girl looks good in a Saree'. But still sometimes I think maybe, just maybe I could be 'beautiful'.
Vanity always was my favorite sin!
I have never been someone who attracts male attention just based on my looks. Don't get me wrong - I do not lack self esteem. I see the way things are. I am alright enough in the looks department if somewhat overweight. I have a crazy sense of humor. I may be pretty, but I am not beautiful. And I have always had an unapproachable aura around me as far as sexual interest goes. Of course if its just plain ol' friendship one is looking for, I come across as the most approachable kinds, I guess. Often during a mock-fight with one of my friends I used to play the 'feminine card' and say, 'Is this the way to treat a girl?' The response I got, 'But you are not a girl.' What can I say, I am one of 'the buddies'.
So when this incident happened, I was very... confused. In my final year of college, during the last 2-3 days we had 'dedicated days' each day. One of them was 'Traditional Day'. The guys had to wear Kurta-Pajama or Business Suit and the girls had to wear Sarees. My friends had planned to come dressed in their regular clothes and would change in the Ladies Washroom once the studies were over and the fun about to start. I did not have the patience or desire to either bring clothes along with me or wear them in a Washroom where 10 other females are playing 'dress up'. No, I didn't mind sharing - I just was not comfortable with the idea.
So I wore a Pink Saree from home and attended class all decked up. I even helped my friends to drape a Saree after class. I dressed most of them infact. But even after all that, I still had time to while away as all of them wanted to get on their make-up and hair. So I moved out of the Washroom quietly and left them to it.
As I was sitting alone in front of the library looking out at the central garden area of the building, a guy came up to me and sat down next to me. This seating area could seat three people at the max if you squeeze in. So for a stranger to sit next to me, was pretty close for comfort.
After a few awkward moments of silence, he turned to me me and said,
Guy: Hi
Me: Hi
Guy: I am Mishit and you are?
Me: ........ (Gotcha! You thought I would give it out to you, huh? ;-) Don't worry, I did tell Mishit my name though! :P )
Guy: Nice name. I am in MCA first year.
Me: Engg last year.
Guy: You look lovely. (He said sincerely and with genuineness)
Me (surprised): thanks
After some idle chat, the guy left. But the way he spoke and the duration he spoke, he made me feel beautiful. I could even sense him wanting to meet me again. But me being me, I don't know how to give hints or act coy. I never met him again, but I often think of that day when I felt attractive to someone in the first look for the first time.
Ofcourse, I gave the entire credit to the Saree. After all, this traditional Indian dress looks good on almost everyone and I sincerely believe 'every girl looks good in a Saree'. But still sometimes I think maybe, just maybe I could be 'beautiful'.
Vanity always was my favorite sin!
Bheed Mein Ajnabi
Lasting Impressions - Often in life you meet someone who leaves behind a lasting impression for whatever reason - small or big, good or bad... more on lasting impressions...
Like most students in Grade Twelve, I had taken up tuitions for every conceivable major subject to better my marks. My favorite was Physics, the teachers in school & tuitions both were good, I had a knack for the subject and I always got the marks! (I scored 96 marks in theory and 42 in practical. That 42 was my least score ever in any exam, mind you!) Anyway, so the tuitions was quite a distance from my house and I rode my sis' trusted Luna. (For those who don't know what a Luna is , its a cycle garbed in a moped look). I never had a license (shhhh....). I recently did get one finally after 13 years!
My tuitions were at 6:00 p.m. and it was the same time some factory workers got done with their work. So as I was driving my Luna and these laborers were getting off on their cycles. They were on the wrong side but they were in a crowd. I barged into one worker and he fell, as did I. It was his fault as they were on the wrong side and he had suddenly appeared in front of me, but the workers saw this as a chance to pester me for money. I hate it when they do that!
I was all alone and every single of these workers was shouting at me to give money to the one who got hurt. I am pretty sure that guy was acting more hurt than he actually was. He didn't even get up from the road, was just lying there. I had more blood on me and these people were threatening. I was so scared. I was 16. I had no money on me. Stupid, I know, but yeah, I didn't think I would need any kind of money. Naivety!
Suddenly a guy appeared from somewhere in the crowd. He seemed to be well-educated. He looked like a cross between Bobby Deol in Gupt and Aamir Khan in Mela, with curly hair and fine features. He came and fought with all those workers.
Stranger: Akeli ladki ko kyun dara rahe hain aap log. Dekh nahi rahe kitna ghabrayi huyi hai. Aur vaise bhi galti uski nahi, inki hai.
Then he turned to me and said:
Stranger: Ma'am, aap jayiye yahan se. Main sambhal loonga.
I was in such a state of shock, I just picked up my books and my Luna and started walking off. My Luna had suffered severe damage and the tire had twisted. I had to drag it away. I didn't go to my Tuitions. I went to a friend's house nearby. And there I broke down. I dunno why. I guess I was scared of what could have happened and didn't. My friend's mom and sister tried to console me and my friend went to check the place of the accident to fight for me with these people. Ofcourse there was no one there, not the injured guy, nor the angry mob and neither my knight in shining armor. I was grateful to my friend for trying to help me although it would not have made a difference. Lovely, thanks - you are truly, lovely!
And as for you, my good Samaritan - I often think of you. For long I used to think, you are the most benevolent guy in the world and with such a charming face. Any time I traveled that road for a year, I used to look around to catch a glimpse of you. But I never did see you again.
However, if wishes could ride on the wind and carry to you; here's mine to you - You will never ever know how much it meant to me you being there when I needed a friend, though you were... are a stranger. You made me believe in the goodness of people, and may it return to you hundred fold.. coz you truly deserve it! Thank you!
Like most students in Grade Twelve, I had taken up tuitions for every conceivable major subject to better my marks. My favorite was Physics, the teachers in school & tuitions both were good, I had a knack for the subject and I always got the marks! (I scored 96 marks in theory and 42 in practical. That 42 was my least score ever in any exam, mind you!) Anyway, so the tuitions was quite a distance from my house and I rode my sis' trusted Luna. (For those who don't know what a Luna is , its a cycle garbed in a moped look). I never had a license (shhhh....). I recently did get one finally after 13 years!
My tuitions were at 6:00 p.m. and it was the same time some factory workers got done with their work. So as I was driving my Luna and these laborers were getting off on their cycles. They were on the wrong side but they were in a crowd. I barged into one worker and he fell, as did I. It was his fault as they were on the wrong side and he had suddenly appeared in front of me, but the workers saw this as a chance to pester me for money. I hate it when they do that!
I was all alone and every single of these workers was shouting at me to give money to the one who got hurt. I am pretty sure that guy was acting more hurt than he actually was. He didn't even get up from the road, was just lying there. I had more blood on me and these people were threatening. I was so scared. I was 16. I had no money on me. Stupid, I know, but yeah, I didn't think I would need any kind of money. Naivety!
Suddenly a guy appeared from somewhere in the crowd. He seemed to be well-educated. He looked like a cross between Bobby Deol in Gupt and Aamir Khan in Mela, with curly hair and fine features. He came and fought with all those workers.
Stranger: Akeli ladki ko kyun dara rahe hain aap log. Dekh nahi rahe kitna ghabrayi huyi hai. Aur vaise bhi galti uski nahi, inki hai.
Then he turned to me and said:
Stranger: Ma'am, aap jayiye yahan se. Main sambhal loonga.
I was in such a state of shock, I just picked up my books and my Luna and started walking off. My Luna had suffered severe damage and the tire had twisted. I had to drag it away. I didn't go to my Tuitions. I went to a friend's house nearby. And there I broke down. I dunno why. I guess I was scared of what could have happened and didn't. My friend's mom and sister tried to console me and my friend went to check the place of the accident to fight for me with these people. Ofcourse there was no one there, not the injured guy, nor the angry mob and neither my knight in shining armor. I was grateful to my friend for trying to help me although it would not have made a difference. Lovely, thanks - you are truly, lovely!
And as for you, my good Samaritan - I often think of you. For long I used to think, you are the most benevolent guy in the world and with such a charming face. Any time I traveled that road for a year, I used to look around to catch a glimpse of you. But I never did see you again.
However, if wishes could ride on the wind and carry to you; here's mine to you - You will never ever know how much it meant to me you being there when I needed a friend, though you were... are a stranger. You made me believe in the goodness of people, and may it return to you hundred fold.. coz you truly deserve it! Thank you!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Air Handshake - A Concentration Test
'Sorries' make me uncomfortable - whether I say them or whether the person in front of me is saying them. I have always been a 'forget rather than forgive' person. This helps me to internalize the anguish I feel when I feel hurt or when I feel guilty for the hurt I render someone. This also leads me to let go of many things in life, forget most things in life - not always the bad ones. So pardon me if I forget the good times. I try to recollect some...
School days are the best days of one's life. And more often than not, most of mine where I can still laugh or smile about have been involving Sandy. This one goes when we were in grade Twelve, had been so for quite a few months. We had a place on the stage in front of the Assembly Hall, where we used to spend a lot of time in lunch break, free periods or after class. It came to be known as the XI-B place first and next year XII-B place as we jumped a class ahead. So we were at 'our place' and...
One of Us: This is a Concentration Test. One of us will hold two hands in front in the position of a clap. You have to place a hand in front of you in the handshake position in between the two hands of one of us. You decide the distance between the two hands. Then you close your eyes and start moving your hand up and down in the same position, without touching the hands on either side and start counting. The closeness of the two hands and the number you reach will show how strong a concentration you have. Ready?
Sandy: Ready
And as she went on to count while moving her hand up and down, all of us moved away and went to stand at the Bicycle Stand near the Assembly Hall. Some of our juniors passed that area and looked at Sandy all alone doing the weird 'air hand-shake'. Once she realized what we were up to, she ran after us to hit any of us who would get caught by her. And we just kept saying, "What a concentration!"
The last class of one's school days where in one feels like the monarchs of the world! One is much respected and feared also sometimes, as the senior most in school. And we made her a spectacle in front of the juniors, who gave her weird looks. But she did take this one too in her stride and today laughs over it.
But her concentration was sure commendable. That day before she realized what we were up to, I believe she went up to 116!
School days are the best days of one's life. And more often than not, most of mine where I can still laugh or smile about have been involving Sandy. This one goes when we were in grade Twelve, had been so for quite a few months. We had a place on the stage in front of the Assembly Hall, where we used to spend a lot of time in lunch break, free periods or after class. It came to be known as the XI-B place first and next year XII-B place as we jumped a class ahead. So we were at 'our place' and...
One of Us: This is a Concentration Test. One of us will hold two hands in front in the position of a clap. You have to place a hand in front of you in the handshake position in between the two hands of one of us. You decide the distance between the two hands. Then you close your eyes and start moving your hand up and down in the same position, without touching the hands on either side and start counting. The closeness of the two hands and the number you reach will show how strong a concentration you have. Ready?
Sandy: Ready
And as she went on to count while moving her hand up and down, all of us moved away and went to stand at the Bicycle Stand near the Assembly Hall. Some of our juniors passed that area and looked at Sandy all alone doing the weird 'air hand-shake'. Once she realized what we were up to, she ran after us to hit any of us who would get caught by her. And we just kept saying, "What a concentration!"
The last class of one's school days where in one feels like the monarchs of the world! One is much respected and feared also sometimes, as the senior most in school. And we made her a spectacle in front of the juniors, who gave her weird looks. But she did take this one too in her stride and today laughs over it.
But her concentration was sure commendable. That day before she realized what we were up to, I believe she went up to 116!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Santa-Banta ki Behna
Sometimes in life smart, intelligent, charismatic people say stupid things which make you laugh and wonder are they really smart or is it a play-acting on their part? But believe me you, its not always play-acting. You gotta give everyone a slack sometimes. Its the goof-balls in life, who make you feel light and put a smile on your face after all.
One such person in my life is Sandy. She is smart. She is sexy. She is intelligent. She is beautiful. She has a charming personality. But more often than not, she says somethings which makes everyone around burst into laughter aimed at her. She takes it in her stride. Don't get me wrong, I love her. I may not always say it, or show it, (definitely not to her face), but I do. She is my best friend...
When I first met Sandy in grade Eleven, she used to sit one or two seats ahead of me. She got labelled "Beauty With Brains", courtesy: Rajesh Pawar (will tell you about him some other time!). Her dusky complexion and round, big black eyes, a tribute to her South Indian heritage gave her that label as also did her seeming intelligence.
Often I have heard a teacher or a guide say, 'Don't be afraid to ask questions! Ask! no question is silly'.
Sandy had taken this edict to heart. She often asked questions in class, silly or not.
One such day was when we were going to have our Maths Term exam soon. Our Maths Teacher, DK asked us if we would like to ask anything for the exam.
So of course, Sandy raised her hand and here comes the question:
Sandy: Sir, will we get Theorems in exam?
DK: Yes, you will. (Class sniggering. DK giving smile)
Sandy: Sir, how will they appear?
DK: You will get statements (With a straight face still. Class sniggering some more.)
Sandy: Will we have to prove them?
And now the class burst into a full blown laughter. Sandy was a little embarrassed, though not much. And while the laughter was dying down, Rajesh sitting in the next row adjacent to my seat in this row leaned towards Sandy and said,
"Sandy, ek baat bata. Tu Santa Singh ki bahen hai ya Banta Singh Ki?"
We all burst into more laughter and Sandy was wild with Rajesh for the entire day.
Today they are the best of friends. But we often remember those days gone by with fond remembrance. However, this Santa-Banta real-life joke is my favorite!
One such person in my life is Sandy. She is smart. She is sexy. She is intelligent. She is beautiful. She has a charming personality. But more often than not, she says somethings which makes everyone around burst into laughter aimed at her. She takes it in her stride. Don't get me wrong, I love her. I may not always say it, or show it, (definitely not to her face), but I do. She is my best friend...
When I first met Sandy in grade Eleven, she used to sit one or two seats ahead of me. She got labelled "Beauty With Brains", courtesy: Rajesh Pawar (will tell you about him some other time!). Her dusky complexion and round, big black eyes, a tribute to her South Indian heritage gave her that label as also did her seeming intelligence.
Often I have heard a teacher or a guide say, 'Don't be afraid to ask questions! Ask! no question is silly'.
Sandy had taken this edict to heart. She often asked questions in class, silly or not.
One such day was when we were going to have our Maths Term exam soon. Our Maths Teacher, DK asked us if we would like to ask anything for the exam.
So of course, Sandy raised her hand and here comes the question:
Sandy: Sir, will we get Theorems in exam?
DK: Yes, you will. (Class sniggering. DK giving smile)
Sandy: Sir, how will they appear?
DK: You will get statements (With a straight face still. Class sniggering some more.)
Sandy: Will we have to prove them?
And now the class burst into a full blown laughter. Sandy was a little embarrassed, though not much. And while the laughter was dying down, Rajesh sitting in the next row adjacent to my seat in this row leaned towards Sandy and said,
"Sandy, ek baat bata. Tu Santa Singh ki bahen hai ya Banta Singh Ki?"
We all burst into more laughter and Sandy was wild with Rajesh for the entire day.
Today they are the best of friends. But we often remember those days gone by with fond remembrance. However, this Santa-Banta real-life joke is my favorite!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Outside the Gates of Hades...
Often in life you meet someone who leaves behind a lasting impression for whatever reason - small or big, good or bad. One of such people in my life inconsequently, believe it or not, is the guard standing out the SBI branch of NFC.
He is a typically Haryanvi Tau, if you ever saw one. He is tall, gruff and his language is very informal. He nitpicks on everyone setting a step inside the door of the bank. There is a ready instruction on his lips for one and all. He reminds me of Cerberus watching over the gates of Hades. This old man is as conscientious as they come by.
But somehow I feel he has developed a soft corner for me in that hard-hitting exterior of his. From insisting me to break lines, to showing me the ropes around the workings of a nationalized bank in India, from letting me know who is the who in the bank to helping me even fill out simple forms, he leads me through the entire process each and every time. Mind you, I have been very independent in most things including bank related works to need a guide. But he is so sweet to me in his approach, that I let him show me the going ins and outs of the process.
One day when I had gone after quite a few months, I was standing in the line awaiting my turn in the SBI branch (that time in the Community Center at NFC).
Guard: Bade dino baad dikhi
Me: Haan (with a smile)
Guard: Mujhe lagaa shaadi-vaadi ho gayi hogi
Me: Nahi, nahi huyi (Dreaded topic!)
Guard: Mummy-Papa dekh rahe honge tere liye
Me: Haan (Nervously)
Guard: Dekh beti... meri ek baat yaad rakhna. shaadi karte samay do baaton ka dhyaan rakhna. apni biradari mein hi karna aur ladke ki seerat dekhke karne. paisa-vaisa kaam nahi aataa agar seerat achhi na ho na hi surat aati hai kaam.
Baki tujhe koi pasand ho to kar lena apni pasand se, bas bihari se na karna. (a lil biased Guard Uncle, init? :P)
I always laugh out after visiting him. Anyway, few days later when I again visited Community Center, the bank had vanished! I was so shocked. Later I came to know that it has shifted to main NH-2. I thought of visiting it once again and somehow I wondered if I would see this guard ever again.
But there he was standing as tall and stellar just a little inside the new modernized bank, still giving instructions to one and all. He saw me and again wished me.
Guard: Bade dino baad aayi.
And thus started the process of again leading me through each step of the banking procedure all over again.
Once I was done, he enquired about if I was able to get through all. Then he again asked me if I was married yet. After hearing a no, he advised me some more.
Guard: ab thoda wazan ghata le. (Yea my bane, even bank guards give me weight loss advice! *sighs*)
Guard: halki phulki hogi to aadmi ko god mein uthane mein mazaa bhi aayega. warna khush kaise rahega.
And he said that with a straight face, supposedly good advice and let me tell you there was not a touch of lecherous intent behind it. The crude way that he speaks, could have offended anyone if you are not used to the way he talks. I took it in my stride for it was just good natured advice from his end.
I haven't got a chance to visit the bank since that day and since I am still single, weight problems or not, I am thinking I should probably ask him to look for a guy for me! After all I am sure he might have scanned and analyzed and shortlisted some guy he deems worthy enough! ;)
He is a typically Haryanvi Tau, if you ever saw one. He is tall, gruff and his language is very informal. He nitpicks on everyone setting a step inside the door of the bank. There is a ready instruction on his lips for one and all. He reminds me of Cerberus watching over the gates of Hades. This old man is as conscientious as they come by.
But somehow I feel he has developed a soft corner for me in that hard-hitting exterior of his. From insisting me to break lines, to showing me the ropes around the workings of a nationalized bank in India, from letting me know who is the who in the bank to helping me even fill out simple forms, he leads me through the entire process each and every time. Mind you, I have been very independent in most things including bank related works to need a guide. But he is so sweet to me in his approach, that I let him show me the going ins and outs of the process.
One day when I had gone after quite a few months, I was standing in the line awaiting my turn in the SBI branch (that time in the Community Center at NFC).
Guard: Bade dino baad dikhi
Me: Haan (with a smile)
Guard: Mujhe lagaa shaadi-vaadi ho gayi hogi
Me: Nahi, nahi huyi (Dreaded topic!)
Guard: Mummy-Papa dekh rahe honge tere liye
Me: Haan (Nervously)
Guard: Dekh beti... meri ek baat yaad rakhna. shaadi karte samay do baaton ka dhyaan rakhna. apni biradari mein hi karna aur ladke ki seerat dekhke karne. paisa-vaisa kaam nahi aataa agar seerat achhi na ho na hi surat aati hai kaam.
Baki tujhe koi pasand ho to kar lena apni pasand se, bas bihari se na karna. (a lil biased Guard Uncle, init? :P)
I always laugh out after visiting him. Anyway, few days later when I again visited Community Center, the bank had vanished! I was so shocked. Later I came to know that it has shifted to main NH-2. I thought of visiting it once again and somehow I wondered if I would see this guard ever again.
But there he was standing as tall and stellar just a little inside the new modernized bank, still giving instructions to one and all. He saw me and again wished me.
Guard: Bade dino baad aayi.
And thus started the process of again leading me through each step of the banking procedure all over again.
Once I was done, he enquired about if I was able to get through all. Then he again asked me if I was married yet. After hearing a no, he advised me some more.
Guard: ab thoda wazan ghata le. (Yea my bane, even bank guards give me weight loss advice! *sighs*)
Guard: halki phulki hogi to aadmi ko god mein uthane mein mazaa bhi aayega. warna khush kaise rahega.
And he said that with a straight face, supposedly good advice and let me tell you there was not a touch of lecherous intent behind it. The crude way that he speaks, could have offended anyone if you are not used to the way he talks. I took it in my stride for it was just good natured advice from his end.
I haven't got a chance to visit the bank since that day and since I am still single, weight problems or not, I am thinking I should probably ask him to look for a guy for me! After all I am sure he might have scanned and analyzed and shortlisted some guy he deems worthy enough! ;)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Dissolving Into Foam
Three hundred years, three eons, an age of servitude
Trying to earn my immortal soul
Ethereal beings floating on air
Feeling the warmth of the sun
A melody unheard, a beauty unseen
Each smile I give – lessens my burden
Each tear I shed – one too many
Striving for eternal life,
My atonement starts the day
I dissolve into foam
And cease to exist...
When I was a little girl, the fairy tale character I was most impressed by - was "the little mermaid", so much so that even after so many years, my online persona mostly has been this pic of a mermaid smiling about a secret which only she seems to share! The Little Mermaid or Poseidon's child - for what else would a sea creature be than the beloved child of the Sea God?
I used to hate the story of "the little mermaid" and I used to love it at the same time. The story of a girl so much in love that she gave up her life as she knew, not once but twice, for a guy who never realized her worth - left me feeling sad and proud of the little mermaid. My bedtime story of "the little mermaid" ended with a line which said that after her death the little mermaid becomes "a spirit of the air, guiding and protecting lovers all over the world".
Subsequent elaborate versions of "The Little Mermaid" had Hans Christian Andersen stating that at the end of the story when "the little mermaid" jumps into the sea, she dissolves into foam and becomes one of the "daughters of air" striving for an immortal soul. Each daughter of air has to perform three hundred years of good deeds before being considered for eternity. Every good deed by them reduces their service period by a year whereas every bad deed that they do makes them shed tears. And each tear that they shed makes their service period increase by a day.
This small poem is dedicated to "the little mermaid" who filled me with more dreams and aspirations and longings than any fairy tale I heard.
"I thought love was only true in fairy tales, meant for someone else but not for me
Love was out to get to me, that's the way it seems. Disappointment haunted all my dreams"
Trying to earn my immortal soul
Ethereal beings floating on air
Feeling the warmth of the sun
A melody unheard, a beauty unseen
Each smile I give – lessens my burden
Each tear I shed – one too many
Striving for eternal life,
My atonement starts the day
I dissolve into foam
And cease to exist...
When I was a little girl, the fairy tale character I was most impressed by - was "the little mermaid", so much so that even after so many years, my online persona mostly has been this pic of a mermaid smiling about a secret which only she seems to share! The Little Mermaid or Poseidon's child - for what else would a sea creature be than the beloved child of the Sea God?
I used to hate the story of "the little mermaid" and I used to love it at the same time. The story of a girl so much in love that she gave up her life as she knew, not once but twice, for a guy who never realized her worth - left me feeling sad and proud of the little mermaid. My bedtime story of "the little mermaid" ended with a line which said that after her death the little mermaid becomes "a spirit of the air, guiding and protecting lovers all over the world".
Subsequent elaborate versions of "The Little Mermaid" had Hans Christian Andersen stating that at the end of the story when "the little mermaid" jumps into the sea, she dissolves into foam and becomes one of the "daughters of air" striving for an immortal soul. Each daughter of air has to perform three hundred years of good deeds before being considered for eternity. Every good deed by them reduces their service period by a year whereas every bad deed that they do makes them shed tears. And each tear that they shed makes their service period increase by a day.
This small poem is dedicated to "the little mermaid" who filled me with more dreams and aspirations and longings than any fairy tale I heard.
"I thought love was only true in fairy tales, meant for someone else but not for me
Love was out to get to me, that's the way it seems. Disappointment haunted all my dreams"
Monday, April 4, 2011
Aapki Seva Mein Tat Par...
What comes to mind when one thinks of a Police Station invariably resembles the scenes from the movies. Wooden tables and chairs, constables and SIs standing or sitting acting nonchalant, a cabin with half wooden swinging doors leading to the office of the officer-in-charge, a lock-up with a couple of thugs sitting idly there.
So I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped inside the doors of Sarita Vihar Police Station at 8:30 p.m. in the night to lodge a complaint of a lost PAN card for a friend. First thing that comes to your mind is that the building is huge and very, very clean. Instead of that wooden table there was a granite stone counter as if I had stepped inside a restaurant lobby and approached the reception. The black granite was half a hexagon in shape with two SIs sitting on the other side. There was an aquarium (yes! an aquarium) lying against one of the walls. There was a big staircase going up next to that wall and the wall belonged to a room which they later informed me was a Computer Room were complaints were written and registered. Talk about modernization!
I was expecting a rebuff from the officers and was hesitant to approach them. But they were very understanding and well behaved... at least to us. They wrote down the complaint in a register and then sent it inside to be documented on the "Computer" in the Computer Room. (The guy in there types too slow lemme tell you, I could have typed their entire Complaint Lot for the month in that time!) We ended up spending 2 hours in the Station and boy! What an entertaining two hours, unlike what I would have expected out of an Indian Police Station.
SI-1: Kahan ke hain aap? Delhi ke to nahi lagte.
Me: Ji, hum bahar se aaye hain, main ahmedabad
MyFrd: Aur main, haridwar
SI-2: Acchaa, padhne aaye hain ya naukri karne?
Me: Naukri
SI-1: Kafi kamaa lete honge?
Me (In apprehension): Theek thaak kamaa lete hain
SI-2: tees-chalees hazaar to mil hi jaate honge?
Me: Kahan? Itna bhi nahi.
SI-1: Hum se to zyada hi kamate honge
Me: Pata nahi. Par humein aapki tarah ghar bhi to nahi milte. (Hinting at the neat looking Police Quarters behind the station)
SI-2: uske liye number lagta hai. aur fir agar woh dete hain to hamari salary se 4-6 hazaar kaat dete hain. ab 10-12 mein se 4-6 kaat dein to kya bachega
(No wonder there is so much corruption in the indian police!)
SI-1: Vaise achha hai, aap ke maa-baap ne itna padhaya aapko yahan bheja naukri ke liye.. hamare wahan ki ladkiyan to haryana ka gaanv se aage tak nahi jaati. kyun bhai?
SI-2: Na bhai na... maine apni beti ko padhaya. ab woh B.Com. second year mein hai. usko ghar pe baithne ke liye thodi na padhaya. kal ko uski shaadi hogi, woh bhi kaam karegi uska pati bhi. main to yeh manoon hoon ki zindagi ki gadi do pahiyon pe chale hai. dono mil jut ke kaam karenge to hi gadi sahi se chalegi. kyun, madam ji?
Me: Ji (Talk about Care for the Girl Child!)
SI-2: khana khaoge?
MyFrd: Nahi...
SI-2: Kha lo. meri biwi ne paneer ki sabzi banayi hai.
Me: Nahi, iska vrat hai. to ghar pe hi khayegi, aur main ghar jake uske saath hi khaoongi
SI-1: Vrat hai? Somvar ka? Shiv ji ke liye kiya hai... achhe pati ke liye?
Me & MyFrd laughing
Constable:Chai
MyFrd (Taking tea): thanks
Me: Nahi.. thank you.
SI-1: Arre kyun nahi... khane ke liye bhi na bol diya, chai ke liye bhi. Aap ke liye hi to mangayi hai. Piyo chalo (raising voice)
Me (at once taking tea plastic cup and drinking): Thanks!
(By the way, for those who don't know "I dont drink tea!" Darr insaan se kya kya karwata hai! *sighs*)
In between there were two-three other conversations with other people and two hours just vanished.
Conversation 1:
SrOfficer: Aaj Ghaziabad thane se ek constable aaya tha. hamara thana dekh ke dekhta reh gaya. Five star hotel laga use.
SI-1: unka thana aisa nahi hota hoga na
SrOfficer: Usko khane ki thali di to bola hotel se aayi hai. maine bola haan, teen rupay ki hai. laa nikaal
(all police officers burst out in to guffaws!)
Conversation 2:
Guy (Seemed drunk): Mujhe complain likhwani hai. 405 ke driver aur conducter ke khilaaf
SI-1: Tu staff hai na
Guy: Haan. 460 ka
SI-2: Tune bhi daru peeke danga kiya hoga.
Guy: Nahi. aap complain likho meri
SI-2: theek hai. (opened last page of register and started doodling)
Guy: aap meri complain nahi likh rahe ho.
SI-1: zyada bol na, warna thane mein band kar doonga raat bhar ke liye.
SI-2: vaise bhi abhi tak udghatan nahi hua hai, tere se hi karwaaonga
(Guy left mumbling.)
Me: hamara kaam ho gaya hoga to hum jaayein?
SI-1 (to constable): zara dekhna madamji ki report likhwayi ki nahi compooter mein?
Finally guy came out with printout of report. He was taking so long, I was really thinking of going and typing it out myself.
Me: Theek hai fir. hum chalte hain. Thank you.
SI-1: kuch zaroorat ho to aate rehna
SI-2: haan batana humein
SI-3 came to see us off. See us off? I was bewildered!
SI-3: main yahan ka SI hoon duty pe. round pe rehta hoon. zaroorat pade to bolna.
What a day! Never thought I would have such an experience as well from the Delhi Police. And they were really sticking to their motto, 'aapki seva mein tat par...'
So I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped inside the doors of Sarita Vihar Police Station at 8:30 p.m. in the night to lodge a complaint of a lost PAN card for a friend. First thing that comes to your mind is that the building is huge and very, very clean. Instead of that wooden table there was a granite stone counter as if I had stepped inside a restaurant lobby and approached the reception. The black granite was half a hexagon in shape with two SIs sitting on the other side. There was an aquarium (yes! an aquarium) lying against one of the walls. There was a big staircase going up next to that wall and the wall belonged to a room which they later informed me was a Computer Room were complaints were written and registered. Talk about modernization!
I was expecting a rebuff from the officers and was hesitant to approach them. But they were very understanding and well behaved... at least to us. They wrote down the complaint in a register and then sent it inside to be documented on the "Computer" in the Computer Room. (The guy in there types too slow lemme tell you, I could have typed their entire Complaint Lot for the month in that time!) We ended up spending 2 hours in the Station and boy! What an entertaining two hours, unlike what I would have expected out of an Indian Police Station.
SI-1: Kahan ke hain aap? Delhi ke to nahi lagte.
Me: Ji, hum bahar se aaye hain, main ahmedabad
MyFrd: Aur main, haridwar
SI-2: Acchaa, padhne aaye hain ya naukri karne?
Me: Naukri
SI-1: Kafi kamaa lete honge?
Me (In apprehension): Theek thaak kamaa lete hain
SI-2: tees-chalees hazaar to mil hi jaate honge?
Me: Kahan? Itna bhi nahi.
SI-1: Hum se to zyada hi kamate honge
Me: Pata nahi. Par humein aapki tarah ghar bhi to nahi milte. (Hinting at the neat looking Police Quarters behind the station)
SI-2: uske liye number lagta hai. aur fir agar woh dete hain to hamari salary se 4-6 hazaar kaat dete hain. ab 10-12 mein se 4-6 kaat dein to kya bachega
(No wonder there is so much corruption in the indian police!)
SI-1: Vaise achha hai, aap ke maa-baap ne itna padhaya aapko yahan bheja naukri ke liye.. hamare wahan ki ladkiyan to haryana ka gaanv se aage tak nahi jaati. kyun bhai?
SI-2: Na bhai na... maine apni beti ko padhaya. ab woh B.Com. second year mein hai. usko ghar pe baithne ke liye thodi na padhaya. kal ko uski shaadi hogi, woh bhi kaam karegi uska pati bhi. main to yeh manoon hoon ki zindagi ki gadi do pahiyon pe chale hai. dono mil jut ke kaam karenge to hi gadi sahi se chalegi. kyun, madam ji?
Me: Ji (Talk about Care for the Girl Child!)
SI-2: khana khaoge?
MyFrd: Nahi...
SI-2: Kha lo. meri biwi ne paneer ki sabzi banayi hai.
Me: Nahi, iska vrat hai. to ghar pe hi khayegi, aur main ghar jake uske saath hi khaoongi
SI-1: Vrat hai? Somvar ka? Shiv ji ke liye kiya hai... achhe pati ke liye?
Me & MyFrd laughing
Constable:Chai
MyFrd (Taking tea): thanks
Me: Nahi.. thank you.
SI-1: Arre kyun nahi... khane ke liye bhi na bol diya, chai ke liye bhi. Aap ke liye hi to mangayi hai. Piyo chalo (raising voice)
Me (at once taking tea plastic cup and drinking): Thanks!
(By the way, for those who don't know "I dont drink tea!" Darr insaan se kya kya karwata hai! *sighs*)
In between there were two-three other conversations with other people and two hours just vanished.
Conversation 1:
SrOfficer: Aaj Ghaziabad thane se ek constable aaya tha. hamara thana dekh ke dekhta reh gaya. Five star hotel laga use.
SI-1: unka thana aisa nahi hota hoga na
SrOfficer: Usko khane ki thali di to bola hotel se aayi hai. maine bola haan, teen rupay ki hai. laa nikaal
(all police officers burst out in to guffaws!)
Conversation 2:
Guy (Seemed drunk): Mujhe complain likhwani hai. 405 ke driver aur conducter ke khilaaf
SI-1: Tu staff hai na
Guy: Haan. 460 ka
SI-2: Tune bhi daru peeke danga kiya hoga.
Guy: Nahi. aap complain likho meri
SI-2: theek hai. (opened last page of register and started doodling)
Guy: aap meri complain nahi likh rahe ho.
SI-1: zyada bol na, warna thane mein band kar doonga raat bhar ke liye.
SI-2: vaise bhi abhi tak udghatan nahi hua hai, tere se hi karwaaonga
(Guy left mumbling.)
Me: hamara kaam ho gaya hoga to hum jaayein?
SI-1 (to constable): zara dekhna madamji ki report likhwayi ki nahi compooter mein?
Finally guy came out with printout of report. He was taking so long, I was really thinking of going and typing it out myself.
Me: Theek hai fir. hum chalte hain. Thank you.
SI-1: kuch zaroorat ho to aate rehna
SI-2: haan batana humein
SI-3 came to see us off. See us off? I was bewildered!
SI-3: main yahan ka SI hoon duty pe. round pe rehta hoon. zaroorat pade to bolna.
What a day! Never thought I would have such an experience as well from the Delhi Police. And they were really sticking to their motto, 'aapki seva mein tat par...'
Women's Helpline
Living with a bunch of gals makes you have so many late nights gossiping about everything and nothing. On one such night, when three of us were up chatting away to glory, one of the gals got a prank call. She told us that this same person had been calling her, although infrequently, but over a period of a year. And somehow when she got a second phone, he got the new number as well. The guy wouldn't tell his name but insisted on the gal telling him her name and whereabouts. Now why would a gal do that?
That particular night if you cut his call, he would keep on calling. If you received it, he would call again after 10-15 minutes. And then there were the lovey-dovey smses... So on a high of being together and sharing a false bravado, we threatened him if he were to call again we would tell the police. He started getting abusive at that and that's the last we took his call though he called at least another 20 times after that.
Idealistic that we still are at times and the belief we still have in authority however unwonted, we gave a call to 100 to take the Women Helpline Number - 1090.
It was 11 in the night, and we gave a call to 1090. The person on the other end asked us to give us a call in half an hour. Is this the response one expects when one is in need? And why was the helpline answered by an insensitive male? There should have been a compassionate female at the other end. We told the person it will be too late for us to give a call so late, so he asked us to give our number and he would give us a call. When we insisted on taking down a complaint right away, he refused and asked us to call within half an hour again. We were disheartened.
By 11:30 p.m. we got a call from a mobile number and the person introduced himself as SI Rajinder Singh. He said he wants to take our statement and so will come down to our place. We said we do not want to give a statement so late in the night and he can do so in the morning or we can go to the Sarita Vihar police station in the morning. He became rude and started scolding us for not writing down a statement. We had to coax and cajole him and tell him that we are girls and we are scared and not comfortable with going to a police station so late in the night. And that too for no fault of ours. And we are not comfortable with a police officer visiting us late in the night as well. And asked him to not harass us more when we were already harassed by a random guy because of those calls. He cooled down a bit and asked us to go to the police station in the morning to write down the complaint.
At 1:00 O' clock the SI again gave us a call, but we didnt take it. There were some footsteps ouside our window followed by footsteps on our doorstep. But we turned off all the lights and lay quietly without making a sound, waiting for whoever it was to go away.
By the way, should not a lady officer be handling such cases? And why would a police officer threaten a gal who is already scared because of strange calls? Why do they publicize Women's Helpline if the people on the other end are neither sensitive nor compassionate? Why would I again give a call to them if I was ever in trouble? Why would I advise any of my friends to trust in the system and ask for help from the police or the helpline?
I wish I could still believe in the rightness of the system, the idealism of humanity and the goodness of people. I still do believe in some of it, but that's the optimistic in me. I doubt there are many out there who would go through such an experience and still find the faith...
That particular night if you cut his call, he would keep on calling. If you received it, he would call again after 10-15 minutes. And then there were the lovey-dovey smses... So on a high of being together and sharing a false bravado, we threatened him if he were to call again we would tell the police. He started getting abusive at that and that's the last we took his call though he called at least another 20 times after that.
Idealistic that we still are at times and the belief we still have in authority however unwonted, we gave a call to 100 to take the Women Helpline Number - 1090.
It was 11 in the night, and we gave a call to 1090. The person on the other end asked us to give us a call in half an hour. Is this the response one expects when one is in need? And why was the helpline answered by an insensitive male? There should have been a compassionate female at the other end. We told the person it will be too late for us to give a call so late, so he asked us to give our number and he would give us a call. When we insisted on taking down a complaint right away, he refused and asked us to call within half an hour again. We were disheartened.
By 11:30 p.m. we got a call from a mobile number and the person introduced himself as SI Rajinder Singh. He said he wants to take our statement and so will come down to our place. We said we do not want to give a statement so late in the night and he can do so in the morning or we can go to the Sarita Vihar police station in the morning. He became rude and started scolding us for not writing down a statement. We had to coax and cajole him and tell him that we are girls and we are scared and not comfortable with going to a police station so late in the night. And that too for no fault of ours. And we are not comfortable with a police officer visiting us late in the night as well. And asked him to not harass us more when we were already harassed by a random guy because of those calls. He cooled down a bit and asked us to go to the police station in the morning to write down the complaint.
At 1:00 O' clock the SI again gave us a call, but we didnt take it. There were some footsteps ouside our window followed by footsteps on our doorstep. But we turned off all the lights and lay quietly without making a sound, waiting for whoever it was to go away.
By the way, should not a lady officer be handling such cases? And why would a police officer threaten a gal who is already scared because of strange calls? Why do they publicize Women's Helpline if the people on the other end are neither sensitive nor compassionate? Why would I again give a call to them if I was ever in trouble? Why would I advise any of my friends to trust in the system and ask for help from the police or the helpline?
I wish I could still believe in the rightness of the system, the idealism of humanity and the goodness of people. I still do believe in some of it, but that's the optimistic in me. I doubt there are many out there who would go through such an experience and still find the faith...
Life In A Metro - The Train I Am On...
If you miss the train I am on
You will know that I have gone
You can hear the whistle blow... a hundred miles
Life in a metro - Delhi for me, not Mumbai, can be a real task - especially for a single girl. Having a female chief minister here does not help, or so it seems! Who hasn't heard of the horrors of Delhi when it comes to girls in the city, although I would like to believe things are changing (that's the Saggitarian in me! :P)
The Metro in this metro has been a boon for the city goers... well mostly. Having a sister live in Rohini and an office in Sarita Vihar, has made me a very frequent traveler of the Delhi Metro, though not daily. Thank God for that! The network is expanding and making things easier for the public.
It was a crowded experience, but it was easier than the other options available. Besides crowd is something that we cannot do without having 1.20 Billion people in the country!
Few months ago the Metro converted the first coach of each train into the "Pink Brigade" - the Ladies Compartment. We have heard or seen incidents of female officers punishing the bravadoes who have tried to refute the government edict of allowing no males in the Ladies Coach on the metro.
The first time I traveled in the Ladies Coach on the metro, it was such a relief. There were spaces everywhere to see. Though I did not get on the train at the starting stop I had my pick of seats! A heaven in a metro in those days! After taking the corner seat near the door, I chanced a look at the connecting coach.
Over-crowded! Over-filled! Brimming with guys hanging on top of each other. This was the fate I had been expecting for me, but thanks to the decree of an Only Ladies Coach, I had my choice of seat and some more empty beside me. While I shot sympathetic looks at the guys in the adjoining coach, they were throwing resentful glances at me and my fellow travelers in this female haven. I even heard few of them murmuring the point of such a prejudiced approach favoring the fairer sex. And I felt a little guilty for the joys of being a woman.
But that feeling lasted just a few moments as I thought back to my travels and travails before this blissful day. If a guy harassed a lady, these guys would not protest that shameful action or these guys would not support the lady if she gathered the courage to protest on her own. They would just snigger and pass comments or at best be silent onlookers. These incidents still happen in the DTC buses. Sadly we cannot have a Ladies Coach there. And guys in Delhi are shameful enough to sit on ladies seats in buses and not stand up when they see a lady standing. Chivalry is a lost concept here. And then there would be the "road chaap romeos" who make the traveling experience in buses hell!
And so I felt vindicated. Good that they had no seats now! Should have thought better than to stay silent at best, eve-tease at worst! Sorry dudes, its the turn of the dudettes to ride the gravy train! :-)
On a side note:
Often I see females travelling with males in the metro. Some of these females are not sensitive enough (an appalling quality in the fairer sex, if there ever was any!) They insist their male companions to sit out with them in the ladies compartment!
Where is your sense of responsibility, my dear lady? No matter how well you know the guy or how much you are ready to vouch that he is the epitome of sainthood, next only to sweet Jesus... do you really think it is right to flaunt the rules? When you do it once, how can you expect others to follow any? And why do you think just because you are comfortable with your travelling companion to be with you in the same compartment for a less than 30 min ride, why would the female standing next to you be as comfortable?
Tell me my dear girl, would you be comfortable if the tables were turned and some other female would ask her male friend to travel in the female compartment while you didn't have any around? Or would you sit in your ladies seat and shoot daggers at both the male agreeing to disobey the rule and the female encouraging such blatant disrespect of authority?
It would serve you right, if the CISF authorities dedicated to the metro would catch your male friend and make him a "murga" and do "uthak-baithak".
An insulting sit-up would at least shame him into not going against the rules, if not shame you!
You will know that I have gone
You can hear the whistle blow... a hundred miles
Life in a metro - Delhi for me, not Mumbai, can be a real task - especially for a single girl. Having a female chief minister here does not help, or so it seems! Who hasn't heard of the horrors of Delhi when it comes to girls in the city, although I would like to believe things are changing (that's the Saggitarian in me! :P)
The Metro in this metro has been a boon for the city goers... well mostly. Having a sister live in Rohini and an office in Sarita Vihar, has made me a very frequent traveler of the Delhi Metro, though not daily. Thank God for that! The network is expanding and making things easier for the public.
It was a crowded experience, but it was easier than the other options available. Besides crowd is something that we cannot do without having 1.20 Billion people in the country!
Few months ago the Metro converted the first coach of each train into the "Pink Brigade" - the Ladies Compartment. We have heard or seen incidents of female officers punishing the bravadoes who have tried to refute the government edict of allowing no males in the Ladies Coach on the metro.
The first time I traveled in the Ladies Coach on the metro, it was such a relief. There were spaces everywhere to see. Though I did not get on the train at the starting stop I had my pick of seats! A heaven in a metro in those days! After taking the corner seat near the door, I chanced a look at the connecting coach.
Over-crowded! Over-filled! Brimming with guys hanging on top of each other. This was the fate I had been expecting for me, but thanks to the decree of an Only Ladies Coach, I had my choice of seat and some more empty beside me. While I shot sympathetic looks at the guys in the adjoining coach, they were throwing resentful glances at me and my fellow travelers in this female haven. I even heard few of them murmuring the point of such a prejudiced approach favoring the fairer sex. And I felt a little guilty for the joys of being a woman.
But that feeling lasted just a few moments as I thought back to my travels and travails before this blissful day. If a guy harassed a lady, these guys would not protest that shameful action or these guys would not support the lady if she gathered the courage to protest on her own. They would just snigger and pass comments or at best be silent onlookers. These incidents still happen in the DTC buses. Sadly we cannot have a Ladies Coach there. And guys in Delhi are shameful enough to sit on ladies seats in buses and not stand up when they see a lady standing. Chivalry is a lost concept here. And then there would be the "road chaap romeos" who make the traveling experience in buses hell!
And so I felt vindicated. Good that they had no seats now! Should have thought better than to stay silent at best, eve-tease at worst! Sorry dudes, its the turn of the dudettes to ride the gravy train! :-)
On a side note:
Often I see females travelling with males in the metro. Some of these females are not sensitive enough (an appalling quality in the fairer sex, if there ever was any!) They insist their male companions to sit out with them in the ladies compartment!
Where is your sense of responsibility, my dear lady? No matter how well you know the guy or how much you are ready to vouch that he is the epitome of sainthood, next only to sweet Jesus... do you really think it is right to flaunt the rules? When you do it once, how can you expect others to follow any? And why do you think just because you are comfortable with your travelling companion to be with you in the same compartment for a less than 30 min ride, why would the female standing next to you be as comfortable?
Tell me my dear girl, would you be comfortable if the tables were turned and some other female would ask her male friend to travel in the female compartment while you didn't have any around? Or would you sit in your ladies seat and shoot daggers at both the male agreeing to disobey the rule and the female encouraging such blatant disrespect of authority?
It would serve you right, if the CISF authorities dedicated to the metro would catch your male friend and make him a "murga" and do "uthak-baithak".
An insulting sit-up would at least shame him into not going against the rules, if not shame you!
A Glimpse into the Real 'Me'...
EDIT: This is the most edited post on any of my blogs. If you ever come across this (highly unlikely) and if you happen to like reading it (*giving you weird looks if you nod your head in affirmative*), then be sure to check back often. Coz this will keep changing as my vision of myself gets clearer! :P
I am a Saggi! The quintessential one! I am bound to fall anywhere & everywhere. I trip way too much. I am way too clumsy. (Psst... Its difficult balancing a human's torso on a horse's legs!)
I am the eternal optimist. I am a die-hard romantic. I just don't see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I want the world to be rosy enough, that those glasses are not required. I like giving everyone the benefit of doubt. I don't hold onto grudges. I never could, even if I tried.
The truth is I have my own set of 'fairies to please and demons to fight'; and I could seriously do without the drama.
I am not a bad person. I don't deliberately hurt someone. Trouble is often "sorries" aren't worth a dime, where a broken heart is concerned. 'Sorries' make me uncomfortable - whether I say them or whether the person in front of me is saying them. For me, I let go of my guilt when I see a smile directed at me from the person I have hurt. I have always been a 'forget rather than forgive' person. This helps me to internalize the anguish I feel when I feel hurt or when I feel guilty for the hurt I render someone. This also leads me to let go of many things in life, forget most things in life - not always the bad ones. So pardon me if I forget the good times. I try - to recollect some...
I am pretty damn smart (if I may say so about myself). I am a walking-talking encyclopedia for most stuff around. I can sprout off trivia from the tip of my tongue, off my head, at the moment, whatever term you would like to quote. My RAM is simply superb (courtesy to all those almonds I ate when I was young - jk ;-) ) You can say, I have a razor sharp memory, contradictory to my blanking out painful memories. I am a weirdo that ways!
I may not be the classical bookworm, but I am a voracious reader. I read just about anything and everything, except biographies (perhaps) and economics. I hate those - coz I probably do not understand them - either of the two. I can't make my head understand complicated money matters (simple ones are fine) and my heart understand the need to bare it all in a book. I much prefer this coward's way of giving away snippets of my life in an anonymous blog. Thank you very much! ;-)
I am a movie buff, not the greatest, but one still. I love watching movies - even the ones whose language I do not understand! When I was young, I used to watch the regional language film of the week, every Sunday on DD. That is the kind of dedication I have had for movies.
I aint an atheist. I just believe that religion should be something personal, that is to say between you and your God. A place of worship mostly complicates matters, especially when there is a congregation. If you are spending some alone time there by yourself, I am all for going to a place of worship.
I make friends easily, I converse a lot, I am a good listener. I have a crazy sense of humor. If its just plain ol' friendship one is looking for, I come across as the most approachable kinds. At the same time, I have always had an unapproachable aura around me as far as sexual interest goes. I have never been someone who attracts male attention just based on my looks. I am alright enough in the looks department if somewhat overweight. I may not be beautiful, but I can look pretty (sometimes... everyone does). Don't get me wrong - I do not lack self esteem. I see things the way they are. I am a work in progress!
I like strange things and some, not so strange ones.
I like the smell of petrol.
I like the smell of fresh paint.
I like the smell of rain... rather the smell of wet earth.
I like eating Pani Puri, Biryani, Popcorn, Chocolate; not in that particular order! :P
I like the color - black, of course!
I like putting a thin layer of fevicol on my finger tips and then removing the pseudo skin from the same fingers.
I like to keep shut in the mornings.
I like to blabber on in the day and way into the night.
I like movies, books - vicarious pleasures, you see! :-P
I like dogs... even street ones, so much so that I make friends with a dog too fast.
I like a street dog sleeping in the sun in winters. I feel like curling up next to him in the sun.
I like re-wrapping food remains & waste back into the original packing, while in flight or in train. Weirdo! :P
I do not have a sweet tooth; instead I have a salty one (even considering my low bp tendencies). However, I love Chocolate, but nothing sweet much else.
The best gift a guy can give a girl is not expensive clothes, not perfumes, not jewelry, not diamonds, not solitaire, not even a ring. But a charm bracelet. With a single significant charm on it, personal to just the two of them, and with a promise to give her a new charm for the same bracelet for future occasions. Why? Coz I think that it is his way of showing commitment to her for life and an unsaid promise to build future memories with her.
I have a will of iron. I strongly believe that if I have to, I can do anything. A testimony to my determination - I lost about 4 stones in the last 6 months & still counting! That also shows how much I have to lose! :P..... Psst... I am targeting wearing a bikini on a nude beach in Greece! (coz that is the only place I will feel comfortable in a bikini! :D)
I am lazy, I procrastinate stuff. I start a thing and I get bored by the time I have to complete it. I am not regular. If I had to get readers, they would get bored waiting for me to put up new stuff.
I compartmentalize stuff. I line up things, bulletize lists, segregate them. That is not to say I am tidy. My desk will be the most messy. But if you see any of my mails, they will be the most sorted out. All the 't's will be cut and the 'i's will be dotted. All punctuation marks will be in their places. All paragraphs in line. All lists will be numbered, even in personal mails. And if I see a 'set desk' I will invariably straighten it up so that each thing is equidistant from the other equivalent thing, or there will be a pattern in the set after I leave that desk. There is a strange method to my madness.
I'm opinionated. I have an opinion about everything. Even if I do not share it with you, which more often than not I won't if you are not close to me. And even when I do share opinions I won't share the thoughts swirling in the deepest, darkest or perhaps brightest corners of my mind. I have so many secrets; that my secrets have secrets! ;-)
So I took up to writing blogs, yes blogs.. coz I write too many of them... infrequently. There is no regularity. But again all of them are 'compartmentalized' There is one with lyrics to songs I like, then there is one to thoughts or words of famous or not so famous people I like, there is one with graffiti kind of statements, there is one with dreams I see (which is rare in itself) to interpret their meanings, there is one with poems I write on and off, there is one even with stories I thought of and there is one of my opinions as well. And they are all through my rose tinted glasses, only I pretend there are no glasses on my face - just contacts! See if you can find them all! :P
I am a Saggi! The quintessential one! I am bound to fall anywhere & everywhere. I trip way too much. I am way too clumsy. (Psst... Its difficult balancing a human's torso on a horse's legs!)
I am the eternal optimist. I am a die-hard romantic. I just don't see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I want the world to be rosy enough, that those glasses are not required. I like giving everyone the benefit of doubt. I don't hold onto grudges. I never could, even if I tried.
The truth is I have my own set of 'fairies to please and demons to fight'; and I could seriously do without the drama.
I am not a bad person. I don't deliberately hurt someone. Trouble is often "sorries" aren't worth a dime, where a broken heart is concerned. 'Sorries' make me uncomfortable - whether I say them or whether the person in front of me is saying them. For me, I let go of my guilt when I see a smile directed at me from the person I have hurt. I have always been a 'forget rather than forgive' person. This helps me to internalize the anguish I feel when I feel hurt or when I feel guilty for the hurt I render someone. This also leads me to let go of many things in life, forget most things in life - not always the bad ones. So pardon me if I forget the good times. I try - to recollect some...
I am pretty damn smart (if I may say so about myself). I am a walking-talking encyclopedia for most stuff around. I can sprout off trivia from the tip of my tongue, off my head, at the moment, whatever term you would like to quote. My RAM is simply superb (courtesy to all those almonds I ate when I was young - jk ;-) ) You can say, I have a razor sharp memory, contradictory to my blanking out painful memories. I am a weirdo that ways!
I may not be the classical bookworm, but I am a voracious reader. I read just about anything and everything, except biographies (perhaps) and economics. I hate those - coz I probably do not understand them - either of the two. I can't make my head understand complicated money matters (simple ones are fine) and my heart understand the need to bare it all in a book. I much prefer this coward's way of giving away snippets of my life in an anonymous blog. Thank you very much! ;-)
I am a movie buff, not the greatest, but one still. I love watching movies - even the ones whose language I do not understand! When I was young, I used to watch the regional language film of the week, every Sunday on DD. That is the kind of dedication I have had for movies.
I aint an atheist. I just believe that religion should be something personal, that is to say between you and your God. A place of worship mostly complicates matters, especially when there is a congregation. If you are spending some alone time there by yourself, I am all for going to a place of worship.
I make friends easily, I converse a lot, I am a good listener. I have a crazy sense of humor. If its just plain ol' friendship one is looking for, I come across as the most approachable kinds. At the same time, I have always had an unapproachable aura around me as far as sexual interest goes. I have never been someone who attracts male attention just based on my looks. I am alright enough in the looks department if somewhat overweight. I may not be beautiful, but I can look pretty (sometimes... everyone does). Don't get me wrong - I do not lack self esteem. I see things the way they are. I am a work in progress!
I like strange things and some, not so strange ones.
I like the smell of petrol.
I like the smell of fresh paint.
I like the smell of rain... rather the smell of wet earth.
I like eating Pani Puri, Biryani, Popcorn, Chocolate; not in that particular order! :P
I like the color - black, of course!
I like putting a thin layer of fevicol on my finger tips and then removing the pseudo skin from the same fingers.
I like to keep shut in the mornings.
I like to blabber on in the day and way into the night.
I like movies, books - vicarious pleasures, you see! :-P
I like dogs... even street ones, so much so that I make friends with a dog too fast.
I like a street dog sleeping in the sun in winters. I feel like curling up next to him in the sun.
I like re-wrapping food remains & waste back into the original packing, while in flight or in train. Weirdo! :P
I do not have a sweet tooth; instead I have a salty one (even considering my low bp tendencies). However, I love Chocolate, but nothing sweet much else.
The best gift a guy can give a girl is not expensive clothes, not perfumes, not jewelry, not diamonds, not solitaire, not even a ring. But a charm bracelet. With a single significant charm on it, personal to just the two of them, and with a promise to give her a new charm for the same bracelet for future occasions. Why? Coz I think that it is his way of showing commitment to her for life and an unsaid promise to build future memories with her.
I have a will of iron. I strongly believe that if I have to, I can do anything. A testimony to my determination - I lost about 4 stones in the last 6 months & still counting! That also shows how much I have to lose! :P..... Psst... I am targeting wearing a bikini on a nude beach in Greece! (coz that is the only place I will feel comfortable in a bikini! :D)
I am lazy, I procrastinate stuff. I start a thing and I get bored by the time I have to complete it. I am not regular. If I had to get readers, they would get bored waiting for me to put up new stuff.
I compartmentalize stuff. I line up things, bulletize lists, segregate them. That is not to say I am tidy. My desk will be the most messy. But if you see any of my mails, they will be the most sorted out. All the 't's will be cut and the 'i's will be dotted. All punctuation marks will be in their places. All paragraphs in line. All lists will be numbered, even in personal mails. And if I see a 'set desk' I will invariably straighten it up so that each thing is equidistant from the other equivalent thing, or there will be a pattern in the set after I leave that desk. There is a strange method to my madness.
I'm opinionated. I have an opinion about everything. Even if I do not share it with you, which more often than not I won't if you are not close to me. And even when I do share opinions I won't share the thoughts swirling in the deepest, darkest or perhaps brightest corners of my mind. I have so many secrets; that my secrets have secrets! ;-)
So I took up to writing blogs, yes blogs.. coz I write too many of them... infrequently. There is no regularity. But again all of them are 'compartmentalized' There is one with lyrics to songs I like, then there is one to thoughts or words of famous or not so famous people I like, there is one with graffiti kind of statements, there is one with dreams I see (which is rare in itself) to interpret their meanings, there is one with poems I write on and off, there is one even with stories I thought of and there is one of my opinions as well. And they are all through my rose tinted glasses, only I pretend there are no glasses on my face - just contacts! See if you can find them all! :P
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