And over a period of time, I grew up(!!???) ......

I guess it happened in 2003,a year after I started working.A manager was moved to our business for various reasons of which,him being extremely difficult to handle was the primary.He would never refuse to help anybody with technical issues on the floor and wouldn't hesitate to take escalated calls.He was a good friend but was known for a hot temper and shouting at people when they failed to meet expectations irrespective of their grades.Needless to say his peers and managers feared confronting him but he was always nice to techs.

Though I was not in his team we got along very well,he was also childlike (nah,I was childlike and he was childish at times.Shhh,don't tell him that ;-)). It was easy for me as I was clueless about his reputation of a tough nut ( I guess it does not matter anymore as we are still friends and he's still the same person) and the fact that he was closer to my hubby (Eddie and I were not married then but knew each other quite well) might have helped me befriend him.

Eddie had just returned from one of his off-sites from somewhere and had gifted me with several cute articles and also a small bottle of nail paint.It was early in the morning around 4 or 5 I believe and we had just logged out for the day.It had become a routine for couple of us to hang out together for a short while before boarding our respective cabs.As I was waiting for a friend from another team to log out I just went up to this manager-guy for a short conversation but he was busy on a call. I had nothing to do and was anyway waiting for my other friends to log out so I sat down by him,took out my nail paint to paint my nails but changed my mind and instead started painting his nails. As I have mentioned already he was busy yelling at somebody over the phone and didn't take notice of what I was doing (senseless creature,I wonder!). I was done painting at the same time as he was done with his call and he realized I was sitting next to him.


He turned to wish me but stopped himself as I was smiling.He asked me what was wrong and I held his hands before him showing his grey nails also told him " show it to your mom" and giggled. He shook his hands and pretended to be ok ( I must remind you all that he was boiling on the call a few minutes ago and I never realized he could get upset but poor him didn't want to shout at me for some reason,I guess).He pulled my cheeks and said " go home chubby". By then my friend joined me and we left.


On the way back home I was telling her about the incident and we were laughing.Imagine, a guy with that kind of image showing off his nails painted,I'm sure it's embarrassing,isn't it?I never realized,I was surely a kid.Then there was another thought struck to both of us and we called him.By then he also had reached home,so my friend started asking him 
" so ,(his name) did you show your nails to your mom?". She kept on repeating that and we both were laughing as if it was a big practical joke ( Now if I think of it,I find it so weird that we laughed so much and found it that funny...yeah,you sure are doing the same).Our cab stopped somewhere as a guy was getting off and then we moved on.We were still on the phone with him and he said he was getting another call,so he had to hang up with us.After a couple of minutes he called us back and told us " You know what? an old tech of mine called me to ask if I have shown my nails to my mom.Do you realize there are people in the cab beside you guys,rite?". We paused for a minute and asked him the same question again " have you shown your nails to your mom???".He laughed with us.


I know it's not a big story but when I think of those times of fun and carelessness,this is one such moment I can never forget.Not because it was a big practical joke(as I have already mentioned) but because you can never judge a book by its cover. A man with such an image was not intolerant,rude or image conscious.I feel his presentation at work was not appropriate to reflect his intentions.He still is a good friend and hasn't changed a bit and we love him.And over a period of time, I grew up(!!???) with people like him and my hubby and learnt how to behave ;-)

My hubby is smart and I am a Broadway actor :-)

Arms wide in the air - I am a Broadway actor!

" We shall surely make it if it doesn't rain" was my word(s?!) to a friend who called to invite us to his sister's wedding. As well remember,a fortnight it rained for a week or so everyday,thanks to JAL and therefore I was not very sure of driving from one part of Bengalooru to another on a Saturday evening.

Like a caring brother,he must have doubled his visits to the temple to ensure his sister's wedding was carried through without much of trouble or so I believe,otherwise why would the lord of rains Mr.Varundev took a break on that weekend.As a result,we drove down to that part of Bengalooru to attend the wedding reception and we were happy we could meet our dear friends after a long time.

Mostly,the wedding halls in Bengalooru don't have parking area in-built and I wonder why.Luckily this particular one did facilitate basement parking partially as some parts of it was being used as kitchen.So there was not much space to turn,reverse and all but we were happy we didn't have to worry about finding a place but one thing. Though there were a couple of them helping people park and retrieve,the entrance was very steep and it didn't occur to us as to how steep it was until much later.

Anyway,we entered the hall after having our car parked in the basement and met up with that friend whose sister was getting married and also with many others. Went through all the rigmaroles that one usually does from settling with friends in one corner to going up on the stage to wish the new couple and pose for the video/photo and then to the dining hall and then back to the exit.These circle of events were followed religiously,after all we have been doing this for many years now and now we are sort of experts when it comes to making a presence at someone else's family function even if the couple are known to us or not! Yeah,true but we make sure to have a present to compensate for the food !!!!

That night, we took leave and went to parking.I threw my handbag at the back and I exchanged my cell phone to my son who was with my hubby and we both sat down. Eddie came from other side,plopped himself in the driving seat,took out his wallet to pay the parking guys but as he had to move the car he threw my phone and his valet in the front to pay them once we were out.Once we all seated comfortably in my hubby accelerated to make the car climb up....vroom vroom vroom (hehehehe just like as induction motors.Isn't it?) but no,it wouldn't climb up. He tried several times and only then we realized how steep was it and there not much space behind to go back and try again.One of the guys over who were helping with vehicles offered to do that for us.Though my hubby was skeptical he agreed to let him do it for us and got out with some money in hand to give it to the guy who was going to help us and I was still sitting inside.That guy was very quick, he got in then vrooooooooooom and we were out.Eddie paid him and got back to the car and we moved.

Eddie was all praises for that guy and he was telling me he would do it if there was enough space at the back but he was impressed that the other guy did it with so much.We had moved a little ahead and he was done with talking about more exciting stuff like parking,just then I realized I had to return a call which was on hold since we were in the hall.When I looked to find my phone I couldn't and my hubby said he kept it with his wallet and neither we could find that one.Who could do that? who ELSE could do that???? We felt disappointed in that guy after having appreciated him to the glory :-(

We drove back and reached the place.Eddie didn't know what to say and he got out looking for the guy.He started walking towards him after spotting him out in some corner talking to another guy.Just then I heard a phone ringing and looked down in the direction under the driver seat.My phone was lying there next to Eddie's wallet and must have fallen down as the car was moving upwards on that steep path while moving out of the parking.I felt sorry for not having looked properly before blaming somebody.I didn't know what to do but I had to stop Eddie before he got into some awkward and embarrassing conversation with that guy,so I called out his name aloud and my god was I too loud because with him a lot of people turned to look at me and that guy was one among them.I smiled(trying to be gentle) and said to Eddie(not that loud again) " You could ask that guy" and pointed my phone held hand in the direction of the same guy.Eddie looked confused for a while but then (thanks to my overacting) he got the point once he looked at the phone in my hand and wallet in the other and both arms stretched out wide in the air like some Broadway actor!

After a couple of minutes,when he returned to the car I asked him what did he manage to tell that guy.He said he told him we got stuck somewhere getting out of that location so returned to ask somebody to help us out.

Hehehe,my hubby is smart and I am a Broadway actor :-)

I'm not a Patriot !

Bush,Laden,Advani,.....no I'm none of them.Indeed, I'm a very ordinary person who's often referred to as 'Comman (Wo/)Man' and hence my view point on any (inter/)national issues will not affect anything.I know that but as the saying goes,as I perceive a few things do change on some tangent along the changes I make.So here's change!

Author of my vision

Till a few months ago, I was holding lot of things against Afghanistan ( and that was not the only place on my list).But reading the two amazing pieces of Khaled has mostly changed my opinion.


When I read  his books I learnt about his country which was no different than mine,people who were as harmless as mine except for those moral polices who sprang up around the late 70s under different outfits and continue to dictate the rest of the population in the name of religion.I feel sad for those who supported these groups initially and voluntarily hoping to have a better future but ended up being mere puppets.I wonder what would happen to all of us if we encourage our moral polices !!!!


I have realized one thing now. Nowhere in the world a common man population worries about the geographical area of its nation as long as there's harmony and peace between them.I don't want to be a patriot if it means being possessive of one set practices which may turn into terrorism for the people living on the other side of the border.If those people are like mine why would I want to hurt them and I believe all around the globe people aren't any different from one another.It's only a minor population who tries to be in power to hurt the other.

Thanks to Khaled for lending me his eyes to look at things differently and for giving me a worthwhile vision.
Now I can say I'm not a patriot but I'm just a human being who has faith in nothing but humanity.

I'm flying kites ! :-)

I bet we cannot explain everything we feel,reading ' The Kite Runner' was one of those things. It was a lovely feeling,I wanted to kiss Khaled on the back of his palm and say what a good job he had done ! It touched my heart and I felt emotional more than I thought I would.

The novel reflects so many aspects of life and it ends with a real positive note though it was a fiction.I heard SRK saying  '...Agar theek na ho to woh 'the end' nahin hai dosto, picture abhi baaki hai' in my head.

I loved 'Hassan' from the beginning. I know it's a fictional character but as one says 'art imitates life' it has to be inspired by someone from the authors life,I believe. How could someone be so pure at heart and yet strong like a rock...! I felt jealous of Amir (his friend and narrator of the story in the book) for having a friend like him,I felt jealous of his mother for having a son like him,I felt jealous of his son for having a father like him !!!! Why do I get so involved with a book...kinda hard to say :-)

 From making a mistake and feeling guilty all along the life to gaining confidence to overcome the weakness and standing up for the self and people,was indeed, a great journey and well portrayed by Mr.Hosseini.My next mission is to watch this on screen :-)

I'm an addict !

Addiction is killing....nah,it's not one of those you want to get rid of. When I make some tea and pour it into a mug I know there's one more mugful tea left in the kettle as I'm not used to making just one.I'm so used to waiting in the night for Ed to come home,I can't fall asleep even after midnight.When I sleep with great difficulty,I turn to wrap my arms around nothing next to me and I wake up.........!!!!
 

Yeah I'm so addicted to my hubby I feel sad that he's away for a couple of days.I know it's only for four days but you know it feels like one LAMBEE JUDAI.......!

He's there,I'm here and I know one of us is in the wrong place because I'm missing him :-)

I'm jealous of my Son !!!??

"Why hasn't she gone to the school?" My dad almost shouted at my paternal aunt, who was our caretaker as both my parents were working.My aunt,who was scared of my father as the rest of us,squealed  "she's not feeling well." My father looked at me again as I struggled to change sides due to illness and left the room without asking any more questions.

I'm the youngest of four daughters of my parents.My father was a head master of a govt. school and as well as at home. He would never take off from working unless he was physically unable to move and would expect the very same thing from all of us including my mother.He was never a filmy kinda father who would care for his children during some emotional outbursts or simply when they needed some care and affection. He always maintained some kind of a distance from all of us.My mother on the other hand,was also a working woman- a teacher in a govt. school, would always have lesser time for us as opposed to the non-working mothers but would still try to cater to our needs.(Now that I think of that,I feel I didn't take up any job after becoming a mother was because of her limited time for family) .It mostly used to be my older sisters who would pamper me a lot and take care of me whenever I fell ill.All three of them had amazing amount of maternal skills! I had no complaints till recently.I was sure it was a very normal middle-class family conditions of 80s and 90s.

Taken when Neil was a li'l over a month old!

My son was not well last week and then he fell ill with terrible cold with the beginning of this week and believe me,it's not just these two weeks! Whenever he's fallen ill,I have noticed a wonderful thing that makes me envy my own son! Yes indeed,I'm talking about his dad! I feel surprised at how much this man does for his son.He puts his son on his chest (because Neil has a breathing problem due to a lot of phlegm) and sleeps on a bean bag(not even a couch or bed) all night,he sacrifices watching cricket to keep watching rhymes because it soothes his son,the moment he hears him crying over the phone he comes home earlier than I could have asked for. He prefers to sleep next to him and wakes up at the slightest noise he makes.It's endless....!!!!!!

I'm sure most  of the fathers now are like this but for me who was raised very conventionally,it surprises me even more because I haven't seen even my BILs doing any of this.And that's why I'm very jealous of my son but I love my husband even more as a father :-)

 

For the love of Bond...Women Only !?

No,I'm not a James Bond movie fan,my addiction is limited to Pierce Brosnan.It may also be that I'm biased but I feel he's the best looking bond ever(so far)!There may be conflicting views from the fans of Sean Connery (a strong one being from my dad....well,another conflict)!

He was more charming in non-bond(if there's a phrase like that) movies.I remember watching him in 'The Mirror has Two Faces' but the one I liked a lot(in the non-bond movie category) was the remake of The Thomas Crown affair(1968).I always felt his X-factor increased gradually with each of his movies.

His chivalrous behavior,smooth talk and of course the charming,disarming smile...he sure has license to kill.Thanx to Star Movies for bringing 'for the love of Bond' series to the audience.Awwwwww, did I make it a 'women only' post ;-)

Hope I succeed in fighting the Self!

As we grow up we tend to have a lot of conflicting views with our parents,don't we? I have had my moments of arguments and disagreements too. Couple of months ago my dad and I had a small argument over nothing(I can't remember why) and hadn't corresponded with each other till last week. Yeah,I still have my adolescence hiding somewhere which surfaces now and then!

Last week my sister called up to tell me that my dad had a blockage in the same valve of the heart which was replaced 4 years ago and he would have to undergo a surgery sometime this week.That was the time I called my parents and spoke to them and surprisingly they responded as if nothing had happened between us and I was ashamed!There are a lot of things I have learnt from them and a special one being playing the role of a parent.This time again,they lived up to the level they had been placed.

And then it put me in a different thought,what if I hadn't got a chance to speak to him at all after the argument we had had. What a painful thought?!Not having to speak to a person you have hurt,not having a chance to apologize and set things right...it's dreadful,isn't it? Today I realize the role of being human and the value of being affectionate (if you have known them or not doesn't matter). I have revised my prayers now,I ask for the strength to keep away from being rude to people whatever the given circumstances are.Hope I succeed in fighting the Self!

My house is haunted.....!!!!

When I woke up this morning I had no idea what was I going to open my eyes to.It didn't feel different,so I was not on my guard.I never believed in the haunted theories till I actually felt there was something wrong that day after I got off the bed.

I went straight to the wash basin,grabbed my toothbrush and applied toothpaste on it.....nope,that was not unusual people!I'm only describing in an order of the events that took place.Now go on reading.....yeah,I finished brushing my teeth with my half closed eyes and to wash my sleep coated eyelids I washed my face and opened my eyes completely in the basin.Oops,what do I find there? a pair of my home ware socks which by then were dripping.That was the beginning and I still was not aware of what was in store for me.

I moved on to prepare breakfast and opened the refrigerator to get the vegetables from the bottom cabinet and OUCH,I touched something soft nice and cold!!! It was a small pillow my son used to entertain me with.Ah,by then I had SOME idea of what was going on.While it was on my mind,I started making some tea simultaneously but had to cut down on my thoughts as my pet bottle of sugar was missing from its place.I searched for it but failed.I served the sugarless tea to my hubby(which he was happy to drink....diet you see) and told him I misplaced my sugar bottle.
Soon after a while I had to switch the cooking gas cylinders.I turned it off and pulled the other cylinder to make a connection.Something dropped off it and I turned to look...it was my pet bottle sugar!

No the story doesn't end here......it's still going on.I find Ed's pair of spectacles in one of the shoes,door keys in the empty water can,a stress buster ball in the washing machine,keypad of the remote(separated from the remote controller) on my dressing table,batteries in the vacuum cleaner box....I hope the list ends too but I know it won't for some more time.

Hehehehe,I kinda love my little devil and the way he makes me feel haunted.It's sorta cute but sometimes I hope it ends!!!!! Pray for me :-)

Because it's real only then!

Lakshya was the first movie Ed and I watched together.Though we were not dating back in 2004,we just happened to watch a movie together.I miss watching movies with him in the theater(nah...nothing naughty,just watching.We have always watched only movies- may be boring but yeah,it's true!).There are a zillion things I miss doing now.
* Frequent visits to Coffee day/Barista.
* Ride on Ed's bullet.(We can still go for it on his pulsar but it won't be just two of us anymore and I won't be able to sit close to him whispering in his ears).
* Talking over cell phone.
* Walking on the green-grass holding hands.
* Waiting for each other at the end of shifts.
* Him dropping me home after my shift which would end early in the morning (around 5am/6am)

The list may go on but getting married was not an end to it.It was a new beginning.I loved all the things we did together(yeah,sure you can smile).Most of the time Ed and I used to have different shifts with different WOs.We managed through it.Waking up when the other came home,having coffee early in the morning like 2/3,Ed would even tell me what happened in my favorite soap the day I missed.It really was a different experience when we two got married.

Now that we have a baby and it's a no,no to go to a theater to watch a movie,coffee day,bike rides and watching soaps as well.We spend most of the time catering to his needs and then whatever we talk revolves around him.We sleep and wake up at his mercy!!!!This is one of the things I get to do when he's sleeping....recollecting what we did and it makes me happy that we have always been together!

I may miss the moments Ed and I used to spend together but today we are closer to each other than we ever were and I'm sure each phase of life will bring us closer to each other than the previous one.I guess,this is called bonding for life.I'm sure it has happened to many but it's special when it actually happens to you because it's real only then!

She continues to play the role all along her life....!

There are times when my mom tells me "Why don't you leave your son with us for sometime,we will look after him for a while and you can do things that may revive you"! I smile and say " Yeah,will do it sometime".But I wonder if I will be ever able to let him go away from me(in any context) and if that could revive me in any sense!I remember the day when he was in NICU(neonatal ICU- ICU for new borns) due to jaundice.I couldn't wait to see him.

That reminds me of an episode of a mother who hadn't seen her newborn from the day she was born for 20 days!Yes,there was a lady who gave birth to a baby girl before the gestation was over (around 7 months) which was underweight and had some health issues.She(baby) didn't cry soon after she was taken out from the womb(and apparently it's a problem).The baby was in the ICU under photo therapy kind of stuff and could not be removed even for nursing.So the mother had to use a pump to express her milk into a bottle every time for 20days without even seeing the baby as nobody is allowed inside that environment where babies are kept except the staff.There's no hell which could be as torturous as this one.

Whenever we crossed path to nurse the babies or express milk,we could see her sitting in one corner and expressing the milk looking into a null zone.I once saw that woman's father who was in tears talking about her and how painful it was to her that she would beg her father to get the baby and take the two home.Being a new mother I could know how she felt(of course it could be 1000 times more than what I could understand).

One fine day(I guess it was the day I was getting discharged and they were going to give my son to me - forever) when I walked in,I saw her sitting in a corner not doing anything,she was kneading her palms,rubbing her forehead and looked very restless.In a while,one of the staff member came to her with a tiny thing wrapped in a soft white cloth and we knew it was her baby.It was the first time she was going to hold her.They placed the baby on her chest making the baby feel the contact with the mother's skin and she was told this would be done everyday from then on for 10 mins (but nursing was still not allowed). The baby was too small,probably half of my son's body length.I was very happy to see the mother,her face was wet and brightly lit up,she didn't know what to do.She hugged her little one as she sat there looking somewhere in the space trying to digest the fact that she was feeling her daughter.

Baby looked little discomforted,it was equally struggling and was making feeble sounds but wasn't crying.I slowly shifted my focus to mother where I could see the baby's pain in her eyes and tears rolling down on her cheeks.Yes,it's true that the moment baby is born the mother is also born and she continues to play the role all along her life....!

Because, when I say I want to feel I could be misinterpreted!!

It was the wedding reception of one of Ed's colleagues we were scheduled to attend that Sunday evening.That previous night we couldn't sleep well as my son was in a mood for more comedy.Looks like he has inherited the non-genetic (dis)order from both of us as we were doing US shifts earlier.Ed skipped his mass next morning as we all overslept and woke up around brunch time to have a ready-made early lunch.

It's actually proven that sleeping burns more calories than watching TV. I guess that's why we both were feeling exhausted.(In spite of my good sleeping habits to burn more calories I haven't lost much of weight. I may be an Exceptional case!!!).A lot of team effort and Ed's motivating speech resulted in all 3 of us getting ready to leave for the reception.By the time we left it was around 7pm and I was already hungry due to an early lunch.The moment we entered the hall I made sure to locate where the buffet was arranged and what was in for us for dinner.Don't you agree,looking at food (when you are hungry too) gives rise to a new Niagara???(my neighbor says same thing about her grand dad but when Viagra is involved)

I'm,sometimes, like Mr.Monk or Monica Geller(F.R.I.E.N.D.S). I virtually switch places with either of them when I find something very artistic related to cleaning.There were bundles of nice quality napkins kept on the side table which took my eye and for quite a few minutes I forgot about food and was looking at the napkins.I convinced Ed to choose a table which was closer to this side table and sat down.Nah,I never wanted to steal but just feel(yeah,I'm like that when it's something related to cleaning as I said but what I meant was cleaning the house and nothing else because when I say I want to feel I could be misinterpreted).

There was a lady who came with her big family and wanted to occupy some of the empty chairs at the table where we sat.After Neil's birth,any function we attend,Ed and I take turns to have food which in turn leaves one of us taking care of Neil.So my hubby had gone to get his food while I was looking after him.So,I had to tell that woman to let at least one empty chair for my hubby for which she stared at me and let her two kids to sit there before moving on the table next.I smiled but she continued staring at me as she sat at the next table.When it was my turn to have food,you have no idea,how happy I was.I couldn't even stare at my hubby's plate as that woman kept on staring at me as if she had to keep an eye on whatever I was doing.I wonder if she knew I liked the stalked napkins!

I brought my food to the table with 2 napkins I was longing to feel(I had 3 totally as I snatched the one from my hubby when that woman was looking at the Newlyweds.(Oh,newlyweds were finally lucky at least some one was looking at them).I was so hungry and I wanted to stuff everything from the plate into my mouth all at once(as it is I don't understand eating elegantly.You say food and say elegant ...what an antonym).I took a look at the woman if she was looking at me before I got started with my masterly work but there she was,looking curiously as if she got the hint of my thoughts.Some how I had to eat like a lady(my inner voice was screaming,'let me eat like a hungry woman').I had one more mission,stuffing those napkins in my bag.Every time I made an excuse to open the bag,she got even more curious and didn't steal her look from me at all(not even for courtesy sakes!!!!). Does it happen to anyone else???? Even if you stare back or politely smile back do people continue to look at you as if they know your motive,especially when you don't want to be seen doing something(like wiping your wet nose on the sleeve,licking your finger/plate after having food,smelling your armpit...etc)

At last,I guess the guy above lent his mysterious hands,he sent the parents of one of the newlyweds to their table making sure that woman got distracted and phew! I had a chance to shove it in my bag and take a deep breath!!!!!!By the time the lady looked back at me,I stepped out with my bag only to be joined by my hubby carrying Neil.

Looks like Ed thanked that woman who was the reason for my lady-like-eating- style while having dinner!

Do men find sanctity between the legs of a Woman?

I was happy when I read Yesterday's TOI,for there was a mention of the famous female actor of South India,Khushboo.It said the charges pressed against her were dismissed....finally!Sex is a taboo in India,speaking about it is forbidden(especially for Women of India) and pre-marital sex is non-existent(yeah,rite!)

Khushboo was accused of corrupting the sanctity(??!!) of women by talking about pre-marital sex and not making a big deal if they are not virgin at the time of marriage.How could this possible corrupt anybody's sanctity.Do men find sanctity between the legs of a Woman? So if she keeps her legs crossed till she get married,could she be labled 'Holy Cross'!!!!

The Tulsi plant is,botanically,named as Ocimum Sanctum.Is it because of the nature of the plant or on the virginity basis....too complex,isn't it? Sex is the integral part of a committed relationship beyond the wedlock's,one of the ways to keep your partner happy,part of life.Then how could it be corruptible???? Forget about the act,in India there are these kind of men who think of it as a crime if a woman talks about it.They want the Indian women to remain innocent about it even if she's married and had kids.Are you nuts or have you lost some???

I'm happy atleast now that the supreme court met the expectations of sensible people.
I'm sure Vatsayana will be happy too ;-)(I'm confused,isn't this guy an Indian?)

It's natural for man-to-man love to exist..!!!!

It was like watching Tata Sky when everybody was watching cable TV!

Last Saturday night,RCB had just secured the third place and we weren't sleepy.It was not an overwhelming match,it's just that we were not sleepy,at the same time we were scared to watch a movie as our previous history of selection of movies was proven to be very disappointing.With great courage,we decided to watch GOA(a Tamil Movie).

There was no one well known in the movie and the story was not built around any dynamic southern hero,actually there was no story !!!!...."again???" you might ask.
That was the key point people,there was only a screen play formed around a set of people.Basically,movie was neither crowded nor loud.It was a fun movie which had no food for thoughts but only laughs!They finally proved that no-story movies could also be made with that effect.

Three friends land in GOA with the sole intention of fooling any white girl into wed locks to get exported.Three guys who are from a remote place in TN are joined by two veteran Tamil Goans and their journey through their women's heart(!?).With so many guys around,it's natural for man-to-man love to exist which forms another love story.
It has a tinge of (hilarious)thriller masala as well.Derivation - "good to watch"

And my friend Sriram,Simbu has made a special appearance with his Manmathan Killer role reference and according to me,this is Simbu's best movie! Those guys like us(Ed and me) out there,it's a must watch weekend movie and I'm sure addition of alcohol will have a reeling feeling !!!!!

Intentionally Intensified !

"And then he took out his gun, aiming at his head.It didn't look like the job of a professional but the intentions were quite strong.He was not sure whether his fingers were rightly on what's known as trigger and neither did he know the kind of stuff it was filled with." The story goes a long way but nobody knew his moves and the only reason I know is I'm related to him and I was right there when he was trying out something like that.

It was one of those hot summer days with sweat dripping across the forehead and when people hate themselves for wearing anything.It was his b'day and he knew there would be a lot of people at home to celebrate.One of those occasions he was expected/told to behave and oblige.He ignored the outfit kept for him at the corner of the bed and peeped from his room through the drapes to get a glimpse of what was coming,more people to tell him what to do and judge him(according to his parents) by what they see.He pulled the drapes and his curious mind remembered what he saw in his parents closet.The thought was more exciting than the party which was about to be taken place.

He checked to confirm there was nobody in or close to the room and opened the closet with the keys he had already found when none was noticing.He found the box and without any delay ripped it open.He knew what would happen for not obeying the orders but his excitement got the better of him and that's how he found the gun finally he was looking for.He ran outside holding it between his fingers without anything on him.....naked! The guests were surprised to see something unexpected like this.He shrieked with joy standing in the middle of them with the gun pointing to his head.It was the first time he was using it and I was quite surprised to see his ability to use it with such a comfort.Just then he pulled the trigger and the water started sprinkling out from the gun ! Yes,it was my 3 year old son trying his water gun bought as a gift and should have opened during the party.Anyway,he was very happy to see what he had got and so were we !


(Sent to and was Shortlisted by Living My Passion Group.
Guidelines were - Either start or End with "And then he took out his gun, aiming at his head....' and not more than 400 words.)

I was Head Over Heels with Kishore...!!!!!

It was raining this afternoon and hence the climate was cool.Most of the time we all prefer to get inside the blankets and stay put until we are tired of lazing or sleeping.But there are those rare moments when you think of the company while experiencing a pleasant weather amidst hot summer days.Rain,Coffee and Music what a great combo,none of the multiplexes can offer a thing close to that.

We generally like the kind of music we grew up listening to.There's a huge difference in the music now and then.Probably my son will cherish today's music but for me,it's always the era of Kishore and Rafi......These days,people are in a hurry to compose music to make it popular and we have singers like Anu Malik and Himesh.I don't know if anybody wants to listen to their music when it's raining.You don't worship your music,it won't feel divine; as divine as Kishore makes me feel with 'Rim jhim gire saawan...',or Rafi with 'Ehsaan tera hoga mujh par...'....it's a pretty big list.

It was the kind of music/voice that touched people's souls,made them fall in love.It was no fault of mine if I were head over heels with Kishore or felt like saying 'Qubool' to Rafi!!!!!They always made sure everbody had their heart in the right place.They have almost covered all the areas of human emotions with their song,so it's like there's a song for each season.I would like to say a lot about Lata and Asha as well but it won't fit the frame in which I adore the male singers! Hehehehe,but that's not an excuse not to talk about them,probably next season!

(It's just a rainy day and a post under the influence of caffeine).

Nanjanagoodu Trip-2

Tried my best not to write the second part as it involved a lot of tragedy. It's basically shaving my year old son's head,so it's very obvious that the event was very traumatic for him. As I was watching him going through that it was tragic for me.Other than that nothing happened but we returned home safely and hence part-2 ends here !!!!

Why the hell people make romantic love-stories....

Have you guys heard of a movie 'Vinnaithandi Varuvaya'(meaning,Shall you come from the stars)...yeah,yeah wish we didn't too.Like they say,when something bites you generally tend to do stuff out of the blue.No,I didn't bite my hubby neither did he bit me,the derivation could be 'bad luck doesn't depend on bites'.

Since all 3 of us were down with bad health we decided to stay home last weekend and wanted to feel better before next week commenced.As a rule we thought of watching a feel-good movie.With reference to the past records(with a few exceptions) we decided on Gautham Menon's movie named Vinnaithandi Varuvaya,value addition was A R Rehman.

It was a pretty inspiring movie.It was so inspiring that I forgot about writing my Nanjanagoodu Trip - 2 and wanted to write about this one.Also it's so motivating that I wanted to kill those who reviewed and rated the movie.I don't remember the last time I watched a very romantic love story (in Indian cinema) since '........',well it turns out don't remember the name either.

A boy meets girl.....a girl meets boy....they meet agian....and again,well it was a long story(!?) their meeting ended when the DVD player switched to stand-by.As far as the 'love' was concerned,we had to look them up from the stars.For a hard-core romantic person,it's a great disappointment.It doesn't feel anything close to watching Amitabh-Rekha,Nasiruddin Shah-Sanjana Kapoor,Kamal-Jyothika,Julia roberts-Richard Gere,Meg-Billy.Then why the hell people make romantic love-stories and Rehman what's wrong with your music??????

Nanjanagoodu Trip - 1

As always happens(atleast with us)our well planned program didn't yield a good output.I had told a hundred people about our Nanjanagoodu-trip and was looking for the best excuse when we woke up that morning we were supposed to have left.

We were supposed to have left by 5:30am as per the plan and we woke up only by 6:30am with great difficulty.Eddie asked me if we were not going and I looked at him trying to say something with half opened eyes but that itself must have given a strong message that he shook me off in order to wake me up (like that would help!). He started in a tone which he might have gotten used to while playing a manager at work counseling his reportee. If not that what else can scare me off.....he knows me too well,hence I got dressed with in 15mins (I remember,one of my manager's,say Paul, used to make us wait for hours together with his post-shift meetings during the wee hours).

I guess we were meant to visit the temple otherwise how else would you explain a series of continuous events that took place in the favor of 3 of us. We hadn't interacted much with a Malayalee family in our neighborhood reason being,they could not follow what I was speaking ( I cannot put on a Malayalee accent even if I make 100 attempts....(sigh)) and I could not differentiate between many of the languages they tried to speak (Malayalam,Tamil,Kannada and English.....should have tried Hindi but it never occurred to me).When we got off the house to go to the nearest bus-stop
(Uh,first stop was at no where less than 2kms) the Malayalee couple were ready to go to work and were getting into their car when the man looked at us and said something we couldn't follow....owing to obligation we both gave a broad smile.I guess he was happy we smiled at his super joke of the morning and offered a lift.Again,obligation...so we took it :-) Once we were inside I could understand whatever they were speaking and was able to respond well. I was happy about my communication and listening skills (after all that was my work ;-)).

Once we got off I told Eddie how proud I was of myself to understand Malayalam though I knew pea nuts about it.He laughed and said the couple were speaking in English.I guess that man was really able to crack a joke.Well,good for him!
Within no time we got into a Volvo to reach bus-station to go to Mysore. Once we reached KSRTC bus-station we went looking for a custom-made bus for Ed (I mean,not the bus but the seats/space in the bus).When we got into one of the Volvos it was already packed with people and we had to take a backseat which kept other passengers wondering that why were taking a backseat when we looked married and already was carrying a kid.No kidding !

Soon after we got off in Mysore a not-so-custom-made but was waiting for us like we had booked it in advance.Nanjanagoodu is a religious place which is 21km from Mysore,so without a second thought we got in and reached the place.

Rest....???? Next !!!!!

P.S : No offense to Malayalees or the language,it is about this one family.

Funniest was the Climax...!

Watching a movie is definitely a refreshment especially when you are a movie buff and you can easily be turned off if it's a great bluff.We(Ed and I) recently watched MNIK and was seeing the same stars above our head which was given to the movie by The Times and other known entities......all stars put together we could hardly make out the true intention of Mr.Johar-Khan!

I wonder what small people do when they get humiliated because big shots can afford to make movies just because they get(/feel) humiliated by the foreign security systems meant for everybody's safety!!!! When stardom gets to one's head they always expect to get exempted from everything.

We have plenty of hot blood running through our fat(!?) veins and it's carved in our (sub)conscious minds to memorize our religion and to stand by it so much so that even a differently abled (what is it... asperger's syndrome???)person is shown how great he is and it's not by his achievement or performance but by the religion he's born in. Why are we so insecure? Why do we need to make a movie to constantly assure ourselves of our identity? Why don't we follow actions or achievements???

Funniest was the climax where he gets to meet the president. I was not sure what was the point Mr.Johar-Khan was trying to prove? I feel sad for Kajol for having played a weak character. I liked Mama-Jenny though...quite a character!Anyway,movie was all about The Shahrukh Khan and there was nothing in it for the audience.I'm glad it ended and hope they don't come up with any sequel :)

So it is not only Shahrukh.....

Can you imagine waking up at 5am everyday when the days used to end at 11pm ????? Right,like any middle class family my parents had a dream (which I fulfilled,somehow...(sigh)) that I should become a doctor or an engineer.I wish I could delete 5am to 11pm in my watch.

Every morning I would hope the alarm didn't ring which I would set the previous night without fail. I got so used to it I learnt waking up without one.Nevertheless I cursed every person responsible for it (except myself). When I was school I wouldn't like to wake up for Saturday's morning class and in high-school it became worse. I hoped for something better later but in vain. My PUC class tuition was held at utmost secret as it was banned so these took place at an odd hour like 3:30am. All parents became the escorts.

I hoped for a better thing when I joined BE in Hassan. Owing to the weather sleep was a luxury everybody longed for would never get. Our classes used to begin at 7am EVERYDAY! Staying at hostel it was even worse as we needed to wake up Early to book the boiler and to get hot water to bathe. I was just waiting to complete my degree and hoped for a better time later. When I joined Dell contact center it was like a fresh episode of a same season.

I never realized it was a lesson taught for me until I had a baby. Now SLEEP is not a luxury but a necessity we( Ed and I) long for. So it is not only Shahrukh who's going around teaching lessons,my less-than-a-year old son can teach even better - which is 'face your fears' !

First unofficial Arangetram !

Everybody knows how much a mother cares for her child and I'm one such mother who cares for her son's hygiene. I'm always careful(sometimes too much,as my hubby feels) about where we take him and what touches his skin. We generally carry a bottle of sanitizer wherever we take him and offer it to whoever comes home!

Today was the first time we took him to a play ground where a corporate cricket match was being played(one of teams was Ed's office team). It was in the sunny afternoon where the heat waves were amplified to a greater frequency. Neil opened his eyes, for the first time, to a burning day-out and almost changed his color to crimson by the time we reached the playground.(Our car acted as a catalyst which was almost like an oven.)

His colleagues were happy to see Ed,a family man, after a long time. Neil widened his eyes and gave a broader smile to all of them which encouraged them to interact with him. Ed was happy showing his son the play ground and the fellow-players.He was just waiting to introduce Neil to cricket-accessories(bat,ball,gloves,pads,etc) and it was THE chance for him.Today,for the first time, neither the mud-packed trousers and jerseys or the dirty gloves stopped Neil from feeling what his Pa felt for cricket.Today was his arangetram.......though not official :)

May St.Valentine Rest in Peace !

There are a zillion things that remind me of my graduation days and this is one of those things.I remember the excitement on the eve of V-day.Since there was no protest against these celebrations back then it was THE occasion to wait for.

In the hostel, we would spend the V-day eve generally discussing (sort of team work) the gifts we could buy,what to wear,how exactly the day should pass.....(wish we planned our study holidays with such an intensity we wouldn't have suffered,most of us,during the exams)! We,the girls, always wanted it to be a perfect day and I'm sure it was same for boys as well(no details attached due to lack of info).

The next thing we waited was to get back to the hostel and exchange info with girls,feel happy,excited and loved or some would even start planning their next V-day already to make it perfect. I don't know why we human beings are crazy about perfection !!!??? But it was always a joyous occasion.

This year it felt a lot different to Ed and me.We loved the time with our little Neil.It was a family V-day celebration.No cards,no gifts but what is mandate for the day was there........LOVE. St.Valentine might have performed secret marriages against Roman Emperor Claudius II's decision or been in love with his jailor's daughter or it could be the beginning of spring in Rome but unknowingly he gave a day to people so that they pause and realize there's much more to life than just living.

So St.Valentine,may your soul rest in peace !

Time doesn't change everything..!

It's always said that time keeps changing which means everything changes with time....except people,I would like to add. Might sound familiar to you all as you are also surrounded by people.

Before I got married,the same people would ask,
" .....So when are you tying the knot? "
" ..... by the way, when are YOU getting married?"
" ..... So,is wedding on cards yet ?"

When I got married I thought I wouldn't have to answer but very soon I knew I was wrong. People would now ask me,
" After how long are you planning for a family?"
" When are you having kids? "
" Isn't it time you had a family? "

Now that we have a baby I have realised that people are people and that's why we always say...PEOPLE ! They now ask me,
" So when are you planning to get back to work ?"
" Are you planning to work ?"
" Are you on a break..for how long?"

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.......what makes a mother ?!

During different phases of life we tend to have different role models depending on the role we are playing or closely associated with and so did I.The moment I had Neil in my arms I knew it was time to change my role model to become what I should be as a mother.

When I was at the hospital everytime I opened my eyes I would find Neil being attended by my SIL and every one of those times I would hear my sister asking if I wanted something bending over my face.My eldest sister paid a visit only to be overjoyed to see a baby boy in the family(we are four daughters,me being the youngest and all my sisters have daughters too).

Then the day came to leave for home with my dad & sister(who was with me at the hospital)and Eddie drove us all home.On the way home I could see the pictures of the women, who have been mothers,rolling over the back of my head.Neil was sleeping peacefully in the arms of my sister.

Finally we pulled over and my family-lot along with neighbors gathered around the car to welcome Neil.I was happy to see the attention he got from everybody.My sister got down and became one among many,Ed got out to help dad with bags.Since mine was a C-section,I was still feeling a sort of discomfort and was making an effort to get out.Just then the car door opened and a bony hand stretched out to help me.Right then it struck to me like a thunderbolt,amidst all the joy making sure your child is all well is what makes a mother.I looked at my mother holding her strecthed-out hand and smiled !

I am not a Patriot !!!???

Social-study or Social science,either ways I find it funny because the subject covers anti-social topics.In first place I hated this subject since I was in school because I thought of it as useless.Well,some people in our country are very fond of useless stuff hence they use it often to bring revolution or so they name it.

Globe is formed using a lot of lines.We draw lines,borders and separate ourselves from others and fight for no body's land to give up life which is supposed to be very sacred act.Whose idea is this?A common man isn't worried about the area of the country.Thousands of people lose lives fighting to protect somebody else's idea,ideals and principles who will never be among the fighters.Why don't we realize that there are people living on the other side of the border just as this side?



We have never learnt to accept things be it people,religion,culture,language,etc.I find it funny when people ask me 'So what have you named your son?,a hindu name or christian?' , 'Just wait to hear what he speaks,will he speak your language or your hubby's?','where are you taking him to tonsure his head?'.Why are people so curious???If this is how it's going to be then my son won't be a patriot because I'm not one !