Last week was so eventful. 13th of Feb evening was spent hurrying home wondering if the city would erupt into a round of mindless violence. Fear is such a potent thing. So easily spread especially in the current environment. One incident gets magnified into many.
Something similar happened on that day. I don't think a politician's arrest should have been so hyped especially when everyone knew that he'd be out on bail. The arrest was merely a part of the procedure to be followed. Ridiculous was my thought when i saw all the shops closed or being made to close near our office. Everyone's offices closed early & people rushed to the safety of their homes. Its a very strange world we live in when rumors can make us abandon reason. Who decides who lives where? Aren't we all citizens of the same country. But haven't we all seen the same scenario being played out not just in our country but across the world for centuries. Why are humans so insecure? Why is someone who is different from us always considered a danger to us?
My first tv appearance came about rather uneventfully. I was chosen by elimination amongst other colleagues, marathi channel hence knowledge of the language was the only criteria. Mine isn't anything to boast about.
Finally a colleague & me took the trip down to the tv station for the shoot on friday afternoon. I was so expecting a professional set up (studio, make up & all :D ) was in for a major disappointment. I have no idea how things are done at news channels; but this was something else.
The reporter hustled us into her boss's office which was usurped from him. Asked me to sit at his desktop & had the cameraman start filming. I tried to remind her that she'd said we'd do a rehearsal of the questions & answers (which in my mind was sensible since i'd to think the answers in english & translate into marathi)
Course that was not what happened. We discussed all the points she had to cover & what would be the order & thats it (No action, or camera either...just a whisper from the cameraman saying ...ok )
Our PR person & Amit (office colleague - in case some technical questions were directed at us) sat behind the cameraman & gave me encouraging smiles. It was all over in an hour at the end of which i was left wondering did i use the correct marathi words. We left the studios thinking that wasn't so bad. When it was to be aired wasn't very clear at the time.
On sat afternoon our PR person calls up & says ur show is on tonite be sure to watch it. Worse of all I don't have the channel (cursed cable tv) so asked friends & brother to watch it & lemme knw. I will have to wait till the taped version is delivered to us.
Very restful weekend after all of that. Bad cold & cough have kept me confined at home. Resting & watching movies. Had a afternoon nap today after ages :D
4 Days for Goa.................yaaaaaaaay (Hope i can work on Thurs)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Its been too long...
I can't believe I haven't blogged in ages. Just shows how much work & social life are taking up most of my time. Work load certainly keeps increasing every day. I am just about able to cope, any more & I'll have to secretly clone myself.
Life has been good & bad. Work is hectic & suddenly find myself doing so much more socially. Going out 2-3 nights a week reminds me that one is certainly not young any more. But you only live once! So what the hell am going to have fun.
The weather has been beautiful, finally we get winter. It's so nice to finallllllllllly be able to wear those woollies. No fans at home, which is so rare. Cats are all sneezing or coughing away due to the change in weather. But it has its advantages, cold nights mean mouse spends more time at home. Niceness that is (less fights, less wounds)
Sleeping next to me as I write this (I actually cant remember the last time mouse did that at 11.30pm) this is his prime prowling time. I am very happy with the situation ....but of course wonder how long this bliss will last.
Lost my beloved phone a few weeks ago. Sadness it was. Have lost numbers of old friends which were nowhere but on my phone. Must learn to backup data.
Got a temp replacement from office, another SE but this one has a touch screen and behaves very oddly inspite of locking the keypad. Sent off 9 blank sms's to Vipin and loves to call up Payal when I am en route which is stranger. So now if people get umpteen sms's from me or it seems as if i'm desperately trying to get in touch with you pleaseeeeeeeeee ignore. Its my phone ...not me :D Meanwhile the search for which fone to buy continues.
B'day came & went. Became a year older. Strangely never feel older on that day itself. Got lots of gifts in the form of wine & books (& a skirt :D) Mom & I already opened & tasted the merlot this week. It's superb.
Looking forward to goa; quite excited about it. Haven't reached the stage where I'm counting days to go. But that will happen as the date looms closer.
Life has been good & bad. Work is hectic & suddenly find myself doing so much more socially. Going out 2-3 nights a week reminds me that one is certainly not young any more. But you only live once! So what the hell am going to have fun.
The weather has been beautiful, finally we get winter. It's so nice to finallllllllllly be able to wear those woollies. No fans at home, which is so rare. Cats are all sneezing or coughing away due to the change in weather. But it has its advantages, cold nights mean mouse spends more time at home. Niceness that is (less fights, less wounds)
Sleeping next to me as I write this (I actually cant remember the last time mouse did that at 11.30pm) this is his prime prowling time. I am very happy with the situation ....but of course wonder how long this bliss will last.
Lost my beloved phone a few weeks ago. Sadness it was. Have lost numbers of old friends which were nowhere but on my phone. Must learn to backup data.
Got a temp replacement from office, another SE but this one has a touch screen and behaves very oddly inspite of locking the keypad. Sent off 9 blank sms's to Vipin and loves to call up Payal when I am en route which is stranger. So now if people get umpteen sms's from me or it seems as if i'm desperately trying to get in touch with you pleaseeeeeeeeee ignore. Its my phone ...not me :D Meanwhile the search for which fone to buy continues.
B'day came & went. Became a year older. Strangely never feel older on that day itself. Got lots of gifts in the form of wine & books (& a skirt :D) Mom & I already opened & tasted the merlot this week. It's superb.
Looking forward to goa; quite excited about it. Haven't reached the stage where I'm counting days to go. But that will happen as the date looms closer.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Hectic, tiring but loads of fun!
Last week was certainly happening. Left office at 4.30 2 days in a row (a first for me...leaving office so early to catch shows) As a rule generally try & avoid going out on weekdays so twice this week was fun but tiring.
First was Italian do at NCPA, Opera arias with Soprano & Baritone specially invited from Italy. Accompanied by a Pianist, Cellist & Violinist who were brilliant. My first time listening to something like this. It was quite an experience....one that I'd gladly repeat. Live music somehow makes your mind go blank till all you feel is the music. I didn't understand a word that was sung; but the emotions & expressions being conveyed gave me my first glimpse into what a full fledged opera must be about. With the costumes, story line etc being explained to you. It would be brilliant! This felt a bit disjointed at first since I couldn't relate to the pieces at all. So decided not to think but just feel the music (which worked!)
Amar was so lost & bored. Fuzz was all giggles & laughter (similarity of soprano with ex-colleague was reason) soon he became so infectious that all 3 guys were giggling away. Dirty looks from me & people around didn't work at all! I tried to ignore the guys (didn't work at all)
Figaro piece was brilliant, so was the final duet.
Understood reason for all that suppressed laughter only after the show. Guys!!!!!!!
2nd outing was next day. No tickets, Who's afraid of virginia woolf? the play. After much ado & waiting around for over 60 minutes realization was that we are not getting any tickets. Made alternate plans....drinks somewhere, dinner at churchill's & dessert at theobroma.
Evening was loads of fun, felt a bit buzzed after a sip of JB. Dinner was delicious if too much food to finish. Dessert was definitely food for the gods (felt divine myself after one bite of the walnut brownie)
Had a minor brush with death the earlier night when I fell out of the train at dadar. It's not true, you definitely don't see ur life flash before your eyes. Was kind of numb during the experience, only thought was what the hell I'm falling!!
Guys on station picked me up almost as soon as my body touched the platform, just felt train whizzing by my head & hands gripping my elbow & lifting me to safety. Heard shouts from guys on platform saying what are you doing (I thought it was very obvious, falling out of the train)
Checked to see if there was anything broken, nope all intact, only a small scratch on my hand. My bag & hip took the brunt of the fall. Discovered that the data card in my bag got a dent (saw it only yesterday morning when I went to use it) Bottom & hip of course hurt only the next day and the day after. Even went for a walk the next morning to prove to myself that it was nothing.
Harish got out behind me to check up on me & I very coolly tell him am fine but you are missing the train. Poor guy, he was looking so puzzled. I guess in hindsight seeing me fall was worse.
Dinner yesterday night completed the week. Went out with bro, mom & sister in law. Good food, good company...very nice time.
Realization this morning that yesterday was parents wedding anniversary when I saw the date on my cell phone. Felt so foolish, mom was very pensive yesterday. Now I knew why.
Gave mom a hug & kiss...and apologized for forgetting. Kids can be so callous at times. I don't think any of my brothers remembered either. And this was a day we'd plan in advance for my parents when Dad was alive. Missed dad so much!
First was Italian do at NCPA, Opera arias with Soprano & Baritone specially invited from Italy. Accompanied by a Pianist, Cellist & Violinist who were brilliant. My first time listening to something like this. It was quite an experience....one that I'd gladly repeat. Live music somehow makes your mind go blank till all you feel is the music. I didn't understand a word that was sung; but the emotions & expressions being conveyed gave me my first glimpse into what a full fledged opera must be about. With the costumes, story line etc being explained to you. It would be brilliant! This felt a bit disjointed at first since I couldn't relate to the pieces at all. So decided not to think but just feel the music (which worked!)
Amar was so lost & bored. Fuzz was all giggles & laughter (similarity of soprano with ex-colleague was reason) soon he became so infectious that all 3 guys were giggling away. Dirty looks from me & people around didn't work at all! I tried to ignore the guys (didn't work at all)
Figaro piece was brilliant, so was the final duet.
Understood reason for all that suppressed laughter only after the show. Guys!!!!!!!
2nd outing was next day. No tickets, Who's afraid of virginia woolf? the play. After much ado & waiting around for over 60 minutes realization was that we are not getting any tickets. Made alternate plans....drinks somewhere, dinner at churchill's & dessert at theobroma.
Evening was loads of fun, felt a bit buzzed after a sip of JB. Dinner was delicious if too much food to finish. Dessert was definitely food for the gods (felt divine myself after one bite of the walnut brownie)
Had a minor brush with death the earlier night when I fell out of the train at dadar. It's not true, you definitely don't see ur life flash before your eyes. Was kind of numb during the experience, only thought was what the hell I'm falling!!
Guys on station picked me up almost as soon as my body touched the platform, just felt train whizzing by my head & hands gripping my elbow & lifting me to safety. Heard shouts from guys on platform saying what are you doing (I thought it was very obvious, falling out of the train)
Checked to see if there was anything broken, nope all intact, only a small scratch on my hand. My bag & hip took the brunt of the fall. Discovered that the data card in my bag got a dent (saw it only yesterday morning when I went to use it) Bottom & hip of course hurt only the next day and the day after. Even went for a walk the next morning to prove to myself that it was nothing.
Harish got out behind me to check up on me & I very coolly tell him am fine but you are missing the train. Poor guy, he was looking so puzzled. I guess in hindsight seeing me fall was worse.
Dinner yesterday night completed the week. Went out with bro, mom & sister in law. Good food, good company...very nice time.
Realization this morning that yesterday was parents wedding anniversary when I saw the date on my cell phone. Felt so foolish, mom was very pensive yesterday. Now I knew why.
Gave mom a hug & kiss...and apologized for forgetting. Kids can be so callous at times. I don't think any of my brothers remembered either. And this was a day we'd plan in advance for my parents when Dad was alive. Missed dad so much!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Little Things...
Why is it the little things that make me happy.
The unexpected smile
your voice in my ears.
Being there have my heart singing with joy.
It's always the little things that show you care.
I find it strange how my life has changed.
Big brown eyes, wagging tails
Crisp mornings, foggy streets, blinking lights, curious meows.
Shivering in the chilly air.
Friends who care.
Buck teeth, whiskered faces, golden eyes, fishy breath.
Yellow flowers, green ferns, blue skies.
The rain on my face, the breeze in my hair. The smell of the sea.
I hope you can feel these little things too.
The unexpected smile
your voice in my ears.
Being there have my heart singing with joy.
It's always the little things that show you care.
I find it strange how my life has changed.
Big brown eyes, wagging tails
Crisp mornings, foggy streets, blinking lights, curious meows.
Shivering in the chilly air.
Friends who care.
Buck teeth, whiskered faces, golden eyes, fishy breath.
Yellow flowers, green ferns, blue skies.
The rain on my face, the breeze in my hair. The smell of the sea.
I hope you can feel these little things too.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Music is back in my life....
Am feeling happeeeee. After 2 weeks without music, its back in my life. How i'm dependent on my memory card! Never even thought of it till I lost it. Music that is.
Memory card on phone died on me 2 weeks ago. Tried in vain to reformat it. But no luck. Searched for the warranty & receipts. Took it to the shop where I bought it. Gave it for reformatting. Got a replacement memory card (I actually managed to kill my earlier one :D) Too much of amy winehouse it just couldn't take any more & committed hara kiri is way I explain it to myself of course.
Walks were without music. Walk to station again without music. Realized that I observe so much more when I'm not lost in the music playing in my ears. Suddenly noticed all the people I share train with. Notice what people are doing, wearing, saying on phone. Envied people blasting music loudly into ears on walks...damn they still had music!
Got a mini shock from colleague at work who actually asked me Shilpi not blogging anymore. Mind was like WTH are you reading my blog too?
Just goes to show; you never know who is reading your blog. Bit invasive i think. But that is the price you pay I guess for sharing your thoughts with the world. You can't decide who forms part of that world...
Anyways it's ok i guess. Not exactly sharing international secrets on it. Only very random thoughts that intersperse my mind. Thats all!!!!
If I haven't yet been able to understand myself for 37 years...how in the world can someone else? I always put it down to being an aquarian (hehe..)
Life is certainly looking brighter again. Mouse stays home at night. Sharing bed with 3 cats every night. Wonder what will happen if & when I get a human to share it with. Will he mind the cats?
One thing I do know, waking up & seeing the greenest eyes in the world is certainly not bad. Always thought of myself as a blue eyed girl. But you never know do you. Still remember another pair of blue-green eyes. Very gorgeous eyes on a gorgeous guy....very professional of course. The first person to take me seriously as a fellow mushroom grower. How can one forget that....the respect & equality shown to me a very new person in the field by someone who was brought up in the field. At 24 I certainly felt very grown up that day & proud of myself :)
I'm digressing....as usual. Somehow the yearning to grow mushrooms is back. You just can't bury some things I guess. I am so out of touch. Damn it.
Listening to Amy Winehouse as I write this. Very free this weekend. Actually have no plans.
Gonna take a evening walk today; skipped the morning one. Felt too sleepy with 3 warm bodies snuggled up with me.
Memory card on phone died on me 2 weeks ago. Tried in vain to reformat it. But no luck. Searched for the warranty & receipts. Took it to the shop where I bought it. Gave it for reformatting. Got a replacement memory card (I actually managed to kill my earlier one :D) Too much of amy winehouse it just couldn't take any more & committed hara kiri is way I explain it to myself of course.
Walks were without music. Walk to station again without music. Realized that I observe so much more when I'm not lost in the music playing in my ears. Suddenly noticed all the people I share train with. Notice what people are doing, wearing, saying on phone. Envied people blasting music loudly into ears on walks...damn they still had music!
Got a mini shock from colleague at work who actually asked me Shilpi not blogging anymore. Mind was like WTH are you reading my blog too?
Just goes to show; you never know who is reading your blog. Bit invasive i think. But that is the price you pay I guess for sharing your thoughts with the world. You can't decide who forms part of that world...
Anyways it's ok i guess. Not exactly sharing international secrets on it. Only very random thoughts that intersperse my mind. Thats all!!!!
If I haven't yet been able to understand myself for 37 years...how in the world can someone else? I always put it down to being an aquarian (hehe..)
Life is certainly looking brighter again. Mouse stays home at night. Sharing bed with 3 cats every night. Wonder what will happen if & when I get a human to share it with. Will he mind the cats?
One thing I do know, waking up & seeing the greenest eyes in the world is certainly not bad. Always thought of myself as a blue eyed girl. But you never know do you. Still remember another pair of blue-green eyes. Very gorgeous eyes on a gorgeous guy....very professional of course. The first person to take me seriously as a fellow mushroom grower. How can one forget that....the respect & equality shown to me a very new person in the field by someone who was brought up in the field. At 24 I certainly felt very grown up that day & proud of myself :)
I'm digressing....as usual. Somehow the yearning to grow mushrooms is back. You just can't bury some things I guess. I am so out of touch. Damn it.
Listening to Amy Winehouse as I write this. Very free this weekend. Actually have no plans.
Gonna take a evening walk today; skipped the morning one. Felt too sleepy with 3 warm bodies snuggled up with me.
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