Under the Rainbow: Simple things

Adieu

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 05:47:46 GMT

Dearest,

You came to me when I was looking for a partner who'd stick with me for long. I did my market research and thought there were many available and then I found you. Although there were many like you, no one really came close to you. You were the best. Your eyes would capture everything you saw like a photograph. Your memory was excellent, comparable only to a computer. You were slim and handsome. You were swift. Your shine matched silver. You sang different tunes. I was so impressed, I brought you home.

You have been a wonderful accomplice. You have been with me through my thick and thin. You've been with me day and night these last four years. You have been a faithful messenger. You have conveyed accurately all that I needed to . You have played with me when I was bored. You have travelled with me. You have woken me up every morning. You've sung for me in the evening. You have been the last one I speak to at nights. You have listened to me when I wanted to speak. You have spoken to me when I needed to listen. You have done your duty 24X7. I have been accused of being with you more than anyone else. You have been with me longer than any of your peers have been with my peers.

Now, you have grown old. You need some hospitalization. You have tried different prescribed diets but it hasn't worked. You really need some transplants. You need to be cut up, your organs replaced and sutured. I really hope you survive the long and dangerous surgery and come out fresh and new.

Today, when I bring you little brother home, I know he'll never be able to match up the high standards you have set. He shall always live in your shadow and listen to the great stories of you accomplishment and loyalty. With a heavy heart, I am letting you go.

Good bye dearest Motorola E365. I hope you find a wonderful new partner just as you who'd treat you well and stick with you.

Shilpa

I hate a downpour when...

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:24:11 GMT

It is not the owl's day (midnight)
It comes a week earlier than it's regular schedule (Holi time)
I am not at home reading a book or watchign TV or blogging
It is a Saturday evening and I have serious business outside home, serious enough to leave my studies in the nth hour
My plans are crippled and I am forced back home
I start out and it is just drizzling but gets harsh as soon as I am out of the parking lot
I am not in a closed car enjoying a hot chocolate fudge and enjoying the sound of rain drops hitting the roof
I am not in a closed car trying to clear the mist on the glass
I remind him of the jackets before starting out and he brushes he idea aside
I think of saving energy by avoiding the car for just two people and my noble thought is rewarded with obtuse results
I am on a highway riding pillion on 60 cc TVS scooty with cars, buses and trucks zipping by and splashing water all over us
I am wearing cotton and it absorbs as much was water as possible
He jokes, 'I don't have to wash the clothes I am wearing now' and thinks it is funny
The rain drops are so thick and fierce that it pricks my skin
My lovely sandals get wet and I think the leather is going to stink for a long time (Boo hoo!)
It threatens to give me a rude cold or cough especially now that my semester compres are exactly two weeks away
He teases me saying 'Thanks to me, you have got a nice post for your blog'
I get into my locality and the electricity goes off and it becomes totally dark
It becomes difficult for him to drive, so he slows down and that makes me stay longer on the road
I take great care to oil and wash my hair in the morning only to be dampened and hassled by evening
I enter the house and they ask 'You didn't take the rain coat because you think it wouldn't rain?'
I don't get to use the hair dryer (no thanks to electricity) and I have to sleep with wet hair
My clothes drip on my way to the room and I have to mop the floor for the fear that someone might slip. Extra work - I can do without it. Bah!
I can't put these wet clothers in the washing machine 'coz they would have accumulated a lot of mud and could damage the machine
It stops like a miracle as soon as I am dried up
I have to sacrifice a night of studies
Tomorrow is amma's birthday and I plan to wake up early and surprise her. Now, I know I'll wake up either with a heavy head or a bad body ache
I get smart talk like 'Enjoy it while you have it' from someone who has stayed warm and cozy in the house and I have a bad pain in the ear
My Sunday is ruined 'coz I'll have to replay all that didn't work today

First rains in namma Bengaluru

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:22:19 GMT

There are few occasions when I really wish I was better with words - imaginative and articulate, you know, like a poet. I wish I could express the moment as I am truly feeling. And one such annually recurring event is the first rain of the year.

This is my second blog about the first rains of the year in the city - two consecutive years :-). It is something I can't hold back from writing. Last year around this time I was in the US and Putts mentioned everyday "The clouds are really dark today; I think it is going to pour. And you are going to miss the first rains of the year". I was praying that it wouldn't rain and my prayers were answered. The first pour happened much after I was back at home.

Most years of my school life, I have played badminton in the streets during this time. I remember the mild breeze swinging the cork in all directions and we would run around in an attempt to reach it with our racquets, mostly failing, and getting wet. Of course, this meant at least a couple of days of sick leave due to cold and cough and amma reminding us about the earlier warning. Why don't I have a time machine yet?

This year, it has been cloudy all of last week and we were wondering if it is any depression in the seas. Of course we were thankful for the temporary relief from the rising mercury. It has been bad for my schedule though 'coz the brightness of the day at 6:30 deceives me and I am not up in time (after switching off the alarm :-P).

Thursday early morning, as I passed by JC Nagar, I noticed the foot path was wet as if sprinkled by a sprinkler. I thought it could be one of those water carriage trucks with a leaky pipe. But it was the same on the other side of the road. Then it occurred to me, it must have drizzled in the wee hours of the morning. We spoke about it at office and wished it would rain at a better time - when we could feel it. Last morning, there was a quick down pour for 15 minutes and an hour later, the sun was his usual self - drying the whole locality out.

But the best was this morning. Suj and I were out on Brigade road gifting each other our birthday presents. We got out of Sub Way and it started. We were wet by the time we reached Eva mall, just across the road. I so enjoyed the feeling of those drops from heaven. Yeah yeah, I know I always call is acid rain, thanks to the pollution, but it still felt great to be caressed by the beads of water. It was over in less than 10 minutes. Down the road at Castle Street, there was no sign of the droplets.

Getting wet in Brigade road is something else. It is very interesting to watch the reaction of the people around. Many scurry for cover, others pull their jacket over their head and hurry for their destinations. Some let their hair down and get thoroughly wet (as much as they can). Kids are ushered into cars. Shop owners pull out the rain sheets to prevent water entering the shops. Restaurants and coffee shops make good business. Some light their cigarettes. Others, like me, buy a quick coke or ice cream. Rains and coke/ice cream are a great combo. I can't imagine people let go of this delight fearing their throats. If you haven't tried it yet, it is high time people, don't miss it.

I like the first rains because it is never a downpour. It is a quick shower and does not interrupt the daily life. It gives you a relief from the dust and heat. The plants in the garden appear to be smiling back at the sun teasingly at his inability to be harsh. The fragrance of moist earth always transports me to a different world. It makes me forget my current thoughts and energizes me like very few other things. It is invigorating, stimulating, exhilarating, fascinating, rejuvenating and enthralling (I am running out of adjectives here). I am trying my best to put down exactly what it feels like but I am at least a thousand miles away (sigh).

As I am about to publish this post, I hear thunder. It is cool and breezy outside, the curtains are swaying to the wind. It is beautiful. I know I'll fondly remember and cherish this evening for a long time.

A proud cook

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:34:00 GMT

(Humm... Humm... Dance... Wiggle) Yippee Yay!

Move aside all ye seasoned cooks, here I come... (cough) into the kitchen. I have already made a grand successful entry (with some scratches). It has finally happened, after 27 long years. I can now cook... under no adult supervision :-P

I remember wanting to cook way back when I was probably 4 years old. I just loved the aroma in the kitchen - the oil, the seasoning, and the spices. In my growing up years, I was in awe of the way amma would handle the kitchen, cleaning, office and two kids with ease. So, when I wanted to help her, she would ask to do a little dusting here and there, just to keep me engaged. When I was keen on helping her in the kitchen, she'd say, 'It is dangerous, you are too young. You can do it when you grow up'.

In the later years, she'd stop me saying 'You have a whole lifetime to cook. You'd anyways have to do it post marriage, why don't you relax?' Although, she meant to say that I'd have to handle home and work, that was a very revolting idea for me. Somehow, I gave up cooking and took up cleaning. So, on weekends, while amma and Putts were busy in the kitchen dishing out delicacies, dad and I would be sweating and puffing to shine every object in the house. It was probably more because I was clumsy in the kitchen. That probably explains how Putts managed to enter the kitchen. She is a much better cook than I am, actually there is no comparison.

My entry to the kitchen was mostly restricted to making some coffee, fetching some water or making carrot halwa. Oh yeah, that’s my specialty. I prepared the halwa the first time on my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. It came out so well, I stuck to preparing that alone :-)

And then, I got married. Now, everyone is an expert cook here. His mom takes pride in the fact that she has taught her sons to cook so they can survive if they ever have to live alone. I have a major inferiority complex in this respect. When I wanted to help his mom initially, she was scared I'd injure my self and would allow me to do little things like adding some oil, coriander, etc. When I'd cut vegetables, she'd stand behind me and watch if I was being careful. She still does that :-) she is very sweet. When I joined work, she'd say 'You work long hours, why don't you relax while I quickly prepare the supper' (Oh yes! I really can't match up her speed.) I changed my job, and then she'd say 'You are just getting some time for yourself. Enjoy it.' And now that I am studying with working she always reminds me to study when I enter the kitchen.

Alas, cooking was not going to be until... Ta da... last Sunday. Amma and dad were just returning from Hyderabad and I thought I'd toss up something simple. When I told this to his mom, she was a little concerned and wanted to know what I had planned. I prepared some anna (boiled rice), saaru (rasam, stew) and beetroot palya (curry) all by myself. In the bargain, I did rub my hand against the rough surface of a wall and managed to hurt myself. (Yeah! that’s me) Amma had decided we'd all go out for dinner and was pleasantly surprised and a bit disappointed that her plan did not work out.

And No, no one got sick. Everyone is just as healthy as they have always been. The palya had too much coconut and I thought the saaru wasn't spicy enough. I blame the chillies for that. Besides, I am very critical about everything I do. Amma thought it tasted really good. You know moms:-), they never complain and dad was too busy eating, he even forgot to compliment me. Amma probably never expected I'd take the initiative to cook and that too with none around. Yesssssss!

Making a difference is so... simple

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 07:30:23 GMT

Everyone wants a change

Everyone wants to be a part of the revolution

All they need is a leader

Cricket and BMTC

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:09:08 GMT

The day began a little later than usual. The buses were crowded at 8:20 AM and the vehicles where moving at a very slow pace almost approaching the chok-a-block peak hour traffic. The bus passed Chinnaswamy stadium at a few minutes past 8:45 AM and I saw a big line around the stadium. What was supposed to be a single line was 3 lines with people struggling to get past the other. It then flashed to me that the first Indian Austsralia ODI match of this season begins this Saturday, 29 Sep 2007. Some elderly person in the bus thought out loud 'They'll do anything for cricket'. Someone jumped off the moving bus at the stadium juntion just so he could beat the others joining the line. People must have waited all night near the stadium so they don't miss the tickets.

And I wondered, why would anyone want to watch a match in the stadium, in the heat. What if it rains, the back stands don't even have shelter. I mean, how can it be any better than watching it in the comfort of your home, on the wide screen with snacks and coke? Ofcourse, the advertisements on TV could be a a deterrant, but it is still better than the dust, rain and the traffic. It is not like you are meeting the cricketers, you are just watching them. I must admit here that I have never watched a match in the stadium. I love watching (and playing my own version of) the game but at home.

Day at office over, I was heading home at 5:00 PM and the traffic looked like it was 6:45. This was probably the longest time it has taken me to reach home at this time of the day. At Ganganagar signal, vehicles were moving bumper to bumper. Unfortunately, there was an accident (no one hurt) and that worsened the traffic situation and all the passers by ensured that unfortunate ones knew of thier displeasure. Why were people in such a rush? You know, it was a cricket match. India was playing. What's better? India was playing the final of T20 World cup. Can it get any better? Ofcourse, it can. The oppenents were arch-rivals Pakistan.

Well, this reminded me again, cricket is a religion in India. And unless you are a hardcore cricket hater, you wouldn't miss a match where India is involved. But even then, you'd be following the game, even if it is to comment. I am a big cricket fan if India is playing. But I like it quick, I get bored watching five day test matches. I dont care much about the form of the cricketers or the pitch. I like to see action. It has to be fast. So far, I liked the one-dayers. But now, the T20 format suits me best.

Alright, so, this is the youngest and shortest version of the game - Twenty20. And this is the first ever world cup to be held. So far, we overcame England and South Africa in the initial matches and Australia in the the semis. We were pitted against Pakistan who won all the games in the tournament except the one against India which ended in a tie and then India won in the bowl-out. India on the other hand had a match against Scotland washed out and had lost to Newzealand. I know I know, you know the history of India and Pak in this tournament.

Alright, so, lets get to the climax. 158 is no big chasing total in a T20 match. But what a nail biting finish it was. The match was swinging in both directions. You never know what was going to happen. All of us were at home for the crucial last overs. Each one of us commenting. The required run-rate had mounted to 12 and just when we thought, India will pull this off, Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Four sixes in 10 balls and the pressure was on India. Last ball of the penultimate over - four.

Last over - six balls and 13 runs required, 1 wicket in hand. Chak De India playing in the background, First ball bowled by Joginder Sharma - wide. six balls and 12 runs required. Ball 2 - dot ball. Next ball - a huge six. I was thinking of the presentation ceremony and how Dhoni would handle it. He would say 'We played well. So near, yet so far', et.al. I did not want to see that. The thought was making me uneasy. Ok, so we were getting up to get ready to have dinner and lo and behold! Misbah was caught. I was surprised. The ball was going somewhere, yet Misbah decided to hit and it went right up and was caught. I think, either he was in a hurry to finish it heroically or was over-confident with all the sixes he had hit off Bhajji and Sreesanth. It was over and India had won the match. And there we were a cricket crazy family, screaming in delight.

But you have got to give it to Bhajji who made the match so interesting. I mean, hadnt it been for him, India would have probably won it easily. It wouldnt have been such an edge-of-the-seat thriller. You wouldnt be having your hand in your hand. You wouldnt be praying to God saying 'this one time'. In those last overs, I wonder how many people won and lost huge money to the bookies.

When the ODI world cup was happening earlier this year, it was predicted that India would win based on some statistics, astrology and trends. And India came home after surrendering there meekly. And finally, we brought it home, even if it is T20. The first ever T20 world champions - India.

Yuvi walks home with a crore rupees and a Porsche car. The team is awarded, hold your breath, two million dollars. And what do we, the common man on the street, get? Wholesome entertainment. Again, this morning in the bus, everyone, (including the mothers dropping thier kids to school, the school girls, the college goers, the office goers) are talking about it. There was furious debate about the decisions taken by the capain, Dhoni. How the match would have been different had the decisions been different. The match was cut, sliced and pieced to the minutest detail for analysis. And it will continue atleast until the next ODI series.

Now, I am looking forward to the India-Australia and India-Pakistan series...

Edit: Veeru rightly pointed out the mistakes in my scoreboard. Thanks Veeru.

Yippee! Its drizzling

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:44:51 GMT

The first rain of the year in Bangalore.

Wow! the smell of the mud is just intoxicating.

The dark clouds are covering ths sky with no stars to be seen.

Feel like singing Tunturu from AmruthaVarshini.

Hope, these aren't the 'show and go' clouds. Hope it pours and pours very heavily.