For :..M..:
all that glitters
is not gold
... and this you know only
when it's yours to hold
August 2, 2006
July 30, 2006
July 25, 2006
This is something our michelle once wrote. Her writing always struck a chord deep within me ... which is why I've saved many of her posts (something I've not done with any other blogger).
Vibrant me (posted on Monday, October 25, 2004)
Vibrant: (as defined by dictionary.com) "Pulsing or throbbing with energy or activity"
When was the last time I described myself as vibrant? Full of life and feeling and energy and the need to perform? And that's another problem I have with life. As I grow older- life looses color. What started off as a multi-hued United Colors of Benetton T-shirt quickly becomes that faded black ragged cotton T-shirt that I don't want to wear anymore. Why does that happen? How does that happen? And why do I let that happen?
How do I maintain that child-like sense of wonderment at every new twist and turn in the road? How do I appreciate the joy of living? The joy of life and the desire to take the best out of every moment and savor it? Does anyone? Apart from a five year old who jumps out of bed at a new day, does anyone else really live life in vibrant color?
From the seven year old who has homework woes to the fifteen year old who has acne woes to the young adult who has new car/new home woes to the thirty year old who has settlement woes to the fifty year old who has backache woes to the seventy year old who has coffin choosing woes. Where is the joy?
I don't know.
I miss it, it fills a huge void in my life. Life has no color- it stands bleak and dry like an arid drought.
***
The joy of living. Ultimately that's what it's all about, isn't it? The difference between the things that make you happy and the things that bring you joy is that the latter cannot be bought with money. Joy is what you see on the faces of street-children thrashing about in the rain-water ... something you'll never see on the faces of rich kids in swimming pools at 5-Star hotels.
I guess the mistake many of us make is we spend our whole lives in the pursuit of things that will make us happy, when in fact all we need is a little joy.
Peace, love, and all the things money can't buy.
Vibrant me (posted on Monday, October 25, 2004)
Vibrant: (as defined by dictionary.com) "Pulsing or throbbing with energy or activity"
When was the last time I described myself as vibrant? Full of life and feeling and energy and the need to perform? And that's another problem I have with life. As I grow older- life looses color. What started off as a multi-hued United Colors of Benetton T-shirt quickly becomes that faded black ragged cotton T-shirt that I don't want to wear anymore. Why does that happen? How does that happen? And why do I let that happen?
How do I maintain that child-like sense of wonderment at every new twist and turn in the road? How do I appreciate the joy of living? The joy of life and the desire to take the best out of every moment and savor it? Does anyone? Apart from a five year old who jumps out of bed at a new day, does anyone else really live life in vibrant color?
From the seven year old who has homework woes to the fifteen year old who has acne woes to the young adult who has new car/new home woes to the thirty year old who has settlement woes to the fifty year old who has backache woes to the seventy year old who has coffin choosing woes. Where is the joy?
I don't know.
I miss it, it fills a huge void in my life. Life has no color- it stands bleak and dry like an arid drought.
***
The joy of living. Ultimately that's what it's all about, isn't it? The difference between the things that make you happy and the things that bring you joy is that the latter cannot be bought with money. Joy is what you see on the faces of street-children thrashing about in the rain-water ... something you'll never see on the faces of rich kids in swimming pools at 5-Star hotels.
I guess the mistake many of us make is we spend our whole lives in the pursuit of things that will make us happy, when in fact all we need is a little joy.
Peace, love, and all the things money can't buy.
I was busy all day Sunday but they tell me I missed quite a show. The hero of the day was a 6-year-old boy called Prince, with our gallant Army Engineers forming the supporting cast. And as is usually the case with anything in our country, there was no shortage of an audience.
But from reading Selma's post it appears to me that the television news-channels entered new territory so to speak with their coverage of the incident. I'm sure they are still patting themselves on the back for a job exceedingly well done. And now I read that the Haryana government has announced a Rs. 2 lakh cash award for the kid and promised him free education and what have you. I say while they're at it they might as well find him a 6-year-old princess and get the fellow married off.
So that is the 'power' of the media (to make it sound like Rajdeep Sardesai). It can take a kid from nowhere and turn him into a superstar. Poor Neha Kapur must have been pretty upset that all the SMS's and prayers were directed towards Prince and not our lovely Miss India.
But I just hope people elsewhere in the country don't go digging pits and start training their kids to survive underground for 2 days so that they too can get their 15 minutes of fame and all that follows. You never can tell.
***
Hey but guess what - apparently I'm something of a star too! Yep, just last week a newspaper reporter (from a BIG newspaper) wanted to get my reaction on the recent blanket ban on blogs in India. But I like being low-profile, so I had to refuse. And seriously, what would I even say to her? ... I ain't no Amit Verma, y'know.
Reporter: So how has the governments decision to ban blogs affected you?
SwB: Oh I am hugely distressed at not being able to write about matters of earth-shattering importance such as the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the intricacies of women's underwear!
But thanks to our Paki friends and their Pkblogs we all had backdoor access ... which goes to show they are not such a bunch of villains after all. Come to think of it they do have a certain fondness for the backdoor, don't they?
BFN.
But from reading Selma's post it appears to me that the television news-channels entered new territory so to speak with their coverage of the incident. I'm sure they are still patting themselves on the back for a job exceedingly well done. And now I read that the Haryana government has announced a Rs. 2 lakh cash award for the kid and promised him free education and what have you. I say while they're at it they might as well find him a 6-year-old princess and get the fellow married off.
So that is the 'power' of the media (to make it sound like Rajdeep Sardesai). It can take a kid from nowhere and turn him into a superstar. Poor Neha Kapur must have been pretty upset that all the SMS's and prayers were directed towards Prince and not our lovely Miss India.
But I just hope people elsewhere in the country don't go digging pits and start training their kids to survive underground for 2 days so that they too can get their 15 minutes of fame and all that follows. You never can tell.
***
Hey but guess what - apparently I'm something of a star too! Yep, just last week a newspaper reporter (from a BIG newspaper) wanted to get my reaction on the recent blanket ban on blogs in India. But I like being low-profile, so I had to refuse. And seriously, what would I even say to her? ... I ain't no Amit Verma, y'know.
Reporter: So how has the governments decision to ban blogs affected you?
SwB: Oh I am hugely distressed at not being able to write about matters of earth-shattering importance such as the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the intricacies of women's underwear!
But thanks to our Paki friends and their Pkblogs we all had backdoor access ... which goes to show they are not such a bunch of villains after all. Come to think of it they do have a certain fondness for the backdoor, don't they?
BFN.
July 17, 2006
Let's not talk about expecting Pakistan to help us with terror- lets find ways of helping Pakistan with shutting down its "terrorist infrastructure". Simply suspending the peace-process isn't productive or imaginative.
Interesting that Suhasini should say this because it's something that's crossed my mind many times. Is the Musharraf regime in Pakistan as powerless to control the activities of militant groups operating from within its territory as the Lebanese are with regard to Hizbollah? And if that is indeed the case, what benefit could possibly come from suspending the peace process?
The truth is that our government is bullshitting us. Why blame Pakistan when you know - and by now I'm sure they know - that Pakistan can do little to remedy the situation? Why not just come out and admit that our intelligence gathering (and sharing) mechanism is sub-standard and has failed us miserably -- that somebody could perpetrate an attack on our Houses of Parliament is proof enough!
But I'd like to ask Suhasini - when you say 'find ways of helping Pakistan' what exactly do you suggest we do? And will Pakistan even allow us to interfere? Because that will mean admitting they are incapable of fixing the problem themselves, something that will make Mushy look very bad. As it is he looks like a little doggy!
And say for argument sake that they do allow us to help them -- are we even up to the task? Judging by our track record in these matters, the answer would be a definite 'no'.
You can't fool all the people all the time. Unfortunately the Government of India seems to be trying very hard to do just that.
***
I was watching Devil's Advocate (on CNN-IBN) with Benazir Bhutto yesterday and I'd like to know how many of you agree with Karan Thapar's method of interviewing people - where he goes all out to corner someone based on what they or somebody else said in some newspaper/publication? Because it's common knowledge that the media often (in fact more usually than not) misquotes people or publishes their comments out of context.
Also I find he makes his guests uncomfortable to the point where you actually start feeling bad for them. That's something I never see happening on BBC's Hardtalk. Because when people get edgy, they give evasive answers and start getting personal. Which is usually what happens with Thapar, turning a serious interview into something that gets you laughing.
And he keeps interrupting and making those irritating bludy faces ... I swear if he was interviewing me I'd slap the bugger.
BFN.
Interesting that Suhasini should say this because it's something that's crossed my mind many times. Is the Musharraf regime in Pakistan as powerless to control the activities of militant groups operating from within its territory as the Lebanese are with regard to Hizbollah? And if that is indeed the case, what benefit could possibly come from suspending the peace process?
The truth is that our government is bullshitting us. Why blame Pakistan when you know - and by now I'm sure they know - that Pakistan can do little to remedy the situation? Why not just come out and admit that our intelligence gathering (and sharing) mechanism is sub-standard and has failed us miserably -- that somebody could perpetrate an attack on our Houses of Parliament is proof enough!
But I'd like to ask Suhasini - when you say 'find ways of helping Pakistan' what exactly do you suggest we do? And will Pakistan even allow us to interfere? Because that will mean admitting they are incapable of fixing the problem themselves, something that will make Mushy look very bad. As it is he looks like a little doggy!
And say for argument sake that they do allow us to help them -- are we even up to the task? Judging by our track record in these matters, the answer would be a definite 'no'.
You can't fool all the people all the time. Unfortunately the Government of India seems to be trying very hard to do just that.
***
I was watching Devil's Advocate (on CNN-IBN) with Benazir Bhutto yesterday and I'd like to know how many of you agree with Karan Thapar's method of interviewing people - where he goes all out to corner someone based on what they or somebody else said in some newspaper/publication? Because it's common knowledge that the media often (in fact more usually than not) misquotes people or publishes their comments out of context.
Also I find he makes his guests uncomfortable to the point where you actually start feeling bad for them. That's something I never see happening on BBC's Hardtalk. Because when people get edgy, they give evasive answers and start getting personal. Which is usually what happens with Thapar, turning a serious interview into something that gets you laughing.
And he keeps interrupting and making those irritating bludy faces ... I swear if he was interviewing me I'd slap the bugger.
BFN.
July 16, 2006
Now this is how you must explain things to us men. Only then can we fully appreciate how difficult life is for you girls. JC will be happy to know that I will not be yelling at her for taking so long to dress ever again.
***
And its a funny coincidence that my buddy Ally and I happened to be talking about much the same thing just last evening. And by now I'm sure you all know how thoroughly entertaining talking to Ally can be. In fact I'm even thinking of coming out with a book called 'Conversations with an Imbecile'. Something tells me it will be a best-seller.
***
And its a funny coincidence that my buddy Ally and I happened to be talking about much the same thing just last evening. And by now I'm sure you all know how thoroughly entertaining talking to Ally can be. In fact I'm even thinking of coming out with a book called 'Conversations with an Imbecile'. Something tells me it will be a best-seller.
So we're having coffee and he says to me: Dude can I ask you a question?
Sure what is it?
Why do bra's have hooks and not velcro?
God, the things you come up with! ... How the hell should I know?
No-no but have you ever thought about it? Everything else under the bleddy sun has velcro, but bra's have hooks. Why?
Maybe hooks stay fastened better ... can't have them coming open, you know.
But velcro is equally strong ... and wouldn't it be easier for women?
Ya I guess ... but if they're happy with hooks, what's your problem?
I was just wondering dude. Maybe I can make some money from this idea - velcro bra's!
Hmm.... you never know. But considering that hooks seem to be working just fine, I have my doubts. You should ask Pudding; she'll be the right person to tell you.
You know, she wears padded bra's!
Jeez man, I really didn't need to know that! And I don't think she'll appreciate you passing on this kind of information.
Arre who cares yaar! I say padded bra's should be banned once and for all ... bleddy dames are cheating us buggers inside-out!
Can't comment on that bro. If they want to make their bazooms look different, they have every right to.
But dude, don't you think that we guys are more honest with females than they are with us? With us, what you see is what you get. But these dames are all bleddy fraudsters ... idhar-udhar thoda make-up lagaya along with fake boobs and before you know it they go from Mamta Banerjee to Biapsha Basu ... It's not fair!
Maybe the fault lies with us men - we want Bipashas, not Mamtas. So what are the poor girls supposed to do?
Anyway, woh sab chhod. Now think of a nice name for my velcro bra ... like Victoria's Secret or something. Hey you remember how in school we used to call them under-shoulder-boulder-holders and the dames used to get really pissed?
Yeah, we were a mean bunch of buggers, weren't we?
Haan yaar. And you remember how somebody asked big-mama Rajni if her bra's were made of high-tension cables ... and she went and complained to Mrs. Thomas!
LOL I remember. And Mrs. Thomas asked us if we had sisters. And all of us said no.
Dude I have a cool name ... how does Feel Free sound?
... Like a sanitary napkin! Why don't you name it after Pudding ... she'd be thrilled.
Okay I got it -- Proof of the Pudding!
July 13, 2006
July 12, 2006
A new day. Life goes on.
I have one bit of advice for the Government of India -- Get your priorities right. Do not spend thousands of crores on satellites that end up in the Bay of Bengal when innocent people are being slaughtered like animals due to a seriously deficient security and emergency-services infrastructure.
I read in the papers today that the Mumbai Police will soon be sending two of its officers to the US for a three-week course on post-blast investigation. What does that tell you?
As for this man, the less said the better. He gives journalism and journalists everywhere a very bad name.
***
One lakh. One lousy lakh is what the life of a Mumbai local-train commuter is worth. To think that's nearly the amount of money buggers like Rahul Mahajan used to spend on a days entertainment!
But who cares? You see the problem with the people of Mumbai is that they are quite content just to see things get back to normal. With great pride they will talk about how their spirit can never be broken and all that humbug. But I'd like to ask these people one question -- Is this the kind of normalcy you want? ... Where you know your life is as much at risk today as it was yesterday and that nothing is going to change only because you are happy with things being 'normal'? I certainly don't.
I tell you, people in the government must have heaved a sigh of relief on hearing that everything and (almost) everybody is up and running this morning. Our Mumbaikar's are such resilient sods, they must be saying. Nothing deters them. Life has returned to normal, and now we can too ... and the Rahul Mahajans can once again - have a blast!
I have one bit of advice for the Government of India -- Get your priorities right. Do not spend thousands of crores on satellites that end up in the Bay of Bengal when innocent people are being slaughtered like animals due to a seriously deficient security and emergency-services infrastructure.
I read in the papers today that the Mumbai Police will soon be sending two of its officers to the US for a three-week course on post-blast investigation. What does that tell you?
As for this man, the less said the better. He gives journalism and journalists everywhere a very bad name.
***
One lakh. One lousy lakh is what the life of a Mumbai local-train commuter is worth. To think that's nearly the amount of money buggers like Rahul Mahajan used to spend on a days entertainment!
But who cares? You see the problem with the people of Mumbai is that they are quite content just to see things get back to normal. With great pride they will talk about how their spirit can never be broken and all that humbug. But I'd like to ask these people one question -- Is this the kind of normalcy you want? ... Where you know your life is as much at risk today as it was yesterday and that nothing is going to change only because you are happy with things being 'normal'? I certainly don't.
I tell you, people in the government must have heaved a sigh of relief on hearing that everything and (almost) everybody is up and running this morning. Our Mumbaikar's are such resilient sods, they must be saying. Nothing deters them. Life has returned to normal, and now we can too ... and the Rahul Mahajans can once again - have a blast!
July 11, 2006
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