The Lunchbox is no cinematic masterpiece, but it does get you thinking. About having nothing vs. seemingly having it all. And about support systems. And what it means to have one. And about what happens when that support system disappears one day, or simply comes crashing down. Like when Ila smells another woman's perfume on her husband's shirt as she does the laundry one afternoon. The husband she is so completely devoted to.

And yet you have to make yourself vulnerable sometimes. You have to take that chance. But that will leave you exposed. Which is why a defence mechanism or a survival tactic is just as important as a support system.

***

I don't believe there is anybody who has life all figured out. They may have it all worked out, which is not the same and can lead to confusion sometimes. And disappointment. And frustration. And worry. When things don't quite work out.

Too many ands.   

***

We all have our past. And things we are not proud of. But is it worth even thinking about it? It there any point analysing what went wrong and wondering if there was indeed something you could have done to make it right? Because life doesn't allow us any edits. Start a new chapter and move on. Whoever has to read will read.

For R. Nothing is lost till you stop looking.

If you must knock
on my door, Love,
make sure you have
the right house first.

You can go
out of your mind.
Just don't be seen leaving.

I think the first step towards coming to terms with your life and finding that peace that is all so necessary in these wretchedly crazy times we live in, is realizing it's not about you. Odd as it may sound to some people, nothing is about you. And you are nothing.

Is it the loneliness
or more the longing?

Heyy, is this a good time to talk?

Hmmm, yeah I guess.

Listen, I am sorry about last night. I was just being stupid. It's just ... I am so confused. You know how it is na?

Yeah.

Anyway, I was thinking we should continue where we left off. I love you Dudu and I want this to work.

Well...

Well, what? I thought we were on the same page here. Oh God, why do you do this? I can't go through all of this again. We've talked about this!

Yeah.

And why are you talking in monosyllables?

I ... I think

Ok forget it, I know what you're going to say. Are we meeting for lunch? My phone is out of charge, I'm calling from Sakshi's.

Umm...

Dude, what's the matter with you?

Listen I'm sorry but I think you have the...

Shit!! I called a wrong number? Bastard!!

***

Sigh! Could have been the start of a beautiful friendship. But seriously, what guy wants to be called Dudu? Dump him I say. Or maybe he should dump her. If he hasn't already after last night!

Joss Sone - Right to be wrong. Happy Sunday.

at the end of the day
there is the night

We are not so different, you and I. You who are bursting with all the joys of life, and I who was left out in the sun to dry. For though the sun, cruel and harsh, may have sucked the life out of me, you, bursting with joy, are ripe for the picking.

my spirit is not free
it just moves unrestrained
inside a very big cage

I think it's silly to want to be 'complete'. And I find it strange when people tell me they want to find in life that one thing, and most often that one thing means that one person, needed to complete them.

Because you are never really complete, however much you'd like to believe that. For to be complete is like taking a glass that was earlier half full and topping it to the brim; the tiniest of shakes will get things spilling again.

I almost enjoy being a work-in-progress. It keeps you alive - mind and body. That continuous quest, like the putting together of a jigsaw puzzle where you just can't find the next matching piece, is what keeps the game going. Once the jigsaw is finished all you can do is look at it and say, I did it! And then the question, now what? Something most people would rather not think about.

***

I like the new look to the Blues. The last remodelling happened way back in 2004, so this was long overdue. It's not perfect but it'll do for the time being. And I hope people now have no problems viewing it in other browsers and all that.

Peace, love, and a few missing pieces.

Agent Vinod sounds like something the Indian Air Force should be dropping on the other side of Line of Control. Hopefully it'll do more damage there than it has to the thousands of unsuspecting victims over here who went out last weekend wanting only to enjoy a movie and pay through their asses for Coke and flavoured popcorn, which to me always tastes like its been sucked up from between the rows of movie seats and recycled. A tragedy, considering how precious weekend time is these days.

***

I've been looking at flats these past few weeks. By various builders in various different locations. And it's interesting how these guys come up with their pricing. And the lies they will tell you. "We are only 10 kms away from the airport, Sir". Yes, and in traffic I will need a plane to get there! So now they are making you pay more per sq.ft. for the entire flat if you have a terrace or a balcony! Why, I ask? Because you (being on an even numbered floor) are getting a 'terrace', making it sound like it's a place overlooking the bludy Eiffel Tower or something, while others (on the odd numbered floors) are not. What kind of nonsense is that? I'm paying full price for the terrace anyway! Oh and also you pay more if your flat is clubhouse facing. No thanks! I'd rather pay less and see the opposite aunty putting her knickers out to dry than make you rich! It's a scam and nothing else. I dream of the day when they all go bankrupt, the bastards!

***

Does anybody really know the story behind those two Indian kids in Norway who've been in the news for months now? It's one of those things that drags on for so long and takes so many twists and turns that after a while you can't quite remember what the hell happened in the first place! (Something like Agent Vinod from what people tell me!). It was strange to read today a statement by the Minister of State for External Affairs where he said, "We would like to see the children back in their natural habitat". I have no clue. Have they somehow end up in a zoo?

Peace, love, and shorter stories.