Me dying, kya?

SICK! That's how I feel. My immune system has caved on me again. I've got a bad cold and cough... the kind that racks your entire body and makes you feel like your ribs were placed specially so as to cause maximum damage. My throat seriously feels like it's been sandpapered.

Drinking cups of hot tea offers only a temporary reprieve. TK recommends a cuppa warm brandy with sugar in it... I wish!

I was going to get mad about the frequent illnesses, until I realized that my body's probably just reacting to the horrible way I've treated it for the past month or so. So I can't really blame it, I can only blame myself. But couldnt it at least have waited until I met the critical deadline at work on Friday!!

It’s horrible being sick. If there is no-one around to take care of you, you stop wanting anybody at all. You just go into a pathetic wallowing-in-self-pity cocoon and refuse to admit anyone. ‘I am fine. Leave me alone.’ You stop taking calls. You just lie all day in bed, moping! Crying over milk, spilt, retrieved and then burnt! Yup, it’s sick being sick!

My eyes are starting to burn again... time for another pill-popping session!!

Goodbye Tutu Singh

I remember the first time I saw Tootsie. A tiny black nose on a tiny white face sticking out of my mother’s black shawl. Eyes covered by his hair. At first I didn’t even notice him. I was not expecting a pup cradled in my father’s arms. I had yearned for a little “bow wow” for years but my parents always had reasons for not owning a doggie “right” now. And finally there he was, the most adorable tiny thing God ever made. My parents had meant Tootsie to be a complete surprise and basically to help us tide over the recent loss of our pet rabbit - Ruby.

As we whooped in joy, Tootsie shrunk further under the folds of my mother’s shawl, shivering in fear. His initial fear soon turned into an unending curiosity about everything around him. He grew up totally spoiled, loved and cosseted.

His favorite activity was gardening. When Dad pulled out the weeds, he wanted to help. One day while we were gone, he proceeded to pull up every azalea in the back yard. When we came home, we could only laugh at the green tumbleweeds rolling around on the lawn. When Dad had to landscape, he always was there to help, digging holes in the oddest places then looking at an infuriated Dad as if to say, "I did a good job, didn't I?!"

I still remember the expression on his face when he barked for the first time. I think he had thought that when he finally opened his mouth he would speak English and Hindi like we did. To say he was surprised would be an understatement. He was shocked! He looked around to see where the strange sound had come from. He barked in frustration when he could not figure out what was happening. It was then that he realised that it was he himself who was barking. I think he went into a teeny-weenie depression after that. But he came out of it. Like he did every time.

Like the time when he saw the big dogs in the vicinity lifting their legs to pee and tried the same but fell flat on his face. He couldn’t figure out for a long time how the others managed to pee on 3 legs.

Like the time when he tried to eat peppermint balls and ended up having a sneezing bout. Eating was quite possibly his favorite pastime (next to terrorizing the cat next door). He always ate the wierdest things: rocks, sticks, leaves, carrots, even karela (bitter gourd) was not below his taste.

Like the time he was happily chasing birds and fell into a drain, which he didn’t see coz he was watching the birds in the sky

Like the time when he grew deaf and blind and yet learned to navigate his way around the house.

Mom called today to inform me that Tutu passed away sometime early this morning. I’d like to think that he came out of this as well. Painlessly and peacefully in his sleep. My only wish I could have been there by Tootsie’s side like he was always there for me. My best friend!

Tootsie, my sweetest darling, I hope there are carrots and dog-chews in heaven.

Janta, I am back!!

I am back from the longest blog-hiatus lasting a measly 25 days (Not counting the Happy Anniversary blog, which I had been posted in advance).

Actually, I’m quite impressed I’m still doing this! Trust me, my interest levels are pretty low at stuff like this. I remember starting out writing a daily journal a million times when I was younger…the record stands at 3 consecutive days, I think. So this is some sorta personal record for me!

Well, in my short absence, some so-called friends threatened to give a supari on me in case I don't update regularly enough. First it was Ranjitbhai - the local muscle-bound goonda, aided ably by his vile henchman, Vikramseth (no relation to the other Vikram Seth and "a suitable boy"). Then there were all these mails and messages from SJ (aka Nuts) and Missy Mua (aka Sharon) calling me a lazy bum and coercing me to blog.

The latest such mail came from the dreaded gangster, Ashishbhai. It goes as follows:

From: "AK"

Date: Thurs, 18 Nov 2004 08:29:58 +0530

Subject: Oye! Watcha doing?


Missing in action, (Ms Singh in action)

Blog update karo warna.. we will have to give a supari on you? Dont do busy-vusy man-nahi ha ka naatak. I know you just plain lazy. Blog likhne mein kya time lagta hai re? Chal abhi ek post mangta. JALDIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

bahut sara prem,

Ash

Alarmed by these threatening mails, I decided it was time for me to snap out of the holiday mood and do some serious blogging and besides it's really futile to argue with idiots (not directed at anyone in particular) on why I didn't feel like updating my blog.

I've argued with several idiots over the last few weeks, with little success. I am now honing my ability to just walk away.

"Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down and beat you with experience."

Anyone know who said it? I stumbled upon these oh-so-insightful words in the comments box following a review of my favorite in-ear earphones (Oh yes, I did order the headphones online (much against RMs better judgement) and they were delivered 2 days back. I have been using the earphones every day since then and absolutely love them. They even make music playing from my crappy ass lappy sound amazing).

Babbles and Prattles: Happy Birthday!

November 17 marked the birth of this blog. Happy Birthday, dear Babbles and Prattles! It's been one interesting journey. To me its another indication of how soon time passes these days; and things haven't changed all that much in this past year. Hopefully I won't be saying the same thing this time next year.

This is a song I sang then; and I'm still singing it now, one year later.

Cowboy ride on forever,
You know there's good times waiting down the road.
Cowboy ride on forever,
Life is just one big 'ol rodeo.

Peace, love, and a not so rough ride.

Sparkling Diwali

Just a day more to go ... and I will be off on my much awaited vacation! Yippee! 3 whole weeks! Two weeks at home in Simla and the other in Delhi.

A - My bro is already home and has taken charge of my room and (according to mom) has been keeping himself busy by throwing out my stuff. Can't wait to get home and THULP him into PULP. God! Have missed my irritating bro more than I thought I would.

AD, RM, SP and TK have all promised to come up to Simla for my bday. . Is that sweet or is that sweet?! My friend AK is sending me a whole bunch of CDs for my b'day :) I have got AK (whose b'day is 6 days after mine) a Harley Davidson Motorcycle figurine, since he loves bikes and keeps forwarding me trivia about it. Shhh.. its a surprise. Don't tell him.

I am gonna be deep in work for the next two days, planning and handing over my work to my deputee. I hope she can hold the fort and we don’t have any major screw-ups and I get called back from my vacation.

See you guys in the second week of November. Till, then daarhlings, take care and have loads of fun!

Winning is everything

From when I was a kid I was always taugh that playing is more important that winning. This was with reference to games & sports. It was always more important to take part in a game or a sport, enjoy it as much as you could without worrying about winning.

I used to play badminton. I played my first school tournament at the age of 9 which I lost. The next year I played again... and lost again. When I was 11 I reached the finals but lost yet again. All the years that I lost I smiled at my opponent, shook hands with her and vowed to myself that I would perform better next year. After all how many years can I lose ? - Finally a few years later I did win. I won fairly. I never played dirty. I played straight and I won. I was the happiest kid that day. That was then.

This is now.

I applied the same rules to my professional life. When I started working I was idealistic. I always played by the rules and was always fair to people I worked with and the company too.

What I found over the years is that work is not a 'fair' game. I have seen so many cases where a more deserving person did not get a promotion and a less deserving one did not get one. 'Workplace politics'. A wonderful game. To win this game you have to be cunning, deceitful and a liar. In this game winning is everything.

I was never taught the above 'traits'. I was happy doing what I was doing and I still am and I still don't get involved in workplace politics. The lesson I learnt as a kid still prevails. I hope it doesn't ever change. Winning is definitely not everything. Playing fair is...

Mickey

The tidings in my inbox caught me unawares. There was an email from my ex-roomie RD (from the Brigittine Convent Hostel days) which said "My boss is in India and more specifically in Bangalore. Will you take him out to dinner tonight?"

I had to round up my thoughts, which had immediately begun to disperse in tangential directions. Keeping up a conversation with a stranger is trying enough, let alone a boss! To spice things up, my grasp of the American accent is comparable to dancing on a cake of soap. And, my ma would implode, sans dynamite, if I told her I was going on a date with a "Mickey"!

I said yes, I would take him out but it would have to be lunch.

Mickey Oliel is an Israeli. He's lived most of his life in Israel. He moved to California just three years ago with his wife and three kids.

From my part, there was never an awkward moment in that "date". The conversation hopped from one topic to another in tandem with the dishes that appeared on the table, and both were smoothly lapped up. We spoke about Mickey's travels and my desire to see the world. About life in Israel and the war in Iraq. Mickey was a soldier in the Israeli army for four years. So was his wife.

What started as a lunch meeting stretched to a coffee at Cafe Day and later drinks at "Urban Edge". Where ever we went, we were the center of attraction. Anyone with blonde hair invites curious stares, more so if he's hanging around with a girl barely half his height!

We spoke of LOTR and Mickey's family. How America was wonderful, but still not "home". And how, if I really wish to see the world, I should just "pack my bags and start" !

I think both of us were trying to relate to another stage in life. Speaking with a stranger has the potential to unlock introspection. I thought I could see Mickey's life of some twenty years ago, coming back to him. I saw through him another phase, the future tense impending in my life.... sans 3 children, of course!

Happy Onam

I didn't know I was part of some Mallu mailing lists until this email made its way to my inbox. Hmmm I wonder who could have added me in? The only Mallu I know is RM aka Mathiachins but I doubt if he would be celebrating Oman. RM professes to have been born a Mallu Syrian Christian and does not necessarily prescribe to the views of one.

That's so true for a lot of us! I too am a Hindu by birth and not by choice. I say "not by choice" because I was never given that choice. But in my case if I was given the choice, I'm sure I would still have elected to be a Hindu again.

I like Hinduism because it is not rigid. It says there is no one path to God, there are beaucoup . Hinduism does not suffocate the soul with endless, pointless laws that prohibit this or that. I don't have to go to the temple to proclaim my faith. It gives me the freedom to worship as many Gods as I so choose, or none at all. It is more "accepting" and "inclusive" in nature, than "rejecting" and "exclusive". It does not make demands that I lead my life based on rules framed centuries ago.

I hate religious fanaticism. My heart breaks each time I hear about people breaking up for the singular reason of being born into different faiths. How can a silly thing like believing in different forms of the same God hinder the blossoming love between two passionate souls?

Two of my friends had to go through the ordeal of leaving their true loves simply because their families were opposed to the idea of them marrying outside their faith. They had to make the difficult choice of being selfish and standing by their love or giving in to the rationale of their families that religious differences do come in the way of a happy married life.

I am the selfish sort and would have rebelled, but it's easy for me to say so as I've never actually been in such a situation and knowing my folks they would 've never opposed to my marrying anyone if they were convinced we were truly in love.

Well, one of my friends has moved on and has just started seeing someone else (so much for "true love"), but the other is still in love with his ex and is desperately trying to convince himself that he is strong enough to sacrifice his love to familial pressure. I feel terrible when I see him living this lie. I can only hope he's strong enough to listen to his heart and stop fooling himself and the people around.

-----Original Message-----
From: The Mallu Club
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 6:56 AM
To:
Subject: Onam Celebrations

Hi

We invite you all to celebrate Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala. The "Mallu Club" has arranged for a special dinner tonight at "The Bangalore Club", as part of Onam celebrations. Later, there would also be a tug-of-war competition in association with Onam celebrations. Be there at 7:00 pm sharp!

A brief Intro to Onam:
Onam, the popular harvest festival of Kerala is a happy blend of myth and reality. The ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September, coinciding with the beginning of the harvest season.

The Legend :
The celebration of the festival of Onam is based on the myth of Mahabali, a celebrated emperor of the asuras. Onam is celebrated to welcome Mahabali back to Earth and relive a period of peace and prosperity in the mythical past when Mahabali ruled over mankind. According to local belief, in a war that took place between the gods and the asuras, the asuras won. Deeply hurt by the defeat of the gods, Aditi, their mother, prayed to Lord Vishnu to destroy Mahabali, the asura king.

Consequently, Lord Vishnu, in the guise of a Brahmin boy, Vamanan, went to Mahabali and asked to grant him three steps of land. As soon as the wish was granted the boy grew into an awesome giant. With the first step he covered the whole sky, blotting out the stars. With the second he straddled the nether world. One more step and the earth would be destroyed. At that moment, Mahabali bowed his head and offered it for the last step. Vamanan pushed Mahabali deep down into the earth. However pleased by his honesty and generosity, the lord granted him a wish that he could he could visit his kingdom and people on a particular day once a year.

The Festivities :
Preparation of a floral carpet called "Athappookkalam" in front of houses, from the first day of 'Atham' to the tenth day of 'Thiruvonam' is part of the festivities.This is a symbolic gesture to welcome King Mahabali.

One of the important event of 'ONAM' festival is the vegetarian feast (ONAM SADYA ), lavishly served ,as it used to be during the glorious period of the rule of King Mahabali.

Other events include kaikottikali, pulikali (the leopard dance) and the famous boat races.

Cheers,
Mallu Club
"We Aim to Entertain!"

A conspiracy by pigeons

Murphy, I stand corrected.

A couple of weeks ago I blamed Murphy for my delinquent Net connection. I had switched from cable internet to Broadband, expecting salvation to follow. But three excruciating weeks later, I was still beset with the same woes. I’d log on for a couple of hours and suddenly find myself bereft. From gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands, I graduated to choice cuss words. The carefully cultivated composure would evaporate every time I found the cable operator’s phone switched off. Finally, one morning, I got him on the phone…

He hurried over to my house before I could chew off his other ear. He set off tinkering with the wires while I scorched his back with the ferocity of my gaze. He examined the cables studiously before turning to face me and stammered, “I go check cable box outside."

I waited. The eyebrow stayed arched, the foot continued tapping. He came back, looking like he’d been in a scuffle. “Well,” I asked icily, “did you fix the faulty cables?”

“Medem, wire was ok. But pigeons had put off switch.”

I snarled.

He took a step backward and continued, “Pigeon make nest in cable box. They was putting on-off switch. But now I take out them and lock the box.”

He picked out feather bits from his shirt cuffs and then pointed to the screen, “Net bees working now.”

I stared at the screen dumbfounded and deflated. A conspiracy by pigeons!

And I thought the worst they could do was aim their droppings at you…

I am an idiot

Blistering Blue Barnacles! All of yesterday, I thought it was the 25th when it was actually the 26th. AND NG's birthday was yesterday and not today. Sometime around noon, he called and disowned me. Completely!

I apologised profusely and agreed to absolve my guilt by taking NG for a five-course dinner at the Taj Westend. We had planned on "Paradise Island" but seeing the crowd there, we took an about turn and went to Atria instead. The food was surprisingly good. Had shrimps in Thai sauce (penang, I think), stir-fried broccoli and baby corn, steamed rice and lychees and icecream. The shrimps were a masterpiece. Melting-in-your-mouth but not over-done and it was evident that the sauce was not a pre-prepared one.

Returned home and crashed and was lost in dreamland until 8:15 am! Woke up late, rushed through a shower and ran all the way to work. I left my pins behind at home, so will keep my hair down all day! What an idiot I can be! I surprise myself at times with my absent-mindedness. Sometimes my heart goes cold because I fear, I may be suffering from a mutant form of Alzheimer's that attacks 26 year-olds.

I skipped breakfast and now am hungry, hungry, hungry. To make matters worse, one of my colleagues (who I truly detest) is chomping and crunching on potato wafers. The smell has me craving like a 8-month pregnant woman, for potato wafers and rice crisps. Am going to go on a prowl to see what I can dig up from the other people, MS should have gum atleast!