I am a junk collector and come from a like minded family. For a bunch of three wandering souls we have a lot of stuff between us. It finally got to us. We had to let go.
Dad and I started work on a room aptly defined by us as our cloak room. At home we always have people in transit; and this room yesterday resembled the "Room of Requirements" (for all the Harry Potter Fans out there). You could find anything in that room. It could have been a "lost and found" at a busy railway station, considering the number of bags that room contained.
It was a treasure trove of our lives. As we threw away the many empty boxes of things gone past. I relived the last few years of my life. I found a 2001 cd of Encarta Encyclopedia and laughed about the progress we as humanity had made with technology. We wondered what to do with our large number of cassettees ( They are still with me, I wonder if I can throw them away) and played the old music in my head. I found my college notes and the large bunch of research papers I had read, which made me look back at the life choice I left behind. I found an old postcard from a dear friend with a painting of a Parisian day in the rain ( That got tucked away in my treasure trove, wasn't junk was it). I threw away a lot today and helped my dad get rid a lot more.
Junk was it? Well it was... But letting go was just as hard. I feel good that we let go... Life goes on and we need room for new memories and new mementos.
Take Care.
Sunday 20 November 2011
Wednesday 27 July 2011
I don't think I can be a travel writer
Bill Bryson has this amazing ability to write a travel log. I dunno how he does it! Here I have an amazing story to tell and I can't find a decent enough way to start.
A lot went through my mind today, as I walked the 15 mins from Chandni Chowk metro station to Red Fort. Having being cooped up inside the house for five straight days, all alone, I had had enough. It was decided, Lal Qila it was.
I have always prided myself, for having lived around the country, having lived the life of so many places, of shared cultures and regional emotions. Having lived mostly in the metros offlate, I seem to have forgotten the real India.
Chandni Chowk that way was incredible. It reminded me of a city described by Dominique Lapierre in the city of joy. Yes, this is not Calcutta, but the hullaboo was all there. There was rhythm in the chaos. Stark poverty contrasted with the bustling commerce. There was a temple right next to the gurudwara, which was a stones throw from the mosque. The myriad attire ranged from the flaming orange of the yatra devotees to Linkin Park tee shirts, from skull capped heads in white to sequined pink saris, from the dirt on the clothes of the street beggar to the man with the sharp black tie. I dunno why, walking down this bustling crowd, through the dirt and the muck was exhilarating. There was nothing right about the place but neither was there anything wrong.
The energy was contagious, it stays with me right now too.
Take Care
P.S. Frankly, Red Fort was a let down. With all the security checks, and the fancy tickets all I can say is that the Archaeological Survey of India better buck up and get something done. For a national monument and a world heritage site, it feels like ruins are better maintained.
But, the thing about going to a national monument in India, is not all about seeing the place. Its like a trip around India. You usually end up hearing 70% of India's major languages, you get to hear at least 4-5 regional songs, get a look at the dress code in the country. Its like the annual day in school, Unity in Diversity. All that combined, you also get a sneak peak into world. ;)
A lot went through my mind today, as I walked the 15 mins from Chandni Chowk metro station to Red Fort. Having being cooped up inside the house for five straight days, all alone, I had had enough. It was decided, Lal Qila it was.
I have always prided myself, for having lived around the country, having lived the life of so many places, of shared cultures and regional emotions. Having lived mostly in the metros offlate, I seem to have forgotten the real India.
Chandni Chowk that way was incredible. It reminded me of a city described by Dominique Lapierre in the city of joy. Yes, this is not Calcutta, but the hullaboo was all there. There was rhythm in the chaos. Stark poverty contrasted with the bustling commerce. There was a temple right next to the gurudwara, which was a stones throw from the mosque. The myriad attire ranged from the flaming orange of the yatra devotees to Linkin Park tee shirts, from skull capped heads in white to sequined pink saris, from the dirt on the clothes of the street beggar to the man with the sharp black tie. I dunno why, walking down this bustling crowd, through the dirt and the muck was exhilarating. There was nothing right about the place but neither was there anything wrong.
The energy was contagious, it stays with me right now too.
Take Care
P.S. Frankly, Red Fort was a let down. With all the security checks, and the fancy tickets all I can say is that the Archaeological Survey of India better buck up and get something done. For a national monument and a world heritage site, it feels like ruins are better maintained.
But, the thing about going to a national monument in India, is not all about seeing the place. Its like a trip around India. You usually end up hearing 70% of India's major languages, you get to hear at least 4-5 regional songs, get a look at the dress code in the country. Its like the annual day in school, Unity in Diversity. All that combined, you also get a sneak peak into world. ;)
Thursday 21 July 2011
The Sign
A friend of mine posted a picture of this 'EXIT' signpost she found.As you can see, below the exit it says 'Live Beyond Yourself
I heard this speaker the other day, he said "Our generation cared only for ourselves and our self promotion, I think you generation seems to want to do a little more than that. " I dunno if its true or not. ( The 'angel' on my shoulder is convinced its true and
the 'devil'; well, is in this position : ROFL ) ( Personally, I think the devil and the angel are inter-changeable, I believe in relativity, no absolute good or bad )
Or is it like the skipping a generation issue? We had the grand nationalistic pride for like 25 years after independence (pre emergency sorta), we had the self serving middle class for the next 25 and we seem to be entering an era where people do seem to care about the country again (Again, Are we? ). Extrapolating, should I expect my kid to be self centred? This is assuming, I am nobel. ( I guess by this time the devil on the shoulder is banging his fist, clutching at his sides and begging me to stop )
Whatever it may be, the sign is powerful. It's not telling you exactly what to do. It allows you to interpret it anyway you want. You might just do that by say, posting a blog about it ( this was not the intention :P ) or making charity a habit or taking out time for your family or simply by not thinking about the 'Faayda' in every decision of your life.
The next exit takes you to 'Living Beyond Yourself'. The best thing about it, it will come time and again. So don't worry, you'll never miss the opportunity to take it.
Take Care
Thursday 7 July 2011
Mailing You
Hey,
I dunno why, I thought I should write you a mail. :)
This won't be long or even have anything to say in particular.
But the thing is I like getting personal mails especially when its to say hi or something insignificant.
Social media is killing inter personal relationships I tell you. When there is something interesting that happens to you, people just want to say it, out there.
I miss getting the mail. Chats give you instant replies, but its never like reading someone's thoughts in a flow.
I think this mail is stemming from the fact that I haven't blogged in a while. But then I don't have the time required to put in a post.
The other day in the metro I thought about writing a political/issue based blog. I seem to be reading so much and in such depth, I however am never supposed to give my opinion on the matter. But those blogs need time. So here I am blabbering. :)
We both seem entangled in this life that we brought upon ourselves. :P
It is my contention that we enjoy it too. So here's too what we seem to want to learn and seem to want to do.
Notice my "seems". Life is uncertain. Why set it in stone?
Anyway. Here's where I sign off.
Take Care You.
I dunno why, I thought I should write you a mail. :)
This won't be long or even have anything to say in particular.
But the thing is I like getting personal mails especially when its to say hi or something insignificant.
Social media is killing inter personal relationships I tell you. When there is something interesting that happens to you, people just want to say it, out there.
I miss getting the mail. Chats give you instant replies, but its never like reading someone's thoughts in a flow.
I think this mail is stemming from the fact that I haven't blogged in a while. But then I don't have the time required to put in a post.
The other day in the metro I thought about writing a political/issue based blog. I seem to be reading so much and in such depth, I however am never supposed to give my opinion on the matter. But those blogs need time. So here I am blabbering. :)
We both seem entangled in this life that we brought upon ourselves. :P
It is my contention that we enjoy it too. So here's too what we seem to want to learn and seem to want to do.
Notice my "seems". Life is uncertain. Why set it in stone?
Anyway. Here's where I sign off.
Take Care You.
Thursday 26 May 2011
Its a little 'Monsoony'
I wish I could take a thousand pictures from the bus today.
Pictures of memories that flashed by looking out of the bus on this rainy day.
Of hot coffee had standing in a coffee shop. Of smiles on my face looking up to catch the rain. Of guilty joy of being drenched while everyone around you ducks for cover.
Of being part of a group of strangers under the orange gulmohor tree. Of smiling at them as if sharing a history. Of hearing the tipper tapper of rain, on the classroom window. Of gleeful childhood plays, making paper boats in the puddles near by.
Of sweet rainy kisses shared away from the watchful eye. Of singing songs which I remember only when it rains. Of looking out of steamy-streamy windows in the car.
Of halted drops on the little flower. Of my blue checked dress under my red raincoat. Of umbrellas pink and black. Of the tiny smile which I have right now.
I wish I could have a picture of them all.
A little memory of the what just flashed by.
Take Care
Pictures of memories that flashed by looking out of the bus on this rainy day.
Of hot coffee had standing in a coffee shop. Of smiles on my face looking up to catch the rain. Of guilty joy of being drenched while everyone around you ducks for cover.
Of being part of a group of strangers under the orange gulmohor tree. Of smiling at them as if sharing a history. Of hearing the tipper tapper of rain, on the classroom window. Of gleeful childhood plays, making paper boats in the puddles near by.
Of sweet rainy kisses shared away from the watchful eye. Of singing songs which I remember only when it rains. Of looking out of steamy-streamy windows in the car.
Of halted drops on the little flower. Of my blue checked dress under my red raincoat. Of umbrellas pink and black. Of the tiny smile which I have right now.
I wish I could have a picture of them all.
A little memory of the what just flashed by.
Take Care
Wednesday 18 May 2011
a universal feeling
Unrequited Love!
According to wikipedia it's a universal feeling, by estimates affecting 98% of all people in their lifetime.
There is such a beautiful longing to it isn't it? It's the reason why so many movies do so well...
We really want the two protagonists to get their happily ever after or die trying. Funny isn't it!
The romanticism about it; it is always a good story. And when you hear about it's triumphs, we usually emote great joy. We like the happy endings...
Somehow even the unhappy endings seem OK, we relate to it at one plane or the other. We understand it and we accept it.
Every love story I hear about, proves to me how we are so human, we strive for personal triumph... Always ready to outshine , compete ; even kill to achieve our goals... but when we fall in love we might even be ready to lose everything we ever worked for.
That I think is the true beauty of nature! Darwinism best explanation....
Survival.... we are after all social creatures... And love is its best explanation!
Take Care
P.S. Don't read too much into this. This happens after a lot of TV Dramas :)
According to wikipedia it's a universal feeling, by estimates affecting 98% of all people in their lifetime.
There is such a beautiful longing to it isn't it? It's the reason why so many movies do so well...
We really want the two protagonists to get their happily ever after or die trying. Funny isn't it!
The romanticism about it; it is always a good story. And when you hear about it's triumphs, we usually emote great joy. We like the happy endings...
Somehow even the unhappy endings seem OK, we relate to it at one plane or the other. We understand it and we accept it.
Every love story I hear about, proves to me how we are so human, we strive for personal triumph... Always ready to outshine , compete ; even kill to achieve our goals... but when we fall in love we might even be ready to lose everything we ever worked for.
That I think is the true beauty of nature! Darwinism best explanation....
Survival.... we are after all social creatures... And love is its best explanation!
Take Care
P.S. Don't read too much into this. This happens after a lot of TV Dramas :)
Tuesday 26 April 2011
the same story
It started with the song today. Now on the cycle of infinite repeats...
First the joy of the soothing voice and the comfort it provided...
Then like wine getting better with age... its depth struck me!
"What is
This bond between us
That indefinable something?
Where these fates are tied
To make us inseparable? "
How life is linked to me and I am linked to life... Two different entities in this bond whose fate is tied to the future...
"We advance
Over time
In the wind ...
We live day to day
Our desires, our loves
It goes without knowing ..."
How days just pass by with carrying with it like grains of sand in the wind my hopes and desires...
Now me and my life look to tell the same story...
(Inspired by the song La Meme Histoire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqdZKhiqWrY&feature=related
First the joy of the soothing voice and the comfort it provided...
Then like wine getting better with age... its depth struck me!
"What is
This bond between us
That indefinable something?
Where these fates are tied
To make us inseparable? "
How life is linked to me and I am linked to life... Two different entities in this bond whose fate is tied to the future...
"We advance
Over time
In the wind ...
We live day to day
Our desires, our loves
It goes without knowing ..."
How days just pass by with carrying with it like grains of sand in the wind my hopes and desires...
Now me and my life look to tell the same story...
(Inspired by the song La Meme Histoire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqdZKhiqWrY&feature=related
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Seemingly Insignificant
I just saw the final overs of a match thought to be seeming insignificant. Quite contrary to expectations Ireland beat the might of England (in cricket). This wasn't the way I thought this post would start.
Well, while reading the newspaper today, I realised that it had been almost eight years since the US forces attacked Iraq. It was their war against dictatorship and they thought themselves the messiahs of democracy ( Who cares if the ulterior motive was well, Oil ? ). Then this thought struck me, what if there had been no war on Iraq ? If the people had been so distraught in their homeland, they would have surely revolted last month, inspired by Tunisia and Egypt. They would have started their own Satyagrah, would have become their own messiahs of democracy.
My argument is seemingly insignificant today in that war torn country, just as are now the predictions of the many gurus of cricket who would have been sure that the match would go England's way.
Take Care
Well, while reading the newspaper today, I realised that it had been almost eight years since the US forces attacked Iraq. It was their war against dictatorship and they thought themselves the messiahs of democracy ( Who cares if the ulterior motive was well, Oil ? ). Then this thought struck me, what if there had been no war on Iraq ? If the people had been so distraught in their homeland, they would have surely revolted last month, inspired by Tunisia and Egypt. They would have started their own Satyagrah, would have become their own messiahs of democracy.
My argument is seemingly insignificant today in that war torn country, just as are now the predictions of the many gurus of cricket who would have been sure that the match would go England's way.
Take Care
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