lilacs for me...

My Favourite Movie

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:12:24 GMT

Lyrics

Sun, 31 May 2009 16:28:56 GMT

Chupke se kahin, dheeme paanv se
jaane kis tarah, kis ghadi
aage badh gaye hamse raahon mein
par tum toh abhi the yahin
kuchh bhi na suna, kab ka tha gila
kaise keh diya alvida

Jinke darmiyaan guzri thi abhi
kal tak yeh meri zindagi
dono baahon ko, thandi chaanv ko
hum bhi kar chale alvida
alvida, alvida, meri raahein alvida
meri saansein kehti hai, alvida
alvida, alvida, ab kehna aur kya
jab tune keh diya, alvida

.....
.....
Hum the diljale, phir bhi dil kahe
kaash mere sang aaj hote tum agar, hoti har dagar gulsita
tumse hai khafa, hum naaraaz hai, dil hai pareshaan
socha na suna tune kyun bhala keh diya alvida alvida
koi puchhe toh zara, kya socha aur kaha alvida
alvida, alvida, ab kehna aur kya
jab tune keh diya, alvida

Life after the glorious chariot days

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:29:06 GMT

I would wait for them to come and play in the park. It had become a part of my life to watch them have fun, fight, and patch up again. Sometimes I was the umpire for all the games that they played and I would gain some prominence by being the eldest amongst them. I enjoyed when they sought my advice. Two years is a long time to get heavily used to something, and now, with the new construction work in the locality, the park has actually been neglected, and primarily used as a dumping ground. It is sad that I do not see the young ones in that area and the bench where I used to sit, has also been uprooted. Sometimes I wonder what right do people have to interfere in our life and change it completely like never before. Isn’t it my life? Aren’t there sentiments attached to what I do everyday or how I spend my time.

The other day I received a letter in my name. It was from my old school. There was an alumni meet and I thought it was a great idea to socialize with old friends and pep up my dull life. I wore my best clothes and my cap and hailed a cab to my alma mater. There was a huge crowd at the gate and with much physical effort, I managed to reach inside. I looked around for old friends, acquaintances, and known faces, trying hard to recognize people amidst the crowd, but I had no success. Suddenly a gang of boys pushed me aside and went past me, and I was brushing myself up to gain a firmer foot on the ground. Today’s generation is always in a hurry, so much so as to push whatever comes in their way. Maybe I was a fool to have built up such high hopes from my visit to my school. It no more seemed mine that day.

It was a sunny day and while I was watering my plants, I heard a shrill horn at my door. It was my son, calling out to me from inside his car. He stayed with me until he got married and shifted to a new bungalow. I told him that I certainly do not mind it because the new place was closer to his office and my nephew’s school. Besides I had two servants to look after my needs. It did make a lot of sense to me when he said he wanted to shift elsewhere. Besides, when my grandson came rushing and gave me a big hug, I felt really wanted and got a new meaning to my life.

A friend of mine called me the other day. He wanted me to pay him a visit. He stays in an old home because his daughter-in-law made it very clear before her marriage that she believed in nuclear families, and her invalid mother should obviously get a preference over the son’s father to stay with them. Looking at my friend, I realized that perhaps I am doing much better in life. I do not have to depend upon anybody and my insurance schemes and pension would help me sustain myself on my own for as long as I breathe.

Loneliness at my age is very strange. Had I been young, I would have thought of many a ways to avert it. But when Meera, my wife, was keeping unwell last year, I knew that solitude was approaching my life gradually but steadily. There was nothing that I could do about it. Soon, the feeling of having nobody as a constant companion was felt after I began to live my life all alone.

The morning alarm rang. It was 5 30. I wanted to sleep more but I couldn’t. So, I woke up and made myself some tea. The milkman came and delivered a litre of milk.

The day had just begun.

Four For Fun

Sun, 24 May 2009 08:08:16 GMT

Future Bowl, Essex Farm
Pad-Thai noodles, courtesy Da
Metro rides, Delhi
Glass decos and suncatchers

How sexy is your name?

Wed, 20 May 2009 17:22:09 GMT

How sexy is your name?

Beyond very very very Sexy!(600+ points)

Wow! Your name is beyond very very very sexy!

Fun quizzes, surveys & blog quizzes by

Precious little moments

Tue, 19 May 2009 18:57:47 GMT

Strong winds, flying leaves, dancing in the park, chowmein at a cafe, hot chocolate and late night chatting

I am so relieved today. Finally my Toshiba notebook has been repaired and now I can again work in various sitting and sleeping positions, just like before.
This is such a relief, I tell you!!! This also means that I can update my blog more regularly, now that life is more comfortable.

I am planning to take a 4-days break and run somewhere. Perhaps to the hills. Its getting a bit dull in Delhi. The rains are so lazy, and the dust storm today was not so great. So i think its best to vanish from here, and then come back, rejuvenated.

More later. I am pretty excited right now. Gotta dream...

I call it a day

Sun, 17 May 2009 16:59:35 GMT

~ Leisure walks ~ sweet talks ~ cucumber on eye-lids ~ wet grass ~ frisbee ~ dinner at a dhaba ~ cornetto by the lake.

Movie Plan :))

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:12:51 GMT

Will watch Seven pounds today at Arboretum Cinema 12! Was quite impressed with Gabriel Muccini ever since The Pursuit of Happyness happened.
Big hopes attached to this one now.

Strength

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:24:16 GMT

It is my strength which keeps me going. I do know about the various things in life that I miss not having, but my strength tells me that I can do without those, and happily too. Every time the world seems to come to an end, my strength stirs the unhappy soul inside and I become resurrected with even more vigour than ever before. When there is no more hope, my strength tells me that I can survive this too.

I love my strength and it is the greatest gift I have, for with it alone, I can cherish my life.

Friends, I wonder what your greatest possession is.

Detroit

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:42:52 GMT

Hey all,
Anybody has any idea about how Detroit, MI is for staying? In case you have been there and had a feel of the city, please share with me.
Thanks!

My new nest

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:57:20 GMT

I am kinda tired and bored of livejournal. I dont even feel like blogging anymore. So, i have shifted elsewhere. My new nest looks fun, to begin with. But I havent yet settled there. Let see how it shapes up. Till then, Ta.

You still there? I am just curious.

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:14:21 GMT

Ei kautha ti mone rekho
Ami je gaan geyechhilem mone rekho
Jeerno pata jhorar belaye mone rekho...

...This is what remained unsaid forever.

Sometimes, suffering has no end. I weep, I cry out loud, I pray, I bear, I go numb, I do everything, but I find no peace. Peace, to me, is a heavenly feeling, the unachievable. A moment of it, is all I want. But I never find it. What must I have done, I think, that I am almost always...well, let it be.

That night, unlike other nights, I slept sound, like a baby. And then, something wonderful happened. I was alone on a big terrace. The place was flanked by pine trees all around, but all I could see was the top of the trees and they looked like conical birthday caps in the dark, and the leaves shone in the moonlight. I looked up to find a sky full of bright stars, and one was shining brighter than the others. I was about to appreciate all this when suddenly there was a blizzard and I quickly went under a little shade. I closed my eyes for a while and when I opened my eyes, I saw a shining blue figure at a distance, a lady perhaps, with flowing hair and a wand in her hand. I could not see her well, but her presence was beautiful. I went near and nearer, but I could not reach her. She seemed to go further away from me every time. I ran behind her but finally lost her. I woke up from my sleep and found a little piece of paper beside my pillow. It read...
...you are fortunate to see the pole star, not many savour its presence, my child.
I finally found my peace that day.

Tag Play

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:31:14 GMT

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No, my mum just happened to name me Sushmita.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
An hour back, I was reminded of a friend's absence in my life.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I still do, although I hardly write now. These days, we all type.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT?
Indian lamb curry or even tandoori chicken.

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
No.

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Definitely. I think I am a great friend.

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Quite a lot.

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
I never had.

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Perhaps, if A agrees coz I would only do it together.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?
Strawberry blueberry

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Never.

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Stronger than the strongest.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM?
Quite a few:chocolate, roasted almond, and another violet colored..i forget the name.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
I notice the presence or absence of warmth in people's mannerisms, conversation and looks. If there is no warmth, I usually dont make a second conversation.

RED OR PINK?
Red

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
The fact that I still cry over little things.

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Nobody in fact.

WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
barefoot, black corduroy.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Shrimp and rice

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
sound of my lappy's fan.

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Green. Its my recent fav.

FAVOURITE SMELLS?
Chloe.

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Pallavi

DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?
Nobody tagged me. But I was inspired by Mala.

FAVOURITE SPORT TO WATCH?
Lawn tennis,swimming, gymnastics.

HAIR COLOUR?
Black

EYE COLOUR?
Black.

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No. Supposed to wear specs but I cant find them.

FAVOURITE FOOD?
Anything sweet

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Mostly happy endings or those which evoke a thought.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Constant Gardener.

WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Tanktop.

SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer

HUGS OR KISSES?
Well, hugs

FAVOURITE DESSERT?
Many. Innumerable, since I have a sweet tooth.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
None.

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Dont use one.

WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
A movie.

FAVOURITE SOUND?
Sounds of cool breeze, mostly when I am on a beach during sunset.

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
None.

WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Home is where the heart is. And the heart travels with me.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Many. I havent nurtured them well.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Delhi.

Oh Pleasure..

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:55:23 GMT

Sesame chicken and Honey glazed chicken with fried rice

Twinkling eyes

Death by chocolate

For mum with love

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:44:19 GMT

I want to make a post

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:02:39 GMT

But I am totally blank today. Happens I guess. Nevertheless lemme write sumthn.

It was quite an uneventful day. I was waiting for the Time Warner guy to arrive and fix my wireless connection. He never turned up. Finally I fixed the problem myself. Later when A came home, I realised that there is a tag left on my door which meant that the TW guy came, knocked and left, whereas all I did since morning was to wait for him. I really wonder sometimes!

The mushroom peas dish turned out just fine. I stirred in some poppy seed sauce along with wine and soy. Trust me, it was good.

There was such a hullabaloo at the pool today. Some people were partying for sure. The downside of having a pool facing apartment.

Tomorrow I will go outside my apartment, take a right turn, go straight, then another right and finally another right. The road ahead is lovely, I need to discover more about it !!

Getting accustomed to public transport in a foreign land

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:23:07 GMT

I am getting to know quite a few bus routes within Charlotte. Looks like, within a week or so, I will also be pretty much used to travelling in bus all alone. The only problem is having strange people all around me. Some wear sagging pants, some are rocking from head to toe with a headset, some talk with themselves all throughout the journey, and some are just weird in terms of their appearance.

What I usually do to protect myself is to chant a powerful mantra oft and on during my bus ride. I also make sure that I avoid an eye contact with anyone. And hopefully, these tips will ensure me a safe bus ride!!!

*fingers crossed*

Any more suggestions?

Weirdos all around

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:29:04 GMT

Here in Charlotte, I see *some people* wearing their pants in a strange manner. Its like this.

Wear your boxers, preferably a bright colored one with big checks. And then wear your jeans and strap it around your thighs exactly below the boxers. Finally, walk with utmost ease.

I mean how?? Or rather why??

Whatever it is, its definitely sumthn commendable. I tried doing it at home, and failed terribly.

On a journey..

Fri, 23 May 2008 08:21:18 GMT

Murder Mystery, Ethical Issues and pleasures of my life

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:50:41 GMT

Ive been watching a few Bengali Movies, hand picked a month ago. Unfortunately I could not lay my hands upon Balligunge Court, a movie which I am really dying to see. But since it is just so difficult to come back empty handed, I picked up two others, both starring Sharmila Tagore, as a young and inquisitive girl in one, and a well to do, middle aged, rich lady in another.

Shubho Muhurat is a very normal, and predictable murder mystery and a very typical Rituparna movie, showing skin and bedsheets in one of the scenes. The director just cannot help it. However, there were many a loopholes where we could actually guess who the murderer is. All in all, not a bad movie, I'd say. This is one of the decent movies of the Director.

On the other hand, Seemabaddha is a Satyajit Ray movie. Real, subtle, and interesting. In true Ray style, this one also ends unexpectedly and keeps you thinking for a while. An idealistic man, compelled to become corrupt so as to secure the Director's post in the company where he works. Sharmila plays the role of Conscience in this movie. No wonder she did quite a vanishing act, perhaps symbolising that the protagonist's conscience melted away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About Books, Cakes and Face readers

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:52:57 GMT

Yesterday I made a decent carrot cake. We finished almost the whole of it. But what I was really looking forward to was the way we were to savour the delight. Sometimes eating something delicious can be made more fulfilling by the company and the ambience. And in case you dont know much I love candle light meals, I am telling you now that I literally die for having one. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that nobody ever invited me for a candle light dinner. Well, that is just a thought. So yes, we had a nice candle light evening snack, with steaming hot coffee and the cake. I felt I was in heaven. Little things make us happy, no?!

I got three new books!! Almost Single, Sumthing of a mocktale, and The nude. The last one is a
collection of stories. I started reading Almost Single. It is quite similar to Girl Alone by Rupa Gulab. I dont know why because I havent really analysed this but its true that such stories appeal a lot to me. If you have read either, you will know what I mean. Its not that I have always wanted to be single, or that I am jealous of single women. Anyhow someday I will figure it out. Meanwhile, its an interesting read. I am glued to it.

I met someone. He reads faces, and when you talk to him, he gets vibes. He can feel what is going on inside you, what bothers you and what you are like. Frightening! Well, not for me. I found the session very interesting. He came up with 'True' and authentic details about me. I was impressed. Some of it was good to hear, some of it wasnt. All in all, I was told that that I need to be healed. I did not ask how because I did not have the patience for going through the healing process or to even hear from him as to what it is all about. The interesting bit here is that I happen to meet mind readers, face readers and astrologers quite often these days. I wonder why. Is there more depth to this? I wonder.

Things I would like to eat today

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:28:08 GMT

~Chocolate truffle pastry
~Chicken Momos
~Carrot cake
~Tuna Sandwich
~Fruit salad sundae
~Mashed potaotes with melted butter
~Sunflower eggs, ham, and toasted bread
~Notun gurer Rosogolla

Getting settled in life!

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:16:31 GMT

*When was my last post? I do not even have the urge to go back and check. Perhaps in the second quarter, last year. Well. All this while I was planning that I'd go back to writing sumthn here once I get settled in life. The job happened, then another job happened, I shifted to Delhi, then the medical treatments followed (dont even ask!!),then the husband shifted to Delhi, then an extensive vacation followed, we moved to an apartment in Gurgaon, we packed and unpacked stuff, we fixed things here, and even then, I am not settled. I just dont know how it feels to be settled in life. Or maybe its just okay the way things are.
*Watched 'The Pursuit of Happiness'
Liked it. Actually loved it. Will watch it atleast five more times. Somehow I could relate a lot to the movie.
Kindly do not draw any conclusions from this statement of mine, heheh :)

*Talked to a fren of mine sometime time back, when the telephone was working fine. I just broke the whole thing and now i cant make any calls.
Anyhow, so this fren of mine is married, has an eleven month old kid. And, she is planning for a second child. Is she crazy? She must be. I hate her. Why doesnt she adopt a child and do good to herself and the child as well?

*I had cut my hair myself out of sheer anger and frustration. Actually not just that, I was strangely inspired by 'Sheer Genious' on Travel and Living. Check it out, its a new program. But since i am no great hair stylist, I eventually had to visit one and get it even shorter. Sorry but I dont have the 'click-click' with me. I left it at ma's place.
I have a hair massage plan this week. Its called Shirodhara. Oil dripping on your forehead. That is ALL I know about it. I will just go through one sitting. The guy suggested seven sittings. But who cares.

I am singing!!!

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:33:18 GMT

It was A's wedding. And as usual, I was singing on people's demands. Heh.
Preethi videoed it. Of course I knew that. But it came as a total surprise when I checked her updates on Orkut. Check it out :) I desperately need to know how one can do such funky stuff and upload them on websites and networks. Happy listening.

http://www.orkut.com/FavoriteVideos.aspx?uid=9136288530904855697

An article and a book review. Yoohoo!!!

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:23:54 GMT

Happy today. Rather feeling satisfied. Came to know from a fren that our Economic and Political Weekly paper has been published. Chek it out here:
http://www.epw.org.in/uploads/articles/11005.pdf

Also, I reviewed a book titled, "Competitiveness in Global Tea Trade' By V.N. Asopa ages back. Finally its in the latest issue of the Indian Economic Review (Vol. 43, issue 1)
No wonder Im all smiles today. After a long long time.
:))))))))))))))))))))))))