My wife banged her car. Actually she just scraped it from the side and the side rearview mirror .. well… is now resting on the back seat. So am I to get angry. Heck no.. I was laughing. It happens to all. She is actually I think a better driver than me. She gets more mileage than me for sure. I might just be a good speedster. But a good speedster does not a driver make… But Jispa, if you are reading this please note: YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE THE CAR AND BANG IT ANYWHERE! Wife is ok, but daughter’s banging cars is a no no :)
This Sunday Jasmine unearthed a Frisbee. Not just any Frisbee, but a proper certified Frisbee, certified by the Frisbee association of the World or something like that. Jispa was at some dance practice so Jasmine and me played some amazing Frisbee at the ground behind. It’s a good sport when you are running around and throwing difficult catches. Now to figure out a way to keep Jispa away for two hours on a weekend.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
we still shit
In our new house we got a very interesting servant ' devki' . This one is a loud mouth and would love to get into fights and arguments over nothing. I think her whole aim in life is to shout and talk loudly. Every time she has to tell my wife that ‘I am not supposed to wipe the vessels’, ‘I am not coming at night’, ‘why do you use large vessels for a small family’. She even talks to the vessels, ‘don’t fall’, ‘stay there’. She mumbles and grumbles all the time. But I think she’s kinda ok. I give this huge smile and she does not know how to react. I don’t think she expects people to smile at her. The other day she was forced to smile back. Haha.. she is, I think, not bad at heart. All you have to do is talk in a very calm tone and then she has to sober down…she is complete timepass.
The other day she ordered water for drinking from the workers (who were doing up the flat) next door. My wife asked her the reason. She said that many people in the building let her drink water only from the tap and not the filtered water. What the hell is that for??? Bloody bastards. My wife was also dam pissed. She told her that whenever she wanted she could have water from the water pot like us and that she could use any of the glasses that we use. She can make her own tea as well if required. I just can believe that this shit still happens in Mumbai and that too in decent localities. I guess this nonsense of treating people basis class will get more and more prevalent. Move over caste, its class that reigns supreme. But it just boils my blood every time I think of it. Separate glasses for servants I am ready to even concede but separate water! Bastards.
The other day she ordered water for drinking from the workers (who were doing up the flat) next door. My wife asked her the reason. She said that many people in the building let her drink water only from the tap and not the filtered water. What the hell is that for??? Bloody bastards. My wife was also dam pissed. She told her that whenever she wanted she could have water from the water pot like us and that she could use any of the glasses that we use. She can make her own tea as well if required. I just can believe that this shit still happens in Mumbai and that too in decent localities. I guess this nonsense of treating people basis class will get more and more prevalent. Move over caste, its class that reigns supreme. But it just boils my blood every time I think of it. Separate glasses for servants I am ready to even concede but separate water! Bastards.
Another funny thing happened in the train while commuting. An old man in front of me suddenly decided that this is the best time for exercise. He started doing pull ups in the running train with the handles. Its fun to see him and even more to see the reaction of the fellow commuters. The first time he did it, people looked, but good mumbaikars are not prone to showing too much emotion or surprise. The second time no one even lifted their gaze. God knows what goes on in their minds. Are they busy thinking of their own problems, or are they just dismissing the man. hahhahah.
Here I clicked a couple of photos of the guy doing his thing. You decide.
here he is pulling himself on top. old man with a Nehru topi
Also notice the same man with his feet above the ground. notice the sports shoes and the Cargo pockets to go along with the Nehru topi and the safari'esque get up.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
power
Yesterday I experienced a complete power moment. Wowie. Jispa’s school had some problems in getting the ICSC certification and the parents have met a few times, between themselves and with the management to sort this out. Now most of the time this nonsense degenerates in to confusion and no consensus is ever built, with rarely any go aheads. Very few have the power of voice to silence everyone and the ability to build consensus. I have managed to get the group on previous occasions to move ahead and take steps of action and common sense. This time the meeting was at 6 and I was late due to office shit. I entered at around 7.30 pm. I walked in and walked a few steps.. and…suddenly there was a murmur in the crowd. Heads turning and looking at me with a sigh of relief, heads nodding my presence, welcoming me, urging me almost to take charge of the situation. Mothers telling, come on, we needed you. Almost as if energy flew from me. Hahahahah! That was easily one of the biggest power moments in my life. Ajsmine who was there from before also felt it. Around 80 people and huge impact by merely walking in. I realized after the meeting was over that this was due to the fact no one was able to build action points and take charge. People, people, people… get them together and they lose all common sense. But thank god, I have enough sense to not let it get to my head too much. A little heady is ok, but no inflated egos. I have always maintained that your biggest strength is going to be your biggest weakness. And this is due to you using your strength one time too many. Conserving strength is the surest way to strengthen it! What say?
These days I am working on the travelogue and it making it difficult to write daily. Lets see. Its turning out to something I personally like. Complete self trip.
These days I am working on the travelogue and it making it difficult to write daily. Lets see. Its turning out to something I personally like. Complete self trip.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
so much for womens liberation
As I said earlier that dropping Jispa everyday in the taxi is great fun. This is probably the only time that she and me get to talk. She normally acts dam funny when we ask about her school. Especially when Jasmine is there. She hardly ever tells. She hates to tell what happened, what she learned, what she is doing. But in the taxi early in the morning she now talks to me on what she is doing in school, what her teacher says and what the class is doing. It’s a five – seven minute ride so it’s only the highlight package that I get to hear. But then that’s enough I guess.
Right now she learns concepts in school. She is learning the concept of aeroplane. One of these days she has to go to school dressed up as an airhostess. That was fine. But then she told me that she and some girls are going to be the airhostesses and some of the boys will be the pilots. Now that got me a little irked. Why would the bloody school be reinforcing the stereotype? So I told her that girls can be pilots and the guys can also be ‘air hostesses’. They are called stewards. so I told her that she could be the pilot if she wanted to. She did not take that kindly. She told me that she wanted to be an airhostess. It was more fun giving out ‘khotta’ (fake) food. But I said you should be what you want to be. You could be a pilot or an air hostess. Be what you want. In some planes that I traveled in the men were serving and the women were flying. She firmly told me – ‘It is more funny being and AIR HOSTESS’ …ok ok princess… fine… so much for breaking stereotypes. Screw you ... do what you want… and when you grow up read this and enjoy!
Now to diligently set out time everyday to write the travelogue. Lets see, I must wrtite it before I forget too much. I wrote a lot of notes but still fresh is fresh.
My desk has also grown its greeting card collection. Now to make it stable is a fresh challenge.
Right now she learns concepts in school. She is learning the concept of aeroplane. One of these days she has to go to school dressed up as an airhostess. That was fine. But then she told me that she and some girls are going to be the airhostesses and some of the boys will be the pilots. Now that got me a little irked. Why would the bloody school be reinforcing the stereotype? So I told her that girls can be pilots and the guys can also be ‘air hostesses’. They are called stewards. so I told her that she could be the pilot if she wanted to. She did not take that kindly. She told me that she wanted to be an airhostess. It was more fun giving out ‘khotta’ (fake) food. But I said you should be what you want to be. You could be a pilot or an air hostess. Be what you want. In some planes that I traveled in the men were serving and the women were flying. She firmly told me – ‘It is more funny being and AIR HOSTESS’ …ok ok princess… fine… so much for breaking stereotypes. Screw you ... do what you want… and when you grow up read this and enjoy!
Now to diligently set out time everyday to write the travelogue. Lets see, I must wrtite it before I forget too much. I wrote a lot of notes but still fresh is fresh.
My desk has also grown its greeting card collection. Now to make it stable is a fresh challenge.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
quality time; at 4 am?
No I am not lost, no the kumbh did not kill me and no I did not find my long lost brother / twin/ triplet. Oh I’m Alive……
Wow. Any place which lakhs of people believe in becomes holy purely by the power of faith. The Ardh Kumbh experience was brilliant and to twist what most travelers say about India - everything you heard about the Kumbh is true and the opposite is true as well. I have made notes and I hope to write a small travelogue on the entire experience. So I am not writing too much now. Watch this space for an ill written travelogue.
One thing is there – I definitely got home sick. Too much for a three day trip I guess, but what to do. I miss my family a good deal. And they went and saw Happy Feet without me. That too in the dome theatre. Jispa was telling me about it in the taxi ride to her bus stop.
Dropping her to the bus stop is 15 minutes o quality time. Nice thing it is, talking to her about random things. Today was a nice cool day. So waiting at the bus stop she was feeling cool, and that’s a good thing, cause that’s when she wants to cuddle up. So today I did what my dad used to do. I rubbed my hands hard together making them warm and then warming her hands, legs and face. Very very cool. Her friend Aanya also enjoyed the whole thing. Then she tried to rub her hands together and tried to warm me. Full TP.
One more incident. My wife actually was drying the clothes at 4 am. Don’t ask me why. please ask her.
Wow. Any place which lakhs of people believe in becomes holy purely by the power of faith. The Ardh Kumbh experience was brilliant and to twist what most travelers say about India - everything you heard about the Kumbh is true and the opposite is true as well. I have made notes and I hope to write a small travelogue on the entire experience. So I am not writing too much now. Watch this space for an ill written travelogue.
One thing is there – I definitely got home sick. Too much for a three day trip I guess, but what to do. I miss my family a good deal. And they went and saw Happy Feet without me. That too in the dome theatre. Jispa was telling me about it in the taxi ride to her bus stop.
Dropping her to the bus stop is 15 minutes o quality time. Nice thing it is, talking to her about random things. Today was a nice cool day. So waiting at the bus stop she was feeling cool, and that’s a good thing, cause that’s when she wants to cuddle up. So today I did what my dad used to do. I rubbed my hands hard together making them warm and then warming her hands, legs and face. Very very cool. Her friend Aanya also enjoyed the whole thing. Then she tried to rub her hands together and tried to warm me. Full TP.
One more incident. My wife actually was drying the clothes at 4 am. Don’t ask me why. please ask her.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
hindu electricity
Kumb mela is the stuff of legends. Hindu movie legends that is, the place where you lose your brothers. So I guess every time my brother gets on my nerve its time to visit the Kumbh mela. I might just be able to lose him once and for all. Oh the joy of separation for 14 long years. The joy of meeting him after 14 years, the joy of saying hey 14 years were fun , hope you had a hard time!. Heheheheheh. I can really get sadist I guess. But I have no doubts that as kids my elder bro would have loved to do the Kumbh on me :) Hmmmm. I have booked and packed my bags for the Ardh Kumbh this year to Allahabad. I am leaving on Thursday and will be there for just three days, catching the big dip on the 14th, which is the makar sankranti dip. Supposedly a hugely cleansing dip. Uggh, the only part of my body that is going to wash away the sins I guess is my big toe. I guess it needs the cleansing as it has sinned many times by kicking people’s butt. But more importantly, I am soo dying to see the multitude of people, our ‘holy’ men, the aura, the atmosphere. Any one who has seen the aarti at the ganga banks in Varanasi and Haridwar will testify that the whole ritual, the spectacle, the energy building up for the climax is just extremely exciting. The build up is nothing short of spectacular. The people waiting, the Pujari with confident attitude, knowing he is the hero of the show, and there are millions watching, praying; looking at him and believing him to be a messenger to the Gods. The murmur before it starts and the cacophony at Haridwar where bells go off all over the place, wooden paddles banging the brass plates, people singing, and the jai gange maataa aarti blaring over the loudspeakers. And not to forget the really large aarti diyas, with the helper constantly pouring cool Ganga water on the pujari’s hand, lest the heat scald him. Oh wow… man I soo love it. There is something to the place. I dunno if it is in any way holy, but the faith of millions together believing it to be holy makes it so. Five thousand people together (at least) praying, lighting diyas, believeing, singing, anticipating…. That itself makes for electricity. The place also makes for lovely photography and moods. I hope to catch some part of the Kumbh in similar light as well. Hope, these are not dashed. Badi aarzo liye jaa raha hun.
this photo is of Haridwar ghat where there are all bathing before the aarti begins. this is just one part of the crowd
this next one is of the aarti in full progress with the large aartis. this is the main idol aarti.
Now this one you will see tons of diyas all over the place. again this is only a part of the jumboree. Notice the camera phone in the picture trying to take a video of the aarti. I just love the opposites reconciling in the picture.
this photo is of Haridwar ghat where there are all bathing before the aarti begins. this is just one part of the crowd
this next one is of the aarti in full progress with the large aartis. this is the main idol aarti.
Now this one you will see tons of diyas all over the place. again this is only a part of the jumboree. Notice the camera phone in the picture trying to take a video of the aarti. I just love the opposites reconciling in the picture.
Monday, January 08, 2007
application application application
“It is not enough to have good intelligence” Descartes wrote: “the principal thing is to apply it well”. Bang on insight.
Good intelligence will help you get great hindsight. One would be able to deconstruct the entire situation, explain what went wrong, how could it have been better. Great for teachers and researchers and the general fartists. Don’t get me wrong I think its great, intellectual masturbation is probably a great thing. I do it all the time. It makes you look very very smart in front of others, but also do get me right, its important to differentiate masturbation from the actual thingie. You can’t substitute or subsist on it alone. Great analysis alone need not lead to great work.
Application of intelligence leads to foresight. The ability to learn from mistakes in a way so as to not repeat them is what makes the cut. Every one makes mistakes, the stupid ones make them twice and the real bad idiots make them three times. One is excusable, two is food for thought and three is – ‘shoot the bastard’. Foresight is what will take you places, and that only come by consistent application and constant learning. It comes not just by reading tons of books but by applying some of that logic somewhere.
Afterword: the more I read Gandhi, the more I love his philosophy, parts of it of course. Hmmm… interesting to see how it shapes up and how one is able to apply it in real life situations.
Good intelligence will help you get great hindsight. One would be able to deconstruct the entire situation, explain what went wrong, how could it have been better. Great for teachers and researchers and the general fartists. Don’t get me wrong I think its great, intellectual masturbation is probably a great thing. I do it all the time. It makes you look very very smart in front of others, but also do get me right, its important to differentiate masturbation from the actual thingie. You can’t substitute or subsist on it alone. Great analysis alone need not lead to great work.
Application of intelligence leads to foresight. The ability to learn from mistakes in a way so as to not repeat them is what makes the cut. Every one makes mistakes, the stupid ones make them twice and the real bad idiots make them three times. One is excusable, two is food for thought and three is – ‘shoot the bastard’. Foresight is what will take you places, and that only come by consistent application and constant learning. It comes not just by reading tons of books but by applying some of that logic somewhere.
Afterword: the more I read Gandhi, the more I love his philosophy, parts of it of course. Hmmm… interesting to see how it shapes up and how one is able to apply it in real life situations.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
faltu stress
Examinations are a pain. I still get night mares about not being adequately prepared for the school and college exams. I get remind my self that I am old enough and have passed the exams. But that does not stop them from coming back. I sometimes wonder the kind of stress kids get put under to perform at the exams. Post the exam results the blame will solely be in the kid, but the hell was the parent doing in the first place? I guess parents must take around 50% of the credit of the marks that the kids get and by that logic take 50% of the blame. So next time a kid gets punishment for bad exam performance, the parent must be made to endure 50% of the same. What say?
Speaking of exams, I just felt like I gave one the other day. Jispa’s school admission was on in a prestigious school in BKC. While Jispa was taken in for her test (some kind of play way thing) we were given questions to answer. Man I felt that after a long time I was being put to the test. And I had to handwrite couple of answers after a real looong time. That too, with no spell-check and neat and clean writing. Boss…. Was it stressful? My fingers felt the stress in just about 10 lines. Heheheh. I am so used to typing as opposed to writing anything long… some day I think I will just forget how to write long sentences at all. But it was good fun given the answers. The vast number of books came to my rescue. I was not so surprised to remember some key points from readings and adapt them for the answers. Felt good. Now lets see, either I get thru because the answers seem so smart or I get rejected out right for getting farty. Nothing in between.
Many times in a queue for the bus I wonder how many does it take to break a queue and breakout of anarchy. Many times just one. And all suffer from the resultant anarchy. The discipline of being in a line irrespective of one odd person breaking it will result in all benefiting. Hmmm. Everybody thinks let me benefit first by getting in early, a little early mind you, and everybody suffers. And stepping into a crowded double-decker bus is easier said than done. Only those in mumbai know what a pain it can get as the step is too high and there is almost nothing to hold on to except at the edges.
Speaking of exams, I just felt like I gave one the other day. Jispa’s school admission was on in a prestigious school in BKC. While Jispa was taken in for her test (some kind of play way thing) we were given questions to answer. Man I felt that after a long time I was being put to the test. And I had to handwrite couple of answers after a real looong time. That too, with no spell-check and neat and clean writing. Boss…. Was it stressful? My fingers felt the stress in just about 10 lines. Heheheh. I am so used to typing as opposed to writing anything long… some day I think I will just forget how to write long sentences at all. But it was good fun given the answers. The vast number of books came to my rescue. I was not so surprised to remember some key points from readings and adapt them for the answers. Felt good. Now lets see, either I get thru because the answers seem so smart or I get rejected out right for getting farty. Nothing in between.
Many times in a queue for the bus I wonder how many does it take to break a queue and breakout of anarchy. Many times just one. And all suffer from the resultant anarchy. The discipline of being in a line irrespective of one odd person breaking it will result in all benefiting. Hmmm. Everybody thinks let me benefit first by getting in early, a little early mind you, and everybody suffers. And stepping into a crowded double-decker bus is easier said than done. Only those in mumbai know what a pain it can get as the step is too high and there is almost nothing to hold on to except at the edges.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Sleep well
Jispa has been sleeping alone for around a month now. Ever since we shifted into the new house. Many times I tuck her in. The other day while I was putting her to sleep she asked “why am I sleeping alone?” oops… difficult question…. “because I am four years old, and I will become five years old?” … hmmm.. Should I answer yes? But then a stroke of inspiration. “Who says you are sleeping alone” I point to her teddy bear by her side. “These are also with you” I say pointing to the ten terracotta ganapatys’ by her bed side. I like to call it her terracotta army. Hmm. She smiles as she points to some thing. “Yes and of course there is Bob the Builder as well” I say looking at the figurine overlooking her bed. Very nice. She continues her dazzling smile and closes her eyes. Another score for fatherhood.
I really miss her sleeping with me. The soft cuddly of girl all contracted in the frog pose as she feels cold. When I hug her while she is asleep “Papa” she says “if you hug me I can’t sleeeep!”. Bum..If I don’t hug you I can’t sleep. But then I just put a blanket on her and she straightens up and sleeps. Only to throw it all away – actually kick it and sleep again in the frog pose. Finally when in morning she is 30% awake will she come in and sleep in a hug. Sigh. I would like to freeze time.
I really miss her sleeping with me. The soft cuddly of girl all contracted in the frog pose as she feels cold. When I hug her while she is asleep “Papa” she says “if you hug me I can’t sleeeep!”. Bum..If I don’t hug you I can’t sleep. But then I just put a blanket on her and she straightens up and sleeps. Only to throw it all away – actually kick it and sleep again in the frog pose. Finally when in morning she is 30% awake will she come in and sleep in a hug. Sigh. I would like to freeze time.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
melody khau khud jaan jao
The first blog of the New Year must be funny…. Says who?..... Arree…The first thing you do / write in the New Year will set the tone for the rest of the year….. Ya? Is that so? ….. Of course. That’s why we party into the New Year and have tons of fun hoping we carry it all into the year? …..Hmmm. but don’t we mostly get drunk at these parties and embrace strangers and profess false love?...... Arree. but we also spend the part with people with love…… Hmmm. Is that so? ……Yes of course, that’s why the new year is so important and the first things we do set the tone. Haven’t you heard, well begun is half done?.......... Acha, so then I am basically screwed…… Why? What happened? ……Well nothing. Bhagum bhag is the first movie I saw this year. aaaggggghhhhhh…… Oh god man you are screwed. Kuch nazar wazar utarna tera. Teri toh band hai. full shot picture hai woh….. I know. Tell me about it. I spent 350 bucks on it! if that is truly the tone of the movies to come then I am done for. This is one of the rare comic movies that I have not even laughed once at. Even a movie like No Entry I remember laughing around twice. But this one drew a zilch. Kya shitall movie tha… man. tu sach bolta hai… merit toh abhi pure saal ki waat hai. I will have to atone for this sin.
Acha ek baat bol… bol… yeh subah subah people scene rocks yaar…. As in? … I have never understood one thing…. What? … in the morning the guys who are all dressed up in formals and saris etc are literally running…. And? .... the guys who are all dressed up with sneakers and shorts are the ones ambling along? Aisa kyun?... hmmmm. Bindu. .. Bindu?... as in point, man….haan, toh yeh opposites reconcile wala maamla hua nah?... Chandra maa bindu… Chandra maa bindu?... as in good point, man…. aaagh, saaad joke yaar but still better than the movie… toh kya? Maarte rahun kya?.... main tere ko maaru. That will be the perfect start to the year… hmmm. But two questions…. Haan puch?.... (1) Can a man actually hit his alter ego? (2) melody itni choclatey kaise bani….
Acha ek baat bol… bol… yeh subah subah people scene rocks yaar…. As in? … I have never understood one thing…. What? … in the morning the guys who are all dressed up in formals and saris etc are literally running…. And? .... the guys who are all dressed up with sneakers and shorts are the ones ambling along? Aisa kyun?... hmmmm. Bindu. .. Bindu?... as in point, man….haan, toh yeh opposites reconcile wala maamla hua nah?... Chandra maa bindu… Chandra maa bindu?... as in good point, man…. aaagh, saaad joke yaar but still better than the movie… toh kya? Maarte rahun kya?.... main tere ko maaru. That will be the perfect start to the year… hmmm. But two questions…. Haan puch?.... (1) Can a man actually hit his alter ego? (2) melody itni choclatey kaise bani….
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)