in conversation... again.

A few days after we moved-in to our current apartment (Yes, we've moved again!), V came to pick me up at the station and wanted to go out for dinner.

V: you want to go straight or you want to go home and then go out.

me: home, please.

V: but... we can go straight for dinner.

me: HOME. i need to pee!

V; the restaurant will have loos, i'm sure.

me: tch. No! Home.

V: why? You need to mark your territory?

---------------------

we had friends over for christmas. one of them was accompanied by her boyfriend. our initial plans were to gang up against the boyfriend (the rest of us v/s him, that is) and pelt him with snowballs.

but of course, there was no snow on christmas day.

to pacify us disappointed souls, vin came up with an alternative:

"there's ice in the freezer. let's hit him with that!!"

-----------------------

we haven't had much time to converse the past couple of weeks.

this morning, i decided to give it a rest and at least have b'fast together. the topic somehow veered to how some men are really hen-pecked. (Yes, I know... we discuss other people over rare conversations. don't judge us!)

vin: sometimes, i really wish i was also hen-pecked.

me: eh?

vin: you're okay with whatever I decide to do. you don't nag me.

me: yeah, i'm the coolest wife you'd ever have found.

vin: but i W.A.N.T. to be henpecked. you refuse to peck me. please peck me?!

------------

just like that.

there are days.
and there are days.

some days you wake up with a spring in your step. and you try really hard to not let external situations affect you. but they do.
and you can't help but feel dejected. and the fact that you try so hard at maintaining those "happy" pretenses just makes you feel worse. and you have so much on your plate, that you can't afford to put anything but your best foot forward.

and then, you talk to a friend. you play good, happy music. you look into the mirror and dance your heart out. and the world is so much better. just like that.

good friends, email, cell phones, music, full length mirrors.
what would the world be without them.

in conversation

The other day, when he thought he's getting late while coming to pick me up:

vin: if I get late, wait RIGHT there, ok?

me: of course I'll wait. where will I go?

vin: no. don't go with anyone else. i WILL come to get you.

------------------------

The other evening, when I was waiting for a friend at the station, a random man who was passing by paused, looked at me, did a double-take and said "boy! you're really beautiful!" and walked on before i could react or say thanks.

when I got home, I mentioned this to vin.

In typical filmy style, his response:

"aaj se tumhara college jaana bandh!"

-----------------------

We debated this morning about how V has no sense of order and leaves his things lying around the house.

In the evening, there are dollar bills lying on the center table. I didn't leave them there. So I turn to Vin, raise an eyebrow, and accusingly say

"what are these dollar bills doing here?"

the man, having learned a LOT in the past four years looks at me and says
"oh that's for later in the evening. when you start stripping?"

p.s.: clarifications.

No, I do not go off with random people at train stations.

and no, I do not strip later in the evenings. any evenings. just saying.

moments...

there are moments. when some people feel close. so close. that you feel you can reach out and touch them. that maybe you should.

and then, the moment passes.
you open your eyes to your reality.
and move on.

long time...

a lot has been happening.

amongst other things - for those of you who came in late - i'm back to school. after four years of procrastinating and choosing alternatives, i've bitten the bullet. and school is one whirlwind affair.

when you get used to having your time and space to do things that you like; it's difficult to adapt to a routine which requires you to be at your sharpest at any hour of the day. to get back to reading case studies and writing papers. to listening to a prof talk for close to three hours. difficult is an understatement.

so yes, it's been different. and difficult.

but i'd like to think i'm getting the hang of it.

the positives... realizing that you haven't lost the touch to befriend people. people that you genuinely like and get along with. it's comforting to know that people like this exist. that the possibility of finding 'good' friends still exists.

that there still is hope.

the negatives? not being able to speak to people who sort you out. who know you. who love you. who miss you. no matter how many times you say "i miss you", it's just not enough to convey how much i really miss connecting with the people i care for. and saying that i'm busy makes me feel very inefficient and inadequate.

so yes, i'm hoping i've managed to adapt. and that i will make time for things i like. and the people i love.

hopefully, i won't abandon this space either. this blog means way too much to me to let it die. so here's committing myself to it. and to school. and to those in my life that make me feel good about being me. you all know who you are... thanks for being so patient. thanks for being around.

means a lot.

p.s.: the humor shall return. soon.

of warming up... and liking me.

*edited to add another convo, by public demand.

since nothing exciting is happening in my life - besides on-now, off-now weekends, stalled cars and late night train rides, here's for a couple of the conversations that I can recollect.

we'd gone to get take-out from a newly opened desi restaurant. the lady there, while really sweet and friendly, had a thick manglorean (?) accent. (i cannot place south indian accents - so i could be wrong) she got us our order in a container and asked:

should i warm it for you?

vin looked at her - with an extremely quizzical expression, and went "HUH?"

i realized he was missing the point.

i also realized that asking him there, would not be wise. so I told the lady "i will warm it, thank you"

later, in the car, i looked at vin and said "what happened there?"

he explained:"i thought she's asking "should I VOMIT for you?" and i was like... What?! WHY?! NO...EWWW... HUH?!?! and all that was flashing in my head... till you replied, and i realized what she'd said!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

we were in the car at a red light. the car behind was a little too close for comfort. vin drove ahead a bit. the car behind followed.

vin: get AWAY from me! i do NOT want you so close. me: huh?

vin: the truck. behind. tell him to get away from me. why does he like me so much!

me: maybe it's a girl who likes you.

vin: the truck doesn't look like it's being driven by a chick. it's a guy.

me: then maybe the guy likes me, so he's following us. vin - very seriously- : no, honey. you don't know. nobody other than me likes you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

whenever we book a rental car, we usually go with enterprise. i've called them on numerous occasions, and ALWAYS it's someone called "chris" who answers the call. whether i call their customer service, their offices - in different locations, or different cities, even - it's always "chris".

so i was mentioning it to Vin that maybe they have an employee name kinda thing going on. where everybody who joins has to call himself "chris".

but, of course, the PhD has wittier explanations

vin: no, no.. nothing you know. it's because this IS a 'chris-tian' country.

berrylicious

been a while i wanted to do a picture post. but i can't post pics of dewey. and i don't post pics of vin/me. and i wanted to do a pic post only with a living being.

also, i was stalking a squirrel this morning.
yes, i really do have very important things to be doing. which is why, i was indulging in this. and well, since it can't sue me for pictures taken without permission, here goes.

it did cross my mind as to ho

w big this thing was... esp given that it only eats berries and such.
hmm... i wonder how big a cat would have to be to make this its dinner...

of names. and changing them.

while doing the stereotype tag, i realized i'd forgotten to list down the fact that i haven't changed my surname after i got married. i thought about adding it there, and then didn't.

because i didn't retain my surname so i could go against a stereotype. i didn't do it to rebel. i didn't retain my name coz i'm a feminist. and not because i was leaving everything else behind anyway. in fact, i hadn't even thought about it.

i just didn't. the fact that i didn't have the time to change it when i got married was proven by the fact that nobody thought about it. and now... four years later... it kind of feels futile. now, i realize that i am not sure if i'm okay with changing my surname.

it doesn't mean that i'm not comfortable with adopting the new family.. i have done that, already. i don't need a document to prove it. it's in the conduct.

i don't get the big deal about it.

i have no qualms about admitting that tomorrow, if and when we have a kid, it'll use vin's surname. not mine. like i use my dad's.

because a name is something the parents give you. it is an integral aspect of your identity. apart from a good upbringing, it's the only thing they give you, that remains with you. forever. getting married doesn't mean that you "leave" your family or your identity. not to me, at least.

and most importantly... and this is also the reason i'm not comfortable changing my name, today... it's the only thing i have of my dad's.

i don't see the need to use vin's surname. i have him. with me. every step of the way.

the name is my way of me knowing that my dad is there. with me. every step of the way.

should i give up that feeling just for the sake of not being labelled? not worth it, i think.

how typical!

having done the anti-stereotype tag... i think i needed to list ways in which i do fit the stereotype.

so here goes:

:: i totally suck at math. yes, i have got better with time, but it's something that takes a lot of effort from me.
:: i LOVE my heels. there's no low-day that a good pair of heels can't fix.
:: i am not ambitious. i don't care if i'm doing a job or earning as much/more than my partner. as long as i'm happy, i don't give a damn.
:: i don't drive. when i did, i could totally understand why men say women make bad drivers. i was the kind that would be proof towards that crap.
:: i love good gossip. i don't spread it around, but i love to be clued-in.
:: i totally love chocolates. dark, but chocolate.
:: i'm an efficient cook. that means, that i can manage to cook a meal that's a little more than edible in less than an hour. that includes clean-up time.
:: i believe that a woman can never have enough of handbags, footwear or jewelry.
:: i do notice shades of colors that men wouldn't be able to name.
:: i prefer a good book to the television. even if the book is chick-lit. in fact, i love chick-lit.
:: i used to follow SATC. i did like it.

gender-bender

while i'm on a tag-stealing spree... i stole this tag off pixie's...

it's been doing the rounds... and it requires you to list traits of yours that don't fit your gender stereotype.

so, here's my list of sins.

- i don't do fancy romantic dinners very well. i prefer the bar, diner environment more. i love chilling over a beer. and i think diner breakfasts are the best.

- i do not like mush. i hate roses. i hate red heart-shaped merchandise even more. the concept of fancy romantic proposals make me go blech. i do not get "hints". neither do i give them. if i want to say something, i will. and 'nothing' actually means nothing.

- i'm very comfortable in jeans/trousers. i never wore skirt-suits to work. it was always trousers.

- i am quite fond of remote controlled toy cars. and planes. in fact, i love them. i vehemently dislike dolls. barbies included.

- i love telecom. i do understand the technology. what i don't know, i learn it quick. i found it fascinating to decipher how to determine which server had better specifications. or the apps that would work best with droid.

- i was good at programming before i quit it.

- i wouldn't mind spending a day (or more) at home playing video games.

- i don't know how to be 'coy' or ladylike. if i find something funny, i laugh out loud. quite loud.

- i do not get manicures/pedicures, facials or body massages. i don't like them. in fact, i detest salons and go ONLY for the most basic things.

- i do not spend hours getting dressed. it takes me 15 mins to be completely dressed. i also shop real quick.

- i am not weight conscious. i have never dieted in my life. and would rather die than diet. i love eating.

If...

flicked the tag from trish's space...

If I were a month, I’d be December
If I were a day of the week, I’d be Friday
If I were a time of day, I’d be 23.59
If I were a season, I’d be the Monsoons/Spring
If I were a planet, I’d be Venus.
If I were a sea animal, I’d be a whale. *not getting into technicalities of an animal, here*
If I were a direction, I’d be the 'right' direction.
If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a Bar Stool.
If I were a liquid, I’d be Water.
If I were a tree, I’d be all green & brown and have birds sitting on me... eww!
If I were a tool, I’d be a Hex.
If I were an element, I’d be Mercury.
If I were a gemstone, I’d be a garnet.
If I were a musical instrument, I’d be an electric guitar.
If I were a color, I’d be deep. deep anything.
If I were a emotion, I’d be fleeting.
If I were a fruit, I’d be an apple. in the garden of eden.
If I were a sound, I’d be the sounds of waves crashing on the shore.
If I were a car, I’d be rather driven...!
If I were food, I’d be chicken wings.
If I were a taste, I’d be bitter-sweet.
If I were a scent, I’d be plumeria.
If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be hot pink, sky-high stilettos.
If I were a bird, I’d be a kingfisher.

friends to strangers

when friends drift away, it hurts.
over time, i've come to accept it as just one of those other inevitable things that life throws at you.

it's strange. when you think u're "friends". when you believe, with all your heart, that you connect. that you 'get' each other. you share laughter and tears. and you believe that you mean as much to them as they do to you.
and then, suddenly... just like that, the person changes. so much, that you realize - eventually - that you can't relate to the new person. maybe it's not an overnight change.. maybe, while you're busy ignoring "silly signs", the other person is changing. and you refuse to believe the change, refuse to see that your friend is drifting away from you.
the proximity, the "friendship", it all disappears. and you wonder what happened. what happened that the person changed so much.

i don't think its the person changing. i think you never really knew them.
and you keep trying... to find your friend in the new stranger. not knowing that they're no longer there. it's a brand new person. and unfortunately, you don't relate to the new person anymore.
yes, you know all of this. but it still hurts. and you still wish your friend would come back.

public apologies

to friends who do not read this public space.

:: the acquaintance who is getting married next month.

i am extremely sorry that in my congratulatory mail to you, i got the name of your fiancee incorrect. even more sorry that it happened to coincide with the name of your ex. i honestly did not know that you ever dated a girl named neha. i just got confused between your fiancee's name and the name of another friend's fiancee. i kinda forgot who weds whom. you know how i am, right? right?

i do wish you, and your wife, all the very best.

:: the friend who received an offline from me saying "i lauve you so much! MUAH!" that was genuinely NOT meant for you. i do NOT love/lauve/louve you. at all. and no, i wasn't drunk. you happen to be on my gtalk JUST above dewey... given that your names are a little bit identical. and i'm even more sorry that your wife snoops on you by checking your inbox and glanced upon it. i can speak to her and clarify things. though, as you rightly said - i may just cause more damage. sigh. just sorry, ok? peace!

:: the friend (?) on FB who put up a "happy fathers day, ABC. you're very loved. hope you like your gift!" (ABC being her husband's name)

i am sorry for presuming and congratulating you - on your wall - for having had a baby. in my defense, i did not know that i should wish my husband on father's day. i stupidly thought it was meant as a special day for all fathers only. i wonder why.

yes, i've had a very busy couple of days, as you can see. what have you guys been upto? offended anyone lately?

what age would you be?

i read somewhere that "women want to remain 16 for the rest of their lives"

and i thought about it... i am a woman. and i don't think so. as in, i don't want to be stuck at 16. (just to be clear!)
in fact, i never wanted to be 16. not when i was 16, and not when i'm 30! why would i want to go back and be 16? ever?
what is so special about 16, anyway? 10th standard exams? the fact that you don't know yourself enough to answer basic questions like "who am i?"

heck, i didn't even know what 'true friends" are. i was naive, rather insecure about myself... somewhat stupid and in a hurry to grow up. but i think that the most stupid thing about me was that i thought i was smart. and therein, lay my ridiculousness.

i did have dreams and aspirations, the arrogance of making life turn my way, yes.. but did not have the knowledge or the assurance that life is life. you can will it to a certain extent... but mostly, you go with the flow and make the best of the cards that are dealt to you.

maybe that's just me. and maybe the rest of you were absolutely fabulous individuals when you were 16. but i've only gotten better. maybe coz i couldn't have deteriorated ;)

anyhoo... if there were an age i'd like to be stuck at... it would be 25, for me.
i knew myself. i knew my strengths, my limitations... my dreams and my aspirations. i looked good, i felt good. and i was finally at ease with myself. i knew the difference that separated my friends and people who pretended to be my friends.. though i'm still figuring that one out... but still, i think i was okay at 25.

yeah, i'm slow. i know. it took me 25 years to get to that place where i could say "i'm okay". but heyy, i got there. and i realized, it only gets better.

what age would you be stuck at if you had to be...?

update

it's been a whirlwind couple of months and i don't remember all that i wanted to blog about. but i do know i need/want to blog. so update piece again.

- the move went rather well. helps to have good movers. it was a little disconcerting when it took them a little less than 15 mins to load the stuff that had taken me more than 15 days to pack. also, we had to race to get here before they did. and they still won. but i guess, i should be happy about that. if anyone wants a reference, get in touch. they were fab!

- we've settled in. ok. not all settled. but getting there. kinda, sorta. slowly. more so, coz the space doesn't permit me to unpack everything. also, we would need to change apartments in abt 6 months. so no point unpacking it all. so well, yeah. i think we're almost settled. for now.

- ARE nice desis. yes, apart from the 'smile-and-they-look-away' or the 'they-keep-staring-at-you' kinds that everybody (and me) keeps coming across and talking/bitching about on blogs. and luckily, we found them nearby. they're moving away shortly, but they've reinstated the hope that not everybody who moves here from india is prone to negative attitude/behavior towards others who have moved from there.

- got a much-needed break. that gets over this sunday. since the last blog post, we've done log-cabin camping, 1000 islands, vermont, explored the adirondacks, checked out nearby beaches and a little bit of boston already. helped that vibs and dewey were here.

- find the cutest dental hygienists. my cleaning sessions are fun, despite the fact that i HATE to go for them.

that's all that's been happening. if your'e still around, give me a shout. will let me know who all still read this space. will blog soon... soon as i remember what it was that i wanted to blog about.

pause

post a wonderful week with a fantastic friend, the blog goes on a break. indefinite, as of now.

hopefully, i shall get back here next month. provided we have our internet connection fixed at the new place by then.

oh yeah, i haven't mentioned it, have i?

we're moving. again.

to a suburb of boston. mid-may. i may not get the time to do a farewell post & all, but i sure will miss this place. weather n all.

somehow, the urge to blog isn't the way it used to be. so maybe, i'll close shop here. or maybe i will be back next month. i don't know as of now.

all of you who have me on mail/FB, do keep in touch.

p.s.: amey, do follow up with dewey on Hema. she has the first part. and she will get the others too. :)

pwetty cherry on top!

okk... another tag. that i'm doing ONLY coz of the award! and no, she hadn't given this award to me. i liked it. so i well, asked for it! and i stole the image from her blog, in case she said no! *which, she didn't btw!*

pwetty, aint it?

the tag says i'm to write 3 things i like abt myself. and put up a pic i love the most.

part 1 is rather easy. part 2, i'm putting up a pic i like as of now. coz i don't know which pic i love the most.

what i love abt me:

i. i'm genuine. and it's quite evident. i won't ask after you if i don't care. no matter how important you may be to me professionally/relatively. only reason i will care for/about you

is because you matter to me. if i don't like you, i may not be rude to you, but you will know that i'm talking to you because i have to.

ii. i'm a simple, positive, happy person. and i attempt to keep my life that way as well. touchwood.

iii. i am very secure with myself. i wasn't like this always. i have grown over and out of my insecurities. with quite a bit of effort. i understand and appreciate the work it has taken to be me and the people who have made me me. and i realize that i won't let myself stagnate.

picture?

this one has been my fave for a while now. hope you like it as well.

mindless!

vin and i share differing tastes in ice cream flavors. i like only the dark choc types. and while he likes almost all ice creams, he's not so fond of the chocolate ones. *this, of course, doesn't mean he won't eat it.*

y'day post dinner, we were pigging out on a large tub of dark choc ice cream. one that he got ESP for me, apparently.

he was eating it with a rather morose expression on his face. which prompted me to ask "why so serious?"

vin: this is REALLY good, you know? i didn't know i liked it.

me: i know. mast hai na?! but what's with the sad face?

slight pause while he contemplated being honest with me.

vin: you had to 'tell' me i like it. i have no mind of my own!

when it rains, it pours...

how do you describe...
a friend who has always been there for you.
despite arguments and distances.
despite being pissed off with you.
despite knowing that you're crazy and can go thru drastic mood swings.

a friend who knows HOW to handle those mood swings. and someone who can actually tell random relatives at your wedding to not push you any more. *my mom told me this recently and it made me SO proud!*
a friend who knows what you would like for lunch even though you may not know it.
a friend who orders that particular thing for you since you tend to forget.
a friend who understands the fascination for dancing in front of a mirror. and the aversion to tequila.
a friend who's so attuned to the deviousness of your mind, that she can be your partner in crime without you telling her of her role in the crime. and pull it off so beautifully.
a friend who is part sister, part care-taker, part best friend!
you don't describe them. coz they're so much more than what words can convey. you try and be there for them. try to be to them, what they've been for you.

p.s.: vibs is visiting me. she will be here next friday. and i'll be seeing her after 2 long years. she's entirely responsible for making me see the bright side of bbay. i'm hoping i can help her see the beautiful side of the US. :)

news flash!

Her Royal Madness, and partner in crime, DewDropDream is scheduled to visit the kind galadriel and the author. The visit is scheduled for the month of May, 2010.

Sources reveal that planning has been underway for this visit since Dec 2008. However, it is finally official. Local authorities have already been warned of the development and expect two weeks of sheer madness. Anything less will be a punishable offense.

Commenting on this development, DDD, aka Dewey* or 3D* says "Geez, this is happening!!!! After what, a year and half of hawe mein planning?!"

when asked to comment, this is what her hosts had to say.
Galadriel: "Apparently you are talking in Filipino.. And Google is very graciously offering to translate also!"
Vin: "She's going to have to brush her teeth twice a day."

As you can see, the ingredients for madness have already been acquired. For further coverage and absolutely insane updates, please be sure to login to this space.

*nicks reserved for members of the sisterhood ONLY. violators shall be clawed.

tag-time

oh yes, i've been tagged again.
the li'l insane, li'l nice celestialrays has tagged me.
and yes, this one took quite some thinking.

5 pathetically horrible movies you’ve seen
this one's difficult. there isn't too much i would "hate" other than the recent yrf/dharma productions fare. lemme try.
i. srk acted, YRF or KJo flicks. exceptions being DDLJ, DTPH and KANK. yes, i liked kank. sue me. *this automatically cuts down almost my entire list.*
ii. dostana. blech.
iii. khushi. yeah, i know. i shouldn't have seen such movies, right? but well. this has the honor of being the only movie i've walked out of. before the interval, that too.
iv. marathi movies from the 90s. esp the so-called comedies. blech. of late, i think there have been some good releases here... not that i've seen all. but i try.
v. mango souffle. i really, really did not get this one. i saw it coz it had atul kulkarni.

5 accessories you can create out of food
just create, not wear, right?
i. finger ring. simple, right?
ii. handbag. cut a cantaloupe in half. clean it out. cut a curved strip of the chhilka *i have no patience to think of the english word for that!* and attach it to the semi-circle with push pins. decorate with oatmeal or cornflakes. there you go. designer handbag ready.
iii. earrings. take one cornflake. attach to push-pin. put pin in ear. repeat with other.
iv. belt. tie banana peels together. sexy yellow belt's ready. how many peels you need depends on your girth, entirely.
v. anklet. carrot peels. strung together. you could substitute cucumber peels for this as well. would match with the finger ring as well.

5 places where you won’t be seen dead at

i. Holi celebrations where ppl are playing color. N.E.V.E.R.
ii. at a film shoot. ANY film shoot.
there's no other place that i would avoid with so much passion, actually. i'm okay with being anywhere. depends on my mood, though. and also, the company.

5 people you’d love to hit, anytime, anywhere
i. those who discriminate. ANY kind of discrimination. race, caste, creed, sexuality... pls learn to live and let live.
ii. those who believe that a woman's "purpose" is to marry and reproduce. or those who believe that life is incomplete without marriage/children etc. you get the drift.
iii. those who think it's their duty to meddle in others' lives. and ask questions. MYOB.
iv. those who have the 'i'm-daft-come-hit-me' look on their faces. they're asking for it, actually.
v. i cannot name the 5th person. and i cannot typecast him/her or describe why i so badly want to hit him/her. sorry. there's only so much honesty this space can take.

5 things you’d do to scare anybody
i would be myself. no 5 things needed. i can be very scary if i wish to be.

there. i'm done. will do an update soon. lots happening at this end! :)

of love... and life

i read somewhere:

"every woman has exactly that love life, that she had decided in her mind, when she was 12 years old"

hmm...

as far as i can remember.. when i was 12, i had no love life in mind. but the nearest i can think to that age... was when i wanted a guy who would love me a lot, who would be smart & witty and who would have a walk-in closet to house my shoes. i would also have preferred it if he had a horse.

well, other than the horse, i got it all, then!

tagged...

i was tagged by trish to post 7 random things abt me.

i'm not sure there are 7 such things after 3 years of blogging that regulars here don't know... but it's been a while, i've been tagged, so i shall attempt it.

for the rules, go here.

i. i can switch between immature, child-like girl to wise old woman within seconds.

ii. when i'm not actively involved in a conversation, i almost always look indifferent to what's going on. this may, or may not be true. in any case, you won't be able to figure it out!

iii. i amaze myself with my knowledge of bollywood. i did not know that i knew all of sunita rao's songs or how many movies called pehchaan were released and when. i still don't think i'm THAT interested in this knowledge, but well...

iv. i don't like a lot of ppl. but at the same time, i believe that every individual has something exceptionally good in/about them. i can focus on this good, and get along with almost anybody if i need to.

v. the first time i was reprimanded for something, i was 20 years old. that day, i also got a piece of advice which still helps me. i was told "you need to be very thick-skinned to survive in advertising/media. but don't lose your sensitivity. it'll take you very far. i can see that." i'm not in touch with the prof who said that. but his words remain with me. always will.

vi. it takes very little to make me very happy. i believe i'm a happy person, in general. there are very few days that i am in a funk. and i think i'm rather nice to be around.

vii. i love drifting off. and i find silences comforting. at the same time, i love the "life" of a city. i am still trying to figure out if i'm a city girl or a country. maybe, i'm a bit of both.

there i go. i don't know 7 ppl who haven't done this, and ppl i tag don't necessarily do the tags. so well, if you want to do this, pls feel free to pick it up.

video of the week

for lack of a substantially entertaining post, here's hoping you like the video and the song.

this used to be one of my faves a long time ago... forgot it in the commercialization of self.

enjoy:

p.s.: for those of you who can't see the video *it depends on the country you login from, i guess...* it's Heer by Sandeep Chowta, featuring Sukhwinder Singh.

run, but you can't hide

vin recently got onto FB. i very promptly went and edited my profile to say "married to..."

but of course, FB wanted a confirmation from vin...

a couple hours later, i get a mail from vin

"FB is asking me to confirm you're my wife. i am not confirming."

later in the evng, when i asked him why... he merrily says i don't want to publicly associate with you. why am i not given the option of "i have nothing to do with her"?

-----------------------------

me: dewey thinks that when she comes over, you'll leave us both at the airport and escape. you won't, right?

vin: i would WANT to, but knowing you, you'll get home before i do. then you'll break my legs and skin me... so i won't be able to run, and i will have no hide.

----------------

p.s.: yes, he's still alive. how else will he pay for his wit?

phew!

yeah, so i'm back. with nothing, as of now. except a new template.
hope y'all like it. will come back with a post... soon. hopefully.

and yes, will catch up with most of the blogs that i used to read prior to the break.

dus ka dum!

so much for a break. gah!
i seriously have zero discipline in my life! anyway, i'm a sucker for tags. and an even bigger sucker for bollywood. so when i glanced upon this on lady K's blog, i HAD to take a break from my break.

here are the rules, copied from kiran's blog:

1. On your blog, provide a link to this page. (http://greatbong.net/book).
2. Then write down your top 10 Hindi movie lines or top 10 English movie lines (You can do both if you want. Only one set is required for the contest). If you cannot think of top 10, make it top 5. Cannot think of even 5? Make it top 3. No problem. Only restriction: no two lines from same movie. This done to make it fair for other movies so that they dont get swamped by Gunda or Loha or Sholay.
3. Tag five friends to do the same.
4. Come over to the comment-space of this post and post your blog’s link so I can go and read it.
Remember: Before starting the tag, paste points 1 and 4 on your blog so that the rules are available to anyone who wishes to pick the tag up from your blog.

so now, i leave you with my top-of mind hindi film dialogs.

:: "mogambo khush hua!" - mr india

:: "yahan beemaron ka ilaaj hota hai, murdon mein jaan nahi daali jaati" - aloo chaat

:: "chal, ab mann mein has ke dikha" - shool *i think*

:: "pyaari nahi, bahut saari baatein karti hai" - sholay

:: "yeh dhai kilo ka haath kisiipar pad jaaye, toh aadmi uthta nahi, uth jaata hai" - damini

:: "mere paas maa hai" - deewar

:: "no if, no but... only jat" - jo bole so nihaal

:: "mere mann ko bhaaya, main kutta kaat ke khaaya" - china gate

:: "main ek baar commitment kar lu, toh phir main apni bhi nahi sunta"- wanted

:: "teja main hoon. mark idhar hai!" - AAA

:: "aap convince ho gaye... ki main aur bolu..?" - jab we met.

i know.. they're 11... but well, i couldn't leave out the last one. and i have to remind myself that i have something VERY pressing to do.. or this could've been top 50!

and as is wont, i tag:

dewey

galadriel

pixie

amey

suruchi

prashanti

one dialog extra, one person extra tagged!

i shall meet y'all post march 8! :)

break it!

due to inexplicable *as yet* and unavoidable circumstances, i'm off this space till march 8, 2010.

i may pop in once a while... but since i'm not going to even check mails, that can't be guaranteed.

will try and catch up with all the blogs i frequent, once i'm back. didn't want to leave without a notification... so here it is. for those of you who bother reading me/leave comments. love y'all. and i'll see you all soon. here, of course. *pavi & G - i will call you soon! :)*

till then... stay safe and stay happy.

photos... phinally.

by public demand, here are pictures from the guest house, where we were put up for a couple of days till they set our apartment right.

the view from the dining room - that's the sun attempting to set, not rise! ;)


the frozen lake...
and my fave pic... :)
the rest will be mailed to you (if i have your id, and if you want them) once i upload them on picasa.

learnings in the adirondacks!

learning 1: in the winter, never EVER switch off the heat in your house if you're going to be away. more so, if you're away for over a day! or 5 days, in our case.*you knew it?! GOOODD for you!*

learning 2: always... and i mean, always, KNOW where the mains are located. not just for electricity, for water as well.

learning 3: when you get back after a couple of days to a frozen house, do NOT yank up the heat! yes, even though you may be freezing. even though the faucets are frozen and there is not a drop of water in the house! do NOT yank up the heat. you may risk - like we did - a pipe bursting, and the entire apartment getting flooded in approx 15 mins.

learning 4: the trudeau maintenance guys totally rock!! they were prompt, came up rather late in the night... managed to find us a place to stay at that hour (in a city that sleeps around 7). M even managed to drive up to the guest house at way past 10 to make sure we had groceries, our sheets were clean and we were okay. AND she was really sweet about it. i don't think anyone anywhere else would do as much, as promptly, for tenants! that too, with a smile. i guess they really are nicer folks around here.

so well, here i am. at the trudeau guest house. using the free wi-fi and blogging. second thing in the morng. first, of course, i took pictures of the gorgeous steiner cottage and the marvelous view from here - the frozen lake! :)

yeah, a tiring day, a 5 hour drive, a flooded apartment... fades away in my memory when i wake up to a view like this!

but i do hope i can go back home soon!