Kids these days!

In utter disbelief, I gawked at the video screen when my sister told me a conversation that she and her 2.5 year old had at the doctors.

Doc to Kabir : Hi, What is your name?

Kabir: Kabir. I am a good boy.

Doc : Great. How's Life?

Kabir: Life is dangerous!

Oh so true!

It indeed is. Just that he mistook Life for Knife and said how you'd get hurt and how Life is dangerous. In silly repartee, most profound truths come out. This was one such truth.

I wonder what is happening at consciousness level, that is producing this magnificent generation of kids who can actually converse at the age of 2. Mind you, these conversations are not just any conversations, but have a depth, that you may normally ignore, citing the age, but if you really indulge, you'd know the immense depth they carry.

So Kabir loves talking to his Ammamma (Naani/Grandmother) and he usually prefers talking to her over me. So, my sister asked him if he disliked me? He did not say he did, all he said was, he wanted to talk to Ammamma. She insisted again, but never did he accept that he did not like me.

There is no concept of dislike in the dictionary of a 2 year old, wrt people. They just prefer one thing or one person more than the others. 

The concept of dislike is introduced by adults, who, over a period of time have developed a few. There is nothing to dislike, per se, sure - one can have preferences.

There is so much to learn from kids.

I imagine, sometimes, what the world would be if it were run by kids. Kids making big decisions of war and budget - there'd be none. They would trade their legos for food, and games for milk. Their actions would be backed by love alone. No political correctness, and no greed, nothing. Sheer barter system.

The world needs innocence and purity. The world needs sheer love and I am sure, it will be what it is meant to be!

Kids these days - should retain this innocence when they grow up too! Mankind has bright chances of surviving, this way!

There are so many stories, worth telling, since I have so many wonderful kids around me, but, one at a time! 

Epiphany

The wind caressed the tamarind tree, and the remnants of raindrops fell on Mangal. Startled, he looked up, and adjusted his seat on the rock he was sitting on. His cane stick fell in a water puddle. Mangal picked it up and tapped it on the concrete a few times.

Thakk.. thakk…thakk…

This place helped him cool off his anger, every time he had a fight with Kanta. He would barge out of the house at these impulses. These were regular scenes, and Kanta would eagerly wait for Mangal to come back home. He thought of one such fight he had years ago.

 ***

"Mangali"

"Aye Mangali"

"How long before you switch off that television and finish your food?"

 Kanta was eternally tired of running after Mangal for every little thing.

 "Bastards, all of them!", Mangal yelled.

"Why can't they catch a ball falling at an arm's distance? These cricketers are way too complacent for the money they are paid"

 Kanta sighed, looking at Mangal shift tensely on the cane chair, reacting to the Match India had just lost.

 "Such an abysmal performance. Leeches!", he frowned.

 "Eat your food, so that I can wrap up before the maid comes", Kanta called out one more time.

 Mangal took to his cane and hit angrily on the floor. "Coming!! Didn't I say!"

 At 80, his voice quivered. His anger, not so much.

 Kanta stayed mum, knowing this will take a while to settle down.

Babbling incoherently, Mangal inhaled heavily and began to sit for his meal.

“Finish this fast, the maid will come anytime”, Kanta reiterated, exasperatingly.

 He slid the plate away from the table, “Let her come”, he said and furiously walked away, his cane tapping the floor.

 Thakk.. thakkk.. thakk…thakk..

Copyright : obscureoptimist

***

Sitting at his favorite place, Mangal, looked up, at the intricate designs of the tree, and wondered, how beautifully the sunshine seeped through the gaps and distributed its chunk into beautiful rays. Today was not one of those days, though. Monsoons had rendered the city devoid of sunshine for over a month. Mangal detested overdone things. Seasons, too, sometimes, when they stayed superfluously.

 Brooding over what’s what and why was not his nature. Mangal would sit under the tree and observe things around him. He would add the numbers on the number plates of the vehicles parked or going past him. He would sniff tobacco every now and then, and, do nothing.

 It was hard to know what went on in his mind. He kept looking up, at the tree, wondering why he did not observe it this closely before. It was like an unfathomable maze. He picked up one branch and started tracing it from the trunk to its end. But he lost it every time. He failed to figure out which branch went where.

 After minutes of staring at the tree, he groggily stretched his neck and looked down. He felt the pull in shoulders and spine. He drew his attention to the trunk of the tree, and saw how beautifully it held all the origins of the branches.

He imagined Kanta.

He realized, he had not acknowledged how dependent he was on her.

 “Mangali Uncle…Can I drop you home? Aunty must me waiting.”, said a kind passerby, interrupting Mangal’s business.

He smiled.

It had just been 1 day, and he had to start informing everyone about her death. Perhaps there were many who did not know.

 “Sure. Thank you”, Mangal said.

 He turned back and took an earnest look at the tree one more time. He tapped it as if it was a reassurance that he was giving to someone who sought it from him.

 “Let’s go”, he said and started walking towards the car.

 “How long does it take for a tree to grow, if I plant it now”, Mangal asked the young man who had offered him a lift…

***

...end....

The Ripple Effect

Pic Courtesy : google images

There are very few things now that surprise me. Kindness, Sanity are few of the acts that make me turn to my blog and actually write a post.

This time, it is about the “lack of it”.

Do you remember the first time you sat in an airplane? Most of you reading this, would have, am sure! What did you do? Did you try to scrap off the leather seat-cover, or tear off the front pockets of your seat? Or did you use your keys or hairpin to write “abc loves xyz” message on the seat handles.

Did you go to the washroom, to write profane messages? Did you draw diagrams of your body parts, or parts you lust?

I know you did not! So, Awesome!

But would you be disgusted by someone who did all of this? You would sigh in your very educated tone “Petty Indians”! Wouldn’t you?

Well, yes! We all would. We as a group should be ashamed of fellow Indians who wreck public properties and if you have guessed it already, this rant is about Tejas express, that the Government enabled for the citizens and we bungled it!

Don’t you say, it wasn’t you! Of course it was one of you. All of you! All of US. You, me, everyone! Educated or not. Literate or not. Wise or not!

Let me tell you the difference between the words I just used.

1.       If you can read and write – you are a literate. That’s about it.

2.       If you have been to a school and “learnt” subjects, how things work, history, math, geography, science, art, languages – you are educated.

3.       If you have used your education towards the betterment of your own existence and that of the society – you are wise.

Please feel free to classify yourself as either of the above.

I doubt how many of us can dare call ourselves “wise”.

You know, let me just talk about how I can make sure, I do not go about damaging a Tejas, henceforth. I need to correct my actions first, to be able to bring about any change I hope to see.

I am educated. I know how taxes work. I know about hygiene and environmental sciences. I know about civic rules and co-existing in a society. I also have had moral science in my school, so I know the basic values, morals and etiquette. So I call myself educated.

How can I go from being educated to wise?

I interact with following people on a day-to-day basis.

1.       My house maid

2.       Sweeper

3.       Watchman, Guard

4.       Cook

5.       Taxi/Cab drivers.

I interact with some on a daily basis, and with some just one time, and I never see them again. With people I interact daily, I can make sure they understand the basics of everything. I can teach them about using Math and applying them in their daily transactions. This will make them wise.

With regular talks, I can tell them about current affairs, what is the right decorum of existing in a society, what it means to use public facilities? The chances are most of them already know it, but sometimes, they turn a blind eye towards significant things.

I can also guide/teach them about safety, savings, health and cleanliness.

I can let them know, by being an example, that monetary status does not define how good a citizen is. It’s all about attitude.

The same applies to cab drivers. I can always engage in friendly conversations, and talk to them about what they feel and think about so many issues surrounding us. If possible, I try and leave a thought behind that he can ponder upon and bring it into action. I shouldn’t be preachy. It is very important to let the other person know, that whatever service he is giving me is valued immensely, and same will be his attitude towards the other person from whom he is taking a certain service.

Kindness, love can go a long way.

Imagine, if your family or someone very close to you, is convicted of a crime and is undergoing an ordeal, can you eat/sleep/live peacefully? Will it not affect you until he/she is alright?

Now consider the entire humankind is your family!

How can you eat/live/sleep in peace when you know something somewhere is wrong with someone.

Do your bit.

This is not about what an intense wreck, some stupid people made on the new brand train the government introduced.

This is about getting rid of “chalta hai attitude”, “Respecting the country you live in”, and watching the ripple-effect of goodness. It is a Chain Reaction! Join in!

Back with a Doodle!

Art Courtesy : Diba Raza

When nothing else was inspiring enough, this doodle did what, pain and joy couldn't do - it made me write again! There are so many issues going around,  that I did feel the need to express but was too lazy to pen it down and put it on the blog. But things have to be said, if you feel so strongly! And hence, I am back. Like always, there is a comeback and then a long hiatus. But, microblogging can be easily converted to a full fledged blog post, and that doesn't require efforts. I guess!

So, I was wondering....
about Gurmehar
about Hate Crimes going on in Trumpland
about the abysmal performance of the Indian cricket team against Australia
about Single Parenthood! (Congratulations to Karan Johar on becoming a father to a wonderful pair of twins)
about Surrogacy being illegal
about how Earth is breathing at a higher frequency proving that human consciousness is evolving
about AIB's video on Women's besties and on air with AIB's comeback!
about Ayesha Takia's Botox! (Yes, I have an opinion on this as well!)
about not being able to spot all 32 states on the map of India! (and the plight of fellow Indians)!
...
and the list is really really long!
I wonder if I have so much to talk about, why don't I?

Courtesy: Google Images

What's keeping me soooo busy? -->

It's time to get back to interests - my own!
Hence the comeback! yet again!


***


PS: What do you think of the blog header and the awesome doodle? 

How Dog's pee saved me a meal!

Pic Courtesy : thinkstock

Some things are so funny! Sadly funny. Sadly-punch-you-in-the-face-funny! You really can't do anything about it!

So, I am a Vegetarian who eats eggs, whatever you may want to call that! So when I go out for a dinner party with few other people who like to eat meat, red or plain, I usually think that I'll get to have what I desire in the vegetarian cuisine, because they  get to pick what they eat, without my interference!

So this is what happened, once upon a time!

After debating over potential restaurants which serve good Veg and Non-Veg food, I went to this swanky place with a few other people (those who shall not be named!). It had a low lit ambiance, quite to my liking and it smelled lovely in there. I was so attracted by a steaming plate of vegetables that the waiter passed by me with, to another table, that I mentally decided what I would be ordering!

Being the only vegetarian, I boldly called for my order, trying to customize it as per my liking. I called for  Sauted vegetables tossed with garlic in soy sauce and honey. I love the taste, don't judge me! While I was indulging in what I'd call a gluttony-initiation, a strong opposition came in!

"Vegetables?? Are you mad! Order, Paneer no!", one of them said.

"I don't like Paneer so much", I replied.

"Don't worry, main kha lunga! Aur mere liye ek Chicken Lollipop kar dena bhaiyya", he added.

"Ok, then one paneer tikka with Sauted vegetables", I said.

"Arre? Tu akeli hai, kitna Veg order karegi? Itna hoga kya khana?", he asked.

"Tu Paneer khayega, toh main kya khaungi?", I asked.

"Pura thodi na khaunga re pagli!", he replied.

I thought, perhaps it is a good idea to order just one vegetarian dish, instead of ordering two. I always make sure that I never waste food. So I ordered the Paneer tikka in yellow coating with green chutney! I kinda convinced myself, that paneer ain't that bad, after all! I was also hoping I'd get 80% of the share, because - Hanger(Hunger+Anger) makes you do silly things and how much paneer would a non-vegetarian eat?

The order started coming in slowly. As usual, the Vegetarian Starter came in first. Everyone on the table, 8 of them, asked the waiter to serve it to them. There are just 8 pieces of Paneer in Paneer Tikka. And the guy who loved Paneer got one extra. For an appetite of an elephant, I was starving and I got served with just one piece of the starter! And all the self proclaimed non-vegetarians were hogging on the only little food that had come my way!

"Hey guys, I'll order one more, you'll eat?", I asked trying to curb my anger.

"Nai nai. We are Non Veg. Chicken aayega na. You order, you order!", they said.

"Toh bhaiyya, ek Mushroom ka starter kar do koi bhi. Bohot Bhook lagi hai!", I did not even look at the menu.

"Mushroom? You are a vegetarian no? Why eat Mushroom?", one of them said.

"See, I am a different kind of a vegetarian! I love Mushrooms and Eggs and I don't want to classify this food or me as anything, at the moment. So call  me anything you want!" I said, frustrated.

"So call yourself a non vegetarian then, why have fancy name tags for yourself!", one argued.

A good debate is possible only when one is fed full. I wasn't, so i ignored with a cursory smile.

The chicken starters started to come in and they all looked jubilant. I ignored their faces as I traced the waiter who took my order. I hoped for him to come back soon with the order. I was sure, I could eat more, considering I'd get just one more piece of Mushroom.

"So, main course?", I asked.

"Nai, we have ordered enough starters. Hum log nai khaenge", they all said. 

7 vs 1! I couldn't have argued. They don't serve small portions for a single vegetarian eater! What a shame!

I feel sometimes it's better to go out for dinner with people who know you best (read - who let you eat your food and who eat theirs!), and not with people who call them selves "Pure Non-vegetarians" and eat Vegetarian! It was not a very good feeling. After waiting for an eternity, my order finally came in! The waiter asked the others if they wanted Mushrooms, and they all nodded!

I couldn't take it anymore.

"You know Mushrooms are made from Dog pee", I declared, before the waiter could move the serving spoon!

"What? Are you serious?", they all asked in unison.

"No yaa, those are different mushrooms!", one said.

"Ewks, I can't eat it anymore, it's so disgusting that you said it out loud", the other said.

Good I thought. The others got busy on google, trying to find out the history of mushrooms. The waiter came my way and kept the entire plate in front of me. I ate to my hearts content, ignoring the discussions they were having. 

Finally one of them said, "You are worst than us. We are non-vegetarians. You are a dog-pee-eterian".

I smiled a happy smile - the one which comes when your stomach is full. I nodded gulping down a satisfying glass of water.

"Yes, I love dogs!! Their pee too!!", I said.

And there was no hypocrisy in that! Finally a dog-fact saved this vegetarian a meal!

Also, No! The edible mushrooms have nothing to do with dog pee. This is jan hit me jaari! ;)

Re Sultan

I am a hardcore Salman Khan Fan and trust me, not many people know this. I am scared of being tagged as someone who is stupid enough to like someone like Salman who is a criminal and makes rude remarks against women and so many other things. I was contemplating on watching Sultan for a very long time, fact being, I was very excited about this movie. And then the whole "rape" remark agitated many groups of the society. I call myself a feminist and I wasn't sure if I should watch this movie given that the remark that Salman made was very offensive. I hadn't read much about the whole story, it was just what the social media was feeding me.

I must admit, I watched the movie anyway and I am daring to publicly state my opinion on how I liked the movie and what I felt about the remark.

The movie has already done a multi crore business and I understand why this is so. Me liking it or not liking it won't do any good, or add to the profits. This is just a third angle to the entire rave that has been going on. With most people boycotting this movie and another upcoming movie on similar lines, I was pretty intrigued,

Salman has again pulled a great performance in this movie. The subject is equally important. The actors will get money, appreciation and few awards and this movie, like any other movie (Chak De, Mary Kom) will be forgotten, and the lesser known sports will always continue to exist under the shadow of Cricket. 

There are numerous, very famous Indian sportsmen and women who are gathering accolades for India in so many other sports apart from Cricket and we are not aware of it. I do not blame it on media. I blame it on the audiences, the public who hold the power of making anything huge. This movie is already a superhit. Let's ask ourselves, what will wrestling as a sport be in a few years? Will it be as famous as the movie? Will the wrestlers in India, after winning medals, be as rich as the actors now are after starring in a movie about wrestling? No!

Thanks to the film fraternity who have been responsible enough to showcase the missing gaps in the society and portraying it through films. Films like Sultan are not supposed to be for sheer entertainment. They are supposed to highlight the state of the society and reach out to the masses. Sultan has done exactly that.

I have immense respect for Salman Khan. Accepting the fact, that in most of the scenes, they would have used a body double, but the efforts put in physically and emotionally in such a movie is intensely tremendous. For Salman, at the age of 50, even more so. Can any 30 year old challenge his fitness? I guess no! And that's why I am a huge fan of this guy.

Secondly, this is the comment that he made that was really derogatory:  "When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight." 

Before I write anything about this, anyone who has ever abused using pleasantries like "M*d*rch*d, Bh*nch*d, Chutiya", and condemned Salman for being so insensitive, stop reading right here and go wash your hypocrite face and think about what you want in life!

May be wrestling, to someone who is new, is very agonizing. May be it feels like you have been ripped off your modesty and you are naked in public, especially when are you being beaten left and right. Many times, people have called "College Viva" as being raped by the professor and they are exactly the ones who are taking offences to the statement that Salman made. To all those who casually use abuses, to the feminists who proudly use words such as Chutiya and the likes, you have no right to take offences.

Salman is not made to be politically correct all the time. All of us make derogatory remarks in one way or the other. It's just that, we are not famous, we are not quoted, and there is sadly no big deal coming out of it. So you know, it remains within four walls or between the silences of bubbling drinks or insane laughters or on whatsapp pings.

I don't have problems with expressions. I have problems with hypocrisy. The social media is so powerful that it can make or mar a certain thing entirely. This movie, and another movie- Dangal starring Aamir Khan is already under the scrutiny of people who are ready with pens to attack the movie industry for starring these actors in movies on prevalent topics that need national attention. As responsible as these stars should be, so should the public. 

I wonder despite all the offences that people take, why do such movies end up becoming super duper hits with immense money flowing into the producers account? We write, and we go and watch. My problem is not "Opinion", my problem is "hypocrisy", and I am so done with this.

Sultan was one of the best movies of the year, with outstanding performances from Salman, Anushka, and Randeep Hooda. I am eagerly looking forward to Dangal too. And I will wait and watch how the elements twist and turn the situation and come up with useless stories to stir the public mentality! 

And wait for these not-so-famous sports to become atleast 10% as acceptable and famous as Cricket, knowing that the person inside the ring won't be Salman Khan or any other movie star!

Humour me..this men's day!

Me (To the boys in the whatsapp group): 

Happy International Men's day to you guys.. You guys are few of the most amazing men I know!!

Maloo:

 Huh! Aaj toh world sanitation day hai na! 

Debo: 

Ek hi baat hai! 

ROFLMAO!!

***

Jee haan, Aisa bhi hota hai! :D

Pain and Punjabi Music

Since over a week I am in a lot of pain. Heel pain. The doctor who comes at work told me, that may be I could have a ligament tear, because I am unable to walk. At all. She suggested me the usual X-rays, ortho consult blah blah blah.. Following that, she suggested wearing proper footwear etc. Frankly, I did not see an ortho, because I thought if I was able to manage anyway, it probably wasn't that bad. But it was.

To push myself further, I exercised daily since last one week, and there was a point, and that point came today, that it ached so so much that my feet started feeling numb. Totally. While dancing, I couldn't feel my feet at all. The knees kept hurting all the more, and I just did not know what to do.

I go for this aerobics classes, where Thursdays they teach us Bollywood style. So, for over 30 minutes, I danced in pain and then "I've become so numb" started playing in my head as my body realized that perhaps the feet have separated from my body, and I am just on my knees.

After dancing to all latest Bollywood songs, the trainer put Punjabi tracks. This is usually my favorite part. I was torn down completely. Tears, almost trickling down, because of the unbearable pain. But then, Bhangra began. I usually follow all steps and dance my heart out in the second half of the class. I had no idea, why Punjabi music was so liberating until today.

The song began :

Taare ginn ginn yaad'ch teri main ta jaaga raata nu
rokh na pawan akhiya wicho gham diya barsaata nu

I had never concentrated on the lyrics, assuming I would never understand them. The beats were so catchy that I loved this particular song anyway. It was a party song after all, I thought. 

Since it was Punjabi, I never understood the lyrics. I had never even tried. But today, with every step, I tried to feel my feet, my heartbeat, my breathing pattern and the lyrics. And, for the first time, I realized I was dancing to a sad song and it felt so so good. At more than one levels, that was the kind of pain I felt.

Dil jalake roshan kita mein ta teri adaawa nu
Pipp leh ke mein challeya tere wal sigdhiya thandiya chawa nu
 
Samajh na paayi kyu tu mere pyaar bhare jazbaata nu
Rokh na pawaan akhiya wicho gham diya barsaata nu


Ishq Tera tadpaave...

And as the song ended, I felt liberated. I could feel my feet, I could feel the pain had subsided in the other parts of my body too, and I could feel my heart beating normally, my feet relaxed, my breathing controlled and my spirit brightened.

Sometimes, when you make a celebration of your pain, it all seems pretty. Fireworks. Dancing. Happiness. Freedom.

That's why I have a new found love for Punjabi Music! For more reasons than one. The pain, has really really gone!

And if it ever comes back, then Thursday does come once a week! :)

Repartee

Again deviating from routine, here's a very interesting counter strike to the poem in the previous post, by the one and only Maloo ;)

She strikes once in a blue moon, but when she does, it's giggles and smiles all the way! :D

Without much ado, let me post here her composition..

***

Itna accha likhkar

Kehte ho situational composition,

Kalam tumhari chalti rahi

Bina kissi preassure ke aur naahi koi tension.

Bill hi bharwana tha

Toh leleti card number,

Kya zaroorat thi usse dene ki

Aapne winter, rains and summer.

Akele hi gunguna leti

Kuch lafz kuch jazbaat,

Ab teri hi hogayi hai

Dono shey aur maat.

Tasveer khudhi ki dekhti

Naa deti aaina chupa,

Kyun aur ek ko tune

Aapne pyaar mein liya fasa..!

- © Maloo

Flipping back the pages!

I am not very great at poetry, but I think I am sometimes really good with rhymes :P I have a lot of unpublished limericks, a few in Hindi and mostly in English. I feel a little embarrassed to post the Hindi ones, because I really wanna be very good at Hindi and I am not. I fair OK at English, so I prefer it over any other language. Nonetheless, today, I'll break the routine, and post this one! :D 

This was a situational composition :P

***

Fasa Liya ;)

Ek taraf tujhe bitha kar

duniya ko dikha diiya

Aur ek ko yaaron, maine

apne pyaar me fasa liyaa

 

Shakal par likha hai saaf

Afsana mere dil ka

Ab main akele nahi bharungi

poora hissa mere bill ka

 

tujhe bhi shamil kar saath me

Maine raazdaar bana diyaa

Aur ek ko yaaron maine

apne pyaar me fasa liyaa

 

Soya karte the tanha

Khauf si lagti thi raat

Akele hi gunguna liya karte the

kuch lafz kuch jazbaat

 

Ab fone pe ghazale suna kar

Tujhe kayi baar rula diyaa

Aur ek ko yaaron maine

apne pyaar me fasa liyaa

 

Tasveer khud hi ki dekhte the

karte the aaine ka deedar

Tujhe dekha toh laga

bas sar aakhon pe baithe sarkaar

 

Sote the khaak,

ab tumko bhi jaga diyaa

Aur ek yaaron maine

apne pyaar me fasa liyaa!! 

The Menace is in the Town!

A Virtual Welcome

My cousins and my nieces are in my hometown, Nagpur, and I am busy fulfilling my Karma in Bangalore! I wish I could be home and have fun with the kids. 

Nitya, my older niece, made a nice card for me and my sister (We are called Minnie and Bittoo). I was overwhelmed. I love when someone gives me cards, and more so when some one puts a picture of me amidst lovely flowers which have different colored petals, located in a nice park! Wooh! 

That is just so amazing and apt! My picture, right there below "Minnie" with just one eye? Well, you know what the irony is, I have an eye infection today, and am wearing my big glasses, I think it is conjunctivitis, because it is very bad and swollen and looks like the one in the picture my little baby made! :)

To think of it, I really wonder, do the kids of this generation have such awesome instincts? :)

Look at the outline of the card! Could it be more creative? I see so much love in this card! And I wish I could hug the little tricksters and have a jolly good time! But alas! Duty calls :(

Jitni chadar ho, utne hi pair failane chaiye

1. I couldn't think of a better title for this post.
2. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I saw this (below)
3. I keep losing faith in IRCTC for this very reason.
4. All of a sudden, flying seems to be a convenient option.

Here it is 

Philosophically yours

G: I have never known anything else apart from being honest. And like I told you before, it has cost me a lot. But I don't care!

B: The problem with you is, you have paid a price for being honest. But you don't want to take the gifts you are getting by paying the price!

G: Hahaha.. But I got no gifts!

B: You are getting one right now..

Well, indeed. You lose some to gain some. And if you ever pay a price, never forget to take atleast something for it.... umm..maybe a lesson, or another chance at diving into the enigma of life and people! ;)

***

BTW, Rupee may touch 70! What next?

Pun Intended

I have this group of friends who are added on whatsapp and we discuss potential weekend travel plans. 

V : Speculative Program .. How about a small trip to Dahanu on the weekend of April 5th-6th?
     Dahanu is 180 Kms from Mumbai.

Me: I have to see the distance from Bangalore.

V: Incase planning fails, I may be coming to Pune the same weekend.

Me: Then you all can go to Dahanu-kar colony.. :D :D 

(You have to have lived in Pune, to get the joke ;))

***

Everyone knows who Evelyn is. She is my adorable little neice, Jincy's daughter who's 1.5 years old.

So we get this status update from Jincy the other day.

Jincy: Evelyn learned 'tomato' yesterday so today she recalled it and pointed at a banana and said 'tooamaatoo'

I said, no.. Banana! and then I showed her the tomato.. She nodded.  After a while she says "Banatoo"

Rest of us: ROFL!


***

FRIENDS series can be really liberating at times. Especially when  you say something about it and the other person instantly gets the joke and vice versa. The FRIENDS fan club is a unique group of people who can get the moment going by uttering anything insane and yet making complete sense out of it.

So, at 1 am, past midnight, me and D were having some conversation ranging from books to television, where we came and stuck on FRIENDS for a moment. She narrated the relation of number 'seven' that she'd heard somewhere to one of the most amazing scenes of FRIENDS. She simply said it thrice. Seven, Seven, Seven.. and I understood what she was talking about. I immediately logged on to Youtube and re-visited that scene!

That's the beauty! If anyone of you get it, then I'd say, thumbs up, and those who couldn't co-relate...well.... "how you doing?" ;)


***

I have always been a lyrical mess. I find it really hard to remember lyrics, more so the tempo of the song too. So, the other day, after trying to recollect the main leads of the song "Tune jo na kaha main wo sunta raha", I began singing this song. To say the least, I was indeed in that mood. You know, contemplative kinds! So i sang that song.. Like this..

tune jo na kaha, main wo sunta raha,
khamakha, bewajah, khwaab bunta raha
Jaane kiski hume lag gai hai nazar
Iss shehar me na apna thikana raha
duur jakar bhi main paas aata raha
khamkha bewajah khwaab bunta raha..

(OK, i know these are not the correct lyrics, but in my mind, they fit perfectly and they give me the requiste feel!)

After this.. I continued singing the para

Log kehte hai pagal, hu ye main bhi na jaanu.
Dil lutaya hai maine
ab kisi ki na maanu
chain dekar ke maine
bechainiya ye li hai
neende uda ke main
tumse wafaye ki hai

----confused!---

Yeah, that's when I realised, I'd messed it up. The contemplative mood went to the dogs, and laughed my ass out, for singing the entire thing in feel, as if, you know, I was the one suffering indeed and singing my heart's state out. But mixing up the para of one song with chorus of the other? I banged my head on an imaginary wall! Thrice~

Damn, I thought, even words betray me ;)

***

Jee haa..Aisa bhi hota Hai! ;)

PS: Wishing everyone a great All Fool's Day. Foolishness is the real way of finding nirvana! ;) Trust me!