Thursday, November 20, 2014

Much ado about nothing

I'm irritated and annoyed. When I ask a question like, "would you be interested in something?", a simple yes or no would suffice. If I ask you to come somewhere, and you're busy or not interested, just say so. Politeness, my foot. You can be honest and still be polite, ya know?


And yeah, in case you don't know it, I know how to take a 'no' for an answer. At least, it's an honest answer. Much better than a non-committal, "let's see" or not replying at all.

If you have to waste someone's time, please waste yours. I have other uses for mine.

Thank you...

Monday, November 17, 2014

Really?

Last night, out of sheer boredom, I randomly Googled 'hyderabad dating'. (Go on, Google it yourself. I dare you ;) )

And what comes up?



So, when you want to date, is it a 'sex partner ' that you're looking for?

When in doubt, consult Urban Dictionary. And what do I get? This. So, dating also means, "Socially acceptable form of prostitution".

Thank you Google. Thank you Urban Dictionary.

And, I randomly clicked on the Locanto site, mainly because it did not scream 'sex partners'. Sigh! So much for hoping that it'd turn out to be different...

"25 looking for good housewifes and aunties"
" handsome guy with body muscles seeks woman for NSA satisfaction" (Body muscles? Seriously? Where else do you have muscles?)
"I want sexy girls or aunty s for sex with free of cost" (Yes. aunty s :|)

Then there's an equally wonderful 'women seeking men' tab, where all hot, sexy young women and 'lonely housewives' are waiting for their 'bavas'.

I didn't have the energy or the courage to see what the other tabs said.

Oh, and I also browsed through Meetup. "Myself ABC". 'nuff said. I was out of there.

I'm trying to wonder what a 'date' would be like. What if the handsome guy with body muscles has bad breath or BO? Who is this Aunty S? And what is 'sex with free of cost'? Is 'free of cost' a person? Is it like a threesome with whoever that is?  Why are so many young women waiting for their bavas? What happens if they 'date' anyone other than their bavas? What is so special about bavahood?

My friend V is pulling my leg saying I should totally create a profile on the Locanto site :| Thank you, God, for such wonderful friends.

And now I'll leave... It's nearing midnight, and I'm yet to process and reconcile with this whole new meaning of dating ...

(Yes, I'm a grammar nazi. And remember, even if I'm smiling sweetly at you, I'm mentally correcting your grammar. I do it for my own sake - there's only so much bad grammar I can tolerate. I can understand if you're learning it only now/lack practice. I'll tolerate your bad grammar (but maybe not spellings... yuck!), but only if you write this well. In which case, I'll admire you openly. And if, like him, you tweet PGW stuff and football-related 'matter' ( ;) ), then I might even wonder what a date with you would be like... And then, I'd remember that dating is looking for a sex partner, and since I'd actually want to talk and befriend (not to be confused with making fraandship) you (first ;) ), 'dating' is not an option...)


Why Ganesha, why?

This week's prediction for Libra

Ganesha predicts that during this week you shall be very sharp intellectually. You may feel like socialising, and might seek out the company of your siblings, people in the neighbourhood or even your colleagues. This week you shall have a good rapport with the people in your circle. You shall also freely share your views and ideas with others. Moreover, people around you shall appreciate your knowledge or skills, which in turn shall boost your moral. Ganesha finds you taking a keen interest in helping people sort out mutual issues. At the beginning of the week, you may not be in a very good mood, but as the week progresses you shall get back in your elements. A new romantic link can also be established through the Internet or in some other manner, feels Ganesha.


Through the internet or in some other manner, eh? I wonder why Ganesha feels the way I talk. "You know, yes, that something. Ah, something else happened. No, not that something. Ah, yes, that something. Thanks, I'd forgotten the name. I knew it was called something." (I say 'something', literally. Sometimes, I say ,' that' or 'this', or even, 'it', just in order not to sound repetitive, you know ;) )


Now even this Ganesha is making fun of my 'love-life'... Sigh! Such is life...


I'll sign out now and wait for the new romantic link which might be established through the internet or in some other manner...

Monday, November 10, 2014

What was I thinking?

Last night, I came across things I'd written years ago. I made it only halfway through one and barely skimmed through the other, before having to stop - I was cringing and asking myself, "WHAT WAS I THINKING?".

One of the things I found was a story about a rainbow. It's not all that bad. I know and remember what I'd written in it, so it wasn't much of a shocker. The other was a poem. Called 'The City'. Some 66 lines of drivel. On and on, on and on, in that horrible strain. I should have been content with that. But was I? No. I needed the icing on the cake. In the form of an explanation. "The topic may refer to Heaven, "The City" (of Angels/ of God). But I assumed that it was a description of any city in our world, not Heaven". Sheesh!

It only gets worse, and I wisely refrained from reading the next "poem", though I couldn't help glancing at it. (And shuddering)

***

I was just thinking about how I pose for pictures - I almost always end up standing / sitting in really awkward poses.

We recently came across some old childhood photos. And, there was a common theme among my photos - in most of them, I was sitting with my legs spread :) Very ladylike from that young age, I know...

Speaking of legs, Senorita B and I were booking our tickets, and she asked me which bus I preferred. I told her I was OK with whatever she chose, as long as I had enough space to spread my legs. I meant to say, "space enough to stretch my legs". I swear. (Senorita B. still asks me if I want to spread my legs. :| )

Anyway, back to the photos... and Senorita B.... That precious girl took a picture of me at Hampi. What was I doing? Doing my awkward oh-see-I'm-standing-is-this-not-posing-enough pose. What was I doing in the photo? Not sure. I looked like a Bollywood hero in an item number - hands on the hips - one in front, one behind, imaginary handkerchief between legs... Start sequence - kerchief forward, kerchief backward, forward, backward...

The one other pose which seems consistent is the legs-apart-belly-out one. My brother says I look like a poster-girl... for any of the 'fight against hunger' groups.

And guess what? There was a picture of me. Red lips. Deep red. My hair in a 'fountain kudumi'. And I was glaring at the camera. (I must have been 7 then, but still...)

My friends tell me I should learn to pose. I am very reluctant about having my photo taken, so I guess the day is still far off.

(Mr. V tells me I could then possible become a "hot aunty". Is that incentive enough?!)

***

Don't even let me start on my old diaries/journals. "Today, he spoke to me. He asked me if there was any homework in English.!!!". "He smiled in my direction". "She did not talk to me, but had lunch with that girl. I should probably stop talking to her". And so on. The original schoolgirl and puppy love soppy stuff. Teenage angst, you know ;)

***

Maybe I should stop now, while damage control is still possible.

Adios :)


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

What my friends think...

On a whim, I once asked some of my close friends what they thought my autobiography would be like.

Senorita B said it'd be soft porn. 

SM said it'd be a collection of random anecdotes, all starting with, "Oh, and then there is this other mental/ridiculous/funny thing I did..."

Dear darling MK said it'd be filled with Spanish footballers and written in at least five languages, and dotted with 'stupid men who don't deserve me', and 'one Prince Charming who'll come riding on a white horse and take me to happily ever after'...

(MK, is there some place where you can place an order like this : Spanish footballers (quantity: 2, preference : goalkeeper), and Prince Charming (quantity : 1, horse colour : white (in stock)/black(out of stock) ), same day delivery available?)

AP was the only one kind enough to say , "deep".

(And my mind was abuzz with 'that's what she said' jokes)

UP said it'd be chaotic, hilarious, and like a cookbook. I later pointed out to him that I prefer to eat, and writing cookbooks would mean I'd have to do the cooking, which I'd rather not...

SC said it'd be a monologue...

HC said it'd be interesting :)

And this is the kind of friends I have... Sigh!

(Though I also wonder why/how they stick around despite knowing I'm totally loony)

Kis(s)-mat!

I was just reading this blogpost by my sole loyal reader (assuming he is still reading!) , and also stumbled upon this.

What do I do? Do I maintain my silence in order to retain my "good Indian girl" image (yes, that mistaken impression you might have gotten)? Or, do I reveal some scandalous details about myself and my life? (Maybe doing the latter would increase the readership of my blog :P )

Coherence. Now, that would be nice. My mind has already gone off in a hundred tangents, and I've almost forgotten what it was that I was going to say.

Ah, so back to what might have been what I was going to write about. Kissing. Hugging. Public displays of affection. Moral policing. Sex. (I remember reading on someone's blog that writing the word 'sex' would increase readership - ah, shameless me :P).

Well, I don't see any problem with any of the above mentioned (except the moral policing, of course). I have hugged & been hugged by many people. Including the "half a hug" by Senorita B. That the hugs were mainly a form of greeting shouldn't matter. (Senorita B. did hug me in public, but something that just barely qualified as a hug. This from someone who goes around offering hugS (note the plural) to SM. That she thinks I'm hitting on her is another matter. )

I indulge in very public displays of affection - mostly with books I love, and sometimes with people. I guess it's only the fact that books are inanimate objects that has saved me from being a big-time slut :P (I have been reading urban dictionary a lot these days ;) ). About the people I've done PDA with, I'd prefer not to reveal... Isn't it a lady who kisses and indulges in PDA but doesn't reveal it?

Sex. We have a problem even saying the word. I remember vaguely my biology classes in school, and the embarrassed giggling, the discussions. I recall my friend telling me how "it would just happen", saying "condoms" like a bad word, and another friend giving me a copy of Penthouse letters, "since I read even 'such stuff'". An acquaintance asking if I'd ever seen a "bf movie", and lapsing into silence when I asked what a 'bf movie' was :P (Psst... I'm a naive young girl. Don't believe SM or Senorita B when they tell you I'm not as innocent as I seem, they're probably jealous or something). Friends who were surprised that I could say 'sex' and not be embarrassed. The friend who accused me of declaring him "unfit for sex", when I was merely saying I had my preferences, he could have his and that's all there is to it.

(My phone is a nymphomaniac - it keeps giving me suggestions like 'orgy', or 'pants'... (I type Tamil words in English, and so , 'Enna panra?' (what are you doing?) becomes 'Enna pants?' - now why would I be interested in your pants? What do you even reply to it? Does my phone mean the British pants, as in trousers, or the American ones, the undergarment?) Now, it keeps suggesting 'nudie', when I try to type a friend's name... Mad phone, I tell you! )

Moral policing, I don't really get it. I don't even have enough time to do all the things (and people)  I want to do, where's the time to sit and watch what others are doing, and comment on them? And why? Why would you even want to waste your energy on that? And what do you get from it?

I'm not a voyeur (yet) , but sometimes I come across people kissing/hugging, and I stop to look at them for a moment before continuing along my way. It's nice to see the joy, the little expressions of love. It makes me feel happy for the people who are doing it, and I'm glad they have found someone to share the moment with...

I have never come across sex in public. I'm referring to the consensual act here. Not some random jerks leaving their fly open or masturbating on a public bus. Ah, "eve-teasing" - I don't even wish to begin.

Sigh! How I have rambled on... Guess it's enough for now...

And so I sign out, in the hope that Senorita B will decide to give me the remaining half of the hug. And maybe I should (pretend to)  sleep to see if some Prince decides to kiss me awake. Spanish footballers** are welcome, too. (And gentlemen, you can say "No", too! *Gasp*... I know... But yeah, I can understand what "no" means :P)

Adios, folks!

(** - not necessarily goalkeepers :P )

* - a terrible pun. Kiss mat, Hindi for , "Don't kiss", and kismat is something like fate.
(And yes, SC, "we Tamilians"... *evil grin* . Go bang your head against some wall :P )



Thursday, October 30, 2014

Not Spanish...yet

Today, I was asked what the usual cuisine in my house was. I stared at her (the person who asked),  not comprehending what she was asking, or why she even had such a doubt. A friendly prompt, listing options such as Italian and Mediterranean plunged me deeper into confusion. I hesitatingly answered, "typical South Indian", and added, "Why?". She tells me, "Do you remember the Freshers' and how you were introduced? I thought you had been born and brought up in Spain." Sigh! I wish! :P I reassured them that KK had just been pulling my leg, though I was indeed mad about Spain and dream of marrying a Spanish footballer.

* Flashback mode *

Freshers' party last year. We had to select a chit with our names on it, and introduce that person. And dear Mr. KK got my name. He mentioned something about my being a Spaniard masquerading as a Tam Brahm girl. He also spoke about my playing the guitar.

(I had to introduce a guy I had hardly interacted with (not that I interact with many people...), and after mentioning that I'd just spoken to him a few times, I said something to the effect of, "He works on something related to Information Theory, and we once discussed something. I don't know what exactly he works on, but he works on something." I used "something" at least five times in the three lines I spoke. Ah, I digress, this post isn't about me... (or maybe it is!) )

* Fast forward to the present*

I thought everyone knew my Spanish locura, but this was the first time I was mistaken for someone who has lived in Spain :P All in good time, ma cherie - I am definitely bestowing my presence on my beloved Spain, but just not yet ;)

Hasta pronto!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Of threats and treats

Looks like you don't have to be rich, famous or even drop-dead gorgeous to be on someone's hitlist...

I've just been thinking and recalling the things people have told me they are going to kill me for :

- I was told, "voy a matarte" for finishing a 2-hour exam in 20 minutes! (I was even told I should sit in the last bench right by the door, so no one would know when I finished the exam )

- A friend once told me, "I am going to kill you when you come here", and later mellowed down enough to just want to kick me. The reason? "Simply" :|

- I get threatened, with death and loss of friendship, if I talk to or about certain people...

- As if death threats weren't enough, people tell me they are waiting with sticks and weapons. Why? Mainly because I haven't been able to visit them, even when I did finally manage to take a break. (Though I didn't want to take a risk by calling their bluffs and get beaten with sticks and whatnots :P )

- Why, I was even told that someone would cut off my braid in a bus. Just because I had beautiful thick hair at one point of time.

- And how can I forget my brother and cousins threatening to let drops of curd (and pieces of fruits and veggies I don't eat) fall on my plate/leaf while eating, especially if I don't comply to their requests...

But to be honest, I haven't always been at the receiving end of these threats. I have made some of my own ;)

(My brother says I was born a rowdy, so he'd say all this is perfectly in line with my character :P )

- I have threatened SC that I would sing to him. A lullaby. In Marathi. And that I'd embarrass him in front of his friends. (Details not to be revealed here ;) )

- I have told friends that I'd let them sample my cooking. (I cook quite well. Really. Just don't ask my brother ;) )

- I made a friend watch Child Moon (err, Pillai Nila). (That he took revenge on me is another matter altogether)

It isn't my fault that people mistake my treats for threats...

I'm threatened too. And not just me, my team as well - my friends (& also my brother) tell me that my team will lose the match, sometimes because I fail to do something they want. (And other times, well, just because I support the team!)

Oops... Ignore the second part. I am *NOT* a rowdy. ;)

Thank you :)


Monday, September 15, 2014

Of Spanish footballers, SJ and the revival of hope

Ask any of my friends, they'll tell you about my crazy dream of marrying a Spanish footballer. Now, that makes me sound like a gold-digger which I am not (I don't like gold. And super-rich footballers and I are out of each other's leagues ;) ) Let me clarify. By Spanish footballer, I mean someone who is Spanish (Basque included ;) ), and also plays football. Preferably out of doors. He doesn't have to play for Real Madrid. Or even in the Segunda Division. He just has to play football. (And he should become my boyfriend. It's ok if he doesn't propose to me at the Bernabeu after a Real victory over Barca or Atletico - I'm not picky like that)

This dream of mine has resulted in me being the butt of jokes quite a few times. Like, the time in Spanish class when we had to say something we would have done in the future, and I said I'd have lived in Spain for a few years and written about my experiences there. And my teacher said, "after marrying a Spanish footballer". :| Or, my brother, talking to me about Spanish Iyengar boys named Ronaldo Iyer and Iker Narayanan.

Speaking of Iker Narayanan, I don't think he has been born yet, maybe I should pray that he be conceived soon. Cougars seem to be trending. Why, just yesterday, Yahoo had an article on May-December (or is it December-May when the male is younger?) relationships in Bollywood (can't find the link now, too lazy to search). By the time this yet-to-be-conceived Iker Narayanan is an adult, older-woman-younger-man couples should hopefully be quite common. But until then, I'll try and settle for just a Spanish footballer. Not necessarily Spanish Iyengar. Why, it might turn out that Iker Narayanan doesn't play football. I must be prepared for such an eventuality, no? Always good to have a backup plan, no?

Moreover, I was recently told that these Spanish guys, when they are playing a match, can't really see me in front of the TV on another continent. I think it's partly because their matches are usually played past midnight our time, and so the lights are off. There are floodlights in the stadium, but not where my TV is (other people usually sleep by then!). I don't really blame them. But I don't know what to do about my friends who shatter my dreams with their cold logic... Pobrecita me...

With all this gloom around me, I could do with a ray of sunshine. Which is what I got chatting with SJ this afternoon. SJ is this girl from my French class. She was quiet (she said she still is!). Plus, she usually had a book in hand. And she sometimes spoke Spanish in the French class. It was thanks to her and her FB page that I discovered some really awesome music. What more does one need before considering someone a friend?

Anyway, SJ and I chatted this afternoon, after years. She tells me she is in Spain. After catching up with her, I told her about the Spanish footballer fixation. Being the nice, fun girl she is, she said she'd look for one for me, another for some other friend of hers. I suspect it'll be while before she sets up her "bureau", the BoNE (Bureau of Novios Espanoles (potentials)). Until then, I can only wait and hope.

Thank you SJ, for reviving my hopes and restoring my faith in humanity and assuring me that not everyone is heartless and just waiting to rain on your parade. You're a good friend. I will definitely take you out for tapas... (and that's not a bribe ;) )

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Hurdles

I have been thinking about how I could have been in stand-up comedy if it weren't for a few glitches :

- Apparently, you need to be audible. (So this is what is called an insurmountable obstacle... sigh!)

- Oh, and also funny. (I mean, outside your head - inside, I'm hilarious)
   (It turns out you can also pretend to be funny, but unfortunately for me, I am not a fan of certain types of 'comedy', nor do I want to do them myself... Oh, looks like I'm an elitist now)

- And you apparently need to be in the limelight. On a stage. In front of people. *Gasp* (If only stage-fright didn't kill me...)

- Oh, and your jokes need to be something that people can 'get'. (Tough one, that - I often end up having to explain a joke (which kind of sucks out all the fun), or having to remind someone that it's a joke)

- Plus, you need to keep your face straight. (Which I've been only partially successful at - either I keep a very straight face, or I start laughing well in advance - "hey, there's going to be a joke, it's going to be so funny, you know... Come on, now!" )

- Humor is hard work (Biggest hurdle, if you're even half as lazy as I am...)

- Oh, and you need some motivation/encouragement. (A sarcastic (and way funnier) brother; who starts laughing (pretends to, actually) and then says, "you said you were going to tell a joke, so I started laughing already" and then stops when you have delivered the punchline, isn't exactly encouraging. Nor is the friend who says, "Oh, is this supposed to be a joke? Should I laugh? Hee hee hee")

No wonder then that I haven't started my career in stand up comedy. Yet.

Maybe in another lifetime. Or in another world. Or in the current one, if any of the predicted apocalypses happens...

Until then, folks...

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

SC special

So, dear boy SC gets a post of his own. He's convinced that only evil ghosts read my blog, and so, dear reader(s), make a note of this insult to you. (Please feel free to contact me, I'll be happy to give you his contact details so that you can have your sweet revenge - just let me watch :P)

SC has been one of my latest victims - I end up talking to him for hours, why, one night, I thought it was still 22:15 and then I realized it was way past midnight, and there I was, still subjecting that poor soul to my continuous chatter. I don't know what all we spoke or why - it was all rambling on and on about random topics.

Maybe I should (re)introduce SC. Let's see - SC is this (now) summer student in our department, yes, one of those all-the-time-reading-papers-or-running-experiments people. He's the one who drank Horlicks (no, SC, I'm not revealing anything further ;) ), the one who eats cup noodles but refuses my offers of garlic-y rice :P He's the one who actually reads a lot of science stuff, but makes it sound as if I read/know a lot. I'd mention some of the things he's introduced me to, but I don't want to create any scandals, you know ;)

I wanted to write a lot more about him, but as he's out of sight at the moment and I have no idea where he is, I'll save the rest for later, hoping that he'll provide some juicy gossip-y material worth telling the world about.

And also, he's promised me a royal dinner, which I'm still waiting for ;) Maybe that'll be worth writing about, and induce poetry that only good food can...

Until later, dear evil ghost readers...

You can find me

- fidgeting in my chair in the lab
- pacing the corridor
- cycling/walking with a random grin plastered on my face (and often trying to suppress a giggle - the evil brain in my head keeps cracking inappropriate jokes when I'm by myself, or just goes 'por cierto,tan-tan-tan-TAN!' on an infinite loop)
- nose buried in a book (these days, it's the same one for weeks together :( )
- drinking coffee at ShopCom (while ruing the fact that the place now looks like a park with concrete benches)
- sitting with SM at ShopCom and asking her to shut up and drink her tea :P
- with SC, going on and on about the most random things. (This is valid for a few more days, at least)
- fidgeting with my phone and itching to call SM every other minute until she arrives
- trying my best to stay awake (in the lab and at dinner)
- in the football ground on some evenings - just sitting in my corner and watching people play
- walking, lost in my own world (& at times, in music)
- on the phone, nowadays arguing with my brother about the World Cup
- with a vacant expression on my face - "Huh, were you talking to me? What? Oh!"

(This has been lying in my drafts folder for a very long time, so I thought I'd just post it)

Celeb dreams

I have been stuck with this song for a few days now, with the result that this morning, I dreamt I was at a window of a NY skyscraper with Neil Nitin & Katrina, and I took a bottle out of Neil's backpack and chugged at it only to realize it was beer. Meanwhile, Katrina was hunting in my backpack for a water bottle.

Is this the kind of thing people talk about when they talk about dreaming of celebs?

Friday, June 27, 2014

The filmi life

I've been writing this post for a few days now... In my mind, that is. I'm finally actually posting it... (Rejoice, world :P).

Recent events in my life are making me think my life is part of some Bollywood-Kollywood-Tollywood movie - with me as the "heroine" and many different "heroes" :D

***
SM tells me I walk as if I'm in a "pellikoothuru" (pardon the spelling!) ceremony every time I carry a hot cup of tea. I call it being careful and concentrating... Perspectives, you know ;)

Anyway, SM says that this 'act' of mine must be impressing a lot of guys. I've been told that I walk like a child and like someone in a permanent hurry to catch a bus - given that a 'delicate' walk isn't exactly my forte, you can judge for yourself the veracity of SM's claims. 

(And if by any chance any (I think 'either' would be more accurate) of the people who reads this has been "impressed" by me/ is my "fan", I request thee to grant me the honour of knowing who thou art...)

***
GC and I were chatting the other day, and I have no idea how, we got talking about marriage and spouses , and the discussion ended with an agreement 'Jaane tu ya jaane na' style! :D :D :D  And so, GC is going to find me a partner on campus. :) :) :)  I have to do the same for him, apparently... (Sigh! that sounds like it needs me to come out of my slumber)

***
Oh, does being compared to Shraddha Kapoor count as a filmi event? :P

***
Ah, back to SM - that girl, she tells me dialogues like, 'Guys will see you and think, "ammaailu ante ilaagae undaali" ':D (The flip side is that I end up remembering this dialogue at the weirdest of times!) I believe such dialogues belong in the movies... :)

***

Oh, and apparently, I'm dumb enough to not realize when someone is trying to "line maarofy" me, as dear SM puts it. But again, she probably thinks I'm some sort of a filmi heroine :) Poor mistaken soul...

***
The other day, I was just having coffee and talking to SC when I realized I was doing exactly what I've seen in movies and read about in lifestyle articles - play with my hair, laugh... Gosh!

***

I'm suddenly stuck with a spate of Hindi songs, so the background music for my filmi life plays in my head. At times, the soundtrack doesn't exactly match - romantic songs while discussing with my prof, and sad songs while having fun with friends, well, you get the drift... (Editor of my life's story, are you listening?)

***
It's time to say goodbye (my mind is singing this Andrea Bocelli-Sarah Brightman style... Con te partiro, indeed)

(A lot of delays and losing trains of thoughts are the cause for all the disjointedness (is that even a word?) in the post)

Adios, folks :)

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

"You're not the only one"*

SM keeps telling me I have a bad habit (actually one of many, according to her ;) ) of drifting off when she's talking to me, and asking questions which she'd have just answered. Like, she'd be telling me what she'd brought for lunch, and next moment, I'd ask her, "so, did you bring lunch?"

Something of this nature happened this morning, but for once, I was at the receiving end... I'd called my mother in the morning, and was telling her I was going to take a bath. Next moment, she asked me, "So, are you in the lab?" :| (I've always wanted to use this ;) ). I pointed out to her that I don't usually take a bath in the lab :P

Anyway, I was glad I wasn't the only one who asks questions this way...

On an unrelated note, I met ASJ in the morning, and I asked her when she'd woken up... She said "8 o'clock". & for some reason, I heard it as, "Yesterday". I pondered for a couple of moments before asking her, "This morning?", and she said, "I just told you... I woke up at 8". And then things made sense...

And so I drift off again...

(*- Whenever I encounter the line, "you're not the only one", or even think it, my mind starts singing the "you're not the only one" from November rain, and the one from Answer lies within, in a loop playing over and over again till I some other (& usually weirder) phrase takes it place and another song starts playing in a loop. Sigh! Oh, to have a mind without the constant background music... )

Monday, April 21, 2014

"Who is he?"

That's what my friends asked me when I sent them a childhood photo of mine... Sigh!

Senorita B was the only one who asked "is that you?"

Well, V did say I was cute and innocent... well, even he had been about to ask, "who is he?", but I forestalled it by asking, "Do you recognize me?"

The drastic measures I have to take... Sigh!

Friday, April 18, 2014

INFP

I took an MBTI test online. And my results revealed that I'm INFP.

I then googled 'INFP'. It made for interesting (and addictive) reading.

So, that's my latest excuse. For everything.

Don't blame me. I'm INFP :P

The Ex(am)perience*

I had to take a Spanish exam last week.
Being who I am, my preparation consisted of a Spanish novel to be read on the train. (I wanted to take my dictionary along, to flip through on the 20-minute ride to the exam centre, but unfortunately, I couldn't locate it when I looked for it a couple of hours before leaving to catch my train.) And like the best-laid plans of mice and men, mine went down the drain, too. The things I did end up doing on the train were :
- chat with senorita B.
- join AR in ragging senorita B.
- join senorita B in ragging AR
- listen to them speaking in Spanish
- think to myself, "Oh, they know so much!"
- admire their vocabularies (;) )
- ask what all they had studied
- EAT
- eat
- eat some more
- realize that a cough syrup bottle was leaking in my bag, rendering pink my novel and the papers I was carrying (to STUDY ;) Yes, I know... Konjam over than, but whattodo)
- climb on to the berth
- try sleeping
- go freshen up thinking it was 05:15, only to be told it was 04:15!
- wake senorita B. (who was in deep sleep) to tell her, "I'll be getting down in 10 minutes, see you, bye"
- spend the next 1&1/2 hours waiting for my station to arrive :P

I finally got down and reached MK's place. 

The next day, the D-day (or call it E-day, Exam-Day :P ) dawned. Thanks to our good planning and MK's driving skills, I got a good breakfast packed. (That AR ended up eating my breakfast, and me his, is a different story. Yes, I know I'm very accommodating that way - I ate idlies instead of pongal!!!). 

At last, we were in our seats, with the exam about to begin.

Part 1 - written comprehension. Duration : 70 minutes.

Who wants to write for 7-0 minutes?! I finished in 40 minutes (the exam level was fairly high, and that had to be respected, no? ;) ). I didn't want to revise my answers - I have this unfortunate tendency of wrongly correcting my right answers. For the next half an hour, my mind played 'Dulce nina' on a loop, with random snatches of conversations and other songs in between.

No break.

Part 2 - listening comprehension.

Always a nightmare. Even at the best of times. Which that day clearly was not.

Exercise 1 ended, and I resorted to my usual method of choosing the right option (he mentioned this, and this is in option C, so C it is. No, I didn't get what she said, so let me choose B. Ah, that's too many B's, so let me choose an A...)

Exercise 2 ended and I marked my answers.

Exercise 3 started. My mind decided it was the time to start playing "Con te partiro", and I kept hearing "su navi per mari" throughout the recording. (Damn mind. Why did you have to play an Italian song in a Spanish exam? Don't you have any sense?)

Time to mark my answers. And I suddenly discovered that there was no space to mark my answers. It was only then that I realized that I'd done exercise 2 in the space provided for exercise 3...

Exercise 4 - the first part was spent writing the answers for exercises 2 & 3... 

Finally, it was over.

I handed over my papers, including the blank sheet they'd provided for taking notes :P (Like a sincere student, I'd clarified with the invigilator that the blank paper was for taking notes, and ended up not making notes at all, not even one word.)

Post a short (err, half an hour, actually) break, Part 3 - Writing (essay-type!) began. After some confusion during which we changed classrooms and listened to another recording, we started writing.

For some odd reason, my mind started playing yet another song, this time in Spanish. Now, this song (La madre de Jose (check it out on YouTube at your own risk) ) always makes me laugh, though I have no idea why. 

The result - I wanted to say "however...", and the moment my pen started writing it, my mind sang "Por cierto! tan-tan-tan-TAN! (music :P ) ", which is what I ended up writing. Twice.

I finished writing, and was just checking my watch to see how long it would be before I could leave. The invigilator in this room suddenly told me,"Why don't you go through the paper? You might find some mistakes. Of course the people who correct your paper will find more, but still..." And so, I had to go through my paper. And I espanolized a French word, which I'd unwittingly written... The moment we could hand over our papers, I did so and got out of the place.

Lunch was fun. (Andhra meals. Rice. Ghee, lots of it! Cabbage (something I eat :P). Dal. Rasam. (Sambar had radish :( ). Appalam.) Senorita B then started teasing AR about his sense of direction. She even did it with a straight face!)

Back, and finally, it was my turn to go take Part -4, the Oral exam :) 

Let's just say that I mixed up a few nouns. And genders. And adjectives. I used a French word conjugated the Spanish way. I won them over (euphemism for making them scratch their heads) with my wonderful logic and reasoning.

AR & I waited until senorita B finished her exam. 

We then walked out and took an auto to Shivajinagar bus stand. Senorita B was the one who had to go there. AR went along to book his returen ticket. And me, well, I just tagged along because I was pretty much jobless. 

Anyway, the day ended well. (Senorita B accuses me of trying to hit on her, but what to do? She knows my preferences well enough. Maybe one day I'll just call her bluff :P )

I've rambled on for long enough now. Pointlessly, as usual. So let me now take a break. And ponder over why my mind is trying to wreck my life :P

Adios, folks

(* - I'm temporarily out of reach, please don't beat the daylights out of me)

People... sigh!

Sigh!

Why do people not get it that when I ask them to recommend a song like this,


I'm looking for something like


And when I ask you for something like


I mean something more like



or


Or even :


Sigh!

Well, I know that when I say I like some random Macedonian rock song and want to listen to something like it, what I'm actually looking for is a Bengali slow song :P Isn't that perfectly logical? No???!! Really?!

People, I tell you...

Friday, March 21, 2014

Smell a rat? Of course you don't :P

There's this general belief that prolonged exposure to our dear beloved Sun messes the head, maybe that's what has happened to me. No, I don't think I was dropped on the head as a baby, in case you're wondering, Bertie ;)

Anyway, to the actual post :

I seem to have grown "braver" ;) 

First things first - there have been a few rats running about in our lab, and we've been trying to get rid of them. We've been using a trap, and releasing the rats far away from our labs (though sometimes they end up being eaten by the cats around). 

And so, yesterday, I found a rat scuttling around the lab, and was talking to JJ about it. He then showed me the rat trap and we brought it into it. Later, JES came by and set it up properly, with a piece of carrot as bait. And when we came back from lunch, NW & I found a big fat inside the trap. She wanted to put the trap outside, while I was trying to see if the latch was secure enough, to prevent the rat from escaping on the way. I finally took some paper and rolled it to make an impromptu lock, and each time I tried to check if it was thick enough to secure the latch, I could see the rat moving about inside. But being the brave girl that I am ( ;) ), I managed to secure the lock, and NW dragged it outside (I was giving her moral support :P ). I don't know what happened to the rat, but a little while later, I found another little one scuttling around - why, it even kept darting up to my table and back! 

With neither JES nor JJ around, yours (brave) truly decided (!!!) that the time had come for her to set the trap. And so, I put in another piece of carrot as bait, the way I'd seen JES do. And after a few minutes of examining the "contraption/apparatus" (yes, I studied science ;) ), I figured out what had to be done, and then proceeded to wait for the rat to be trapped. (All the while marveling at how I'd learnt yet another 'mechanical' task and was willing to get down and do things, even if they involved getting my hands dirty!)

When NW left, I went along with her, and the rest of the evening just passed by. In the morning, I reached the lab (early, after ages!), and what do I find? The bait gone, but the trap still open :P

So much for my rat-trapping abilities... Maybe I should just try going the Pied Piper route :P

Sigh! Such bravery, to no avail... Such is life...

P.S.: I didn't really have much to write about, but reading BK's blog suddenly made me feel that I should be writing as well, and this is the result.

P.P.S. : I hope there is at least one soul in this extremely populated planet who finds the title funny/amusing, at least half as much as I do.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Attention, please *

It just occurred to me that I might have selective attention after all... But I guess it depends on who you ask... For instance, if you ask SM, she'll deny it. (She knows believes I lack attention almost completely, not just selectively :P ). If you ask the Senor, you might get the mistaken impression that I pay attention in class. (Senorita B. & I know how much attention we paid in class (a lot, I assure you ;) )

The other day, my prof told me, "Take a break and work on this", and like a good girl, I happily took a break. It was only later that I remembered that there was a second part to the sentence, which was actually what was necessary... But still...

I'm not sure if it's an instance of the cocktail party effect (wow, jargon?!), or if there are only certain things that catch my attention. Once, I was taking a walk with my friend, when a girl crossed us while talking on her phone. I was just about to continue talking to my friend, when I suddenly heard, "Barcelona, Madrid". I'll leave you to imagine what effect it had on me.

I think I'll stop writing now, as I suddenly remembered (thanks to SM!) that my selective attention is not restricted to things, but also extends to people... And washing dirty laundry in public isn't good, no? ;)
 (Err, truth be told, I can't think of anything more to say right now...)

So, goodnight... 

(And Gai-jin, my attention is all yours now :P)

(* - apologies for the pathetic title)

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

About me

Ok, I've been reading a lot of blogs of late. And I've been reading the 'About me' pages, which are often very interesting. So I thought why not enlighten people with some things about myself (so that they realize just how wonderful, awesome (ah, modesty!)I really am ;) )

I am just another statistic.

The girl you see with a book in her hand even while she is eating - I am she. The so-called 'real reader'. The one who waits for her coffee to cool as she finishes the next chapter.

Humour keeps me going. I'm a big fan of P.G.Wodehouse, William Brown (the Richmal Crompton character), Calvin&Hobbes and Pearls Before Swine.

I have so much music playing in my head that at times, I don't even need a music player :P The flip side is that my mind plays refrains of German rock songs when I'm in the middle of a serious discussion, or 'La madre de Jose' (which I find very funny) or the refrain from 'November rain' when I'm walking by myself.

I like studying with music playing (and singing along).

I sing. Not just in the bathroom, but also in the kitchen. And the courtyard of our house. I have nothing to do with the pigeons flying away and the cats running away. I prefer to sing mostly only when I'm alone, though by now my family is used to the screaming melodious sounds of my singing (in various languages!)

I watch football. As much as I can - at least when my beloved team plays. I even have 'lucky' dresses to wear on those days (depending on where I am, and whether it's my club or NT which is playing ;) )

I love words and some word games. Thanks to Tony Sebastian, I now try my hand at cryptic crosswords when I can. (Large Australian bird with three letters, Galahad? ;) )

I love coffee and chocolates. And biscuits. And walking. Dreaming (and daydreaming).

I can be very funny, but unfortunately, very few people get my jokes, at least on the first go. I've also been told I'm the 'Queen of Sarcasm' and the one who contributes to a conversation just to hit a nail on the head. 

I lack this thing called patience. (Well, SM says I lack this so-called 'social cognition' as well, but let's not get started on all the things I lack - not a very long list, of course, but why bring it up now, when you can slowly discover it for yourself? ) Which is why I often end up going early to places and meetings, and, ironically, having to wait :|

I'm sometimes, no, often, lazy.

I'm random and something of an open book :)

I have a terrific family (something I sometimes forget to appreciate!)

I don't often talk much, not at first at least. There are people with whom I just don't stop talking once I start. There are days when I don't feel like talking, and days I just can't stop talking.

I think I've said enough already - you're welcome to try and know me better ...

Saturday, January 4, 2014

What SC did**

SC* has done it. He has officially crossed the point of no return. He asked for it. And boy does it make me happy!

Yes. Yes. Yes. He asked me. TO. RECOMMEND. SOME. BOOKS.

Now, anyone who has been my victim knows me will vouch for my love for reading. And so you can imagine the pleasure of getting to show off the diversity of my readings share with someone the books that I enjoyed, in the hope that he/she (or is it they?) does, too. (Not that I wait to be asked - if I get the tiniest hint that any of my 'friends' is looking for something to read, well, even if not, I feel happy doing PR for the latest book I enjoyed, or any of the stock favourites :P) (Oh my God, that was such a long sentence, and it unfortunately reminds me a so-called 'story' in Women's Era!)

Ok, SC. You can relax. I have a few others I can recommend books to, so you won't be under constant threat of being overwhelmed. But at times, yes, your inbox will be flooded. Why? Since you asked for it :P*evil grin*

Ah, I think it's time I got back to the reading I'm actually supposed to be doing now... Adios!

(*-  The S* of the previous post will be SC from now onwards...
**-  I'm suddenly reminded of 'What Katy did'!)