A million thank you's

Thank you, my dear horn-happy drivers. As if it isn't hard enough trying to follow the lyrics of songs (what else  can one do on long journeys?), your constant honking makes my journeys so much more pleasant.

Thank you, owners of vehicles-with-emissions-clouding-the-air, I'm pretty sure the city (and all its citizens) appreciate and welcome your invaluable contribution to the already-polluted air everywhere. Keep up the good work!

And thank you, dear people who come on the wrong side of the way. We feel we're on cloud nine each time you look at us so lovingly because we're blocking your path.Your pleasantries when we block your path (unwittingly, as we continue to believe we're going the right way!) are like music to the ears. If you had been going the right way, we'd have given you the right of way for sure.

To those who think all the world's their spittoon, where would we be without you? What would happen to the Earth who's just waiting with a tar-lined bowl to receive your spit? How monochromatic the roads would be, without your red and yellow tobacco and mucus-filled spit adding colour to them... You deserve our heartfelt gratitude!

And before I forget, my sincerest thanks to all you wonderful selfless souls who wish to share your music with everyone in the bus (the one you are in, and the ones far behind)... If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have enjoyed high-pitched screaming at even higher volumes. We might not have even gotten those migraines and headaches... Thanks for saving us from such disaster.

Thanks to all these splendid people, for helping us live life to the maximum (a maximum reduced by thier consistent efforts). We are indeed eternally grateful to you (though eternity just got shorter, thanks to you!)

Current affairs!!! *

It's been so long since I last blogged.

Quite a lot has been happening. And quite a lot has not been happening!

A new year has dawned. And maybe this is the year I finally give one of my best friends a long-awaited treat. The treat which was supposed to have been given when I started working is still pending. I have quit my job, and moved on, promising more treats along the way :) My friend says he has lost hope in this matter. I offered to cook for him, but he told me he had a wish of staying alive. What faith he has in my culinary skills!

One thing I need to mention is the feedback and encouragement I received from a scientist. It was enlightening. I wanted to put off writing something I had in mind, as I felt that my characters were getting too one-dimensional. And as that person pointed out, when scientists write fiction, they tend to focus on ideas rather than on the people. True, in my case at least.  So, for now, fiction has to wait!

And we also managed a midnight birthday party for a friend. It was fun. And the lessons I learnt include :

- if there is a deadline for applying somewhere, finish it before the party. 1:30 A.M. on the morning following the deadline isn't the best time to think of a good SOP. Nor is it a good time to mail your guide asking for references.

- we are now "good actors", according to our friend, who went along with the drama we'd enacted.

- 11 p.m. is a good time to have ginger chai :)

- 2:30 a.m. isn't the best time to have a chat with your friend, especially if she has an early morning appointment to keep.

- and finally, it sometimes makes sense not to hit the snooze button on the alarm clock.

Talking of recent events, I just realized however much we grow up, we still can and do behave childishly. And  sometimes, it isn't the best way out of a situation. When I think about it, I find that there is as much diversity in the people in the department, as in their backgrounds. There's a fountain of knowledge, two of them in fact. Though I know they hate being called that. :) Then, there are people who pop in once in a while, claiming all kinds of rights and privileges. People who disappear when there's work to be done. And people who do all the work. People who know their stuff, and people who don't. Even crazy me somehow fits in in the department. It's sometimes fun, watching the clash of the titans!!!

Wonder what's been happening to me of late, though. I congratulated a friend on his new bike, only to be told he's had it for a very long time. I then told him it'd been either too dark or too bright when I'd seen his bike earlier, and I finally noticed it as the lighting was just right. (Wonder why he was laughing at that !) I asked another friend when he'd changed his bike, and he told me he's had the same bike for 7 long years!!!

And finally, I came to know my worth - my friend (call her A) asked me to accompany her and help her in some work. Another friend (call him B, in Wodehouse style!!) asked her to pay him for taking away his T.A. ( I din't know until then that that was who I was!!!), and very seriously she brought out her purse and handed him a few coins. I thought she was handing over the change for something else, until friend B told her that she could now take me with her. I lamented the fact that I seemed to be worth so little. At once, friend B returned the change to A. I protested that I thought I had been worth at least a few coins, and was told "You are priceless". Priceless, indeed? Why do I still smell a rat? Why were they both laughing? Something fishy! Wonder what the mystery was... (And another mystery now arises - do I smell a rat? or a fish???) (This is a pathetic joke!)

I thought I'd use this blog only for ranting, but looks like I've changed my mind.

And looks like I found a reader for my blog! Am I flattered! :)

K, Thank you!

And G, "Don't give up". There's hope yet. Of getting your treat. And surviving my cooking. :)

To some people : Grow up!!! (This applies to me too!)

R, S : Thanks for letting me know my true worth (or lack of it!)

T, it was fun and we had a great time planning how to get you out of your warm bed at night, and make you come all the way!

M : get the earphones. ASAP! That's an order!

MB : thank you for the feedback and the time you spared for me.

Guess that's enough for the time being. So, signing off for now.

* - :) too much on my mind, what with the forthcoming exam on current affairs. Maybe this post (or at least its title) will remind me that I have an exam for which I must study. A little at least!

P.S. - this post seems to live up to the blog's description - rambling and more rambling!

No comments, please!

Just wanted to rant :

While waiting for my bus, I saw my friend walking with his wife. They were sharing an umbrella, and talking to each other. And then,zip!!! some guy on a cycle commented "Just because you've had a love marriage doesn't mean you have to flaunt it!!!"

What a totally uncalled for comment! To the guy who said it : I don't know who you are. But will you kindly refrain from commenting on what is not your business. What does it matter to you who goes out with whom? And why does it affect you so much? There's so much hatred in the world, that love seems a really precious thing. Please don't go about sullying such a beautiful thing. Maybe you are frustrated or jealous because you are single. But that doesn't give you the right to speak about someone else's happiness. Don't grudge people the little pleasures that make Life truly worth living...

Mind(full) of memories!!!

An year... Time has flown... It's been slightly more than an year since I joined the university. I pause to reflect on what I've got in this year, and what I have learnt :

I met some truly wonderful people, a couple of whom have become really good friends -whom I could trust my life with (maybe they'll know what to do with it, I don't!!! ). Initially I was hesitant. They seemed so knowledgeable and confident, I felt like a stranger. But with the passage of time, I discovered that they were indeed knowleadgeable and confident, but also friendly and genuine people. I'm grateful for the discussions we had (subject-related and otherwise!), the chai and snacks (especially when sponsored by you ;) ), for your valuable insights, for the entertainment you provided... The list is quite long... May we make many more good memories !

Over the past year, I also discovered many places on the campus. And since I have to rely on my own two feet for moving about, I have ; by trial and error; discovered the shortest paths between two points on campus. And again, the distance is relative. If you are in the midst of an engrossing discussion, the longer path would be the obvious one to take. But if you someone you know (but wouldn't want to ;) ) would be taking that path, then you take another one :)

I shouldn't be saying this, but I also discovered that the restrooms of DCIS & SOP are the best-maintained. Maybe SSS and LHC2 deserve a mention too. But not the others. :P

In terms of academics, I made some mistakes, but am working towards doing much better. And what with people around me who know their stuff, am sure it will work out, and I'll manage to work hard enough to do justice to my course :)

There are many more things to mention, many more memories and special moments. But I'll end this now.

(P.S. Couldn't think of a better title :( )

10 things

Nice tag I came across on a blog I read :

Please list at least ten things you have ever wanted or done which your gender is not supposed to.

Here's my list:

1. Eating alone - have eaten alone even in restaurants in new cities :)

2. Learning to play the drums : it's awesome & real fun!!!

3. Complimenting: I don't mind telling a guy he looks good (if that IS the case) (I have received flak from some of my friends over this...)

4. Making the first move : haven't always waited for a guy to do it - though haven't actually gotten down on one knee (yet !!! ;) )

5. Experimenting : be it music or books :)

6. Paying for food : it doesn't really matter to me who pays - I don't mind paying for friends at the canteen

7. Dressing down(?) : I just can't spend more than a minute before a mirror - why waste time on trivial matters???

8. Watching TV - no serials for me ... prefer music, sports & movie channels when I do indeed watch TV (which is quite rarely)

9. Bus trips - I usually settle down with a newspaper (crossword) & earphones plugged in - don't even mind snacking on buses (not exactly a trait associated with a girl)

10. Listening : am not a chatterbox - am not a fan of talking and talking ( girls & chatter seem to go together)...

& in the wanting to do part - I'd say travelling all over the world... Two of my friends have what seems a most exciting plan to me - go backpacking alone & explore the world -face the challenge... by yourself.... Sounds amazing... Someday I'll (hopefully) have the time & 'resources' for it :)

It was tough but fun trying to make this list : I don't seem to know any longer what girls are "supposed" & "expected" to do or not... And does it matter, who does what ??? Why should something be labelled "girly" or "boyish"???

How I did it ;)

I was talking to a friend about the reason I had earphones in a shocking colour... I also happened to mention the fate of my brother's mobile after it came into my hands. ;) He wondered how I managed to spoil a mobile. While I silenced him by explaining it's easy if you have years of experience, I felt I owe him a better explanation. So here it is, how I managed to achieve the feat...

1) Making maximum use of your service provider's SMS packages. What are they for??? :)*

2) Making use of every available feature on the phone... The camera - almost every third moment seemed worth capturing ;)

3) Music - how can you miss the numerous radio shows? ** & when the commercials come on... well, that's when you listen to songs stored earlier :)

4) Gaming - push the buttons around - all the anger and frustration and excitement on racing a car across the deserts or through a forest trail, the keypad bears the brunt of it all...

5) Careful handling on the phone - taking care to see that it does not fall on the hard ground ... too often, just now and then.... :P

6) Carrying the phone properly - I usually end up digging for it at the bottom of my bag, alongside a stapler, pens, pencils & what-nots :)

See, it's so easy ;)

And to conclude, that's how I managed to do it :)

* - I used to be an SMS-junkie once upon a time...

** - There used to be great radio shows with splendid RJ's back then, in the city where I used to be.. Don't know the situation now, though...

Way(s) to wealth???

Just thinking....

So many ways of getting rich...

1. Photo-shop: After seeing the "beautiful" photo taken this morning for an ID card (it would make a good promotional poster for any horror movie), I discovered a good scheme for minting money - just blow up my photo, & sell copies - as protection against the Evil Eye... (I'm pretty sure it'll work ;) )

2. Music(k): Start singing - and threaten to continue unless paid to remain silent. I can see myself on the road to millionairehood.... Alas, my stamina doesn't last that long, so I think I'll settle down for a lesser amount :) :) Like, a thousand thousand :)

3. F(a)iry tales: Write M&B kind soppy stuff - shouldn't be too hard... Except for the dialogues - maybe I can just quickly read a few to decide the amount of 'sentiment'/'emotion' ... And maybe I can get sponsored lunches in the best restaurants where I go to study the 'atmosphere'....

I'm sure I can come up with more schemes , given time...

And if worst comes to worst, I can even WORK :) :)