The drudgeries of life
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Mind-games
I sometimes wonder why the human mind is so crazily superb when it comes to making assumptions, spinning yarns, interpreting puzzles, projecting facts, drawing conclusions, having crazy imaginations, tying up loose ends, and taking decisions.
All that you've been given are a few scattered pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle, yet you're able to solve the damn thing in a jiffy!
Fascinating, you say?
Not always, mind you!
Trust me on this one...
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Online Treasure Hunts!
I feel like I'm on a highhhh highhhh!
Spent the entire day today on an online T-hunt... been at it since 3 days!
Crazy puzzles with maddening answers! Feels good to be back... to hell with the feeling of being brain-dead!!
And now I'm at the pinnacle, with no one in sight... damn those spurts of ingenuity :p
My team won the Rolling Stones t-hunt organized by IIT Bombay last year... let's win their Segreta event this year, guys ;)
Rock on!!!
Labels: Friends, Fun, Happiness, Nostalgia, Online, Treasure hunts
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Oh yeah?
They say, "Ignorance is bliss."
No way!
Heaving a mixed bag of emotions. Or probably a bag of mixed emotions.
Why?
No way!
Heaving a mixed bag of emotions. Or probably a bag of mixed emotions.
Why?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
artemis foul
Friday, September 24, 2010
Emosional atyachar
Sadness is...
... standing one step behind that lonely octagenarian who somehow managed to stumble aboard the escalator, and noticing his quivering hands, the trembling of which increased as the time to step off the moving stairs came closer.
Happiness is...
... climbing that one step to be on the same level as the old gentleman, stretching out my left hand without saying a word, and his reaching out to hold it as if it was the most natural thing to do; then our stepping off the escalator in style, and his kind words, "God bless you, my son."
If only, sir.
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Sadness is...
... standing on the platform, outside the recently closed doors of the metro, staring through the glass window at you, both of us smiling at each other despite the knot in our respective throats, dreading this moment of separation that both of us had seen coming since so long. Damn! I'll miss you like crazy... and I know that you will too :'(
Happiness is...
... knowing that you were there for me when I needed a pillar of support, taking it for granted that you're there, that you'll always be there for me, and despite all my stupidities in the recent past, it's not too late for me to make amends. I'm going to be following your lead... soon... very soon :)
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Sadness is...
... missing my parents, sister, and home!
Happiness is...
... not letting the distance get the better of anything :)
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Sadness is...
... not knowing what went wrong, what my fault was, why the indifference, yet my having to bear the hurt and the artificial guilt...
Happiness is...
... not giving a damn... and coming back to life!
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Sadness is...
... those countless nights spent at our favorite hangout mulling over life, discussing why shit happens, questioning that supreme being as to why am I His favorite candidate for playing the role of popat for life!
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Sadness is...
... those countless nights spent at our favorite hangout mulling over life, discussing why shit happens, questioning that supreme being as to why am I His favorite candidate for playing the role of popat for life!
Happiness is...
... those countless other nights spent at our other haunts, getting drowned in awesome music, head-banging, dancing, discussing about crazy shit, laughing our guts out, experiencing euphoria, not wanting to leave, racing through those awesome streets, zipping past those beautiful lights, feeling the tight slaps of the wind along with the deathly thrill, and spending the nights talking about how life has been a bitch yet how we've managed to survive it all ;)
Labels: Random
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
To Sweety, with love... ♥
Dearest Sweetu,
It's been a long while since I've actually written something for you, save for those extra-short SMSes. Actually it has been ages since I've written anything at all, so good luck for reading what follows.
Here goes nothing...
When I was five years old, my wants and demands for toys, games et al were somehow replaced by the subtle craving for a childhood playmate at home... after all, I had seen so many kids of my age or somewhat elder having a fun time with their younger siblings! Peer pressure, it was!
Spending evenings with the colony ka bacchalog was no longer an attractive prospect...
At the age of six-and-a-half years, I knew from the bulge in Mumma's tummy that a little brother was coming! Yes, I always prayed for a little brother... someone whom I could fight with, boy-to-boy; someone who'd be my shadow, my eternal copycat who doted on me; someone with whom I'd indulge in all the games and activities that little boys are so obsessed about; someone who'd be my best buddy; someone to whom I'd always be the big brother...
You can't imagine my utter delight when one month before I turned seven, I got an advance birthday gift - a sibling!!!
When talks of the nature "It's a healthy baby girl" echoed around in Jubesta hospital, the last word didn't matter a bit to me.
All that seemed to matter was that I was a big brother now :))
And boy oh boy! Was my infant baby sister a darling or what :*
Then came the hard part... after seven years of being the cynosure of Mumma and Dada's attention, I realized that the limelight was no longer on me! Agreed that you were the baby of the family, but try explaining that to a jealous seven year old!
It took a while for me to start appreciating sharing the parents' love and affection with you...
In parallel to that, it also took me time to realize that you're going to take ages to grow up.
At the crèche, I'd longing stare out at the cricket field where Bittu and Buntu used to be playing, while I used to stay by my little kiddo's side, who'd otherwise start crying the instant I wasn't in her field of vision! I knew where I belonged straight away, sports be damned!
Over a period of time that seemed like eons, I witnessed you growing up! I can simply close my eyes and revisit certain instances that are so preciously stowed away in my memory:
First, you rolled over on your own (I can so clearly remember being the first witness to this "miracle" on the train to Bangalore, and a tiny little you, merely four months old, flashing a proud smile as if you know what an achievement you had pulled off!)
I vividly remember:
- the little toothless Sweety's passion for dark chocolate
- the chubby cheeked sweetheart who drew everyone's attention, and who'd win their hearts by not refusing to be carried in their arms :)
- the restless crawling baby sometimes crying at getting hurt and demanding that the perpetrator (usually the floor, the door or some inanimate object) be repaid in kind - that was usually accompanied by a loud "BAPPP"!
- the same restless sweetheart who took to walking and talking like a fish to water!
Then there was no looking back!
The toddler matured into a powerpuff girl :D
And my training my new playmate took focus... someone would've thought I was teaching a younger brother the tricks of the trade :p
From cricket (oh ok! So I made you do the bowling most of the time :p) to karate (hehe I so don't know what stunts I taught you, but we did have some nice fights!), I did teach you a lot!!
Another awkward change was when Mumma asked me to take you along when I played with my friends. Ouch.
But it worked out so wonderfully despite my feeling that you'd be left behind and ignored. You actually became one of the gang at such an early age :D
You were, what, five years old when Sonu, you and I walked to that pond near our locality, when a bunch of mad dogs started running in our direction, barking like crazy. Sonu, fearing for his life, turned around and made a run for it.
Holding that tiny little hand of yours in my hand, feeling the tightening grip of those little fingers, knowing that we'd never outrun those canines, I for the first time in my life felt like a protective elder brother... and I feared not for myself, but for you! Talk about discovering something beautiful in the most adverse of circumstances...
Holding that tiny little hand of yours in my hand, feeling the tightening grip of those little fingers, knowing that we'd never outrun those canines, I for the first time in my life felt like a protective elder brother... and I feared not for myself, but for you! Talk about discovering something beautiful in the most adverse of circumstances...
Thank God for those maids who save our lives that day!
That said, I can never ever forget how bad a brother I was at times: being vindictive and asking my little honeybun to imitate my touching the fire hot goodnight mat; yelling at the kinder garden baby for making me wait for 10 minutes when I went to pick her up from school; and many more :'(
Woah! How can I forget our "cat-and-dog" fights over the years?! If only Mumma had had the will power, she'd have definitely sent us to boarding school :p
My memory is somewhat blurred when it comes to those adolescent years of mine... I remember your ups and downs at school, your being a champ at extracurrics, Sweety the awesome dancer, your budding passion for reading, you and your friends et al.
Then came my IIT preparation days... talk about being busy! But those late nights were extra-special when I came home, tired and drained, only to find you awake just to kiss me good night, to talk to me from the darkness while I studied by my lamp, or to find a note from you that read:
"Love you Appu. Good night. -Sweety"
"Love you Appu. Good night. -Sweety"
On my last night at home before leaving for college that fateful July, I cried like crazy! I was more Sweety-sick than homesick!
But things do work out wonderfully... as much as I had feared that the distance will play spoilsport, we as siblings grew so much closer. And younger too!
True that our bickering commenced where it was left off whenever I came home, but it was much cuter now, and so very precious too!
Plus it was fascinating to watch a fairy tales loving baby, who had grown up and had started reading Nancy Drews, Enid Blyton et al, now becoming a matured girl who devoured books of Nicholas Sparks, Sidney Sheldon, Colleen McCollough, etc.
Then the fascination for school books, and the passion to study and make it big! I truly saw a reflection of myself in you, a much better and clearer one at that B)
Same goes for the things that you missed out on... those times were tough, but witnessing how wonderfully you adapted and started living life to the fullest is exemplary!
Talking to you almost everyday, even if most of the times about the same old things, listening to your excited chitter-chatter, cheering you up when you're down, pulling you leg now and then, are some of the things that make my day perfect!
And as if I don't already have a gazillion reasons for loving you and for being proud of you, you just keep giving me more and more with each passing day!
Five days ago, when you asked me in a hushed tone:
"Appu, I want to talk to you about something.",
I wondered what it might be about.
"Appu, I want to talk to you about something.",
I wondered what it might be about.
And when you replied:
"It's about my career... I want to know what to do in life... what should I do after my engineering.",
I was dumbfounded.
"It's about my career... I want to know what to do in life... what should I do after my engineering.",
I was dumbfounded.
My little baby sister is now all set to be a career-focused woman! Woah!
She's about to turn 19!! Nineteen for God's sake!!!
Wasn't she the world's cutest, prettiest toddler just yeaterday?!
Today, she's this beautiful young woman who has a heart of gold, who's very sensitive, thoughtful, extremely compassionate, diligent, and what not!
Time does fly...
Wasn't she the world's cutest, prettiest toddler just yeaterday?!
Today, she's this beautiful young woman who has a heart of gold, who's very sensitive, thoughtful, extremely compassionate, diligent, and what not!
Time does fly...
When I texted you 3 days ago saying,
"Meri baby kitni badii ho gayii hai yaar :') " (My baby has grown up sooo much!),
I loved your reply which read,
"Khush reh, paagal... atleast tere liye to hamesha ek baby baby hi rahungi na :*" (Be happy, stupid... at least to you I'll always remain a baby!)
That sums it all up!
Sweetu - you'll always always and always remain my darling little baby sister, the apple of my eye, my best buddy; someone who I love (and will continue loving) more than anything in the whole wide galaxy, and for whom I'd give my anything and everything!
Wish you a extremely happy happy 19th birthday, plumpudding!
God bless you truckloads!
Love you, and miss you heaps!
Millions of hugs and kisses,
Appu
P.S.: I'm sorry I won't be able to surprise you this time round... I so wish I could have... Have a fantabulous time nonetheless ;)
Labels: Baby, Birthday, Family, Happiness, Nostalgia, Sister, Sweety
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Waking up...
Several months ago, I had had this feeling that one instant I might wake up and realize that you were a dream... so perfect, so hard to happen...
Now I've woken up.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Melange
Sunday. Pink Floyd. Relaxation. Sleep.
Conversations. Hours. Sighing. Laughs. Repetitions.
People. Changes. Work. Dissemblance.
Friends. Rendezvous. Nostalgia. Bakar. Plans.
English. Essays. Word play. Expertise.
Hunger. Dhabhas. Phulkas. Dal makhani.
Rains. Bike rides. Drenched. Bloodshot eyes.
Surprises. Gifts. Choices. Indecision.
Vacillations. Weaknesses. Addictions.
Baby sister. Fondness. Apple of my eye. Nostalgia.
Parents. Constants. Bestest friends. Homesickness.
200201170. Grooviness. House hunt. Partyyy.
Dead of the night. Biking. Expressway. 40 kms. 22 minutes.
Tears. Bloodshot eyes. Laughter. High fives!
Happiness. Amazement. Hanging on. Endings...
Conversations. Hours. Sighing. Laughs. Repetitions.
People. Changes. Work. Dissemblance.
Friends. Rendezvous. Nostalgia. Bakar. Plans.
English. Essays. Word play. Expertise.
Hunger. Dhabhas. Phulkas. Dal makhani.
Rains. Bike rides. Drenched. Bloodshot eyes.
Surprises. Gifts. Choices. Indecision.
Vacillations. Weaknesses. Addictions.
Baby sister. Fondness. Apple of my eye. Nostalgia.
Parents. Constants. Bestest friends. Homesickness.
200201170. Grooviness. House hunt. Partyyy.
Dead of the night. Biking. Expressway. 40 kms. 22 minutes.
Tears. Bloodshot eyes. Laughter. High fives!
Happiness. Amazement. Hanging on. Endings...
Labels: Random
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Now what?!
When each single day of this week resembled a weekend to the D, then what the hell am I supposed to expect of the weekend?! :)
Joy oh joy!
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Metro-life!
Life has been good for a while, contrary to what I had expected and feared...
Insecurities, I tell you, are a bane! A smile comes to my face whenever I recollect the song's title when Greenday's singing "Time of your life" 3:)
There's something awesome about days starting and ending with the Delhi Metro... looks like this week is supposed to be that way :))
Sunday was the day for the grand reunion at my place... I was jittery though I knew that I'd do justice to my role of the host! It was quite a wonderful day!
Each of the weekdays saw me getting addicted slowly by slowly to the Metro... I got myself a smart card, and thanks to someone making me wait for a long time each evening, I've started enjoying long trips on my own to the far end of Delhi while waiting! And then you blame me for being late :p
Simply love the fact that Chandni Chowk is just an hour away these days... yesterday's visit to Old Dilli was a breath of fresh air!
Last minute plans work out well, I guess... today evening, for instance!
Again covered a major portion of the stretch till CP aboard the metro, before hitting MG Road... the rain added to the pleasantness of the evening!
And thank God for sweet-tooth-edness! First a huuge soft serve cuppa at McD, then a couple of pastries at Bisque, then a couple of cones at Baskin Robbins (my Choco Brownie was much better :p)! As the Mask would hiss, "Somebody stop us"!
Checked out "The Chowk" at MGF Metropolitan... nice ambiance, yummy food, but pathetic service!
Never expected that we'd get a metro at as late as 11:30 PM... but we did! Respect \m/
The meager amount of driving I do these days added to the awesomeness of the late night bike ride.. hated wriggling through those gulli-nukkads though... had you listened to me, you'd have been living in a much better locality! :s
2 weeks more... 3 max!
Time definitely does some listening... it seems to have speeded up on my request!
Good night :)
Labels: Changes, Delhi, Delhi Metro, Friends, Fun, Good mood, Gurgaon, Happiness
