Grit, Grace & Gusto

Monday, June 9, 2008

Classics

HBO featured a 'Top 10' tear-jerker's list. 'The Notebook' stands at the number 2 spot. I hadn't heard about the movie, but that's not what I'm writing about. So I download the movie and 30 minutes into it, this song plays in the background. It's one of my favorites and it goes well with the movie. Here it is -

Hope you like!

Saturday, June 7, 2008

More Lists

Another one from Deepti -

Bold - the ones I've watched.

Not bad eh?!

Update: (June 9th) Two more classics suggested by Smini -

Mackenna's Gold
King Solomon's Mines

Friday, June 6, 2008

Flavours

Yesterday was refreshingly different. To begin with, it marked 3 years of my return from the U.S of A. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem so long!

The first half flew by engrossed in work. It's amazing how some results can make you feel on top of the world! Spent the afternoon watching some high-budget, poor-performance movies (and they make plenty of those in LA!). Evening was a teaser with a slight shower and a beautiful, beautiful rainbow! It was so enchanting, I didn't want to run upstairs to get my camera! For those who missed it - Rajesh has a snap of it. The spell of rain lasted barely 20-25 minutes. This was followed by anxious neighbors comforting a fellow resident, whose house had been robbed in broad daylight (that's a rare thing in this part of town), a murky discussion - over phone - with someone terribly confused, an enlightening conversation with Baba on some old Marathi music, some physical assault on a cold-infected brother (muhahaha), preparing Rasam, having dinner and another lethargic movie!

Life's good. It's so bloody amazingly good :)!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Let's hear it for Obama

With Step-Father, Mother, Step-Sister - Barack Obama

...or should we wait until November?

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Calling it a day

I absolutely long for Friday nights. Not 'coz the weekend's a respite from all the week's work (I work 6 hours, 7 days a week; so no weekends for me), but because Ujji comes home for the weekend. And it's fun when he's around. Of course, that only means a drop in the number of hours I can put in on these days. Which I then have to make up for on Mondays and Tuesdays. Normally, these aren't bad either. This week has been an exception.

Work has been K.R.A.Z.Z.Y! Yes, that bad! Two continuous 16 hour days with barely a breather between. I'm so pooped... *phew*...

Gonna slump into that bean-bag and watch a couple of movies with a steaming cup of coffee and nothing - absolutely nothing - to eat. My stomach feels like it can go without food for a whole week! That's something I've gotto stop doing; crunch time and my routine's pretty much - Food-Laptop-Food-Laptop-Food-Laptop... If I repeat the word 'f.o.o.d' again, I might throw up!

So that's that. TV, here I come.

Monday, June 2, 2008

I MISS THIS SHOW SO MUCH

I SO need to go get the DVD collection for these!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Maa-Baap ka PYAAR

We had dinner at India Gate on 100ft road, Friday night. Lovely dinner. Good drinks too. Aai ofcourse, always avoids drinks (not that she drives after that; she'd probably cause more damage without being drunk - Baba's words). So on our way out, I was busy messaging someone, my brother was picking up some extra saunf and Baba as usual, is way ahead. In that split second when all this is happening, my brother and me hear a THUD!, turn around and see Aai on the floor!

Apparently, she didn't realize there was a step and was happily thanking the manager for his services (my mom). So anyways, we helped her up, massaged her ankle and walked out. The first thing she can come up with - "Maazha mhaataaraa kuthey gelaa"?! - rather irritated.

Baba was holding the elevator for us, he went - "Buddhi padli-re-padli"! - with a BIG grin!

If there's anything I enjoy more than stand-up comedy... it's my parents addressing each other. One helluva couple!

Why I love the Internet

Years ago, there used to be this add on TV. Well, I don't quite remember the add. Or the year. All I remember is the background score - "I'm in the mood for love". Now basically, this is a really popular number with over 2 dozen artists recording it in their respective voices. And I'm looking for this one particular artist, whose voice plays in the background of that particular add. So I go hither-tither looking for this track, with no name for the artist, no add details and no year (nice)... and I find this -

I'm in the Mood for Love

Now, I'm not sure THIS is the artist or THE VOICE in the background of THAT particular add. But hey! it's close - real close!

Lyrics -
I'm in the mood for love
Simply because you're near me
Funny, but when you're near me
I'm in the mood for love

Heaven is in your eyes
Bright as the stars we're under
Oh, is it any wonder?
I'm in the mood for love

Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We've put our hearts together
Now we are one, I'm not afraid

If there's a cloud above
If it should rain, we'll let it
But, for tonight, forget it
I'm in the mood for love

Friday, May 30, 2008

Love the rains...

And the first thing that comes to mind each time I'm getting soaked is -

The number of times I went through this exercise as a teenager... Heh! A splendid way to enjoy the rains, no?!

Update: (6:45 PM) Another favorite during rains -

Thursday, May 29, 2008

In the last few hours

Scene 1 -
Baba: "Mazha dokka dukh-tay"...
Me: "Kashaani?"...
Baba: "Maahit naahi"...
Me: "Goli ghetli?"...
Baba: "Naahi... nantar gheyil"...
Me: "Hmm"...

Scene 2 - (Two hours later)
Baba: "Me challo zhopaayla"...
Me: "Huh?" (had headphones on)
Baba: (lip-syncing) "Me zhopaayla challo"...
Me: "Oh... Ok"...
Me: "Tumcha dokka banda zhalaka?"...
Baba: (just stares, trying hard not to laugh)...

A second later... all 3 of us are quacking bigtime!

They can use your help

As usual, I get this from my brother, in my email -

SlideShare

| View | Upload your own

I've done my bit of search and found The International Federation for Red Cross, an easy way to donate online. They're even Verified by Visa, so you can safely use your State Bank, HDFC or other cards to give as much as your heart (and bank account) will allow. Make your donations... without a hiccup!

Have a good day y'all!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Kudos...

...to this album, to this acoustic-guitar singer-songwriter. Like Heather rightly puts it -

"If you're looking for something to help you heal, no matter what went wrong, go buy this album."

I am my mother's only one
It's enough

I wear my garment so it shows
Now you know

Only love is all maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
Sky is womb and she's the moon

I am my mother on the wall, with us all
I move in water, shore to shore;
Nothing's more

Only love is all maroon
Lapping lakes like leary loons
Leaving rope burns --
Reddish ruse

Only love is all maroon
Gluey feathers on a flume
Sky is womb and she's the moon

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Finally moved

Drove down airport road for an ice-cream. Passed the last stretch of the airport. Witnessed a quite skyline, a barren flying strip and no improvement in traffic :).

15 long years in this part of town; I miss the sound of planes taking-off and landing. I miss being 'close-to-the-airport' *sigh*.

* Photo courtesy Rajesh Dangi

Hmm...

I was looking up the meaning for -

"Mangalyam tantuna nena
Mama jeevana hetuna
Kanthe bhadhrani shubhage
Twam dheeya sharadam shubam"

...and I was directed to this page :)!

P.S: Meaning -

"By tying the 'mangalyam' (sacred thread) around her neck, the husband entwines his life with his wife's"

...phew!

Also, I just tried making some Babycorn Masala... YUCK! I'm so sorry, but it really wasn't upto my taste :\.

Lists

Here's Deepti's post and here's my list -

Bold - ones I've read
Underlined - ones I read for school
Italicized - ones I started but didn't finish

P.S
(*) - ones I liked and would (or did) read again or recommend
(<--) - books on my wishlist

Thanks Deepti!

Here are a few other's I'd recommend personally -

Jonathan Livingston Seagull *
The Day of the Jackal *
Roots *
Mister God, This is Anna *
Marley and Me :) *

Friday, May 23, 2008

Of people & vibes

Baba's enjoying IPL whole-heartedly. He's even got Aai hooked to it. Come 9pm and you can hear him go, "Ahh... this team's out..." or "That's a stupid shot bugger...". Aai chips in with comments too, which is fun to hear!

So a couple of days ago, Ujji asked me why I wasn't interested in cricket and that got me thinking - why? I've never been a cricket 'fan'. Then again, I've been a 'fan' of no game really; definitely not the kinds to sit in front of a screen either booing or cheering a team or person. I guess I'm not a TV person. I'm not even fond of any particular movie personality, now that I think of it. As far as sports go, I've always enjoyed participating in person. I enjoy my time at basketball courts, badminton courts, race-courses, etc. Basically, I like being there, doing it myself. It gives me a 'kick' of sorts; one that seeing someone perform or do the same, doesn't.

I have to agree though, when I do watch some people on screen, they leave behind a 'good' feeling. Ofcourse, not one to make me go buy their posters or watch their every game or movie. It's a few seconds feeling - like sparing them a few thoughts and that's about it. Stefanie ~~was~~ is one of them. More recently (blame this on IPL), Glenn McGrath has been added to this list. Again, he's an old-timer, but it's not his game or his performance that earned him his spot in my list. It's a feeling - a vibe :)!

So there, I've just explained the title for this post.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Lucky me

I had an episode with my bike some time ago. I parked it on a quite road in Indiranagar, spent sometime on CMH and got back to find it lying flat on the same spot. Not much damage... just the front left hand portion had a major dent. So when I left it at the service center, the guy asked me if I'd like to get that portion fixed. He said I could claim insurance for the damage and I'd get back 80% of whatever I spend on it. I agreed.

I just received my insurance cheque today - a 110% refund... Heh!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Road Trips

Lack of posts?... Blame it on the roadtrips. First to Pune, then to Munnar. And it's been fabulous indeed! They're doing a splendid job with the Golden Quadrilateral. It makes road journeys all the more agreeable. While Pune trip included visits to relatives, Munnar was altogether a 'break-from-the-mundane'. And what a refreshing break... phew! Here's a glimpse of this beautiful place -

Between these 2 trips we've had a brief stay in Bangalore and Aai was busy tending to her garden. She's got her Ashoka trees trimmed and the place looks barren without them *sigh*. On the other hand, she's had some wonderful blooms too -

All-in-all it's been a busy yet happy time :)! Now... back to work. Heh!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Exhilarated

So I finally got to a bookstore... Yay! I was hoping to pick up one other book along with 'god is not Great' and my mind was trying to choose between - 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Maximum City'. I ended up buying - 'The Secret'! And WOW!... what a book this is!

I'd only heard of the movie (in passing) from a friend sometime in 2006, but never really had a chance to catch it. The book is exactly or maybe more that what I've been looking for! I immediately began reading it and wasn't able to put it down until I'd finished!

Whether it'll ring with you or not, I'm not sure. I sure hope it does :)! Fill me in on your experience!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

6 months and counting

I've been trying to get a snap of his for a whole week now. All I manage is him sleeping or barking at Munnu (he hates it when Munnu barks at strangers! Weird dog!) or hidden under some chair. So finally today, I put my efforts to rest. I bribed him with biscuits for snaps! Here's Sheru, 6 months old -

I'll try and put up a slide-show here sometime soon! This one looks like he changes every other day!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Hot under the Collar

I came across this post today by another of my own species. The title reads - 'Awesome girls' profiles ........taken from Shaadi.com!!!'.

For a moment it didn't register. And when it did, I could feel blood rising to my head! Reading the post initially made me sick, then hateful and finally pitiful towards the author. To my dismay, the author turned out to be a woman too!

It's such a pitiable society we live in, isn't it? Here are some women trying to rise from their otherwise mundane and ignored lives to find a special someone. Agreed, their choice of words isn't anywhere close to yours or mine. Or even the author's who wrote that post! But hell, how good are you or me or she when compared to let's say Tony Morrison or Ayn Rand or Pearl Buck?!

How can you possibly find humor in something that could mean the world to another?! It's just beyond me! Oh and ofcourse, I'm sure there would be the lot that comes up with - "Hey, it's just a gag!" Sheesh! Where do these specimens come from?!

Sarcasm

Another forward from my brother -

A world-wide survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was: "Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?" The survey was a huge failure! Here's why:

In Africa they didn't know what 'food' meant,

In India they didn't know what 'honest' meant,

In Europe they didn't know what 'shortage' meant,

In China they didn't know what 'opinion' meant,

In the Middle East they didn't know what 'solution' meant,

In South America they didn't know what 'please' meant

And in the USA they didn't know what 'rest of the world' meant!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Take Heed

This is a report produced by 'The GreenPeace India Society'. It gives a detailed survey on the effect of climate change on the Indian Subcontinent.

Not interested?! How about this - Atleast 120 million people will be rendered homeless with the rise in water level, in India alone! Still no effect?! Consider this then - People are expected to migrate inland from as early as 2045! That's the same 120 million people who might lose their homes.

Think we're prepared for that?!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Fussing over food

Aai has always complained about my eating habits. I've always had a sparse appetite, but that's just one of her concerns. She's making a big deal about what I like and don't almost every other day. Well, I guess that's quite understandable being my mother and all (and I guess I should appreciate the fact that I'm quite lucky in a million ways), but I thought I'd put the matter to rest once and for all. If I'm really that choosy, I should make room for more variety, right? So letsee, I'm making a list of things I think I consume & not -

Consume -

Milk & milk products
Eggs
Cereals & Pulses
Green Vegetables AND Other (er...um) selected Vegetables

Don't -

Beans
All types of 'gourds'
Vegetables that appear as fruit of a plant - Pumpkins, Eggplants, etc.

Hmm. I still think I have a healthy diet. My mom should see this list maybe! (Heh!)

Friday, April 4, 2008

City Cleansed

Bangalore still looks beautiful when it rains. Many might say there's trouble with roads, with basements in apartments, with traffic - which is all true and yet, there's something mystical about the rains in this city. It's almost spiritually healing! Ofcourse, you're looking at Bangalore from the stand-point of someone who barely gets out of home (no traffic nuisance!), is pretty much confined to one room that overlooks a beautiful garden (thanks to Aai) and enjoys her mug of hot-coffee, all alone, slumped in a bean-bag at 2:30am, watching thunder and lightning from this confinement of hers! Rains are fun, aren't they?!

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About Me...

'Pranjal' means 'pure' or 'crystal clear'. It's a name my father chose for me. I've had trouble getting people to pronounce it right and had my doubts about whether or not I identify with it. Ofcourse, the 'identifying-battle' is long gone. It's my name and I've grown into it.

I was born in a small district called 'Yavatmal' (sometimes spelled 'Yeotmal') of Maharastra, India. You might have a hard time locating it on a map. I was brought up in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. I spent my first 8 years of schooling (Kindergarden to 6th grade) in a convent, after which I was moved to a Central School.

Following most students from my batch, I took up engineering at S. M. V. I. T., Bangalore. Having completed that, and after a brief stint with a Hardware Company, I enrolled into a Master's Program at USC, Los Angeles, USA. I returned to India in June 2005.

I took up a research project at IISc for a year after my return. I was then offered a job with a startup company, of which I was a part for 8 months. Following this, I started out on my own as an Independent Consultant ~~and have remained so~~, worked as a Freelancer, worked with a big IT company and then went back to stay-at-home-mumma.

Life's been fair so far; I've enjoyed my happy times and struggled through difficult patches. I have a small but cozy circle of friends. I rarely meet most of them and hope to make up for that (...even now...).

I like adventure. I've tried para-sailing. Hopefully I'll get a chance to live all my dreams of travel and crazy sporting adventures. I'd also like to try my hands on photography and playing the ~~saxophone~~ ~~guitar~~ (turns out, my lungs can't hold enough air, and my fingers gave up following my mind a long time ago).

I love animals better than most humans. I've had dogs from when I can remember. I've tried horse-riding. I dream of bringing up cheetah cubs, orangutans, snakes and falcons/hawks. I would love to live in a jungle someday. It would be a 'dream-come-true' to have a family living among the wild.

For now, ~~Bangalore's home~~ Hannover is home. Making the most of 24/7! ~~working from home.~~ Much to catch up on. Life's unfolding itself bit-by-bit!