The Incessant Poem

Mist

2011-09-27T09:56:00.004+05:30

Based on a photo taken in Chikmaglur.

Shrug

2011-01-08T13:01:00.000+05:30

First of all, Happy New Year! A tad late, but it's still barely a week old, so here's to a fruitful and enjoyable 51 weeks ahead. I also managed to get my hands dirty with charcoal marks again, hence the title of the post. I'm finding it very convenient to subjectify myself- I don't have to go begging, plus I lose the right to complain.

Of Capitals and Quesclamations

2010-10-22T21:39:00.002+05:30

I recently discovered the existence of the Interrobang: a combined question and exclamation mark that renders repetitious usage of the two in succession to denote simultaneous surprise and curiosity redundant. This is the wonderful invention: ‽

It looks something like a blotted up 'P' but would probably be widely used if available on the standard qwerty- and subsequently abused in chats by exasperatingly redundant successive repetition. I can just imagine the "‽‽‽‽‽‽" sequences ruining the purpose of their invention.

It is Caps Lock Day today, in celebration of the most unused key ever. I think my nightmares will soon involve chat screens with the two combined with annoying textese and apostrophe abuses: "R U GNG 2 B WRKNG WITH COMP'S RUNNING VISTA‽‽‽‽‽".

The horror.

Three:

2010-10-06T17:30:00.076+05:30

The exact number of days needed to get used to one's mirror image after a haircut. The first day, your hair retains the precisely creamed and set pattern that the stylist has painstakingly created on one's sorry excuse for a scalp. It looks suspiciously like the stylist's own do, so I sincerely hope he was facing a gender-identity crisis when his got done. After comments on the hair being dry, the forehead being much too large and the curls not having been there the last time round, he resigns himself to the onerous task of disciplining my hair.

The second day is spent being shocked at the strange face staring back from the mirror. The typical lay-person tries hard to get it to look half as decent as the previous day, with none of the patience or the products. Of no avail, of course. Strands of hair flop around refusing to take orders. When finally the third day arrives, it mocks you with impudence, scattered in all directions with a snobby air of practiced indifference. By this point of time, the image has sunk into the subconscious and it notices nothing unusual there. Good riddance to insulating, high-maintenance, long rubbish.

Meanwhile, as this scheduled post is being published by faithful ol' blogger, I'm on a flight home, looking forward to a long, lazy and blissful month and a half.

"I'm no longer a Conjunctivit"

2010-09-16T22:39:00.000+05:30

Another of those priceless things you hear at law college. Apparently describes a person previously inflicted with conjunctivitis, and by definition, me. It hit me just as I handed in my Human Rights essay and left me with blurry vision and social ostracism. But it seems blurry vision helps you draw better, or at least, think you draw better since you can no longer see clearly enough to spot your errors. I've hit on the secret to improving one's artistic talent at last!

Here's the result:

To Sir wth Love

2010-07-20T13:29:00.024+05:30

If the plagiarised title is forgiven, this post is dedicated to the dearest mother-to-be, one we have fondly nicknamed Sir. She has been hankering for a post on this blog for a long time and I have finally run out of all excuses that may justify the silence. The good news is that I'll possibly have more time on my fingers this final year, the bad news is that I'm still as lazy as ever. I'm also dedicating it to her love for nicknaming people around her.

You see, we have decided to nickname her baby-to-be fetoose, and I'm having a hard time justifying it to myself. In our defence, Sir once managed to nickname her mother "isles", with a long line of reasons for the name. Nevertheless, I like nicknames. When I nickname someone, I usually find a generic term to use or distort for the person, trying hard not to make it sound affectionate- I'm usually nauseated by cheesy endearments (apologies to all those who do use them- it's just me retaining a juvenile distaste for affection). Nicknames give me a sense of personal ownership over the person, a form of attachment I'd like to keep and be the sole possessor of. Not that others aren't to use the nickname, but I'd like them to earn the right first ;) Same applies to nicknames others give me, I'd like you to take the personal effort of giving me a name you think I can carry, and would be thrilled if you made a new one for me instead of squatting on another person's affection. Happily enough, I've been handed a lot of nicknames, from China, Stooge, Sandivaali and Cat to Torchpants, Ka, Guv'nor, Sam and various distortions of my name. Nothing to the Nicknames I've used, of course... besides Sir, there's Kaa, Pree, SED, Gump, Fish, May, Shrew, Joy, Cow- I could go on. Point being, of course, that the people I nickname usually mean more to me than I'd let on.

Update: 16 September 2010:

Well, a day after all that was written and saved for completion, fetoose decided to cut out the 'to-be' and make it 'mother'. Throws the entire post into disarray, so I didn't continue typing till today. (or I would like to use that excuse). He looks ridiculously cute, and I must say, I can't wait to be the annoying aunt, which is what I'm sure we all land up being, despite our deepest desires. I was told that I'd make a fun uncle though- it's a pity my sex is against me there.

More Attempts

2010-05-18T19:25:00.001+05:30

Blogger seems to have Helvetica now! Excellent; except for the fact that I still haven't found a muse worthy of Trebuchet, let alone Helvetica.

The reflective surface on my laptop screen caught my eye, however, and this was the result-

The lateral inversion being an obvious error.

One million long necks

2010-03-07T01:12:00.000+05:30

It seems there's this person collecting one million giraffes to prove a point. Having pursued a similar project once involving sheep, I uploaded these doodles:

I should put up all the sheep I managed to get sometime. But my laziness gets in the way when I try.

Once Again

2010-01-01T15:50:00.004+05:30

I've come to a new year with a fewer number of posts to urge me on, this time from considerable admonishment from others on this blogroll. So, here goes my first excuse- I was busy. No, I don't mean that in the "I'm too lazy to blog" or the "I'm supposed to be doing work" kind of way. I mean that in the "I have been working my tiny behind off on a lot of things and just couldn't get around to post, or anything to write about" kind of way. Until about two weeks ago when I became utterly jobless. But come, I've forgiven myself for the lack of attention to the blog (haha), and have got down to typing furiously again.

First, Happy New Year. Personally, it's more of a good riddance to the last, but at least that part starts off with a positive-sounding "good". Since I am one of those people who make goals every year and break them by the first week, I've decided to read more, blog more, draw more and finish the painting I started a year and a half ago. Aish gave me this nice little A5 sketchbook to urge me on the third. I've no excuses on that front anymore.

In other news, I saw Avtar yesterday. The plot seemed like a mix of Tarzan, Pocahontas and Warcraft III, really; you have the civilized people trying to claim the resources of the savages, renegade civilized man that falls in love with the Chief's daughter (who listens to the spirits, too), seen as betrayer by both clans... and is a trapeze artist with vines in the forest (eventually). There's mother willow/Eywa /the world tree... ah, did I forget to alert you for spoilers? Never mind, I've done it now. So in the end you have a criticism of colonization and guns. I wish they'd detailed the taming of the Toruk, though... the movie's effects were undeniably brilliant.

After a badly-structured and very random set of statements I call a post, I'll sign off.

Unbridled

2009-05-22T19:37:00.004+05:30

And I'm back to post, besides having drawn something fairly complete after a very long time. Done in charcoal in a bout of enforced sleeplessness while trying not to torture people awake at ungodly hours to keep me company (I think I failed there). I had no particular inspiration to draw this piece, it was more of an attemt to force myself back to my pencil having lost the feel of it for quite a while, and the high I reached at 3 in the morning having completed it made me conclude that the inspiration is in the blank sheet of paper that cries out to be conquered and the pencil that so teases you with its pretentious compliance.

I cannot do without something which is greater than I am, which is my life, the power to create.

-Vincent Van Gogh

Not bad at all

2009-02-12T22:16:00.072+05:30

I am referring of course to the Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women that figures they would like to send pink underwear in protest against violent attacks against women in pubs and threats of moral policing on Valentine's. Naturally, anything peaceful in protest against conservatism would gain my unflinching support, even something as perfectly obnoxious as couriering pink underwear. Not to mention going ahead with any Vday plans, knowing fully well that marriages (allegedly to be performed according to Hindu rites by priests prowling the streets with mangal sutras) where consent is obtained by force are voidable, at any rate.The threat of violence may be harder to avoid; I've heard that there are suggestions of taking advantage of this moral policing in order to get married where the couples' families are uncompromising.

Did I also mention that I love Amul? They always manage to get the best ad campaigns up in context and this time round havecome up with ads in support of the pink chaddi brigade. Amul will always have my loyalty for aye (coming to think of it, I've always liked their products anyway.) Meanwhile, college has its own box for contributions; they've stated unequivocally that we could put in anything wrapped in a polythene bag, from chaddis to contraceptives, anything that right conservatives disapprove of are welcome.

Meanwhile, I'm curious. How many forced marriages will Vday see? Bangalore police stations welcomed eloping couples and married them as long as they were of a marrigeable age and registered them; what will they do when faced by right wing brigands forcing a couple to tie the knot? Indeed, what of dating teenagers? [Though I recently came across a statistic that gave the average age of marriage of Indians as the minimum age of marriage. Freaky.]

Happy Valentine's y'all, and lots of love.

Highs

2008-11-25T11:34:00.000+05:30

Wistful

Delusional

Playfulness and Caprice

Enamoured and Bewitched

Flames.

Eye!

2008-10-05T19:08:00.001+05:30

The problem with drawing yourself is that you can either begin to love or hate yourself, or in my case, a little bit of both.

Losing control over the pencil

2008-07-14T19:27:00.001+05:30

I have this strange inkling that it has started to develop a mind of its own.

Technocrat

2008-06-29T03:16:00.001+05:30

"Do you cyber people have an antivirus?"

I really don't know whether to laugh or to cry. 'Cyber-people', yes, that's who (rather what) we have been sidelined into. Naturally, we see ourselves in a rather different light; more along the lines of the geeks that decided to join law school only because it suited our antisocial desires. Imagine trying to be geeky in a place where everyone else is, it just wouldn't work. So we created our own esoteric group of jobless people that really ought to have been found trying to correct syntax instead of legal authorities. But now we only exist in some remote corner of cyber-space as virtual people that only materialize when the LAN malfunctions or when someone's laptop decides to take a break, and then de-materialize into their natural state as electrical signals whose sole purpose in life is to offer a comfortable pillow to cushion data losses. Acquaintances now only knock in situations of dire need....

"LAN not working on my floor"

"Is the Cisco plugged in?"

"Oh yeah..."

But it has its benefits... My room, for example. Comes at the cost of being responsible for the switch connecting the floor and being at the beck and call of the technophobic masses; but on an objective cost-benefit analysis, considering we only do the work because we enjoy it, not very expensive. Unless of course, it's that time of the semester when everyone has a deadline and all computers decide to crash in unison. You also get an excuse to sample the food in the distressed subject's room, and seeing as we're all living in a hostel, any good food is spontaneously consumed with pleasure.

"My comp is slowing down"

"That's because you don't love it enough. Always remember the second commandment, love thy laptop like you love thyself..."

"It's a non living entity। I know you connect on higher levels but face it. Technophilia will get you nowhere"

(shuts ears tight, refusing to be the passive recipient of such sacrilegious ideas)

"So what's the first commandment?"

"Love your friendly neighborhood Cyber-committee member like you-"

(gets beaten up)

Naturally, the abuse of technology is when it disjoins humanity from gadgets.

"Your laptop is old and disabled."

"Don't say that!"

"I apologise, I meant, your laptop is old and differently-abled."

Why I am.

2008-05-01T00:16:00.000+05:30

Anshuman had once decided that I was quite a frustrated little imp. In order to prove it, he decided to draw up a nice long list of 101 things that frustrate me. He managed to get 30 before work and other obligations called us away from that particular enterprise ;) I clearly remember them including not having aCisco/Ubuntu Tee; Not enough hard disk space; Male chauvinism and so on. That list was safely tucked into his wallet for future perusal/completion/reference; unfortunately the wallet was subsequently lost. (That fact could get added to the list as well). I'm feeling rather light today, though, and since my blog has been crying for attention, I've decided to honour our insanity and make another list, only this time, of things that make me happy, just to prove you wrong. I've always claimed that its very easy to make me happy, now I'll set out to prove it. So here we are, 101 things that make me happy:

Family. The very thought is enough.
Friends. 'nuff said.
Being alive and healthy, mentally (well, at least I'm not legally insane) and physically.
Hugs. Simple, effective and comfortable.
Stationery. Pens, pencils, brushes, paper, books, paints... name it, I'll go crazy over it.
My cat, asleep and purring on my lap.
Sleep. Pure bliss.
Cuddles. ^_^
Food. Home cooked food. (mom's cooking. unbeatable.)
Bananas!!!!
Ice creams, milk shakes, milk, milk products.
Animals in general.
Letting huge dogs take me for a walk. (I miss that one)
The smell of the air preceding a storm. Feels like nature's high.
The smell of oil of olay, shower to shower, juniper, sandalwood;
Basking in sunshine
Thunderstorms, just the idea of wind and water playing with your senses. (contradictory? They both have their own charm)
Music... my language. I'd like to elaborate, so forgive the next few being separate items on this list
Singing. Half a day with me should give you an idea; I really cannot stop myself. To those that actually put up with this, I love you just as much.
The sound of an instrument being played like it controls the person playing it. Violins, Pianos, Guitars, the list is endless.
Playing Fur Elise on a piano. (I'd like to thank Rukmini for this one, I'd only played keyboards before that.)
Old songs, new songs, meaningful songs, abstract tunes that don't need lyrics to convey their emotion, classical songs, listening to them, singing them, singing along with them...
Singing in the car!
Art, my religion... further elaboration.
Sight. The ability to enjoy this.
The smell of oil on canvas when I paint
Every stroke of the bold pencil upon art paper, each smudge that softens the strokes.
Colour, wherever.
Digital Graphics.
Animation. aaaah.
Getting that twinkle in the eyes when I draw
That twinkle in your eyes when you laugh
Laughter.
Having people who care and people to care about.
Snaps with good composition
Taking the above mentioned snap.
A certain Video that can always lift my spirits ;)
An optimistic nature, for most part. I really wouldn't be happy if I didn't look at the bright side.
Constantly having something to do, even if its just lazing around.
Being able to laze around.
Good poetry. (subjective, yes, go along the lines of Tagore and Wordsworth to know my taste).
Good books with happy endings.
Cold showers in Kolkata heat.
Swimming. Exhileration after the exercise.
Love. Loving. Being loved. People in love. Collecting quotes on love. Despite my complaining, it actually makes me high.
Pictures by Anne Geddes.
Babies that don't mind me carrying them.
Feeling the keyboard beneath my fingers as I type; hearing them click in the night's silence.
Comments on blog posts.
Technology. Software that supports my laziness.
Long conversations where there's always something left unsaid for the next one.
Finding imperfections, weirdities and the para-normal.
Arguing. Yes, it's only fools that do, but it just makes me so damn happy.
Soft clothes, the kind that feel nice.
Feeling squeaky clean after a bath.
Playful fights.
Thumbfights!
Carving quills, putting them to ink.
Buzz of nonsense on the hostel lan
Corny movies. (Yes, yes, softie)
Figments of my imagination running wild across the mind's stage.
Perusing blog posts of friends and family.
Autorikshaws without mirrors.
Reminiscing. I've had quite an amusing life. Done amusing things.
The fact that I look back and smile at what was, and smile at what is.
My determination seeing me through.
Anything anti-Microsoft.
Walking in Kolkata.
New glasses. So clear. pristine.
Star gazing. Clear skies.
Skipping stones.
Letters.
Watching good dances.
Writing, the feeling of an inspiration hitting me.
Mythology.
The feeling of understanding and being understood.
Holding someone's hand. Interlocked fingers.
Puns.
Running barefoot on wet grass.
Computer games.
Compliments. Duh.
Thinking. Dreaming. Same difference.
Being trusted.
Listening to interesting stories.
Competition. Playing.
Raising my hand in class. It's almost a reflex.
Knowing.
Acceptance.
Good comebacks.
People that restore my faith in people.
The sound of birds at 5 in the morning
Sunrises, Sunsets, Moonrises (never witnessed a moonset...)
Doing.
Feeling the texture of leaves.
Smart kids that get the better of me.
Quenching thirst.
Sitting down on a cold floor.
My own ego.
Cyberspace
Jumping fences, climbing walls. When they're small enough, of course.
Life!!!!!

We

2008-02-03T05:55:00.000+05:30

Then, perhaps you might listen, though I have nothing to say. Endlessly lost in your thoughts, it seems impossible that anything else ever existed. You began as a dream, but turned everything else into one. I trust nothing, but could blindly walk on the faith of this alone. My own existence seems justified solely by the ‘us’, the possibility of knowing an existence outside the self that has gradually become more a part of me than I myself am. A renewed bliss in all that I enjoy, enhanced by your presence in their importance. The warmth of the sun as it were, as someone said, from both sides; music to string unspoken emotions into the tangible abstractions of a tune; winds that reach for us in embraces; the unceasing heart with a cause to strive; the pleasure of a solitude that can no longer be.

I become my world. The silence of a moment to enlighten the spirit; the cosmos attains the trance. I know, and that knowledge is sufficient for a lifetime. I feel the world’s happiness; I am a part of it. Thrown, grappled and played, a physical existence can no longer bind me. What I desire, I become. You hold me, laughing; I am far too close for it. Enthralled in my eyes, you recognise what I see. Let life complain all it wants; we have found better. We are no longer bound by the ‘I’; it is no longer of any consequence. It ceases to exist, strengthening us. We are not a part of reality, for we create it. It cannot touch us. Time bows to our being as long as it is ours to enjoy; for who cares about what is beyond? What is ours today shall remain as long as we care to keep it.

Love!

Procrastinated artwork

2008-01-10T17:04:00.006+05:30

http://timelesstirade.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/untitled-1.jpg

[image inspired from the movie frozen]
तू धूप हैं झाम से बिखर

तू हैं नदी ओ बेखबर
बह चल कहीं उड़ चल कहीं
दिल खुश जहाँ तेरी तो मंजिल है वहीं
[तारे ज़मीन पर- खोलो खोलो ]

I ♥ google

2007-12-07T19:25:00.000+05:30

ಎದೆ ತುಂಬಿ ಹಾಡಿದೆನು ಅಂದು ನಾನು
ಮನವಿಟ್ಟು ಕೇಳಿದಿರಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನೀವು

ಇಂದು ನಾ ಹಾಡಿದರು ಅಂದಿನಂತೆ ಕುಳಿತು
ಕೇಳುವಿರಿ ಸಾಕೆನಗೆ ಅದುವೆ ಬಹುಮಾನ
ಹಾಡು ಹಕ್ಕಿಗೆ ಬೇಕೆ, ಬಿರುದು ಸನ್ಮಾನ

ಎಲ್ಲ ಕೇಳಲಿ ಎಂದು ನಾನು ಹಾಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
ಹಾಡುವುದು ಅನಿವಾರ್ಯ ಕರ್ಮ ನನಗೆ
ಕೆಳುವವರಿಹರೆಂದು ನಾಬಲ್ಲೆ ಅದರಿಂದ
ಹಾಡುವೆನು ಮೈತುಂಬಿ ಎಂದಿನಂತೆ
ಯಾರು ಕಿವಿ ಮುಚ್ಚಿದರು ನನಗಿಲ್ಲ ಚಿಂತೆ

ಎದೆ ತುಂಬಿ ಹಾಡಿದೆನು ಅಂದು ನಾನು

- ಮೈಸೂರು ಅನಂಥಸ್ವಾಮಿ

transliteration extended to include kannada (=

Life/Choice?

2007-10-26T15:22:00.000+05:30

A woman suffering from syphilis is pregnant with her 8th child, the seven others suffering from genetic disorders. Would you advise an abortion? An old forwarded mail with this question sparked off this particular blog entry. If your answer to the question was 'yes', you've just killed Beethoven. I suppose that summarizes my views on the subject, but as a law student I'm almost obligated (it's more of an involuntary reaction. Since I'm not forcing you to read this, I'll continue) to elaborate. Go right ahead and blame a conservative upbringing for this stand, but in my defence, I do take liberal stances in issues such as homosexuality (Really, population control might also feature as a bonus of legalizing it :P).

Pro-choice activists state that the woman bearing the child has the right to choose abortion if she so pleases, as it is her body, therefore her domain. As pointed out by The objective observer, (I do agree on this count, though not on the issue of penguin suicide bombers) you do not own your body. The state/community does; suicide, assisted suicide (yes, some exceptions), consensual murder, and other anti-life acts are illegal. It doesn't really matter if you have nothing to contribute, (as a consumer you can't escape contribution) we'll still try to keep you alive. It is also illegal to disrespect or offer indignities to a human corpse, the state owns and regulates the use of your body even after your death, and consequently, before your birth as well.

Abortion in India is mainly allowed due to the population problem. A married woman can abort her child if the contraceptive failed, but as typical of anything in India, there's an overbearing disapproval or discouragement of premarital sex. The rape laws are in similar straits. Abortion is also allowed if the mother is at risk, (mentally or physically, thus allowing abortion for pregnancies caused by rape) or if the child is likely to be seriously handicapped. What makes the deal stranger is that an unborn Hindu child is given property rights as well, though this is inevitably subject to the birth of the child. With rape, I'd concede. I have nothing to counter abortion and would support it, hiding (as our laws do) behind the safety and well being of the mother being the deciding factor. Rape laws being narrow themselves, it's a definite additional punishment having to get through raising the child of the person that raped you, never mind the costs. Forcing the woman to do this (social security can be neglected) is beyond any justification. Where the mother is otherwise at risk, I'd also concede. Self preservation excuses even murder.

Where the child is likely to be seriously handicapped- here I'd stall. It's quite impossible to say that 'dead' is better than 'alive and handicapped', just as impossible as it is to say that 'alive' is better than 'dead', though most laws run on that presumption. The idea of 'dead' being better than 'alive and handicapped' automatically places people on a hierarchy, that some people are worth more than others- quite akin to the take of the third reich on 'useless eaters', something I'll never agree to. Einstein might have been killed, being both Jewish and having speech difficulties as a child. (I'm not sure he was dyslexic, though most people think he was). It's also the same theory that has allowed for euthanasia in certain circumstances. Secondly, the rather possible 'seriousness' of it is not particularly defined. [Ahh, Noojies, I love poking fun at you]

As for the random abortion of an unwanted foetus- I'm more or less against it. Better for the child- you cannot judge, define, parameterize or control the happiness of another person. Better for the woman? Let me pout an old HIV-prevention campaign slogan: Have all the fun you want, responsibly. Be responsible for the consequences of your actions. That is problematic where unmarried women are concerned, as the illegitimacy of the child is problematic. Yes, it does make it quite an uneven playing field with men. But unfortunately on the physical front, it never was a level field, and never will be. As far as the Indian laws go, pre-marital sex is quite rejected, so I personally would tend to condemn the laws for not making a man of insufficient means as liable as the woman for the fate of the foetus. But untill then, you're still bound.

Rant done. Peace.

Blog Action Day

2007-10-15T21:53:00.000+05:30

Right... For the first time ever, I find myself obliged to post something about the environment having enthusiastically signed myself up for the "Blog Action Day" (for details, see the nice little link in the sidebar). I did it in the hope of finding something to write on my long since unused blog, but the inspiration has evaded me. Maybe I could write a 'ten things you can do to help out' or random rants about the environment demons in the world (that would follow the general tone of this blog anyway). And I'm still waiting for that stroke of genius.

Ah well, here's how to make me happy. Don't litter, biodegradable stuff on good soil is not a problem, but plastic- keep evil off. Try not to use it, anyway. Let me repeat an old independence day rant by asking all people to shun the plastic flags. Replace your light bulbs, use fluorescent lighting. (They come in yellow too, I should know, I use one such.) Edison might have been the greatest inventor and this his best invention, we shall not forget his contribution to science. Just utilize the evolved version instead.

Conserve Paper. A bit rich, coming from a die hard stationery fan who cannot live without paper, but I do try. I do not waste paper, at any rate, and am slowly being converted to electronic methods of creating art (Photoshop/Gimp/Blender/Autodesk anyone?). Print only if you must. It might be a waste of electricity, but I know for a fact that most of the electricity that we are supplied with is hydroelectric. (We suffer load shedding in summer, see.) For notes, use bagasse paper/recycled paper. The processing may pollute just as much, but this way the trees aren't hurt. It is Pareto superior, and will do until the Pareto efficient solution is found.

Stop smoking. Cigarettes, joints, etc are neither good for you, nor for the environment. Many aren't even properly put out before being disposed of, which additionally adds to the litter. If you do not want to live beyond the lifespan of an average smoker, petition for the legalization of euthanasia, no one's going stop you (Though I might file a counter petition, come to think of it). I'm quite sure my readers are not the kind of people who might buy a tiger's skin, or a preserved sea horse or some similar morbid motif.

Go Green!

PS. Posted at 23:26 IST. Made it. (=

Plagiarise

2007-07-25T21:44:00.000+05:30

http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2129738,00.html

Publishers fail to recognize Jane Austen? Lets just hope that there are some original writers that aren't rejected...

Pottermania again

2007-07-24T19:15:00.000+05:30

Ahhh... reading the book on the day of the release (finished it at 1 am on the 22nd) was good fun, despite the angry deadlines shouting at me from over 26th. Verdict: Loved it, comes second of the seven, the first belonging to the Prisoner of Azkaban.

!! Spoilers Again !!!!

Some deaths were rather useless though- Hedwig for example. I'll even say Dobby's death was fine (Kreacher had to come out in the end, didn't he?) but why Hedwig at all???? That Snape loved Lily- expected, with minor doubts about his calling her a 'mudblood' in the 5th book. Naturally, why else would Voldemort not want to kill a muggle born? Added to the fact that Snape was supposed to feel 'remorse' after the Potters died.That she was his friend makes it a little sickening, though, did it have to be that way??? Oh and her letter to Padfoot was possibly the best thing I read in the book- Lovely to know that she wasn't just a memory, the wording of the letter brilliantly done to give an impression that she really did like the marauders (and called them by their nicknames). Molly !!! 'bitch'?? is that it? And oh yes, Neville and his Gran have exceeded all expectations.

The doe was frustrating. Of course I knew it was Lily... I can't believe I didn't realise it was Snape despite my enduring belief in his innocence. So that was a pleasant surprise after all (and who is he to call Tonks' patronus weak... lets see. Werewolf / deer, who do you think wins in the battle of strength?)

Dumbledore was brilliantly done. Loved the way she's brought out the weaknesses without completely destroying his character (after all, who else believed in second chances). Mr. Goat charmer was great too, with his patronus and the funny name sister... Grindelwald was alive? There's a shock. The only mistake was the 'give Snape mastery of elder wand' idea, considering that if it hadn't backfired, the curse wouldn't have rebounded. Or would it? still wondering. (although Harry would still remain unhurt, considering no unforgivable charm seemed to be working on him)

Lupin... didn't have to die, now, but I guess it was inevitable if the rest of MWPP have kicked the bucket. And if Lupin goes, no point keeping Tonks, so of course, Harry's godfather. Albus Severus!!!! that was stunning. At least Harry accepted the Snape and Lily (though I'm still a little blue) Most people here didn't like the 'nineteen years later' part, wanted epilogue without the mushy family part, but I loved it. Loved the man Harry Potter compared to the teen, loved the 'responsible father' (and godfather) part, the Ron's finally matured (but still sneaking) and so on. Too bad they didn't mention what happened to the rest of the weasly family (why perce in the middle instead of St. George or Charlie??????!)

At the end of it all, Im in bliss, if only I could read it for the first time all over again.

Mooting Muse

2007-07-12T22:30:00.000+05:30

In the last few days, I’ve been forced to visit alleyways in my mind I never knew existed. From wanting to moot for the fun of it, I’ve realized the truth in the statement (I think it was by John Grisham) that in the first year, you’re all budding lawyers trying to find your footing, but by the time you reach third year, you’re grateful if you’re not murdered in your sleep. It’s a lawyer-eat-lawyer world out here, and the biggest mouth gets to survive.

I entered law school in complete (and blissful) ignorance of what moots were. I heard about it, attended the moot orientation program, found the demos fairly exciting and decided, well, why not? So it began. I went ahead for two rounds, and then stopped short of the last round. It was, as the idolised mooters had stated, fun, the best part of it being the judges trying to prove that the counsel before them knew nothing. (I asked for an open court, knowing well that I’m more nervous in the absence of a crowd. Private interactions are never my cup of tea…) I found immense pleasure in keeping a straight face while the judges did the same in tearing my submission apart and finding every loophole in my issues. I guess I just loved arguing, and here’s the one place that the judges are opposing you merely to test your skills. That was pure heaven. To me, the frustrations of researching for the brief were worth those 12 minutes of utter bliss.

This year, I was faced with some of the snider realities of the moot. The fact that there was more time ensured that more people decided to join in the phenomenon called mooting. I’d heard that mooting could create bad blood, at times get nasty, sometimes political and sometimes just unfair, but this was the first time I’d actually lived parts of it. Hidden books were the least of our problems. Never does the section on Media Law or Sports law in the Library have more visitors than during the peak of the moot season, when people are desperately looking for hidden books or, on the other side, hiding them there. Every mooter wants that one innovative argument, that one brilliant spark of ingenuity, that one elusive case that would simply turn the entire case in their favour. A stolen case isn’t that bad either; the one who steals always presumes that they have better cases anyway. Anything sought for is given gratuitously. Never expect anything for yourself, unless you’re the one asking for help. Right now, I’ve seen some people (this includes myself) show faces I’ve not known them to possess, behave in ways that just asked for the most judgemental admonishment and at the end of it all, deny all of it. The research was nothing terrible, other than the extreme lack of books. The atmosphere before the speaking rounds, however, was unbearable.

For the first time, I was facing a moot court with displeasure. I knew my own issues, but the whole place had got onto my nerves enough. I entered the court, and then realised why I had tortured myself. There was the judge looking at me with a grin that spoke louder than his reputation that he was going to make mincemeat of me and have me right there for his lunch. I wasn’t disappointed. They did strip me of my best cases and whip me with their counters, but at the end of it all, I walked out of the court knowing that the entire process was worth those few minutes. I wasn’t pleased or anywhere satisfied with my own performance, I just loved the court. At the end of it all, the process might kill me, but the final showdown is always a worthy cause.

Bring it on!!!!!

Here's Looking at you, kid

2007-05-03T18:58:00.000+05:30

A Faceless man

2007-05-01T12:33:00.000+05:30

Why faceless? that wasn't the point- I just wanted the posture (:

2007-04-22T14:27:00.000+05:30

तुने अभी देखा नहीं
देखा है तो जाना नहीं
जाना है तो माना नहीं

Great work, kudos to Google yet again। Transliteration in blogger, hoping for other languages to turn up sooner or later (preferably the former)

Invisible boundaries

2007-04-17T20:54:00.000+05:30

A gunman shoots 32 people at a university, and has now been identified as a South Korean who was a resident alien, and studied English there. In that order, of course, with not a mention as to what his name was. In a world of man-made boundaries, it's but natural to explicitly state- you are from that circle, and that will be the only identity that you will be known by. Nationality is every person's original sin. Which nation doesn't matter, there's always someone who'll hate you for it. Religion comes next, only because of some flexibility in which religion and the option of the lack of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the killer is to be pitied. I'm just commenting on a passing thought sparked off by his identification. Unfortunately, you can't opt out of nationality. But in the competition of the ill will created, religion takes the cake. The sole cause of caste, the crusades, the Riddah wars, the holocaust- the list goes on. Perhaps 'cause' is too biased a word. Property may have been the cause, but it wasn't the justification. If indeed, God (or whatever spiritual goal it is that prompts these notions) requires all people to follow the true religion (being every religion in existance in the minds of its followers) he would have known better than to send so many spiritual leaders, or agree to killing off people in his name. Old argument, still worth the mentioning. What makes anyone's religion better than anyone else's if you use it for the same purpose anyway? To give you a false notion of superiority knowing that there are others with the same misconception and to justify every act that causes harm to another in some way. Yes, humans do have a fetish for power... something to make one feel good in one's own little world- that the 'I' is of some consequence.

What is your nationality anyway? Why is your country so important when it is but a piece of the earth marked out for no concievable reason besides wanting to be 'better-off' than someone else? The productivity of the land in question may actually make you better off in terms of health, etc, but why do you want to exclude others from it on various justifications? To keep yourself better off and to keep your progeny better off. In other words, to survive as comfortably as possible. I'm quite convinced humans did evolve (I'll also give credit to genetic engineering theories like those of Erich von Daniken and others) from animals, as you see, we retain territorial instincts and it's still the survival of the fittest amongst us. Only we live in our own notions of what qualities are possessed by the fittest. Most religions seem to think it necessary to state that man is different from the other animals that inhabit the planet with us. Of course we are different. Can you see animals inventing new reasons to justify a survival instinct? They mark out territories too, but do you see them differentiating between two of the same species from different territories? Yes, maybe if one of them was stronger than the subject, and we don't see religious wars there. Atleast we haven't discovered any such religious affiliations other than food, shelter and mates, all matters of survival. Not masked in spiritual gain or the attainment of a better afterlife. Yes, humans are different, but not, as many religions of the man made world put it- better.

Until my next!

Imbroglio

2007-03-26T10:31:00.000+05:30

A few days ago, I was faced with yet another controversy that required me to watch Aparna Sen's 15 park avenue. The movie itself was brilliant, bringing back faith in the quality of Indian cinema... &c &c. Unfortunately, as is typical of her movies, the end remains 'open to interpretation'. I do admire the creativity that goes behind bringing about such an end... it must take either a totally different mindset or an immense amount of strength to leave your creations in the lurch- to fend for themselves, so to speak; leaving it to the characteristics of the creations to lead the way beyond the "end" of the story. I only said 'admire'. My preference is an entirely differnt thing- I prefer solid endings. Happy, sad, astonishing, funny, whatever it is, just tell me what happens in the end. I usually get involved into one or another or all of the characters in the story which means that I land up needing to fend for myself in an open end. I usually manage to steer my imagination down some lane or the other, and my optimism ensures the characters' (and consequently, my own) happiness at the end of the (extended) story. In case of those stories with a decided end, I usually imagine the sequences of events that could have happened in the course of the story, or those sequences that are not particularly explicit. It is perhaps for this reason that I like knowing the end of a story before reading it- (yes, I do. Don't be so shocked) I like getting there in the confidence that the 'end' exists. Suspense does not excite me, anticipation does. I like waiting for something that I know for sure is to happen; as for what I do not know- reality is so full of it that I prefer to limit the unknown to the bare minimum of my life.

!! spoiler warning !! [not that it matters really... how old is the movie anyway?]

Coming back to the subject matter of this post- 15 park avenue- the story leves it to the viewer to figure out an end. In this case, I simply could not. There was nothing I could think of, no explaination I could offer to ease the suspense. It was a story without an end, and I wanted to leave it as a story without an end. Unlike me? Yes. For some reason, the movie did not leave me in any suspense- it left me calm, more like one of those passers-by watching the confusion, not really bothered about the conclusion. Enough for me to have known that Mithi seemed in bliss, whatever pain or anticipation she put her sister in. I watched the movie to take a stance, and ended on taking none. The reason I watched it was that my mother (a teacher, and consequently, involved in discussions with other teachers who are all equally vehement about the correctness of their own views) was involved in an argument regarding the movie. One contention was that Mithi's sister was schizophrenic, and imagines that Mithi is. The other was that Mithi becomes one of those neglected women on the street who keep turning up through the movie (ominous signs, supposedly), and her sister eventually begins to lead her own life. For my part, I am content that I have not turned schizophrenic (or so I believe) and am happy to continue living in my own life that offers ample opportunity to question reality. After all, we all live in our own worlds, created by our perception, processed by and acted upon by our beliefs of the ideal world, and there can be no 'right' or 'wrong', yet here we are, each vehemently leading those we can into thinking as we do.

Lost

2007-02-23T21:55:00.000+05:30

Not too pleased with the situation at hand- The prospect of leaving a comfort zone carved for me yet again. I’m going Home in less than 3 weeks for over two months. I don’t seem to be too excited. I do look forward to it- How can I not like the idea of running back to the bliss of my family’s warm embrace? It’s just that I’m not counting down the days till we leave, not thinking of packing up, not planning the vacation- nothing. I’m just content with the idea of going back. Fact is that I’ve learnt to love this corner of Kolkata – A place I lost in a dream and found in reality. I don’t mean that this is the land of milk and honey that I needed to reach- (I still doubt any place comes close to Bangalore in that respect) what I do mean is that I’ve taken root here, so to speak. The word ‘home’ now means the thought of my room in the hostel (when in class) or the comfort of the hundred familiar faces that support life without choking it. I have got used to it, and getting me used to better comforts all over again seems just as frightening as getting used to lesser ones. I would now refer to this as ‘home’ and that of Bangalore as ‘Home’. Of course I prefer Bangalore to college; familiarity never has bred contempt as far as I’m concerned. All I’m saying is that I’m going to miss home when I’m Home. Kudos, Kolkata.

Haven

2006-12-26T20:03:00.000+05:30

Noplace Else!

2006-09-20T21:06:00.000+05:30

After all, its here that life began, and its here that I breathe myself in the cool weather- oh all right, seemingly cold weather after a 33 Celcius, but its still worth it (that's highly understatedd). Its worth the craziness, the extravagance, the laziness, the simplicity of the complications... everything. Besides a brilliantly warm blanket of starved affections, Life has suddenly started playin in slow motion, encompassing all those lovely items I missed on my headlong dive out. perhaps after the swim I may reach the banks, perhaps new streams, but the roots of a tree are firmly in place , though the branches may spread for eternity...

Home at last.

Classroom joys...

2006-08-20T13:25:00.000+05:30

Rainy weather Friends...

2006-08-13T19:01:00.000+05:30

Looking back, the pleasure of having no work would not be enjoyable without the presence of these brilliant people around a girl shivering in the rain... A big thank you to ye all. To those that sheltered me from the rain, those that unberdened the huddled shoulders, those that laughed in the rain to wink at me, those that helped me crib, those that ensured I got good sense knocked in, and last but not least- those that ensured that I didn't try eatin ice creams in the cold. To those that were there, I take a bow.

After a gruelling session of projects and vivas, I finally decide that a break is the last thing to miss out on, so here I am, enjoying the pleasures of internet without work... the worst is yet to come, but the calm before the storm is to be enjpyed while it lasts... :)

2006-07-23T18:11:00.000+05:30

Ah well... here I am sittin at a cyber wasting time doing nothing. Why would I do so? Simply because I can. Its quite perfect, the excuse of the lack of resources and the want to do nothing... as different from the lack of the want to do something, it is the want to do nothing that drives one in a chaotic maze of work to be done for an indescribable end that is too obvious to be ignored. Despite the nonsense that gets penned, there are certain undeniably sane thoughts that do go unmentioned- but thats restricted to the days of hangovers. (Did ye know, by the way, that every hour of sleep missed can be equated to a pint of alcohol? Drunk??? indeed, thats most of my life here :P) Perhaps some old case or the other will soon catch my attention before the day is done, or some sociologically objective observation that no one would have missed to take a stance on. Until then, this object of the universal conspiracy against itself remains
Uncontrolled.

Kolkata...

2006-06-25T18:39:00.000+05:30

The mist on the path of life has cleared up slightly... atleast I know where I will be for the next few years, Kolkata. The heat takes getting used to, though- I think I have, considering 32 degrees seems chilly now. The workload has started, and so the party ends... atleast I have my path set, my eyes focussed upon a faded light through the mist... I shall run. It may tire me, but the inertia will keep me running for all I'm worth. The marathon has begun, the exercise exhilerates, and the company is infectious- Bliss? no- Merely fun. but that is what life lands up being in the end- despite the not-so-amusing parts, the end summation can be nothing less.

Orkutized.

2006-05-16T11:41:00.001+05:30

Lets see...

Days of hard core scramming have orkutized my life... I had to make a list of items to buy for my possibly one way trip to kolkata, and landed up scramming the sheet. and to think no one read that...

Never mind. As far as I'm concerned, an orkutized life is the least of my worries. Besides orkut, there are a vast number of online investments that claim my ephemeral attention every now and then... for example, that old mailbox, I think it's called yahoo... It rarely recieves any mail, but I need to use it for fear of inactivation- (a deactivated account? the horror)

Then there's that picture I drew a few days back, and the universe seems to be conspiring vehemently against me getting it scanned. Three cyber centres in the IT hub and not one has a working scanner. Not one. I am left wondering if the "silicon valley of India" was just a misnomer.

And finally, calvinball... another name for my life, which seems to have twisted into something so inexplicable that I am left staring at it from the stands, wondering how the game will progress if at all. Besides this random ranting, theres more I cannot do, and less I can, and too much that I must. While I try to figure out how that works out, my sleepy cat mocks at me with her yawn, demonstrating the highest compliment for this post- that it is nothing but worthless scram.

Thank you for reading, (if you did) and have a good day.

To survive in Bangalore.

2006-04-13T17:11:00.001+05:30

A few rules people in Bangalore necessarily follow...

1. Make sure you have your own transport. Licence unimportant. public transport will cease to operate, and the police will not ask you for your licence if an actor dies.

2. Always carry with you some proof of your affiliation. A karnataka flag, a picture of a Kannada actor, (preferably that of Dr. Rajkumar) to show angry mobs. It will win you enough space to run for your life, if need be.

3. Avoid speaking languages that aren't Kannada in public places. In private places, be doubly sure you cannot be overheard.

4. If no. 3 is not possible, know enough Kannada to say "bitbidi nannanna, husharilla, manege hogi annavra yatreyannu nodbeku..." or atleast enough sense not to say "Nanage Kannada gottilla"

5. If even that is not possible, feign dumbness. who knows, the theatre near you might have suffered a power cut while showing Jogi. or worse, it might be showing a Tamil movie. (esp with Tamil new year close at hand)

6. Be fit enough to walk home from WHEREVER you are, in case of a crisis. Your transport may be vandalised at the drop of a tamil word. Even if it wasnt you who dropped it. Mobs do not understand logic. Use deserted routes during a crisis, be assured that all anti social elements that may otherwise harm you will not be there at times of state mourning.

7. Practice acting. A face of intense mourning could well spare your life.

8. Agree wholeheartedly (or atleast pretend to) with anyone who says "Huttidare, Kannada naadalli huttabeku..."

9. Make sure your house is fireproof, stone proof, mob proof and sound proof.

10. STAY AT HOME.

Gender identity...

2006-03-29T14:17:00.000+05:30

My gender Identity...

details at this link

Well... the worries arrive...

2006-03-09T16:48:00.001+05:30

Well... the admission letter to WBNUJS arrives, and causes more worries than the result list destroyed. Its scary to know that I'll have to leave for calcutta without so much as a holiday after my twelfth... Thankfully, I'll have company while Im at it... not that it minces matters too much; Misery loves company and I'll have plenty of that (company I mean)

So untill my next,
Alvidah

I'm In!!!! (Almost)

2006-03-04T16:09:00.000+05:30

Chocolates all around, drinks for all adults, (I'm an adult according to Yahoo, cuz I hitched my birth date there :P ) and I suppose it would be stale to say- I'M DRUNK!!!!! elated, joyous, relieved, and all other adjectives you can think of... The reason behind this particular burst of insanity can be seen quite clearly on the list of selected candidates of a reputed college. One down, two to beat.

I heave a sigh of relief, and cross my fingers that I'll get through the next one as well. Till then, I remain,

Blissfully yours,

2006-02-21T21:55:00.000+05:30

Purrfect company when I slog...

Twilight (cinquain)

2006-01-13T15:03:00.000+05:30

Sunrise
Ephemeral
Evanescent beauty
Euphonious birds serenade
the Dawn...

Old year again...

2005-12-31T18:01:00.001+05:30

Its hardly been twelve months, and 2005 has already become old. What have I done? a couple of useless things. What have I not done? many more useless things.... overall, I'll rate my performance on the stage of the past year as not bad. The year had its ups, (I can't really recall many significant downs) And I'm perked up to look forward to the year that may be. As for the year that was...

The Did's...
1. I decided where I'd like to be and what I'd like to do (finally) and took some steps to getting there, that landed up surprising three fourths of the people I know, and exsasperating the other one fourth. Considering the delight I take in astonishing people, This was a good thing done.
2. I shamelessly wasted a considerable amount of time, online. (That includes this post)... Not everything that I did on the computer was a complete waste, nor was all the time that I didn't use to study wasted on the computer. Which doesn't go to say that I have not intensified my computer addiction, quite the opposite, in fact.
3. I have tried not to skip from one occupation to another with the speed of light. (Tried, mind you). The fact that I'm still blogging shows that this occupation has stayed for a considerable amount of time (a year and two months).
4. I familiarised myself with a lot of not-very-important but interesting jobs, such as template alteration (for lack of better phrase), improved my flash animation skills considerably (credit to the school fest for getting me to do it) and strengthened my hand eye co ordination ;)

The Did not's:
1. Learn graphics in C++, dispite having the best available book with me for over 5 months.
2. Refrain from creating over a million or so blogs and join a hundred communities that are virtually of no significant use.
3. Live life as it should be lived in the last year of one's legal adolosence...
4. Get drunk; though I should be given credit for trying....

Overall, Ive mentioned only the ones that balance each other out.
So long, old year, And hope you've had a nice time being here. Or atleast, let most ppl have a nice time while you were there...

Alvidah!

Passive for a while

2005-11-17T16:32:00.000+05:30

This would apply to all my blogs...
I'm bogged down with work.

How to exhaust yourself.

2005-11-11T18:59:00.000+05:30

1. Don't refuse to do what the teachers ask you to.
2. Put your heart and soul in whatever you do.
3. Bray a couple of practised songs to a large audience
4. After braying, rush to freelance and volunteer for every vacancy.
5. At the end of it all, clear up the mess.

Well - thats all I did at today's fest. But the exhaustion is worth the satisfaction, and there were quite a lot of perks on the way...
Like a little baby who actually wanted me to pick him up (most wail if I attempt to do so), a couple of praises didn't go amiss...

And after being told that we need to repeat the performance, I'm quite exhausted by the very thought...

But then, thre show must go on.

Nice blog:

2005-11-04T20:20:00.000+05:30

well- Awesome photographer here...
Thats all I can say

Whatever next?

2005-10-25T22:23:00.000+05:30

“Floods in Bangalore” used to be an expression of an impossible event- until today, that is. Being conveniently situated on a hill, floods are not taken seriously. But when we get holidays from school for two whole days!! (Not that I’m complaining- it’s the best news I’ve heard in months :D) But there are people in the low lying areas whose houses are now submerged- Perhaps we’ve dared fate too many times to get away unscathed…
We’re still getting only a small share of the downpours, the floods may have ensured a release of 50 crores (not entirely sure) in aid but that’s not too bad in comparison to the amount required for calamities and famines everywhere else… It really couldn’t get worse… not here !?
Well, fare thee well...
Optimistically yours,
Estel

Stupid Moth

2005-10-14T12:40:00.000+05:30

Well- the moths are back- with a vengeance. Until this year, caterpillars seemed to stay outdoors, for the lack of food inside. This year, they seem to have found some sustenance within the walls. (I’m tempted to think that they’re the reason the wall paint is peeling- but when I’m not searching for excuses, I know it’s my terribly aimed darts that land up doing it) I doubt there’s even one wall in the house without a caterpillar or a moth decorating it. Moth eggs in the curtains are definitely unnerving.

In the meanwhile, you can see my boredom in my posts. What did moths do to deserve a post in my blog anyway? Nothing. It’s just the only thing going on in my dreadfully boring life.

Until my next,
I remain,
Bored to death.

Rahman Concert

2005-10-09T10:24:00.000+05:30

Definitely worth the muddy feet, the drenched clothes and the long wait… totally hilarious too. Well- the first concert I attended could have been better, but it wasn’t a let down either. Now after a hot bath, food and some good rest, I’m ready for another one. Not that anyone else is willing to be ready for me though…

Conclusion: Music concerts are worth the hype. (If you like music… but then- Mokshamu galada…)

Status Alpha

2005-10-07T16:25:00.000+05:30

I can now say that I have reached it. The state of peace where the mind is as calm as a still lake, whose waters are as deep as they can get… but then, that could be a direct consequence of doing nothing but sit in front of the computer for seven continuous days, knowing that I’ll have to continue staring at my generation’s idiot box for the rest of the holidays as well. Status alpha may be renamed status dazed. I can say this for my school- they know exactly how to make you hate anything you like. I used to love computers, before they had a go. Not that I don’t like it anymore (I’m still a mad addict) I just wish I could do something else. I could, if I hadn’t been bogged down with work to be done on it. Then there are the other subjects I need to study, not excluding the law stuff (the relatively more enjoyable experience).

Meanwhile, sis got tickets to A R Rehman’s concert (jump for joy) tomorrow. :D I’m wondering how I’m going to wear 3d glasses over my own thick ones… Well- I guess there’ll be others with me. ;)

Until my next,
Estel

Artwork

2005-09-25T17:31:00.000+05:30

Ahhh... Weekend after Exams, I celebrate the lack of things to do.
What could be more relaxing than doing what I like and liking what I do?

I'm Winter...

2005-09-24T18:34:00.000+05:30

You're Most Like The Season Winter ...

You're often depicted as the cold, distant season. But you're incredibly intelligent, mature and
Independent. You have an air of power around you - and that can sometimes scare people off.
You're complex, and get hurt easily - so you rarely let people in if you can help it. You can be somewhat of a loner, but just as easily you could be the leader of many. You Tend to be negative, and hard to relate to, but you give off a relaxed image despite being insecure - and secretly many people long to be like you, not knowing how deep the Winter season really is.

Well done... You're the most inspirational of seasons :)

100?

2005-09-13T13:49:00.000+05:30

Finally some number to be grin at- 100 people since installing the counter :D (---> This refers to the poems site) coincidentally, I stumbled on the exact number while checking the link ;)

Following Advice.

2005-09-10T12:11:00.000+05:30

A lot of people- correction- some people- wonder why I have so many blogs. In reply, I wish to direct their attention to the fact that each blog has a specific category of posts... one diary, a scetchpad, a picture blog, a blog for poems, stories etc,etc,etc... Why am I so organised? (not in the least- If ma was under this impression she would never have forgiven my messy room) Its because my thoughts are in such a big mess. Cyberspace is the most convenient organiser I have ever found.

However, I've decided that all that I do can be classified as diary entries as well, (since I'm only classifying them for my own convenience) I might as well post everything in Melodies as well. (I send a shiver up my blog's spine...) I'll start doing it, possibly resend various blog posts to this site... (more shivers)

Oh yes- NSW exam was nothing less than wierd. Conveniently addled with my capability to judge my performance...

Tagged

2005-09-09T13:44:00.000+05:30

Here I am, responding to a tag by Jawahara...

5 years ago: At 12, I was learning a lot of lessons from life that I didn't want to.

1 Year ago: Physically- in the same situation that I am in right now (exams, etc) Mentally at crossroads, weighing the pros and cons of the paths ahead.

5 songs I know all the words to:
Chandan sa Badan,
E Ajnabi,
Suhana Safar,
Sound of Music,
Desperado...

5 Snacks I enjoy: cucumber sandwich, Rum 'n Rasins, Vannilla ice cream with apple concentrate, Pedas and fresh fruit juices.

5 Things I'd do with $ 100 million: Buy all musical instruments that ever existed on the planet, Buy a bookstore, Buy a stationery store (yes, I'm a stationery maniac), and now that my own selfish desires have been satisfied, pamper my family, save the rest. (if any - which I doubt)

5 places I would run away to: Rivendell, a peaceful Kashmir, Atlantis, a warm hug, my room.

5 things I would never wear: tight clothes, ostentatious jewellery, my hair long, contact lenses, leather/fur.

5 favorite tv shows: Who's Line is it Anyway?, Smallville, Friends, Roswell (once upon a time) and Mukta (well- its the only one I actually watch)

5 greatest joys: Music (classified), Art, Animals, Books, various computer softwares (games included)

5 favorite toys: the computer, paper+pencil, stationery (again), my glasses and my cat (so nice and warm to hug)

5 people I'm tagging: Shasa, Angel, P3, Divyaa, padma.

Happy Independence Day.

2005-08-15T07:35:00.000+05:30

Yet another independence day,
How do I celebrate? waking up at 6 to be at school by 6:30 in orfer to hoist the flag. I wish they'd called the rest of the school as well... but never mind, not too bad a situation. Oh yes, one holiday (which may not be wasted entirely- I might actually get down to studying something...)

I'm Pretty much against the plastic flags that get sold today- cause most are thrown away on the 16th- NOT patriotic in the least. Instead I put a pic up in my blog (hahaha- very very showy- but still- least I can do since Im not doing much else other than watch a flag being hoisted and enjoying another holiday) but Im not that bad- My patriotism is just the same on other days (which isn't saying much at all)...

Cheers from your fairly patriotic Indian, who's willing to wear tantra T-shirts, vehemently refuse to want to emmigrate and happy to sing "Vande Mataram" for reasons other than the fact that she likes the tune.

Old students meet

2005-08-14T12:28:00.000+05:30

Very few people turned up...

Unfortunately.

TRYST to be conducted this year on Nov. 14th...
Lunch as well for all members. (hopefully I can attend- too many exams this year... )

2005-08-10T17:18:00.000+05:30

GETTING READY FOR THE FEST!!!!

Nothing going on

2005-08-09T16:30:00.000+05:30

Such a boring life...
Oh yes, the skool fest, forgotten.

Boring day

2005-07-31T23:22:00.000+05:30

Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing unusual, nothing amiss, but no news is good news, so I'll sign off there.

Reminiscing

2005-07-30T14:41:00.000+05:30

Looking through old diary entries, etc... going through all the crazy stuff I had done as a kid-
very amusing...

"Mad computer Addict"

2005-07-28T18:29:00.000+05:30

So entitled by my dear mother.

End of term tests.

2005-07-27T17:07:00.000+05:30

finally!!!!!!!!! end of tests!!!! only for this term, though....
Still- free for a time!

/* Effect of too much C++ */

2005-07-24T20:05:00.000+05:30

//please forgive inconsideration to those ignorant of C++

#include

void main()
{
cout<<" What on earth do you mean by 'pointers are rude'?? "
<<" How would you create an unlimited list without"
<<"them???";
}

//end of main.

//end of post.

Critical mood...

2005-07-22T19:26:00.000+05:30

Well- I guess I didnt like it one bit. Didnt sound like her book- at all. Sounded like a imaginative fan. Yep, Harry potter and the Half Blood prince was a huge let down...

(To those who havent read, I'm camaflouging the spoilers...)

Boring, dissapointing, and, not to mention, MOROSE.
What on earth was she thinking of, killing off Dumbledore like that? Its one thing that Dumbledore dies- that was, quite frankly,, expected. Don't tell me Voldemort couldn't Kill Dumbledore all that while, when all Snape did was walk in an curse??!!! Honestly! Anyway, I guess that probably means that Snape is still on the good side, and Dumbledore meant it to happen, so now he's going to be really well placed as a spy, cuz nobody thinks he's playing a double agent, so its really a weakness on Voldemorts side... Or atleast, thats what it better be.

Thats not all- Nothing really happens through the book- just ginny, ginny, tonks in the middle, and the end- Isnt anyone worried about whats going to happen? it all seems unrealistically light...

Getting on...

2005-07-15T17:04:00.000+05:30

Tests tests tests- thats all I hear
Besides marks,marks...

Todays wasnt too good either :(

Life goes on... as it never ends

2005-07-10T18:41:00.000+05:30

True-
It never really ends-
Especially when youre sick of tests in the twelfth standard...
They get right onto the wrong nerves- and drive us maaaaad

Tutions starts

2005-06-29T17:07:00.000+05:30

And so do the selections etc in school

Wasting my time...

2005-06-22T16:48:00.000+05:30

Yes- all the way.
tutions will start on Saturday, not sure about it- but then- I might as well do it well...

Till then, Im tution free :)

More rants on remix

2005-06-17T16:53:00.000+05:30

Chandan sa badan... yes- Im still brooding over that silly remix...

I love the first verse of the actual thing:

"...Yeh kaam kamaan bhawe teri
Phalkon ke kinaare khajrare
Maathe par sindoori suraj
Honton pe dehekte angaare
Saaya bhi jo tera pad jaaye
Saaya bhi jo tera pad jaaye
Aabad ho dil ka wirana..."

Why on earth did it have to be remixed? that character who sang it actually had a great voice- why did he have to ruin the song??? :((

Does this work?

2005-06-12T17:35:00.000+05:30

Attempting mail blogging...

Breath

2005-06-12T12:05:00.000+05:30

Let me take a breath of fresh air- The weekend has arrived!!!!

"Chandan sa Badan"- how dare they remix that beautiful ssong!!!????

2005-06-06T16:12:00.000+05:30

Test not good :((

2005-06-04T09:45:00.000+05:30

Bloom!!!!-
This was a pic I drew sometime back...

Getting used to the Idea...

2005-05-23T17:51:00.000+05:30

School starts in another day- :((

And I'm bored of it- I wish we could learn without needing to take tests...
Sadly thats not possible.
And I'm getting used to the idea that my exams will be really important this year- 12th boards...

Wish me luck if your viewing this site, please?

Arbitrary Viewing...

2005-05-20T17:47:00.000+05:30

Yes... That was what I was doing- picking arbitrary names and searching for blogs by that name.
And guess what, curiosly enough, very few were actually present. So- I shall steal them all before anyone else does!!!!
Forgive me, but yes, I am being a bit of a sadist here.
But- lets see- I may not steal all of them...

Irritations.

2005-05-12T18:21:00.000+05:30

I'm quite bugged with people telling me what to do.
Bugged with the cat critics who say that its bad if a cat sheds hair in the house (oh yes- Im sure its bad if humans breathe in the house)

Im also bugged with people who care to tell me to grow my hair. I like it this way, and just because you don't see any reasons, doesnt mean I don't have them.

so there!

Bored

2005-05-12T15:16:00.000+05:30

So bored-

Learning (or trying to learn) capacitance-

Physics is interesting, when it need not be studied.

But then- everything is.

So- you can see what I''m doing to amuse myself.
Posting boring posts to my blog.
But then- I need to finish that god forsakenly uninteresting lesson.
Will try my best.

Memory...

2005-04-16T12:34:00.000+05:30

Hello....

This is a scene in which common words such as "is", "was", "here", "there", "that", "which", "where", etc have not been used.

Please inform me of any lapses....

The essence of winter rain tickled his senses, as he stood at the window, memories clouding his thoughts and washing his spirit away into a dreamland… The mist seemed to posses his grey eyes, and sleepless nights cast a faint shadow over his heavy lids. Having wounded its strong wings, time seemed to have forgotten how fast it could fly. Presently, it shivered between the branches of an avocado tree, looking longingly at the horizon.

Turning away from the rain, the man let his eyes rest upon the child on the bed… his child… his baby… The baby looked back unblinkingly into his father’s eyes, captivated by the miracle of eye contact, ignorant of his own shivering caused by the biting cold. Can a father ignore the needs of his child? Taking long strides towards the wardrobe, he pulled out a tiny sweater and rushed back to clothe his son with it, forgetting the door of the wardrobe on his way back.

After ensuring the child’s warmth, the man kissed his forehead and returned to the wardrobe. While closing the door, a white dress caught his eye and stopped him on his tracks. He pulled it out and stared at it, admiring its spotlessness. It contrasted the plain black clothes he himself donned. Instinctively, he buried his face in the dress; desperately trying to catch the smell it filled his nostrils with… the unforgotten, sweet smell of her skin… He continued to sniff at the dress, turning away for every exhalation in an effort to prevent the dress from losing its scent. Finally, he gave it a deep, long sniff and laboriously pulled his face away from it.

Wiping his tears, he went to his son, barely two weeks of age, and sat beside him. “You want to know her smell, don’t you?” Saying so, he gently tucked the dress near his head so as to let the smell reach his nose. However, when it did, the child began to wail in a loud protest. Quick as the lightning outside, the father pulled the dress away and picked up his child, rocking him to and fro in an effort to console him… “I’m sorry – really sorry… it’s alright… I shan’t force you into thinking of her if it makes you feel sad… calm down, my sweet…” The child stopped wailing, comforted by the familiar smell of his father and by the warmth of his hug.

Liberated

2005-04-01T17:19:00.000+05:30

After some days of foreboding suffering, he was liberated from the chains of the body... we all wrote a tribute to him in a little book that will be read by my grandmother as a comfort...

2005-03-28T19:08:00.000+05:30

Today was another uninteresting school day. We slaughtered the oponent in a throwball match.... that was the only piece of it that entertained me. Nothing more to say, really....

Waiting.....

2005-03-26T13:05:00.000+05:30

Wiating.... for news, for people, for -
While no news is definitely good news,
It leaves me hanging in the air-
The news that does come does the same thing....

I finish school, come back home....
Waiting for my sister, who has to come,
For my aunt, arriving tonight,
My heart's anything but light....
Friends having a reunion- missed;

Waiting right now to sink my teeth into food.... glorious food!!!
-Estel

2005-03-25T15:59:00.000+05:30

Exams over, school started,
Nothing to do,
But everything to attempt,
Gotto stay buoyed up,
stuffed with work,
projects to finish...
I will survive!

Innocence

2005-02-15T16:21:00.000+05:30

Innocence

Captivated by your glance,

And ensnared by your gaze,

Your smile sends me into a trance,

You truly do amaze.

Your lips are pure- you cannot lie,

Sweet angel in disguise,

You’re lovely even when you cry,

Your tears enhance your eyes.

Hold me tight; don’t let me go,

Soft are your silky hands,

A pure soul’s touch will help me grow,

Like rain on desert sands.

You’re a newborn babe, a little child,

You truly soothe my mind,

You’re innocence personified,

God’s blessing to mankind!

Reading spree.

2004-11-06T22:16:00.000+05:30

Been on a reading spree though I barely have time...
Just read Angels & Demons, and Da Vinci Code- Illuminating books, really....
Angels & Demons was more gripping, But Da Vinci code had a better ending- I feel extremely bad 4 pope & Carlo at the end of Angels... The best Ambigram was that of "Angels & Demons".
strange... the keyboard in front of me allows me to type ^ but not the opposite....
Chauvinists....
-Eluin

my Aura

2004-10-17T20:02:00.000+05:30

My aura shines Orange!

My mythical form...

2004-10-17T19:52:00.000+05:30

You are Form 0, Phoenix: The Eternal.
"And The Phoenix's cycle had reached
zenith, so he consumed himself in fire. He
emerged from his own ashes, to be forever
immortal."
The Phoenix is associated with the concept of life
and the element of fire.His sign is the eclipsed sun.
As a member of Form 0, you are a determined
individual. You tend to keep your sense of
optomism, even through tough times and have a
positive outlook on most situations. You have
a way of looking at going through life as a
journey that you can constantly learn from.
Phoenixes are the best friends to have because
they cheer people up easily.

Which Mythological Form Are You?
brought to you by

the first

2004-10-06T19:17:00.000+05:30

create