Colors.. inside my mind..

Strawberry Cake

2010-11-30T00:44:00.004-05:00

My Toolbox

2010-08-28T19:14:00.003-04:00

Note to self: Buy a 4H pencil.

Hope

2010-08-28T16:43:00.001-04:00

Here's the sketch I mentioned in my last post. It is originally by Zindy and she call's it 'Hold the Sun'. You can check her work here. Isn't she amazing?
Thanks friend, for suggesting 'hope' as title!

Elves kiss

2010-08-26T22:30:00.002-04:00

Made this sketch some months back, and framed it too.

Original sketch is by Zindy and its called 'Butterfly kiss'. Check her work here. Love her style of drawing. Thanks Zindy, for allowing me to redraw your work! I have one more of her sketches in progress. I started it a while back and then I decided to draw some originals. Will finish it soon though!

Masked - abstract art

2010-08-24T13:41:00.002-04:00

Reference: Notebook cover. Unknown Artist.

Portrait

2010-08-16T16:01:00.000-04:00

couldn't capture the shades properly in camera. my favorite sketch so far.
Time: around 30 hrs :)

PiSCATAWAY

2010-08-15T12:38:00.003-04:00

Background Image from http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/

August

2010-08-14T18:27:00.002-04:00

**Mirror Ambigram**
Reads the same when seen in a mirror.

CreAtiVitY

2010-08-14T15:16:00.002-04:00

To invert this image, move mouse over it.

Too symmetrical, so difficult to note the inverted image. :)

SuDhA

2010-08-14T13:59:00.001-04:00

To invert this image, move mouse over it.

KAnWAL

2010-08-09T14:08:00.006-04:00

Die Hard

2010-08-09T13:30:00.000-04:00

To invert this image, move mouse over it.

CrAzy

2010-08-01T23:01:00.016-04:00

To invert this image, move mouse over it.

Crazy.. the world as I see it..

LOVe-HATe

2010-07-30T16:08:00.001-04:00

This one is an asymmetrical (oscillations) ambigram which is designed to read either of 2 words depending on a perception shift. No need to rotate!

SnEhA-KriTu

2010-07-30T12:36:00.012-04:00

To invert this image, move mouse over it.

My niece and nephew's names..

RAHat-rehAN

2010-07-30T10:51:00.022-04:00

To invert this image, move mouse over it.

This is the first digital ambigram I made :) - names of kids of one of our family friends.

Random post

2010-07-10T18:40:00.035-04:00

I had written the tittle in German and published this post, but when I translated it later, I found out that I really messed up what I wanted to say :( Anyways.. this is just a random post..

My status has been updated from Miss to Mrs :) and I am happily married for about 5 months :) Now I have my classes starting in another 1.5 months. So, yes, Life is going great!

Being on a dependent visa in U S of A can cause boredom for some people. I guess I have been an exception so far :D Nah, it was not at all depressing as I heard from many people I know. It isn't really difficult to spend some time if you have some hobbies and you keep yourself busy. These 5 months have given me a lot of time to hone my sketching skills. I have posted a few of them and have done a few more apart from those but since they are not my original ideas I can't publish them here. I am not a great artist, I am just learning it, so I have to look for some inspirations.

That's all for now! Will try to update my blog more often!

P.S.- Listening to: Zoobi doobi from 3 Idiots.

My First Icing Decoration on Cake

2010-05-26T00:41:00.001-04:00

3D Origami Swan

2010-05-01T13:58:00.009-04:00

Made out of some 350+ small triangles(like the one you see on the right side of pic).

Reference: This youtube video

Time taken: 4 days- around 4 hours daily :D

P.S.: If you wanna test your patience, do try it! ;)

Zipped beauty

2010-04-27T16:31:00.002-04:00

Reference: None! :)
Time taken: around 10 hours.
Used 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B pencils.

A drop of tear

2010-04-21T16:07:00.003-04:00

I am fascinated by the beauty of eyes. This one took me around 5 hours.
P.S.: Can't find the reference pic I used for this, it was a digital art pic. So, if that image was yours, let me know!

The girl in mirror

2010-04-15T16:15:00.003-04:00

Time taken- 7 hrs
I feel I messed up the background a bit. Happy nonetheless! This is my first own creation :)

Escher's Nightmare

2010-04-14T15:57:00.003-04:00

The original sketch is by J.D.Hillberry. The moment I saw it, I couldn't resist to attempt drawing it. This guy is a genius. Check out his works, specially these.

Walk in the rain

2010-04-11T16:27:00.008-04:00

I had 24 colored pens with me which I purchased more than a year back and I didn't know what to do with them. Started scribbling on an art sheet and this was the output!

My new template!

2010-01-05T06:26:00.002-05:00

Yes, I changed my blog template again! Last one was good; I liked it. I am not fond of 3 coloum templates, so I started my hunt for a new template once again and found this one! It is called "watercolor". Did some customization and it's just what I was looking for :-)
Will update my blogroll soon.
P.S.: If anyone has tips for learning Photoshop, please share.

Tring.. tring..

2009-12-21T14:11:00.002-05:00

Have you called someone who has never ever called you and got to listen ‘Hey! You are calling after such a long time! Very busy, huh?’
Has someone told you ‘ok, i will call you back by XYZ time’ and then forgotten (sometimes, read as never bothered) to call?
Do you expect a call back when you call someone and the number is busy, and you know the person will be able to see your number in missed calls list?

Dreamworld

2009-12-18T11:18:00.006-05:00

a Hut in the Hills

2009-09-09T12:59:00.002-04:00

A happy family

2009-09-06T11:58:00.008-04:00

A day with "Rubik's cube"

2009-07-19T08:25:00.008-04:00

Some days back, I saw a colleague solving Rubik's cube and chitchatting about it. Having propensity for puzzles myself, I was tempted to buy one. Erno Rubik, who invented it way back in 1974, definitely had a unique flair.

Never having solved it in the yore, it took me a couple hours to be familiar with my rubik's cube. I made up my mind to solve it layer-by-layer. In 2 hours, I could solve the first 2 layers; 3rd layer is the one which required some patience. I yielded myself to temptation and turned to internet for help. There are myriads of websites dedicated to "rubik's cube solution". It would have taken me months if I had to design my own algorithm for the 3rd layer. 15 minutes of guidance from a website and I had 3rd layer of my rubik's solved. A few hours of practice and one can imagine the movement of cubes, there is no need to mug up any algorithms. Within hours, the speed proliferates!

Here's my verdict: One need not be a genius to solve Rubik's cube; just need to be fanciful and have a whit of patience.

By the way, here is a video of an adroit 3 years old girl who can solve it in 114 seconds - stunning and fascinating!

Video Courtesy: YouTube

Oh yes! It's that "I"..

2009-07-14T12:32:00.005-04:00

Maya Taje To Kya Hua, Maan Taja Naa Jaaye.
Maan Bade Munivar Gaye,Maan Saban Ko Khaye.

Bura Jo Dekhan Main Challa,Bura Na Milia Koe.
Jo Mann Khoja Apna, To Mujhse Bura Na Koe.

-Kabir Ji.

eiffeL TOWer

2009-05-29T10:15:00.002-04:00

MONALISA

2009-05-29T10:12:00.001-04:00

PARIS

2009-05-29T10:05:00.001-04:00

ups & downs..

2009-05-23T05:58:00.010-04:00

s and the d
   p    o
The u w
   n
s of l
i    t e r
f n    e
e make it i    s
:)    t
g n i

The educated ones..

2009-05-16T13:46:00.001-04:00

A well-educated gentleman usually occupies the first seat in office bus. In evenings, more often than not, he gets some snacks in tissue paper. Nothing strange or different, many of us do it often. Anyway, the gentleman throws the tissues, without fail, in the bus. Now this is not what all of us do and this is indeed something different.
Then, there is a lady, she doesn’t throws the tissue papers inside the bus because she prefers to throw them out of the bus. Well! Just another use of roads.
All that I want to ask them is “WHAT ARE DUSTBINS MEANT FOR!?” Yeah, there are no dustbins in the bus, but does that mean throw anything anywhere? Can someone please suggest a polite and unoffending way of asking this question?

Only the children know what they are looking for..

2009-04-30T04:04:00.009-04:00

The title of this post is a quote from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I had never heard about it till Anamika mentioned it a few months back. The book is said to be a ‘children’s book’- simple, short sentences, easy to understand, but after reading it I can confidently say that the message of this book is to be appreciated by us - the ‘grown-ups’ too. It is a perfect blend of fantasy and philosophy.

Story:

Saint-Exupéry is a pilot whose plane crashes in Sahara desert. There he meets a little prince who is from another planet. The little prince tells about his journey to earth and also about the different planets which he visited before he came to earth. The people whom he meets on different planets are all ‘grown-ups’, each one being foolish in a unique way. The little prince, with his story, teaches us many lessons. Innocence, I must say, is one thing which children have but is lost somewhere in this chaotic world. It also reminds me of ‘The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas’; for me this movie was all about innocence of children. ‘Enjoyment’ also changes its meaning and becomes materialistic as the number of years spent on planet Earth increment. Anyway, at the end of the story, Saint-Exupéry is heartbroken. Why?? Read it and find, if and when you get a chance. It’s just about 120 pages and hey, it’s illustrated too!

Favourite excerpts:

There are many. I loved this one the most:

When the little prince meets the fox and it tells him to tame him, which he does. The fox makes him realize that his flower on his planet is unique and special for him and not like the several others he has seen on planet Earth because she is the one whom he loves and then he realizes his responsibility for ‘his’ flower. The fox says:"Men have forgotten this truth. But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.”

Another one is when the little prince meets the merchant. The merchant tells the Prince about his product, a pill which eliminates thirst and thus saves 53 minutes a week. Prince asks him that what does one do with those 53 minutes. To this the merchant says that whatever one wishes. The little prince says”If I had 53 minutes to spend, I would walk very slowly toward a spring of fresh water…”

Favourite quotes:

Grown-ups love figures. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essentail matters. They never say to you, “What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?” Instead, they demand: “How old is he? How many brothers has he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?” Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.
Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.
If you were to say to the grown-ups: “I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof,” they would not be able to get an idea of that house at all. You have have to say to them: “I saw a house that cost $20,000.” Then they would exclaim: “Oh, what a pretty house that is!”
To forget a friend is sad. Not everyone has had a friend. And if I forget him, I may become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but figures…
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
“Only the children know what they are looking for,” said the little prince. “They waste their time over a rag doll and it becomes very important to them; and if anybody takes it away from them, they cry…”
“What makes the desert beautiful,” said the little prince, “is that somewhere it hides a well…”
"Where are the people?" resumed the little prince at last. "It's a little lonely in the desert..." "It is lonely when you're among people, too," said the snake.

This Is Going To Hurt Just A Little Bit :(

2009-04-28T13:49:00.004-04:00

I am filled with emotions which are difficult to express.

“I don’t like it” I said it in the summer of 1992.

“I HATE IT” I said it for the first time in the summer of 1994 and then repeated many times, each time wondering why do people play kho-kho. No no, it isn’t kho-kho that I hate. What I hate is… going to the dentist. I don’t have the patience to type the dentist saga and the kho-kho-dentist relation in detail. Well… I don’t have anything against dentists, they are all nice people; I believe they have lot of patience too. It isn’t the fear of pain. It’s not their instruments either. It’s all about the sound…. Uffff!! That wacky noise which one hears when those drilling machines make contact with the teeth. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

In the summer of 2009, I repeat it “I hate going to dentist.”

This also reminds me of a poem(title same as that of this post) by Ogden Nash which I read in high school, each word of which expresses what I feel everytime I listen the word “dentist”.

One thing I like less than most things is sitting in a dentist chair with my mouth wide open.
And that I will never have to do it again is a hope that I am against hope hopan.
Because some tortures are physical and some are mental,
But the one that is both is dental.
It is hard to be self possessed
With your jaw digging into your chest,
so hard to retain calm
When your fingernails are making serious alterations in your life line or love line or some other important line in your palm,
So hard to give your ususal cheerful effect of benignity
When you know your position is one of the two or three in life most lacking in dignity
And your mouth is like a section of road that is being worked on
And it is cluttered up with stone crushers and concrete mixers and drills and steam rollers and there isn't a nerve on your head that aren't being irked on.
Oh some people are unfortunate to be worked on by thumbs,
And others have things done to their gums,
And your teeth are supposed to being polished
But you have reason to believe they are being demolished.
And the circumstances that adds to your terror
Is that it's all done with a mirror,
Because the dentist may be a bear, or as the Romans used to say, only they were referring to a feminine bear when they said it, an ursa,
>But all the same how can you be sure when he takes his crowbar in one hand and mirror in the other he won't get mixed up, the way you do when try to tie a bow tie with the aid of a mirror, and forget that left is right and vice versa
And then at last he says, That will be all, but it isn't because he then coats your mouth from cellar to roof
With something I suspect is generally used to put shine a horse's hoof,
And you totter to your feet and think, Well it's over now and after all it was only this once,
And he says come back in three monce.
And this O Fate, is I think the most vicious that thou ever sentest,
That Man has to go continually to the dentist to keep his teeth in good condition
When the chief reason he wants his teeth to be in good condition is so that he won't have to go the dentist.

Arey Palle Kuch Pade Na, Koi Samjhaye ki Chakkar

2009-04-24T12:20:00.002-04:00

Just some random thoughts.
Some people, who are genuinely concerned about me, have been asking me from a few days: “How could YOU Pari?” and “Why Pari?” Few scolded; few were just too shocked that they were speechless. Well.. Pari doesn’t know why and when and how. All she knows is everything will be fine. She has crossed her fingers and hopes for the best. (Only)In case you have no idea what I am talking about, I didn’t study for my second German test so it went for a toss.
It’s too hot these days; I hope it rains today.
Sometimes, some things just happen. And whatever happens is for something good.
One of the things that I don’t like is being centre of attraction.
I have a question in my mind right now. But I don’t know how to frame it.
Trusting someone is a big deal. Being trusted is a bigger deal. Maintaining the trust of someone who trusts you is the biggest deal.
I'm loving it! Went to McD today after a long time. McD at Brigade Road is the best among all in Bangalore.

P.S.: It rained today. This post was written last night.

Die Lügen

2009-04-13T12:13:00.000-04:00

Verzichterklärung: Die Dichtung ist das Werk der Phantasie.

Ihr wahres Gesicht versteckt sie,
weil sie Geheimnis hat.
Hinter eine bunt Maske ist sie,
obwohl er sie sehr liebt.

Sie möchte ihn sagen,
dass sie lügnerisch ist.
Sie sieht Liebe in seinen Augen,
Ach! Wie wahrheitsgemäß er ist.

Als er Fremd war,
belügen ihn war schwer nicht.
Wenn heute er bekannt ist,
ist es leicht nicht.

Sie hat Sorgen und Angst auch.
Ihr ist es schwer, Wahrheit zu sagen.
Trotzdem ist alles zu sagen wichtig doch.
Deshalb sagt sie alles mit weinenden Augen.

Er lächelt und spricht,
Ich habe schon gewusst.
Du denkst, ich weiß nicht?
Aber zu verzeihen Liebe weißt.

Und damit ihn hasst sie,
weil ihre Liebe auch Lüge ist.
Aber er nicht hasst sie.
obwohl sein Herz verletzt ist.

Twilight

2009-04-12T23:48:00.002-04:00

As you know, I love reading books; I like them or not is another thing. I must confess, lately I have been writing in a really clumsy manner about the books I have been reading.

Last weekend I read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

Story:
Bella, a 17 year old girl, tells about her experiences when she moves to Forks. Here she meets Edward, a really unusual and strange boy. I have learnt not to reveal the interesting parts of any book I write about. So I will not tell why he is unusual. Yes, you guessed it right, they fall in love; but it’s different. Edward keeps reminding her to stay away from him because he is unusual. And considering the facts, she should stay away from him. But does she? Read it to find out.

Favorite characters:
Edward – for he keeps his words, is caring, liked his attitude.
Bella – for she’s fearless, sticks to the choices she makes.

Favorite excerpts:
I liked most of the conversations they had. The one’s I liked the most were when Edward offers Bella a ride to Seatle and the one immediately after that, during lunch in which Bella says "I just wondered… if you could warn me beforehand the next time you decide to ignore me for my own good. Just so I'm prepared."
The one in which Edward confesses about himself and the way Bella reacts to it is also good.
Apart from the conversations, Bella’s thoughts are beautifully penned.

Favorite quote:
“When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it's not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end.”

Goodbyes

2009-04-12T06:19:00.005-04:00

Sooner or later,
Now or ever,
Morning or thereafter,
Summer or winter,
There's never a 'good time',
To say goodbye.

Softly or harshly,
Slowly or loudly,
Crying or quietly,
Lovingly or madly,
There's never a 'good way',
To say goodbye.

........

2009-04-09T11:28:00.002-04:00

They come from infinity..
And sit in mind's vicinity..
Some are indeed utile..
Rest are just futile..

What to do with these 'rest' of thoughts??

Reassurance..

2009-04-04T05:20:00.000-04:00

"Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we are underneath it?," asked Piglet.
"Supposing it didn't," said Pooh after careful thought.
Piglet was comforted by this.
-A.A.Milne

Sometimes this is all we need..

Six Word Saturday

2009-04-04T05:16:00.004-04:00

Came across this cool game by Cate: describe your life in six words; and it is called 'Six Word Saturday'.

Click on this button to know more.

So, here are my six words for this Saturday:

Mango rice,
it was not nice.

You can tell me about your life in six words too. If you like it be a part of it; and don't forget to thank Cate!

Symmetry

2009-04-03T14:54:00.001-04:00

Why is the word 'symmetry' not symmetric? It will be nice if it is called something else using H,I,O and X, which has the same meaning as symmetry; such that it is symmetric(or whatever this other word with H,I,O and X) on horizontal and vertical axis.

How about IOHXHOI?

IOHXHOI is IOHXHOIic :)

We get to choose..

2009-04-01T10:43:00.001-04:00

"I've lived for a very long time, Ray. And the one thing I learned - fate doesn't decide everything. People get to choose."

-Mary Embrey in the movie Hancock (2008)

Today, in the bus..

2009-03-31T10:52:00.011-04:00

I was relieved to see an empty window seat when I entered bus at 6:15PM and occupied it.
5 minutes later Y came and sat next to me.
Y started closing the window.
I stared at her. Y stopped.

Y: Can you close the window.

VOMIB: Oh No! Not again. It’s so hot these days.

Me: Stop cribbing VOMIB.

Me: Yes, I can.
VOMIB: Doesn’t mean that you will.
( I didn’t close the window :P)
Y: Can you please close the window?
VOMIB: Hello Ma’am, remember what you did in morning? You didn’t open the window on Pari’s request so she is not gonna close it now..
Me: Ehhh.. actually I feel suffocated with closed windows.
Y: Actually my hair will start flying.
VOMIB: Oh really! Do they have wings?
Me: Eh Yeah.. ok.. ok, I will close it till here. I feel that should be ok.
Y: Fine.
VOMIB: Grrr. What fine?
Me: Fine.

For those of you who don't know, VOMIB is Voice Of My Intelligent Brain.

A jounrney..

2009-03-31T10:45:00.011-04:00

Between those trees tall and green,
Smelling the flowers and air clean,
I walked..

Afraid and anxious,

And a bit curious,

But, I walked..

Fear of being lost,

Was getting me on my nerves,

Still, I walked..

Sparrows were chirping and dancing,

There was football in hands of boys munching,

And, I walked..

On those unknown roads,

I saw a palace with swords,

Yet, I walked..

As I looked here and there,

I sensed there wasn't any reason to have fear,

I continued, to walk..

It was all so beautiful,

Cheerful and colorful,

So, I walked..

A smile came on my face,

As I walked with grace,

Yes, I walked..

Yes, I walk..

Chak De Phattey!

2009-03-28T07:48:00.006-04:00

"Hey! What does this phrase "exactly" mean?" I have been asked again and again, especially after the movie 'Chak De', and every time I had to come out with some weird examples. For obvious reasons I can't say, it means "Lift the wooden planks and pull the lever." Today, when someone asked me this again, I decided to do some googling.

The phrase is: Chak De Phattey; Nap De Killi.

Famous for his laughing style, Mr. Sidhu, has given a logical explanation for this: Killi is a small lever that you pull. And when you pull it, the water starts gushing into the fields through a motor. Now that the Killi is always invariably hidden under a well. And that well is covered by wooden planks. So you lift the phatta, i.e. Chak De Phatte, and then you pull the killi. And then the water starts flowing, gushing into the fields. So it's got everything to do with positivity.

So, moral of the story is Chak De Phatte is used when one is in full Josh and determined to achieve some positive results. Not literally, but it's like saying 'Let's do it!'

Vaise I have also heard him saying:

Chak De Phatte, Nap De Killi

Subhe Jalandhar, Sham Nu Dilli...

This Jalandhar to Delhi journey is still a mystery.

Well if I start in an Amritsar Shatabdi at 6:15 am, I will reach Delhi by 11:15 am(unless of course its not foggy). So, is it not like: Subhe Jalandhar, Dopahar Nu Delhi??

Ok, now if this saying goes back to a few decades back when transportation was not as good as now, then of course it does make sense!

So, I can say that it is like an example to the above moral of the story indicating that nothing's impossible.

From Jalandhar, yaad aaya, happened to watch 'Jugni Chali Jalandhar' yesterday. Funny sound effects. It was fun listening to some typical Punjabi dialogues. :D

By the way, Chak De was a good movie. I liked it. SRK acted well and so did everyone else.

People have been lately complaining that I think a lot. 3 days off from office, and what can one do if one is tired of being tired?? Listen to music and..... what else?(Exclude the option of reading books, surfing and watching TV/movies because of some circumstances)

Thinking is a convinient option. So I think. Weird?? Illogical?? About Chak De?? I can't help it! And I don't complicate things, they get complicated.

VALUE / COSt

2009-03-28T07:32:00.005-04:00

The cost is known; but the value??

It stays :)

2009-03-25T10:45:00.000-04:00

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou quotes (American Poet, b.1928)

Those 2 paranthas..

2009-03-25T10:41:00.007-04:00

As I went to the canteen for breakfast on a sunny morning, I took 2 allu paranthas(?) and sat next to a colleague. Let’s call my colleague X.

Me: Hi! Good Morning.
X: Heyyy! Good Morning! Long time ha! Don’t see you these days.
Me: Ya ya, usually I don’t come to first floor for breakfast, so maybe that’s why!
(X stares at my plate, paranthas - to be precise, and starts giggling)
Me: What happened to you now?
X: Nah! Nothing.
(X stares at the parantha’s again)
Me: Whatttt?????
X: You eat parantha’s with butter! Heheehee
Me: (Surprised) Yes, of course. Why?
X: Heeheehee. Huhahahahaa. Is this how you north Indians eat paranthas?
Me: Yes! This is how some people in north, or I would say at least in Punjab eat parantha’s.
X: Oh yeah? Heheehee hahaahaaa. Ohkkk. It’s... ......
Me: What?
X: (nods head left and right) Heheheheeee.. nothing!
Me: . (Smile) (Smile) (Smile)

X was having allu paranthas with coconut chutney and laughed at a Punjabi kudi having parathas with butter. Some differences are meant to be enjoyed :-)

A weekend with books..

2009-03-24T11:50:00.006-04:00

“Hey! I read Anything for you ma’am by Tushar Raheja. I loved it! Read it when you have time,” a friend said more than 2 years back. Last Saturday when I was standing among 10000s of books, I decided to take this one. A bollywood stuff; and it kept me gripped! It’s about journey of Tejas studying in IIT-Delhi to meet the girl he loves, Shreya, who lives in Chennai; about his plans; his experiences; about how Mr. Fate intervenes and switches sides to make his life adventurous. It’s funny. Never have I laughed like this reading a book. All characters just fit so very well - loving family, helpful friends, amusing doctor, understanding professors (!), interesting fellow passengers. And yes, he really loved her! At the end, I have only this to say ‘Hey! I read Anything for you ma’am by Tushar Raheja. I loved it! Read it when you have time.’

Almost a year back, or a little more, I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini on recommendation of a friend. It’s a story, staged in Afghanistan, of Hassan, in words of his childhood companion, Amir. He tells how he betrays Hassan in the toughest of his times. After years, he returns back filled with guilt, and discovers facts which really shocked not only him, but me too. It’s touching. Never had I cried like that reading a book! Only the hardest of hearts will not move on reading it. It’s unforgettable. A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author is equally touching. It’s about Mariam, her childhood and her marriage at the age of 15 with Rasheed whose age is some 30 years more than her. It’s about Laila, who is born in Mariam’s neighbourhood. It tells how wars and changing political situation impact Laila’s life who just wants to live and enjoy the life given by God. It was a surprise, and not a pleasant one, to know how Mariam and Laila are related to each other. It’s well written and full of emotions. Both these books by Khaled Hosseini are, without a doubt, worth taking time even out of busy schedules.

Meine Verabredung

2009-03-14T10:14:00.011-04:00

Der Platz ist bunt und künstlerisch;

mit Kerzen lang und Blumen gefällig.

Ich höre die Musik sanft und toll;

und finde das Zimmer mit Menschen voll.

Ich trage ein Abendkleid aus Seide;

Es ist herrlich und farbig weiß.

Ich habe Schmuck auch an;

Ohrring schön und Kette gläzende.

Schuhe habe ich den Spitzen mit;

und tanze ich mein Schatz mit.

Er trägt einen schwarzen Anzug klasse;

mit weißen Hemd und schwarzen Krawatte.

Er blickt in die Augen meine;

Ich halte die Hände seine.

Ich fühle mich schüchtern;

und schließe meine Augen.

Öffne meine Augen wann;

finde mich zu Hause dann.

Ich habe ,Cinderella' gelesen,

Weiß nicht, wann ich bin eingeschlafen.

Es war im Traum meine Verabredung;

Wer war er? Ich habe keine Ahnung!

-Pari

(Picture Courtesy: Mouse and More Collectibles)

A short story..

2009-03-08T05:02:00.006-04:00

Aman is back with a short story.

Don't forget to answer his question!

TiME FLieS

2009-03-07T23:33:00.000-05:00

rOBErt bOSCH

2009-03-07T23:31:00.002-05:00

dark @ night..

2009-03-07T10:48:00.001-05:00

The Thursday..

2009-03-05T11:07:00.007-05:00

When I got up in morning I thought that it would be another regular day today, just another Thursday. As I stepped out of house, I decided to make a note of all special things around me.

It was 6:04 am. I heard a dog barking loudly. The sound came from the corner house in our lane. They have a dog. I couldn’t see it. Another one was growling back. This sound was from the pale-yellow, small corner house in the next lane. They have a huge open space in front of their house, not often seen in Bangalore! But the garden has only grass. I wished it had some flowers too. And then there was another sound– a street dog's. Now this scared me, I had to walk from the place where it was standing and it stared at me. As I silently walked, it followed me for a few seconds, then turned back to his friends and started barking. I see this dog daily. Maybe they were wishing each other a good morning and discussing what they ate last night.

Around 7:06 am, I saw 3 cows(white with black spots, one had its small horns painted in red and black), 2 cocks, 3 hens and 4 street dogs.

At 7:36am, when I stepped out to catch the office-bus, I saw something in our house which looked like this:

Look at its pistil and petals! Isn’t it beautiful?

As I walked towards the bus-stop, I noticed the weather was pleasant. It was not sunny. I could feel the cool breeze. At 7:47am the bus came, and I got the window seat!

At 8:12am, I saw the tree with yellow flowers on a busy road leading to my office. No matter what I am doing sitting in the bus- listening songs, reading a book or dreaming, I make it a point to see it daily. The direct sunlight falling on it makes it look pretty.

Then at 5:26 pm, I got 3 chocolates! :)

On my way back, at 6:49pm, I happened to see a graveyard. It looked scary. It was crowded, although there were not any alive people inside.

I had the urge to tell the bus-driver to stop the bus at a place. I saw my watch, it was 6:58pm.

At 7:08pm, I was listening to 'Udja kale kawan', This was the song I heard yesterday also and all my way back to home I imagined myself to be a bird. ‘Von dem Himmel’ is outcome of a part of this imagination. For those who can’t understand German, it means ‘From the sky’. By the way, 'Udja kale kawan' is one of my favorite songs. I was reminded of Sunny Bhaajee and my high school friends Simran and Amani who were crazy for him.

It was a 'different' Thursday.

Von dem Himmel

2009-03-05T09:56:00.009-05:00

Fliege! Fliege!
In den blauen Himmel fliege ich,
und fühle mich himmlich.

Fliege! Fliege!
über den Berg fliege ich.
Wenn sehe nach unten ich,
habe Angst ich.
Laut laut höre ich,
Feuer und Rauch sehe ich.
Normalerwise der Berg weiß ist,
aber heute er schwarz ist.
Was passiert? Weiß ich nicht,
mein Augen sind feucht.

Fliege! Fliege!
über das Meer fliege ich.
Wenn sehe nach unten ich,
keinen Seemann sondern nur Schiff finde ich.
Das Schiff ist kaput,
ich finde das nicht gut.
Normalerwise das Meer blau ist,
aber heute es rot ist.
Was ist der Grund? Ich kann meine Augen nicht glauben,
aber es ist unheimlich heute.

Fliege! Fliege!
über das Land fliege ich.
Wenn sehe nach unten ich,
traurig und ruhig bin ich.
Auf den Baum setze ich mich,
links und rechts sehe ich.
Normalerwise ist land grün und fabrefroh,
aber heute ist hier kein Mensch froh.
Warum viele Menschen tot sind?
Ahnung habe ich keine!

Ich denke, denke und denke,
wissen Sie, was ich meine?
Wenn die Menschen den Krieg haben,
dann verlieren Sie ihr Leben.
Dann der Berg schwarz ist und das Meer rot ist,
obwohl man es möchte nicht.
Dann die Welt nicht fabrefroh ist,
und kein Mensch froh ist.
Die Menschen sind gierig,
Sieg ist für Ihr wichtig.
Aber was Sie wollen?
Krieg oder Frieden?

-Pari

What next?

2009-03-03T10:02:00.003-05:00

Seems like WAYGM-bug has bitten the whole world around me! Some of them think that GHM is the only possible solution now. Gosh! What will happen next???

Of books and books..

2009-03-01T08:32:00.009-05:00

Reading is fun! I had some books added to my list in past few months - not in the same order as below.

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga is the Man Booker Prize winner for the year 2008. He tells the story of an innocent mind that gets corrupted by money and even murders for the money. It is good. The description of the situation in villages is touching. Yes, it does speak about ‘the dark’ India but that’s how Indians in villages live. Contrary to the normal stories, the bad guy lives happily ever after. I don't know he was actually happy or not, but at least police couldn't catch him. A realistic ending?

I laid my hands on another Paulo Coehlo book. Brida is a book with a different story. Really different. Nice philosophy, as always. I understood the first half. But when the girl in the story started understanding things, this girl stopped understanding the story. It was a bit too complicated for me and the philosophy a bit difficult to handle. Maybe if I read it once more, I will understand the concept of soulmates better.

Who inspired Danny Boyle to make Slumdog Millionaire? Yes, Q&A by Vikas Swarup is the book behind Slumdog Millionaire. Plot- you would have already heard about it! The twists and the questions are different in book. I didn’t like it much. By the way, I feel Slumdog Millionaire is much hyped. Loved the Music; it’s magical. A.R. Rahman rocks! Jai Ho! But this one and this too are my favourites by the genious musician.

It was like living my childhood again when I read Aesop’s Fables by Aesop and The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Mowgli was my childhood hero. I have some precious memories with this serial. Too precious. Here's the song I still love humming.

The short stories by O Henry are good. Lovely. It’s fun reading them. The Gift of the Magi is my favourite. Jeff and Andy stories also kept me involved and then there are many others. I have not finished reading all the 100 that I have.

These days I am reading short stories by Oscar Wilde. He writes beautifully. I liked all the stories I have read so far. Each one of his stories is so beautifully written that I have fallen in love with his writings. I just wish I could meet him. Must say, I am impressed. I also read some of his poems. They are also wonderful!

I wanted to read something funny and got nice reviews on this one. So, I started reading The Dilbert Future by Scott Adam. Some of the comic scripts are good. He thinks everything is funny. Read around 200+ pages and then gave up. I didn’t like it. Sometimes, to me his humour came as sadism.

I added Mein Kampf (means My Struggle) in my list. I read some 100 and odd pages of this book. It’s all history! Not that I didn’t expect it to be a history book. I plan to read it sometime in this year!

I also tried to read The Fountain Head again! It always turns my head upside down. I should read it sometime in future. It’s almost a year now!

Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga is in the queue. Not in a mood to read something serious these days. So, didn’t start reading it yet.

I want to read P.S. I love you by Cecilia Ahern. A friend told the movie ‘PS, I love you’ is too good. I prefer reading the book! Gonna buy it this week!

I read a small story this weekend. Writing about it, the way I want to, needs some effort and time. And when I write about it, I will also reveal the name of the story I will be reading next. :)

He pulls them..

2009-03-01T06:16:00.006-05:00

This one was clicked on a flyover in Amritsar. By the way, the word "rickshaw" originates from the Japanese word jinrikisha (jin = human, riki = power or force, sha = vehicle), which literally means "human-powered vehicle".

Is 'it' worth?

2009-03-01T06:14:00.001-05:00

I fail to understand this! There’s this new style of talking on phone while driving by keeping the phone inside the helmet. Why don’t people take their life seriously? And fine, they are playing with their life consciously, but what about someone else on the same road who may end up losing his/her life because of those people who ‘utilize’ their time while driving. Can’t people act responsibly instead of giving justifications on something like this that can’t be justified? Are they not dangerous elements on roads?

Right age!!

2009-03-01T05:48:00.002-05:00

ya ya.. right age is what they say :(

Are we Indians age-centric or is there actually 'a right age' for everything?

A tight slap is what these losers deserve..

2009-03-01T04:23:00.009-05:00

Female foeticide, dowry, injustice to widows, molestation, rape, harassment; and now getting beaten up for wearing jeans. And then one expects women to feel safe in this country. Being harassed on a crowded road isn’t something new to any Indian women. Step out on a road, and you have this feeling of being ‘watched’; no matter what you are wearing and how old you are.

Read this article sometime back: "Irrespective of the dress they wear, or, their ages, their looks, their educational, professional and marital status, never mind the time or place, women in Kolkata and elsewhere are being subjected to all kinds of harassment, including eve-teasing."

And as if all this was not enough, the moral police- a bunch of hooligans jumps in to do it in the name of ‘culture’. I find this whole fuss about jeans shocking. I am really not getting the purpose of all this. It makes me feel sad and angry. Is there a political motive? Or is it for footage? Or creating panic? Or do they want to become famous? What is it? What do they want? Bloody losers! In a country with so many genuine issues to solve, you come up with an issue like this. Cowards! Heros- that’s what you want to be, right? You want to save your country, her culture, right? Why don’t you save your country’s honour? Why don’t you go and fight against terrorism? No, you won’t do it. Actually, you can’t do it. Because you just don’t have the guts. All you know is to bully someone physically weak than you. Beating up a woman proudly in daylight is all that you can do. And then you talk about culture! You- who don’t even know the definition of culture. There is nothing wrong in jeans; it’s about your sick mentality.

What is even more shocking is it that nobody comes for any sort of help in such circumstances? Oh! How can I ask this question? Unless one knows the victim, why should one get into trouble, right? Can’t we stand united? Ever? Of course, I am not speaking of showing your heroism in a typical bollywood fashion. But when someone raises alarm, taking down the vehicle number, trying to locate a cop nearby, dialing 100; is it too much to ask?

Some people tell me that Bangalore is a safe place even at 11pm. No Sir, it isn’t safe. Do you know the definition of safety for a woman? It’s not only being safe from robbers, it’s much more. These words echo in my mind when I open the newspaper these day: It’s not a fair world, girl. Your safety, when you are alone, is only your concern – only yours. An umbrella, a pocket knife, pepper powder is a must for you. After all, you are a girl. A girl who will not stop walking on these crowded roads.

Love you Chimz!

2009-02-21T05:47:00.003-05:00

Chimz is my childhood pal.

Some facts about Chimz:

I know him from the time I got the sense of being alive, the time when I started recognizing my house, my family etc., when I was barely a few months old.
He is the first special friend I had.
I talked to him after coming back from school everyday. Then I would listen to his pleasant voice. It was always a relief to listen to him; it still is.
As we grew together, life was little busy for me with studies and all, but I always took care that he also had some company and he wasn't left alone.
I believe that we were born on the same day. So, I wish him on my birthday every year.
He was born in Japan.
I also believe that he was made just for me.
I listen to his music at least once in a week.
Some days back I thought about what will happen to him when I die.
He can't move his eyes left and right from the age of 7 because my loving brother (then 3 years old) moved his eyes a bit too hard.
He got hurt at his back when a cousin hit him hard on floor. He has scratches even now.
Any kids who come to our house are just NOT allowed to even touch him. No matter how much I like them and how innocent they look. I believe that they are threat to his life.
When I was a kid I believed he has life but is too small to speak something else just like the small baby next door who knows only to cry. I also believed that he is different from us because he doesn't look like us. When Bhujee told me he has come from a place called Japan, I thought all people from Japan look like him, they can't move, they don't feel hungry and they speak only when you pull that white thing which they have instead of neck.

Chimz at the age of 23+ :

P.S.: Now I know he doesn't has life, yet that attachment is still there. I am glad that some feelings always remain the same :)

My world! My world!

2009-02-20T11:01:00.003-05:00

Had been trying to write something from some time but couldn't put it in words.

But as they say 'A picture is worth a million words', this is what was in my mind....

A try..

2009-02-20T10:45:00.005-05:00

I am not too good at drawing portraits.. This one is my first serious attempt..

Around 30 mins of effort.. not bad eh?? Any idea whoz this??

I've learnt..

2009-02-16T20:47:00.000-05:00

..that there's nothing wrong in taking chances. Because no matter how you end up, you learn and grow with each choice you make.

Strange..

2009-02-16T09:52:00.003-05:00

yeah.. strange! It's really strange to miss someone right next to you, isn't it?

I've learnt..

2009-02-16T09:43:00.003-05:00

..that its easier to react than to think..

DUALITY

2008-12-14T09:59:00.005-05:00

Started with 'unity in duality'(still trying) , inspired from Yin and Yang after watching Mulan. Outcome was a totem!

SOnyEriCSSon

2008-12-14T09:48:00.002-05:00

Not that I want to promote sony ericsson! Just a try to make this ambigram, though it needs some improvements. Any suggestion for a better C-E and S-Y combinations?

Caption not yet decided..

2008-12-09T12:04:00.003-05:00

Just another thought..

2008-11-11T12:46:00.001-05:00

Believing is beautiful.

Cool it!

2008-11-03T12:25:00.004-05:00

'Your mind is like this water my friend. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear'- Master Oogway(Kung fu Panda)

A walk across a cemetery..

2008-10-25T09:42:00.004-04:00

Ew! I don’t like to talk or listen about 'it'. I had never thought about 'it' little more than a month back. Then by chance (was it just a chance?) I walked across a cemetery for the first time in my life. I wasn’t scared(reminded me of someone who is scared of ghosts and so doesn't want to visit a cemetery). It was a strange feeling walking across a place where so many dead people have been buried. Artistic tombstones. Beautiful flower arrangements. Implicit silence in the breeze. Pleasant, yet unpleasant. It was there that i thought about 'it'. Yes.. 'it' is death.. There were lots of thoughts in mind. I started thinking something really creepy. 'What if I die in next 10 minutes? How will i spend last 10 minutes of my life?' And I actually planned it before leaving from there :) My 'to-be-done' list was long. Certain things which we take for granted reveal their importance when we think something like this. Well, here i am, blogging after days and trying to express something which i don't know how to. It would be irresponsible on my part to attempt to explain what i felt that time. Some things are better not explained.

The roadside painter..

2008-10-13T10:09:00.002-04:00

I was walking on one of the busiest streets, in a land far away from mine, with a friend when we saw that some people had gathered to see something. We looked with curiosity what made so many people gather there. There was a beautiful painting drawn on the road. It was giving a 3-D effect. It was so beautiful that I wondered if this is what heaven looks like. He had kept two bowls in which people were putting money. There were a few other framed paintings which he had kept there.

I looked at the painter. I wondered what such a talented person is doing on a roadside. Probably he would have searched for a job, couldn’t find any, gave up hope to find any and finally ended up there-in that street, for earning something at least for that day. I don’t know why he was there. His eyes didn’t look away from the painting, not for a single moment. His hands were busy drawing with the colourful chalk pieces. A shower of a few minutes could have wiped away his effort of hours. Yet, he was doing everything with so much of perfection. He was enjoying his work in spite of not being recognized the way he should be. His whole concentration was into his work as if nothing existed beyond it. I was reminded of the quote ‘Do your job so well that the God and the Angels in the heaven are moved to say- here lives a person who did is his job so well as if only he was destined to do it’. And I could see a perfect example of such a person right in front of me. He was destined to be there and enjoying whatever he was doing. It was not only a necessity for him but also his reason of living because he loved doing it.
As we walked further, I saw a handicapped man exhibiting his talent with a ball. Then a very thin and short lady sitting at a corner and singing beautifully. Her voice was loud and clear. Don’t know why but I felt she was suffering from some disease (I remember seeing her there many times before). A few steps further were a band of people playing lovely music. Some people say this is the way these people beg. Can we call it begging? Isn’t it an insult to their talent? How many of us have these talents? How many of us have the ability to admire and respect their talent? We have a lot to learn from them, from their persistence.
Then I asked my friend the question that was still haunting me and i wanted someone to answer it- ‘why are these people here in spite of having so much of talent?’ The answer I got was- ‘This is what you call life.’
Yes, this is life for them. It isn't always fair. I turned back and looked at that street full of talented people. As we walked further, a few drops of water rolled down.

Smile :)

2008-10-04T06:59:00.006-04:00

Smile is one of the best expressions that God has given us. It feels so good to see someone with a cheerful smile. A genuine smile sets everything right.

How about a smile in silence? They (don’t ask me who) say “If you smile when nobody is around you, you really mean it.” Have you ever found yourself smiling like this? I have! I was thinking about an incident in recent past and before I could realize, I found myself smiling. I wondered what made me smile. It was the everlasting joy of those memories that my smile expressed.

How about silence in a smile? Smile, can be mysterious too, with lots of secrets. A silent smile speaks its own language. What do you do when someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer? I just smile. What do you do when someone you respect, unintentionally, says something that isn’t pleasant to listen? I just smile. What do you do when someone asks you something that you can’t answer? I just smile.

What if your smile is misread and misunderstood? Oops, it hurts! Once I made someone angry with my smile (Hey, I didn’t want to hurt you, it wasn't intentional). So just be careful with the sweet smile on your face.

Don’t forget to give a smile to a person who you think doesn’t like to smile. It looks strange when your smile is not reciprocated. But remember, nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give.

Smile, even when you are hurt. Look at the mysterious sky, beautiful flowers, wonderful creatures or anything that makes you smile. It makes you feel better. Smile, I feel, is the best solution for anything that isn't right.

Keep smiling :)

Be punctual..

2008-08-09T23:06:00.002-04:00

'Problem with being punctual is that there is nobody to appreciate you.'

Huh... Why is it that people don't value other's time? I mean, if you don't value your time, it is fine, no problem, it is your life, your time. But when it comes to wasting other's time, should one not be sensitive enough?

Kung Fu Panda

2008-08-03T06:38:00.003-04:00

At last, I saw Kung Fu Panda!! Awesome movie. Predictable storyline, but it is beautifully directed and the dialogues are written in such a wonderful manner that in spite of predicting the story correctly, you will still enjoy it. Story goes something like this: A panda named Po is chosen by a wise old turtle, Master Ooguay, as the dragon warrior. This is strange as viewed by his martial-arts teacher, Shifu, and the Furious Five: Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane because Po is fat and unorganized person with almost nil self confidence. In the end, Po defeats the Tai Lung, the evil leopard and emerges as a winner- as a real dragon warrior. The wisdom in the conversation of the characters is what makes this movie beautiful. Few of my favourite lines in the movie are:

1. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift.

That is why it is called the present. Master Ooguay said this to Po. I have heard it before too. I liked the tone and the way he said it. The shine in Po’s eyes and Ooguay’s tone makes you believe in it.

2. One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it.

Ooguay said it when he saw something happening in future with his vision and Shifu wanted to avoid it. I am just wondering is it not the same destiny that makes you take the road to avoid itself and then it meets you!!

3. There are no accidents.

Ooguay said it thrice. I know because Shifu counted it! Everything happens for a reason, isn't it so? If things are in the wrong direction, then maybe life is teaching you something.

4. There is no secret ingredient.

Po’s father said it to him when he told him that the secret ingredient of his special noodles is ‘nothing’. He said ‘Things become special because people believe them to be special.’

Calvin says..

2008-06-15T01:35:00.000-04:00

"In my opinion, we don't devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks." :)

YUVRAJ - Ambigram

2008-05-28T10:49:00.003-04:00

This is dedicated to YUVI... No No.. Not the crickter Yuvraj Singh..

This is dedicated to Raj Singh Arora aka YUVI of REMIX!!! :) :)

Smoking is injurious to health!!

2008-05-28T10:32:00.003-04:00

I wanted to post this long back but somehow it skipped my mind. As you all know, smoking is injurious to health. Enough has been said and written about this, so I don't feel the necessity to write the same stuff again.
Anybody interested in reading about the harmful effects of smoking, please read this or this or this .
If you are a chain smoker, please take care that it can be annoying (read as irritating and suffocating) for people around you!! And moreover you are knowingly playing with your own life. Have mercy on yourself, if not on anyone else.

Reason for this post: It is annoying(with a capital A!!!) to work with people addicted to smoking.

First Horse Riding Lesson

2008-04-24T10:07:00.005-04:00

By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

2008-04-23T11:17:00.006-04:00

After reading Alchemist and The Zahir, I didn’t find this story too impressive, it’s simple; a girl gets a call from a childhood friend to attend his lecture. She meets him and the bonding gets strengthened. Then she comes to know that he has the ability to create miracles and cure people and he is now in the seminary. He talks about the feminine side of God and spirituality. Now he is torn between his love for her and his responsibility towards fellow humans. By the time she decides to support him in his responsibility, he gives up his ability to be with her. So she runs away from him and writes the story sitting by the side of the river Piedra.

The story line has nothing new to it. We all have heard such stories before. But Paulo makes it special with his words, the way he puts everything and the way he describes the emotions of the characters.

It is about a guy who is torn between love and responsibility. He had to make a choice. A tough one. It is about a girl who didn’t want to fall in love because she knows the risks involved and thus, doesn’t want to suffer. But yet she falls in love and is ready to take risks and suffer. Have you ever come across someone who says that he/she loves so-and-so person but knows that they can’t be together in future and yet he/she loves that special so-and-so in his/her life? Doesn’t it make you wonder why they want to complicate their life? In my opinion, it sounds logical that if you are so sure you can’t be together, you shouldn’t mess your life with emotions like this. Then why does one fall in love in such a situation knowing all the circumstances? This is what this book talks about. Read it to find out more.

The description of the “Other” in us which stops us from taking some firm decisions is good. I felt this “Other” represents someone capable of taking those decisions which sometimes we don’t take because of the circumstances around us, I mean, if you forget all the circumstances, you will take decisions like that “Other” and not the way you take now.

I was amazed that Paulo gave it a happy ending. Not that I don’t like happy endings. In fact, I love happy stories. But it would have been good if he had ended it with Pilar sitting by the side of river Piedra. It would have been close to reality of those who go through the emotions that Pilar went through in the middle of the story. Paulo says in this book, all love stories are same. Yes, the emotions maybe are same, but then not all love stories have a happy ending. Maybe he should have given it a thought.

I don't care.. Or do I?

2008-04-09T09:45:00.004-04:00

I was thinking about something and said to myself "I don't care!!"
The moment these words came out of my mouth, a conversation started between me and VOMIB. VOMIB is my closest friend. Let me introduce VOMIB to you all. It’s “Voice Of My Intelligent Brain”. The conversation went on something like this:
Me: I don't care!!
VOMIB: Oh really?
Me: Of course, I don’t care. Why should I? I am not at all bothered about it VOMIB..
VOMIB: Think once again. Are you sure you don’t care?
Me(after a few seconds): Yup.. I am dead sure..
VOMIB: Well.. If you really don’t care then do you need to justify it to yourself by telling yourself that you don’t care???
Me: You are confusing me VOMIB..
VOMIB: I am not confusing you.. You said it doesn’t bother you. But if it really doesn’t bother you, why did you think about it? You just want to convince yourself that you don’t care.. But you can’t change the truth by denying it. Face the reality sweety. You do care.. If you think by telling a lie to yourself this thought will not come to your mind again, you are wrong..
Me: Oh VOMIB, why are you confusing me? You know something.. I don’t care what you think..
VOMIB (laughing): There you are again.. You do care.. :-)
Me: :-?

CHOCOLAtE - Ambigram

2008-04-08T10:38:00.000-04:00

DieSEL or PETroL - Ambigram

2008-03-28T11:12:00.001-04:00

Diesel Engine - Ambigram

2008-03-13T11:03:00.003-04:00

First "n" in engine could have been better..
Will correct it sometime later..

Impossible is nothing -Ambigram

2008-03-08T08:32:00.004-05:00

Watsay???

Random thoughts..

2008-03-07T10:05:00.005-05:00

I go crazy at times.. Guess what I did just now? When I typed my password while logging to gmail, I copied the "*"s from the password box and pasted it in winword to see if it shows my password :D lol.. I don't believe i actually did it!!!!!

Ich learne Deutsch!! I am learning German these days.. Its fun.. But the way we all make sentences is ......................amazing ;) I noticed that among the words that i have come across, pineapple is the only word that is same in both Hindi and German. Its called Ananas in both the languages. So I did lil research and found some information here Pineapple is called Ananas in so many languages!!

On monday, I was coming back from office in an auto. That autowala looked very sad. I dunno why i am writing this here, maybe coz its in my mind since then.

How can people change so much in just few months?? A friend seems to be someone else now. From someone i knew very well to someone-whom i don't know. I dunno if its good for her or not. Anywayz, itz her life!!

Engine- ambigram

2008-02-28T09:39:00.003-05:00

This one was easy to draw...

Happy-ambigram

2008-02-23T13:57:00.003-05:00

Life has come a full circle and I am........

Another ambigram by me...... :)

In case, you are wondering what an ambigram is, please read this and John Langdon's website

Yellow Roses...

2008-02-22T12:18:00.005-05:00

I love colours.. This one is an oil painting on canvas.. and it is almost 8 years old!! Hmmm.... I should start painting again... After all, painting is my first love :)

...

2008-02-20T09:36:00.001-05:00

Do you ever hear a song and feel that it is written for you?????

Everything in life happens for a reason..

2008-02-13T11:41:00.003-05:00

Sometimes we know the reason..
But sometimes we don't know what the reason is!
And many times a reason doesn’t have a reason to be understood!!
So in such a situation its better to keep quiet than to question! :)

The Zahir

2007-09-30T04:14:00.000-04:00

Yippee.... I finished reading another book by Paulo Coelho.. The Zahir.. Zahir means something or someone which, once we have come into contact with, gradually occupies our every thought. It can be considered either a state of holiness or of madness. The book has nice philosophy in it. I liked it a lot.

Loved the part where author compares himself to a cathedral. The story about circle of love is lovely. “No one should ever ask themselves that why am I unhappy.”— the paragraphs following this line are awesome. A part of the book does inspire to forget your past. I got a bit confused with the explanation of the acomodador part yet liked that too!!

The best part of the book is when he understands what Zahir actually means and writes a few examples from daily life to which we can easily relate.

Now, coming to its plot. I find a few things little ridiculous. According to him, he and his wife, Esther are happily married for 10 long years, having everything one can expect in life. Money, fame and above all, love. And then one day this supposed to be happily married lady leaves her husband without telling anything because she felt something was MISSING. So she herself goes missing!!!!

Now if you feel that something is missing in your life, should you face it, talk about it and try to find a solution, or should you just run away from it in peace, leaving the other person worrying for you. Is it that we don’t realize the worth of what we have till we lose it? And the husband, who claims to love his wife, falls in love with another woman, Marie. Initially it is because he wants to forget Esther. His “this” concept of “love” is beyond my level of understanding. Then he realises that Esther has become his Zahir, but did he think once that even he can be Marie’s Zahir. I was just wondering how the book would look like if Marie writes it in her words if she realises that he was her Zahir!!

Amazing work of philosophy.. Paulo is truly worth all the appreciation he gets..