Tomatoes, one of those people and pining

1. Pallavi emails to tell me about how her experiments with cooking turned out. Let me just quote her: well it was a decent meal though I realized that my rajma and paneer both turned out to have excess tomatoes!!! So it was an extremely tomaty (if that’s a word) dinner!!!! I like that word. Tomaty... hmmm...
2. In the same email, comes another statement. You're becoming like those people who go to Goa at least once a year, she tells me. Well, this is the second consecutive year... and I'm rather pleased about it! But next year, I'll go some place else.
3. Dipti is engaged and her fiance has gone off to the US. He'll only come back for the wedding now, which is to be held either in February or March. She sits at her desk looking all forlorn (and extremely funny) and says "How will I wait four months to see him?"

Love story, magic marbles and almost like being there

1. Soumitra comes over to spend the day with me. We have much to catch up on. Its lovely to see how highly he thinks of his fiancee. She's just too nice, he tells me, as he recounts her affectionate ways. And I think to myself, here's one lucky girl.
2. 'Magic Balls' - hard but tiny little balls, smaller than a sago grain, which when soaked in water, absorb it and grow big as marbles and look much the same - translucent, radiant and soft. But they're very different to the touch - slippery and slithery with all the water. Papa had bought some and they sit very prettily in a glass bowl on the dining table at home. I find a little boy selling packets of these on MG road and I can't resist buying one.
3. As I chat with Tanmoy, he keeps sending me pictures from his recent trip to Boston and tells me the story behind each picture and about all the people in the snaps. Its almost like he's just back from a trip and is showing me the pictures sitting by my side.

Mother's love, naturally in love and family time

1. I told mom yesterday, that the lady who sold me her face cream told me that I absolutely must buy it.. "your mom will love you if you get this for her!"... Mom uses it in the night and then tells me in the morning "my skin feels nice... I love you..."
2. The new Airtel ad with Madhavan and Vidya Balan in which the two play a couple who have to be in different cities for a while. The ad is very high on the awwww factor, they look so natural in love. Oh, and Madhavan looks like a dream...
3. Watching 3 back to back episodes of 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass se Tez Hain??' (the hindi version of 'Are you smarter than a fifth grader?') with everyone... its a lazy afternoon, mom dozes off, and Papa, Jui and me keep watching Shahrukh pull everyone's leg. And since we're not a family that watches its television quietly, its a good way to spend a summer afternoon.

Keeping score, kiss and walk

1. Natalie and Galit are laughing their heads off at some joke. Galit has been talking on the phone, and Natalie walks over to the white board, draws a vertical line and writes '1' on each side. She's keeping score between Galit and the person on the other side of the phone-line...
2. On the beach, a couple sits, laughing. The guy says something to the girl and and she leans over and kisses him.
3. The clean and crisp night air, and an invigorating walk from the beach back to hotel, breathing it in.

God is pleased to be in love with you

There is always excitement to see something new in the old and relief to see something old in the new. In the end it is all the same and new.

1. Pretty and pleased

Sitting pretty and pleased, among regular bagels there is a plate of strawberry pastry . Not bad when you are thinking of getting over with the breakfast routine as soon as possible.

2. Soul searching

Thats what the objective of my new work is. Something excites me deep inside and tells me to jump and get going.

3. Shrugging off the Old skin

During a heart to heart chat between me and a big guy, I am told there is a lot of value I bring to the table, but this is the time to move on. It feels strange and I have to use all my acting skills to keep a straight face (and not to give away a smile) - as I am told to shrugg off my old skin and given a hand to climb up in the 'food chain'. The slate is clean and bigger, I am expected write a pleasant story with new things, new people and a new place.

4. Oh God!

I feel funny about the meaning of life and death. I write it down.

5. Young and infectious

Neil Young rules the evening today. He excites me enough to write another poem.

6. Harvest Moon

The rythem just doesn't get out of my mind। Addictive like hell. Was just fooling around with YouTube when I came across this awesome song. Has been such a long time since I heard this one. Its by Neil Young and wow what a song.

The YouTube has a decent live version of this song.

Live Neil Young



Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin
We could dream this night away.

But theres a full moon risin
Lets go dancin in the light
We know where the musics playin
Lets go out and feel the night.

Because Im still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because Im still in love with you
On this harvest moon.

When we were strangers
I watched you from afar
When we were lovers
I loved you with all my heart.

But now its gettin late
And the moon is climbin high
I want to celebrate
See it shinin in your eye.

Because Im still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because Im still in love with you
On this harvest moon.

No interest in going back over the hills

Today was the 'going back' day. I revisited cooking and academics which seemed so interesting long back.

1. Moving forward back in time!

If some one told me in my MBA - that I would be working on a variety of finance topics with majority of time on Portfolio management related stuff, I would have said - 'Oh that should be interesting!'. And now when - I am supposed to do exactly that and for that I need to revisit all the academic routines - it seems so tough. But it was fun in a weird sense - I got all nostalgic about those competitive classrooms and the kind of rivalry we used to have amongst friends.

2. Renewal of the cooking account

Finally after days and probably a week of eating 'ready to eat' stuff- we are back to cooking healthy food again! Feels good to be back.


3. Over The Hills And Far Away

I will change the trend a bit in terms of the music 'supply'. I decided to write and refer to music, which is new to me. We will go back to the original format later.

No don't even think about Nightwish - this is not about them. This song is by one of the biggest and most influential bands to have lived on the planet - Led Zeppelin.

No I am not going to write about Kashmir or Whole lotta Love or Stairway to heaven or Song remains the same or... Immigrant song ... or....ok let me just stop and say - I put them at my fav. spot along with Pearl Jam (no still don't intend to compare Floyd here - they are not for comparison).

I must say you will rarely find so many influences in a single band - folk, funk, soul, blues, jazz, reggae .. you name it and they have it. On top of all of this - they managed to keep it hard hitting and rocking. Really creative... Plant used to live, feel, breathe, touch, die... in each of the songs and that's why I love Veddar or Chris Martin or Yorke. They have this quality of getting lost in the song.

This is a relatively a very simple (just the lyrics) and refreshing song - which I had not heard a lot of times. This is actually a radio classic and not a pub or bar favorite - if you know the difference. 6 string acoustic to start with - totally melodious and wow what a crescendo ... to give it a Led Zepp flavor.

I am sure even a non Led Zepp lover will fall in love with it. Well that's the key to radio classics ;-)

YouTube Video
Live in Seattle




Hey lady--you got the love I need
Maybe more than enough.
Oh darling... walk a while with me

Ooh, youve got so much...

Many times I loved
Many times been bitten
Many times Ive gazed
Along the open road.

Many times Ive lied
Many times Ive listened
Many times Ive wondered
How much there is to know.

Many dreams come true
And some have silver linings
I live for my dream
And a pocketful of gold.

Mellow is the man
Who knows what hes been missing
Many many men
Cant see the open road.

Many is a word
That only leaves you guessing
Guessing bout a thing
You really ought to know, ooh!
You really ought to know
I really ought to know!
Oooh, you know I should, you know I should, you know I should...

Dil ki kalam se

I finally get out of the house after 3 days. I feel much better now. Flu can be bad. Somehow I am reminded of the 'free' flu shot I got from from office. Wonder why it was free...hmmm...

1. Up up and away...

No I am no Superman. I just managed to go out of the house, feeling better and less clumsy. Feels good :-)

2. Men of Honor

Every time this movie comes- I am on it. This time too. Started watching from the middle- never left the couch after that. Awesome! I kinda identify with some of the parts of the movie.

3. 'Bullshiting'

That's the best and the fastest way to pass time.

For Ex-

Question to a former roomie (Mr. Dick) -

why do u want to send me a check - just find any BOFA branch and give it to the teller there. i will give u my account number. Yeh saala US mein interbank online transfers are not allowed kya???

A very Apt and relevant answer -

The monetary advancements in Iowa stopped with the landing of the Mayflower. We still use goat-liver and corn husk as currency.

Give me the address.

4. Phoolon ke rang Se

Rashmi is going to love this! Something she would appreciate fully :-)

I don't remember how many times I have sung this. Right from when the freshers day in first year of Engg to every time somebody had me in a tough spot - unavoidable 'have to sing' situation.

So many sweet memories attached to it. I used to falter on a beat - while changing paragraphs. Ray da and Saby da suggested me to stop breaking the breath and keep singing. So I had to practice catching a breath in between lines. That way - I stopped missing the beat.

I remember that freshers party me and Subhrangshu teamed up for a few songs. I am not sure, but I think he sang - a song from 1942 a Love Story. I think even Patty was on a group song - Chappa chaapa charkha chale. Back in college - I used feel like some singer or something. Singing every damn year. Phew! What was I thinking??!!

We had this stupid dress code for the day. I was wearing a Green sweater - with nothing underneath it, a white bandana, jeans and sneakers. Looked really sloppy. Singing with everything I had- never sang on the stage before. Ray da - I must confess, after all these years - I was nervous! :-) The crowd was hooting every performance, but somehow - they spared me. Maybe I looked really miserable - and scored high on pity. Fortunately there were no girls in the program! A skinny, I mean really skinny, specky boy- getting all emotional while singing. That was ages back!

A good start to the 'Best 4 years of my life'...

YouTube Video

Phoolon Ke Rang Se Dil Ki Kalam Se Tujhko Likhi Roz Paati
Kaise Bataaoon Kis Kis Tarah Se Pal Pal Mujhe Tu Sataati
Tere Hi Sapne Lekar Ke Soya Teri Hi Yaadon Mein Jaaga
Tere Khayaalon Mein Uljha Raha Yoon Jaise Ki Maala Mein Dhaaga
Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Humein Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar

Sanson Ki Sargam Dhadkan Ki Beena Sapnon Ki Geetanjali Tu
Man Ki Gali Mein Mehke Jo Hardum Aisi Juhi Ki Kali Tu
Chhota Safar Ho Lamba Safar Ho Sooni Dagar Ho Ya Mela
Yaad Tu Aaye Man Ho Jaaye Bheed Ke Beech Akela
Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Humein Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar

Purab Ho Paschim Uttar Ho Dakshin Tu Har Jagah Muskuraye
Jitna Hi Jaoon Main Door Tujhse Utni Hi Tu Paas Aaye
Aandhi Ne Roka Pani Ne Toka Duniya Ne Hanskar Pukara
Tasveer Teri Lekin Liye Main Kar Aaya Sab Se Kinara
Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hume Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar
Kayi Kayi Baar
Kayi Kayi Baar

Amazing lyrics! One of the best ...