Bombay Diaries - Day 36

Home all day. Harry pottered. (Have bought excellent copies of all 5 movies).

Visited parents at their new abode in Vashi. Desperately tried to make fun plans for 31st December.

Prepared to go to Pune to pick up sister.

Quote for the Day -

When you're getting ready to launch into space, you're sitting on a big explosion waiting to happen.
Sally Ride

Bombay Diaries - Day 35

Last day with Karen and Brad. Dropped them off on their bus to Goa and then met up with some friends from college and Neville. Surprise in store.

Ps: Great music at Toto's.

Bombay Diaries - Day 34

Karen and Brad packing and moving luggage to Colaba. Very long cab ride. Very hot Bombay.

Saw Taare Zameer Par. Liked it quite.

Bus ride on Marine Drive that takes breath away and swells heart with immense love for Bombay. Walk on Chowpatty. Teaching Brad and Karen to say things like - Akela chhodo to harassing vendors trying to get us to take a foot massage. On chowpatty? Really.

Nice dinner at another discovered Parsi cafe/bar. Surprised to find that it's veg. First ever Parsi veg restaurant. Um....

Back home and stayed up really late and finished Return of the King. My precious.
Must admit the Murakami book am reading - Kafka on the Shore - is so surreal and haunting, that I'm almost a little afraid of going to sleep and meeting my dreams. Honestly.

Bombay Diaries - Day 33

Hangover. Hangover.

Spinning in my pillow.

I woke up, and felt happy. I was proud to have the hangover. (Had really expected to do nothing grander on Christmas except watch the Lord of the Rings) but wow... instead I had two invitations, and 4 bottles of wine -shared with various others.

I decided I should enjoy this sensation of the hangover. I walked around the house, stumbling and bumping into things. But a while later, I was ready to not desire any alchohol for the next...
three days.

We picked up Karen at the airport, was great to see her, and it was dawning on me that my month here and work with Brad was coming to an end... Hyderabad was calling.

We went to Landmark (the super book store) and I bought some more Terry Pratchett, and Haruki Murakami, and moved closer to being supremely broke. But I have to own every single Murakami soon.

Oh, and my Christmas gift from Karen and Brad was a professional pin-hole kit. A real proper pin-hole.

Bombay Diaries - Day 32

Three days since my last post. But, its easy to manipulate and use my cyber powers to fix that time gap. Watch!

Christmas day was fabulously unexpectedly fabulous. We got invited to Mel's for a traditional Christmas lunch. So there we went, armed with a nice Sula white wine, and met Mel's family and of course, the wife (pregnant Simrat) and Michelle, and brownie, who attempted, successfully, to yank my arm off while biting it. But the wine was so heady, I didn't notice.

We got back home, and planned to finish off the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Halfway through the second movie, Santa struck again, and Audrey invited us downstairs for another fabulous family dinner. We got fed all over again. Over more wine. And then came back home with more wine, and played poker with Audrey till 4:00am.

Had no idea that I'd wake up the next morning with the first powerful hangover in all this time in Bombay, but I did.

Bombay Diaries - Day 31

One month since I got to Mumbai. Incredible! And oh, Merry Christmas.

Today was a brilliant over-dose of Fantasy-Epic movies.

We saw:
1. Star Wars -Return of the Jedi
2. Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Very satisfying.

Looking forward to the week coming up - last days of freeeeedom before I'm back at Google as corporate slave.

Bombay Diaries - Day 30

Day in Pune. Hung out some more with the family. Was supposed to be back in Bombay in time for a Split gig at a college festival, but it was so easy to just be at home in Pune, that I left really late. Saw half of Ratatouille.

The whole bus ride I was anxious about if I would make it in time for the gig - and ultimately, I didn't. By the time Brad and I got there, they'd finished. Missed the performance by about 45 minutes. Apparently, it was a good show, and they got a great response. Saw Garreth get surrounded and admired by loads of people - just going up to him to say, great show, great voice, awesome songs!

After that, we dunked into the closest bar we could find, and had a nice long evening with a interesting mix of conversations - (Split, Himesh Reshamya, Experimental Cinema, Blue Frog, money, patents, sex, cops, getting arrested, chicken, Christmas and so on). Split has a fair number of gigs coming up.

Finally, we got dropped home in Nigel's brand new car (an arctic white Swift).

When I spend evenings out with the boys, that's when I feel really sad about being in Hyderabad, and missing all the action when I'm away. But then again, I can't have it all.

Bombay Diaries - Day 29

Fabulous day. Headed out early in the morning, and got onto a bus to Pune, (annoying bit in the bus where I had to endure Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi, and lyrics that went - jab tak samose mein hai alu, tab tak tu rahegi meri Shalu.) I was trying to catch some sleep.

Was great to see the family - the grandparents, cousin, aunt, sister, and uncle. The mission of the day was the wedding I was here to attend - of my classmate Devika. She was probably my only good friend in college, and I really wanted to see her at her wedding.

It was weird - I sat there eating the awesome maharashtrian food, and staring at her, all so grown up and gorgeous, with the red bangles in her hands, and the red sindoor on her forehead. I could hear her voice in my head - I always really admired her style of talking, and her intellect. And her laughter - she was also a very fun girl, besides topping each year, and finally the university exams, and also bagging the best job offer.

Really nice to be there, and felt weird that my classmates are now getting married.

Pune is a lovely city. We were out for an hour or so before the wedding, and I was trying to absorb as much of Pune as I could - so many cool young people on the streets, and such a lively city! And boy, its nice and chilly here, I'm cuddled up as I write this, and thoroughly glad to be away from the sticky Bombay I left behind (and am going back to tomorrow.)

Oh, and Julie, our adorable little doggy, is playful again (the last time I was here, she'd had this bout of imaginary pregnancy, and then she doesn't allow anyone near her, or to play with her.)
She's perfectly adorable again - wriggling around for attention. She's also jealous if anyone else gets affection. When I'm hugging or kissing my baby sister, Julie wants part of the hugging too, and paws around, jumping to get in and get her share. Crazy doggy.

Anyway, tomorrow is a long day - journey back to Bombay, and Split gig.

PS: Brad wasn't around today, he'd stayed back in Bombay for a teaching session at KC college, and some friends. Was strange not having him around, and not having to work. I know am going to miss it all.

Bombay Diaries - Day 28

Last day of shoot. (We may do some more, hopefully), but weird that it's over. What? I have to go back to work?? Today we filmed with Aviv (of Split) pretty much what we filmed with Nigel the other day.

Also, saw Sholay finally. Had completely wanted Brad to see this film, and he enjoyed it. Jai and Veeru and Gabbar and Basanti and Thakur. Of course, with English Subtitles on. I was surprised the subtitles were so good... nearly did great justice to the excellent script.

(Moser Baer has come out with this excellent series of DVD releases of loads of movies, also TV serials, etc, for excellent prices and fabulous quality. The Sholay DVD cost us Rs 39/- with very neat packaging.) Must buy more.

Anyway, Christmassy feeling is all around. The decorations are up, and bars are opening up all night. The unfortunate part is this sudden, horrid bit of humidity that has crept in from somewhere, and its really unlike Bombay weather in December. I hope it wears off soon - like now.

We met up with some more London friends of Brad's who're in town, on their way to Goa, and had a nice Indian dinner. And then some beer.

Took the late night train back home, and realized it was probably our last late night train for this season, and that was really sad. That's the most comfortable commuting time in Bombay! Well, hopefully we'll be doing more of this again...

I shouldn't be here now. I am to leave for Pune early tomorrow morning, and I haven't even begun planning, forget packing. I seem to get worse with each travel. Will see the baby sister tomorrow, and the cousins. And of course, the friend from college who's getting married! I'm debating if I need to take my laptop to Pune... and obviously I don't, but its crazy how attached to technology we are.

Anyway, back to some packing, and my lovely new Haruki Murakami book - Kafka on the Shore.

Bombay Diaries - Day 27

Hmm.. Someone I'd requested to help us today, didn't turn up. Very disappointing.

But otherwise, fairly nice day. Woke up strangely early and chirpy (after an early night last night) and headed out to meet Ms. Pooja Shah - the girl I'm friends with because she read Harry Potter. Yes, those were the days when my criterion for friendship was sternly clear. We spent a whole summer together, hating Math class, and glad to be Potter buddies.

Bought more books today - another Haruki Murakami (totally love the guy) and some classics, that I hope I ever read.

Was back in time for the supposed shoot - which didn't happen due to aforementioned ditch by friend.

Then went out to eat greasy burgers, and I met Khushnuma - ancient school friend, and soon to be Doctor! Complete sweetheart and awesome-est person. That's her and I.

Topped the evening off with some more Star Wars, and staying online with nothing to do. Very nice.

Though, truth remains, I'm amazed by how quickly time has passed and its almost time to go back to Hyd. Next week, is party time.

Bombay Diaries - Day 26

Lazy day.
Filmed Nigel - that was funny.
Took him out to dinner and drinks.

Books finished reading in the past 2 days:

1. Terry Pratchett - Equal Rites (4 stars on 5)
2. After the quake - Short stories by Haruki Murakami (4 stars on 5 again)

Bombay Diaries - Day 25

Today's events cannot be shared with you.

Except:
I went to Blue Frog for a peekaboo and a chat.
I had an ice lolly. Orange.

Quote for the day:

Mel says the internet is virtual - Sai
Mel also says that he's the 8th wonder of the world. - Kalhan.
(Mel then goes on to call Kalhan names that I can't repeat. )

Bombay Diaries - Day 24

Really hot day. Drained us out. Got pinhole photography results - really very, very interesting. Amazing, in fact.

Went to Colaba. Had the evening off so met college dost Maliha for a bit and then went off to meet Rohan Korde, sweetheart + mentor, at Ogilvy. Where bumped into various classmates and acquaintances. Then Mel called about an interview tomorrow (God help us all) and finalement, we went drinking to a newly discovered shady bar called - Ambience.

We (Mellund, Rohan and I) talked and laughed - about BlueFrog, Garreth cursing people at 2:00am when they were bursting crackers and he was drunk, and funny names.

New names we discussed:
Phatu.
Clitus.
Clitoria.
And Innocent.
And Immaculate Conception. Yes, a name of a human being.

Bombay Diaries - Day 23

Sunday. Sleep day. Family day. Home cooked food day. Asking questions to self day. Reading Terry Pratchett day. Absolutely fabulously lazy day.

Quote for the day:
For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks.

-- Terry Pratchett, Equal Rites

Bombay Diaries - Day 22

I don't know what to call today. A disaster day, it seemed to be, but looking back, it was not bad at all.

It all began with Brad's breakfast going terribly wrong, and we laughed and said... today is not your day! And those words came alive.

We got caught in a first class train compartment, with second class passes.

We generally never get into first class - I'm well aware of the lurking danger of a ticket checker. But today we had a lunch date, and we just had to get on this train... second class looked really uncomfortable, and frankly impossible, so we popped onto first class.

At the next station, Brad suggested we get off and get onto the second class. I, shook my head and indicated that it was ok to stay here. I honestly didn't fathom a TC getting on. I carefully looked at everyone boarding the train at Bandra. None looked like a TC. I was relived. The train jerked to start moving, and one person jumped on. He was wearing the black coat of a Ticket Collector. I couldn't believe it. He looked straight at me, saw my expression of complete horror, and his face lit up.

We were, for 5 whole minutes, the amusement and diffused center of attention in our compartment. We paid our fine. And completely agreed that it was bad luck day.

Lunch was good. We planned to see a movie after, and I felt quite sure that we wouldn't get tickets... but we did... and we saw Will Smith in I Am Legend.

Man, the film chilled me to death, and was quite horrific. And we left the cinema quite affected... And laughed at - well we got the tickets, but what a horrific movie to choose today!

Two hours later, however, we were recommending to friends to see the film.

The final blow of the day was when we went to the hotel Brad is to use when I leave Bombay, and wanted to check into today, for one night, and he couldn't. He was asked for his passport, and visa and the manager was horribly rude, so we canceled all bookings, which really was quite upsetting.

This post doesn't do a fair tribute to the great effectiveness and potency of these misfortunes. But we were honestly amazed by its persistence through the day. And although, of course, it really wasn't that bad, but it did affect our psychology all through.

The evening, however, ended well enough. We went to Bandra to participate in the Batti Bandh drive (where we're encouraged to put of all electricity in our homes from 7:30pm to 8:30pm) and where a few artists were performing - without any use of electricity of course.

Garreth did his first solo performance, and it was nice. Mel was there too, with Blue Frog artists - Sha'air and Funk.

After that, we went off to my favourite shady bar - Janta - and had a great alcoholic filled long evening. Mel and I managed to have a long discussing where he's asked me pressing questions about my future - some options he has, and what I want to do. It's difficult, but I have to answer him soon.

I guess I just need to calmly think it over, and make a choice. One way, or the other. Lucky I am, to have these choices.

Bombay Diaries - Day 21

Today was interesting. (That seems to be everyone's favorite word these days. Interesting.)

We wanted to go up North Bombay today. Really north to the suburbs, and we got onto a train and went all the way up to the end of the line. 40 kms from home. Got a rickshaw, and he took us around to the beach some 10 km away, and we filmed at a lovely little village around there. It was amazing to get such a nice peaceful reaction from the villagers. They looked, but just let us be. Didn't crowd around or ask silly questions.

After that, we stopped at the some salt pans, and were going about our business peacefully, when a nosy busybody came over and asked us silly questions. In a very annoyingly arrogant manner. We really couldn't understand what could possibly be bothering him, and when Brad firmly expressed that he wasn't going to back off, this chap backed off, and shuffled off.

After that, we came back home, rested and then set off for a nice social evening where we met Brad's friends who've just flown into India, and are heading off on a rather unplanned holiday in the south of India. I was quite concerned about them - just imagining them having to manage so much alone! But I guess that's that part about being a tourist, and well, they'll manage I know. We had a nice Indian dinner. (veg)

We also met another couple of friends who're Bombay based filmmakers. Had an interesting couple of beers, before we left to catch the last train to leave Churchgate. 12:50am.

Which brings our grand total of kilometers travelled today to: 170km.

Fantastico.

Tomorrow is weekend. Seems packed. Breakfast date. Lunch date. Post lunch date. And evening concert at Bandra to attend. (Garreth's first ever solo performance.)

Quote for the day - He had a really bad vocabulary.

Nigel, while describing someone's poor singing skills. Not enlightening in the least, this quote, however, it will serve to provide me with a laugh some 3 years hence. Thank you for your co-operation.

Bombay Diaries - Day 20

Dull day. We seemed to have been hit by blues and lows... Guess all that beer, and high energy of the past 2 weeks had to dip for a bit. I feel miserable and sluggy.

Anyway, didn't really get much work done, some errands and a couple of shots.

Discovered the lovely Universal Cafe at Fort. Stuffed ourselves with sizzlers and then went to the in-the-closet DVD shop we visit... I found the long loved and looked for Oliver! and we bought a few more DVDs.

Christmas plan looks like a day-in with back to back movies - Lord of the Rings, and more. Possibly Sholay. Glad the weekend's nearly here.

Anyway, that's all folks.

Bombay Diaries - Day 19

Day nineteen!?

Today, after waking up late again (strangely, I'm not enjoying these odd hours of sleeping and waking - it's quite horrid to wake up at nearly noon and find half your day gone), I lazed about some more, and then found that Shammi (exboyfriend) was visiting. Had been hoping to buy some weed off him, and also rope him into a performance based experiment we want to shoot. Was nice to see him again, after ages.

After that we went to Bombay's best bookstore - Landmark - and bought books. I bought 2 Haruki Murakami s and 1 Terry Pratchett book. Very nice feeling... and oh boy, what a great bookstore + movies + music. It's hard to resist buying everything.

Our shoot for the day was at Andheri Railway Station, at 7:00 pm. It took us exactly 5 minutes to finish. I had to look out for cops, and read a newspaper, trying to hide Brad while he shot off the railway bridge. Was glad to have this shoot finished off, we'd been talking about it for ages.

Finally, the exciting part of the evening was heading off to Blue Frog's opening night.

Blue Frog is the company Mel works for. It's a -
1. Record Label
2. Recording Studio
3. Production House
4. Club

The club opened tonight, and they've promised to have a live act every single night. No easy feat, that. Mel was there of course, and so was Kalhan, a crazy kid who's doing a month long internship with Blue Frog.

Hmm. Nice place, this club. Fancy decor. Really fancy. Expensive bar. Big nice performance area. Funky video screens overhead. Nice wooden roof beams. And boy, the crowd tonight - utterly the really rich. So many hot women! And the regular rich people. I couldn't help but want to eavsdrop on their conversations, and keep looking around at them. So many of them. A whole different breed, these rich humans.

There were two live acts. Chromosome i (jazz band I could take about 10.2 minutes of) and Shaa'ir and Funk.

Hot chick she was, Shaa'ir. But, still all together quite too much upper class for me to deal with. We left, and caught the latest local train I've ever taken. (1.06 am).

Quote for the day from a song of the minute -
I don't want to sit across the table from you wishing I could run. -- Love you madly by Cake.

Bombay Diaries - Day 18

Short day. Woke up terribly sleepy, due to the fact that I was up blogging at 3:00 am, like I am right now.

Brad's second session of pin hole camera experiments (conducted while I was away biking) proved to be much more successful. We only got around 12 photos out of 2 whole rolls of film, but a few of them are amazing. I really am thoroughly thrilled about having discovered this, and will take it up full time. Pinhole photography. And my camera is really a matchbox.

We filmed a bit at Bombay Central station, and had a disastrously junk-foody breakfast and lunch. I think I'm getting fat.

Then found that we had nothing to do all evening, and decided to rent films and watch some. Shamefully, couldnt find a decent place to rent films - all we really wanted to do was see the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and it proved impossible to get a nice copy of any of the films. I was sad, but then... there was beer, and we finally watched Star Wars. That was complete fun.

We saw two movies (The Last Hope, and The Empire Strikes Back) back to back, but then, the beer got the better of us and I fell asleep in towards the end of the the second film. Woke up some 45 minutes later, and decided it was time to go to bed. And then of course, came online.

Cool thing to learn for the day: About Lighthouses.

Bombay Diaries - Day 17

Today was a great day. Successful shoots, one that I was quite worried about.

We filmed, undercover, in a train. As easy as it may sound, its not easy to hide a camera, in a bag and place it in a train where people are always expecting a bomb in any bag unattended. You can hide the camera, but the lens is always pointing somewhere.

But, well, we succeeded. We were nervous the whole trip and had to plan it very carefully. I had a dozen stories ready on my lips if anyone pointed out the camera or made a noise.

The most interesting part was, that we were sure that at least 2 people looked directly into the lens, and of course, probably recognized it to be a camera. But didn't say a thing. I guess it's not easy for someone to make a noise and as Brad put it - break social conventions. Thank God.

We had a celebratory fancy dinner in a really nice restaurant in Bandra. Silly love songs, beer, a Goa type setting, and excellent food. Place called Out of the Blue.

We still had some late night filming to do. And this time, Brad let me shoot. Was an interesting experiment, though its not right for me to describe it online. We also got shooed at by a cinema guard who thought we were filming his cinema and I easily lied and told him that the camera was not even running. Its strange what being a film maker requires you to do, to get your content.

But I have to keep making up stories. Like, when asked why we were randomly filming a inconsequential little lane in the middle of the night, I had to say that Brad was teaching me to use the camera. They still didn't think we were perfectly sane, but didn't ask us any more questions.

Nice day. So far, my favourite rolls of film filmed.

Bombay Diaries - Day 16

Monday, back from the ride, and have to be ready to hit work. Brad had picked up the pin-hole camera film rolls yesterday, but the results of our first trial experiment were not very exciting. Mine had some images, but there was a fair bit going really off exposure. More experiments due soon.

We had a heavy day of shoot planned. The hexagon shoot. Six locations. Picked off a map. In the shape of a hexagon.

Was interesting, loads of reactions / interactions with people on the street. I had to make up all kinds of stories - we're doing a location shoot for a TV serial, news, etc. At this one place, an old lady who lived in the tiny gulley where we were shooting asked me what we were doing, and I had to explain to her that we were doing a location shoot for a TV serial, and that if my boss liked these pictures, we would shoot a TV serial session there. She got so thrilled that I felt almost guilty. She went around happily yelping to anyone who'd listen - shooting hai, shooting hai.. and something about Shah Rukh Khan coming over! I just had to smile and politely accept the glass of water she gave me, secretly praying that it was safe to drink.

Its also been fun to be back on the streets, eating vada pav and anything I can find, whenever I want. That's something I've really missed in hyd.

Oh, at one of the points we filmed at, a young kid, the witty / cocky kinds, kept walking bravely in and out of the camera frame, but also dismissed us with a casual - arrey, who cares what they're shooting, someone or the other is always shooting something.

Was fun. Then went to a fancy mall and blew up money. I'm really shamefully impulsive.

Bombay Diaries - Day 14 & Day 15 -Travel Log

Woohooo. Am back from the ride. My internet had conked off, so I wasn't able to get online the past 3 days. But I can still adjust my blog post settings to pretend that I blogged on time. Weird, like playing games with time.

Anyway. Garreth, Edwin and I met up at 6:30am on Friday morning, and pulled out Outlook's 52 Weekend Getaways and looked it over. Finally, Edwin mentioned that he's been meaning to go to Murud-Janjira for a long while. Looked at it, pictures looked amazing (a gorgeous blue sea beach, with a fort in the sea!) and we set off.

The ride was amazing. I felt so liberated to be on the bike again, clear blue sky, and wind keeping us cool. I took a zillion pictures while we were riding. It was quite nostalgic too, coz it was the same route Gary and I had taken last June when we rode down to Goa.

Reached Kashid at noon, grabbed hammocks, coconut water, and plonked for a rest. Kashid is a sweet little beach a little further south of Alibaug, on the coastal highway in the konkan area of Maharashtra. Murud-Janjira are some 25 km further south of Kashid.

We checked in at The Shacks, and went off to lunch at the highly recommended Patil's Khanaval. For fish and beer. And meowing cats. It was great to eat fish after ages of being in the un-fish-friendly Hyderabad.

The evening we tried to visit the fort, but were too late, and so rode around to the top of a hill, climbed up and saw the sun set. After that, we rode into the little village /town, bought random things like soap, toothpaste, and a pack of cards, and of course, a whole assortment of beer. Played cards (rummy) until dinner time.

After a nice sea side dinner, where Edwin tried his best to scare me with 'supernatural' stories, lucky Garreth was around with his obvious scorn for anything unnatural, I absolutely insisted we go for a walk.

And this is when.. it began.

The uncanny resemblance to a Famous Five setting, straight out of Enid Blyton's book.

A beach (with dogs). 2 island forts. 2 glorious lighthouses.

Let me describe the scene. Jal Jeera (now called Janjira) was a fort build by Africans, and is called the unconquered fort, because Shivaji (or anyone) never managed to capture it. But, on an island nearby, Shivaji's son built another replicate fort (which is now quite in tatters.)

So this Shivaji's son's fort, is restricted. Used by the government for no body knows what.
Garreth said he was sure the ministers used it to have sex whenever the wanted to. But I was happier imagining some secret undercover operations, which hopefully involved pulling treasure out of the sea.

Ya, so that was Enid Blyton enough, and then we saw the fantastically strong light beam of the lighthouses. Sweeping across the sea. Wow, stunning. We were so mesmerized, and marveled at how it worked. Finally, Edwin pulled out his fancy phone and we Googled it and read about lighthouses and their fascinating source of light. The most interesting fact was that there are only about 1500 functioning lighthouses left in the world, and there there were two, right in front of us. And the stars on the crazy black velvet night were stunning. Except for the fact that there was no moon and Edwin kept trying to scare me.

We got back, played more rummy and drank more beer. And woke up the next day and headed off to see the fort. Took a sweet sailboat, on which we were seduced by the sailor(?) to take him on as guide and be toured around the fort. Nice job. Nice fort. Pics here.

Ride back was nice. Cool, airy, and ass soring. But totally worth it.

Think that

This is a ‘heavy’ moment. Emotional, I mean. I’m just back from a wedding. I’m slightly high on whisky. I’ve met Mel today, for the first time, since being in Bombay for nearly 2 weeks. I can’t comprehend my immense love and admiration for him. I’m listening to Pink Floyd. And I was nearly in tears a minute back with a terrific ache for my beloved lost camera. What did I do to deserve to lose it? And how much longer do I have to wait to get a new camera?

Coming back to life.

The past 2 days, it has slowly dawned on me, have been full of conversations and exposures that are giving me a great insight and direction about what I should be doing with my life.

When I’m talking to Brad about what his life and work is like in London, it seems to me, that it would be so difficult to replicate and create that energy and work and interest and circuit here, in India or Bombay even. Of concepts and intellectual spaces and arts revolving around them.

But yesterday, in one of our conversations, Brad said something, that shook me, and hit me, as I mentioned before, a pure moment of truth. About only me, but still.

He was telling me stories about New York and a music concert he’d attended, and people he knew, and I said that I was so frustrated about how much I was missing out… my life here seems so … pointless and vacant. And Brad said, ‘You could be in New York, and still missing it all out. It’s not easy to know what’s happening, even about things that interest you.’

And I wondered, but I realized it’s true. There’s so much probably happening, that I don’t have the remotest idea about. And things that I would probably love to be aware of, but am not.

When Brad was talking to the boys a couple of days ago, when we went out drinking, he told them, that it was important for them to have a strategy. To get them to where they wanted to. He said it was terribly important that people know that they performed somewhere, rather than people attending the shows. It’s all about the buzz and the talk. That’s the only way to gather around you an energy of people who like and admire and are interested in what you do.

It makes sense.

I’m still terribly vague in my head about where I really want to go.

But, to complete this interesting progression in my mind, this revealing circle of ideas and moments of pure truth - today, at the wedding I met someone who sort of gave me a complete spark to confirm what I’m thinking really makes sense.

Anuja Ghosalkar. Known her since my college days with being president of the film club. She teaches the film course at a college in Bombay, and along with that, has worked on quite a few research papers about film (its history, etc) and is now curating festivals, and incidentally mentioned experimental and conceptual art, which is so close to what I’ve been exposed to through Brad, that it was amazing to hear it from someone in Bombay, and based in Bombay.

We spoke a bit, and she was thoroughly kicked about Google Maps, and its super potential.

I’m glad another person agrees that Google is a great place for me to be right now, and my time with film will come, and this time with Google, will prove (possibly, and hopefully) to give me an interesting road to film, eventually.

I’m game for that.

Anyway, Pink Floyd is so calming now, and I have a early morning bike ride to be ready for.

Nice. We still don’t know where we’re riding to. Will be referring to a road guide in the morning, and then decide which way we want to steer towards. Sounds right, that does. Pretty much the way I go through life.

Bombay Diaries - Day 13

Well, today was light shoot day. We woke late, after the late night shoot last night, I had some errands to do, and to plan out my evening – wedding to attend, and two day vacation biking.

We were to head off to Worli to film by the sea, but instead landed up following an incredibly large number of people walking to Shivaji Park to celebrate the 51^st death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Such a fantastic, peaceful mass of thousands of people. We filmed a whole roll there.

Finally, headed back to Andheri, grabbed greasy MacDonalds burgers, and then came home to allow me to ‘beautify’ myself, as Brad put it. Found that my ancient desktop’s monitor’s blown off. Either really the monitor, or its power supply. I wont know for a couple of days now what things are like.

Anyway, glad for the break. Now, time for bed. Riding tomorrow!

PS: Wedding was great. Met the boys, and Michelle, and Simrat, finally. There wasn't any alcohol served at the wedding, so we bought some and mixed it under the table. Was fun, coz we tried to keep it as secret at possible, and then were silly enough to give it away by loudly clinking cheers all together. I wore a skirt.

Bombay Diaries - Day 12

I really don't feel like blogging tonight. But, forcing 3 lines.

We saw Beowulf.
Did loads of errands.
Am going riding with some friends to Udvada on Friday - Saturday.

Quote for the day - None.

Bombay Diaries - Day 11

Its 3:00 am. I'm intoxicated.

We went to Chor bazaar today. I shot a whole film roll on my pin hole camera. Completely looking forward to the results of that.

That took nearly all day - buying postcards at chor bazaar, and pin hole photography. Finally, back home, and then left for the long journey to the outskirts of Bombay - Thane, for band practice.

It was great to see the boys again, and go out drinking and cursing with them. Mel didn't make it though, Blue Frog keeps him busy. Split is great- loads of new music, and the crazy spirit going strong.

And then we filmed some on the streets between 1:30 am to 2:30 am.

Good night.

Bombay Diaries - Day 10

Week 2!
Today was fun. We had to stalk cops. Take photos of cops on the round, obviously without them knowing. Have never done anything of the sort, and it was fun... would have been easy, if we didn't stand out so much. Brad, for being white. And me, with red hair and wide hat, and a fancy looking digi cam dangling around my neck.

Well, we got roasted in the really hot Bandra sun all afternoon, but it was superfun. We took turns following the cops, and while one was photographing, the other would follow a bit way off. Our cops, we discovered, don't step out too much. They step out of their stations, to do one of the following tasks:
1. buy paan.
2. buy newspapers.
3. take a bus home.
4. buy wada pav.
5. stop at their local fruit seller and gossip.
6. wave at random passers-by.
And then go back inside. No beat-walk. No checks. Anyway, it wasn't like there weren't any cops. They were just lazy, and chilled out.

Also experimented with pin hole camera. This is what it looks like:


And this is what it took to make them (we made two):


Disaster of the day:
Brad dropped the camera. The new Nikon D40x. When I picked it up and looked, my heart nearly stopped. Glass pieces, splinters. But, only the external filter we'd fixed was broken. Lucky we'd fixed it. The camera is ok.

Persons I missed today -
Karen Mirza of no.w.here.
And Mr. Poopoo.

Quote for the day:
Sex, without love, is an empty gesture. But, as empty gestures go, it is one of the best.
- Woody Allen.

Song for the day:
Promiscuous Girl - Nelly Furtado. Yea.

Bombay Diaries - Day 9

Day nine. Sunday. My day off, but barely any progress, socially.

Started off lazy enough, with two plans to meet girlfriends, that just didn't work out, and after that decided to head off to Bandra to buy tickets for the night show of Beowulf.

Enter Agent N, who insists that I'm stupid if i don't buy tickets online, and I buy his argument, and buy tickets online. Of course, after I've paid for the tickets, I realize that they aren't good seats, and aren't at a good time, and not at a cinema I'm keen to go to. I feel really stupid. Feeling utterly frustrated, I head out for some urgent errands, still contemplating if I should forgo these tickets and try and book the Bandra cinema. But, then, I cool off, and decide to go for this show anyway.

Head back home, realize we have to be at the cinema in half an hour. The journey would usually take 40 minutes. I despair again, and rush Brad to get ready, rush the rickshaw to get us there, and when we arrive, (around 7 minutes late) and I try to get the tickets I've paid for online already, I am told that there are no tickets for me. 5 minutes of oh this can't be happening, and I finally heed to the little voice in my head that says, I think we're at the wrong cinema. Correct, little voice in my head. We were at the wrong 'Cinemax'.

The moment of misery stretched. We decided we should go back home. Suddenly, felt better. Realized there was so much to do, and we felt like we had an unexpected free evening. Went to my favourite local shady bar, and then went home to work on project Pin Hole Camera.

After gathering all our material: beer can (really), matchbox, film, black electrical tape, and sand paper, we were ready to go.

We started at 10:00 and were finished by 1:30 am. Two beautiful, incredible pin hole cameras. Photos soon. Packed week ahead.

Quote for the day:
Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats.
- Howard Aiken

Bombay Diaries - Day 8

Saturday. Day off.

Dear old Krishnaswamy was in town, and could manage to meet me for lunch. So, it was up to me to decide where we'd go.

I looked up Google Maps and picked out Tamba Handi (just because the name was interesting) and I thought I knew the way. One hour in traffic, and we were still in the rics. Brad and I, without breakfast, and Nangaswamy chattering on about philosophy and art.

I was losing hope, and feeling miserable about Google Maps letting me down, but after a phone call to a friend who lived nearby, and another 15 minute detour, we found the place.

It wasnt what I expected, full of noisy teenage kids smoking hookah and causing a huge ruckus. But, we had a nice time. Brad and Swamy got along capital. With their Brit accents, and me giggling at them.

After that, the agenda for us was to head to Chor bazaar again (we still have some unfinished business) and then go to Bandra for an interesting project by some Indian artist friends' of Brad.
Swamy joined us at Chor Bazaar. We looked up a crammed up store with all kinds of trinkets. Looking for post cards. Old used ones. Found some.. Rs 175 each!

But, oh God, what an wierd experience, reading those post cards. From people around the world, writing to their friends in India. 1914! 1922! Love letters, and the words themselves took you back a century. I was most affected when I read a post card addressed to someone in St. Xavier's College Bombay. Calligraphic script. Talking about pot, and girls! In 1922. And the street where St. Xavier's College now it, wasn't even called what it is now. It had a real snazzy name...

We'll be going back next week for the post cards. Who would think a post card you write today will cost someone probably Rs 500 in 50 years.

Anyway, Swamy soon left, and we wandered around in the Bombay Central area, taking photos and recording street sounds. And then head off to Carter Road, Bandra, for the interesting project.

It was really neat. A kiosk put up on Carter Road, with a touch screen monitor. The kiosk had also, a control board, with gave wireless signals to light switches to around 10 points on the streets. For example, the window to someone's house in the building 50 feet away. And the light in that window would turn on and off - controlled by someone touching that touchscreen monitor. Also, videos and photos of those points, and a mic and radio connecting sound. A bit complicated to explain at 3:00 am, but wooo... new engaging experiments by Indian Artists. Excellent.

Finally, we went to dinner to another restaurant I've never tired but just looked interesting - Grill and Toss, off Carter Road.

And then, back home, for pin hole photography preparation, and a few brilliant rounds of poker and beer. And Jim Morrison.

Quote for the day?

The commonest mistake in history is underestimating your opponent; it happens at the poker table all the time. ~David Shoup

Your best chance to get a Royal Flush in a casino is in the bathroom. ~V.P. Pappy

Bombay Diaries - Day 7

Today was a mixed day. Went off to Chor Bazaar (late -thanks to me) and then realized it was Friday, and everything would be nearly shut. But, still we went ahead and went there, and found that there was a special market on. The regular shops were shut, and these crazy sellers had spread their wares in front of these shops, on the ground, of the already very narrow lanes. Chor bazaar is crazy. Always.
They were selling the oddest bunch of things. Old, unusable bits of film, rusty paintbrushes, stolen Nokia phone chargers, stolen car radios, dusty lanterns, and everything else since the time of the Flintstones.

Then we went off to Colaba (again) and met up with my photography professor, David DSouza, who I hadn't met in years. We spoke to him about a couple of experiments we have in mind, one of them involving a pin hole camera. He showed us an excellent example of a pin hole camera, made out of a matchbox. We're hoping to work that one out.

After that, off to Bandra to look up a place to rent for Brad. At Pali Hill. Nice posh place, where the landlady did a good job of trying to seduce us with stories of all the interesting art she's seen in the past few months around the world. I occupied myself with the enjoyable company of a miniature pincher called, incidentally, Titty.

We then extracted ourself from that elocution, and walked down to Pot Pourri, and indulged in a nice dinner, at the hip and exciting Pali Hill.

Finally back home, hit the wine shop for some beer (Haywards Black after ages) and then watched a really cool Brit movie from the 60s called Withnail and I. Really funny.

Now, good night.

Song of the post - Love Buzz - Nirvana. Because its playing now.

Quote of the day - A child is like a flower man, his head is just floating in the breeze.
- Jim Morrison

Bombay Diaries - Day 6

I am so tired, I cant even think.

Significant achievements:
Filmed a roll of film, 3 minutes worth, in a complex way such that it took us 7 hours to complete.

That's significant enough.

Also, had some beer, at Bandra - Toto's, and bumped into dear old Jovan. (Always, always bump into him there, its uncanny).

Bought a big fat map of Mumbai. Bought Time Out to plan our weeks coming up.

Took loads of photos for the 'Found Words' assignment. Will explain this later. It's fun.

Fixed plans to meet the Split boys tomorrow.

Quote for the day:
Nothing like a good night's sleep after a hard day's work.
- Afrin Sopariwala

Song for the day:
umm.... Here we go again - OK Go (Thanks to Priya)

Bombay Diaries - Day 5

The day -

Made an English breakfast - scrambled eggs, with toast and tea, after managing to spill milk all over.
Created a fancy undercover container to hide our camera.
Bought a Nikon D40x camera.
Went to Colaba, fixed location and setting for next shoot.
Got beer.
Saw Star Wars.
Watched football game.

Can't bear to write tonight. But, must blog this. It is 2:20am.
Good night.

oh.

Quote for the day:
Just being yourself, being who you are, is a successful rebellion.
- Unknown.

Song of the day:
Stuck in the middle with you - Grateful Dead

Bombay Diaries - Day 4

Significant achievement:

Discussed 2 dozen experiments about the dematerialization or art, and about conceptual art.

Went to Colaba and lived up to Tuesday Night Beer Drinking Club tradition at Cafe Mondegar.
Took the midnight train home.

Song of the day: Glug glub glug.

Quote for the day:
Beer. Helping ugly people have sex since 3000 BC.
- Unknown

Bombay Diaries - Day 3

Achievement of the day:
Picked Brad from the airport without knowing what flight he was on.
Got back in shape to run on and off local trains (that too general compartment with a firang in tow)

Places visited:
Dadar railway station and adjoining crazy market place
Koolers (Irani Tea Joint With Amazing Chai and Bun Maska)
5 Gardens

Best thing about being in Bombay today:
Pav Bhaji

Song of the day:
Unintended - Muse

Quote for the day:
The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.
- Unknown

Bombay Diaries - Day 2

Today is Sunday.

Significant achievements: None

Trivial achievements: Managed to keep parents in a favorable mood. Slept. Lazed.

Song of the day: Wedding Nails - Porcupine Tree

Quote of the day: God gave us a penis and a brain, but not enough blood to use both at the same time.
- Robin Williams

Bombay Diaries - Day 1

Achievement of the day?
Resolving to maintain a Bombay Diary. (and starting it.)
Showing my parents ridiculous videos of us dancing in Hyd, and spending some neat time with them.

Funny post of the day: How to shave your friend's head by Kalhan.

Quote for the day: Love is like an electric blanket with someone else in control of the switch.
- Anonymous.

Bombay Diaries

I've resolved to maintain a daily catalog of my one month (plus) here. It will be archived as um.. Bombay Diaries.

Purpose: To study the success and observe the progress of the one month experiment.

Method: A little note about the significant achievements of the day.
Also, fill up a little survey form.

Achievement of the day-
Quote / song / photo of the day -
Person I missed most today -
New thing learned of the day -

I guess that's enough. Let the games begin.

I wonder what's on my mind

My mind, and yours too (possibly) has so many... layers. Layers, for lack of a better word.

Like ---
The top of my head.
The back of my mind.
The gap in my memory.
The slip of thought.
The bottomless store of memories.
The someone always on my mind. Always.
The in between from where I function.
The... um... fountain (?) of inspiration (not very reliable though)
The space of my dreams.
The comfort of my day dreams.
The black hole of my fears, worries, and stress.
The little treasure of my imagination.
The voices in my head - the good, the bad, and the confused.
The non stop roller coaster of my emotions.
The background of music. Always.

All these facets function together sometimes, and sometimes disjoint, randomly, unexpectedly, without warning. How we deal with them constantly is what I'm wondering about right now. Oh, yea, and this is the layer of fascination and the asker of questions.

Wow.

On the road again

I'm on the road again, in a bus... nearly in Bombay.

The ride's been good. I woke up at around 4:00 am and saw the nearly full moon. We were driving straight into it. It was beautiful.

I'm listening to music. A Million Ways to be Cruel is playing (again) and my jaw just dropped. We went over a bridge and I got my first glimpse of Bombay. Rather, of the grey dull cloud that is Bombay. It's horrific. The smog and smoke that lives clinging to Bombay seems to get worse each time... and I guess the remnants of Diwali is still around...

I'm reading a book. Wikinomics. Wiki is here. And wiki is the future.

While I read, I think about the various instances of wiki I've seen recently. Besides my job - which primarily revolves around Geo Wiki, I've seen loads of wiki.

Like an idea I hd a few weeks back about writing a novel with a few friends with Google Docs. A wiki novel.

And like how Mel told me bout him making music over the internet with his musician friends from Bangalore.

And the music video by Pentragram, which used clips of video shot by their fans who were invited to make their own video for the band.

Wiki is here.

I'm on a holiday for a whole month, and his time mst be fully utilized for a creative explosion. It's now or never, young Afrin, says my head.

I'm going to be working closely with Brad on his project (one that I've very little idea about yet, but am not worried about that.. ) and then I have to work on a project for myself too. Anything I want.

I already know what I want to do, but because I'm superstitious and scared to jinx it, I'll reveal the supercool plan once am sure its really happening. But I'll say that its going to have an element of wikii. Somehow.

I still can't believe I'm on vacation for a month.

Here's what I need to make this vacation perfect: (Yes, another numbered list coming up, sir)

1. My home to myself. With someone looking after everything.
2. An excellent internet connection.
3. No traffic on the roads when I'm out visiting the girls, or drinking with the boys.
4. A weekend riding with the bikers.
5. Three Split gigs and Kalhan visiting.
6. Nice weather, of course.
7. My sister visiting for a weekend, and then going away (hi zoozie)
8. Film / art / music / theatre festivals galore.
9. Bumping into random friends each time I take the local train.
10. A bus ticket to Hyderabad whenever I want?

Ah, well, I guess I cant have everything. But this is a humble enough list. I didn't mention that I want to go to Goa.

My bus is now within city limits. 'Vashi' says the bright blue board. Another 40 minutes to home. Now, I must get back to looking outside the window.

I'm suddenly reminded of my camera. The first time I saw my camera and touched it was on Jaunary 1, 2007, in Bombay. I left for Hyderabad the same day. And came back to Bombay on January 6th, for Michelle's party. I remember being so cautious with my camera. I never took it off from around my neck. I remember seeing and admiring its reflection in the bus window. And I remember the sound of its beautiful mechanism. And the look of awe and admiration of people who saw it.

Anyway, that was just a passing thought. From some corner of my mind.

What follows can be blamed on the brandy and painkillers.

I've got a supreme headache,
and I want to write poetry.
I can't somehow manage,
to make this poem rhyme.

But then, I think, to myself,
why must a poem rhyme?
I will write a poem, anyhow.

It doesn't even have to have,
uniformly sized paragraphs,
or simple, melodic words,
like breeze, and moonlight.

It can be
abrupt.
Absurd.
Silly.
Pointless.

Because! It's my own
sweet little own
poetry.

My headache is better,
because of that brandy and water,
my holiday is near,
and my mind is clear.

And that was to,
demonstrate, and demon state,
That rhyme I can...
make no mistake.

And as I write,
this ridiculous verse,
I hear a voice in my head,
sing out these words...

In a style similar to
the opera of the Italians,
or Russians...
A fat old woman in my head..

Singing. My poem.
In.
My.
Headdd.

A million ways to be cool

I know I still have to complete Neville's tag about a writer's meme, (have had a few interesting thoughts), and also an update about Black Jack Tuesday Night drinking club.

I'm in a bloggy mood today, and have 3 unpublished drafts that are stuck and not going anywhere.

But, instead, I'm going to post a a video, of this super fun song, that we fell in love with, and have been dancing to as often as we feel like. Pretty often, that is.



What we actually do is, play the video on my laptop, and pick a person from the video to be, and we do the exact dance while the video plays. (I'm usually the bald guy.)

It's incredible fun. Here's proof:




This is Sasidhar, Manisha, Priya and me at the super fun farewell-to-our-house party, before we moved out. Mariam - who's always in the dance generally, is missing here, out of her politeness to let Manisha try. (Mariam's the one who discovered the song.)

What the head says to the heart

(I still can't get over my red hair)

Anyway, I'm blogging about something personal today. Relationships.

I haven't had too many, but I'm thinking about all the possible ones that could have been, or the ones that didn't happen, and the one's that I wanted to happen, but couldn't.

Well, as soon as people meet, they instantly share vibes. Of course, over time, these vibes change, they either completely die out or vanish, or change into something magical. And the relationship takes its journey.

There are people who instantly attract you. (God, this is so complicated, coz I'm thinking of something, I'm not sure I'm saying it correct.) Anyhow, so this attraction can be the spark-y kinds (which most often means trouble) or the comfortable kinds.

From my experiences purely, I've known men who're like restless dynamite. They're the wandering, restless souls, who can thrill and can kill. It's exciting at first, but then turns into like going on a crazy drive with a lunatic in a car with no brakes. It's exhausting and emotionally draining, and completely not worth it. But tough to get out of, coz you're addicted. It's a good idea then to take a holiday to a remote mountain or something.

Then there's the fawning, all-adoring kinds. The guys who're terribly sweet, and look after you (all the time). They wont let you take ric by yourself, or will gasp each time you sneeze or trip. It's unhealthy. These kinds of initial vibes never translated in a relationship for me.

There's also the unexpected. Like the classic - friend who's been around, and suddenly you realize you can't do without, and then the love hits. Nice, but rare. Haven't experienced this distinctly, but a close version of it.

And the rarest of all, is the comfort zone. The person who can make your heart flutter, and at the same time, you can and completely can be your most ridiculous self with. Many people have made my heart flutter, but very few have I ever been able to be myself (yes, I'm very ridiculous) with.

Anyway, this is a bit too ... silly and vague, so I'm going to end it here.

Will just say, to complete this difficult thesis, that its possible to be in love with multiple people at the same time... and its OK as long as you're honest about it. And another thing - if someone makes you cry, and knows that he did (or she did - do boys ever cry over girls?), it's a good sign to hit the detach and set free button. That's my rule. One tear for the boy, and I say to myself - damn, he's finished too. What a shame, but a sign I can't ignore too long.

I can't believe I'm publishing this.

And revealing what's been playing in my head and driving me nuts for the past 3 months

It's nearly time. I've been longing to blog about this for ages and ages... but my head wouldn't allow it.

Now, its ok, I think.

I'm off to Bombay this Friday for a Whole Month And A Bit More. Brad Butler from n.o.where is going to be down in Bombay, and is working an interesting experimental art film project (more about this when I know more about this). And I'm going to be working with him. Filming... on 16mm film... in Bombay, on the streets... traveling (hopefully) to a few more cities... and living ze life.

Other things I have to accomplish are as follows:

1. Hang out with Split and get the music album recorded.
2. Teach Brad to speak Hindi and get it to sound like Hindi when he speaks it.
3. Get to know a lot more nooks and corners of Bombay.
4. Not shop too much.
5. Build up on artists' contacts for Ze Future.
6. Take loads of brilliant photos on the new Nikon D40x Brad will buy for our use (wowow!)

And work on my own mini film project - Brad insists I do.

I've noticed I make a lot of numbered lists in my posts. Even for silly things.

But anyway, all this is terribly exciting, and am happy to be going to Bombay in November - December, when the weather is bearable, and Bombay is lit with festivities and art. But, strangely, I'm also a bit sad to be missing winter in Hyderabad, and time with everyone here... (Not to forget a super exciting gig in the outskirts of the city, celebrating Jim Morrison's birthday that I'm going to miss.) Yea, I didn't think I'd ever feel this way, but I'm going to miss Hyderabad, Google, and my life here.

However.

Change is in the air... I can feel it, and very very soon, I'm going to be outdoors more than I've been in the past year and a half stuck indoors at Goooooogle. 'Ere comes the sun. (I hope my now orange hair doesn't get golden in the sun). But what the hell, I'm a 22 year old Googler, going off to work on an experimental film, I guess I can afford to look a little experimental (experiment-gonewrong that is). Wish me luck!

Repost

This blog started off on a brave note. I wrote about fuckbuddies. I expressed myself openly. I used another name to post. And I promised myself that I would post as honestly as I could - without twisting and turning facts to not offend anyone.

That's how it started.

Now, I don't feel like I can honestly blog about what's really on my mind. I can blog about movies, and music, and some place I visited, and some photos I took. I can be noisy and blog about my beer club, and the ridiculous things we do. But, there's a lot I can't blog about.

I can't blog about much about work. (Top Secret Confidential Information I'm continually exposed to... :) )
I can't blog about my love / sex life (if it exists or not). I mean I would if people I knew didn't know this was my blog. etc. etc.
I can't blog about how stupid I really am.

I bought myself a diary last week. For 2008. I've never had a diary before. But this blog... is now... external.

Nice, in its own way. But nothing more than a put-up presentable self. Hello.

New Energy

Wow... It's 1:11am on a Monday (morning) and I was just about to hit the sack, when I got hit by this sudden energy and need to blog. It's a good thing that my Internet is back on since yesterday, so, it's good timing.

Anyway, its been a great weekend - 4 whole days off, with nothing to do, but laze. I shopped. Walked. Watched movies. Hung out, and hung in. Danced. Excellent stuff.

I've been tagged by Neville. Never been tagged before, so not quite sure of the etiquette and suchlike, but it seems interesting. I have to write, from what I understand, about writing... and what makes a good writer, etc. Philosophical ideas and balderdash. And its good, coz I haven't done any philosophical thinking ever since my dear friend Nanga Swamy extracted himself from our lives, and ran off to do his PhD in philosophy.

Anyway, the blogging energy is quickly being replaced by an urgent need to sleep, and so I'm going to sign off with a list of movies I managed to hit this weekend:

1. The Usual Suspects.
2. Om Shanti Om.
3. You got served.
4. The Last of the Mohicans.
5. Tom Jones.
6. Big Fish.
7. Napoleon Dynamite.

* Incomplete films we tried to watch and couldn't finish due to falling asleep were: Taxi Driver (wrong timing) and Closely Watched Trains (same reason as previous).

Alright, goodnight.

Colours and lights

I have absolutely nothing to blog about. I've been spending long hours on the phone (and my internet has been disconnected for the past one week) and I've moved out of my sweet house, and I've coloured my hair red.

Besides all this, life has been perfect, as someone mentioned yesterday. I was cribbing about having nothing to blog about, and he said that was because life was now... more perfect.

Strange, but looks like I only have interesting things to say when life is not perfect... or is rocky, and lonely, and frustrating, and difficult. Well, am sure this state of perfectness ( I know there is no such word) wont last forever.

I have colored my hair red. Unfortunately, it's not red anymore. And is turning into various shades of - orange, pink, blond, and other such unflattering colours, especially in daytime lights.

Here's what it looked like on the day it got coloured... I can only console myself by imagining it still looks this way.

Anyway, a nice long weekend is due... Happy Diwali.

Talking about names...

Talking about my name, we talked some more about other names. And here is a list of absolutely hilarious names, especially when they come up in our conversations, that we discuss (often.)

1. Mariam knows someone who knows someone called ----
Booby Matthews. (second name changed)
Yes. Her first name is Booby.
We laughed, but more than anything, felt bad for her. How can parents do this? What were they thinking? A lifetime of ridicule. I hope she changes her name.... can you really live with it? Would you get used to a name like Booby and the reaction you get each time you say it?

2. From Booby, we moved on to, what Mariam says, is a very common name among Mallus.
Titty.
Hi, my name is Titty.
Oh God. Mariam said that if her parents named her that, she'd have such a horrible childhood that she'd definitely turn into a psycho murderer and kill her parents or something. I agree with that sentiment.

3. Mariam's dad recently hired someone who's name is....
Guitar.
Yes, the first name. Her father asked him to change his name. Because he's in the sales department and wouldn't be able to sell a thing if he said, "Hi, I'm Guitar."

Oh, and Guitar has a sister.... Veena.
Sheesh.

4. Then Jeetu mentioned the classic punjabi names... Of course we've all heard the Russell Peters jokes about Ramindeep, and Sukhdeep, and Hardik.

Jeetu once met someone called Five Star Singh.
And his brother, Superstar Singh.
I died laughing.

5. Then I've heard of someone called Clitoria. Clitty. I couldn't believe it. Parents aren't supposed to be perverts.

6. My ex boyfriend lived in the Dadar Parsi Colony. He wasn't a Parsi though, and he always made fun of the names of people in my community.
Sodawaterbottleopenerwala.
Screwwala.
Daruwala.
But, the weirdest one was someone who's first name was High Court.

How can anyanyone not understand the significance and meaning of a name?
I'll keep Afrin - with or without nose drops, thanks.

The name is Afrin

I've been thinking of buying a domain. I cant think of one perfect domain I want... I mean, I will find it, but haven't yet. You know, like the perfect website name.. for me... for when I'm a famous film maker, photographer, novelist, porn star, something, nothing.

So, while wondering what domain it should be, and while discussing it with Sassy, here's what he pinged me.

www.afrin.com

Aarrgh. So... horrid... pathetic... Nose drops?

I remember now, while reviewing ads for Google a few months back, I came across an AdWords ad for www.afrin.com. Imagine... the chances of the ad picking me to get reviewed by. I think I was so disgusted and embarrassed, (I obviously didn't tell anyone about it) and buried it in a deep corner of my memory.

Didn't think about it till Sassy found it. And Sassy laughed heartily.

To add to this, yesterday, I was talking to a Google Engineering Director, and when I introduced myself to him and said my name, he said, "Oh, I dont know if you know, but your name..."

And I interrupted and said, "Oh yea, there's a song with my name."

He says, "Oh, I don't know about the song... but there in the US, there is a brand of nose drops called Afrin."

I groaned. And laughed... Goddamnit. I'm going to sue them. Not yet... but when I'm a famous film maker, photographer, novelist, porn star, something, nothing....

Coming up

I've been having a blast. New friends, more movies, and work is interesting (something exciting about Google Maps - will post as soon as I'm allowed to reveal) and it's that time of the year.

I love Oct-Nov-Dec-Jan-Feb. Bombay gets so pretty. The city is dressed up, and lit up, and then gets stormed by all these festivals. Film festivals, music festivals, rock shows, art festivals. And the Mumbai Festival, sometime in Feb, I think.

Well, I'm not in Bombay. Am stuck in Hyderabad. And well, its lit up here as well, and the weather is awesome, the only thing missing is the magic on the streets.

Anyhow, our Blackjack's Tuesday Night Club is now a super success... We had so much fun last time, and of course being Googlers, and being online all the time, we just had to imprint The Club on cyberspace. So, there's a blog - www.bjtnc.blogspot.com, and an Orkut community. All this even though we all sit around 5 minutes away from each other... We're spammers.

I'm also working on a story. To either convert into a movie or a book. I'm very cautious about stuff when I'm writing. I don't like to share it until it's complete... and safe... But am probably going to dig up a couple of my old stories and post them here somewhere.

Oh, and the girls are back. Agent P from Calcutta, and Agent M from Kuwait.

Oh, and here's a completely, incredibly fantastically addictive game - I don't know why I didn't post this before.

Bloxorz

inxs

Why do an intoxicated person's eyes look so hungry? Why do we always want more.... of something...

I'm back from Back Jack's Tuesday Night Club. The happiest part of the night for me was when he played What do you want from me? - Pink Floyd.

Oh, and my time is running out.

Two Things

There's two things I want to say in this post.

1. I'm a slave to my whims. It's incredible. I've made mistakes, and I've said, yea, am glad this happened... I'm wiser for the experience. And then, I go and do it all over again. It is incredible.

2. Thing two is a bit happier.
Everyone has catchphrases... am not sure they're called catchphrases, but I mean phrases that we suddenly find are stuck in our heads, and we use it all the time. And they're not always phrases... it might just be a single word.
Like my current catch(word). Supreme.

Let me demonstrate, it really is a great word.

- I've a supreme headache!
- I'm supremely bored.
- I had a supreme time.
- You look supreme!

I dunno where it came from, but its stuck.... I don't use it all the time.. its a subtly sticky catch(word). I use it once in a while, and it comes naturally... and I think to myself... Yea, its definitely my current catchword.

A week

It's been an interesting week. Both my roommates are out of town, (for another whole week as well) and I've had a busy time. The week started off on a weird note- confusing, and painful, but its worn off.

Tuesday was Blackjack night. Quite a few of the group was out of town and couldn't make it, but the four of us who went, had a good time.

Wednesday ticked off the start of a Theatre Festival in Hyderabad - four great plays from across the country came over courtesy the The Hindu, and gave Hyderabad a much needed and very refreshing feeling of 'something interesting to do.'

The first play was produced by a group from Bombay. Love Letters. Rajat Kapoor and Shernaz Patel. Nice. Good performance, especially her. And nice set. Rather, barely any expect for the 'tetris' like blocks they kept rolling over and over.

Thursday had the Madras theater group's version of Five Point Someone. Conventionally directed, and adding almost nothing new in comparison to the book, the performances were strong. Great actors.

Friday was the most interesting and experimental play of all... An original work from the Harami Group from Bangalore - Butter and Mashed Bananas - was an excellent satirical, hilarious piece which touched politics, censorship, with a engaging script, use of dance and music, and a very good looking and talented cast.

Friday was also the day when I threw a little party, but more about that later.

The last and final play, was Amadeus. Again from Chennai, this play was the longest and probably the most demanding in terms of engaging the audience, but it was elaborately made, and the lead actors did a fantastic job. Amadeus is a play about Mozart - his life and death, and is also a famous movie. It was a bit too long, and my fever did cause me to nap off for a few minutes here and there, but, but but... I liked it.

Now, about the party. When roommate - Agent M - was leaving for her 2 week long holiday, we teased her that we'd have grand parties in the house, and basically do all the things she would not approve of. And well, we stuck with the idea, and decided to really have the party.

Invited a mixed bunch, half didn't turn up, but another bunch turned up anyway, and we:
1. got drunk
2. got acquainted
3. played a super drinking game and got smashed all over again
4. got told by the neighbors to shut up
5. made more noise
6. didn't stop laughing at all

Shame my Bohemian theme didn't work out - but there's always next time to have an authentic bohemian party.

Ah, nice. Have been resting and indulging today. Also saw:
1. Harold and Kumar go to White Caste
2. Requiem for a dream
3. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Don't have anything else to add. Oh wait, darn Monday!

Cheery

I have exactly 120 seconds to make this post. I haven't even thought of a title yet.

After all the depressing self-help stuff I've been posting, I finally feel nice enough to post something cheerful.

Am off for the third session of the Black Jack Tuesday Night (drinking) Club.

And I'm pleasantly happy to find on my Google Analytics that 51% of all visitors on my blog use Firefox. Supreme stuff.

And now I have to run. Time's up...

High Hopes

I'm listening to Pink Floyd. Feeling apprehensive, sad, bewildered, and I possibly have expected this. Maybe I'm used to it.

Just telling myself two things:

The person I am depends on the choices I make.
And that I should begin to move away from the edge and find my center. One day at a time.

Guilt and the delicate lines

These days I'm going through an unfamiliar phase. I am guilty. I should feel guilty. I did. But I don't anymore.

It's confusing, I don't know where the lines are - between good and bad, wrong and right. I'm making my decisions and choices, and I'm learning along the way.

I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing, (or the wrong) but I think I'm drawing my own lines... and they wont coincide with anyone else's. Is there really so much grey between the black and the white?

Sin

If I could just hide
The sinner inside
And keep him denied
How sweet life would be
If I could be free
From the sinner in me

- Depeche Mode

Sinned again... and I can't even say how. Sinned, knowing I was. And now it's time for torture.

Happy Birthday Google

Google turned 9 yesterday. Happy birthday to us all.

No Fear Cricket

How can I not post about cricket this week? Last week itself, when I sat down in front of my TV and saw some of the matches, I was marveling at the incredible love we Indians have for cricket. I think even if the British hadn't brought the game here, we'd still have loved it that much, and still been as good at it as we are.

I was listening to our commentators. Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle. Listening to how Brit they spoke. I was thinking of my mum, far away in Bombay, and her absolutely ridiculous superstitions. Superstitions like, 'Cross your right leg over your left leg when you sit, its good luck.' And, 'If we see the batsman who's to come out for batting next, a wicket will certainly fall.' God, we've laughed at those. I was thinking about the thousands of times I've wondered how boys can play cricket at Azad maidan in the phenomenal heat of a Sunday afternoon in Bombay.

It was raining. It was the most perfect thing to do - let the sounds of cricket wash over me, and wow, the excitement of Twenty 20 Cricket.

India was in excellent form. When I saw South Africa collapse, I decided that the most exciting parts of cricket are:
1. Getting an opponent batsman bowled.
2. A pull-out-of-the-air catch.
3. Run outs.
4. Stumped.
5. I hate LBWs.

And of course, when your batsmen are batting - the boundaries, and the perfect cover drives.

But what I really want to write about, is the World Cup Final Match.

India vs Pakistan. World cup final. An event that will make millions of crazy cricket fanatics hold their breaths and scream in a single voice.

It was in office that someone suggested that we put up a big screen and watch the game. The big screen was not a problem. The problem was the cable TV connection. Our marvelous facilities and tech teams pulled off the feat easily, and we had a new cable connection installed right in time for the match.

India was batting!

What followed was a completely awesome experience. More than a hundred crazy Googlers, three large screens, and not to forget the ample Googly free food, as Pranav put it - what more can anyone ask for? Beer, I would say, but I could make do without.

The atmosphere was so electric - and the most classic moment was when someone in the crowd started a crazy chant - jeetega bhai jeetega, India jeetega! And the crowd joined in... and as our voices hit a peak, we got a wicket. It was amazing... Everyone jumped and went crazy. And this went on non stop, till the end.

(I was most astonished to see this chap from my team, who's as quiet as a mouse generally, being the one who started the chant, and was the leader in all the chanting. In fact, he teased the crowds and played with them, slowing and quickening the pace of the chant and getting them to do the same. Later, after all the insanity and raucous behavior was over, he gave me a shy smile. After all that! )

My happiness actually is in the attitude of our new team, and its brave new captain. It's easy to see that he means it when he says that he wants our team to play no fear cricket, and ultimately wants the boys to have a good time. Am glad cricket is back.

I love Bombay

Wow... I have never heard my key click so loudly in my door lock as it did tonight. Nor has the light slipping through my windows been so bright, as it did tonight.

I love Bombay.
I love beer.

Now, the question is, which do I love more?
I think, wherever in the world I am, I will always love beer.
And I think, wherever in the world I am, and drinking beer, I will always think of Bombay and everyone there who's been my drinking buddy.

I love beer, and Bombay.

Tonight, after more than a week of intense, super-focused work, Zareer asked me if I would join him for a beer. My splitting headache, (that a beer can always miraculously cure) was reason enough for me to say, 'Yes! Let's go!'

We went to Ten Downing Street (also the first pub I ever visited in Hyderabad) and ordered our pitcher... Our plan had been to have one beer, and leave.. after all, it was the middle of the week.

We soon got on our way to a hilarious, but much needed session of boss bitching. Wow, it felt good. Of course, the pitcher soon gave way to more... and Blackjack's music had us screaming loudly to the songs he played - Tuesdsay night, a classic DJ Blackjack takes over and hits us with the best rock music there is.

Blackjack, during the course of this evening, played superb stuff, and had us screaming our guts out to the music... he also compiles a cd each week, based on a theme, or artist and gives them off to his Tuesday night guests at Ten Downing Street. Nice... I got myself a Jim Morrison Cd, and a Blackjack 200th Session CD.. and some chocolate. He's a cool dude... bald, pot-bellied, and with a nice voice. Goan, am sure.

Anyway, that's when we decided that we need a bunch of chaps to join us henceforth...

We've decided to start a Tuesday Blackjack Night Club.

By invitation only - we would invite a couple of new chaps each week to join us, and have a blast.

Sounds fun... and God, if these are my last few months remaining in Hyderabad, I wanna make the best of it.

What's the point of life if you don't go drunk to work at least once a week... especially when you're 22 years old?

A whole hole in the pocket

I've just returned from an exhausting session of shopping.

And I bought myself, among many things, my first bottle of perfume. Perfume, is generally gifted to women. From admirers, lovers, boyfriends, fiances, husbands, etc. I, tragically, have none of the above. And so, I pampered my aching soul by flourishing out my credit card, and getting back, in exchange, a little pretty bottle.

Then, I proceeded to buy a few more clothes. Not at all necessary, but my conscience has been feeling a bit faint and weak, (due to my constant abuse) and it was easy to ignore its weak protest.

Now, I'm not feeling too good.

Nice lesson to learn: A faint, ill conscience, and its subsequent abuse can have ill effects such as disbelief at one's actions, and a remorseful hole in the stomach (not to forget the pocket.)

Tomorrow, I will start paying due respect and will make it up to the poor, dear little voice in the head.

Good night.

It's just a phase

Everything is just a phase.
And gets over soon.

Every goddamn thing.

Of Bomb Scares and Collapsing Bridges

Thank you Pranav, I've been meaning to write about this for a while.

Pranav and I were just chatting... I asked him if he would join me for a walk at the lovely KBR park. He said, "Ok. If it doesn't rain. And if there aren't any bomb blasts.'

The life of Hyderabadis these days has undergone a change. When we ask each other what we're doing over the weekend, the answer generally is, "Staying at home, of course."
"Good."

First the bomb blasts. For me, coming from Bombay, it wasn't so hard to deal with it, although, I was angry and frustrated about it. But Hyderabad hasn't been the same since.

Our malls have super-extra security now. Entry from this side, and exit from another far-away corner. Ditto at the building in office. It's annoying how these ridiculous acts of the terrorists affect our day-to-day lives. Pisses me off.

Then, a bridge, that's been under construction for more than a year (when I first arrived at Hyd, I remember seeing the construction going on) collapsed after a bit of heavy rain (pretty normal by Indian Monsoon standards, I thought), right outside an extremely popular mall in the middle of the city, on a Sunday evening. Fantastic. Just what we needed.

I haven't bothered reading the newspaper to see what the government / construction firm says. "So and so is at fault." "It was out of our control." "There will be a (three year long) inquiry, and report (we'll never hear of it again.) We've set up a committee to look into it (16 greasy fingered slugs.)"

But, yes. Life is now not the same here. I'm astonished by how often when I'm in public spaces, my mind's corner reminds me of a possible lurking danger...

Nothing to be done about it, but to tug along bravely. Or just tug along along, anyway.

I am a lonely planet.

I don't have a satellite.

My planet has its own course in this universe.

I wont get affected by any other planets orbit, or gravity.

Until a black hole sucks me in... or I explode.

Hocus Pocus and my inner eye

Aargh. I believe in magic ok... romantic magic, etc. etc.

Right now, I'm at the point of making a crucial decision in my life. And I've nearly made it. At this point, enter Mom, and hocus pocus aunt, who consults a pendulum and 'sees my future.'

Here is what the pendulum says to mother, and hocus pocus aunt:

"Afrin must work at Google for another 5 years. She will never be a film maker. Ding dong."

Aarrrrgh. So annoying, depressing, and disgusting.

Here is a friend's advice to me, after hearing the pendulum tale :

"Tell you mum that you believe in the pendulum theory, and you've had 3 glasses of scotch, and your head is swinging like a pendulum, and it tells you to go back to Bombay."

Here is what my orkut fortune cookie tells me (I don't ever look at it usually, and this morning my eye went straight to this) -

"You are soon going to change your present line of work."

Woohoo... All hail the orkut fortune cookie.

PS: The last time I posted about the Orkut fortune cookie, when it claimed that I was going to go shopping, well, it came true. I go shopping all the time ya.

Book Review - Sputnik Sweetheart

See, I told you I loved the book. So much that I've written a stiff formalish book review. Not my usual practice, but what the hell.

Sputnik Sweetheart – Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami’s delicately written, mysterious novel ‘Sputnik Sweetheart’ is a fascinating and surreal read. This was the first book I read by him, and after ages I was transported by a book so much that it was unconsciously always playing in my mind and everything I did, had a shadow of the book over it.

A young Japanese school teacher narrates this story about his beloved, eccentric friend Sumire, who yearns to write and lives a careless and ‘beatnik’ existence. He is secretly in love with her, but she loves him not, and instead, she falls in love with a woman 17 years older than her.

This new love with a woman transforms Sumire, and throws her into a ‘new fictional setting,’ one she is unfamiliar with, and not used to. But her love for Mui is overwhelming, and Sumire changes into a neat, clean and suddenly feminine person and suddenly finds that she can’t write anything.

She travels to Europe with Mui, and on a Greek island, mysteriously disappears into smoke – without the slightest trace.

Our narrator is then sought out by Mui for help, and travels to Greece to help trace Sumire. In Greece, he experiences something surreal, and discovers things about Sumire, Mui, and himself that is as complete an answer and as enigmatic a question as any.

This book is an exquisite story about loss, and loneliness, and love, and discovery. Murakami’s style and words leave strong images and designs in your head that stick, and leave you with a mix of hope and surreal wonder.