Dilli

This stranger of a city is seducing me. In it's own, rough, arid sort of way. Even as it bustles, blares and blazes all around me, my bubble of serene wonder at waking up 1400 kms away from 'home' stays intact.

Everything is new. and yet, not quite. Life goes on. but when you resume it in a different place, in unfamiliar conditions, it surprises you every so often.

The other day, the auto I was taking to work took an abrupt turn halfway down a dingy lane, and suddenly I looked up and saw the ruins of some Mughal structure or the other. Tucked away like a secret gem in a dirty corner, in the heart of a city that is too busy to notice.

getaway

back from my brief but delightful vacation, and struggling to settle back into my groove.
let me tell you about the little bit of magic that followed me around for a couple of days. the dragonfly outside the window of my hotel room, a red kite in the sky. the late-night walk on an empty strip of wet sand.
sand between my toes. :)
and new acquaintances, who take only minutes to decide they want to follow you around for a bit, perhaps get to know you better.


the idea is to know and cherish the fact that no matter where your travels might take you, you'll never walk alone. :)

Mahanabami

i've had a strange Pujo. "surreal, but nice." :)

night

have you ever tried singing 'Dear Prudence' at the top of your lungs, in the shower, around midnight?
it's unbelievably liberating!

i can't fall asleep very easily. sometimes it's a bit of a problem, but if you must have a condition, insomnia is one of the best to have!
staying up late is like stretching your day by at least three hours! which is a blessing if you're one of those people who always have a ton of work to do.
or that other kind, who just like to have a lot of lazy me-time on their hands.

nights are for long showers, and good music, for re-watching feel-good romantic comedies.
nights are for conversations,and for settling down to a new book, or a much read, old favorite.

call it hedonism. :)

green

there are no patterns, no order, not in anything.
it's all a maze of flitting, whirring images and moments. everything and everyone, a constant frenzy of activity. like there has been way too much caffeine.

the campus is always a fierce, vivid green this time of year. everything is overgrown, and bursting into fresh blossoms.
monsoon is our spring, i think.
the narrower paths have been engulfed by the tall grass in many shades of green, and even the trees that had been uprooted by the storm, have decided to take root and sprout bright green stalks and leaves.
the jheels are full to the point of overflowing, and after each shower there's always the overpowering scent of damp earth to look forward to.

meaningless conversation, over strong milk tea.
JU is home now. :)

celebration

i don't understand why people want to 'escape' the mad excitement of Pujo in Kolkata.
it's everything, the people, sights, sounds, foodsmells, dhuno-smoke. absolutely everything about pujo is intoxicating, happymaking.
but the lights are the best part :)

Pujo (and pre-pujo week) has been absolutely fabulous this year. i've spent just enough time with family to keep them happy,and still managed to have fun in the time left over! thankyous to the peoples that are my fraands. :)
i have even braved Bijoya...the part of Durga Pujo that makes me want to duck under the bed and stay there.

it's all good :)

okay, except this one incident:
i ran into a whole bunch of my friends from school, the one time i was out with my mum! i mean, what are the chances??!

also, the only booze i've had this pujo, was with family :(

and i was groped on the bus :( and all i could do was ask the guy what is problem was, and tell him to back off. but he didn't.
it was a really crowded bus.

okay, three.

elevated

remember the expression 'jelly legs'?
today, i discovered for myself, the literal meaning of the phrase!
though the ankle still hurts...i feel great!
good trip, it was :)

i'd like to thank 'senior-dada' for leading the way :D

'have you been high today...?'

why yes, i have! how very nice of you to ask!

:D

moosic

Once in a while I get completely blown away by a song, I get so completely obsessed, that it is all I listen to!
And for a little while it’s the first song on my iPod , and I watch all the youtube videos related to it, and a short-cut to the file appears on my desktop.

Last week i was madly in love with ‘Nothing else matters’, but i've only just discovered 'How to save a life' by The Fray...
*sigh*

restocking

On Wednesday we celebrated restocking day.

It’s our monthly ritual. Once a month, me and my mum arm ourselves with a shopping list and an unnaturally large shopping bag, and head for this old ‘we-have-everything-you-can-pay-for’ store in Gariahat.
We replenish our supply of mostessential things. So now I have new floorcleanersoapdeodouranthandwashsoaplotiontoothpasteairfreshenersparetoothbrush etc.

*yay*

and BAD conversations happen after booze!
but thanks anyway, for sticking around to watch me make a complete ass of myself!
:)

feeling good...

got caught in the rain...yeay!
am dripping slush all over the floor now.

but i feel weally good!