Meme of the Day - Trump Wall

"Your Coffee, Senor Presidente Trump! Can you hear me over the wall?"

"We don't need no thought control ... "

Author's Corner - Word for the day - Lost

1.
"Sharma-ji ke bete ko Dekho.  First aya hai aur tum phir se last aye ho.  Tum apne future ko kho baito ge iss competition wali zindagi mein. Aaj se gaana-waana chodo aur padhai pe dhyan do. Iss mein hi sab ki bhalai hai!" Said over-zealous mom to her teenage son. She lost a bit of respect, he lost a bit of self-esteem, Sharma-ji ka beta lost a friend and world a talented singer.

2. "Thanks for returning my lost I-phone and ID card!  Where did you find them?" She said.
"By the water cooler and ID card helped ", I grinned.
" How can I make it up to you?  - for a stranger you are honest ", She was tearing up.

I had the words formed in my mind.  "By giving your phone number! "

"It was a present from my fiance!", She continued.  I swallowed the words formed in my head as I realized I had lost the golden chance.

"Take care! ", I said.

3."Love is a game that begins with losing your heart.  Everything is at stake and no guarantee that if you win her, luck and life would favour.  If you like the odds, play!", Said no love story ever. #Life is a game

Author's Corner - Word for the day - Cold

He froze rock solid in response to her coldness. All that was left now were ice cubes.  Ice maker dumped the ice cubes yet again.

Author's Corner - Word of the day - Smile

He saw her but he tried hard not to smile, for pride was at stake.

"You smile too much and that makes you look like a joker!", she had said.  "I don't mind being a joker in the pack", he had replied. "A queen seeks a King for partner and a joker to pass time. Something to ponder about, eh?" She always had been direct.  "Who else, do you think, would cheer your blues?".  "For once be serious and sort out your life!  At least have a plan ready when we meet next.", she had challenged.

Inspite of previous discussion, he couldn't help himself and flashed a sheepish grin. And he had made no plans either.  She realised it and frowned.  "All hope is lost", she said rolling her eyes as she sat down . "Don't begrudge me of my happiness.", he tried to defend.  "I don't envy any part of your situation.  And this weekend, I'll be flying to US.  Life is moving on and I hope for once you would too!".  She was close but would now be far.  She was practical and ambitious but he was laid back. He hated good-byes but she wanted closure.  For she was bad at keeping in touch.  This was end of sorts and probably the last long conversation for a long time. And most of it was spent in glances and silence.  And then it was time for her to go.  He knew she would ask.  She was predictable that way.  "I could never put us in any box.", she said just as she got up to leave. "I know. Not every thing in life requires a label", he said.  "What do you call me in your diaries? BFF or one-sided girl friend?",  she said with equal measures of sarcasm and curiosity.  "Neither.  You are  Hasini - one who makes me smile".

Author's Corner - Word of the day - TRAIN

TRAIN - The invention that has made most of the original invention of the wheel. A testimony that greatness can be amplified by standing on shoulders of giants and not by standing over people. A fact that helping people get to where they want is also important to allow them to push their limits. A walking example of how moving on and overcoming inertia can be a groaning, squeaky mammoth effort. How we can and do compartmentalize situations and people, in the journey of life. And yet, all we mostly notice is the the warning toot and the rhythmic chug. But even in those, people have been inspired to write catchy songs!

The Train, most assuredly, is an unsung hero!!

Review of Sabor - The Flavour Of Dance.

SABOR, the much talked about event that was offered 10 reasons to be a part of. Of course the most important reason to be there but was not mentioned.  It was implicit maybe, to savour an hour of experiencing the ultimate form of self expression. A movement of flexibility, synchronicity, expressions in patterns and moves that visually engulfs the primitive brain to such an extent that recognition of it is certainly automatic and universal.

The start, though beset with minor technical difficulties of a stuck Windows Media Player set out in an eye-catching manner in b-boy moves and fantastic splits. The introductions to the 
dance and dancers allowed audience to learn about what they were seeing and who was performing. A variety of salsa moves entertained us with a dash of humour, puppet doll moves and freezes, that laid forth a very believable scene.  An insight to varieties of dances were given, dance battles were fought, solo performances given, wonderfully choreographed routines held their charm and the stage was set on fire galore by the talented dancers. In my opinion, the girls were extremely sassy and stole the show.  The split walk off by one of the 
girls deserves a special mention. But the guys were not too far behind, show casing their technical ability and strength in lifts and turns, catches and moves.  The carousel or merry-go-round was well executed and was a visual treat.  The dance and drummer routine was refreshing and added flavour to the dance show. 

There were definitely many moments of high power-packed performance, but the flaws were glaringly visible too.  With so many good things that were seen, minor fumbles stood out, not only in the last line and edges, but in the center stage as well.  With an hour given, a inter-woven story in dance to engage the audience would have 
led to an enriching experience. It turned out to be a sampler of various dances instead. The lines and  patterns in group dances sometimes showed loss of synchronization.  Props add variety to the stage but is also makes it a difficult item to manoeuvre.  I cringed when the props were mishandled as nerves caught up with enthusiasm, and it was - like stopping a hiccup midway.  With such a large stage and so many dancers, it did feel that stage was under-utilized and the dynamic movement with interchanging patterns was missing. The dance battle sequence was all too friendly with a predictable end.    

Before we get too critical, we need to dwell on one major fact.  There was only one professional dancer, with remaining being the passionate, hardworking junta with regular jobs. All the practice for the event happened either in ungodly hours of early morning or late evenings with life occupying the remaining time.  That determination in itself calls for a great applause. And being on stage is a nerve-wracking alternate universe compared to the rehearsals. And all that hardwork undoubtedly made the evening an interesting and entertaining experience!

And anyone can critique, even the guy who has just watched many seasons of dance shows but doesn't know even one dance step. But isn't the wow factor of a flawless performance, that gives goosebumps of trying to capture the complexity of what we see, knowing how many things that could have gone wrong but didn't as everything was the right place at the right time, make us pinch ourselves in disbelief? Isn't that the common ground between the dancer and the audience? Isn't a larger than life performance, where the dance routines
get a life of the own, with dancers being just the cogs, what everyone aspires to be a part of? This group definitely has the potential to step on that sacred ground that blurs the magic line between reality and illusion.   

I know this because I was at the edge of my seat during the whole performance.  

Take a bow, dancers!  
Take a bow, Richard Tharoor!!
Take a bow, Sabor!!!

Tread Softly

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

- W.B. Yeats

The Tiger

The Tiger

Tiger Tiger. burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye.
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat.
What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears
And watered heaven with their tears:
Did he smile His work to see?
Did he who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger Tiger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?


William Blake

Bray to Lord Donkey - An Ode

This is a dedication mural created by one of the most fervent followers in contemporary modern free style "kick" art.

The great unknown donkey lived during 1 A.D. which showed light through the period of great famine. Sadly, the hungry people ate the donkey to live through but gave it a title of Lord and wrote a book about its great teachings and exploits. Chief among them is the poem it brayed, in the darkest of times, bringing hope to people of Muleville. Much of it is lost in translation as it was written in ancient BrayHew but it would have sounded something like this.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Eat while you can
To the brim
And grow fat

Fast when you can't
To be trim
Then eat a rat

Observe every June
And long
You may live

Else you too
Shall become Donkey
And kicks you shall give

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Priceless

Price of planning : $ xx
Price of travel : $ yy

Sitting below a flowering tree, reciting your own poem about it: Priceless!

"No" .... "No"
Read my lips... N...O ... "No"
Can I say, "No". Yes I can. ... "No!"
The gentle, the harsh and everything in between "No".
The one you can scream out in frustration .... that "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The acronym "No Obligation".... that "No"
The shorter version of the trendier "Nopes".. that "No"
The one that sounds like "know" but isn't ... that "No"
You can ask, but the answer is is still ... "No"
Coz, yes, its the opposite of yes.. that "No"

But yeah, 2 negatives make a positive, no?...... "Oh! NO!!"

Overheard

"He broke up with her 5 times..."
"And what did she do?"
"She went and got married to another guy!"
"Really?"
"He was trying to stall her marriage through all possible means. Now he is heart broken that he lost a good catch!"
"He should have known..5 times did you say?"

Love is clearly blind. However, one cannot make someone just **love** them. Manipulate yes. Love no. Cannot just wish it out of thin air.

Wish of my life ...

I want my life to mean more than the words on my epitaph.

The Day I Met The Devil

A story, everybody but a few, will find it real hard to believe. I ran into the Devil at the bar today.

Sitting in the corner in black and red, making a bonfire out of the candle light. She looked stressed out after having a bad day. I joined her with tequila in hand. After a while, I started buying her rounds of drinks. She was broke, the poor soul. She couldn't even sell her soul to anyone and no one really cared for her. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, she opened up and gave me the grapevine. "God has a sore throat today. Even when he talks to his chosen few, there is just light and silence. There is chaos and more crowd in hell. All the support lines were busy as to why God is blank calling them. Managing them was a nightmare!"

That was news to me. "God is in Hell?"

The devil looked over both her shoulders. There was no one behind her. The good and the bad mini-devils on her shoulders had alighted to the table. The bad mini-devil was drunk playing the harp. And the good mini-devil was blowing out fireballs with the liquor. "It's a secret. In winter, God has comes down to the winter palace for the warmth of the fiery pits of Hell. The winter palace is closely guarded, cloaked in stealth and heavily sound proofed. Any voice getting in and out would lead to catastrophe in heavenly relations and riots. Hell is a much nicer place without these Gods."

"That is a huge security risk", I said.

"You have no idea. Imagine the number of people who would flock, in case they knew. Worse, some will hold Him or His loved ones for ransom! That apart I have to entertain God and His entourage. The angels, man do they complain. One was like, "This is NOT like Heaven". Of course not! This is HELL! "

Clearly, devil is not the PR types. Nor has she completed her MBA, I reasoned. I let her continue.

"And to top it, no one appreciates me for what I am!". She broke down and cried like a small baby. Time for another round of tequila.

"But man, you are my brother, dude! I will remember you when you come to Hell. I'll take care of you man.".

Hey, that is so untrue. I am so going to Heaven right? My religion .. "Ms. Devil, you must be mistaken ...".

"Listen man, look into my eyes. I am doing you a favor here. It is sad that you are under the spell of ignorance. People actually die to get this recognition from me. I'll add you a few perks. You a veggie right?"

"Yeah", I said meekly.

"I'll make sure you get medium fried with other Vegans only."

"That's nice of you but I am not ...."

"Hold on, just for you....... just for you, free calling from 9 PM to 6 AM HST anywhere to Hell and select locations to Heaven and Earth.".

"Wow! That's a real deal sweetener. Let me think about it." Few more rounds of tequila.

I struck the deal and sold her my soul.

On the last round, she said, "Welcome to Hell. Here is my card in case you want to refer anyone." She snapped her fingers and the good and the bad mini-devil were up looking sharp and smart. She seemed sober and sharp in an instant.

It hit me slow and easy. Just like tequila. I've been had. I just mumbled, "In your list of victims today, what number am I?"

"You are lucky # 13. Next stop, Vegas".

Off she disappeared in a puff of black smoke!

Preference Stated

I don't eat eggs even if they :

Talked, walked, danced, were made into funny shapes in omlette, scrambled, fried, deep-fried, spiced, pieced, covered in gold & silver, mixed in sweets (there is a chance there though), put in a bread basket, be anointed, be appointed king heir of all chickens, become the hearth throb of "* got talent", star in movie Avatar,  win Golden Globe, go on to win Oscars and ... last but not the least, get converted to a vegetable.

Phew!  :)

First Day @ School

"Why did you wake me up so early, Mommy?"
"Beta, you have to go to school today! Remember what I told you last night?"
"But Mommy..."
The hand I put out to protest became the means to drag me out of bed, into the hot water bath.

Mommy was in no mood to listen today. Is she the same Mommy? We used to play for hours in water and bath was so much fun. Mommy must be really angry today.
"Ouch!..Mommy soap is in my eyes!"
"Beta ... wipe if off. You are no longer a small kid!".
I am still a kid. Am I not? Your sweet little baby?
I kiss you good night everyday, how can you forget.

The dress is new. But wonder why its just two colors?
"Mommy, can I wear the birthday frock today?"
"Beta...you can, if its your birthday today. But is it?"
"But Mommy..."
"Beta...see if you wear it today, the rain gods will be angry and it will rain. The 'keechad' will make it dirty. Do you want your birthday frock to be dirty?"
"No Mommy..."
"Get dressed soon and eat the breakfast. Mommy needs to get ready too..."
"But Mommy...will you not make me eat?"
"You start off and i will come back. I want you to eat yourself today. Remember ?"

Food is not the same without Mommy adding her love and affection. I am cutting it smaller and smaller but the pieces just would not go in. Look, here is Didi and Dada.

Dada eats fast. I know he will help Didi later. He always does. I need help too .. "Mommy..."
"Mommy will come beta. Give Didi company. I will get your school bag ready. Remember the food box? Eat it when teacher tells you to"

Didi is sulking. Is she angry too? Its not my fault, Didi! Dada forgot to help you finish breakfast and tell those funny things to you today. See, Didi is also cutting into tiny bits now. I knew food doesn't taste the same today. Nothing is same these days. Not even my name. They don't call me "baby" anymore. Didi told me "beta" means boy. I have tell Mommy that I am a girl.

Didi is almost done. "Didi..." "I was just coming by ...". Didi puts food a little faster into my mouth. Not lovingly as Mommy. But loving in her own way. Didi is not angry anymore.

"Listen, I see Mommy coming out. She is giving me that look. You eat while I pack my bag".
"Beta, Didi has to pack her bag. Don't ... "
Funny. Mommy never realizes we cannot hear her when she starts the machine that blows hot air.

Hey, ( smiling with :P ), I can make my day more fun! Bread is now in very very tiny pieces. I can now place them on the spoon, place spoon on fork and slam!.... Food will go to Mommy's plate!! Mommy will eat well today! He he ...

"BEEtaaa.. what is all this!!!?"
"But Mommy..."
"God! Ajee sunteho! I need you clean this up. ...... You, come here and now eat quickly"
Felt like Mommy is making chappati in my mouth.
"Eat quickly!"
"I have cleaned up. Don't worry, I am going late to office, I can..."
"These are her Didi's shoes. Get her's before her Didi starts a tantrum!"

Good Mommy. If I go to school, I'd go with you.You just go to different school Mommy. I want to be grown up so that I don't need to wear uniform like you. And carry a wooden scale around.

Didi is back all ready. Mommy's hair is just inches from my hand waiting to be pulled. Didi quickly grabs my hand. I know that look means I will get into trouble.

Did hugs. "Don't worry. If you feel scared, just talk to teacher. Rohini ma'm is very good!"
A hug is all I need. I find something melting in my eyes and everything is so watery.

"See now, you made her cry. Come here, I will punish you with ..... another big hug! Thanks Beta. Now off you go with your Dada."

"Lets go! We are all set!"
We are leaving house, now? No Mommy, I don't want to leave you and the house. My leg doesn't move out and the world out looks so busy. I hesitate for a minute. Mommy understands. She wipes my tears. "It's will be alright!"


(Fasting moving pair of foosteps in an alley ..)

Sniff! I don't want to go to school. Because...because, I like it at home. Mommy makes fish fry. Dada becomes horse, or gives a try. Didi is so nice that she shares everything. Including the scoldings and beatings for what we do.

Didn't know Mommy had so much energy to drag me like a tin can behind a car! "Mommy, it hurts!". "Sorry beta, but you can't be late for school on first day, no?"

Where did all these people and their kids come from? The streets look so crowded. Somebody make the streets like in late evening. Calm and less people. Don't they know, I have to go to school?

School means building with big gates. If its for kids, I don't know why they have big gates. The gatekeeper looks evil. Big open space to run around! Kids are already standing in and saying something out loud. Everything here is different. I didn't know kids come in all sizes. They are really big kids as tall as Dada. It seems like they are singing .... but out of tune. "Help us do our duties, And bless us God!". I bet Mommy will sing better.

"Mommy..."

Mommy is busy looking for something.
"1 C .... and yes, 1A".

"But Mommy... I need to go through bathroom."
"Ok. Here, let me take you. It's different from our house and ..."
Mommy you are telling me too many things, too fast!

The room looks colourful with cut paper on the walls. I see toys in a corner!

"Beta, you sit on beach. Stop crying, beta. You will like all the fun here." Big Mommy hug. I like big Mommy hugs. I start crying. Now Mommy also starts crying.

"Sniff! Sniff! But Mommy, its you who is crying more."
Its funny when Mommy cries and laughs at the same time. Big kiss on cheek. I like Mommy!

"Good Morning! She is a smart girl, isn't she?"
"Beta, this is your teacher Rohini ma'm. Tell namaste!"
"Good namaste, teacher!"
"Good 'namaste'. Good morning will do just fine!"
"Good morning, teacher!"
"She is a quick learner, isn't she, M'am? So, how... "
Grown ups talk so much and so fast that its difficult to follow.
Teacher's smile is second best to Mommy's. And Didi's.

"Don't worry, she will be alright! And we have your telephone number as well. Take care, ma'm."

Mommy, please remember to give me a bye and a smile just before you leave. There, you remembered! Mommy always remembers!

Two other kids are dropped off on the bench. Their Mommy's also call them "Beta". I think Didi is wrong. I am 'beta' if Mommy calls me so. But they wear shorts to school while I have a frock. I must tell their Mommies to get them frocks as well.

Its funny when big kids cry. I hand out a hanky to the nearest. "Teacher is nice! Here wipe your nose."
They cry more than I do. The kid behind them already had drawn something that looks like a inverted box with two horns, like "H" on both their backs.

Ma'm enters. "Everybody, get up and say 'Good Morning, Teacher.'" "Good Morning, teacher".

"You two crying kids with "H" on their backs, turn around! Stop bothering the kid behind."
Box with two horns is 'H'. Oh, I see.
"You, boy, give me the sketch pen and come to the board! You can write here. You cannot write on other kids back. If you do this again, you will stand on the bench.... "

"Here is your hanky. Thanks!"
"What is "Thanks"? "
"It means....hmm, if anyone tries to draw a "H" on your frock again, he will get the same treatment."
"Thanks! I am <> ... I will think of a name for you two, but it will start with 'H'".
Smiles around.

"Now, everyone stand up, we will all say prayer..."

Midnight Adventures of the Unexpected Kind

Tranquil.

The whole world rests, sleeping off their anxieties, worries, slipping into the world of dreams. The only sounds heard in the room are mundane ticking of the clock, as if screaming to compensate, for the lack of attention during the day. Eyelids, feel heavy and close, extinguishing the last sources of light. Ears get used to the sound of the heart beats. The breathing is dampened. Guile leaves the face. Push open the gates of the dream world, expecting them to move over noiselessly.

Clang!

What in Heavens could possibly interrupt this fascinating sequence of events, that hitherto always went unnoticed ! Did the gates of dreams break? No, impossible. It must be Earth. Have the zombies woken up to take over the night? Has Dr. Doom mistaken this day to be Dec 21 2012? Saner thoughts rush in. Is someone breaking in? Fear heightens and tinges the thoughts, expecting the very worst possible. Has the laptop on the bed jumped to meet its end on the floor? WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Wake.

Open eyes very reluctantly. The body feels heavy and immobile as the muscles slowly awaken. Climb down from the bed and move towards the door, dragging the reluctant self to open the bedroom door. Dull light in a distance hits the eyes and a waft of burnt smoke tickles the nose. Oh! God! Is it fire? The very thought opens the flood gates of adrenaline and sends it gushing into the blood stream. Pupils dilate to reveal a dim hazy kitchen in smoke with utensils strewn about. Muffled cough in the background.

TRING!!

The fire alarm has tripped and the strobes of light are blinding. The cough is drowned in the wails of the alarm, screeching for help. The security phone starts ringing. NO! This is not happening. Whatever sanity is left refuses to believe that sleep is now broken and is being battered out of existence, caught by the scruff of the neck and rudely thrown back into the world of the real.

Anger.

Who or what has spoilt the beautiful night? Guilty MUST pay! Eyes slowly adjust to the surroundings. A huddled figure in the corner, trying to suppress a cough with a spatula in hand. Everything becomes as clear as the day.

A voice in the head yells, “You are at it again!!!!”

To be contd ...

Win or lose?

Is it better
to put 1000% effort and lose
or
to put 1% effort and win?

Analysis

Watching someone play the game is an interesting experience. If you know some theory behind the game, then the analysis kicks in.

This opens a Pandora's box of questions.

Which is the right move? What would I have done? Is he making the right choice? Why would the choice work for him? Is he leading or falling back? Should he correct his form? Would being aggressive work in this situation? Is a change of stance required? What are his assumptions? What is his scoring rate? Why he is right? Why he is wrong?

Even though there is a risk of over-analysing and being over-critical, the fun is in comparing the approach and attitude.

Ah, the fun of being born human! :)

WTF

XPS 1330 now comes with an upgraded package, more freebies and costs $400 less. Just 4 months difference. WTF!