Of God's own country!

Contrary to how I had perceived Kerala in tourism promos: a land of Kathakalis, coconut trees, vast stretches of waters; my first impression of God’s own country was a land of eagles, kingfishers and little egrets. It’s probably the budding photographer in me that notices birds more over what is apparent and right in the face, like coconut trees and vast stretches of water. This vacation, from October 31 through November 5, was fantastic. I did an evening at Thiruvanthapuram; thanks to the awful Air India service that delayed my day by about three hours. Never ever fly Air India, I told myself. Apart from the time delays, I thought, the staff was kind; making up for the short comings in delayed schedules that they didn’t have control over.

The next two days were spent in Varkala. Varkala is very laid back and it feels like a smaller version of Goa. North cliff is pretty happening in the evenings vis-à-vis the south. I lived on the south at Hindustan beach resorts; a very decent place to stay for two days. But if one wants action, north cliff is a better place to live. At the north cliff, I loved the café Del Mar restaurant. I only had a late evening coffee there but the ambience kept pulling me towards it. I would probably book the Clafouti resort at the north cliff if I decide to visit Varkala again. The water lake (probably called Angeco) towards the golden temple was beautiful; experienced my first photography aha moment here. Shibu, the boy who drove us around recommended a visit to this temple. He was an excellent sarathi. If ever anyone decides to roam around Varkala, he can be hired as a sarathi during the trip. He is available on +91-8089419757 and one can give him my reference. He knows me as Jeeva ;-). 

Shibu can be reached on +91-8089419757

Kovalam was next for two nights at Samudra KTDC resorts. Nice resort, beautiful outdoors. I was mesmerized by the pristine blue waters at Kovalam. I haven’t seen water that blue ever in my life before, so this was a first. I decided to get in, experience it on the last evening. On the second day at Kovalam, I decided to take a trip to the backwaters of Poovar, an approximate of 16-20 kms drive from Kovalam. The backwaters are overwhelming for photographers. Colorful greens, narrow mangroves, gorgeous birds in flight, golden sands and more. The pictures at these backwaters was my highlight of the Kerala trip.

One would think European accents are difficult to follow. English in mallu is equally challenging.

God’s own country has been a hit with me! 

More pictures on facebook

Forever us

"In moments a perfect world exists. In moments, I am the perfect one for you... these moments, of you and me, are often infinite. In all the randomness you are 'the one' that my heart wants to stand still with. You are the emotional experience of my soul and therefore, like its ethos to live on to eternity, forever exists. That forever is US." - extract from the Untitled.

Taking stock on September 23

1. Closer to model colony, an area in Pune, 28 lavish pent houses are being constructed called Skyone. I think it runs 4 crores+ in terms of cash and should be 4 BHKs or so. I say to myself “I would love a 4 BHK”, 3 rooms for the three significant people in my life (grandmum, mum and sis) and I shall keep one to myself. Call it a family home. Then I peep into my bank account and laugh at myself with the realization of missing zeroes. Nevertheless I like the idea of that home. It also tells me, no matter where I shall live, Pune will always be home as long as my grandmum and mum shall live.
2. I will meet Jolie someday. I probably will hug her out for five minutes. If she’s kind we may do coffee. If she’s kinder we may spend a day together. I will photograph her and then call upon someone to take a picture of me and her together. Don’t blame me for being crazy!! Life’s taught me to believe in the powers of the universe!
3. A moment comes in your life, like a flick of a finger, where you realize you can never be the child in the family anymore. You assume the guardian to everyone who has brought you up. Its terrifying.
4. If there’s one thing I could change from the past, I would buy less clothes and invest the same amount in assets. If I had two, I would make up for the loss of time (pointless gallivanting to nowhere) and invest it in social work.
5. “Pick a workout you like. A little of some that you don’t. Be consistent and regular”, is a learning I would take forward with me in the future. I love aerobics and working on the chest and biceps. I can hardly do pull ups. I hate doings lunges with weights.
6. Speaking of workouts, I would like to do the 48 hours of uninterrupted sex marathons like Derek and Meredith. I would like a lot of these marathons. I would marry the ‘one’ I do these marathons with.
7. Once I am done with enough of these marathons for a season, I would take a break. I would then sky dive or bungee jump. We had then go on honeymoon :-).
8. Rain mates with sunshine
   Every three hours
   In moments, a perfect world exists.    
9. I should push myself to swim more. Like dolphins or orcas.
10. There’s just one thought that excites me these days and turns out I don’t have the motivation to do it. When I get the motivation, I don’t find the time. Catch 22? No silly, I just need a kick on my ass to do that one thing that will make me proud.
11. On Sep 11, 2012, a friend of mine, Nanju, got married (or got his legal license of marriage). I am very happy for him. So are a million of his facebook friends.
12. That makes me love policy makers, at least some of them. I should be a little more aware of politics. I am such a dim wit when it comes to that!! Who would have thought we live in an era of g-love-lization where a Telugu boy from Bangalore got married to his American boyfriend in Washington :-). I don’t know the story since I left Bangalore in 2009 but next time I visit I am going to sit with him and have a chat over coffee. Get to know his story.
13. I am a good listener. However, I selectively choose whose stories I want to get to know.
14. One should take care when crossing highways. Use the under bridge or over bridge or whatever that allows you not to confront the speeding traffic. Playing safe is better than broken bones. Recently, I was walking with an acquaintance trying to cross the highway: lets just say he got bruises which otherwise would have been broken bones. Lesson learned.
15. I am excited to get more tattoos. The very idea of a visual representation of one’s soul on skin is exotic.
16. The last film that touched my heart was BARFI. It was on September 16, 2012.
17. In my experience, “one shouldn’t be overwhelmed by promises or all things that come in the form of ‘talk’. Let actions take your breath away. That is how great friendships are made and love is found.”
18. I want to visit London next year in Summer; meet my dear friend Vishal. Pub hop, get drunk, get wasted!! It has been a while since I did that. See, that’s why friends are super important.
19. As for love, all I can say is, love can never be forced. That dynamics is the emotional experience of your soul. “To revel in its exoticism cannot be faked.”
20. Time is a great healer, guide and philosopher. Take my word for it.
21. I heard of a great saying from a friend of mine once; “The trouble with life is, when you are half way through it, you realize, its a do it yourself thing.” I believe it to be an absolute truth.
22. Of all the poets I have heard of I remember Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words... “to leave the world better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or redeemed social condition. To know that one life breathed easier because you lived... is to have succeeded.” Another absolute truth.
23. Last but not the least, I want to thank Ganapati Bappa with all my heart for the wonderful days and years I have had. In the next 35 years if I can say to myself, “I loved”, I would have made my life’s worth!

Early morning dream!!

I had a strange dream this morning. I saw a beige mouse. Very pretty looking actually but I hate mice. So I freaked out in the dream... but in whatever unconsciousness, I realized this was Ganesha festival so it seemed like a very good sign!!

In the same dream or another, I do not know now, I saw an eagle. It dived down right to where I was and, in reflex, I raised my forearm for the eagle to sit. I was worried about the claws but when I saw the eagle dive down with such confidence, "I must know the eagle", is what I said to myself. Hence the forearm reflex. Isn't the eagle the national bird of US or something? Or some specific breed of eagle?

This morning I got something in my inbox and I have been thinking of the dream!!

Invested

Took a baby step towards an investment that should have been done 7-8 years ago; 'better late than never' is what I have told myself. Today was deemed auspicious to make this investment. 

Liquidated an investment that was done five years ago. Probably another step that says "wrap up most of your shit for now, there's a new world waiting in an year's time'.

Dreams!!

Jeevuitton

Dated April 22, 2011.  Reposting for records :).

After a not so nice evening, I chatted with a pal and said "I just hope I don't kill myself by the time I am 50 or 60". The friend said "I doubt it" and went on to say some of the finest things I have ever heard about me. :). The friend did cheer me up - a lot and therefore I wanna keep this as a token of all the fabulous things I could be.

Jeevuitton,

1. Fall will be your favorite season, fall in mumbai, spring in London.
2. You will have your portrait drawn, photographed, computer-generated, painted, 3-D hologramed, etc by the most interesting artists in the world
3. You will teach a class, give seminars, teach, mentor and leave an awesome legacy
4. You will not lose your hair and will be very proud of that (I loved this one)
5. Photos and words will take you places and you will want more and more. More travel, more exoticism.
6. You shall be totally impatient with bad service providers and less tolerant of BS
7. You will be more direct
8. You shall eat and drink and be a gourmet of sorts
9. Your curiosity will never be satiated yet you shall be content
10. NY will become your favorite city (The friend is from NY ;) )
11. A distinguished gentleman with a boyish quality, sparkle and an alluring smile
12. You would be published
13. A homeowner
14. You shall father a girl child at an older age (This terrified me a little bit, but who knows miracles happen)
15. You will latch onto a charity or cause and you will champion it
16. I think you will be even more awesome

Hello July

A couple of months back I picked up two books on 2012 horoscopes. Personally, I believe the cosmos is some sort of science and astrologers study it. I don't get too involved when I read them but I don't ignore them either. I believe luck plays a very crucial role in making one's fate - and luck probably is positive energy dancing a ballad with your hard work. 

This month's horoscope says "This is a very positive time. This is a period of culmination in your life. The old order will end and there will be new beginnings."

This month does ring in something new. Starting this month, I work out of Pune for more than a couple of months - a transfer I requested and my company was kind enough to grant it. As far as 'culmination' is concerned -- I know there have been a couple of things on my radar and they will be until next year. I have to work towards them step by step and hopefully by next year, I shall have accomplished milestones. So, I am looking forward to this month and hereafter. Also, this is the first time in 8 years that I am working from Pune and there is a certain amount of joy. Today a brahmakamal blossomed in our Pune home. It is considered a good omen and for the first time I have been a witness to this magnificent event. I want to believe that this blossom and me being in Pune has something to do with the 'culmination' in my life.

Brahmakamal blossom offered to God on July 1, 2012

As for June, I had a great time in Goa. Speaking of coincidences when I booked my tatkal rail ticket my seat number was A1 23 ==> 23 is the day of a month I was born. It was a sign that said my Goa experience was going to be very pleasant. 

June 17, 2012 in Goa. Such awesome breeze by the Vagator beach

The last week of June was a little stressed and expensive with all the shifting. I am happy that's done now. July is going to be very expensive too... I am thinking of buying Samsung SIII, another lens for shooting and probably a new two wheeler.  Lets see how July goes. Cheers.

A tad proud with my IELTS results

In 2001, when I took my first driving test in the US I did a perfect 8 and flawless parallel parking demonstration. I was told that I would have to come again because nobody gets a license in their first test. So I had a smirk of pride when I showed my brand new, first attempt driving license to everybody. 

Today, I sort of feel the same. A tad proud with my IELTS test results. One week of preps (5 listening tests, 5 reading tests, listening to 5 interviews, and 1 writing test) and an overall band score of 8 is not bad at all (9 is the best you can be!) A booster stride to something new.

Jolie awesomeness: mother, humanitarian, diva!

It was probably seven years ago when I first saw her. In Bangalore times. It was one of the most natural pictures I had seen. She stood laughing by the beach in a black bikini / swim suit. I was mesmerized. She made an excellent first impression. I cut out the newspaper image as a piece of treasure and pasted her on one of my transparent folders. I have misplaced the folder now and it has been very difficult to catch hold of that photo in google searches. I have spent almost an hour in vain.

The truth is, 'love' with a human being can never be a first sight phenomenon. For love to happen at first sight all the other dynamics of expectations, characteristics, philosophies of two people have to tango with each other. The chances of that happening is rare even in an utopian world. If seven years ago somebody would have told me that Jolie is the celebrity I shall love forever, I wouldn't have believed it.

She then made a second appearance in my life covering her head with a scarf out of respect when she visited Afghanistan. Isn't that a modesty we would appreciate of people across all cultures? I attended an interview in 2007/8 with the chief marketing manager of a BPO firm called 24 X 7. He made me wait for 30 minutes and started the interview without an apology, as if he had the right to buy my valuable time. I shall never forget the asshole's arrogance.

After this second appearance is when I started to learn more of her, thanks to google. I learned she was a mother of one and then came another from Africa. Then came the entire Brangelina clan. Today, I subscribe to Oprah's philosophy that motherhood is the toughest job in the world. My sister is a mother and I get to see her raise my nephew very closely. Thanks to her I can relate to the energy and time investment that kids need. I believe women are better equipped to raise kids. Its probably the years and years of conditioning where they have evolved to be the nurturing species. May be its the primitive, feminine instinct. But again, I have seen examples of some who don't deserve to rear a child. However in today's world, like Ricky Martin says, every family is special. He, for instance, plays the dual role of mother and father to his kids. That said while the world has an opinion (and mind you they do and not in a good way) about her burgeoning pride, I believe her choice to mother kids around the world is incredibly commendable. To raise healthy kids and given them an equal opportunity to be the best they can be is God's work. She in that respect is an absolute demi Goddess. The millions she earns probably come handy, but realistically, we all know time beats money when it comes to rearing kids.

To me, she became a person first, actress later. I haven't seen a lot of her films that make me say "She is a spectacular actress," but if you want to see the actress in Jolie you should watch 'Changeling'. 10 minutes into the movie, you forget its a Jolie film. The movie though is tragic and real. The second one that comes close second is 'Gia' where her character is based on supermodel 'Gia Maria Carangi'. While the Jessica Albas of Hollywood decide on proportions of flesh to reveal to the audience, we see Jolie bare, uninhibited in the apartment hallway pleading her lesbian love to stay with her. Tragic movie again. It was probably around these years that she professed of her relationship to model-actress Jenny Shimizu when 'lesbian love' wasn't a style statement or scripts for successful movies in Hollywood. The mere idea to declare your love for someone is powerful. Then is when I realized this woman has passion. She also did a splendid job in 'Girl Interrupted' but this was one character I couldn't come to love in spite of it played by her. 

I will need to watch 'Original Sin' again to comment on the movie but I am not surprised she starred in the film. She has 'SEX' written all over her. So there's no element of surprise when she did 'Original Sin'. Some celebrities try real hard to play the sex kitten but this gift comes to her naturally. She only has to glance. Or smirk. Or raise a brow. The pout does its own magic too. 'Sex' is an integrated part of her soul, an inbred quality that she is born with, like the sense of smell in bloodhounds.

Then again she bursts her own myth by letting a horse canoodle her breasts. I have read a lot of sick things in response to the picture below and although this being one of the sexiest pictures of her, I find it extremely platonic. In spite of her uninhibited nature, she is a person who defines her own boundaries. She comes across as somebody who is non-negotiable on integrity. Say if 'Wanted' was real life and the code wanted her dead; she wouldn't flinch a second to shoot a bullet through her head.

Obviously, I am biased because I am in love with her. Over time, I have realized this love shall continue indefinitely. Her status in my life is something no other celebrity shall supersede. She may not light up the screen every time like Julia does but knowing that she lives in the same world as mine brightens up my day. Women like her are masterpieces. They happen once in a million years.

So, today, on her birthday, I wish her well. In life, in love, in motherhood, in God's work. May she always prosper.

Well, she is sort of like my poetry so I shall stop now!! :o).

A bite of pudding

Soothing summer breeze

stands on the edge

as monsoon shoves her way

with anticipated promise of drizzly days

Summer fulfilled his vow

of crispy dry clothes and luring the animals wild

to a wet oasis

followed by a prolonged dry spell

Today in Mumbai city,

touched by the soothing breeze

butterflies galore and goosebumps reveled

start of a 'pudding' story

Aroused by craving for 'pudding' or the advent of a new season

Not sure which one, or may be both, I thought

of floaters and flip flops,

shorts and singlets

Drenched dates,

wet love affairs,

Inviting friends to jump in puddles

or meet the roaring waves in a group cuddle

Chai cuttings, bhajis and wada paavs

of savoring a hot coffee in bed

A 'pudding' bite to complement the bitter taste

A 'pudding' bite that would make my day.

Then again,

sick of potholes and wet grounds

we wait for the wet spell to pass

in premonition of winter chills to thrill

Cycle of seasons change

One gets over the drenched dates

Some wet affairs last

adoring the good seasons of past

Then, I imagine, if 'pudding' was a person I loved, 

Irrespective of the mood or craving,

I had savor a bite each day

ceremoniously celebrating the ritual

Butterflies shall fly away, goosebumps shall bid adieu,

But someday again, on another breezy morning,

while I savor my bite,

they would marvel out of the blue

Seasons are meant to change

From June, December to May,

Some wet affairs are designed to stay

like my 'pudding' bite each day.

Health, wealth and love

Today is Gudi padwa, a very auspicious day and new year's as per the Hindu calendar. 

This month has been very introspective and I want to mark this day with positive energies. I think February taught me an excellent lesson. At a practical level it has pushed me to assess the importance of money. I haven't saved anything in the past six months, shame on me!! I have to see my accounts on where all the money is gone :D. Its probably flight tickets and small small things but the summation of these small small things are creating a huge impact on my wallet. Lesson learned and I plan to save more in the coming months.

Recently I came across the following proverb.

"The real contest is always between what you've done and what you're capable of doing. You measure yourself against yourself and nobody else." ~ Geoffrey Gaberino

The timing was rather apt. Now, I believe my capability rather touches the sky while what I have done rests on the earth. I have believed, I am meant for GREATNESS and this introspective month has revealed that I haven't lived up to what I would be at 34. I should have done some Europe vacations for now and I haven't made a single one happen. I have never been a money-minded person so I haven't focused on how much I make. My struggle has always been what I do and does it make and keep me happy? I have had a remarkable 18 months professionally and really enjoyed what I have been doing!! However, its time that I get paid more and move onto a similar interesting body of work. 

The GREATNESS, I was talking about is probably going to come by becoming a published author. I was hoping for it to happen in 2012 and the first draft is ready. However, when I started redoing chapter two, I realized there is so much more to write and do. I don't want to finish the book for the heck of finishing it. I want to give it all the attention it deserves. Needless to say, I believe people are going to love the book. Someday, somebody is going to pick the book and make a movie of it. 

Now you can imagine how much I dream? But then what is life without dreams!!

A great philosopher once said "Either write a story that people would love to read or be the story that people would love to know." Until the book happens, I shall focus on being the story that people would love to know. 

However, even though I stay on the ground aiming to reach the skies, I feel I am blessed. I am closer to family, I have some great friends and I have dreams to wake up to tomorrow. They shall all happen. 

I have good health, I have reasonable wealth and I have love. * Kala tikka * like my friend Bindhu would say :o). 

So here's wishing all my dear ones - health, wealth and love - the three things that are essential to feel blessed. Tomorrow, lets work for more.

March, how ya doing ;)?

I am looking forward to a better month. 

Last month wasn't exactly a great month. I have never felt this lonely, ever. I wasn't at the peak of my health and its probably because of that. Loneliness can be worst then, I have learned. February 2012 taught me that. A couple of years back if I was to make a choice between compromise and loneliness, I would have chosen the latter. 

Although, even today, I believe that would continue to be my choice. Companionship is fantastic but I want to be with somebody who makes my heart go dhak-dhak. At least, a little. What's the point if I don't want to kiss the person next to me in bed every morning and every night? And a lot many times during the day if I get a chance :). I believe my expression of love is rather physical. Even platonic expression for that matter. I hug a few selective close friends an awful lot. I hug and kiss my mom and grand mom.

The trouble with dhak-dhak is, I haven't been in a relationship over the past decade. I have dated, without substance obviously. When I was 25 I said to myself "I have five more years to be in a relationship, what's the rush?" and now I am mostly "OMG, what the fuck did I do in the last decade?" I speak to my single friends, some fantastic people, and the story is apparently the same everywhere. But then, I also speak to my coupled friends and they are happy. I believe, some seem to have the dhak-dhak going for them. 

I am an optimist so I would never give up on the idea of love. It probably will evolve over the years and this blog shall be a testament of how it does!

Enough personal introspection. I am feeling better now and therefore looking forward to a very productive month at work and a rocking personal life. I start working out this week and looking forward to it.

In spite of not being a great month, it was special. Mom completed 38 years of banking service with Bank of India. She's a rock star. At least to her kids. 

And then I met a friend from UK and some of his awesome friends. 

Life should fall in place now. Some parties and catching up with good friends over weekends. Writing - crucial and important. Being open to professional opportunities.

On an upbeat note, I have been very impressed with my Honda Activa recently. I bought it in Bangalore in 2005 and when I moved to Mumbai in 2009 it simply sat collecting dirt for an year. The moron who was supposed to transfer the registration took more than an year to do so. So it wasn't in use. It wouldn't button start, no matter what I did. Then last week, I decided to take it to work for the first time. Two stations away to Goregoan, where I work. In Mumbai I have learned to establish distance with "number of stations" as the measurement unit. And to my pleasant surprise, the button start has begun to work. It is same with our bodies. We need to keep running and being serviced in order to being alive and kicking. In order to button start at the advent of every single day. 

Now back to living, making the most of every single day. Like life should be!

Rest in peace Niyu

In one of my recent posts, I mentioned of a darling girl who was diagnosed with Wilms' tumor. She let go of life on February 26, 2012 at 10:30 p.m. Fighting until her last breath. She was less than two years old.

She is my cousin's daughter and her name is Niyati. Everyone lovingly called her Niyu. 

"Niyu, may you rest in peace," is all I have to say to you. I believe no mere mortal has the wisdom to explain why life is what it is. "Life is what it is" is the only absolute wisdom. Who can explain why a two year old spent most of hers fighting than frolicking? I hope she was braver than her pain. I hope there is that much kindness. 

When people speak of their greatest accomplishments, I hope they are wise to realize that if "love" is not the first on their list, their lives are superficial. Because what I see today is although Niyu was only two, she was surrounded by infinite amount of love - her parents, their friends and her extended family. Infinite and limitless. And I am sure, she gave back immense love to everyone as well. Spiritually, love is probably the "moksha" of all. Everything else is worldly and thus secondary.

Although not personally, I have heard stories where parents probably have had it worse. All I wish to say is Niyu has fantastic parents who did everything they could to ensure she lived as much as she could. Hats off to them. They are God's humane form.

Circle of life continues. Her soul shall probably connect to all her loved ones someday. May be in a future life. 

Valentine’s day 2012

I decided to watch the 9:00 p.m. run on channel WB of “You’ve got mail”. I have to admit the first time I watched the movie, I didn’t get it. I mean what was the big deal? Probably even the second time which I don’t remember when. Then one day, it played on some channel again and Tom Hanks said the finest words that close the deal in any romantic movie.

“Yeah. I would have asked for your number, and I wouldn't have been able to wait twenty-four hours before calling you and saying, "Hey, how about... oh, how about some coffee or, you know, drinks or dinner or a movie... for as long as we both shall live?" ”

The above caught my attention. Then I watched it again and the movie is smart, witty, brilliant.

Someday I will watch it again, back to back. For Meg Ryan who’s adorable in everything does and says. For Tom Hanks, who is so cool about everything. “Its not personal, its business.”

I like Valentine's day or days designated for a purpose. You take time out of your daily lives to do something special. A simple dinner outside, catching up with a friend, watching a movie or simply buying flowers for somebody. You make an additional extra effort to make the day special which you otherwise wouldn't have. 

It didn't seem horrifying to sit at home and watch a movie by yourself. I enjoy my solitude and I seem to get a lot of it these days. An overdose though can be fatal. I need to wander around more, meet interesting people. 

Had a writer's block on chapter 2 of my book today. I hope to provoke more interest and wrench out the dullness.

Number 5

Saw a lot of number 5s today. It seems like a positive sign. 

Met a chap from Vancouver, Canada today. That is another sign. 

Imran Khan is named Rahul Kapoor in EMAET - weird coincidence. The story is told in days - another weird coincidence.

Morning moon

Woke up at 4:55 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. The chill of Mumbai mornings in Jan and Feb is sexy. Bangalore is like that very often :D and sexy all the same. Put on my black tracks and sweater, had warm lime and honey water and clicked the morning moon picture.

Morning moon at 6:15 a.m

I am a morning person, although waking up early has been very difficult these days. I shall get back on track in a month. 

It has been a happy morning. 

Moving onto better health

Underwent a minor surgery on January 23. I hate surgeries especially because I haven't been able to comprehend the universal need of body repair by instruments. However, I am overwhelmed with the idea that we have made such phenomenal progress in medicine that helps us spring back to action earlier than our ancestors did. 

Although, surgery lasted not more than 30 minutes the ordeal to revive back may be 4 weeks, hopefully lesser. Antibiotics, pain killers, medication to manage acidity and ointment. 

I never want to have another one. 

The most important asset one has and needs to take good care of is one's HEALTH. Everything else in the world takes the second place. 

My very AWESOME sis played Nightingale! I and my parents must have done something outstanding in our past lives to have her as part of us in this one. She represents all the goodness in the world there is. 

Simply decided to record the incident and not dwell deeper. Moving onto better health. 

Keeping it up

Unlike what the title may suggest, this has nothing to do with Viagra. Having spent all my energies on everything else other than writing in 2011, I have found myself to be exceptionally upbeat in the past 10 days on the writing front. I have just begun chapter 9 of the total 16 that I plan to write. I know how the story ends and I know a couple of chapters in between. I am amazed with how ideas emerge as I sit to write. Actually, ideas keep coming all throughout the day on different days. There are times when I have to sit and wonder what is going to happen in the current chapter. Chapter 8 was a pleasant surprise. I gave myself some time and within two hours I knew what I wanted to put in there. I scribbled and am happy about the outcome.

I have been writing in my 2011 diary which has been unused throughout the year. I dedicate each month to a new chapter and the dairy is designed as something called "masterpiece paintings". This diary is my single most important asset of 2012. I prefer writing on paper than on electronic devices. The first draft is always good to have in paper, unless its a short story that's going to end in five pages. Someday, when I put all the chapters in electronic format - I may have better language, better articulation. I will make an effort to assess how can all the literature be an interesting read. Today, I believe I am going at a decent pace and I like it. I hope to stay this motivated throughout the year. Dear Universe, keep me so!

As I write and complete chapters, I realize there are pieces I can add to previous ones and make the story stronger. Touch wood, till date every chapter seems to easily flow into the next. 

Its important I complete it this year. While in my heart I want it to be a best seller, for a writer its only a pure, unadulterated version of a story. It is his connect with life and characters and he only hopes that everyone who picks up the book is glad that they did. In some cases, probably one of the finest stories that they have read in their lives.

Dear Universe, keep the good energies flowing! 

On an irrelevant note that has nothing to do with writing, I had some version of caviar yesterday when a friend's hubby took us out to celebrate his wife's birthday! Not the Salmon roe or Sturgeon... but probably a very nascent version of something that's served at Salt water cafe! 

Assembling the pride!

I had a dream last night where I saw a couple of lioness'. There was a vast expanse of land and they seemed very close to us. I remember telling a friend "Hey, lets run! I don't want to be eaten just yet!" I am not sure whether its an after effect of watching NGC Wild or the first chapter of my book that says "assembling the pride".

Hello 2012!

I want to do something special this year in terms of accomplishments like the year in 1993: the only I remember distinctly from my past. I passed my SSC exams with flying colors, really FLYING. I scored 88.42% but even beyond the sense of accomplishment, I was mighty pleased with myself because I was the reason of joy to my entire family. I am closer to my maternal relatives so extended family more relates to people who are connected in blood with my mum.

This year, I wish to replicate that sense of accomplishment. For myself. Although I do not have a plan, I have an idea. Lets hope next January 1st when I write the first blog of another year, I have achieved what I set out for this year. Also, I think this year is a little special because it adds up to 5 which is the same as my expression number (I am born on a 23rd).

Looking back on 2011, I believe it has been a very fine year, no complaints. Some highlights:

1. Took mum and grandmum on two separate vacations this year
2. Walked for LGBT rights
3. Made a trip to Sula vineyards
4. Moved into a new place that I love. Although, over time I have started getting frustrated with the hazardous evening traffic closer to the station.
5. Spent birthday with mom and dad doing the regular things, however did a fantastic Ratnagiri trip the following weekend.
6. Missed leveraging a free vacation coupon *sad face*. Couldn't go to Goa this year *sad face*
7. Fed a couple of dogs, good karma!
8. Took eight lessons in photography - a big step forward for an alternative profession (?)
9. Wrote poetry as a resultant of Bangalore rains
10. Chose my God and have been able to see him every two months. Made a deal with him on Dec 23 for the one thing that I want to happen for myself in 2012. 
11. had an awful pay revision but on the brighter side I still do a job I love. 

Capturing some of my favorite moments in pictures:

Grandmum enjoying her cup of warm milk in Nagpur

First visit to orange orchards :)

@ Bangalore LGBT Pride march

Landscape enroute Ratnagiri

@ Sula vineyards

Here's to 2012

In the name of dear dreams
contemplative coffee corners over lit beams
Eventful journeys, accomplished destinations
Some generous charities and to making better nations

A couple new friendships
A couple more drinks
Fortifying family ties
Cherishing brighter skies

In the name of good health and healthy appetites
Making out and love bites
Stumbling upon a new love that comes around
Or continuing the loving to someone who makes your world go round

To walking and flying
and community living
Happy happy 2012
Wishing everyone well!