tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141544302024-03-14T13:48:28.375+04:00Sleepy Conscience Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. – Mark Twain.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-27172979830007222232015-12-05T17:24:00.003+04:002015-12-05T17:24:51.109+04:00On Travel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have another year to go before my passport expires but I have run of pages. Something I am secretly happy about, I have been incredibly lucky and fortunate to have been able to travel so much, yet there is this nagging feeling, that one negative line of thought that keeps asking me these questions - has it been worth it? Have I learnt anything at all?<br />
I read a tweet that said, people don't seem to be gaining much from traveling over the world except in their girth. I have since begun to wonder if this is true about my travel experiences too.<br />
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Yesterday I was at a conference, one of the talks was about traveling solo. I came to realize not only have I not done much travelling alone many of my travel experiences have been so sheltered, with usually everything being taken care of. One of the closing points in the talks was how we have to tell our stories. I've realized the reason I feel that I haven't gained much is I don't share my experiences enough, sure I might not have traveled alone (I have on work) but I have had a very good time on all those trips. While I have blogged about some of my trips, I haven't written about many. Maybe I should now. Another reason I want to write down everything now is I have begun to forget things - names of places and small details. Blogging will probably make me go back to the pictures, look up Wikipedia again and hopefully I'll get to relive . And about time I revive this blog (even if blogging is dead pfft, Google please don't kill blogger like you did Google Reader) So, lets see how that goes!</div>
FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-64197277178876148972015-11-29T20:35:00.001+04:002015-11-29T20:39:26.126+04:00Soul friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A friend pointed that I hadn't written here in a long time - who reads blogs anymore?<br />
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Do you ever feel like you've reached the age when no matter how many new people meet you you'll never make any more close friends, all those you were meant to meet you have already met or worse you've missed your chance. I think I've reached the age. I cant imagine my life without my soul friends (soul sisters if you prefer) but it also saddens me a little bit that there might not be more. I hope I'm proved wrong, I hope I find more people to bare my heart with and the energy to do so.<br />
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FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-78438119563022613332013-09-28T21:06:00.002+04:002015-12-05T17:27:50.849+04:00Lucia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you know me personally or follow me on twitter/facebook, I've been talking about Lucia all the time. Lucia happens to be a beautiful Kannada movie funded entirely by the audience. I've seen the movie twice already and I think it is just brilliant. I'd like to write a more detailed review but I've been reading so many of them that I don't think I can offer anything new. I'll just say this - you won't be disappointed after watching it. I've been convincing many of my friends (including people who don't know Kannada) to watch it and it is heartening to hear their reactions later.<br />
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More about how the movie was made here <a href="http://www.luciathefilm.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">www.luciathefilm.com</a></div>
FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-85360323464372716052013-04-27T07:24:00.001+04:002013-04-27T07:24:57.772+04:00On being a winner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Do you remember <a href="http://shradharev.blogspot.in/2008/11/on-being-loser.html">this</a>? The ghosts of the past have been put to rest. I came second in a mini hackathon at work, which involved coming up with a mobile app on a certain theme in less than a week. While we lost out on the first place, people were blown away by the idea and the demo. I've been awarded several awards on performance and like in the past and I have always felt guilty that I perhaps did not deserve those. Turns, out I am not good at winning either. But this win feels so good. Pure unadulterated joy, something that comes from doing things you love. And this is just the beginning, now to turn this app into an actual product....<br />
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PS: The only place I can shamelessly brag about this is on this blog!<br />
PPS : This time too I teamed up with a friend and one person who doesn't know us professionally said, 'oh two women developers winning, not bad'. Argh.<br />
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FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-50953706623293484772013-01-30T21:27:00.000+04:002013-01-30T21:27:13.388+04:00Disclaimer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you were to read my last two posts or my blog in general you might think I am this manic depressive, whiny person. Truth is I am quite the opposite, am almost always cheerful, I smile too much (way too much in fact), laugh heartily and am a 'nice' person overall.<br />
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Just saying. </div>
FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-24023226146107961062013-01-13T21:16:00.002+04:002013-01-13T21:19:19.289+04:002013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What a crazy start it has been to the new year, crazy in a good way!<br />
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2012, professionally the year was just great! I feel happy and proud and exhilarated looking back at all that was achieved. <br />
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Personally, unfortunately all my goals have fallen flat, I've been restless and worst of all very very bitter. I resolved to fix it this year but half way through January, I seem to be getting only worse. But there's always hope, gotto try harder. Happy new year, sankranti and all that! Have a good one folks!</div>
FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-52473970561384835382012-12-02T10:31:00.001+04:002012-12-02T10:31:25.558+04:00...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The world likes dreamers. And it likes people who live their dreams. Long vacations. Beach holidays. Adventures. Backpacking trips. Quitting jobs. Chasing passions. It is a good thing dreaming. </div>
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<br /><br />And then there are the the others. Boring, dull, ordinary. Worrying. Bills. Home loans. Babies, Medical bills. Saving. Hoping.<br /><br /><br />We may not like non dreamers but the world certainly needs them.</div>
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FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-64873421377613146292012-08-17T09:41:00.000+04:002012-08-17T09:41:46.397+04:00Hey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every year this day, for the last few years, I'd send out a mail to a friend, wishing him on his birthday. The next day, he would reply back wishing me on my birthday. This one time I was going through a particularly bad phase, I decided not to send the mail, what is the point, I thought. The next day, he wished me all the same. I felt terrible. This tradition continued, the same message, same reply....until I married him. We used to think it was cool to have birthdays on consecutive days, he still thinks so, but I am bit jealous the attention is off me, August is now about 'our' birthdays rather than just mine. But then it is nice to have someone turn old along with you at the same time.<div>
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Anyway, around the time we got married, he stopped reading my blog (he stopped reading all blogs), so I had email notification set up to send my posts to his inbox. This message is for him -> Happy Birthday! Have fun!</div>
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FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-61326091550240782452012-06-30T16:01:00.001+04:002012-06-30T16:01:36.664+04:00To be a kid again..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After I read the most depressing book* ever I decided to read children's books and books for young adults, all those books that I missed out reading as a kid.<br />
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After some research, online shopping and browsing through scores of dusty books at Blossoms I bought a few. While I enjoyed most of them it was very difficult to get rid of my cynicism when reading them. Perils of being a grown up.<br />
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Anyway here is the list<br />
1. Divorce express - Paula Danzinger - Was looking for some other book by the same author but found only this. Adolescence, boys, school...you know the works.<br />
2. Are you there God? It's me Margaret by Judy Blume - Again, one of those growing up books. Cute.<br />
3. Julie of the wolves <span class="st">by Jean Craighead George</span>- This one is heart warming and sad and somewhat hard to believe, life of a little girl in alaska.<br />
4. Lemony Snicket's A series of unfortunate events Book 1 - The bad guy leaves a baby in a cage hanging from a tower. . Uggh.<br />
5. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - Loved this book the best, reminded me of the many stargirls I've known. <br />
6. Charlie and the chocolate factory by Roald Dahl - I haven't seen the movie, this is one book that made me hungry all the time. I even stocked my fridge with chocolates when reading this. But I couldn't help feeling sorry for the other four kids, I mean wonder why they didn't sue Willy Wonka. <br />
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Also discovered that I no longer have the patience to read Enid Blyton :(. (at least the mysteries, I still love Mallory Towers) <br />
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*The most depressing book ever was Rohinton Mistry's - A fine Balance. It is a book of genius no doubt but it just has too much misery packed into one book. I'd still recommend it but with the warning that it will make you sad. Very very sad. <br />
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<br /></div>FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-28124483473397277632012-05-07T20:20:00.003+04:002012-05-07T20:20:52.611+04:00Aamir and his showThe man.
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I have been a fan of Aamir khan for as long as I can remember and he is the only actor I have ever worshiped. I loved lagaan, DCH and I loved TZP. But something changed around that time. On screen, his acting became strained (3 idiots has to be his worst movie ever). Off screen he seemed to turn cocky, a ‘Mr. Know it all’. I couldn’t stand his Incredible India ads, when did he turn so self-righteous? Even in the satyameva jayathe song (which is brilliant btw) where he travels all over India meeting people, he seems so fake! He is intelligent, well read, versatile and talented no doubt, I don’t mean to offend his fans, just that I stopped being one.
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His show. <br>
I turned off the TV once when they started showing visuals of a harassed wife. I turned it on again soon but after an hour I switched off for good. I had to dry my clothes. <br>
The show is not ground breaking by any means. Have you never seen Oprah? (I like Oprah better because she gives away goodies to the audience). Like Rajdeep Sardesai <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/sardesairajdeep/status/199122244927111168">tweeted </a> 'Satyamev Jayate very good: Zindagi live, Real Heroes, India Positive, Citizen Journalist with Aamir as anchor! What more can one ask for!'. Plenty of such shows, except no body watches them. I like the fact that it is aired on DD and in all languages. Like they say, it has its 'heart' in the right place.
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It is interesting however to see all the reactions on twitter and facebook, opinions and people outraging over these opinions…
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<i>You must be a cynical, worthless citizen if you don’t like the show</i> – yeah right! <br> <br>
<i>Aamir vs Amitabh/SRK/Salman, they did meaningless game shows, while he is talking about social issues</i> – why belittle the work of other actors? <br> <br>
<i>He married twice so he is a bad human, hence we must not watch his show</i> – Err, why bring his personal life here?<br><br>
<i>We are bringers of change because we send sms and solve issues</i> – Reminds me of the Anna Hazare movement where people patted themselves on their backs for forming human chains while they conveniently continued to bribe cops, cheat with taxes etc. <br> <br>
<i>Aamir is minting money</i> – what's wrong about that? <br><br>
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I hope there is no outrage about this post. In any case how does it matter? Female foeticide is a serious issue. The facts and statistics shown were depressing. There will be more such issues, issues we always knew existed. What can we do about it, what has changed now? Will I watch the show again? Maybe, maybe not.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-69772899666895411412012-05-05T09:15:00.000+04:002012-05-05T09:15:11.519+04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkjFO-4YUwPOR7kUG2Fsr_R0viT4FKxtgONYdKWls8efoTpAY4t1g6WODk3jQl9Rx_1356sl50VQDNztRqYFukIuJV1FUx8AWbiCCFG5jvcG_E6I9avYNOjssfgID01SzeQfRtw/s1600/beach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="161" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkjFO-4YUwPOR7kUG2Fsr_R0viT4FKxtgONYdKWls8efoTpAY4t1g6WODk3jQl9Rx_1356sl50VQDNztRqYFukIuJV1FUx8AWbiCCFG5jvcG_E6I9avYNOjssfgID01SzeQfRtw/s320/beach2.jpg" /></a></div>
Very amateurish but I am quite proud of it. To start with I was not happy with the shape of the canvas, but this was the only one they had at staples. I haven't used oil paints much so chose a simple theme..although I started without planning much. Initially I painted only the water and sand but it turned out too plain, so I brought in the forest. The left side remained empty so I drew the boat. It still has a lot of empty space but I didn't know what to do with it. I like oil paints because you don't have to worry about getting it right the first time unlike water colours where one wrong move can ruin it. On the downside, it requires a lot of patience and can get messy. My ipad, phone, laptop all have traces of paints. I wonder if I can finally claim 'painting' as my hobby.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-68714307403899687232012-03-28T08:26:00.000+04:002012-03-28T10:02:41.228+04:00In the summer time...Every year around this time I declare my love for summer only to get angry or confused reactions asking me if something was wrong with me. But I don't understand, what is not there to love! I know it is hot (I am cooped up in an AC chamber all day) and that there is no power most of the times and no water and...ok, lot of things wrong, but if you can ignore those, it is the best time of the year! The mornings smell delicious, the yellow and purple flower dust on the roads, the wide variety of fruits in the market, the various options to beat the heat and of the course the memories of summer holidays! Winter makes me lethargic and sick, the rain makes me cranky..the sun kinda makes me smile.
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So there. I am not crazy, if its too hot for you, turn on the fan.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-48264188646169950472012-02-28T10:55:00.000+04:002012-02-28T10:55:00.841+04:00Norwegian woodSo I finished reading Norwegian wood. Crazy, sad and sexy love story...yet by Murakami standards not so crazy after all!
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Oh and the previous <a href="http://shradharev.blogspot.com/2012/02/plates-and-spoons.html">post</a>, neat, no? As soon as I read what Midori said, Hermione's spoon comment popped into my head. I like when such things happen, finding connections between characters, dialogs, story-lines. This is why reading is so much fun. Speaking of connections, Midori also happens to say that famous line from Forrest Gump - Life is a box of chocolates. As to who used it first here is a nice <a href="http://wanderwooman.blogspot.com/2009/01/life-is-box-of-chololates.html">post</a> I found.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-55300024250680108352012-02-27T07:58:00.000+04:002012-02-27T07:58:15.061+04:00Plates and spoons'You're about as sensitive as a steel plate.' - Midori to Toru in Norwegian wood. </br>
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'Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have'. Hermione to Ron in HP 5.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-23559388357189030882012-02-23T08:35:00.001+04:002012-02-23T08:35:10.771+04:00Guilt freeHow wonderful it would be if one could lead life guilt free. And I don't mean committing a heinous crime and not worrying about it. I mean the simple things. Guilty about not doing enough for the family, not being able to spend time with friends, not having enough time for yourself, not doing justice at work...
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The ideal situation would of course be, doing all those things you want to. Next best would be to not feel any guilt at all.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-32742987852601907642012-01-09T10:17:00.000+04:002012-01-09T10:17:28.826+04:00Art?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02In-0dY0-OBuqivPhpogMKG1ImHLPLoJe9W5JoxKHW1kzj3Z9DZkw3L1ItvJh3OP1dt8alMmhG-p04qUlxzUDY-7S6XQWpxbWo4nc0IuIxjxF_Qv9i-Qk5Qelb67JbqMULIgww/s1600/26122011401_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="261" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02In-0dY0-OBuqivPhpogMKG1ImHLPLoJe9W5JoxKHW1kzj3Z9DZkw3L1ItvJh3OP1dt8alMmhG-p04qUlxzUDY-7S6XQWpxbWo4nc0IuIxjxF_Qv9i-Qk5Qelb67JbqMULIgww/s320/26122011401_2.jpg" /></a></div>FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-54418925826318032662011-12-26T11:25:00.000+04:002011-12-26T11:25:11.205+04:00Sands of time..I was born in a desert and my family is from the coast so I'd like to believe I have some connection with both the desert and the ocean. Watching the sun set in the sand dunes of Rajasthan I began to wonder which of the two I liked better. I've always loved the ocean, its beaches and the calming sound of the waves but the wide expanse of the golden sand was therapeutic as well. Both the desert and the ocean tell stories of survival. Both have stood the tests of time. Vast and endless...both can be unforgiving. However I think there is an element of sadness attached to the desert,the barrenness can be depressing while the water shows some hope. For this reason alone I pick the ocean, it is a pity though that I have to live far away from both in this concrete jungle!FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-15283391380815987532011-12-11T11:53:00.001+04:002011-12-11T12:46:43.731+04:00From Paris to Pondicherry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wedding in June means Honeymooning in July. Paris beautiful Paris! A city by design that is charming. Sipping coffee and watching the world go by. Drinking wine by the river Seine. Singing along with other Parisians. Drinking champagne in Champagne!
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August is when we turn old. A Cousin's wedding, a quick visit to Srirangam temple and the Brihadeshwara temple in Tanjore. Our combined birthday celebrations in Redhills. Breathtaking views of the hills, tea gardens and the emerald lake. A mischievous dog for company who doubles up as a shoe thief. People so warm in contrast to the cold weather. Good food and good times.
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September was a quiet month. A sad month. Unexpected trips to Chennai.
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October dictated that a long pending trip be taken off the list - Hampi. Enchanting and mysterious Hampi. Hiring a moped to discover a lost empire. Falling asleep by the banks of Tungabhadra where Purandaradasa once drew inspiration from. Mirchi bajji, girmit and hot chai - hot food in hot hot Hampi.
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Come November, a friend's wedding and a weekend in Pondicherry. Moonlit beach, should I say anything more?
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December is here. Where are we to go?
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Maybe starting next year?FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-8995199285831427052011-07-11T15:32:00.006+04:002011-07-12T09:35:17.231+04:00Flying High!Hello new readers (if any!). My best kept secret is suddenly out in the open for all my facebook friends to see, thanks to the husband (still can't get used to the fact that I have one!). Funny how I liked to keep my virtual worlds separate - my blogging self/twitter persona different from the 'social me'. It wasn't intentional, just that I started writing really personal and embarrassing details, I didn't want people I knew to read it. In any case, not much harm done. Who has the time to read blogs these days!<br /><br />Coming back to the being married part, this whole wedding business makes you think you are the center of the universe and everything revolves around you. I've been on a high past few days, don't think I've gotten this much attention before. And facebook further reinforces this with all the likes and comments people shower on you. But then for others it is just another event, another item on their news feed. Anyhow, its a nice feeling this, let me enjoy while it lasts.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-83368374215284923782011-07-08T10:56:00.002+04:002011-07-08T11:03:08.915+04:00Strange coincidencesOn <a href="http://shradharev.blogspot.com/2006/03/along-came-strange-note.html">March 31 2006</a>, I wrote a post on which a stranger left a comment.<br />On June 26 2011, I married the commenter!FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-85970988548593805822011-04-28T08:16:00.003+04:002011-04-28T12:29:59.523+04:00Beijing trip 2 (aka Adventure in Peking)As I set out on my second trip to Beijing, I called myself a seasoned 'international' traveler. Ok, I haven't traveled that much, but enough times to have mastered the drill and not get worked up. It was going to be a short trip anyway and was looking forward to get back more than ever.<br /><br />The only weekend I was there started of with my visiting the Lama temple, a beautiful monastery. Sunday evening after a day's shopping or rather window shopping I took the usual subway back home parted ways with my friends who stayed in another hotel. It was dark and very very cold, just the kind of day for me to forget my jacket. I hugged myself tight and started to walk the short distance to my hotel. As I neared I could hear footsteps match mine and someone closing in. I've felt this way many times before, even in Bangalore, this thing about being a woman makes you suspicious all the time. I didn't have the courage to look back though, I just wanted to get back as early as I could. I relaxed entering the hotel premises but the footsteps were only getting closer, perhaps it was another guest eager to avoid the cold harsh winds. Not stopping, I continued, in the instant that I entered the revolving doors I could feel a man's hand grab my wallet from the bag I was carrying. I turned and saw a look on his face that I'll never forget. By the time I came out of the revolving door again he was gone.<br /><br />Cash, cards and my beautiful wallet..all gone. Gone! I walked back coolly to my room and blocked all my cards within no time like a pro. This is what experience does to you. This has happened to me 3 times now. Yes THREE. First time in a foreign country though. (first time I just misplaced my wallet, was in college and broke so doesn't count I guess) What would have happened if I had decided to look back. Knowing how close he was to me, he might have done something stupid. Would he have brandished a knife? Or would he have ran? Also, I am out of kickboxing practice, he was a small man but I don't think I could have taken him on.<br /><br />I told the hotel manager what had happened and I asked them to check the security camera. After long wait they said it hadn't capture anything. I insisted that I see the video. They made several calls to get permissions and allowed me to walk to the control room. Turns out they hadn't made much effort to look for the clip. After much sorting we finally found the tape and everything was caught on camera crystal clear.<br /><br />Watching the video had a 2 fold effect on me. One I was convinced I wasn't imagining things. The hotel guys repeatedly were telling me that I probably lost it in the subway. I had a look of triumph when I finally found the video but I don't think the Chinese get 'I told you so'.<br />Second, watching myself on the screen and being robbed spooked me more than I could imagine. All the confidence I had built up vanished. I avoided the subway for the rest of my stay, borrowed money to pay my hotel bill and waited anxiously to return home safely.<br /><br />Everyone says its not my fault, could have happened to anyone. I blame myself though. I let my guard slip. Was over confident and didn't take the necessary precautions I normally take before every travel. I have this natural tendency to attract disaster (Bridge Jones Syndrome) so should have been more careful. Losing the money didn't matter much. Money comes money goes. What I find very difficult to get over is the queasy feeling in my stomach, combination of guilt, being made a fool of, being gullible. On the plus side, it gave me something to blog about!FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-67885182016568357022011-01-11T19:18:00.005+04:002011-01-11T21:36:22.666+04:00A walk to rememberI've always wanted to go on one of the <a href="http://www.bangalorewalks.com/">Bangalore Walks</a> but hadn't for lack of company. Last Sunday on a cold foggy morning, I signed up for the Victorian Walk. I must admit having lived here for 20+ years I know very little about the city's past (Ok, so I don't know about the city's present, heck I cant find my way around here!) The walk started at the Trinity church which I had never entered before, with an enthusiastic group of about 30 people from all over the world. I was one of the few (ignorant) locals present. Arun, the man behind the walks was the guide for the day taking us back in time and enlightening us on little known facts about this city. For eg. How many of you know the significance of the names of the roads - Infantry road, Cavalry road, Residency road. Or can identify the statue erected in front of the Mayo hall and know its significance? The metro construction played spoil sport not only making it difficult to walk but also obstructing some beautiful spots along the walk. He was generous in his praising Bangalore, I didn't mind it one bit and was beaming all through out. It ended with a surprise breakfast (and was I surprised!) on a positive note with him saying we are a 'forward looking' city. The metros, the IT boom are all a promise of a better future.<br /><br />For me, this city other than being home means so much more for the same promise it holds now - A bright new future!FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-52748103995790792792011-01-01T09:00:00.003+04:002011-01-03T09:45:33.193+04:00Books 2010I kept track of all books I read this year. Not an impressive list but here it is. The ones in bold are the books I couldn't finish reading.<br />1. Roadrunner - Dilip D'Souza (Travellogue & Only non fiction that I read) <br />2. The Kalahari typing school for men - Alexander McCall Smith <br />3. Animal Farm - George Orwell<br />4. Dork - Sidin Vadukut<br />5. Lunatic in my head - Anjum Hasan (Must read)<br />6. Wizard of Oz - Frank L Baum<br />7. The Girl - Sonia Faleiro<br />8. Chasing Harry Winston - Lauren Weisberger (chick lit!)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9. Pride and prejudice and Zombies</span><br />10. Piggies on the railway - Smita Jain (chick lit!)<br />11. Neti, Neti - Anjum Hasan<br />12. Confessions of a listmaniac - Meenakshi reddy madhavan<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13. Madam Bovary - Gustave Flaubert</span><br />14. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald (Must read)<br />15. Sputnik Sweetheart - Haruki Murakami<br />16. Sam's Story - Elmo Jayavardhane<br />17. Confederacy of dunces - John Kennedy Toole (Must read)<br />18. Carrie diaries - Candace Bushnell (chick lit!)<br />19. Diary of a wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">20. Love in a Torn land – Jean Sasson (still reading)</span><br /><br />Update - forgot to add this one!<br />21. Turbulence - Samit Basu. <br /><br />Wanted to write a one line review on all the books but that will have to wait. Am glad I discovered Anjum Hassan and Murakami, beautiful writers both. <br /><br /> Happy new year folks!FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14154430.post-85658654186474565762010-11-28T18:26:00.012+04:002010-11-28T20:54:19.467+04:0015 seconds of fameSo I was on national television for all of 15 seconds and frankly I don't think I made much sense. The question I had to answer was how as a woman I've contributed to the product I'm working on. Say what? I mean, I contribute. I do a good job. And maybe I do better than some other people would have, but how being a woman have I made a difference? Our roles are defined irrespective of gender and purely on skills and talent. Given the nature of my job I think I haven't really done anything special on account of being a woman. However, I believe that having a diverse team is an indication of a healthy team. Men and women are not wired the same, we approach problems differently and I guess it helps to have a mixed group when you are brainstorming or say tackling a problem. A woman's perspective might just come in handy specially so if it is a product you are designing with women consumers in mind. <br /><br />As to why I got this opportunity, I wasn't the first choice, but the other person happened to be on leave and I volunteered. I'm camera shy and all that but hey I want to be famous too. :P Also funny how I'm usually never the first choice for many such events. Like recently,I got to go on campus placements (something I've always wanted to do) because someone else dropped out. That talk I gave once simply because no one else was qualified enough, the chance to 'garland' few delegates (in this case though I am not sure why I even agreed to do it).... Oh well, I'm not complaining.FlyingHighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02988902572713335349noreply@blogger.com3