Day 17

For some reason, everytime I walk through New Market on my own after work, a mad man decides to follow me. This has happened twice in two months. The last time I had shouted at the guy and later realized the foolhardiness of accosting a mad man. This time, I chose to walk into a shop to shake him off. I'm not sure this is the same mad man who followed me the last time. If it is, then I'm never again walking to New Market after work on my ownsome again.

I've spent the last one hour taking photographs of myself to put on the office blog. Am fed up of being so incredibly unphotogenic. I've found a few that pass muster, but I wish my nose didn't look quite as bloated and my hair wasn't quite so scarecrow-like today. At least I know that I can never become a print model. That's one less career option to worry about.

On the plus side, the Eden match ate away most of my irritations and I have been as happy as a snorting pig all day. I am terribly sleepy though, but I will play a round of Rainforest Adventure before turning in for the night. And oh! May Day happens to be holiday from office! Yay!

Day 16

I went to Eden. Again. :D

The ticket wasn't originally meant for me, but looks like I was supposed to have it. I'm happy. So what if the Knight Riders lost. I got to the see that wicket do double quintuple somersaults with that Ishant Sharma delivery.

What can I say Ishant? Even with your super-scary smile, I still am a fan.

P.S.: While at Eden, Madz and I saw a jhogra also. The cops were too busy eating to interfere at the time.

P.S.S.: I just had KFC :) Despite a lot of irritability clouding my mind since yesterday morning and continuing through today, (I actually snapped at a colleague who was trying to irritate me) I have finally had a good end to 2 bad days. Yay!

Day 15

I'd usually be the first one to say I'm fickle, but I sometimes forget that I'm pretty steadfast as well. I know what I like/dislike, love/hate, can-live-with/would-hate-to-live-with, and so on. And I know what I'd like to do in the long run -- write. And that's what I'm doing now. Okay, so my so-called writing job currently involves not too much writing, but that's just a temporary affair. But at least I know what I want to be doing 5, even 10 years from now. It may be a vague notion, but vague is better than no notion. So many of the people I meet everyday aren't even sure what they want to do tomorrow. They just drift along, going from one unrelated job another, all the while dreaming of something entirely different.

I always thought that that's what I was -- a drifter. But as it turns out, I'm not. It's so cool to finally think of myself as being a focussed femme. Years of flakiness had me thinking that I would always be a flake. Maybe not :)

I'm happy with myself today. I feel smart, strong and independent.

I likes :)

P.S.: I'm going back to the vow I made last year around this time: No boyfriend for the next 6 months!

Day 14

The good thing about having post titles like Day 1, Day 2... Day 14 is that you don't have to think up catchy titles everytime you post. Makes life simpler.

Today I don't feel like putting up a picture... though I did take some pretty ones of Sugar and Candy (both dogs, not sweets). Just have too many things to do today and am becoming quite an expert at avoiding them.

I need to finish that book I've been hanging on to for two weeks. Write. Make some calls I've been putting off. Watch a movie on TV. Etc. Have become too lazy. And too bored to blog properly today.

Day 13

The star of today's show is Minimum the Cat (sister of Maximum the Cat who had his first brush with stardom on my last post):


Now the reason why I wanted a cat picture on my blog:

I have been wanting to change my name for awhile. Pooja is too common, and Chakrabarty isn't foxy enough. So I had decided that when I do get hitched, I won't hold on to my surname for dear life (God knows there are enough Chakrabarty-s with all kinds of spellings in the world). But that doesn't mean I'd happily slip into hubby-dahling's surname either. I'd like to go the whole hog and change both names at one go.

So Coffee Stain and I threw around some names for awhile, and came up with Chesire Ratatattat for me (since I like and have cats and have a Chesire Cat-ish grin). Coffee opted to be the Mad Hatter. Moolah is the Rabbit who's always late. Both Moolah and Rabbit keep grumbling all the time. And we decided that Dreamy should the sleepy Dormouse coz she is Dreamy after all.

Anybody else who:
(a) Wants to be a character from Alice in Wonderland;
(b) Would like to change his/her name;
(c) Can think of a better name for me; or
(d) Has nothing better to do than post comments on random blogs...
...is welcome to comment.

Day 12

This is what I will be munching on in a while. Despite the punnable name on this pack of Cheetos, it happens to be my favourite munchy in the whole wide world (most times).

I wanted to be lazy and not take any picture, but I wanted a cat photo for this post, and the cat that posed yesterday (Minimum the Cat) didn't seem photogenic enough. So I did the next best thing. I shook awake her brother and got him to pose for some pictures. He insisted on looking away at first:

He was sleepy, and irritable at being disturbed. But I pressed on:

Till he deigned to open his eyes ever so slightly:

And said, "Let me get this over with and get this crazy female off my back. Waking me up to pose for a stupid camera." And so he did pose -- just that once (albeit a little halfheartedly). Ladies and gentlemen [drum roll], put your hands together for Maximum the Cat:

And that's all folks. More bad pictures and useless ramblings tomorrow.

Day 11

And today is the day I post a pic I took all by myself with my new (but secondhand and I got it cheap) 5mp Nikon camera :D

It is a very stupid picture. But you are not allowed to say terrible things about it. As in, I can't do much even if you do say horrible things. But then "Beware of Dog" signs don't always work.

Anyway, without much ado, here it is:

Meet the stuffed Mummy tiger with Baby tiger that sits on my bed day after day staring at the wall. It must be a very boring existence, but mother and son don't complain. Not even when I use 'em as a pillow. I did that for a few weeks till I got a new pillow. Incidentally, this tiger duo that shouts "Hug me" belongs to my sister; as does the book that lies stylishly strewn (:D) next to Tiggey dear. If you'll look closely, you'll find that it is a Full House book with Stephanie and one of the Olsen twins (before they became anorexic glam dolls) on the cover.

***

Today I came home by tram. It took me fifteen minutes more than if I had taken an auto. I also realised that I mind travelling that slow. But the interesting thing is that if you are not looking outta the window, you may not even notice that the tram is taking a turn. Quite a different ball game from an auto ride where you run the risk of falling out if the driver decides to suddenly turn into a super-narrow lane off Royd Street.

***

The people in my office have never had banana chips, which I think is pretty weird.

***

Day 10

From tomorrow I'm supposed to start taking a photo a day with the camera that has been rotting in the drawer of the rented cupboard in my room.

Today I reached home about 15 minutes earlier than I usually do, and had a one-hour dinner of stir-fried chicken with veggies at home, following it up with watermelon for dessert. I'm not sure why I am providing my dinner menu but I am, and am not about to delete the earlier lines. So now you know. In case someone asks you during some SRK-hosted quiz competition: What did Poojo eat for dinner on Wednesday the 23rd of April? - you will know the answer.

Nothing remarkable happened today. My life is progressing from 80% dull to 110% dull. Maybe I should date a real-life Axel Rose. I wouldn't mind dating Bon Jovi actually, if he would look my way.

Madz has been telling me to sleep for 8 hours because that will get me feeling fresh the next day. I have told her that I will try it out tonight. And she - being the teacher that she is - promised me an A+ and a star. I'm trying to wrangle a smiley face also. Something like this one :)

This is one of my most juvenile posts. Forgive me this once. I really have nothing to say that might be remotely interesting. Yet, my fingers keep tapping key after key on the keyboard. But I will stop now and avoid scaring away potential loyal blog readers.

Day 9

This tiredness refuses to go. Each day finds me quite a bit more tired than the day before. I need a vacation. Tomorrow!

Today has been one of those very unexciting days. Have been having a surfeit of these recently. But boredom is usually more comfortable and easier to deal with than too much excitement. So I'm not really complaining, except about the tiredness.

I'm unable to log in to my other gtalk account and am wondering why. Today has been one of those tiresome days where lots of things go wrong. So I changed three times before leaving for office, and literally fought with my contact lenses to get them to behave. And now I can't log on to that account. Sigh...

On the plus side, I am getting more comments of late :D Yes, I too seem to have caught the Dreamy-Ad Libber bug (though I'm not quite in their league as far as comment-getting is concerned). Plus, Coffee Stain's 43 comments (it hasn't increased since last night) have brought on a few insignificant bouts of envy.

Day 8

I'm going to keep counting the days till I reach Day 21 (that's how long it takes to form a habit blah blah blah...).

I'm still too tired to talk about Eden. Just thinking about it makes me feel tired and swamped in perspiration. I think I should leave that story for a rainy day. What's-in-a-Name, if you're around, I promise I'll blog about Eden soon enough. Pinky swear.

Today has been one of those awfully dull days. Mamata called a bandh, but I had office. The travails of being part of the press. On the flip side, I got to travel in a press car twice today. So that's pretty cool.

I don't think anybody should be allowed to work on a bandh day. These are days that should be dedicated to gully cricket, street football, and hours in front of the TV. By working on bandh days we are just ensuring that life passes us by. I think it's in a hurry.

Oh.. btw.. If you have always been a Mentos or Chloromint or Polo buff, try MintoFresh. It's superstrong and totally cool (especially when you follow it up with cold-ish water). Consider this free advertising.

Day 7

Just a short one today. Very tired. Had office. A lot of ups and downs (commute-wise, not emotion-wise). Went to Eden. Watched match. Knight Riders won. Thankee all for praying for their success. Met Coffee Stain who tagged along and was quite a hit.Drank lots of water, and perspired it all away. Have lost most of the unwanted flab. Am fitting into my old tees again. Yay! Ate biriyani. Washed off all the sweat. And now I don't want to sleep but my eyes are drooping like Sanjay Dutt's. Review of Eden etc later.

Day 6

Still to buy the guitar. Was too hot to take a walk down Freeschool Street.

Have work tomorrow. Have to figure out a way to get to Eden tomorrow and meet the-one-who-holds-the-tickets. How complicated!

Very hot and sticky. What a time to hold big-hype matches in Kolkata!!!

There was something else I wanted to say... but I can't remember. Oh yeah... I wish there was a way of blocking certain people from viewing certain posts from time to time. Then I could grumble about the world without any hesitation at all. Such joy that would be.

In the meantime, please pray that the Kolkata Knights ride a wave of victory tomorrow.

Day 5: Half Dead

Today, I feel like a zombie. Have done too much work all this week. I really need a vacation by the sea and a day in a Swiss spa.

I'm going to watch 'Horton Hears a Who!' tomorrow. Plus, there's that guitar waiting to be bought.

I'm so tired I can't write. Even though I want to talk about the stray dog in my area that suddenly fell in love with me and followed me to the puchkawala, waited for me to finish, and then followed me home. This despite the sweat and the grime from Chandni. He must really love me to follow me around in this heat. I'm touched.

Again, please check out my site: www.ilovekolkata.in. And send me some comments, etc.

Day 4

I like Shah Rukh Khan very very much. I love the song for 'Kya Aap Panchvi Pass se Tez Hai?' It's stuck in my head. And I love the Hoog Lee-isms on the Kolkata Knight Riders website :D And I jump at every chance to put King Khan's pic on the news section of my office website :D

This is one of those days when I have next to nothing to say. Though I did come across an auto rickshaw that called itself 'The Killer'. How frightening given that I mostly travel by autos along that route.

Ate pork roast for dinner this evening. And not feeling fat. Yay.

One weird combo that you can try: Hot gulab jamun drenched in Pepsi. It tastes super-strange.

Tagged: 30 Questions

1. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER?
I actually don't remember too clearly. I think it was 'Mithya'. Liked it.

2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Just finished 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'. Adored it. Will move on to Nevil Shute now.

3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
The Game of Life. I love the whole drama of buying homes, getting married, having twins (and getting presents... even if it's fake money) and retiring as a millionaire. Plus, you can actually throw your husband and children (those little pegs) out of the car and not get arrested.

4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
'Outlook' I think. But it's more like my cough medicine. I read it because I should, not because I want to.

5. FAVORITE SMELLS?
The smell of wet earth, paint, new books, old books, the fish market, and of shutki maach being fried!

6. FAVORITE SOUND?
The sound of azaan while dawn is breaking.

7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Not knowing.

8.FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?
"I wish I could bunk office today" -- if it's a working day.
If it's a non-working day, I go back to sleep.

9. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
I used to love Ralli's at New Market till it shifted to the building opposite. Now, any place is as good or bad as the other.

10. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?
Hasmukh Bhai Patel. He will be a super-wealthy industrialist. Watch this space.

11. FINISH THIS STATEMENT."If i had a lot of money i would...
...not go to work ever again."

12.DO YOU DRIVE FAST?
I don't drive. I'm not sure I intend to.

13. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
Err... I was using a stuffed tiger as a pillow for a few days. Now that I have another pillow, it just sits on my bed and stares at me.

14. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?
Very very cool. My favourite birthdays are the ones on which it rains! Thunder, lightning, raindrops and popcorn. Sigh...

15. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
I think I started out with a train set.

16. FAVORITE DRINK?
Soda, lime, and ginger paste does the trick.

17. FINISH THIS STATEMENT,"IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD...
...compile a book of original PJs and gift copies to people who can't stand 'em."

18. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
I love broccoli. Truly, madly, deeply.

19. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
I have this inner desire to be a punk rocker. So I'd go for a mix of pink and green.

20. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.
Kolkata, Mumbai, and back to Kolkata.

21. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH.
If the keyphrase is "to watch", then soccer. Doesn't tax the brain and there are so many muscular legs to eyeball.

22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.
She seems like a smart, fun cookie.

23. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
The floor and some red ants.

24. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?
I wouldn't mind. But I would really appreciate it if I could have some talent for dancing the next time around.

25. MORNING PERSON, OR NIGHT OWL?
I'm a 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. person.

26. OVER EASY, OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Boiled please.

27. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?
My room.

28. FAVORITE PIE?
Not sure that I've ever eaten a pie.

29. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Chocolate. Have recently developed a thing for Metro Dairy's chocolate ice cream.

30. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU TAGGED THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
All the people who are likely to respond have already done this tag. I tag no one.

Day 2 of Resolution

And I have fought with a bad net connection to get to the NEW POST page of blogger.com. That's called persistence, resilience, dedication, etc. to a New Year's resolution. :D

Importantly, my office site has been launched, bugs and all. It's www.ilovekolkata.in. Please drop by, let me know what you think, what you like, what you hate, and all that jazz.

I should have said this yesterday, but the father was in town this weekend and gave me money to buy a guitar. I would have bought one anyway, but the father was in a good mood, and I'm not about to refuse cold, hard cash gifts, am I now? Only problem is, I don't know the first thing about guitars, except that they are oh-so-cool. Any tips will be highly appreciated.

At office today, we did precious little work. All of us were hung over from yesterday's crazy work load, and spent the day listening to Backstreet Boys, Whigfield, and Savage Garden and looking for more things to eat. We have become quite a hungry lot.

Day 1 of Resolution

And I am sticking to it.

My office site went up today. I will look though it tomorrow and then drop the link.

Have been so busy today that I've barely had the time to breathe. Apologies to people like Moolah who wished me Shubho Noboborsho and got a very rushed HNY instead.

Smoked today, on a whim, hated it (and it's not the first time), and resolved not to smoke again till I forget how much I hated it... which is bound to happen in a couple of months.

Ate 2 rotis and a whole plate of chicken hakka chow this afternoon. The boss bought lunch for the team. The hog is back!! Yay! And I don't feel fat anymore either. How cool is that?!!

I've been using too many exclamation marks lately. I now solemnly resolve to cut down on them before I become an exclamation-mark addict like Madhurima. (P.S.: Her blog does not have as many exclamations though, which is rather odd.)

That's about it for today. More on self-obsessed me tomorrow.

Another Tag from Dreamy

A for Antelope. (My teenaged sister says that if and when I have to teach pre-schoolers the alphabets, I'll start with A for Antelope. She says so in a voice dripping with tablespoonfulls of sarcasm, but I ask, "Is there a problem in learning about antelopes?")

B for Blowing Bubbles under a clear Blue sky during Bombay winters.

C for Cats and Cotton Candy. Separately please. I don't like Cat fur getting into my Cotton Candy, and Cotton Candy makes Cats get sticky and difficult to pet.

D for Dogs of course, and Drummers and cool Dudettes.

E for Elephants, boiled Eggs, and Evolution.

F for Fish Fry, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Fastidiousness (Just wanted to throw in a big word).

G for Gigolos, Garfield, Guys, Gorus (Bong-lish for Cows), and still more Garfield. And for 'Gum, Guitars and Gargoyles'.

H for Hesitation, Heartbreaks, Heartthrobs, Hats, and Hangers.

I for Inkpot, Idiosyncracies, and Istanbul by Pamuk.

J for the J in PooJa and the J in PJ and the J in PjC (I confess to being self-obsessed).

K for The Kite Runner, and the K in ChaKrabarty (Very self-obsessed).

L for Lions and Lexicons and Lemonade and Lime and a pinch of ginger in the Lemonade. And for Love.

M for Mallu pals who get Married super-fast and for MoonMoons who become academics and for common friends of Married Mallu pals and MoonMoons who happen to be Goan and wonderful.

N for Nest and Nestle chocolates and Nikon cameras and exuberant Nisha from former office.

O for the double O in Pooja (I think I need help now!)

P for Pooja, Poojo, Pooj, Pajoo, Japoo, and whatever else one might call me. Also, P for the worst PJs in the world.

Q for Queen, Quietness, and Queerity :D

R for Rain and Rain and Raindrops on Roses and still more Rain.

S for Sidey jokes and Special friends and Spontaneity and chicken Stew.

T for Too liTTle Time. Also TaTToos.

U for Umbrellas in the rain and clean Undies and sudden U-turns.

V for Long LiVe Vanity!

W for large, breezy Windows, like the one by my bed.

X for males who can really play Xylophones. I would like to date you.

Y for Yuck and Yay and Yellow (the colour and the song).

Z for yellow and green Zebras and spells that go Zap!

And Zap! Now you know my ABCs.

Bengali New Year Resolution

I hereby resolve (once again) to become a daily blogger. This should be easier to accomplish this time around as there is no distractive (is that a word?) male in my life, and office should soon be less understaffed giving me more time to waste on sundry trivialities.

Happy Poila Boishakh to the whole Blogeroo! :D

Buzz

I have cotton stuffed in my ears today. Put drops. Ears have been buzzing with excitement of late. (A bit of sarcasm there :P)