Fresh beginnings

I'd like to start over. For everything. Like going to the start of the race again, despite having run a third already. Like ending a mobile Sudoku game midway because it's not going to be a Hall of Fame score this time anyway, so why not start anew with a record-breaker in sight.

There's this official review that I have to write tomorrow. Will follow it up with an unofficial one - I'd like to. One of my bestest friends is in the movie - and jolly good in it too.

Para 2 is not related to Para 1. Just more of my disjointed thoughts.

In Thane, I once saw a rainbow - the whole deal - from end to end. I wrote about it somewhere, don't remember where. But if ever there was a message from God, this was it. I don't know what the message was, just that not everyone gets to see the whole rainbow stand atop a field for almost 15 minutes while you walk towards it, and it takes its time, but it slowly fades away.

In Thane, there was this star that I used to look at. I don't see it here. The pollution keeps it hidden away.

In Kolkata, there's this Rooster that crosses my road everyday. Yesterday he was with a hen, and my day was goodish. Today, he shat while crossing - I think that wasn't such a good omen.

I like

Gloomy weather. I like.
Barely-there drizzles. I like.
Empty houses. I like.
Episode after episode of Criminal Minds. I like.
Packets of Cheetos to go with it. I like.
I just wish I could find some chocolates somewhere.
Then life would be almost perfect.

Poojo's Pre-Poll Post

Another edition of the Indian General Elections comes to town. Another year that leaves you with choices that aren't choices at all - choices between the devil and the deep blue sea - conversations that veer around "the devil you know to the devil you don't". Jaagore doesn't really help after a point. It tells you to go and vote. Doesn't quite help you decide who to vote for, and more importantly, why.

If anything, this will be a coming of age election for me. I guess I've come a long way from voting for the one that seems the most harmless. Not a good idea really - just another wasted vote. You could as well be casting the neutral vote. Yes, I'm completely against the "None of the above" option – I think it's just another excuse to pass the buck and let other people make the choice for you. Why? So you can sit smug that you've voted and complain about the rowdies that have come to power?

Every party's got its share of goons, corruption, dirty politics. There's no guarantee that one or the other will really make a difference. It's all so very circumstantial - tomorrow could go any which way. A bomb dropped a country away, a bankruptcy a continent away, and there you have it - equations changing like numbers and symbols gone bonkers. Politicos take U-turns - whatever works, right.

"Politics is the art of possibilities". Who was it who said that? Buddhababu I think, while talking about a possible post-poll alliance with the Congress. Yeah, the same Congress that's currently hobnobbing with Buddhadadu's arch rival, Mamatadidi. It's supposedly all for the greater good.

After a point, they'll all be the same. But it's five years of my future, of the future of my city, my country. So I'll be voting for people I trust - at least, people I trust a little more than the others - silver strands and heavy speeches being hardly a factor. I'll be voting for sensible people, efficient people, clean people, responsible people, and well-intentioned people - at least the people who seem that way from my perspective.

I could be wrong.

I could be very, very wrong. But at least, I'll know I counted.

And democracies have changed governments, people have voted wisely several times over. What number general election is this? I can't quite remember. It runs into double digits - that much I know. Beyond that, it's just a number. But then, elections are all about numbers - the number of seats, the number of candidates, the number of political allies, the number of paramilitary forces, the number of booths, the number of election-based shows, the number of votes.

I am just a number too.

But as long as I count, it's worth it.

251

That's for lack of a better idea for a headline.

I'm really tired today. Maybe it's because I scared a lizard. He was taking a stroll on my office terrace floor around the same time as I decided a trip to the loo was needed. He stopped in his tracks and played dead. I gave him a curious look to see if he really was. He didn't move. I walked ahead and looked behind - he was scooting across to the wall, completely relieved that the danger was past.

Sometimes I wonder why lizards scare me so much.

I'm really really tired. And I've got this awesome story to do -- just not enough time to get my brain cells around it.

And. And. Anyone who says History is boring has just not read the right books.

Happy 250

I didn't realise till a few minutes ago, but this is my Happy 250th post. 2nd happy birthday of blog also coming up.

Which brings me to my budday plans. I heading to M'bai. There's talk of Goa, but I think I'd rather lol around the house, meet friends, ex-bosses and ex-colleagues and basically have a nostalgia trip. But I'm still undecided.

Oooh.. I had dinner at One Step Up last night. The Chicken Paprika was yumm, though it gave me a runny tummy.

Do I give too many details?

I half want a Dev R Nil dress for my budday. But I don't think that's gonna happen.

But new mini laptop might soon be mine. Poppa has been offering.

While I'm still rambling, Shreya has new pup - Labrador. It's tingu and has big feet and elderly eyes. I like him.

And see this mew:

'Good Day' bulletin

I like blogging daily (or at least almost daily). It keeps me happy. And it's nice to see a bunch of comments below the post every so often. Correct that: it's very nice.

Today has been a good day.

For starters, the heat hasn't been as unbearable except for the tea-time outing which brought us back sweating like boars - or am I just getting used to it?

Second, I spoke to Shubha Mudgal :) It was telephonic, but what the hell. She has a lovely tinkling laugh. Remember, you heard that from me first.

Third, (though this happened before the Shubha interview) I found long-lost childhood friend in auto and we exchanged numbers. She lives almost in my para as it turns out.

Fourth, I finally uploaded a photo gallery that I'm happy with and proud of. Here's the link: Jeet-Koel: Match made in Tollywood. If for nothing else, check out Koel. She looks lovely in the pics.

Fifth, this is a nice long blog. If only, there was something more exciting than pumpkin waiting for me at dinner. But then, this heat kills the appetite anyway.

Of ACs and cows

Uff... long day. Nearly 10 hours. Tomorrow's going to be longer. But the AC in office is godsend. For a change I'm not even grumblebumming about the long day.

There was something I wrote down this morning to copy-paste here, but it is not to be found. I also heard this awesome cow song: http://travel.webshots.com/video/3099383350079233465

I have this fascination for cows. I want to own one called Daisy someday to ride to work. Just hope she doesn't get scared off by the crazy autos at Chandni.