Reason number 324 why I am grateful for my small town existence

I have lived in a small town for two thirds of my life. I confess, my town has just one traffic signal which was inaugurated with much pomp. And yes when I first came to Madras as a child I thought the Anna fly over was like the coolest thing ever. This has often been a source of amusement for my city bred friends. (yes yes you know who you are)

But I wont complain much staying in the middle of the spectrum between the urban life and rustic village life isn't too bad. Last week actually gave me a chance to thank my stars for my small town roots. We had to attend my driver's daughter's engagement at a nearby village. So off we went on a hot Sunday afternoon.

Once the groom side arrived, all the men of both families sat around in a circle with a basket of salt in the center. While the entire village stood in the sidelines. I was truly fascinated by now. The "nattamai" (village head) then announced that they could start. I thought this was where the engagement ceremony begins. But no I was wrong, here was apparently the most important part of the day. The proceedings started with a random lady from the crowd shouting "so how much dowry are you giving your daughter?".Apparently directed at the bride's father. Random aunt's friend added" speak loudly we all want to hear". My fascination gave way to horror when I realized, the brides side was expected to answer in detail to all the questions thrown at them. My poor driver answered patiently on how much gold and cash he was going to give.

Finally a lady from the groom's side stood up (Who in my humble opinion should audition for Ekta kapoor's monster mom in law teledramas) She thundered "what only so much? this is disrespectful" . The bride's side squirmed and continued their negotiation. Eventually they came to a consensus that they would give the groom a gazillion grams gold chain. Ladies, how many of you out there would marry a man who not only demands but also wears something like that?OK we digress. As ridiculous as it looked, I really felt bad for bride's family.

Thankfully the negotiation drew to a close and the rest of the ceremony went on less melodramatically. As we drove back, I realized how clean the entire village was and how much relatively cooler it was. Mainly thanks to the rows of Neem trees. But still I am grateful for my small town existence. Thank you.

The man in the arena

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

Real life drama.

I have often amused/annoyed/entertained friends and family with my borderline obsession with television drama series. More often than not, the ones that top the list do not top the TRP ratings.

Recently I sent my friend into a fit of cackles after I told her that sometimes I get the most pragmatic advice from my drama series. So to prove to her that I don't need help, here I am picking three "pearls of wisdom" imparted to me this week.

““Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free til they find someone just as wild to run with them.”
From Sex and the City

I've had to say good-bye more times than I may have liked, but everyone can say that. And no matter how many times we have to do it - even if it's for the greater good, it still stings. And although we will never forget what we've given up, we owe it to ourselves to keep moving forward. What we can't do is live our lives afraid of the next good-bye because chances are they are not going to stop. The trick is to recognize when a good-bye can be a good thing - when it's a chance to start again.
From Ugly Betty

"The problem with fairy tales is that they set a girl up for disappointment. In real life, the prince goes off with the wrong princess."
From Gossip Girl (hey the show isnt as shallow as it sounds!)

Only in Bangalore

Would you see men, women and farm animals stand at a signal and wonder when the traffic in this city will improve.

They dont call me blunderqueen for nothing..

Me: Hey I was just watching this song on tv.. im in love with it but have no clue what movie its from. I have been googling with no luck
Friend : Hmm..which one
Me: This guy is following a girl in the rain and
Friend: ok stop kidding now
Me: huh?
Friend: Thats my song.. I sang that for the movie Renigunta.
Me: sure ok.. im gona continue to search
Friend : er.. i did sing that song
Me: (after a google enlightenment) oh..

So that was my faux pa for the day, what was yours. While I let you ponder on that, here is my latest favorite

In my head right now

The week has been rather weird and random, hence it would unfair if my post doesn't follow suit.

Five random thoughts in my head right now:

1)People are like kaleidoscopes. Your always bound to see new colours. You might think knowing a person for a year should give you a fair idea. Boy can you be wrong or what.But not all of it is bad!

2) Did a movie marathon, to make up for the abstinence. Ayirathil oruvan, avatar and NY I love you. I started off by disliking AO, but towards the end actually quite enjoyed it. Avatar was ok, probably because I was the last person on the planet to watch it. And finally NY I love you - reminded me why I want to go back there.

3)An island awaits with bated breath for election results. Though I am far away now, my thoughts are still with the twenty million hopeful hearts. Absence of war after all does not mean peace.

4)I abhor making decisions, especially when it feels like the world is breathing your neck and pushing you to do so. My heart truly bleeds for the proverbial cat on the fence. I know how that chap felt.

5) And finally, a sadly funny (if there is such a phrase) quote i saw on somebody's blog " Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love"- Charles M. Schulz

Better super late than never

I know I am slightly late with this post, but then somebody said its always better late than never. So keeping to tradition, here is what 2009 was to me

People: Made new friends, lost a couple of old ones to time and distance. Most importantly I learned that you can never know anyone too well.

Places: Though the travel gods amused themselves by messing up a few of my plans, I did good. Visited three beautiful countries and realized travel can teach you so much. Like Twain said " Travel is hazardous for narrow mindedness". Or something like that.

Beginnings and ends: I spent a good deal of time in hospitals and came to respect doctors and nurses a whole lot more. And also fear a few. The time spent here made me realize that titling your blog Carpe Diem didn't cut it. You really have to seize the moment or your going to really sorry. It was a much needed wake up call. As a result I shocked a lot of people including myself by giving up my job and deciding to experiment on my own.

28: I am for the first time in my life actually feeling my age. Still deciding if that is a good thing or not. I had my moments when life felt like the rubic cube. But of late I have come to realize that you dont have get over some heart breaks and losses. Learning to live with it is good enough.

So that was my rather mixed year. 2010 here I come!