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Friday, August 17, 2007

The Post Secret Movie

By far the best website I have ever visited, and keep visiting - they are out with a fabulous mini movie on YouTube. I like to imagine everyone has a secret that they nurse and nurture, confront and eventually release - at some point.
About 10 years ago I got a call from a random stranger who picked out a number from a phone book. Or so I figured. He was depressed and suicidal and just wanted to talk to someone, I do not remember what he said or how long he spoke. All I remember was the thumping of my heart, I was scared witless. After what seemed like ages, he thanked me politely and hung up. That's it.
I want to think he is still around.

People are a whole lot braver than we give them credit for.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Ditzy in Delhi

I wish I was one of those prolific writers brimming with inspiration. Or then, perhaps, the more common species of pathetic blogger who airs out her every grievance. But there you go, here I am – deliciously uninspired and plain lazy.

1. My Delhi stint is proving to be a whole lot more tiring than I bargained for. Been here for just 2 ½ days and I have broadened my horizons by learning -

  1. 2. More than 2 people stumble across my blog and one actually reads it and wants more, thanks Jumping Translocation

3. Jetlite serves food. I joyfully stowed away my apple and bikkis and gratefully embraced the kababs (or whatever it was masquerading as meat)

4. A potential father can develop a sympathetic bulge to match his 8 month pregnant wife's belly.

5. I disappeared off the face of the planet aged three. According to my baby book. Apparently writer's block runs in the family. I have my genes to blame.

6. Discussing marital problems on your blog is 'de rigueur' according to a certain nearly-30 juvenile I have had the misfortune of knowing.

7. Childhood enmities run deep. Jolly and Saks shared a table for the first time in a decade, we have Nirula's hot chocolate sundae (aka HCS) to thank for it. Unfortunately my hands were so clammy fiddling around with the peace pipe I didn’t do justice to the diminutive delight. Preets plowed on - oblivious to the charged atmosphere.

8. Delhi traffic is amazingly beautifully choreographed. It's a visual delight. Try driving in Vizag.

9. Getting a duplicate driver's licence is a wee bit easier than planning a 30 day trek to Ladhak.

10. You should never carry more than 500 bucks whilst visiting Dilli Haat. Not accepting credit cards is the best anecdote to compulsive shopping binges.

11. Cancellation/rescheduling fees for Low Cost airlines is 750 bucks + the air ticket difference. Paying 40% of my Spice Jet return to reschedule..boo.

12. People 4 years my junior at school are balding. Scary. Sorry K.

13. My mum stole my TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD. She showed me the name written on the first page, my 10 year old scrawl on the second page didn't merit any attention. I grudgingly conceded defeat.

14. My baby sis paid 40 Euros for a real nice haircut which works out to about 6 haircuts in Indian currency.

BOOKS I AM READING
In-flight blitzed through NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY (Alexander Smith) - sweet and imminently forgettable but I have yet to complete it. So much for the International Book of the Year. Ignored TENDER IS THE NIGHT (Fitzgerald) – perhaps later but the plot of a schizophrenic who ruins a marriage hits closer home than I imagined. In comparison Jap/Chinese/Korean authors are brilliant, have three lined back to back...currently reading THE GIRL WHO PLAYED GO (Shan Sa) that Anusha/Mom highly recommended. Also love Kazuo Ishiguro and Banana (Yup it's true) Yoshimoto not to mention a host of other confusing names. Other books on my current reading list include WAITING (Ha Jin) and COMFORT WOMAN...trying to squeeze in THE HUMAN STAIN as well. On a crappier note, my man in Petersburg canot dig out any of the Russian folktales (the illustrated books) - the one he did dig out did not feature gorgeous pictures and worse Baba Yaga. I will have to console myself playing with Matruskha dolls. No sign of Victor Dragunsky either. I miss the USSR publications!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!