Monday, December 31, 2007

a friend forever...

it could have been a lot more
it could have cost a lot more but am glad it hasn't

i found a friend, long after i knew him
am glad he was there and has been
patient, with all the answers,
many unasked questions
and unvoiced opinions
lurking in the shadows
waiting in the wings with an assurance

i didnt know i'd find him
i wasnt looking
it just took some time
a long time
and a few questions
it's never been hard
but also never been done
it just took its time

he heard, he said
he explained and i listened
he had his questions and his concerns
but again...

i just thank u, like always
what is and what could have been is not for us to say
but i know i have in you a friend forever
thanks for being the light behind my shadow

it could have been a lot more but am glad it isn't
it could have cost a lot more

Intrsopection - Dec 31, 2007

Am a drifter on a stream
Gazing at the world go by…
opening my eyes to contradiction…
expecting the delights…accepting the harshness…o
vercoming the blues…
celebrating the highs…
defeating the lows…
rising above the negatives…
inspired by the positives…
making friends for life…
not fearing the deep…
delving into the unknown at every step…
living the NOW…
learning along the way

That’s who I think I am!!

Flowing with the tide
But making choices, that matter…
coffee chocolate chip over vanilla…
tandoori chicken over dal makhni…
sushi over Manchurian…
chocolates over…anything…
sweet over spicy (perfumes!!!)…
FRIENDS over Most exciting Police videos…
classic over retro…
dusky over fair…
brain over brawn…
walking over running…
working over sitting idle…
silence over noise...
stability over surprises…
optimism over cynicism…
love over fame…
power over money…
candlelight over neon lights…
beaches over mountains…
outdoors over indoors…
boat rides over fast cars

That’s who I think I am!!

Loving life the way it is

I think that’s who I am
That is who I am…
At least for now!!!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Weilding the gun, yet again

Yet another killing. A few rumblings. A few pointed fingers. Some raised voices. A slight tremor in international politics. But at the end, its life back to normal. So what if Benazir Bhutto was shot dead today (alongwith many of her supporters). So what if many of those who died were innocent and had people waiting back home for them.
It's life, and it goes on. This is not an overtly cynical look at things, atleast am trying not to be. This is how things have been. This is how things will be, seemingly yet again, for the time to come.
A people's leader (who has represented the people of her country twice) meets this fate at a pre election rally. An election that is supposed to bring back democracy to a country facing military dictatorship for over 10 years. What is surprising is the callousness of the authorities of that country in dealing with the situation (or similar situations on previous occassions). The reaction that this killing has evoked from the local leaders is worth a mention. Calling the deceased "an inheritor of a tarnished legacy", the authorities in a way, justify the mishap. This was a justification of the killing of the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who established the leading opposition party and was one of the most democratically inclined leaders of Pak, and whose legacy she inherited!! Furthermore, after today's incident increased security to the country's premier is only further proof of the dirty politics being played. The man who single handedly was responsible for the Kargil war with India (that not only spoiled the diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan but also brought the country face to face with a severe financial crunch) has led the country for ten years now. And today, was given increased protection when he is no stranger to the dirty galleries of politics.
The man who has led Pakistan as a military leader has, time and again, fed the same regular gibberish about his unfaltering attempts to curb terrorism, throw the fundamentalists out of his country, shed tears on national television about the impending doom of their politics, made fake promises on the international political platforms regarding development in his countrty can only be an ace at this murky game. He is the same man who suspended the constitution an darrested 1000s of political opponents, in the name of countering political and civil threats by the extremists. He is the man who signed a power sharing deal with Benazir before her return and then promised her full protection. He is the man who turned back on the deal as soon as she set foot on the land of Pakistan. He is the man who has bred the terrorists and terrorism out of his womb over the 8 years of his rule. He is the man who has misled all on several occassions in the garb of "elections", which have made a mockery of the democratic system in the country. He has pawned leaders who take the throne. He is afterall the man who will make yet another appearance on national television with a rather sorry face (and probably a few tears for the effect) even after the killing of one of his main political (or not!!) opponents. He is the man who will very soon thwart the other opponents raising voice against injustice. He is still the man who gets extra security.
What is surprising is not the man or his chameleon like behavior. What is surprising is that people still see a leader in him. This is just a metaphor for he is not alone from his tribe of sic men (and women) who lead into a gloomy tomorrow. He is just one of those many who will say a few condolences on every such incident, whether it is his opponent, enemy or just another innocent bystander facing the barrel. And he is the man (and those like him) who will not mean a single word of what comes out from his mouth. And yet, he is the man who is and will be our leader. And the gun will be wielded again. And this is not surprising.
What is surprising is that we will too just turn our face away. Surely, this incident will be discussed for a few days. Surely, Ms. Bhutto has made her place in history books (unfortunate manner). Surely, there are those who will miss her. There are those who will think about her children and know what it is like.
But then...life will go on. (And I am no exception). It is afterall, just another loss of human life. And it is not beyond a few rumblings, some pointed fingers, some accusations, some raised voices and a slight tremor.
And i am not overly cynical!!

{ i really truly hope i am wrong just this time around}

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Happiness

Those times and those friends...



Glow of an apple at a petrol station!!



Just this morning, on my way to office the cabby decides to stop for a gas fill!! Exasperated, i look around. Facing the Delhi chill and smoke in your face, i stand..looking around.
Then i finally rest my eyes on a billboard. It's for a cold cream..which makes sense taking account of Delhi winter. But then it's at a petrol pump!!! Actually thats what caught my attention, the odd placement.
But again, how much sense does it make to have a billboard for a cold cream , in which the image of a pink blushed lady is rather oddly stretched (very poor creatives and the company should actually sack their creative/ad agency for the shoddy work) at a gas station...even if we consider all the influencing factors:
a) how many women actually drive (substantial number in delhi)
b) How much time will each direct/indirect buyer have at the petrol station in the morning rush (which is when most people get the petrol filled)
c) What is an apple actually doing on that image - its a colourless fruit that the hoarding projects and actually just pushes me away from buying it
d) Can we never move away from stereotyping our products
e) Can our placement/positioning ever be rationale based rather than emotion driven (here the overriding emotion of looking beautiful with soft skin)
f) Will the reason oriented approach actually work? Will I ever purchase a product which gives me the technical benefits of a product? Probably.

This takes me back to my classes where our professors cried hoarse over correct placement and positioning. Looking at this ad today just made me realise that either they were living in a utopian world or this particular company is ful of jokers. For a low end product like the one in question, why would you spend so much on a hoarding also when it doesnt break away from the clutter. Wouldn't you rather understand who your consumers are and hit them in a more concentrated manner? And then we cry over big international giants with deep pockets hurting our small local companies.

My dear fellow countrymen, those deep pockets also seem well supported by great thinking brains. They hardly make mistakes and when they do, they are rather quick at rectifying them. An Olay, for instance, knows their target is not a college girl so they wont go after a Priety Zinta/Kareena Kapoor as a brand ambassador. They are looking at the thinking woman, who is what she is and flaunts it to the hilt. So Sushmita is the best choice they can have. This kind of positioning goes beyond the staple!! You will never see Sushmita with a lifeless apple and some hurriedly written copy smiling at you from a stupidly positioned billboard...and you dont need management gurus to explain that to you.

Well, it's hardly more than common sense!!

So while the Olay and the Clarins of the world fight for a little shelf space, the desi brands will just have to take a back seat, specially with this kind of monstrous goofups doing the rounds!!

Wake up or give up!!

image source: cavincare.com

what could have been...

Its a tale of what could have been
Its not a story
Its never was a fairytale
It's what I believed could have been
It's what I believed was

Months spent on something that seemed like everything
Truly madly deeply (its cliched but still..)
Months spent on what actually was nothing
It's time to move over the fallacy
The fallacy of weekends

Come over, take a peek
It's not convenient as you think it is
Could have, should have, would have...if only I had known
What was left to be said
It has been convenient for you

Too many questions
Too many make believes
Supposed answers
Not always has an answer been the solution
Vague!!

What was never yours
Cannot leave you uncomfortably numb
Was made to believe otherwise all this time
I wonder when
Am not sure attachments can damage your system
Anyhow, It's over now

There is no looking back
No more confusion
No more tears
No more weekend lies or forced truths
It's finally over now

It was precious
But its over now
Its a new beginning
Its a new journey, with a new goal
its a clear day
and its not a weekend!!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Make that two please....


A rainy afternoon
Slightly misty
Its grey outside
Something different, it's a new look
Finally, Delhi sees rain

The sprint to Cafe Turtle
The pink umbrella, flying away
The soaked skirt
The wet jute chappals
Each tells a story

The full market galleries
The strange look of the passers by
The lost expression
The I-dont-care attitude
Each is a story

The couples
The hitched and the not so hitched
The waiters
The few who wait
Each has a story

The aroma of coffee
The smell of cake
It lingers
The table is laid
There might be a story

The variety in the menu
The decision
The call to order
It's simple like always
Doubt the story

The look around
The talks, laughs and giggles
The self absorbed
The silent few
Where is the story

The Expectation
The wait
The growing uneasiness
The look around
The doubt
Forget the story

Get the cheque please
The settlement of dismay
The uneasy will to move on
The payment
There is no story

Gather the bag
The skirt is still soaked
The umbrella just about there
The wet chappals drag involuntarily
Get ready to leave

The next occupant
The look away
A half gaze
The familiar voice
"A Cappuccino"

The surprise
The turn around
The smile
"Make that two please"
The ecstasy

This is the story

A rainy afternoon
Slightly misty
I see the rainbow

Friday, September 21, 2007

What you think is what you get

It is as simple as it gets.
This is somethin which I had heard umpteen number of times before. Just one of those things, just another philosophy, just some more jargon about life...it is, but for someone else. To me it is only a sentence, one of those many that we hear everyday and night, one of those that my mom, ur mom, my dad, ur dad and everybody else has told me and you, again and again.

Until today...

It's true. Somtimes a person can completely change how you think. Sometimes, a day can make a difference in what shape your life takes.

Just another Friday morning. Between Sholay and "One black coffee please", just passing away time. A casual discussion over promised gifts and books leads to larger lessons of life. "What you think is what you get"...I dont agree!!! But just initially. She talks and it makes sense.

And then, I could relate to it. Think of not spoiling of your favourite white shirt and your best friend will spill coffee on it. Think of not meeting with an accident, well.... Think of not having enough money, and you will soon need to ask.

It's true. The difference lies in thinking positively. You don't need to change the truths of life, maybe you can't. But the catch is in accepting those truths but not make them your boundary lines, not living your life to those confines, not creating barriers. Just say, I need to take care of my white shirt, I need to drive carefully, I need to make this money.

Just add optimism to your statements, your thoughts, your life.

Afterall, what you think is what you get.

Inspiration: www.thesecret.tv

Thursday, September 20, 2007

All in the name of Love

It's much more than seeing the world through rose tinted glasses
It's much deeper than the calm tranquil waters
It's much steeper than just a bend in the road
It is the talk of a lifetime
It is all in the name of love

The pits are not to stay
The doubts will also fade away
The mystery will clear
The happiness seems near
It is all in the name of love

There will be surprises
There will be tears
There will be days when only night seems near
Bear it, for there is light soon after
It is all in the name of love

Someone who sinks into your skin
Someone who lives your reality
Someone who is the light behind your shadow
Someone who smiles through your joys
All in the name of love

Playing by the rules

I have often wondered
about the complexity of life
the complexity that surrounds us
the complexity that we cannot overcome
and mostly, the complexity that is thrust upon us

The people who bring us into this world
The people who teach us the basis of life
The people who make us think
The people who are the truth
The people who thrust the complexity unto us

I have a lot more to see in life
There is a long way I have to travel
There is much I have to achieve
Many whom I have to conquer
I know there will be a price to pay

But the price will not be too big
It will not weigh me down
I assure you
I assure myself
I will simplify the complexity

Donot thrust it upon me
For you will not succeed
I have my sorrows
I have my joys to live for
I shall have my success to celebrate

Donot thrust upon me your judgement of right and wrong
Donot thrust upon me your idea of a perfect world
Donot thrust upon me your identification of good and bad
Donot thrust upon me your world
I will create my own Utopia

For, I donot believe in playing by the rules

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Not just strangers

Its a strange somebody I see
through the smoked glass of my conscience
Its a vague sound I hear
amidst the patter of rain


There is a knock on the door
Someone wants to come in
Escaping the rain, the world outside
I hesitate

Looking around is no respite
It's a cover of darkness
A faint light gleams somewhere distant
The knock again

Reluctant steps inch closer to the door
A faint whisper, "Please let me in"
The creeping uncertainty
Yet again, "Please let me in"

A sceptical look out of the half opened door
It's a face I know
"Please come in"
I didn't say that..I didn't mean to
I must have wanted to

He strides in
And a little while later...

A cup of coffee and general pleasantaries
Fear long gone
A bit of the scepticism remains
Talk of this and that

Yet another cup of coffee
A journey to the 'has been'
A notion of the future
A talk of what is and will be

It's not dark anymore
It's getting better
And I am not alone, anymore
He is not a stranger

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Green to Grey

The journey of many months ends in a day..in that moment when you take the final step
My journey of many unanswered questions, many unsolved mysteries...it all ended last week.

No, am not looking behind
But its hard not to

I miss it still

I miss the mindlessness of our activities
I miss the confusion and the mayhem
I miss the stillness of change
I miss the deadlines
I miss the chaos
I miss the roadsigns that lead nowhere
I miss the blown out candles

And

I miss the lunches
I miss the stairway to heaven
I miss the rings of fire
I miss the unspoken tales
I miss the whispers of gossip
I miss the giggles
I miss the love in the air
I miss the family


I miss the dark and lovely greens
I miss it all

Now, there are no greens
We live in a world of blue and grey
There is no stillness, but activity blinds you
There are no friends, but the crowd surrounds you
There is no mindlessness, but its hard to take direction...

There is a lot that was left behind
But I need to move on
Now, this is where I have to be
This is where the tomorrow is

But i miss it still

However, I shall thrive

...The green world shall survive!!!

No Full stops

it is, often, a strange twist of fate that brings you face to face with the harsh reality that they call life
What you do not expect is thrown your way and all you can do is either duck or face it
Either ways, it is there to stay
It forms an impermeable cyst around you, shutting out all external winds of stagnation

This is the initiation into a winding journey

There is a lot to discover...within you
There are answers you must seek...from yourself
There are reasons you must know
There is oblivion you must overcome

This is th initiation into a winding journey

There is much to do
There are, after all, no full stops