He's got my drink....

Its been a long time I had updated my blog and you know why. Umm, I am in travel mode, you see! Yet I am being asked why I am not updating my blogspot. Sir, this one is for you.

I am in New York currently, holidaying, working, multi-tasking (don't ask me for details!). And the latest is that someone snatched my drink. Yes, you read that right; no mistake reading it.

I was in this fashionable restaurant in South of Houseton (SoHo) for a nice dinner with my friend; it was a nice evening after a rainy afternoon and we decided to sit out which is kinda sidewalks. We were excited, first with the food and drinks (especially, with the red wine I got to drink),then obviously with the environment and we were enjoying ourselves. We were talking as usual over a nice spread of food. Someone walks up to me: I look up thinking he is looking for something and before I could gather my friend gives a single and he leaves the scene. We continued.
Then someone dashes towards our table and this time he begs for food. I look up and so does my friend. It was like why these guys are coming to us? And not to other diners?
Well, we again continue with our eating-talking mode. We pretty much were engrossed with ourselves and food. Then again he strikes me (us)!

He walks, err.... almost dashes straight to me and asks if he could have my drink and grabs my drink gulps it down in no time before I could comprehend and hence react. I was like, whoa?
No one budged, no body went running after him; only some surprised faces.

It was such an awkward experience and I never imagined this could happen when you are in a nice place and when you are dining with dozen other diners. I was surprised and asked why was that?

The simple cheeky answer my friend had: you attract attention, don't you?
Well, I hope not.

That was scary and I would love to forget this to remember the nice dinner.

Watch me live on TV

12 June, 2008: I will be at Olelo station for the "Health is Wealth" program with Dr. Inam Rahman.Tune in to channel 52 at 7:00 p.m.

HULA-cination!

Aloha!!
It’s been quite some time for me in this Aloha-land and I have been pretty busy catching up with my work and activities and not to mention, my side trips, and, ummm…I am tanning beautifully. But, the first thing first.

This is HULA for you. And here you go……
I am awestruck and I cannot write. Well, no writer’s block this time. I strongly feel writing about something so awesomely beautiful will take away its whole essence. So, it’s for your eyes and I will help you with that. No, I am not gonna dance for you, well…you never know!! Hmmm, coming to think of it, I really feel like staying back here, and I am not kidding. Well, you know where it is coming from....no prizes for guessing!! Mahalo!!

Any Comments?

I am still at it,have been figuring out what is happening when you are sending your comments. It seems some of you have been sending your comments and could not 'send' it across to me (I was told personally). Well, I must have done some stupid thing with this blogspot's settings, or else, someone must be sending comments on my posts to someone (!).

Comments or no comments, I love all the attention around me...err, my blogspot.
I love that!!

Sevilla Moments

I love food and I love to travel and I love to talk. And all these happened as I met my favorite boss at Sevilla over some very nice Mediterranean and Spanish dinner. And we had a very nice time.

First the meeting: I was meeting him exactly after a year and since we both had a real hectic time at work and home and we both had cribbed to each other about some extra pounds we had added since our last meeting. I was meeting him when he just recovered from a very nasty lung infection which most definitely kept him away from Tennis which is something he does not like to miss. Way back, when he had a ski accident and broke his knee, I remember him going to Tennis court and play some shots without moving much when he could barely walk (that did the damage to his recovery and he had to go for another surgery to rectify it). Well, the point is, nothing can keep him away from Tennis for long and when it happens then the only complain you hear from him is about his weight going north!!

So, I knew what to expect. I reached there before him and waited for him. And when he arrived, I was rather surprised. He is as stunning as before, charming, stylish and that same lithe frame. I was like, where are those extra pounds, man? Anyway, this man knows how to crib when he misses his Tennis or definitely knows how not to put on weight.

Now the setting: a nice big piano and the pianist belting out very romantic, soulful numbers and I was mischievously grinning thinking he must have mistaken us for a couple. Well, we did not have any way to tell him we were not and enjoyed those lilting music which could sneak in between our conversation. And it was soon at the background as we got engrossed in our discussion on life, or rather philosophies of life. Hmmm…..

Now the food: And he wanted to immediately order food before I get into that deep thinking-talking mode and delay the order as he was very hungry; had worked on his presentation and forgot to order lunch. Well, I don’t mind either..food and yummy food and I don’t complain. So, we went ahead with ordering food. There was this duck recipe in red wine sauce and some ‘paella’ with jumbo prawns, chorizo, squid, fishes and some more seafood. And it pleased our expectation. I am not a rice-person but for some reason ended up with that paella variation as other things on menu meant too much of food and I was not really so hungry. They served such huge portion that I needed help; my order was shared by him for me to decently finish the platter.

And finally the most crucial point, the reason why such a dinner meeting finds a place in my blog. Life is one big complication; we need to make it complicated to live it or else its not interesting and yet we say we want to live it simple. Do I make sense? Hmmm….

It has been a pattern so far with me. I have a real ‘hectic’ life and I still manage to crowd it with some other things and in the process I fail to prioritize things. I move on to newer things leaving behind half-finished older things. I try to look for fresher avenues, newer projects/assignments as if more is less. And in the process I spread thin and lose focus. I want to be good; good at everything. Or else it’s not satisfying. I would rather do it nicely or not do it at all; it sounds good at some level. But at more practical level is it wise to spread thin? Is it wise to move on to newer things when one has unfinished work (read PENDING job from old projects)? Or is this just a need to feel good with something which holds more hope than the one in hand? Well, he got me thinking and I want to think about it too.

Sevilla will remain in my mind for long. Not because of anything else but for that life-churning discussion, for those soothing words which never criticized but alerted a lost mind, for those reassuring eyes telling me that you are not alone and that everyone is doing their bit in walking the path of ‘one big complication called life’.

So, where are we heading from here? Hmmm…I only hope that I know.

P.S: I am still spreading thin again, diverting my creativity on this blogpost neglecting my presentation in hand. And its when you just told me how someone never works on her publications, but updates regularly on the blog. Well, I believe in being happy and live for the moment. So far, such ‘moments’ have given me big joys and I don’t complain even with a fewer publications and I still get hired and I still am known for what I do. But, I could do better. I know, you meant that. Thanks!

Quote-Unquote

"Life is like a trumpet - if you don't put anything into it, you don't get anything out of it. "- William Christopher Handy

Ri(N)gmarole….(2)

And finally it’s out of the wraps, literally. And I am happy. But that ring has to be replaced.

Wait….let me tell you the whole story before you cook one for yourself just reading this one line….

I now have TEN fingers, all 'single' and ready to mingle..err all working and separate.

What? Did not I tell you last time, it’s about that ring and my finger?

Anyway…I wouldn’t mince any more words and give you the facts:

I was nursing a broken finger all these six weeks. It sounds to be a minor thing going by calamities happening around us. But for someone who never had a bone injury and that too when you were not ENGAGED in a fist fight or any such thing could really shake you out of your wits. I actually fainted (oops, I never knew I could!!) but the pain was way too much for me to bear it with a smile as I found my ring finger (with that RING of course) crushed and squeezed in the doorway.

And for first few seconds I bravely did my bit to free my fingers from there only to realize the damage and that was it. I could actually see the color of my flesh under the skin as if they were scooped out…OUCH!!
Luckily I had a friend with me who could take my beautiful trinity ring off as my fingers started to swell in no time (Let me tell you its not an easy task to take off a ring when the finger is hanging loose and when skin on the finger is not intact and when its that intertwined ring; to hell with it, all the complications together!! Thanks, dear. I dont know how you did it but you really did a clean job!!).
And two hours later I returned home with x-rays and prescriptions and wearing that bandage/plaster what my ‘funny’ orthopedic surgeon flirtingly called buddy-strapping (it indeed is called ‘buddy-strapping’!!). Yes, my ring finger needed a buddy to support it as it lay immobilized inside the wrap.

What an immobilized existence it was- My world had literally shrunk and I was limited only to telephones. You read an email and phone up to discuss, could not write emails in response. Not that the process was very slow but also with pain and that bandage and restriction to keep the injured hand up all the time was really making life quite difficult. It was not just difficult for me but people around me had to adjust. And shaking hands was one such…and even holding hands for that matter, Ooops!
I knew how handicapped I was, could not lift my arm as I also had injured some nerves and then that strapping had to be kept away from water, so no washing, no scrubbing your face, no shampooing your hair…omigoodness! And still you need to face the world….err, show your face to the world!!

I realized how it is to live life with one hand/arm. And life goes on….
And when you want to try to by-pass something you are invariably made to stand face-to-face with it. Such happened when I just dreaded the sight of a pen, forget about even lifting it and even 'trying' to hold it, I was needed to 'sign' papers and not just any papers but legal papers.
And the number of signatures I 'produced' that day even surpassed what I usually do in a month. And I learnt how to sign in forty (or more?) different ways in a day !!

Now, I know how to write with my left hand, how to eat food with left hand-here I mean my regular meal with chapatti, how to maneuver keys to open a lock and many such.

Now….ring finger is fine but I still can’t wear that RING.
I now need a different size as my ring finger really has a weird structure , thin at the tip and swollen at the base (yikes…what am I explaining…).

Do they really have customized service for trinity rings…I wonder!

Quote-Unquote

"Great people talk about ideas, average people talk about things, and small people talk about wine". - Fran Lebowitz

Sp(L)it-zer Wide Open...

"I remember the first time I had sex - I kept the receipt."
Said Groucho Marx. And someone did it.

Ooops, looks like Spitzer took this one too lierally!
But, you cant blame him either he used 'plastic' atleast..well, you should have spelt it right to him, no?

Anyway, poor chap wanted to have some fun which went ..well, we all know what he did, dont you? Tsk tsk...

ri(N)gmarole.....1

Its about a ring, and not just any ring...its a Trinity ring. And there is a story...well...it will be told when the fingers start working.....What?

To be continued......

Quote-Unquote

"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney

Mental Autopsy (?)

I love myself; it’s a known fact by now. Well, here I am not being my narcissist self. But….

For some time now, I am trying to be with ‘me’ (remember my New Year’s wishes?), spending much time with ‘me’, trying to understand what ‘me’ wants from life. I am walking on the sidelines lest I am pushed into the rat race of life. I am taking time to know how ‘me’ thinks, what 'me' sees, and believes in, and I am giving ‘me’ all the attention rather than getting bulldozed into that high speed track (Oops..I surely have speedo-phobia. Is this a word in Oxford English Dictionary?).

And understanding the inner self is so very rejuvenating. It feels as if I am being born again, all fresh, just out of the womb; pink lungs and rosy cheeks and all that. Ahh!

And here I arrived at a realization. It is difficult to admit things when you see them with a not-so ‘white’ color. Yes, I have arrived at a realization about me. And I think it is always a good idea to talk about it, internalize it rather than hiding or denying it just because we are so very proud to point fingers at our own self. Accept it, it helps!!

And I find my mind play ping-pong between two words: ‘high maintenance’ and ‘difficult’.

The other day I came across an article, thanks to one of my very close friends, and it made me think a lot on the issue. It talked about how our professional and personal successes shape our personalities. I remember doing an extensive research sometime back to understand what it is to be ‘high maintenance’ personality.

I find my mind having a jolly good time playing ping-pong with ‘high maintenance’ and ‘difficult’. Ahem…

I guess, I am analyzing a bit too far and my mind has reached its saturation. I hear ‘me’ saying: ‘I need a break’.

Yes, it’s the right time for one, the weather is just right and my calendar approves my idea as this would be a long weekend indeed and I see a happy looking suitcase waiting for me.

Well, I will be back soon. Till then, see you again!

Quote-Unquote

"The future has a way of arriving unannounced." -George Will

Slice of Life

Something happens when I see this particular shade of dark purple; this shade makes me happy, makes me nostalgic, makes me euphoric, makes me feel the joy from within. I am talking about that particular shade of purple, that Cadbury shade.

At some point of my life Cadbury was synonymous with chocolates before so many other names and colors started to crowd that corner of my refrigerator. Yet, my love for purple..err Cadbury's has not died; I still jump with joy like a child when someone gets me one.

And the other day I was so very happy to find this old advertisement which is off the air now; and I relived those nostalgia and the joyous child in me matched her steps with the girl in the ad.

Such moments are truly a slice of life worth living....umm, I am loving it...the chocolate, I mean!

Condemn Condom

Damn it! Urghh..not again...

I had a very busy week and started another after a fun-filled weekend with..well..less said the better. Ummm, we had a ball..(oops!) at the conference (a lot praises are still pouring in) and after the conference and we heard a lot of stories from everybody. But I am still so very much excited about this one that I thought of sharing it on the blog..(oops, I have not even changed my clothes after the conference..too much of info..err I mean I came straight and logged into my blogspot to draft the story!) and share with you all at one shot...huh!

And now the story: its about my colleague Melissa and her tryst with condom(S) and what fun...ha ha ha. Maybe, you can read it yourself! And know there is someone called 'condom girl'!!

Oops, I did it again..ha ha ha! Melissa, I still cant stop giggling...ha ha ha! What next? caught red handed with samples of female-condom?

I say, "not again"!

Quote- Unquote

"Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside." Mark Twain.

Quote- Unquote

“My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents" - M. K. Gandhi.

Kelvinator

" For your information, I'm staying like this, and everyone else can just get used to it! If people don't like me the way I am, well TOUGH BEANS! It's a free country! I don't need anyone's permission to be the way I want! This is how I am - Take it or leave it! "

Well, so said calvin and I like err.. love the quote.

Handle with Care!

"Handle with care".
This is something I always instruct to the airline personnel while handing over my huge suitcases loaded with...well, just to tickle someone's 'imagination buds', things I often don’t get to see in the stores in my town. And my boxes wear a happy face with lots of 'fragile' stickers on them. And these help me in identifying my luggage when they come rolling down the conveyor belt. It’s kinda routine!!

And so is the case with me, I suppose. Well, I am not talking about luggage or fragile items in my boxes onboard. Its about handling the ‘I-me-myself’.

Its difficult to handle me, that’s what I was told. Well, not too directly actually. A friend brought to my notice an article on a daily about how men are having a tough time handling fragile suitcases…err tough women (yawn, yawn). Oops, I mixed it up again….it shows how much I am in 'travel mode'.

And I do remember a lot of phrases which were coined by people as synonym for ‘I cant handle’ her before flying off the handle. Ha ha ha!! And I know what must have happened when the nicest girl one ever meets can be so difficult to handle….ahem!

Hmmm, I gotta say this one more time as I hand over my suitcase for yet another trip: handling too much, you see! Bon voyage to me!!

Lucky lEAps

Lucky lips are always kissing
Lucky lips are never blue
…. ….. …… …….
.. …… …….
And here I am leaping my way to a vacation
Oops, it’s a leap year too!
(hey, is not that rhyming?)

Someone had not seen an update on my blogspot and as always the ‘pampered-me’ is woo-ed. And it shows.

I am in transit as I draft this post. It reads well past 2 am on the watch on my delicate wrist and I am banging furiously on the keyboard (are you fighting with keyboards, asks another from the other end over a long distance conversation). And I go with the keyboard with break-neck speed sitting in front of an open suitcase. It is lying ajar; a few bottles of gels and creams and a few tubes of lotions are peeping at me from that transparent travel kit. And I could see that yellow sticky glaringly looking at me with a reminder that I have to send a print out to dad to process my application (ahh, hell…I need to hit the button to start printing).

Ufff….multi-tasking at its peak; in leaps and bounds. Music, blogging, phone calls, packing, advance planning, you and I...blah..blah blah...

And I feel lucky (me and not my lips, ouch!) as I ask how many times you have gotten a free vacation? Well, some people are born lucky, isn’t it?

And at last with that lucky…err..happy thought there will be an update on my blogspot. Someone will see an update till I get back with more…what, I ask? More of …well, keep guessing!!

Laa káwn!!