I apologise Mr. Finance Minister

A couple of days ago I sat down to think about the possible topics I could resume my blog with. The topics that ignite even a tiny spec of interest or excitement in me ; but this one ......... completely escaped me.

I, therefore humbly apologise to our Finance Minister,  the Government, the Economists, the Pseudo Intellectuals, the Planning Elites for my total disregard and the monumental lack of knowledge on the topic . Don't scratch your head( as it is dandruff is back in season) - let me clarify - I forgot that it is the budget day today....I really mean it...I simply forgot.

It is not totally my fault you see, I have been a little busy lately , with marriages - mine included (of course you may congratulate me), celebrations , birthdays etc. that it just didn't register. But, the whole blame can't be put on my door. The budget was delayed - wasn't it? As far back as I can remember budget is always out in the last week of Feb. It was always covered in the annual exams in March. Why couldn't they shelve it then?? Coming back to today - I switched on the television to the Doordarshan Channel to listen to the greatest Annual Speech in the Parliament. To my dismay it happened again this year. I couldn't understand a single word. I thought a change in my marital status would make it interesting but it didn't (Poor Budget!).

Hence, I honestly declare Mr. Mukherjee -  that I didn't listen to the document that you and your team spent months preparing. Your calculations and projections do not interest me. I am sorry but your self appraisal does not touch a chord within me. I can't keep a track of all announcements you make in your speech every year. I am a common middle class Indian working in a company, wherein my salary is directly linked to my PAN card and all my bank accounts  and earnings are in white - a section always neglected in your speech. What interests me is " How much of my taxes this year would pave way for your populist schemes? For how long would we pay for the loopholes you keep for business class (of course it pays for your electoral campaigns) and rebates that you give to the poor (who attend you rallies). We , the middle class , can't - you see we are busy working and earning honest money and honestly paying taxes.  As the saints say - This is Kalyug - honesty suffers. 

But then - Is it the same story again this time too...I  wonder? I would read about it all in newspaper tomorrow. I would like to smile today and believe me the middle class rarely smiles post budget. 

P.S - I saw Sachin's century and it made me smile -  Thank you Sachin for doing it today of all days.

The Art/Torture of Making Lists

Crazy as it sounds... but lately all that I have been doing is making lists, analysing lists, making it again and again...... And please ask me why......because that's what everyone around me is telling me. Make lists and then do work , execution is easier when planning is good. As if I have never heard of the saying. But give me a break.

To put everyone at ease, I love making lists... but at workplace. Where I know what has to be done, where only your mind is supposed to be involved, where you have so many targets to meet and where you have limited time at hand. But How can you put your personal life in lists...it makes everything so predictable...no scope for spontaneity, no avenues for surprises, just bland life...living around lists. I feel I'm going a little hyper about lists; in fact not little but total hyper. So much so that the last night I had a nightmare that I was sitting on a desk and around me were sheets filled with " lists" - the shopping lists, the important dates lists, grocery lists, the priority list, the family list, the to do list.......and so on. Gosh it was really really terrible. I like to be organised but not to this extend....where planning takes away the emotions. Now, where is the thrill to shop when there is no last minute emergency, what will all excuses do if you can wish everyone on time, who will be upset if everybody gets their gifts....you see making lists makes life so uninteresting. Nothing filmi anymore...huh.

Making lists is a necessary art and sometimes a lifesaving one , more so at office. I have had my moments when these lists have saved me. So learn it, if you want to do well in life. What I can't digest is why everyone wants me to show the same list making talent my personal life too. Now those who know me ...know how difficult it is for me. For those who don't know me..live in the blissful ignorance of my real talents. But I don't want to tell you all the importance of making lists...this post is to share the torture of making lists.

In the last month or so - I have done it all, used different note pads - plain sheets, lined sheets, recycled sheets, coloured sheets, soft sheets...; different coloured pens -  glossy pens, pilot pens, gel pens ....; PowerPoint's, word document, my phone applications, my email calenders...and everything...but ye lists he ke khatam hi nai hoti. And then you have to make so many changes all the time, additions, subtractions, permutations and combinations to make you go crazy. This list making gets crazier day by day. And believe me it is a big torture to make them and then keep reworking on them. When will I enjoy doing things when all my energy is consumed in making lists. What to do ? So I have decided to let go of lists....and continue...especially my shopping spree.

By the way, I just ticked on the task that said....write a post!

Happy New Year to everyone reading the post.

Baby Steps Are fine.....

You are going right , my dear; Set your own pace.

It's your life and decisions; Your own future to trace.

It may seem confusing at times, Things may not be always clear;

But chaos is also a part of life, Choices aren't easy sometimes.

Don't compare it with others, Your relations are your own;

Follow the values and attitude,  With which you have grown.

Others may prod you to move, At speed that is too high;

 Take it all in your stride. Coz, Baby Steps 'right now' are perfectly fine.

You may falter at times, Pause before you take any dive;

For each step you take now, will define your life, So...

Baby Steps... are just so fine.

My Journey to use eyeliner

                                                                   Using eyeliner is an easy task for almost all girls, the writer excluded. I have tried countless times and countless products but still can never guarantee the results.

Let’s travel the time machine into my first year at college – I was never a supporter of using beauty products so had almost no experience in using them. And, then came the moment that defined my association with eyeliner for the next few years - I, the great, broke a real costly (read imported) eyeliner of a classmate, while trying to forcibly open it in a real clumsy manner. And then under the feeling of guilt asked her the cost and whoosh said I would pay for it after all it was my fault. The cheapsto she was…she said OK(sniff…No one has big heart ). My naivety had no end during that time, I assumed that eyeliners cost that much only, almost my entire pocket money of a month – so I deducted using make up is real expensive, so let me spend money on books and movies. Aha ! I had a superb time that way.

A few years went by and I still didn’t use eyeliner – but the girls around me did, so I claimed that I like my natural look – which sounded better than accepting that I do not know how to. And I started secret sessions of how to use them coz “I can but I won’t” is my motto hence accepting that I can’t would have hurt my ego. I met with some initial success with a pencil eyeliner (which much to my surprise were pocket friendly). So I happily bought lots of eyeliners – brown, black , red, blue, golden, green etc . Now , I liked using them sometimes. A small way of being a part of a large group.

The next stage was using little sophisticated eyeliner – liquid and curly lashes. My darling cousin gifted me one….It’s still lying somewhere used only once when she tried teaching me how to use it. I mean how someone can spend her time learning how to use eyeliner. I couldn’t. Now that was for eyelashes also also hence I rejected and moved back my loyal pencils.

But you always have to face what you fear most – on a friend’s marriage I went to a parlour to get ready – the lady inspite of my misgivings used a good branded liquid eyeliner – whoa my eyes looked awesome to even myself. But they started itching after a few hours and were swollen – which was weird coz I was from groom’s side and was not even crying. Then after 3 days of suffering pain , I realized that I had eye allergy using that eyeliner – so out went the liquid eyeliners.

Back to my loyal pencils again, I got bored….was I weird or is this common? I was surrounded by the thought a lot. But talking to couple of more girls brought out the fact that it happens- allergy to even good brands. I got to know of a Kajal sytle liner but still am modestly capable of using it on upper eyelid only. For lower I am still skeptical. And my loyal pencils stay with me always. And believe you me – using eyeliner is not an easy task…..it is tough , very tough.

So this is my still unfinished journey to use an eyeliner, though I can use lipgloss with little success , the less said about other make up products a.k.a eye shadow, blush, lipstick, creams, the better I would feel.

I know You are there

Sitting up high, looking out for me;

I know you are there, protecting me.

I can't see you but feel you around,

my senses tell me -  not to frown;

my mind tells me - not to dream,

but my soul knows - you are protecting me.

It's been a long time , you left us alone;

Though we are strong , we sometimes mourn;

Standing tall ,your simplicity won hearts,

You were the beacon that showed us the path.

A brave soul , nothing made you fall,

you had endless strength and love for us all;

You showed us way to enjoy our lives,

gave us a home, a family and the hope for life.

If I close my eyes I can see you there,

Can hear your strong voice fighting my fears,

Can feel your wings surrounding the family;

And your smile saying - stop worrying.

I can't believe that you are not there,

You were and are our gaurdian soul;

I know you are watching us from up there;

Ensuring that we are safe, coz you care.

I know Grandpa wherever you are ;

You are protecting me.



Love you Pitaaji(Grandpa)......I know it deep down that wherever you are , you are looking after us.