The Sublime Universe

Billy Joel is driving me crazy!

2009-12-11T23:25:00.000+05:30

Sing us a song, you're the piano man-Sing us a song tonight, Well, we're all in the mood for a melody and you've got us feelin' alright....

In Jaipur with Sir Elton John

2009-05-31T19:09:00.006+05:30

I had been to Jaipur just once before in 2001. Then we had put up in modern Jaipur not the old town, this part too was somewhat crowded, jewelers all around and lovely textile stores that housed anything from saris to long traditional skirts, scarfs and bed spreads. Vibrant colors sashaying the roads, filling up the sidewalks. I had picked up some silver trinkets and cushion covers which I treasure even to this day. Beautiful stuff.

This time Jaipur was livelier and more charismatic. Well, it was Sir Elton John and I making this trip together. We were in old Jaipur. It was an experience of its own. It all started with him and I on elephant backs visiting the forts, the forts had so many stories to tell of the past. The howdah (carriage seats) rocked to and fro while the tour guide educated us with stories of the past. The Howdah was covered in beautiful and rich embellished textile meant for a king or queen. The elephant was oblivious of the enchanting colors he was adorning. I almost went back to the days of royalty while the guide jabbered along. Soon we descended to an exotic restaurant for a typical Rajasthani meal. The guide explained a lot of the food to us and I did the balance of how much ever I knew. Each entrée was delectable - we loved the fare.

Elton John was wearing a Jaipuri printed kurta and his one symbolic earring looking very cool. He was in a non-musical mood, not even humming one of my favorites. He loved every bit of his Jaipur trip and wanted to soak in more knowledge about the place. All the while I was thinking how different he was here than the Elton John of the music video’s I often watched. His skills of the piano, his effortless way of singing was a distant thing of now. He did not want to be bothered with his trade; he just wanted to enjoy Jaipur.

We asked around for a handicraft store from where we could pick up gifts and souvenirs and someone suggested ‘SAMS’. Sam’s was not in one of the crowded places. It was in a clean straight road, a small boutique housing exotic stuff in cotton only. They had scarves in all lengths, handkerchiefs, bedspreads and some modern outfits made out of ethnic fabric making them look like designer wear. Sam was a creative lady in her 50’s, charming and very accommodating to her customers. I loved the store products and the store owner. We chatted and picked up several things from this place and the prices too were so very reasonably tagged.

All the while I was wondering if we could find a karaoke bar so that I could ask Sir Elton to sing “Words in Spanish” for me, just once! Unfortunately I found none. The only part about holidaying with Elton John that was not nice. I really wanted him to sing one of my favorite EJ numbers.

We proceeded to a carpet shop now since Sir Elton John wanted to pick some up for his home, next day was his flight. He picked up something I don’t remember. It was a carpet in cream of what I remember. We both were tired by now and got back to the hotel and finally went up to our respective rooms to shut eye, he had an early morning flight to catch. All through the night I was restless. Excited at my good fate of holidaying with my favorite star and restless as I always am if anyone takes an early morning flight. It was a very light and disturbed sleep and I finally woke up and saw it was 6.05 am, was Sir EJ up to catch his flight? Where was he? I was sure in my pretty room but not in Jaipur, in my house in Bombay, was I dreaming? Yes I was – this was an end to a beautiful dream.

Romance

2009-05-13T23:31:00.009+05:30

It has not much to do with the web definition. Romance = “A love affair. Ardent emotional attachment or involvement between people” – In most of the cases or in the intensity that I sense, most often it has nothing to do with just people. It is multi faceted and versatile like not many other words.

Romance is a very situational, presently and personal feeling that one feels. It can be with people, nature, animals, books, situations, smell and most often music.

The color of the word ‘Romance’ is most often pink. Since pink is the color of love and passion, Romance is easily linked. Have you ever thought of black romance? Imagine heavy rain and a dark evening, wet breeze that touches your face and passes by or ruffles your hair and disappears. Would you call that pink? Imagine green romance, walking in a open field with tall grass tickling your bare skin – romantic to the hilt. One can make music from the drops of falling rain, which is romance.

Originally the word ‘Romance’ the old French word was borrowed into English (“romaunt” or “romaunce”) and developed in several ways. Since love was an important theme in the vernacular works, the word came to mean a love-story or a love affair. Many of the old stories were also rather far-fetched, full of magic and superhuman feats of arms, and so “romance” also came to mean a tall story, and in some cases a euphemism for a lie. Hence, no one really knows why this word is a representation of love and nothing else.

Of course, the man – woman romance is equally beautiful. It may or may not be platonic but the momentary passion is present in abundance. Romance is temporary since the feeling is very intense and severe. Romance is strong, hearty, heady and enthralling. Anyone who has felt romance has felt the sweet pain of rejection or extreme fervor. Romance has been present forever. It is charming, charismatic, pure and stimulating. It is like an aroma that lingers on long after it is no more……………..

Hopes for the Indian Economy

2009-05-04T14:46:00.002+05:30

Is it too soon to talk about India’s economy looking up?. For people who had invested a while ago is praying for it to level up from its dampening 2 years of low-lying-ness. While some are investing now taking full advantage of the depressed situation before the revival. Our Finance minister too promises of a better situation by coming October so can we really ignore all the speculations? – Rather we want to believe in them desperately.

This extended weekend ended with a positive Monday morning with the sensex up by positive numbers. Hope the positivity continues.

The Indian currency too has had a bad year. It fell to Rs 39 to $1 in January 2008 to almost Rs 50 to $1 in February 2009. The rupee needs to rebound and value up against the dollar again. We are all creatures of hope and optimism and it does pay off most of the time.

The light bulb flickering is ONLY temporary, India has been there, done that and will rise up to the good times again. The biggest risk to India in 2009 at this point may not be the global economy issue but domestic politics that needs more attention at the moment.

my evening stroll

2009-04-08T00:39:00.004+05:30

The twittering sound of birds,
Mellow and touchy winds ~
The groups of retired friends;
Young cycle learners -
New mommies with babies (.)
Patients galore
Lovers chatting zone ~
All a part of my stroll!

00.40 am
8th April 2009

Should live in relations be legalized?

2009-02-16T00:31:00.005+05:30

The much talked about, forbidden relationship, a ‘live-in’ relationship. The subject of the relationship is a very disapproving subject even before the people involved in it are discussed. India in 2009 is actually still waking up to live-in relationships.

It is a personal decision to live-in or not. The first thing that strikes us as the typical Indian is the close proximity of the male and the female but most often a live-in arrangement arises from a security, financial and / or a poignant rationale. The objective behind a live-in is very simple. Two people just WANT to live together. Why do we need to have questions in our mind when the people involved do so happily and without guilt. When will we wake up to the dictum. ‘Live and let live’.

There is no legal necessity for a live-in arrangement and it’s rather a good way to find out if two people are compatible and want to live with each other with a legal bonding, marriage. A marriage is great if it’s happy but what happens when two people are bonded in a legal prospect which is severely sorrowful? Then comes the ordeal to manage the occurrence of divorce. That can be mentally exhausting and miserable for both people.

As parents, one can ONLY ensure to give our offspring’s a very steady upbringing with the right edification. The generation gap that used to be between parents and kids yesteryears do not exist anymore and it’s in the best interest of both that the relationship and proximity be kept close so that the child enlightens the parents about his / her plans and deeds so that the matter can be discussed to a impartial conclusion.

The hue and cry over a ‘live-in’ relationship according to me is overstated and magnified. It can be a wrong decision sometimes, but it can also be right! So we should not be judgmental and try our best to be unbiased and indifferent till we are asked for help or opinion. Lastly, a live-in relation is not a crime or a detrimental act that it needs any legalization. It is for two adults, independent and mentally stable to decide if what they are doing is right or wrong and if they are willing to shoulder the responsibility.

12.31 am
16th February, 2009

The pain of painless-ness

2009-01-23T00:18:00.002+05:30

Any painless objective is painful. Sounds contradictory? Well, think of it. A hurting tooth needs extraction, a broken bone needs surgery, any pain mental or physical must go through more pain to eradicate the pain completely. Makes sense to me. So any pain in any measure is controlled by more pain in the beginning followed by no pain. I have gone through much pain and my good friends would know what I m talking about. I am now going through the peak of pain phase and then shall perch onto painless-ness. Again my belief. It almost sounds like a formula but if you go back and look at your life and pain associated with it, in most cases you will be able to connect to my pain-formula. Life is one big dream and it’s painful to realize it all without going through the pain of trying. This is written at 11.50 pm and is a result of the insomnia, mixed thoughts and my faith in my painful delight.

Posted at 12.18am
January 23, 2009

Hats of to Patriotism

2009-01-21T10:36:00.006+05:30

I was up late watching the swearing-in-ceremony of President Barack Obama. His inaugural speech was marvelous even if it was written by someone else...He delivered impeccably. The first ever African-American president of the USA. A first of many, first time black President of the United States of America. Let’s hope it’s all for the good.

The grandeur of the ceremony could have been curtailed in this time of recession was my initial opinion but now I think it’s was worth the magnificence. I realize, in our country, most politicians are corrupt because they are under-paid and not given the dues of a leader. In the International system not only are you paid well but you are welcomed in such a fashion that you will want to thrive to prove yr mettle. The welcoming and swearing in was focal and of great magnitude. Top American Soul singer Franklin sang songs, followed by swearing in of President and Vice-president.

The grand luncheon followed which incidentally was the mostvisited link on the presidential election page. Amusing. In the open-air seating area, the cold was a chilling 21f. Old people, aspiring young people, people on wheelchairs all thronged to be a part of the greatest ceremony that comes once every 4 years. Obama followers, America lovers, all braved the weather and cheered on. Their love for the country is what makes America.

Would I do it? I doubt. I blame myself for being a reckless citizen but it was never driven into me to be proud of our country because over 50% of the population including me unhappy with our judiciary, political, governmental scenario. There have to be reason to feel proud. I felt so very proud of what I encountered at the Wagah Border in Amritsar and I know the reasons perfectly. It did not stem out of the fact that the soldiers and border security forces looked great and looked well-dressed. I was in awe of them because they put that faith in me that they are our protectors or armament, they gave that air of chewing up the GREEN enemies alive across the border.

We need to believe in our people for that respect to come. Today I am a fan of Major Unnikrishnan and not some of the famous names looming around the vital seats in the parliament for the same reasons. We need to respect our leaders even if we belong to another political party. Leaders make a country but in our case our country chooses all the wrong leaders for all the wrong reasons.

This situation of guilt affects me. I as an individual would love to get out of my country for better prospects and right now I’m feeling guilty of feeling this way but will it change my opinion? No. Our country leaders have done nothing to grow fondness. It does not come in one day, it needs to be nurtured. I almost thought I was apolitical but I am greatly affected by another country’s deeds, why couldn’t we be as serious, as enthusiastic as any other country’s union, and feel proud about our doings?

Over 1 Million little American flags sold in one day? Not even 100000 flags are sold in a single city during our independence day. Why? Highlight and the tender moment was when President Obama had taken daughters, Malia and Sasha to the Lincoln Memorial a few nights ago, where they looked at the statue, and read Lincoln’s second inaugural address inscribed on the wall to which Obama’s younger daughter Sasha asked if her Dad’s speech was going to be as long to which her sister Malia, 10, replied, 'First African-American president, better be good’. Awareness from inception is what we need to imbibe.

Reality TV Shows

2009-01-20T01:04:00.013+05:30

Reality Television – You cannot hate it anymore. The live, on-the-face unedited version of television appeals to many and especially so because it makes the audience a part of the program literally.

When I was a radio jockey way back in 1992 during my high school summer / winter breaks, I would be awestruck at the way our senior Radio - Jockey’s started handling live calls and request for songs. We are racing ever since with newer, more fascinating innovations and swankier studios. Television reality shows have become a rage even if it causes sensational, emotional and sometimes social predicament. Reality TV shows have arrived in India with a big pomp and it is here to stay for a long time now.

Reality television in India go back a long way when Channel V came into our homes with their hunt for forming the first all-girls musical band ‘Viva’. I personally am game for reality shows if it does not involve children. There are many popular segments of reality shows in India today some of which may be categorized under music challenges, dance challenges, fear factor, comedy role-play and childrens’ talent shows.

Whether it is a singing competition or an activity show like Big Boss, there is a tremendous pressure on the participants. However, from viewer's point, it is all right as long as it entertains without hurting anybody's sentiments. Where kids are concerned we have to keep one thing in mind that some shows that take child artistes as participants should maintain some restraint while commenting on these tender talents. There have been cases where a dance participant had been deeply traumatized by a judge’s comments that she had to be rushed to the hospital. In fact, The Working Group of the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) will finalize its guidelines relating to participation of children in television serials and reality shows soon.

Every new technology or a new sphere of entertainment has its pros and cons just like reality television but it is really up to the producer and the director of the show to make believe the reality aspect of the program. We are still in the nascent stages of making good reality shows. It won’t be long before the finesse is achieved and reality shows become a real rage. Till then, let’s sit back and watch television, real or not.

Uncertainty

2009-01-18T14:40:00.003+05:30

Uncertainty
It’s like an abstract painting.
Sometimes you don’t even know what you are painting. Uncertainly is a lazy word. Not tagged or attached to anything. It hangs and looms over till the right time.

sarnata...

2008-09-25T14:44:00.000+05:30

Khamoshi ko khamoshi se,
zindagi ko zindagi se baat karne do…

The depth of disturbance – Scuba diving in Bali

2008-08-28T19:03:00.002+05:30

The disturbed water, skin deep literally, that’s what Rakesh, my husband said once he was way under the sea, looking at the big scale aquarium underneath. It was sublime, pristine and a larger than hearsay experience! It was not just scuba diving for him but an encounter with the outstanding underwater world!

It all started with a boat ride to the middle of the sea in Nusa Lembongan. I was not really upto it but since it was the first time for Rakesh, I planned to be on the boat no matter what. First was his wearing the gear on land and taking the symbolic training on how to convey under water - ‘I am ok’ – ‘let’s go up’ – ‘I can’t breathe’ – ‘My mask is giving trouble’ etc.etc.

We went in a motor boat right upto what I thought was middle of nowhere but this was the place where most boats were stopping for their eager diving enthusiasts to disembark into the waters. This boat anchors where it stops with its boatman on board. In my case, us both. I was cold and nauseous. The waters were not behaving; the currents pretty strong making me shiver inside out.

The trainer assured me all would be fine, asked me not to worry and that they would re-surface in half an hour?! I started clicking pictures very carefully as the water was all over the place. Rakesh did look a little tense but excited all the same. They both jumped into the choppy waters with their masks, oxygen, fins et al. I sat wondering and shivering about how it would be under-waters. The surface was snarling at me, loud and rough, the boat was all over the place, rocking and waters jeering at me.

The depth of disturbance was only surface deep. The under was apparently calm and picture perfect. The color of each plant, rock or sand was vivid to the masked eye. It was almost like an illustration of life – the everyday experiences which we look at so enormously. This was similar. There was an essence of tranquility and serenity down under. There was nothing to fear, no currents, and no big waves and too much to savor than fear!

2008-06-04T21:27:00.002+05:30

An unconcious smile -
A reason to dream,
An eager mind, are ingredients of 'hope'.

Rain

2008-04-25T15:31:00.000+05:30

Missing the musty smell of misty rain…feeling of nocturnal languid;
Drunken rhythm of falling drops, heady and drowsy conscious hallucinations.

One hell of a day

2008-03-17T19:11:00.001+05:30

I am smiling from ear to ear :)
Not too well so not bloggish either but am H A P P Y!

Just Sales or satisfactory Sales

2008-03-11T19:56:00.006+05:30

It was on one of recent trips to Kolkata during end February 2008 that I went to visit my grandmother. She is an old and a very self-contained lady who seldom wants anything from others but this time around she expressed her desire to eat home-made dahi vadas as eating anything from outside gave her acute acidity. The next day morning I sent my driver to buy a packet of GITS dahi vada mix which is easily available in my home city, Mumbai. To my surprise this was not available in the odd 10 shops he visited and came back empty handed. I further went out and faced similar consequences and came back very agitated.

My next logical action was sit on my laptop, find out the GITS contact details and call them. It was past 5 pm in the evening and I called up the GITS head office in Pune. I did not bother enquiring who picked up the phone but straightaway asked for the Marketing Head or the Marketing Manager whoever was available. From my voice this person could certainly tell the hostility and wasted no time in putting me on to the right person. Here was this very well spoken gentleman on the other end now asking me what I wanted, and here I was speaking breathlessly about what a bad distributing system they had, that a popular product like Dahi Vada mix was unavailable at 10-15 local stores in various parts of Kolkata. He heard me out very patiently and took my cell phone number and said he would call me back soon.

I knew the call was never coming back. To my utter shock or amusement the committed call came within a flat 15 minutes. It was the same person apologizing profusely as well as thanking me for my immediate reaction of not finding a certain product saying that he would take my call as a serious complaint and ensure this kind of lapse does not occur in the future, he also said that his colleague would soon be in touch with me so that I could get my Dahi vada mix at the earliest. By now I had cooled down a bit and thanked him for his promptness. The next call came in 10 minutes from Mumbai asking me to wait till the next morning. The apologies and courtesy almost reminded me of the comparisons I often made with the western world on how Indian companies have meager after sales assistance and I will give you a unique example of this later.

This person told me that I would have my packet of Dahi vada mix within noon the next day. Around 11 am the next day a person called from Howrah and took my address and was at my residence. His travel from Howrah must have cost him more than this one packet of mix which is priced at approx Rs 50. Now to my utter disbelief and shame he got gajar ka halwa and a packet of newly launched paneer as an apology bequest. I initially declined politely but he was adamant that this was the only way they could illustrate regret of non-availability of their product. I accepted the gift reluctantly and conveyed a very profound gratitude for not just the gifts but on changing my opinion of the new emerging approach to business and sales in India .

Now, comparing the size of GITS to a large multinational conglomerate like LG electronics with huge advertisement budget for brand-building from whom I purchased a high-end, double door refrigerator with a mini bar and water dispenser for Rs 1 lac plus for home in Mumbai was not a very satisfactory experience. Since the day it was delivered the mini-bar door was stiff, it took some effort to open and close it. From August 2007 to March 2008 I must have called and made repeated complaints and got false commitments that they would come and repair it. Finally a week ago my husband called and literally threatened to personally talk to the MD – India operations if the job wasn’t done within the next 2 days. Guess what? A technician was at our door-step within the next 2 hours and repaired, it was a very simple problem.

The lesson I want to learn from both my experiences are that all processes don’t mean anything till the final outcome is derived just like LG sweet talks, gives you complaint numbers, verifies your address and contact numbers repeatedly and does not show up. On the contrary a company like GITS needs only one phone call and they flood you with calls till you decide that if its Dahi vada it’s ONLY GITS!!
10th March, 2008

Change is the only constant thing

2008-02-20T15:21:00.006+05:30

The frothy waves in the seas' keep coming and going telling us nothing in life is constant. The seas of Puri, Goa and Puerto Rico tell the same story!

The half baked cake

2008-02-20T11:42:00.004+05:30

Is this often in life that one falls in love with a half baked cake?

It was my farewell dinner on one of my visits to my brother in Nashua, recently in February 2008 in New Hampshire and we had gone to dine at this place called 'Michael Timothy's' - very unlike Nashua, this place was very lively, the roads were more crowded and friendly and of course we could see people even if it had snowed in the afternoon. There was an element of life and sound in this place and I started liking it even before I got off the car.

Finally we disembarked and walked towards MT's and inside, hanging our coats and overcoats in the cloak room upon entering and waiting to be seated. We sat at one cosy corner with just another couple behind where we were sitting, very lost in talking and busy with each other. We soon got lost deciding on the appetizer and what to drink. It was Mom, my brother Shiv and I.

We zeroed on shrimp and escargot in melted butter and garlic and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, white wine. All the while that I enjoyed the escargot I thought it was a special kind of mushroom till Shiv told me that it was a kind of a small animal. Upon research in google, this is what the confirmed report is "Escargots, in French cuisine, is a dish of cooked land snails, usually served as an appetizer. In France, escargots are typically only eaten on festive occasions". So here I was, the most orthodox food taster ever eating snails and enjoying it! Thank god, it tasted like mushroom :)

Mom and I opted for a shared entree since we were almost done so enjoyed a plate of swordfish in lobster sauce on a bed of risotto. It was mind-blowing while Shiv ordered for a beef something which was equally good or better. I was waiting to finish as I had caught a glimpse of the elaborate desert menu during my ordeal deciding on the appetizer right at the beginning and now the time had almost come. Soon the smiling waitress came and asked us if we wanted desert, I was trying to look like we were done but was dying to taste one of their mind blowing sweet something.

There were around 10-12 choices, pretty elaborate I would say, they were a mix of ice creams, cakes and cooked desert. One that caught my eye was the 'HALF BAKED CAKE'. Sounded very incomplete but very interesting. It said that the cake was half baked or half cooked and bought to the table piping hot.. Once at the table our hostess would give it her special touch....this apparently was the only half baked cake which would leave a lasting impression with people who savored it. I wanted to give it a shot though I had my apprehensions but what the heck, we ordered for it and asked her to bring 3 spoons since we were too full for one each.

In a few minutes the smiling hostess was back at our table with the half baked cake. On the large tray she had a plate with the cake, in a scooped kind a bowl were sliced strawberries and in a small jug was fresh creme and there was a sprinkler like a salt dispenser that had a dark powder. She came and said that this was her favorite desert from the entire selection of the deserts there were. She put the cake in the middle of the table still balancing the rest on the tray in her hand and with a sharp poke punctured the middle of the cake and out oozed the hot chocolate syrup flooding the slightly deep plate and filling up the roundness with a force and the smell emerging was of tranquil. I just kept looking.

Finally the thick chocolate syrup had filled up the depth and circle of the plate and settled down. Then it was time for the hostess to 'dress it up' so she first garnished it with all the strawberries she had in the bowl and added the fresh creme flavored with cinnamon onto it...then she took her powder dispenser and sprinkled till the color of the entire desert was chocolate, red, white and now little dark brown dots all over. A happy 'enjoy your desert' and I was all set to start! Now what followed was a feeling of satisfaction, and all feelings associated with satisfaction. I did not know that a half baked cake could do wonders like this.

I did maximum justice to the desert and not only were my sweet senses aroused but it was a feeling of 'deja vu' - one of complete satiation and till you taste the Half baked cake you will never know what I mean. The half baked cake will stay in my mind till I go back to MT's again. So not all things coming a full circle in life is the best, there are half baked things in life that can give you equal amount of satisfaction if not more!

20th February, 2008
11.09 am

Hear before you speak

2008-02-19T15:24:00.006+05:30

Kuch to na sunaa, kab ka tha gila,
Kaise kahe diya alvidaa,
Alvida, alvida, aab kehena aur kya
jab tu ne kahe diyaa alvida.............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNdpoWhLDFE

A new life

2008-02-19T15:17:00.001+05:30

I am lost for the want of direction,
the directon is lost for the need of a new life,
wanting the life is lost in seperation,
the seperation is lost once we meet.

Meeting will be adding value to life,
soon the direction will be a driving force,
the seperation will be sealed and bond, and
a new meaning of life will prevail!

Feb 19th, 2008
2.46 pm

Not so happy yet!

2007-11-26T18:19:00.002+05:30

Life’s unexpected turns come in sharp bends,
Suddenly, unaware and unwanted –

Sometimes difficult and sometimes sad
At times unprepared, other times bad.

Difficult to fathom, untrue to the ear
Like a dark tunnel; A scare, a fear.

A want to light-up, cheer up and smile
But an obstacle like a hundred mile –

But good times have to come to all
To all of us, big or small

My time is running out I feel
Time’s of essence, come or I steal

A cheer, a smile and gurgling sound
Is what want my-side bound!

The happy day I’d know is near
When dimpled smiles replace a tear!

6.19 pm
26th November, 2007

Happy and more...

2007-10-30T21:58:00.003+05:30

Happy is a feeling
Feeling is happy
Happy makes music
Music means smiling

Happy I am
Happy he is
Happy you are
Happy, oh please!

Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly with his song

2007-10-07T14:49:00.001+05:30

All time favorite!!

Mood

2007-08-24T20:41:00.000+05:30

PERHAPS! My favorite word in the English dictionary! It's suggestive, hopeful, mellow yet encouraging.

I have no particular reason to write about a word but there are some words in my life I am linked to and this is one of them. Will come to others later or maybe never –

"Words are the blocks from which sentences are made"; now, that’s how important words are. Perhaps – it’s one of the easily used words in our language without grit or precision but yet holds so much weight.

Perhaps some day I will come back to this page and write why it’s a part of my life. This word holds a lot of meaning for me and I am still finding out how deep the meaning of this word can be!

The sweet bitter valleys

2007-08-05T10:23:00.000+05:30

Let me start from where the road begins.

This is San Francisco and we were on our way to visit 2 of the biggest winery at the Sonoma and the Napa Valley.

Our guide was Mr. Ken Washington with a very deep voice and a crispy sense of humour was going to take us to these places telling us all about it all the way to the destinations. To ensure all our ears were on him, he would often go back to 2-3 descriptions of the past and test our concentration quotient. He was a short man with a limp on one leg with a very cheerful and pleasant disposition.

It was a pleasant day and I certainly did not need a jacket but wearing it was better than carrying and losing it. The bus ride to the valley was amazing, around 1 and a half hours from our hotel at the heart of the city. We were busy taking pix all the way, there was no time for a snooze or anything as the countryside was too beautiful and virginal to miss out for anything.

We soon arrived. The hosts as they call themselves took us in for wine tasting and some fine wine etiquette. It was an experience by itself especially for someone like me who knew there are 2 kinds of wine, red and white. Now you can call me half a connoisseur till my next visit to either the wine state in California or maybe France, let’s see.

Now let me begin my short class right here – this is something I knew before my visit there… you are supposed to hold a glass at the upward stem level with your thumb and forefinger. Once the wine is poured first you smell it and relish the breath you take in.. Then you either roll your glass on the table top or simply pick it up and swirl is for the flavor to be at its best. Then you take your waited, baited first sip and twirl is around your mouth and finally drink it. Ah, that was neat, wasn’t it?

Cheers is not something to be done with a touch for the fear of breaking your glass, you should criss cross your glasses and go boom at the bottom where the stem begins to go down. The thickness of the glass is thickest and meant to be knocked ‘cheers’ so can take the bang so go on, try it, its worth the sound and cheers feels so much better since I learnt this trick.

There is more on wine chilling or chilling with wine and other winteresting little observations that I made so will come back to post that later, till then ciao!

Louvre, Paris

2007-07-27T18:30:00.000+05:30

The first thing that caught my eye as I entered Louvre was that the only arrow and direction board to the entire gallery of the paintings was a Mona Lisa mention. Amazing. I walked with baited breath to catch a glimpse of the surround-eye lady and the walk seemed long through huge paintings hanging on either side and if you noticed the ceiling you would find angel-men with wings ready to fall on you any moment......

Finally after 2 or 3 turns and long corridors I saw a crowd and I knew she was there. The ONLY painting paneled by glass with a guard keeping eye on it. I pushed my way through the crowd forgetting all my recently-acquired-European manners and stood beside the lady on the canvas and just looked on. Mona Lisa was probably one of the smallest paintings in that particular hall with the maximum onlookers. I felt like I reached the destination - 18th July 2007.

My reaction was of utter amazement firstly because I was actually in Louvre looking on at Mona Lisa and then it was of multiple reactions and speculations on whether Leonardo da Vinci ever envisaged that his Mona Lisa would be such a hit.. Finally it hit upon me as to why France was taking such pride in keeping Mona Lisa in Louvre when it actually belonged to Italy. The huge paintings were intriguing too especially when I noticed that some took over 10 years to finish. I wondered whether the painting was what the person envisioned when he started 10 years ago...quiet a lot to think if you asked me.

A place to visit for sure!!

Now

2007-07-12T10:37:00.000+05:30

My first blog ever.. inspired by Rakesh. For people who dont know him, he is my one and only husband:)

It is 1.10 am, early 12th July and the sublime universe as the blog title suggests has taken away any little sleep that I felt 2-3 hours back. I know its an ephimeral phase but a non-sleeping and thoughtful time all the same.

I am still coming to terms with what a blog can do and how I can make it more interesting so please bear with my grapple to overcome this mystification. I want to make this a fun, interactive platform for analogous and interesting host of people who visit this page. All I need is a little time and some know-how of this tool.

Will keep posting my thoughts from time to time and will also share some great moments that could be of interest to some. Till then wishing all a great weekend ahead!