Stupid Reporters Maketh Stupid News-Media

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Just the other day I had posted that no one seems to understand what Women Empowerment is all about. And soon, the country’s ‘leading’ newspaper goes right ahead and does a big boo boo.

They put up this uncalled for tweet about actress Deepika Padukone. You can find the details here: TOI Fucked Up… Big Time!

Why is this any different from the numerous previous times that the newspaper has fucked up… from typos to inappropriate headlines to outrageous articles in the name of journalism? Well, this time somebody reacted. Ms Padukone rightly took offence and hauled them up for being inappropriate and quite immature on her Twitter timeline. And because she has thousands of followers the issue went viral.

The deterioration in the quality of reporting by TOI and the lack of morals of the newspaper and its affiliated media is something we all discuss on a regular basis. But our discussions and protests fall on deaf ears, an obvious result of us not being famous. And that is why I would like to thank Ms Padukone for reacting the way she did and not letting the issue slide.

Now, as a friend hoped while we discussed this incident… I too hope that the government issues a show-cause notice to TOI from the PM Office. There would be many women who would applaud such a move by the Modi Government. This is, after all, a perfect way the government can show that they are, in fact, serious about protecting the Indian woman.

Times of India needs to revamp itself and do something about this degradation of quality. Media is important to society as they shape the society’s views and such irresponsible behaviour on the part of TOI can do nothing to improve the already uncouth way the country treats its women.

I sincerely hope all this hoopla hasn’t been for nothing.

Get some sensible journos, TOI! Also, please invest in a good spell-check software!

I Have Moved

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Image Courtesy: http://mecaniquefairy.deviantart.com

I finally got my own domain and shifted my blog to Wordpress. 

I love Blogger, which is why my design blog: www.smartdesignsstudio.com is still here.

For my personal blog I wanted a site that will allow me to change the look as often as it fancies me.

So, now you can find me at...

***Tada!***

www.suryamurali.com

Graphic Designer / Animator Required (Preferably Freshers): Urgent

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Hi folks!

I have an urgent requirement for a Graphics Designer / Animator... preferably freshers.

Post: Graphic Designer / Animator

Qualification: Any Graduate (Fresher)

Location: Bombay / Mumbai



Job Requirements:

• Has excellent working knowledge of basic 3D modelling and animation.
• Excellent in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator.
• Well versed with Adobe InDesign
• Has a working knowledge of video editing software.
• Good working knowledge of MS PowerPoint and MS Word
• Has a creative mind.
• Can take initiative to come up with ideas.
• Has the ability to execute ideas with speed.
• Has good communication skills.
• Can work well in a team.
• Can work with voice overs and basic voice software.

Compensation: Negotiable according to the calibre of the candidate.



Candidates who think they would fit this profile, please email their CVs with the following:

• CV

• Create a sample logo for an existing company or an imaginary/fake company with description of the logo. (Logo Image size: A5 - 148 mm x 210 mm)

• Animation clip on "Brick layer stacking bricks" (Video Duration: Maximum 10 seconds)

• A 3D model of man. (Rendered image of the model would do, but the candidate if chosen should be able to provide the 3D model)

Last date to sent in the entries is Monday, 25 August 2014
Email the above to ispat.iiipl@gmail.com

Nothing Compares 2 U... And It's Annoying!

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This song has been playing in my head for over a week know. It is annoying me, making me restless. I used to love the song, now I am not sure if I just hate the fact that it is in my head or the song itself.

I should listen to more crap like 'Pinky hain paise waalon ki' or 'Pyar hain hookah bar'. WTF!!

"Nothing Compares 2 U"

- Sinead O'Connor

It's been seven hours and fifteen days

Since u took your love away

I go out every night and sleep all day

Since u took your love away

Since u been gone I can do whatever I want

I can see whomever I choose

I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant

But nothing

I said nothing can take away these blues

`Cause nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

It's been so lonely without u here

Like a bird without a song

Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling

Tell me baby where did I go wrong

I could put my arms around every boy I see

But they'd only remind me of you

I went to the doctor and guess what he told me

Guess what he told me

He said, "Girl, you better try to have fun no matter what you do."

But he's a fool

`Cause nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

All the flowers that u planted, mama

In the back yard

All died when u went away

I know that living with u baby was sometimes hard

But I'm willing to give it another try

Nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

Nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

Nothing compares

Nothing compares 2 u

...

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Ghamon ne gher liya hai mujhe toh kya gham hai 

Main muskuraa ke jiyuungi aapke khushi ke liye 

Kabhi kabhi toh aap mujhe yaad kar toh lete ho

Sukuun itna sa kaafi hai zindagi ke liye

Mujhe mili hai muqaddar se aisi tanhaai

Jinhen tarasti rahi anjuman ki rangeeni

Rainbow Crafts

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Rainbow Crafts (Paper & Clay Jewellery)

Post by Rainbow Crafts.

The Common CM?

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Arvind Kejriwal needs to see this (I am sure he would have)...  And like someone says in the video... He is now a CM not Shaktiman... 

I do wish AAP all the best, but hope they don't continue to make a mockery of themselves and of the ideals they so righteously touted before coming into power.

Do not let the people who voted you up regret their decision.

I have always liked AIB and their satirical humour... This is another of their gems.

(To the tune of Lungi Dance)

Jab bhi Kejru ka bheja hatega...
Tab woh raaste pe protest karega...
Wagon R mein woofer bajeja...
Topi pehen ke aana padega...
Kejriwal Kejriwal Kejriwal...

Rate Card for Graphics / Artwork

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I finally got down to making a rate card for the art / graphical work I undertake. Until now I would discuss the fee only when a client approached me with a request, but I think it is better to have the rates out at a place where it is accessible to prospective clients.

So, here is the rate card. Feel free to contact me with any clarifications regarding the fee at murali.surya@gmail.com

Sambhar Recipe

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There might be a slight issue with the quantity. The quantity of Sambhar I made turned out a medium wok-full, some 1.5 litres of it. This would last me and bro for a week at least. Sigh…

Here I have tried to give lesser quantities and measures. If you use lesser amount of vegetable and dal you can reduce the quantity of Sambhar.

Pic taken in a rush, with a background score of tummy growls.

 

Ingredients:

• Sambhar Masala: 1 – tbsp.
  I used the readymade version by Eastern Masalas (South Indian companies are preferable for South Indian masalas). Mom makes and stores her own Sambhar Masala. If you have the patience, here is the recipe: http://www.rakskitchen.net/2013/06/2-sambar-powder-recipe-homemade-sambar.html
• Tur Dal – 1 cup (1/2 cup for a thinner Sambhar.) Pressure-cook it.
• Tamarind – pulp or juice of one gooseberry or lemon sized ball.
• Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp (Use ½ with the veggies and dal and rest with the seasoning)
• Salt to taste.
• For one bowl of Vegetables:
  Preferably, use roots and tubers, gourds, aubergines, tomatoes, beans, drumsticks, okra. Here is a list of the veggies normally used in Sambhar (You can adjust the quantity of each vegetable according to your preference; the total quantity is better to be limited to one bowl / katora):
• Yam (suran) – Cut into cubes approx. three quarters of an inch.
• Potatoes – Diced into chunks (fairly large, for e.g. A medium-sized potato needs only be cut into 4 pieces)
• Carrot: Quartered and diced into 1” sticks.
• Pumpkin – Diced into cubes.
• Bottle Gourd (lauki) – Diced into cubes.
• Small Aubergines – Diced into fairly large chunks.
• Drumsticks – Cut into index or little finger lengths.
• Tomatoes – Diced into large chunks, preferably 4 pieces each.
• Beans – Cut into 1.5” lengths.
• Vegetable For Seasoning: Okra – Cut into 1” lengths

(The idea is to dice the vegetables into chunks of approximately the same size, except for the ones like tomatoes and aubergines which need to be slightly larger so that they do not completely disintegrate while being cooked.)

Note 1: Yam needs extra cooking time; if you plan to include it in Sambhar it might be a good idea to cook the yam separately.

Note 2: Keep the okra separately. Do not steam or boil it with the rest of the vegetables. Wash, pat dry and slice the okra and then fry it till they give this nice aroma (Do not crisp them.)

Note 3: There are two ways to cook the veggies –

1. Pressure-cook them separately. In the cooker tin, put in all the veggies except yam and okra and add a bit of salt and sprinkle some Sambhar powder (I used about 2 tsps. as I had a lot of veggies.) Use enough powder to coat the veggies lightly. Sprinkle some salt and turmeric and add a bit of water, half a cup or less. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. (I used this method, because I didn’t want the veggies to be overcooked)
2. Pressure-cook both dal & veggies together. Place the dal in the cooker and place the veggies in a small container on it. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. (This might result in the veggies becoming a bit overcooked and they might disintegrate in the Sambhar – but according to Mom, this is best for kids as they can’t really throw away the veggies.)

• For The Tadka / Seasoning:
• Small onions / Sambhar onions /shallots – 3-4 sliced
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp.
• Fenugreek seeds – 1 tsp.
• Dried Red Chilli – 1 or 2
• Curry leaves – 8 to 10 numbers
• Asafoetida / Hing – A generous pinch.
• A bit of chilli powder – optional
• Oil for cooking
• For Garnish: Coriander leaves – Coarsely chopped

Method:

In a large kadhai, heat some oil. When it’s hot enough, throw in the mustard seeds and as they splutter, add the fenugreek seeds, hing, dried red chillies, curry leaves and small onions (all the seasoning ingredients). Sauté till the onions are done.

Add the tamarind juice, turmeric powder and the rest of the Sambhar powder and let it boil. Add a bit of water if the mixture is too thick or it will burn. Boil until the raw smell of tamarind and Sambhar powder is gone. Add salt to taste.

Now add the vegetables (except okra) to this boiling mix. Mix well.

Add the cooked dal, mash it if necessary. And with the dal add a half cup of water. Adjust the water quantity according to the consistency you want your Sambhar to be.

Mix well and now add the fried okra.

Bring the Sambhar to a boil and add the coriander leaves. Let simmer a bit.

Tada! Your Sambhar is ready.

Of Dolls and Dremels

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Have you heard cars, badass weapons, tech. gadgetry etc. being referred to as toys for the boys? I bet, you have… and have you ever bristled over how stereotypical and possibly sexist that is. Well, I have… and I always get mad when I hear or read it.

Who decides what I, as a girl, ought to play with or what I should fancy under the Christmas tree, wrapped up in elegant gift wrap? I love cars, machinery, electronics and gadgets… and I don’t think I take too kindly to being judged for it. And, no… it is not just these things that I like, I am a huge fan of dolls and soft toys and baby animals and all things ‘cute’. I do hate pink though… unless it is a shocking shade of it.

I believe that it is a stupid idea to force people to segregate interests and bracket them as male and female ones. Why should a woman who likes to knit be looked down upon and thought of as a ‘bored housewife’ or a woman who has an active Pinterest board of fun & creative crafts be considered a ‘sit-at-home-mom’. For all you know, they are probably taking time out from their corporate jobs to have some fun and de-stress. A hobby that does not involve a heavy tool box and machine tools and loads of grease is no less an interesting hobby. I love to build little shelves and tinker with electronics just as much as I love to bake or quill.

There is this Samsung ad that is an irritating example of the prejudiced view of a big part of our society.

Look at how it has a woman (in pink, naturally) in what is, according to Samsung, her natural environment (the kitchen) saying she uses the computer to share pics of her family. Notice how all the men reportedly use their computers for ‘serious’ stuff… and even, work! Ha!! Oh… and if that wasn’t insulting enough, they hand her a screw driver and she looks at the thing as if it is an alien dick. How hard is it to unscrew a laptop? Samsung (and a whole lot of other tech companies) have to dig themselves out of that trench under the rock they are in and see the light of day to know that women have working brains… and they can figure out tools and computers and more just as easily as they can figure out the exact temperature the meat has to reach for the perfect Beef Wellington (which, by the way, is 55°C.) Also, pastels are boring… next time you get a gadget out for women please don’t do pink!! Red is good. Red is passionate.

Sarah (my imaginary - for now - daughter), loves the Sang Noir Veyron and let’s Tia, her teddy bear drive it while she fixes the broken microwave so she and Tia can together bake that batch of chocolate cookies shaped like LOTR characters. :D 

And you can FO for judging me… both for liking dolls AND my imaginary daughter.

Also, I have to go fix the goddamn office printer!

Live-in OR Marriage

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L o r d R a j: Live-in OR Marriage - The discussion continues: For any relationship to work one has to put an effort - be it Live-in or Marriage. Some individuals think that people don't put in a...

Came across this while I dug up archives... got me wondering if ever...

**The ellipsis (...) is such a loaded punctuation symbol.

Pla(tonic)

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Plato is a major influence in my life now. Especially in my non-natural relationships… in the only other relationship I have other than friends and relatives.

A platonic relationship with my man-friend (he is too much of a man to be called a boyfriend)… three years old and still going strong in spite of all those nay-sayers who told me it just wouldn’t last. People claim there really can't be a platonic relation between two members of the opposite genders over an extended period of time… especially if the two are very close. I’d say… look at us… we are really close, we have been true to the definition… Friends without benefit? ;) And the commitment we have to the relationship is as good as in the deepest, most romantic liaisons… it stops me from having a no strings attached fling or an emotional attachment to any other guy. 

Having lived his life… casual flings, heartfelt romances and all… he has come to a point where pure, unadulterated, intimate love without the physical intimacy and the heartache is like a balm to him.

Though, I have no experience of physical love, I have had enough heartache. First, a relationship gone sour because of the lack of physical proximity and intimacy and then this, a relation that works despite the lack of the same. 

I have had friends ask me if I don’t miss it in my life (the intimacy, not the heartache!)… the answer is yes, of course… but I don’t really know what I am missing without prior experience… so, it is like missing a trip to the moon, probable but not possible. And anyway I tell them… books help, as in all of my life’s other adventures… it’s a happening life I live through them.

Da Vinci's Demons

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Da Vinci's Demons

A historical fantasy... quite an interesting watch. I like to read about and see historical characters in fictional settings which may or may not have been plausible. 

Leonardo da Vinci is an historical figure who holds captive the imagination of millions of people and I am no less enthralled by the possibilities that may have been him.

I like the title sequence... the artwork... and the CGI isn't bad.

  Da Vinci's Demons title sequence from HUGE on Vimeo.

The lead character, Leonardo da Vinci is played by Tom Riley.

But the male character that intrigues me the most... and I love that subtle menace in him is Count Girolamo Riario played by an awesome Blake Ritson.

Laura Haddock as Lucrezia Donati is easy on the eye... and the character was interesting in the beginning but as the mysteries surrounding her dulled so did my interest in her.

Done with Season 1... looking forward to the next seasons.

A Point To Ponder…

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Here is something I often wonder…

Painting, sketching, drawing etc. are means by which people express themselves… it could be a representation of their thoughts or it could be a depiction of what their eyes see. Of course, at times art is symbolic but that isn’t what I am considering when I talk about what I do in this post. I am not considering abstract art either.

Artists for ever have depicted day to day scenarios and general scenery along with the more religious or ritualistic art. The artists of the Renaissance or even some of them earlier on were able to paint, sketch, draw and sculpt realistic images (with some artistic liberties, of course.) Some of the artists of today create hyper-realistic artwork… it is like looking at a photograph (only because it is a 2D image.) But when we go back to the ancient civilizations and not as far as cavemen… the art work though spectacular is very stylized and not realistic in anyway. In fact, the styling of the artwork is what mostly distinguishes them as belonging to a certain civilization. I am excluding cave art from this because well, the supplies and time were definitely limited for leisurely artwork what with the struggle for survival on a daily basis… and they weren't exactly civilized back in the day.

So, why aren’t there any realistic art from that ancient civilized age? Why is all artwork conforming to a panel like style which seems to be quite common across civilizations… there is a that lack of depth to the images, a lack of perception in its literal sense. If you were to sketch a scenery while looking at it most people, even kids, would have a tendency to create the illusion of depth by making far away things look smaller and the ones nearby larger because that is how our eyes perceive the scene. Well, unless you are a toddler who finds it difficult to wrap your head around the idea of depth your image wouldn’t consist of mostly all objects (or people) of the same size irrespective of their relative placement in the scene. Then why is that most ancient art looks like exceptionally talented toddlers created them?

Isn’t there a marked lack of perspective in these images? Albeit they are all exquisitely beautiful… I am just intrigued that there aren't many art works from that age which are less two dimensional.

Here are a few examples of various stylized depictions of scenes from around the ancient world… some like the Madhubani art is still in practice.

Madhubani art (India) - Image via Google Search

Detail of the Standard of Ur - Image via Google Search

Egyptian panel -  - Image via Google Search

Sometimes, I just get this weird feeling that ancient people saw only in 2D! :D

The Cuckoo’s Calling - Review

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I got my hands on The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith. To be honest, I wouldn't have bothered to pick it up if I hadn't known it was actually J. K. Rowling.

Did I like the book?  Hmmm… er… ok. It isn't bad… no, it is a decent read. But with all the hype around it I was expecting a detective novel that smashed conventional gumshoe accounts. Well, this is just mediocre fare. In my younger days I have read the Harry Potter Series and I know that Rowling can weave quite a tale. So, yes… I am a wee bit disappointed.

I won’t disclose much of the story as it is…you know… a mystery / detective novel, except that it is set in modern London and revolves around the death of a supermodel of mixed race. Her brother hires a private detective with an unusual name – Cormoran Strike, to look in to her death.

The characters in the novel, including our limping protagonist, are quite clichéd… some of their back-stories are unusual but that’s all there is for novelty. There isn't a feel of the city in it which helps you visualize the scenes… something is lacking despite London being a city with loads of charm and character. In fact, throughout the book what bothered me most was the odd feeling of unfinished characters, lacking a proper fleshing-out.

The book, in spite of its shortfalls is an interesting read and you’d want to read it at one go… cover to cover.

I hear Cormoran Strike is going to feature in more of her novels under the pen-name Robert Galbraith.

In the end, I would have to quote Shania Twain… That don’t impress me much!

Bright Memories…

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It’s Diwali and I am in Kuwait, where it isn't even a holiday. Well, it is Saturday and that ain't a holiday either.

In spite of that, the large Indian population in Kuwait does celebrate Diwali with as much grandeur as they can muster without being hauled off to the police station for noise and /or air pollution. The North Indian crowd is especially eager and the areas where there is a majority of them such as Salmiya see very brightly lit up and noisy celebrations. My apartment towers too have their own celebrations which I have never yet attended in all these years I have been here.

I do miss the celebrations in Bombay, especially in Anushaktinagar. The colony is a delightful place to be whatever the festival. Being a melting pot of varied cultures from within India, every festival has a multitude of flavours and Diwali is no exception. There is the south Indian Deepavali with its Deepavali lehyam, the rambunctious Punjabi & Gujarati celebrations, the extended Maharashtrian celebrations and so much more. And then there is the Diwali we kids celebrated… Noise and fireworks, louder the better, and loads and loads of it. As we grew older, we grew wiser and more concerned about the environment and so the disturbingly loud celebrations were toned down but nothing dampened our enthusiasm.

The days before Diwali, which was vacation time in schools, would be stormy with cleaning and shopping and running around for fixing the lighting and torans and getting last minute spare diyas and rangoli colours. Me being a Keralite did not have too many culinary preparations for the festival, but that did not stop me from planting myself in the neighbours’ kitchens, helping with the sweets and helping myself to the sweets. In spite of being a Keralite… I used to get new clothes for Diwali instead of Onam… because October to December was the festive season (vacation time) and also rained discounts.

In the late evenings, the fireworks would start a couple of days before Diwali… tiny bursts at first and then the bigger, brighter, louder and more sparkly ones would come out on the day of Lakshmi pooja. I am absolutely fearful of burns, but lighting a little cracker off the ladi while holding it in the hand and then throwing it in the air before it burst never seemed dangerous to me. We pulled all sorts of crazy stunts involving crackers and the more sober fireworks, when we escaped adult supervision, which wasn't that hard to do… anyone would have thought we were all pyromaniacs and arsonists in the making. Now that I look back, I know it was extremely dangerous and I would not recommend it to kids.

School gave way to college and then to the workplace. Diwali was all grown up now… it was more about sweets, decoration and healthy competitions and less of fireworks. At my workplace, we had 4 different studios that catered to game development for different geographical areas of the world… the festival was a time for some competing. We had inter-studio bay decoration and rangoli competitions, dance and traditional wear competitions and more. There was tons of fun to be had… and lots of festive hogging.

I look back with nostalgia to those days, even as I enjoy my new life. I think celebrating festivals is important, not just from a cultural point of view but on a personal level too. Even when you are down and out, the diya of Deepavali, the splash of colour of Holi, the reluctant garba / dandiya performance you are dragged to for Navratri, the carol singing of Christmas… or just all that yummy food… they are all enough to give you a few moments to smile, forget your troubles and live it up.

Here’s wishing everyone a happy, safe, brilliant Deepavali…

May the flickers of a million diyas light up every corner of your heart and banish all shadows… and may it burst with joy like a sky filled with fireworks.

Device 6 – Game Review

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A few days back, I downloaded this game on the iPad – Device 6, by Simogo.

I am quite impressed by it. It is a game perfect for a tablet (or a phablet... wanting it to come out on Android for my Note 3.) The game is, in a nutshell, interactive fiction in a mostly literal form.

There are no gun fights or action on screen which requires you to be smushing your onscreen buttons. The flow of the game is like reading an engrossing thriller… except you actually reach the conclusion along with the character by working on the clues strewn around in the text of the novel, hidden in at times confusing, at times aiding sound bytes, and black and white images both still and moving which seem to be from the 30s or 40s.

The intro + credits montage at the beginning of the game is very British, very James Bond… and it is sad that it only played at the first opening of the game. I wouldn't mind it being available to be launched from the game by some discreet onscreen button. The game has to experienced with earphones or a headset... it increases the spookiness quotient a lot.

I don’t know if the game has any precedents, but to me it is a unique experience. The game is as fast as you allow it to be, with the text snaking around the screen, literally. You would end up rotating the screen at all sorts of angles to read it, sometimes holding it to a mirror, tapping at text or images which are actually buttons in disguise, solving cryptic clues written and many a time spoken or broadcast. There is an old world charm to it with a very pipe smoking detective vibe.

Screenshot 01

Screenshot 02

Screenshot 03

Screenshot 04

The central character from what I have played is Anna, a lady who loves her smokes, who has woken up in weird surroundings with no memory of how she got there and she has to work her way around what seems like a castle or a mansion or a very large house… perhaps Victorian.

The important part is that the player has to be observant as they read what is essentially a novel… words, numbers and dates or phrases may all be possible clues which you might need elsewhere in the game as you travel room to room exploring along with Anna.

I found the game exciting but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or coffee.)

I have finished 3 chapters of the story and I don’t really know how many remain… but I am eager for more.

Mixed Reviews

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Okay, I have been reading. I read three Gillian Flynn novels back to back and already put up the review of one. I also managed to sneak in The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison.

The connect between all these novels was that they are/were all by female authors and they all have female protagonists (or antagonists.) I decided to review them together… it is easier because of their being from a similar genre… psychological thrillers.

The two remaining books of Gillian Flynn are Sharp Objects and Dark Places (other than which I already reviewed here.)

Sharp Objects revolves around a young woman who has to come to terms with her mother who has alienated her after the death of her younger sister. The psychological stresses that tear the family apart are reflected in the step sister who is years younger than the protagonist. The story is disturbing to say the least. It highlights how unpredictable the human mind is and how much the circumstances we are brought up in may influence us, and our mental outlook. Gillian Flynn writes well, you are kept turning the pages till you are done. I wouldn't rate this one as good as Gone Girl… but it is nevertheless a good read.

Dark Places on the other hand focuses on situations that sometimes get out of hand, the helplessness we have to face sometimes and the different ways people deal with life (or fail to deal with it). Again, the character that binds the story line is a young woman who has found herself in a situation where she has to deal with the harsh realities of life at a young age. It has made her bitter and even at a later stage when she should be able to shrug off the past and take responsibility for her actions, she refuses to let go… clinging to a sense of being wronged, a sense of being entitled because she was wronged. She comes across as a shallow, selfish person… which she is… but in her is a deeper need of closure, a detachment from the horrors of her past.
This book too is a very enjoyable read. It does not follow a linear timeline… jumping from now to the events in the past… in spite of which it does not lose the flow of the plot.

All three books require a level of understanding of the workings of the human psyche which I believe the author has… and a certain amount of craziness which would let you come up with the ideas for these plots… which may or may not be an alarming thing. :D

All said… I look forward to more of Flynn’s works.

The Silent Wife is a book which starts of similar to Gone Girl… an unhappy couple in a relationship that’s a sham… but is not as interesting as the latter. I dislike the character Jodi for her being spineless and clingy and indecisive till things get out of hand. Here is a review I agree with... not much else to say on it because it would just be a repeat opinion.

Unfortunately, the men in all 3 books are assholes… except in Dark Places, where he is less of an asshole and more of an escapist.


Now, I am gonna catch up with a Gothic classic... The Monk by Matthew Lewis.

Are You That Someone?

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Dear Someone,

I need someone to talk to.

Someone logical and rational but warm at the same time… Someone who wouldn't chide and scold me when am being human. Someone who understands that my views are different, at times crazy, a lot of times stupid... but they are my views and are important to me so wouldn't be dismissive about them or about me. Someone who wouldn't treat me like an errant child... I don't want an extra parent, I have mine who are quite capable of getting on my nerves without needing any additional help.

I need someone who would let me be a girlfriend once in a while and let me do the things girlfriends do... buy gifts, cook you a dinner, ask you to take me out on a date etc... simple things which make me feel human. I want someone who would treasure me like I treasure him.

Get me someone who does not want to fix me all the time… Someone who knows that I rant and vent when I am upset and that's how I am… but I am NOT waiting to be rescued every time I open my mouth. I want someone who would share his troubles with me... I'd listen but not interfere unless asked to.

Would you be someone who cares and is not afraid to show you care?

I need someone I don't have to be careful around... Who won't get upset at every second sentence I say or with the things I do... Someone who understands that I can be direct and straightforward but at times I do hope you'd read between the lines... figure me out like I love to figure you out.

When I put up with your quirks and fallacies, I don't do it just because I love you but because they make you who you are and I would want none of that changed... love me like that.

Love me in spite of me.

Bring down my walls and get to know me instead of pushing me away when I reach out to you.I am tolerant but I want someone who wouldn't stretch me to the point that I break.

If you are that someone out there… ping me. ;)

I await you. I need you.

Yours if you care,

Travel Blues

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I hate air travel. I know it is the most convenient form of transport, the fastest means to get anywhere. But, I feel it is a nightmare to be cooped up for hours on an armchair and it gets worse if your co-passenger is unsavory.

It is so much nicer to travel in a train where you can get up from the seat once in a while, stretch your legs, walk around… and if nothing else, there is always something outside the window to look at. Clouds or the dark night sky gets quite boring after a while on an aircraft.

I wish the whole of the civilized world was connected by an immense railway network… underground, over ground, under sea, long bridges, scenic routes, over deserts and plains and hill ranges. It would be quite a feat of engineering and a delight to travel the lines.

Last night on my flight back to Kuwait, I had a particularly nasty co-passenger. He was sloshed and kept drinking throughout the journey and he wouldn't shut up or let me sleep. He started of decently enough but soon his behaviour deteriorated into an annoying mess. I am normally not sociable while I am travelling, I do like to keep to myself and be in my own world of imagination… and not being left alone to do that was extremely irksome. I didn't want to create a scene on the late night flight and disturb the other sleeping passengers and even then I had to raise my voice and be outright rude to him (which is not exactly my style). When he didn't relent, I tried to change my seat or even get downgraded to economy class just to get away from the horrible fellow. Unfortunately, the flight was packed. Finally, I spent around 50 minutes of my 3 hour flight standing in the aisle space near the door with the steward and hostess to avoid the creep.

Well, glad to have gotten rid of him. When I narrated the incident to someone, he chided me for playing the victim, for talking about the incident in detail and so reliving the miserable moments and making him feel miserable in the process about something that is over and about which nothing could be done… about which HE could do nothing about.

Narrating the incident was not reliving it… it was therapeutic, a way to get it out of my system… a way of assurance that stuff happens and you do not let it simmer and boil within you but let it out and be cleansed. Obviously, that didn't go well for me. As usual, I decided to rant on my blog about it and purge it… and not be judged in the process. Thank you!