Me and My Starlight

This post is about the who’s who in my life. First up are Ruan and Runa. Runa is short for Aruna. Runa and I go way back. We knew each other from school but started hanging out in college. Ruan, joined us in Post Grad. and we’ve been together ever since. These two have been my partners in crime and the closest to me. They’re both gorgeous and smart with a love for music, singing, reading and some naughty things I shall not name. The three of us even work in the same company. While it gets a little stifling at times it just reminds us that we have each other to fall back on.

Next we have Dex and Imcha. They’re probably my closest male friends. We’re food and music buddies. We swap ideas, critiques and generally misbehave. Dex was my first love and then we became friends. Imcha, was the crazy boy I spent every minute of my day with. I’ve known both of them for about about 8 years now. My friendship with Dex revolves around flirting and food and with Imcha, its music and fashion.

Then we have Ck and Shreyas. Ck is my ex supervisor and shreyas is my current supervisor. Ruan, Runa, Ck, Shreyas and me always hang out together and are always upto mischief. Both of these guys are lovely people to know, good-hearted and a lot of fun too. Shreyas loves to give us a show and snap us out of boredom. Ck is funny with a fondness for music, films and crosswords.

Another person who gets mentioned quite a lot on this blog is the Crooner. A recent ex who seems to be on my love-hate list.

Then there’s Abigail. She’s my little niece. A 1 ½ year old, known by names such as Abby, Lemlem, Aolem and Lemska. She’s far too scary for me to look after by myself though she’s showing early signs of being quite a hottie and having a thing for fashion.

Another person who’s mentioned on this blog is Tony Das. An amazing guitarist who just went to Mumbai to hang out with Virgil Donati and Brett Garsed. Tony is Runa’s boyfriend and they adore each other. Tomorrow they celebrate five years of being together.

They’re a lot of others who make very occasional appearances but these above, are the main ones that get written about.

To my amazing friends- here’s One Republic’s rendition of Jeff Buckley’s ‘Last Goodbye’. (I love the lyrics. Hence the scroller)

Lyrics | Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye lyrics

Bluesy Tuesday

Today was just OKAY. Apologies for the moody-me everyone, sometimes life just gets in the way. True to form, I was not able to get through a day at work without acting stupid at least once.

I love this picture of CK at Orange Peel with the 1 litre mug of beer.

And now it’s time for some random facts about me! So here goes:

• I have a secret love of reading fashion magazines and imagining myself in like an Oscar de la Renta creation.
• I have a habit of buying clothes and then never getting round to wearing them.
• I am obsessed with my pink mobile. Yeah, you heard that. It’s PINK!! CK calls it ‘the Paris Hilton phone’. Others have called it the ‘transformer phone’. I only bought it in that colour because it stood out.

The sofa and TV are calling to me, so that’s where I’m heading to in awhile. I just wanted to let you know that….. I’m in love.

It’s official.

The signs have been there for a couple of days now - lack of appetite, daydreaming about my affection, sweaty palms, racing heartbeat…

And now the object of my desire is in my possession.

It was Wednesday, July 31st, in an act of unabashed conformity; I fell in love with Jeff Buckley much after the rest of the world had fallen in love with him. ‘Grace’ was the first Buckley song I ever heard. And let me tell you folks that one song is enough to give you a permit to lust after Buckley. I couldn’t get this musician’s haunting voice off my mind. His voice personified soul, joy, being and pain. So when I read that Jeff Buckley had drowned at the age of thirty just as his fame was rising, you can only imagine my astonishment. What I’m happy about is that I did discovered Jeff Buckley on my own and like a bazillion others, I thought “Grace” was written for me and only me. Maybe not, but it's still one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. His music seems so steady and flawless and I’m sure I’m not the only one who supremely admires Jeff Buckley and categorizes ‘Grace’ as one of the greatest songs ever created. If you’re only going to listen to one track today this should be your choice. This single takes music to a new level. The layers in this song are brilliantly well done.

Well another month has come and gone. Another thirty or so odd days will bring to my attention enough new tracks to write about and complement my personal life. For those of you who are new here- Every week I write about one new band, unheard of by many. Sometimes it’s just about artists that have been undiscovered by me.

That is all kids. I’ll make sure to upload and write about some new tracks for your listening pleasure. Enjoy the music and tell your friends.

The time on my computer screen reads 3:00 pm. It's still peaceful at the office where I'm writing this. Guess everybody’s suffering from a bad case of Monday blues. Matt Nathanson’s ‘Wedding Dress’ plays and the day outside is cool from last night’s rain. Washed my face and walked around the cubicle to help wake my muscles up!

I did nothing all weekend except watch a bunch of movies. My parents were quiet as they went about their own duties. My sis and bro-in-law were busy preparing for the upcoming event. I didn’t go for the practices as I wasn’t in the mood but I heard the new lead guitarist is amazing. He apparently played some great little fills here and there and provided an astounding instrumental break for one of the songs. Can’t wait to see this guy everyone’s talking about.

Someone broke into CK’s house and the thought of watching the Dark Knight didn’t enter our minds. Last week I was insanely busy with work. I just hope the work load doesn’t repeat this week. I'm counting down the number of days that’ll end July. I hate July… Perhaps, in August I'll finally be able to read those books that have been lying around in my room for over a couple of months (watching movies be damned, I want my reading time).

Dinner tonight with a bunch of friends from Ohio. I’m not cooking, so I suppose the night should turn out all right. I should start using the straightening iron more often then I’d stop looking like Medusa. My trusty bag has started wearing out, which means, I’ll have to go shopping for another. Maybe I could get the same spacious white leather bag. It's big enough to put all my usual crap in (wallet, phone, keys, notebook, pens, chocolate stash, camera, chargers, miniature toiletries - of which, the hand lotion is all I use; why I keep the rest (assorted papers and receipts) is a mystery.

Daniel Moses. I haven't thought of him in years, but he has been a hard-to-remove memory. He was my dad’s best friend’s son. We had grown quite close when he came down to B’lore. Then came college. He had his friends, his girlfriend and his life. Months passed by with no word from him. Until one day, he asked me over to his place. I didn’t go because I was so angry at him for not keeping in touch. A week later, his body was found. Washed up on the shores of Goa. How my heart hurt every time I thought of his face. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the funeral. I felt so guilty. I miss you Dan.’ Gone, but never forgotten.

I shall speak no more. Here’s the music.

“But I need you to know that I care,

And I miss you.”

- ‘I miss you’ by Incubus.

Celebrating Ru

I'm not a huge fan of tennis. But what a game last night! Nadal was fabulously insane!
A friend of mine had taken pictures of him when he came to Chennail some time back. Check them out here.

Summer is already over. I'm looking out of the window at grey clouds. A day for 'Caramel'.

My parents and I hardly talk anymore. I see them as soon as I reach home and then I'm in my room getting acquainted with the darkness and the music.

Had a one on one with my lead yesterday and had presentations all day today. Surprisingly, it went pretty well.

Sunday was spent dozing and munching, bed-bound for the day and watching movies (hello Untraceable and The Bank Job). By evening I was beginning to feel a little sorry for myself. Still, that was only part one. Part two had socializing with friends at dinner. Lots of meat was involved and it was only the addition of a rather nice bowl of soup that stopped me from being completely dead. This morning was good but my body feels like it's stretched by some torture device or something. I'm growing old.

Blimey.

I want to post more, but I am tired, so need to get out of work early and buy something for Ruan's birthday tomorrow. I'll post again tomorrow and I'll put my favorite track for this week up.

One person who sounds like an absolute angel and I am not exaggerating – Sarah McLachlan. She's got so much heart in her music that it moves through her lyrics, erupts uncontrollably with the unique texture in her voice and leaves a deep resonance in the minds of listeners. Her music is phenomenal and legendary. This goes out to Ruan. I'm lucky to have a friend like you. Thank you for everything. Not merely for those laughs and fights, but the gift of friendship. Happy B'day love!

What Am I, Chopped Liver?

So many things bothered me when I was much younger, especially the way I looked. It constantly made me burst out in self-pity. Now, I feel sorry for my boyfriends of the past who had to put up with my anger and self- loathing. I can’t really say that I’ve gotten over all the insecurities and vulnerabilities. But now I feel like I’m in a much better place. Parts of my heart have been fractured, not by others but by my own choices and my own inability to make good choices.

Last night, I went to the Opus to watch Tony play. I don’t remember any of the songs sung, but I do remember Tony strumming the place red. Before I got to the venue I had a major brawl with my folks. Bad news, I’m not moving out. Now, I won’t have to reach into my savings or dream about the blinds and décor I want to pick out for the new place.

Anyways, back to the show. So I went to Opus with the intention of getting myself piss drunk. I get there and say a little prayer- ‘puh-leez let me not see the crooner tonight, NOT TONIGHT!’ God apparently had plans of his own because as soon as I realized that the coast was clear, HE walks in….and what a walk that was. I keep playing the moment in my head. Each time slower and slower. Okay, I need to snap out of it. So, he walks in and…and… Lord! I need to stop doing this. Moving on… he meets all his buddies and then sits at our table. That boy had some testicular fortitude to sit at my table after all the shit he’s given me. I spared myself no mercy and downed the screwdrivers as fast as I could. Things went hazy. My mind felt light and the guys on stage were like a movie playing on mute. CK asked me to sit next to him, so I did. The crooner sat next to him. We got into a conversation. After 6 months we actually talked. Somewhere during our banter CK disappeared and it was just the two of us. Conversation turned to flirting- involuntary on my part! And before we knew it, I was wiping sauce off his skin and he spoke of our dates. We fought to pay the bill. He paid it, but it was stupendously sensational when he held my hand for that brief moment. Look at me, I sure sound like one love struck puppy. It was time to go and I was so drunk, I couldn’t stand so I was escorted out of the place with the help of my crew. I hugged my crooner and left. I don’t remember what happened after that. My mind kinda went into shut down mode.

Checked my messages in the morning. One from the crooner. Ignored it. There’s no way I’m putting behind the hours and days of hurt and giving into him this easy. Spent the rest of the day with my niece. I never thought I would love anyone else, other than me, so much. I don’t really intend to have kids of my own so this one will always be my treasure.



Ah, Tori Amos. Her music sounds like an eclectic mix of intoxicating fervor. Ever seen her videos? It’s quite a sight. She can make any guy strip and every woman gay with the way she takes to the piano, legs placed quite seductively. While she sings she tosses her curly tresses- the movement magical, exquisite and slow. The world seems so beautiful.
In 2000 , Tori had been placed into the Rock n Pop Hall of Fame. She was one of the few women to be placed into this hall of fame so far.

The track below was without a doubt her biggest hit. It's not difficult to see why. It's a trip, it’s catchy and you can tune-out to it. She’s always given her fans something to slobber over. This is one of my favorites. If you don’t own a Tori Amos album I seriously suggest you go out and get it. It's well worth owning.

(You'd might want to turn up the volume on this track)

That Which Is Fundamental

My dear old friend – sheenz - called up last night and we were just talking about my situation with Mister N. I’ve decided to not talk to him ever- which is really a coward’s way out, but hell, anything to lose him. I’m going to meet up with sheenz, kau, divz and hopefully fudgy tonight, some of the people I used to hang out with during my college days. It’s really nice to know that as the years pass and our stress levels rocket, some people are still are as crazy as ever. Even though I do not meet up very often with this group of friends, I always have so much fun whenever I am with them. Time stands still during such meetings and we are all transported back to our college days where our biggest worries revolved around assignments and exams, not just people in the rat race!

Busy as I am, I’m very happy to make time to go to the same café with the delicious tea! Once in a while, I have a life too. I can’t wait for the evening. Indulgence and gossip over dessert. Maybe I should be doing this more often!

I got a call at 2 in the morning from Pratz. She sounded like she wanted to talk. Whenever she calls we plunge full gear into a miss you-love you session! But this was so early in the morning, so it was more like an exchange of grunts, at least from my side. Really miss you, Pratz. Sigh! Remember our crazy times in college? It all seems just like yesterday; I can't believe how fast these four years have flown past!

These past few months I sleep a lot less and spend a lot less time at home. Many days, I come home to sleep and am off to work the next morning. As an example, I have not spent more than a couple of hours with my LemLem! My gym clothes are taking a break in my cupboard, just as my fat is multiplying!

We all feel differently about certain issues and my opinions are worth something to me, so please be kind.

When I went shopping on Saturday, I dragged my cousin along through all my favorite shops. So in and out of shops we went, but the only stuff I ended up buying was for myself! Its official, I am a shopaholic!

I’m listening to Sara Taveres’ ‘One Love’ and it’s really hard to stop your head from swirling with her voice hitting the right chords- very sensual and very fun. This is what music is missing most, today. Feeling. Everything is just so… formula like nowadays. It takes talent to break through the barrier of what you want people to feel when you play or sing. There is a filter that only the talented can make it through.We need more of them, and less of the formula.