The first time I saw my dad’s old point-and-shoot camera and articulated my interest in taking pictures. It sounded something like mammydaaaaadymammydaaaaady can I take pictures puh-leeeeeeeeazzzzzz? And after much hesitation and some detailed training, my father finally handed it to me. But I ignored all instruction, scurried around the house taking shots of everything no matter how unexciting. The kitchen sink, my G.I. Joe line of action figures (my cousin and I would set up some pretty epic GI Joe battles in our living room), my room, my fingers which regularly got in the way of the camera itself, of course not to forget, naked people in the bath tub.

As far back as I can remember my interest in photography was spurred on by my dad. When I was a kid my dad was always with the camera enduringly attached to his face. That, of course, got me thinking about what else I got from him and what’s entirely my own.

Characteristics I got from my dad.

- Interest. Before the internet my dad always bought Encyclopedias and just many books relating to general knowledge. He had no idea what he’d ever do with that knowledge but he always figured it might come in handy sometimes.

- Ingenuity. He loves to write, sing, take photos and read. Without these things, I'm quite sure he’d fade away.

- Intellect. He might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I’d like to think he’s quite smart.

- Impetus. I always refer to myself as an idler - but I'm a pretty driven person. Sometimes to a blunder.

- Silliness. 'Nuff said.

Characteristics, all my own

- Being a Perfectionist. With that whole impetus thing comes the element that I'm more than a little hard on myself. I seek flawlessness and strike myself out when I’m not able to be flawless.

- Mood. I've not been exactly hush-hush when I've gone through moments of melancholy and apprehension.

- Attentiveness. I like to multitask. But in reality I don't multitask very well. Because my concentration sucks.

- Patience. I'm an instant gratification kinda girl. Fortitude aint my strong suit.

- Irrational. No surprise but I'm a little coo- coo about things.

I will freely admit that when this track was given to me by a friend I clearly grunted “oh no, not another sad and depressing tune by Snow Patrol.” Thankfully I was wrong in presuming that this band was going to produce another similar sounding song. They’ve found a way to incorporate the extravagant with the forlorn and yet make this track something to sing along to. Featuring Martha Wainwright this one is brilliant.

"Set The Fire To The Third Bar" is worth a listen (and if you choose to play this track you simply must listen to it till the very end).

A Friday Night at the Opus

I wish I was one of those people who could get into a conversation with someone and start off with something like, ‘You know this one time in school/college...’ or whatever the case may be and get into this long narration about this unpredictably cool story. Frankly, those tales are dreadfully difficult to come by since I didn’t do a lot of cool things when I was younger. But now I realize that it just takes treading out of the house, preferably after dark.

That said, Friday night’s show was a blast! Absolutely beyond brilliant! The day was warm but the evening was breezy cool and the scales were tipped in the Das’ favor.
We arrived at some point in the 8 o'clock hour and it wasn't particularly packed. Events like these don't really get packed unless it’s past what my late grandfather would call ‘a decent bedtime’. After finding a seat at the table right next to the stage and ordering a Screwdriver, I got myself comfortable on a white cushiony mattress for a four-act night of soft alternative-friendly music. Soon friends, colleagues and friend’s friends arrived, filling up the place and we were in constant motion to make some room at the table for the newcomers.

From here, there are a couple roads to take.

A) The Place- The show was at the Opus. It was the kind of place you expect to sit in if you had an open mic night. Dim lights, the sound of a ready audience and the excited band filled the air, and there was not enough room to take my jacket off. There was not much between the performer and the audience- which made it all the more special!

B) The People- You had all of them, the artsy types, the ones in jackets and jeans, the ones who even looked like they had come for a hip-hop rush. One guy in particular....we weren't really sure if he knew what kind of music was going to be played. His obviously clueless look made me want to guffaw but the night was not about him so I spared him the foul look. Then there was everybody else who was so very much in the middle of the music.
As soon as the music started up, there was this willingness and readiness to just sink into it regardless. There was head bobbing and looks of approval from the listeners, rising with every song. For me, I do little more than tap my foot and hoot aloud after every number. I work like a radar at these situations cos I know I will be writing about it later. Also, every so often I turned to the people sitting next to me- Yuvi, Ruan and my favorite blogger Pete, to make a comment and to watch them respond to the sounds in their own little space. They looked happy.

C) The Music- Like I had mentioned before, this was a mellow music night type thing. Our buddies there, Tony Das, Chris Das and Judy Das and Avinash Grubb were outstanding. And while my opinion might be a tad bit biased, other spectators tell me all four were fantastic, in fact.
The show started with Judy’s rendition of Corinne Bailey Rae’s ‘Girl put your records on’. Snow
Patrol’s ‘Run’ and Sara Bareilles’ ‘Love song’ were dedicated to yours truly, who became quite famous by the end of the night. One song in particular was pretty catchy, "Englishman in New York" and when I uploaded the track on my last post I had no bloody idea that they were going to be singing it. Pretty weird! By the end of the first set the band had definitely and undoubtedly gotten the crowd’s undivided attention and could do no wrong.
The second set had the band sounding pretty good on tracks like Ingrid Michaelson’s ‘take me the way I am’, Eagles’ ‘New York minute’ and Chris’ original composition ‘Breathing memories’ and I thought to myself that this was one of those performances that actually lived up to it’s buildup. It was a pretty cool night and the Das’ had done it with enough spunk to be entertaining without being overdone.
Anyway, this entry is longer than I intended, but it was a good night and it was great to go out and hear great music from people that I love. There's so much more to tell, but your attention span is probably disappearing right now. For more of Chris Das’ music head over to http://www.chris-das.com/. But before you do so, below is a recording of Chris’ version of ‘Run’ (should give you a feel about the show). Stay tuned, kids and thanks to those who made it!

Although just sometime back I was saying how much alone time I usually have to enjoy my peace and quiet, things actually haven't been that way since. It's been a wound up program, albeit an agreeable one. This morning is my only free time until tonight where I plan to spend it zoned out on the sofa, neglecting all of the things I ought to catch up on (work, self-assessments, colleagues, WORK).

So just what have I been up to the past two days? For starters, Pratz, my good ol friend from college, surprises me by landing in the city. This time around I still had issues with time, but the moments we spent together were enhanced by the fantastic entertainment provided by her fiancé, Josh, who had come here to meet me. I also had the pleasure of meeting her cousins, who were extremely funny and brilliantly informative. So that brings us up to this morning, which is my time of rest (God isn't the only one who deserves one, you know). Tonight is Pratz’ last night in B’lore and that's when the good times and loud banter will end. If I've learned anything from Pratz it is that there are still amazing and thoughtful people out there (buried amongst the crap), and I've been lucky to have found my best in-person, flesh-and-blood friend. Some people are fortunate enough to have two families - the one they are raised in, and the one that they form with the friends they gather. There are always highs and the lows but each has the possibility, to remain forever. I'm blessed to have both, and I adore them all, even if they take seasons to be dysfunctional.

Today I’m not going to be pounding out some words on the track I upload here but it’s still filling you in on some awesomeness.
And now I have this thinly veiled attempt at an ego boost request, and I'd like to ask my readers to please leave a comment on this post. Just say hi, so I can get a sense of who is out there or let me know how you came upon this humble little site or give me a good artist suggestion and I’ll make sure I get a hold of their music. Once again, thanks for swinging by Evuhleen’s Corner. I hope you keep coming back!

For Pratz, You are a lucky star and your light shines though all the way!

Hugs from Eve!

I am writing, rather typing this, in my car. I’m on my way to meet my sister, bro-in-law and niece who reached B’lore last night. Which is all very well and good, except I started out on a somewhat zippier drive and due to undetermined mechanical difficulties, we had to stop for an hour at the garage. I suppose I will arrive at my destination almost two hours late.

Oddly, I am not concerned. Guess, I’ve waited so long to see my niece again, a few hours won’t hurt.

Yesterday, I figured out why I have been lately making little progress on my personal goals (translate: no progress). Due to an exhaustive regimen of work, sleep and eating—and the well thought-out addition of a certain medication and a special magical liquid that we kids call, ‘Wine! Glorious Wine’ — the severe fretfulness that presided over my life for years is collapsing. This was my chief drive for carrying out anything I set my mind to. Now I am left strangely purposeless and my social life has been left languishing in a vague limbo. Even my obsessive fixation with cleanliness and tidiness seems to be fading: I no longer clean my room.
So here I sit in my dad’s car and look out of the window. An overweight man has been chewing pan and is now spewing out horrible amounts of dirty red liquid on the pavement. Gross!! Chunks of gravel are jumping off the tracks and slamming into the bottom of another car, making me feel as if I am in an asteroid field. As usual, I hate everyone in the vicinity. But it is a cranky and abstract hatred, and not the murderous fury I usually feel. Hey, I’m happy today!

And blah blah blah and whoop de do. What I really want to write about is that today is the wedding of my ex-boyfriend, M. One that I will not be going to as I don’t trust myself to keep silence when the priest asks the congregation if anyone objects.

*cough * cough*

Today, I will be lounging around eating shortbread cookies and thinking about going shopping. This is so scandalous I can barely stand to write it. What I expect is to step into my sister’s house, carry my niece in my arms and listen to the stories that she’ll tell me in her very broken English. And then not everything will feel like it has gone up into a puff of smoke because I was not present to hold things together with the force of my eroding will.

In other news, there is no other news. I just hope I remember how to post a blog entry, as I will feel awfully foolish if I'm the only one reading this.

You might want to check this out folks- Albums, recently acquired at EC:

There are times when a few random tracks and artists come along and literally steal my attention away for a moment and I feel obliged to pass them on to you. Chances are if you listen to a lot of rock or blues music you’ve heard this man who goes by the name of Joe Cocker. To be honest I have only heard a few of his songs. One of them I’m playing for you today. For whatever reason I initially became interested in this song you can rest assured that I’m passing it along to you because after the initial craze wore off when I first discovered him I still found this track, particularly his gritty vocals, to be worth multiple listens. And that my dear readers, coming from the pages of EC, should clue you in to the fact that I think Joe Cocker is someone to listen to. Enjoy your weekend fair world. And, valued readers don’t forget to enjoy some good music.

On Christmas day, I’m going to be doing something low-key. No large gatherings just spending time with my family. This time my older sister, bro-in law and niece wont be joining us for Christmas as they’ve decided to spend the 25th in Nagaland.

Christmas, as I’ve known, has always been about tiresome get-togethers. Relatives and friends would throw lunches and dinners and being one of the children, I was always forced to play with my cousins or kids around the same age, away from the adults who sipped on wine and laughed loudly. Christmas’ with them were never really enjoyable as we had nothing in common and I only saw them once a year.

Even though I’ve had some great moments with these not-so-complete strangers I’ve decided to not repeat the tradition this year around. I’m going to be working the days between Christmas and New Year’s because I can’t afford any time off and because I suppose the holidays are what you make of them and I’m going to have more fun at work.

My sister, bro-in-law and niece are going to be in a different place on Christmas Day. I can’t wait to talk to them and wish them all a merry Christmas.
I don't have the energy to write much of a post today. It could have something to do with the fact that I’ve had a crappy overworked week so far. It could also be the fact that so far today I've only consumed tea and an apple.

I can inform you, however, that my whole Christmassy mood hasn’t been shaken. It could have something to do with the fact that I patched things up with an old friend. Or it could relate to the fact that Ck gifted me the latest albums of Snow Patrol, The Verve, Keane and GNR.
The idea of going back to loads of work after Christmas doesn’t make the merry state last for long. Fortunately for everyone, the ability to spew out fire on my Christmas Wish List still hasn’t arrived.
This is a song that stick-in-the-mud Christmas celebrators and old fogey Third Day fans often like. And I love this version of the classic. The song is well-known: "Do You Hear What I Hear?" written by Noel Regney and music written by Gloria Shayne Baker. This song dates back to the 1960’s during the Cold War and this version by Third Day appropriately turns into a thrusting rock song that is amongst the best of the new Christmas songs, and with a clear message. I smell a new holiday favorite at EC.

Anyway, this entry is longer than I intended, but it was a good one and it was great to play some grand Christmas music for y’all. There's more to tell, but your attention span is probably about to disappear right now. So here's to bustin' out of the house. I so hope you’re feeling good, doing what you want with this holiday and that you are where you want to be. Happy, content, loved. Please give away lots of love and hugs and music.

Have a crazy cool musical Christmas!