'2011'...The year that was...

Rocking!!! Sometimes I rocked life and sometimes ‘Life’ rocked me! Another year gone and a New Year awaits. But when I look back at the year 2011, I see moments turning into memories now. Just like all the years, this year too had its own share of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, challenges and changes, friendships and fantasies, lessons taught and learned, new friendships revealed and some old ones re-lived…and all this amidst loads of fun and frolic. Here are few things that I would like to remember 2011 for…..

The year started with a stylish makeover to the self with ‘straightening’, which eventually made mom keep a straight face with me for next few months.  Now the only thing that remains straight is me and not my hair anymore, things are curling back to form. 

One regular inclusion in my list of New Year resolutions is ‘to lose weight’ and it has now become a ritual to include this every year just to break it and never follow. (I know Meenu you are gonna kill me for writing this here). But this time I will seriously follow it (I think so :P)

This year was also special as I saw most of my pals getting hooked (yaay!!! I am still safe and single :D). The year began with two of my best buddies Usha and Jith getting married (Happy tears!!!) and me ending the year as a proud ‘single’ defeating all my mom’s efforts to get me hooked (Happy tears again!!!). 

Single but steady. Oh yeah, finally able to stick to one place and profession. This year I completed my one year with Cedilla as a Copywriter. (Roses and applause follows…)Thank you…Thank you…!!! :D

Also it’s been a year now that I am staying alone and away from my dad with my mom here. Feel more responsible and…. yes responsible too :(

My Granny, who will forever remain in my childhood memories and bedtime stories, passed away this year leaving behind her inheritance with me. My curls and creativity are just some of them. :)

Talking about creativity (whatever little I possess), this year I went back to my long lost hobby of painting and finally made my first painting on canvas after a gap of 7 long years (the last one was in the year 2003). 

God can’t be everywhere so He created Mothers. And Angels can’t be everywhere so He created Best Friends. Meenaxi & Ajay- My two best buddies in Chennai. The reason why I am still in love with myself and the city. Chennai is not special for its beauty, for me it’s the presence of beautiful people like you that makes Chennai so special and will always be (I know I have now left both of you curious to know about each other more) ;)

Meenaxi aka Meenu, I love you darling! I don’t know what to write here about you and I know it’s not needed. But this year could not be special without mentioning you, and I wish so does all the coming years of my life. Thanks for being there with me every time when I needed you, thanks for your scolding and suggestions and all the wonderful moments we witnessed this year together. 

AJ aka Ajay, the Devil with an Angelic heart! And an alcoholic liver :P ok just kidding dude…you know how horrible you are anyways! You are the laziest and craziest bum on planet Earth!!! You are something like a ‘Limited Edition’, just one of a kind…and that makes you very special and myself lucky to posses this unique Angel! 

And last but not the least, this year I managed to cut and share more slices of my life with you than the previous year as this year I have shared more posts than any other year so far. Cheers to you guys!

It all seems like yesterday that we greeted 2011. So soon time flew away and it’s yet another New Year again. 

                         Wishing all you dearies a Very Happy New Year 2012!!!

                              Keep rocking and smiling, for now and forever!!! :)

कल, आज और कल...

जी ले इस पल को तू आज खुलके
रख दे सिरहाने सपने वो बीते कल के
जो ये पल है, वो है बेहद खास
छिपी है इनमें एक सुन्हेरे कल की आस

जो पल बीता, वो बीत गया
जो आयेगा वो होगा एक कल नया
बीतें कल की यादों को तू भूल जा 
जो आज है तू उसे अपना

क्या होगा और क्या नहीं, तू इस सोच मैं न पड़
बढ़ा है जो हाथ तेरी और तू उसको पकड़
जो ज़ख़्म है तेरा वो भर जाएगा
जो ना भी भरा तो भी क्या, एक दोस्त तो तुझे मिल ही जाएगा...

I love to lie…I am paid for it!!!

Yeah and that is what we call ‘Advertising’. The art of telling lies to persuade people. Yes I am a liar. Lying is my profession. Nope I am not very proud of my lies, but of my profession, yes very much. To succeed professionally I have to polish my art of lying and sound more appealing and attractive to fool others. Perhaps the day I get my increment, I would assume I have accomplished myself as a liar, convincing enough.

We all have lied in our lives, either by the compulsion of the situation or compulsion of one’s nature or just for covering up some guilt or make someone happy saying a sole satisfactory statement to convince ourselves that “as long as my lies don’t harm anyone, it’s ok!”. But even this statement doesn’t apply here in my case. I know my lies might affect people. It might cause an incurable damage to them for a lifetime and make them feel so cheated and fooled. And I also know that I am as helpless as they themselves are. Still somewhere deep down inside I feel guilty. Guilty of my trade. Guilty of the fake and empty promises I make everyday. Guilty of that old retired middle class fellow who would buy that ‘Dream Home’ losing all his saving of a lifetime from that so not to be trusted builder based on the Fake Testimonials I wrote today! Guilty of that young professional for whom buying a home is certainly a dream cherished over the years come true. Oh yeah, btw that’s the reason of all this confession here!

Wrote 50 fake testimonials for a client as the real and truthful ones were all negative. Was too much of a sin for me in a single day, so am here for the reconciliation. Guilty as charged!!! 

For The 'Beautiful' You...

Brighter you in just 7 days!!! Flawless fairness…!!! Get a slimmer tummy in just 15 days!!! Get silky, shiny hair in just one wash!!! Younger looking skin in just 7 days!!! Miracles do happen!!! No more dark circles or fine lines!!! Guaranteed results!!! No more grays…only beautiful hair!!! Fragrance so alluring, even angels can’t resist it!!! Phew…Advertising causes a sense of insecurity in the minds of the audience and then creates urgency to force the buyer to purchase those so called ‘life changing and miraculous” products in the name of “Smart Buyers”.  Really funny!!! But can beauty really be bought? Beauty of the skin? May be yes. But beauty of the soul? Never. The amount of money, time and peace of mind we waste on our chase for that ‘flawless’ skin, ‘perfect’ body and ‘shining’ hair, not even an  iota of the same we devote towards the thought of beautification of the soul. 

Ok leave it. I am not here to talk about whether these products deliver what they claim or whether we should purify the soul before the skin or whether advertising i.e. my bread and butter is a boon or bane to the society. I would rather talk about the perception of beauty and happiness that has been seeded within us for ages through Advertising. Or rather we have seeded it inside us.

Is physical beauty equals to a happy and satisfied life? Most of you would say “No”. But then why are we so insecure about ourselves? We all know we are beautiful in our own ways then why do we chase after that screen image of beauty? We, the intelligent, educated, independent and yes, beautiful smart buyers! 

A very good friend of mine once told me that it is her dark skin tone that she thinks is the reason behind her breakup. 6 months later I found her ex ditch the fairer girl too, for whom he had ditched my dark complexioned ‘beautiful’ friend. All my life I thought it is my fat self that keeps guys away from me. But then I see girls double and triple my size sporting handsome boyfriends. (ok here I might sound a lil desperate but just to make it clear, I am Not!!! :P) 

As they say beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and yes colours and odors too. I say it’s all in your mind. And by ‘Beauty’, I don’t just mean women but men as well. Just coz Gillette says girls like clean shaved guys, it doesn’t mean you have to be clean shaved! Gillette never asked me my opinion!!! And my dear Axe,  dunno about the angels but your smell just makes me run away than fall for you!!! Buddy Garnier, I have no desire of my man to be Light. L’oreal, darling puhlease stop bothering about my grays, I would love to age gracefully and flaunt those shades of aging. Sorry Fair & Lovely, I got this job coz of my skills and not for my skin tone!!! And all you slimming jellies , powders, creams and capsules, if someone has to love, he has to love me this way else I will tell him the very same word that I am gonna tell you….GET LOST!!!

Let your beauty free from the cage of the bottles and find its true glory in the eyes of its beholder. And let the beholder be ‘You’, coz only ‘You’ are worth it!

P.S. Grooming is good as long as it doesn’t get into your head! Stay beautiful! :)

Monsoon Magic!!! :P

Nature's artwork at the Creative Director's cabin! :)

Looks so creepy.........................

Anything that looks creepy is certainly a good crowd puller....!!! So here our Cedillites....wondering at the leaking roof that caused this Nature's wonder! ;)

Hamesha Forever!!! :)

 

As much I crib about my travelling everyday, I must confess it also gives me a glimpse of many sweet and funny incidences of life that I get to share with you all here. One such thing that I came across today was an elderly couple walking in front of me. Both seem to be returning back from work and yes very much in love with each other. While it is a very common site to see young couples walking hand in hand and laughing at each and every word of their conversation irrespective of it making any sense or not, when it comes to the little elderly ones the conversation mostly occurs without any verbal mode of communication and seldom it contains any display of affection whether public or private. But that wasn’t the case with this couple. They were enjoying each other’s company just like a teenager would do with his/her first love. Wow….it really feels good to see people still keeping their love in its freshest form even after having spent so many long years with each other. The only thing that I have for them is…God bless!

SMUDGED!!!

Like a rising smoke

Like a fading stroke

It's smudged….

Like a moving train

Like an old stain

It's smudged….

Like the darkness of the day

Like memories drifting away

It’s smudged…

Yes it is...

Early Morning...High Drama!!!

7:30 A.M 

Sitting lazily on the couch and surfing through music channels.

7:35 A.M        
Mom calls for breakfast.

7:40 A.M        
The familiar sound comes from the kitchen again.

7:45 A.M        
Mom shouts for the final time!

8:00 A.M        
Enjoying the fresh cup of aromatic tea while listening to some latest numbers.

8:15 A.M       
“Sh!t man!!! It’s 8:15 already???!!! Let me get ready to office fast!”

8: 30 A.M    
“Damn I never find my things when I need them!!!  Now where did the  i pod go??”

8:45 A.M     
Waiting for the auto at the stand. 

8:47 A.M      
One auto arrives. And gets full before you can even think of stepping ahead!    

People are just too smart! Come on Tanu, you better buck up!! 

8:50 A.M       
Another auto arrives. This time I am smarter than others :D 

9:00 A.M      
Waiting for the bus

9:10 A.M       
Still waiting for the bus

9:15 A.M      
“Yaay!!! Bus came…oops so crowded?? Can’t get in even if I try…leave it…will go in the next one.”

9:17 A.M       
“Uffffffffff…. I don’t wanna be late again!!!”

9:20 A.M
The waiting continues...

9:25 A.M       
“Wots wrong with the buses..?? Why not even a single one to my route coming?? Damn! I am getting late!!!”

9:30  A.M         
“Gosh, I am sooooooooo damn late today!!!”

9:35 A.M          
“Hmmm…chill Tanu you are anyways late so now relax and go aaram se! Just have a look at the crowd around and you thought only you go office late??!!! There are many like you :D…!!!”

9:40 A.M      
“There you are my baby!!! Let me get you fast before others fill you up. Ouch…easy people…it’s just a bus :P!!!” 

Phew!!! Ab Bus!!! 

Me?????????

I am wot I am...

I am lazy

I am dark

I am quirky

A little stark

Sometimes crazy

At times smart

A little scary

But good at heart!

If you be my angel, I will be yours

If you be a devil, I know to turn more evil

I am the friend, I am the foe

A little known and a weirdo

I am wot I am...

Do u have a problem with that??

Get lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

Today I was watching the movie “My name is Khan”. Yeah, was jobless for a while so thought of tuning into the idiot box and being a SRK fan I could not afford to switch to any other channel. Contrary to what many believe I think SRK is a fantastic “actor”, yes the word in quotes because this particular movie is a proof of his acting skills. A movie where he has grown out of his image as a lover boy and done a real good job. But this post is not to justify SRK’s acting skills. 

While watching the character of Mandira played by Kajol a thought stuck me. Is it possible to fall in love with an autistic person? Is love really blind? Perhaps yes.

We all need just one heart of the millions out there that stores unconditional love and care just for us. And if that happens to be of an autistic person, what’s wrong in it? Perhaps the thought of being too smart makes us, the so called normal people, stay away from loving someone with our full heart coz we love with conditions apply! 

Love is not skin-deep. It sinks in beyond the upper layer of the skin and goes deep within your soul. But not many among us hold the vehemence to dive deep into this territory. All we need is that someone special who holds the perfect love for all our imperfections. Who in spite of being imperfect to the entire world is just perfect for you. Who loves you in your illness. Who admires you even when you know you look your ugliest best!  Who loves your morning breathe as much as the evening perfume on your gown. Who finds you seductive despite of your unwaxed legs. Whose love remains constant in spite of the frequent fluctuations on your weighing scale. Who can starve himself just to buy you a few roses. Who can lose everything to hold you back. Someone whom you are not scared of showing your bare beauty. And yet when you dress up, he is the only one you want to impress. 

And for this, all you need is a true heart residing in a simple kind soul, be it of an autistic person or a non-autistic one. Feel blessed if you have found one. Here, the search continues…

Tiffany-Twisted!!!

It’s a day with those “main kaun hoon? main kahan hoon?’ types of syndrome. The kinds when you find everything meaningless and everyone useless, and you the biggest one out of them all! Where am i? What am I doing here? Agrrrrrrhhhhhhhh…NO IDEA!!! 

Basically I think I am just a waste. Yeah…think so. And before you give that vicious smirk of yours, lemme tell you that’s wot I think of you as well! Now don’t think I have gone bonkers! It’s my blog and I hold all the rights to put every junk and sh!t over here! Thank you internet….i love you!!! And you better get back to your business…boss is watching!!! :P mee?? Well not in a mood to work you see ( like always)!!! :)

My Lost Angel...

I was comforted by your care…your presence made me relax…your thoughts brought me smiles…your talks brought me happiness…you gave my dreams the wings of reality…you turned my wishes into yours…you took my craziness with delight...you turned my sorrows to smiles…I thought you are my Angel…but I forgot angels are not found on Earth…

Leave Me!!!

Today…yes today is the day when I actually realized my value in his life…I realized how much he cares for me…how much my absence bothers him…how he desires to see me each and every day of his life…how my absence makes his life miserable…I walked into his cabin and expressed the deepest feelings that I had kept hidden inside my heart…amidst uncertainty and anticipation I finally uttered my thoughts…with each of my words I could see his eyes go gloomy…when I told him………………………………..

”Sir, I want one week leave”

Well no one values your presence and misses you more than your Boss does!!! Every time you ask for leave, he just doesn’t want to let you go. 

FYI the above lines were meant for my dear boss…what you thought?? ;) :P

My Space!

I wanna breathe in some fresh air of freedom

I wanna break away from this serfdom

I wanna spread my wings to fly

But your love makes me cry

No more I like your concern

Your love makes my soul burn

All I want is some space

I know it’s you, whom no one can ever replace

But now I wanna live my life on my own

Wanna face this world all alone

I know it’s nothing but your care

That makes me all the more despair

So please let me live it on my own

It’s my life and you don’t own!

Will You?

Will you remember me tomorrow?

When you don’t remember to call me today.

Will you be there for me tomorrow?

When you are not there with me today.

Will you come when I call you tomorrow?

When you don’t have time to answer me today.

Will I still be a part of your life tomorrow?

When I am not in it today.

Will I continue being your best friend tomorrow?

When I am no more like one today.

Suha'Naya' Safar Aur Yeh Train Haseen!

Yesterday as the train stopped screeching against the track at my station, everything inside the compartment looked so bright and new. Maybe it is all because of the crystal clear view that I am getting from my branded Esprit specs which I am not very used to at the moment, I thought.  As I sat in my seat I realized the fellow passengers too were busy admiring the beauty of the train’s makeover. Ok so it was not because of the Esprit but because the train is painted afresh!

The seats are new, the old fans are replaced with the new faster ones, the old handles too are changed with their new counterparts happily dancing to the tunes of the track, the old dying tube lights are now replaced with the much needed brand new ones changing the complete look of the compartment into a bright and glowing one.  Not just the interiors but the exterior of the boogie too is painted anew, erasing the ‘Ladies’ symbol written on it and confusing men more than ever. 

Admiring the beauty of the train I opened my packet of crispies celebrating this new found beauty of the train…a nice breezy window seat with crispies in my mouth and my favourite author to read…hmmm…bas aur kya cahiye?!!! :D

Har ek friend zaroori hota hai?

The latest anthem by Airtel which everyone is humming to and posting it as their status messages on facebook. Yeah right Mr. Airtel…each friend is important, you never know when you need him/her. You never know when you are in need of that urgent cash, you never know when you need a help and you badly start missing that dearest friend of yours whom you don’t get time to call in ages otherwise. And then there are those who like to hang out with you as long as you stick that smile on your face and bear all the expenses!!! So each friend is important you see. Yes Mr. Airtel I completely agree with you…each friend plays an important role in teaching you one great lesson i.e. to be happy and contented with YOURSELF!!! No one can know you and love you more than YOU can do. So here I decide to realize the true value of each and every friend of mine and would like show the well deserved love and care of mine, starting from the best friend I have ever got….ME! :P

And Mr. Airtel as you always say, “Express Yourself”. I have. Now back to my own shell. See you until I move on to my next ‘zaroori’ friend.

A Year Older In Advertising! :)

 

First it was Journalism, then it became Teaching, now it is Writing…wot next? No idea…

Completed a year today with Cedilla. Finally able to stick to one place for a year…my longest stint till now!!!

On this very date, a year back I took my first step into this agency. Nervous, excited and with lots to dreams…few turned to a reality and few are yet to.  

When I look back at the journey I cannot make out whether it was a good one or a bad one…..or somewhere in the middle. But certainly a good learning experience I must say.  Not just I learned how to deal with work and deadlines but also how to cope and adjust in different situations and with different people. ‘Cedilla’ may not be the best agency in the world of advertising but to me it will always remain special. For the simple reason that it is my first agency that has taught me the ‘A’ of Advertising and till I reach ‘G’, it will still remain close to my heart. Thank you everyone for all the good and bad times, fights and laughter, screams and shouts, and…yes a lil bit of creativity too.

Did I hear Treat? :P

My Fantastic Five!

One day is not enough to express the love, affection, trust, loyalty, comfort, care and loads of fun that we share with the special ones known as Friends. It takes a lifetime to build this beautiful relation, surviving the trials and tribulations of times, sharing some of the innermost secrets and special moments of life together. Though we mention everyone around us as friends and the advancement of technology and social networking has enabled friendship just a click away, true friendship still remains the rarest element on earth. With every passing day and each friendship request my list of friends and acquaintances keeps growing, still when I count my friends there are only five gems I came across in my life whom I call my True Friends.  Thanks a lot guys for coming to my life and this post is especially dedicated to you as my token of love on this Friendship Day! So, here I go…

To,

My Partner In Crime,                                                                                                  

You are the first one whom I have met out of my fantastic five, so the first letter goes to you. ‘Partner in crime’ because of all the craziest, funniest, loveliest and incredible moments that you have shared with me during our school and college time. Seriously yaar, those were the best days of my life and I know, yours too! Together we have done many small and naughty stuffs that even now when I think of them it brings a smile on my face.

A tomboy with a heart of gold but when someone messes with you, you know how to serve them back in the same coin. I loved the time we had spend together bunking classes, spending endless hours in college canteen and cafes, teasing guys in buses and markets, taking ‘panga’ with almost everyone we disliked, roaming around for no reason, celebrating Diwali and Holi together, listening to our moms complaints about us and then pulling each other’s leg over it. Ufff…there is so much to say that the list just goes on and on and on.

We met in school and then moved apart just to meet again in some other school. And then this friendship took a stronger turn when we joined the same college and the same class. Today you are someone’s wife and the fun times we had shared are nothing but just memories yet you will always remain special to me. I don’t talk to you so often these days, even you are busy dealing with this new phase of your life but one thing I want to tell you that you are one unforgettable chapter of my life that is very close to my heart and will always remain this way. 

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To,

Miss (now Mrs) Smiley, 

You are the second one who touched my heart in a special way. Exam tension, poor grades, zero performance, no assignment done, yet the smile prevails on your ever smiling face. Touch wood, and hope it always remains this way. It used to be great fun to pull your leg over petty issues and you would never mind. When you and I along with ‘my partner in crime’ come together, it is always a house on fire! You love eating ice cream when the temperature goes below zero degrees and that makes you just perfect to match upto our levels of craziness.

I don’t know whether you even remember it or not.  But I still recollect our fun filled foodie days! The taste of your moms Dhokla still lingers in my mouth and till date I make them the way you had taught me. And that’s not all. Eating paani-puris on the roadside, dahi-bhalls in the market and dosas at ‘Panchavati’, the memories are still afresh. 

A fun loving and jovial person, who beautifully carries simplicity and innocence in her smile and her heart. ‘It’s ok, chalta hai!’ that’s the attitude you always have taken forward and it is this happy go lucky self of yours that I admire in you the most. Whenever I hear your cheerful voice, it brings delight to me. A good girl with a good heart, big enough to love, care and forgive all. Hope you always remain the same and continue to spread joy and happiness to the newly included members of your life too.

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To,

My Goody Goody Darpok,

Well never named you anything but the goody goody person that you are, I think this name suits you the best. Though I know you may feel otherwise. Darpok, I always call you. And you know that very well. A personality completely contrary to mine, you will always remain close to my heart and this third letter is for you, My Goody Goody Darpok.

A reserved and serious kind for the world, I know how to bring the smile and talks out of you effortlessly. Something I feel glad doing! You say I am your only friend in this world. And I can’t tell you how much happiness that brings to me. It’s a privilege to be your friend dear. But I would like you to explore the world of friendship and add many more names onto the list. And yet not forget this very first friend of yours. Thank you for being my 24x7 technical support to solve all my computer related problems. A technically challenged person that I am, it would have been really tough without those helps. And if you think it’s the end, then let me warn you that I will keep coming back to haunt you for technical helps again!

I like your simple and humble self and it is something I admire in you the most. Yes you have hurt me sometimes but that doesn’t stop me from being your friend. I wish you the very best in life and want you to know that you will always remain a special friend. Thanks for bringing in the sweetness of your friendship in my life.

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To,

My Friend, Philosopher And Guide,

Once a colleague, now my closest buddy. You are someone with whom I share almost everything and you are always there to listen patiently and guide me on every small and big matters of life. When you chat cracking silly jokes with me, I see a friend in you. When you scold me on my stupid acts, I see a worried mother in you. And when you advice me on life, I see you as a caring elder sister. This letter is for you- My Friend, Philosopher And Guide.

You are reserved and don’t share much with everyone but when you open your heart to me, it makes me feel special. You are my true critic, and I can always trust you on that. In this unknown city surrounded with all strangers, you are a face that always comes to my mind for all my worries. Your presence comforts me and your words make me stronger. Thanks a lot for all the love, care, support and advices that you have shared with me and helped me move out of many adversities in life. With you in my life, I don’t regret of not having an elder sister.

There are few things that I am gonna miss a lot for sure about Chennai and you are certainly one among those. Without you, my life would not be incomplete but your presence has made it even more beautiful and special. You don’t know how much I love you and don’t want to lose this beautiful and loving friend of mine, as I would need you and your scoldings all throughout my life. Be there for me, always! 

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To,

My Angel,

You are the latest addition in my life and yes addiction too! With you around I can be myself and do every possible craziest and funniest thing on earth. I hated you when I met you first and have been very rude to you many times, but you have always forgiven me for all my badness and shown me the angelic side in you. Thanks a lot for all the smiles and care you have showered on me. A true angel at heart, last but certainly not the least, this letter is for you- My Angel.

Angel. Well you know why I call you this and yes, I mean it. I have always believed in the power of your thoughts and I believe that when you are around sorrow is a far reality. Thank you for sharing all the good and gloomy times together. Thank you for all the small little joys and happiness you brought in my life as a true friend and well wisher.  Thank you for the Saturday rides (even when the petrol prices are touching sky). Thank you for the sweet surprises (Ya I call you a stingy but you are the most priceless possession of my life). Thanks for bearing my craziness and cruelty at times. Thanks for being patient enough to always be there to listen to my bakwaas. Thanks for the Bewada parties. Thanks for making every small and crazy wish of mine come true. Thanks for clinging onto this cord even when I tried to break it away a lot many times.

An addiction you certainly are, and I am in love with this addiction for the moment and wish the euphoria and intoxication of this addiction remains with me for the moments to come in my lifetime. And like I always say and once again I repeat. I don’t care what you are to the world. For me you are an Angel. Always have been, always will be. 

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I know this is not it and there are many more to be added in this place reserved only for the select few, may be later in my life. But guys no one can ever replace any one of you and you will always remain intact in a corner deep inside my heart especially created just for you.

With loads of love and friendship,

Your Friend