Of Cabbages and Kings

"Whimsical"

Another wonderful word. A perfectly mature and nuanced word. A word with a fully developed personality. Impossible to define properly without resorting to rambling. ahh... love it.

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I am about to start reading Cabbages and Kings only because I have heard this phrase a lot over the years. So yeah, Brand name awareness is legit!

Also, it is not entirely true. I have loved quite a few works by O Henry. And then to my surprise, he plucked this particular term from a poem (The Walrus and the Carpenter) from Alice through the looking glass. So obviously, I had to read this. Duh..

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The word of the year is Brain Rot. It might as well be the phenomenon of the decade!

A day of jalebis and spicy fries

 I've always enjoyed watching House. Dr. House, an obviously fictional character having no semblance to any real doctors (that I've met so far..) is an astute observer of the human condition. Apart from his many excellent observations, the one that sticks to me is - "people lie". The most frequently that people lie to, is funnily enough, themselves. 

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Very much like food and shelter, and perhaps more important or instinctive than both, loving something and caring for someone is a basic human need. When a subject is not readily available, people create one, conjure one or imagine one. It is very much possible to spend years living in a fantasy world, existing, even thriving perhaps, unbeknownst to the rest of the world. Is it wrong then? Who are we to judge? 

To each, their own.

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I am currently in the middle of "Before we visit the Goddess". Another book by Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni. It is a bit different from her re-tellings of the mahabharta and ramayana (both of which I really loved..loved..loved). See, I am not familiar with this story. I do not know where it is going. Being led by her, in the dense forest of her own design, is like having a naughty travel companion with you. She like playing tricks on your senses and emotions. I do not trust her but yet cannot bring myself to veer away. I want to get to the edge of the jungle, out in the clearing. This particular book is profoundly and hopelessly sad at times, and hence my rush to finish it. 

I know I am going to be affected for the next few days. 

Bookmark and forget

My one toxic trait(or one of them :| ) is that I have to make a new bookmark every time i start a new book. Or else I cant finish the book. And of course I keep the bookmark when(if) I donate/discard/return the book. I have bookmarks hidden everywhere now.

The currency of true wealth

So last week I attended a traditional tambram wedding. It was quite amazing and endearing to see people trying their best to adhere to their cultures, to continue the traditions of their ancestors with all honesty. 

The food was great, courses of authentic dravidian satvik spreads. 

But the best of all was the people.. The groom was the son of my ex-boss who has retired several years ago. While in service, he had the reputation of being a strict and shrewd taskmaster. Both true :) But those close to him knew that he had a warmth that he usually kept hidden from the crowds, lest he be taken for a softie. Having worked for him for 10 years, we had grown used to his working style. Looking back, I can clearly see that his penchant for doing things right and having a strong image had saved us from unsavory elements countless times. Some worldly people said that he gave up on board level position because of his unbending attitude. Maybe they are right...partially anyway. And not where it matters really. I saw that among the attendees at the wedding were people who had worked with him/under him decades ago. They chose to come from all over the country to share the joyous moment in his life even when he no longer enjoys the power that he once had. Looking at that, I understood that the true currency of wealth is not monetary.. its the goodwill of people we come across in our lives. 

This and That

Diwali mode is full on now. The air has picked up a festive mood, it finally feels like the rainy season is over which I dont mind.

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I am reading "The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo". The book is alright, not very gripping but an okay read, except for the fact that it seems to be a wannabe Netflix series. I dont know if I am making any sense right now. 

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This weekend was really fun. Its so funny realizing how effortlessly we fall into our college personas.. lol. It is quite refreshing to have such breaks. Touchwood :)

In the lap of nature

I understand why we associate the mountains with the divine. I totally agree too.

I'd rather look at mountains from down below than look down from them. I mean, I like when I am there, but the process of reaching there is...... meh.

Bittersweet

I am now the kacchi poodi whenever I join the boys for badminton. 

They are always quite gracious about it though.

And very cute :)