Quite a day, for someone coming in from California. See my post from jan 08. That storm was really not a big deal. but I apologise for, and rollback my general statements in that post.
Leaving the safe haven of bay area has been an eye-opener.
In Dallas/ north Texas, june 10, there were thunderstorms predicted in the forecast. It was dark since afternoon and all we expected was, Well rain.
By 6PM, they(weather guys) were suddenly talking tornado. By 6:45, the quiet quickly dissipiated. I could hear sirens going off. Didn't know where they came from until a neighbour filled me in. There are poles on all streets, and the fire department starts off the sirens. What they are saying is, "Take shelter immediately" It was pitch dark, rain was sure on its way. TV programs were interrupted to warn us about a probable Tornado. And we were advised to stay indoors and away from windows.
Within 5 min of the siren going off, wind picked up. Up and up. got really scary all of a sudden. Siren and the kid both wailing, hubby at office. Not ideal at all. We had wind gusts upto 80mph i heard later. About 15 min of ferocious wind followed by equally ferocious thunder and lightning. Thunder rumbles like crazy. Someone who has no idea whats happening would pee his pants. God. Even the window panes shake, like they would in an earthquake. We can call this one a skyquake? The rain whacked us for about an hour and then died down.
As if the whole storm scare wasn't enough, later in the evening, there was a Raccoon on our patio (balcony). The pizza box i kept there (to take out to trash dumpster later) was what it came for. I had never seen the animal before, did not know what it was. Thought of calling 911. But it went away.
The thunder and lightning went on through the night. Another funny thing was, when the thunder rumbles reeeaal bad, the cars start panicking. We got up once or twice to check if it was our car. There were 4-5 cars panicking at the same time. There goes the night's sleep. :(
As of today, june 11 morning, no wind gusts. But thunder. lightning. rain still here.
To quote weather channel, The storm is still flexing it muscles over the city of Dallas. :)
Man!! I love these weather guys. Have written about the weather forecast before. Its here
They predict the time and location of the storm and are fairly accurate. The wind gusts started within 5 min of the wailing alarm. You can at least get to a safe area.
Isn't that all we want?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009
Curious case of LIFE
The Curious case of Benjamin Button
Not a movie, but an insight into how we think about aging, wrinkles, love and life.
If every birthday makes you peer in the mirror looking for crows feet, this movie is for you. It will change the way you think about aging.
The main character Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) is born with wrinkly skin, arthritis, fading eyesight and little hearing. In short, he is born 80 year old. He works his way backwards from there. When he is 10, he meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett). She is 5. They instantly form a special bond. At 17, with the spirit of a teenager and a body of a 65 year old, he leaves home to be a sailor. After being thrown in World War 2 and surviving it, he comes back
To quote Benjamin, "It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is YOU."
He is already in love with Daisy. But can never really express it.
She is now a famous dancer in New York, with lot of young men swooning over her.
When he is 49, there is finally, an intersection of body and spirit. Both of a guy in his 40s. Daisy comes back to him, she is 43. Just that one of them is going forward and one backwards.
My favourite dialogue comes in this phase
Daisy : Will you still love me when I am all old and wrinkly?
Benjamin : Will you still love me when I have acne? And i wet my bed? When I am scared of whats under the stairs?
Brad Pitt has played the whole inverted life of Benjamin in a way only he can. He has this southern accent which i am sure he had to work on. He sounds like a true New Orleans guy. Its not easy to do accents and in such natural, believable way.
The curiosity, energy, enthusiasm, spirit, innocence of a 15 yr old boy who has a body of a 65 year old. The poignance, serenity, been-there-done-that look of a 60 year old person who looks like a teenager. Very well done. By Brad and the digital Benjamin for first 50 min of the movie.
A must-watch.
Not a movie, but an insight into how we think about aging, wrinkles, love and life.
If every birthday makes you peer in the mirror looking for crows feet, this movie is for you. It will change the way you think about aging.
The main character Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) is born with wrinkly skin, arthritis, fading eyesight and little hearing. In short, he is born 80 year old. He works his way backwards from there. When he is 10, he meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett). She is 5. They instantly form a special bond. At 17, with the spirit of a teenager and a body of a 65 year old, he leaves home to be a sailor. After being thrown in World War 2 and surviving it, he comes back
To quote Benjamin, "It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is YOU."
He is already in love with Daisy. But can never really express it.
She is now a famous dancer in New York, with lot of young men swooning over her.
When he is 49, there is finally, an intersection of body and spirit. Both of a guy in his 40s. Daisy comes back to him, she is 43. Just that one of them is going forward and one backwards.
My favourite dialogue comes in this phase
Daisy : Will you still love me when I am all old and wrinkly?
Benjamin : Will you still love me when I have acne? And i wet my bed? When I am scared of whats under the stairs?
Brad Pitt has played the whole inverted life of Benjamin in a way only he can. He has this southern accent which i am sure he had to work on. He sounds like a true New Orleans guy. Its not easy to do accents and in such natural, believable way.
The curiosity, energy, enthusiasm, spirit, innocence of a 15 yr old boy who has a body of a 65 year old. The poignance, serenity, been-there-done-that look of a 60 year old person who looks like a teenager. Very well done. By Brad and the digital Benjamin for first 50 min of the movie.
A must-watch.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Roger Rocks!!
Saw the French Open match between Roger Federer and Tommy Haas. Saw a few hours later, not live. Did not know it until the match ended. Good! made me stay glued to the TV and not google the result. What a sportsperson he is!
In the countless encounters between Federer and Nadal, I have always cheered for Nadal. 1. I am the root-for-the-underdog types and 2. I always thought Federer was too full of himself, trophy-churning-robot.
Today's match was really special.
It takes towering character, confidence, composure, not to mention ability and belief in self to come back from 2 sets down to win.
Roger lost first 2 sets, 6-7 5-7. Looked totally out of sorts. I am sure most people had already accepted the idea of French Open sans Nadal and Federer. Readying for a new champion.
But people with a towering character have it in them to come back from the ashes.
Federer came back to win the match, last three sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-3
Thats one thing i like about tennis. Any player can win from any point of the game, unlike cricket.
I remember watching Ramesh krishnan in Davis Cup. Don't remember the year/ opponent. (Was it Ivanisevic?). He was 2 sets down, went ahead to win 2 sets and the rain stopped play during the 5th set which he won the next day.
Of course, winning after being 2 sets down is not unheard of. Still is a great achievement, so much so, that i am writing my first ever Sports post :)
Whether Roger wins the title or no, this perfomance overflowed with tons of grit and character. Kudos to Federer.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Foodie talk 1
A sample read on menu card of an Indian restaurant
Medu wada Sambar:
Lentil DOUGHNUTS deep-fried in Coconut oil and dipped in Sambar- A concoction of lentil soup with spices.
Chitale bakarwadi:
Crispy tasty Spring roll to jazz up your coffee or tea time.
Mix chiwda:
Mixture of roasted nuts with beaten rice and gram flour balls
To be continued when some such stuff catches my eye......
Medu wada Sambar:
Lentil DOUGHNUTS deep-fried in Coconut oil and dipped in Sambar- A concoction of lentil soup with spices.
Chitale bakarwadi:
Crispy tasty Spring roll to jazz up your coffee or tea time.
Mix chiwda:
Mixture of roasted nuts with beaten rice and gram flour balls
To be continued when some such stuff catches my eye......
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Q & A
Since the whole Slumdog Oscar craze, all of us Indians staying abroad have to face : "So, what do u think of SM?" situations This is how I faced one of them. In a physiotherapist office
So, what do you think of THE movie?
THE movie?
(I knew what she meant, but acted up :) Did not like the idea of SM being THE movie.)
Yeah, Slumdog Millioniare!!
Ah ok. I haven't seen it.
No? Why, you don't feel like seeing it?
(Ok, she has heard desis grumblin about it.)
Nothing like that. Just never got a chance
She does not believe me, can make it out from the way she looks at me.
Is India really like that?
"A part of it, and that part too is exaggerated. Movies always work on exaggeration, don't they?"
Yes. But the Indian colleagues I have here, say India IS like that.
As I said, A part.
She realised I am not happy talking about SM, and changed up the topic
"How did you learn English?"
In School
You had English as a language in School?
No! I learnt all my subjects in English
Wow, they have such kind of schools in India? Great. But how did you get the accent?
That i worked on. After coming to US
I saw the movie after a few days. Totally over-rated.
Also read the book, Vikas Swarup's Q & A in hindi. This was my first Hindi book ever. There is a Hindi language collection in Sunnyvale library, but had never accessed it before.
The book, as is the case with all movies based on books, is better than the movie.
1. The protagonist is named Ram Muhammed Thomas in the book. A priest finds him abandoned in a church donation box and names him this way to avoid getting in trouble with hindu/ muslim communities.
2. The Priest who rears this guy is a nice person. But he has an illegitimate child. Another priest in the same church is a child molester. No mention in the movie, where Jamal is born and raised in the slums.
3. The boy is left in a church donation box. His mother is not killed in Hindu-Muslim riots. But yes, he meets Salim in a foster-home(after the priest's death). And Salim's family is killed in riots.
4. There is no childhood love-story. There is of course, one short-lived love story. But it does not affect the main story-line at all.
5. He lived in the church, in a foster home, as a servant with an Australlian Ambassador, as a servant at an actress's place, in Agra, in a chawl next to an astronomy professor. And the Slum. Logical explanation for all his answers is there in his varied contacts/places of residence. In SM, the blind beggar boy knows which US president is on a 100$ bill!!!
6. Overall, the book is interesting. Each of the 15 questions has the weightage of a quiz-show worthy question.
My analysis goes like
Q&A + filth + poverty + slums (oh yes! USP) + latika + Bollywood masala + communalism = Slumdog Millioniare
So, what do you think of THE movie?
THE movie?
(I knew what she meant, but acted up :) Did not like the idea of SM being THE movie.)
Yeah, Slumdog Millioniare!!
Ah ok. I haven't seen it.
No? Why, you don't feel like seeing it?
(Ok, she has heard desis grumblin about it.)
Nothing like that. Just never got a chance
She does not believe me, can make it out from the way she looks at me.
Is India really like that?
"A part of it, and that part too is exaggerated. Movies always work on exaggeration, don't they?"
Yes. But the Indian colleagues I have here, say India IS like that.
As I said, A part.
She realised I am not happy talking about SM, and changed up the topic
"How did you learn English?"
In School
You had English as a language in School?
No! I learnt all my subjects in English
Wow, they have such kind of schools in India? Great. But how did you get the accent?
That i worked on. After coming to US
I saw the movie after a few days. Totally over-rated.
Also read the book, Vikas Swarup's Q & A in hindi. This was my first Hindi book ever. There is a Hindi language collection in Sunnyvale library, but had never accessed it before.
The book, as is the case with all movies based on books, is better than the movie.
1. The protagonist is named Ram Muhammed Thomas in the book. A priest finds him abandoned in a church donation box and names him this way to avoid getting in trouble with hindu/ muslim communities.
2. The Priest who rears this guy is a nice person. But he has an illegitimate child. Another priest in the same church is a child molester. No mention in the movie, where Jamal is born and raised in the slums.
3. The boy is left in a church donation box. His mother is not killed in Hindu-Muslim riots. But yes, he meets Salim in a foster-home(after the priest's death). And Salim's family is killed in riots.
4. There is no childhood love-story. There is of course, one short-lived love story. But it does not affect the main story-line at all.
5. He lived in the church, in a foster home, as a servant with an Australlian Ambassador, as a servant at an actress's place, in Agra, in a chawl next to an astronomy professor. And the Slum. Logical explanation for all his answers is there in his varied contacts/places of residence. In SM, the blind beggar boy knows which US president is on a 100$ bill!!!
6. Overall, the book is interesting. Each of the 15 questions has the weightage of a quiz-show worthy question.
My analysis goes like
Q&A + filth + poverty + slums (oh yes! USP) + latika + Bollywood masala + communalism = Slumdog Millioniare
Monday, May 18, 2009
From Dora to Cinderella
Move over Dora and boots, Cinderella is here. Dora toothpaste/ shoes/ underwear is all a thing of the past. Disney Princess is the new craze.
Thats what my little one is doing. And she is 5.
Isn't it a little too early? Or is it just Mommy thinking?
The very beautiful Cinderella dressed in rags. a fairy godmother magically turns her clothes into a beautiful gown. Complete with a carriage, coachman and the glass slippers. The prince obviously is bedazzled by her beauty. He marries her.
The girl is enchanted by these Disney stories. And why not? They are enchanting.
The very practical mom (the old hag me?) thinks : Caution.
As beautiful these fairy tales are, every little girl would grow up waiting for a handsome prince to sweep her off her feet?
We, who grew up on a staple of Bollywood movies certainly know better.
For instance, if by 18 you have not had a guy crazy for you, lovey-dovey, ready to be a love-slave, your life as a woman is cursed. And of course, you can dance like Madhuri Dixit. No? Too bad.
Isn't that bollywood message for girls in a nutshell?
Coming back to the fairy tale,
And they lived happily ever after......
With each other and the everyday issues like paying bills/rent, maintaining relations, fighting, making up, growing old, piling up pounds (not the currency),dealing with medical issues, kids issues...
Wait, what am I trying to say here?
Just a mommy rant. Or old hag rant.
Thats what my little one is doing. And she is 5.
Isn't it a little too early? Or is it just Mommy thinking?
The very beautiful Cinderella dressed in rags. a fairy godmother magically turns her clothes into a beautiful gown. Complete with a carriage, coachman and the glass slippers. The prince obviously is bedazzled by her beauty. He marries her.
The girl is enchanted by these Disney stories. And why not? They are enchanting.
The very practical mom (the old hag me?) thinks : Caution.
As beautiful these fairy tales are, every little girl would grow up waiting for a handsome prince to sweep her off her feet?
We, who grew up on a staple of Bollywood movies certainly know better.
For instance, if by 18 you have not had a guy crazy for you, lovey-dovey, ready to be a love-slave, your life as a woman is cursed. And of course, you can dance like Madhuri Dixit. No? Too bad.
Isn't that bollywood message for girls in a nutshell?
Coming back to the fairy tale,
And they lived happily ever after......
With each other and the everyday issues like paying bills/rent, maintaining relations, fighting, making up, growing old, piling up pounds (not the currency),dealing with medical issues, kids issues...
Wait, what am I trying to say here?
Just a mommy rant. Or old hag rant.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Paan khaye saiyya hamaro
While grocery shopping in India store, a chinese/japanese/phillipino - American lady asked me - "Excuse me! I am looking for the white thing you put on a pan. You know where it is?"
To myself: White thing to put on a pan? meaning tava?... hmmm...butter? ghee? what does she want?
I did not say a word, maintained the confused expression.
She tried to clarify "The thing thats put on a leaf?"
Still no answer from the confused me.
Leaf? what leaf? The leaf plates we make in India? What white thing is put on them?
She went on "You know the calcium white thing you put on a leaf and eat it. The thing that turns the mouth red?"
Tubelight on. "Ah yes, thats called chuna."
"Chuna? Oh Ok. Where can i find it?"
"I have no idea, please ask the guy at the counter."
Off she went, saying, "Excuse me!! Where can I find 'Chuna?'"
I wonder what she wanted chuna for?
To myself: White thing to put on a pan? meaning tava?... hmmm...butter? ghee? what does she want?
I did not say a word, maintained the confused expression.
She tried to clarify "The thing thats put on a leaf?"
Still no answer from the confused me.
Leaf? what leaf? The leaf plates we make in India? What white thing is put on them?
She went on "You know the calcium white thing you put on a leaf and eat it. The thing that turns the mouth red?"
Tubelight on. "Ah yes, thats called chuna."
"Chuna? Oh Ok. Where can i find it?"
"I have no idea, please ask the guy at the counter."
Off she went, saying, "Excuse me!! Where can I find 'Chuna?'"
I wonder what she wanted chuna for?
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
American Airlines
Have read/heard about the US domestic airlines making you pay for snacks/ checked baggage. Experienced it last week on the SFO-DFW flight.
The announcement goes like, "Snack service on the flight today: Chips 3$, Pretzels 3$, Cookie 4$, xyz 6$. Beverages free :) " We were smart enough to eat at the airport. Before boarding the flight.
Was almost like travelling on Mumbai-Pune Indrayani express. Attendants handing out snacks and collecting/counting dollar bills. Almost expected them to start yelling...thanda cold drink/ vada garam/ chaiii chaiii
And the announcement i liked was "There would be 2 snack trolleys. One starting at the rear end of the plane working its way forward. And the other starting from the front going backwards. Please remain seated during the service to avoid being caught between the two trolleys."
After three hours, as i was getting up to use the lavatory, hubby said, "Ask if you have to pay at the lavatory door. Or better wait till we land" :)
The announcement goes like, "Snack service on the flight today: Chips 3$, Pretzels 3$, Cookie 4$, xyz 6$. Beverages free :) " We were smart enough to eat at the airport. Before boarding the flight.
Was almost like travelling on Mumbai-Pune Indrayani express. Attendants handing out snacks and collecting/counting dollar bills. Almost expected them to start yelling...thanda cold drink/ vada garam/ chaiii chaiii
And the announcement i liked was "There would be 2 snack trolleys. One starting at the rear end of the plane working its way forward. And the other starting from the front going backwards. Please remain seated during the service to avoid being caught between the two trolleys."
After three hours, as i was getting up to use the lavatory, hubby said, "Ask if you have to pay at the lavatory door. Or better wait till we land" :)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Puppet
We are all puppets
with someone pulling the strings
strings we can see not, touch not
Just the tension we can feel
The string puller takes me left
when i want to go right
Cannot let go of the pull
Try as i might
The strings could save me
as i am about to fall
why o why! they let go
and let me tumble and all
I need the strings then
to pick me from the ditch
And start believing again
that my destiny maketh me...
No sir, There are no strings
with someone pulling the strings
strings we can see not, touch not
Just the tension we can feel
The string puller takes me left
when i want to go right
Cannot let go of the pull
Try as i might
The strings could save me
as i am about to fall
why o why! they let go
and let me tumble and all
I need the strings then
to pick me from the ditch
And start believing again
that my destiny maketh me...
No sir, There are no strings
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Banjar
Going for a drive in the neat neighborhood. Crisp spring weather. A cd playing assorted list of songs. And i feel a strange connection to this one...Banjar..from Kabul Express
Banjar ret hai ....
Zameen banjar hai ...
Banjar aasmaan ...
Yeh ghar banjar hai ...
Beautiful spring bloom all around and the setting sun giving a lovely orange tinge to the white fluffy clouds.
And yet....
Is banjar sheher ke dil mein dundhu... mein gili mitti ka manjar
The crescent moon beginning to make its presence felt in the twillight sky, the wind carrying sweet smell of Spring.
And yet....
Banjar lamhaa hai
Waqt banjar hai
Banjar waqt si yeh raat banjar hai
Banjar raat! khwaab banjar
Chand taaron ka saath banjar hai
Is it the United states? Or the state of my mind? Or both?
Banjar ret hai ....
Zameen banjar hai ...
Banjar aasmaan ...
Yeh ghar banjar hai ...
Beautiful spring bloom all around and the setting sun giving a lovely orange tinge to the white fluffy clouds.
And yet....
Is banjar sheher ke dil mein dundhu... mein gili mitti ka manjar
The crescent moon beginning to make its presence felt in the twillight sky, the wind carrying sweet smell of Spring.
And yet....
Banjar lamhaa hai
Waqt banjar hai
Banjar waqt si yeh raat banjar hai
Banjar raat! khwaab banjar
Chand taaron ka saath banjar hai
Is it the United states? Or the state of my mind? Or both?
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