I live a life that I never imagined I would… it is as boring as you’d wish it never to be…. while I have a life that any normal person in his senses would have made livelier, more interesting… I just choose not to…. That’s just me.
When I say any normal person would have made life livelier, all I mean is that any guy unlike me would have found nothing monotonous as I think it to be. I own a flashy apartment, a flashy car; do not have any embarrassing events to recount, as far as I can remember, no relationship hassles…. I must be thankful…. I must be…. but it’s just Me.
I work as an advertising executive… that’s how I call myself… when some pretty gal at a bar asks me. They really don’t know what exactly I do… of course until I decide to reveal. I like to play defensive… my tennis too is that way. I’m not much of a hard-hitter or attacker, I’d rather just save myself from being hurt.
So what I really do, rather what pushes my work is my head…. all I do is put in the entire colour to the world around. I’m not the guy who takes care of the creativity, but I’m the guy who fuels that into those Asses. I guess colouring the lives of lifeless objects, I have left my life’s portrait empty…. until now.
Jen disagrees with me. My buddy, my companion, my sister. Jen doesn’t live a life as high flying as mine, works at the bookstore, then goes every week to read to the visually challenged, tries to hitch me to double date with one of her pals, who I always think is a lesbian…. Keeps borrowing on me, and slipping more than she owes, the very next day into my letterbox with a gracious “thank you” note. She is the only one I trust solely. She is my best friend. Except when it comes to hitting the Bull’s Eye, there is nothing she can’t beat me at.
Jen assures me that all I need to do is spice up… add some zing to my life. After watching the last “hushed up” campaign I had produced, she was convinced that I needed help. She argued, even this afternoon, when she called, that it was this block in my head I needed to remove. She persuaded me to take her to dinner and ditched me the last moment… but no respite, she had a date arranged for me. She played this hide-and-seek game more often now…. No more dinners were my decision.
But tonight was different. That’s why I decide to pen what happened. There was this pretty attractive girl…Jen had these friends from here and there, she is quite a social person you see. I did not bother to know from Jen, how she knew her. I thought it was pointless. That would be the only thing that would get us talking. All I had to do was be polite, talk of the world and its ways, wrap up dessert as soon as I could and head homewards. This is what was on my mind. But the moment I started speaking to her, I realized this was meant to be different. She was not of the IQ of a rocket-scientist, nor was she a dumb blonde; she was a red head actually. We hardly spoke, just ate and all we discussed was the food! As she described the flaw with the penne’, I realized I had something going my way.
I opened up then…. I realized we shared similar fears, of not being with the right people and ending up realizing too late, when kids would be of a tender age, when it would be hard for them to cope up with. We discussed work, perhaps the first person I so openly told about my fuelling of ideas and moolah and she listened intently. She was a chef…. Who had quit her job to take a break. The smell and thought of food had got on to her, so much so that she wondered if she was heading to be a nervous wreck.
Then came time to bid goodbye… she didn’t let me pay the check. She insisted she took care of the bill, and slipped her card in. That charmed me…. Never did I expect a woman to pay for my wine and dine. She bid a friendly goodbye, called for a cab and walked her way out. She was unlike the regular, “when do we meet next??” types, nor was she flighty. She was herself…. I thought…. Just like me.
I went straight down the road; my home was a couple of blocks away. As I thought of her I realized I didn’t have her number…. But I was relieved…. There was Jen to my rescue. I headed straight to her apartment, and decided to go up. Realizing she may be in bed, with the fever and cold, she had so horribly pretended to have this evening, I decided to leave my first ever note in her letterbox. It said, “Jen, thanks for the first ever sensible thing you’ve done to me…. She didn’t let me have the check…. When can I see her next?”
As I reached home and opened my letterbox, I found one of those crappy notes from Jen. It said, “Don’t loose this one Jim…. It’ll cost you a lot….” She never signed or anything…. I just always know it is her.
I rushed up, out of curiosity called her and asked her, wondering why would it cost me too much??? Jen replied, “She owns the goddamn place, is planning a launch of processed foods and was looking for an advertising genius coupled with a pleasant date.” I just hung up.
I was baffled… Had I goofed up, leaking all my secrets to someone I hadn’t met a few hours ago??? I was annoyed with myself, for what I had done. No wonder I preferred a monotonous life…. with no such goof up to bother me. Just then the phone rung… I was sure it was Jen. It wasn’t. It was the woman I had just met. All she said, “I am all yours…. My restaurant chain is yours…. Do whatever you please, just don’t embarrass me. Don’t let me regret this night.” At this I was stunned, my mouth was open…. And she hung up.
The next thing I did was called Jen. Her phone didn’t ring, went on the engaged tone constantly. Had she left the receiver off the hook or was she talking to someone…. about me???? Oh no! That was the last thing I would want to happen!!!!
I continue to try, but can’t get through. I’ve given up for the night. Tomorrow shall be a new day. I just hope this buddy of mine doesn’t decide to wreck me with another of her shots in the air. All I can say for now…. Buddy this time, you got the Bull’s Eye!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Spirit in Life!!!
Cocktails and Mocktails are my favourite - they are quite my life. I guess you are starting to get the wrong picture, I’m not the drunkard living at the corner of your street – I’m the guy who gets him to his high. I am just a bar-tender, a complete teetotaler, who gets his amusement in life, mixing flavours he has never let his lips touch, yet is a genius at it.
I own a modest bar… it is not one of those shady corners where the youth hang around, the ones who hang around here are into serious business. There are primarily two genres of people coming here - either their lives are a mockery, which is why they cork it up with a cocktail, or all they have done is fight around like a cock and choose to smoothen the effect with a mocktail. This is no joke, I tell you… it is serious stuff. And I am not bragging away to glory… you shall soon realize.
My customers stick to me like super-glue. Once they are at my place, there’s nowhere else for them to go. Walking out every night, two buddies would sing ecstatically, “You can check out anytime that you like, but you can never leave!” I thought it was a compliment…of course it was…. If I deserved a song such as this… I was something!
Let me tell you about these two contrasting cronies. If you’d see them you’d wonder what kept them together… Not that they were Laurel and Hardy incarnates… but in a more abstract sense, yes. Two totally different characters, different ideologies, yet a common thread stringing through. While one was high strung in life, very serious about everything he said and did, the other was the most easy-going lad I had ever seen. Let’s call them Rob and Will, shall we?? I have seen them sit at that very corner of the bar every day, until last week.
While Rob was the mocktail guy, I knew his choice perfectly. Smooth, shaken and the flavour being even all over… So were the things he worked around with. Will, of course, being the cocktail fan chose a different one every night, the high he hit every time, was new, so much so that he’d at times start believing that he could fly, and more so, make others, including me, believe, that he really could.
So every evening, they both would walk in a few minutes apart, Rob being late, always. Busy, efficiency, competency were part of his reason for the delay… but the moment he’d take his seat, he’d take charge and order his – “same one!” He was a modest chap… hardworking and impeccably dressed. I never knew about his folks. I don’t indulge in their private lives you see, but I could make out, his life was pretty smooth.
Will, the early one, would come in as soon as I would pull my shutters up…. Greet me politely, enquire my whereabouts and order his prompt- “something to snazz up please!” He’d get drunk quite often…. He’d call himself Icarus then. Promptly, the next day he would return, to apologize for the previous night and to enjoy another evening. He in his drunken state had muttered out quite a few secrets, that may seem of real interest to you but I’d be better off keeping you away from those.
Such was the scene everyday, for the last thirty years. I have seen these boys grow into men, absolutely contended, perfectly happy. They were quite my pals, like every one else coming in…. yet the only true appreciators of my genius…. Every time I’d serve a new creation, they’d be the first to try, comment and liven up the place.
Boy, am I going to miss them…. I never thought such a day would come. I have not seen those lads for quite a while now, the true epitome of how cocktails and mocktails should blend…. go hand in hand.
If you are wondering why I haven’t seen them around for the last week or so… well, I’m just getting around that corner. Little did I know about their work, private lives… too bad for me. Last week, they barged into my apartment, and I was pretty delighted. A little later did I realize, that these were not the Rob and Will I was so gladly entertaining, my regulars, as I referred to them, but I was just entertaining trouble. I am old you see, getting forgetful each passing day…. Little did I realize that my license to the bar had expired and that I hadn’t paid my taxes. That is when I discovered that these two were there to take possession of the only genius I possessed…. Throwing me into a huge bowl of steaming broth.
So, as my day passes, I wonder what my next venture shall be…. I am not keen to go back into business…. I’ve had enough for now. While the mocktails and cocktails have worn away their effect on me, I intend no longer to continue. All I wish is I can get out of the soup I am in, as soon as I can…. So much so, for this teetotaler.
I own a modest bar… it is not one of those shady corners where the youth hang around, the ones who hang around here are into serious business. There are primarily two genres of people coming here - either their lives are a mockery, which is why they cork it up with a cocktail, or all they have done is fight around like a cock and choose to smoothen the effect with a mocktail. This is no joke, I tell you… it is serious stuff. And I am not bragging away to glory… you shall soon realize.
My customers stick to me like super-glue. Once they are at my place, there’s nowhere else for them to go. Walking out every night, two buddies would sing ecstatically, “You can check out anytime that you like, but you can never leave!” I thought it was a compliment…of course it was…. If I deserved a song such as this… I was something!
Let me tell you about these two contrasting cronies. If you’d see them you’d wonder what kept them together… Not that they were Laurel and Hardy incarnates… but in a more abstract sense, yes. Two totally different characters, different ideologies, yet a common thread stringing through. While one was high strung in life, very serious about everything he said and did, the other was the most easy-going lad I had ever seen. Let’s call them Rob and Will, shall we?? I have seen them sit at that very corner of the bar every day, until last week.
While Rob was the mocktail guy, I knew his choice perfectly. Smooth, shaken and the flavour being even all over… So were the things he worked around with. Will, of course, being the cocktail fan chose a different one every night, the high he hit every time, was new, so much so that he’d at times start believing that he could fly, and more so, make others, including me, believe, that he really could.
So every evening, they both would walk in a few minutes apart, Rob being late, always. Busy, efficiency, competency were part of his reason for the delay… but the moment he’d take his seat, he’d take charge and order his – “same one!” He was a modest chap… hardworking and impeccably dressed. I never knew about his folks. I don’t indulge in their private lives you see, but I could make out, his life was pretty smooth.
Will, the early one, would come in as soon as I would pull my shutters up…. Greet me politely, enquire my whereabouts and order his prompt- “something to snazz up please!” He’d get drunk quite often…. He’d call himself Icarus then. Promptly, the next day he would return, to apologize for the previous night and to enjoy another evening. He in his drunken state had muttered out quite a few secrets, that may seem of real interest to you but I’d be better off keeping you away from those.
Such was the scene everyday, for the last thirty years. I have seen these boys grow into men, absolutely contended, perfectly happy. They were quite my pals, like every one else coming in…. yet the only true appreciators of my genius…. Every time I’d serve a new creation, they’d be the first to try, comment and liven up the place.
Boy, am I going to miss them…. I never thought such a day would come. I have not seen those lads for quite a while now, the true epitome of how cocktails and mocktails should blend…. go hand in hand.
If you are wondering why I haven’t seen them around for the last week or so… well, I’m just getting around that corner. Little did I know about their work, private lives… too bad for me. Last week, they barged into my apartment, and I was pretty delighted. A little later did I realize, that these were not the Rob and Will I was so gladly entertaining, my regulars, as I referred to them, but I was just entertaining trouble. I am old you see, getting forgetful each passing day…. Little did I realize that my license to the bar had expired and that I hadn’t paid my taxes. That is when I discovered that these two were there to take possession of the only genius I possessed…. Throwing me into a huge bowl of steaming broth.
So, as my day passes, I wonder what my next venture shall be…. I am not keen to go back into business…. I’ve had enough for now. While the mocktails and cocktails have worn away their effect on me, I intend no longer to continue. All I wish is I can get out of the soup I am in, as soon as I can…. So much so, for this teetotaler.
Music n me!!!!
Well, as far as music goes...i can't do more but agree wid my best friend Shivani's concerns.. for those who don't know wat it was abt... it's abt music being categorized and all.... u need to read wat she says to know exactly what she thinks..... for the abso intellectual statements she makes!
How can you categotrize something as beautiful as sound? something so pure, uncorrupted? i have to agree wid my best pal as far as this goes.... there is no way im falling trap to this segmentization.
This is not a snub to all my cool dude and dudette pals who claim to love rock or the blues.... perhaps the reason u'd never hear me say that i love a particular genre' is that i dont believe in the concept. Can you classify people as fun, cute, rude etc and expect these to stand by them at all times? These are circumstancial inferences drawn... n this stands so true for music!
Well, while an all-time fav no. of a lot of people- Wish You Were Here... by Waters, Gilmour of the Pink Floyd (One of their best No.s) in my opinion is such a romantic song,.... though it is actually rock with an element of the blues.... esp. when he says 'we're just two lost souls spinning in a fish bowl...' and talks about finding the same old fear! This no. brought out such a mix of feelings and emotions... i have no words to describe! Everytime i hear it, there's a new dimension to the lyrical appeal!
The same is true for 'Tomorrow We'll See' by Sting... It talks about a hooker's plight to earn her livelihood... and somewhere she says " Don't Judge Me You Could be Me, In Another Life, Aanother set of Circumstances", It stands so true for anything n anybody.
In my opinion, yes, the orchestrization does add soul to music, but what gives it depth??? The lyrics ofcourse. Say a song like 'You Sang to Me' by Marc Anthony be scored as a rock no..... what would it be? I guess i'd never give it a second hear!
For all those who know me to be the Music Buff that i am.... you'd know i hardly ever cared for the frills of music... n i guess i never will. Be it the clanging of Nirvana's Composition or the melody of Kenny G... as long as it strikes a chord in my heart... it is mine. And as long as this heart beats and my ears ache for the melody... music to me will be nothing but purely... Food for my Soul!
I'd Like my gravestone to read.... Someone who struck the most melodious chord in Our Hearts!
How can you categotrize something as beautiful as sound? something so pure, uncorrupted? i have to agree wid my best pal as far as this goes.... there is no way im falling trap to this segmentization.
This is not a snub to all my cool dude and dudette pals who claim to love rock or the blues.... perhaps the reason u'd never hear me say that i love a particular genre' is that i dont believe in the concept. Can you classify people as fun, cute, rude etc and expect these to stand by them at all times? These are circumstancial inferences drawn... n this stands so true for music!
Well, while an all-time fav no. of a lot of people- Wish You Were Here... by Waters, Gilmour of the Pink Floyd (One of their best No.s) in my opinion is such a romantic song,.... though it is actually rock with an element of the blues.... esp. when he says 'we're just two lost souls spinning in a fish bowl...' and talks about finding the same old fear! This no. brought out such a mix of feelings and emotions... i have no words to describe! Everytime i hear it, there's a new dimension to the lyrical appeal!
The same is true for 'Tomorrow We'll See' by Sting... It talks about a hooker's plight to earn her livelihood... and somewhere she says " Don't Judge Me You Could be Me, In Another Life, Aanother set of Circumstances", It stands so true for anything n anybody.
In my opinion, yes, the orchestrization does add soul to music, but what gives it depth??? The lyrics ofcourse. Say a song like 'You Sang to Me' by Marc Anthony be scored as a rock no..... what would it be? I guess i'd never give it a second hear!
For all those who know me to be the Music Buff that i am.... you'd know i hardly ever cared for the frills of music... n i guess i never will. Be it the clanging of Nirvana's Composition or the melody of Kenny G... as long as it strikes a chord in my heart... it is mine. And as long as this heart beats and my ears ache for the melody... music to me will be nothing but purely... Food for my Soul!
I'd Like my gravestone to read.... Someone who struck the most melodious chord in Our Hearts!
Cruisin' Together
I am listening to the Gweyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis.... "Cruising Together".. I wonder if you've ever heard the song.. but hearing it, there's just one word that defines how I feel about the lyrics and the melody striking my eardrums....BREEZY.....
"You're gonna fly away Glad you're goin' my way I love it when we're cruisin' together Music is played for love Cruisin' is made for love I love it when we're cruisin' together "
The chorus, in my opinion, is fantabulous... though a lot of you might not think much of it... but you can't disagree that it does strike a chord in the heart! I love this song,... and every time i hear it.. it is as though i am standing at the deck of a ship and singing it.. now whether I imagine a Star Virgo or a Motorboat varies from time to time!!!! It's not a typically romantic song but yes it has the element of love to it.. for me the love lies in the music... and am cruisin' with the song into a dreamy world!
The video is very simplistic though... the singers in the recording studio... enjoying every second of their vocal cruise... I actually would love to be there some day... headphones, microphone, console' et al... the wires running thru and under the mat.. the soundproof room... hmmmm......that's where I'd perhaps wanna cruise someday!!!! Being behind that microphone is not really an essential in my dream... its just that the whole experience of putting something so pure and divine together that matters... where sound, music and nothing but the soul co-exist...
A cruise through this dream sends an adrenaline rush through my body...i really donno if it'll ever happen...or how for that matter, but am sure of one thing.. that i am not giving up! there shall be another blog Whenever I make this happen.... Until then and beyond...Music was made for MY love, and I Love it when we're Cruisin' together
"You're gonna fly away Glad you're goin' my way I love it when we're cruisin' together Music is played for love Cruisin' is made for love I love it when we're cruisin' together "
The chorus, in my opinion, is fantabulous... though a lot of you might not think much of it... but you can't disagree that it does strike a chord in the heart! I love this song,... and every time i hear it.. it is as though i am standing at the deck of a ship and singing it.. now whether I imagine a Star Virgo or a Motorboat varies from time to time!!!! It's not a typically romantic song but yes it has the element of love to it.. for me the love lies in the music... and am cruisin' with the song into a dreamy world!
The video is very simplistic though... the singers in the recording studio... enjoying every second of their vocal cruise... I actually would love to be there some day... headphones, microphone, console' et al... the wires running thru and under the mat.. the soundproof room... hmmmm......that's where I'd perhaps wanna cruise someday!!!! Being behind that microphone is not really an essential in my dream... its just that the whole experience of putting something so pure and divine together that matters... where sound, music and nothing but the soul co-exist...
A cruise through this dream sends an adrenaline rush through my body...i really donno if it'll ever happen...or how for that matter, but am sure of one thing.. that i am not giving up! there shall be another blog Whenever I make this happen.... Until then and beyond...Music was made for MY love, and I Love it when we're Cruisin' together
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