The truth about YOU

A lovely post I read recently. If you're truly honest with yourself while answering these (in a way that you may not want to say the answers aloud), you may realise a few truths about yourself and your heart that you have become so good at hiding:

1. If you could make a 30 second speech to the entire world, what would you say?
2. If you were going to die at midnight, what would you be doing at 11:45pm?
3. How do you really KNOW anything for sure?
4. If you had all the money in the world but still had to have some kind of job, what would you choose to do?
5. When you’re 90 years old, what will matter most to you?
6. What do you regret most so far in life?
7. How can you apply the lesson you learned from that regret to your life TODAY?
8. If you lost everything tomorrow, whose arms would you want to run into? Does that person know how much they mean to you?
9. Do you fear death? If so, do you have a good reason?
10. What would you change if you knew you were NEVER going to die?
11. If you were at heaven’s gates, and God asked “you why should I let you in?”, what would you say?
12. When will you be good enough for you? Is there some breaking point where you will accept everything about yourself?
13. Is the country you live in really the best fit for you?
14. What would people say about you at your funeral?
15. What small thing could you do to make someone’s day better?
16. What do you believe stands between you and complete happiness?

Rants of an overworked mom and underworked professional

So whenever I get a phone call (the frequency of which has drastically reduced since I quit my job), like most conversations, it usually starts with "What were you doing"? But if I reply with "working", pat comes the reply "working? On what?"

Hmmm. Lets see. I won't dwell on the fact that when I gave the same reply in office, it was never met with incredulity. I will also not dwell on the fact that if I call anybody (like anybody) else, and I get that reply, I am expected to nod understandingly and call back later.

So, what is it that I (idle lil housewife that I am) may be busy with? With raising a child (often single handedly) maybe. It could be one of the 3 times that I gave her a bath, or one of the 6 when I'm trying to get her to eat nutritious food (or cooking it for that matter). I could be reading to her. Or maybe setting the house right after the 20th time that she equally distributes her toys in each room.

Perhaps if its my lucky day, I may be struggling to research on my pending project which I still need to build my point of view on (all the time fending off the lil one who wants both my attention and my laptop). Or if god is very kind, I may get a few minutes to pen down a page for an article (don't even get me started on my pending book).

I may be running chores which I never gave a thought to before I had a baby (do you know how difficult it is to go buy vegetables if you are alone with a child)? Or a trip to your bank branch which you have been putting off forever because you don't want to take your daughter out in the afternoon heat.

So when you ask me what I'm upto, I rather say "nothing much". It implies that I may be sitting with my feet up reading a book and sipping on tea. Its an easier picture to paint rather than justify what it is that I'm 'working' on.

posted from Bloggeroid

My food adventures continue

My food adventures take me far and wide in this city (ok they take me far and contribute to my widening waistline!!). The law of averages claims that for every great hit I find, there must be a miss too. The law of bollywood also suggest that “Ek heere ki khoj mein kaanch aur pathharon ko jaanchna zaruri hai”. Well atleast that’s what I tell myself everytime I have a terrible meal.

Which reminds me of my discovery in Sundar Nagar called Baci. Terrible may be too strong a word for the food there. Let's just say it failed to impress. A cute little restaurant filled with foreigners and expats and a menu that had me salivating. Alas, the food fell flat. The Steak was far too well done to be called medium well and the Pasta with Smoked Salmon was too dry. Perhaps after discovering the latter dish in Amour, my standards for it have become too high. But then, if I am paying Rs.3000 for 2, I demand better food than the crap I was served. The only (and I stress on only) saving grace was the White Chocolate Mascarpone with Irish Cream. Absolutely divine!

So the first rain of the monsoon took us by surprise and washed the angry summer away. With such wonderful weather on a Saturday afternoon, we hijacked our friends from the other end of the city, P &R and headed to the open air restaurants of MG Road. Tonino was surprisingly empty for such gorgeous weather and relented that we wanted to sit outdoors in the drizzle and not inside the restaurant. Toninos is known for its thin crust pizzas and for good reason. This gorgeous half and half of Tomato and Mozzarella and Chorizo and Black Olives was lipsmacking. As was the rest of the food. But our favorite was the complementary freshly baked bread with a delicious black olive pate. But again, with a bill of Rs.3000 for 2, I could see a sad demise of our days of economical eat outs!

The Bento Box at Tamura

As much as I love Yum Yum Tree, I am glad I took S's advice and met her at this little known Japanese restaurant in Green Park - Tamura. You know that you're at the right place when not only is the seating low (Japanese style) but you also have lots of Japanese co-diners. The menu at Tamura is exciting with options for all kinds of meats in forms like Ramen, Tempura, Teppanyaki etc. What is even more encouraging is that these don't come with the usual heavy tag that Japanese restaurants like Wasabi have. The Bento Box above cost Rs.550 and included Chicken Teppanyaki on some noodles, fish, breaded prawn, sticky rice, some egg dish (stacked omelet types), seaweed, sesame spinach and some yummy sides that I can't name. We also ordered the Pork Ramen which was heartwarming and nice. Cheap it is not but at Rs.600 per head, atleast I still had money for parking.  

And lastly, my lunch today. The only place to get authentic Parsi food in Delhi, the Parsi Anjuman or Resthouse on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg is a secret whispered in corners but never announced. To enjoy their delicious fare at the canteen like cafeteria, one has to make sure you call ahead and tell them you're coming. They serve Dhansak on Thursdays and Sundays. The food is charged per person and is a fixed menu. I am not a great fan of Dhansak but I will dream about those amazingly flavored Mutton Kebabs tonight for sure. Must visit - for the experience of a small community hidden in the folds of the rest of India. And for those heavenly kebabs. 

Gangs of Wasseypur- You want to see their guns?!

Watching a film after 3 weeks of its release is a dangerous proposition. You probably have already heard reviews, seen facebook updates about it and have a vague opinion about the film. But don't let that stop you. Go watch it anyways and have your own opinion. I'm glad I did.

If I had to review Gangs of Wasseypur in one word, it would be 'unapologetic'. Critics berated the film by saying that it was too chaotic, too many stories flying around with just gore and abuses for entertainment. I wonder if we saw the same film.

The film traces the lives of three generations each with their own enemies and struggles. If you pay attention, you will realise that there are only 2 groups of enemies..one the Qureshis and the other Ramadheer (who uses the Qureshis to get rid of Khan), the local don/politician. Each character has been cast with precision. To the extent that Manoj Bajpaye's father Shahid Khan actually looks like him. Every actor does justice to their character. Whether it is Durga the seductress, the different characters of Danish n Faisal or the hired assassin.

Three actors deserve special mention. First ofcourse the fabulous Manoj Bajpaye. I must confess, I have always had a soft corner for him. He has a quiet intensity to him which is so sexy! Though this intensity was polished in Zubaida, in GOW it is raw and what may be called 'ghaati'. He portrays the role of Sardaar Khan, ruthless with enemies, a womaniser yet one who is scared of his wife's temper and a man who lives with only one purpose in life- revenge. The second actor is Shahid Khan, Sardaar Khan's father. Though the character was given a small role, he had such strong screen presence that he stays with you till the end. Whether it is the tenderness with which he wipes his wife's brow after almost getting killed or the raw rage when he beats up the coal mine's guard- a fantastic actor proves himself. Lastly, my favourite performer was Richa Chadhha who plays Sardaar Khan's first wife Nagma. A fireball who retorts back to policemen in their own language and tells her husband where he can get some action when she's not interested, Nagma radiates strength through the film.

Anurag Kashyap is a gutsy man. He doesn't blunt the edges or apologise for his art. Likewise, the film is sharp, edgy and gory in parts. Yet even the toughest critic can't call it boring. Yes it is abusive, but dear viewer spend a day in the region where this is set and you'll realise they don't exactly shower flowers while talking.

The soundtrack had me tapping my feet throughout. My favourite being Kehke lunga and Womaniya. The songs are hilarious. As is the film. In my opinion the film wins because it doesn't take itself too seriously. It jokes, kids and finds humour in every frame.

Love it or hate it, GOW is not a film you can ignore. Don't be deterred by the critics who shout violence and foul language. Omkara was abusive but nothing short of epic. As is this. Watch it. Now. Before the second one gets released.

posted from Bloggeroid

Top 10 Must-Dos in Mumbai

Mumbai - The City of Dreams for some and avoidable for some. Love it or hate it, Mumbai remains a city that you can't ignore. 

My latest article on Rediff lists out the Top 10 Must-Dos in Mumbai. Whether you're visiting on work or leisure, let the city seduce you. 

You can read the article here. 

The Gateway of India with gorgeous Taj behind it

Monsoon in Mumbai

Exclusivity at it's best - US Club in Colaba Naval Area

There was then and there is now..

There was a time
Is what they say
When one hi from her
Would make his day

He would fret
And he would pine
Wait for her
Till the end of time

There was then
And there is now
Miles apart
They know not how

The tables turned
Such cards were dealt
Her tears now
His heart don't melt

Her prayers, her thoughts
She dreams of him
He cares not
It don't matter to him

Happily ever after
No such thing is true
She dies each day
Yet, he has no clue.

posted from Bloggeroid