A time for reflection....on the months gone by....filled with joy, surprises, expectations, disappointments and loads of frustrations.... not necessarily in that order...
Realization that Parents do get old....never thought it would happen to me.....
Jan-Feb - Finally made my trip to South Africa.....beautiful country. Visited all the major cities..Durban...Johannesburg...Sun City... Pretoria...Cape Town...and tried to do all the touristic thingie. Unscheduled stopover at Ethiopia as due to flight delay missed the connecting flight. Got to see "Lucy" even though she was a duplicate.
Rest of the months passed in a blur... though my quest for a better job saw me getting a call to go to "Down Under" for an interview sometime in April....and another in June/July. The latter got me an offer too which I finally decided not to take it up.....for reasons I thought was wise then....but now...wondering if I had done right.
August...took to Bloggersphere like a fish in water. Blogging to release my thoughts....
The month of October saw me getting connected. Touching base with old friends (Facebook) and making new friends (Bloggersphere).
December.....stumbling into Iraqi Bloggers.....and getting dragged into the World of Politics....a subject which has always fascinated me.....but had been dormant all the while....
Life goes on.....Hope beckons....Next year will be a better year!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Last Journey for Benazir
We were in office..........when we heard about the blast in Pakistan...late afternoon yesterday. We scrambled to the BBC website...CNN & other sites being banned sites in the company. There were two reports....but conflicting....one said she had died and the other that she was injured and was taken to the hospital. We hoped that it was the latter report which was true.......but then...
The news, the media...and everywhere you turn around, the news of Benazir Bhutto's assassination is the hot topic. Al-Qaeda has claimed for the killing. Such a dastardly act...is this something to take credit for or be proud of? World shocked......but what would happen? What would be done to prevent such happenings? Will we be able to stop the next killing....the next blast?
Benazir returned from her exile....only to be killed in her own country. May her soul rest in peace.
The news, the media...and everywhere you turn around, the news of Benazir Bhutto's assassination is the hot topic. Al-Qaeda has claimed for the killing. Such a dastardly act...is this something to take credit for or be proud of? World shocked......but what would happen? What would be done to prevent such happenings? Will we be able to stop the next killing....the next blast?
Benazir returned from her exile....only to be killed in her own country. May her soul rest in peace.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
New Year's Holiday
Coming to the Middle East, I was quite amused with the practice of giving holidays not on the day of the occasion when it fell but shifting it to another day thus getting a long weekend in the bargain. And this morning, there it is this bit of news in the paper saying that the "Civil Service Commission (CSC)" will issue an official statement by tomorrow when the New Year's holiday would be set.
It seems about a couple of years back, the Government had decided that any holidays that fell in the middle of the week would be shifted to the first day of the week. Thursday & Friday being the weekend, it would mean getting the Saturday off. The purpose of it was to have a longer weekend. Now, ever since the official weekend since September was changed to Friday & Saturday, a new directive was brought out to change the holidays falling in the middle of the week to Sunday. This directive is being hotly debated in the parliament again as New Year's Day, 1st of Jan falls on a Tuesday.
The majority of people are against the law of shifting the holiday to the beginning of the week. "Any feast will lose its meaning if it is celebrated a few days later. If these feasts were not important, why would we make a holiday for it, we would just consider it as a normal day. It's not only about the day off, it's also about the celebration. If we celebrate the occasion after a few days, we will forget the occasion," said Jamal, an employee in the private sector.
I too cannot find the sense of shifting the holidays to another day. To celebrate an occasion before or after?! How strange.
The office memo came in this afternoon....for now...for us...1st of Jan has been declared a holiday!
It seems about a couple of years back, the Government had decided that any holidays that fell in the middle of the week would be shifted to the first day of the week. Thursday & Friday being the weekend, it would mean getting the Saturday off. The purpose of it was to have a longer weekend. Now, ever since the official weekend since September was changed to Friday & Saturday, a new directive was brought out to change the holidays falling in the middle of the week to Sunday. This directive is being hotly debated in the parliament again as New Year's Day, 1st of Jan falls on a Tuesday.
The majority of people are against the law of shifting the holiday to the beginning of the week. "Any feast will lose its meaning if it is celebrated a few days later. If these feasts were not important, why would we make a holiday for it, we would just consider it as a normal day. It's not only about the day off, it's also about the celebration. If we celebrate the occasion after a few days, we will forget the occasion," said Jamal, an employee in the private sector.
I too cannot find the sense of shifting the holidays to another day. To celebrate an occasion before or after?! How strange.
The office memo came in this afternoon....for now...for us...1st of Jan has been declared a holiday!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Politics on my mind
Still under the influence of Iraqi Bloggers, I continue with my musing on Politics....
Whoever said "Politics is dirty" is right in a way.......but I find it interesting....I always have.
I am fascinated with the clean & nice image one presents.......and when you go on to read or hear about some of the deeds they were to have done.........one is not too sure...but then one have/had to understand the times and the circumstances........and whether or if, it was actually necessary or called for.
Like a coin, there's always two sides of it....but in the present time can we clearly say that one is right and the other wrong or one is good the other bad? I guess now its become a choice of choosing between the two evil.
If Iraq was a living hell during Saddam, what is it like after Saddam? Has the situation improved or has it become worse?! Whose support did Saddam enjoy in the earlier years? What is it that they say about controlling the oil barrels? Who is pulling the string? Who is controlling whom?
Yes, Saddam was bad and needed to be put on trial but why was Idi Amin allowed to go scot free? Why was he not put on trial? Was he not responsible for the abuses on human rights, ethnic persecutions.... hundreds of thousands murdered in the torture chambers? Why was he not extradited from where he had relocated after fleeing his own country? Initially, who/which country helped him to get him to power in spite of knowing his past deeds?
What about Afghanistan? The country continues to reel under the after effects of the war raged as a consequence to Bush Administration's campaign of "War on Terrorism". The Taliban Government has been toppled but is it over?!
The consequence of a war is the collateral damage. Is there any way to avoid this? The destruction of innocent human lives is what saddens me most.
Whoever said "Politics is dirty" is right in a way.......but I find it interesting....I always have.
I am fascinated with the clean & nice image one presents.......and when you go on to read or hear about some of the deeds they were to have done.........one is not too sure...but then one have/had to understand the times and the circumstances........and whether or if, it was actually necessary or called for.
Like a coin, there's always two sides of it....but in the present time can we clearly say that one is right and the other wrong or one is good the other bad? I guess now its become a choice of choosing between the two evil.
If Iraq was a living hell during Saddam, what is it like after Saddam? Has the situation improved or has it become worse?! Whose support did Saddam enjoy in the earlier years? What is it that they say about controlling the oil barrels? Who is pulling the string? Who is controlling whom?
Yes, Saddam was bad and needed to be put on trial but why was Idi Amin allowed to go scot free? Why was he not put on trial? Was he not responsible for the abuses on human rights, ethnic persecutions.... hundreds of thousands murdered in the torture chambers? Why was he not extradited from where he had relocated after fleeing his own country? Initially, who/which country helped him to get him to power in spite of knowing his past deeds?
What about Afghanistan? The country continues to reel under the after effects of the war raged as a consequence to Bush Administration's campaign of "War on Terrorism". The Taliban Government has been toppled but is it over?!
The consequence of a war is the collateral damage. Is there any way to avoid this? The destruction of innocent human lives is what saddens me most.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Still giddy with Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers
Whatever time I spent on the net yesterday, has been solely devoted to Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers.....browsing through their Profiles....getting to know more about the Bloggers...reading their Posts and comments & counter comments! It started with that article on BBC (Previous Post) and it continued till the wee hours of this morning!
And I woke up...still giddy with Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers! Late into the night I was reading about this Blogger who supports Saddam and felt things were better then....and now the Blogger was mourning and will not celebrate any festival/holidays till the country gets truly liberated. The Blogger gave all kinds of statistics .....but then there were others, commenting on the Posts on how to explain the atrocities....the rape...the murder...
Yes, how much of it is an exaggeration and how much is the truth...who can tell? Only one who has experienced....or one whose family has experienced...or one who has lived there...will be able to shed some light. No media can/could give the exact truth.....different perspective....different sources whether reliable or unreliable...different political associations....different motives....whatever....
One thing which I must say is....whatever it was about Saddam Hussein..........I personally didn't liked/agree with the ending. Was the attack on Iraq necessary? The UN Investigation was being conducted peacefully.....the call for attack did not have UN sanction.....did anyone find the "Weapons of mass destruction"? Did Saddam, President of Iraq deserve to die like how he did? I wish he had killed himself rather than be captured and be treated thus and lived up to the name he was known as, "Lion of Iraq".
This is not to be misconstrued as supporting Saddam and his actions. It is not related. I condemn all kinds of atrocities....anywhere in the world.
And I woke up...still giddy with Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers! Late into the night I was reading about this Blogger who supports Saddam and felt things were better then....and now the Blogger was mourning and will not celebrate any festival/holidays till the country gets truly liberated. The Blogger gave all kinds of statistics .....but then there were others, commenting on the Posts on how to explain the atrocities....the rape...the murder...
Yes, how much of it is an exaggeration and how much is the truth...who can tell? Only one who has experienced....or one whose family has experienced...or one who has lived there...will be able to shed some light. No media can/could give the exact truth.....different perspective....different sources whether reliable or unreliable...different political associations....different motives....whatever....
One thing which I must say is....whatever it was about Saddam Hussein..........I personally didn't liked/agree with the ending. Was the attack on Iraq necessary? The UN Investigation was being conducted peacefully.....the call for attack did not have UN sanction.....did anyone find the "Weapons of mass destruction"? Did Saddam, President of Iraq deserve to die like how he did? I wish he had killed himself rather than be captured and be treated thus and lived up to the name he was known as, "Lion of Iraq".
This is not to be misconstrued as supporting Saddam and his actions. It is not related. I condemn all kinds of atrocities....anywhere in the world.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Iraqi Bloggers
The latest headlines....randomly selecting from the RSS feed on my browser....I came across Iraqi Bloggers and I, needlessly to say was intrigued.
The page is a round-up of some of the Iraqi Bloggers, blogging from within or from outside of their country. It's real interesting.....to know a civilian's perspective untainted by any political view and sad at the same time.........to read about the sufferings of such innocent people.....some of them brought a lump to my throat. This led me to visiting some of the sites of these Iraqi Bloggers and reading their latest Posts. Something to think about and ponder. We have enough natural calamities in the world.........why then add to the destruction? Why?
Not so long ago, when I read or heard about the city of Baghdad, it conjured up visions of a typical Middle East scenario as depicted in the Arabian Nights story books or in the movies.....those arabic music, sheesha, flying carpets, beautiful buildings with minarets and in such colors......Of course you had the wicked Vazir...but in the end you had the good triumph over the evil...
How times have changed....now you read of Baghdad burning....about the torture chambers found....the bombing and the Bomber.....When would it all end? When?
The page is a round-up of some of the Iraqi Bloggers, blogging from within or from outside of their country. It's real interesting.....to know a civilian's perspective untainted by any political view and sad at the same time.........to read about the sufferings of such innocent people.....some of them brought a lump to my throat. This led me to visiting some of the sites of these Iraqi Bloggers and reading their latest Posts. Something to think about and ponder. We have enough natural calamities in the world.........why then add to the destruction? Why?
Not so long ago, when I read or heard about the city of Baghdad, it conjured up visions of a typical Middle East scenario as depicted in the Arabian Nights story books or in the movies.....those arabic music, sheesha, flying carpets, beautiful buildings with minarets and in such colors......Of course you had the wicked Vazir...but in the end you had the good triumph over the evil...
How times have changed....now you read of Baghdad burning....about the torture chambers found....the bombing and the Bomber.....When would it all end? When?
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The Sea Beckons
There's something about the sea which I can't fathom. I can sit for hours by the sea and just look at the vast expanse of water. It's so soothing and I am at peace with myself.My imaginations take me to the adventures the boats sailing by out to the sea would have....or to the adventures the boats docked at the dockyard must have had. Far far from the maddening crowd of the society that we live in today, especially true in large bustling cities and towns.....the vast ocean is so calming to the senses.
The sea fascinates me....and beckons me to come again and again...and I will....another day....
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
My connection with "Apoorva Dance Theater"
A sketch.....a comment.....a website......that was the chain reaction. In a matter of few hours, I travelled.....to more than 10 years back!
Flashback......
I was new to the Bangalore city. I had taken up the job offer at the branch office......to re-group my thoughts and possibly to experience a change of scenario......my life was going nowhere. The culture of sitting late in the office was not prevalent here....I had plenty of time at the end of the day. I joined "Alliance Francaise" to learn French. I always wanted to learn a foreign language and French was my favourite....and now I had the time! The after office French classes, for want of students was shifted to the morning batch. I now attended the morning classes, after which it was rush-rush to the office.
My evenings were left free and what better way than to enroll myself for some Dance Classes! There were these classes in the "Alliance" that I could join. I love dancing, even though I can't dance for nuts! I am terrible! I wanted to join, one Modern Jazz Group....unfortunately the timing didn't suit me. Then, I was introduced to this lovely girl, Tripura Kashyap and she took me under her wings, right away! I found her alone, doing her dance routine out on the terrace. She was so welcoming and when I told her that I was a non-dancer and had a regular job and so could only come after the office hours, she was most accommodating! I was now part of "Apoorva Dance Theater". The other members too were very welcoming and most understanding to my limitations and awkward movements. I really enjoyed being part of the group. We were invited to Mumbai for the "Anand Shanker Ballet Festival"..............and I was there in one of the piece/performance! Yes! I danced on stage to a Live audience on a national level!
Present....
The flashback brought nostalgia.....I wrote to my friend, Tripura. I heard from her today and guess what she said....just last week she met up with the guys who were in our Group and they were talking about me....wondering where I was and what I was doing! Is this telepathy?! I hope someday, I meet her and the guys once again....It would be so lovely!
Flashback......
I was new to the Bangalore city. I had taken up the job offer at the branch office......to re-group my thoughts and possibly to experience a change of scenario......my life was going nowhere. The culture of sitting late in the office was not prevalent here....I had plenty of time at the end of the day. I joined "Alliance Francaise" to learn French. I always wanted to learn a foreign language and French was my favourite....and now I had the time! The after office French classes, for want of students was shifted to the morning batch. I now attended the morning classes, after which it was rush-rush to the office.
My evenings were left free and what better way than to enroll myself for some Dance Classes! There were these classes in the "Alliance" that I could join. I love dancing, even though I can't dance for nuts! I am terrible! I wanted to join, one Modern Jazz Group....unfortunately the timing didn't suit me. Then, I was introduced to this lovely girl, Tripura Kashyap and she took me under her wings, right away! I found her alone, doing her dance routine out on the terrace. She was so welcoming and when I told her that I was a non-dancer and had a regular job and so could only come after the office hours, she was most accommodating! I was now part of "Apoorva Dance Theater". The other members too were very welcoming and most understanding to my limitations and awkward movements. I really enjoyed being part of the group. We were invited to Mumbai for the "Anand Shanker Ballet Festival"..............and I was there in one of the piece/performance! Yes! I danced on stage to a Live audience on a national level!
Present....
The flashback brought nostalgia.....I wrote to my friend, Tripura. I heard from her today and guess what she said....just last week she met up with the guys who were in our Group and they were talking about me....wondering where I was and what I was doing! Is this telepathy?! I hope someday, I meet her and the guys once again....It would be so lovely!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Cloudy Sky
This was how the sky looked.....as I made my way home last evening. I thought to myself....At last! looks like the rain which had been eluding us this season....is finally here! But, was I so wrong?! No rain...not even a drizzle!
The Weatherman on our local FM Channel....has become the butt of our weather jokes. His forecast would go something like this..."Today sunny sky with scattered clouds". Groan....We all can see that! One has to just peep out! "The maximum temperature would be from 20 to 30 degree." Oh! For God's sake we expect some degree of accuracy! Talk about playing it safe! The Radio Jockey would then ask if we were expecting some rain...if not when. The Weatherman's standard reply. "Uh, we are expecting slight precipitation.... Inshallah!......the north-westerly winds might effect the climate.... Inshallah!....yaani.....blah...blah". He would rarely use the word "rain". We guess, this is just to make him sound very knowledgeable!
The year has nearly come to an end. I don't think, we would have any rain now. Inshallah! next year, we'll have the rain!
PS:- A budding Photographer in progress. If the Reviews are good, I'm going to take it up with a zeal!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Meet Cat
Meet Cat, my companion for this afternoon.......as I sat on the parapet....by the sea. Cat and I, do not belong to each other.....we are independent creatures.........but we got along. I enjoyed his unobtrusive company.... (Psst....for sure I had a male cat for company!)
We enjoyed the glorious weather and the soft sound of the lapping waves as it hit the rocks. Far away, we could see a big ship moving farther and farther away.........while a couple of speedboats were zooming from one side to the other.....
As I got up, to continue with my walk............Cat too went his way.....
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