Weekend, Coffee, books and me.

Saturday Morning :

Post breakfast, Coffee/Tea + Gupshup Session with Parents :

My mom was just discussing how they never used to fall prey to common sickness like cough and cold during their childhood, unlike us. Every other day, we suffer from some common ailment or the other. The most haunting of all is Headache and body pain. I usually call up my folks, during weekdays, when I am in FC, having coffee. And most often than not, headache is the precursor to my urge for coffee. I was really stumped once, when my mom retorted, “Give me the days, when you don’t have headache?” I was really lost for words. And then the feeling actually sunk in, there is seriously something wrong with Gen X kids. May be it has something to do with the IT sector, the constant exposure to the harmful rays coming out of the laptop screens, and the over-use/abuse of cell phones ‘coz of incessant calls, or our erratic work schedules. Anyways, whatever the trigger maybe, now that we are in here for good, we might as well learn to live with it. Just be careful about your diet (Avoid deep deep-fried stuff, sweets and aerated drinks), 20 mins of cardio daily and you are good to go!

Why is it so difficult to give up coffee? The caffeine addiction is worse than smoke addiction. ‘Coz its directly related to your productivity. One heavenly cuppa…and I am ready to take on the world, actually! J The moment I take the first sip of coffee, its like a row of tiny Jasmine buds start blooming in slow motion in my forehead, just above my brows…during this blooming process, all my tensions and worries ebb away, leaving me in a calm and placid state, somewhere at the top of a hill, where I find myself standing blissfully and looking at the horizon.. with miles and miles of glorious daffodils stretched across all around me…And no, I am not over-exaggerating. This is actually my state of mind then.

This week was very happening for me. Got an opportunity to witness a book launch and signing event, first time in my life. I will avoid mentioning the title of the book and the author, ‘for my own safety :P

So this book (supposedly, a best seller), had a very clichéd title. It tried to leverage on the success of a popular social networking site and of course the eternal topic of romance. So the session started with a short speech by the author, followed by an even shorter speech by the Publication Head. Then the book unraveling and interactive session. The author was not a great speaker, let me warn you at the outset. So all my hopes of inviting him/her for “The Speaking Tree” forum took a deep dive into the dismal depths of shock and disappointment. The setting of the book was the city of Cuttack. (Yes, you read it right!) The first question thrown at the author was, “Mam, what is the linkage between you and Cuttack.” The author was taken aback and recovered somewhat to reply, “I have crossed Cuttack, couple of times, while traveling in train!, and my grandfather also used to visit it sometimes, I find the name very musical, hence I selected Cuttack, moreover, all these small sleepy towns are much of the same, Jayshree cinema hall and places like that, can be found in most of the cities etc etc”. And sitting in the front row, I almost dropped my cup of coffee and “Naankhatai”, to hear the ridiculous and superficial/fake reply. Oh c’mon! You are a writer! You are supposed to be blessed with lil bit more of thought, creativity and brains! How can you give such an moronic answer! Heights! This was not the end, though. The author continued in the same vein for the next 20 mins or so. Finally, I had to walk out of  the room with a sagging spirit but with a very renewed determination to turn into a full-fledged author, someday. And definitely, this wouldn’t be the way, I would handle my book launch. There was absolutely no energy, no humour, and no spark in the room, thanks to the great author. I have met lot of authors and attended innumerable talks by them, and they might be quiet, low-key, but never exude such dead vibes, as this one. You are a celebrity now, you have to inspire people, you have a great responsibility on your shoulders now, how can you turn up for a session, dressed up shoddily! Just a simple Fab India Kurti with Jeans would have done wonders to your personality, but no, you would prefer coming to a book launch as if it’s a wedding! In all your dhinchak glory!

Well it goes without saying, that the only silver lining of the session was the cuppa! And yes, no prizes for guessing, that I didn’t buy the book. J

Have a great weekend!

Cheers! 

Looking back...

Seems like just yesterday, that I used to get a cardiac arrest at the beep of my cell phone, while driving...may be around Feb. And now...right hand on the steering, holding the cappuccino glass in the left hand and giving some complicated gyan to some hapless soul at the other end of the phone! Life seems to have come a full circle! So what do I actually prefer...day driving or night driving? Of course! Night driving...BBSR to CTC on friday nights...manoevring between the trucks and long distance buses with Rockstar music blasting from the stereo...hmmm thats life! Thats a great relaxation after 5 crazy weekdays, each day consisting of 14 hours of work....

Weekends, I have been too dead to get up and do something creative, for eg., contributing to my blog. But I am planning to change all that. I have decided to spend at least half an hour every weekend writing, which has been my passion since childhood. Though lately, have neglected my blog...2011 has been a crazy year, I admit, specially the last 6 months. Too much of coffee, too little sleep...hmmm

A strange sensation overcomes me usually at this time of the year...feel like giving a make over to my life in some form or the other. Feel like making some difficult resolution...to charge me up...but what is the use, if I am unable to stick to it.

One good thing that I have discovered lately, is green tea. Uplifts my mood and rejuvenates me whenever I have a challenging meeting at hand, or when I reach home, dead tired. Just the aroma of it, is enough to transport me to some other world...of meadows and flowers... :)

You know what, I have this weird habit of signing out from chat etc, without informing the other person. So I might do the same here also, sometimes...dont mind, ok? :) Well every individual is blessed with some eccentricity or the other, and my friend, I am no different! :)

Ciao!

Nazia misses the slice of summer

The monsoon is here, and I cannot tell you, how difficult it has been for me, to keep my cool amidst all this hara-kiri. Incessant rains, puddles all around, potholes full with muddy water creating mini-swimming pools for frogs and all kinds of slimy creepy crawly creatures! Not to mention the difficulty of drying the clothes. Have almost forgotten the warm smell of clean sun-dried clothes! Oh! I miss the bright summers! The chirpy bright mornings, the warm afternoons, the breezy evenings and the “Oh-so-beautiful” nights where we could go for movies or warm cuppas!

Winters are good too, but slices of summer are my eternal favourite.
The coastal part of Orissa enjoys moderate kind of climate, unlike the western part which is afflicted by extremes. And I have been fortunate enough to experience both kinds of climate. Anyways I would prefer the dry sunny climate any day!

Nazia Tanwir's passion for driving.

The whole experience of driving is so very intoxicating. It has been just couple of months, since I got behind the wheels of my Alto, and life has not been the same ever since. Sometimes, I try to fathom the reason behind this passion, and I have realized just one thing, there is nothing more sexier than driving a car with your stilettos on!

Since time immemorial, we have been brainwashed with just one logic, driving a car has some kind of masculinity attached to it. But, fortunately times have changed for the better. Though women drivers are still stared at on roads of BBSR and CTC, but who the heck cares! As long as we don’t run down pedestrians on roads, alz well ;) he he!

Haven’t got the chance to drive long distance till now. Max. that I have driven at a single stretch is 40 kms, the distance between BBSR to CTC, the journey that I undertake every Friday evening and Monday morning. That is truly bliss! Night driving has its own special charm, it usually has a very calming effect on me. After a week long slog, I finally manage to get the very elusive “ME” time only Friday evening onwards, starting with the drive.

This much for now, sayonara!

The Cancun agreements, come as a breath of fresh air!

The Cancun agreements, come as a breath of fresh air!

These agreements, have finally given a reason to smile for all developing nations. The earlier experience of smaller developing nations, where they felt left out of the major decision making process. The air of mistrust has finally lifted, and it feels like there is a hope for TOMORROW, after all.

PFB the salient points of the agreements :

1. A Green climat fund has been created to help developing nations.

2. A system of technology sharing to be started soon.

3. A system has been put in place to track global emissions.

4. A new adaptation committee has been set up to support developing countries in their efforts of creating climate protection plans

5. A system to create natural carbon sink has been put into place

6. It has happened for the first time in the history of this deal, that US has been bracketed along with other industrialized nations and not as something superior, which is actually praiseworthy. It will go a long way in motivating third world countries.

7. The only spoilsports in the entire process have been the environmentalists and of course Bolivia. While the former believe, this is just another policitcal deal, Bolivia feels the response is not sufficient enough. What they fail to appreciate is that, there has to be a beginning atleast somewhere, however small is the step, its very important to make a move to go beyond where we stood yesterday.

I am trying to contribute my share in preventing global warming by switching lights when its not needed, using public transport system whenever feasible and not smoking/discouraging smokers.

Weather change plays havoc with Nazia' creativity...Writer's block

People are complaining big time, regarding my inactivity on the blog. My last post was 3-4 weeks back, and I feel, writer's block is haunting me!

Unable to find any suitable topic to ramble upon. It drizzled incessantly this whole week, needless to add, that I hate rains! I prefer summers, 'coz one can wear whatever one likes, go out late at nights etc. Winters has its own charms though, you can drink as much cappuccino (My favorite addiction) as one likes, without worrying about the caffeine intake, winter signifies festivities too! But I hate wearing winter clothes! To my oft repeated excuses, my boss/friend/philosopher/guide opined that I can go for designer winter wear! That would be a motivation, definitely. So, my current passtime is browsing through http://www.fashionandyou.com/ in search of nice, chic winter clothes. Have not been successful yet.

Orissa is not a place, where you get to experience bone numbing cold, thats such a relief. The weather is pleasant...slightly breezy in the mornings and evenings.

Spirit of Balijatra

A sea of humanity sweeping across the river bank of Kathojodi, myriad colors and people creating a collage of diversity! 1300 kiosks (selling stuff starting from a needle to a car), loudspeakers and plethora of hawkers, creating a din unparalled by any event in Orissa. 7 days of fun, frolic and shopping! Gastronomical delights/upsets sourced from a variety of dishes, Thunka puri (Oriya version of Chhole bhature), chaat, gupchup (Pani puri), Dahivada & alu dum, Chicken rolls, Mathura cake (Indian donut), Chilly pakora, and sweets from different parts of Orissa. All this and more, constitutes Balijatra! An event, for which the entire Orissa waits throughout the year. People schedule their engagements, marriages and holiday plans according to the dates of Balijatra. Such is the craze/passion to attend this annual 7 day fair!

Every year, I make a resolution not to visit the fair the next time, 'coz basically I dislike pollution of any kind, be it noise or atmosphere. But again, the event arrives, and I end up forgetting my resolution made in all earnestness. Just cannot resist the magnetic pull of it!

It started on sunday, and I have already visited it thrice! There is a set of eligibility criteria for all those wishing to visit Balijatra.

1. Physical fitness : You have to be in top shape, if you want to visit the fair, to jostle with the crowd and make your way through the mass of humanity, most of whom are from villages. They come armed with bags, baskets, kids! As we well enough know, people from villages are extremely sturdy and well built, one nudge from them, and you are flat on the ground. So better, hit the gym, one month prior to the fair, so that you can atleast walk shoulder to shoulder with them.

2. Cultivate the habit of walking : You would be required to walk a distance of 5-7 kms atleast, if you want to cover the entire fair.