L'anonyme

I'm dabbling with the idea of going public with this blog. When I started it two years ago, it was only an outlet for me to vent. A pressure valve, if you will, but things changed slowly. Now I write in this blog because it's my very own piece of the internet.

I've been told that I should start a new one entirely on a better platform (maybe even my own site, if possible) with better content for a long time.

Oh yeah, piece of cake. Not! It's easy to write random stuff and just cruise on the gentle wave of anonymity, but the very act of taking away that anonymity gives me the responsibility to write decent stuff which people will not pelt with eggs or other assorted produce. And about content, don't even ask. I can't think of a damn thing. Suggestions, anyone?

So I've been thinking...again.

It rained in Chennai last night! It's been a long time since that's happened and the weather for some part of today was divine.

Okay now, where do I start? I watched the Tahrir Square protest in Egypt with interest while it lasted and I was pretty surprised and happy when the people actually managed to displace Hosni Mubarak. Today, I hear of Libya protesting against the dictatorial rule of Muammar al-Gaddafi. You have to wonder what gave these normal, peaceful civilians the courage to oppose the government that they've been tolerating for decades.

The hair on the camel's back was apparently inflation. You take away their freedom and impose restrictions, they can live with it. You make their basic needs unaffordable and you have a major uprising on your hands. With India's rising corruption and inflation rates especially when it comes to food and fuel, can we expect drastic changes in the government? With the elections nearing, that's a question which will be answered before too long, I guess.

Coming to my life, quite a bit has been going on. On a lot of days, I merely bug people I know with complaints about how I have nothing to do. Other days, I'm not so jobless. I tried my hand at content writing, but I had to let that go because they offered to pay me peanuts. I'm still open to a part-time job and if any of you know of anything I can do online which involves writing, please do let me know.

Since my eighth semester began, I've been making medhu vadas, brownies, soup and omelettes every time I'm bored and I'm now reaping the benefits of my foolishness. Even my own mom whose aim in life seems to me to be to stuff me with as much food as possible has hinted that I need exercise. The horror!

To fill all the free time in between project work, being jobless, going out on weekends, going to college and eating, I read. I've finished Dracula, The Once and Future King and Thirty-nine Steps.

My favourite among the three would be The Once and Future King which is a novel about King Arthur. It is a bit long and accounts of Arthur's childhood exploits under Merlin's tutelage are fairy talish, but don't let that put you off. It's funny and gripping.

As the story goes on, you'll find an essence of the age that we call the Middle Ages. Arthur's attempts to change the existing system of feudal lords and the law of might at times reminded me of our own sense of futility when we attempt to change things bigger than ourselves, armed only with a dream. And yet, he does make a difference. Maybe not to the extent that he had hoped for, but to a larger extent than he might have actually achieved.

Another major event coming up is the group photo session and the farewell in college. This means that I'll have to wear a saree. Not only do I find them cumbersome and inconvenient, but the last time I'd actually attempted to wear one was four years ago. So it might be a bit of a problem when I try not to look completely awkward in it.

I know women who can pull off the simple matter of wearing a saree with style and elegance, but I'm probably not one of them. And apparently, there are so many other things to think about like the perfect pair of heels, make-up and accessories.
Ah, well...I would have bitterly resented this a year ago. Now, it seems a bit silly. I mean, it is only a saree. How bad can it be?I mean, really. It can't be that bad, right?

Keep your fingers crossed anyway, all ye who read this blog. I have a feeling that I'm going to need all the luck I can get.

Love - part trois

Hello to the sum total of maybe half a dozen people who know that this blog exists.
I am writing to you, clear in the knowledge that this will be the last six months(or maybe a little more than that)when I can blog about completely random things without worrying about time.

Of course, I might still continue with this blog after I start my training and hopefully, work. Before that however, I'm almost completely jobless so this gives me a lot of time to think up random things.

Feb's here and love is being milked for all it's worth, literally. Even though it's completely overrated and a consumerist trap, it is almost impossible not to get sucked in.

The newspapers write articles on relationships, gift ideas and even romantic food. Strawberry cheesecake and chocolates in heart shaped boxes are supposedly the most romantic food to force feed your love. Jewelery shops give out discounts on diamonds and all the movie channels play romantic chick flicks all month long. If you're not one of those people with exquisite sensibilities and the noblest sentiments, you'll have a hard time not pretending to puke.

All I have to say is, do not get sucked in. You don't really need a national day to get your girlfriend/boyfriend stuff and write crappy poetry. In fact, avoid the rush.
Be original. Unless of course, you want that discount on diamond jewelery.