Wedding drama

"We have to book tickets for your cousin's wedding"
"But that is three months away"
"Yes, it is on a Sunday and we are out of tickets to our home town for that weekend"
"Out of tickets!!!! Already!!!"
"We can book tickets to the previous station though".
"Oh OK.  On Friday and Sunday right?"
"Right"
"I will take care of it"

A few days later.
"Your uncle tells me that there is a function on Monday that we need to attend.  So you have to cancel the Sunday ticket and move it to Monday"
"Ok, hope I get the tickets"

A few minutes later.
"I got the tickets to home town directly.  It is second class though"
"Thats ok.  I am glad we got the tickets"

A week prior to travel.
"Your mother had a fall and she seems to have fractured a bone"
"Oh heavens! Is she OK?"
"Yes, it is not serious but she needs to be on bed for at least 2 weeks"
"Shall I cancel the tickets?"
"That will not be necessary.  Your sister will take care of her.  You have to cancel the tickets for your mother and sister though"

At last, the day of departure comes by.
"We only have an hour and half to get to the station. Where are you?"
"I am 10 minutes away. I will be there soon; be ready"

A little later.
"The taxi I had booked is not here yet"
"Sir, he will be there in 30 minutes"
"What! 30 minutes is too long.  My train leaves in an hour"
"Sorry sir, we will see what we can do"

A few seconds later.
"I am nearly there. Be cool."
"That is not the issue.  The taxi fellow ditched us; can we use the auto you are in."
"Oh God! This driver is an ass but we don't have a choice."

Fifteen minutes to departure; a traffic jam defines the degree of separation.
"I am in the train, where are you guys?"
"Nearly there, should be there anytime now"
"OK, but be quick"
"Driver, do something and get us to the station quick"
"What can I do look at the jam?"
"Is there no other way?"
"No and even if there is one, how do I move out of here?"
"But... Ah, its clearing, go quick"

 A few minutes for the train to depart.
"Which platform is it on?"
"Platform 10"
"Thanks God! Thats close.  Which bogie and how far is it?
"Let me check."
"It is right at the back, not too far"
"Good heavens! Our train's moving.  We have missed it."
"No, that is on the next platform.  We should be able to make it."

Two lives coming together
A happy occasion for all
As time comes near
Walls round the world of celebration fall

Faces from times earlier
Are back in flesh and blood
Some old others older
Smiles and laughter spread

As the night approaches the festive mood reach to what seemed then to be  a crescendo.  Dinner is about to be served.  A little further, in the old house, a spirited party has begun.
"So what will you drink?"
"No, no, nothing, I am a teetotaler"
"Tea totaller, what is that? Some problem with your liver is it?"
"No I don't drink alcohol"
"Why? Problem with your liver know? Doctor's advise eh?  Hey one more glass for me"

A little later
"This is so much fun.  We should do this regularly.  I will send you a message the next time we have a similar party ok?  Now, give me your number"
"9..."
"Hey Uncle, did you know that this guy is a tea totaller.  His liver has some big issue"
"Oh is it.  So sad.  You should not drink too much.  You should know your limit.  Look at me, I have been drinking since 16.  No problems, everything is in ferpect shape."
"No but ..."
"Ok, give me your number boy."
"No but ..."
"Hey fellows, what a good party.  The vada and sundal are excellent.  Did you try the sundal?  It is so healthy.  Try it, try it, come on."
"No I am ok"
"Do you know this guy is a very intelligent fellow.  He wears specs and has studied in that premier institute.  Hey, how come you don't have a glass"
"No, no, he has a liver problem and so cannot drink"
"But..."
"Oh oh.  You should be careful boy.  Try this sundal.  It is good for the liver"
"Here, have a glass of coke.  You can drink coke right?  I don't think that will spoil your liver"
"His liver is spoilt already. Such an intelligent fellow but with a out of shape liver"
"Poor guy"
"No..."
"This is a good party.  We should do this every year"
"You are the only sane person here.  So take down everyone's number and give it to us.  We will call back everyone next year"
"This sundal and whisky make a good combination"
"I prefer Vodka with lime"
"Hey guys, isn't this a great party.  It is so nice to meet all these new and old people.  We should do this every year"

A few hours and many rounds later, only one person still had the comprehension of walking straight meant.  The others continued gushing about the greatness of the party, promising to meet in the coming years and sympathizing the guy with the bad liver.
"Lets propose a toast for the bride groom.  Where is he?"
"There under the table"
"What are you doing under the table?"
"Searching for my engagement ring.  It seems to have rolled into some corner here."
"What! You lost the ring"
"What!..."
"Oh God..."
"You should be careful"
"Are you not happy with this marriage? Did you throw it away?"
"This is terrible"
"Let us toast"
"What toast.  The guy wants to cancel his wedding"
"Ah! Got it"
"The ring?"
"No. The cap of that bottle of Vodka"
"What about the ring?
"Oh I forgot"

Soon the spirits in the bottles were emptied and a dinner of chicken, mutton and other things were served.  It was nearly time for people to get onto their beds.
"Someone fell"
"Who?"
"How?"
"What happened?"
"I think your uncle fell and he was bleeding.  Some guys took him on a bike to the hospital."
"Bleeding!!!! Oh god, he has a heart condition."
"I think it is OK.  Should not be serious."
"How the hell did they take him in a bike?  He would fall right off."
"No there were three of them and he was in the middle."
"This is crazy."

"I am so disappointed.  How could you do this to me?"
"Hmmmm .... mmmmm...."
"I did not expect this from you.  Now everything is lost.  What will I do?"
"Augh... aaaa..."

"How is he doctor?"
"Nothing serious.  A small cut on the forehead - 3 stitches and nothing more.  Take him home."
"Do we need to take a scan?"
"Only if he loses consciousness or vomit."

"Good heavens.  He has vomited."
"That is the only the alcohol."
"What! How do you know?  Let us take him back to hospital."
"No no, it is only alcohol.  Come here and smell it."
"No, its ok."
"Here, smell my hands"
"No no no no.  I see it is alcohol.  I am leaving."
"Oh lord! I am so tired.  I am going to die"
"You will not.  I will die before you.  I am younger and you are older."

The drama ceased at some point.  People got into their beds and woke up next morning - a couple to marry and others to watch.

Jon Lord

As the waves recede
Many leaves on my tree
Wither and fall away
Everything is more brown than green
Every thought is wet with memories

I listen to a lot of music and they span across many genre.  In general, I love loud music - that lies on the heavier side of rock.  Many a times I imagined being asked a question to pick my favorite song or music or group.  My imagined answer was usually a lengthy mess.  It seemed to depend on a lot of factors.  Am I happy or sad?  Was I on top of the world or was the world on top of me?  Was I angry or in peace?  Was I trying to complete a document that is overdue by more than a week?  Was I driving back to some place? Was it night or day?  What music did I listen to a little while earlier?  Depending on many such factors it varied from Kyuss to Fates Warning to Underworld to Dream Theater to Doors to Deep Purple to Metallica to Beatles to God knows what (as in a plain God-knows-what and should not be confused with the group by the same name (if it exists that is)).  But a few months back, I suddenly got an answer to that imagined and real question.  I loved Deep Purple's music the most.  I remember a time when I did not like one of their best songs.  But that did not stay with me for long.  Since that change I always loved to listen to their songs.

I love all the different Marks of Deep Purple, with an especial affection for Mark III.  I can listen to their music any day for any number of times.  Some songs like Child in time spook me out to hell every time I listen.  Their albums In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head, Made in Japan, Perpendicular and Bananas contain some of the best songs ever.

And Deep Purple to me is Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord.  This morning I got to hear that Jon Lord was not with us anymore.  His organ sections of Deep Purple songs have always been tremendous.  His music will ensure that we will never miss him but keep listening to him all the time.  For a long time I was very disappointed that not too many people are listening to him or Deep Purple these days.  That is very sad as they made some really incredible music which time has not been able to erase.

Dev Anna

Everyone stood around the garage in silence.  A few of them whispered; a few sniffles were heard.  The air felt heavy with gloom and grief.  In the midst a few complaints arose "why were we not informed earlier?".  The one left behind did not seem to receive much sympathy.  She stood at some distance in what seemed like a stoic silence.  Contrary to what was expected of such a situation, there were not too many tearful eyes.

Soon a person came forward to take care of the ceremonies.  He explained these to the near and dear ones.  Then he started singing a mournful melody while the family went ahead with the ceremonies  The melody hit many a hearts and soon tears washed into the heavy air.  The sniffles grew into crying.  The sadness increased.  Men and women walked by expressing their condolence to the family.  A few men rushed in to express their respect by placing garlands.

A few minutes into the ceremony it was time for Dev Anna to leave his home forever.  A few men lifted him on their shoulders and took him to the vehicle that was to wipe out the last physical trace we had of him.  As they passed, I looked at Dev Anna's face but could not identify him.  The wailing and crying reached a crescendo.  I found it very hard to keep tears off my eyes.  Dev Anna's mother wailed at the misfortune of seeing her son taken away so young.  One could only stand and watch helplessly.

The vehicle moved away leaving the wailing women and the sad hearts behinds.  I watched the vehicle disappearing down the road.  When I looked around, I saw the people going back to their respective vehicles to continue with their lives.  The break in schedule was over.  The two drop of tears for Dev Anna has been spent.  Soon his memory will fade to replaced with newer ones.  Life, most definitely, does go on.

I had only Dev Anna a few times but every time I could feel his goodness.  I was told that he was an extremely rich person but other than his round the world trips, iPad and large television there was nothing else that made me feel it.  I will never forget the courtesy he extended to my colleagues and I when we visited Yercaud.  He was a good man and will be missed in some way by many of us.

When 2012 took birth Dev Anna wrote "Forget 2011 for whatever it is. Another new year is born. Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, to love and laugh and live.  Happy New Year 2012.  Regards, deva"

A journey

Lush green hills stretch to horizon
Greener than what they seemed
Slopes made gentler by this separation
Many counts of ages since I passed 

Ahead lies snow capped peaks
Their slopes steep and slippery
My path ahead lead into these
To what destination is a mystery

Darkness envelops all beyond

Forgetting more as years pass
Don't remember how it commenced
Few flashes remain as haunts

Unseen path lay ahead winding
Stones creeping into my inside
Each step requires more heaving
Don't know this journeys end

Worried to move ahead
Can not turn back
I want to move up speed
But my foot is on the brake

Stone man sings

Stone age, Stone tool
Stone henge, Stone pillar
Stone tablet, Smashed on stone
Rossetta stone, Etched on stone


Foundation stone, Stone wall
Stone carving, Stone sculpture

Stone heart, Stone faced

Just stone, Stoned to death
Head stone, Tomb stone
Dry stone, Stonemason

Philosopher's stone, Cobblestone
Stone quarry, Granite stone
Lime stone, Gem Stone


Stone unit, Stone cold

Stony Brook, Stone county
Bridgestone, Firestone

Oliver Stone, Sharon Stone
Romancing the stone

Rolling stones, Stoned immaculate
Queen of the stone age
Stoner rock, Stone temple pilots
Sly Stone, Stone records

Bloodstone, Rossetta Stoned
Gall stone, Kidney stone

Music and words

This morning, on my may to office, I was listening to songs by King's X.  It was their best of collection and the last number is a live version of their song "Over my head".  Sung by Doug Pinnick the song, like most songs by Doug, seems to come straight from his heart.  His voice and delivery always has a lot of feel to it.  The number I was listening to was a live rendition and so it had much more of the feel than the studio versions.  At around the central point of the song, Doug starts recounting from his experience in a rhythmic manner.  What he says touches my heart every time I listen to it.  It probably is one of the most affecting statement on parenthood that I have heard and here it is.

"And this is a song about my grandma; she raised me from a child. She was a very religious lady, she went to church every night, she read her bible all the time, yeah.
 
And, late at night, she'd be in her room, singing and dancing, and shouting, and carrying on like she used to do. Oh my grandma, I remember, yeah. 

And I'd be in my room, feeling so alone, wondering my mother left and my dead never came around. 

And my grandma, she never said, "I love you". She called herself a Christian and she never said, "I love you". She said, "Nobody wants ya, nobody needs ya, nobody loves ya". Oh, and I grew up so confused. Oh, yeah.
 
Now, I don't say this for you to feel sorry for me, but I want to say this, if you listen to me for a second: if you plan on having kids, if you have children or you plan on having kids, make sure that your kids know that you love them more than anything in the whole wide world. More than anything in the whole wide world. No matter who they are. No matter what they look like, what they do, what kind of rock 'n' roll they listen to, or if they wear tattoos. 

 Oh Lord, yeah. 'Cause if you don't...if you don't show your children love, when they grow up, they will grow up fucked up. And I know what I'm taking about, I had to work it out. Some of you know what I'm talking about."

I listen to a lot of music and most of it is hard and heavy.  So a lot of lyrics are not something to talk about or sing about.  Usually its about death, violence and such pleasant gruesomes.  So I don't really memorize them and many a times not even listen to what is being said.  To tell the truth, I was never a lyrics and poetry kind of person.  I really preferred music with the vocal chords being one of the instruments.  But from time to time a few lines come by and catch your attention.  Interesting set of words that mean much or nothing, are good or not but they are always good to hear.  To take the example of an evil one, there was Metallica singing a medley of Mercyful Fate songs (which sounds better when sung by the original group).  It goes like this.

"I was born in the cemetery
Under the sign of the moon
Raised from my grave by the dead
And I was made a mercenary
In the legions of Hell
Now I'm king of pain, I'm insane, yeah

You know my only pleasure is to hear you cry
I'd love to hear you cry
And I'd love to see you die
And I'll be the first to watch your funeral
And I'll be the last to leave
I'd love to hear you cry"

Not very tasteful but is very interesting to listen to.  There are a few more  interesting covers in that Metallica album.  One asked "Am I Evil? Yes I am".  Then there was another one called "So fucking what", which is easily the filthiest set of words I have ever heard (in a song that is).  I roll with laughter every time I hear it - silly, filthy and funny.

My earliest memory of lyrics is from that song by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. 

"Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in-between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me to another world
And we rely on each other, ah-ah
From one lover to another, ah-ah"

It seems quite cheesy but I still like the sound of it.  Pink Floyd also has the knack to put in good words into their songs.  The following two stand out in my head from the time I first heard them.


"The memories of a man in his old age 
Are the deeds of a man in his prime. 
You shuffle in the gloom of the sickroom 
And talk to yourself as you die.

Life is a short, warm moment 
And death is a long cold rest."

and

"the time has gone, 
the song is over, 
thought I had something more to say"

Despair, hopelessness and all other kinds of darkness reside in those lines.  The second set of lines come to my mind during many of my most despairing moments.  But then Annie Lenox has warned that

"Dying is easy its living that scares me to death"

But when someone is stuck between living and dying there is One song most appropriate - One by Metallica.  When I watched the video of that song the music, words and video all came together beautifully.  The song structured with its furious end brings out the frustration of helpless person who does not want to live but has no means of dying.  He has to wait...

"I Can't Remember Anything
Can't Tell If this Is True or Dream
Deep down Inside I Feel to Scream
this Terrible Silence Stops Me
Now That the War Is Through with Me
I'm Waking up I Can Not See
That There's Not Much Left of Me
Nothing Is Real but Pain Now

Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God,wake Me

Back in the Womb its Much Too Real
in Pumps Life That I must Feel
but Can't Look Forward to Reveal
Look to the Time When I'll Live
Fed Through the Tube That Sticks in Me
Just like a Wartime Novelty
Tied to Machines That Make Me Be
Cut this Life off from Me

Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God,wake Me

Now the World Is Gone I'm Just One
Oh God,help Me Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God Help Me

Darkness

Imprisoning Me
All That I See
Absolute Horror
I Cannot Live
I Cannot Die
Trapped in Myself
Body My Holding Cell

Landmine

Has Taken My Sight
Taken My Speech
Taken My Hearing
Taken My Arms
Taken My Legs
Taken My Soul
Left Me with Life in Hell"

While One was about a live mind in a numb body, Queensryche wrote about a numb mind in a live body (I hope that is not politically incorrect). "Out of Mind" is a very touching song which should have been heard by many more people.  It should have been an anthem for a number of specially abled institutions.  It is also one of the most melodic songs ever.  The sadness always reaches into me.

"Little girl sits in the corner, locked in a stare.
Arms waving madly at something that sadly isn't there.
Dressed in the day's best by a nurse who's nowhere to be
found.

What does she see?
Maybe she's looking at me...

Old man is strapped to the seat of his chair, wearing a
gown.
Shouting and cursing at someone who clearly isn't around.
Father Time has twisted his mind.
The staff says, "He's not well!"

To whom does he speak?
Maybe he's speaking to me...

So we keep these people inside these walls, from society.
Their forgotten lives safe from the crowd, they can't leave.
You've left them there with me.

So we keep these people behind these walls, from society.
Their forgotten lives safe from the crowd, they can't leave.
Through the doors come people like me, good-bye to them.
They see a picture few of us see. They can't leave.
You've left them there with me"

But then not everything is this serious and depressing.  There is Faith no more that described indecisiveness as "Droplets of yes and no in an ocean of maybe" in "Falling to pieces".  Pet Shop Boys sang about their love for Chihuahua.


"I want a dog,
A chihuahua
When I get back to my small flat
I want to hear somebody bark
Oh, you can get lonely

Don't want a cat,
Scratching its claws all over my
Habitat
Giving no love and getting fat
Oh, (oh oh) you can get lonely
And a cat's no help with that"

All these words and people have inspired me to scratch a few lines on my own.  Though I am not personally embarrassed by these, I really don't have the guts to show it to any one else.  Hope someday one day I am able say something nearly as interesting as the ones above.  Hope, hope, hope, ...

Yet another pertol hike

I was in Gurgaon that evening and was going to my friend's home for dinner.  My friend was driving the car.  We crossed a signal near his is home and got stuck in a mass of vehicles.  My friend was worried that a jam at that point would be disastrous as we will be stuck for a good 30 minutes.  But this was not a jam; the vehicles were moving slowly.  Only the left most lane was stuck in what seemed like a queue.  A little further we saw a crowded petrol bunk.   This was a long line of vehicles waiting to fill petrol - some 50 odd vehicles.  That mean one of the following two events was on the verge of occurring.  Either a possibility of a petrol tankers strike or the cost of petrol was going up.

Earlier that morning I had seen in the news that the Government was contemplating to increase the cost of petrol to control the romance between the Rupee and Dollar.  But I did not believe that Government contemplations could result in actions this quick.  When it comes to the matter of increase in the price petrol apparently it does and it was to take effect from the coming midnight.  So people were rushing to the bunks to save a few bucks.  Only when I checked the news in detail did I realize that it was not a few buck after all.

The Government had raised the cost by seven and half Rupees.  Now, the cost of petrol has crossed the Platinum Jubilee mark.  I think the current Government has every intention to take it to the century mark before they get out (hopefully they will, we want to have a circulation of cartoons.  We are bored having the same bunch for the last 8 years).  I think they would then use this in their list of achievements in an attempt to get back into the driving seats.

Right below the news on the raise in petrol prices was another interesting piece of news that claimed that Didi was shocked by this raise in the price petrol and was not aware of or consulted on this decision.  This seemed to be a case deja-vu for me.  Poor Didi no one ever informs here about anything other than cartoons and other such slanders on her speck-less personality.

This morning my eyes fell on another interesting headline - "Petrol price hike fails to lift rupee; diesel eyed".  I was a little surprised by the "fails to lift rupee" part.  Every hike in the petrol price lifted more rupee from my wallet than earlier.  So much so that even with a wallet full of rupees it does not feel bulky or heavy.  It seems to be lighter than a pile of newspapers collected for a month.  The rupee has become so light that every time I open my purse a few of them seem to be lifting off automatically.  It seems lighter than feather.  As a matter of fact I am thinking of reducing the font size of rupee every time I mention it.  So here you go - rupee.  Once more - rupee.

Now, I am not sure what to do or say or write.  Should I rant against the Government?  Shout around how shitty they are not caring for the country or the people; too busy filling their pockets with all the money they can get?  Cry about how all of us have been conned and are losing faith in the by - to - for the people concept?  Just talk, discuss and shout but do nothing.  No, no, I will do better.  I will just laugh and get more cynical.  It is funny after all.  Everything is funny.  Ha ha ha ha ha, ho ho ho ho, hee hee hee hee, hoo hoo hoo hoo, ...