Rumpelstiltskin

Most of us have heard of Rumpelstiltskin, the mean imp who wanted to steal the queen's first born. At least that's what the story leads us to believe. I am not sure of the moral of these stories but for me it's all the wrong things. It basically tells us the following:

1. Your over ambitious parents can commit anything on your behalf and land you in trouble
2. The stupid rulers will believe any s*** anyone tells them and harass the 'junta'
3. Imps appear magically to help when one is in deep trouble (never seen one!)
4. When an a****** who wanted to kill you wants to marry you for the gold you can spin it makes everything alright (dowry harassment anyone?)
5. One can be stupid enough to fall in love with the above a****** and happily make babies
6. When the poor imp who saved your life comes back to be paid for his services, you call him evil. Who was it who made the stupid promise anyways??
7. Ultimately using all the resources you have you sneakily deceive the same guy who helped you in dire need and be very happy about it.

RIDICULOUS!!!

Thrissur Travails

No, I did not mean 'Travels', and I do hope someone appreciates our 'Travails' in making it to the wedding, although after it was over.

This trip was a bagful of 'firsts' as my fellow travellers will attest (unfortunately i cannot disclose details here). We left Bangalore at 5:00am for a 470km trip with just enough fuel in the car for 80kms. Obviously, didn't find a gas station till just the last few drops were left. Happy at getting the fuel, we zoomed, determine to make it to Thrissur in less than 10 hours - and hit a dog! A first that left the dog dead and my number plate broken. Shaken and shivering we tried to forget the incident, but Ved wouldn't let us!! Lord have no mercy on him.

By 6:30 we were starving, so took a detour in to Salem and stuffed ourselves for an hour. I will take the TN food any day over Bangalore. Then it was my turn to drive, as expected the world was awake, pedestrians were busy crossing roads, traffic was building up and the roads weren't getting any better. Finally, we made it to God's own country, without so much as a speck of scenic beauty (another one of the many lies told by our host to lure us there). Picked up beers that cost a lot, filled fuel that cost a lot less and had a brilliant lunch that made us super drowsy. Landed up at the hotel at 3:30 and were greeted by a 30 second appearance of the groom, not looking very groomy. Our host was a man of few words. All he could manage was "Wow! i can't believe you are here", thrice! not a peep from him otherwise in all of 1.5 days.

We noticed our hotel offered 'aurvedic massages' and rushed to get pampered and massaged and rested. For a long term massage veteran like me, it was a tad brutal while our resident 'Massage Virgin' has been scarred for life (saying any more on that has been prohibited on a death threat, so I shall desist). It did make us very sleepy though and rubbished all our sight seeing plans. We got out of our rooms at 9:00 only to be told that the town shuts at 8:00. Desperate and hungry we roamed the streets at night looking for a few scraps of food (sniff.. :( it was heartbreaking). Anyway, for those in our predicament we would recommend 'Hotel Akshaya' open till 1:00am with brilliant food.

Back to the hotel and into a deep sleep; we managed to get up at 9:00am. Our friend was already married by then! Still, hurried to get ready and reach the venue 25kms away only to get stuck in a traffic jam. Arrived at the venue to squeeze in one of the last pictures before they got off the stage for lunch. Since we had a late breakfast, couldn't eat a bite of lunch, which I am told was delicious. I did have the payasam though, which was indeed nice.


Got a scolding for being late so feeling really bad we thought we'll rush back and get ready for the reception early (we did it!). So afternoon sight seeing plans were dropped in favour of chilled beers and peanuts in the room and some mallu songs for the ambiance. Reached the reception before the wedded couple (phew!) and duly registered our attendance with a pic. No food again, 6:30 was a bit early after those beers and snacks and we were buzzed.

We finally said our good byes at 8 and ran up to catch some sleep. Left at 1:00am for our journey back to Bangalore after a dinner at 'Akshaya' again. After a VERY sleepy drive and endless stops for tea made it to Bangalore at 7:30am. Ah! what a bliss it was to just sleep and close my tired, swollen eyes. Unfortunately the other 3 are at their respective offices slogging away for a living. HAHA!

Unlocking a smile

I unlocked a smile today and turned out 'twas a very easy thing to do. All it took me was INR 201 and agreeing to do 3 simple things. You can do it too at https://www.unlocksmiles.com/tenksmiles/home.xhtml

I've volunteered for Dream A Dream a couple of times in the past year and the experience was definitely enriching for me. Very interesting to meet these children and see their zest for life and learning. They are extremely friendly and curious and make you so comfortable when you interact with them. Language barriers don't matter at all.

I have pledge to be a more active volunteer this year and also to connect with my old friends. Looking forward to a smiling year ahead.

I found my religion

I guess I no longer have to write "Atheist" when they ask my religion while filling in forms. I've found it finally. Well it's been there all along really, and I have been a faithful follower. But the divine light shone on me while having a chat with my best friend. It was the moment when she told me that she's bought her first pair of Jimmy Choo's. And in that conversation, my life changed forever, and so did my FB status. Shopping! Yes! THAT is my new religion. And like any other religious fanatic I have many reasons why you should follow my religion and no other:

1. It has the potential to unite 50% of humankind (do note I said 'human' not 'man' - though Gaurav can outshop me ANY day)
2. It gives you inner peace. There is nothing like 'retail therapy' to beat the blues
3. It gives you instant gratification. Not next life, not next year, it's here and now!
4. There is not 'auspicious' or 'inauspicious' time to do it. Unfortunately the 'temples' (stores) aren't open 24 hours
5. You can see where your money is going. You wish for something, pay for it, and hey it's urs. Plus the service is fabulous and sometimes you get discounts

The only unfortunate part is that religious wars may break out during 'sale' season.

Abrupt end to this blog. Very sleepy, cannot keep eyes open. But if you are a shopaholic like me.. add your reason as to why shopping should be declared a 'universal religion'.