Take52 Challenge: Week 20 – Random

Random! A favourite word that appeals because of its inherent promise of aimlessness and the unpredictable – both qualities that for better or worse characterise me and my attitude toward Life 😛 I tend to ‘go with the flow’ on most things, until I drift into something that ‘hits the spot’ often unexpectedly, taking me by surprise and leaving an imprint that rarely fades away. Most things that have brought me great joy and comfort in Life have as a result been, I like to think, through the ‘random machinations of the universe’ 😉 I’m probably completely wrong of course, especially if you happen to be a believer in the ‘great design’ and the fact that ‘everything happens for a reason’ 😛 Has that ever happened to you? A random happenstance that turns into a life-changing event?

What crossed my mind when I first saw the Theme, was the Sky. It’s classically random – a myriad hues from dawn till dusk and into the night. Luckily, we had unexpected pre-monsoon showers here in Bangalore that week and I was able to get decent shots of the moody skies 🙂 Also last week ‘The Great Indian Circus’ as I like to call our Elections 😛 drew to a conclusion and as a result there were random firework displays that I caught from my balcony! 

And just because I love quotes, here’s a random one that I fell in love with 😉

“The sky was as blue as orange could get. I love sunsets at noon, and forks disguised as spoons.” ― Jarod Kintz

Random Skies!

Random Fireworks!

Take52 Challenge: Week 19 – Pure

Once again I’m playing catch up with my posts. School is nearing its end and there seems to be a flurry of events to attend that leaves me with time for little else. As a result, I haven’t been as involved in my photography as I would like, but am happy that I have at least managed to get that one shot per week for the challenge! 

Pure – a word with many meanings and abstract enough to pose quite the challenge. We had a lot of baby pictures posted, because that’s what invariably comes first to mind in this polluted, complicated adult word that we inhabit – the pureness and innocence of children 😀 The light in a baby’s eyes is so clear, authentic and guileless…what could be purer? I had initially thought of water as my subject, but couldn’t make that happen to my satisfaction, which is when I thought of the ‘pureness’ of prayer and was promptly stumped by how to translate this into an image! 

That’s when I remembered the little angel figurine I had picked up on my visit to Phoenix in 2008. I bought it for my son, who had not yet entered our life but would soon and turn it upside-down in the best of ways 🙂 He was an answer to many prayers and so the symbolism seemed appropriate! Yes I know, on occasion, the ‘sappy me’ takes over 😛 So I placed a lit ‘diya’ in front of the angel, not only because Fire is the great purifier in Hindu culture but also because I love diyas 😉 And so I had my shot 🙂 I like how it turned out…let me know what you think!

The Pure Flame!

A B & W version that I also considered…

Monkton Mondays!

Another Monday and another chance to make a new start for those of you so inclined. I’m a little blue this morning since Hubby has left for a week of travel and will be back only on Friday night 😦 I confess there are advantages to his being away – there’s just less work around the house – Go figure 😉 But that doesn’t compensate for the fact that it’s just Junior and me for the next 5 days, 24/7! *Pulling out Hair* already 😛

So this week is going to be a test of my nerves and they don’t last long in the best of times! A forecast of turbulence for Junior et moi I’m afraid 😛 Still we’ll labor on as best we can and THANK GOD for School! The weekend was nice. Yesterday was our Republic Day and they had the parade on TV. The usual display of dapper men in uniform and their formidable looking weapons – impressive and yet not as comforting, when I think that most of the problems that plague my country are internal and men with guns can do NOTHING to solve those But this post isn’t about that. 

We took Junior to school yesterday to see the Vintage cars that were to be displayed there on the occasion. I confess I was eager to go coz I didn’t want to miss the photo-op! The cars were lovely – looking all distinguished and sparkling in the sunlight. I got a few pictures but not great ones because the light was just all wrong and there were swarms of teachers and students everywhere. Still we got to see a stunning blue Daimler that once belonged to Motilal Nehru (father of our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru), a bottle green Merc that had me drooling, a sporty Honda coupe, and a 1928 Baby Austin in a gorgeous cherry red! Will post pictures in my next post.

The cars worked up our appetite of course and we headed to The Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch. This was the first time we visited and we knew instantly it would become a favourite – a regular haunt 🙂 First – it has a play area for children…YES! Second – it has Happy Hours on Sundays which means you order a drink and get one free! Third – their Mojitos make me very very happy 😉 Fourth – the ambience is wonderfully relaxed and the staff all speak Konkani 🙂 Fifth – the food is pretty darn good 🙂 Such a find this – especially because for once the boys (who LOVE their fish), and me (not so much), can still all have a fantastic time in one place! Their authentic goan sausage pulao means I need never go hungry 😛

And so back to the Monday and to Mr. Monkton. This week I’ve chosen an illustration as a message to myself. Maybe even a warning! Since I anticipate an emotionally overwhelming week, it seemed only fair! Quiet reflection may have it’s advantages but on occasion a good shouting match to clear the air is very therapeutic 😉 What say Mr. Monkton? 😛

I apologise for the small size of this week’s image. Couldn’t find a larger one online

Happy Monday People 🙂

Take52 Challenge: Week 3 – Routine

This week’s theme ‘Routine’ was harder than one might imagine. Or perhaps it’s just me, challenged by the thought of making mundane ‘routine’ events into interesting pictures! I wanted to do something different from the routine take on ‘routine’ [this is becoming ridiculous!], and so took a few shots while going about my daily routine…like these…

The view from my balcony that I see every morning while having my cuppa…

Fruit for breakfast – pretty routine!

Books and the PC – what could be more routine?!

Fried fish on the menu for my Goan boys – every single meal!

Going to school – Weekday routine…

And although all of them represented routine…none of them felt ‘differently routine’ 😛 Finally thought of this and it’s what I chose as my theme pic. Books are very very routine to me, but I thought the definition of the word in Hubby’s Portuguese-English dictionary was rather a fun take on the theme. Perhaps the fact that ‘rowdy’ is on the same page had something to do with it? 😉

Hope you like it!

Monkton Mondays!

The weekend has been superbly fulfilling! I finally got myself a McBook – something that Ive been wanting for a while but that never got to the top of that priority list. Even when my trusted HP finally crashed & died, I got a Samsung as a temporary replacement. Boy was that a mistake! But now, all is sorted and HAPPY!! The McBook is a whole new experience in cool and practical! It feels intuitive. It feels right. It feels perfect 😉

We’re already halfway through the first month of the New Year and a semblance of routine is now in place. I’ve joined a photography challenge this year, similar to one my friend A had organised a couple of years ago. It’s called Take52 ~ and it involves taking a picture a week based on a theme. Some of you may have seen my first picture on the FB page, but I’ve decided to also post the pics here. It’ll increase my blog posts for one 😉 I’ve taken up the challenge because although I love to take pictures, recently I’ve found myself struggling with both inspiration & motivation. Most of the pictures I take are of Junior and although he’s a willing and beautiful subject, I need variety! I need a fresh set of eyes and a new belief and that is why I turn to Mr. Monkton – who else?! 😉

See? That’s what we all need from time to time. A reaffirmation of our strengths and and a biscuit to believe in! I’m hoping it works for me!

What better time to start than NOW? 

Pick your biscuits People! BELIEVE!

Statutory Warning: Dunk at your own Risk 😉

Happy Monday 🙂

Happy 2014 with Monkton Mondays!

So here we go again! A New Year is upon us with endless potential or pitfalls depending on how we choose to look at it 😉 and how well we learned last year’s lessons.

This year end has been quite spectacular for me! I spent Christmas and New Year in Goa surrounded by family and friends, music, dancing, much laughter and more alcohol 😛 I love the upbeat mood a good, hearty celebration puts me in 🙂 There’s promise in the air – of good times to come, of obstacles overcome, of dreams fulfilled and goals achieved…and even if it is fleeting & largely illusionary – who cares 😛 It’s good while it lasts and I for one choose to savour the feeling.

2013 as I said in my previous post or I think I did, (it’s too long ago to remember!) was another transitional year for us as a family. We moved from Bombay to Bangalore and are just beginning to find our footing in our new city. 2014, will hopefully see us getting more comfortable  – in our city, our home and in our skins! It’ll be a journey as always, a roller coaster of a ride I have no doubt 😉 But I feel good about it in this moment and that’s what I’m holding on to. I don’t make resolutions anymore – I never keep them anyway, but I do have a few things I hope to achieve this year. I’ll share them when and if I do 😉 Wish me Luck! 

And so in keeping with all these good vibes and positive feelings, I thought this simple message from Mr. Monkton a great way to begin the Year with, not in the least because as I grow older, my ongoing endeavour is ‘To Keep it Simple.’ I find that more often than not – it keeps me out of trouble 😉

So here we go Folks without further ado…2014…LIVE IT 😀

 

Season’s Greetings from Monkton Mondays!

I’ll be honest. This is probably my last post of the year. The ‘Season’ is well and truly upon us and in a couple of days, I’ll be off to Goa to indulge in its revelry! Well that is the plan anyway 😛 

2013 has been another fairly intense year. We moved – again. This time from Bombay to Bangalore and although it was stressful, we are slowly beginning to find our feet in our new home. I love that this house is large – probably larger than we need but it’s great to finally have space around us after being cooped up in a tiny two-bedroom in Bombay. The weather is great too – pleasant for the most part and pleasantly cool now – so it actually feels like a mild Winter 🙂 Junior’s school too has worked out for the best, although the daily 1-hour bus commute to-and-fro is a pain in the you-know-where! He’s settled in, likes his teachers, has got over his fear of water and is swimming (Hallelujah!), is enthusiastic about Homework (it will not last I’m told!), and is in general enjoying life 🙂 I’ve found a few new friends with potential 😉 and am gradually unearthing the wealth of activity that Bangalore has to offer. I see a future full of possibilities provided I get off my lazy you-know-what! What more could I have hoped for?!

In this moment I feel good. I feel like Life is full of promise, like good things are on their way and I like that 🙂 Perhaps it’s the magic that December and Christmas always seem to bring. The Planet seems a better place with an abundance of empathy, compassion and general good cheer. Methinks we need it to be Christmas all year long! But then – it wouldn’t quite be ‘Christmas’ would it 😛 We’ll see how long the magic lasts 😉 My previous records aren’t too good! Mid-January is my guess 😛 But until then – Magic Rules 🙂

I hope you guys have had a good year too. If it’s been tough – I hope at least that the lessons you’ve learnt have been valuable. And I hope 2014 will be better for us all! Better is always good isn’t it? 😀 And as always, I sign off with a unique wish from the inimitable Mr. Monkton, without whom I must confess I would have written even less than what I have! I hope our journey continues in 2014. 

Have a Happy Season People! May it be full of Magic and Memorable Moments 🙂

See you in 2014!

Monkton Mondays!

I’m nursing Junior through the Flu at the moment and can’t write much, but we’ve had such a wonderful time these past few weeks, what with Holidays and visits from loved ones, that our Cup Overfloweth! Junior’s nose is also overflowing but that’s another story 😉

So I just wanted to share this film from Mr. Monkton, in which we learn how The Pig of Happiness invented himself and how leaky Happiness can be! I’m hoping some of ours is seeping out from our world and into yours – wherever you are 🙂

Happy Monday Peoples 😀

Monkton Mondays!

I’m cheating! I do that from time to time! This time I’m posting a Monkton Monday post on Tuesday morning – unashamedly I might add! Yesterday I was in a ‘funk’ – not very inclined to be sociable, just one of those days when I didn’t do much other than laze around (I’m an expert in laziness), and gaze into the distance until my eyes were cross-eyed with fatigue. Wasn’t day-dreaming or thinking or doing anything in particular – just, you know, being. My friends say it happens, it’s a mid-life thing. I tend to agree, in the absence of a more concrete definite reason. Coz at the moment – Life is good! The new house is falling into place, a trip to Pondicherry is round the corner as is a visit from my nieces and a dear dear friend 🙂 It’s just that I know that I’m happy without being obvious about it, if you know what I’m saying. It’s really difficult to put it down on paper – all these nuanced emotions that defy conventional logic and elude words. We humans thrive in this complex existential soup we cook up, don’t we? And yet every self-help book out there tells you how Life is actually meant to be so simple 😛 Of course they take a million words to get to that point, but Hey! who’s counting? 😉

I believe this post was meant to be posted today instead of yesterday. Why else would the image below turn up when I was looking through Monkton’s work? It’s that thing that the experts say happens – The Universe marshaling it’s infinite resources in it’s infinite wisdom (I love that everything about the Big U is infinite!), to send you exactly what you need. I believe in the power of the Big U and in the matchless wisdom of Mr. Monkton who hasn’t failed me yet!

 

You see what I mean? 

Have a wonderful week ahead People! trust in the Big U 🙂

Monkton Mondays!

Another week dawns and suddenly I’m hit with this inexorable relentlessness of time passing…I’m feeling a little out of sorts…no major reason…just one of those days and…hormones 😉

Life is meandering along rather pleasantly truth be told, but maybe that’s what’s causing this niggle of ‘Is this the calm before some massive thunderstorm?’. I’m generally not suspicious of the calm, and even as I type, I’m thinking, ‘Here I go rambling on again!’ – it must be the hormones! They’re bloody potent – pardon my french 😛 Or could it be the Once Upon a Time marathon I’ve indulged in over the weekend? Sudden emergence from long sojourns in magical worlds with fairy-tale characters – one of which is a rather divine Captain Hook all geared up in black leather and a flirty manner, can lead to disorientation when confronted with the mundane reality of Monday morning routine. What say?! Or maybe it’s a combo of Hook & Hormones & the P.D. James murder mysteries that I’ve been reading?! 

Perhaps it’s the fact that I lost a Grand-uncle a few days ago – someone that I used to know well when I was much younger although we had lost touch in recent years as often happens. Death is always a wake up call of sorts isn’t it? Or it should be to those of us that are alive. It brings reflections and memories and stories of days gone by and for a couple of days after, life mimics a maudlin soap opera. My Mom was much more affected by his passing than I was – he was her uncle after all – and she had a much closer bond with him than I did. She told me how he had helped her plant the coconut trees in our garden when the house was being built more than 2 decades ago. We had stayed with them for a fortnight during that time as well, which I can’t seem to remember at all! He had a good life and at 84, his passing wasn’t a terrible tragedy, just a gentle reminder that all things must  eventually end. It left me with a gentle sadness on losing yet another figure from my youth and a vague feeling of having to ‘get on with it.’

But enough with the psychoanalysis – for whatever reason – there’s a mild sense of ennui with life that I’m finding hard to shake off at the moment. Not to worry – this too I expect shall pass – everything does.The week that was and the weekend were pretty pleasant, if rather routine. We finally found a sofa that we liked – a slouchy black leather affair that will suit us family of couch potatoes to the tee 😉 It should arrive today – such are the small pleasures of domesticity 😛 Last Thursday found me in School. I’ve volunteered for a Reading Program in my son’s grade and for half-an-hour every week, I read stories to bright young children with definite points of view. I love the experience of spending time with minds for whom the world still exists in black and white! The ‘Grey’ hasn’t invaded their universe yet and simplicity is easy. ‘Oh for the days before Grey’ 🙂 Nothing like spending time with children to snap you out of the doldrums I say!

Then on Saturday evening, Junior and I attended a Halloween Party at his friend’s place…in a house decorated with balloons, bats, pumpkins and webs and overrun with little witches and all manner of cartoon characters running amok, brandishing multi-colored balloon swords while screeching like banshees! You get the picture?! It’s a good thing you can’t hear them 😛 Exhilarating and yet utterly exhausting! Sunday morning lunch was the perfect antidote…relaxed lunch at Toscano’s, an Italian restaurant that serves amazing food in a totally chilled out atmosphere. Utterly enjoyed my Wine Mojito and Wild Mushroom Ravioli, while the boys pigged out on Lobster Thermidor! Hubby left town on work that evening which sort of dampened the mood a bit – but also allowed for a restful afternoon siesta – something I haven’t had in a long long time.

So that’s it – my Life in a Nutshell last week, which brings us finally to the honourable Mr. Monkton 😉 And because I’m feeling, out of sorts with nothing significant to feel out of sorts about – I leave you with this gem that once again expresses exactly how I feel better than any rambling blog post! I stared at the words for so long this morning, my eyes began to water! I was trying to figure out their meaning of course. Are toasts meant to have ears? This is the first I’ve heard of it! And finally I gave up and surrendered to his infinite wisdom – some things in life are best felt and not necessarily understood. The man is a genius!

Make sure all your toasts have ears this week 😉 Or else…BEWARE 😛

Have a Good week People 🙂