‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is an unforgettable real-life conversation documented in an unusual way. It revolves around two characters – Mitch Albom and Morrie. Incidentally, Mitch Albom is the author of this best seller.
Keeping this in mind, I picked up his book ‘For one more day’. What to say about this! Mitch knows how to deliver his writings and creativity. I was instantly absorbed into his book the moment I read the first page. Again an unusual tale interspersing wisdom on life and death with a different touch. The author’s strongest points are his simple language and the depth of the subject. A truly amazing story telling it is.
We are introduced to Pauline Benetto, mother of Charley (Chick) Benetto as a ghost. Chick loses his father and mother, resorts to heavy drinking and is finally dumped by his own family. He feels desolate and isolated, sulks as if nobody in the world wants him, care for him and love him. He takes the worst decision of committing suicide. His attempts turn futile and then he meets his mother ghost. What happens after that is what the book is all about.
Madame Pauline (Posey) made me cry at many places. Chick helped me to gauge where I stand as far as my concern for my mother is. Chick’s collection of memoirs containing….
* Times my mother stood for me
* Times I did not stand up for my mother
really shook me, I must admit.
A great book from Mitch Albom one more time.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
What do I do in Mumbai
The usual hiatus that I get in Mumbai after hectic travelling in Chennai and the routine that I catch up in Bahrain, is what I enjoy of late. Lazing around with books, TV and my writing of course, life in Mumbai with its monsoon showers appears to be at standstill for me. It is a luxury to browse the bunch of papers, ‘The Times of India’ along with Mumbai Mirror’s local masala news leisurely. Some thoughts that I wish to share….
1) Judge Kode’s proven track record has elevated him to the status of hero after his verdict in the Dutt case. The dust has finally settled and he has been reaping for what he did long time. Though he claims that his possession of weapons was not to harm others, Judge Kode slashed such an act as dangerous. Well, one thing that needs to be appreciated is, Sanjay Dutt, who has seen many downs and let-downs, is still optimistic about life. What is awaited is, would he get redemption in the higher court or would he serve the complete six years of rigorous imprisonment. One more thing that is fascinating me to follow up with his case is, would he be rejected by Bollywood after his release or given a hero’s welcome as was before. Only time will tell…..
2) Absolutely dazed by the success story of Sergey Brin and Larry Page after reading ‘The Google Story’. Oh, Man! These humble but giant personalities amazed me by their insights, sharp acumen, intellectual brilliance, artistic indulgence, and what not… Their 20 percent free time to employees during work hours was what caught my eyes instantly. Life cannot be imagined without internet nowadays, and that too, Google. Hats off to you guys! Keep growing.....
3) Fermat’s Last Theorem – thanks to my brother who has amassed the books that I would love to read, this book is dizzying me with the mathematicians’ sharp brains, eccentric characteristics and the dying aspirations. ‘Perfect’ numbers, ‘friendly’ numbers, difference between scientific inventions and mathematical theorems,………… a lot to learn. I feel I am a total waste in this world.
4) Watched a Madhur Bhandarkar movie (2005 release) ‘Page 3’ on TV. It is all about a journalist’s encounters with the elite glam world and their night lives. Konkona Sen and Atul Kulkarni have proven what kind of actors they are.
5) Watched the DVD of the old classic ‘The Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’. Robert Redford is irresistibly handsome and Paul Newman is no loser of course. Thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
Thoughts are endless …….. Let me stop here now. More later.
1) Judge Kode’s proven track record has elevated him to the status of hero after his verdict in the Dutt case. The dust has finally settled and he has been reaping for what he did long time. Though he claims that his possession of weapons was not to harm others, Judge Kode slashed such an act as dangerous. Well, one thing that needs to be appreciated is, Sanjay Dutt, who has seen many downs and let-downs, is still optimistic about life. What is awaited is, would he get redemption in the higher court or would he serve the complete six years of rigorous imprisonment. One more thing that is fascinating me to follow up with his case is, would he be rejected by Bollywood after his release or given a hero’s welcome as was before. Only time will tell…..
2) Absolutely dazed by the success story of Sergey Brin and Larry Page after reading ‘The Google Story’. Oh, Man! These humble but giant personalities amazed me by their insights, sharp acumen, intellectual brilliance, artistic indulgence, and what not… Their 20 percent free time to employees during work hours was what caught my eyes instantly. Life cannot be imagined without internet nowadays, and that too, Google. Hats off to you guys! Keep growing.....
3) Fermat’s Last Theorem – thanks to my brother who has amassed the books that I would love to read, this book is dizzying me with the mathematicians’ sharp brains, eccentric characteristics and the dying aspirations. ‘Perfect’ numbers, ‘friendly’ numbers, difference between scientific inventions and mathematical theorems,………… a lot to learn. I feel I am a total waste in this world.
4) Watched a Madhur Bhandarkar movie (2005 release) ‘Page 3’ on TV. It is all about a journalist’s encounters with the elite glam world and their night lives. Konkona Sen and Atul Kulkarni have proven what kind of actors they are.
5) Watched the DVD of the old classic ‘The Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’. Robert Redford is irresistibly handsome and Paul Newman is no loser of course. Thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
Thoughts are endless …….. Let me stop here now. More later.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Slicing up the emotions
When I saw the young girl playing in the swing, my heart was melting. She must be around 8 years and the place was none other than an orphanage. She was dark in her school uniform with double plaited hair.
I tried to put myself in her shoes and out came this small dissection of one shade of emotion at that particular moment.
Why do you want
To visit my home?
Do you
Flock to see me
Care to touch me
Bend to hold me
Only to realise & publicise
The poverty of mine
And fortune of yours
In this world
Do you know
Your framed
Gesture of generosity
Picture of goodwill
Expression of compassion
Tumbles my emotions a bit
With a question
‘What is the motive of your visit?’
Let me tell you one thing
Do not visit me
Out of sympathy
Do not spoil me
With momentary love
But do see me
With respect for what I am
Are you aware
When you have so many
To serve and love you
You complain
Of desolate mind
And lonely world
Let me tell you
I know not to complain
For I am thrust with patience
And I know not to crave
Though I am born with ignorance
Yet beware
My peals of laughter echoes
In my crowded home
Not with your language of love
But gets expressed
Only in the way
I know, feel, emote and realise
I tried to put myself in her shoes and out came this small dissection of one shade of emotion at that particular moment.
Why do you want
To visit my home?
Do you
Flock to see me
Care to touch me
Bend to hold me
Only to realise & publicise
The poverty of mine
And fortune of yours
In this world
Do you know
Your framed
Gesture of generosity
Picture of goodwill
Expression of compassion
Tumbles my emotions a bit
With a question
‘What is the motive of your visit?’
Let me tell you one thing
Do not visit me
Out of sympathy
Do not spoil me
With momentary love
But do see me
With respect for what I am
Are you aware
When you have so many
To serve and love you
You complain
Of desolate mind
And lonely world
Let me tell you
I know not to complain
For I am thrust with patience
And I know not to crave
Though I am born with ignorance
Yet beware
My peals of laughter echoes
In my crowded home
Not with your language of love
But gets expressed
Only in the way
I know, feel, emote and realise
Sunday, July 08, 2007
World
Fast life
Polluted air
Humid climate
Broken roads
Corrupt society
Acting relations
Volatile thoughts
Restless mind
Dead heart
Run, run away
From this world
Only with a hope
To build your own
With plain thoughts
Simple attitude
Agile life
Unexpected courtesies
And love in heart
One question remains
Can I do it, can I do it
Yes, only when I
Learn to ignore those
Who reject me
Learn to embrace those
Who need me
Learn to forgive those
Who mar me
Learn to love those
Who accuse me
My glowing world
Is within me now
My craving world
Is within my reach now
P.S. Posted from the drizzling climate of Coimbatore
Polluted air
Humid climate
Broken roads
Corrupt society
Acting relations
Volatile thoughts
Restless mind
Dead heart
Run, run away
From this world
Only with a hope
To build your own
With plain thoughts
Simple attitude
Agile life
Unexpected courtesies
And love in heart
One question remains
Can I do it, can I do it
Yes, only when I
Learn to ignore those
Who reject me
Learn to embrace those
Who need me
Learn to forgive those
Who mar me
Learn to love those
Who accuse me
My glowing world
Is within me now
My craving world
Is within my reach now
P.S. Posted from the drizzling climate of Coimbatore
Friday, June 29, 2007
Simple words in my playful hands..…
Are the hospitals hospitable to patients?
So thinking I patiently entered into the lobby to catch glimpses. All that I badly needed was immense patience.
What was I talking about? Ah! Patients, right? They were sitting in large numbers. Hmm….. so many technological ailments, so many departments, so many weird names, so many people in different age groups, so many sad faces. It seemed as if they wanted to jump out of this phase with the help of a magic wand.
All along, my mind was grading the doctors who were just passing me, out of which a gradely old man I caught sight of.
Even without his white coat, I could sense that he was a physic. His aura was charming and his physique gave an illusion that he was only a man of 40.
While I was looking at him with gaping mouth, a young girl of 6 sat beside me bridging the gap.
She was irresistibly beautiful with an angelic face. While I was admiring her beauty from side angle, this little angel smiled at me with her impish eyes. Lo! When she turned to me fully, I could see her swollen eyes. Her mother was trying to keep a small cube of ice on it.
I forcibly took away my eyes from her and fixed on the corridor. There, the doc of distinction was walking towards me. He had a distinct pattern of wavy hair, distracting my attention.
Brushing aside my thoughts, I realized my haphazard hair blocking my view.
I opened my handbag and took my hairbrush to brush it aside. Unfortunately, my hair refused to budge.
By that time, he came near me and asked, “Are you the daughter of so and so….?”
Astonished, I said, “Yes, doc.”
“Well, come with me then.”
I listened to him attentively. With a nod, I came out.
My friend who was standing at the doorstep asked me in excitement, “What happened to my father? Is he alright? What do the reports say? Is the doctor optimistic about his health.” She was screaming at the top of her voice.
How could I disclose the painful derivations derived by the doc based on the reports to my friend?
“Nothing to worry, dear! He’ll be alright soon…” With a pat on her back I buried my excitement underneath mainly for the reason…...
Under what assumption had the doc identified me as my friend’s father’s daughter among the sea of patients? It is an unsolved mystery still….
Hospitality........... yes it was good. Is the hospital good for my friend's father's treatment.
Yes, you guessed it right. My next step is to find that out. Of course, I am obliged to do anything for my friend. Do you have any course of treatment or hospital to suggest by the way?
[The above is the dream play of a lonely mind using repetitive words. This write-up has no inner meaning or message.] :)
So thinking I patiently entered into the lobby to catch glimpses. All that I badly needed was immense patience.
What was I talking about? Ah! Patients, right? They were sitting in large numbers. Hmm….. so many technological ailments, so many departments, so many weird names, so many people in different age groups, so many sad faces. It seemed as if they wanted to jump out of this phase with the help of a magic wand.
All along, my mind was grading the doctors who were just passing me, out of which a gradely old man I caught sight of.
Even without his white coat, I could sense that he was a physic. His aura was charming and his physique gave an illusion that he was only a man of 40.
While I was looking at him with gaping mouth, a young girl of 6 sat beside me bridging the gap.
She was irresistibly beautiful with an angelic face. While I was admiring her beauty from side angle, this little angel smiled at me with her impish eyes. Lo! When she turned to me fully, I could see her swollen eyes. Her mother was trying to keep a small cube of ice on it.
I forcibly took away my eyes from her and fixed on the corridor. There, the doc of distinction was walking towards me. He had a distinct pattern of wavy hair, distracting my attention.
Brushing aside my thoughts, I realized my haphazard hair blocking my view.
I opened my handbag and took my hairbrush to brush it aside. Unfortunately, my hair refused to budge.
By that time, he came near me and asked, “Are you the daughter of so and so….?”
Astonished, I said, “Yes, doc.”
“Well, come with me then.”
I listened to him attentively. With a nod, I came out.
My friend who was standing at the doorstep asked me in excitement, “What happened to my father? Is he alright? What do the reports say? Is the doctor optimistic about his health.” She was screaming at the top of her voice.
How could I disclose the painful derivations derived by the doc based on the reports to my friend?
“Nothing to worry, dear! He’ll be alright soon…” With a pat on her back I buried my excitement underneath mainly for the reason…...
Under what assumption had the doc identified me as my friend’s father’s daughter among the sea of patients? It is an unsolved mystery still….
Hospitality........... yes it was good. Is the hospital good for my friend's father's treatment.
Yes, you guessed it right. My next step is to find that out. Of course, I am obliged to do anything for my friend. Do you have any course of treatment or hospital to suggest by the way?
[The above is the dream play of a lonely mind using repetitive words. This write-up has no inner meaning or message.] :)
Saturday, May 26, 2007
A solitary walk
Urging the will to move away from artificial laughs of the world, I reclined on the chair of thought-beds.
Trying to shirk off diffident knocks within, my feet stood up in anticipation of silver cuts.
Playing the drama of real life in the cosmos, I saw the bees and butterflies cheering the cause of art.
Sinking in the arrays of visual treats, my eyes that flickered with a lull failed to send them to heart.
Marching towards the gates of everlasting love, my feet faltered many a time to hold a hand of blessing.
Hiding the words that haunt me day and night, I looked in awe at the cherubic face of the peak that hates hissing.
Searching for a soul to accompany me with pleasure, my cells yearn to spin yarns of love that knows not any sale.
Sneering remarks in mounds heralded my crown as I crossed the deserted path towards the peak of fairy tale.
Walking in solitude with quick paces, my panting stopped upon seeing the beautiful face alighting in love.
Researching on the serendipity of wavy thoughts that bother still, I wanted to transform into a dove.
Thanking the gentle pat of the face on my back, I knelt down with eyes full of tears to kiss its hand.
Reminding the return solitary walk that awaited me, the holy face sank happily in my heart of sand.
Trying to shirk off diffident knocks within, my feet stood up in anticipation of silver cuts.
Playing the drama of real life in the cosmos, I saw the bees and butterflies cheering the cause of art.
Sinking in the arrays of visual treats, my eyes that flickered with a lull failed to send them to heart.
Marching towards the gates of everlasting love, my feet faltered many a time to hold a hand of blessing.
Hiding the words that haunt me day and night, I looked in awe at the cherubic face of the peak that hates hissing.
Searching for a soul to accompany me with pleasure, my cells yearn to spin yarns of love that knows not any sale.
Sneering remarks in mounds heralded my crown as I crossed the deserted path towards the peak of fairy tale.
Walking in solitude with quick paces, my panting stopped upon seeing the beautiful face alighting in love.
Researching on the serendipity of wavy thoughts that bother still, I wanted to transform into a dove.
Thanking the gentle pat of the face on my back, I knelt down with eyes full of tears to kiss its hand.
Reminding the return solitary walk that awaited me, the holy face sank happily in my heart of sand.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Rhythmic beat
To enjoy music, one need not be a master of it. It is also true that listening to audio or watching TV may not be as effective as one's physical presence during a live performance.
Today evening, I had an opportunity to witness the young budding artistes displaying their various skills in music, classical instruments, dances etc. They had all assembled under one umbrella - Indian Institute for Performing Arts, Bahrain. It was a delight to see those youngsters perform with elan during the 4th anniversary celebrations of the institute.
Needless to mention, Atul has participated in the group performance of Tabla. These boys (of senior level) played well, maintained rhythm and perfect synchronisation. It was a moment of pride as a mother to witness my son's one of many talents that he has been nurturing, being staged. God bless the child!
Today evening, I had an opportunity to witness the young budding artistes displaying their various skills in music, classical instruments, dances etc. They had all assembled under one umbrella - Indian Institute for Performing Arts, Bahrain. It was a delight to see those youngsters perform with elan during the 4th anniversary celebrations of the institute.
Needless to mention, Atul has participated in the group performance of Tabla. These boys (of senior level) played well, maintained rhythm and perfect synchronisation. It was a moment of pride as a mother to witness my son's one of many talents that he has been nurturing, being staged. God bless the child!
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