American History X

The dichotomy of American History fascinates me - on one hand, there was this influx of immigrant Europeans trying to retain their way of life in a new land and on the other, they denied the same right to the African slaves.

I read 'Cane River' by Lalita Tademy  which is a fictionalised account of her family's slave history and the difficult choices they face - the book ends in the early 1930's. Now halfway through 'The Help' by Kathryn Sockett, which talks about black maids in the 1960's at the time of desegregation.

 In the help, the crux so far is black women raising white children for them to become the mistresses in turn. In Cane River, the light skinned move to different towns to deny the african roots, mothers/children are sold to different areas so the owner's offence is not in the face of the family everyday - making you wonder all those generations of history which are untraceable.

Is this also what makes the US so great - the lack of history making it easy to overcome cultural taboos?

In India, with the caste system and general knowledge of where you come from makes it impossible for many people to knuckle down and embrace change - stagnating the country as a whole - we have a mindset to follow, revere people  - thus moving from royalty to dynastic politics - choosing the same name again and again as a route to familiar. 

It seems that the very things that make a culture proud are the same that can be a pitfall - which I suppose  is the root of the saying 'Pride comes before a Fall'!

Random fact!

Even though, I claim 'Clueless' as my favourite movie, it probably is Sleepers'. To me the movie exemplifies the word 'poignant' - I don't know what it is that makes it so - the friendship between the boys, the waste of lives, the unfinished story between Carol and Micheal, the relationship between Fr.Bobby and the boys - something about the movie makes me feel.

For me, the film manages to clearly show the loss of innocence, from the mischievous children to to the stoic adults.  It also clearly depicts choice - how 2 boys followed the obvious decisions while others managed to break away, even though it involves cutting a part of who you are. 

It's the sort of movie that makes me appreciate my life, appreciate the art of telling a story and the strength of human relationships!

On the auspicious occasion of 20.10.2010

the Wedding Numbers for 12.12.2010

• Little under 2 months to the 3 wedding ceremonies
• 1 Bridesmaid missing
• 2 dress designers -0 number of fittings for the dress
• 1 pair of shoes bought
• 3 friends with weddings on the same weekend
• 300 wedding cards printed -5 cards distributed
• 250 favours bought -200 people on guest list
• 1 honeymoon booked
• 3 friends knocked up who cannot make it to the wedding
• 2 excited people - 1 Happy couple who cannot wait for it!

Love is blind....

and dumb and in my case, mostly also deaf!

presenting "Amazing Choices" - the line of boys I've had crushes on over the years:

1. The boy who spoke no english part 1 - in his defense, very sweet. 
2. the boy who spoke no english part 2 - in my defense, I was stupid!
3. the boy who spoke no english part 3 also known as the boy who had a gf, dated me and married a 3rd girl - There is no defense!
4. the boy in the red sleeveless tshirt at a party - in my defense, I was drunk!
5. the boy with the beavis and butthead laugh - in his defense, he was stupid!
6. the boy with the cap which said mine is longer than yours - in my defense, it was funny!
7. the boy with the abba song - not so bad really, just the friend hated it!
8. the boy with snot on his nose - in my defense,I was very young and did not know any better!
9. the drunk drummer - the whole college also!
10. the stoned hostelite - half the college in this case!

Saved by the following:

• my best friend's brother
• My best friend
• finally the Juggler!!

Things to do

in this gorgeous rainy weather better than typing this post!

• vada pav and chai at a *tapri* underneath a *chattri*
• read a romantic novel curled up in a quilt against a partially open window
• walk along the sea face - marine drive, carter rd, bandstand
• drink whisky in coffee (the only way I can tolerate it!)
• Watch the rain fall down in the comfort of your own home

*tapri* - roadside stall
*chattri* - umbrella

Lyrics that strike a chord

Sometimes, a song sticks in your mind, not because you like the music but because the lyrics describe your life - not just in a 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' way (Thank You Cyndi Lauper!) but it reminds you of how you wanted your life to be or how it was!

I Hate Luv Storys - Sadka - Ab Maine Kal Apne Tere Sang Soche Hai


Lady Antebellum -  Stars Tonight - Guys with white pearl buttons looking just like Springsteen


Kings of Leon - Revelry - just know it was you all along who had a hold of my heart,but the demon in me was the best of friends from the start, so the time we shared,it was precious to me,all the while I was dreaming of revelry!


John Mayer - Heartbreak Warfare - How come the only way to know how high you get me
is to see how far I fall?


Lady Antebellum - Need You Now - It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now


Dido - Here With Me - And I don't want to move a thing, It might change my memory

Recommended Watching: Music and Lyrics

Edited to Add: I think Eminem is one of the greatest lyricists - I belong to the school of thought that views Rap as poetry for me generation.
Love the way you lie: That's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano

Turning Three Oh!

April this year, heralded the first of my friends to turn 30, followed by one in May - this month sees the list take off with 2, then 3 in September followed by another 2 in October then the random strays culminating with me in May next year .




30 now seems to me to be the big step into Responsibility - it is the sense that I will finally have to take charge of my life. In the 20's, I could shrug it off – too busy enjoying graduate studies, living away from home and then financial independence for the first time! Being responsible for myself could always take a backset but at 30, there is no such excuse!


Having taken the first step by getting married *huge sigh of relief*, I threaten to embrace it inspite of the 19 year old in my heart. Looking around me, I see all mature individuals actually making difficult life choices. At this threshold, I see friends raising children, having babies, planning weddings. I also see friends making difficult decisions to end marriages/relationships that are not working or refusing to settle for anything. I do see people who are still stuck in a timewarp, discussing life and retaining attitudes of a life, 10 years ago but this *thank god* is a limited number.


After this year, I can no longer claim to be a child (never mind what my parents think!) - I will be living on my own, *running* a house, responsible to another individual as an equal - all scary scary thoughts. I know friends have done it and succeeded very well but it is difficult!


30 also implies financial planning - what used to be water through my fingers earlier now needs to be accounted for with issues like rent, savings, and education to consider. Debt free credit card existence is no longer good enough - in fact, debts like house loans, car loans are actively embraced.


Adulthood is finally around the corner and in spite of having delayed it by 10 years, How can I still not know if I’m ready for it?

Recommended Reading: Mike Gayle - Turning 30