To remind me....

I love you not only for what you are,
But for what I am when I am with you
I love you not only for what you have made of yourself
But for what you are making me
I love you for the part of me that you bring out.
I love you for passing over all my foolish and weak traits,
That you can't help but see
I love you for drawing out into the light my beauty,
That no one else had looked quite far enough to dim
I love you.

The wedding preps finally caught up with me yesterday - Cried thrice - only knowing the juggler is at the end of it makes it worthwhile!

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