Monday, June 15, 2009

And here I am again..

Thank you A, for tagging me on this. I appreciate the sensitivity of your thought that this tag will help me untangle and start writing once again. It has.
So here goes.

1) When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
"I was young when I left Home.."

"I was young when i left home
An' I been out a-ramblin' round
An' I never wrote a letter to my home.
Not a shirt on my back
Not a penny on my name
But I can't go home this a-way.."
- Bob Dylan (Who else?!!!)

2) How much cash do you have in your wallet right now?

About $30. And some $1 notes to tip the cool guy at the coffee shop.

3) What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Sore. Bore. Pour.
Does that say anything about my state of mind?!

4) Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
A telemarketer from Chase(who insists on pronouncing my name as 'Mankashi'!!)

5) What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
Ohh I`ve never been a stickler for ringtones. Just the standard T-Mobile thingy on.
Though back home, I had 'You and I in this beautiful world Green grass, Blue Skies in this beautiful world!' - the Hutch ringtone. Isnt the song simply splendid?

6)What are you wearing right now?
Ohh the usual. Jeans and a red tee.
No interesting answers here, unless I re-write this post at midnight ;)

7)Do you label yourself?
I guess I do.
Sometimes as an insecure pessimist. At times as an angry pessimist. But Mostly as a depressed pessimist.
Ha!

8) Name the brand of the shoes you currently own?

A pair of Nike sneakers. And a couple of non-branded sandals. That`s all.
(Its interesting to note that personal branded/non-branded shoes collection gets increasing mention in so many blogs. Is that a matter of pride, to own 250 pairs of shoes?? Just wondering..)
In the same breath, here`s a joke.
A fat woman goes to the beach on a bright Saturday morning. She looks at the other women in bikinis and scoffs. And then she scoffs some more.

Yeah, either you have a dashboard stomach to flaunt or you think bikinis are immodest! :)

9) Bright or Dark Room?

Bright kitchen. Dark bedroom.

10) What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
About A, who tagged me - I think she`s an awfully caring and sensitive person.

11) What does your watch look like?

I dont wear a watch.
Never wore one.
But now I have been carrying my Dad`s watch with me, which he wore till his last aching breath.

12) What were you doing at midnight last night?
Peering out of the guest room window, trying to figure out if its a racoon or just a rabbit scooting across the lawn!

13) What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
"The gym has a potty for god`s sake Mish!" - The G

14) What’s a word that you say a lot?
"Oh Shoot!" and "Aare Yaar!"

15)Who told you he/she loved you last?
The G.

16) Last furry thing you touched?
I`ve never touched anything furry.
Never intend to either!

19) Your favourite age so far
EIGHT. It was the year my Grampa bought me my first 'adult' bike. It was maroon, had two balancing wheels and curved handles, a black leather seat and a basket in front. And I was thrilled! The memory still makes me smile.

18) What was the last thing you said to someone?
Call me at lunch.

19) The last song you listened to?
"Mora Saiyaan Mose Bole na" - Fuzon.
Excellent song. A must hear(and hence the link!)

20) Where did you live in 1987?
Ranchi, India.
I have some pretty fond memories of the old house. Especially important is that of this huge well in the campus, that my mom tried so hard to warn us about.
"Dont go near the well. You`ll fall and I wont be able to pull you out", she`d chant religiously every evening when we moved out to play.
Cant help wondering if she knew I`d fall in anyway.

21) Are you jealous of anyone?
Not of anyone in particular. But sometimes, I do feel jealous of some women who have it all.
Parents. Children. And a job.

22) Is anyone jealous of you?

I dont think so. I dont have anything that anyone might want and not have.
Except for The G.

23) Name three things that you have on you at all times?
At all times eh?? Ahem!
Let me modify the qstn as three things I have at all times when I`m out of home. :)
Cell phone, wallet and keys.

24) What’s your favourite town/city?
It`ll have to be Pune, inspite of some pretty horrendous memories that I have tried in vain to bury deep inside.
And now of course, I`m beginning to fall in love with the Twin Cities here in the US.
This qstn reminds me of a post I did a long time back about roots. I dont really feel attached to any one particular place. Its always been the people around who`ve meant more to me.

25) When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
In the year of the Lord 2005, when I was posted at Poonch, J&K.
Never ever wrote a letter after that. Have religiously stuck to email.
Incidentally, going through Dad`s things last month, we found three letters that he had safely preserved over the years.
- One that my Grandpa had written to his sister, from Japan in 1944. He was posted there as a Major in the Indian National Army, fighting along with Subhash Chandra Bose in the Azad Hind Fauj, against the Britishers during World War 2!
- One that my great grandpa wrote to me on my first bday! :)
- And the third One that Dad had written to me when I was a year old and away at my Grandpa`s place with my mom.

Amongst the other things which Dad had treasured and safely kept were my parents wedding card and a family photograph of his parents and siblings.

26) Can you change the oil on a car?
Nope.
(Does that say a thing about who I am?)

27) Your first love/big crush: What is the last thing you heard about him/her?
My first crush??! Havent the faintest clue! Was some guy from a neighboring school we`d met at an inter-school recitation competition. My closest pal and me, both fell for him at once!! (J, if you`re reading this, do you remember that Ojha Guy?? He joined DAV after that).
My first love..well last I heard, he had married his cousin`s girl friend! :)
Ah! And to think his Mom thought I was weird?!!!!

28) Does anything hurt on your body right now?

My eyes, from lack of sleep. Spent the night trying to tell apart a raccoon from a rabbit.(Oooh! First time home alone in three years and its getting a little too much to handle!).
And my heart, from an unreasonable,overwhelming urge to hold my Daddy close, just once more. Just for a minute. Just one last time.

29) What is your current desktop picture?
Of The little devil(my nephew) trapped inside a laundry basket!

30) Have you been burnt by love?
Burnt. Bruised. Broken.
But up and running all the same.
On second thoughts, who hasnt?!

27 comments:

Deeps said...

Oh Mishy as much as I was delighted to see a post from you,and loved reading each answer of yours I felt a lump in my throat everytime you mentioned your Baba.

I know it will take a long long time for you to come to terms with the gravity of the situation.But for all its worth,your memories of your Baba will really help you in moving ahead stronger and maybe even taking your decisions wiser.

(((((Lots of hugs to you,sweety))))

Unknown said...

Sigh! Made me laugh and cry at the same time.
1.I cant even begin to fathom how much u must be missing your dad.Cried at all the bits you have written about him.
2.I envy you for ur spunk..(I remember the schoolgirl) and the way you write.
3. I agree on the obsession for branded things..mass hypnosis I call it and greed....and yes disagree on that analogy...bikinis leave no room for imagination..hence dont work for me..now I sound gay!
4. U and J falling for the same guy..Ojha??? my brain is working overtime Were they from the colony?
5. I am so impressed by your grandpa being in the INA. Wow!

Welcome back!! Missed you.

SD said...

what a lovely way to get back to it. I like the way you have written this one.

Just call me 'A' said...

aww...that line about me being caring and sensitive is so sweet. it's like you read me through layers and layers and miles and miles of so many thing :)

..the heart will always beat and long and hurt for those we hold close to it. and seriously Piper....racoon or rabbit..you're sure it was not a burglar ;) hee hee hee

Renu said...

nice to know a little about you:)
Even in Burdwaan compund there were many houses with well in Ranchi .And u can never be weird( as someone thought), u are a very emotional person.

Mystic Margarita said...

Very nicely done tag, Mish! So were you able to figure out if it was a bunny or a racoon? Hang in there...and don't stay up looking outta the windows. :) Hugs.

Solilo said...

Mish, Nice to read you again and see you back. :)

Have seen this tag on A's and couple of others.

Piper .. said...

Deeps: Hugs to you too, for being such a sweetheart! Thanks for all your help. :)

Chrysalis: Do you remember Saurav Ojha? He was from St Anthony`s and later joined DAV too. But by then, he`d become this pimply faced adolescent and ugh! :):)

Goofy Mumma: :):) thanks GM! I needed to start somewhere.

A: Grrr!! Dont talk of burglars just yet. Another night to go! :(:(

Renu: ha ha! But moms of adolescent sons always tend to think of their 'prospective' daughter-in-laws as weird, dont you think??? :):) How`re you enjoying Seattle? I emailed you.

Piper .. said...

Mystic: It was a rabbit after all! One more night to go, Mystic! :(:(

Solilo: Hey thanks! And havent you done this tag? The reason I didnt tag anyone is because I thought everyone`s already done it. PLease take it up if you want to. Would love to read your thoughts.

Spontaneous Mini said...

Hey Mish,
Loved your post.
Why you always insist on labeling yourself in varied form of pessimist adj? I still dnt see u like that!
You doing good girl...
My thakurda and baba have preserved a number of letters too.. many.. from their hostel days, sibling, letters from teachers.
I relate to that emotion.

Piper .. said...

Mini: I insist because that`s who I am! :) Yes, I too treasure so many such old letters from the past. Feels beautiful, doesnt it?

Fram Actual said...

It is always fun to learn more about you, Piper, and posts/tags such as this reveal considerable information.

It was interesting to read how often you referred to the men in your life: Your grandfather, your father and G, for example. I suppose it goes with the times right now.

Amrita said...

Hey.. such a nicey tag
and there were naughty parts to it too :D ;)

Take care

D said...

*Hugs*

The answer to #28 was heart wrenching. Is it ever possible to let go?

Anonymous said...

You made me laugh so much..and just as my tummy began to ache you also made me cry. But I am so glad you are beginning to write again..its such a healing thing..a great vent, and a wonderful way to remember your Daddy too. God bless you, Mishy!

Anonymous said...

And...And...I hope your Ojha guy finds you and your best friend in cyberspace soon ;-) Won't that be interesting?

Iya said...

good to know u a little better..
and glad to see a post from u..trust me it will help to write, maybe a little but it surely will..

Iya said...

blog rolling u..

Piper .. said...

Fram: Well I must write more about my Grandpa. I havent ever before. He definitely is one of the few men in my life I shall always admire and look upto.

Amrita: :) just one naughty part! :)

D: *Hugs back* You cant even begin to understand how it feels like D. I havent been able to keep a single picture of Dad anywhere in the house yet. It simply kills me..

Piper .. said...

writerzblock: ha ha! Well now that you mention, must try looking for him on Facebook! :) We did lose interest in him though, since he turned out to be quite a dumb A@%$@#$ really! :):) Ah! The days of youth! :):)

Iya: thank you! You`re right of course. It helps to have an outlet like this. Especially since all of you are just so loving and warm to me :):)

Renu said...

Oh I replied the mail:)

About the prospective DIL...when my DIL came to my home before before marriage..instead of thinking weird, I was as so excited that my son made fun of me:)..now also he says..tum dono lagta hi nahi saas bahu ho dono friends ki tarah hansti ho aur ghoomti ho:)

moon said...

Nice to know something more about you ....

last answer..who hasnt? ..hmmm

AD said...

Hey Piper, first time here. I am glad this was the first post I read, as its a great introduction to your personality! Very well written...

Piper .. said...

Renu: your DIL is one lucky woman I must say :):)

Sunder: :) isnt that an accurate observation??

AD: Hey Welcome to my space! :) And well, this post pbly isnt a proper summarization of who I am. I`ve done a couple of others before this where you might get an idea! :) Btw, I was visiting your new photoblog and I must say that the pictures were mind blowing!! Awesome stuff really!

Anonymous said...

its so good to see the words back on these pages Piper..
A is a thoughtful friend indeed:) and hints of you come through in the tag too:))

(((hugs)))))
much love:))

Deeps said...

here is another one for you,Mish

Piper .. said...

Indyeah: You`re such a sweetheart! :) Thanks!

Deeps: :):) thanks a lot for the tag. Will love to do this one :)