Coming Soon...

***

And a faded photograph proved to be so powerful. Thoughts and half-baked pleas resurrect from the gut of her throat—or some place like that—when an atom of a memory satchel makes it appearance in the form of an innocuous photograph. The dull polaroid shows a medieval structure of sandstone, with early Islamic architectural residues, with miniatures of two grinning humans in focus. Where are they now? What is Life offering them? Is happiness a part of the menu? She put it away. Not for the memories it brought back. But for the sake of making this act—yet another—complete memory sachet.

***

Wish List

Unlike what some of you thought, my birthday is not over and done with. It's just coming. And this time, I am thinking of gifting myself a little something. What it is, you will soon come to know. But in the meantime, I conjured up a list of what all I want this time. It all began with two close people asking me what I want from them, since they couldn't find an apt gift for me. "You seem too content, dammit", scowled one. Here is what I want:

From folks, I want time.
From lovers, I want moments.
From friends, I want trust in me.
From foes, I want forgiveness.
From me, I want acceptance.

Five "wants", yet I am so demanding!

PS: I celebrated the birthday of my dearest DPT, today. Happy Birthday, man! I Love You.

When Two Atoms Met

ME: This wasn’t how I imagined myself to be when I am 25. Or maybe, it’s just that I didn’t know back then, just how young is 25 after all.
SHE: Latter
ME: What a relief!
SHE: But that doesn’t give you a lifetime to work on you dreams
ME: Point taken
SHE: What if tonight is my last?
ME: Are you happy with whatever you have done so far?
SHE: I have had no regrets this far
ME: If tonight is my last (or, GOD Forbid, yours) then I say, once more, that I Love You.
SHE: I am glad I have found the right people and the right clues and signs in their words and actions. I love you too, girl
ME: Same here. No regrets. No regrets in any of the decisions I have made. Or in the paths that I have tread. Or in the joys or sorrows I indulged in. Only, there are still so many things to be taken care of
SHE: Understandable. Heard of prioritization?
ME: It’s an illusion—once again—that things won’t move ahead without me
SHE: Oh be sure as hell...I am nothing to this world (but) a speck
ME: As the smallest speck of an Atom
SHE: But that doesn’t leave me distraught
ME: But remember, even an atom makes a difference in this universe

Happiness Unbound

What is it that elicits in you a truly unbound moment of happiness?
A long forgotten song suddenly playing in your mind?
An unexpected rain shower wetting the earth and making you splash around?
Reruns of an old TV show that you watched as a child?
Funny sounds you hear when you place your ear on your mother's belly?
Your train getting to the destination right on time?
Coffee with new friends getting to know each other?
Bumping into an old flame at the music store?
A lazy Saturday wintry afternoon with a musty old book?
A silent bus ride with a secret crush?
Your sister squealing in excitement at an amusement park?
An old friend crossing hundreds of miles to stand at your doorstep when you least expected it?

And people wonder about my tagline…
… Life’s Beautiful!

Commercial Break

For people who know Andiji, this wouldn't be news. The Dhanaulti Rock Fest is just a few weeks away. A well informed and enthusiastic chap gushed about the fact that Orange Street is performing. "You must let your bloggers know!" he insisted. So, I use my blog space for something that I normally dont do -- write about an event that is about to happen. My space has always been reserved for satchels of past and pent up memories.

Rock fans who can take off to beautiful Dhanaulti, please do so. Watch the action and report in. The fest will be held on 02-04th June, 2006. Listen to music, unwind, lie on the grass, watch the stars, muse, and thank me! Hey, whadaya know, that's my birthday weekend too... Visit http://www.andijis.com/ for more details. Check out that classic picture of Andiji too.

I agree it was an awkward moment of silence in here. It was just a break. A break is essential. I took one and decided to become the wagabond that I always yearn to be. This entry comes in after returning from a short detour from insanity and monotony. Took off to a not-so-far place to meet some not-so-far people. Wrote a couple of thousand words. Travelled a couple of hundred kilometers. Recovered from a few pleasant and not-so-pleasant shocks. Life is beautiful, or is it not so?!