Day 28: Losing My Cool

Day 28: something you makes you really angry


One thing that is sure to set me on the warpath is any interruption in the midst of a really good book. I just blow my top at such times. I rant and rave and sulk and fume. I am an avid reader and disrupting me while enjoying a lazy read completely  bugs me. 
In conjunction, missing final pages of a book, especially in secondhand books is also something that triggers extreme annoyance in me. I let loose my wrath on all the unsuspecting people around me. I just hate it when I'm cheated out of the finish to a gripping novel. I simply have to know the end, no matter how silly, anti-climatic or boring. 
Furthermore, badly handled books, mistreated classics, traumatized novels, all these inspire sympathy for my dogeared friends while inflaming my outrage at miscreants who think nothing of tearing and destroying storehouses of knowledge. 


So, what sets off your temper?

Day 14: What I believe in

Day 14: write about something you believe in, anything at all


I believe everybody should have a hobby or leisure time pursuit, something that they are passionate about, that they love doing. The joy that lights up in one's eyes as we indulge in our favorite activity, the sheer thrill of getting down to enjoy in that one special, personally favored task is something that we shall always cherish. They give us those treasured moments that we spent on ourselves. 
In a lifetime of trying to care for the family, being around for friends, work and numerous social obligations, these times that we invest in ourselves sure are a great way to recharge and rejuvenate.
Mine is reading. What's yours?

Bangalore Stories- The Red Carpet

Eight Stories with Bangalore as the backdrop. I did not like the first three stories because they seemed a bit too explicit. I have Victorian sensibilities. But something made me stick on. And I am glad. Because the remaining five were quite nice. The characters are completely Indian and hence, I could relate to the madi-following Iyer mamis, the young, overworked and harassed software professionals, the clash of mother and daughter, the mentality of the working class.
Though I hope never to meet the maid who is a child-abuser or have my friends (male or otherwise) cussing for all they're worth and using filthy language in my presence, I know that these are portraits of real people abounding in all our cities and towns. The characterization is very strong and that is what makes the book a compelling read. Lavanya Sankaran is pretty cool for a first time author.

Mysterious Affair at Styles

Just read Mysterious Affair at Styles

Oh, it was fabulous. Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings under one roof, a murder,  lots of suspects and clues and a happy ending. What more can one ask for?

I've read the last Hercule Poirot case which also is set in Styles and was just as amazing. Ever since then, I really wanted to read this. So, I'm happy that I've finally checked it off my list.

Agatha Christie never disappoints and hence, this too is a must-read.

On Zorro and More

Well, I am totally running out of ideas on what to write about in Z.
I tried to think of famous people from Z. Only Facebook creator came to mind. But what do I write about him. So, dismissed it right away. Next word that sprung to my mind is Zorro. So, this piece is all that I can ramble on Zorro.

I loved the comics on Zorro. It was inspiring and funny and similar to the movies I liked to watch. And since it contained words in Spanish, I liked it even more. At this point I have to point out that I was only seven years old then.

Zorro comics were that part of my childhood when I could not decide which I liked better- novels or comics. The reader in me loved poring over fat books and the satisfaction of finishing a heavy book cover to cover. But the kid in me loved the adorable comics and not just for discussing with my friends. Champak, Chandamama, Gokulam, Mandrake, Phantom, Batman, and of course, Zorro are all inseparable parts of that period in my life.

Years later I saw the movie- Zorro. I loved Anthony Hopkins, the way he narrates his child his adventurous story; the dramatic gesture where a feeble looking man opens his eyes to reveal the power and vengeance that is nursed by the older but not less dangerous Sir Hopkins. And then came Antonio Banderas tumbling into the movie. I liked the plot but wished all along that the bit about AH was not shown. It somehow overshadowed all the later performances. The second one I felt was even worse and I wondered why I even bothered. Even today, I watch this movie only for the first 15 minutes where AH appears.

And yes, one more thing I liked in the movies were the babies. Nice, fat, squalling babies. Adorably sweet, blanket covered, berry eyed babies. Like Charlei Chaplin rightly mentioned, babies and dogs make the best actors in cinema. Ok, it was pantomime and not cinema that he uttered; but I am sure I can help myself to a few artistic liberties here.

Anyway, enough of reminiscing about Zorro and comics and fat babies. But next time, the movie comes up, do watch out for the stellar first 15 minutes.

2 States - Chetan Bhagat

Hmm... This is a book that I have already read. But the name fits for week 3 and I have not been to the library to replenish my set of new books. So, here goes.

2 States is a book about how to people fall in love and decide to marry with the blessings of both sets of parents. This is easier said than done as the two are from diametrically opposite families, states, cultures and mindsets. And that is the plotline in short.

Now, I've read Chetan Bhagat's books before but this I feel is the best. The narrative is great, characters strong and realistic, the portraits of the 3 cities and their people are very well etched and as for the climax? Brilliant.

There's romance, current affairs, politics, warring parents, about to be 'samdhi' fights. I particularly liked the way in which the extended family and friends blend into the story. These are typical characters littered in each family. Hard not to actually find semblance of people I know in them.

A typical love story with a spicy makeover.

List of My Favourite Authors

I read this Facebook post on List of 15 favorite authors. I decided to add the response here.

The authors are not listed in any order of preference and I love reading each one of them.

1. Agatha Christie
2. Barbara Cartland
3. Betty Neels 
4. Jane Austen 
5. Mark Twain 
6. Enid Blyton 
7. Bill Bryson 
8. Isaac Asimov
9. Alfred Hitchcock 
10. Nora Roberts
11. Sidney Sheldon
12. Alistair MacLean
13. Robert Ludlum
14. Mary Higgins Clark
15. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 

Small Change

Hmm... Just finished reading Small Change by Sheila Roberts. Great book on how a bunch of girlfriends change their spend-thrift ways and eventually straighten their out of control lives. I liked the characterization and the vivid descriptions of the emotional dilemmas faced by the lead characters. But it also set me thinking about altering my own ways.

Ok. I am definitely not a spend-thrift. I like to call myself 'Economical'- which is far from stingy and definitely farther from spending foolishly. I do not skimp on education, health and food and safety. For everything else, there always sales and bargains. :)

But the department in which I fear, I am sadly lacking is Housekeeping. Oh- I'm quite all right. Not pathetic- but definitely not exemplary. But I want to be. So, my New Year Resolution is to take charge of all the Household chores [which are not many and which is why my Guilt-o-meter beeps frequently.]

I've been reading Jen's Blog 'IHeart Organising' and taking inspiration from it- am going about to do just that. Will post on my progress soon enough.

Oh, and do read both Jen's Blog and Sheila Robert's book.

Yet Another Good Day

Watched Beauty and the Briefcase yesterday with Hubbyji. He really did not like it that much- no wonder; since the movie is more of a Chick Flick. But he patiently sat through it when I told him I wanted to see the very end. How cute is that?

We played Chinese Checkers. He is quite a player. I moved 22 of my 30 coins in though. I feel great about that. Hubs also made lunch- an exotic recipe he learnt from his Mom.

Plus, am reading Murder at Hazelmoor- by Agatha Christie. And I earned 8000 grains for children of poorer nations on FreeRice reaching Level42 of 60 on my English vocab. My day could not have been better.