Tuesday 31 December 2013

Last One Standing

I know I've been away for too long. And you know why I'm here now.
Yep, have to write a year-end post after all. Even though, I've been absent from this blog for the greater part of the year. So, getting right down to business....

I won't talk about the kind of year it has been. I don't think I can. It would take a lot of effort, time and some courage to be able to put everything out there. But as usual, it's been an interesting year, slow in parts, racing by in others. I guess 2-4 major events happened this year-
1. I graduated from post-grad (yeah, not to happy about the fact that I'm no longer a student)
2. I'm a working professional (so-to-say)
3. I lived alone (not on campus, not with folks) for some part of the year (miniscule in proportion, really, but the thought of it counts)

So, this year has brought it's share of pleasantries as well as miseries. I'm not gonna delve on those now. Reserving being philosophical for another time.

I'm not gonna list down a set of resolutions for next year either.

The only thing topmost in my mind right now is how much I miss campus life. That's about all. Don't get me wrong, I love being able to earn and spend my own money, establish my independence (gradually, in phases :P) and all the rest of the mumbo-jumbo that comes with being an employed adult. But I miss not having a schedule, or having my own sweet schedule (cause that was also, after all, a routine) or just sitting around doing nothing at all, blasting loud music from my speakers all day long, cleaning my room time and again, planning wing parties, and so on and so forth. It just makes me sad....that I'll never be able to go back there again. And I don't mean the place, that may still be possible some 20 years down the line. But I will never really be back there, with the same people, in the same environment, as a care-free (mostly) student.
I'm sure there will be many more better things in the future, many memories and experiences still to make. But one can feel sad for oneself from time-to-time can't they?

OK, I'm done reminiscing. Now for the year-end stuff.


So, the thing is, I love reading (and watching) all the year-end editorials and shows that come about this time of the year. You know the type- Best of 2013, Top 10 Blockbusters of 2013, Top 30 Countdown of 2013's Chartbusters, The Next Big Things in 2014, etc. etc. etc. The year before OSO released, I was reading the year-end brunch and they said Deepika Padukone will be the Next Big Thing in Bollywood. (Same issue said Sabyasachi will be the Next Big Thing in Fashion) and from that moment on, I'd taken on an instant liking to her. And I've said this to whoever cared to listen this year (considering her hugely successful 2013) that I always knew she had it in her. Which is why I've decided I'll make one of my own lists this year. I don't think I have the time and effort to pen down 10 things and all now, so I'll keep it short and simple and let's start with-

7 THINGS I LOVED ABOUT 2013:

NO. 7
Jetpack Joyride
Yeah, I downloaded this on my iPad one fine day, just randomly, and when my friends got a hold of it, all hell broke loose! Let's just say, I'm so addicted, I downloaded it on my phone and all but finished (one mission left) the game in a matter of a few weeks, days...I've lost track of time o_O

NO. 6
Chillar Songs
Yes, I love Chindi Hindi Music and I'm proud of it. I have listened to http://www.ghatiparty.com/ and found it too subtle for my tastes. So, I went and made a playlist of my own. It's not exhaustive, mind you, because a lot of the songs weren't available on the mobile version, but go ahead, give it a try....if you have the courage...
http://gaana.com/playlist/natashabahugunachillar
*Tamanche Pe Disco, Tamanche Pe Dis Dis Dis Dis Disco*

NO. 5
Buzzfeed
It's awesome. Keeps you entertained on many a boring afternoon/late night (depending on what your sleep schedule is).

NO. 4
My Foray into the World of Smart Phones
Well, I bought a nexus. And OMG, my blackberry was like one of those 90s desktops in comparison!! :) :) :) :) :) :) Androids FTW!

NO. 3,
Being an Aunt!
:)
Yeah, well, I'm an aunt now, and even though I sincerely doubt my competence in being one, it's still an exciting thing to happen in one's life. All she does currently, though, is sleep, cry and feed. Maybe in a month or so, I'll actually be able to play with her (I refuse to change her diapers, it disgusts me). Anyhow, I've already decided I'mma make her listen to metal when she grows up, am already singing SRK songs to her so she gets conditioned to automatically like him (Muahahaha!) and be as cool as me obv. :P You know, like a mini goth at 13 years? No? Erm, Myabe not, I have a feeling my sister will kill me if I do that :P

NO. 2
Hauz Khas Village!
Yes, I discovered it this year, and yes, what kinda delhiite am I, etc. etc. but seriously, I freak-ing LOVE the place! It is just the right mixture of high end cafes and old-world charm, ruined monument and interesting pubs as can be found, where else, but only in Delhi!

NO. 1
Travelling and Living Alone
a.k.a South ka Darshan
This year, I got to travel a bit...with friends, while I was on campus, and that was amazing. One of the trips happened to be a surprise trip on my birthday, so it was all the more special. :) Also travelled a bit for work, and that was fun too.
And secondly, while on my sales stint, I travelled to the South of the India. I was in Chennai and Hyderabad, and it was so much fun living in and exploring these cities. Living on my own is something I've dreamed about doing for a few years now, and what made it even more exciting was living with one of my best friends from school. :) Unfortunately, my adventures got cut short and I cam back to Delhi, so these lands are yet to be fully explored by me...Someday...Hopefully soon.



7 THINGS I DETESTED ABOUT 2013:

NO. 7
Instagram
People, PLEASE, try taking pictures and NOT Instagramming them for once! I mean, for one, every picture looks the exact same. And secondly, there are a million other editing softwares out there, why don't you go explore some? I'm quite happy with the editing options on my Nexus 4 for now, and really proud of the fact that I've managed to stay away from Instagram so far (except for the one time on my friend's phone)

NO. 6
Graduating
Like I already mentioned in my long tirade above, I really did not ever wanna graduate out of my post-graduate college, I was just having too much fun! But, oh well...life goes on.

NO. 5
Last Minute Cancellations
Yes. These suck. When you're all packed, tickets booked, itinerary planned out and then, due to some godforsaken reason (or person) your travel plans get all ^&*%ed up! I think, I'm personally jinxed when it comes to planning trips (esp with friends), so if you're planning one with me, better be careful!

NO. 4
Being Buried in Work
Yeah, I don't know if I'm a workaholic or just plain slow. but being bogged down with work SUCKS. And like my boss said to me one fine day, I'm too young to have a break down, so if I had been making resolutions, this would be right up there on the list.

NO. 3
Growing Up- "Beta Shaadi Kar lo"
You know the drill...Done with studies, have a job, so what else are you expected to do now but marry someone soon? Considering my mental age and maturity, I don't see this day coming soon (and thank god for that).

NO. 2
AAP Supporters
Armchair politics is bad enough, facebook activists are worse! And they're annoying because they're all over your newsfeed. From people changing their profile pics to the AAP icon, (even when they have nothing to do really with Delhi elections, and maybe my saying this is being short-sighted, but I really don't get why people who it's not gonna affect make such a hue and cry about things) to each fb update being about how great Fejriwal is, I was just SICK. TO. DEATH. with AAP supporters brandishing their brooms in public.

And also, before I forget, NaMo supporters are no better. What was fun though was Pappu-bashing on social media. Anyhow, I think I've made my point, and now moving on to the big finish-

*drum roll*

                           *drum roll*
                                         
                                                      *drum roll*

NO. 1
Technological SNAFUs
This has been a year, where I was blessed, cross that out, cursed with bad luck when it comes to gadgets. Lost my iPad, lost my hard disk, survived a time where both my phones refused to function (all this happened in the same time period btw, except for the hard disk), and basically, I felt like the Techno Gods were out to get me. A friend kindly pointed out that both apple and seagate products were blue in colour, don't know what that means, but I still ended up buying a new blue hard disk 2 weeks back.


Anyhow, this is how I bid adieu to 2013. See you next year, and I promise to be more regular from now on! :D
Let's hope this is a promise that I actually keep. :)


See you on the other side folks!


P.S- And if you're still wondering about the title, it's cause this is the last day of the year left. That's how random I am. Knowing that, you'll be able to sleep at night, right? OK.

P.P.S- I have a lot to say abt what I loved in Bollywood/TV this year, but I don't have time right now, so will write about all that next year :)





Tuesday 17 December 2013

Bhaag Bhaag!

A couple of movie reviews have been pending for a while. Guess I've been a li'l lazy....
So anyway I'll get right down to it. I watched Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Was pretty excited. And yeah, I loved the movie. It _is_ quite long, and a couple of scenes seemed pointless and could've been done away with, but overall, I thought the story-telling was very good.
Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra takes you right to the scene of the crime, so to speak...not that I'm talking of a crime...I merely mean, he transports you into the world of his characters.

Farhan Akhtar delivered a power packed performance, and though you might think it odd that he is romancing a firangi babe in Australia when he's supposed to be training, he makes you live the character along with him, he makes Milkha Singh real (on screen that is).

The Music. Loved it. Though some songs were unneccesary and could've been done away with- like the one where he returns to his village, and is imagining Sonam Kapoor. Come to think of it, certain scenes itself could've easily been done away with.

BUT the biggest shocker of all is.....

Sonam Kapoor was alright. What with the miniscule role and all. :D

But all in all, I really loved the move. The flashback scenes in particular were extraordinarily shot. And maybe, it was the subject, but it really ended up being heart-warming :)

This was supp to go up in July...an you believe it?! 5 months late! Need to work on this procrastination thing.