One for the Road

No I am not talking about the Va.Pu. Kale book or any other beverages and stuff for the road. :P Had to clarify that right knowing me you might go to that conclusion ;)..may be its the case of Chor ke dadhi mein tinaka but its better to clarify things :)

So this 'One for the Road' is for the songs I keep hearing while travelling to and from office. Depending on the mood my playlist keeps changing. But today felt like writing a blog for select few of the songs. Coincidentally these were the songs I heard today too. This playlist in my Ipod is called 'Close to Heart' songs..It assorted songs and has most of my favorite ones. So was listening to it since yesterday. There are almost more than 150 songs in this playlist so to pick these few was a tough task. But below are some songs which are truly close to heart

• Tum Se Hi (Jab We Met) - When I watched the movie for the very first time this was a total unknown song for me. It never made it in any promos and all initially. So when it came on screen I was captivated to say the least. But the effect of the movie was such that everything about that movie felt good. Later while coming back I suddenly realised I have found something special in that movie. This is the most played song on my Ipod and the people who know my addiction to music will know what that means :) . I can never explain why this is such a special song for me..the music, Mohit Suri's voice and the awesome words are part of the reason but there is something more to my obsession with this song that even I am not able to explain to myself.
• Awarapan Banjarapan (Jism) - I have to entirely blame the radio stations in mumbai for my addiction to this song. When we were in hostel I didn't have a luxury of laptop, Ipod etc..so the only thing that held me to music was FM and you know how these staions keep playing the same songs over and over again.Of course thats true for most of the songs. But this is a special song.It has stayed with me for almost 8 years now and dont think it will ever go away. If you believe in stuff like 'you have a song that's made for you' or 'its your soul song' then this is the one for me.It just captures my Soul.Everything about this song is haunting....The wind chimes, KK's voice, the music and the lyrics just make such a perfect package...'कहा  किसी  के  लिए  है  मुमकिन  सबके  लिए  एक  सा  होना ..थोडा  सा  दिल  मेरा  बुरा  है  थोडा  भला  है  सीने  में '..Perfect!!!!!!!!!
• Paigaam (Lakeer) - A.R Rehmann's one of my Favorite song. You probably don't even remember the movie. It bombed on the box office.But this is a beautiful song. Of course it has my Fev season..Monsoon..The picturasation is good..and If you just close your eyes and listen to the song, it will take you to those beautiful hills, baarish and someone special :) Its that kind of song...
• Kitani Baatein (Lakshya) - ' You have Changed' Preity Zinta says to Hritik..he replies 'Tum nahi badali kya' and it just sets the tone of the song. It tells us that people change and forget to tell each other. This song is all about the happy memories of the past which are now just that..Memories...when I walk down from Farringdon to office and come to Ludgate Circus signal everyday I remember this song. There is no special reference to this place or any specific memory. But some things just happen and this is one of those..In that instant I see the flashback of my London stay... all good, bad and ugly!!! So thats why this song is making into the list
• O Meri jaan (Tum Mile) - This song is all about relationships(any relationships) and how misunderstanding can rip those healthy and 'will never fail' relationships apart. Its complicated says someone..I dont know why it has to be any complicated...You take care of me, I take care of you..shouldnt that be enough? But looking at how some of my most cherished relationships have gone awry I think its not always enough. This song is about such a failed relationship. How sometimes not clearing the misunderstanding can change your life entirely.'ना तुम हो बेवफा ना मैं भी हूँ फिर भी है हम जुदा मैं क्या कहूं, ना जाने वक़्त की मर्जी है क्या, क्यूँ है मिली ये दूरीयाँ!!!! so True
• Some songs do need atleast a mention here like 'Aaj Socha to Aankh Bhar aayi', 'Ye Dooriyain', ' White Flag', 'White Horse'  etc. We can talk about these some time later.

There are many more songs about which I can go on and on..Some songs come to my mind when I go to specific place, some when I think about a person or when I listen to these songs they remind me of some or the other person in my life who is close or has been close to me. Some songs come to mind with specific weather. So I think I should stop now.

But one thing is sure Without Music, I would have been one hallow person without any Soul..

Love aaj kal...Mumbai Pune Mumbai..etc etc etc

Watching Love Aaj Kal on Zee Cinema...This is one of those movies which has lots of memories attached to it and I remember it for all those memories than the movie itself. It was one of those Fridays when our weekend masti used to kick off. On that particular day in our office we had summer outing and had this treasure hunt. We were split up in 4 groups of 4 each and had been given 10 clues of different places in London. We had to decipher the code (Dan Brown style ;) ) and had to click snap in front of the place as proof. Me, Jenny, Deepti and Manjit were a group. Manjit ne hume bahot bhagaya and ofcourse we won the hunt. It was sad in the end coz as a gift we got this sadi small word book. I still regret missing John Abraham's movie Shoot for that book. After the usual socialising (Read drinks) we set off towards Ilford.

All our weekend used to start with catching a movie at Cineworld and then playing cards the whole night. But this Friday we ran into a long queue at cineworld. To pacify the other angry and irritated members of the gang (Not all were at office party and we actually were late :P) we had got the crispy cream doughnuts. But we didn't reach in time and all the shows were booked till 11.15. After a long deliberation we got the tickets, had dinner and went for the movie. There are some parts of the memory I would like to forget but you have to take all of those moments together isn't it? When I first saw the movie I totally hated it. Its not like I have started liking it but I can tolerate it these days. The movie was slow and we were tired. Jenny and Nikhil promptly fell asleep. It seems after a lonnnng time the movie finally got over. After that day for some weeks we had overdose of Twist (courtesy Kunal) and Aahu Aahu (Courtesy Nikhil) while playing the cards. We had to finally ban the DJs from playing it. I still start laughing remembering Nikhil's Rickshaw step.And how can I forget Mine and Jenny's Chor Bajari step..We tried that at the London Disc as well. It was too cool fun. And then there is 'Yeh Dooriyan..' One of my most favorite songs. Whenever I listen to this song it feels like someone is taking my heart out. I just cant breath.It transports me back in time just to bring me crashing back to reality. Do I Love the memories or the pain those bring with them? I don't know. But this is one of those weird things which remind you of something. Like the first rain, Specific colour of sky, Flowers or just some empty nights. आठवणींच्या देशात मी मनाला कधी पाठवत नाही, जाताना ते खुश असते, पण येताना त्याला येववत नाही. So I try to avoid this song but whenever I listen to it,it opens the old wounds I am so trying to cover up. anyways enough about it for a day.

Now about the movie. Its hard to digest the steps Deepika takes after her marriage. I feel for Rahul Khanna. Poor chap. This movie also feels like a Fairy Tale. Too good to be true. In India you cannot just live like that. And if you try people and society wont allow you too. In India marriage is like a compulsion. You have to follow the rules and get married. Even if you don't want to or you don't love the person. And if you break the rules, try to go against the flow then everyone will keep reminding you that something is seriously wrong with you. You have to be incredibly strong. So this movie makes me ask that question to myself. Am I strong enough? I still have not got my answer but I think time will give me the answer eventually.

All this talk takes me to the other movie I saw today. 'Mumbai Pune Mumbai'. Its a marathi movie. I wanted to see it long back. But missed it. Finally I got a chance to see it. Its about this girl who comes from Mumbai to Pune to meet this guy. Its a arrange marriage and she hasn't seen him. What happens is the story of just one day. Both Mukta Burve and Swapnil Joshi are perfect in their roles.This movie touches to the age old debate of which city is better.Mumbai or Pune. Reminds me of my endless debates with my friend too. I liked this movie but again I am not sure whether it will happen/can happen in real life.

I don't know what all I have written in the post. Don't know whether it will make sense or not. But I had promised myself that I will use my blog as my pensive and I am just sticking with it. May be some other day when I glance through it I will find the answers I am looking for....May Be

TP thoughts

Since last Sunday after that heartbreaking finale at wembley to say the mood was little down will be an understatement. It was Sh*te till Tuesday. But then came Stamford Bridge and the great(so called) Man UTD got a taste of their own medicine. How can u do a complete U turn on how Ref is against you when your baby got away with it on Saturday..Anyways they got what they deserved. The whole match I was talking with one of my footie friends who is a Die hard Chelsea supporter. It was fun

Came Wednesday where we run riot over Orient to gain next round FA cup match against Man UTD on 12th march.

But on Saturday we were not able to capitalise on UTD's loss by winning against the black cats.Though we were at the receiving end of bad Referring I am happy we didn't loose and a draw is good enuf..Now time to Face BARCA.

Then came Sunday..what a day it has been. We were greeted with such amazing sunshine after so many days. The good part was it remained the whole day. What a refreshing Sunday. On top of that saw Pool seeing off UTD..again I can go on and on about it but shouldn't. I will keep the memories stored for talking at end of the season.And I fail to understand why Wolves are in bottom half after playing such a good football. The curse of Molineux was on Spurs only for the referee to come to their rescue. So all in all the week has been more about Referring that actual football.

The Cricket world cup is also providing good entertainment. Eng is turning out to be the team who is providing enough excitement in the WC. All their matches have been a close encounter. Esp today's game against SA. what a match..What a bowling by Broady and Swanny.The only sad part about it was that I didn't want SA to loose as well. Strange world.

India won against Ireland. The Irland team had shocked England to say the least. They did highest run chase in WC history. K O'Brien had fastest century (in 50 balls) in WC history. Today India were again exposed by their Over confidence. Though how much I want India to win this WC, but somehow I think this team except few select individuals don't deserve the cup. Our team is just not showing enough hunger or even enough respect for the WC.And I have started hating it now. Ooh and btw Windies bowled out B'desh in 58 and got their bus stoned by angry crowd for winning that match..B'deshi fans need to learn how to differentiate their Team bus and opposition's one. I am sure that was just a misunderstanding. Next time they will choose the correct bus to stone at :)

I am becoming Twitter fan. Not to post anything on it but just to follow ppl.Also I am falling in love with Jack Wilshire but my client manager (when I told her about my crush) promptly reminded me that he is a bit young for me. Never mind..Age no bar,nationality no bar. ;) After all I have realised that I have a thing for guys with dimples.Remember a certain John Abraham

All in all a satisfying weekend.

PS - I had lovely food on the whole weekend which my roomies prepared and didnt do a thing..so it felt like a dream weekend :D

Fate is cruel....

Arsenal's Trophy wait continues...The Carling cup final today against Birmingham City was another blow to the gunners and to Arsene.We were without Cesc and Theo..but that shouldn't be the excuse. The pressure of no trophies was showing up from the first minute. Szczenny Fouled inside the penalty area. It could have been a penalty and a red card. But the decision was given as the BC player was offside. I thought OK looks like the luck is with us today but alas that was just cruel game played by Fate.

Well played Birmingham..They played good.. but we we didn't played bad to loose..or to loose in this manner. Looks like the things i want desperately to happen are just not meant to happen is it..Arsenal's trophy, Federer's 17th GS,India's WC win..Though nothing is concrete yet and may be all of these three things will come true but I have lost my remaining faith in me. I should start supporting the opposition so may be their luck will run out and my teams will win...

Why it has to come down to this..I am heartbroken...GOD this is killing me :(:(

WC is here again!!!

In 2010, we welcomed the Footie World cup with enthu. I was in India then. And the world cup showed how much Footie has become the second largest sports in terms of Fan following in India. It was fun to support Spain, Admire the new Germany team, shake ur head dissolutely over England's dismal performance and applaud Holland's spirit. And who will forget Paul the octopus. He made the WC as famous as any player in any team.

So we are again welcoming the WC. And this time its Cricket WC......... In India everyone watches Cricket. Its like when you are born you are baptised in this religion. You may have different cricketing Gods but your religion is still same i.e Cricket. I wish I was in India for the built up of WC. Plus the WC is happening in subcontinent. It would be awesome atmosphere. The big screen TVs everywhere. The talk is only about cricket. Every match is analysed so much. Every player admired/criticised by every one. Every century meeting with thunderous cheers.

I wish in this WC also the team I support wins and keep the trend going :). C'on you Men in Blue. Do it for yourselves, do it for India and do it for Sachin...Ohhh how I so miss Paul...

Arsenal Vs Barca - 1st Leg, 2-1 to Arsenal

This was the big big moment in my club's recent history. The club who was always ridiculed for his lack of trophies in last 5 years, the manager who was always ridiculed for his belief in his players, his spending style, his attacking football tactics...What a moment to show what we can do..what a moment for every Gunner fan who has kept faith in their Club, In their Manager, In their Players..In Arsene we trust and that was paid off handsomely on Wednesday 16th Feb 2011.

The Champion' leg campainge kicked off very nicely for us but then we faltered in between and finished runners up in our group. That made us vulnerable to draw one of the top teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Baryan Munich or Schalke. Now everyone dreaded seeing Barcelona to the opposite side. Who can forget the last year's CL matches. The first leg's first 20 mins were nerve wrenching. The aesomely the scoreline at the end of First leg was 2-2. We came bk into that game due to Superfast Theo. But the No Camp was a disaster. Messi run riot and we lost y 4-1. Now gunner wanted the reminder of those matches and that included our players and our manager.

After last year's beating, everyone suggested to Arsene that we shold change our playing style and park a bus in front of goal like the way chelsea did in 2009 and Inter did in 2010 against Barca.Arsenal plays wonderful attacking football. Our main strength is the passing. Arsenal is dubbed as Barca Lite as Barca is termed the best team in the world at this moment for its beautiful passing game. Their midfield of Xavi, Iniesta, Basquet, Messi and now the lethal Villa has made a truly amazing side. So everyone has made p their mind that Arsenal is in for beating and this time it would be more severe than last year.

But we still believed and look where we are. The match was pretty one sided most of the time in Barca's favour. Arsenal tried going Toe to Toe for as much time possible but the passing and possesion of Barca made it very difficult for us. Still the main difference between last year's Arsenal side and this year was the fit players and increased self belief. The never say die attitude was visible in each and every Gunner Player. Even when we went down 0-1 by a superb strike by Villa(ofcourse Messi was the architect of that goal even if he missed 2 sitters himself) we never gave up on the game. Our Gollie who will turn 21 in April stood tall before the goalpost (btw it was his CL debut) Lurent Koscielny stood tall in the defence. Containing Barca is very tough task for any team and it was evident in the match stats, but we still held on.

The manager's gamble to sub Song with Arsha and Theo with Bedtner paid off. It showed we meant business and attack is our only chance. Finally the hard work, the self belief paid off. Van persie hit the enar post with a very precise angle and suddenly we were back in the match. It was a very emotional moment for everyone. RVP ran towards Wenger to hug him and beckoned all other players.

 I screamed and jumped and danced in front of my TV set. My roomie was left wondering what got into me..But it was not the end of the game and within 5 minutes on counter Jack, Cesc, Samir got into an exquisite move to slot the ball in Arsha's path who coolly slotted it for the winning goal. Barca was stunned so were the millions watching the game. We have done the one up on our last year's performance.

As all the people who were stunned by Arsenal's maturity have reminded me constantly that Nou Camp will be different. In their words 'Barca will slughetr you'. But if they noticed then neither players, nor our manager or not a gunner fan has predicted that now we are in Q/F. We know the work is half done and beating Barca in their own backyard will be tough but now we have a decent chance, we have the self belief and we know we can beat them.

Cant wait for 8th March. it could happen that by 8th we might have CC so breaking the trophy draught. But in middle we have some tough matches and we should avoid injuries and suspensions.

Go Gunners Go..We love you Arsenal..Ooo to be a Gunner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fairy Tales don't always have a happy endings..Do they?

Yesterday we were watching Tangled...Yeah AGAIN...Last weekend we saw it in O2 in 3D..While taking the ice cream in Ben and Jerry's we missed the starting of the movie. We tend to do that a lot..I mean missing the start by some reason or other..anyways so we finally made it inside and after settling down we were immediately sucked into the Disney magic.. It is such a great movie or I can say cute that I couldn't help it and I downloaded it. So yesterday we watched it again.

The movie is basically the story of Princess Rapunzel. Its based on the German story Rapunzel by Brothers Grim. So this is a princess who doesn't know she is a princess. She is imprisoned (though she doesn't know that either. You really wonder what she really knows but that's aside) in a tall tower.Basically story starts when a drop of sunshine falls off to earth and through it rises a magical flower. Now this flower can heal any wound and a witch name Gothel uses this flower to stay young. The kingdom queen falls ill when she is expecting and she drinks the flower. Rapunzel is born and her hair is magical, They glow when a song is sung and can heal anything.(This totally freaks out Flynn. That scene is hilarious) So Gothel kidnaps her instead when she is just a baby and had kept in the tower ever since. The king and queen are devastated and they send out thousands of lanterns in sky on her birthday and our Rapunzel is fascinated by the sight and wishes to see those in person. When she turns 18 she gets the chance when a thief(who is damn handsome too) Flynn Rider comes to tower to hide his spoils. He is her ticket to adventure. What follows is the ride of ur life with a chameleon Pascal, a horse Maximus, a frying pan, bunch of crooks who have heart of gold and gothel's attempts to get Rapunzel back. The dialogues are witty, the expressions are awesome, landscape is colourful and its a movie which touches and tugs a ur heartstrings.Animation is the next best thing.

So while watching this awesome movie I was thinking that why we don't have fairy tales in real life. From our childhood we keep hearing all those goody goody stories. How the girl is in trouble and how the prince charming comes to her rescue.Its been engraved in our heads and ofcourse hearts that Fairy Tales always have happy endings. But do they? I don't think so. I mean I have seen many stories of many ppl which are similar to the fairy tales. Lots of struggling, lots of hurdles to cross and yes they got married. But our life story doesn't end there. No fairy Tale shows how the prince and princess gets along after marriage. Isn't that suppose to be real test or something? We keep waiting that our Knight in shining Armour will come into our life riding a while horse (silly romanticism though I am sure u all girls feel that don't you?) but most of us are sadly awaken from those dreams by harsh reality. Life isn't a Fairy Tale. Even if it is it won't always have a happy ending. So is it a bad idea to raise ur child's hopes by telling them Fairy Tales? A child's mind is pure and innocent. May be parents must be thinking that why to let the children know the reality so soon and you have to agree that they do have a point.Its really confusing.

Anyways such silly thoughts shouldn't be coming into my mind after watching Tangled. It is a movie to cherish. But I cant seem to get that Line from one of my Favorite songs 'Big Girls Don't Cry' and I haven't gotten a reason to disagree with this line.