Chewing Gum

Chewing gum persistently is not hip or cool; keeping your breath fresh is!

Prolonged Passion n Fervour

Can you listen to your most favourite song, again and again in repeat mode, with same fervour and passion that you had when you first started liking it? If you can't, then how would you love and be passionate with your partner for life, forever??!!!

This might sound strange or stupid to some and may also make one think what kind of dumb ass is this guy to compare a liking to a song to that of partner for life. Well, you are not alone, cos' I projected myself outside and saw this thought as a third person. But then, beyond the oceanic surface of this thought, lies the true wonder and puzzle of life in the deep stillness of the sea, that we all will experience in life. And that conviction made me translate my thought in to words!!

My Current Reads:- Enduring Love by Ian McEwan & The Appeal by John Grisham

After finishing the gripping novel "The Client" by JG, I have jumped on to his latest book.

As for Enduring Love, I started reading it because I watched Atonement recently, which was an adaptation of IM's novel "Atonement" in 2001.

Thoughtful or Thoughtless ?

The door opens with it's own pipers singing loudly so as to alarm the surroundings. Am courteous enough to wait for co-travellers to board (something that I have inculcated after coming here) and finally, with a sense of relief that comes from the fact that the guard has still not blown his whistle and not left me stranded, I get in. Yes, I am in a train, commuting to work, something I do from Monday to Friday pretty much like a zombie.

I manage to find a cosy seat next to a window, to enjoy the warmth of the heater that's on during this time of the year and to enjoy the scenic beauty that Mother Nature has to offer in South West of London.

I start my ritual of "ipodding" and pull out my current read. Fellow passengers, sitting right across me and besides me, are in to their world, occasionally looking at me for all the charm that I have to offer! (ok, I made this one up!).

During the journey, there are times when I stare out of the window in to the open fields and skies and realise that my eyes are seeing but not looking. That's because my mind is in to it's own world - wandering/loitering in to a maze of thoughts. Physically present, mentally absent!

Suddenly, when my mind comes home, I realise that am staring at a blank space without any meaning!!! ha ! ha! That's when my eyes start to "look" and send back signals to my brain asking " how stupid are you, to make me stare at empty spaces!".

What I realise from this whole experience is the fact that it's really difficult to sit in your seat without doing anything, not thinking about something and not dozing off, be completely present in the presence of your fellow passengers and yet not look at them.

Only goes to show how conditioned I am and how difficult to keep my mind still and yet be present in the moment. That's something I have always wanted to do or be in - the state of "here and now" as Osho says it....

Redemption

I am at a stage in life where I think I should redeem myself. However, choosing the path is biggest scare !! :)

My Current Read:- The Client by John Grisham

This book is more than a decade old. It got released in 1994 but I get to read it only now. Am almost at the end of the novel. It's really gripping and certainly one of John's marvels. This novel has been adapted as a movie too. Am planning to watch the movie as well.

After this, I have got "Enduring Love" by Ian McEwan lined up. :)

What's in my iPod now?

I am currently listening to:

1. Long Way to go - Cassie
2. Me & U - Cassie
3. Piece of me - Britney
4. Now you're gone - Basshunters
5. Baby when the lights go out - David Guetta
6. Tear drops on my guitar - Taylor Swift
7. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
8. Bed - J Holiday
9.Wait For You - Nelly Furtado

Chimes shopping mall, Uxbridge, Greater London

This is the front elevation of the Chimes shopping mall in Uxbridge high street. It's been decorated for X'mas and new year festive season. When we were living in Uxbridge, this was our favourite shopping destination. Shilpa Shetty visited a perfume shop in this mall when she launched her fragrance series. It houses many famous brands such as Debenhams, Burtons, BHs, H&M, FCUK, GAP etc...!

Sri Balaji Temple @ Dudley, West Midlands, UK

This is one of the largest hindu temple in UK and is situated in Dudley, a town that is close to Birmingham. Since Birmingham is a much bigger city compared to Dudley this temple has come to be known as Birmingham Balaji temple over the years. Shot pic is the front main entrance to the sanctum sanctorium. It is around 2 1/2 hours drive from West London and roughly about 120 miles from our place.

Ice Skating @ Hyde Park Ice Rink, London

X'mas fun fare @ Hyde Park, London

X'mas celebrations in London: Oxford Street, Regent Street, Leicester Square & Piccadilly Circus

Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square, London : Panoramic view of Christmas tree decorations

The Christmas tree seen in the picture is a real x'mas tree. It was brought from Norway and installed for X'mas 2007 in London. Few more pics of the place is here...

Reflections

Have you ever been fully captivated, completely mesmerised and held in a spell by a person for a longer duration? I have been!!! And that's when I realised what it is to be in Love ! :)

"Night Vision" of our London home :)

This is how our housing block looks at night. Shot during one of the winter nights.

Ice Skates @ Kew Gardens Ice Rink, London

This was the first experience for me and boo. boo-boo had done it few times during his previous stint at UK. The skates were really tight and had sharp blades and it was loads of fun on the ice rink. After couple of initial hick-ups we all managed to stand and move on our own and did many rounds. However, it was quite painful to consciously keep balancing and slowly moving ahead. The blades were almost piercing through the shows and hitting us on the bottom of our feet. Eventually, we started getting used to the pain and went around and had many hit upon us and so did we hit upon quite a few and finally managed to go round in the given time. It was a one hour slot and we enjoyed it fully. We dared enough to take these pictures from our mobile while we were skating (or rather standing on the rink !!!).