I am on the sixteenth chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
So far, only minor hiccups. Nothing out of the ordinary. If anyone died, its certainly not the major characters.
Thankfully havent read any of the spoilers so far. I have been avoiding spoilers on the net like anything.
And then we turn the next page…
I watched Bridget Jones get lonely, smoke and drink her heart out all over again and felt an empathy towards that lonely soul like never before. She, who in her own words was heading towards a long-term relationship with a wine bottle, had more issues than she deserved or could handle.
Why does Bridget Jones have such a hang up about being a spinster at 33? Only because most of the people she knows are already hitched, not to mention being in the family way, that ultimately indicated that time was running out for her TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK???
It was more comical than insulting the way Brigdet handles the quintessential question put to her by her much-married friends as to to how come so many girls at the office are still unmarried to which Ms Wit replies – Well, I suppose it doesnt help that underneath our clothes, we’re all covered with scales. HA!
The reason why the Bridget Jones syndrome exists is debatable. Perhaps its these contemptuous married people sniggering at the eternal spinster or whatever. All I know is that a funny, somewhat smart, sweet, single lady – who was inevitably attracted to Mr. Wrong and in the process nearly screwed up her chance with the right guy – is as endearing to me in the movie as I’m sure she’d be in real life.
When my vacation did start one week back, I was pleased at having nothing to do. By the third day, I think I had enough of summer vacation to last me this year. I mean, yeah the free time is great! No more going to work at 8:30 in the morning and all… But somehow, now that I’m conditioned to be busy till 5 in the evening, this not doing anything stuff is kinda getting boring….
I guess once I get back to work, I’ll be all… oh, I wish it was summer vacation again, I just know it. Maybe I should just pack everything and head out. I dont know… Maybe I will wait for the new Harry Potter book and then the two of us can go somewhere all by ourselves! Now, isnt that a swell idea… Still waiting for 21st in the meantime.
I have no inkling what this title means but all I know us that I am SO looking forward to reading the seventh book! Been waiting and waiting like all other Rowling fans for this book to published that I can wait no longer…
There are so many issues to be resolved in the story that I cannot wonder how the author is going to tackle them and from where. When she hinted that she’s going to kill off two main characters, I have a sinking feeling that its going to be our hero, poor Harry Potter! Mainly so that no one can write the undesired sequel, methinks.
I cant wait to find out what’s this Snape creep really upto or whether Dumbledore is really dead dead. No idea who this R.A.B is or whether the horcruxes are finally destroyed.
Cant also wait for the book to be released on 21st July. This is taking forever….
Its sad how all the good TV shows are on their way out what with their final season being aired and all. The end of FRIENDS is the end of an era, as the girls might put it. Farewell to Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, That 70’s Show. I only hope that The Simpsons will continue till I’m old & grey.
So asked Barkha Dutt in ‘We – The People’ last night in NDTV. She also said that most of the women, when asked this question, will answer, “No, I am not a feminist, BUT…”
The only thing I concluded from that Gender Debate was that people in India, women particularly, are still confused as to what being a feminist means. The dictionary meaning of this term seems to be: a person with a belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. So why are we hesitant in declaring ourselves (mainly talking to the female of the sexes here) as being a feminist?
Because as said by Shabana Azmi, the notion of feminism is mainly related to the 60’s image of shreiking, bra-burning women who wanted men to be excluded from everything. She said that to this day, that notion still concots itself up whenever we talk about a feminist!
Because sex is a taboo word in our society and female sexuality is not exactly talked or cared about for that matter. Although we may have a more lenient attitude towards a girl child and her unbringing now than decades ago, she is still supposed to toe the line as per her husband’s wishes and so on. I’d like to see anyone deny this.
Because although we may have gained economic equality in our great country (to some extent) we’re still ages behind in gaining any other forms of equality as proved in real life. Otherwise why does female foeticide, dowry deaths and other moral crimes still prevail rampant?
If one is to truly be a feminist, one has to understand that the crux of the problem lies in the deep roots of the Indian society where the male child is naturally given preference over the girl child. To imagine the change the society where the mother tells her daughter, ‘This is not the way a girl should behave’ to the portrayal of the liberated woman, celebrating her sexuality prancing her stuff in lewd music vidoes, feminism has come a long way since.
To answer the quintessential question – Yes, I am a feminist because I do believe God created men & women to exist in harmony on earth and not for one gender to over-evaluate itself and wrestle control of the ‘Who’s-Superior’ mantle.
I am a feminist because I believe that reservation for women in any context will make sure more women will get the right seat, opportunity and a voice that will demand for the good of the common woman. There’s still a long way to go but hopefully we’ll get there someday. I put forth this question for all women in the meantime.
I am grateful to my dear friend, Sushubh without whom this site would not have been possible. Its exhilarating to have my own Dot Com site! Million thanks again to Sushubh. More in the next posts…
:)
Some of the hill stations extraordinaire that are very dear to my heart; in no order of preference.
Prayer flags & the mountains
Prayer flags: Traditionally, they are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom with the belief that the prayers and matras will be blown upward as offerings to their deities and will bring benefits (such as happiness and good health) to all who hang them, as well as their families, loved ones, neighbors, and all people throughout the world including even enemies.
1. Darjeeling
Land of Thunderbolt. As history goes, Darjeeling was once a part of Sikkim which was gifted by the Chogyal (King) of Sikkim to the Britishers long before Independance. The best thing I like about this place is walking around the misty roads, with the cold breeze blowing refreshing your soul. One of my most favourite places on earth, for its misty mountians looking as resplendant as ever, my fascination for Darjeeling stands to this day.
2. Ooty
I’ve been to this pleasant hill station so many times during my four-year stay in Calicut mostly for the reason that it remnded me of home. A grand botanical garden housing all kinds of fauna, including one stunted, nearly-fossilized tree that’s still vivid in my memory. What amazing tea gardens… I liked Ooty!
I’ve been here!
3. Wayanad
More than remembering this place as a picnic spot where I visited back in college, I think of this place in association with the nice film, Mr & Mrs Iyer where Rahul Bose says he’s been to WAY – NAD… If only he had learnt the proper pronounciation of the place before shooting that film…
4. Gangtok
I suppose one never actually gets tired of one’s hometown. I will never get bored of going for a long drive up Gangtok’s lovely mountains.
Gangtok town as seen from Ganesh Tok
5. Kalimpong
In between Darjeeling & Gangtok, lies another hill station – Kalimpong which is as beautiful as ever. I recall vsiting this place a lot with my family when I was small. We used to love travelling all the way up to this awesome place which seemed not very different to home, yet stunningly beautiful.
6. Shimla
Another beautiful place that just takes my breath away. I had a great time travelling all over Shimla & Kasauli that I have promised to go back there some day and enjoy the place all over again. I especially liked the horse ride all the way to Kufri – some experience that was! Indeed Shimla – Queen of the Hills.
Note: Any other hill station I havent mentioned is because I havent had the good fortune to visit it yet. But will do so sooner than later.
Then and Now 
Am still racking my brains to think of a name for her, though!
You said, I said