Monthly Archive for October, 2007

An interesting game called 29

Published
by
Rinchen
on October 30, 2007
in Gender blender, Things I cant do without and memoirs
. 2 Comments

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Anyone who knows the card game of 29 can understand the frenzy and mania associated with it, thereby automatically understands what I’m talking about. Someone made the mistake of remarking, “You people dont know how to play 29? Let me teach you the most interesting game in the world” Ever since then, there’s been no looking back on the happy havoc created by the game in our lives.

The game itself is simple enough. Thats what you think in the beginning. Here are the rules for playing the game itself. Although me and my pal have been hopelessly trying to master the game for about four years now with very little luck. An interesting concept of keeping the score is using a black SIX & red SIX which are arranged to display a red heart (or spade or club or diamond) to show a game won. A black pip shows a game lost. If you continue to lose till all the black pips are uncovered, then you keep score with a black FIVE.

To our shame, me and my best bud, who were partners, once continued to play the game, all the while continuously losing till the last black TWO was uncovered and there were no more cards to lose any further. That game went on till the wee hours of the morning, all the while with us refusing to let the other team leave the table at any cost.

Finally, sick and tired of losing the game to the guys so much that a gender-battle went on as soon as anyone mentioned ‘29′, me & my gal pal resorted to signalling which card was which. Then for a while, we started winning although it was only a matter of time before the male radar caught on and used the silent signal to their advantage and win the game themselves!

My partner and me then went and changed the signals for the hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs so much that we ourselves finally got confused and lost the games anyway like how we used to in the beginning. The fates deemed it necessary for us not to win at any cost.

Playing the game till 2 or 3 am continuously was a way of life for the four of us for a long time. We used to celebrate every occasion with a drink and playing this magical game. We used to divide our time between everyone’s places, sleeping overnight just so that we could 29 it.

Sadly, my partner is out of the state till at least April 2008. That means we dont get to play till then but I cannot wait for her to get back. Till then, I dedicate this post in her memory and will probably dream about playing 29 tonight…

Laga chunari mein daarrrggghhh!

Published
by
Rinchen
on October 30, 2007
in Gender blender, Howlers brickbatted and No good
. 8 Comments

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You know whats worse than watching a bad movie? Discussing that the movie wasnt all that bad with someone who actually liked it. That too on a monday morning. This movie has now made me stay away from Indian cinema for a long time to come.

The only thing that drew me to watch it in the first place was my friend exclaiming “Journey of a woman! I wont be missing this film” So naturally, being the undying supporter of all things female, I landed myself in the middle of a high society ‘exclusive’ call girl’s story while her family happily spends the cash received back home in re-decorating the house.

Rani Mukerji was the wrongest of wrong choice to play the protagonist. I couldnt bring myself to tear my eyes away from her absurd hair styles while on her way to ‘business’. She had zilch personality on screen. Kudos to the Indian cinema think tanks - if the leading lady opts to live or work the wrong path, she’s supposed to be sad, teary-eyed all in a desperate attempt to garner the masses’ sympathy. And to show that while they’re not endorsing her in any manner, she is in the wrong so naturally, she’s half-dead and cant live a normal life.

While I was reminded by my friend early in the morning, that such cases of small town girl falling easy prey to hyenas of the big city and settlling for peddling skin to earn big bucks for her miserable family do happen, yet translating it in reel life does not necessarily work, as was the case here. Did I mention that the opening shot of the movie is a song and dance routine which pretty much tells you that the rest of the movie is going to be as boring, if not more.

Of the saving grace was Konkona Sen Sharma, who plays the sister… although as brilliant as she is, her performance is a bit deja-vu of say, Metro? The rest of the characters are reasonably okay. My main gripe is with the leading lady who is wasted in the movie while we all know how good an actor she is otherwise.

I remember laughing a lot while watching the movie. Not because of the absent comedy but at myself for putting my brain through three hours (?) of non-stop drama that just didnt work for me. And the movie hall wont see me back for a long time now. Tough luck!

No Regrets

Published
by
Rinchen
on October 25, 2007
in These thoughts of mine
. 4 Comments

While this used to be my catch phrase for a long, long time now, I cant help wondering whether I am still correct in my analogy of life and its mishaps that break me, shake me, hate me, take me over and all the madness stuff that Savage Garden sings about. Can one claim to be that comfortably numb and shelve things in the No-Regrets category?

Life never ceases to surprise me. Or to make me aware of how we continue to think like all mortal fools do. Not that its any good regretting things as they happen but maybe it would have been better to to able to go back and change a few things. Maybe yes. Maybe no. Who knows?

Making it a better place

Published
by
Rinchen
on October 15, 2007
in Making it better
. 3 Comments

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What would happen if every blog published posts discussing the same issue, on the same day? One issue. One day. Thousands of voices.

…in the spirit of the Blog Action Day where October 15th was ear-marked for bloggers all over to unite and post about the environment.

It is quite an eye-opener when you wonder if this year was hotter than the last. And what it is thats really happening to the environment. Or the latest earthquake, tornado or tsunami that strikes yet another fatal blow to mankind. Are we embracing global warming as eagerly as we race towards being a self-destructive earth who just wont quit?

I personally wonder what happens to all the drastic plastic that people perpetually discard in the small towns which dont have a proper garbage-take away facility. About the piling of other non-recyclable materials that harm animals which mistake it for food. About the increasing air pollution from endless vehicles, the numbers of which seem to be escalating like there’s no tomorrow.

From my side, I have made it a habit not to accept plastic carry bags from shops. I know its a small gesture but if we all think alike, it is indeed a big deal provided we get the big picture. I also make it a point to throw all garbage, no matter how small or big, into a proper disposal bin. That way, you keep the environment clean which is another step towards reducing the abuse heaped on it.

Its high time we stopped taking it for granted and start being responsible citizens of the world. It doesnt matter which state or country or religion or creed you’re from when the language of the earth is loud and clear - Save the environment. Make it a better world for you and me and the rest of humanity.

Destination Petnopolis

Published
by
Rinchen
on October 10, 2007
in Good things
. 6 Comments

I know I thrashed NDTV Good Times some time back. Well, that was before I got introduced to a fabulous place called Petnopolis during the show - Heavy Petting (where the petting is reserved for one’s pets, fyi)

I’m now a regular visitor to Petnopolis. Yes - its this social website for pets where your pet can now socialize with other pets, consult Dr Pet, check out breeders, groomers, trainers, adoption issues as per your locality and best of all even blog in your profile.

The only problem is that I’m the only person from my state in Petnopolis. That effectively means that my dog wont be able to actually socialize… I hope that changes sooner than later. In the meantime, if you’re a pet owner/lover or simply love pets, register for free and see what pet heaven actually looks like.

Star spangled exam

Published
by
Rinchen
on October 9, 2007
in just
. 0 Comments

If there’s one advantage of having students with famous names in one’s class, its the opportunity to say this line, if nothing else:

Murli Manohar Joshi failed and Amitabh Bachchan passed my Electrical exam.

I like the way my work keeps me amused ;)

So you think you want a pup?

Published
by
Rinchen
on October 9, 2007
in Winkie and memoirs
. 6 Comments

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Even I did, about a year ago… I wanted a pup so badly that I had to cry, beg and literally throw a tantrum before I was allowed one. It all began when I visited a friend’s place. She had two fully grown male labradors named Kane and Dylan. Kane was the lean, agile & easily excitable one who lived to play and bark non-stop whereas Dylan was the fat, lazy one who ate all his food without a pause and aimed at polishing off Kane’s leftovers, of which there was always plenty.

So I contacted a breeder and after a week, I was the proud owner of a two and half month fat, yellow female labrador puppy who was christened Winkie Poo. Winkie gets her name after the female house elf in the Harry Potter series.

Contrary to all the rules to be considered before buying a puppy, I did absolutely no research whatsoever before buying one. I didnt even know which and all breeds were supposedly good for what type of lifestyle. All I knew then was that I wanted another Kane or Dylan - period. Active or lazy… I didnt really care.

I also didnt have any idea that I would actually have to feed this pup, clean up her mess in the house and take her outdoors on a regular basis. Now its all hunky dory when you have people to help you with all that but when you’re a single mom to your pup, like moi, without the luxury of anyone helping out, you pretty much have to get down and do everything yourself, including picking doggy doo from the floor and disposing it outside. Every single damn time. Yuck was an understatement for a long time…

Trainers and dog walkers were not accessible to me where I live and I suck at training idiot pups. So by now, my dog is a disobedient imbecile who wont respond to any commands. She also refused to be toilet trained no matter how hard I tried to break that habit. For a long, long time. I seriously am not exaggerating when I say that my living room used to smell like a public toilet and was ashamed to let anyone enter my house.

Winkie never slept in her own bed while growing up. She used to sleep at the foot of my bed which I was okay with in the beginning… Then slowly, as the months went by, the small lump at my feet started growing heavier and heavier till I couldnt even move in my own bed at night. Thats when I started kicking her off the bed. Although she was adamant not to accept this new sleeping arrangement, several nights of kicking did the trick and now Winkie’s made the floor next to my bed her sleeping area. Whew!

I’ve spent endless cash on her vaccinations, de-wormings, food, toys, leashes that she bit her way through growing up, chains that she broke due to her sheer strength and so on. I love giving her a nice, juicy bone that she spends hours gnawing happily; which also means that whether there is meat for people in the house or not, Winkie gets meat all the time.

Finally, Winkie gave a whole new meaning to the words “Animal Loving” when she was teething. Her way of showing affection for me when I returned home in the evening was trying to sever my hand away from my body. She thought I was a chew toy and that she could dig her razor sharp fangs as and when she pleased. My arms used to be bruised with angry red slashes most of the time. Anyone would have thought I was being beaten up in my own home!

And now for the good news. Winkie turns one year old this 22nd. She’s now a sweet dog who doesnt strain against the leash and huff & puff when I take her for walks anymore. She’s also stopped lunging at any stray dog that crosses our path during the morning walks. She’s been toilet trained finally and her Animal Loving has gone pffttt. When I think back on what a savage little beast she used to be, I wonder if she’s the same dog…

What I’ve learnt from my stint as a rookie pet owner is that - while a pup may be cute and cuddy and sooooo sweet, she is also a big responsibility that you need to step upto and do your best. I’ve seen many people give away their grown dogs simply because they cant take care of them anymore. Why take one in the first place? Would they do the same to their own child?

I love my dog. She’s the apple of my eye and the best thing thats happened to me. I guess, in the end the question is, if and when you buy a pup, will you be the best thing thats ever happened to them.