Monthly Archive for September, 2008

Singtam

Published
by
Rinchen
on September 30, 2008
in Life as it happens and Sikkim
. 18 Comments

You know, you live in a place for about 5 years and it finally and surprisingly grows on you. I know most people assume that I live in Gangtok since I blog from Sikkim. Nope. Gangtok is about an hour further up north from the place I live in, which is called Singtam. When I first joined work and saw, yes with my own two eyes, this… this dump of a place, the only thought I had was - how the hell do people live in a place like this???

The main market was infested with taxis and the temperature was soooo hot that I nearly melted. Gangtok, on the other hand has a divine climate that makes the entire place centrally air conditioned, as my dad used to say. Singtam, on the other hand was filled with vehicles passing through, villagers in their sunday best come out to do their weekly shopping, alleys filled with a peculiar stench that just wouldnt quit, with - ugh - little eating shacks right next to all the dirt. 

Whose number only preceded by uncountable number of booze shops, (to one of which some of us would be loyal customers for life) Maybe the worst piece of news I’d heard about this place was that it was a haven for crimes. Burglary, murder, take your pick. I had made up my mind then and there that I would commute from Gangtok rather than stay in such a place.

Stay, that I did. Made a lot of new friends and neighbours. Visited the police station on a regular basis. Once the institute bus had a major accident with a biker chap and since I was on the bus at that time, I was the witness by default. Another time, a burglary occurred at my new apartment although the theft was recovered the next day itself. So yes, I made a lot of friends at the police station. Psychologically, it made me feel more secure.  

Til date, I dont know a lot of people in town. The ones who know me as Rinchen mam, from XYZ Institute give me warm smiles which probably translates into - please pass my son/daughter/nephew/relative, good lady. I smile back at them and find it amusing that this is such a small place where everyone knows everyone else.

Two people who meet me in the market and dont let me leave are - my former sweeper, safaikarmachari as they’re called these days. Rawat bhaiya goes on and on relegating stories about bhabhi, mine - not his. I always know the next words coming out of his mouth will be - please give her some work in your office. 

The other guy’s the parking ticket collector. Previously I used to dodge such people in the hope of saving 5 bucks but when I found out that he’s my former maid’s brother, I offer him a little cash once in a while. He always wants me to go to his home and meet his sister and her little kid. Oh and he also doesnt give me a parking ticket anymore. Which is nice.

Then there’s my regular shopkeeper who’s always happy to see me. He probably sees dollar signs where I’m standing because he says things like - please come in, madam, come in. Please take anything you want. Its your own shop. His shop’s name is Fruit Shop. So is the next door’s and the remaining shops after that. I’ve never seen a sign board outside declaring the actual name. Strange.

I’ve also gotten used to the temperature by now. It doesnt seem so bad now and I have begun to hate Gangtok’s bitter wintry cold. Somehow Singtam feels more home to me than my actual home of Gangtok. Its not as advanced as the capital city but its a place where everyone knows my name. Thats reason enough for me. I’ve come to love the place I once could not stand. Stranger things have happened.

Duh day

Published
by
Rinchen
on September 29, 2008
in No good
. 10 Comments

I’m extremely irritated at this point of time. I’ve sat in front of the computer the whole day and my eyes are watery and I’ve begun to get a mild headache that’s threatening to turn into a big one.

There was a bandh in the state today from 6 am to 6 pm, the first one in 10 years. As a result, I couldnt go out and do anything I wanted to. Not that I roam around like anything and keep doing things on a regular basis. But the idea of being confined to one space and not having the option to take off as I wanted to was a major reality check for me.

We take the notion of freedom of movement very lightly now that its been about 60 years of independence? Yet, when life comes to a standstill and you dont get to do the normal things that you take for granted, its a shock, nonetheless. 

To top it all, I deleted the previous post. Arrghh. I dont think I am in a fine mental state to type it all over again. My back hurts from sitting here all day and my moods worsens.

And I dont even want to go towards my state of writer’s block. Its been plaguing me for some time and I think I’m running short of things to write about in this blog. Brain function decreasing and oxygen suppy diminishes.

I… cant… see…

Strange element of narcissism

Published
by
Rinchen
on September 25, 2008
in I me and myself
. 0 Comments

The previous Love Tag had my friends answer a common question - What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

Well, I guess I’m very happy with all the answers I got to read what they feel about me. Take a look:

Do I have to answer this? Rinchen is my chaddi-buddy yaar. We went to school together and were neighbors. She has always been that wild child! But ironically, leads a life of one tamed lecturer these days. Might get over that and turn into a wild bureaucrat soon though. Fingers crossed!!!

Heh - all true, I’m afraid. Every single word. Tamed lecturer??? Hahaha… I would like to see an untamed one. And I’m hoping for that bit about a wild bureaucrat to be true too.

She’s different from everyone else I know! She’s one of a kind. She’s a little weird in a curious way and I’ll never be able to predict her actions. :)

And I think there’s a totally different person buried deep inside the exterior she’s been showing to everyone in this world.

Cant disagree. Thanks to you, I’m going to have to reflect on the last sentence and ponder over it deeply… Though I like that bit about being different and one of a kind. And being unpredictable is spot on. You know me very well, dont you? :)

I like Ringchen. I know in first person her humility, intelligence, sense of humor and Captainship. HATS OFF TO MY DESKMATE.

Aww… Times like these, I want to go back in time and hug my desk mate in the middle of a long, boring lecture involving electrical machine design. I wouldnt have been in so much of a hurry to finish college and grow older if I knew that our path would rarely cross again after that.

I have known Rinchen for so many years. She was my senior in school, but we never interacted. But now that we have, I think she is a wonderful person,fun to be around, totally addicted to the internet :) ,very good with words. I think she can talk her way out of any difficult situation. 

Can I? Hahaha… That little trick comes in handy when I have a fire-breathing boss demanding for a specific piece of work that was due yesterday. Upon which, I buy a little time (yes, talking out my way) - LOG OUT OF THE INTERNET and then do that stupid work.

Rinchen, Shes witty, forthright and intelligent. So much I can tell from her writing and I love her blog! She also has good taste because we seem to have a lot in common.

This is the first time I’ve been told I have good taste. I love this compliment. Very much. Thanks, you all. You guys made my day :)

The ‘Love’ Tag!

Published
by
Rinchen
on September 21, 2008
in From here & there and I me and myself
. 22 Comments

The rules for the tag are:

RULE #1 People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

RULE #2 Tag 6 people to do this quiz and those who are tagged cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by continue this game by sending it to other people.

1. If your lover betrayed you what would your reaction be?

I’m assuming its with a girl. So, initially, I’ll be too worked up screaming abuses and crying my heart out. I guess getting drunk is always an option. When I finally come to my senses, I’ll probably move out of the house and while I’m at it - take an undefined leave of absence from work and head to Hyderabad. My best friend’s been behind my back telling me to visit her for years now. 

What I’m trying to get at is this - life still goes on no matter who lives or dies or who stops becoming a part of it. Its all easy to say, I know but its going to be real crappy to actually live it. Hoping to not face it, at least not in this lifetime.

2. If you have a dream come true, what would it be?

After being aimless and goal-less for such a long time, I’ve never thought about this question at all. So I’m finding it very hard to answer it … ah, who am I kidding I’ll take - Rich and Famous, any day!

3. If you could, whose butt would you like to kick?

Ooh… I read Vidya’s answers and liked what she wrote. So I’m going to change my answer and say - I too would like to kick everyone’s butt at some point of time or other. And yes, I’d like to kick my own butt because I know that it is not physically possible for me to do so, even as truly I deserve some of it.

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

How many zeros is that??? How much would that be in rupees??? Heh. I’ll blow it all up, if I get the chance. Travel around the world, gamble it on the casinos, buy a hotel like Burj Al Arab in Dubai (I hope a billion dollar covers it). Distribute the rest of it among my friends. Thats right - though no more Orkut friend requests, okay?

5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?

Erm, she’s a girl so I guess not. The other guys who’re sort of best friends are too much brotherly sorts, so no go there either. Even if I had a best friend who was male and hot to boot, whats the use? In any case, I dont want my husband to be doing all the things I would’ve done in answer #1.

6. Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by someone?

As long as that someone spoils me rotten, as I expect him to, it’s okay with me both ways. Call me materialistic, I believe I dont care.

7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you love?

I hate waiting. I cant stop fidgeting when I have to. Then I start cursing the late kates and even when they finally show up, I’m often spoiling the mood by griping about the whole thing. Love just flies out of the window at times like these.

8. If the person you secretly like is attached, what will you do?

Nothing. I secretly like innumerable people every week, attached or unattached. Acting upon it would hardly be the appropriate thing to do. So I grin and bear it till the next person comes along.

9. If you could root for one social cause, what would it be?

Child labour. Its so rampant everywhere yet we do nothing about it except for hire more children to do our dirty work perhaps.

10. Do you lie?

Everytime. I can live with it. However other people have a problem with it, for which the answer is to lie some more.

11. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I dunno. Here? Still blogging, maybe. Unless I have to go run that expensive hotel I bought. If nothing else, I’d like to be happy. About living my life as I want. Happy to be alive and feel grateful for every single moment.

12. What’s your fear?

Losing people I love. Not being able to do things I want. Of horrific creatures coming out of the dark to haunt me. Being stagnant at work. Being bitter and cruel to others. My stupid anger. Being corrupt and hostile. The list goes on.

13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

I like Gurpreet. I think she’s got an awesome sense of humour and I like reading her blog. She’s got a terrific daughter, Ruhi about whom I just love to read. If I have a daughter myself one day, I’d very much like her to be like Ruhi.

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?

Heh. A minor re-write. I’d rather be married and rich. Like I am(?) right now.

15. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously who will you pick?

I’m more and more getting the impression that this questionnaire isnt meant for married people! Who would I pick? I guess this is the kind of time Inky Pinky Ponky  would be put to good use. 

16. Would you give all in a relationship?

All and more. I’m an extremist. I usually do everything or nothing at all. In any relationship for that matter. Its a different thing that I dont try to expect SO MUCH back in return. Thats just being delusional. The thing is - its better not to expect too much and be happy when you get something back at all.

17. Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing he has done?

Nope. I’ll carry that sting with me to the grave. Well, it actually all depends on my mood, truthfully. Whoever did that horrible thing would have to catch me in a good mood and see what happens. 

18. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?

I love being in a relationship. I’m too much independent for my own good, I know but I dont think I can do without my husband either. I loved being single before. Its so liberating not to be answerable to anyone and do whatever the hell you want to. I’m happy to have experienced both.

19. Your all time favourite song. Only ONE. And why?

Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow. I used to listen to this song while growing up. Makes me feel nostalgic. Plus, its one heck of a song, in my opinion.

20. I TAG these 6 people because…

Shaliya - cause she’s the kind of single girl I would have been if only. I’d love to hear her thoughts on this one.

GWBE - The Pri of the AnDePRin gang, the defunct cough syrup company. I’ve never seen her do tags so I’m happy this one is unavoidable.

Sree - I love the way she writes. I cant wait to see her post.

Shradha - I want to know what she thinks. 

Vidya - I would like to know what her answers would be.

Ansu - She’s on a long vacation right now. Does she have her work cut out for her when she comes back!

Stupidly fearless girl

Published
by
Rinchen
on September 20, 2008
in memoirs
. 18 Comments

As you grow older (and wiser perhaps: seems aging is mandatory, wisdom optional), you look back at all the things you used to do back when you were young and wonder how on earth are you still alive today to blog about it. 

Me and a friend were talking about college days when we used to make the arduous journey from Sikkim all the way to different parts of South India which meant four days of very long travelling. Most of the times, we used to have other batch mates escorting us. But there were vacations such as Onam holidays for me during which they (the guys, if you could call them that) wouldnt want to travel back and forth in such a very short period of time; so they decided on staying back in Calicut. 

I, on the other hand, HAD TO travel, even if I had to do it all alone, just so that I could come back home, stay for a couple of days and head back again. Stupidity number one.

Once, I traveled all the way till Calcutta along with other friends. They reached their destinations and went home happily. My connecting overnight train to Sikkim was at 6 pm and I remember one very decent batch mate worried about how I would wait all alone in the platform. I exclaimed - Come on! I’ll wait in the ladies waiting room - its no big deal, yaar! Thats when he informed me that I was standing in the wrong railway terminal in the first place. Stupidity number two.

He kindly escorted me to the other platform, which was miles(?) away from the previous one and he finally had to take off since I had hours to kill before the train arrived. His face was all scrunched up with worry while I laughingly waved him goodbye.

Six pm came and went - I had already left the ladies waiting room and was in the platform waiting for the stupid train to show up. Night fell and everything started becoming dark. There I sat on the platform, propped up on my rucksack, reading a book while porters in their red uniform and other creatures eyed me quizzically till 11 pm. Thats when the train finally showed up and I took the upper side berth to promptly fall asleep. Needless to say, I reached home in one piece.

Looking back, I kind of fear for my own safety and thank god nothing happened to me. During that particular journey and so many others after that.  I cant imagine traveling alone right now. I need an escort to reach me till the train bathroom - thats how much I’m scared to death, honestly speaking.

I guess thats what age does to you. It makes you aware of how fearless you once were.

Meeting Robert Downey Jr

Published
by
Rinchen
on September 19, 2008
in Musings et all
. 2 Comments
Some days back, I happened to meet someone who looked so much like Robert Downey Jr. While talking to him about my interests, I mentioned that writing was my passion; following which he immediately stops me in mid sentence and asks - What do you write about? I had to reel my brain back in and answer: Oh, sort of like, articles. I couldnt believe my own ears. Articles???

Really? And have you published any? he asks. Does publishing it on my blog count? Does he consider posts on my blog ‘articles’? Should I give him the link? Think, brain - think, you good-for-nothing piece of $#&!

Came back home and told my husband all about it. He let me know that the guy was actually a high ranking official and a pioneer in his field. Good looking and intellectual to boot. Drool.

Couldnt help take the day dreaming one step further - Would he be reading my blog right now and realize that I think he looks like Robert Dreamy Jr? I sure hope so! :)

Security

Published
by
Rinchen
on September 14, 2008
in No good
. 15 Comments

I came to know about the bomb blasts which occured in Delhi claiming the lives of 22 people and injuring over 100 people. I find it difficult to imagine the monstrosity of the people responsible for this. What could possibly be going on in their heads? What greater purpose do the blasts serve? Its a shame that innocent people all over the country have to pay with their lives for whatever animosity lies behind the blasts.

We live in a world filled with terror. Of hatred for one another. Of cold, heartless killers who do not hesitate to take countless innocent lives. When the Jaipur blasts occured, one person on TV said, We are living in fear for we do not know if we’ll return back home in the evening or not. It struck me as a very unfamiliar emotion and state of mind. I remember thinking - how could anyone live like that? Surely we deserve to be safe and secure in our homes or offices or the streets we walk in.

Justifiably, people are more insecure these days. We do not know where the next bomb blast could possibly take place. It could be 1000 kilometres away from you. It could be next door. How pityful is it for us to be and remain insecure about our safety. How very primitive. 

I feel sorry for the people who lost their lives in the Delhi blasts. For their families who mourn the loss. Notwithstanding, It could have also been any of us. 

The government is talking about anti-terrorist laws. With so many attacks happening all over the country, it is high time that action should be taken and the people responsible behind it punished. Let them also know that they cannot just blow up cities and kill people for no reason. 

We need to feel secure again.