Monday 25 June 2012

Ignorance is Bliss

When I was a kid I picked up a book for its appealing cover or interesting title . In the fourth standard I didn't know what a 'blurb' was- and most of my school library books did not have one. I knew precious little about every book that I chose to read. 


I did not have expert reviews telling me one was better than the other. I decided which one was.  I did not have the option of Wiki-ing info about a book that I was interested in. If I picked it up, I was stuck with it for a week. 


Last night I realised that I don't read like that anymore. Either it's something already established as a 'Classic' or a book that has received good or bad reviews. It is very rarely that one can pick up a book that has not already been labelled.


Of course you always (hopefully) have your own opinion about a book but then that is a reaction to an already existing one that is accepted by many and often thrown at your face.  For me, it is very difficult to resist being influenced in some way before I even start reading.  


Last week I found a book titled "My Mother's Lover" by Urs Widmer . I read a few pages and loved it. I am going to buy that one. But more than the promise of a great story told in a beautiful way, this book gave me back that feeling of discovery


Here was a book I knew nothing about. 


Nothing. 

Friday 22 June 2012

She is Elsa. I first watched "Born Free" in the fifth standard. We had an excerpt of the book in our syllabus. The book was "Spark Reader" as far as I can remember. The film is one of my all-time-favourites, just love Elsa. And right now I just want to lie on my back like her and drift into a peaceful slumber. Sitting on top of a jeep and touring Africa will also do.

Leaving behind what is familiar is difficult. It was difficult for Elsa too. Left alone for a week, when she finally  returned, she was weak, hurt and almost dying. That's a possibility.

Anyway.

I should never cancel calls from people I care about.
I should not spend money buying forms of stupid exams.

In other news- I gave myself a haircut as a cost-cutting measure, but only after spending a ridiculous amount on a piece of clothing. I had a  fight with a tailor that included dialogues like- "hum aaj se toh kapda nahi pehen rahe hain na? bachpan se pehen rahe hain" -and similar gems.

I am convinced Detective Kate Beckett's mother's murder will be an anti-climax.

and ...well..

Does one ever get to say a proper goodbye? Perhaps not. But telling your loved ones that you love them just because you are afraid that they might not be there someday is ...well...morbid.

Have you heard the songs from Gangs of Wasseypur ? You should.

Okay. Bye.