OLD TIMES

I’m talking about those times, when there were no multiplexes in India. Cinema viewing experience was a major trouble for most of us then – bad crowd, the whistles in the theater, cleanliness, absence of an ac, buying tickets in black, and the worse being the people spitting their pans on the theatre walls. I’m very sure if it existed now I would have invested into a projector for my home. But, this desire has become stronger, even with the multiplexes serving us, with everything we want. Every time you go for a movie, you bump into someone or the other. How boring.

Imagine you and your partner, alone in a theatre, no one else, let the pakoras replace the popcorns and whisky replaces the Pepsi. It would be a very nice place to warm up before you go to the bedroom. Okay, come back here before your imagination runs wild and creates a fire. I and my friend wanted to something crazy, so we thought of revisiting one of the Indian theatres. This time, we too lost it, lost it as in, we were not civilized then. We whistled, commented loudly, spoke on the phone, and changed seats 15 times (theatre was empty), put our legs on the previous row. I wanted to sit with a pan in mouth, but, we were very late for the show. I did notice everything had changed inside the theatre (though not as good as a Fame Adlabs) but better than before. What dint change was the crowd! (and the Indian toilets) It was bad, it is bad, it always will be bad!

The next we did was going to the only restaurant, which is shut on a Sunday! “Wow, that guy is a mad!” I said. “No honey, he caters to the people who work in that vicinity”. Which? Princess Street. The Zaveri Bazar is crazy for the food of ‘Bhagatchand Tarachand Hotel’. We came here specially coz, my friend who has just started working, came across this amusing place. Let’s go to the specialties of this place. First, it doesn’t work on Sundays (I know I have mentioned it but, just can’t digest it). Secondly, the chaas (buttermilk), known as the katchi beer, is simply out of the world, they even serve it in a bottle which is similar to a beer bottle. Thirdly, the Gujarati thali, I haven’t tasted it but, my friend, “Take it from me, its simply yummy!” Next (m sorry forgotten the count), the crowd out here, I thought will be down market people, but hell no, I saw sophisticated people too. Aaaah! Crowd from all strata’s. Next, it is very very reasonable. Next, I m saying it so better go and check it out! Whenever, you are there go check it out. Its in Zaveri Bazar.

Let me know how was it!

Men will be men!

I wonder what these boys do when they are with their guy gang? Me being a girl who has got along more with guys, feel completely out of the place when these men bond. Take for example, Ankit, Vishal, Himan and Sanket where having a night out and I being close to them still was a complete stranger and an outsider for them. Another example, Rushab, I met him when he was celebrating his birthday yesterday. Same feeling of a stranger from all his friends (his friends coz I met them for the first time). Even if he has a crush on you, girls, remember, he will always give priority to his guy friends. However close you may be to him, it doesn’t matter, he will never ever share those things with you.

Yesterday, I spent the whole day with my guy friends, strolling around in South Mumbai, even though I was tired of walking and bored and felt out of the place, I was completely enjoying observing them. Himan was grilling Ankit for not sharing secrets. Himan was literally spying on him. Something what close girl friends do, I thought! Then, shopping together for their shorts, boxers, formal shirts, pants, shoes, rugby ball, what not! Eating out, but Ankit making sure Himan eats less salt (due to his health). Again, Caring and Sharing is very much a part of these friends. The way these guys bonded reminded me of Sholay – Jay and Veeru. Pulling each others leg, caring each other, ensuring each other cut nails, giving a make over, oh…this was a complete surprise to me. Trust me, yesterday, I completely miss my girl friends that are not in India for a bit.

Are you wondering, why m I telling you all this??? Simple. So, that you don’t fight with your boy friend, and say something like “Either me or them. Choose” He wont even lie to you, he will definitely say “Honey, they have been there with me before you were there, I can’t, definitely leave them! Period.” All you girls please keep this in mind, guys will be guys!

BAD BAD BREAK!!!!

Knowing for sure, working in ad agencies is not my cup of tea, I focus all my energies on the break I have taken from my work. Confessing in front oft my boss, “M completely confused about my profession, I need a break!” He grants me a break for clearing confusion. Thanks a ton! I exploit the break to go to counselors and also go out and enjoy life!
I meet my best buddy for a drink at Mumbai Times Café after a lot of recommendations by other friends. We meet at 8pm for a beer not a whisky.. .He was just not in a mood to drink (even though I have been typing this from his house, a little tipsy!). I completely loved the ambience there but the service and the food was ridiculous. We asked for a beer and were completely disappointed to know that they dint have kingfisher. Vishal was frowning and that guy but later settled down for the Fosters they offered. We asked for some cheese penne pastas… Again he got disappointed to find no veggies in the pastas… Being generous he thought of asking for nachos which again he got pissed coz there were beans and other veggies and mayo in the nachos! His expression was so cute and the nachos were so bad! Somehow we wanted to stick around so, “Can you please get two glasses of water please and a sinful chocolate!” And the guy out there “Surely Sir, I will get you two glasses of water but sorry we don’t have the Sinful Chocolate!”…… “Wow, you guys don’t have anything man…. Wow!!! M never going to come back to this place!” This was me coz I was completely dissatisfied by them!!! Please don’t go there at all! And all you MTC lovers plz GET A LIFE GUYS…..
Today being good, I cooked some very spicy SINGAPORE FRIED RICE AND BROCOLI AND BABY CORN GREEN VEGETABLES! Which no one including me in the house liked…
But I have to admit, cooking is a therapy, guys try cooking with some nice music and then eat that with your partner and get into some mushy mushy cozy talks…. Weekends, chill out completely. This week m going to go check out some unspoilt, undiscovered places in Maharashtra. Hang on for more!!!

High on life

This article is dedicated to people who love only themselves! You could be self obsessed(just like me) or finding ways to add some spice to your life or you could be just single; in any cases m sure you love yourself more than you love any one else on this planet. This obsession (which Ankit would term as ‘idiosyncratic behavior leading to waste of money’) has two major impacts , firstly, the marketers put their fingers where it hurts the most, secondly, after the feel good factor dies off, we just kinda get into a guilt trip.
It could be a heavenly chocolate avalanche form Mochas which I feel is as good as having an orgasm or could be a relaxing erotic massage from the Antara Day Spa. Last week was a little bad coz I had my boss yelling on me and leading to my dampened spirits; a very close of friend and I had a very bad fight over a guy, and to top it all my dad’s perfection and digging in the details about my career (which is good in a way) has kept me worked up. Weekends are like living life king size where I can get up any time I want, eat whatever I want, do whatever I want, but that Saturday I was upset with a list of pending things to be done. I just wanted a break, and that’s when the genie inside me pops up ‘Ma’am, your wish is my command!’ I headed to the Antara Day Spa (located inside The Club, Juhu), humming a beautiful song of Saaiyan by Kailash Kher. Entering the heavenly spa was like being welcomed to a completely larger than life erotic ambience. The lemon grass oil fragrance, the orchids and lilies; and the lights were enchanting and mesmerizing. My main craving to pamper myself was completely taken care by them, a very cute and husky voiced guy offered me some water introducing me to the wide variety of massages, body wraps, and facials, etc they had to offer. I chose a ‘relaxing aroma massage with a medium pressure’ (which is the best for starters like me and suited my pocket too) and in no time I had a masseuse who took me inside the spa room (the wild tigress inside me thought of a masseur instead of a masseuse…after all pampering yourself can be done by imagination too). While she waited outside the room for me to change into a robe I was relaxed with the ambiance of the room which was completely equipped with a spa area and also a steam and a shower room. She took care that I was okay with the volume of the soothing music playing in the background; and the intensity of the lights and started off with a treatment which a queen deserves – she started with soaking my feet in warm water inside a brass container and giving a small brief foot massage. Time for the massage, I was wondering how it will start and all my discomfort about stripping in front of her but was taken care perfectly. She started with using the right amount of the pressure and made sure it was consistent through out the massage. The whole thing was so relaxing that the next I remember was when I was woken up to go into the steam room followed by a shower. I got out of the shower blessing the masseuse who had made my day and the following week also. And while paying the bill I knew I m returning to this place and probably become a member even (saves money and gives you a royal treatment). In all I paid a 1450/- for the massage including the huge tax. Later, I headed to Mochas and ended up relishing a lip smacking chocolate avalanche which was made up of chocolate brownie topped with chocolate mousse and chocolate ice cream.
I would recommend the Antara Day Spa to everyone who love to pamper themselves. This weekend spend some quality time with your partner by requesting for a couple massage and take your relation to a different level. It’s a must do thing… Cheers

Mirror Mirror who is the sexiest of all???

“I love it when it is on my lips. It tastes so good!” exclaimed the frustrated Roshni to her boy friend. “It is so annoying to have you like that! And let me tell you something I HATE IT!” Oh my god! I couldn’t believe they were arguing over a simple lip gloss! I mean isn’t there anything else on this planet to debate upon? Their arguments have proved to be a catalyst for a debate amongst the group! Raj who is a short film director(and always politically right), with dreams of being “the director for a decade” being highly diplomatic, “Women need make up only in front of the camera; otherwise I believe their simplicity bowls me off!” "Oh yes my love, and what do you have to say about that babe you couldn’t get your eyes off last night! Guys I’ll tell you what, she had done up herself so much as if her face was a canvas to paint on! For you guys when it comes to expressing your views, you just want to be nice but in reality strikes it reaches the heights of hypocrisy! ” Tiny’s bold and audacious statements have never been a problem for Raj because he is now used to hearing her over reactions all the time. While all of them were debating upon women’s love for cosmetics, I was getting very curious to know the psychology behind “Why do women actually want to do all of this? Is this a way to grab attention? Or is it a way to pamper herself? Hmm… I had to admit I have seen more disasters then great looking women with make up! Once in a while I do love to get dressed and feel good about my self…. May be women might be looking for an answer to their all time favourite question “Mirror, Mirror, Who is the sexiest of all???”” To interrupt my thesis on this Jenny (who is known for her perfect timing….lolz) “Frankly speaking I hate make up, there was a time when I got addicted to my products and I conveniently wrote off removing my make up!!! The way my skin suffered was ridiculous…Like I dint feel good about myself!” “Jenny, you always had a choice dint you?” our hero, the show stealer Armaan, (looks like I there is no conclusion to this topic…) “Ultimately what matters, is how you want to portray yourself? Do you want to be one amongst the others? Or someone who believes in herself!!! (Aha! there comes goes a psychological explanation to make up and women!) If you are comfortable the way you are, and the way you are not, life will be much simpler… And after all, we all want people who take us the way we are and the way we are not… Trust me beauty simmmmply lies in the eyes of the beholder!” “There goes the award winning speech Armaan… Waah … Waah…. Now how about heading towards Firangi paani sans the war paint??? We are just wasting time over stupid things in life! Let’s rock people!!!!” That was Vimmy, the tom boy of the group, May be I believe in what Armaan had to say… How I wish I would get someone like Armaan!!! He is some one who hates make up…. “But at the end of I feel make up is a mask to cover the low levels of confidence in themselves or may be the only way to pamper themselves is applying make up … Or according to Ankit “I may be one of the idiosyncratic styles to seek attention… So let them apply make up to their heart’s content…”Oh! Let me not get make up in the picture now! My time to get talli now….”Will keep you updated about what happens in my group… Muaaahs!!!

Hello!

Ankit, a close friend of mine has always bullied me to get into people’s minds and also to draw conclusions about why they do what they do? My constant debates with him have left him doing the same things which I do now… Difference being he terms everything as an attention seeking task… (In his lingo attention seekers are “individuals with their own idiosyncratic styles… so let them have their own space!) And to add on to this Tejash, my first cousin (whom I could kidnap coz I have always wanted him as my elder brother), inspired me to express myself and perhaps blog is the best way to express oneself… This blog is dedicated to him….All I want to tell him is “Bro… I love you!!!” Guys, this blog is for you and me… So feel free to post any thing on this planet earth… After all blog exactly means a space to express yourself! Cheers