What I write and what it says

I had a very interesting conversation yesterday and read something she had written about accountability in your work. Work being writing, films, pictures, art, etc. About thinking of the consequences, the perceptions, the responses to a particular piece of work.

With the Delhi gang rape case, the shooting in the Connecticut school, the protest against the Cow Slaughter Act, I looked at accountability and owning every piece of what happens in terms of photographs, advertisements, film and television, but never in writing (not news, but leisure) and never in what I've written. I spent the better half of last night going over what I've written, whether its fiction, fan fiction or my own diary and I was a bit unhappy with the results.

To think about what you're writing, about whom and what people's perceptions about it and reactions to it is a massive undertaking, but if I am to call myself a writer, amateur or professional, I should think about it. These thoughts should be in the forefront of my mind and not an after thought. Not a reactive response to someone commenting on my writing.

It did make me ashamed that I had never thought about it, about what my unassuming stereotyping of a person may actually mean to that person, what the consequences of it may be. While I definitely am not as bad as some of the stuff out there, I can't say I'm squeaky clean and what jars me more is that I stand up against stereotyping quite passionately. As a tall, thin girl in a society where the norm is shorter and curvy, I stand out like a palm tree in a paddy field. And I have ranted against people commenting on my size, my diction, my English, my upbringing and the fact that I do get excited about things and don't hide what I feel. And I have stood up for myself and for my friends, not realising that I am doing the exact same thing.

For example, while writing about Emily Prentiss (a character on Criminal Minds), I write about how she likes jazz music because she was brought up in a "rich, cultured home" and is a wealthy, white woman. I don't know why I don't write about her listening to rap music or Carrie Underwood or going to a club for some DnB. It is so automatic for me to write about ballet or the opera for her. That is just a small part. I describe women the way I would like to be described, not realising that maybe it could be offensive to another person, or that people may make assumptions, that in India, that is what women are like, just because I am Indian.

It didn't occur to me that I personally, could influence opinions in a few words. Words that flow naturally to me, but could be alien and maybe even offensive to other people. While I know that I cannot please everyone, and maybe the objective of a piece of writing is to offend a school of thought, but I want to be able to say that it is a conscious decision and not something I think about later, like what I'm doing now.

Being accountable and taking ownership for your words and actually thinking about the consequences before putting it out there is not something that comes easily to me. I'm impulsive and almost rash in my writing. I don't usually let other people look at it before publishing, but now, I will think a little, think about how my characters are shaped, about how people other than me will perceive them. I will be accountable in my work, try to not stereotype and be less judgemental.

There are a lot of excuses I can make, find a million reasons to tell you why I am the way I am, but then again, I can find a zillion reasons to change.

They say, if you want to see change in the world, start from within, well, I'm appalled to say I live in a society that destroys women, has rivers of blood and kills children on whims.

I promise to think, pause, consider and then do. And I also ask you to do the same.

Thank you.

The Cacti Killers

When you normally come across the word, or thought, "serial killers" you think of Ted Bundy, or Jack the Ripper or some other heinous person who did those horrible things. It is usually met with disgust, and a slight fascination of the morbid.

Today, I'd like to introduce a mother-daughter duo, who have plagued Bangalore's cacti population. They call themselves The Cacti Killers. The duo target their victims in a garden called Lalbagh, the biggest garden in Bangalore. A target rich environment, the duo watch and observe their potential victims carefully before choosing them. The study of behavior, aided by the plentiful information available through the groundskeepers and various pamphlets, is undertaken very seriously and then, the victims are chosen.

The victims have no idea that they are so close to their deaths, as they are picked up and physically examined. The greener they are, the more chances are that they will be taken. Bought even. They are chosen for their ability to survive even in the harshest of conditions, to pull through and live. If they can live in the dark, then they are definitely on the victim list.

Once they are bought, they are taken to the lair of the duo, where they are fooled into believing that they were "adopted" into a home. They are transferred into pretty pots, given sunlight and some very tasty natural fertilizers. The psychological and physical torture that the duo are known to inflict on the poor unsuspecting victims is started.

The victims first believe that they will be left alone to enjoy the dryness, reminding them of where they came from, the desert. Alas, that thought barely lasts an hour, when the duo water them. Every time, the pot is dry, it is watered. They are fed fertilizer till they feel like puking. The duo adopted the "I love too much" technique. Within a week, they are finished.

This process goes on for a while, victim after unsuspecting victim, till the duo decide to change their tactics. Once again, the chosen victims are brought home, and are completely neglected. The mother goes out of town for extended periods, and the daughter simply forgets. The green cacti slowly begin to become brown and then they join their peers of killed cacti.

Soon, the duo advance and this is not enough for the them. They crave some excitement in their lives. To keep at least one of their victims alive, for longer than two weeks. The mother goes on shorter trips, the daughter suddenly remembers. The unsuspecting victims are tortured by the unsuspecting killers. The once brown, neglected cacti become green with the love, then brown again, then green. The duo are confused and cannot choose between excessive love and tough love. The victims then give up and just die on the duo.

One day, the duo, looking at the empty pots realize that it is not in them to continue on their killing spree. Remorse hits them like a truck carrying a ton of bricks. They put the pots away.

There endeth the tale of The Cacti Killers.

This is the story of my mother and I, and how we desperately tried to find our green thumb, but failed miserably. If there is a hell, I imagine that mine will be full of Cacti waiting.... 

Tall AND thin? Oh no!

The other day, I put up a status on Facebook about how I wished I weren't as tall as I was. Then, today, my friend Supriya, posted a blog post about being skinny and I was inspired (if you will) to write down this little bit of, um, literature.

It starts off with completely not fitting not the Indian body-shape norm, which to me, after 25 years, is short and fat. Or should I be politically correct and say "curvy"? The comments one gets is completely fascinating. I've always had an issue of how it is okay for people to comment, rudely and crudely, about how skinny I am, but I'm not allowed to say anything about people jowls or tires. Seriously. I get these horrified looks when, on the rare occasion, I snap.

Some of my favorite comments about my size are, "Oh my God, if I blow, you'll fly away!" or if it is windy, I've gotten a "Hold my hand, I don't want you to fly away!". Here is a news flash. You are not funny. You're just testing my self control. And no, I will NOT fly away.

Another popular one is when I was compared to a crane or a "Kokkare" in Kannada, because in the 7th grade, there was one godforsaken story in my Kannada textbook about how a crane has only one leg. Oh so funny, Romy is just like a crane in the story. Her TWO legs is like one "normal" leg. Another fantastic nickname is "Kaakadi" which means Cucumber in some Indian language. And how much fun it is to shout it out in the middle of the road while I walk no? Its even funnier when I shout back "Tarbooz"(Watermelon) and the WHOLE road laughs!

Another one of them is "Oh, one of me is like two of you!", stated in a tone full of fascination, like some big discovery. And the ever so popular questions of "Do you know how thin you are?", especially said when the person lifts my wrist and shakes my hand in front of my face as if to show me, like I'll get some kind of epiphany! Yes, you fool. I am well aware of what I look like and how I'm not obese like you. Another rude question is "How much do you weigh?" And when you answer with a smile, hoping you can just skip this part of the so called conversations, they continue to pursue the conversation with a "I know, you must be only 20 kilos no?" or some other ridiculous number. Sometimes, I just smile and say "Oh, definitely half of what you weigh from the looks of it. How much is that again?" and the conversation goes dead and I can escape.

Then comes the concerned extended family one meets at weddings. "Why are you so thin? Don't you eat at all?" to which my reply (said only once though) is "Because you're so fat. The universe needs balance and all that." Or worse, especially now that I'm in my mid twenties, I've gotten a "If you don't put on weight, you won't get married! How will you have children?", albeit that has not come from my family. That was from a very concerned "adult". I dunno, if Posh Spice can do it, so can I.

And in this country, its not enough that I'm thin. Being tall also just seems to leave people open mouthed and speechless! Good lord! Both thin AND tall? And they look at me very sympathetically. I don't know, apart from the physical accidents that a person can have because one is tall, I have no complaints!

Being so tall gets me some fascinating nicknames like "Coconut Tree" "Giraffe" and "Leaning Tower of Pisa", though that was quite a mouthful, so it just became "Pisa". The standard "Skeleton" and "Barbie" also applied, though I don't see the Barbie thing because she is quite curvy. And I don't/didn't mind that either.

Some of the funny questions are "How are you so tall?" and "Why are you so tall?" Yes, because I can control my height. Like I could have just woken up one morning and said, "Hey, 5'5" is good enough. Now stop growing body!" and just like that, magically I would have stopped!

Another popular thing is for people to say "My God, I'll just put a nail in your head and you'll stop growing!" I don't even have any comebacks for that, it is so ridiculous! Another one is for people to ask me "You've grown taller no?" Yes, at TWENTY-FIVE, I'm still growing. Don't you know, my aim is to hit the 7 feet mark!

Oh and it gives people so much joy to keep pointing out that I'm tall and thin! Really, I had no idea. I just thought I was short, but somehow transported to lilliput land! Seriously guys, I'm aware of this!

Also, it is the best when you're told "Put on more mass" or a friend of mine is told to "Wear padded clothes on stage from next time". Like what does that even mean? I wonder if people know what metabolism is. Ours not only exists, it fast!

And yes, it is my DREAM to be compared to Olive Oyl. I mean, oh golly, I get to have a sailor with an obsession with spinach as the love of my life! Gee, how lucky can I get! Oh oh, or in college, to be told "You can be the wicket for the cricket match!" So funny no? Real stand up comedian you are!

I guess, the only thing is to suck it up, and remember the comments so that I have more to blog about!

Thank you for reading my little rant :D

When I touched the sky!

If you know me, you'd know that "late bloomer" is a bit of an understatement for me. I seem to have stayed a tree climbing, dog chasing wild child much longer than I ought to have, therefore missing on the "experiences" that growing-up has to offer. Not that I've ever regretted it. Infact I'm more grateful.

Anyway, this experience I'm talking about is wearing heels. I don't really know when most people start, probably at 15 or 16, I think? I know Suri Cruise started when she was 3, but then again she is being raised by, in my opinion, a nut job. So yeah.

I wore my first pair of heels on July 24th, 2012, at the ripe old age of 25. Now, I've tried on heels before, but never actually worn them outside. Anyway, it was freshers night at uni and it was my last freshers ever, so my entire gang had decided to dress up for the party. I wore a black and white strapless dress, and if I wore flats, I may as well have worn a t-shirt with pajamas because I looked that hideous. So, heels were required.

I, of course, panicked. How would I carry them off???? First, I would be freaking 6 feet tall in them. Second, would I look like a reed of grass because I was that skinny and THAT tall? Third, I'm not known for my balance. How would I manage walking on freaking stilts (for me, they were!) when I always fall in flats? And lastly, the pain!!!!!! I have heard horror stories of people in heels.

So, to answer all these questions, said heels were worn the night before for a test run. I could barely walk in them, I strutted like a chicken and I almost hit my head on the doorways. And the pain!! Ten minutes and I was ready to give up. I started considering a change of dress, but I loved the dress so much, so it wasn't really an option. I practiced for some more time and then gave up. I made a wish at 11:11 to somehow get me through the day.

The next day, the day of the party, I bought bandaids. Lots of them. I needed padding on my toes. I wrapped three toes on each foot and then wore the heels. It was much, much more comfortable compared to the previous night and they showed off my hard earned calf muscles beautifully! And in that dress, I actually had an ass! :P

I made sure I had a non-drinkers pass, the last thing is me being tipsy in heels. I practiced climbing up and down stairs. I was pretty much as prepared as I would be. I was also super, super glad that my friend Supriya would be wearing heels also and would be as tall as me! I would not be that weird, tall skinny girl as I had feared. She is also equally skinny so yay! Misery loves company or rather in this case, awkward loves company.

The night was a surprising delight! I wore them, danced in them, jumped in them, climbed stairs and walked in them! They were perfectly behaved, until I got back to the hostel and when we got off the bus, I couldn't even walk. My feet pretty much gave way! We got hot chocolate, then proceeded to my friends' room to dance some more, without heels and to English music and not Bollywood stuff. Without the heels, my feet were fine!

I was so sure that the next morning would be the most painful after party morning ever. But, boy was I surprised!!! I felt no pain! I even went for my morning run!!! I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world!!!

Below is a picture of me and the girls!

Wearing heels wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. I know I will definitely wear them again. I also now feel that I am fully a woman. I have worn heels. HA! 

This rain thing!

Over the years, I’ve met many, many people who love this thing called the rain! It makes them ecstatic, something about the smell and all that. I’ve always ben curious about this feeling, this love for this rain. I can’t stand it.

I’ve never seen or felt the magic that supposedly happens when it rains. To me, it is grey, cold and wet. All that happens is that you get wet, you feel cold and then you may even fall ill. The clouds are grey, there is no brightness, if it rains heavily, the city comes to a standstill. It’s like life has ended.

I hate feeling cold. The whole turning blue and pale, and if I look into a mirror, I see exactly what I’d look like as a corpse. All shrunken and lifeless. It’s so depressing. There is literally nothing that makes me smile when it rains.

Now, the sun? It is my one true love. An unending source of comfort, it makes me want to go out and enjoy it. It’s like a warm, comforting blanket that wraps itself around you, and tells you that you’re safe! When it’s sunny, the birds are chirping, the monkeys are jumping about and the cows are either glaring at me, chasing me or chewing their cud. It’s almost a perfect world. I can’t not smile.

When it is sunny, I can’t wait to get outside, start my day and live it happily.  When it is raining and cold, all I want to do is stay in my bed, watch TV and huddle with some hot chocolate or some soup! I guess rainy days are fine on Sundays, but, when you live in Bangalore, where it rains continuously for a solid three months of the year, you get tired of feeling low and depressed, just because the weather is dull and grey.

I need someone to teach me to love this rain. It is an uphill battle, I will warn you. I really don’t want to feel miserable for three months out of the year over something I can’t change. If I could, I’d make it never rain and always be sunny!!!

Anyway, who’s up for the task?

Oh! What a production!

The glitz! The glamour! The clothes and all that pretty! That is all we think about when it comes to the modeling world. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always admired a friend of my mother’s who runs a production house. She always went to the fanciest locations, interacted with the coolest of people and I thought, “Man! I wanna do that and be her!” She was one of my strongest role models while growing up! So classy and poised! She still is, that hasn’t changed, but I now have had a glimpse into the actual life that she leads, not just the one behind my stylish rose coloured glasses. It is… interesting.

The production industry is a mix of comedy, stress and chaos. There is not one day where I haven’t widened my eyes at the amount of work rapidly being shot at us and then wiping the tears that roll down my face from all that laughter. Sometimes, I laugh because it is so ridiculous!

There is definitely glitz and glamour and the clothes and the pretty people are a treat, but then, we also have the fantastic calls that go, “Hi! I am XYZ. I want to be a model.” And then the person hangs up. Before we can say anything.  You also have emails coming in with pictures that are a good approximation of King Kong, only with a human face, or even Tarzan. Then there are the people who send us pictures with the mail reading something like this:

Name: XYZ

Mother's Name: PQR

Father's Name: ABC

Status: Model

Till this day, I didn’t know that “model” was a status. I somehow always thought it was the whole “single”, “married”, etc.

Today, my boss shouted herself hoarse shouting for her assistant (who is male), who was in the bathroom. He came out and immediately answered her phone to give a person directions. Now, man comes out of bathroom and directly answers phone. I leave you to draw your own conclusions. Let’s just say I had a good time laughing at her stricken face!

Another funny thing is watching my boss (who is the same person as my mum’s friend btw) juggling two phones. One phone at one ear, the other at the other ear and somehow talking into both. I feel as a thank-you-for-my-internship present, I should get her two bluetooth devices for either phone and maybe a remote control that will link then to her phones. Or just a thirst aid beer helmet, because I just feel it would be put to good use. By her or the casting manager. 

It’s honestly funny how we get pictures of really pretty people and people with enough grotesque make-up to scare small children. I think I will befriend them and make them travel in the bus with me. It will keep the kids at bay.  From whatever I’ve learned, while sending in your pictures, minimal make-up is optimal.

I got some pictures taken for me and those were in heels. It took me about ten minutes to figure out how to stand straight without tipping over. Then when the casting director said cross your legs, it took me another ten minutes to gain balance in that hallway and then when she was all like "twist a little to the left", "stretch!", "put your hands on your hips, but push them forward"... yeah. All that yoga and contortion classes came into full use! But they did not help me balance and there were many near falls. Thankfully, the corridor where we shot that picture is narrow.

The actual production happens best at the last minute. There are SO many changes, so much running around. Sometimes, I wonder why the need for alcohol or other stuff because this industry itself is such a high! You’re constantly on the go and it’s exhilarating! You're in and out and on the phone and running around. Multi-tasking has taken on a whole new meaning. no more is it being able to write an essay while playing Monopoly or watching TV. It is survival!

Everyday is a different adventure, the people are as varied as they come. All I can say is that I’m loving this experience, but there is no way on Earth I will do this again. I don’t think my nice, organized brain can handle it for too long. An internship like this is perfect!

I also now know what the word “busy” means. I clearly didn’t know it before.

Also, in my next post, I will introduce the agency's casting manager to you. Boy! Do I have stories!

The unplanned!

This evening in class, we were told about how our internships would be a look-see into the corporate world, the working world and it would give us an introduction to what we're being taught. This was funny, because I already know the "real" world, and because I had a look-see into a part of life that I hadn't really tried a few days ago. The life of the spontaneous, the unplanned, the wake-up-and-go type of people. I am none of these. Let's just say it was an adventure that I'm glad I had, but one I will NEVER repeat. I'm a planner and I'm truly content and happy being one.

We went on a holiday to a nearby beach town, completely unprepared, only booking our bus tickets. I had no clue where we'd be staying and we were literally Googling places to stay on the way there. We found a hotel with very good reviews, but it turned out to be shut down and then the auto driver took us to this other place, which was quite frankly not up to my standard. Butttttt, since this vacation was not planned and I wanted to do "new" things, I went ahead and just signed on the dotted line. It wasn't that bad, but I'd have preferred a different place, and yes, lets face it, slightly more expensive. A budget traveller, I am not. But again, this wasn't a trip I had saved for, so I had to deal with it.

The morning was FANTASTIC. We went to a place that was not particularly inhabited and crowded. It had long, winding cobblestone roads with flowering bushes and trees on either side. The weather, though hot, was lovely with some breeze, sun and a few random clouds. We ate breakfast at a corner cafe that was completely organic under a tamarind tree and then set off to walk and discover other places. We hit the beach later and enjoyed the sand and the cool water.

Now this idyllic morning would not be a morning that I experienced without it's little adventures that I had to taste. I had the lovely experience of bargaining. *facepalm* Now, when it's in a language I'm familiar with, I'm kinda bearable. In a language that I know, but not comfortable with, I'm rather atrocious and pretty much ended up begging the lady to give us the bag for less. "Please lady, we're students" was a common phrase I used. At least, I provided entertainment to all those around me. Word of advice to all who read this, if you need a person to bargain, IT IS NOT ME!!!!

Another fantastic thing that happened, is that it was me on a beach, and therefore, shells were priority! And oh boy, I found some gorgeous ones!!! They were multi-coloured, beautifully shaped and just plain amazing. The drawback, like my friend pointed out, they had dead sea creatures in them!!!! EWWWWWW!!!!!! I am eternally grateful that my friend was kind enough to point out that fact before I picked it up! Can you imagine my horror otherwise? She was like oh we can take it, dry it in the sun, remove the carcass and then bleach it! I feel my gag reflex come into play as I type this, let alone actually do all of that! GROSS.

After looking at all the dead fish washed up on the beach (ewewewew) and soaking in the sun, we decided to head to a nearby restaurant, where she proceeded to eat the dead fish (prawns to be specific) and I quietly ate curd and rice. It was yummy though. The rice, not the prawn. I'm vegetarian and would not know. Again, happy to be vegetarian though many would argue!

We napped for a bit and then headed out to another beach where we walked and walked and walked and walked. Apparently, the whole point of being spontaneous is walking. There are reasons why I plan. This, I learned through my screaming legs. Poor babies. They have nice muscles now though. We ate street food, cotton candy, ice-cream and chased bubbles down the street. At least I did, not caring what the hell people thought. It was amazing!!! I loved every minute of it. The good and the embarrassing and the gross.

The next day, we caught the sunrise a little later and then explored the city, shopped and of course WALKED. A lot. We also met a VERY cute doggie that I just wanted to take and not let go! We sat in a park where there were LOTS of crows and I was forever scared that one of them would shit on my head, knowing my luck. But then, it was a choice of either sitting in the park or walking. I sat in the park. Sure enough, something fell on my head and apparently, the look of abject horror on my face was priceless. I can imagine. It was a twig though, not poop. YAY!

The city was beautiful, though I fell sick (it had to happen, the previous day was too perfect and I was too happy). We visited museums, saw all the landmarks and thoroughly explored every inch of the place, eating ice candy that made out lips and tongues PINK (!!!) and ending the day with Vietnamese food and French food! Yum!

We came back, and I am happy to be back. I missed my planned life with the sitting and the bumming around and not the WALKING! I mean I like walking, I'm not lazy, but sweet mother! That was a LOT of walking!

I must say though, I am rather proud of the fact that I kept it together, didn't freak out, didn't plan anything and went with the flow. The mission was accomplished. I saw the other side of life and I'm happy to report that the grass is greener on my side itself!

I loved the vacation, had an absolute blast and I'm SO happy and actually haven't been able to stop the glee and the smiles that have followed. It was something I needed badly and I have some great memories to treasure!

Okay now I'm done being sappy. And this will not happen again. Spontaneity (or walking, apparently they mean the same thing) is not my cup of tea. I like knowing where I'm going! And I want bubbles. To play! Now. 

Bucket list - Year 25!!!

1) Second chances
2) My equilibrium with the universe restored!! The whole not getting what I want thing is driving me crazy!
3) Peace!
4) To visit a new country
5) Truce with the bovine!
6) My own apartment - to decorate the way I want and to live in it the way I want to :P
7) Learn a new language!
8) Meet a new celebrity (Comic Con!!! Come onnnnn!!!)
9) Muscles! I want an awesome toned body!
10) No more new scars! Which means, no more falling down or scratching myself r any more accidents!
11) Meet more of my Internet friends!
12) Get a hamster/ferret/guinea pig
13) Get a job!!!!!
14) Learn a musical instrument, or at least start to learn one
15) No more animal or insect related injuries. Bees, I'm talking to you!
16) Become famous.. Relatively at least
17) Make a play at Uni actually happen!!!
18) Whine less. Lessen the negativity in my life!
19) Less drama all round!
20) Try something new. I know what it is, but not gonna share this!
21) Try a new cuisine.
22) Ride the Bangalore metro!
23) Get a bikini! Yes, I don't own one :P
24) Clean room/apartment/residential area every week! (this one is a little far fetched, but we'll see!)
25) A resolution carried forward since every birthday and new year since I was 16 - Learn to walk in heels! Now who's up for teaching me?

The Bus Ride

Everyone has adventures on buses. That is a given. At some point in their lives, something will happen and they will be on a bus.

Now, I think I'm unique. How you ask? I don't have AN adventure, I have three. Three pretty embarrassing tales that of course provide you, the reader humour and me, something to blog about.

I took a bus yesterday and it was VERY crowded, so I stood at the head of the bus. I held on to a railing with my left hand and proceeded to text my friend that I was on the way to a place we were going to meet at. As I completed the text, the next stop arrived. Now, when you know you have to stop, you ease into the stop by SLOWLY applying the break. This is what all sane drivers do. Is our bus driver sane? NO. The moron swerved to the left into the stop and applied the break so suddenly, I ended up splattered on the windscreen! Gah! I proceeded to yell at the driver and went towards the back of the bus.

I found a place next to two railings and held them with a vise like grip. The lady sitting next to where I was standing was in the fifties and had witnessed the whole scene of me falling and me yelling. She looked up at me and asked if I wanted her seat. I was MORTIFIED! An elderly lady giving me her seat is a little ridiculous. With my cheeks flaming red, I politely declined and looked everywhere but at her. In this process, I glanced at a boy. This boy smiled widely and as a reflex reaction, I smiled back at him.

The journey continued and I finally got a seat when that lady got off. The next thing I know, this boy is standing next to me. he says hello, I say hello back. Then this is the conversation that follows...

Him: Where are you going?
Me: Brigade Road.
Him: Me also. You want to get some coffee?
Me: Huh???
Him: You are pretty. We can hang out. What is your phone number?
Me: No thank you.

I realise that this is rude, but dude, seriously? Ew. I then stared out of the window for the next 20 minutes, giving myself a nice crick in my neck. Finally my stop came and I got off and walked away really fast without turning back!

Adventures of Romy Skye in a bus. Le sigh.