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.

2011 - the year of change and acceptance

It's that time of the year, about ten days till the new one begins, where you look back at what exactly this year has been. How you've changed (if you have), major events, the people, the places and everything else. This year has been like no other. I learned of love and loss for the first time. I learned of weakness and of strength, I learned definition and classification and planning.

For the first time, this year has been a year of uncertainty, where I'm just not sure and I absolutely hated it. I like knowing, and this unknown thing does not excite me, there is no adrenalin rush and there is no love for it. It's been this way right since January, when the SNAP results were announced. Since then, it's been a road of choices, and they were hard choices.

Big decisions - I decided to take the final step that would define my future. Doing an MBA in Communications. This is going to pave the road of my career and there's no turning back. This was huge in my book, because it's not just another thing that people do, it's something that you decide for the rest of your life. There is no room for mistakes and I needed to be absolutely sure, and I am. I'm happy that I took the decision, I'm happy that I know what I want and that my future is not a list of maybes or what ifs.

A turning point this year, I lost my soulmate. This is probably the hardest thing I will ever have to go through. I believe that a soulmate doesn't necessarily have to be of the same species. It's just two souls bound by this thing that cannot be defined. It's been ten years of intense love, something unconditional, that I didn't know I was capable of. I lost my best friend, my rock, my strength and a part of my soul on November 25th, 2011. It is decidedly the worst day of my life. What I gained from it, is the knowledge that though we are not physically in the same place, though I cant hug her or hear her, I know that she is with me, because who I am today is who she made me. Gypsy will ALWAYS be a part of me and she'll always have a part of me with her and I believe, with everything that I am, that we'll meet again.

On a personal level, I grew leaps and bounds. I learned a LOT about myself, some things I liked and some I didn't. Some things I'm going to embrace, some I hope to shed real fast. I exercise now. Regularly. It's an odd concept for me to understand, because I truly loathed it for the longest time. I guess it's like till you get up that hill, you hate it, but once there, the view is fantastic and you never want to leave. Believe me, the view is fantastic.

It's my first time in a co-ed school after like 9 years. Somethings have changed, and somethings haven't. I got roommates this year. I've never had to share a room before so this concept is alien and it's very educational! I am learning two languages (perish the thought!) and I saw a Wonder of the World for the first time! Going to north India was a massive culture shock to me, it showed me that though it is all one country, how massively diverse India is. It's positively insane! I made some fantastic new friends and caught up with a whole bunch of old ones (thank you Facebook). I learned to value my family and I'm still learning to live out of one closet (le sigh!).

So many things have changed this year, my life has literally been turned upside down, I've accepted and loved so many things about myself and have absolutely hated some others (which I'm in the process of eliminating). I unfortunately picked up the tick of shaking my leg when I'm bored or restless, which is so ugly. I'm definitely working towards shedding that! Relationships with various people have changed and taken on new forms. There are times when I just want to go back, before anything changed and before this year began, but a part of me looks at how much upheaval has happened this year and I can't wait for 2012 to begin, so that I can begin again.

2011, you have been a year that I have absolutely struggled with. I have grown and changed this year, more than any other year. 2012, I look forward to you now. Next year will be a year of change again, but this time, change on my terms.