Ponder this

'Amma, featherweight means as light as a feather. But do all feathers weigh the same?'

A TED talk and an Idiot

I have recently discovered the joys of TED talks. A random conversation with Wordjunkie led me to this link - which I think is a must listen, and of special appeal if you are a parent. Ken Robinson offers interesting insights into the education system and makes you question traditionally accepted ideas... I must mention his delightful sense of humor - quite a few chuckles in there too.

And fresh from listening to the talk (again), I randomly switched on the TV. Yes, despite all evidence to the contrary, I keep hoping that something watchable will turn up. And as I switched channels, I heard Madhavan (of 3 Idiots fame) saying 'Our present education system was formed in the industrial revolution.'

It was a direct quote from Ken Robinson.... and Madhavan went on to repeat the speech almost verbatim but without acknowledging his source! Would anyone be idiotic enough to believe that Madhavan came up with these amazing ideas by himself?

I have not watched 3 Idiots but surely this is the sort of rote learning and non creative  propagation of ideas that it warns against? I am not saying that Madhavan ought to have original ideas on education simply because he acted in a movie that talked about the system, of course... still acknowledging the source would have been the right thing to do...

Ah well, go listen to the talk - bet it makes you think!

Movie News

I have been reading that Deepa Mehta is going to make Midnight's Children into a movie. Not a book that would translate effortlessly into celluloid.

Its a difficult book to read - I think I read it a dozen times before I actually figured out some of the stuff he was trying to say. And I bet that there are many things that I completely missed.

To make this sort of a book into a movie and (I assume) make it a rigid narrative would take away so much of the charm... and the power.... ah well, Rushdie will co write the screenplay apparently so I am hoping the movie will be a pleasant surprise!

Its got to be Monday

when I realize I completely forgot the salt for the rasam and the French beans

then add salt to the beans and forget the rasam

rush off to school

and come back to add salt - to the beans ....

and for good measure, add half a spoon extra - to the beans again.

2 and a half spoons of salt - inedible wouldn't you say?

Except the son who tasted it, insisted on a second and a third helping.....

Only on Mondays, I swear!

The newness... and the old

I have bid a quiet good bye to the year gone by –  to its moments of happiness, fulfillment, sadness and hope. Some of those events and emotions are too strong to let go – but I hope they will strengthen my understanding of reality and life to come.

Friends... so many kinds of them continue to find a place. Some of them have been around years now and their time-line is measured in decades rather than 12 measly months. And there are the tentative new relationships – whose direction is still undetermined…

I am also trying to prop up a few tottering relationships – to make new bridges where the old ones have fallen apart. It is as simple as choosing not to judge, to not expect anything more than conversation over a glass of tea or wine and shared laughter. Very achievable, don’t you think?

2009 is the year my baby turned into a boy who does not actually need me every moment of the day. One of my fondest memories of 2009 is going to be a friend’s wedding reception, where, for the first time since he was born, I didn’t know exactly where Arjun was and I didn’t worry.

While Arjun socialized with a pretty young playmate and apparently insisted on putting his face into all the photographs taken, I was off on my own, talking to people who were interesting enough to put on my ‘let’s meet soon’ list.

The feeling that I can have a life of my own is just a bit scary because I have forgotten what it feels like to be just Nitya rather than Nitya, Arjun’s mother. But there is also the exhilaration that comes with testing familiar but strangely new waters. And that is the best feeling ever… because you have the backing of the known and are still free to explore.

A year with its fresh, blank newness is something I am wary of. I like my year when it is a bit older - when the pages are half filled with events and stories - whose endings I can predict or attempt to shape the way I would like it. When there are squiggles on its pages that I can decipher and signs that I can decode...

Let's just say I tiptoe into 2010, hopeful, nervous and, as always, impatient to know what is coming tomorrow!

Here’s wishing all of you a great year ahead!

It happens only.. to me

A delivery guy brings a package that I am taking in for a friend. Of course they all demand money for anything over 100 gms (yes, I look like an easy target).

So when the guy asked, "Madam, kuch hai?", I was ready with the cash.

Now here comes the interesting part.

He says, "Madam, aur kuch hai? Chai pani?

And while I stood stunned, he went on to explain, "Abhi khana hua, isliye kuch chahiye. Chalo, pani hi de do. "

WTF?

Is there a notice on my door asking for weirdos to ring the bell? 

500

3 and a half years of blogging.

500 posts written.

More to come.
Thank you for reading.

Gadget Heaven

We are standing in line... to take pictures with our new D3000. I used to believe that cameras are best in point and shoot mode... but its impossible to take pictures with this camera and still feel the same. Now I can see the quality, the clarity, the color... sigh. I am a convert. 

While Prashant fiddles around with his new toy and Arjun clamors for his turn, I am patient, willing to wait a bit longer.

You see, I know something they don't. Soon Prashant will go back to office and Arjun will go to school and then.... then, the camera will be mine. All Mine...