Another Rose Day...Without the Roses...

Another Rose Day came and went...and I didn't receive a single rose! The same happens with me every year since the day I came to know about this extra special day. A little sad, isn't it...well, let's not talk about this anymore! My worse half doesn't believe in celebrating such movie-promoted days! Sad, little me...

Did my idea of romance complete with red roses, heart-shaped balloons and boxes of chocolates go down the drain after my marriage? Well, not really! While my hubby does not like the idea of gifting roses on Rose Day, he is not averse to the idea of gifting roses to his wife.

For me, Rose Day came a little early...he gave me a bunch of red roses on 18th January...for no reason! That is perhaps the best reason to get a bunch of roses! The best thing about him is that he does not need a special day to make me feel special.

Well, if I say that I have never received a rose on Rose Day, it may not be the whole truth! Only once did I receive a single red rose on Rose Day...from someone very, very close. It is one of my secret treasures...one of the things I hold dear! It will always remain a treasure...just like the person who has given it will always remain close to my heart...

Additions and Alterations to the Assortment

Well, it's almost two years and I am working at the same place... numerous things have changed, and numerous others have remained the same! One thing that never changes, and I hope would never change, is the weird assortment I work with - my colleagues! I had written about quite a few of these weirdos in one of my earlier posts (Quite an Assortment); some are still here, and that may not always be a reason for joy, some have moved on, and that may not mean that I miss them all! Anyway, I miss most of the weirdos who moved on, but I also know that they are all doing good.

Now, moving on to the present assortment. The first one I need to mention sits just next to me - Rinku. This little 'freaking' gal has a lingo that distinguishes her from all. She keeps quiet most of the time, but when she speaks - OHH GOD - she sure leaves a mark! Another little girl, I cannot miss is Debika - well, she moved from nursery to office in one huge leap, at least all her roommates would vouch for that!

Another unique addition is Anasua - we share our birthday, and a lot of traits as well! Crazy, witty, fun, she is one great pal to go around with, only if you share her love - books. She can be really mean at times, and to some specific people, but she can be really sweet if she wants to be.

Do not be deceived by the Humpty-Dumpty look; Avijit da is more like the senior at college with the sole responsibility of introducing the new students to college life (I meant ragging)! He is nice, but in a devilish sort of a way! On the nice side, he is someone who keeps the party going, whatever the circumstances! Gautam presents a stark contrast to Avijit da - he is one fellow who seldom speaks. However, his one-liners are good examples of his brilliant wit!

Souvik da, Sushanta da and Santanu da remind me of my elder brothers. They are superb as seniors! However, that does not mean that this description is going to be about the good things only. Souvik da's voice is audible from at least a mile away, which is quite torturous for the listeners (the only exception is when he is talking to boudi)! sushanta da is greatly irritated when the raucous crowd, that is us, assembles in his room, promptly forgetting what a racket he himself is capable of creating. The only thing I am going to say about Santanu da is that his aloof self may not be the only facet he has!

The number of girls have increased considerably in the last year, and the guys sure are happy about that! However, when it is a girl like Priya, guys know that it would be too risky to mess around, if you were not really intent on getting a good scolding. Dipmala has the capability to terrify guys as well; however, the way she works is markedly different from that of Priya!

Moving on to the guys - Aparup is immaturity personified. I admit that guys are a litle immature, but this one takes immaturity to a whole new level! Abir is one nice guy with loads of irritating habits and Sayan is a good but a little lost soul! These three, however, are really, really good brothers.

Well, forgetting my team lead is not a good idea; after all, I am still working here! Abhishek works like a machine, but is that all that is to him? This is one question that you had better try to find an answer! He is great at work; and that is all that is to say about him. Too boring a conclusion? Well, not really my fault, I cannot make up things about him (at least until I am in his team)!

Recent Movie Outings - What I feel

Writing the review of a movie is a difficult task, well, it is so at least for me. Imagine how hard it would be to deal with the reviews of two movies at one go! But that is exactly what I am trying to do here. If you do read it, please be a little merciful.

Went to two different movies at short intervals- Delhi Belly (DB) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD). Why am I writing a single review of the two? There is no specific reason. Anyway, here is my take on the two.

DB is a fast paced story about three friends who mistakenly deliver a stool sample to a mobster and send a stash of diamonds to the lab. I found it slick, crisp, and funny. The tight script, intelligent performances (a special mention of Vijay Raaj is necessary here), and comical-farcical elements make it quite an outing. Though there is nothing new, what impresses is the presentation.

It may seem a little crude - but when the tagline says 'S#!t Happens', what else do you expect! And I don't think that three around 28-30 guys living in an apartment would talk in any different way.

What I found a little hard to digest was the portrayal of women in this movie. DB has two female characters - the pretty, rich, moronic air-hostess and the revolting, daring, divorced journalist. May be the extremes were necessary for boosting the comical elements. It is with regard to this point that I come to ZNMD.

Here again, we meet two female characters - the beautiful, free-spirited diving instructor and the nagging, leech-like interior designer. The latter was once a smart, dynamic, attractive woman - but post engagement her priorities change, and so does her attitude. Well, this again is not a very nice portrayal.

On a positive note, the diving instructor's character is a much better one. It remains true to its views till the end, and inspires others too. Perhaps the juxtaposition of the two was an essential element in the film.

ZNMD reminds me of one of my favorite movies - Dil Chahta Hai. However, you cannot compare the two in any way. The only point of semblance is that it is also about three friends. Where DCH goes far ahead is the way it showcases the journey of the three from careless early years to mature later years. This is also about a journey - but not of such expanse.

If I say there is no such element of poignancy in ZNMD, I would be lying. Farhan's decision to call his 'real' dad and the scenes that follow are beautiful. The difference is - it is just a small detail in a big film (yup it is a 3 hours investment)!

I had fun watching both the movies (DB and ZNMD), but the reasons were not the same. The fun in DB borders on the comical-farcical level while that in ZNMD borders on the humorous-emotional level. I found both enjoyable.

If you find toilet humor to be rude, do not go for DB. And, if you only find serious cinema of any interest, do not go for any!

Something I got a good scolding for...

Had an adventure of sorts yesterday... well, it is better to narrate the incident and let others decide on whether it was an adventure or a misadventure!



Debu and I went to Mainland China yesterday for dinner with a close friend, whom I met quite after a long time. Food was superb, ambiance was great and company was the best. As it happens, we lost track of time... ok, ok, I lost track of time. When we finally decided to leave, it was around 10.30 pm.

Nothing was available, and the rains made matters worse. I got an auto to Tollygunje phari and thought I would get another from there. No such luck! Finally, I got a bus to Behala, which broke down a few stops away. It was almost 11.00 pm by then, and nothing was available. I was quite scared to death by then.

Suddenly, a man on a bike stopped and called out to me... he said 'apni eto raat'e ekhane dariye achen keno? apnar ki kono problem hoyeche? ami police'er lok' (Why are you standing at this unearthly hour? Are you in some sort of problem? Do you need help? Do not be afraid, I am a policeman). I was quite apprehensive when he offered to take me to Taratala.

Taratala was just a few seconds from the spot where I was stranded, and I took my chance. He kept assuring me that he was a policeman, and there was no reason to panic. I got safely to Taratala, from where I got an auto to home. Perhaps it was a risk, but it was the only option I had at that point.

I didn't thank him enough for what he did, I do not even know his name but he was the one who helped a stranded girl, and all on his own. I know it was a foolish decision, but it was an act of faith, and I am happy that my faith overcame my fear.

I just wish every police man was like him - sure would make Kolkata the safest city in the world!

Quite an assortment!

Disclaimer: This is my opinion and I hope people would not mind if I try my hand at a little humor. If I unknowingly hurt someone, I sure would be sorry.


When I first joined this organization, I wasn't quite prepared for what I saw - a huge difference in the male-female co-worker ratio! However, it didn't have any effect as all of us girls, four in number, sat together. The bliss didn't last long - soon, I was shifted to another room. What began as a nightmare turned out to be quite an experience with time. So, how are the people around me? Here is my perspective.

Let's begin with my immediate associates at office. Abhishek - very good at work-related problem solving... he was the nice and soft-spoken type, well, at least initially! Sabyasachi - the hardworking, quintessential conservative... he was caught in static mode while the rest of us fast-forwarded to the 21st century! Then there's Sandip - whenever you want any cricketing information, ask him... well, I sure hope somebody hears him out, someday (tip: you may be able to do this if you practice listening to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's speeches really hard)!

Mainak - the gentleman... sincere at work and nice by nature (alas, quite eligible but not a bachelor anymore)! Avishek - mischief personalized... really irritating at times, is quite the nice guy at others! Suman - and his superb score-keeping talents in the verbal fights amongst us is also quite an amazing addition to this menagerie! Pritha - well, don't know much about her... however, one thing I know for sure is it isn't easy to decipher people like her!

St. Sanat - belongs to the almost extinct species who love every other species over and above themselves! I bully him a lot, I admit that, and he is just too nice to say anything. Sumit - redefines the phrase smart-worker... he is so smart he gets away without working! Shilpo, the newest addition to people who send me excel sheets full of assignments (well, I sure wanted to say something else, anyway), fits the bill of pleasant and nice perfectly, well at least for now!

Now, it's a different scenario altogether - there are numerous girls here now! (I would not include Debasmita, Deblina or Moon di here - they were in my life long before I joined this place). First, the girls who have already left - Rita - sweet on the personal front, and superb on the professional. Ria - trendy and cool (you just have to tolerate her repeated refrains). Sharil - an oxymoron with bits of shy reserve and flicks of bold streak. Projna - famous, or infamous, for her Horrible stories about death, murder, suicide (well, you get the idea).

Next is a group that is the exact opposite of Gandhiji's three monkeys - unlike the original, they see everything, they hear everything, and they say everything! Nothing escapes these three apparently sweet but quite mischievous girls - Chris, Aditi and Debomita!

Well, this post is getting longer, but I simply cannot miss out a few others (they will kill me if I do). Susmit - his sparkling wit and amazing sense of humor are sure to dazzle you... I remember, he was the first guy who treated me here as a human being (others still regarded girls as an alien race back in those days)! Sandip - his songs can drive you crazy, and not in a good sort of a way either... however, he is one of the nice guys around!

There are many others whom I would have liked to include... maybe next time!

The next big question - how do you identify the losers

In the last post, I gave you the details of what losers say when they face the big fear - commitment! But this happens way after the girl starts feeling something for the loser... so, this post is for the girls who are confused about whether a guy is a loser or not... here goes...

Identifying loser kind 1 - look out for a definite warning sign - difference in behavior in private and public spaces! Does he call you up at odd hours to talk about nothing but doesn't seem interested to talk while you two are with friends? Does he say nice things only when no one's listening? Does he seem to care when only you two are communicating and does not seem to care when others are present?

Watch out girls, the 'just friends' phrase is perhaps on its way!!!

Identifying loser kind 2 - this is easier to identify - if all you hear is about his lost love and its 'sad, sad ending', you had better start seeing other guys! Most likely, he just wants a nurse to put ointment on his bruises, and you sure don't want your part in the play as Florence Nightingale!!!

Identifying loser kind 3 - this is the easiest - these morons actually advertise their moronic selves!

However, I repeat what I said in my last post - things may seem quite bleak, but there still are the ones who don't classify into any of these categories (and this is from my experience too)! Girls, I insist, get out and find these guys - they deserve only the best - they deserve you!

Quotable Quotes of the Quotable Losers!

Warning: this may seem like I am super frustrated, perhaps I am, but every single detail of this account is true... and it is because of this, I am telling all you guys beforehand - this is not about all of you, but about all the losers that give your species a bad name!

Loser kind 1: "I thought of you only as a friend"

Oh, no, you didn't! Do you call up your just friend at the middle of the night to tell them why you are feeling sad? Do you talk to your just friend for hours about nothing? Do you go to meet your just friend at an unearthly hour to an unknown place bcoz you did not meet them for a few days? I think not... does the loser do the same with his other guy 'friends', I think not!

Girls, beware, these 'just friends' are the worst of the lot!

Loser kind 2: "I can't have a relationship bcoz I am unable to forget my first love"

This super moron led you on while you were interacting, behaving as if you were his only hope and then just as you begin to feel something different, he comes to this conclusion. Why was he unable to continue with the previous relationship? He will give you reasons like 'she was too career-focused' or 'she was from a different religion'... if you probe deeper, you would know that the reality is quite different - she saw thru the loser and left him!

Loser kind 3: "I don't believe in love"

Girls don't even try to rectify these individuals. Don't let Hindi movies inspire you to think that these are actually lost souls who need a direction. They do believe what they say, and no amount of your coaxing or caring would change them a bit. What actually happens is you lose your precious time and energy over these individuals who don't even want it!

If you come across any of these specimens, just run, not towards them, but in the opposite direction! And don't nurse a broken heart for these guys, they are not even worth your heels, let alone your heart!

Sounds too frustrating? Well, there are losers out there and you better be beware of them! However, the silver lining is that there are guys out there who do not match with any of these descriptions - and thank God for that! Girls, get rid of the losers, get out of your shell, find these winners (too bad, that they are the rare species) and when you do, fight tooth and nail to win them over for yourselves!