The simple things.

So, partly cos I wanted new music, I've been listening to some albums in my free time lately and REALLY loving everything I'm hearing from Ben Harper and Paolo Nutini. By no means is any of this "new" but A LOT of it is new to me. And this one Nutini number... 'Simple Things' started one of my thinking trips...


ok. But FIRST! Paolo Nutini! He's so cool! Not to mention quite good looking! And only 23?! Heh?! ... Good on him! 


So, the point > Simple Things.
I'm so caught up right now thinking about the fabulous future I want to plan that I don't often think about the fabulous-er present I live! Just the other day we were talking about the little things that can make your day or totally ruin it or calm you down or fire you up. It sometimes doesn't take anything big to do all that.
It's the small, simple things that just make life worth the living.
Personally, my favourite time of my day is when I'm driving (alone) and I'm not in a hurry and I've got my music playing. This is like nothing else I know. Whether it's after a sleepless night because I was working on some submission and I'm on the way to college or whether it's when I'm in some corner of this city that is alien to me and I'm completely lost or whether it's after I just spent an hour crying about something stupid or I'm on the way home from whatever kind of day I've had- happy, sad, mad! this time in the car is mine and it's perfect. For anything.
Like it, there are many other simple things that mean so much. And I'm not sure why I'm blogging about it. Then again, I'm not sure why I blog about many things! 
Take for instance that Joshua Radin song! I've loved it for a long time now... But just the other day I posted it just.... because.
The freedom to do things just... because! - I suppose thats another simple thing I love!
Hmmm...


Alright, this post if officially over!
Ciao.
Listen to the song though! =D 
And pay attention to the words.


Peace. Love and all that Jazz. 
(the song is not jazz ha!)


Bye.


Really.


=P

We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard

Balckbird singin' in the dead of the night brought her back....
♪ =)








And, my all time favourtie McLachlan...





...

Shove?

If God is a DJ
Life is a dance floor
Love is the rhythm
You are the music
If God is a DJ
Life is a dance floor
You get what you're given
It's all how you use it...
-P!nk
"You have been to hell, Ketut?"
He smiled. Of course he's been there.
What's it like in hell?"
Same like in heaven," he said.
He saw my confusion and tried to explain. "Universe is a circle, Liss."
He said. "To up, to down -- all same, at end."
I remembered an old Christian mystic notion: As above, so below.
I asked. "Then how can you tell the difference between heaven and hell?"
Because of how you go. Heaven, you go up, through seven happy places. Hell, you go down, through seven sad places. This is why it better for you to go up, Liss." He laughed.
Same-same," he said. "Same in end, so better to be happy in journey."
I said, "So, if heaven is love, then hell is.. "
Love, too," he said.
Ketut laughed again, "Always so difficult for young people to understand this!" — Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
I have so much I'm looking for at this moment in my life.
But all I really want is Peace.
I'm torn between many things.
A career choice that I'm not sure of.
And what makes it worse is that I'm still in the education phase of it!
This is scary.
I'm very often doubtful of myself; What I'm capable of.
I think that I'm not good enough. And really, I'm not.
But I know that I can be if I want to.
And of course I want to. Who doesn't want to be good enough.
But, WHAT do I want to be good enough at?
And I'm searching for God.
I know he's there.
I believe in him. But still, I don't always feel him.
Not because he's busy, more because I live unconsciously sometimes.
I love myself. But I'm disappointing me right now.
I need to change. I must.
I have so much to offer, and so much to receive from this life.
I just need a shove to help me start.
Where to get this shove from, I don't know.
Me?
I'm searching... And I always will be...
I just hope I start finding things soon!
Yes, I am lonely; despite all the love that surrounds me.
That makes me selfish too!
I'm weak and knowing that makes me stronger.
The first step to making any change is admitting that there is a need for one in the first place.
Well there is definitely a need for one, here.
I am the voice of many people I know and even don't.
I speak for myself and those who won't or can't.
I'm fearful and flawed.
I'm hopeful and willing.
Now I'm getting up on my feet because it's time to start moving!

Have no envy. Have no fear.

Some are reaching few are there, 
wandering from a heros chair, 
some are scared to fly so high, 
well this is how we have to try

Have no envy and no fear, 
have no envy, no fear

Brother brother we all see, 
your hiding out so painfully, 
see yourself come out to play, 
a lovers rain will wash away

You envy and you fear, 
so have no envy, no fear

When your sister turns to leave, 
only when she's most in need, 
take away the cause of pain, 
by showing her we're all the same.

Have no envy and no fear, 
have no envy and no fear

And every day we try to find, 
we search our hearts and our minds, 
the place we used to call our home, 
can't be found when we're alone

So have no envy, no fear, 
have no envy and no fear

- Joshua Radin

Much needed freshness.

A blog within a blog, and I don't care.
Mraz is the man.

http://freshnessfactorfivethousand.blogspot.com/2010/08/words.html

Thinking Things

There was a time I knew exactly who I was   

Headed on a fool-proof path

Confidence in hand

Conviction and strength in heart

    Life was so much simpler

                Innocent and free

                Then growing up, came round the corner

                Things change. Yes, now I see.

I still know what I stand for

I’m afraid, though mostly hoping

I’m not sure where I’m headed

I only know I must keep going.

                The future is full of promise

                It’s been kissed by a beautiful past

                Things happen along life’s journey

                I need to slow down, stop moving so fast.

Tired wings will always tell you

Enjoy the days you’re fit to fly

Never forget what you believe in

While you pick up speed and reach that high.

                Don’t move too far too soon

                You’ll miss out on all that’s there

                Don’t laze and loll and waste away

                ‘Now’ won’t return your share. 

Reflection is my refuge

I think as I’ve always thought

One thing is for sure

We live contradictions- day in, day out.

                I’m off to continue

                My way awaits my tread

                I’ll return sooner or later

                And once more, I'll clear my head.

-Larika-

               

               

               

Remember that time?

I've been through many phases in life so far. And there's almost always been a song or a set of songs that went with those phases. It's funny to sit back and think about how things change. How I've changed!
Some of these songs were like anthems in their time in my life. Songs I believed with every fibre of my being, would never fade away for me! But they did!
The joy they bring on an unexpected return, however, is something I can't explain!
The other day, I spent a little while cleaning out my old drawers... I chanced upon CDs I hadn't seen in forever!
Now my car is full of old CDs from days gone by... Amongst these are my Backstreet Boys Black n Blue and Millennium albums, an old planet pop CD, some CDs that were personally written for me (Thanks Nea!) and my favourite find of all - The Grammy Nominees 2004!
How I loved singing senselessly to Stacey's Mom, who had it going on... and listening to Sting talk about sending love into the future! My all time favourite on that CD (and I can't find a video!) was Hole in the world by the Eagles. I spent such a long time making myself tired of that song. :)
Those are good memories!
So of course this set me off on another one of my everyday mini-missions. Reminding myself of the songs that at some point or the other, for whatever sensible or completely ludicrous reason were a big part of my life.
The first thing that struck me was a time when Hanson were the cutest people ever and the St. Trinians were singing the catchiest song on the block!
I still go "uh-oh! We're in trouble!" when something goes wrong! It's classic in my books. (don't ever wonder why my books don't apply to everyone!)
There was this one phase where Wighfield gave me many reasons to shut my room door and...just dance!
And, I always had a thing for especially nice eyes! :) Hmmm..
It was around then itself when Ace of Base gave me The Sign and I just knew it would always be a Beautiful Life! Happy Nation or not!
It was probably a little later when growing up started to come with some not so happy things attached to it...
Taking things Step by Step, was always good advice!
Some things stay the same though, always!
I still hope to be, one day, lost in love and just... OK.

I realize a lot of those songs were probably well before my time, even THEN! It's probably what happens when you have a sibling, 7 years older than you. Old school does kinda rule! (Not that new school is bad. =))

Im glad you came.

In a retrospective mood.
I've had some really nice conversations in the course of... lets say... 
the past week... maybe it started a little before.. I'm not sure. They've been with different people from different places. People I know on different levels too.
But I'm just thinking a lot about...well, people.
How they come and go.
How they enter and leave.
(not the same thing those two ^)
By come and go, I mean, how they make their way towards your life and how they drift away or either, somehow take root in it.
By enter and leave I mean, how they actually become a part of your life and how they either exit (in all finality) or stay or just exist. Really not having left or stayed. Limbo of a different kind? I dunno.


I suppose there are different ways to look at the people in our lives.
Ali, one of my best friends, sent me a message that said...
life doesn't give you the people you want, instead it gives you the ones you need.
To teach you, to hurt you, to love you and to make you exactly how you'd be best.
(Ali, you're awesome, you send cute messages.)
I actually really liked this one. 
But then another very close friend said he didn't agree. And then I saw it his way.
No, life doesn't always send you people who help you be the best you can be.
It really doesn't.
That's where the choices you make (either people wise or value-wise really kick in).
But to be a little bit of a contradiction... I think I could agree that the people who come are the one's we need to learn some specific lesson from... some lesson only they can teach. So provided we learn that lesson, either by making mistakes or not, people really do help us be better. 


This is so completely relative to who's in your life and how they change it and how you see things.
But I know that I've attracted (I don't know how) to my life, some amazing people.
That girl who sits feeling alone and betrayed, is still one of the most talented people I've met. She doesn't know her strength....Yet.
The boy who puts up tough fronts is much deeper than he appears.
The few I met when we were learning to spell together, fought with me, drew with me, laughed with me, cried with me and sometimes fought with me even while I cried and we grew together. We always will.
Some found it hard to reach, but finally did... and changed my life.
Some are just downright rude and make me scowl and laugh and feel loved all in one breath!
There are those I got stuck with. I couldn't choose. And they somehow turned out to be the ones, that, if given the chance, I'd choose to get stuck with...all over again. Not everyone is lucky enough to feel that.
There are so many, with so many more descriptions. 
It'd be an incredibly long night if I stayed to list them all...
I'm not in the state for a very long night.


So, I'll say this;
Whoever you are, whether you know who you are or not, you taught, will teach or are in the process of teaching me and making me better, so obviously I'm thankful for you.
Whether you stick around forever, do that limbo thing or leave, I'll always...
always! be glad you came.
-Larika.

I say very lame things

I'm going to apologize for that last post!
Thoroughly lame! :)
(And I had it confirmed by a trusted source!)
Tis what happens when I'm experiencing an excess of any emotion and I start to rant.
Still, accept the buffaloes yaa..
the sooner, the happier. :)

A Comedy of Errors.

Traffic in Pune.

THAT is what I'm talking about.

I was driving today, one inch at a time, and yelling occasional, almost involuntary curses at other people on the road.

This is a very common thing. Anyone who's been in a car with me driving would understand.

The Indian road ethic is something to marvel at. (I'm Indian... I'm sure there were more than my fair share of those curses being verbally flung my way too!)

But getting back to this 'ethic'.

It's obscene. Thoroughly rude and careless. And completely harmonious.

You just can't deny the fact that it, somehow!, works. (Personally, I think it's some kind of divine intervention because God feels sorry for us)

It's like we're out there on the road and it's our river.

We're the droplets that don't need to flow in lines because we're so good at rolling together in ALL conceivable directions, happily criss-crossing paths.

Ok. NOT so happily.

Honestly, after the first couple of angry outbursts I started to grin to myself... and even started to laugh, eventually.

Indian roads are a sight! For sore eyes or otherwise!

Actually, I want to recommend Pune's MG Road on a Saturday evening as a tourist location. Yes, why not add MORE people to the equation in the name of sight-seeing.

From the rider of a two-wheeler, with the most determined look on his face (he's now planning his skilled, traffic weaving moves to come out ahead of the crippled four-wheeling lot) to the arrogant, loud-mouthed honker (who, somewhere deep within his soul, truly believes that his relentless honking will enlighten everything in his way, causing them to part like the red sea, so he can cruise through like Moses. Try and understand his feelings.), every character on the road is worth taking in. 

The calm policeman who just manages to keep everyone moving without going crazy is the real rockstar though!

I've always been a people-watcher kind of person. I think people are awesome. Watching them? Better.

But one of the best parts of the Indian system is that, there is no discrimination.

Humans and Animals are equal.

The buffalo has every right to be on that road and is also trying to get somewhere. Remember that the next time you spend five minutes blowing your horn at it or swearing at it for not letting you by.

And don't be surprised if you find me dining with my friend the orangutan at the table near you when you go out.

Sigh! 

For Cuckoo

To my darling Cuckoo (yes, the ultimate form of embarrassment for you! =] I’ll count on your forgiveness),

You know my wonderland is incomplete without you, only cos you’re my Alice. =)

You’re the one person I can talk to about absolutely ANYthing.

You’re also the one person I can bring down buildings with, when we fight. But, at the end of it all, nothing changes.

I’ve loved all the times we’ve spent talking, laughing… and crying.

Best Friend.

Soul Sister.

Confidant.

You inspire me to be the best I can be; to try anyway.

You kinda suck, for making it look so easy! Sigh. =)

I can only wish the best for you, always.

I know for a fact, the people you’re about to meet have no idea what’s coming.

Are they in for a ride, Mallier style, or what!?

You bring life to the party; whatever, whoever, wherever the party!

And I know, that you’re always going to be ok.

(Don’t ask me how. I have my sources.)

I’m going to miss having you around. (In the flesh.)

But if time is good at anything, we know it’s at flying.

I mean, really. You’re 2 years short of Pearliness! J

So, Happy Birthday!

God bless

I love you

and

I’ll see you soon.

All my love,

La.

My favourite things.

Without realizing it, (until now anyway)... I collect stuff!
I always knew I was a bit of a hoarder... whether it was with old books, clothes, drawings or little knick knacks that are actually thoroughly useless. (But I figured I could use them in some future arty [or otherwise] venture nonetheless!)
But there are a few things that I unconsciously started to collect, just because I liked them.. or in some cases, because people noticed I liked them, so they spontaneously began to contribute to what I can now call growing collections!
(In case you're wondering, this realization is a moment of joy in my life! =D
Hence this need to document/ share.)


I'm going to list these collections... well, the ones I want to maintain anyway.
I'll start with my oldest most famous:

1.] Junk Jewellery!

Of course I think real diamonds are gorgeous and fancy stones are exquisite and gold can be nice once in a while. But, if you REALLY want to get me in a frenzy, take me to goa/ mahabalipuram or some such place and show me the cheap, colourful stuff. Now, THAT I love! For many reasons.
Its not timeless, no. In fact its time-bound! This stuff is probably not that strong, going to fade or rust easily and very likely to brake if you aren't careful. But there's variety to live off! And you pay in installments.
My justifications really don't need to make sense to you.
'Cos at the end of the day... (and my brother-in-law would agree) ..
I'm a Mallier Girl, "and I like it, I don't care!" (lol)

2.] Harem Pants!

If they're one thing, it's comfortable... and sometimes very colourful!
And I'm all for colour and comfort!
They beat denims out of my preferred clothing ballpark, any day of the week. 
Although, I have to confess, my latest sweat-pant discovery might threaten this collection.
Oh, well, It's been good. 
(And yes, SWEAT pants are awesome.)

3.] Peace Signs!

I'll let the picture speak for me here.
This one's going to be big. :)
And I have a lot of people to thank! 
I really don't know how this fascination for the peace sign started, with me. I just know that I've loved it forever. Now, it's just a given. And, who wouldn't love what it stands for. I suppose it helps that it's kinda linked to everything flower-child-like. 
Peace, Love and all that ****!

4.] Badges!

This bunch surprised me too.
Completely unintentional, and I can't wait to see how far it goes.
But here's to surprise gifts, random urges to buy smiley faces to suit the mood and wild, wild bachelorette parties! 

5.] Photographs and Souvenirs!

Souvenirs, don't really count. I know.
But photographs! OH! Photographs.
You've got to love a still that captures raw emotion or even staged emotion for that matter.
And, if a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm a freakin' gazillionaire! In words, anyway.
Lets just say, this collection is a threat to us growing older.
So, everyone I know, watch for surprises at your 50th birthdays or wedding anniversaries... or otherwise.
*evil grin*

And...
these are a few of my favourite things. :)