Talking ‘bout My Generation

 

I was listening to Englebert Humperdinck a few days ago, when suddenly in comes Pops. “Hey, I love this one! Play again!”, he goes.

Now as you all know (and if you didn’t now you do) I am a music addict. I end up listening to a song almost at any time of the day.

So then after the song finishes (Leaving on a Jet Plane I think it was) Pops goes “What else have you got?”So I calmly hand him my entire collection of CD’s (correction DVD’s…I have WAY too many songs. To try and burn them on CD’s would be overkill.). And then I get a really unexpected reaction form him. “Link up my lappy and give me Bob Dylan, Bryan Adams, Englebert, Santana and U2. Throw in Pink Floyd, Dire Straits and Deep Purple while you are at it.” Now Pink Floyd has been a childhood fave of his and so has Dire Straits but I NEVER expected Deep Purple to be on his list. Santana and U2 are even more far cries!

Then in comes Mum and she’s like “Ah! Englebert (the album was still playing). Play again!!” So I thought it prudent to hand over the controls to Pops and gracefully retire. After Englebert, we listened to Pink Floyd, Carpenters and of course the Beatles. We also had a shot at Abba and Dire Straits. But what I didn’t expect was Alice Cooper joining the list. Or Ozzy Osbourne for that matter. And here’s what  I think is the punchline, most of the songs that Pops played that day were my personal faves. Beat that!

My Mum has gotten herself addicted to Castle and Lie to Me, which again was unexpected. I never thought it would be her cup of tea as she’s more into M*A*S*H and Yes Minister, both of which incidentally I like a lot! I think I posted ‘bout this recently.

Now, I have heard people say that there’s a major Generation Gap today. Maybe that’s true. Actually it is coz some of the things that I am into, my parents won’t touch with a ten foot barge pole. But then again, after that day of musical delight, I can’t help but wonder…..What exactly does the term “Generation Gap” mean? I mean the oldies were kids once right?

The Bilge Master

The Temple of Thought



Of late, Facebook has been full of it and we have all been sharing whatever we could find about it. It being the latest album from Poets of the Fall entitled (aptly if I might add) “Temple of Thought”. It has finally released here and I got meself a copy (well took it off a friend if you must know)


Poets of the Fall are one of the many bands in my vast library of songs and they are one of the bands I listen to almost daily. Their last offering “Twilight Theater” was their best album in my opinion but that all changed in the sixty odd minutes I spent within their Temple of Thought.


The album is primarily love songs, but that is all that the tracks have in common. Each song is RADICALLY different from it’s predecessor. Take the first track “Running out of Time”- brilliant riffs, a pure rock track; then the title track which starts softly and then escalates into a blend of drums and guitars, leaving you breathless. The track “Skin” is soft too but throughout and fills you with a deep sadness; which is dispelled by the time you get to the last track “The Happy Song”. In between, are “Cradled in Love” and “Morning Tide” and “The Ballad of Jeremiah Peacekeeper”, which are again all different. I think that the band took the four letter word “LOVE” and stripped it bare and the end product is this album; adding to it that secret spice that marks it as a POTF production. Speaking of which, there are a few things worth mentioning here- the drums are back in town as each track has a definitive session of drumming. The music has also undergone an enormous transgression and is hardcore and in your face at times yet mellow and soothing at others…it’s kind of like a symphony, a flawless union of music and lyrics.


The album makes you feel a number of emotions- greed, fear, hopelessness, lust, anger, pride, envy…you name it! It lifts you up to the zenith then slams you straight to nadir, it plays with you and rewards you. In short it has done it all, yet when the last song ends, you are craving for more.


As for me, well I now join the guys who have heard “Temple of Thought” and are now waiting patiently for Saaresto and his boys to cook up another storm…….and to help me wait, I am taking another trip deep into the “Temple of Thought”.

Eyes on Crime

So here I am with another little peek into my escapades just for you. From the title, you may have gotten the impression that I have been doing some illegal activity recently and your assumption would not be far from the truth. What I mean is that of late, the whole family has gotten hooked to crime serials. Although I used to watch em initially, it has now become a regular feature here at home! And people say there’s a generation gap! Dig this, I got mom to watch the pilot episode of Castle with me one fine evening ans pretty soon, Dad joined us. We have not looked back since then. Dad’s even taken the entire Castle with him on tour! Next came Numb3rs. Now I KNEW that Pops would like it but I was surprised when Mum who hates Maths took to it like a fish to water! Thus I find myself on a desperate quest of downloads. Lie to Me is ongoing and soon to follow is White Collar. They weren’t jokin when they said don’t feed the animals! (Thats a snitch off My Family and Other Animals by Durrell by the way).

Speaking of authors, our library is gonna be extended in some time. We have done a careful analysis and come up with some must haves for our collection. The new Archer, a little Harold Robbins and Irving Stone head the list; and trust me there’s more where that came from!

I have also been reading some out of the box literature lately. 1984 by George Orwell to be exact. That there is one scary book. The image of society sent chills down my spine. I also liked the concepts of Doublethink (when it wasn’t freaking me out that is). But in spite of that I found it to be an amazing read. I’m currently reading No Comebacks by Forsyth.

Nothing much up musically. I finally got a chance to listen to Five Finger Death Punch and Alice Cooper. Both of them are good. I’m also sniffing for Simon Webbe and the new Snow Patrol album.

Studies related gossip? Yeah there is something. I met a new maths tutor who seems to be just what I am looking for. She’s going to start with me next week. Hope it works out.

That’s about it guys. See you again soon! Till then Adios!

 

The Bilge Master

Fresh Lime Soda

Well I admit from the title it is pretty obvious what this one’s gonna be…..

I’ve been feeling a bit random lately so to go with the flow this here’s a random post bout one of my fave drinks-Fresh Lime Soda. Call it lemonade, call it lemon juice call it whatever you can’t resist it’s charm now can you? Believe me it has a lot of charm, bot to mention tang and peppiness! (dunno if that is an actual word….)

When you think of it the drink is really versatile…it goes with almost ANY fodd you have or are going to have (Being a foodie I should know…..), Add to that  the fact that its so easy to make and is easier to gulp down! You don’t have to worry bout calories and it refreshes you instantly. It is a boon for getting us frail mortal through these hot summer months. You dont call it the supreme thirst quencher for nothing now do you?

I first came across FLS when I was small, dont know when exactly. Mom made it and served all of us. She added lots of sugar, some ice and a pinch of salt. I guess what made it so yummy was the aforementioned salt. I remember guzzling it down, wiping my mouth and then asking around for more, all in the space of a few seconds. My grandmom also made it a lot and I was only TOO happy to help finish it. Speaking of grandmom, she also made this odd form of lassi which is basically whipped curd. I think she added salt to the initial mix and then followed up by the sugar. She called it ghol. Ghol was another one of my faves and I used to drink a lot of it with my cousins whenever I went over to their place. It is amazing what a mixie, some water, salt and some curd or lime can do isn’t it?

Oh and here’s the thing, summer’s coming! Obviously you know what my MO is gonna be right? Asking the kitchen for a long, tall, chilled glass of Fresh Lime Soda of course. And don’t worry, if I have made you want to savor it for yourself, head over to this link for the recipe!

http://www.indobase.com/recipes/details/fresh-lime-soda.php

Enjoy it whenever and wherever! As for me, I’m off to make some….

See you soon!

Another Year and the Same Day

This is an extract from Anne Frank’s diary which I am reading right now. What makes it special is it’s on my birth date, about 52 years before I was born.

Friday 16th October 1942

Dear Kitty

I’m terribly busy. I’ve just translated a chapter out of “La Belle Nivernaise” and made notes of new words. Then a perfectly foul maths problem and three pages of French grammar. I flatly refuse to do these maths problems every day. Daddy agrees that they’re vile. I’m almost better at them than he is, though neither of us are much good and we often have to fetch Margot. I’m the furthest on of the three of us in shorthand.

Yesterday I finished “The Assault”. It’s quite amusing but doesn’t touch “Joop ter Heul”. As a matter of fact, I think Cissy van Marxveldt is a first-rate writer. I shall definitely let my children read her books. Mummy, Margot and I are as thick as thieves again. It’s really much better. Margot and I got in the same bed together last evening; it was a frightful squash but that was the fun of it. She asked if she could read my diary. “Yes at least bits of it.”; and then I asked if I could read hers and she said,  “Yes”. Then we got on the subject of the future. I asked her what she wanted to be. But she wouldn't say and made a great secret out of it. I gathered something about teaching; I’m not sure if I’m right but I think so. Really, I shouldn’t be so curious!

This morning I was lying on Peter’s bed, having chased him off at first. He was furious with me, not that I cared very much. He might be a bit more friendly with me for once; after all I did give him an apple yesterday.

I asked Margot if she thought I was very ugly. She said I was quite attractive and that I had nice eyes. Rather vague don’t you think? Till next time,

Yours, Anne

After reading this extract, what did you feel? I felt odd somehow. Here was a girl, barely 2 years younger than me who had to face World War 2 and coped with segregation and God alone knows what else…..how did she? I know for a fact that I would have been shattered in that situation within 24 hours. Yet Anne wasn’t. She was happy, smiling and kept others that way too……as if nothing had changed. As I read on, my awe of her changed to respect. She showed a deep understanding of what was what and knew EXACTLY why she was hiding. And she hated the Nazis as much as the world does. Yet she didn't let it get to her.

I have issues. A LOT of them. I cant filter out the things I need to hear from the garbage that people decorate it with. The result is I have an extremely short fuse. I see a milder version of me in that diary, and Anne’s teaching me or maybe trying to teach me to NOT LET IT GET TO ME. I never claimed to be a saint or anything. However I know that I have faults, and Anne’s diary could be the sort of outlook on life that I need.

Another book is Harper Lee’s (you guessed it!) “To Kill a Mockingbird”. We have three copies, no four actually if you count my mums battered up version. I’m in awe of Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem’s father. There’s that scene where Ewell spits in his face. All Atticus has to say is “I wish he didn’t chew tobacco”. I would have face planted him.

My father’s like that. He has NEVER lost his cool. He is a giant and has always tried to keep me straight. He puts up with ALL the rubbish I throw at him. Wish I knew how……

I have been ignoring these tomes, though I have read them. I live with a man like my Father, yet I have not put myslef in his shoes ever. How could I be so BLIND?? I guess if I stopped looking at life in the warped way I do, then maybe things will be OK…..and these books will be there to guide me even when he will not, like Paul Simon’s “vision softly creeping”.

Anne and Atticus, I am awed at the way you look at life and I hope I can do even a quarter of the things you did. Wish me luck people!

Same Month and a Whole New Year

Hello there people. Hope you’re well and good and generally in the pink as they say. This here’s what devious deeds I executed in the last month.

Firstly, I had my Selection exams which I flunked royally. I also set a record of NEVER HAVING PASSED in any subject in two years straight. So, after a lot of discussion on both sides of the iron curtain (read teachers as well as family) I took the decision to not appear for my board exam this year. This decision was NOT made in haste I assure you and has been coldly premeditated over a long period of time. Of course, there are many who are calling me stupid to downright senile but to each his own I say.

So, I now have a little bit more free time in a day and the immense tension of the exam has been lifted. Honestly I do not feel weird or even scared about this as I know somehow that it’s the right choice.

In the aforementioned free time, apart from procrastinating as expected, I’ve started to workout and it seems to be working. A regime is yet to be devised but I’m mixing up yoga with a lot of freehand and walking. Anyone with any tips out there is welcome to share.

I also did the books that is organised up the cupboards in ourhouse. As I have mentioned before (and if I have not I am now) we are one “bookwormy” family and have a lot of different books in all the rooms in our house. Best sellers, biographies, thrillers, classics, puzzle books...you name it, we got it man! I Do lend out but we all have had bad experiences on that front as people are ready to take but never give back. Its the way the world works I guess....wait, since when in the world was I philosophical?????????

                  

Speaking of books, I visited the bookfair that’s on here in Kolkata. BIG disappointment. Disorganised stalls scattered all over the place with no order in them to speak of and of course the SAME books in them. I got two books which we were looking for though “Exodus” by Leon Uris and (FINALLY) “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller. The latter I am reading now and it was worth the wait! It is hilarious.

Musically, I have also made some progress by joining a special page on FaceBook dedicated to metal. No not the standard metal as in gold, silver copper but the genre metal an intergral part of music in my  opinion (though my mother has threatened to behead me after listening to some of the songs on offer...can’t blame her “listening to kid’s weird music” was not really part of the job description). From here, I got introduced to Five Finger Death Punch and Opeth, both of which I am downloading as I write and you read (since we are not speaking right now). In addition I tried Daughtry’s new album “Break the Spell” which was great and Nickelback’s “Here & Now” which is another super album. Check em out! I also am listening to Alice Cooper on the recommendation of my Uncle.

Yeah I have been a busy little bee but there’s still more to come....but I guess that this is a good place to wrap up. So, let me leave you with a little line from Daughtry’s “Drown in You” which is the soundtrack of the game Arkham City

“I don’t wanna Drown in You

I’m Thinking that I’m Starting to,

So When You See Me Cry Like a River

Don’t try  to Hold me Down

Just Save Me Now

Don’t Let Me Drown In You”

See you next post...same place, different time.....

Ciao!

Awakening

So I was listening to the Arkham City soundtrack “Drown in You” sometime back when Dad called me. I hope you don’t mind a rambling post guys, coz this one is gonna be a bit time consuming. But it has to do with me and my life and it’s a good way to get some major stuff off my chest...

Like I was saying, Dad called me and he wanted me to answer something honestly. The question was easy enough “Are you ready for the Board exam?”

Now here, I must digress again. Over the course of the past two years, my academic performance has been horrendous. I did well enough in my Class X exam with nineties and all that razzmatazz. So naturally I opted for Science. However when I sat for the terminal in XI, and the results came out; things were looking a bit dull. I had not cleared anything apart from Bio in my science group. This trend has unfortunately continued over the course of the XI exams and the XII internal terminals. Mind  you, I did OK in the tests that they took but somehow goofed up royally in the terminals.

Now about that scene with Dad that I’ve left on a cliffhanger. Quite obviously, I said No. And it is true. I am not ready yet to give my XII Board. Not with single digit scores and a GPA of some 40% (owing largely to English and Hindi and Bio). As for Physiscs, well in class XI I did OK enough bwith around 70% but in XII that’s come down to 5%. As for Chem, I didn’t pass it ever and am stuck in the 15-25% area. Maths is another nightmare. Here I have a measly 10%. So, quite clearly I am not prepared for the Board in any way whatsoever.

I will be the first to agree that a part of the blame lies with me for not having studied properly.  But, there is a flipside. We have had a large number of upheavals in these two years in the form of two shiftings of house and illnesses all round. In addition to this I couldn’t attend school regularly and didn’t get a good enough tutor at home. So at the end of the day, we all were cut a bad deal.

Which is why I will not be appearing for my Board exam this year and will do so in 2013.

Yes. I will be repeating a year and try to make up the stuff I need to. My school has allowed me to continue for another year and has also agreed to back me in this endeavour, for which I am grateful to them. Dont worry guys I will be bouncing back next year. I plan on completing my course before the session starts and then revising and solving papers. Yeah it’ll be a bit odd sitting with juniors and studying but what the heck, I’ll manage. To quote Dream Theater’s lines

“Take away my pain,

Let the cold inside

It’s time to let it rain

There’s nothing left to hide”........

Wish me luck guys! And go and rock your boards this year! And you haven’t seen the last of me or this blog yet, so don’t miss me...I’ll see you next year.....!!!!