Gentle Whispers

*Image off Pinterest just don't have the same magic. “Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators.” - Stephen Fry

For the first time in years, I've spent New Year's Eve at home and despite what many around me seem to think I've actually had a pretty good evening with my books and some television. And if how your feeling at the stroke of midnight is any indication for how the rest of the year will turn out, hopefully I'll be as content and as at peace through 2013 as I was this evening. The New Year is a time for resolutions . To make pacts and to promise yourself however foolishly that this time your going to stick to your vows and not abandon them halfway through and I've been thinking about my resolutions for the New Year ever since November and I think I at least have my basic goals and aspirations for the year ahead firmly in place now. And they are as below in random order. a) Lose Weight: I've never been hung up on the way I look. I don't hate myself but neither do I love myself and at the best of times, I think I'm thoroughly average-looking. But la...

The other day as I made my way home from work, a friend called and asked what I would be doing that evening, at which point I explained that I would be showering and heading out again to meet some other friends. At which point, she jumped in with a "I don't know how you do it. I couldn't go out again after a full day at work, I'd be too exhausted." Now to be perfectly honest here, I was exhausted and I could have easily chosen not to go out once again but when I quit my last job, I promised myself in the new place that offers me better timings, I would maintain a better work-life balance. And often, this is something I stick to it, even if it kills me to do it. Now, at this point, I know some of my friends are going to point out how I'm lucky enough to live bang in the centre of Bombay and that I have a mere 30 minute commute to work everyday. Sure, I have a job that has a 10 to 6 timing, but there's much more to it then that, I often have meetings, c...

A while ago, I published on this blog my bucket list. The 30 things I would like to do before I die . Now, contrary to perception, this is not a definitive list and I keep adding items on it to with a regularity that stuns those who know me well. My love for football been a well-documented fact on this blog so I shall not go into it in detail and drive away the very few readers I have left. And this very love for the game is why I'm oftenest to be found on Twitter discussing, debating or even arguing on all things football related. And recently, my favourite football writer Sid Lowe made several impassioned pleas on Twitter to help save his club Real Oviedo. A team in the third tier of Spanish football. How could we help? By buying shares at approximately €10.75 each and help raise €1.9 million and let the fans take over the club which has seen financial mismanagement bring it to the brink.  Why help Real Oviedo? Because despite their recent troubles, Real Oviedo have ...

  Day 02 - Favourite Movie In a confession that often astounds friends and family, I'm not much of a movie-watcher. I rarely watch movies. It took me over a year to watch 3 Idiots, I haven't seen Sholay, the definitive movie for millions of movie-going Indians and I haven't watched Avatar and I haven't watched Casablanca, Gone With The Wind or The Godfather either. Cinemas aren't really my thing and I go for the movie to be with my friends and have fun as opposed to intently watching a film for its own sake. But what I do watch more than occasionally on the other hand is Zee Cinema. A certain friend of mine thinks that is proof that I'm actually 90, but that's neither here or there. So if any of you out there actually watch Zee Cinema, you'll know what I do. That one of the most repeated movies on Zee Cinema is Andaz Apna Apna. Now you may disagree with me here, but I do think that that film is a cult classic with good ol' slapstick co...

Last time, despite my best efforts. Okay fine, no efforts at all. I did not succeed in carrying out the 30 Day Project and this time around I have solemnly sworn to myself that I will carry this out even if it kills me. So then, Day 01 - Favourite song I've never had a particular favourite song, there are just too many out there to pick just one, so instead I'll tell you one that is constantly on repeat on my iPod. Neil Diamond's Song Sung Blue. Simply because the song played on the radio late one night as we made our way home and ever since then I can't help but think of us crowded into a car singing at the top of our voices and the happy-sad feelings it evoked. Another perennial favourite of mine is this one. Mainly because it's Liverpool FC's anthem and even over television, it's awe-inspiring and spine tingling to watch 45,000 people packed inside Anfield singing and urging their team on and mostly because I hope to be there one day doing e...

Today, I'm wanting. I'm wanting so bad, I can feel it with an intensity that makes my hands tremble as I type this, that keeps my stomach churning at super-sonic pace and keeps me unable to focus on anything else. The kind of wanting that has you reaching out to take, barely able to control yourself. It's rare to be presented with an opportunity like the one I've just received and if everything goes the way it ideally should, it will be a once in a lifetime experience and that's why I'm so worried and anxious. If I don't receive it though, I know that a tiny part of me will splinter and die. Perhaps I'm being overly dramatic, maybe I'm not. I don't know. I have wonderful family and friends and I know that they will always be there to support me. But I also know what a solitary creature I am and how my deepest wounds are only aired in private. That I rarely ask for help, I ask for prayers, for good thoughts, but rarely to be helped. Anywa...