Din-Raat (Day-Night)

Thank god for poets :) The most romantic poem of the year. (For all those who can't read hindi, i'll provide a translation soon) Enjoy!

Din-Raat
by
Gulzaar

Teri Ankhon Se Hi Khulte Hain Saveron Ke Ufaq
Teri Aankhon Se Hi Band Hoti Hai Ye Seep Ki Raat
Teri Aankhen Hain Ya Sajde Main Hai Masoom Namazi
Palken Khulti Hain to Youn Goonj Ke Uthati Hai Nazar
Jaise Mandir Se Jaras Ki Chale Namnaak Hawaa
Aur Jhukti Hain To Bas Jaise Azaan Khatm Huee Ho
Teri Ankhen, Teri Thahri Huee Gamgeen See Ankhen
Teri Ankhon Se Hi Takhleeq Huee Hai Sachchi
Teri Ankhon Se Hi Takhleeq Huee Hai Ye Hayat

Que sera?

The typical experienced public relations professional in the real world, is over 40, really thin, with plastic surgery written all over her face. She walks the walk and talks the talk and every person who can make her money is her best friend. Yet, below the surface level there lies a completely different person who has actual likes and dislikes. But if this professional is really good, she will laugh at your jokes exactly 3.5 times, make you feel like you are extremely smart and touch you on the shoulder or hug you depending on how far she thinks she can push it. You will leave her presence thinking she's a wonderful, bubbly happy person.... I met a person like that today and I thought to myself, with a little practice and a few more years, I will look in the mirror and see exactly the same person. The question is, is it necessary to turn into a manufactured, plastic smiling doll just to battle the bone-crushing numbness that is corporate anywhere?

Yes, I'm the fool hugging the signpost

I could say I rollerbladed approx. 10 miles today at breathtaking speed past gaping housewives and runners but I'd be lying. My breathtaking speed was subject to frequent stops and falls that included my body lifting of the face of the earth and a loud splat as I landed on my already too bruised ass. This only happened when i faced my nemesis, the thing that strikes fear in the hearts of little kids and has adults walking in the opposite direction when they see it. It is... (drumroll)...the high slope. It requires a rollerblader to roll downwards at high speeds as the world zooms by and to use every inch of their body weight to stop at the end. Unfortunately, gravity and I have a tenuous relationship and every high slope involves a higher fall for me. But I kept going and the reward at the end was a stunning view of the city across the Hudson river as I sat in the middle of a forest surrounded by greenery. C'est la vie. :)

Next Stop: Paris, 1920

So here's my dream, I travel the globe, visit exotic places, meet poets, writers, politicians, economists, dreamers, thinkers & doers and have blissfully long conversations about art, literature, space, reality, physics and human nature. ...Y'know the stories they tell you about Paris in the 20's and 30's, how it was the center of the universe and there was an intermingling of the smartest and most creative people in the little french cafes by the Seine. I truly wish I was one of those people, a drifter with many freinds and the world as my backyard. The question is, how do I translate being a young "up and coming" corporate executive to world traveler with enough money to do everything she wants and then some. Thoughts anyone?

Party Time

I still have vodka in my system from last night's mega party, and a double shot mojito that is still not allowing me to walk a straight line (ugh). The exclusive Hudson Hotel in Manhattan's uptown area was the point of my rendezvous and I met and saw people that I hadn't spoken to in years. Loud music, booze and good friends, from what I hear it was a good night. From what I remember, I entered the hotel at 9:30 p.m. and woke up this morning with a headache and a vaguely queasy feeling. Oh well, I'll take more pictures the next time.

"Moi"

Today

Why don't they ever tell you that growing up involves endless days of sitiing in a sterile office with no hope of seeing the sun? I spent the day alternately in meetings and staring at the computer screen. sigh... I dreamt of making a REAL movie about life in the office, it would be so boring that it would spark a worldwide reaction by international governments who would insist on a 3 day work week with more money and paid 3 hour lunches. But my phone rang and the dream ended. For now, tommorrow is another day, the drone goes on...