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Monday, June 28, 2010

The weekend frenzy

This week I wondered what made a 'weekend' so special. Frequent the blogs/social websites between a Friday and Monday and you'll see that more than 50% of the posts will be related to a weekend - the wait, the plans and the activities of the weekend - it isn't the same intensity that exists for the 'work week'! Thursdays and Fridays the conversations are centered around 'what's up for the weekend' and Monday and Tuesdays are around 'how was your weekend'. . .What is it about these two days of the week that garners so much attention during the entire week, I wonder. . .

I remember my school days when the teacher explained how the Lord needed rest after a long work week and He took Sunday as a 'rest day'. What has changed since those days that a majority of us now have the privilege of having two days of rest? Has the Lord finished most of the work that needs to be done in this world that we now can take two days of the week to rest or are we so tired by day 5 of the week that we have to take rest on 2 days to recuperate? Whatever maybe the reason, we seem to be priviledged and maybe that is why the hue and cry over the 'weekend'.

About a decade ago I do not remember having the weekend to spare. Sunday was the 'maintenance & fun day' when you finished all the chores and prepared for the next week - during school days it was a day to play from dawn till dusk, the shoe polishing, pressing clothes for the next week etc. Such mundane activities formed a weekend and never did I get the feeling that the weekend was unfulfilling. Weekend was a day when mom cooked special dishes which has reversed now - weekend is the day when you eat out!Life was just fine even then so why the special focus on 'weekend' now? Why the anticipation, the humungous effort of preparation to make sure you had a 'good weekend'? At the end of every weekend, we are still left with an unsatisfactory feeling and maybe that is the reason for the detailed planning for the next weekend hoping that it will be better than the last one? What would change in the next decade that would fill this void, I wonder. . .

Friday, June 25, 2010

Caught in the Act

"Caught in the Act" - This is how the story unfolds in the new book of Harlan Coben - a reporter trying to make it big by means of a 'sting operation'. Little does she know the amount of havoc she would wreak on the lives of everyone around her including Dan Mercer.

Harlan Coben's new book, "Caught", weaves a gripping story around a neighborhood in New Jersey that is witness to a pedophilic scandal. It covers in very stark detail, the way society responds to these news stories and very well depicts instances of how 'innocent until proven guilty' is a societal farce. The intricate details of each personality, the complexity, the flaws, the righteousness is the best part of a Harlan Coben book. Constant introspection by the characters helps us to understand that we are all very well aware of our flaws and yet put up a brave and 'acceptable' facade for the society. This book has a very poignant way of conveying how small meaningless incidents have a way of changing the future and the importance of forgiveness and how it affects every individual's life.

The characters have represented so many stereotype yet complex conflicts - to trust your instincts or to trust what is presented as facts and proofs, to forgive and move on or to wallow in anger and revenge, to stand by what you think is right or do what is 'acceptable' to the society. Each one has been ingrained in the characters very well and true to Harlan Coben's style he does not dictate what is right or wrong.

A book that covers pedophilics, drug and drinking problems, GPS, Facebook, viral marketing, money embellishments, with its symbolic wiseass wit and humor, twists and turns will make sure you have a roller coaster ride all the way! When a story starts with "I knew opening that red door would destroy my life.", it gaurantees a sleepless night so be careful when you begin the book and be ready to give up sleep because you'll not be able to put this down until the last sentence. Buy a copy today and get 'Caught in the act' and do not forget to 'Articulate' :).


Happy reading!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Experience Mumbai

Its been 3 weeks from the time I've come to Mumbai and I'm still amazed by the multi-faceted yet conservative lifestyle. Sometimes, it feels like I have moved to a different country and not just to another metro of India.

So far, I've seen the harshest of summer and the heaviest rainfall in the last 10 years! Remember the multi-faceted city I referred to earlier? I had heard and read about the way "life goes on" in Mumbai. It took a lot of getting used to the summer however, I saw people not being bogged down by the severe heat. It appears the heat adds a gusto to what they are out to accomplish. The rain has no dampening effect either. The metros are crowded, people still queue up for the buses and autos do not ask for double the price! Such a stark difference from what I had experienced in Bangalore.

I'm yet to experience the traffic in its true sense in Mumbai. In contrast to Bangalore traffic, there isn't a restriction of timings for the trucks to ply the roads. Don't be surprised if you happen to be behind two trucks trying to maneuver the uphill ride on the national highway at a speed of 5-10 KMPH! Add to it a slipper road on a rainy day, like today! Crawling would be the best word to express your speed behind these trucks.

I miss reading lots of international, generic and current news in the morning newspaper. I have seen that majority of the pages are dedicated to news of Mumbai/Navi Mumbai (mind you, they are treated as two separate states and not just two separate districts!). There are very limited sections of the paper with news related to science, auto etc. I remember reading the Wimbledon results or an exciting India-Pak cricket match result/review in the next morning newspaper, warming to a cup of chai - maybe a small section on the first page - do not get that anymore and I miss it!

Fashion and business sense is fabulous here. I wonder about the energy reserve and enthusiasm of people to be so fashion savvy here. Need to learn one or two things here.I'm sure there are a plethora of other tidbits about this fascinating city I need to explore. Just gives me more topics to blog. So, wait and watch this space.