getting old and NOT liking it

Amidst a flashy, flamboyant Miss India speech delivery and an even weirder, unstable ramp walking session in front of an impressive, big mirror a few days before (I am sorry if you imagined me doing that), I saw the first strand of gray hair on my head (Oh Ducking No!).

“Woah! So, this is THAT time of my life, huh?”, I thought, pulling breaks on that useless speech in between for the entire humanity’s good. Uninspiringly enough, I have always felt a little older than my actual age. You see that’s why I have rarely whole-heartedly celebrated birthdays and anniversaries ever, mine and anyone else’s.

But the problem this time was much more severe and gruesome. I was unusually convinced I was old. That time had slipped by and no damages to the skin texture, body, hair, etc. could be repaired. I have lived my life, chasing dramatic reality checks even on dull, ordinary days. Too bad, there was almost no scope of living in denial now, since I caught hold of such noticeable, concrete evidence with me.

After weeping and smudging my kohl for some good ten-fifteen minutes, I decided to do what good old people do. I decided to accept my agedness. Because the sooner you accept the easier, right? Plus, what did I get fighting with my age and believing in my youth in all these years, anyway? I got more aged. I ducking got gray hair also.

So, as the day passed, I tried to cough naturally and loudly at regular intervals, then walked a little slower than usual, taking support of whatever laid in my vicinity. I felt very tired and sleepy throughout, ate karela and khichdi for lunch, came back home early that day and watched a Sanskaari bhakti channel in the evening. While a few people looked at me with offhand disbelief, I was only dwelling deeper into some next level peace stations and eternal happiness.  

As I poured some cream on my wrinkled hands and sat on a recliner chair, I started thinking about the amazingly colorful life I had lived. I also took time to ponder over karma and life after death theories. That one day felt like a year, which technically (and unsatisfactorily) meant I was a year older already in a few hours. My conjectures had substance, you see. The time was very limited, perhaps more than I had presumed. Also, there arose a strong, niggling desire to do more than I had planned by now.

I was about to get settled in that zone forever, but just before that right moment, my husband came back home and saw me dressed up like a granny. “What happened to you?”, he asked, sounding a bit concerned”.

“Look at me. Do you not see any change?”, I defended myself. And, well, as always, when he innocuously insisted he couldn’t see anything at all, I finally, with unsurmountable courage in my heart, pointed a finger towards the (hair) root of all problems.

He got even more concerned now. With tears in his swollen eyes, he told me he had realized his mistake. He kissed my forehead and told me he will be by myside in this tough time. He hugged me, then carefully looked at my hair, softly touched that one particular string, grabbed it towards the end and PLUCKED it! Ouchieeeeee Ouch Ouch!

Ehmn…By the way, now that thing was nowhere to be found.

The getting-old-and-not-liking-it drama is rather old and will continue to create havoc in my life. The thing is, you see, like most of the other problems of my life, I carefully learnt, this one too, actually was, just in my head (or on it! what’s in a preposition really?). If you know what I mean!

The duckings were intentionally ducked by the penner because her post aims at reaching a wider, older audience.

  

James Joyce's Exiles

James Joyce is, perhaps, the most read and discussed author of the twentieth-century English Literature. An Irish novelist and dramatist, Joyce left Dublin in 1904 and except for some brief visits in 1909 and 1912, he never returned back. The play, Exiles, seems to revolve around his supposition and conjecture about what might have happened had he returned to Ireland and stayed there.

A play with very few characters, Exiles has Richard Rowan as the protagonist, who can be easily identified as the reflection of Joyce himself. Then we have Bertha, Richard's common law wife; their son Archie; Richard’s cousin Beatrice Justice, who is also Archie’s music teacher; their maid Brigid; and Robert Hand, with whom Richard shares a complicated old friendship.

From the plot (which will be carefully revealed in this blog), Joyce expected to fight stormy inner challenges and doubts more than external resistance and economic concerns had he returned to Ireland. Amongst other things, these doubts and suspicions are predictably directed against his wife, whom he even forces to be let alone with his friend Robert on a rainy (read: romantic) night. Richard is aware of Robert’s deep-seated, secret and passionate love for Bertha, and rightly suspects that Bertha doesn’t completely reject the idea of love with him either.

Why O why on earth would he let that happen between a friend he envies and a wife he loves? He is a complex character, as you have guessed already. When asked if he fears Bertha would cheat on him, he says this:

Richard: Not that fear. But that I will reproach myself then for having taken all for myself because I would not suffer her to give another what was hers and not mine to give, because I accepted from her, her loyalty and made her life poorer in love. That is my fear. That I stand between her and you, between her and anyone, between her and anything.

So Richard lets Robert call Bertha to his cottage in the suburbs one evening, where Robert tries really hard to convince Bertha to consummate their not-so-secret-anymore love. And it looks like they will do it. You know. The room turning darker. The curtains blocking lamplight. The stormy weather. Robert kissing Bertha's arms, caressing her hair. And ending of the act with the instance of sun rise next morning. Had it been an archetypical Bollywood movie, this was it. But, no. We are told in the end of the play Bertha remained loyal to Richard even during such heated moment. 

Loyalty? Hmm…can't say. We smell fishiness. Why would she go to meet him alone in such a sexy place in the first place. And doesn't denounce him when he touches and kisses her. Well, there's abstractness around the justification of it, and I'd rather call it halfbaked.

The themes of freedom, betrayal and confinement are spread portentously throughout the play, be it Richard’s seemingly confused correspondence with Beatrice or Robert’s transparent advances towards Bertha. Besides, one of the recurrent themes about labor and toils of having an artistic vocation appears strongly in the play, as it does in almost all Joyce’s works I’ve heard of.

  

Joyce wrote only three plays in his lifetime, and Exiles is his only extant play today, and yet it is not considered to be his best of works, which sounds very depressing from Joyce’s lens. Sandwiched between much popular and substantial works Ulysses and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Exiles is a pretty easy, comfortable and conventional work. Not to say that it's not likeable, but the play lacks rich language and has a rather fateful tone. All the characters are grave and solemn, with the exception of Robert, perhaps, who says wonderful things (I mean, things which lack solemnity).

Robert: …I feel too natural, too common. After all, what is the most attractive in even the most beautiful woman?

Richard: What?

Robert: Not those qualities, which she has and other women have not, but the qualities, which she has in common with them. I mean the…commonest. I mean how her body develops heat when it is pressed, the movement of her blood, how quickly she changes by digestion what she eats into- what shall be nameless.

And then in the Act 2-

Robert: For all. That a woman, too, has the right to try with many men until she finds love. An immoral idea, is it not? I wanted to write a book about it… 

Covertly, then, Robert's character is diametrical to that of Richard’s.

Robert: O, Richard, why did you do that?

Richard: Betray her?

Robert: No. But tell her, waken from her sleep to tell her. It was piercing her heart…this is not you as you are. (But) A moment of weakness.

You should read it if you liked these randomly chosen excerpts. Plus, the play definitely has more to it than meets the eye.

Interview Tips!

First impression is indeed the last impression. And when it surrounds the employment opportunity you can’t afford to soil, you ought to make it right.

While there are almost infinite things one is supposed to take care subconsciously and inevitably before any interview, some of the most important, inescapable ones are discussed below.

Research says it all.

A nearly detailed research about the company you are applying for prevents you from sounding dumb during the interview. Besides, you are also supposed to be well acquainted with your job profile. Your motivation and enthusiasm for working with their team reflects majorly from your inquisitiveness as well as how well you know about their past achievements, prestigious projects, etc. And that shouldn’t sound tedious at all. Just Google the company’s name for which you have submitted the job application and go through whatever you feel relates best. After all, putting a little extra effort is always a smart move.

Uncompromised planning to avoid blunders.

The last thing you should say when asked for the hard copy of your resume is that it was already sent via mail. It’s not a healthy idea to presume that since all good companies have a printing facility, they will print one copy of your resume for you themselves. Always keep with you two, physical copies of your resume dressed neatly in a folder. Carrying certificates or other requisite documents is also a careful choice. And not to forget some basic stationary like a pen, pencil, stapler, etc. This renders an impression that you gave importance to “planning” before coming to their place. You wouldn’t mind if everyone ponders how unbeatably prepared and well organized you are.

Previous Employers

You would lose nothing if you do not say bad things about your previous employers. In case, there was an unavoidable, understandable shortcoming that you faced there, you may go talk about it, briefly though, with soft, respectful and polite words. All you need is pay focus on the choice of words. Be ready to also present the solution you opted in such circumstances.

Prepare some key points well in advance.

You can anticipate discussions like “Words that describe you”, “Weak points”, “Strengths”, “Reason for a job change”, “Your expectations”, etc. that are nearly common to every interview. Versatile, smart and interesting answers add weight to your job application. So you may get answers ready for such questions before and even memorize them, if you wish, and so be super confident at that time.

Smartly dress for a smarter impression.

Selection of right clothing is equally important. This is what everyone around will notice even before they gear up judging you for your talents and capabilities in the interview room. And with this, not at all did we mean the expensive-type of dressing; instead going for simple designs, easy-on-the-eyes hues, and comfortable if not relaxed fits is certainly a good choice. Things like decently combed hair, polished shoes, unwrinkled clothes, etc. seem to be frivolous at times. But should you pay a slight attention towards these, they too add to your stand out status.

The “penner” of this piece has been working for considerably long time in a super-cool organization which also happens to be her first job. As she has not given a lot of interviews herself, she would love to know if these tips were easy to execute and effective.

How to look stylish during monsoons?

Fashion experts believe that the arrival of monsoons comes with an obvious need to update the fashion wardrobe. One thing that you should never compromise on is the comfort. Loose or ill-fitted clothes make you feel messier and clumsy in an already moist and sticky weather. But super-skinny fits, too, make you restless and discomforted. Just try regular or straight-fitted bottoms and tops that ensure absolute freedom and easy body movement.

Needless to say that you need fabrics that help you dry quickly, in case you get wet. Polyester, polyester blends, nylon, rayon and other synthetic materials should be avoided as far as possible. Though these fabrics are highly durable and show wrinkle resistance, they are poor water absorbents. Cotton and linen, on the other hand, are extremely comfortable and lightweight, which makes them an excellent choice during the rainy season.

The next most important thing to pay attention to is the colour. Going with somber, dull hues is a big ‘no-no’ in monsoons. No matter how elegant you look in white, it too won’t help you. In fact no other colour gets so visibly dirty in monsoons as does white. All light coloured clothes acquire an undesirable, translucent feel when even slightly wet. So go for darker, brighter and more vibrant colours that bring out the jovial side of yours. Bold floral patterns, minimal detailing and little or no embellishments are the key to being on-trend during monsoons. Equally important is that you do not over load yourself with unnecessary accessories.

If your approach is ethnic, even the traditional suit-salwar style goes great but you should avoid taking the dupatta. Managing it with an umbrella can be as arduous as it sounds. But if you think that it is unavoidable, you can complete your look with scarfs and mufflers. Skirts, capris, cropped pants and shorts make for perfect options during monsoons, owing to their comparatively shorter hemlines. So don’t let the muck spoil the hem of your clothes and consequently, your mood!

For your feet, you should opt for something that helps them breath. Scientifically speaking, rains bring with them lots of fungal and bacterial infections. Damp, closed shoes can come out as a big disaster. Well, flip-flops are the simplest solution, if not the trendiest. Peep-toes and thong-style slippers seem to be a promising option. Give weightage to the soles of your footwear too as good grip is a must to minimize slips and falls.

Jeggings @ Jabong

I’ll talk about a fashion trend, rather a revolutionary one that exactly caters to the needs of the 21^st century, the ‘Jeggings’. Introduced in the fall of 2010 and popularly known as the super-sexy combination of leggings and jeans, jeggings render many reasons for you to fall in love with them instantly. Jeggings can be leggings that are made to look like jeans by the funky introduction of fake pockets and seamless closures, or stretchy jeans that borrow the fitting and comfort of leggings. Either way, the result is unabashedly on-trend.

Even though they get a nod of the fashion police, many suspect the validity of ‘jegging-hype’ these days. No, they are not overrated! There are many a reasons for their popularity, but prominently it is the ultra-skinny fit that creates the magic. Even the traditional slim-fitted and skinny jeans accentuate the body contours but unlike them, jeggings are utterly comfy. While the former mainly is a sheer blend of denim and spandex, the latter might also use elastane and nylon.

Jeggings have a big fan following already. Flaunted by many international celebrities like Beyonce, Kim Kadarshian, Britney Spears, Shakira - jeggings have nearly replaced the straight-fit denims. If you are comfortable with your legs, it is needless to say that jeggings are a great idea.

Still wondering where to buy a pair just perfect for yourself? Check out a cool collection of low-rise, super-skinny jeggings at Jabong in awesomely, striking colours that you won’t easily find just anywhere. So you can go with the traditional blue or experiment with yellow, green and even red!

I wouldn't refrain myself from mentioning an inevitable caveat that this hip-hop fit is not meant for just any physique. Watch out if you are just a little more on the heavier side towards the bottom. The jeggings bring out the flaws in the figure more than the regular denims. When not worn with the right innerwear, jeggings can go terribly wrong. To play safe, you can always combine your jeggings with over-sized tops and tunics. Plus, you can go for a darker colour. And high heels, anyone? 

Great online shops!

Now there are like a thousand great online shops. Jabong and Flipkart get two thumbs up from me!

With the advent of so many online-shopping portals that give a lot more benefits than the physical outlets, online shopping is growing very popular amongst both men and women these days. And in case you still do not know what online shopping is, (having not shopped online is still acceptable) you are living in a jungle!

Coming back to the point, the benefits include - easy pay (even cash on delivery), a lot of options to choose from, cool return policies, 24X7 customer support etc. 

Jabong is one step ahead in COD. You can use your credit/debit cards at the time of delivery (the delivery boy brings the magical machine and even insists you to use your card).

Though there are obvious caveats to online shopping like you can’t try the apparels and of course, what good looks on the super-pretty, zero-size models might not suit you at all (on the contrary you might feel prettier...in case you look like the writer). The exact color may vary from what you see on the website (errors could be from their side as well as due to the configurations of the monitor you use) and you might not be sure what, for example, semi-crepe feels like. Nonetheless it can’t take more than 30 days to figure out whether something suits you and has the right size, fit, color, material etc. You can avail the full benefits of the return policies, which can be free return within 7 days at some online shops to even 30 days  (as in case of Jabong, Flipkart, Myntra etc).

When you shop from popular and trusted portals like Jabong, Flipkart etc. you also get an assurance that you will get 100% authentic stuff. This is because before using a particular brand name and selling their products, it is necessary for them to take proper legal permissions. So, the chances of getting non-branded stuff in the name of branded ones get reduced a lot.

Besides at some stores you get an additional off that you will not get anywhere. For instance Jabong gives you a good introductory discount on every sign up. And you can misuse it by signing up several times! Some sites give special offers, gifts and discounts on particular brands. Fashion And You is one of them.

If you love luxury, online shopping is a great idea. You don’t have to visit a hundred outlets, and wait for your turn to enter the trial rooms or even when it comes to billing. So you skip all this and still get the best deal. All you need to do is go to the website and type the product name. You can also use filters of a particular brand, size, price etc. to ease out the process further. Now isn’t this truly luxurious? (I know the answer already!)

For sure this shopping process is quite simple. But if you think you still have confusion (like when your internet's not connecting and you don't know where's the "command" key), just dial the toll free number and irritate those sweet customer support executives. They are ready for help, always!

There is still a crazy reason to shop online. A lot of people feel that when they get the delivery of the order at their doorstep, they actually feel that they just received a gift. Now, this could be because they think they've put up a little effort in getting so much. Plus the order comes in cool packaging. That might sound crazy, but indeed what many people believe and say. 

The 'penner' of this piece feels you’ll have to start online shopping to find out the truth. Her advice comes from her own shopping experience. 

Mukteshwar

I visited a thousand places in the globe, nowhere could I find…a place as beautiful and exhilarating as my home.

Me and other ‘Botanists’ from our gang (okay that was just another way of describing stupid people…), as a part of “Excursion” (of course you know what it is if you remotely know about Botanical sciences but would not want to waste time knowing about it, if you do not already…) visited the land of lord Shiva…Mukteshwar in the year 2009.

Identification of plants...

There we visited the famous ‘Mukteshwar Dham (Lord Shiva Temple)’, ‘Chauli Ki Jali’ (which was surrounded with an ancient belief that touching 'it' blesses barren women with kids) and a small ‘Durga Temple’ (but resisted hard to not visit a local museum...). Amid beautiful natural settings and serene sacred places, the fun and excitement was halted by plant collection and herbarium preparation.

It’s necessary here to mention that the students got marks for collection and preparation of herbaria of plants. Obviously everyone wanted the best, intact and most representative samples. There were times when good samples weren’t enough for all the class populace. It’s funny how best friends turned to bitter enemies in the process.

Nonetheless, things turned back to more than beautiful as we came back (which was inevitable…). There were a lot of things to cherish…the long walks, bonfire, our cozy hotel amidst woods, yummy food and much more…

Now frankly the article ends here with all the messages and thoughts perfectly delivered. This is for those who wish to know further about the after effects of visiting hilly areas. Solar radiations (UV mainly) had turned all of us a little dark and while everyone was busy bleaching and using fairness creams, I spent 2-3 hours in the bathroom (well, mainly bathing…) and slept for the rest of the day!

The ‘penner’ of this piece recommends everyone (atheists or theists) to visit Mukteshwar Dham, at least once in a lifetime…