Vein in Vanity

There is man of my acquaintance who was always in a hurry. In a hurry to eat, to sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and finish all his work (ya like that is possible!!). So when he went on holiday, for instance, he would want to see EVERYTHING and always ended up enjoying NOTHING. The reason he was in such haste was because he didn't want to be left behind. He belonged to the school of thought that believes in life being a race. Not just any race but a rat race. He was aware that by being in a rush constantly he did miss out on simple pleasures like relishing a sumptuous meal, a bright sunny day or even good conversation. What touched a sore spot was the realisation that there was more. He realised he couldn't be sincerely happy for another person unless he was involved in the scene. This was most difficult to accept because when he looked at his life he did lead a wholesome life and thus couldn't believe that there was any underlying discontent. He was t...

For the longest time I can remember I used to cringe with embarrassment for things like  a) being an aggressive tomboy in school, I was 10 yrs old b) dancing on camera for my sister’s wedding, I was 13 yrs old (btw having two left feet I am   still a little embarrassed every time I see the video) c) not being an avid cook at time I got married, I was 24. I am 30 now and all these things are pretty insignificant leading me to believe, age and ergo our experience/inexperience makes us label incidents good, bad or ugly. I can never get my daughter to feel bad for not wanting to go to the kindergarden or stop her from wondering out aloud about why that lady on the bus has blue hair. Why? Because at 3 staying away from home, even for a couple of hours, is unthinkable and the second because she is only learning the ways of the world. When your little brother stops you from calling him the sobriquet he was born with, its not him. Its just that he hasn't been aroun...

I enjoy following fashion. I like wearing stylish clothes, accessorising them and generally looking smart. Hail Pinterest.  But I have a problem. I am never à la mode. I never have all the pieces required to put together a look. When I have the shirt, I don't have the pants and when the pants are bought there are no shoes. And by the time I find just the right ones the trend has come and gone. Concisely I never have enough to wear and behold the hole in my pocket. Sounds familiar? This had been happening for so long that I decided to find a viable and enduring solution. So I started looking harder only to find that there aren't any rules to the grammar of fashion. I mean if sneakers look good with dresses and blazers worn with torn… ahem distressed denim pass as formal how can there be etiquettes in dressing?  The answer is that there can’t be because I am not made like you and you are nothing like me. What looks good on you looks so wrong on someone else. Most im...

Its been over a year and half that I slept well at night. And enjoyed a whole cup of coffee sitting down, had a bath everyday ( judge me all you want ) or paid full attention to what the other person is saying when in conversation (not always unintentionally). So on the rare occasion that I manage to do one or all the above (a very rare and auspicious occasion) I am elated. You know that drivel about feeling blessed and appreciating the simple things in life? I used to think, sure that’s totally done when you have everything plus a MAID!! Then I, would even appreciate the dust under the couch that I have been covering up with a throw rug for weeks now!  However, now all that has started to make sense. When you have stayed awake all night because the baby won’t stop crying, you are obviously grateful for the nights that you can sleep for two hours straight. Yes I am talking on that level. But on every other day when I am this far from pulling my hair out, I patiently ...