"Music of the spheres can fill our ears and make our hearts rejoice."

Disclaimer : Though this may be list like, it isn't a silly tag-game. This post is long overdue. And if this comes up on facebook, it's because I've promised this post to a lot of people who don't have access to my blog.
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I love mixing Art, Literature and Music. It's a less-known hobby where I try to connect images to music and vice versa. I think it started with a literature class in my first year of college. Till then, I would hear a song, think of emotions and images that accompanied it and try to make abstract art or pick up random pictures that I would set on slide-show mode while hearing that song.
I saw a presentation in a literature class that connected Eliot's 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' to Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' that was just brilliant! And there I started, connecting each one of my literature texts to songs I'd heard and felt fitting. So, not only did I learn to love literature but I also loved my music!
I was just going through some of this music-lit communion that I'd worked on over the last year and with it came a barrage of thoughts that existed outside the literary text! While I was listening to Sylvia Plath's 'Lady Lazarus' with Pink Floyd's 'The Great Gig in the sky' (which is a brilliant combination, btw!), I realised I wasn't paying much attention at the visuals that were playing on the screen as compared to the visuals that were playing in my head! Images of School, College, Classmates, family, people I know...!

Which brings me to what this blog entry is about. About the fact that Life is just one, big desuggestopedia session! There are certain songs I can't listen to while I'm studying cause my mind just wanders thinking of people, events and things related to the song! There are certain songs that are on my computer that I just can't get myself to listen to because of people, events and things related to the song! Then there are those songs I can hear but can't help feel emotions like rage and envy or maybe some of them happy emotions? There are those songs that give you a single image which leads to another and another and another till you have a 5 minute storyboard in your head, for a film only you'll understand! And then there are those songs that you positively love but just, you know, pop in a thought or two in your head, probably make you smile but mean nothing more. You'll probably never even remember it again.
Which is why I think music is so awesome! It's just like the positive symptoms of Schizophrenia and affects all your senses - auditory the most! Except I'm guessing, the feeling is a lot better! :)

Like,
- Everytime I listen to Fleetwood Mac's 'You can go your own way' or Deep Blue Something's 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' or 'Let it be', I'm reminded of Jam sessions with Vig. Where he'd play the guitar, I'd play the keys and he'd be ever so patient everytime I messed up the chords!

- Everytime I listen to Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, I'm reminded of that lovely accoustic group - Headphones that I love oh-so-much and how well Buntu sings this song! And then Billie Jean reminds me of Anushka and Footloose - a movie and song I LOVE! And then Footloose of Manila being all seductive as she says, "No Need to ask" while singing Smooth Operator. Which all reminds me to that performance at Unmaad when I was smiling ear to ear and the band was smiling so much and everyone was so happy! :)

- Everytime I watch Chicago or the Westside Story, I think of and miss Akshara very very much! The number of times we'd sing these songs in the car back from tuitions or school or concerts is huge! But more than that, I miss her and remember her most when I listen to Savage Garden - especially when we mastered the 'chica-cherry-cola; bit of 'I want you'. And then singing 'Two beds and a coffee machine, Crash and Burn, Animal Song, Affirmation, To the Moon and Back'....brilliant! And back then, Akshara's house was where one would find countless CDs of good music!

- Abide with me reminds me of Rohan. And how we used to make up parts (Him - Soprano, Me - Alto) for this song. And for other hymns. And then discuss Simon and G, before of course, proceeding to make parts for those songs too! And then my 'Doors' Education - songs, poetry, Morrisson's life et all. And of course, the infamous 'Let it be' with actions! And of course so much of the music on my comp now is all his - Belle and Sebastian, Fun Lovin Criminals, The Orb.

- Everytime I listen to Dave Brubeck's Quartet, or Miles Davis, or Loius Armstrong, even Kenny G., I'm reminded of Ishaan and how he loved music. And how good he was at it. Of course, I've never seen him play. I've only heard him play over the phone. And of course, if I'm reminded of Ishaan here, I undoubtedley go on to listen to Megadeth, which he used to make so much fun of!

- If I listen to Fix you by Coldplay, I'm reminded of Sneha. Who'd always ask me to sing her that part - "When you love someone but it goes to waste."

- If I listen to any Sean Paul, I'm reminded of Amrita and those car drives to Kanak-godknowshere-Pura! And the frequent car battles of whether we should listen to hip-hop or rock in the car!

- If I listen to Billy Joel's Uptown Girl, I'm reminded of Westlife and how they were the boy-band-revolution at one time. (You know, the time when Backstreet Boys weren't doing anything). Of course If I was listening to Billy Joel, I would not be listening to only Uptown Girl. In fact, that would be the last song I would listen to! Piano Man and She's always a woman to me remind me James and how we'd discuss how the piano was the most beautiful instrument ever ever made.
Of course, needless to say, I'm also forced (And i mean, FORCED) to remember River of Dreams, Corbett House, Vig, Viren and a wedding that was cancelled!

- Everytime I listen to Wish you were here, Against All Odds or Save the Last Dance for me, I think of Abhi.

- Everytime I listen to anything from Fiddler on the Roof, I'm reminded of Nicolo and how many times I'd harass him to play me something! :)
Also, I'm reminded of those four girls who sang Matchmaker last year. Of course, I'm tempted to listen to CATS songs after this. :)

However,
-I never listen to the songs that remind me of people I'm not friends with or in touch with anymore. (Yes, including songs that are up there on the list.)
- I never listen to the songs that remind me of things that should be happy but are not.
- I can never get myself to listen to November Rain, Time of your life and Don't Cry. It's been over a year or more since I last heard any of them. They were Rishi's favourite songs. Now, I never queue those songs onto any playlist.

The power of Music, you say?

Hello, I'm Back. What's your name?

So..it turns out I haven't written a new entry since November, 2007! I can't believe I've been lazy for a whole year! Awesome! :)
But yes, I'm back. (No I will not crack that joke again) Maybe a post now and another a whole year later but heck, it's something!

I plan to write two entries today. To make up for the lack of anything over the last year. Woot!
But we'll see. I probably won't!

So what's been up lately?
- With College? I can't wait to graduate (read:get out of Christ)! In Four months, I'm done, literate, educated, out - on the streets cause I don't have a job or a college to go to.

- Which brings me to what should be the most important thing this weekend. My TISS entrance exam. It would be nice for me to start studying sometime. But when your parents don't nag you to study, when you have access to the internet and when your friends are gossip mongers as big as yourself, it's hard! So I guess it's just going to be a colouring exam this Sunday when I go with my Apsara 2B pencils to shade out patterns on the OMR sheet. Anywho, wish me luck!

- More importantly this weekend, three people I know are having a photography exhibition. They're brilliant! All of them! Harkiran "Monty", Shashank and Vivek.
I think all of you (Yes, all the two of you) should go check it out. Possibly even buy something! It's between the 13th and 16th of this month in Christ University. Here's the facebook link - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=39476521068. But go! You have to see their work!

- Also, I'm going to Mumbai in 6 days! I can't wait! How I love that city! Furthermore, I'm going with people from class! I can't wait to show them around. (I almost feel like it's MY city!) I can't wait to travel those trains. Go back to the office. Hang out with the girls from H.T. Go meet Abhishek and Abhinav. Go meet my family there. Go to Prive. Go to Totos! Go shopping in Bandra and Crawford Market and Santa Cruz and Causeway and so many other places. Go to Leopolds and/or Cafe Mondegar.
Like I said, can't wait! :)

- Later this month, VL's coming! And I haven't seen him in what, three years?! So yes, I'm super excited!

- Now that 2008 is going tata, bye-bye, I'm guessing it's that time of the year to make plans for the New Year. Bah.
Most people know MY plan. I'm sitting at home and watching Sound of Music and School of Rock. And then Ice Age on mute so I can say the lines myself. I just don't feel like doing anything party-ish. And Vig's gonna be working New Year's Eve (Damn them bloody clients) so no party also. Plus since VL's in town, maybe our families might just do something together. Right now, I love how excited I sound.

- Also Nimmy and Svat naaaiiillllleeedddd their IELTS! Much love! :)

Okay that's enough rambling for a day. And with the level of excitement I have in my life right now, I may just come back online for another entry. So till then, Ta!
- Me

Song I'm listening to: The Great Gig in the Sky, Pink Floyd
Mood: As lively and cheerful as a Sloth.

Laughed. Loudly.
Watched movies, went out for lunches, for dinners.
Went on vacation. Had a great time.
Planned my future. Still planning too.
Attended parties.
Had insane telephonic conversations.

Things look like they're seeping back to normalcy.

Which does not mean you are forgotten.

It's been two months and a day doesn't go by when i don't think of you.
Remember that.

Inside Out

We laugh at jokes we don’t find funny.
So, he walked right into a pole!
Ha ha ha! Hilarious, dude!
Why, you ask?
Err, aren’t we supposed to?

--

We make conversations we don’t want to. But hide the conversation we DO want to have.
Thanks for making it!
Psh. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

Thanks for making it!
Whatever. Mom forced me.

--

We do things we don’t want to. But feel we have to.
Dude, the nerds are so lame. Let’s go push them against the lockers.
Yeaaah. Soo lame.
I’m taking him, you take her.
Yeah.

--

We make ourselves be someone we don’t want. But have to.
One Vodka (Vanilla), A Martini, A Scotch and….Fruit Punch? For you? You don’t drink right? ::haha::
…Of course I do! In fact, I’ll have what YOU’RE having. Hand me a cig too, actually.

--

We feel things we really don’t. But you know, we’re supposed to?
I can’t believe he’s dead.
Yeah. Can’t believe it.

--

We are scared to be different. Though we try.
Check out the babe man! Damn the guy she’s with.
Yeah. But the guy doesn’t look bad huh? I mean, I’m just saying.

--

We’re so superficial. We don’t even realize it. Maybe we don’t even want to.
We're so stupid. We don't even realise it. Maybe we don't even want to.
Humbug.

Of dresses and desires.

Again.
It happened EVERY morning.
With her eyes still closed, she extended her right hand to the floor and groped around in the mess. Her fingers felt something hard, solid and cylindrical. A can of deoderant perhaps?
Usually it was one of her "Fly Like Jordan" sneakers. But today, this had to do.
With mastered accuracy, she threw it at the alarm clock.
Except for the thud with which it fell on the floor, all was silent.
And she went back under the covers.
5 minutes more.


She hated it when her mom entered her room and pulled the sheets off her. She hated if her mom entered her room at all.

"Couldn't you be more feminine?" and "Who are these men on your walls? You should put that Ganesha painting Daddy got framed for you."

Shut up Mom. Pink is such a sissy colour. So was green. And blue. And don't even get me started on lilac.
And don't call them "Men!!!!" They're Gods. Haven't you even heard of Jim Morrison? Or Mick Jagger? Ritchi Blackmore?


The "guys" would be here in five minutes. So she was right on schedule. Shower, Brush, Dress, Pack her books into her bag, Pick up her guitar - it had been a while since she'd jammed with "Death by Sound", Breakfast (optional, of course. Dunkin' Donuts would be open at this time anyway). Infact, she had a little extra time - to find and pack that Janis Joplin CD Diego had been asking for.


So she dressed up for school. Not those silly uniforms.
Who wears those?!
Hmmm...something different. Something different. The answer seemed to be in the form of her trademark deep blue Levi's jeans (artistically cut at the left knee and right thigh) and the black Levi's T-shirt. Ah different she wanted. Different she got. Yesterday it was the black Lee T-shirt and deep blue jeans (un-cut mind you. Apparently she couldn't cut it. It cost a lot. Or some rubbish of that sort.)


She heard the sound of bikes, tyres and road from her window. And then no more. The guys were here. About a minute early.
She was ready. She didn't need any more time. What was she? Some cheerleader girl?
She came downstairs, told her mom she'd be late.
Again?
Yes. Again.
And picked up the lunch from the counter and headed outside where her ride awaited.
The lunch she'd throw in the bin outside her gate.
The lunch some homeless man would pick up. Everyday.
And she was off. One wheelie. Some cheers. And the road was theirs.
Routine life, you know.


Everyone was in class by the time they entered. Mrs. Bose too. That Geography teacher. The one who was Indian in every way possible - a bindi with formal western attire, the "M.A - first class", the accent, the one who carried her lunch in a steel tiffin box. The complete pushover.

Diego! Josh! Robert! And Anamika...
..Anne..
You're late again.
Yeah. well.

They didn't have to look for empty places. The class knew "The Supremes" sat on the two chairs by the window and the two next to that.
They sat down. Oozing with superiority and arrogance.

You ever considered changing your ways? I'm just asking.
Hmmm...NO! I'm just saying.

Narcoleptic laughter and high-fives followed. Mrs. Bose decided to save the little dignity she still had and returned to talking about Volcanoes. Betty and Melinda giggled about how cool Diego and Josh were. While Millie, with nervous fingers, began writing a note to Robert asking him to senior prom.


Dude, Millie wants to know if I'm going to prom with someone.
And?
Someone, yes! Not with Ms. Braces, please!
That same narcoleptic laughter as they walked down to corridor to the cafetaria for lunch. Amidst crowds of people, amidst lockers, amidst a dustbin.
The same dustbin which became the home to Millie's note. After it was crushed into a ball and thrown with careful precision. He never missed. (Basketball Captain. Come on!)


They sat down for lunch. The usual table. A table meant for eight but seated only four - these four. Occasionally, they were kind enough to let the head cheerleader and her two minions sit there. In exchange for a kiss and maybe a date.
Babe, Prom?
Sure. Whatever.


Prom. Is that all people are talking about?
It's two days away Anne. And it IS our final year.
And the after-prom parties are rocking!
BEACH PARRTTYY!
Haha! Now you're talking!


She heard the screeching of bikes outside her window.
One of these days, this girl is going to get herself hurt.

She walked in through the door. Made eye contact with her mother. Some sort of non verbal communication she thought.
You're late.
I told you I would be.
Must you be with those boys all the time?
::rolls eyes::
What'll our neighbours say if you're always with boys?
This is America Ma. If I'm with girls all the time also, they'll say something.
Now if you don't mind, I'd like dinner. I need to watch Rock Rules in ten minutes.


A knock on the door.
It was a wonder how she could hear that knock over her blaring Megadeth music.
Later!
She entered Anamika's room anyway.
Ugh. Why do you bother knocking even?
Do you want to go shopping tomorrow for your prom dress? I could you know, take the day off and we cou…
Prom. Again.
…Do you THINK I want to go for some silly High School Dance? Some arm ornament for some guy? Spend money on a dress when I could just buy a Fender? And subject my body to useless pain and torture of tweezing and plucking and waxing for a stupid night? Don’t approach me with stupid questions. See you in the morning.


So the morning came. Started the same way.
And the morning went. Ended the same way.
No one spoke about prom.
At home, that is.
Everyone was still darned excited in high school.
One more day and it’ll be over. Bloody Prom.


So again, the morning came. Nothing special. TCM was playing Kerouack’s On the Road. Psh. She had the DVD anyway.
So the morning went and a hectic evening had been born. Not for her anyway.
She sat by her window, reading Bob Dylan’s No Direction Home thinking
- Of the girls introducing her date to the parents.
- Of the girls being photographed in the living room. A bit to your right. Puurfect!
- Of the girls who shyly accepted the compliments their dates gave them. Not like they didn’t know how they looked anyway.
Psh. Hussies. She threw the book on her bed and picked up her phone.


Hello Josh?
This is his mother. Josh has gone to pick up Linda for prom.
Alright.

Rob! My Man! How’s it going yo?
All’s good Dang. Speak!
Want to go get some pizza now?
Haha! I asked Cher to prom remember?
You were serious?
Sure. Why not?! She’s umm…Hot…if you know what I mean..
Sure. Whatever.
Peace out.

Before throwing the phone to the nearest wall, she pressed Speed Dial 1 – Diego.
Diego?
Anne…I’m in a terrible rush. Tell me! Melissa already called asking where I am.
You’re going to prom too?
Yeah-ha.
If you’d told me, I might have gone too. You know, we’d go together. To you know, laugh at all those losers at prom! Haha haha!
Come on Anne, you’re supposed to go with a GIRL for prom. Ha ha! Later!

And THEN she threw her phone.

She walked up to her dresser. Opened the last drawer. The drawer parents shuddered to open for it was usually home to stale pizza and cigarettes.
But this drawer was different.
A picture of Diego.
Many pictures of Diego and her.
A little box which contained a lot of bills and a note – Do not use up! For Prom Dress!

She played her America CD. And sat there feeling lonely. And abandoned.
She couldn’t be angry though. They were just boys. Being boys.
And she was just a girl. Being a boy.