Its easy to figure out how addicted I am to blogging, if I have actually hunted out this cyber cafe in Delhi just to post this note!!!!!
The presentation is finally over and done with...finally finished preparing it just 15 minutes before the meeting. I don't know how it went, because by the time I reached the place, I was mentally dead.
Shrikanth, if you are reading this post, I forwarded your hello to N De, and she sez that she would love to hear from you sometime!
Delhi is HOT at the moment! The one thing that I was looking forward to was the Delhi winter, which we don't get in Bombay, but its really, really hot out here!
Another thing that I had become unused to is the wide, wide roads. In Bombay we usually have a maximum of 2-lane roads, and I have forgotten the knack of crossing these giants on foot. Keep expecting one of those scary looking buses to run me down any second.
Went to Hanuman Mandir today, and bought 33 dozen glass bangles. The last time that I was here, I had bought more than 400 dozen bangles (all for myself), so this is pretty tame shopping that I did today! You get the most exquisite glass bangles at Hanuman Mandir, though you have to bargain quite a bit. I just love glass bangles...delicate and beautiful, they are the perfect symbols of Indian culture. And you can wear them with everything from jeans to saris, which is a perfect statement of the flexibility of our traditions.
Gotta rush now, else Wengers (my fave pastry shop in the country) shall close :)
February 28, 2004
February 26, 2004
Its 5 in the night (or morning, rather), and in under 6 hours I have to get to the airport to board a flight to Delhi, where I have to make a presentation that could change the course of my entire career!! And the damn thing is not even halfway done yet...................................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 25, 2004
Eeeksss...I have no clothes that I can take to Delhi!!!! Everything I own is either too transparent or sleeveless, and the last time I wore something like that in Delhi, my friend freaked and refused to budge from the hotel till I changed into something else!!!! And that's when my wardrobe is considered to be too, too conservative in Bombay! I guess there is no hope for me in either city........!!
February 24, 2004
After a long time, I went into the St. Thomas Cathedral today. Its such a beautiful and relaxing place to just sit and calm yourself down...something that I sorely needed today.
Did you know that this is the oldest surviving British building in Bombay? It was mooted in 1676 and formally opened on Christmas Day, 1718. Later supplemented by many layers over the centuries, the Cathedral is now a mix of successive styles, with fine stained glass windows, thin mother-of-pearl windowpanes, and a white marble statue of Thomas Carr, the first Bishop of Mumbai – all culminating in a Gothic tower that was added in 1863.
If you look down as you walk to the altar, you will notice that the flagstones on the floor are really the gravestones of 18th and 19th century British soldiers who are buried underneath. The one right at the end is that of a 21-year-old, who "lived as he died, in the manner of a true Christian." How many wonderful stories these stones would tell us if they could speak! In the absence of that, I just love sitting there and spinning my own daydreams of what might have once been. And I can sit there doing so for hours!!
Did you know that this is the oldest surviving British building in Bombay? It was mooted in 1676 and formally opened on Christmas Day, 1718. Later supplemented by many layers over the centuries, the Cathedral is now a mix of successive styles, with fine stained glass windows, thin mother-of-pearl windowpanes, and a white marble statue of Thomas Carr, the first Bishop of Mumbai – all culminating in a Gothic tower that was added in 1863.
If you look down as you walk to the altar, you will notice that the flagstones on the floor are really the gravestones of 18th and 19th century British soldiers who are buried underneath. The one right at the end is that of a 21-year-old, who "lived as he died, in the manner of a true Christian." How many wonderful stories these stones would tell us if they could speak! In the absence of that, I just love sitting there and spinning my own daydreams of what might have once been. And I can sit there doing so for hours!!
Yesterday night I slept for a straight six hours -- the maximum sleep that I have had in the last 10 days...so could someone please explain to me why I still woke up feeling like death warmed over, with a terrible headache and fever? Is it because sleep just does not agree with me any longer???? I wish!!
Going to Delhi day after and there is so much work to be wrapped up before that, that I am now entering panic mode. Just don't know how I will ever get it done :(
This is also the first time after 8 years that I will miss the Pune vintage car rally. Its been my baby for so long, that it feels strange to not be there in the thick of things. But this meeting that I have in Delhi at the same time is totally and completely unavoidable, and we have no other dates open for the rally for the next two months. Those of you who are going to be in Pune, do drop in for a look at some of the country's most beautiful vintage and classic cars at the Taj-Blue Diamond on 28th and 29th of February. I shall see you at the Bombay rally in March!!
Going to Delhi day after and there is so much work to be wrapped up before that, that I am now entering panic mode. Just don't know how I will ever get it done :(
This is also the first time after 8 years that I will miss the Pune vintage car rally. Its been my baby for so long, that it feels strange to not be there in the thick of things. But this meeting that I have in Delhi at the same time is totally and completely unavoidable, and we have no other dates open for the rally for the next two months. Those of you who are going to be in Pune, do drop in for a look at some of the country's most beautiful vintage and classic cars at the Taj-Blue Diamond on 28th and 29th of February. I shall see you at the Bombay rally in March!!
February 23, 2004
Today's Bollywood stars might be all geared up to promote Indo-Pak cultural relationships in the year 2004, but the same does not seem to hold true for the film industry's old-timers. Burnt once too often by the wrath of parties like the Shiv Sena in Bombay, they are not taking chances any longer. As one former legend tells me, on condition of anonymity, "...one never knows when the tide shall turn again, and while the present generation has the resources, the fan following and the energy to fight back, we have none of this, and since many of us are linked to the districts of Pakistan by birth, we become the scapegoats at the end of it."
February 22, 2004
Just back from the Filmfare Awards, and for those of you who weren't there, trust me, you missed nothing at all -- except for the wonderful performance by Shahrukh Khan and Saif Khan, that is. These two work so well with each other, with SRK's wit beautifully complemented by Saif Khan's brilliant comic timing! Its great how Bollywood has finally learnt to laugh and take digs at itself!!
What was really refreshing was the way homosexuality was out in the open at the Awards, with SRK and Saif Khan doing brilliant spoofs on the Kantaben theme of Kal Ho Naa Ho (she is the maid who thinks the two of them are gay in the movie), ending with a short take-off on the last scene of the movie, this time with SRK telling Saif that he wants to sleep with him (I know you don't believe this, but he said this very, very categorically, and on center stage) and then the two of them climb into bed together. Caught a glimpse of Karan Johar at that exact moment, and he was like, oh my Gawd, what are they doing to my film??!!????!!!!!!!!!!???
Another refreshing change was that guys were far more overexposed than the females this time. In fact, it was a veritable stripping act for all the male performances, except in the case of John Abraham, who came without his shirt on in the first place. The joke that was going around at the end was that since Hrithik kept taking off an item of clothing with each song, the girls were praying to all known Gods for just three more songs!! Guess Suzanne must have been happy that his performance ended when it did :)
Haven't seen the TV version yet, but I believe the guys shooting the event kept showing Shahid Kapur and Abhishek Bachchan when Kareena Kapoor was doing a Karisma Kapoor retrospective onstage. What is the deal with the Kapoor girls anyway? They really seem to like the "Kapur" surname!
Incidentally, was a tribute to Karisma Kapoor really justified at something like the Filmfare Awards. C'mon guys, she's just gotten married -- not retired or died or become an invalid or something. Unless one follows the Bollywood adage that marriage is the kiss of death for actresses. I mean, Madhuri Dixit got married a couple of years ago, but we didn't see anything like this at that time, did we?? And, surely, Madhuri was a far better and more established actress than Karisma can ever hope to be.
What was really refreshing was the way homosexuality was out in the open at the Awards, with SRK and Saif Khan doing brilliant spoofs on the Kantaben theme of Kal Ho Naa Ho (she is the maid who thinks the two of them are gay in the movie), ending with a short take-off on the last scene of the movie, this time with SRK telling Saif that he wants to sleep with him (I know you don't believe this, but he said this very, very categorically, and on center stage) and then the two of them climb into bed together. Caught a glimpse of Karan Johar at that exact moment, and he was like, oh my Gawd, what are they doing to my film??!!????!!!!!!!!!!???
Another refreshing change was that guys were far more overexposed than the females this time. In fact, it was a veritable stripping act for all the male performances, except in the case of John Abraham, who came without his shirt on in the first place. The joke that was going around at the end was that since Hrithik kept taking off an item of clothing with each song, the girls were praying to all known Gods for just three more songs!! Guess Suzanne must have been happy that his performance ended when it did :)
Haven't seen the TV version yet, but I believe the guys shooting the event kept showing Shahid Kapur and Abhishek Bachchan when Kareena Kapoor was doing a Karisma Kapoor retrospective onstage. What is the deal with the Kapoor girls anyway? They really seem to like the "Kapur" surname!
Incidentally, was a tribute to Karisma Kapoor really justified at something like the Filmfare Awards. C'mon guys, she's just gotten married -- not retired or died or become an invalid or something. Unless one follows the Bollywood adage that marriage is the kiss of death for actresses. I mean, Madhuri Dixit got married a couple of years ago, but we didn't see anything like this at that time, did we?? And, surely, Madhuri was a far better and more established actress than Karisma can ever hope to be.
February 20, 2004
Today I was confronted by a very interesting question -- what is the importance of heritage and culture? Seemed like a pretty easy one to answer, till I actually tried articulating the words. Why, actually, do we need to preserve our heritage? Why do we need to preserve places like Bombay's Rajabai clocktower or the Victoria Memorial Station etc.? Yes, it is a way of staying in touch with our past, but why do we need to stay in touch with our past so badly?
Is it because it adds an interesting visual and aesthetic aspect to the city, thereby enriching our lives, since people function better in beautiful surroundings?
Is it because heritage and culture are the number one ways of attracting foreign tourism, which brings in foreign currency, creates awareness about the country and generates local business?
Is it a way of understanding the community and the people we live with, through an idea of how their past might have shaped their perceptions and attitudes?
Is it a link that binds people of a community/city/state/country together?
Is it a means of helping us understand ourselves, our fellow citizens and our country?
Is it a means of preserving arts and crafts and other skills...since authentic restoration of old properties is dependent on all these?
I still don't have clear-cut answers, but I do know that Bombay would just not be the same without the Rajabai Clock Tower, or the Victoria Terminus, or the Gateway of India, or the Banganga Tank, or the Hanging Gardens, or the High Court, or the Art Deco buildings of Marine Drive.........or...............!!!!
Is it because it adds an interesting visual and aesthetic aspect to the city, thereby enriching our lives, since people function better in beautiful surroundings?
Is it because heritage and culture are the number one ways of attracting foreign tourism, which brings in foreign currency, creates awareness about the country and generates local business?
Is it a way of understanding the community and the people we live with, through an idea of how their past might have shaped their perceptions and attitudes?
Is it a link that binds people of a community/city/state/country together?
Is it a means of helping us understand ourselves, our fellow citizens and our country?
Is it a means of preserving arts and crafts and other skills...since authentic restoration of old properties is dependent on all these?
I still don't have clear-cut answers, but I do know that Bombay would just not be the same without the Rajabai Clock Tower, or the Victoria Terminus, or the Gateway of India, or the Banganga Tank, or the Hanging Gardens, or the High Court, or the Art Deco buildings of Marine Drive.........or...............!!!!
February 19, 2004
Ash Chandler brings in his Birthday at Red Light
Tonight , at Red Light, comedian/musician Ash Chandler will be bringing in his birthday together with wife Nethra Raghuraman and a long list of their illustrious friends. The celebrations are expected to make the night an unforgettable one with the birthday boy and a large chunk of the Mumbai glitterati rocking the joint till the wee hours of the morning.
February 18, 2004
I am going to Delhi next week, and know what...while it seems great to be going there and meeting all my friends, its no longer this feeling that I am going "home". Home is now Bombay, through and through, even though I spent 18 years in Delhi and just 3 years in Bombay. I feel far more comfortable here...Delhi is just a fun place you go to for a vacation, and then come back home to Bombay!!
Here's what I really love about Bombay, which no other city in India has:
1. The fact that I can be out on the road alone at 2 in the night, and still not feel scared.
2. The fact that I can go to a restaurant/pub/cinema hall/market alone and not have to be bothered about catcalls, creepy looks and jerkish passes from roadside romeos.
3. The fact that gender equality does exist out here.
4. The fact that Bombay has the best public transport system in the country!
5. The fact that single girls coming home from a late night party are not criticised and immediately branded as "loose".
6. The fact that I every known cuisine in the world is available right at your doorstep whichever part of the city you stay in.
7. The fact that Bombay has this wonderfully eclectic mix of people, making social life really interesting.
8. The fact that Bombay has the most wonderful collection of Victorian and Art Deco buildings in the world -- even Britain cannot rival this collection! Everywhere you go is like stepping into a slice of cultural history.
9. The sea and my house, which sits right on the edge of the water...especially late at night when the darkness is dotted by the tiny, orange lamps of hundreds of fishing boats.
10. The fact that there is something new happening in Bombay all the time, and that there is an exciting story just waiting to be told around every corner.....!!
Here's what I really love about Bombay, which no other city in India has:
1. The fact that I can be out on the road alone at 2 in the night, and still not feel scared.
2. The fact that I can go to a restaurant/pub/cinema hall/market alone and not have to be bothered about catcalls, creepy looks and jerkish passes from roadside romeos.
3. The fact that gender equality does exist out here.
4. The fact that Bombay has the best public transport system in the country!
5. The fact that single girls coming home from a late night party are not criticised and immediately branded as "loose".
6. The fact that I every known cuisine in the world is available right at your doorstep whichever part of the city you stay in.
7. The fact that Bombay has this wonderfully eclectic mix of people, making social life really interesting.
8. The fact that Bombay has the most wonderful collection of Victorian and Art Deco buildings in the world -- even Britain cannot rival this collection! Everywhere you go is like stepping into a slice of cultural history.
9. The sea and my house, which sits right on the edge of the water...especially late at night when the darkness is dotted by the tiny, orange lamps of hundreds of fishing boats.
10. The fact that there is something new happening in Bombay all the time, and that there is an exciting story just waiting to be told around every corner.....!!
Editorial openings at L'Officiel and Seventeen
L'Officiel and Seventeen are looking to employ a select number of feature writers and editors for their Bombay office. If you are interested and have loads of creativity, talent, the capacity to put in hard work and the ability to think outside the box, drop me an email on anubha76@vsnl.net and I will put you in touch with the relevant person. Or you could directly contact Sangeeta Wadhwani, Features Editor, at the L'Officiel office!
February 16, 2004
Roopa Vohra on Thewa Work
Thewa basically means "setting". It is a fusion art, wherein hand carved sheets of 23-carat gold are fused into colored glass to produce beautiful and novel artifacts and jewelry.
I discovered Thewa pretty much by accident. At the time, I was living in Cyprus, training in different fields of glass manufacturing, having done gemology and jewelry manufacturing at an earlier stage. Then I came to India for a holiday, and picked up a book published by the National Art Museum, detailing various museum pieces. And there I saw this pankhi made of glass and gold, which depicted a montage of royal images like a king accessing the throne, getting married, going to war, hunting and so on. I had trained in both glass and gold separately, and always thought of them as totally disparate mediums. And here there was a culmination of both. To me, that is destiny.
Research revealed that Thewa was a fusion of Mughal and Indian art forms. Glasswork came to India in the 15th century, with the Mughal Empire, and then evolved to encompass the Indian love for gold and expertise in filigree work. Thewa involves fusing an intricately worked out sheet of gold (which comprises the design) into handmade, molten, colored glass. When set, this plaque can be mounted on a frame to create boxes, vases, goblets and jewelry. The gold inlay has to be of 23 carat. One carat less and the gold becomes too hard to carve designs into, and one carat more makes it too soft to lift off the shellac bed.
By then we were already thinking of moving back to India. This was in 1995, and I started researching the concept. To my surprise, there was extremely little knowledge that was available on Thewa. It was almost extinct by then, being practiced by only a handful of artisans in a small village in Chittor, Rajasthan.
Thewa artisans were traditionally dependant on royal commissions. With the gradual fading away of kings and queens, this patronage vanished. In post-independence India people just did not have the money to indulge in these luxuries. By the time the country became a little more self-assured, the knowledge of this breathtaking art had totally died out because of the intervening lack of demand.
Thewa originally used hand blown Belgian glass, but since that is increasingly difficult to procure, the artisans would rummage through old havelis for pieces of stained glass. However, this kind of glass is available only in three colors – blue, green and red – which started becoming monotonous after a while. With this started the series of experimenting with Thewa.
Given my background in glass manufacturing, I decided to try making the glass myself. Soon we were creating Thewa pieces on glass in shades of white, black, pink, yellow, powder blue and so on. Today we have 7-8 variations of whites alone – marble white, mirror white, white treated with a mother-of- pearl effect and so on. We even combined Thewa with kundan and diamonds.
Initially Thewa revolved around the peacock design or the static hunting scene. These were extremely beautiful, but to survive in the changing times, art has to adapt and evolve. We shifted the focus to pieces that are ethnic, yet not so pretentious that they cannot fit in with contemporary lifestyles. However, I still feel that we have yet to reach the perfection of the past. The earlier works were far prettier, maybe because the artisans had so much time to work on them. Art needs time and patience. I have yet to see another piece like that pankhi which drew me into this field.
Thewa was originally used only for artifacts. The jewelry came much later. From pill boxes to a sindoor boxes, dressing table sets, jewelry boxes, paandaans, photo frames, mirrors, wall decorations, tiles and so on, the range is endless. However, there is a limitation as to size, because of the involvement of glass. With large pieces there is the danger of cracking during heating and solidifying. That's why Thewa work is usually done on smaller pieces of glass joined together like a grid. One of my favorite pieces in this style is a plaques that we made for a living room wall, where we made a square piece depicting a paalki, surrounded by circular ones of Ram Krishna, Radha Krishna, Krishna and the gopis, Sheshnaag and so on.
Today the artisans, who initially considered Thewa as extinct are excited about passing on the skills to the younger generation. The revival has empowered the village that practiced it by ensuring a steady income for the villagers, concrete housing, telephones and basic education for their children. Thewa has not only won worldwide acclaim for its novelty and beauty, but has also revived and held together a whole culture, a whole way of life. And that's what art is all about, isn’t it?
Roopa Vohra's Thewa creations can be bought at her flagship boutique in Santacruz, Bombay, and specialty stores all over the country.
As told to Anubha Charan, for Design Today, October 2003.
I discovered Thewa pretty much by accident. At the time, I was living in Cyprus, training in different fields of glass manufacturing, having done gemology and jewelry manufacturing at an earlier stage. Then I came to India for a holiday, and picked up a book published by the National Art Museum, detailing various museum pieces. And there I saw this pankhi made of glass and gold, which depicted a montage of royal images like a king accessing the throne, getting married, going to war, hunting and so on. I had trained in both glass and gold separately, and always thought of them as totally disparate mediums. And here there was a culmination of both. To me, that is destiny.
Research revealed that Thewa was a fusion of Mughal and Indian art forms. Glasswork came to India in the 15th century, with the Mughal Empire, and then evolved to encompass the Indian love for gold and expertise in filigree work. Thewa involves fusing an intricately worked out sheet of gold (which comprises the design) into handmade, molten, colored glass. When set, this plaque can be mounted on a frame to create boxes, vases, goblets and jewelry. The gold inlay has to be of 23 carat. One carat less and the gold becomes too hard to carve designs into, and one carat more makes it too soft to lift off the shellac bed.
By then we were already thinking of moving back to India. This was in 1995, and I started researching the concept. To my surprise, there was extremely little knowledge that was available on Thewa. It was almost extinct by then, being practiced by only a handful of artisans in a small village in Chittor, Rajasthan.
Thewa artisans were traditionally dependant on royal commissions. With the gradual fading away of kings and queens, this patronage vanished. In post-independence India people just did not have the money to indulge in these luxuries. By the time the country became a little more self-assured, the knowledge of this breathtaking art had totally died out because of the intervening lack of demand.
Thewa originally used hand blown Belgian glass, but since that is increasingly difficult to procure, the artisans would rummage through old havelis for pieces of stained glass. However, this kind of glass is available only in three colors – blue, green and red – which started becoming monotonous after a while. With this started the series of experimenting with Thewa.
Given my background in glass manufacturing, I decided to try making the glass myself. Soon we were creating Thewa pieces on glass in shades of white, black, pink, yellow, powder blue and so on. Today we have 7-8 variations of whites alone – marble white, mirror white, white treated with a mother-of- pearl effect and so on. We even combined Thewa with kundan and diamonds.
Initially Thewa revolved around the peacock design or the static hunting scene. These were extremely beautiful, but to survive in the changing times, art has to adapt and evolve. We shifted the focus to pieces that are ethnic, yet not so pretentious that they cannot fit in with contemporary lifestyles. However, I still feel that we have yet to reach the perfection of the past. The earlier works were far prettier, maybe because the artisans had so much time to work on them. Art needs time and patience. I have yet to see another piece like that pankhi which drew me into this field.
Thewa was originally used only for artifacts. The jewelry came much later. From pill boxes to a sindoor boxes, dressing table sets, jewelry boxes, paandaans, photo frames, mirrors, wall decorations, tiles and so on, the range is endless. However, there is a limitation as to size, because of the involvement of glass. With large pieces there is the danger of cracking during heating and solidifying. That's why Thewa work is usually done on smaller pieces of glass joined together like a grid. One of my favorite pieces in this style is a plaques that we made for a living room wall, where we made a square piece depicting a paalki, surrounded by circular ones of Ram Krishna, Radha Krishna, Krishna and the gopis, Sheshnaag and so on.
Today the artisans, who initially considered Thewa as extinct are excited about passing on the skills to the younger generation. The revival has empowered the village that practiced it by ensuring a steady income for the villagers, concrete housing, telephones and basic education for their children. Thewa has not only won worldwide acclaim for its novelty and beauty, but has also revived and held together a whole culture, a whole way of life. And that's what art is all about, isn’t it?
Roopa Vohra's Thewa creations can be bought at her flagship boutique in Santacruz, Bombay, and specialty stores all over the country.
As told to Anubha Charan, for Design Today, October 2003.
February 15, 2004
Valentines day was extremely low key in Bombay this year, owing to Shiv Sena's decree against celebrating a day honoring "foreign" saints, and "kissing-vissing" (they actually said that on an interview on a news channel!). Did not even see a single balloon seller with heart-shaped balloons on Marine Drive. Guess everybody was just too scared and extra-careful.
How is it that a movie theatre which claims to be House Full has so many empty seats inside? Thats because the theatre staff buys up tickets in bulk as soon as plans open, and then sells them in black outside. So, the closer you go to movie time, the greater are the chances of getting the tickets at a lesser premium, because by then the blackmarketeers are desperate to offload the remaining tickets, which would go to waste otherwise. This was very obvious in Sterling yesterday -- for Something's Gotta Give.
Incidentally, that's a movie I would heartily recommend for somebody looking for a light, laugh-a-minute comedy!!
Today is the Standard Chartered Bombay Marathon, Asia's largest Marathon, and our chance to see great athletes like Paul Tergat and Zola Budd in action. This, of course, also means that Bombay roads will be choked till the afternoon, so its wiser to stay at home and enjoy a nice, relaxed Sunday!!
How is it that a movie theatre which claims to be House Full has so many empty seats inside? Thats because the theatre staff buys up tickets in bulk as soon as plans open, and then sells them in black outside. So, the closer you go to movie time, the greater are the chances of getting the tickets at a lesser premium, because by then the blackmarketeers are desperate to offload the remaining tickets, which would go to waste otherwise. This was very obvious in Sterling yesterday -- for Something's Gotta Give.
Incidentally, that's a movie I would heartily recommend for somebody looking for a light, laugh-a-minute comedy!!
Today is the Standard Chartered Bombay Marathon, Asia's largest Marathon, and our chance to see great athletes like Paul Tergat and Zola Budd in action. This, of course, also means that Bombay roads will be choked till the afternoon, so its wiser to stay at home and enjoy a nice, relaxed Sunday!!
February 14, 2004
Shit shit shit!! My doc read that post about not sleeping, and sent me this really angry email about how I should stop seeing him for all those constant aches and pains and fevers if I insist on living this way. Turns out that while you might not exactly die from lack of sleep, it weakens your constitution horribly, and leads to all sorts of illnesses!!
Anyway, deadlines are done for this month, and I can reclaim my life. The first part of the reclamation was going down to Marks & Spencer, and buying this really gorgeous, really expensive top that I had fallen in love with last week. Hey, what's the use of working 24-hour days if you don't get the chance to splurge and indulge once in a while??
All of today was given over to sleeping, and I even managed to complete the full 47-minute circuit on the home treadmill after a long, long time. I am going to restart the gym from tomorrow...hopefully! Just feeling to lazy. Want to remain in bed with a good book, and not do anything at all. But I really want to get in shape for my trip to Delhi at the end of this month.
Among other things, there is a college reunion to attend, and somehow occasions like that really make you want to look good and successful and all that stuff. Funny, because I was maybe the most laidback and care-a-damn kind of person about appearances in college! Time does change us!
Anyway, deadlines are done for this month, and I can reclaim my life. The first part of the reclamation was going down to Marks & Spencer, and buying this really gorgeous, really expensive top that I had fallen in love with last week. Hey, what's the use of working 24-hour days if you don't get the chance to splurge and indulge once in a while??
All of today was given over to sleeping, and I even managed to complete the full 47-minute circuit on the home treadmill after a long, long time. I am going to restart the gym from tomorrow...hopefully! Just feeling to lazy. Want to remain in bed with a good book, and not do anything at all. But I really want to get in shape for my trip to Delhi at the end of this month.
Among other things, there is a college reunion to attend, and somehow occasions like that really make you want to look good and successful and all that stuff. Funny, because I was maybe the most laidback and care-a-damn kind of person about appearances in college! Time does change us!
February 13, 2004
Provogue's College Road Show
Starting today, chase the convoy that's traveling to colleges all over the city with live acts from ISHQ joined by Ashmit Patel and Nisha Harale, while DJ Shakuan (UK) and DJ Roane take over the turntables to scratch, spin, mix and juggle hip hop and house tunes to get college goers jumping. See you there!
Event Schedule:
Friday 13th Feb '04
1. Jaihind College – 12:00 to 12:30 pm
2. Sydenham College – 12:45 to 01:15 pm
3. HR / KC College – 01:30 to 02:15 pm
4. Xaviers College – 02:45 to 03:15 pm
5. Sophia College – 04:00 to 04:30 pm
Saturday 14th Feb '04
1. National College – 12:00 to 12:30 pm
2. MMK College – 12:40 to 01:15 pm
3. Mithibhai College – 02:00 to 02:30 pm
4. NM College – 02:30 to 03:00 pm
5. SNDT College – 03:15 to 03:45 pm
Event Schedule:
Friday 13th Feb '04
1. Jaihind College – 12:00 to 12:30 pm
2. Sydenham College – 12:45 to 01:15 pm
3. HR / KC College – 01:30 to 02:15 pm
4. Xaviers College – 02:45 to 03:15 pm
5. Sophia College – 04:00 to 04:30 pm
Saturday 14th Feb '04
1. National College – 12:00 to 12:30 pm
2. MMK College – 12:40 to 01:15 pm
3. Mithibhai College – 02:00 to 02:30 pm
4. NM College – 02:30 to 03:00 pm
5. SNDT College – 03:15 to 03:45 pm
February 12, 2004
Is it possible to die from lack of sleep????
This is the fifth day in a row that I am going to sleep for just two hours...and since yesterday's two hours came from sleeping in the computer chair after I dozed off at the keyboard itself, I dont think they count as much. Just finished four full-length, complicated features in two days.
Crazy part is that I actually enjoy this kind of lifestyle. Of course, it all catches up on me roughly once a month, when I just crash out for 2-3 days, but on the whole I love the pressure of last-minute deadlines. (If any of my editors are reading this, please understand that at 5.23 in the morning, I am definitely not thinking rationally and probably don't mean any of this!! So please don't see this as a reason to pile on more deadlines!! :)
This is the fifth day in a row that I am going to sleep for just two hours...and since yesterday's two hours came from sleeping in the computer chair after I dozed off at the keyboard itself, I dont think they count as much. Just finished four full-length, complicated features in two days.
Crazy part is that I actually enjoy this kind of lifestyle. Of course, it all catches up on me roughly once a month, when I just crash out for 2-3 days, but on the whole I love the pressure of last-minute deadlines. (If any of my editors are reading this, please understand that at 5.23 in the morning, I am definitely not thinking rationally and probably don't mean any of this!! So please don't see this as a reason to pile on more deadlines!! :)
February 10, 2004
These last two days have been extremely hectic. But they have also been fun. Loads of meetings, an enlightening interview with one of India's top architects, a long chat session with my best friend who has returned to India after a year, lunch at my favorite salad bar, and some really feel-good shopping do help to take away the fatigue of impossible deadlines. Have to file four full length features in a little under two days, and I seriously need sleep!!
Got so braindead from working non-stop, that decided to treat myself with Norah Jones latest album -- Feels Like Home. Wasn't sure whether it was available in India yet, since its just hit the stores worldwide today. But found it at Planet M and have been playing it non-stop since then, especially the songs titled "The Prettiest Thing" and "Don't Miss You At All".
And I take back what I said about Marks & Spencer. Went to the new outlet in Phoenix Mills yesterday, and surprisingly they have some really good stuff. Though variety is limited, the clothes are pretty good and there is a massive sale going on, so its really value for money at the moment. Found this great pair of black trousers at 60% of the original price, and am going back to pick up the brown parchment top tomorrow :)
But for now, its back to work. Three more stories to be sent by day after morning...would give anything to be able to sleep for just a few hours right now!!
Got so braindead from working non-stop, that decided to treat myself with Norah Jones latest album -- Feels Like Home. Wasn't sure whether it was available in India yet, since its just hit the stores worldwide today. But found it at Planet M and have been playing it non-stop since then, especially the songs titled "The Prettiest Thing" and "Don't Miss You At All".
And I take back what I said about Marks & Spencer. Went to the new outlet in Phoenix Mills yesterday, and surprisingly they have some really good stuff. Though variety is limited, the clothes are pretty good and there is a massive sale going on, so its really value for money at the moment. Found this great pair of black trousers at 60% of the original price, and am going back to pick up the brown parchment top tomorrow :)
But for now, its back to work. Three more stories to be sent by day after morning...would give anything to be able to sleep for just a few hours right now!!
February 08, 2004
Just coming back from watching Chameli, and just loved the movie. This movie is a tribute to what Bollywood really can do if it allows itself to think outside the box. Very sensitively made, it refuses to follow all the cliches revolving around such movies. It refuses to romanticise prostitution, yet does not follow into this entire dramatic scenario where prostitutes are victims of society and have to be rescued etc. etc. etc. Neither does it get into the moral aspects of anything...the bottomline is that this is life, this is reality, just deal with it!
The movie has an open ending. Rahul Bose goes back to hunt out Kareena Kapoor, but will they fall in love and brave society to start a life together? Its all left unsaid, but its a poignant question -- for once, treated in a realistic manner. Full marks to Sudhir Mishra (Director), Rangita Pritish Nandy (Producer), Rahul Bose and Kareena Kapoor. This is the best tribute they could have possibly paid to Anant Balani.
The movie has an open ending. Rahul Bose goes back to hunt out Kareena Kapoor, but will they fall in love and brave society to start a life together? Its all left unsaid, but its a poignant question -- for once, treated in a realistic manner. Full marks to Sudhir Mishra (Director), Rangita Pritish Nandy (Producer), Rahul Bose and Kareena Kapoor. This is the best tribute they could have possibly paid to Anant Balani.
February 07, 2004
There was a time when I would waltz into a shop, buy a pair of 26-inch waist jeans and ask the altering department to take it in by an inch. Today, the very idea of confronting my waist size while trying on jeans and trousers is terrifying enough to make me avoid clothing boutiques as far as possible. But I desperately need a good pair of black, formal trousers for an upcoming event, and so its intensive treadmill time all over again.
Incidentally, the best trousers in Bombay are at Blackberry's at Breach Candy. I have heard that Mango has some pretty good stuff as well, but its way too overpriced for my wallet. Plus the fact that they are firmly entrenched in the fantasy that all should women live solely on water and have 26-inch waists :(
Incidentally, the best trousers in Bombay are at Blackberry's at Breach Candy. I have heard that Mango has some pretty good stuff as well, but its way too overpriced for my wallet. Plus the fact that they are firmly entrenched in the fantasy that all should women live solely on water and have 26-inch waists :(
February 06, 2004
I went to Phoenix Mills after a long, long time today and was totally bowled over by all the new development that has come into the place.
First of all, Pantaloons has been really spruced up. Normally I am in and out in something like 5 minutes, since I go there only to buy the handmilled, organic soaps and scrubs from Soulflower , but this time I must have spent at least half an hour just checking out the cosmetics counters. There is Elizabeth Arden, L'Oreal, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and more...it gladdens the heart to see that almost every international cosmetic brand is officially available in Bombay these days. If only Chanel would set its eyes on India now. Its my favorite cosmetic house and I am dying to try out their new perfume -- Chance!
Then there is Arcus -- the store for home goodies -- which seems to be a twin of IKEA. Though the prices are a little steep, the stuff is classy and highly covetable. Interesting to know that Pantaloon has a 51% Arcus stake in Arcus India.
The biggest surprise, however came from the building opposite Lush, which had been under construction when I last saw it about a month ago. Step in, and you might just forget that you are in India. A beautifully laid out place with flagship stores of brands like Adidas, Hang Ten, Lacoste, Nike etc. etc. etc., this is one place where you can easily spend a couple of hours browsing and window shopping!
Best New Outlet: Sweet World, which seems uncannily like the internationally famed Sweet Factory, with the most fabulous range of pick-n-mix confectionery, chocolates, marshmallows and hard boiled sweets that I have ever seen in India. Though the taste is not exactly Sweet Factory, its close enough to be a great blessing for sugar addicts like me, who spend half my foreign travel allowance stocking up on these goodies!!
Avoidable: The new Marks and Spencer at Phoenix Mills. The place is elegant, sophisticated and great for window shopping, and the brand is very highly acclaimed, but take one careful look at the grossly overpriced merchandise, and you can't shake off the feeling that they are simply dumping stuff from past seasons into Bombay!
First of all, Pantaloons has been really spruced up. Normally I am in and out in something like 5 minutes, since I go there only to buy the handmilled, organic soaps and scrubs from Soulflower , but this time I must have spent at least half an hour just checking out the cosmetics counters. There is Elizabeth Arden, L'Oreal, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and more...it gladdens the heart to see that almost every international cosmetic brand is officially available in Bombay these days. If only Chanel would set its eyes on India now. Its my favorite cosmetic house and I am dying to try out their new perfume -- Chance!
Then there is Arcus -- the store for home goodies -- which seems to be a twin of IKEA. Though the prices are a little steep, the stuff is classy and highly covetable. Interesting to know that Pantaloon has a 51% Arcus stake in Arcus India.
The biggest surprise, however came from the building opposite Lush, which had been under construction when I last saw it about a month ago. Step in, and you might just forget that you are in India. A beautifully laid out place with flagship stores of brands like Adidas, Hang Ten, Lacoste, Nike etc. etc. etc., this is one place where you can easily spend a couple of hours browsing and window shopping!
Best New Outlet: Sweet World, which seems uncannily like the internationally famed Sweet Factory, with the most fabulous range of pick-n-mix confectionery, chocolates, marshmallows and hard boiled sweets that I have ever seen in India. Though the taste is not exactly Sweet Factory, its close enough to be a great blessing for sugar addicts like me, who spend half my foreign travel allowance stocking up on these goodies!!
Avoidable: The new Marks and Spencer at Phoenix Mills. The place is elegant, sophisticated and great for window shopping, and the brand is very highly acclaimed, but take one careful look at the grossly overpriced merchandise, and you can't shake off the feeling that they are simply dumping stuff from past seasons into Bombay!
February 05, 2004
Hyderabadi Delicacies at Renaissance Hotel
Nawab Saheb, the restaurant known for its simply great kebabs at the Renaissance Hotel brings to you 'Shahi Dastarkhwan', the Hyderabadi food festival starting February 6th to 22nd, 7.00 p.m. onwards.
Chef Uttam Shah along with his team will offer the most exotic and mouth watering Hyderabadi delicacies. Blended well in a selection of herbs and spices and cooked to the right texture with special Dum Pukht style of cooking, the special course includes dishes like Murgh Taati Kebab, Kebab Shikampure, Murtabak, Ghost Udayagiri, Haleem, Chandni Khorma and a variety of famous Hyderabadi Biryanis. This Hyderabadi treat is priced at Rs. 499 per person.
For table reservations, call 56928888.
Chef Uttam Shah along with his team will offer the most exotic and mouth watering Hyderabadi delicacies. Blended well in a selection of herbs and spices and cooked to the right texture with special Dum Pukht style of cooking, the special course includes dishes like Murgh Taati Kebab, Kebab Shikampure, Murtabak, Ghost Udayagiri, Haleem, Chandni Khorma and a variety of famous Hyderabadi Biryanis. This Hyderabadi treat is priced at Rs. 499 per person.
For table reservations, call 56928888.
Heard something terrible today...a friend was fired from her job for threatening to blow the whistle on her boss, who has been coming onto her for the past two years, and in the process has made office life severely traumatic for her all this while. She stuck out because she needed the job as she has a lot of financial responsibilities, but when things became so bad that she started feeling physically insecure in the workplace and threatened to tell his wife, he fired her.
To think that this could happen in 21st century Bombay sounds unbelievable, but in the last few months I have heard of at least 2 more cases of the same sort.
One can't even begin to imagine how emotionally traumatic this kind of situation is for a woman...it just shatters you and makes you loose all confidence in yourself. And the worst part is that the law does not really help, or rather is not able to help, because these perverts are too smart to leave any sort of evidence. Your colleagues all know about it, but will not stand up for you in court as they are scared of the repercussions their testimony will have on their jobs. And, most unfortunately, the industry hates whistle blowers and there is a good chance that you might never get another job if you become too militant. Sad but true!
Is there a solution to this mess?
To think that this could happen in 21st century Bombay sounds unbelievable, but in the last few months I have heard of at least 2 more cases of the same sort.
One can't even begin to imagine how emotionally traumatic this kind of situation is for a woman...it just shatters you and makes you loose all confidence in yourself. And the worst part is that the law does not really help, or rather is not able to help, because these perverts are too smart to leave any sort of evidence. Your colleagues all know about it, but will not stand up for you in court as they are scared of the repercussions their testimony will have on their jobs. And, most unfortunately, the industry hates whistle blowers and there is a good chance that you might never get another job if you become too militant. Sad but true!
Is there a solution to this mess?
February 03, 2004
Valentines Day at JW Marriott
Ishq is in the air at the JW Marriott Hotel, Mumbai this Valentines Day but so are fun, drama and, yes, Indian history!
Come celebrate the passion of love at Saffron as those legendary lovers Salim and Anarkali experienced it… but with a happy ending of course! A glass of rose flavoured sherbet will put you in the mood for a special three-course meal especially made in honour of the famed couple. And amidst all that history and romance, we want you to create special memories you'll treasure for life with a complimentary Polaroid for all guests. The vegetarian three-course meal is priced at Rs. 600 and non-vegetarian at Rs. 750 per head.
Continuing on the same note is Lotus Cafe where you could order Mahi Dilbagh and Mahi Anarkali as part of the Indian menu. You can choose between Indian and continental cuisine as part of the dinner buffet, which is priced at Rs. 695 per head.
If champagne, roses, candlelight and romantic guitar music are more your style then the Mezzo Mezzo Valentines Special Evening is for you. Chef Danio believes the way to the heart is through the stomach (as only Italians can) and he’s getting there through a scrumptious four-course meal. Each couple gets two complimentary glasses of champagne each as well as a chance to win exciting prizes. A four-course meal is Rs. 1400 per person.
Spice up your love life at Spices. Valentines evening brings a special four course set menu at Rs. 2500 per couple with two complimentary glasses of Indian wine or, if love is your only high, a mocktail.
Please call 56933000.
Come celebrate the passion of love at Saffron as those legendary lovers Salim and Anarkali experienced it… but with a happy ending of course! A glass of rose flavoured sherbet will put you in the mood for a special three-course meal especially made in honour of the famed couple. And amidst all that history and romance, we want you to create special memories you'll treasure for life with a complimentary Polaroid for all guests. The vegetarian three-course meal is priced at Rs. 600 and non-vegetarian at Rs. 750 per head.
Continuing on the same note is Lotus Cafe where you could order Mahi Dilbagh and Mahi Anarkali as part of the Indian menu. You can choose between Indian and continental cuisine as part of the dinner buffet, which is priced at Rs. 695 per head.
If champagne, roses, candlelight and romantic guitar music are more your style then the Mezzo Mezzo Valentines Special Evening is for you. Chef Danio believes the way to the heart is through the stomach (as only Italians can) and he’s getting there through a scrumptious four-course meal. Each couple gets two complimentary glasses of champagne each as well as a chance to win exciting prizes. A four-course meal is Rs. 1400 per person.
Spice up your love life at Spices. Valentines evening brings a special four course set menu at Rs. 2500 per couple with two complimentary glasses of Indian wine or, if love is your only high, a mocktail.
Please call 56933000.
The police department carousel takes another spin. Now its Mumbai's latest Police Commissioner -- PS Pasricha -- who has been shunted off (they call it "promoted") to become Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Police Welfare and Housing Corporation. Its AN Roy's turn to come to Mumbai now. He was, till this morning, Police Commissioner of Pune. Pune will now be under VN Deshmukh, who used to be Commissioner of State Intelligence.
Nobody, including Pasricha, seems to know the reason behind this shuffling...but then our government does not really have a reputation for transparency to hold up, does it??
Its a pity, because Pasricha really was good for Bombay :(
Nobody, including Pasricha, seems to know the reason behind this shuffling...but then our government does not really have a reputation for transparency to hold up, does it??
Its a pity, because Pasricha really was good for Bombay :(
Have switched over to Sify Broadbandfrom today, which should (hopefully) solve all the connectivity problems that I have been having over the past month. Which, obviously, means that I should be able to update my blog more often!
Picked up the inaugural edition of Tarun Tejpal's Tehelka newspaper today. Looks good...after so long its wonderful to come across news articles that actually have something to say, and are not just dependent on gimmicks and pretty pictures to hold the reader's attention. Read the lead article -- "George Bush has a big conversion agenda for India", which talks about how missionary-run operations have put in place a system which enables the US government to access any ethnographic information on any location virtually at the click of the mouse, and then use it to their own ends.
Still have to go through the rest of the newspaper, so will get back on that later. If its vintage Tejpal, then the claims of being "The People's Paper" will surely be well justified. Tehelka would be an interesting newspaper to work for, except as one journo friend put it, "When you are writing for Tarun Tejpal, you never know when you might have to spend a few days in prison!"
Still, I really admire the man -- if anyone can change Indian journalism and free it from corruption and bureaucratic tangles, it is Tejpal!! Sort of makes one want to start re-believing in all the romantic ideals we once had of changing the world, before the cynicism set in. All the best to the Tehelka team!!
Another newspaper that is changing the nature of Indian journalism is The Times of India, but that's not really a good kind of change. Unfortunately, because the TOI continues to be one of India's most powerful newspapers, and we all sort of look upto it in a way. That's why its all the more disappointing to see the main lead on the venerated Edit Page being a Shobhaa De society-ish column, and the debate centerpiece being something as superficial as Sony TV's Jassi. This is not to say that Shobhaa De is not a good writer -- in her genre she is one of the best -- its just that the Edit page is really for something more substantive and important.
Another thing is this Medianet business of TOI -- selling editorial content so blatantly somehow just does not seem ethical. How are readers supposed to distinguish between what is tried-and-tested good and what is just a plug??? And what about companies and organizations who cannot afford the hefty asking fees for Medianet...does this mean that their events, news and launches will be totally ignored? This somehow reeks of editorial blackmail to me!
Picked up the inaugural edition of Tarun Tejpal's Tehelka newspaper today. Looks good...after so long its wonderful to come across news articles that actually have something to say, and are not just dependent on gimmicks and pretty pictures to hold the reader's attention. Read the lead article -- "George Bush has a big conversion agenda for India", which talks about how missionary-run operations have put in place a system which enables the US government to access any ethnographic information on any location virtually at the click of the mouse, and then use it to their own ends.
Still have to go through the rest of the newspaper, so will get back on that later. If its vintage Tejpal, then the claims of being "The People's Paper" will surely be well justified. Tehelka would be an interesting newspaper to work for, except as one journo friend put it, "When you are writing for Tarun Tejpal, you never know when you might have to spend a few days in prison!"
Still, I really admire the man -- if anyone can change Indian journalism and free it from corruption and bureaucratic tangles, it is Tejpal!! Sort of makes one want to start re-believing in all the romantic ideals we once had of changing the world, before the cynicism set in. All the best to the Tehelka team!!
Another newspaper that is changing the nature of Indian journalism is The Times of India, but that's not really a good kind of change. Unfortunately, because the TOI continues to be one of India's most powerful newspapers, and we all sort of look upto it in a way. That's why its all the more disappointing to see the main lead on the venerated Edit Page being a Shobhaa De society-ish column, and the debate centerpiece being something as superficial as Sony TV's Jassi. This is not to say that Shobhaa De is not a good writer -- in her genre she is one of the best -- its just that the Edit page is really for something more substantive and important.
Another thing is this Medianet business of TOI -- selling editorial content so blatantly somehow just does not seem ethical. How are readers supposed to distinguish between what is tried-and-tested good and what is just a plug??? And what about companies and organizations who cannot afford the hefty asking fees for Medianet...does this mean that their events, news and launches will be totally ignored? This somehow reeks of editorial blackmail to me!
February 02, 2004
So, Friends has finally wound up. I know this does not seem relevant to a blog on Bombay, but the entire charm of this 10-year-old television series was that it spoke not only of life in the USofA, but was relevant for young adults all over the world. I, personally, have found huge similarities between my existence and the lives of these six people as they navigate through personal and professional ups and downs. Guess thats what one means by a "modern classic" -- one that finds empathisers across geographical and chronological boundaries!
I wonder how it would be to be able to live with a group of your best pals for years on end. There would be no need for pretense, to try to be someone that you are not, and there would always be a shoulder to rant and rave on. Families are great, but sometimes parental love does depend on your "being good" and fulfilling certain expectations. And sometimes you dont want to be good...you just want to be!
Yes, friends fight...they argue, they squabble, they disagree, but at the end of the day your true friends are those with whom you find it easy to forgive and forget and move on, taking all eccentricities and foibles and character flaws in your stride. They are there to advice you, but dont try to run your life for you; and if you mess up, they dont gloat with "I told you so", but just pitch in to repair the mess. They may not agree with you all the time, but are not judgmental if you go against their norms. And best of all, they know everything about you but will never, ever use it for their personal ends!
Chitra, Dipali and Amit, thanks for being all of the above for me. We have moved apart geographically and dont manage to meet more than a couple of times a year, but I love you guys and could not have managed life without you!! This is for you guys:
So no-one told you
Life was gonna be this way
Your jobs a joke
You're broke
Your love life's DOA
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And when it hasn't been your day
Your week
Your month
Or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to fall
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
Cos you're there for me too
You're still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast so far
Things are going great
Your mother warned you
There'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when
The world was brought
Down to your knees, and
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to fall
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
Cos you're there for me too
No-one could ever know me
No-one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone that I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst I'm best with you, yeah
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And when it hasn't been your day
Your week
Your month
Or even your year
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to fall
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
Cos you're there for me too
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
Cos you're there for me too
(I did not pen the words, but the emotions stand!)
I wonder how it would be to be able to live with a group of your best pals for years on end. There would be no need for pretense, to try to be someone that you are not, and there would always be a shoulder to rant and rave on. Families are great, but sometimes parental love does depend on your "being good" and fulfilling certain expectations. And sometimes you dont want to be good...you just want to be!
Yes, friends fight...they argue, they squabble, they disagree, but at the end of the day your true friends are those with whom you find it easy to forgive and forget and move on, taking all eccentricities and foibles and character flaws in your stride. They are there to advice you, but dont try to run your life for you; and if you mess up, they dont gloat with "I told you so", but just pitch in to repair the mess. They may not agree with you all the time, but are not judgmental if you go against their norms. And best of all, they know everything about you but will never, ever use it for their personal ends!
Chitra, Dipali and Amit, thanks for being all of the above for me. We have moved apart geographically and dont manage to meet more than a couple of times a year, but I love you guys and could not have managed life without you!! This is for you guys:
So no-one told you
Life was gonna be this way
Your jobs a joke
You're broke
Your love life's DOA
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And when it hasn't been your day
Your week
Your month
Or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to fall
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
Cos you're there for me too
You're still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast so far
Things are going great
Your mother warned you
There'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when
The world was brought
Down to your knees, and
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to fall
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
Cos you're there for me too
No-one could ever know me
No-one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone that I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst I'm best with you, yeah
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And when it hasn't been your day
Your week
Your month
Or even your year
I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to fall
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
Cos you're there for me too
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
Cos you're there for me too
(I did not pen the words, but the emotions stand!)
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