Secret Santa

On a rather dull work day, I read a Samit Basu tweet about a books giveaway and for fun indulged in creating a wishlist of books at uread.com
Ok, so on another note, as a bus commuter, having books ready for the coming month and planning accordingly becomes a huge part of the obsessive game plan. Plus the rule is the book should not be very huge so that it becomes a burden (literally!) to carry everyday. And I have stopped using the iTouch for reading books because it makes me squint too much! The other rule while creating a wishlist is to include items you are lusting over but which kind of disturb your monthly budget if you decide to splurge. (Yes. there has to be a limit to SPLURGING too!).


Anyway, I made my list of 5 books, tweeted it out to the people @UReadShop !


After a week or so, I guess on the 20th morning, I was groggy eyed (On most mornings the first thing I do is check my twitter feed :P)  and checking my mentions column when I read THIS. 

I wanted 1Q84 and Inheritance so bad that it hurt,
every time I saw their price tags :P

I WON IN THE GIVEAWAY :D
Whadda day it was! Woke brother up, jumping with joy, who thought I was day dreaming :P
Anyway, the books arrived yesterday. ->


So, the bottom 3 books will be reserved for the bus commutes and the humongous upper 2 will be be included in weekend reading :D


A special thank you to the awesome people at Uread who made this holiday season extra special :)

One thing I loved about the books is this. The bookmarks that accompanied them. Aren't they wonderful ?


Also, this unexpected gift from Santa makes me feel I have been a good child this year ;)
Always a great feeling! yay!




~nightflier


P.S. Of course, Mr. Nassim Taleb will think I am 'fooled by randomness'. But maths be set aside while I enjoy the books ;)

My world cup story

So when I hear my father's generation raving about *those special times* I have always wanted to feel how it must have felt. To be part of *that* 

I think today I got my story. The story of my (26 years) life.

Now on, everyone born after 2nd april, 2011 will get to hear this story in moments of happiness and misery, confidence and doubt, hope and giving up. No but I don't think I will wait for any such morally appropriate moments. I will anyway tell my world cup story. I will gloat and then bloat.
India won the Cricket World Cup today. WHEEEEEEEEE!


I think I will start the story with Sachin. No I think I will start with the young boys, who held their nerves. Chuck. I will start with Sachin only.
The most important thing is I will use these anecdotes for as long as I live now. phhhbttt!


I will end my excitement with what sidin said on Twitter - 'Staying positive is so tiring. Never doubted. Never doubted.'


Congratulations everyone!


~nightflier


P.S. due to non availability of internet connection delay in publishing my excitement. But guess it can never be too late in this case ;)

Springing into action

It is officially spring in the windy city.

After 6 months of chilly and windy weather, its a respite to see the sun and wind gods smiling on us mortals. 

I was so glad to see people without their n layers of winter gear. Roaming casually in shorts and floaters. Families with kids streaming towards the beach (yea yea.. the lake), teenagers on roller skates and cycles, parks filled with activities, football games at all playgrounds. Its such a welcome sight for the eyes. 

I just hope this is the official harbinger of increasing temperatures for at least 2 months to come. After all spring has finally sprung :) :)

And I also found this. Sharing it with you all :)

After all what do you want at the end of a day ..

To see a face
And wish for a smile...
To hear a voice
And let it linger awhile...
To ask some questions
And answer a few...
To revisit memories
And to create some anew...
To care and pamper
And spoil to the core...
To do routine small things
And yet not make them look like a chore...
To smile at all times
And have it be the energy...
To be the pillar of strength
A lighthouse in rough sea. 

~nightflier!!

I forgot something..

And oh, in the previous post I forgot to mention (slams her head on the wall twice) about the genius's win. I had made a 'written' note about what to include in the blog. Look what people do to write and pretend that they 'can' write !!

So here's a toast to you sir! The maestro, the god and the magician. A.R. Rahman !!

Applause.

Bows her head.

Encore.

Congratulations to the whole team including Resool Pookutty. I was so proud and still am.

For sporadic patriots like me, you guys are special. Your win was like a moment of truth and joy.

May god bless you and you receive appreciation, recognition and opportunities in abundance :)

Ketaki has put a wonderful list here. Thanks girl ! I will put up mine soon. 

~nightflier

P.S. For some cynics this will be a good read.

P.P.S. I can write, was just trying to be funny :P

Paint me happy !!!

I got printed :) :) :)
yippeeee..yooo hooooo...
and now enough !! :D

the details : we have a college weekly newspaper, technews
It comes out every tuesday. So poor me, with no on campus job and so less study load, decided to take the plunge. And sent my first article about the Self Defense workshop i attended to the editorial team. They must have liked it or worst case had very few good articles on the rack (justifies me getting printed :D) for this week. But anyhow, i got printed and that's important !!

I think its like i got printed after 10 yrs (last time was for a school golden jubilee magazine, as an alumnus, most of which was edited by mom :D). Feels GREAT !!!!!
now planning to write every week :) :)
poor readers, here i come !!!!!!!!!

btw, the hard copy has hit the stands, will share the link, once they upload it online :)

cheers,
nightflier