Being comfortable in ones' skin ...

As I browsed one of my favorite online newspapers "The Telegraph" I came upon an article that had me in splits. While I read it out to Rahul I also Facebooked it! It's about an Indian Bengali music director Bappi Lahiri. Mr. L is someone who works really hard at building and maintaining an extremely flashy persona - let's just say that in this case the gliterrati really glitters - haha! http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091021/jsp/entertainment/story_11636658.jsp

As I Googled some of Mr. L's music I had to accept that the guy has composed some seriously "fun" stuff - and well even as I write this and many others read the Telegraph article Mr. L is merrily singing/composing/acting his way to the bank! The interview that I read tonight was extremely cheesy - a humorous read. The interviewer prods Mr. L with questions that he apparently rather unassumingly answers - but when I think about it what I realize is that this guy actually is comfortable in his own skin and doesn't really give a damn at us for laughing at him.

How many of us can do that? For that matter how many of us are really comfortable in our skin?

Tea anyone?

'Just realized that I never got to share with you why I named my blog "over a cuppa tea." Well I do love my cup of black tea with "no sugar no milk" - thank you! But more than that studies have actually shown that the "act of making tea" - even putting the kettle of water to boil relaxes us. But uhh sometimes I do cheat and microwave the water and then use a tea bag - hehe - but holding that warm cup in hand and taking in the fragrance is surely one of my favorite moments of the day.

But sipping tea is not just about the tea actually - to me it's also about feeling all nice and comfortable and opening up! Preferably to a close confidante ... My dad was here for a few months and surprisingly once he went back to India sipping tea suddenly wasn't as fun as it used to be. I missed our "addas" - our ritualistic sessions about the past, present, future - the important and the inane.

Readjusting to tea times that are contemplative and meditative has been a task - but one that I have slowly come to appreciate as well. There is a different kind of relaxation in tea time being my time - just me and a Darjeeling, or Earl Grey - or my favorite Black Currant. And once a day when I have something to say (or not :)) - I'll sit down and type away ... about the important and the inane!

But do keep the comments coming as and when you can since that's what would make this a dialogue and not just a monologue!

Focus focus focus!!

I've always wondered how do people end up getting the "no seatbelt ticket!" Isn't that the second thing we do when we get into the car - right after sliding in the key (unless you are part of the elite few who can just have the key in the purse;)). One of my friends recently got that ticket and apparently it's a pretty expensive one. So I guess I saved myself $155 today!

Forgot my bluetooth headset on my way out and rushed back - It's new and I was so happy to finally be able to talk while driving that before I knew it I had reached the first stop sign. Meanwhile my car was beaping madly - seat belt sign on! Whoa! Thank God for small mercies!

It's been a long day - so I'll stop multitasking now and just focus on the movie that's on ... of what little I'm following it seems to be rather interesting - Woody Allen and Diane Keaton's Manhattan Murder Mystery!

Is it just me or does all these multiple levels /tools of communication throw you in disarray too?

Realizations and Ramblings

All my life I have always rebelled against routine – especially as an adult. I find it pretty easy to actually follow rules (parents were pretty strict disciplinarians and so were most of our teachers at school). But routines –self imposed ones especially – never seemed a necessity in any way. Don’t know whether it’s the 30s looming large or just the thought of deciding to take on new challenges on my own but I suddenly realized that what I needed was something that I earlier scoffed at.

Life is just a tad bit bohemian - this lack of structure has perhaps always been there – I didn’t realize till very recently that I have kept in touch with only those people who’d move mountains to keep in touch with us – Yes I’m very fortunate to have this handful of people in my life but I wonder how other people make time for their families, friends, work, hobbies, and social causes, etc?

I’m guessing routines must help – since that seems to be what’s stopping me from reaching this utopic state of affairs. It could also be inertia – so will surely add an hour at the gym in that routine – have tried it earlier can’t usually last more than a month – haha. Thus the blog - to try and motivate myself to take the next step forward! If you do have any suggestions please chime in – would love to hear what works for you or what doesn’t! Meanwhile I'm off for a pedicure tomorrow - to put my best foot forward!