To you, thank you…for being there. God bless you!

Well done, my friend

Here’s the youtube link for the video.

Enjoy the video while I hum the song

Tarun (aka Tarunator – Producer, programmer, out of form guitarist who cannot even hold his guitar now. Has to break, drop or destroy something every time. Will suggest riffs and change them every two minutes. Is never happy with the sound. Responsible for the band’s lousy name)

Kashif (aka Wiiman – Lead guitarist but totally lacks talent. We are using him only for his Wii and new electric guitar. Accidentally, also the vocalist and song writer. Can churn up dark non-rhyming, non-sensical, abstract verses at the drop of a hat but again, he has a Wii)

Amjad (aka Maiman – Groupie! Has his eyebrow pierced. Wears earrings, bangles, rings, bracelets, chains and anything else he can find. Pretends to be the vocalist and is always late for jam sessions. Can never keep time even in a song. Is also a model and the band is counting on his good looks to improve their image)

Shibani (aka Mopster – Biggest fan and chai wali. Always has a broom and a mop and a non-illustrated book about birds and bees. The broom and the mop are for clearing up the mess the boys make. Also the band’s critic and the only one who sings when Kashif plays. Promises to fill in for rhythms when the need arises provided her nails are cut)

Pretty decent line up, isn’t it? Wait till you hear our songs.

Cheers!

• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
• Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
• Live with the 3 E’s — Energy,  Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
• Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
• Play more games.
• Read more books than you did in 2008.
• Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
• Sleep for 7 hours.
• Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

• Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
• Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
• Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
• Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
• Dream more while you are awake.
• Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
• Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
• Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
• No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
• Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
• Smile and laugh more.
• You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

• Call your family often.
• Each day give something good to others.
• Forgive everyone for everything.
• Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
• Try to make at least three people smile each day.
• What other people think of you is none of your business.
• Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

• Do the right thing!
• Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
• GOD heals everything.
• However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
• No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
• The best is yet to come.
• When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
• Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Merry X’mas!

Thanx, man, I owe you a few coffees now

Cheers!

I had a beautiful evening at the U. Srinivas and Pt Shivkumar Sharma concert. It was food for the soul

The Times Group has organized the Bandra Festival. This festival covers a lot of cultural activities and these are held around this suburb. I attended a classical music recitcal by U. Srinivas (he plays the mandolin in carnatic style) and by Pt. Shivkumar Sharma (his name is synonymous to the Santoor) at the Bandra Fort on the special occasion of Dhanteras. I dragged 2 loyal friends along and I am sure that they are still cursing me for doing that…hehe! We had no passes but we took a chance and actually found ourselves seated ‘comfortably numb’ in the second row of the amphitheatre. The winding path to the amphitheatre was lit with colorful lanterns and diyas adding to the festive spirit. The pookalam, the backdrop and the lighting were apt for the evening and the special day.

The concert was attended by people of all age groups, from every community and from all walks of life with a common interest – music. Music truly brings us all together.

I had never attended an Indian classical music concert before and I found it to be a soul enriching experience. Seeing the maestros perform and their jugalbandi with their respective groupmates was such an amazing experience. I can only imagine the kind of dedication these Padmashree award winners have towards their music. One feels proud of this nation for producing such gems!

But the evening also showed me another side of a musician..that of a novice and a struggler who is at the mercy of labels and sponsors to get there for his 5 seconds of fame. I hope every true and sincere person finds his spot under the sky.

My friends had some other commitments and had to leave mid-way. After the concert, I met Tarun and his friends – Bharath, Sumit and Anu there and we went for some nice Lebanese food Sweet people, they all are!

Happy Dhanteras!

She  rocks  like  a  rock star,
When she strums her guitar.
She dances like a diva,
When she does the salsa.
She’s as precious as money.
As sweet as honey.
She’s very, very funny.
She’s a girl, a wonderful, beautiful girl named Shibani.

She  rocks like a rock star,
When she strums her guitar.
She dances like a diva,
When she does the salsa.
She’s as precious as money.
As sweet as honey.
She’s very, very funny.
She’s a girl, a wonderful, beautiful girl named Shibani.

She’s as fine as wine.
Bright like sunshine.
As straight as line.
And a friend of mine.
She’s a girl, a wonderful, beautiful girl named Shibani.

She can make you laugh,
With her jokes and gaffs.
She can make you smile,
She’s got a great hairstyle!
She’s very, very funny.
She’s a girl, a wonderful, beautiful girl named Shibani.

She  rocks  like  a  rock star,
When she strums her guitar.
She dances like a diva,
When she does the salsa.
She’s as precious as money.
As sweet as honey.
She’s very, very funny.
She’s a girl, a wonderful, beautiful girl named Shibani.

I played Happy Birthday for Pooja on her birthday…that’s the only song I can manage..and she wrote me this extremely sweet song.

Thank you, Pooja I feel like rock star though I can only break the strings of my guitar Someday…

Why do bad things happen to good people? The not-so-nice-people go scot-free while the good ones suffer. Its not fair

Prayers,
Shibani

This is something that we all ask just too often. I guess He has a plan and a reason for everything but I am not equipped with higher understanding. This too shall pass…right? A few close friends of mine have been going through very tough and painful times…join me in praying for them. Thank you.

THE TUSCAN DREAM

(dedicated to my dear friend Shibani……who makes life jus’ a li’l bit more non-suck worthy!!!)

The sleepy little town of Montepulciano was buzzing with gossip. The world-famous muralist Marcus Zugno was getting away from it all and finally taking up residence in the plush villa he had acquired over the summer. And accompanying him was his gorgeous and talented wife, the graphic artist know for her edgy and unconventional style…SHIBANI (she preferred to go the Madonna way and ditch the surname!). The couple had travelled the world, seen it all and finally wanted to set down roots in the attractive little hill-town.

The first inkling of their arrival was when the kids sitting around the town square whooped in glee. The ladies peered out of their windows and the men looked up from their afternoon siesta……and all did a double take. A stunning red Alfa Romeo Competizione (**pimped up to stunning perfection and detail**) was purring it’s way up the narrow winding road and at the wheel was a grinning woman, waving excitedly. They didn’t know her from adam’s but already they warmed towards her . She radiated warmth and certain joie de vivre. They could only assume that this charming stranger was the artist, formerly known as Shibani A. But if so, where was her husband?

Hardly had this query passed through their minds that a Citroën C5 ground to a halt. Out jumped a tall, sturdy man. The ladies spluttered and fanned themselves. Although Italy was over-flowing with handsome men, this man could still make their jaded hearts go bippity-boom boom! He was fair, untouched yet by the Tuscan sun…..and his face when it broke into a contented smile revealed a dimple on the left cheek. His sandy-brown hair flopped over one eye and he had an air of solidity and confidence. He stooped to fetch something from the over-loaded Citroën. The villagers craned their necks and one old biddy almost toppled over her stool. She had just been provided with an unhindered view of an extremely fi-ine tushy !!! She cackled gleefully and continued to gawk. The tall stranger plucked out a small oval-faced cherub. She would barely be three years old but already her face was the replica of her mum . The little girl wrapped her arms around her father and they trudged along to the Alpha.

Shibani ( because now it was evident to all and sundry that this was indeed the famous couple ) swung the child from her husband’s arms and dropped a kiss on his travel-weary cheek. He was such a sweetheart, she thought. He knew how she was itching to drive the new Alpha and had decided to let her have a spin while he trudged along with the over-loaded station wagon.

They smiled at the inquisitive passers-by and headed off to their new home. Shibani led out a delighted gasp as she caught her first glimpse of the villa. White-walled with red roofs…….it had little green vines creeping up the entrance-gate . Her eyes flew to the white gazebo tucked into the end of the garden. Already she was imagining the impromtu brunches they would have……. Sparkling wine in tall glasses, delicious earthy cheese from the farm down the road and over-sized loaves of crusty garlic bread waiting to be drenched in golden olive oil. A constant tugging at her jeans snapped her out of her reverie. She looked down to see her daughter pointing delightedly to the right. A glimmer of light caught her eye and she hurried off to investigate. Trudging along on the soft grass, her l’il one’s chubby hand firmly grasped, they stopped short at the edge of a babbling brook (**ok, I couldn’t resist throwing in a cliché!!**). The late setting sun was sending golden ripples along the surface, and the lazy little stream made small gurgling sounds. She sighed with contentment and knew that her nature-loving husband would be spending most of his evenings here. And if luck would have it and Shibz Jr. would have fallen asleep early……..so would she! Before her imagination veered into more risqué territory she turned back….only to bump into her husband. She looked up and caught the same devlish glint in his eyes and knew exactly what he was thinking!!! He waggled his eyebrows suggestively and though she was tempted, she gave him a shove and they headed back home.

The house itself was everything she could have dreamed off……old world charm which neatly incorporated all the modern amenities. Just as Marcus headed off to view his studio, Shibani ran up the staircase and into her new study. It was done up in bright summery shades….with an old antique desk occupying center-stage. And perched on it was her latest acquistion….the super-stylish HP2133 MiNi notebook . What made her gizmo so unique was that the top was embossed with a representation of one of her husband’s most acclaimed murals. Hmmm…… he deserved a very “very special thank-you” for this latest thoughtful gesture. It was almost embarrassing how her thoughts always veered into naughty territory when she thought of her yummy hubby. All it took was one secretive smile from him and she was like a “cat on a hot tin roof”.

As thoughts of Marcus strayed into her head .. she went into the airy kitchen. He was propped on a bar-stool nursing a chilled beer. She stole a sip and knew what she wanted to do next. (**No Shibz, not that!! Get your mind of the gutter!!!! J**) It was time to surprise the neighbours….and a surprise it would be! Pooja and Namratha had know clue who their new neighbours were. With a lot of careful planning and plotting, Shibani had managed to get the entire deal through without revealing her true identity. For all her friends knew, their new neighbour could be a super-snobby, über-bitchy lady who would wreck havoc in their quiet paradise.

Just as she geared up to tackle her friends……she heard the doorbell ring. A spark of intuition told her that it would be Pooja with a bottle of the finest Rosé and Namratha with a dark and dense chocolate cake. The two would be curious as hell and would most probably have dragged their poor hubbies along. With a grin, she flung the door open. And the two outsiders stood gawping……like freshly caught fish. Shibani…..here in Tuscany…their new neighbour ……EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…. With an ear-splitting scream (so not befitting their supposed-maturity !) they dove in for a big bear hug. The two hubbies shook their heads in mock-despair and headed off with Marcus to grab some beers.

The girls trudged on towards the gazebo….chattering a mile-a-minute  Shibz Jr, had lost her initial shyness and was know sitting comfortably ensconced in Pooja’s lap, her face smeared with chocolate icing .

The bottle of wine was opened and they clinked their glasses gently. To new beginnings…to friendship revisted…to good, solid and enduring love that was just inside the doorstep. A time to rest, relax and indulge in a long-overdue cat-session!

CHEERS Shibz!!!