Worried about this madness

While scientists around the world are working 24/7 to fine tune a vaccine to fight COVID, some people in their wisdom are banging thalis, ringing bells and changing slogans of "go covid go" to get rid of the pandemic. If that were not enough there are papads for sale too, which apparently will prevent one getting the virus.. Praying that better sense prevails . PS. Meanwhile, media reports say that around the world, the numbers are hitting the ceiling and going through the roof as young people are celebrating the end of lockdown periods over enthusiastically at bars and pubs without taking necessary precautions. 40 countries have reported large single day increases in infection with over 280,000 new cases over this weekend alone. This is a frightening scenario. At this rate ,and pun intended, the party has only just begun. Such foolishness is calling for trouble. Looks like common sense has vanished the world over.

Worried about this madness

While scientists around the world are working 24/7 to fine tune a vaccine to fight COVID, some people in their wisdom are banging thalis, ringing bells and changing slogans of "go covid go" to get rid of the pandemic. If that were not enough there are papads for sale too, which apparently will prevent one getting the virus.. Praying that better sense prevails . PS. Meanwhile, media reports say that around the world, the numbers are hitting the ceiling and going through the roof as young people are celebrating the end of lockdown periods over enthusiastically at bars and pubs without taking necessary precautions. 40 countries have reported large single day increases in infection with over 280,000 new cases over this weekend alone. This is a frightening scenario. At this rate ,and pun intended, the party has only just begun. Such foolishness is calling for trouble. Looks like common sense has vanished the world over.

She loves me - she loves me not

SHE LOVES ME – SHE LOVES ME NOT …… Am sitting here, staring at my computer, and wondering what I should do – so seeking advice from all you “worldly experts” out there. Although I am not someone to “kiss and tell”, sometimes you must say it as it is. It may sound foolish to you, but this is the way I am. I loved her with all my heart (and still do) and she reciprocated the same – there was no denying the fact that there was a very special connection. Whenever possible, I spent as much time with her, much to the annoyance of so many others. I have spent quite a tidy sum on her as well and apparently that counts for nothing in this day and age. If you talk about photographs, well, I have clicked her in every angle and yes, she is quite the poser, extremely photogenic and very pretty too. You should just have a look at some of the snaps of us together …….!! However, now it seems the honeymoon period is over – she has begun to ignore me. This is something I am not able to understand, and it pains me. She has been spurning my advances for some time now – the last month or two, to be precise. Phone calls & Whats App messages were out of the question and hence I never even went down that route. I am positive that age, job title, status etc do not matter to her either. Then what is it? Others have noticed this change too and some of them are probably happy. In fact, looking back, I presume it all started the day I lost my temper with her and made my feelings clear in no uncertain terms. I am not one to beat about the bush. Well- I think the word ‘’presume” is wrong – I am confident I can pinpoint the exact moment this all started. I was determined that she stopped her silly antics, grew up, and stopped behaving like a kid. I probably raised my voice a little too much, and looking back on my actions, I must admit – I feel I overdid the “anger” part and was wrong- after all , she was probably just having a little innocent fun. I must have come across as threatening, although that was not the intention. Nevertheless, I guess it is my fault and now I am paying the price. I did try to apologise in various ways, on quite a few occasions – my apology was not accepted. In fact, when we came face to face, she seemed to look right through me. I swallowed my pride and, as meekly as possible whispered, “sorry baby”. I could swear she sniggered and just walked away. So, no one should fault me for not trying. Coming to think of it, she has always been a trifle cold, but I guess that is her nature, which I had learned to accept over the years. I have confided in a few trusted friends, and they did say that this will blow over and she will come round – it has not happened yet. So, I have to say I am in a bit of a quandary, and not sure what to do now – cats are such lovable creatures but “Chanel”, our little bundle of joy , takes the cake where stubbornness is concerned . Let me go and search for her and see what she is doing !

She loves me - she loves me not

SHE LOVES ME – SHE LOVES ME NOT …… Am sitting here, staring at my computer, and wondering what I should do – so seeking advice from all you “worldly experts” out there. Although I am not someone to “kiss and tell”, sometimes you must say it as it is. It may sound foolish to you, but this is the way I am. I loved her with all my heart (and still do) and she reciprocated the same – there was no denying the fact that there was a very special connection. Whenever possible, I spent as much time with her, much to the annoyance of so many others. I have spent quite a tidy sum on her as well and apparently that counts for nothing in this day and age. If you talk about photographs, well, I have clicked her in every angle and yes, she is quite the poser, extremely photogenic and very pretty too. You should just have a look at some of the snaps of us together …….!! However, now it seems the honeymoon period is over – she has begun to ignore me. This is something I am not able to understand, and it pains me. She has been spurning my advances for some time now – the last month or two, to be precise. Phone calls & Whats App messages were out of the question and hence I never even went down that route. I am positive that age, job title, status etc do not matter to her either. Then what is it? Others have noticed this change too and some of them are probably happy. In fact, looking back, I presume it all started the day I lost my temper with her and made my feelings clear in no uncertain terms. I am not one to beat about the bush. Well- I think the word ‘’presume” is wrong – I am confident I can pinpoint the exact moment this all started. I was determined that she stopped her silly antics, grew up, and stopped behaving like a kid. I probably raised my voice a little too much, and looking back on my actions, I must admit – I feel I overdid the “anger” part and was wrong- after all , she was probably just having a little innocent fun. I must have come across as threatening, although that was not the intention. Nevertheless, I guess it is my fault and now I am paying the price. I did try to apologise in various ways, on quite a few occasions – my apology was not accepted. In fact, when we came face to face, she seemed to look right through me. I swallowed my pride and, as meekly as possible whispered, “sorry baby”. I could swear she sniggered and just walked away. So, no one should fault me for not trying. Coming to think of it, she has always been a trifle cold, but I guess that is her nature, which I had learned to accept over the years. I have confided in a few trusted friends, and they did say that this will blow over and she will come round – it has not happened yet. So, I have to say I am in a bit of a quandary, and not sure what to do now – cats are such lovable creatures but “Chanel”, our little bundle of joy , takes the cake where stubbornness is concerned . Let me go and search for her and see what she is doing !

MY ARTISTIC ABILITIES

For a few years now I have been meaning to do a serious work of art. Something that would be time consuming and tedious, but which would give me a sense of accomplishment & utter fulfilment. Work commitments and often sheer laziness have always come in the way. The lockdown set me thinking, I could have done it at that time, or at least made a start, but then again, the online work kept me busier than ever. In fact, the computer has taken over our lives as we speak. At least that’s what I believe. Now that I am on leave, the urge to fulfil a long-cherished ambition has stirred within me once more – am certainly going for it this time. “It’s now or never”, I have said to myself. In reality, I have said that before as well, but this time am removing the “never”. Its “NOW”! I have made a firm resolve and will see it through. I vaguely remember when I was in Grade one, we were asked to draw an elephant in a test. I drew my elephant and handed in it – proud as punch. The teacher looked at it really hard and asked me what I had drawn. I reminded her that it was “an elephant”! I presume it must have been good, because the teacher showed it to a few teachers who passed by the class. They stared hard at my drawing and laughed out loud - and then she pointed me out to them! Anyway, forget that - this is the plan – this time I want to do a piece that is meaningful and deep – it should stir emotions – it should make people think. It should be something that people will admire , a piece that will have the wow factor – a sort of centre piece which people will look at ,gaze in wonderment, and enquire as to the source – the artist – have always wondered about a moment like that . Have pictured this so very often - We have a get together at home – about twenty friends come over for dinner. As each one walks in, the first thing that meets their eyes is my artwork. Two things here – it will be at eye level and it will have non reflective glass in a gilded frame. So, they look, in fact, they cannot stop examining – they go closer – they tilt their heads and some squint their eyes to get a better and different perspective - they ask about the medium used and nonchalantly I say “oil”. They then look at me and say, “where have you been hiding your talent you evil man” and I just smile and shrug! Not one to sit back, I did some basic research, and this is what I came up with: - Linen is the best of the best canvases to use but a trifle expensive. If you care about permanence (and I certainly do) and don't mind paying for it, (no I don’t) there is no better option. You can save some money by using a high-quality ‘cotton duck canvas’ which should weigh between 12-15 oz. It is cheaper than linen but is still a suitable choice for permanent paintings. So now I am in a bit of a quandary, as to whether I go for the Linen or the Cotton duck canvas but will work that out. It will be one of the two. Paints are a little more technical though and I have been consulting with a few friends and relatives. There is a wide choice in the market, and this took a few afternoons, but I have narrowed it down to any three of the following – Grumbacher, Bob Ross, Williamsburg & Sennelier. I know that I will never be the next Van Gogh but have also done a bit of reading and am now quite familiar with terms airbrush, blending , decoupage, gesso, high relief , encaustic, egg tempera and the like – words which till a month ago dazed me . There is just one major hurdle remaining – I can’t draw to save my life. Even a ball is difficult for me to draw – you see I am bad with symmetry. As for painting, the least said the better – to top it all I am genuinely colour blind. I guess I must start at the very beginning – that’s a very good place to start. As for my painting – have put that on hold for now .

MY ARTISTIC ABILITIES

For a few years now I have been meaning to do a serious work of art. Something that would be time consuming and tedious, but which would give me a sense of accomplishment & utter fulfilment. Work commitments and often sheer laziness have always come in the way. The lockdown set me thinking, I could have done it at that time, or at least made a start, but then again, the online work kept me busier than ever. In fact, the computer has taken over our lives as we speak. At least that’s what I believe. Now that I am on leave, the urge to fulfil a long-cherished ambition has stirred within me once more – am certainly going for it this time. “It’s now or never”, I have said to myself. In reality, I have said that before as well, but this time am removing the “never”. Its “NOW”! I have made a firm resolve and will see it through. I vaguely remember when I was in Grade one, we were asked to draw an elephant in a test. I drew my elephant and handed in it – proud as punch. The teacher looked at it really hard and asked me what I had drawn. I reminded her that it was “an elephant”! I presume it must have been good, because the teacher showed it to a few teachers who passed by the class. They stared hard at my drawing and laughed out loud - and then she pointed me out to them! Anyway, forget that - this is the plan – this time I want to do a piece that is meaningful and deep – it should stir emotions – it should make people think. It should be something that people will admire , a piece that will have the wow factor – a sort of centre piece which people will look at ,gaze in wonderment, and enquire as to the source – the artist – have always wondered about a moment like that . Have pictured this so very often - We have a get together at home – about twenty friends come over for dinner. As each one walks in, the first thing that meets their eyes is my artwork. Two things here – it will be at eye level and it will have non reflective glass in a gilded frame. So, they look, in fact, they cannot stop examining – they go closer – they tilt their heads and some squint their eyes to get a better and different perspective - they ask about the medium used and nonchalantly I say “oil”. They then look at me and say, “where have you been hiding your talent you evil man” and I just smile and shrug! Not one to sit back, I did some basic research, and this is what I came up with: - Linen is the best of the best canvases to use but a trifle expensive. If you care about permanence (and I certainly do) and don't mind paying for it, (no I don’t) there is no better option. You can save some money by using a high-quality ‘cotton duck canvas’ which should weigh between 12-15 oz. It is cheaper than linen but is still a suitable choice for permanent paintings. So now I am in a bit of a quandary, as to whether I go for the Linen or the Cotton duck canvas but will work that out. It will be one of the two. Paints are a little more technical though and I have been consulting with a few friends and relatives. There is a wide choice in the market, and this took a few afternoons, but I have narrowed it down to any three of the following – Grumbacher, Bob Ross, Williamsburg & Sennelier. I know that I will never be the next Van Gogh but have also done a bit of reading and am now quite familiar with terms airbrush, blending , decoupage, gesso, high relief , encaustic, egg tempera and the like – words which till a month ago dazed me . There is just one major hurdle remaining – I can’t draw to save my life. Even a ball is difficult for me to draw – you see I am bad with symmetry. As for painting, the least said the better – to top it all I am genuinely colour blind. I guess I must start at the very beginning – that’s a very good place to start. As for my painting – have put that on hold for now .

Diet and me

Am planning to go on a diet and cut out the following items - some of which I consume quiet frequently .
 1. All meat including chicken 2. Eggs 3. Fatty foods 4. Carbs and starchy foods 5. Junk food/ take aways 6. Sugar 7 Ice cream 8 Chocolates and sweets . 9 Alcohol 10. Cookies, doughnuts and biscuits 11. French fries, crisps. 12. Pizza and Pasta 13 Colas and sweetened drinks 14. Processed foods 15 Smoothies 16 Protein bars 17 Cakes In fact I made this plan about 10 years ago and just found it on an old computer,so am sharing, as it looks good . . Have still not put it into practice.