A funny comparison

We have a very cute professor at IGIDR. He is brilliant starting most conversations with "I dont know much about this subject but....." and then he goes on to tell you stuff you had no idea about. He knows everything. But he is a little absent minded, like most brilliant people always are. For instance, just this one time, he walked into the CC and picked up R's register and started flipping through it. He always does that with books because he always wants to know what everyone is reading. I caught him. Me "Sir, you can't do that. " He "ohohhoho , i didn't realise, Priya. I am so sorry" Me "yes sir but you never know what is written, its personal". "yes yes" and then while leaving "I didnt mean to read it" So you get the kind right. He is so wonderful. He is in charge of the seminars that happen at IGIDR. Just today a speaker didn't show up. He met us at the cafeteria "I feel like someone who has been stood up at a wedding". Me "no sir, its not that bad". "you must have seen that movie, what is it?" and i thought runaway bride or something. he went on "the one with ranbir kapoor and minissha lamba" me" oh yes, the three heroines" he, "yes, i feel like bipasha basu in bachna ae haseeno"

IRONMAN

I love robert downey jr. And i love Ironman. I am not sure if i love ironman because of robert or robert because of ironman. but watching ironman3 was a perfect break on a hot sunday when i had made the journey from goregaon to chembur and back. I was on my own and it was becoming very difficult to resist ironman's charms so i got off at hub and bought a ticket for the 3 30 pm show. Watching a movie alone is a different high altogether. It gives me a strange sense of independence and empowerment (however lame it sounds) And then started the last part of one of my favourite series. Tony stark with his one liners, his coolness. And this time, there are panic attacks too, making you realise that even cool people have their weaknesses hidden somewhere. Insecurities that come out like this. there is women empowerment too. An intelligent woman, who tony had slept with in 1999 has created a superhero, who actually is the villian.And Pepper fighting the villian in the end. Eiffel 65's blue, right at the introduction stole my heart since the beginning. I loved the movie and will recommend it to anyone but then again I m a Robert Downey jr fan and this opinion could be biased. the movie is paisa vassol. I can go again :)

the whole fiasco about tying the knot

Once you are in your late twenties and are still figuring out what to do (even though you kind of have an idea but are still not sure), for instance someone like me, who is doing a phD at 28. I dont make money. I dont have a career yet...though i can see myself rising in a year from now with loads of money and a great job (one that i love and that is why the decision to do a PhD).. anyway, money is not that important else i would have never left CIRM. Anyway, the point of this blog entry is the pressure that i feel as a 28 year old... First, is the pressure i feel from my parents, especially my ma. Well i probably have no reason to complain because i feel this when i am 28 while most girls give in at 22. The pressure of getting married, of finding someone. "Oho koi khud kyun nahi dhoond liya?" "har ma-baap chahte hain k unki ladki ki shaadi ho jaye" "jeevansathi pe paid account lo" "tum toh website check hee nahi karte" Second, the peer pressure, what with all of them tying the knot. I am not lying, im genuinely happy that they are finding good people to settle down with and what with sitting on a table where everyone goes "congratulations" and the response is "same to you" and to me "when are you tying the knot?" i would rather wait for the right person than compromise. and well, you are my friends, be supportive, don't act like my parents. don't add to my grief. Third, own pressure: I have a lot of expectations from myself. Now i am not saying marriage would tie me down but it might if its someone who doesn't understand me, my priorities, i would just be in an unhappy marriage and that is certainly not what i want. Add to this the misery of finding someone on jeevansathi: people i like will never get back(they reject me based on looks, non existent salary, location maybe) . people who like me? well, none have met my standards so far. and thank god i have standards. this is actually the perfect place to start losing your confidence. A younger cousin is engaged, adding to the family pressure. Anyway so here i am at this juncture in my life where my parents have decided that my marriage is the only thing that will lead to their happiness.where everyone wants me to hurry up to find my Mr right so the younger cousin's marriage happens after me. I have so much to do in my Phd. so much to analyse, write, discover. So much to rise for, so much to shine for in this life but nothing seems important to my family except shaadi. why cant i go on with the things i like doing and hoping i would find someone on the way. and if i dont, am i not happy with myself? This is an unnecessary pressure , an unnecessary grind. And my happiness is a function of my family's happiness. And so either way i lose. This is a losing battle. I just hope i dont lose my confidence or self esteem in the process though it happens time and again. One of my friends had mentioned to me that she is scared of a vision of her, old and surrounded by cats and it scares her. She is thankfully committed now. But somehow i dont have such visions yet, it doesnt even scare me... My only fear is that one day it might scare me. I can be alone but i dont want to get lonely ever... Actually the real fight is once i get married, then it'll be "when are you planning a baby?" but lets leave that for another blog entry...