Metallica was here! :)

A decade of listening to their songs and singing along to them, watching their videos on YouTube. And then, on Sunday evening, it came down to standing in the crowd, in BANGALORE, watching them play live! The transition that i am still hung up on so i do not have much to say but James Hetfield, you are amazing.They made it possible to stand in the rain and in crowd, without complaining for a minute.

Life is never going to be the same again. The.Biggest.Concert.EVER!
Ah, Metallica, how we love you!

It is time for the Rodents!

After a good few years of living with dogs, cats and birds and studying their behaviors, i have always wanted a rodent to get to know the specials better and well, because they said i could not have a tiger in my room. I decided against mice because i heard they bite a lot and i wanted something a little more cuddlier. The guinea pigs! They are the cutest things ever, almost like soft toys. :) Have to design their cage a little bit to keep them entertained. I decided to name to boys Aito, (pronounced AH-ee-toh, Japanese for affection) and  Yorisou (pronounced Yoh-ree-sowh, Japanese for cuddle). I have heard that they recognize their humans and purr when they are happy, they sound so adorable! And i already heard Aito make this cute, soft sound.  Maybe I'll see how well they learn mazes and recognize voices. :)

Aito is a week old. Getting used to his new home :)

 

 

Yorisou is 3-weeks old and fatter and calmer!

Aito trying to hide under Yorisou. I hope they stop being shy very soon!

A couple of people have told me that rodents stink a lot so it is tough to maintain them but i think, that is a matter of opinion. I have seen people give away their dogs of three years because they realised that pets need a lot of attention which was too much work for them. I have never given up on an animal before so i dont see why this time is going to be different.

it

My first (of many, i hope) rodents. I will do everything i can to make sure you live happy, Aito and Yorisou. Time for some unconditional rodent love. :D Bruno is stalking the piggies with a curious expression on his face. :D P.S: These photographs were taken without flash because they are still getting used to me and the flash would blind the poor rodents.

"MY" Bull!

Have you ever noticed a particular animal on your way to work/college every day and have taken that particular road just so that you can catch a glimpse of that animal? (I shouldn't be surprised if i am the only one =/ )

There is this bull that i pass by every morning and i have not seen a bull that big and sturdy(he could easily maul other cows to death) and it makes him look so adorable.Even then, there is something very gentle about his looks that makes him look like the most adorable animal on the planet. Hence, i HAVE to see him every morning, just brings this weird sense of satisfaction and happiness. Cheap thrills. I have never managed to successfully photograph him from a moving vehicle but this is almost what he looks like. I have even happily christened him "MY Bull" simply because i like the sound of that. :) Maybe the guy who owns him would sell him to me? I should find out.

Image from Google

Isn't this reason enough for you to get a dog? :)

It went bang, bang, bang, straight through my heart

Obsessing over this song now. Ah, there is something very catchy about this song, just cant seem to get enough of it. What, with the exams going on, its the perfect song to listen to over and over and over again. (2 hours straight). Didn't even know that K'naan had a second awesome song (the first being waving flag, of course and though we have had an overdose of that one, cant deny the fact that it was one good song) and Adam Levine! =)

The Most Amazing Animal On The Planet

I do not know what is with Labrador Retrievers but they are so easy to get attached to (not that I am saying it is any tougher to get attached to any other animal, but it is definitely a job to try not to like a Lab), and once they come into a family as the first pet, you get so familiar and accustomed to the breed that it becomes close to impossible to have any other dog apart from a Lab. The most friendliest, adorable, weird (they wag their tails while barking) animals that has ever been. Jumping on people and chewing on their hands is their way of saying hello, gnawing on their leash, they do the opposite of what they are asked to do hence, it is a tedious job to keep them off the bed/couch or even the bean bag, they speak through their eyes and have so many different expressions that it will surprise you. So when you hire a Trainer for your Lab and when the Trainer asks you to sell your dog to him, to the police bomb squad, do not think twice before you refuse because no other being can bring half the amount of happiness in your life as much as your beautiful dog. After all, it is with a reason that they are ranked #7 on the list of The Most Intelligent Dogs.

Very social, can get along really well with anybody, including other dogs, cats and birds even, you could bite them and bother them as much as you want and they wont snap even then; when trained, he will stop when you ask him to and wont touch food that is not meant for him. They are very intelligent that way and they will teach you that unconditional love does exist. The only dog that will follow you when you are walking into the sea, probably in an attempt to save you in-case the waves succeed in taking you away from him; will go everywhere with you when you take him away from home, even if that means he has to climb a wooden ladder or cross a river on a hanging bridge-he will do it all just to be with you: will laze around at home all day but jump and run to the door when he hears you taking the car out and that is when you realize what life would have been without this little fur-shedding animal in the backseat of your car, jumping away to glory with his favorite soft toy in his mouth and barking randomly at other animals on the road, as if to tell them how much he loves going on drives. Life would have been empty. Hence, having dog fur on your most expensive of clothes, in the car and every inch of the house is a small price to pay and it wont be long before you start ignoring all the dog fur and begin to see it as his stamp- that he was here, in your life.

In no time, you will realize that he is not just a dog, he is your life. A part of the family who will go everywhere with you, including vacations. Everything will revolve around him and you wont like it when people refer to him as "it" or call him your "dog", get annoyed when he is being made fun of, you feel happy even when things are not going right for you (clichéd,but true) and everything you do, you do it for him. He gives a whole new meaning to love, brings infinite amount of happiness and teaches you to forgive. 

Bruno, you might not always come to me when I call you, but I sure do know that you miss me when I am not around and that does say a lot. And no, I will never stop pushing you into a water body when I see one. :) 

Two Brothers: The Movie

If this movie was not made in 2004, then probably I would have made a similar movie. Atleast that way my dream of spending time with tigers would have been fulfilled! The tigers, Sangha and Kumar (names in the movie) are so darn adorable!

Probably the only animal movie I am happy with (excluding the parts where the cubs are mishandled :|), the happy ending and a 'save the tigers' message plus none of the animals get killed! Also, the best part when Kumar escapes from the circus and runs away to the jungle with Sangha where they are re-united with their mother. What is not to like? It's perfect!






Image courtesy: impawards.com

Photographs

A lot of people I know always complain about the number of pictures i take. I cant help it, i love pictures! They help me keep my memory intact. A picture speaks a thousand words and I dont know how anyone can not take pictures, let alone complain about it. Someday, they will know what i mean.  ( Feels good to say it!)

Pictures need not always have people in it, not always. It can be something as random as maybe rain, or food, anything around you. A picture is something that you look at, years down the line and feel it talking to you, telling you a story. (Though the story might differ depending on the person's point of view). They help us recollect the moment that has passed, if it weren't for this little invention of photographs, we probably would not have appreciated the elegant peacock and the beautiful colors those feathers carry, neither would we have known how beautiful the color green actually is. Everything looks oh-so-pleasant in a photo than it does to the naked eye, makes everything and everyone look flawless. And they say there is no such thing called magic? :)

Re-living Goa

It's been almost three months and i still cannot get over it, especially with the weather in the city getting this humid, it is easy to wish to go to a beach. How i miss Goa and the flea markets that this city lacks.

*sigh*

The one thing that i miss the most (and believe me,it is such a difficult choice to decide what i miss the most), is the French Toast that we had for breakfast almost every morning. If I could eat those French Toasts for breakfast for the rest of my life, I most certainly would. With no second thoughts! Who but a Goan chef in a small restaurant would know the recipe for the most deliciously perfect set of French Toast which people like us would gobble every single day.

Oh and of course, the strange sugar that dint dissolve in cornflakes, will never be forgotten. Anjuna beach by night, sitting in silence (ok, not really "silence" but yeah, there were a few minutes when everyone went silent) and watching the moon. The moon has never looked so poetic ever since that night at Anjuna. Anyone would trade being in this city and studying for the exams to getting toasted in the sun and flaunting the "I just got dipped in molten copper" look in the Wednesday Night Market and getting bright-coloured streaks in their hair.

The life of Benzy

A couple of months back, as i was leaving home to go to a friend's place, i noticed this super enthusiastic dog pass by my street. As usual, i ran to the kitchen and fed the weak-looking dog. She was a stray, probably wandering around in search of a meal and since i fed her, she started to hang around my house.

Bensy is the most sweetest dog i've ever met. She must be less than a year old and grew very attached to the family. Storms and rain scare her and that is when we took her in and gave her a new bed. The fireworks during Diwali made her tremble and whine all evening. It got so worse that i spent my evenings trying to calm her nerves, to stop her from trembling.

She spends her nights inside, sleeping so peacefully, maybe she has never slept this well ever in her life. The streets are not really a safe place. Every night as i watch her sleep, i feel my heart skip a beat. She is one lucky animal and i could not be more pleased about adopting her.

Love Makes The World Go Round

Humans are so needy. We say all we need is love and when we get it, we say it is not from the one we expect. We can never make up our mind and by the time we learn to identify superficial love, its too late.

We take our dear ones for granted and then rant about how we are ignored. When someone genuinely loves us, we dont want it, when they shift their attention from us, we get frustrated.

At first, I thought it's teenage psychology. I wanted to believe that, to give it a definite name. Yes, of course, it did not work and it got to a point when i really wanted to give up on trying to make her understand. It dint matter to her. I didn't matter. She lived in a small world which consisted of her and her certain "loved" one. I thought she would grow out of it, would understand emotions better and i even felt she did but, blah.

Patience is not always a good thing. If only she would open her eyes and take a peek and the world.

"The Brain"

We were given a Psychology assignment in college this week, to write about "The Brain". Hence, throughout the week,all our greetings at college have started "Have you started with 'The Brain'?"

Reminded me of the cartoon 'Pinky and The Brain' and how much i love the theme song!

The song is now stuck in my head and I will never get enough of it!



They're Pinky and The Brain 
Yes, Pinky and The Brain 
One is a genius 
The other's insane. 
They're laboratory mice 
Their genes have been spliced 

They're dinky 
They're Pinky and The Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain 
Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain 
Brain. 

Before each night is done 
Their plan will be unfurled 
By the dawning of the sun 
They'll take over the world. 

They're Pinky and The Brain 
Yes, Pinky and The Brain 
Their twilight campaign 
Is easy to explain. 

To prove their mousey worth 
They'll overthrow the Earth 


They're dinky 
They're Pinky and The Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain 
Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain 
Narf!

My Most Favourite Quote Of All Times

I came across this quote and it describes EXACTLY how I feel all the time. Love this so much that I had to share!

For non-pet owners who visit and like to complain about our pets:

1.They live here, you don't.

2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they

call it "FUR"-niture. 

3.I LOVE MY PETS BETTER THAN I LIKE MOST PEOPLE.

4. To you, they are animals. To me they are kids who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and love me unconditionally. 

A weird confusing feeling

Often we come across people we like-who you keep in touch with forever. And sometimes you meet people who you dont gel well with, simply because you are two different individuals with different perspectives. But little was i aware of the category which lay hidden between these two extremes.

I am extremly fond of her, bond to her, even. Family-ties. I'm so happy when she triumphs and share her sorrow when she fails. I can promptly say that I know every significant day of her life. Like a sister but not quite. I like spending time with her, gossip over coffee (strangely, I transform into the talkative one), and mere texts from her make my day.

Then what is this feeling deep inside of me? The one that says she doesn't deserve the partiality, the love? Why cant I put an end to that voice which, sometimes, just keeps growing louder and makes me wanna scream so that I overpower that voice?

I know she aint perfect but then who is? I dont think I would want a perfect person. That would put a lot of pressure on me and my imperfections. Sure, the things she's doing aren't ethical, but would she listen to me if I tried to talk sense into her? Would she understand that the reason behind me correcting her lies in my undying care? Maybe not. She might just ignore me and come to a conclusion that I wana control her life. It's certainly not worth the risk.

I could just let her fall and learn from her mistakes. Then the voice in my head says-What if she doesn't recover from the fall? This care is really weird. It wakes up your protective instinct.

I just want you realise and remember that you are loved; see it in all the little things I say and do for you.

xoxo

Things you could do when sleep doesn't seem to dawn on you

1. Think of the beautiful nachos you had for lunch and wish you could go back in time.

2. Stare at the clutch that you (finally) bought.

3. Gorge on marshmellows.

4. Personalise your boring black file by adding some glitter. How artistic could you get? (EXACTLY why you should go stationery shopping frequently. There's always something new and nice to buy)

5. Make a list of all the things you need (want).

6. Make space for yourself on the bed so that when sleep comes knocking, you can easily give in.

7. Wake up your adorable, sleepy dog with the camera's flash and watch how he stops snoring.

8. Think about time and how it waits for no one. Could I do that? Maybe not.

9. Wonder if your friends were right when they told you that you'll be famous (for the RIGHT reason) someday. (Am I there yet? How much more longer?)

10. Try to recollect the dream you had last night.

11. Play the guitar and think of how much you wish you would own a drum kit.

12. Wonder if that woman will remember to get the Oriflame form in the morning.

13. Think of the future/career. Big dreams.

14. Raid your sibling's room for hidden junk food!

15. Flip through the Dictionary. Wouldn't my high school teacher be so proud of me for following her "learn a new word everyday" ritual, even to this day?

16.Call up friends who are busy preparing for their exams. If lucky, you stand a chance to get yelled at=few minutes of entertainment.

17. Scribble away in the journal! Or maybe just doodle 'cause of lack of motivation.

This list is not gonna end anytime soon, but is only gonna grow. Like my restlessness.

STOP!

Ramblings

1) Why do Pets have to fall ill so often? Depressing.

2) Go away,Oily skin! Come back next summer and until then, get out of my face!

3) When is the Metro rail gonna be completed? I wanna travel 15kms in 15mins!

4) Bangalore has lots to learn about cleanliness from Mysore.

5) Why do people ALWAYS spell my name wrong while I'm ordering pizzas? I wouldn't mind spelling my name,you know. When in doubt, please ask.

6) What on Earth do you eat, that you hair grows so fricking fast?! I wanna try it too!

7) I am way younger than you so dont expect me to act your age.

8) Whatever happened to the Vanilla Coke? It was pretty nice. And different

9) Since when are people so annoying? Why dont they mind their own business instead of bugging my life?

10) GREEN APPLE! i miss you! I'll pay you a visit some time soon, I promise.

11) How does "leave-in" and "Livon" sound familiar,woman?

12) Do animals have different blood groups too? Why dont we hear of blood transfusion in animals?

13) Green hair streaks should be made easier to access.

14) Dear Driving-The-Car,
I LOVE YOU! Thank you for bringing so much of happiness into my life!

Drools and Walks

Things to be prepared for if your planning on adopting your very first dog (things i wasnt prepared for):

1) Unconditional love: Which you receive and are expected to return too. Even if its 3am and if you've had a long day.

2) Doggie hair all over your clothes: This doesn't hold good if you opt for a short-haired dog which doesn't shed as much hair. Otherwise,it's a goodbye to leaving your clothes lying around. Especially dark colours and sweaters.

3) Puppies take time to understand why they should not confuse your expensive carpets with the bathroom. Patience is the key.

4) Remember the get-away vacation you took last summer? Well this time,you will have to take your dog along too! And believe me,you will have the best vacation ever.

4)a. Leaving your dog behind at a kennel while you holiday isn't a bright idea. He/she needs a vacation too!

5) Dog-proof your house: Make sure all your pump shoes and makeup stuff (and everything that you own and you want to exist) is carefully stacked away in your closet.And under no circumstances leave your closet door opened and unattended to.

5)a. Keep every possible thing out of reach.

6) Bonding time: They demand a lot of attention and care. So make sure you get back home early.

7) Teething dogs chew on anything possible. The things that you cant put away,like furniture, can be coated with Eucalyptus oil. The strong scent will keep him at bay.

7)a. People (like Vets and dog trainers)will suggest various treats and chewys to give to your dog inorder to prevent them from ruining your funiture. This, however, doesn't work. The furniture seems to be more delicious to them.

8) They hate being chained so try and avoid it as much as possible.

9) Dogs sweat too. Regular baths is a compulsion.

10)They never seem to get enough of walks. Good news for you! You have a walking companion!

PAULOV

I am at a friend's house,talking,when i get a call from my mother askin me to come back home soon-she has a surprise for me. I am taken aback. My birthday is still two days away and she already bought me something!
I get back home as soon as i possibly could. And as i enter my room,i hear them chirping. Tiny little bright birds! One of them is aqua blue and the other white.
I am overjoyed! They are the happiest birds ever. They made me smile.
I decide to name the male(the blue one) Paulov and the female Asana.
Every morning,when we enter the room they are in,they chirp.. As if to greet us. They were always so full of life!
Many birds came and left after that but i got attatched to Paulov. I watched him grow fat,i loved to hear him chirp. Almost like as if he wanted to tell me he's happy,probably.

Three years later(4 days back)- mother woke me up and asked me to check on Paulov. He was on the floor,a very unusual sight because he seemed allright the night before. I pick his stiff body up and i couldn't get myself to think what went wrong. He was just a little over three years. I had no choice. He got a decent burial and thus he lies in the backyard. The silence that persists now instead of the chirping is killing. To hell with all those people who said you always created an intolerable racket. We love u,Paulov and we will always miss ur happy chirping.

MY SUPER HERO!!

Adopting a puppy is easily the most wonderfull thing that could ever happen to anyone!whatever be their color,whatever the breed,they all are bundles of joy!thats exactly what i felt when i first got Bruno,my yellow labrador retriever,home. Seems like just yesterday i'd visited the kennel to adopt my very first dog. My excitement was short lived when i saw not one,but three pups who were barely over a month old,huddled close to one another. They looked like fat balls of snow! I felt my heart melt. I longed to adopt all three of them and take them all home with me. Since it was impossible for me to choose between the three,i let my father make up my mind for me and thats how i got Bruno. I refused to go anywhere without him. He spent most of the first few months being carried around everywhere. His stupidity had no bounds then! Once,he managed to lap up a whole litre of oil and spent the following few days throwing up oil! He had even swallowed a pretty big chunk of coconut shell at 3months old,which had cut his insides and got me really worried! All of 2years old now,he is an absolute delight,my companion,my priceless possession. Loved by everybody in the family and by my friends(there are a few of them who dont like him plainly because he is huge and that scares them,they say. And i say may you rot in hell !),its just hard to not notice him! Not because he is huge.. He is simply adorable! The way he chases my cats,the way he jumps on people and greets them(he overdoes it a bit out of immense happiness!), every single thing about him is purely holy! He always seems to know when i have had a bad day and when i need him the most-he sits next to me and the minute i look into those eyes,i know its going to be ok,he is all i need. The way he wags his tail and whines when he wants to be let out,the way he takes things that he knows he's not supposed to touch,just to gain attention and to get us to chase him,the way he runs in the opposite direction when a new-born kitten is taken near him.. A whole sack of joy! There is just so much to him. My best friend,my super hero,my reason to smile.. MY BRUNO..