TAG

Been at home for nearly three weeks now and well have all the time in the world to do stuff like this. You don't have to have time to read all this. But if you do have the time, then what the heck, go on and read what I have here.

Name: Arvind Iyer (If you didn’t know that, then what in the world are you doing here?
Nickname(s): Iyer, Iyer Man, Leanie

Single or Taken? Hmmmmm. People often get confused on this one and am confused almost all the time. But well I am SINGLE.
Sex: Male

Birthday: 8th April
Blood group: A+

Sign: Aries
Siblings: Elder brother & Younger brother.

Hair color: Black (and pretty long)

Eye color: Dark Brown

Shoe size: 9 (I think)
What are you wearing right now? T-shirt that says (absolute Bangalore) and Tracks. Where do you live? Bangalore, at the moment. From coimbatore (that’s Home)

Have You Ever:-

given anyone a bath? Yup

bungee jumped? No (almost did once and it started to rain)

broken the law? Yes. A few times.
made yourself throw-up? Hmmmmm (wicked grin)

gone skinny dipping? No (but been with a bunch of people who did)

been in the opposite sex's bathroom? Yes. (The perks that my profession gives me at times)

eaten a dog biscuit? Yea. They taste much better than some of the regular biscuits that we eat.

put your tongue on a frozen pole? Naah. From where I come there is no question of me being close to any of that. (does the road side ice cream that looks like one count?)

broken a bone? Yes. A few times. Am an outdoor person, you see.
played truth or dare? Yes. It was always Dare for me

been in a physical fight? Yes. And got badly beaten a few times too and also broken a really hefty man’s nose!!

been in a police car? Yes. Was picked up by the cops when I doing a video shoot without permission.

been on a plane? Yes.
been in a hot tub? Yes

swam in the ocean? Yes.

fallen asleep in college? Oh yea. Who wouldn’t!!!.

cried when someone died? Yes

flashed someone? NO.

lied? Well, we all have to at times. I have too. But not lied that it has hurt someone.

laughed so hard you fell off your chair? Oh yes.

sat by the phone all night waiting for a call? Yes. (those were the days)

saved e-mails? Yes. (a whole lot of them and sent it to a friend on her b’day)

wished you were someone else? No

wished you were a member of the opposite sex? No

been rejected? Hmmmmmm *Scratches Head*
used someone? No. Don’t think I would ever want to do that too.

been cheated on? YUP

done something you regret? Hmmmm. Maybe a couple of things.

First Thing That Comes to Mind:-

Yellow: The song
Blue: The sea
Happy: My family

Autumn: What’s that?

Cow: HOLY?

Have you ever had:-

chicken pox? Yes

sore throat? Yes

cold? Yea
Stitches? Oh yea. Rite on the jaw. Comes with playing serious cricket I guess.

bloody nose? Yes
sex? Hmmmmm (baseball comes to mind) *evil grin*

Do you:-

believe in love at first sight? Hmmmmm
enjoy parks? Yea, I do. But don’t see many these days. Or see a reason to go to one.

like picnics? Yes..

like school? School was always not for me. Don’t like doing something that everyone blindly follows and does.

hate anyone? Yes. A few and I really do. (I know they are not worth it. But yes I DO HATE THEM)

Who:-

is the last person that called you? My mom. Wanted me to come down and take my coffee. (You didn’t mean the phone did you?)
Makes you laugh the most? A few friends (they know who they are)

can make you feel better no matter what? Am the agony unc. So its my job to make everyone feel better.
was the last person you touched? Been in bed rest for the last three weeks. So nothing to write home about. Bleh.

you hugged? Refer previous koshtin.

you yelled at? A client who kept calling me and asking me for his payment.
told you they loved you? Hmmmm. They told me. Why would I tell you?

Do You/Are You:-

like yourself? I think am cool and I love it.

dye your hair? NO

have piercings below the waist? No. (don’t think I would too)

stolen anything over $50? Someone’s heart. That’s worth a lot more. *this is where all the girls who read my blog go, awwwwwwwwww*

like ice cream? At times.

Which is your favourite flavour? Black current.
like cold coffee? NO. Coffee is supposed to be sipped real hot.

smoke? Yes

have beer? So tempted to say All the time. But yes.

obsessive? Bout wat?

compulsive? Bout wat?

depressed? Never

suicidal? Get out of here!!

Random:-

Prized possession: Maya. My bike. My only possession, literally.
Last thing you said? Talk to you in a bit. I need a smoke.

What is beside you? An mp3 player churning out loud metallica, my cellphone, a book on physiotherapy, my cd collection, a mug of hot coffee, mint and a pack of cigarettes.
Last thing you ate? A really awesome south indian lunch.

Are you right handed or lefty? Right(ly) handed.

Favourite song: There are quite a lot. All time favorite is Yellow – Cold play.
Worst thing that has happened to you this year: A broken back (as of now)
Time started: When I was really bored.

Time finished: When am even more bored.

SNAP

A routine morning
Heavy smog in the air
Maya sailin across the road

Reach the destination
the days line up
running on my mind

The morning elixir on my hand
Call from home
Too engrossed with both

The passage to work
always comes with a Catch
realized what that meant, today.

The shutter is reluctant
Doesnt wanna work i guess
A sudden pull and....

SNAP

If I was a movie...
Id be Split Wide Open

If I was a book....
Id be Catch 24 (am not 22)

If I was a doc...
Id say, Dude, your back is screwed !!!

For my family

There is a strange feeling going through my head at this point of time. It’s been a while since I felt this way. And I love the feeling. Life has come a full circle and I just had to make its presence felt. The wave is just subsiding and the storm is overpowering. Over the years, I have spent time with a number of people, family and friends. And the learning that has transpired makes me the person I am right now. Physical, emotional and mental strength comes from strange sources that you never knew existed. They have been right in front of my eyes and all I had to do was to open my eyes a little wider and I see a world, a world full of wonderful things, amazing people and happiness.

The way I lead my life has always been in tune with my spiritual seeking. I seek truth, I seek life and I seek joy, and I don’t think am the only one who does that. I have been blessed with a family and an upbringing that has helped me understand the joy that this life and birth has to offer. It beats me that when my head is so clear at this juncture, there is still something that is missing. I know that I don’t have everything and I don’t want to have everything. What I have with me right now is something that I would cherish for eternity. This is unbelievable and I just don’t have enough words to describe the feeling. A family that has given me all the freedom, a proper education and the thought that I can lead my life the way I want to and how ever I want to. Guess it’s this freedom that has brought in a lot of self control in me that I just don’t want to misuse and let the people dear and close to me, down.

After packing my bags and letting my thoughts take me places, I am in a position to say that things are falling into place. On one of my late night conversations with my cousin, I was discussing about how our lives have changed but still remain the same. The time where a single earning member in the family was raising three kids. Three different kids, each with a different point of view about life and with different priorities, co existing under one roof. A woman with the strength and heart of a lion to hold all the four and still give us everything, when we didn’t have everything. But not once did she make us realize that we didn’t have everything. We didn’t have to.

It brings a shiver in my body to think about all those times now. I close my eyes now and here are the things I see…. Mom running around the house, dad coming home late from work, elder brother not home yet, younger one painting something on his art note, me sitting in front of the television set watching a repeat telecast of India’s tour to west Indies from 1990, people coming in and out of our house, endless coffee making sessions for mom, letter from brother, friends, smiles, hospitals, my dog, war with the younger one, relatives, religion, all these and more come in my mind as flashes. It takes a lot of strength for someone to have been in the hospital so many times in their lives, either for their health condition or to just be there and take care of the others in the hospital. To have gone up to the doors of heaven and fight with the gatekeeper there for the sake of three little ones and an innocent man in her life. Come back and push herself to the limit to ensure there is never a sad moment in our life. Brings tears in my eyes thinking about all that. How much would she have gone through, how much would she have compromised, how much? She always had just one thing to say, the three sons she had were everything for her and I would believe her without blinking an eyelid. A teacher, a doctor, a mom, a wife, a tutor, a real estate agent, a believer, a lawyer, my mom has been all this and more. She is what I call everything.

A man with a lot of words, tall, fair and warm, that’s how I would express my father. An advocate by profession, a wonderful man in person, he is what every man wants to grow up to become. All my life, not once has he raised his voice or his hand on any of his three kids and his partner in life. He has nice things to talk about and share with everyone, but an angry man when he sits on his car and travels in his city that he calls home. I sometimes pity the ones on the road when he is driving, but he is harmless. A pious man, who is proud of his roots and his religion. A man who has faced many situations to be where he is right now. Loves music and Krishna sweets (too bad he is off the latter). A good father, a family man, a very good lawyer and a great influence to many.

Guru, friend, philosopher, guide, baba that’s how I would explain my brother. Intense, warm, loving and an unbelievable person. So happy to be born in this family with him as my brother. I always seem to be short of words when am trying to talk about baba. He is everything to me, someone who I always look up to and someone who I know would always be there for me. I guess there can be no words to describe baba. You have to sit with him and listen to him talk and the world (and everything beyond) becomes such a wonderland. To his three lovely angels and an extremely warm and caring wife, thank you for everything. (And am coming there this Christmas)

Software engineer, younger sibling, go-getter (come what may), kid. That pretty much sums up the younger one.
I don’t know the feeling in my mind right now is that which is full of warmth and love and I think my family means more to me than anything else in this world. Guess lying down at home without stepping out of the house and resting with a sore back gives you all the time to reflect on the person you are and the wonderful past that one has had.
To everyone who has been a part of my family and who has been a part of my life. This is an ode to each and every single one of you. The good times are on.

Ehsaas

Sun, music, road, screams, water, chai, smoke, beedis, vitamin tablets, warmth, metal, tamil, milestones, wheels, kannada, thoughts, dreams, expectations, care, engligh, sunsets, kms, maps, pit stops, home, shore, sand, beach, beer, babes, bikinis, towel, tattoos, fenny, food, beads, kurtas, sea food, smiles, friendly couple, photography, wonderland, emotions, love, friends, family, sms, miss you, wish you were here, long walks, truth, destiny, ogling, time, space, world, sleep, soul searching, and all the above over and over and over again!!!
That was Goa during New Years!! It was great, it was fun, charged my batteries and my senses (lost them too). It gives me a rush to sit down and write this post. This was something I should have done ages ago. This was something that I had always wanted to do. Travel and write about the thoughts in my head. I know am not doing justice to my thoughts or my trip, but nonetheless, am doing it and am happy doing it.

My life seems to have seen and experienced too many things in the last two months. Sorting things in my head, trying to search for a bigger truth, trying to understand the concept of my thoughts and actions, trying to seek a path and this journey has made me strong and I feel new and fresh. I have this sudden urge to step out and pass this feeling to everyone. To a few people in particular. I feel that am not the person who I was not so long ago. I have not changed; I am not different or indifferent, just that the transformation seems to have come at a time that was most needed. Guess I needed time on my own, guess I needed some space and a whole new start for bigger and better things to come and explore. The way the concept of life works is so wonderful, magic so to speak. The mystery of each moment as it unfolds, the images that it brings, the blocks that it seem to easily analyze and open, the strength of character that it can bring to a person is all so fascinating. I have always been sort of a thinker, I think for people around me, I think for family, I think for people who I work with, I think for friends who need help, I think for the person in the chai shop, I think for the house owner who wakes me up at 7 in the morning and ask for rent, I think. Strange that I say that now. Because I have always felt that thinking in injurious to health.

Am a dreamer. There are others who have said the same thing, long before I stepped into this world and am sure there will be a lot more people who would say the same thing in years to come. There is no end to the kind of things that your mind can think of or strive to achieve. Even while writing this post, all I feel like doing is have a smile on my face, music in my ears and smoke in my lungs. We are here in this world to play a part, and we are all special and different and as long as we play our parts and improvise along the way, there would be a natural high that we would feel. I want to live life, I want to live for the moment and I want to make an impact in the lives of many. Think am getting there and am sure I will get there.

Legions of BOOM

The white mist engulfs the air
Warmth enters your body
Senses take a back seat

The world becomes a stage
Life becomes the script
He is the master – the director

The cast enter the scene
Heads begin to spin
Fingers tremble at the mere touch

A giant drop
A thick smoke
Gravity drops

A circle of trust
Faith and hope
Family means the world

Others on the sidelines
Past along the milestone
A future beaming at you

Dim, Lite and faint
A voice in the distance
Calling out…

The Big O after a Wild S

Alrite, before all you pervs get any wild ideas and have your imagination run amock, I just meant the Big October after a Wild September. Frankly the reason for this update was coz I got really bored of seeing ANACIN on my page every time I logged in. And another reason being, I just didn’t have the inclination to sit and write in this space. Been doing a LOT of writing at work too (and at least there I get paid unlike receive e-props and comments, but I complain and I fight there, while I enjoy my solitude in this.)

Been working like a rabid dog. Wow. Now that is one imagery that am sure all of you would like to see. Iyer fuming and frothing from his mouth. Ok, on second thoughts I don’t quite like the idea of that. Work has been crazy. Loads of things, clients, deadlines and new campaigns. A simple but really productive shoot for a campaign. Boss is happy, client is thrilled and am on a high ever since I saw the hoardings up in the city. Ah!! The sheer bliss of standing under the hoarding and smoking a beedi. Never knew the great OKTOBER FEST could be so cool and its not just coz of the endless amount of beer I guzzled but also coz I managed to find my model for the shoot sitting there drinking beer. This is why I love my job. Where else can you just walk upto some girl and introduce yourself and ask them if they would like to be a model for a shoot? But the job also comes with its share of screw-ups and deadline pressures. Its been a while since I had a social life, lets just say its been a while since I had a fun evening with friends.

Two hectic months, a cool campaign that was written about in the papers and a couple of wonderful corporate films. Over all content with the way things have fallen into place. November saw Iyer move into a bigger apartment. From a meager one room with an attached bath, which I stylishly used to call my studio apartment (just coz I had my tripod in one corner of that room), now I have moved to an awesome shack. Have a pretty chilled out roommate, my retard Cousin who also blogs.

Its been close to a week since I started writing this post. I start writing and then something comes up and I continue the post when I get the time. And writing something for one week an something that is just a rant is no fun. But I guess, this space needed an update, my life needed an update. I need to take some time off work for better and more important things. Its strange. I don’t quite enjoy typing my posts directly on to the computer. No computer at home has made this easier for me. I sit at home or a coffee shop and write things on my scribble pad or a tissue and I type that onto a computer and then post it. In some strange cases I sit in a meeting and when my client makes me wait, while he collates some info for some profile brochure that am doing for him. I sit on the table right opposite to him, sipping coffee on a lazy Saturday afternoon and complete this update.

There are gazillion thoughts on my mind right now. And all I wanna do is just keep writing, pen down my thoughts and not stop. Thinking about how much someone wanted an update on this space. Thinking about how much certain people mean to me. Thinking about all the crap back in school and college. Thinking about music, about love, about traveling, about friends, about family, about ex-girl friends and their getting married, about best friend who is about to get married, about what to wear for her wedding, about a special someone who is about to come to Bangalore, about the one person who I was so attached to and the changes in our lives now, it can go on..

And on a final note. After trying my hand in journalism, Radio, Television, Cinematography, Events, Waiter in a coffee shop, Promotions, Advertising and a whole load of freelance bullshit, I have my BIG (small) break finally. Iyer would be acting in a Tamil movie shortly. A 20-mt cameo, the shoot for which would start in January 2007. Wish me luck.

Anacin

After a really late (read wild) Saturday night. You slowly open your eyes due to the harsh ray's of the sun piercing through the little window in your house. Your hands search for something. Its your phone, you open one eye and check to see if anyone had missed you. There are quite a few ppl. Most of them asking you if you had reached home safe that evening. You see it after nearly 13 hours. Prompt, I must say.

You laze around in bed for a while. The smoke that you lit fills your lungs and the room. You smile and tell yourself, the Joy of Mist in the middle of your room. The music then fills the room and the mist is getting heavier. You feel a rumble in your stomach. You decide its time to grab a quick bite. You make plans to meet up with a few people. A quick shower to get that hair soft and shining again. A three day stubble, you don't want to mess around with. You take the helmet and step out. MAYA has a flat tyre.

Monday morning, you wake up dazed, sleepy and tired. Sunday night was no different. Your body needs sleep and your boss needs work. There is a huge event likely to unfold in a week and you don't want to be left out of the whole buzz. A buzz even higher than the 9 pitchers you had the previous night. You have an excuse of a shower. Take the first decent looking shirt that you find hanging in the room. Stuff yourself into it and start a quick mist to start your day. You take the helmet and step out. MAYA is out of fuel.

You clutch your fists and curse. Push MAYA till the gas station. A good 2 km away from home. And then you understand the powerful meaning of the line.

'Not today honey. I have a headache'.


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EDIT : Man. Just when crazy things happen in life and a close friend lose their dad and you feel drained and down, you have a person write something for you which gives you a lot of energy and gets you back on track. Thanks so much Shubha.