Today marks 6 years of GODYEARS.
I won't deny it. I'm proud of it.

This same time last year, I was pretty pumped up with the technical stats of the blog :

2 blogs, 5 years, 322 posts, 3333 comments, 72702 page views. So what's this year's stats ?
2 blogs, 6 years, 361 posts, 3990 comments, 100908 page views... and 6 published stories.


That last bit is particularly pleasing to me.

I want to thank everyone who comes by here, reads and comments on these posts.. it feels nice to know people care. It feels great to meet people from all over the world and listen to their opinions as well.

It's while I was wondering what to type that Reflections sent me a tag that pretty much did my work for me.. asking me to choose worthy reads from 6 years worth of blogposts. I've done my best to be concise, selecting specific ones that I thought matched the needs of the tag.




What this tag is about: 
To unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again. 


Rules: 
1) Blogger is nominated to take part 


2) Blogger publishes his/her 7 links on his/her blog – 1 link for each category. 
The links are:
- Your most beautiful post 
– Your most popular post 
– Your most controversial post 
– Your most helpful post 
– A post whose success surprised you 
– A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved 
– The post that you are most proud of 


3) Blogger nominates up to 5 more bloggers to take part.


4) These bloggers publish their 7 links and nominate another 5 more bloggers 


5) And so it goes on! 



Here's my list  :-

 - Your most beautiful post - HEARTSTRINGS
An Urban Shots Silver Winner, this story is as much fiction as it is fact. I loved it as I wrote it and I'm glad people who read it loved it too and related to it.

– Your most popular post - TO THE STRANGER I LOVE
Even 4 years after it was written, I still get fanmail over this post. If ever you've watched your friends happy in love while you sat alone and wished for similar happiness, this post is for you.

– Your most controversial post - TETRAPACK GODS
People used to wonder why I challenge God so often . The fact is I don't challenge Gods... I do challenge people's beliefs when they allow blind faith to supercede common sense and logic. "TETRAPACK GODS" is a pretty popular old post about blind faith in Godmen.

– Your most helpful post - I NEED YOU TO KNOW, MY CHILD
This is not helpful for the world in any way. It is for one woman... a dear friend of mine who was going through a phase no mother should suffer. She has been my shoulder to cry on many a time in my youth. This was me returning the favour.

– A post whose success surprised you - AMBERVILLE
Amberville remains the most read story till date from the short story site D.ustb.in. While I liked the theme, I was surprised by how people took up the "land where all is not well" theme of Amberville, resulting in sequels like Payback , Guardian Angel  and even Dr Rohan's Murders at a Hospital which was a BlogAdda winner itself.

– A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved - SHAKTIMAAN AND DIRTY GANGA
I really loved this comedy movie I created , even if I say so myself. I still laugh out loud reading it. I'd give my arm to be as creative as I was 5 years ago.


– The post that you are most proud of - JUNGLE PARABLE
People have messaged from literally 'different corners of the world', telling me how much they loved the moral of this post and how it affects them. Thank you.



5 dynamic people I tag because I know they've got supercool posts and I want them to rack their brains and choose their own bests :
Ratzzz
Alka
Suruchi
Nitisha
Nisha 

I recently met two people ( separately ) who'd been in a relationship a long time ago.

He : Is she doing well ?
Me : Yes.
He : Is she happy ?
Me : Yes.
He : That's great. She's a lovely person. She deserves it. It feels good hearing that.

She : Is he doing well ?
Me : No.
She : Is he ok ?
Me : No.
She : Damn. That's so sad. He's a great guy. He doesn't deserve it. I'll pray for him.

I recall their breakup was a bitter one. They had not been in touch for over a decade. And yet they had it in them to remember the other fondly and genuinely rejoice in their happiness or feel sad at the other's pain.

I wish more people were like this. It's a quality I don't see anymore. 

"You're sure you're not scared ? They say the highway between BC Road and GM Conservatory is haunted." The two men who'd just got into his car asked.
"Really ?"

6 months ago. 

"Beta. I don't think it's a good idea."
Ramesh looked at the old man sitting next to him in his Ambassador for a second, then turned his attention back to the rearview mirror and the woman slowly approaching them. The old man must have noticed his expressions because his tone changed immediately.
"Nahi... what I meant is we don't know this girl at all. What is she doing in the middle of this highway ? You read lots of things in the paper these days.. you just can't be sure anymore. She could be part of a gang to rob people by getting them to stop for her."
Ramesh : Look at her. You really think she's a robber ? She must weigh 50 kgs at the most. And there's noone around. Besides, you didn't have any issues about hitchhikers when I picked you up 3 hours ago, Mr Srinivas.
Srinivas : But beta, I am 55 years old. What harm can I do ? And I entered your vehicle from town,not a jungle. She looks scary. Look at her walking so slowly in the dark towards us... your taillights giving her a fiery look... Listen at those dogs howling in the night.
She came up to them, opened the door and got in the backseat. Both men stared at her from the rearview mirror.

Up close, she looked strikingly beautiful, wrapped in a thick shawl, her wet hair glistening off the various reflections of light within the car. Srinivas leant forward and whispered to Ramesh "It's just like in the movies. A beautiful woman walking alone at night in a lonely highway... I'm telling you there's something not right."
Ramesh : Arre, stop it !! Simply trying to scare people. Thank God she's not wearing a ...
But he didn't get a chance to complete his thought as the girl unwrapped the shawl around her and started drying her hair. Both men stared at the pristine white sari, then back at each other. Ramesh gulped.

Srinivas : Beti. How come you are alone so late at night over here ?
The girl continued drying her hair, but her eyes now fixated on Srinivas through the rearview mirror.
Girl : I and my husband were on our way back from a function and our car broke down. He's up ahead. We'd just had an argument and I kept walking. I didn't realise how late it was till it started raining. Could you give me a lift to him ?
Ramesh : Sure. I'm Ramesh and this is Mr Srinivas. by the way.
Girl : I'm Meenakshi. Meenu, for short.

As Ramesh started the car, Srinivas found himself staring at the woman. To him, it seemed like her eyes were fixed on him through the mirror. Her smile was inviting, but not necessarily in a good way. It was a smile that promised to reveal secrets, but were they secrets you'd want to hear, he wondered ?

If Ramesh noticed Mr Srinivas's nervousness, he appeared unfazed by it.
Ramesh : You know, you're really beautiful. If I were your husband, I'd never have gotten into a fight with you ever or let you walk away like that without coming running for you.
Meenu smiled again."That's so sweet of you. But all men are like that only. They say one thing in the beginning, but later on, they all don't care. They treat us like trophies to be put on a shelf. Nahi, Mr Srinivas ?
Srinivas felt the hair on his hands stand. Suddenly, the car seemed extremely cold. He leaned forward to turn off the air conditioner, only to find it was already off. He looked back at Meenu through the mirror. Again, those eyes.

Srinivas turned to Ramesh and whispered "I'm not kidding. She's scaring me."
Ramesh : Keep quiet. Nonsense.
Meenu leaned forward, her face peering in between them. "What are you boys talking about ?"
Ramesh : Nothing, ji. We were just saying, you looked really familiar. Are you a famous celebrity or something ?
Meenu giggled. "Of course. I'm Aishwarya Rai, na ? You guys have such cheesy dialogues while flirting, I swear. Does it ever work ?"
Ramesh smiled. "It worked once for me. Fooled the girl into marriage too."
Meenu : Wow ! Really. She must be really dumb to fall for that line.
Ramesh : She was. Hehe..
Srinivas watched this banter in amazement. "What a generation this is. Both are married and flirting with total strangers. Chee Chee. Luckily, my Sandhya's grown up to be a model girl. Tomorrow, at this time, I'll be at her wedding watching her become Anil's wife."

Srinivas absent-mindedly turned his attention back to the rearview mirror. As they crossed a turn, the streetlights fell on Meenu's face and it took him a second to register what he saw. He turned around and stared at her.She smiled at him. As they passed the next streetlight, Srinivas saw her face directly for the first time. Her eyes, like her sari, were pristine white.

He caught hold of Ramesh's shoulder tightly.
Ramesh winced in pain. "What's wrong with you, old man ?"
Srinivas : She's..she's... she's not alive.
Ramesh : Stop it. You're embarrassing yourself.
Srinivas : Listen to me, boy. She's already dead. Can't you feel the chill in here..
Ramesh : The AC..
Srinivas : IS OFF !! The howling dogs when we stopped..
Ramesh : It's a full moon night.
Srinivas : STOP IT !! STOP DEFENDING HER ! JUST LOOK  AT HER !!
Ramesh turned around and looked at Meenu. "I'm really sorry. I don't really know him. Don't feel bad."

Meenu smiled scornfully. Her white irises sparkled back at them. Ramesh yelped and hit the brakes. The car screeched to a halt. All around them, the trees swayed with the heavy rains.
Ramesh : Shit ! Shit !
Meenu : It's people like you who trap women with your lines and destroy their lives forever. Players...Khiladis. Today, I will rid the world of one more..
Ramesh : ABEY CHUP KAR !! Shut up, yaar.
Srinivas and Meenu stared at him.
Ramesh : What the hell yaar. How did this happen ?
Srinivas : What..what are you doing ?
Ramesh : Shut up, you geezer.
He turned to Meenu.

Ramesh : "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE !?! THIS IS MY REGION ! I DIED HERE ! I get to haunt this section. You can't just waltz in here and start haunting whichever place you feel like. Baap ka maal thode hi hey."
Meenu and Srinivas watched as the blacks of his iris turned white; Srinivas in shock, Meenu in amazement.
Meenu and Ramesh stared at each other. All of a sudden, Meenu burst out laughing.
Meenu : This is hilarious. Oh My God. I'm so sorry yaar. I usually haunt the forest area off Highway 26. But now because the roads are so bad, nobody comes by that way. So I figured I'd try my luck elsewhere. I had no idea this highway was already booked. I'm so sorry, man.
Ramesh : It's ok. I've only just come here a few months back. I pick up strays who need a lift and then ..well, you know the rest.
Meenu : Achaa.. mine is the old 'white lady in the rain' technique. Arrey, you won't believe how effective it still is.
Ramesh : Always a horny man thinking he's gonna get some, eh ?
Meenu : I know..
Ramesh : Still, this must be the first time a ghost was trying to scare another ghost..haha.
Meenu : Chalo. Atleast we have something to do for the night.

She turned her gaze towards Mr Srinivas who was still staring in shock at her.
Ramesh : Ya. I guess we'll have to share him now. So how do you wanna go, old man ? The lady or the driver ?
Srinivas turned towards him. Ramesh bared his teeth, revealing pointed canines that surely weren't there earlier. Srinivas looked at the two companions of this car ride, then slowly started to smile.
Ramesh and Meenu stared open mouthed at him as Srinivas's eyes too turned a familiar shade of white.
Srinivas : Bachoo, Jis school mein tum log padte ho, nah....udhar ka Principal Tuition leta mere se. For 15 years, I've been doing this. I'm on my way to Delhi to attend my grandchild's wedding. I just thought I'd pick up a driver along the way for some fun.
The three of them stared at each other... then burst out laughing. It was going to be a fun ride after all.

Present day

"You're sure you're not scared ? They say the highway between BC Road and GM Conservatory is haunted." The two men who'd just got into his car asked him.

"Really ? I don't believe in all that. Besides, we have nothing to worry about. We'll be picking up a couple of my friends along the way." Ramesh said with a smile. "Strap on your seatbelts, boys. We wouldn't want you to get hurt now, would we ?"

In 2009, Imtiaz Ali released 'Love Aaj Kal' after the grand success of his earlier film 'Jab We Met' and divided viewers into a) those who loved its sentiments and simplicity and b) those who wondered what the heck the movie was about.

Enter 2011 and he's back with Rockstar, another movie that's bound to do the same with viewers across the nation. So let me be clear where I stand here : This is a 'must watch' movie for so many reasons.

1. For starters, this isn't a story about the life of a Rockstar... rather, it's the story of a naive young guy( Ranbir ) who wants to be one and is led ( correctly ? ) to believe that the key to becoming great is through pain/ heartbreak.
His efforts towards breaking his heart deliberately leads him towards Heer ( Nargis Fakhri ), but things take an unexpected turn when they actually become friends. This sequence has some of the funniest moments of the movie. It also leads him on the path to a destiny he desired - though the path is more painful than he ever imagined.

2. Their moments together are magical by any standards of Bollywood : whether it is while fulfilling her wishlist of being a 'bad girl', the drives across a breathtaking Kashmir landscape or even their silent moments beside each other.
The constant confusion of the characters about the status of their relationship is actually a refreshing sight in a Hindi movies - it's how relations are in real life.

3. Imtiaz Ali intentionally keeps jumping back and forward, across many timelines - but it isn't confusing.  Cinematography was excellent - be it Kashmir or Prague.

4. The late Shammi Kapoor has all of 5 scenes... but they're bittersweet, especially the moments between him and Ranbir.

5. I liked a couple of songs when I first heard the album. But as weeks passed by, I found myself loving a couple more songs, then a few more and so on. It was lovely, because it was the A R Rahman of old - songs which grow on you, unlike Pritam's songs which you know are an instant hit/flop. Rahman has outdone himself here, sticking to a lovely blend of retro rock, some amazing guitar work and Mohit Chauhan's amazing voice. The second half of the film literally turns into a musical as the songs are a constant feature in the background. Personal favourites - Saadda Haq and Tum Ho.

6. Ranbir Kapoor has outdone himself, performance wise. Note the naive boy at the starting who wanted to feel pain and then, much later, the tearful superstar begging his mentor to save him from the pain - I doubt if any of the other young guns could have pulled off this role. I can think of a couple of Khans who'd overdo it, too.
Nargis is wonderful as the fiery spirit who is unsure of herself. I liked her characterisation, though I do have a few complaints with the person who dubbed her voice.

7. This is a film that focuses exclusively on these 2 characters. The others... well, it's like watching people at the train station while you're on a moving train. You register their presence, but they're gone before you can focus on them. Still, everyone played their role well.  

8. Where I can see people pointing out flaws : the characters constant confusion of their feelings, the non-linear method of story telling and the slightly ambiguous ending. For all 3 flaws, the answer remains the same - It just shows the confidence of a director who doesn't feel the need to spoonfeed his audience anymore.
And I appreciate that.

I feel you should definitely watch this movie. Tell me what you think after watching it.

One of the first things that strikes you as you walk up to a person is his/her scent. A good perfume can, literally,  be a very attractive turn on. Conversely, a bad perfume or a sweaty odour can really put me off and have me taking a step back or looking to walk away.


We all have our distinct tastes when it comes to perfumes. Some like the woody scents, others are enamoured by the fresh fruity aromas, some prefer aquatic and floral touches while others prefer to go for oriental notes.

As I started searching for perfumes for myself, the Aquarian in me took over and I started going into the 'whats and how's of perfumes. And I started to realise that there are so many things to consider and not just the first fragrance that hits you when you spray it on your hand. You have to consider :
1. the notes ( top, middle and base ) which determine how the perfume's scent changes over time,
2. the sillage ( how close a perfume stays to your skin : does it diffuse, leaving behind its smell even after you've left the elevator ? )
3. the longevity and
4. strength.

Personally, I'm more of a citrusy perfume guy myself. I guess I just like that summer kind of aroma as opposed to a musky woody odour.
My present perfumes ( and ones which I'd strongly recommend for those who love fresh scents ) are :

1. Paco Rabanne One Million ( distinct, long lasting )
2. CK One Summer ( very 'summery', strong sillage, average longevity )
3. L'eau par Kenzo ( good longevity, average sillage )
4. Armani Code ( distinct )

My wishlist for the future :
1. CK Eternity
2. Bvlgari Aqua Marine

So the question for you all today - What's in your perfume closet presently ?