I Can

In a body of imperfections
With stretch marks that is more stubborn than I am
Not beautiful, by-your standards
I just know that I am special
Because only I can
Look into the mirror and say, “life must go on”
Despite the setbacks, the heartbreaks, the numerous downfalls
And with every fall, I know I will still stand up
And yet be ready to tell you that “yes, I can”.

Things for forever

It has been a while since I wrote a new entry. It is not that I don’t write anymore, rather, my writing has been put to some serious test over the last few days. Thanks to my profession, now writing will be taking care of my bills (well almost). With a lot of change around me recently, some things I’ve discovered will never change.
Like the concern of my parents when I reach late, or, don’t call my maa immediately after I reach my office
The deadlines which keeps getting shorter day by day
The brief which are too brief at times
The traffic jams every time I hit the road, just because we have a penchant for chaos
The fuss over what to eat and what to wear
The pain you go through when you’re cut or bruised
And, most importantly it does hurt, just the same, with the realization that you are no more wanted
The neighbours who mind your business, because they have nothing more to mind
The love for your one and only car, even if it is second-hand
The joy of reading the SMS alert that your salary traveled to your account safely
Do you also have a list of things that never change for you? Or like me, maybe you don’t want them to change?

The end-less love story

“Met her after 11 years and you know I still love her,” declared the elderly do-all-good colleague of mine. Me, not such a good judge of love, was wordless and thought it better to continue listening. He went on, “we loved each other a lot, but we parted and I promised never to meet her again.”
The very conventional elderly and highly respected colleague of mine was not the types to break the norms. At least that is what I thought. But his confession was a shocker and what followed left me so hopeful in life, in love.
His love story still continues in a very non-norms way. His wife was not somebody he could go home and talk about work. Neither was she indifferent towards her wifely duties. With kids filling up their time, life was as usual and that of happy co-existence.
Then he met a young colleague, good-looking, intelligent and desirable from every aspect. Strong friendship grew first and then love followed, gradually. Both knew he was married and there was no future. But they never could give up on each other and most importantly their friendship.
There was no element of expectation and nothing illegitimate ever happened, yet the bond was stronger than any other partnership. Time flew, she got married. They decided not to meet ever again. They lost touch but not the feeling of being touched.
After 11 years, she called up just to meet him. They met, enjoyed each other’s company and talked about each other’s family and life in general, more so retirement plans.
I don’t know about her but he still looks so much in love with her. The sparkle in his eyes couldn’t hide his emotions.
Such a different love story without any ending, but, he still looks so much complete. Do such stories still exist in today’s time of instant gratification, or is it limited to that generation yesterday? How I wish I could have a similar story like this?

The ad-mad world

In a profession, where writing takes care of my bills, well almost. Sometimes I even manage to go beyond my bills to take care of my little indulgences. I am baffled by the variations of work, the tight deadlines and the stiff-necked clients who never give you the freedom to be. After a self-imposed break of few years, I am back settling and recovering. Reality has dawned on me and despite the time gap I now, know that some things will never change in this world:
Like your client briefs – they are too brief to comprehend
Like your clients – you just can’t afford to prove them wrong so each time you choose to be wrong
Like your English can never be better than that of your clients so you let him write most of the times
Like your servicing team will sell client’s ideas to you and not the other way round (they are harmless and sandwiched souls)
Like your ideas are as cool or un-cool as that of your client’s whims and fancies
However,
I’ve realized how lucky I am to be surrounded with colleagues, less normal than most (and so much like me).
They don’t ask me the usual. Most importantly, they don’t do the usual and neither do they expect me to be the usual. Whoever, said that this is “A BIG MAD WORLD” was talking about my world of Advertising, a world that has always welcomed me with open arms. Thank you, GUYS!