thoughts as the year ends

How we are caught in the measured time that makes today special. If i were in mumbai I would be part of some celebration involving good friends, food and alcohol and feel blown for a day or two... and here i am instead happily cleaning my cupboard as i listen to drupad music of Uday Bhawalkar. Its chilly and windy and i finally put on my woollen socks- that declares the height of winter.

When i left Sony in 2000, I stopped wearing a watch. that ended my days of being dictated by clock time. Now i see the clock twice a day- once to check time for my gym and then in the afternoon to see if i will miss my sabzi wallah. Elsewise i am happy watching sunlight for timing my life. I feel free and floating in a natural rhythm.

It was a good year - kerala, winding up my teaching at WWI- making the big move to bhiwadi- the hot dusty summer- struggles with the maid and keeping house clean. Starting training assignments- time with nandini in GG- watching her house come up- and this wonderful winter. Full of sunshine and fresh vegetables. I cant remember when i was this happy.

And so to 2009. i am sure it will be a continuation in this simpler living. Vipassana in january will bring some changes i hope. I wish all of you who read this a happier life in the coming year.

roses

roses, originally uploaded by bouyant.

organically grown, these are such a pleasure to the eye!!!

my mom

my mom, originally uploaded by bouyant.

she is so reluctant to be shot but here she is smiling. the roses to her left came from an organic farm a few kms away!!

red leaf

red leaf, originally uploaded by bouyant.

this is our mango tree giving out new leaves- they start by being a fresh green and soon turn purple and this one turned red!!

blue

blue, originally uploaded by bouyant.

marine drive at 10 am or so on a weekday- what thrills me about this picture is that it looks like a calm picnic spot but the reality is a cocphany of mad whizzing cars and frenetic bursts of activity right behind the girls. this picture is like i switched the sound off on a video.

i had gone to meet a publisher that morning and though the book did not come through i just love the few pictures i captured right before the meeting.

waiting for godot

waiting for godot, originally uploaded by bouyant.

This is one of my favourite pictures taken in recent times. And like many serendipities, i took it while walking through the temple complex at Tiruvannamalai, in the split second when i thought those grills would look good....

I sometimes see myself in this priest : I love waiting and watching and being a bit removed from the whipped up living chaos.

inside teapot

inside teapot, originally uploaded by bouyant.

you can spend hours reading and chatting in this place.

teapot cupboard

teapot cupboard, originally uploaded by bouyant.

in one of the backlanes of fort cochin is this superb tea bar call TEAPOT and it has the nicest atmosphere other than the good chais and cakes and sandwiches. i love their lunch menu too- fish moilee in particular.