and all that is gone and all that's to come and everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon

In the middle of an illness, a sealing and a conference, Rajan got engaged. To Isha. A studio was set up at the venue for photograph portfolios to get done. It was fun to watch and tease the just-met-a-month-back couple as they got themselves clicked. Their joy, excitement and enthusiasm was obvious in spite of being veiled by consciousness and discretion. Through the evening they played to each others expectations while using each opportunity to guess the limit. To test and know what was acceptable and what was not. Stretching the joke and hoping the other doesn't take offence.

And then in the same studio, Rajan's maternal grand parents, Mr & Mrs Jain decided to get photographed. The joy, excitement and enthusiasm here was derived from pride- pride which comes from being together. Pride which showed through their eyes and their body language as they stood tall before the camera. The discretion still existed. But the boundaries were well known and accepted. There was comfort and there was security. And it wasn't at the cost of anything else.

Both these couples, were not reluctant to celebrate their special someone's. To congratulate themselves on being most fortunate. Touchwood.

In the midst of the action, I was quite under the weather, physically and otherwise. Met Ruchika for lunch. And she gave me clear, unclouded perspective and advice. And she did so, so subtly and discretely that I actually bought into it. And now it feels like Christmas!

Because the greatest love of all is happening to me, I found the greatest love of all inside of me

At a conference dinner, the other day, I spotted a matchstick box with a colleague/ friend, R. The matchbox was branded ‘Delhi’ and I thought it was really cool, and felt even cooler about myself for having noticed how cool it was. I asked R to give it to me once it was empty. R immediately removed all the matchsticks put them in the ashtray and gave me the now empty match box. And this made me
feel like blogging.

At the same conference I discovered a branding concept with real relevance to personal life. Did I say I truly enjoy these things! The concept basically details how human behavior can be divided into ‘host like behavior’ and ‘guest like behavior’ and how some people are more prone to be hosts/ guests no matter what the situation. I decided that in life, I want to play host. It makes me feel more secure, in control, comfortable and wanted.

BTW I truly truly enjoy watching Big Boss at all levels. For the sheer pleasure of witnessing the drama brought on by real life. To congratulate myself on being amongst those who can see thru all the instruments employed by Big Boss to ensure that there is enough drama (knowing fully well that everyone can!). And to be able to appreciate the sheer marketing genius. By the way my favorite has already been evicted. When I picked my favorite even I surprised myself. For those of you watching, any guesses?