NOTHING BUT STARS....................A NEW YEAR WISH ON A POSTCARD

It's getting closer, it's almost time my dear
come let's ring out the old, ring in the new  my dear.
One wish, the only wish I am going to make is this  my dear
Nothing but stars, every single one of them will shine only for you  my dear.
  

EXPECT THE EXPECTED................PROMISE FOR KEEPS, ON A POSTCARD

I don't believe in new year resolutions. Why raise the hopes at the outset and later fall way short on commitments. George William Curtis once said, and I quote - " The new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows", and I tend to agree with the gentleman.

So I have decided again that the only promise I am going to make this day, with two days remaining, as we brace ourselves to ring in the new year is that I am  going to keep the momentum going by   posting many more colorful  POSTCARDS, postcards about things that make this journey called life, an absolute humdinger. 

Have a swashbuckling 2011 my fellow earthlings............AND DON'T FORGET TO KEEP WATCHING THIS SPACE.  

FROM ASHES TO LASHES............CAPTAIN EXTRAORDINAIRE , THEN AND NOW ON A POSTCARD

It's rather sad to see  the end of an era.....a great captain's invincible winning streak coming to a bitter end. Ricky has been there, has done it all and with aplomb.Though today it was a different story. Today at MCG, England scripted a new saga in one the greatest sporting rivalries of all times. Retaining  the Ashes in Australia for the first time in 24 years is no mean achievement for Andrew Strauss and his men. They have taken the game to a new level. England was a better side by a huge margin and  the mighty Aussies of yesterday, well, mere shadow of their exceptional past.

Kudos to England, and to captain extraordinaire all I want to say is........................Nobody can remain at the top forever. Everything that goes up has to come down. And I guess it's time for you to have a serious talk with yourself Ricky. Nobody is questioning your commitment or the class. It's just a natural process I guess. The hunger as a captain seem to have gone. The flame is flickering and it's better that you put it off yourself and contribute to the cause of Aussie cricket from outside. There is still hell of a lot that you can do for this fabulous sport. 

So long Captain. Thank you so much for all the glorious cricketing moments and numerous classy centuries. What you have achieved wearing the baggy green, most can only dream about.


Yours truly,

An Ardent Fan

REEL VS REAL.................A FREEZING POSTCARD

Look at these two pictures.Almost identical, aren't they ? Only difference is, the first came out of a reel and the latter is for real. As you read this, the big apple is frozen to the bones and elsewhere, in large part of Europe...........HELL FREEZES OVER. The world is in the midst of a climate renaissance. Is it changing for good or for worse ?Let's leave that for the experts to debate. As far as I know, the adverse effect of unchecked plundering of natural resources across the world is slowly and surely changing the shape of our beautiful planet. We can still save something of what's left. But the big question is, do we want to ? Is anybody listening ?  

ANOTHER SUNDAY, A DIFFERENT COUNTRY..................DREAMER AND A POSTCARD

Sitting here, listening to Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney singing Every Other Weekend, and moments later  George Strait guiding me to the River Of Love............well, no complaining about this Country. I SIMPLY LOVE THIS COUNTRY.

I love the dusty streets, the row of trees, all my flowers covered in  bees

Away from the madding crowd, love this morning calm, this cool cool breeze. 

SURROUND ME...................ACOUSTIC POSTCARD OF THE DAY

Surround me...............Surround me...............NOW!!

It's often said, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that is the case,  then I don't blame Scott Stapp. Maybe his style is heavily influenced by his more worthy predecessors and contemporaries, but honestly I don't hold it against him. He touches more than a chord with me and I keep going back to some of his great songs time and again. On  a day like today, Surround me is the song I have chosen as the opening score, as the sound of my blog. 

Close your eyes and enjoy the tour to my island.

LOST...AND FOUND............................CHRISTMAS GIFT AND A POSTCARD

Just when I thought menacing dark clouds could spoil my celebration, guess what I have found. Just in time, to spark a wild one, atop the sacred observatory.

O YEAH ! IT'S HERE................PINK CHRISTMAS ON A POSTCARD

Pundit in a new garb, wishes all fellow earthlings a pink Christmas.GOOD HEALTH AND GOODIES PLENTY coming your way to keep your spirits sky high all the way. 

Have an absolute cracker people.....Ho Ho Ho, He He He, Ha Ha Ha !!!!!!!!!!   

UNPLUGGED AND FLATTENED................. MORNING POSTCARD LIVE

Listening to Eddie doing Alive on the radio , tryin' to switch on but can't find the new video
Looking for some inspiration, lying on the bed staring at these empty walls of  my dirty old studio.

Down with a sore back, nose running like a broken  tap, here I go tryin' hard  to fix all d crap again
Tough day ahead,bit of crawl, whole lot of slithering  ,  here I go falling in a brand new trap again.

A THANK YOU NOTE TO THE COUNT OF CRICKETING WORLD..............POSTCARD FOR LORD TON-DULKAR

Since lot has been already said and written about the glorious 50 from the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and a small postcard can only carry as much, yours truly shall keep it short and simple.

Yes, the man is simply unstoppable, Yes, he is only competing against himself .Having already written his name on every record book, on almost every page of cricketing folklore, his voracious appetite for runs just doesn't seem to stop. In fact it  hasn't diminished  a wee bit, if you ask me.  The world is privileged to have seen him use his willow like a magic wand time and time again, ever since he made his debut as a teenager.  As I was telling somebody earlier in the afternoon, in the cricketing arena on one side you have Sachin and on the other you've got  rest of the pack.........who are always playing catch-up. But I am afraid  the hunt will not bear any fruits and all their efforts will go in vain. For there will never ever be another one like him for a long long time to come.

Thanks Sachin for 50 GLORIOUS GEMS..........every single one priceless.

CROSSING THE CHASM.............SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING ON A POSTCARD

Survived the night, woke-up this morning  feelin' something, but I don't know what
Gazing out of the window, trying to catch the difference, wishing for a brand new start.
Haven't moved an inch, but my legs seem to have traveled so far
Mentally I am still feeling exhausted , I don't think I can get very far.

P.S - YOU CAN STILL COUNT ON ME, I AM NEVER GOING TO GIVE UP.

ROAD TO RUIN - CROSSFIRE ON A POSTCARD

Dodging bullets, I am on the run again

Road to ruin not so far, bloody war pushing me to the edge again

Paying the price for my follies, staring down the hole, I am all set to meet the same fate again

Caught in the crossfire, no place left to hide, seems I am going to lose all over again.  

FROM THE ABYSS................A DAY THAT NEVER CAME, ON A POSTCARD

You tell me it's over, half is gone and even the remaining shall pass
Nothing is going to happen, and what we have shall forever last.
I have no doubts dear, but why, tell me why, there's so much unrest deep inside
Why am I waging this war on myself? Why a day that never came is chewing me alive from inside....tell me why ?

WHEELS AIN'T TURNING........POSTCARD BEGGING FOR MERCY

Can do better, there's still some good left inside I think
Please don't hate me, I can turn this around I think.


Never meant it that way, there's  so much still left to give
Don't hold my bloody yesterday against me, please try to forgive....please, if you can forgive.

AS THE WORLD SLEEPS...............ANOTHER WEARY POSTCARD

Past midnight, the last light is flickering and about to give way
Trying hard to close these tired eyes, but sleep ain't  comin' my  way.

Lot on my mind tonight, bit of this bit of that  and I am simply gettin' blown away
Doing the best I can, but I don't know how to shut myself away.....just can't shut myself away.

YESTERDAY, TODAY AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN..............SOUL SEARCHING POSTCARD

I can see the light fading, shadows elongating
Yeah I know, it's slipping away, even this day is turning away.
Yesterday, today and everything in between, promised so much
But I just can't hold on, everything is simply fading away..........fading away.

SPREAD THE GOOD WORD....... WORD OF CAUTION ON A POSTCARD

Beware! Remember when mercury falls - "Eat healthy, Drink pure". Tiny viral bombs setting-off every now and then inside your stomach  can be  quite disconcerting and painful. Especially in the subcontinent, onset of winters triggers host of infections. Precaution is better than cure.....it's  always advisable not to be too adventures during this time of the year. Always try and whet your appetite, strictly at the right place and with the right kind of food.

BEHIND THE SCENES.................UNTOLD STORY ON A POSTCARD

Let me tell you something about chasing dreams, doing things that we love doing. I am sure many of you would have heard about one man's treasure becoming other man's trash ( ..though often used the other way round). It isn't just a phrase or an idiom. I've seen it happening with lot  of people who have an unbridled passion towards their leisure pursuits, towards something out of the ordinary. For them escaping the rigmarole of everyday life is the greatest stress buster, the only way to remain grounded despite a stressful regime which kick-starts with the break of dawn and goes on till the wee hours.

But nothing comes on a platter...... every dreamer has to fight it out.Going behind the scene, you will realise that it's not as easy as it might seem. Only very few lucky ones get the unflinching support of people around to follow their special interests, without a dirty stare, without an unwanted argument, without coming to blows....... For many your treasure will always remain....I am afraid, their  trash.

ESPECIALLY FOR YOU.............. FROM THE SKY , A SPECIAL STAR ON A POSTCARD

In bed, gently turning the pages, as you read tonight,

On this cold winter night, as you prepare to sleep tonight,

Here's something I want to give, something I have ordered for you tonight

Please hold it close, hold it real tight ,right thru the night,

Sleep well my happiness, sleep well tonight........sleep well tonight.

MAKING OF A FRESH SPECKY..............VISIONARY POSTCARD TITLED - FROM A POWER RANGER TO A RANGER WITH A POWER

This is a heartwrenching story of a fresh Specky ( Speccy). Read on.............

Dear reader,

I have always been very proud of my binocular like vision. As a kid I used to challenge my friends just like those power rangers on Hungama Channel. My eyes could spot things from a long range and most of my mates were quite envious of my gifted vision . Everything went well, school kid became a college goer and little later, in few years time, a white collar executive, life was on a roll, until.........................fast forward year 2010, date 11/12/10, time 4.30 p.m. IST, in one of the bustling markets, right in the heart of the capital city New Delhi , the unthinkable happened. The proud visionary with a binocular like vision suddenly came unstuck. The long and the short of it is, I have joined the bandwagon of Speckies , resting on top of my nose is my first pair of reading glasses. Though I am not sure, how my fellow earthlings are going to react to my new look, but what I know is, come tomorrow, from behind the glass, the hazy world of yesterday might seem a little better.

Happy Reading !......................to me.

BAND OF IDIOTS........ POSTCARD DEDICATED TO CORPORATE IDIOTS

One of the things that really irritates me is the unprofessional approach of my fellow citizens who are perched on top of the corporate ladder. There is something very peculiar about our friends who hail from this part of the world. Unprofessional to the core and full of inflated egos, these idiots need a crash course in professional demeanor.

Who says....... ALL IS WELL!..............definitely not in the corporate sector where band of idiots have decided not to pick-up their phones, not to respond to mails, not to meet (..even if there's a genuine business opportunity in the offing).

WHEN KNIGHT FALLS.............POSTED ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT

From up here, looking down there seems no difference. It's just the same. It's indeed a small world. So full of small people, small thinking, small talking, small doing. Though I am not giving up just yet, but the truth must be told and it must be told now. And you better mark my words...............small isn't always beautiful. On the contrary , it can be repulsive, brutal and cold.

HULLABALOO ON A POSTCARD..... BEING A KID AGAIN

I have always felt at home in the company of my little friends. It's an amazing and rejuvenating experience to host them, play with them, scream and shout with them. Couple of hours ago, yours truly was a cheerleader for a raucous party. I guess there was no other way I could have found my place and earned their respect :-) . Trust me, sometimes it feels nice to be a kid again......just the tonic we need to forget all our worries.

POSTCARD ON WHEELS............FROM A JOURNEYMAN

Morning has broken, I am on my mark again
All buckled-up behind the wheels , here I go again

trying to beat the damn clock, driving like a man possessed here I go again

burning the wheels off this car, waging a new war , here I go again.

CLASSICAL POSTCARD..............PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT OF THE DAY

Have you ever ventured out in search of a percussion instrument that takes some amount of searching. And just when you think the day is slipping out of your hand, you finally hit the jackpot. Bingo! your eyes light-up and your fingers start to move in a rhythm.

Today was one such day. The only difference is, those eyes with a sparkle belonged to a budding percussionist and not to yours truly. It was nice to see a little boy's dream coming true :-) .

DOUBLE TON AND COUNTING..............200TH POSTCARD AND SUNDAY MORNING

On a personal note this year has been quite a topsy-turvy one. Honestly speaking, it's been a mixed bag. I am not complaining though, despite things being at a low ebb on the professional front, plenty of soul stirring music, the clown within, countless stars and of course, last but not the least 200 new postcards have saved the day (or should I say the year... ) for me.

It's so important to have a balance. We all need one. Bad days can really expose our feeble side and can put us in a tight spot. It's so important to have an escape mechanism. The only way to fight back is by singing, dancing, laughing, blogging:-) , your way out of troubled waters.

THERAPEUTIC POSTCARD......... TRUTH ABOUT RETAIL THERAPY

Who doesn't love shopping? We all do.Don't we ? And if it is sprinkled with some breathtaking moments, the whole experience becomes an unforgettable one. Coax any shopaholic on the secret of a great weekend and more often than not, you will find that the key lies in retail therapy. The only way to make hay is by shopping...........shopping your way out of the blues :-)

AFTER HOURS...........POSTCARD FROM THE LAST CUBICLE

Amidst this cacophony, a strange calmness envelopes me

lackluster day behind, this weired feeling is getting a stranglehold on me.

A BLUESY POSTCARD............

No one to go to, my fate shrouded in mystery

been to the mountains, I have even crossed seven seas

I've done the best I could, still haven't made no history

have burnt my skin under the desert sun, for you I've bled myself completely

O' yes I have ! have bled myself completely....time and time again completely.

SAW AN ANGEL........... POSTCARD OF THE DAY FROM LITTLE HUSH

You better believe me. She was here....... She smiled..........She clapped. She wanted to take me home.

EXTREME BEHAVIOR..............POSTCARD FROM AN EXTREMIST

Nobody to blame, it's neither you nor them,

It's that same extremist cutting loose again,

punching another hole , making this heart bleed again.

STRANGER IN A KNOWN WORLD....... BLINDING LIGHTS ON A POSTCARD

There are times, moments, when you become an absolute stranger to the only world you know. You wish, you try, you cry................ but no one is hearing, no one is coming.

CELEBRATING 14TH NOV..........LITTLE FRIENDS ON A POSTCARD

Here's wishing all my little friends a A VERY HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY.

" GO ON STRETCH YOUR HANDS AND REACH OUT FOR THE STARS. NEVER STOP DREAMING. ONE DAY YOU WILL DEFINITELY GET THERE ".

HAPPY FEET....................PICTURE POSTCARD OF THE DAY

To my mind comes the following quotes that best capture the varied emotions evoked by this beautiful frame ...Definitely my pick for the picture of the day.


* Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair - Kahlil Gibran


* I should like to lie at your feet and die in your arms - Voltaire

CELEBRATING NOTHING BUT BONES............X - RAYTED POSTCARD

LIGHTS ! CAMERA !! ACTION !!!

Today is 115th Anniversary of the discovery of X - Rays. I am sure at some point or the other, quite a few of us would have experienced a broken bone or two and would have seen what lies beneath our skin. On the surface we come in different shades, but when it comes to bare bones we are all the same.....just the same. Isn't it true ??

THEY CAME, THEY WAVED, THEY SPOKE, THEY DANCED..........EL PRESIDENTE ON A POSTCARD

Eagerly awaited Air force One has finally landed on the Indian soil and the hullabaloo amongst the world media has reached a crescendo as The Obamas and their entourage moves into Lutyen's Delhi after the much written, televised Mumbai visit. Despite the fact that their impeccable credentials precedes where ever they may choose to go, Mrs & Mr. President are leaving no stone unturned and can be seen making an extra effort ... going that extra mile to charm the people of India.

BRAIN VS BRAWN.............. DEBATE ON A POSTCARD

Do you think, BRAIN and BRAWN go hand in hand ? Majority of my friends believe they don't. There's no debating as far as exception to the rule is concerned. This Postcard focuses on majority of brawny dudes who are actually (I am afraid, but truth must me told )..... brain dead !. Look around, you will find Mr.Brawn everywhere, could be your neighbour, a relative, a friend, a colleague, an absolute stranger you happen to cross in a crowded mall. Let me describe him for you, my friend is a gymy ( don't bother, word doesn't exist in the dictionary...someone who hits the Gym regularly ), hates wearing a full sleeves shirt ( Shaalu bhai comes to mind??) and occasionally, even if does, he will fold the sleeves right up to his shoulders ( after all what's the point if people can't see those muscles ?), he believes if she is watching anytime is a good time ( at the drop of the hat this dude would do anything to prove that he is the real deal, try him and he might surprise you with push-ups in the lobby of the biggest mall in town) and last but not the least the best picture to grace his wall is the one that's all skin.

Need I say more, the only time Brain appeared here, was in the first line : -). Sorry Sam if you are reading this, even after all these years like most of my friends, I haven't changed my view. You can make any self - obssesed Mr. Brawn do a monkey anytime..............anywhere for a round of applause.

A SMOKED POSTCARD............THE NIGHT THE BIG KIDS STOLE THE THUNDER

Despite all the hullabaloo, " SAY NO TO CRACKERS!...........LET'S NOT POLLUTE !! ", I was amazed to see the quantum of fireworks last night. What really gave me the spark was the big kid inside majority of grown ups unleashing havoc, on the roads, corridors, staircases ( met this big kid who is one hell of a lazy dude......to his little kid he said " come on son, let's blow some stairs of this building" ) , roof tops, in the neighbouring markets ( Surprised, are you ? Don't be. It happens only in India). I could only shake my head in disbelief , when I saw this cool dude in his late 30's, giving the road an extra carpet of crackers, with twinkle of excitement in his eyes akin to a little boy. A little further down the road I saw a masterclass ( Subject - HOW TO MAKE SOME NOISE) in action.............all the kids were standing in a bunch and watching the big kids stuffing loads of crackers inside an empty tin can. Sorry no marks for guessing what happened next :-).

Well, there you have it............not so sure about our little friends, but the big kids surely got smoked last night. And after what I saw, trust me neither alcohol nor marijuana..........all it takes is whole lot of fire power to get you going. DID I HEAR SOMEONE SAY, LEAD BY EXAMPLE ?.............Damage has already been done my friend. NEXT TIME ? Maybe or maybe not...we will see . Keeping watching this space.

HOLD YOUR FIRE!................WORD OF CAUTION ON A POSTCARD

Kids will be kids.............. but for once, let the big kid inside you lead the way. Don't let the real spirit of Diwali go up in smoke. Make it a pollution free celebration tonight . Spread the light.........make it a night to remember.

THEN GOD SAID, " LET THERE BE LIGHT! "................DIWALI ON A POSTCARD

Here's wishing all my fellow Earthlings A VERY HAPPY DIWALI !

LET THERE BE LIGHT.................AND NOT SMOKE. Have a safe one.

ONLY CANDLE ON MY SHORE..............LIFEHOUSE ON A POSTCARD

Underneath the blanket of stars, the only candle showing the way and keeping the hopes alive.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NOVICE JOY MANAGER................NEW AVATAR ON A POSTCARD

Have said this before, in today's times of abundance........... goodies, friends and fun, one thing that remains scarce is the time on hand. But despite the paucity , there comes a day when we have to shed our daily uniforms(..... no offence meant to my corporate friends, who are extremely touchy about their pinstripes) to make way for the new avatar........a day to don the garb of a novice Joy Manager. Doesn't matter whether we like it or not, but it must be done. After all the majority wouldn't like to draw the ire of a budding WWF Wrestler( trust me I've heard this dream from my little friends a few times), A Doctor, An Architect, An Astronaut, Michael Jackson( Yes, it's true. MJ has indeed left an indelible mark on young impressionable minds with his silky smooth moon walk :-) ), An Aviator, An Engineer, A footballer , A shooter so on and so forth.

Yesterday was one such day when even the Pundit got grounded and was forced to alight from the sacred observatory to essay the role of a day long Joy Manager for the birthday bash of a budding bundle of talent :-) . By the end of it all, I had no strength left in my legs( little bit of blame should also go to MJ's crazy dance moves...........minus the censored grab) to climb the stairs of the observatory. No complaining though..................anything to make our little darlings smile.

THE GOOD WORD.................THE MORNING POSTCARD FROM A TEATOTALER ( READ TEETOTALER)

Have you ever wondered, why good things are so hard to follow? Why bad feels so good? Why simplicity never makes the headlines? Why we get carried away by bad influence? Why we choose the easy way out and follow the bad behavior to carve a niche for ourselves? Well, may not be true for everybody, but for bulk, it definitely is. I experience it all the time.

OK let me give this spark a spin, to make my point easy to comprehend. Do you think it's important for every white collar executive, top to bottom, at Philip Morris to have a puff to stay on course and thrive? Do you think the same way for people on the payrolls of a liquor giant? Many of you would say that it's an important criteria, but I would disagree to that. I know a few, who are holding some key positions in such corporate behemoths and yet staying clear and prospering. And mind you, as I pen these thoughts, they are about to take some critical decisions, which I am sure, will take their respective companies to greater heights.

BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE.......BUT BE GOOD. In the end remember, it's you and you alone who would be responsible for all the decisions that you make.