Yesterday, I visited the Raw Mango exhibition/sale at Amethyst. Raw Mango is a good name for a label, and in this case its particularly apt. The collection is full of lime green, hot pink and other such slightly offbeat colours, which somehow seem to work surprisingly well shot through with silver and gold. The collection was called Songs of the Sparrow and pivotted around a simple sparrow, embroidered in various colours. Lotuses, paisleys and other motifs that form an integral part of the vocabulary of Indian design also found their place among the birds.
While all this feel-good (we are promoting traditional crafts!), luxury (amazingly soft material, vibrant colours, designer cache) Indianness doesnt come cheap, its not so far out of the realm of the possible either. By that I mean that I bought two saris. A mustard yellow/orange one with flashes of gold and a fushia pink one with delicate silver lines. All very diaphanous and luminous. Cant wait to find the right occasion for them!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Find of the day
We can play Angry Birds on PC! The human hand is of course easier to use than the mouse but for those of us who dont have touchscreen/smart/apple/android phones, at least, we now have a way to get our daily fix.
Goody.
Goody.
The best part about going away...
...is the getting back. A week in Erode has made home feel fresh and beautiful again. Which reminds me, I better change the paintings, replace the cushions, give the dog a bath....
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Highs and Lows of 2010
Highs
Espana!
The boyfriend turned fiance.
My gang at the office. My stalwart Google Talk pals.
High-speed broadband internet. What does one need a TV for?
The morning-after blogs. Love this new genre of TV show blogs. Often fascinating, always funny.
Lows
The Times going behind the paywall.
One of my authors accusing me of spoiling and ruining beyond repair his near-perfect jewel of a textbook.
Liverpool FC and Michael Schumacher. Next season had better be bloody brilliant.
Amethyst, as we know it, will be gone soon.
Retail. Its astonishing/depressing how much tat is sold at sky-high prices.
Espana!
The boyfriend turned fiance.
My gang at the office. My stalwart Google Talk pals.
High-speed broadband internet. What does one need a TV for?
The morning-after blogs. Love this new genre of TV show blogs. Often fascinating, always funny.
Lows
The Times going behind the paywall.
One of my authors accusing me of spoiling and ruining beyond repair his near-perfect jewel of a textbook.
Liverpool FC and Michael Schumacher. Next season had better be bloody brilliant.
Amethyst, as we know it, will be gone soon.
Retail. Its astonishing/depressing how much tat is sold at sky-high prices.
Christmas Tea
Old Sweatshop, as Madrasgirl calls it, in keeping with its usual Scrooge-like spirit, isnt giving us a party or anything remotely enjoyable. The Recreation Club likewise, doesnt seem to be able to scrape together the energy required to organise anything. So we have taken it upon ourselves to entertain us. Or rather whats left of us. With so many people off on holiday, this time of the year does drag a bit. Esp when one hasnt much to do by way of work (spending the day browsing and downloading things can be surprisingly boring). Maybe we should also follow the west in basically closing things down for a couple of weeks. Might improve morale, recently brought even lower by lousy hike.
Anyway, so what have we got lined up? Carols, a not-so-Virgin Mary or an angel (depending on the costume), stuffed-toy Baby Jesus, no Joseph, plum cakes, a skinny Santa Claus, some poisonous coffee, other asssorted eats and hopefully a lot of laughs. Ho Ho Ho.
Anyway, so what have we got lined up? Carols, a not-so-Virgin Mary or an angel (depending on the costume), stuffed-toy Baby Jesus, no Joseph, plum cakes, a skinny Santa Claus, some poisonous coffee, other asssorted eats and hopefully a lot of laughs. Ho Ho Ho.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Find of the Day
Just came across this doggy website, which is chock-full of dog-related quotes, proverbs and wisdom. Like
"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog."
and
"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."
Oh and this too
"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts."
"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog."
and
"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."
Oh and this too
"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts."
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The A/C Man Cometh and other tales
MadrasGirl: Hi..In early inspite of heavy rain etc
Me: rain or shine
MadrasGirl: Where's the Good Doctor?
Me: like the US post. she's here; The Poo just came in
MadrasGirl: Oh OK
...
MadrasGirl: Just had a call from Kamala; she has been here for 3 weeks and her comp was out. What is it with people called Kamala and their comps and net connections???
Me: wow!!! she's just being Kamala
MadrasGirl: Ya ...
I feel like being Daniel-y
Me: and saying ' you are the problem'?
MadrasGirl: Ok Shall not waste more of your precious morning hours. Esp since admin people are waiting to quiz U later in the day
Me: oh yes the meeting is there; by the way the a/c has still not been fixed
(The a/c conked out yesterday, midmorning, and was the subject of some discussion yesterday)
...
MadrasGirl: Meeting over? How did it go?
Me: it went fine really; nothing of note. very important news: the a/c man is here
MadrasGirl: One major crisis resolved
Me: resolving; as we speak
do you have any idea where we can get stuff like this here? http://dwell.co.uk/101887/Swivel-base-lounger-white/
MadrasGirl: No, ask The Poo
Me: since she went all official i think its prudent that she not know what i am doing on company time
MadrasGirl: Is she now. That u didn't tell me
Me: As in if we have to let her know stuff, lets not overburden her with knowledge
MadrasGirl: Right U are young but wise one
Me: wise beyond my years! but since it comes naturally no real hassles
MadrasGirl: Absolutely
Me: i have some shocking news
MadrasGirl: Loo not working again??
Me: the Good Doctor has been ordering lunch from outside. three days in a row!!
MadrasGirl: Why?
Me: she has not bought veggies from the market: since her weekend was spent in WhyNotNad
MadrasGirl: She really is slipping isn't she? WhyNotNad or no WhyNotNad
Me: its a terrible thing to behold. the beginning of the end
MadrasGirl: But miracles do happen as we of the Faith like to point out
Me: civilization is crumbling; ah! what miracle can possibly save us?
MadrasGirl: I wish she could read this chat!!!
Me: she'd murder me
MadrasGirl: That the doctor will unwind
Me: certain death
MadrasGirl: Yes she will. That way she and the Poo are alike ...not much by way of a sense of humour
Me: true but better than HeadGirl. i remember in those early halcyon days, when Mr José thought he was hitting on me by sending me message fwds, the Good Doc just laughed, whereas HeadGirl went all nip this thing in the bud now
MadrasGirl: HeadGirl is in a class by herself. She has absorbed the ORG into her every pore
...
MadrasGirl: The Psycho is online. Wonder when she will join our cosy company?
Me: no idea. when she gets a good alarm clock?
MadrasGirl: Ask her. They have empty seats and new comps, now's the time. Maybe we can gift her the alarm
Me: though the flat screen offer has expired
MadrasGirl: Oh really. Who got that?
Me: they say there are clocks that will hit you if you dont turn them off; maybe thats what she needs
rumour has it that SafeBet is the proud possessor of the flatscreen
(Fate tragically intervened at this point. MadrasGirl lost power)
...
MadrasGirl: I am bored with working from home
Me: yes it is very boring isnt it? i hated it. but you know if you do it for a week or more you get used to it; still the lack of conversation is boring
MadrasGirl: OK. Now you’re giving me ideas
Me: Hmm, what else happened today...
the printer is printing stuff in reverse; like mirror writing
MadrasGirl: Wow
Me: artistic temperament
(The killjoys in the office fixed the printer soon after)
Me: rain or shine
MadrasGirl: Where's the Good Doctor?
Me: like the US post. she's here; The Poo just came in
MadrasGirl: Oh OK
...
MadrasGirl: Just had a call from Kamala; she has been here for 3 weeks and her comp was out. What is it with people called Kamala and their comps and net connections???
Me: wow!!! she's just being Kamala
MadrasGirl: Ya ...
I feel like being Daniel-y
Me: and saying ' you are the problem'?
MadrasGirl: Ok Shall not waste more of your precious morning hours. Esp since admin people are waiting to quiz U later in the day
Me: oh yes the meeting is there; by the way the a/c has still not been fixed
(The a/c conked out yesterday, midmorning, and was the subject of some discussion yesterday)
...
MadrasGirl: Meeting over? How did it go?
Me: it went fine really; nothing of note. very important news: the a/c man is here
MadrasGirl: One major crisis resolved
Me: resolving; as we speak
do you have any idea where we can get stuff like this here? http://dwell.co.uk/101887/Swivel-base-lounger-white/
MadrasGirl: No, ask The Poo
Me: since she went all official i think its prudent that she not know what i am doing on company time
MadrasGirl: Is she now. That u didn't tell me
Me: As in if we have to let her know stuff, lets not overburden her with knowledge
MadrasGirl: Right U are young but wise one
Me: wise beyond my years! but since it comes naturally no real hassles
MadrasGirl: Absolutely
Me: i have some shocking news
MadrasGirl: Loo not working again??
Me: the Good Doctor has been ordering lunch from outside. three days in a row!!
MadrasGirl: Why?
Me: she has not bought veggies from the market: since her weekend was spent in WhyNotNad
MadrasGirl: She really is slipping isn't she? WhyNotNad or no WhyNotNad
Me: its a terrible thing to behold. the beginning of the end
MadrasGirl: But miracles do happen as we of the Faith like to point out
Me: civilization is crumbling; ah! what miracle can possibly save us?
MadrasGirl: I wish she could read this chat!!!
Me: she'd murder me
MadrasGirl: That the doctor will unwind
Me: certain death
MadrasGirl: Yes she will. That way she and the Poo are alike ...not much by way of a sense of humour
Me: true but better than HeadGirl. i remember in those early halcyon days, when Mr José thought he was hitting on me by sending me message fwds, the Good Doc just laughed, whereas HeadGirl went all nip this thing in the bud now
MadrasGirl: HeadGirl is in a class by herself. She has absorbed the ORG into her every pore
...
MadrasGirl: The Psycho is online. Wonder when she will join our cosy company?
Me: no idea. when she gets a good alarm clock?
MadrasGirl: Ask her. They have empty seats and new comps, now's the time. Maybe we can gift her the alarm
Me: though the flat screen offer has expired
MadrasGirl: Oh really. Who got that?
Me: they say there are clocks that will hit you if you dont turn them off; maybe thats what she needs
rumour has it that SafeBet is the proud possessor of the flatscreen
(Fate tragically intervened at this point. MadrasGirl lost power)
...
MadrasGirl: I am bored with working from home
Me: yes it is very boring isnt it? i hated it. but you know if you do it for a week or more you get used to it; still the lack of conversation is boring
MadrasGirl: OK. Now you’re giving me ideas
Me: Hmm, what else happened today...
the printer is printing stuff in reverse; like mirror writing
MadrasGirl: Wow
Me: artistic temperament
(The killjoys in the office fixed the printer soon after)
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