Because sometimes, a childhood idol remains a childhood idol- the feelings of admiration never go away. 

And even IPL controversies and hyped Twitter activities can't change that.

Photo editing courtesy: Shreya Sarkar

To Cut A Long Story Short.

I seem to be on this path of reminiscence, lately. One of my most recent blogposts was about the Incidence perfume, which I related to my father's memory. And this blogpost is going to go much along the same tangent - not about perfume, but about a writer.

So, like the title of one of Jeffrey Archer's short story collections goes, to cut a long story short, I met and interviewed a world-famous author today. And if you haven't guessed it already, it was Archer himself, who was in the city (as part of a nationwide tour to release his new novel Only Time Will Tell). 

He's rude and sarcastic, and even has that typical dry British humour, but he is amazing nonetheless, questionable personal life notwithstanding.

My father introduced me to Archer's writing when I was about 12 or 13. I even remember the particular story - it was One Man's Meat, the story with three different endings, from the collection Twelve Red Herrings. And while I have read a couple of his novels, I still prefer the short stories because of their masterpiece twists at the end.

It's an experience to come this close to a man whose writing I'd hugely admired. And I am kicking myself for being the world's biggest idiot - right when I was walking out of the auditorium, he was walking in with another man, there was no one else around and I should have asked him to take a picture with me! But I froze and gawked at him like a complete loser. He smiled at me and walked on. What an opportunity to miss. Still. Memories are very solid things and maybe someday I shall tell my children that I interviewed Lord Jeffrey Archer himself!

For the meantime, since my fondly-imagined children aren't in the picture yet, I shall content myself with thinking that my father would be so proud if he could see me now. He loved Archer's writing, and to think his daughter actually interviewed him today.

It would be his 52nd birthday tomorrow, and I think this actually makes a great present. Cheers to you, Height. Happy Birthday.

Blogging, And My Lack Of It.

Very recently, a friend asked me why I don't blog as often as I used to. I told her that lately, I've been turning out such inexcusable tripe while writing that it's simply embarrassing to post it online. She pooh-poohed the idea and ordered me to blog more. 

Later on, I got to thinking why I've become so irregular with my blogging. Maybe it's just that I don't have things to write - not things that I'd care to share on a public forum, anyway. True, my blog is much less public now after I've made it invitation-only, to keep it away from certain people's prying eyes. But somehow I feel like my blogging isn't worth a second look - I don't have Shreya's gift of comparing life to her beautiful photographs, I don't have Mandy's talent for putting into a few words entire feelings or incidents, and I don't have Reeti's quality of writing simple but sweet updates. These are blogs I could read again and again - but mine? Mine (although it has its moments) is simply a sorry excuse for a blog address.

I think my talent for words, for stringing together sentences and drawing pictures with them, shines through only in my work. I love each feature article that I write, I treasure each paragraph, each quote, and each interview - because it's a part of me and no one can take it away. Work may be my defence mechanism for quite a lot of things, but it's the only thing that keeps me sane - and life, although hectic and fast-paced and busy, is simply amazing. I wouldn't want things any other way.

A Life Without Stress Is An Empty Life.

I was thinking today, that I like being stressed. I like having lots of things to do, lots of assignments to complete, lots of articles to write... Well, you get the picture.
For me, sitting around is not an option. Most of my friends think I'm a little nutty because I don't indulge in endless hours of lyadh (something unique to my University), but the truth is - I feel empty if I don't have a lot of things to do. Time is precious, and I like being productive.
Right now, this is what's on my plate.

1. An article on Art and Serigraphy.
2. An article on social, environmental and political awareness of the youth.
3. A conference regarding the capabilities of the visually handicapped.
4. Organising Press for the upcoming Theatre festival at ICCR.
5. Finish reading William Dalrymple's The Age of Kali.
6. Write and upload the Wikipedia article on John Gay's Polly for Literature & Censorship class.
7. Hopefully get around to reading the two academic books on Shakespeare I have issued from BCL. (Hah!)

Yes. I am a workaholic. And I love it!
Once, I'd felt a little more stressed than usual, and had told my boss, "Can't take on any more work, I have way too much on my plate right now!"
You know what he'd said?
"Get a bigger plate."
Profound, and oddly touching. I've never forgotten those words , and I go by that philosophy even now.

Some Thoughts.

1. After many, many months of continuous work, I finally have some free time to myself. I have quit my boring, thankless content writing job, with the intention of concentrating on this last semester's academics (or so Ma thinks) and catching up generally, on all the books and movies I have been putting off. While I still have other work to keep me busy, the absence of the regular job leaves me relieved, yet still empty. It's strange not feeling stressed. I'd forgotten what having free time feels like.
2. This semester is turning out to be rather screwy. Just a week into it, and I'm already gnashing my teeth at the Criticism classes, and the less said about Indian Writing In English, the better. The Tempest And Its Aftermath and Literature And Censorship, on the other hand, are shaping out to be very interesting, enjoyable courses.
3. I am now addicted to Porcupine Tree. And Foo Fighters, to some extent. Plus a whole lot of random music which I won't go into.
4. A friend of mine asked me the other day why I like working - whether it makes me happy or whether it prevents me from being sad. He said there was a difference, and yes, I do see that there is one. I had told him it makes me happy. Now, with no immediate work to do, I can't help wonder about what he said, and what my answer would be, in the current situation...

It's Sometimes Hilarious...

...How funny my line of work can be. I tell you, I meet such characters! People who stand out for their sheer eccentricity, who are so extremely comical that meeting them is an experience in itself! I shall tell you about 3 of the many people I've met, and you can judge for yourself.

Number One: The Shy Interviewee (A Real Pain To Talk To)

Why grant an interview if you're not going to talk? This one lady I interviewed, just refused to open her mouth! Sure, she answered questions, but it's difficult to get material for my copy if she doesn't elaborate, you know? This woman just clammed up and said, "I don't like talking about my achievements!" Well, that's admirable, I suppose, but not when you're giving an interview.

In some context, I asked her her husband's name, to which she dryly replied, "Is that necessary?" Oh come on, why not let me be the judge of that? Plus, if it wasn't necessary, would I really be asking it? (Perhaps she was too shy to say her husband's name aloud, who knows?)

Number Two: The Over-Excited PR Man ("Wow! An interview!")

PR professionals are a dime a dozen in this country, but some really stand out. This particular one I met, while covering a L'oreal parlour and a restaurant (both accounts of which he handled) was just bounding over the place with excitement, at the thought of them being covered in Femina. He didn't stop talking the entire time, I think he asked me a minimum of 7 times whether I wanted tea.

This man was so thrilled, he even suggested I get my hair done at the L'oreal place, to which I said a shocked NO, I didn't let anyone but Asif (Transcend, TollyClub) touch my hair! He seemed disappointed, but just for 2 seconds. Right after that, he asked me if I wanted a manicure. Enough said.

Number Three: The PR Guy Who Gave The Interview On Behalf Of His Client (This one takes the cake!)

Again, a reticent interviewee, who just wouldn't talk even though I knew for a fact that her achievements were many. Her PR guy, on the other hand, more than made up for it. Not only did he tell me about her involvement in some TV programmes and an award she's recently been given, but he even told me her favourite movies, her favourite kind of tea, and the city she'd travelled to last! (To which the interviewee said to him, "Baap re, tumi toh amake besh bhaloi jano, better than I know myself!)

I tell you, it's worth it doing what I do, if not for the exposure, then for meeting these gems!

A quick update.

Just dropping in a few lines....

Finally finished 'Robinson Crusoe'. On the whole, well written- but the majority of the book is extremely boring- how long can one continue to read about a man trapped on an island? I didn't like the character much- he seems to get real pleasure from rampant deforestation, he kills cats (!!!!) - and where's the need to convert Friday to Christianity? Talk about arrogance... But yes, the book does have some rather good parts.

Went to Landmark yesterday. Bought two books- 'Dracula', and 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'. Have already started the former. Brilliant so far. I quite like Gothic novels- 'Frankenstein' being another favourite.

So far, have been successful with my promise of reading more books this year. :)

Made myself some pasta this evening.

Oh, and my article on Chef Hartnett's temporary stint at the ITC Sonar Bangla was carried in the January 16 issue of Femina. And for all those who are interested, check out my article on Animation:

http://www.buzz18.com/features/movies/saifkareena-lend-voices-to-dogs/30991/0

College is great fun- we have good courses this semester! The three Core courses are Post Colonial (we've done 'Robinson Crusoe' so far), Literature and the Other Arts (we're going to watch Tim Supple's production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' next week- woohoo!) , and Rhetoric and Composition (mainly fun with Rimi-di.) The Extra Departmental is compulsory for all English students- 'Classical Christian Background', and we are currently studying 'The Iliad'.

When we are not having classes, we hang out near Milon-da's, talking about the queer disappearance of stray dogs from the JU campus, and on the same note- wonder what ingredients go into Moni-da's Momos.

Fascinating life, I tell you! :P