My dear friend Pooja visited the other day, specifically to teach the kids chocolate making. I do wish I had captured pictures of the fun we had, but unfortunately with a broken ligament and the phenomenal memory that I ought to have, I completed missed. She got a ton of chocolate blocks, flavored oils, molds and lollipop sticks and she set out to teach the kids. Well, the kids disappeared as soon as they figured it was time to learn, only to show up when it was time to eat! I can't blame them!
Long story short, we gorged on chocolates late into the night - mint favored ones, strawberry flavored ones and some on a stick to lick and love!
The project crazy gals that we were, we didn't stop there! We went on to do some lovely felt applique on bags Pooja is making for her son's birthday as return gifts. Ended the day with some bread making in the fantastic bread maker Poo lugged over from her house.
All in all a real fun day with Pooja, Gopu and my bacchas. Thanks so much Pooja for such a fun day. The kids are waiting for their Pooja aunty to come back soon!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The Matrix
This is not about the movie the Matrix, its about what we seen in society today. But its a different spin to it, so read on, if you are interested.
When the movie the Matrix was released, the sci-fi loving couple that we were, we went ahead and saw it the first opportunity we got. The concept was interesting for its time, quite different from the movies we had seen in the past.
I remember the movie The Marix particularly well, it is in fact one of my favorite movies. The next two movies in the same series took the theme that it had further. The gist of it is that there are humans on some planet, maybe it is still Earth, not sure. They are living out their beautiful, sanitized, perfect lives, but for some of them, it feels too perfect, there is something they quite cannot put their finger on, some of the them feel something underlying is basically wrong. A few of them dare to actually think about it, and find out what it is that is wrong, and in the process break away from the mold of people content living out their lives in the perfect world, which is the Matrix.Those who dare to come out of the Matrix find themselves living in a dark, dreary world, hunted by the machines, because they are the rebels, who broke off from the software generated world in which all humans were really just incubated and living in tiny cells . They were wired into this software from the day they are born, and provide the machines with the energy they need.
For the machines, its important that these people are silenced immediately, because the more the rebellion, the more their way of life is at stake.
An important thing that develops later in the movie, is that the rebels choose of their own, to go periodically into the matrix. Because, once they enter the Matrix, they can choose to be whatever they want. They can bend the self-made rules in their perception of the Matrix. Neo, the main protagonist learns, that he can make the bullets drop, because it is after all, not the real world, he can choose to bend the Matrix to make his will happen.
Now why in the world am I writing this thread? Its not for re-hashing or giving a synopsis of the movie. Its to highlight what I think is a world onto itself, like the Matrix, a world of the Have-it-alls, v/s the real world, the world a majority of the population lives in, a world which is harsher than we would like it to be.
There is huge segmentation in the world today, purely on the basis of money. We, a few sections of society, are the have-its. Within reasonable boundaries, we are able to aspire for and acquire something our heart desires. We are able to provide good education to our children, expose them to the right kind of hobbies in sports, fine arts. We are able to take a few trips here and there and satisfy our need to know more about the world we live in. We are able to work hard and take home a decent salary which enables us to indulge in a few pleasures in life. From a basic scale to an almost lavish scale, the various sections of have-its, do "have it". The "it" here is the basic right to live a life of dignity, to better oneself and one's family's life. Lets leave the greed part of it out for now.
But lets look at this section of society in a different way. We are the humans living in a Matrix we have created, and we feed our "section" of the society energy. We are self-sustaining Matrix, where everything is groovy and clean and nice. "Our World" is perfect. Our children have it good. In our cocoon, its awesome in here. A few of us have doubts, whether this perfect life of ours, is really far too perfect. There is an ugly world out there, but should we even seek it? Why rock the ship too hard? But, But, there is a niggling thought. There is an awareness of the world beyond our own matrix, of the other section of society, which are the "have-nots". But to come out of the matrix and be out there is "impossible" right? How can we live their life, when it is so nice in here? We have but two options - take the red pill or the blue pill - stay in the Matrix, or question why the Matrix exists. Go out of the Matrix and look at why there should even be a Matrix. That would be hard. That would be disturbing our way of life. So the ones in the Matrix continue. They continue being the ones with the advantages, they continue protecting their progeny's life in the Matrix by moulding them, ensuring they get the right start to life.
When the movie the Matrix was released, the sci-fi loving couple that we were, we went ahead and saw it the first opportunity we got. The concept was interesting for its time, quite different from the movies we had seen in the past.
I remember the movie The Marix particularly well, it is in fact one of my favorite movies. The next two movies in the same series took the theme that it had further. The gist of it is that there are humans on some planet, maybe it is still Earth, not sure. They are living out their beautiful, sanitized, perfect lives, but for some of them, it feels too perfect, there is something they quite cannot put their finger on, some of the them feel something underlying is basically wrong. A few of them dare to actually think about it, and find out what it is that is wrong, and in the process break away from the mold of people content living out their lives in the perfect world, which is the Matrix.Those who dare to come out of the Matrix find themselves living in a dark, dreary world, hunted by the machines, because they are the rebels, who broke off from the software generated world in which all humans were really just incubated and living in tiny cells . They were wired into this software from the day they are born, and provide the machines with the energy they need.
For the machines, its important that these people are silenced immediately, because the more the rebellion, the more their way of life is at stake.
An important thing that develops later in the movie, is that the rebels choose of their own, to go periodically into the matrix. Because, once they enter the Matrix, they can choose to be whatever they want. They can bend the self-made rules in their perception of the Matrix. Neo, the main protagonist learns, that he can make the bullets drop, because it is after all, not the real world, he can choose to bend the Matrix to make his will happen.
Now why in the world am I writing this thread? Its not for re-hashing or giving a synopsis of the movie. Its to highlight what I think is a world onto itself, like the Matrix, a world of the Have-it-alls, v/s the real world, the world a majority of the population lives in, a world which is harsher than we would like it to be.
There is huge segmentation in the world today, purely on the basis of money. We, a few sections of society, are the have-its. Within reasonable boundaries, we are able to aspire for and acquire something our heart desires. We are able to provide good education to our children, expose them to the right kind of hobbies in sports, fine arts. We are able to take a few trips here and there and satisfy our need to know more about the world we live in. We are able to work hard and take home a decent salary which enables us to indulge in a few pleasures in life. From a basic scale to an almost lavish scale, the various sections of have-its, do "have it". The "it" here is the basic right to live a life of dignity, to better oneself and one's family's life. Lets leave the greed part of it out for now.
But lets look at this section of society in a different way. We are the humans living in a Matrix we have created, and we feed our "section" of the society energy. We are self-sustaining Matrix, where everything is groovy and clean and nice. "Our World" is perfect. Our children have it good. In our cocoon, its awesome in here. A few of us have doubts, whether this perfect life of ours, is really far too perfect. There is an ugly world out there, but should we even seek it? Why rock the ship too hard? But, But, there is a niggling thought. There is an awareness of the world beyond our own matrix, of the other section of society, which are the "have-nots". But to come out of the matrix and be out there is "impossible" right? How can we live their life, when it is so nice in here? We have but two options - take the red pill or the blue pill - stay in the Matrix, or question why the Matrix exists. Go out of the Matrix and look at why there should even be a Matrix. That would be hard. That would be disturbing our way of life. So the ones in the Matrix continue. They continue being the ones with the advantages, they continue protecting their progeny's life in the Matrix by moulding them, ensuring they get the right start to life.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Exam time funnies
So here I am revising Social Studies with my kiddo who is in 5th grade. This year they have a lot of facts about India's struggle for Independence. I am re-learning facts about the Swadeshi Movement, the Dandi March, the Battle of Plassey, the Mangal Pandey episode, etc. Yeah, I know parents get to go to school twice in their lives! :-)
Well the funny part I did want to capture in my blog was the cute set of remarks S made about all this. He was reading about the Jaliawala Bagh incident; and obviously was moved by the atrocities of General Dyer. So his first set of questions were around "Who do you think is more cruel? Hitler or Dyer" Then he made this connection on their names. It was kind of cute, funny and weird at the same time. According to him, Hitler must be so named because he would have loved to hit people. "He mimed out Hitler with a stick hitting people should "Hit, Hit!" Then he extended the analogy to Dyer and said, that man must be wacko and wanting to make people "Die", hence he was named Dyer. Interesting how kids run their imagination run riot in mundane history lessons.
The next part of the lesson talked about the Moderates and the Extremists in the Indian National Congress. Yawn. Then there were the names of the freedom fighters.. amongst them Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Lala Lajpat Rai. So apparently LLR here was an extremist because he didn't believe the British could be asked to leave politely. GKG was a moderate because he believed the demands should be made without violence and in a peaceful way. We got into a discussion of what we would have been had we been there at the time. S declared that he would have been a moderate but for the Jaliawala Bagh incident. Had he been there, he would have surely killed that Dyer apparently and thus would have been an extremist. And suddenly it stuck him that there was a Gokhale kid in his class. So amidst giggles and laughter, he said, he would have been like Lala Lajpat Rai since S was also a Rai (surname wise) and the class mate would have been like Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Ah the brains of a child works overtime in making facts fun to remember. :-)
Well the funny part I did want to capture in my blog was the cute set of remarks S made about all this. He was reading about the Jaliawala Bagh incident; and obviously was moved by the atrocities of General Dyer. So his first set of questions were around "Who do you think is more cruel? Hitler or Dyer" Then he made this connection on their names. It was kind of cute, funny and weird at the same time. According to him, Hitler must be so named because he would have loved to hit people. "He mimed out Hitler with a stick hitting people should "Hit, Hit!" Then he extended the analogy to Dyer and said, that man must be wacko and wanting to make people "Die", hence he was named Dyer. Interesting how kids run their imagination run riot in mundane history lessons.
The next part of the lesson talked about the Moderates and the Extremists in the Indian National Congress. Yawn. Then there were the names of the freedom fighters.. amongst them Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Lala Lajpat Rai. So apparently LLR here was an extremist because he didn't believe the British could be asked to leave politely. GKG was a moderate because he believed the demands should be made without violence and in a peaceful way. We got into a discussion of what we would have been had we been there at the time. S declared that he would have been a moderate but for the Jaliawala Bagh incident. Had he been there, he would have surely killed that Dyer apparently and thus would have been an extremist. And suddenly it stuck him that there was a Gokhale kid in his class. So amidst giggles and laughter, he said, he would have been like Lala Lajpat Rai since S was also a Rai (surname wise) and the class mate would have been like Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Ah the brains of a child works overtime in making facts fun to remember. :-)
Friday, March 8, 2013
Upcycled!
I had an old nightie
It was ugly and uncool
But, oh it was so comfy!
I wore it like a fool.
One fine day, I was looking,
As usual, so frumpy
Hubby looked at my nightie
And felt oh! so grumpy.
He flicked his hand once
No nightie no more
The neckline ran to my toes
His eyes had no remorse!
Recycling is my name
Sewing is my new found game
And experimentation is,
my only claim to fame.
And so behold!
The results of cutting and slicing
A tale so far untold,
Of sewing, ripping and more sewing..
Ta Da!
.JPG)
It was ugly and uncool
But, oh it was so comfy!
I wore it like a fool.
One fine day, I was looking,
As usual, so frumpy
Hubby looked at my nightie
And felt oh! so grumpy.
He flicked his hand once
No nightie no more
The neckline ran to my toes
His eyes had no remorse!
Recycling is my name
Sewing is my new found game
And experimentation is,
my only claim to fame.
And so behold!
The results of cutting and slicing
A tale so far untold,
Of sewing, ripping and more sewing..
Ta Da!
.JPG)
:-)
S's band!
Yeah, the kids are so savvy these days.
10 years old, just sticking their heads out of their little egg shells and these birds already know how to fly!
So they are not so little anymore, yeah. But 10-11 year old boys forming a band was kinda cool for me. And it mainly came from them. Maybe Clinton sir telling them that one day they can form their own band had something to do with. It did happen sooner than anyone expected.
What really is kind of nice is that the band is not just some flaky time pass that these kids are into. They practice oh! so seriously. "Its band practice time!" seems to get everyone in their group dropping everything and running for practice at Vinu's house. We being next door, can hear the boys belt it out for a good 45 minutes. They have "deep" discussions on which song to pick up next and make it as part of the band's standard repertoire. Wow, all by themselves too!
S is the chords and eventually lead guitarist of the band. I have seen him play and he puts his heart into it on stage. Yeah, did I just say on stage? The kids have already performed a cool 4 times at various local functions, and they have been received fairly well. Their "Smoke on the Water" is the best piece I like so far.
And here are the "Black Vipers"...er... "Blue Daggers"... er...ok, whatever is the (new preferred color + weapon of choice) name of the band at the time. Forgive the unprofessional collage!
Well, we surely were not so cool in our days!
10 years old, just sticking their heads out of their little egg shells and these birds already know how to fly!
So they are not so little anymore, yeah. But 10-11 year old boys forming a band was kinda cool for me. And it mainly came from them. Maybe Clinton sir telling them that one day they can form their own band had something to do with. It did happen sooner than anyone expected.
What really is kind of nice is that the band is not just some flaky time pass that these kids are into. They practice oh! so seriously. "Its band practice time!" seems to get everyone in their group dropping everything and running for practice at Vinu's house. We being next door, can hear the boys belt it out for a good 45 minutes. They have "deep" discussions on which song to pick up next and make it as part of the band's standard repertoire. Wow, all by themselves too!
S is the chords and eventually lead guitarist of the band. I have seen him play and he puts his heart into it on stage. Yeah, did I just say on stage? The kids have already performed a cool 4 times at various local functions, and they have been received fairly well. Their "Smoke on the Water" is the best piece I like so far.
And here are the "Black Vipers"...er... "Blue Daggers"... er...ok, whatever is the (new preferred color + weapon of choice) name of the band at the time. Forgive the unprofessional collage!
Well, we surely were not so cool in our days!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Gal with a toy!
Yes, my new sewing machine is here! The last two days have been spent re-discovering a Bernina, with the help of a trainer. Usually, the company is kind enough to offer training to those who end up buying a Bernina, and I think rightly so. Because to really understand the full potential of the machine and utilize it well, we do need some one-on-one interaction.
Well that, and also its a perfect opportunity to get demoed on all those cute additional accessories and commit to spending way more than you intended to on a sewing machine. Going bananas Varsha? Maybe a wee bit!
While I was waiting for the trainer to show up the second day, I did a quick test of how the proposed traditional quilt will look. Not much, just stitched up 4 blocks. Think it will turn out okay. I am planning this one for my mom, who insists she doesn't need yet one more "comforter"! Wait up Mom, I am sure you will change your mind soon.
The lady Usha Belose was quite insistent that we should make some real stuff while she demos out certain features. So I cut out some fabric and batting and quickly thought up a couple of simple ideas to execute. She turned those into a reality. Awesome stuff, and I could not contain my excitement dreaming up possibilities once I saw the end result.
Mom looked at the embroidered pot holder, and commented how easily we dished this out, when of course, in their days, they used to painstakingly make these and more by hand.
Meanwhile, I continue to enjoy my blissful, if hyper ventilated state of mind, body, the works. :-)
Well that, and also its a perfect opportunity to get demoed on all those cute additional accessories and commit to spending way more than you intended to on a sewing machine. Going bananas Varsha? Maybe a wee bit!
While I was waiting for the trainer to show up the second day, I did a quick test of how the proposed traditional quilt will look. Not much, just stitched up 4 blocks. Think it will turn out okay. I am planning this one for my mom, who insists she doesn't need yet one more "comforter"! Wait up Mom, I am sure you will change your mind soon.
The lady Usha Belose was quite insistent that we should make some real stuff while she demos out certain features. So I cut out some fabric and batting and quickly thought up a couple of simple ideas to execute. She turned those into a reality. Awesome stuff, and I could not contain my excitement dreaming up possibilities once I saw the end result.
 |
| A simple small table runner she quilted by FMQ. Needs to be finished. |
 |
| The underside. |
 |
| A cute little potholder, using their circular embroidery tool. |
Mom looked at the embroidered pot holder, and commented how easily we dished this out, when of course, in their days, they used to painstakingly make these and more by hand.
Well, that's so true, look how painstaking she had created this saree, all hand embroidered.
Meanwhile, I continue to enjoy my blissful, if hyper ventilated state of mind, body, the works. :-)
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Crafty days are here again!
Yes, I somehow seem to have more time on my hands. What better way to use the time than to indulge in all those wistful craft and sewing projects I have been drooling over all these years.
Here's one WIP quilt, just cut out some simple square patches and want to do a random patch quilt with it.. My first quilt, it shall be. Let us see...
I am also wondering if I can create a simple set of 4 paintings using the technique below. I had made this a long time ago using bright blue ink on a simple plain piece of paper. This looks like a copy I made of the original. Would be interesting to do it once more.
Here's one WIP quilt, just cut out some simple square patches and want to do a random patch quilt with it.. My first quilt, it shall be. Let us see...
I am also wondering if I can create a simple set of 4 paintings using the technique below. I had made this a long time ago using bright blue ink on a simple plain piece of paper. This looks like a copy I made of the original. Would be interesting to do it once more.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Costume Making for the school is such a Tra-la-la
A comment from one of the hassled moms of a FB craft group I belong to, reminded me of how parents have to sometimes shift all other priorities and get down on the knees and arms, to make their cute kid uncomfortable and ready to throw a tantrum.
Yes, I am talking about all those reasons that schools make you go through the torment of designing, creating a costume for your screaming, uncooperative devil, all in the name of fancy dress, or Annual day or Earth day, or whatever. Well the problem is that the torment is not limited to oneself. That we hapless moms can still take.
Well torment it still is, even for us moms who like doing anything crafty. Cloth or chartpaper? What material should I use? Some of us can manage sewing stuff, but its usually last minute panic a day before the event, and then we end up cutting, painting and churning out a professional looking costume made entirely of chartpaper. Well, maybe I shouldn't speak for others. But that is so ME!
The torment then extends to fitting, testing it out on the kid. Ok, done that too! Done you think, all set ready?
No, no, hold on! It then continues - how do you send the costume packed in a bag, when the school has a normal working day, and the kid is somehow supposed to dress himself or herself? Ok, detailed instructions to the kid follows. "Tell Akka this string goes here. Wear the shoulder straps first, and then ask Akka to tie this behind. Did you understand? Are you even listening to me, etc.. etc.." Okay packed and sent.
Even if its something like the Annual day, most schools require the child to be ready and behind stage, wearing the costume for hours, so they are ready, waiting for their turn. Parents are usually not allowed to dress their child and drop them off a little before their event. More torture? Absolutely!!
Oh then the other part of keeping the costume intact begins. Kids will be kids, so they run, chase, fight with each other behind the scenes. What better way to pass the time when everyone is stuck up behind their dumb costumes then to tightly hug your favorite friend and try a jump and hop sequence without tripping and tearing. Oh well, seriously, mom, I didn't know that your costume was so flimsy it would tear with one jump with my friend.
Enjoy, my crafty-and-not-so-crafty-costume-making-parent-friends, its all a temporary lapse of reason on the part of the school anyway, one kid at a time, one generation at a time. :-)
Oh BTW, here are two similar costumes, one where darling dotty was a sea-horse, the other a no brainer carrot. Yeah, it gets easier the second time around.
.jpg)
Yes, I am talking about all those reasons that schools make you go through the torment of designing, creating a costume for your screaming, uncooperative devil, all in the name of fancy dress, or Annual day or Earth day, or whatever. Well the problem is that the torment is not limited to oneself. That we hapless moms can still take.
Well torment it still is, even for us moms who like doing anything crafty. Cloth or chartpaper? What material should I use? Some of us can manage sewing stuff, but its usually last minute panic a day before the event, and then we end up cutting, painting and churning out a professional looking costume made entirely of chartpaper. Well, maybe I shouldn't speak for others. But that is so ME!
The torment then extends to fitting, testing it out on the kid. Ok, done that too! Done you think, all set ready?
No, no, hold on! It then continues - how do you send the costume packed in a bag, when the school has a normal working day, and the kid is somehow supposed to dress himself or herself? Ok, detailed instructions to the kid follows. "Tell Akka this string goes here. Wear the shoulder straps first, and then ask Akka to tie this behind. Did you understand? Are you even listening to me, etc.. etc.." Okay packed and sent.
Even if its something like the Annual day, most schools require the child to be ready and behind stage, wearing the costume for hours, so they are ready, waiting for their turn. Parents are usually not allowed to dress their child and drop them off a little before their event. More torture? Absolutely!!
Oh then the other part of keeping the costume intact begins. Kids will be kids, so they run, chase, fight with each other behind the scenes. What better way to pass the time when everyone is stuck up behind their dumb costumes then to tightly hug your favorite friend and try a jump and hop sequence without tripping and tearing. Oh well, seriously, mom, I didn't know that your costume was so flimsy it would tear with one jump with my friend.
Enjoy, my crafty-and-not-so-crafty-costume-making-parent-friends, its all a temporary lapse of reason on the part of the school anyway, one kid at a time, one generation at a time. :-)
Oh BTW, here are two similar costumes, one where darling dotty was a sea-horse, the other a no brainer carrot. Yeah, it gets easier the second time around.
.jpg)
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