Bonding

Hi.

Even though it's the start of November, I love how we've been graced with beautiful 70 degree weather. Welcome fall much? (don't even get me started on the post-Halloween rush for a certain end of year holiday...)

Of course that is when I am graced with the flu. But before I succumbed to the worst of the symptoms, I managed to have my first grown-up get-together.

Now don't get too excited, it was just a small potluck with a couple of my co-workers that live nearby. And I don't exactly have the largest place. I think realistically, I could have 8 people over at the most?

But regardless, it was actually a successful night. I honestly didn't think everyone would stay as long as they did (especially for a work night). But the evening lasted 3 hours and I wasn't even the one who suggested a repeat performance - albeit at another's apartment next time.

[Oh and in case you're wondering, I made spiced apple cider, black beans and rice + fresh salsa, and spicy drinking chocolate for dessert. Yeah, there was definitely a spiced theme.]

Scary Thrills

Hi.

Hmmm... what to write about... Well, let's see - Halloween is coming up next weekend, so why not talk about things that scare...

Ever since I saw my first thriller as a little sixth grader, I've pretty much avoided horror movies. And considering that it was the original Mummy... well it's a classic, but it's not necessarily the worst of the bunch.

And considering it gave me nightmares for a week, well I'm seriously a light weight when it comes to them. Something about the movie with the suspense of not knowing what doom is coming, yet knowing that come it will, wigs me out like nothing else. And the only reason it actually gets worse? The music. If I had to watch it without the music, I think I'd be quite fine actually.

But essentially, horror movies = my ultimate scare.

On the other hand, haunted houses? Let's just stay startling me with a person dressed as a scary person - I'm gonna notice the cool costume. I mean, I think if they upped the ante and really went into the macabre and gore? Yeah, you'll get them.

Otherwise, haunted houses are really the funniest thing in the world for me - people's reactions are great. Which is exactly what I learned last night at my first set of haunted houses. I was greatly amused the entire time ^_^.

So next time? Startle me, you'll get a blink, or possibly a small flinch. Cause the only way to really scare me, is to make me watch a scary movie.

So maybe don't? :D

Happy scaring!

Permanent

Hi.

Growing up in a typical Indian household, I was a pretty traditional kid. Of course, there were the small innocuous things I did to rebel - like staying up late, reading romance novels that were forbidden, had my teenager secrets... you know, really small things.

I mean I didn't do things that other Indian kids were doing, like date behind my parents backs, party late nights with alcohol (at least not till college, but only really once I was 21). I was the good girl who went to the temple for festivals, went to Sunday school, got As in school, and my rebellion consisted of teenage angst.

So maybe that's why most people don't expect it when they find out I have a tattoo.

A lot of people ask me if I have a tattoo mostly because they've seen a glimpse of it at first and are curious. And then they ask me what it is. About half of them take the next step and ask what it means.

Now, I am all for sharing, but the reasons for getting my tattoo are personal. I mean it's on my body. My reply is usually a vague response awkwardly deflecting the question.

While the reasoning for what my tattoo is is personal, the reasons for why I got it are less so, but not really an answer I'd share to every person that asks.

I find tattoos can be very beautiful pieces of art - using the natural spread and shape of the body as a canvas to not only create beauty, but enhance the body's beauty (though that isn't always the case of course).

I'm a little too traditional to allow myself to get something like that, but I held onto that aesthetic. So when I got a tattoo, I wanted to emphasize something beautiful about my body.

But of course that isn't the only reason.

Somehow, I think I wanted physical evidence. Of what? Well, that depends.

That means, when I'm with someone, I want something that shows off that I have someone - and that they have me. Evidence of - well, ownership (whether that's a piece of jewelry or a mark of "passion" - discretely placed of course).

In that way, getting the tattoo was a way of proving that I own myself - that my body is mine to control. And that's probably why I'm not as open about people asking after my tattoo.

I mean sure, I do have the prerogative to show it off - I mean it gives me street cred ^_^.

But I like it to be my decision to share, because I'm sharing something of myself. Which of course leads to the awkward explanations on my part.

So of course I'm stuck at how to conclude - so I'll just leave you with this song:

And I'm back

Hi. Hello. Yello. Hola.

I'm back! I've officially moved (not officially unpacked...) to my new cute downtown Chicago apartment and I'm excited! I mean sure, the past weekend and this I've been stuck unpacking and working and all that... but my new place is more my size and I've got plans to start exploring more - it definitely helps that it's not basically dead outside by 9 or 10pm ^_^.

[potential pictures for sharing on the horizon?]

Expresso

Hi!

Aite, let's forget introductions and get to good stuff!

Zombified

Hi.

Sitting in my living room, I notice that the room is bathed in a bright glow of sun light. All I want to do is head right out and feel the wind and the moving of life around me while soak up up the sun.

Not that it's going to happen.

It's been ages since there was sun, and most of it while I'm stuck in or rushing to work - it doesn't even linger when I finally get to head home.

Darkness, wind chill, freezing my ass off.

So instead of soaking up the sunlight on a relatively free weekend, I'm stuck struggling to force myself to run my errands and chores.

Isn't it great when sunshine suddenly becomes the fucking bane of my day...

And now we return to your regularly scheduled post

Tech Talk

Hi.

About every four years, I reach a point of considering if my laptop will last, or if I should look for some kind of replacement.

This year, however, came just a little early and with a few more electronics/accessories than usual.

Pretty

Hi.

So in a kind of separate "mood" of the previous post, I find myself suddenly feeling oh, well, oh so very pretty.

I mean I always feel a little pretty when I paint my nails (all 20 of them) but for some reason I feel especially so this time.

My suspicion is that the answer lies within the color.

Sexy, or not?

Hi.

Maybe it's cuz I feel a little lonely. Or maybe it's cuz there's no appreciation...

Now I'm a young woman and so that means I'm used to the appreciative looks/comments/favors from baristas, waiters, and the random guy on the street. And when it's not the creepy appreciation of the random dude on the street (just the classy, well put ones), it's quite flattering, and hey I'm not above using that to help me get what I need.

But lately, I'm not feeling it.

Good habits

Hi.

I've written before how I don't really agree with the idea of "resolutions" for the new year - but being the new year, it totally works to transition and talk about the "good habits" I've been working on to be healthy.

Let's keep in mind though that these are not resolutions, and began before the new year ^_^.

New Years Wishes

Hi.

As usual, I sent out my "Facebook" ignoring text blast to wishing a joyous new year to a selection of folks in my address book.

It is always a process (not in small part for the actual scrolling through contacts and writing texts - a max of 20 people per message) to decide which people get the text. And because life changes, that list ends up changing year to year.

I don't begrudge giving people a felicitation, because there is never an excess of good thoughts. But it always is an experiment on who replies - or should I say, who still recognizes your phone number.

Here's to a wonderful new year full of new and renewed connections.

Coincidence

Hi.

I know that it isn't Sunday, but it's kind of awesome that my current song on repeat is currently being used as the main "action" song in the newest episode of Person of Interest.

I won't give away too many details in case any of you watch the show... 

Essentially the start of every potential scenario the Machine evaluates begins with the awesome tunes of Fortune Days. Along with the clever decision of the plot for this episode, the use of this song kinda makes my day.

And considering that the song is my current jam on repeat, I'm really enjoying today's episode ^_^.

Happy 2015

Hi.

So it turns out, when you are visiting folks, or folks are visiting you, it's actually quite difficult to get the chance to sit down and type out posts. I mean, I think I knew that already, but now I remember that again.

It's basically like you end up spending time with everyone - which can be an activity in and of itself - so by the time you get the chance to take a break, you just want to relax. Which of course does not result in any blogging :P

But here's to a happy new year (with the boat load of work that will need to be done along with it) and to the posts and updates that will be coming! (I swear I have a few old ones I wanted to post but hadn't gotten the chance to finish for sharing and a few new ones that came along with the new year!)


And now back to work...