There's a story.

Cinemagraph source

There's a story. Look around.

It's hiding in the corner. It's perching on the window sill. It's snoozing on your bedside table.

There's a story. Think back.

In the deep recesses of your mind. In that summer from long ago. In that fight which made you burst into angry hot tears.

There's a story. Listen up.

In the giggles of the girls crossing the street. In the sniffle of the old man smoking a pipe. In the sound of glass shattering and echoing across the house.

There's a story. In our solitude. In our union.

In our memories. In our future.

There's a story. Within you.

One or maybe a dozen. You could be the hero in a few. A villain in some. And just a stranger in the rest.

You and me. Each of us. We all have a story.

So...

Dust off your notebook.

Dial up the number.

Knock on the long forgotten door.

Open up.

Share your story.

Someone is listening.

Why I Write.

How sometimes words resonate with you, tug your heart and make you feel as if the writer wrote them especially for you.

"I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say."

- Flannery O'Connor 

Word.  

That strange thing called LOVE

Source: Tumblr

When I was a kid, the first definition of love came from the movies (read SRK movies). Even if he was the bad guy, I believed his love was the right kind of love. And then came the books, the Danielle Steels, the Nora Roberts, the Eric Segals, the Nicholas Sparks, the Cecilia Aherns, it goes on. And then when I began grasping English movies, it was more of Nicholas Sparks, Disneys, Pixars, and it goes on.

Every movie, every book, dripping with love, soaked in mush, drizzled with tears, twisted, construed and shaped the definition of love in a new way. There was everything. Young love. Old love. Long distance love. Disastrous love. Comic love, Emotional love. Mismatched love. Rich love. Poor love.

When did we start referring to books to talk about true love?

It's made up, isn't it? It's the writer's definition of love. It's a play of words.

And with the zillion definitions of love, came a zillion conditions.

It's not love if he can't call you every morning.

It's not love if she can't cook for you every day.

It's not love if he goes out with his friends.

It's not love if she doesn't give up eggs for you.

It's not love if he doesn't say I love you every day.

It's not love if she stopped dressing up for you.

When did we start talking of "unconditional" love as something unique, something elusive?

I've never heard of conditional love. I doubt if anyone has.

What led me to this speculation was a recent conversation I had with a friend. She was a little miffed with how movies showcase over-the-top, too-good-to-be-true, too-illogical-to-be-real kind of love stories. All I could say to calm her down was, "It's fiction. It's a fictional love. Don't let some movie or book define what love means to you. Find your own definition. Create your own definition."

P.S. I am still all for sappy movies. Will continue to be.

Bring back the memes (Or what they were called in 185 BC)

Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? 

Preferably closed.

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?  

Only when I really like them.

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?  

Tucked in.  

Do you like to use post-it notes? 

Not so much. But I'd like to own post-its in a 100 colours (*hoarder alert*)

Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?  

Bear. 

Do you always smile for pictures?  

Always, unless I'm making a face.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Grammar. Mouth odour. Grammar. 

Do you ever count your steps when you walk? 

Jeez, they have apps for those kind of things!

Have you ever peed in the woods?  

Yep. As a kid.

What about pooped in the woods?  

Ditto.

Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?  

Yes. But the music IS playing, in my head.

Do you chew your pens and pencils? 

Not anymore.

What is your Song of the week? 

Pehli baar (Dil Dhadakne Do) 

Is it okay for guys to wear pink?  

It sure is!

What is your favorite food? 

That will be a separate blog post. Thanks for the idea!

What movies could you watch over and over and still love? 

ZNMD, Rock On, The Notebook.

Were you ever a boy/girl scout?  

Yes.

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?  

Would writing a letter on a card count?

What is your usual bedtime?  

I'm a nocturnal animal.

Are you lazy? 

On weekends, yes. On weekdays, sometimes.

Photo only for dream visual reference. 

R.E.F.R.E.S.H.

Just what this blog needs. A refresh!

Probably a zillion things have changed since the last time I posted something here. A few things still remain. My love for writing. My love for books. 

Who do I blame for my absence? *cough* My job.

A job that I love. A job that gives me new experiences quite regularly. A job where I get to indulge in my love for writing. 

So how ironic is it, that the same job leaves me with no time for "personal" writing?

So, this is an attempt to revive my blog, to take out time for personal writing, to fall in love again with blogging!

Amen.