New Beginnings

I have been facing a big rock-size creative block since few weeks. I tried many, many things - working on the fiction book I have been writing since few months, blogging, applying for jobs, and chewing my husband's brain. But nothing per se helped me cross this obstacle.
So this morning I got up early and for some reason felt refreshed. I ate good breakfast and decided that I am going to grab the creative block by the neck and move past it. And here I am writing my blog post.

The lull outside is disturbing many of us in some way or another. But I am sure that even in the dullest period - recession, swine flu, terror attacks - we may have something positive to be happy about. I mean let's face it, eight months back when the recession was not so prevalent, nobody was talking about virus caught from pigs, Mumbai was not attacked, we were still complaining weren't we? May be the things we cringed about were different:

1. My boss is an asshole! (Right now there are so many out there who would kill for a boss)

2. It's the weekend and my friends are not making any good plans (Come on ya)

3. Oh my God the weather, the traffic, I can't wait to get out of the city - I need a break (really?)

Complaining, boredom and looking at lush patches, which are far from visible, have become the unbreakable stubborn pattern of us humans. We put the blame of our procrastinations on the circumstances and then complete a full circle by cursing our circumstances because of our procrastinations! Exactly who are we trying to fool here?

Well I am no better! Right now I may feel like I am not getting to prove my abilities because of the lack of opportunities outside (bad market, not jobs, less pay, blah, blah, blah), but as soon as a "good" job comes my way, I'll have a whole new set of things to be upset about.

My 25th birthday is less than a week away and here are few things I intend to do in the coming year of my life.

1. Count my blessings - a husband who loves me, family and friends who always stick up for me and a wonderful life to look forward to.

2. Find my true calling - this is something I decide every year but no harm in trying some more (sometimes it's almost baffling if career confusion is another excuse used by many to sit on their asses).

3. Finish my book - Yes! This one is actually possible.

4. Go for a holiday - But first make sure I deserve one, if I take one right now it'll be more like taking a vacation out of a vacation.

5. Lose the three kilos I have been trying to get rid of since eternity.

6. Meet new people and brainstorm creative ideas - again highly possible.

Phew! I am feeling tired even looking at the list (just kidding). I forgot to add one very important point - stay away from energy suckers (tough but I'll try).

P.S. - Nevil and Friends - you have to make sure I keep up my promises: D

Gloss it up!

I have always had a thing for magazines. Fashion, lifestyle, tabloids, and even health. At times I really used to wonder, so many glossies out there, giving more or less the same information, but still there are takers. Why else would new international magazines costing INR100 find a place in our country even during recession? There are some that have always been around and made their mark. Take ELLE for example; introduced in India in the year 1996, this magazine opened the gate for high-end haute couture, pret a porter and of course encouraged other publications to take the plunge and explore India as a market for international fashion, lifestyle and luxury products.

20 Beauty Secrets: Finally revealed...
108 Ideas to look effortlessly stylish
Drop a size before the party season (always a hit in the month of November)
Is your diet making you FAT?

These are some of the features I have read again and again - in different magazines, with different girls on the cover and at different times of the year. That, however, still does not stop me from picking up the new editions every now and then. I guess all the glossies have a high feel-good quotient that we girls need every now and then. And with so many movies - chick flicks - circling around the magazine world - The Devil Wears Prada, Confessions of a Shopaholic, etc. it is almost tempting to know what goes on inside the fancy world of magazines!

I remember Carrie mentioning in an episode of Sex and the City that when she first moved to New York, she bought VOGUE instead of food at times, as it fed her more. And Rachel mentioning to Ross once in FRIENDS, that she may not know who is running for President, but the 30 magazines she purchases every month definitely give her the upper hand as far as deciding what's "in" this season is concerned.

I don't know what draws me most to magazines. It could be the way the glossy pages feel when you flip them or the two lakh Dior dress, which I like to admire but am not sure if I'd buy it even if I had that kind of money.