Subtle Aspirations

Been a while since I’ve been thinking of getting a new theme for my other blog “etched in life“.

So over the weekend, I managed to find a decent theme and basically played around with CSS so I can adhere to a different colour scheme.

Created a new header - as much as I love the old one, the lightning in the middle of the storm, I think the new one came out pretty decent too.

The CSS changes are still in the works, as I’m still contemplating changing the theme again - I want a relatively dark and pensive theme, but at the same time, it needs to be eloquent and classy.

I know I know - most of you’d be like “design one” - I don’t want to spend so much time and energy designing it when there’s a good chance that there’s probably one out there already which would just need some minor tweaks.

So if anyone spots anything decent - ping back or send me an email.

P.S. - New post at http://www.devesh.net/etched out too!

it was just another routine day for him. he was on the train, reading his book around the same familiar faces he sees everyday on the same ride.

the train pulls at his station. he gets off, and climbs up the stairs of the subway. swipes his ticket at the ticket barricades, and crosses the street.

the watch on his wrist reminds him of a meeting that he has to attend in an hour, and he frowns to himself, hardly having any sleep the night before. battling thoughts, he gets into the lift and reaches work.

the routine day begins and he catches up with the left-overs from yesterday. attends the meeting, comes out feeling as numb as ever knowing that nothing that was discussed in the meeting will materialise anyways.

decides to have an early lunch and he strolls down. as he walks out of the building, he changes his mind to have a short walk, to clear his head. the streets are buzzing with people, everyone with a different agenda in their minds at that moment - he wonders in amazement, fixing his gaze on random faces and drawing pictures in his head on their agendas.

an old woman, waiting for the bus, probably trying to get to her son’s house to meet her grandchildren whom she hasn’t seen for a few months now.

a child buying lollies at a convenience store, with the reward pennies he won from his grandfather for a chore done?

a young women, dressed in a business attire, trying to hide the pensive look on her face, probably rehearsing her upcoming job interview which will determine the direction of her determined ambition.

a young couple, meeting up for lunch, quite elated. both must’ve been working in different offices, around the corner - holding hands, probably on the verge of finalising their wedding venue?

he unconsciously reaches out for his phone and speed-dial’s #2, only to hear the same message he’s been hearing for a long time now, “the number you have dialed has been disconnected”.

the wind blows with a shrill chill, hitting his face like a thousand needles, snapping him back to stark reality in the present timeframe.

he smiles at his own ignorance, putting away his mobile in his suit pocket, lights up a smoke and heads back.

just another day to burn, just another week, like it’ll be another month and so, another year.

—–

Here’s the song that’s been on my mind for a few days. You can listen to my rendition of the song below - had recorded this back in 1995, playing the guitar and singing it in front of the computer mic… can’t believe it’s been 13 years since!

i should have seen it coming when roses died
should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
i should have listened when you said good night
you really meant good bye
baby, ain’t it funny, how you never ever learn to fall
you’re really on your knees, when you think you’re standing tall
but only fools are “know-it-alls” and i played that fool for you

i cried and i cried
there were nights that died for you baby
i tried and i tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby

if the love that i got for you is gone
if the river i cried ain’t that long
then i’m wrong, yeah i’m wrong, this ain’t a love song

baby, i thought you and me would stand the test of time
like we got away with the perfect crime but
we were just a legend in my mind
i guess that i was blind
remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
the clowns wore smiles that wouldn’t fade
you and i were the renegades, some things never change

it made me so mad ’cause i wanted it bad for us baby
now it’s so sad that whatever we had, ain’t worth saving
if the love that i got for you is gone
if the river i’ve cried ain’t that long
then i’m wrong, yes i’m wrong, this ain’t a love song

if the pain that i’m feeling so strong
is the reason that i’m holding on
then i’m wrong, yeah i’m wrong - this ain’t a love song

I think everyone around me on twitter and facebook are tired of me reiterating and humming this song from time to time lately.

The theme from Spongebob Squarepants :)

I haven’t watched as many of his cartoons - but for some reason, this song is etched in my head.

Funny, it’s actually quite therapeutical!

Anytime you’re feeling low and want to get pepped up - think of this song, or better yet, start randomly singing it. Not only will it make you smile, but the people around will also have a good laugh.

I think I’ve been over-doing it a lot lately.

Also @ritesh wanted to hear the song - so dude here you go, I’ve posted it below, with the words.

Enjoy folks :)

Are you ready kids?
I said, are you ready?

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

(SpongeBob SquarePants!)

Absorbent and yellow and porous is he!

(SpongeBob SquarePants!)

If nautical nonsense be something you wish…

(SpongeBob SquarePants!)

Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish!

(SpongeBob SquarePants!)

SpongeBob SquarePants! SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob SquarePants!

SpongeBob…. SquarePants!

There are a very few movies which move me to an extreme where I sit there, still, starting at the screen deep in thought while the end credits have already finished rolling too.

Last time I remember that happening to me was when I watched “City of Angels” back in the year 2000.

Today I experienced the same feeling when I watched “Conversations with God“.

The movie is a true life account of the author of the books titled “Conversations with God by Neale Walsch“.

I haven’t read any of the books, at least not yet, but the movie is brilliantly portrayed.

It’s a depiction of Neale’s journey as to how he came about writing the book - and the struggles he faced in life which eventually led him to a point where the book journey began.

There are moments in the movie when you can deeply identify with his character and his pain at that given point and suddenly realise how quiet your heart feels, filled with emptiness and a deep sense of connection with the character at the same given time.

This most definitely is not a “popcorn” flick - and even if you do microwave some, I assure you, you’ll forget about them after you’re about 15-20 minutes into the movie.

It is not a “religious” journey per se - and does not focus on “religion” in any form.

It’s a straight - simple account of the author’s journey and how he came about to write these books.

So if you’re in the mood to watch something that moves your heart, I strongly urge you to rent this one out.

[rating:5]

the splinter stings and tears.

every few steps taken ahead, with all the effort and hope, are all retraced back within a fraction of a few seconds.

he looks out of the window. the rain has repressed, the leaves on the trees shedding the remains of the storm that was last night. a few hours go by as he watches the leaf expunge all the beads of water on it, only to crave for it all over again after it has.

the clouds start to clear, and the sun glimpses out, to take a peek at what the rain has left for it.

he’s still by the window, reminiscing, conjuring, questioning, answering, calming and searching his heart.

the air brings the smell of wet wood and rusty chains. he looks up at the sky, and watches the sun playing hide-and-seek with the help of the clouds.

observing the flickers of shadows that are being casted - he shuts his eyes tight, to run away from the memories that lie naked on the bed he’s sitting on. haunting him, calling him, earnestly beseeching him.

voices in his head flash by. voices he had forgotten over time all come rushing by… “magic”, “take a chance”, “bending destiny” - and he lets out a scream to drown them.

the heavens comply and thunder strikes, he turns around to look out the window in amazement.

within minutes the clouds have completely concealed the rays of the hopeful sun.

within seconds, the rain comes crashing down on the leaves.

he turns to takes a comfortable stance at the window across the bed - he knows he’s not going to move from there for a long time to come.

in the coldest time of year,
darkness all around my heart.

i was alone but didn’t fear
to wander in the light of stars.

in the bright and silent night,
winds would knock and disappear.

still i felt the feeling near,
like the first time you were ever here.

you’re so far away,
so far away,
you left me,
you told me you would stay.
you never said goodbye
and i’ll keep asking why,
i keep on asking how,
oh come unto me now.

i have breathed the morning air,
i have heard the four winds blow.

i was weary but prepared to follow
down this lonely road.

in the room where lovers sleep,
winds would knock and disappear.

still i felt the music near,
like the first time we were ever here.

you’re so far away,
so far away,
you left me,
you told me you would stay.
you never said goodbye
and i keep wondering why,
i keep on wondering how,
oh come inside me now.

I’m gonna be posting more often on my other blog from here on.

Not that i’ll ignore this one - I’ll just try and be more consistent posting across both.

I’ve been contemplating merging the two, but then scrapped the thought - the other blog is more “emotional” - as I like to call it - “etched in life - riding this rollercoaster called life” and I don’t think it’ll fit well here as on this blog I’m more casual and periodically update what fancies my attention!

So I’m gonna keep them seperate :)

Any reason why you think I should merge them? Drop me a line!