Quiet…Screaming out loud the praises of the introverted.

I always felt uncomfortable hobnobbing in the cocktail circuit… or even amongst large crowds.
I would feel stressed if I had to walk in to a room full of strangers and mingle for a long time making small talk. Thus making my presence felt at corporate functions are/were a nightmare for me. I would always choose a quiet evening having a drink with a few friends opposed to a large party. Or an intimate dinner for two rather than going out with a large group of people.
And I thought something was wrong with me for being that way.
Then I came across this book called “Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking” by Susan Cain. Well came across is not 100% correct. Actually Amazon threw it at me saying I should read it. It still boggles my mind when I try to think of what kind of sophisticated software they must be using to be able to pin point my reading tastes so accurately.
In this book I realized that nothing was wrong with me. It was just the way God made me. I am an introvert. Most importantly I realized that I had something in common with some of the most successful and accomplished people in the world. People such as Albert Einstien, JK Rowling, Abraham Lincon and Bill Gates. Who were all Introverts. This book gave me useful tips on how to handle myself in a world where Extroverts are worshipped and introverts are looked down upon. But most importantly it also taught me that kids too can be classified into introverts and extroverts and as parents we have to be aware of this and handle them in a manner which is more suited for each individual style. The same goes for employees too. For instance certain people just CANNOT thrive in an open plan office which seems to be the rage in this modern day and age. All in all I am so thankful that Amazon decided to push this book my way because not only did I learn to accept and appreciate myself but also I learnt invaluable information on how important it is to be attuned to the behavior of other people specially of my kids. By doing so I could make a world of difference in their life and their future.

Daddy Taxi

One of the privileges of being a dad to me is to be able to drive your kids around. Not around the bend – which I tend to do sometimes according to them - but around town from one activity to another. Of course I disguise the fact that I enjoy this task very much as otherwise I will not have a moments peace. But I do enjoy the alone time I have with my girls in the vehicle. Sometimes it is the only quality time we spend together. True we spend a lot of time on weekends at home but each of us are up to our own devices on our own devices in our own little spaces it seems that we hardly interact with one another at all. These days the school sports meet has begun and it really tests the daddy taxi service’s efficiency as well as its patience to the hilt as sometimes it involves 3-4 trips to school. But this taxi driver is smiling instead of frowning. Well at least most of the time.

Talking in tongues that help you to sleep…

I was always envious of those people who could talk in tongues. It seemed as if they were enjoying a trip on a bus I could not seem to hop on. And believe me I have tried.
“Talking in tongues”? What on earth is it you might ask?
It is a state of religious bliss when a person is united with god and communicating with him in his own language arms out cast head held high as torrents of words which are completely meaningless gush out of their lips. You can see this kind of thing a lot in Charismatic Christian Churches. Like the one I go to. In fact I was exposed to talking in tongues so many times I thought this kind of behavior was exclusively limited to Christian circles.
That all changed when I came across this article on this site. If you checked the link out you would realize it is far from espousing Christian values. I must confess that I follow this site because I find the articles absolutely useful.
In a nutshell it said you can relax yourself to sleep after a stressful day by teaching yourself to talk in tongues. There is no magic to it just start by saying “La, La La” and let your mind take over unconsciously. It would seem difficult as first but you will easily slip into it after a few tries. Lo and behold I tried and I succeeded. Well not like some of the people I have seen in the churches but enough to be impressed by my own ability. And the truth is it does seem to have a positive effect on my sleep as I seem to fall into a deeper than usual sleep and wake up feeling far more refreshed.

Three Interesting Points of view

I love the little pictures with thoughts which people post on FB. The past few weeks I have come across three which are diverse in the views expressed but still extremely truthful and thought provoking. I thought is worth posting. Mainly for my own records.

Revisiting the new Park Street Mews

The green and white decor was very hip 

I was never impressed with the Park Street Mews.
Yes, the place was lovely the atmosphere was great but the food left a lot lacking.
In fact I went there to dine in maybe 3 – 4 years ago but my experience was so much below average that I have never stepped into that place again.
Till now that is.

 

Even the bread basket (err Board) was easy on the eye

Whispers had been trickling in about how good the food was. So finally a friend and I decided to check out the place for lunch.I loved the green and white ambience. The mojito I ordered was average but the food was out of this world. I had Prawn in Green Curry along with a feta and chick peas salad which was simply exquisite.

Prawns in Thai Green Curry - wish they had more than rice 

The chickpea salad was excellent 

My dining partner had a Salmon steak which was pretty good too. I also saw some very interesting dishes on the tables of some of the other diners as well.

The Salmon steak was good too though not the best I have ever eaten 

But the highlight of my visit was yet to come in the form of the most delicious homemade (err made by the chefs of the restaurant but there is no word for it) ice cream I have had in a long time. Sadly the portions were not the most generous but the flavors were heavenly. Each serving consists of three scoops. Taking the advice of the server I decided to try three different flavors’; Chai Tea, burnt Caramel and chocolate. The Chai tea and Burnt Caramel was outstanding.

Best described as three Orgasms in a row 

Making me make a mental note that I need to be visiting this place again soon. Very very soon.

A movie that touched my soul - The Sessions

Somehow it seems ironic to use the word touching in describing this movie because lack of being able to touch is what makes “The Sessions” so unique.
This movie was idling on my shelf for a couple of months because somehow the cover and story outline on the DVD did not do justice to such a strong and powerful story. The only reason I picked it up was because it starred Helen Hunt and William H Macy. Two of my favorite artistes. What really saddens me is that I nearly ended up not watching it.
“The Sessions” is a true story based on the life of Mark O Brien who can only move his head and has to live most of his life in an iron lung. What is quite amazing is that the idea for doing this movie was sparked off by a short essay he wrote.
Mark yearns to have sexual intercourse and the movie outlines how he sets about searching for it. The irony is that the person who he goes for advice is a Catholic Priest played by William H Macy who naturally has no experience about this kind of thing at all.
However he delivers this amazing line which I thought was sublime. "It's amazing to me how often God is brought into the sex act. I understand even among nonbelievers the most common expression of sexual ecstasy is, "Oh, God."
Ultimately Mark finds what he is looking for in the arms – or between the legs - of a sex surrogate played by Holly Hunt. There is more to the story but I think you should watch it. In addition to a powerful sad and shocking story the movie also features a beautiful music track which I find absolutely haunting and you have the added advantage of seeing Holly Hunt completely naked. A first for me. Now who could ask for more?
Wait but there is more.
To me the most beautiful thing about the movie is a poem which is written by Mark to Holly Hunt’s character. Who is Cheryl Cohen Green in real life and whose choice in career is quite commendable and intriguing to say the least.
I loved it first even though I thought it was written by a screen writer but now I realize that it was actually written by the real Mark O Brien which makes it even more appealing to me. I find the sentiments of using only words to touch a person’s heart quite personal as well. So here it is. 

Love Poem to No One in Particular
By Mark O Brien

Let me touch you with my words 

For my hands lie limp as empty gloves

Let my words stroke your hair 

Slide down your back and tickle your belly

For my hands, light and free flying as bricks

Ignore my wishes and stubbornly refuse to carry out my quietest desires Let my words enter your mind bearing torches 

Admit them willingly into your being

So they may caress you gently within

Arriving early at the wedding I was late for...

I doubt you know this. But generally I avoid church wedding ceremonies like the plague. I find it absolutely stifling and boring. If I do make the effort to go for a church wedding I make sure to time my entry so that I step in when the service is about over and the bride and groom are walking out. This way I can make eye contact with them and mark my presence whilst quite falsely say what a beautiful wedding it was in a completely genuine manner when wishing them. I must say it has been a fool proof plan so far. Till now that is.
Last week I made my fashionably late entry into the church 45 minutes after the wedding was supposed to have started. But this time when I stepped into the church premises I thought my lucky streak of making perfectly timed entrances have come to an end and I have actually come to the church AFTER the bride and groom has departed. I cautiously (and sheepishly) stepped into the not too crowded church to meet a cousins wife who had a stern look on her face. I thought I was going to be reprimanded for coming in late. But instead she tells “Can you believe it the groom is late?”
It was only then that it dawned on me that I had got my times mixed up and I was early for the wedding which I was supposed to get (fashionably) late for. However it turned out to be a good thing because I really enjoyed the wedding. I could say it was the most beautiful wedding I have been to. Guess everything happens for the best.