Wordless Wednesday #16 Sunset in the Desert

I found this picture on Google images and felt a calmness wash over me whilst I just took in the sheer beauty of it.  I grew up in Dubai and often found an escape in the desert; especially around the time of sun-set.  The desert air cools down almost the minute the sun goes into hiding; and it can get pretty chilly at night.

All I want right now is to lay back against the sands, with a hookah (or sheesha as some may know it) and just ‘chill’.  What about you ? Have you ever enjoyed the warmth of the desert ? Have you ever been camping in the desert ? It’s a lot of fun =)

Music Monday #18 Deepak Chopra feat Demi Moore - Desire

I was going through my old music posts and had to re-post this for today’s Music Monday … The original post can be found here.

Anyone a Buddha Bar fan ? Have you heard 'Desire' by Deepak Chopra featuring Demi Moore ? Yes, Demi Moore as in the actress who was once married to Bruce Wilis and now married to Ashton Kutcher !

The lyrics and rhythms of this track are just immensely soothing and yet so deep – it stirs something at the bottom of my heart.  The lyrics are almost pure and yet so humble in their meaning … honest, open, soul baring. Demi Moore's voice just adds a touch of sensual mystique to this tune.

Do we love ourselves more than we love our lovers ? Can we truly love someone unconditionally without thought for ourselves ? To experience a love where you can find your strengths in someone else is quite intense !

Passion at its peak … where your senses hunger for a touch and taste of another … you can look but cannot touch … wherein a mere glance is enough to melt you and stir a flame within.

I quite like the depth behind the 2^nd last verse of the song … I am a water & air sign and love the calming effects that water brings about. The power of the ocean – in all its magnitude – is a reflection of how truly powerless we are in the face of it all. Does the ocean call out to you the way it does to me ?

Are you like the ocean – smooth on the surface, turbulence rampaging below ? Do you have the same intensity as the waters that beckon you to dare tread their surface ? Imagine being able to merge yourself as one with the ocean … to rise above the surface and engulf those around you and make them one with you ?

 

A lover knows only humility, he has no choice.
He steals into your alley at night, he has no choice.
He longs to kiss every lock of your hair, don't fret,
he has no choice.'
In his frenzied love for you, he longs to break the chains of his imprisonment,
he has no choice.
A lover asked his beloved:
Do you love yourself more than you love me?
Beloved replied: I have died to myself and I live for you.
I've disappeared from myself and my attributes,
I am present only for you.
I've forgotten all my learning's,
but from knowing you I've become a scholar.
I've lost all my strength, but from your power I am able.
I love myself...I love you.
I love you...I love myself.
I am your lover, come to my side,
I will open the gate to your love.
Come settle with me, let us be neighbours to the stars.
You have been hiding so long, endlessly drifting in the sea of my love.
Even so, you have always been connected to me.
Concealed, revealed, in the unknown, in the un-manifest.
I am life itself.
You have been a prisoner of a little pond,
I am the ocean and its turbulent flood.
Come merge with me,
leave this world of ignorance.
Be with me, I will open the gate to your love.
I desire you more than food or drink
My body my senses my mind hunger for your taste
I can sense your presence in my heart
although you belong to all the world
I wait with silent passion for one gesture one glance
from you.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice. PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Sexy Saturday – Bradley Cooper

 

 

Bradley Cooper, is probably best known for his role in ‘The Hangover’ …he was also in the movie ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’, The A-Team and ‘Valentines Day’  and this 6’1 green eyed hunk has Irish and Italian genes mixed in him .. I really do like my Italian men ;)

I want him – so hands off him !! He can be on my A-Team anytime :P so definitely got my Sexy Saturday vote =)

He come into my tub anytime !!! oh wait I don’t have a tub but still … that’s what interior decorators are for !

Does he get your vote ?

Wordless Wednesday #15 Silenced By Sunset

 

Isn’t this just stunning ?? UK based photographer Pete Barnes took this sunset photograph over a small lake … the water is so flat !! and the colours !! It took my breath away ! Don’t forget to check out the rest of his work on his website.

Dazed Poet : Actions

For someone who never enjoyed poetry during English Lit class – I somehow managed to get a grasp of writing my own poetry (or perhaps my Lit professor was just being kind)

Here’s one of my first pieces of writing from close to a decade ago … I hope you enjoy it =)

Actions

What's said has
been said
What's done has
been done

The past is gone
Present almost over
Only the future awaits

I've let go of
the past . . .
I can't undo it
Alas you've condoned
The future

© DazeDiva

I’d like to know how you feel when you read this ? What image comes to mind ?  Do the words express what happened in that image ?  Have you experienced something similar ? Are you able to relate to this ?

Whether you like it, love it, hate it or think it’s not real poetry – I’d really like to know .. so don’t be shy with your comments !

Music Monday #17 Wolfsheim – Dream of You

I was going through my old music posts and had to re-post this … The original post can be found here.   From the moment I heard this track (sometime at the end of 2008) I felt an immediate connection to it :)

As I’ve mentioned before - I'm not much one for lyrics - I prefer to listen to beats ... and this tune had it 'all' ... some wickedly sensual beats, deep lyrics and an intensity that I just don't know how to explain.

I had come home that night and put my head phones on - closed my eyes, letting my fingers find a life of their own and here’s what I came up with …

... my fingers type words that I do not know .. a shudder going through my blood cells with a tingle all the way down to my toes ... it's making me dizzy ... I'm spinning .. I can actually feel myself get lost to the beats and the bass ... my breath has become shallow .. paced .. my mind is a whirlwind of activity ... no .... energy would be the right word ... the rhythm behind those beats combined with the way the words have been used .. it engulfs me - taking my breath away !

Today I as tweak this post – I’ve put back the headphones and closed my eyes and here’s what my magic fingers dished out …

I can feel the music echo through my veins … through every pore of my body … there’s something about it … that engulfs me … the back beat – its almost as if I can feel my own heart beat racing … I think I know now what an out of body experience might be like … I can feel myself being lifted .. my soul is floating within me … the vocals send shivers down the back of my neck ..

Just had a look at what I typed up …. perhaps you will just have to hear the track the way I have to possibly understand what I'm trying to convey here ...

If you enjoy listening to beats then this is definitely a track you need to hear ... Extremely uplifting ... it'll make you smile .. even if you aren't a 'house / trance' type of person ...

The beats and the lyrics are quite contradictory actually when you think about it ... We've all always been here all along and each of us has been at some point or the other - in search of that someone ... you have a vision - 'dream' as the lyrics go - of what this person is going to be like .. how compatible they are going to be to your life .. and perhaps whilst we are going about our daily lives and just living life as it is our very last day ... there come days when you wonder why there is that 'something lacking' feeling ? Despite the fullness you have around you - there is some small part of you - no matter how deeply hidden away - that is floating in loneliness ...

It's kinda obvious that we as humans need someone at some point or the other to share our lives with .. more so - we need that significant other - who is able to dig into your soul and see what no other can see about you ... Is that the vision you have ? Is that the vibes the beats are giving off ?

What do you think about the song ? Have you heard it before ? Are you able to relate to the music and the lyrics ? Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Wolfsheim – Dream of You 

I've been here all the time
As far as I know doing right
I've always waited for the moment
That you would come through my door
But this brought loneliness so far
I lay my hand onto my heart
Is this a life I want to live?
Is this the dream I had of you? (2x)
Now I'm standing here alone
Waiting on my own
For something that will fill the emptiness inside
The moment that you're mine
But this is loneliness I know
I lay my hand onto my soul
Is this what life has got to give?
Is this the dream I had of you?
... the dream I had of you?

Have a great Music Monday and don’t forget to share your linky !!

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice. PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Exploring The Unknown World of Dating … Still

A very dear friend of mine – who’s an absolute charmer with a Capital C – sent me this post after reading my post ‘Dating ? What’s That ? and I have to share it with you all here in Blogosphere. Enjoy the Guest Post and Happy Reading !

An adorable, adorable, gorgeous girl has sparked this one ..and I am just tempted to put all those thoughts out there. I just read her blog and one of her recent blogs; spoke about Dating! Dating in a city of dreams, Mumbai. Her blog was more about the whole concept than the city scenario and I was captivated, so here I am, spilling my beans….

She mentioned this and I am just reiterating it, Dating has a different meaning for different people. In a city like ours, where colleagues become friends and friends sometimes become partners, it can get pretty complicated. In a fairly active social life, you end up meeting a lot of people, almost everyone that you meet (Single people of course) either look at you like a loser ( guy/girl) or as someone with some potential. Really that’s about it, these are really the only two extreme set of classifications people have, in the beginning of course!!!

Once you get to know the person it’s a different scenario all together. The challenge for me has always been about the start, When do I start dating? Am I ready for it? What am I really looking for? Am I too old for dating? Isn’t it about time I start seeing someone cause I do wanna get married soon …but how can I see that person if I haven’t dated her yet? Even before I meet someone, I have already gone through these zillion questions in my head, with answers that only lead to some more questions and some more ….

So at some point I stop trying and finding answers, I just ‘Go with the flow’. Meet someone, go out for coffee/ movie/ dinner…wondering if I should hold her hand and make her feel like my date and not just another friend, should I peck her on the cheek and promise to call her…or should I just “Go with the flow”….God wondering what is really right to do…..

I have to say this, Facebook has simply changed the way Dating used to be. One evening out with the person and the next day both the individuals are logging on to FB checking their pictures, likes, dislikes, comments etc….It’s like someone gave them a chance to peep into the other persons entire life.…..Initially I have to admit, I loved the idea… but over a period of time I realized it made things too easy, it made things too comfortable, It made the chase too easy ….even before you realized,…..you were a couple!!!!! What I realize only now is that it also made her and mine exit easy too…even before moments of silence, moments of awkwardness, fights….we were Single again!!!

I am obviously not blaming FB for anything, just supporting my situation with some make belief facts…While I struggle to convince myself with similar facts, I made some rules for myself for the unknown journey….I made some rules that’ll define me…I made some rules that’ll let me be me…..

1. Be yourself…. no matter how ugly she looks or how pretty she is…be yourself
2. Don’t hold back anything, if you want to say it….Say It…….let her do the same ( only if she wants too of course)

No rules beyond these two seem logical to me at any point, honestly it hasn’t got me too much luck but hey what the hell at least I don’t have a guilt to live with. So here I am writing all this, hoping to be back in the world of Dating once again….actually I am not really sure about….but what the Heck….’Let’s just Go with the flow’.

Happy Reading….and incase you are heading where I am …Wish you luck…I know I need it!!!

You say one Love, One life …when all you really need, is just one night !!!....

A.S comes from a Public Relations background and those of you from Mumbai might have seen his 6ft frame at a very popular night club in the city.

His blog is called ‘My Enclosure’ where he’s still discovering ways to find a space all for himself.

Sexy Saturday – Chris Evans

Chris Evans = FINE !!! Absolutely drool-worthy !! I could eye that man all day long !!! Dear Lord if you are listening to me – kindly make a few more men like Chris Evans … I need the eye candy !!

This stud-muffin is of Italian & Irish descent… no wonder my mate Nat has a thing for the Italian men .. but I digress :P

He’s probably best known for his role as the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four films and now that I think about it – was also in the spoof film Not Another Teen Movie. 

Chris Evans is also playing the role of comic hero Captain America for the new Captain America movie due out next year. 

So there you have it … my sexy Saturday pick ! It’s no wonder I’m not heading out tonight – I rather feast my eyes on him than be amongst a crowd of sweaty foot stomping peeps in a club !

Don’t forget to share your linky if you are participating in Sexy Saturday !

 

Dating Is NOT Easy … Especially in Bombay

I’ve come to conclude that it’s actually damn near impossible for an expat or an NRI to ‘date’ in Bombay ! (in my personal opinion)

It just doesn’t happen. It’s as if the concept of dating does not exist or has not existed in this city. I look around me and see couples and I wonder – how did they start dating ? I’ve even asked a few of them and the response tends to be pretty generic ..

‘we went to school / college together and had the same friends and one day we were a couple’

‘we met in college, became friends and now we’re a couple’

‘we lived in the same building / neighbourhood – saw each other a lot – and we’re now together’

Give me a break here – that’s not dating – that’s just settling with someone you are comfortable with i.e. your friend ! (and I say that without any disrespect). Maybe these people felt shy to tell me about the actual dating process – but the more I hear stories like this – the more I come to believe that dating does not exist at all in this city. It may sound cliché – but it’s true. All the ‘married couples’ I know have ‘dated this way’.

At the end of the day – it comes down to peoples’ perception of dating. In my last post ‘Dating ? What’s That ? – I tried to look at various view points of dating – and the comments that the post received were honestly – just phenomenal !

Dating can be quite a simple thing – but after living here for 3 years – it seems to be the most complicated concept that anyone has come across ! It’s not like I don’t meet men – in fact I know way too many people – and despite that I’ve not met anyone I really want to ‘date’ nor have I been too impressed by the ‘supposed dates’ I have been on.

When I do meet guys with dating potential – it’s as if I’ve been thrown into the twilight zone and somehow have to decipher hidden messages and just ‘know’ what my next move ought to be. Seriously – you can’t get to know a person over ‘text messages’ or ‘BBM’ .. you have to meet someone and take the time to get to know them … but in Bombay even that concept is a myth ! (ironic considering majority of the locals are all in relationships with their friends)

Fair enough – we all have a busy life and schedule to follow – but would it kill a guy / girl to take a few minutes out of their day to pick up the phone and have a chat with someone they are interested in ?? Technology doesn’t make dating easier – it makes it harder (but that’s another post altogether)

I’m not a 5 year old – I don’t play mind games – it’s as simple as ‘hey I like you and want to get to know you’ … but alas this city doesn’t make it easy for me .. Every time I have expressed interest in a man who has clearly shown the initial interest in me – it’s like ‘poof’ – he suddenly becomes a chameleon and it’s as if we don’t know each other. I thought it was just me – but no – conversations with other friends (men and women) have proven that this ‘poof act’ is not restricted to any gender and applies across the board.

I’m confident enough in myself not to ‘need’ the label of ‘boyfriend / girlfriend’ – it would be nice to know though if one is ‘dating’ someone … Cos sure enough – I know people who think they are dating someone only to find that its been a ‘friend thing’ … Come on ! At least clarify whether or not one is in the friend zone or not ! My blogger buddy SingleCityGuy got it spot on when he said ‘be clear about what you are seeking’

Just when I begin to get the faith back in men who might know what dating is – I end up thinking ‘WTF just happened’ !! From a female perspective – I’ve noticed that every time I have taken an initiative with a man (after his initial expression of interest) – it’s as if they become ‘weary’ and ‘unsure’ of what they want.

I get that we all enjoy the chase – men and women both – but seriously shouldn’t one gender stop to get caught ? At least it will help determine if the chase was worth it !!! (and save both parties time and energy)

What are your thoughts ? If you live in Bombay or surrounding areas – what do you think ? Are you an expat in Bombay and having trouble dating ? Or have you found yourself thinking you’re on a date but it’s really not a date ? Don’t worry – it’s called the ‘Non-Date Date’ … Nando has dissected this theory with his post The Non-Date Date Illusion and I’ve come to realize that’s what tends to happen when a girl and a guy get to together (at least here) – it’s a non-date date with the precautionary safety net of the friend-zone !

Side Note : I haven’t gone into the various areas of dating here – but from the looks of it – I will have to do that. Just read a fabulous article and it’s perfect for what I have in mind !

Oh and if you aren’t from Bombay or even from India – please don’t let that stop you from leaving a comment. Dating is NOT easy anywhere in the world – I’m smart enough to realize that. Times have changed. People have changed. Perceptions have changed. I just believe it’s perhaps 10 times harder to date in Bombay or in India - especially for an expat or NRI.

Do make sure you mention where you are from (city/country) and what you feel about the dating culture over there. Is it easy ? Is it difficult ? How many dates before you meet Mr or Ms Right ? Or is dating just over-rated ?

Wordless Wednesday #14 Natural Falls

I came across this mini-natural fall whilst on route to Lonavala from Bombay over the weekend.  I’m a sucker for a nature – and couldn’t resist stopping the car to get a few pics =)

What do you think ? Isn’t the picture just so serene ?

Music Monday #16 No Mercy – Please Don’t Go

My best friend left back for London today.  And the only words I could say to her were ‘please don’t go’. 

I feel like a chunk of my soul has been ripped out of me right now.  The two weeks she was here visiting felt like a brand new life line for me; and whilst the days just merged into each other – suddenly it’s gone by way to fast – and I’m almost back to where I started. 

There are very few people who make a difference in our lives .. and she is one of them.  DA is my soul sister, my dancing & dating diva, my confidante and a ‘true’ friend. 

This song seemed apt to use for Music Monday.   However since I’m absolutely clueless when it comes to song names / lyrics – it might be too cheesy (even when I hear it now – it comes off as that LOL) … but you see my point .. ‘please don’t go’ … If you can recommend any other nice ‘friend’ songs – that would be great – at least I can add to my current collection.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice. PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Wordless Wednesday #13 Come On Ride It

How on earth did they manage to load a full grown Ox / Buffalo (whatever that is – and it’s definitely not a cow) on that rickshaw looking carrier ??

My mate DA is giggling away wondering if they are taking it home for lunch !!! It’s a ‘special consignment’ !

Have you ever seen anything like this ?? Well if you’re living in India – I’m sure you have.  This photo was taken in Agra at the end of May this year when I went for a road trip with another girlfriend SH.

Music Mondays #15 Ester Dean – Drop It Low

As some of you know – my best mate Dee is visiting me from London =) and today’s Music Monday is her selection.

I’ve never seen the video before – so it’s a first for me too … have heard the track in clubs so it’s not as if I’m clueless about it.  Dee says that we’ve got to learn the moves to ‘drop it low’ ;)  I could that – no problem !

Have you heard this track before ? What do you think about it ? Can you drop it low ?  What’s your favourite tune for this week’s Music Monday ?

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice. PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Wordless Wednesday #12 View of The Wine

I really love this picture !! I took it a few months back and just looking at it reminds of the weekend that was Beyond Belief !

What do you think of the photo ? Does it make you feel anything or conjure up any sort of image for you (aside from the obvious :P) ?

Have a great Wordless Wednesday everyone !!