The unholy art of celebration

10

Oh doesn't everyone hate to be a party-pooper. You never wnat to be the loser in the corner, who doesn't know how to have a good time. Me, I have an unearthly fear of being that loser in the corner, having pooped many parties over the years. So I would, more likely than not, try to oblige. And yet. And yet, I don't get these huge festivals. Like Holi. It's so not holy. (or is it?!) It's so not cool, according to me, but of course I'm missing the point - it is cool maybe if you're surrounded by family, especially kids, and then get the day off. That's always cool. But no, I find it intrusive. Loud and obnoxious and always SUCH an inconvenience not to be able to walk out your house, for fear of being pelted. When I used to stay in the godforsaken bylanes of mukherjee....

Missing the bush(es) for the trees

10

So much drama, so much hype!! Yes President Bush was here...But no the world didn't stop for a minute, let alone a day. He didn't have the good sense to do any sightseeing (who wants to see that old marble tomb in Agra anyway, right?) Well, we'll just wait and see if he's more "chivalrous" to the First Lady the next time round, as the PM seems to hope. But we totally lost sight of the bush for the trees here. The protests were all well and good - I'm all for freedom of speech, of course. But the posturing, the posing, the arundhati roy syndrome (wow that woman! I mean, yes she won the Booker, yes she's pretty and articulate and writes beautifully, but how many causes and bandwagons do you jump on before someone comes along and calls you out as a...dare i say it...pseudo!!) Or is....