Fireflies

Coorg gave an entirely different meaning to the phrase: "the woods are lovely, dark and deep..." The estate where we were staying had a most picturesque stream flowing through it, flanked on both sides by dense foliage laced with loads of insects - that failed to terrify. Quite the contrary, actually. And it was not a pathetic excuse of a stream, which some hyped-up things turn out to be, but a completely respectable and impressively long one, cutting across the estate, sometimes rapidly and sometimes lazily.

It reminded me of our weekend excursions in Kashmir, where there was invariably a stream (or at least a body of water) involved - be it in the kids' determined attempt to cross it, or in dishwashing. The water in Coorg was muddier than in Kashmir, as I remarked at the time, resulting in my being told that comparing everything to Kashmir is not good for one's health. What can I do? It's in my blood.

Anyway, if the forest was lush and attractive in the day, it was positively enchanting at night. Walking through a trail along the stream, with the sounds of the water in the background, the forest looked out of a fairytale. There were fireflies dispersed all around, which only added to the magical feeling. Neither can I describe in words, nor do I have a picture to show you of that scene. Suffice it to say that it seemed that in that utter darkness I was in another world completely, where Gollum, the evil one, could have crept up and slipped away with her.

Spreading the Word

Vote for the Best Act in the World here.

The person who guesses my choice wins a million dollar hotel ;)

By the way, Mel Gibson is an idiot.

Whole lotta heartbreak

So Led Zeppelin just announced that they are reuniting for what will most probably be their last gig together, and the ticket website has already crashed. On myriad websites we see dire warnings dissuading people from buying tickets from internet auctions sites, as they will be deemed invalid -- the reason being that this will not be 'fair.'

Bollocks, I say. Why cannot the tickets be auctioned? Aren't they entities, like any other product? If I can buy a painting at an auction, why not a ticket? It's not like anyone is stuffing it down my throat -- I am making the decision sanely, with all my senses, not under the influence of any intoxicating agent (I swear!) to maybe overpay for this stairway to heaven.

I may sound like 'daddy's rich girl' (as someone remarked), but I stand by my viewpoint. I say let the tickets be auctioned! And give us poor folks a chance at watching the Gods make heavenly music out of nothing.

Bono on Pavarotti

Read Bono's tribute to Pavarotti here.

What do I care about opera?

Pavarotti died today and I am sad. That name is associated with one of the most amazing and haunting songs I have ever heard in my life – Miss Sarajevo – that was a collaboration between U2 and the Italian tenor. I guess if it wasn’t in the guise of a popular music number I would never have got to experience the wonder of Pavarotti’s voice. But the first time I listened to Miss Sarajevo, I was smitten with this bulky, smiling, bearded singer who had a deep, soul-touching voice.

Pavarotti is reported to have said: “We've reached 1.5 billion people with opera. If you want to use the word commercial, or something more derogatory, we don't care. Use whatever you want."

Well said, and may you always rest in peace.

P.S. This is Miss Sarajevo, with the Italian parts translated. There could not be a more haunting or tear-inducing song.

(Bono)
Is there a time for keeping your distance
A time to turn your eyes away
Is there a time for keeping your head down
For getting on with your day

Is there a time for kohl and lipstick
A time for curling hair
Is there a time for high street shopping
To find the right dress to wear

Here she comes
Heads turn around
Here she comes
To take her crown

Is there a time to run for cover
A time for kiss and tell
Is there a time for different colours
Different names you find it hard to spell

Is there a time for first communion
A time for East Seventeen
Is there a time to turn to Mecca
Is there time to be a beauty queen

Here she comes
Beauty plays the clown
Here she comes
Surreal in her crown

(Pavarotti)
Dici che il fiume
Trova la via al mare
E come il fiume
Giungerai a me
Oltre i confini
E le terre assetate
Dici che come fiume
Come fiume...
L'amore giungerà
L'amore...
E non so più pregare
E nell'amore non so più sperare
E quell'amore non so più aspettare

[Translation of the above]

You say that the river
finds the way to the sea
and like the river
you will come to me
beyond the borders
and the dry lands
you say that like a river
like a river...
the love will come
the love...
And I don't know how to pray anymore
and in love I don't know how to hope anymore
and for that love I don't know how to wait anymore

[End of Translation]

(Bono)
Is there a time for tying ribbons
A time for Christmas trees
Is there a time for laying tables
And the night is set to freeze

Released

No longing
For things old or new
No wistful reveries
No blanked-out thinking…

So this is what it feels like
To be at peace

Just point me to a destination
And have me make my way there
That is enough
To make my troubles disappear.