Karthigai Kolam

Karthigai which falls in the tamil month of Karthigai is a beautiful festival on two counts

1. It involves lighting of small diyas
2. It involves putting elaborate Maa Kolam or Rangoli and is the only time of the year I am involved in putting the Kolam

Here are some pics of this year's extravaganza

African Dancers

I have been enamored with African dancers for a long time. When I saw a YouTube video on how to draw one such picture, I watched that video for several weeks and months until one day I decided to give it a shot. I don't want that video to become one of the ten thousand DIY videos  I watch only to forget it later on.
So I had lot of time in my hand and I decided to try it out. I chose a Cushion Cover that was given away free in an exhibition.


Step 1: I drew the pictures in a paper to be traced out into cushion later. Print out was an option but I was more keen on trying my Free hand.

Step 2: I searched for a carbon paper and traced out the entire drawing into the cushion cover. I hit a road block after I traced the complete picture. I realized not even a single line has appeared in the cushion cover. It was probably the nature of the fabric.

Step 3: I Was going to give up. But decided against it .Now I was forced to try my freehand drawing on the cushion cover with a sketch. I was up for the challenge. For a person who quit biology to escape drawings, that was a brave call. But I stuck to it. After all there is a huge difference between watching a DIY and Actually doing it.

Step 4: I Started my drawing with a black sketch and was elated to see that my drawing was 10% of the original, which in my book was a great achievement. Nothing could stop me from then on.

Step 5: Excited by the results of my first two dancers, I added one more into the foray

Step 6: As soon as I added the third dancers, I saw that the space in the cushion become slightly disproportional. So I decided to add another dancer completing the 4 dancers as in the original

Step 7: Although the new addition was little funny I persevered. I hoped good colors will make this painting look good. This was all in black sketch and it was time to get my dancers some colors with the fabric Paint 

Step 8: I used Fevicryl fabric paint Sunflower Kit. I started off painting with the fabric colors

Step 9:Next was to add more colors. I unfortunately did not have the colors in the original paintings. So it was pretty much left to my imagination. But the amazing Fevicryl sunflower kit offers many possibilities

Step 10:  I mixed some colors to achieve some contrast colours to the caps

Step 11: I finished the painting elements of the dancers.I had some golden dust which I mixed with the binder and it was time to make some jewellery for my dancers

Step 12: I then added some finishing touches and Tada ..

Now these dancers are ready to dance in my living room. I hope this will also help try new things.

Better pictures here

Adios 2013!

The very fact that I came over my Lazy block to write this summary and posted it in this dead wood blog tells me that I have had a wonderful 2013.

The amazing thing about this year has been change. I changed my group at work and I myself took the initiative. I was filled with fear and doubts. But as I look back, I am proud that I choose to change in a small way and it is making a lot of difference. I will not downplay the long awaited promotion this year at work. It did bring me relief if not happiness.

This year has also been filled with Learning. I cracked the PMP. Damn it. Not having written a single serious exam since my college, PMI material had been making a good pillow for months before I decided to write the exam. I promptly gave the books away, the minute I finished the exam. I am now buying a new pillow for 2014. But I will only worry about it when I write this summary next year. Incidentally my work has been quite different from what I have been doing the last nine years which assures lot of learning and challenge. Oh Well I wrote a beta version of my resume, a first in last 10 years.

Also first time in my life I got over the so called American driving and convinced myself to use both legs while driving. I came over the confusing ,  “you clutch and brake while stopping” , “You half clutch and half accelerate and hold hand brake while in slope” , “ You have to hear the engine cry and intuitively know when to change gears” and all this while you are trying to wade through the incessant traffic and the hyderabadi hindi Gaali. I managed to dent an Auto , break the headlights and hit a bike in reverse. After all the morning 6AM driving classes, owning this License to rule the road is definitely a big moment for me if not for all the drivers in the road.

 

And thanks to my remotely located office I have been reading tons of books. First time since my Sidney Sheldon days I have read about 20 books in a year and I have been strangely feeling disappointed when I don’t carry a book.  My favorite book has been “Second Coming of Jobs”. This book started as a boring  one and soon grew into me. When I finished the book I felt a door has opened within me and that feeling was worth every minute spent reading this book.

My creative side exploded this year. I never thought I had one in first place. So anything in that direction has been ‘ flaunt worthy’. I was truly inspired by Zenpencils.com but my economic zone salary could not afford their paper prints. So I decided to make my own and it really brought the child in me back.

 

 “Rangoli” – I have run only in the opposite direction when I heard this word until this year I looked back and actually tried my hand. Irrespective of the results it was a proud moment for me.

 

I have reconnected with some of my long last friends. I got to share some heartwarming moments and reconnect with them the same way I had several years ago. I am surprised how some of my funny friends (who dint know P of Philosophy and S of Serious) are able to talk philosophy and take life with more maturity. I only wish I can take on life like that without losing the child in me.

I also made 2 new friends who will be in my wonderful people list for life. I was truly touched when that friend called me and said “I am in labor and will be giving birth in sometime”. Think of moments to share. I have also changed my perspective about some people and realized that 2 minutes of ego free conversation can open up great bonds.

I also now know something that is permanent and is mine. That is my health. I have been trying a lot of home remedies and some of it has amazing results. Thanks to friends and strangers who have encouraged me with kind words like “You look radiant” etc . Finally I have stuck to a routine and I am looking forward for more in 2014.

I have not trekked Himalayas or been to a buddhist monastery in Nepal. But have visited some of the places I thought I would never go. Be it getting cheated in the Calcutta temple or walking through Mysore brindavan gardens or taking the most exotic and amazing 14 Km girivalam, It’s all worth it

 Thanks to online shopping. I have spent about 15000 Rs in dresses and shoes. Therapeutic.

This 2013 has been wonderful and I have no regrets that it is ending, Because it can only get better from here. I am winding down this year with a wonderful home made coffee scrub and a thankyou note to the wonderful person who forced me to write this summary.

 I have started focusing on my motto for 2014

“Success has less to do with hard work and more to do with massive focus on your few best opportunities.”  

Kumthalakkadi gummava..CSK na summava

Quiller(ardent CSK fan): Woohooo we won the IPL ..yay yay yay

Deccancharger fan: Anni fixinge anta (All matchs were fixed it seems)

Quiller(Angrily): So what? We fixed it well.

Deccancharger fan: Yeah yeah

Quiller(searching for words): Dint you guys fix it last time...

Deccancharger fan(uninterestedly) : Hmmm..

Quiller(confused): hey wait a minute...I called u celebrate CSK's win

Deccancharger fan: Anni fixinge anta

Quiller: Grrrrr (Click)

Emergency call

Person1: Hey How r u ?

Person2: I am doing well . How r u ?

Person1: I am in well. CALL ME!!!!

One year...

A year has passed since my last post. Lot of things have changed. I havent written anything over this year except for a small write up for slow cycling. Sigh!! I resolved to write more and reinstate my first blog everyonehasablog from its years of slumber

Nickelback doesnt stop to excite me. Heard this song after a long time.

If Everyone cared and nobody cried
If Everyone loved and nobody lied
If Everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died !!

Beautiful lyrics and amazing chad kroeger