Miracle Car!!! I want this Baby……

An article in yesterday’s newspaper caught my attention. “Scientists have developed what they say is the world's first "Internet Car" which can read out your emails, Facebook and Twitter updates. The unique car can also help motorists behind the wheel surf the net by using a series of voice commands. To avail the facilities, drivers only need to attach their smart phones or iPads into a charger in the electric car before they set off. The vehicle also allows drivers to search radio stations with voice commands using its special "infotainment" technology. The technology is designed to prevent the driver being distracted by texts and emails. Through voice commands the computer reads a person's messages to them as they drive."

Wow…I am impressed by this news article, what an innovative idea!! How thoughtful of the scientists, the concern they show for the drivers and the pedestrians is really something!! Thank you. I am so not going to make it to office, if I am not updated on my favourite actor’s breakfast choice for the day or what he did after pack-up, and the movie he or she watched, in the night. My mind will be buzzing with unanswered questions about another celebrity and whether he had a good dump in the morning or if his plumbing was faulty. All these are life-altering news and I have to know about them even before I reach my place of work as there is going to be a contest on who ate what? And who dumped whom? When and Where. Hence this miracle car is a must buy for me, this, Internet Car.

That brings me to another important aspect of my life, Facebook. Yes, how can I miss out on all the intelligent status updates and messages my virtual friends post and send to me. Life is a journey, one friend writes, really? I didn’t know this!!Thanks for enlightening me. Another brainy one writes, love thy enemy’, wow, profound. Some really uplifting ones include intelligent and brilliant thoughts, like a smiley face or a sad one. I have to respond and ask them why they are happy or sad. All this while, I am on my way to the office, in my miracle car. I so need this new contraption, thank you.

I can surf the net while driving and will not get distracted, wow. All because my hands will be on the wheel while my mind will be surfing the net along with the million other places, minds go to all the time. Even when I hear about my favourite sportsman’s death, I will continue driving at the same safe and reasonable speed. Will not get startled and go and embrace a tree, miracle car and all. When my team wins, I won’t shout out with glee and put my hands up and celebrate, and if I do, maybe I will command my car to continue driving at a safe and permissible speed. It is after all a miracle car!!

I pity those poor people who have the out-dated old cars, which don’t obey their voice commands because, when they get a message or update, they have to stop at stop signs or service roads and read the same. While I can go about my business merrily, while driving and being a menace to the fellow drivers. Poor old fashioned people with their retro cars, my sympathies lie with them. So what if I might not make it to office and they do, at least I will depart this world in style and will go out in the IN-THING.

Lucks aka Sulekha

All the things, I would do, if the world minded its own business.

What a perfect world it would be, if people minded their own business and let you get on with yours. These are the many things, I would do then…..

I would colour my hair purple and get a punk-cut.

Wear a mini skirt, leather jacket and boots,
and roam the streets, whenever I felt like it.

Dance on the bar without worrying about raised eyebrows.

Get drunk at the New Year’s bash ,
and tell everyone, how I really felt about them.

Walk into a temple with shoes on, god doesn’t say, no footwear allowed inside. It’s the so-called guardians of the temples, who mind the extra work, cleaning after the devotees. So many times, for the want of taking off my shoes, I have been deprived of an audience with god.

Hold my friend’s hand and walk on the roads without inviting curious glances. Without people snickering behind our backs, Is she gay?

Say NO to irritating relative’s, unreasonable demands

Speak my mind without thinking about the consequences

Do what I felt like, when I felt like, always

Hibernate for three months at a hill station

Dress sloppily

Eat only when hungry and not worry about, my weight,

Live my life and not worry about,
my character, my reputation, and my duties.

Curse and throw things around when angry
Howl at the top of my voice,
when upset or grieving.

Burst into a guffaw, in public,
when something funny happens

Love deeply, unrestrictedly

Stay in a relationship only until it lasts.
Walk out when love goes out of it.

Fall in love again and again,
till I find my soul-mate.

Be in love with more than one person,
at the same time, and say it openly.

Profess my undying love to my soul-mate,
and walk off into the sunset with him/her.

Stay away from negative people,
even when they are closely related to me.

Show my displeasure,
Answer back

Not conform to the rules

Pull out my tongue at moral policing

Thumbs down to toxic people

Light candles in the morning

Eat breakfast at night

Do as I please

Speak my mind.

Follow my heart.

Live in the moment

Be free

Love unconditionally.



Lucks aka Sulekha

Sugar n Spice and everything Nice.....

She writes gut-wrenching poems,

Makes her readers cry.

And also makes them smile,

With her witty comments.

All the while hiding all the pain,

In her lonely but strong heart.



She is a loyal friend and a fierce,

Protector of women's rights.

Has a clear idea of right and wrong,

And doesn't suffer fools gladly.

Jumps to her friend's defence and

Lambasts the wrong- doer.



Hides behind oversized shirts,

Eats only when hungry,

Is an excellent cook.

But can make do with bhelpuri

For dinner.

Has an eccentric rice cooker,

They complement each other.

Temperamental to the core,

But beautiful inside out.



She loves her coffee, with milk,

But some days forgets to buy it

And is a lost case then.

Huh..What..how..are her pet questions,

In the absence of milk in her coffee.



She is a workaholic but refuses,

To work on Mondays and Fridays.

She is a computer geek

And brilliant at her job,

But ask her how she pulls out,

Mismatched socks, from the dryer,

Every time, one of each kind.



Small pleasures in life make her happy,

Like our early morning chats,

A glass of wine in the evenings,

Vicks vapour rub at night,

Zeenath her sweetheart, her car.



The scenery outside her window,

Reminds her of my love for colours.

She clicks wonderful snaps but,

Laments her phone's camera.

Calls it her wannabe BB.

It's a standing joke between us.



Her tagline is as original as her,

Everything that rhymes is not poetry.

Not just another madrasi,

That's my friend,

Chokher Bali for you.



Lucks aka Sulekha

My Maiden Voyage

Today I rode my sunny, trusted two-wheeler, to Broadway and back. It was my maiden voyage in the deep dark waters of traffic and crowds and I have my daughter Shloka to thank for it. She was my inspiration and cheerleader rolled into one major motivating force, a force to be reckoned with. I have been riding my sunny zip scooty in and around Katari Bagh, Kochi, Kerala, for nearly three years now, but didn't have the courage to cross the Thevara bridge and go into town.

Today, I had to go to Broadway to make a purchase and as usual I decided to go by auto.But she put her foot down and goaded me into taking the sunny to the market. I agreed albeit reluctantly. The moment I reached the bridge I started thinking, was I making a mistake? An astrologer has predicted a major road accident in my future; I have been warned to be very careful. All these thoughts crossed my mind and I almost turned back. Turning back was an option open to me according to Shloka. She said "The moment you feel you cannot go any further we'll turn back." Since there was a backup plan, I didn't panic. Being a true Capricorn I plodded along, slowly but sure-footedly and painstakingly towards my destination.

I had been thinking about going to town on my own riding my sunny but had always backed out at the last minute. I needed that extra push that nudges in the right direction, the right kind of encouragement. I think everybody needs a Shloka in their lives to make their lives richer, fuller and better. I am grateful to her for being my muse/guide. 'Thinking about taking that first step is always the toughest thing to do. Once you take that first step, there's no stopping you' I have become a firm believer of this philosophy and I endorse it.

My first words to my darling daughter on our return home were "Thank you for giving me wings. Now I'm free to go anywhere." I was afraid to take that first step but courage has evicted fear out of my life. Life is beautiful and precious. Why should we waste even a second thinking about what will happen in the next six months or one year? We lose precious moments worrying about a time that might or might not come.

Lucks aka sulekha

HYPERACTIVE COOK

The ever-increasing number of containers in my kitchen is a testimony to the culinary marathon currently going on in my house. With each passing day the number of containers and their contents keep on increasing. This alarming trend, if not stopped, may lead to our entire family becoming diabetic and obese. Let me start from the beginning.

I am a compulsive cook\chef\baker\bawarchi or whatever you may call me. As Shakespeare has aptly stated' what's in a name'. I cook to survive, but I also cook to keep my sanity, to forget about my anxiety, fears, to ward off tension and stress.

Nowadays I am really stressed out; hence my oven and cooking range are overheated and overworked. The day I was diagnosed as suffering from hypothyroidism. I had baked a storm. In the aftermath of that storm, some or the other factor has been responsible for a continuous production of cakes, pastries, cookies, puddings, chocolate rolls, ice-cream. Kheers & chikkis, in my kitchen.

My kids love this phase, as each day there is a new sweet dish on the table and two in the oven or refrigerator. They are having a whale of a time, but if this present crisis does not resolve itself soon, I will be out of sugar and butter and also my peace of mind.

Frankly I am running out of recipes and containers to store the goodies in. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I exercised instead of cooking during stressful times? I would be slim and trim like Kareena kapoor, hypothyroidism notwithstanding. But life isn't fair and we have to make do with the cards we are dealt with.

I accept the fact that I am prone to cooking at the slightest hint of trouble in my life. I suddenly have an urge to make besan ladoos and I am all out of besan. Let me run down to the shop and get it before I continue with my story.

Lucks aka Sulekha

A matter of Life and Death

The brevity of your responses,
leaves me perplexed.
Your rationale leaves me,
dumbstruck.

Maybe I am too emotional but,
your self control amazes me.
I know you care, you do a lot,
But keeping it all in,
is not fair to my heart.

I need expression, demonstration,
Shouting from the rooftops,
Jumping on the couch,
Kinds of proclamation.

A quiet whisper in my ear will do too,
As long as you say "I love you".
Never mind I ask for it,
Say it nevertheless.

It means the world to me,
A matter of life and death.

Lucks aka Sulekha

Soul Writings

I write from the depths of my soul.
Dip my pen into my heart and ,
let the blood drip on the pages,
colouring them crimson.
It shrieks 'Danger', beware of,
the ramblings of the crazy writer,
she's demented and insane, beware.

My writings are tainted with my,
clotting, congealing blood,
hence the stench of grief and pain.
You can smell my rotting flesh and,
dried up stinking blood.
And you are assailed by the whiff,
of my despair and agony.

With each stroke of my pen,
I bleed some more onto the pages,
staining them, soaking them ,
with my lonely outpourings,
my tragic heartbreak,
my despondent feelings,
and poignant emotions.

I cry while writing and the ink,
runs, smudging the pristine papers,
with a tinge of sorrow, grief and,
unbearable agony and ecstasy.
Agony of heartache and ecstasy of Love.

Lucks aka Sulekha