Killing Time

Time is a rare commodity you say? And I am supposed to believe you? Come on!
In spite of the following two items I read on Times of India.com today?

First, the council of ministers in Uttar Pradesh is going to run a probe on Orkut because some communities and individuals have been disrespectful towards the chief minister.
Second, the eight constables who shook hands with Sanjay Dutt outside the Yervada Jail in Pune are in big trouble. There will be an inquiry run on them. The ninth constable who hugged Dutt has already been suspended.

Now, here's your chance. Beat the examples I have given here. Tell me the most entertaining piece of news you have read recently. This free and fair contest is open to all and the winner will be announced a week from today.

To Mr. Alexander Graham Bell

Dear Mr. Bell
Thank you for your contribution in my life. After a gap of one year, I have recently become the proud owner of one of your inventions. It’s serving me very well. Making plans, keeping commitments, and maintaining relationships is so much easier now. Thank you!

Hope afterlife is treating you well.
Best regards,
Sayantani

Fabric

Try as I might, I cannot be a poet. That kind of grace and rhythm doesn't come to me. I have tried, especially today. But to no avail. That effortless style and pace will never be mine.

Why the need of a poem suddenly? Why today? Because it's been exactly a year since I left home, since I left Delhi. And what a year it has been, well,if not a poem, at least I can try making a list:
From journeying to the U.S. to across it,
From being rejected by every good job to finally getting a faculty appointment,
From learning to watch even trashy Hindi movies just so that I don't forget the language even by a syllable,
From cooking for one, two, to twelve people at a time,
From retaining friends back home to making new friends of new colors and nationalities,
From being homesick to knowing that I will miss America when the time comes to give her up,
From learning more about India now than ever before,
From telling the world that I miss my mother the most to bursting into tears the first time I hear my father's voice across the many miles of land and sea.

It's been...eventful.

Harry Grows Up

Yes, I know you have already read several Harry Potter reviews. But you haven't read anything that traces his growth, transformation, etc. etc. In other words, you haven't read THIS!

However, I am quite unhappy with the editing and the page lay-outing of the piece. But then again, one doesn't get published everyday. So, YOOOO HOOOO! And needless to say, lots of thanks to Praveen, my "literary agent" in Tehelka.