Life Unpacked

There are certain points in life where whatever you do seems grossly inadequate. That sense of inadequacy soon metamorphosizes into a cocoon of self-doubt, and before you know, you begin asking yourself the old-age question concerning the direction in which your life is headed. I had been completely sure, since, the time I stepped into my teenage, that I would not face the need to ask myself any question pertaining to life's direction; I thought I knew what I wanted from life and how. Now, reflecting back, I cannot stop myself from wondering how naive I was. I never took into cognizance of the presence of 'growth' factor. "Uh, what growth factor?", you'd ask. Well, people are like cheese (or wine, if you prefer that analogy); they mature as they age. The way cheese (or wine) develops a complex flavour as it ages, people are exposed to new horizons and their ideals evolve. The ways of the world do not stay black or white any more. Also, the "I wa...

Lately, I haven't been myself; Neither have I been dreaming enough nor have I been indulging in the usual process of over-thinking, but merely existing by breathing in and out, going about the day's business with absolute mindlessness. This existential monotony seems shallow. I crave to rebound, I crave to create, I crave to live. Understand the progressing intensity each consecutive word in the previous sentence exudes. Rebounding is my chance to be able to commence creating again, and this process of creation is the essence of my life. After all, what will a rose be reduced to without its essence of being beautiful? Art is created, yet creating is an art; an art through which one communicates their perception, of the things worldly and beyond, to others, resulting in a deeper human connection between the artist and the appreciators. I churn out stories, employing words, of simple beings and their maladies, metamorphosing into an experience. Do you see that process of c...

In Mumbai, when zeroing on a place with good food and music, the first name that comes to mind is Hard Rock Cafe. With their legendary burgers, choicest selection of drinks and live music, it  never fails to give one the good time. So when I got the opportunity to try the menu specials as a part of their ongoing Latin Fiesta, I seized the opportunity. My Latin sojourn took a jump start with a virgin Cranberry & Lychee Margarita, a lovely concoction of  freshly squeezed lime juice, lychee and cranberries, originally also incorporating Jose Cuerveo Especial Silver Tequila. It was just the way I prefer my drinks; tangy with a bit of sweetness. Next arrived the Brazilian BBQ Veg Grill Skewers, a sizzling skillet of BBQ glazed and spice rubbed cottage cheese skewers, served over a bed of Chimi Churi spiced fajita onions and bell peppers, and topped with crispy nachos. Honestly, the marinade did not pack the Latin punch that I expected it to and the portion size is a bit odd ...

California Pizza Kitchen, famous for their delectable California-style pizzas, is a brand in itself. My encounters with their Pizzas and innovatively themed limited time menus have left me gushing like a fan-girl for them time and time again. So, when this Summer and my craving for Mexican cuisine hit an all time high, coming across the ongoing "Mexifornia" Festival at California Pizza Kitchen certainly fired up my appetite and imagination. Thus, the last week saw me heading to California Pizza Kitchen's Lower Parel outlet located in the Phoenix Mills Compound, Mumbai, to seize the opportunity and relish the Mexifornian delights before the time could snatch the chance away from me (Yes, Mexifornia Festival is on only till 21st June, so hurry and grab your bite!). To sum up my experience precisely; it is definitely something worth braving the sun for, in my book. My 'Mexifornian' adventure kicked off with Mango Tango, an irresistible mocktail of Mango jui...

It has been such a long time that I don't really remember the last time I wrote. And also, like every other time where I return after a long hiatus, I have lots to tell about; this time, right from the grueling exam period which sucked out every ounce of endurance inside me to the little day trip I took yesterday to Matheran requiring tremendous stamina levels (not that I am implying that mine are high). Well, this summer, to be precise, has been quite a ride. Still, it doesn't feel like it. To be honest with you, I detest summer and the high levels of humidity it brings along with it. On top of that, the holidays granted bore me to the maximum possible extent. Of course, when one has the options of either staying in and watching the television all day or venturing out and getting assaulted by the searing heat, the boredom is inherent. I have a long list of pending to-dos and certain images in my mind which I am wanting to recreate on paper but this constant procrastination...

After a long hiatus, On My Playlist is back. It has been quite sometime since I last wrote about the songs playing in my head on a repeat mode or the artists that have swooned me off my feet (even the Phantom of The Opera post was a few months back!). Currently, there are a few songs I have been listening to more often than to my all-time favorites. One of them is "Losing my Religion" by R.E.M., not the Rapid Eye Moment one, but the famous band from the 80s. I am pretty much sure now that I am growing up backwards in time; what else can explain my fascination and liking towards things from the 80s, 70s and now even from the 60s! Talking about the band, I discovered them a few years back through my then new Nokia Lumia which came with this amazing free subscription for a year to Nokia Music store; I might have somehow chanced up "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by them and downloaded it. Fast forward to these days, I wa...

Hard Rock Cafe is a name every foodie and music lover is acquaint with. Its warm and chic atmosphere studded with rock memorabilia throughout the space definitely elevates the dining experience for lovers of the namesake genre. So what would a foodie, who is also a metalhead, do when she gets the opportunity to pay a visit to this legendary restaurant and sample picks from their limited period offerings? Duh, grab it and never let it go! Last week, Thursday to be precise, I headed to Hard Rock Cafe's outlet nestled beautifully in a Mill Complex located in Worli to try their sizzling spread up on offer as a part of their ongoing Sizzle Festival, which are on the menu till 22nd March across all its outlets. To describe the experience in a nutshell; worth the hype. Bacardi Smoked Apple Pie (left), Smoked Bacardi Gold Sour (right). The afternoon began on a high note with the sound of sizzle greeting me as soon as I stepped in the restaurant; that, paired with the aroma o...