Me Movies More

 Today being the last day of #WriteAPageADay, I am glad that I could reach my goal and immensely grateful to Blogchatter for giving us such a supportive platform for bloggers and writers and also to all the bloggers in this incredible blogging community who inspire each other to keep on doing what we love the most, i.e. writing. I have tried to write a piece daily based on the challenge prompts provided by Blogchatter. Today, with a slight change, I am writing about a few beauty hacks instead of life hacks. Top 5 Quick Beauty Hacks 1. Coconut/olive oil as a night moisturizer: If you are running out of your night cream and desperately need moisturization, your coconut or olive oil can be useful. Remember that 2 drops are enough for your entire face and neck.  Both the oils have high moisturizing benefits. But make sure to cleanse it off the next morning.  2. Grapeseed/Argan oil for quick radiance: If you are about to wear a foundation that makes your skin look dry and patc...

Rebirth, reincarnation, and past life memories - topics that are often clouded by myths and fear mostly, are covered in detail in the new book Devputra: A Story of Rebirth by author Neil D'Silva. I was happy to receive the book for review, as the topic of Rebirth has always fascinated me since I came across Dr. Brian Weiss's various books, like Many Lives, Many Masters and Same Soul, Many Bodies. A story revolving around this very mysterious subject automatically drew me. About The Author: Neil D'Silva, a prominent name in contemporary supernatural and horror literature, is back with his new book, Devputra: A Story of Rebirth. D'Silva's works include a vast contribution to the genre of horror, with best-selling books like Yakshini, Maya's New Husband and the award-winning Haunted: Real Life Encounters with Ghosts and Spirits. He is also the President of the Indian Chapters of the Horror Writers Association. About the Book: Devputra: A Story of Rebirth This is au...

I want to be financially independent when I am reborn. The idea of depending on others for basic necessities doesn't really fascinate me. However, life sometimes takes us to situations we cannot escape. Being grateful for what we are getting and for what we have is important, but it is also important to dream big and have the capacity to achieve it.  I want all the things that I am blessed to have now. But I also want to be financially independent so I don't have to please anyone for my survival. Talks of immortal love and unconditional loyalty are easier said than done. It's important to fix one's self first, and it's the harsh reality that money is a source of basic security in today's world.  I want the same parents, the same husband, the same friends and family and most importantly, the same daughter, but I want myself to never lose focus on my own life and to be able to be there rock solid for those who really matter to me when reborn. This blog post is a p...

As a family, a holiday season means travel. Travelling to our native every year is a mandate. Also, travelling to a pre-planned destination is part and parcel of family holiday tradition. This brings me back to a memory from 2 years back when we stayed in the USA. Our home was in a small town called Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. We travelled to Philadelphia for a day's trip. I packed our breakfast, as I mostly do back home. My husband and I have dietary restrictions, so we avoid outside food if possible. However, my daughter, a very fussy eater, loves to eat outside while travelling. So, I make it a point to carry fruits, snacks, pastries, etc, whenever we go out.  So after a 1-hour bus journey, when we reached Philadelphia, we knew we had to walk a lot. That is something common wherever we travel. I love walking, and luckily, my daughter loves to explore while walking. I remember walking a lot. And stopping in places for us to have snacks. The weather was pleasant, so walking was not...

As an avid school-going reader, my interest always centred around the weekly magazines we subscribed to at home. Other than the usual ones for kids, the curious cat inside me sometimes secretly dared to go through the ones meant for elders. Like the literary magazine, Desh . At that time, I was surprised to find that the same authors whose works for children I was hooked to, like Sunil Gangopadhyay, Samaresh Basu and Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, were writing for the elders too. One such serial novella, Durbin , was first published in Desh magazine. Recently, I had a chance to read the book, and today, I have decided to write about it. About the Author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay is one of the most prominent literary figures of our times whose vast contribution to Bengali literature is unparalleled. He has been awarded many times for his outstanding works in adult and children's literature. His notable works include Kagojer Bou, Chokh, and Chhayamoyi for adults, Nabiganjer Doittyo, Patalgha...

Dear Me, Hi, hope you are doing well. Actually, I know you are doing great. Today, I am supposed to write an apology letter to someone I have wronged. I decided to choose you. But wait a minute before you assume a sorry-filled sob story of a middle-aged woman. Please go through the entire letter.  I am grateful that you did whatever you did for me. I am happy it was enough for me to come through such a long way. I may not have treated you as well as I should have. It might have made you feel that you have not received your dues as you should have. But I do not regret doing that, not being attentive to you at times when I should have been. Perhaps I was going through something inside that I was not showing. Maybe the time that I should have taken care of you the most, my internal struggle was way too much to deal with. You would never know, but you should know that you are doing great now, and what if I say that you needed to go through the ordeal that my actions or reactions have l...

" What is it for tiffin today?" asked my 9-year-old in a very serious tone. I proudly declared its Maggi, totally hiding the fact that it was rice noodles with lots of veggies with a sprinkle of Maggi Masala. " Thanks bro, its not your usual roti roll" declared a satsfied she, leaving me wondering who is this "bro" for!! I had soaked a few almonds last night, hoping she would eat at least one. She successfully ignored my pleas and settled for a couple of cream biscuits instead. I sighed in disappointment. It is one of those dreadful days when her father is out of town, and I have to drop her to school. But once we go out, the lovely morning breeze charges me up. We walk towards the school, she hugs me at the gate and goes inside, swyaing her long braids. I go towards the lakeside for a stroll in the hope of watching a few rare birds. I come across a few kingfishers, babblers and golden orioles. The sight of birds never fails to make me happy. A half an hou...

The nearest shopping mall to our place is R City Mall in Ghatkopar. Earlier I used to visit the mall quite often. There used to be a bus, and I do not remember the number. This was my initial days in Mumbai. Later, either that bus stopped its service or had changed its route. And I started taking auto. My visits to the shopping mall became fewer after my daughter came into my life.  Currently, I rarely visit the mall, mostly with my daughter. I always take an auto rickshaw. It is much easier that way. Now, there are 2 routes to go, one directly taking the JVLR, which is a longer route and the other through Hiranandani, where the road is bumpy but the route is shorter. I often insist the auto driver to take the shorter one, but one day, we got badly caught up in a traffic jam at the peak commute time. So nowadays, I prefer the longer route, especially when travelling with my daughter.  Sometimes,  my husband also takes us there. That time we go by the car.  This blog ...

The bolt of lightning flashes with a loud thunder. It scares me. I can see the branches of the trees shaking violently and trying to smash the windowpanes. I am alarmed and scared...what is she doing now? What time is it there? Is there a storm there, too? Does she know I am thinking of her? The probabilities start to crowd inside my mind. Do I need to call her? What if she is busy? The rain starts. Huge drops of water begin pouring over the roofs with a constant roar. I look into the mirror, trying to hum to the beats of the water droplets. It sounds like the grief-stricken cry of a little girl. I can hear her angry voice through it, " I don't want to go there, so far from you. I can study the same course here, too." The mirror in front of me shows her teary-eyed, angry with me. I feel the salt of my tears running down my cheeks onto my lips. Am I selfish to unsee her?  The rain outside has calmed to a constant clitter-clatter. The wild wind has tamed itself from before....

I pride myself on being a Bengali film enthusiast, and just like any movie lover, I like to write about Bengali movies. It would be an immense pleasure if I could make someone aware of good films in Bengal. Today, I have decided to make a recommendation list for Bengali biographical films about iconic filmmakers. 1. Aparajito (2022): Based upon the initial struggle of Satyajit Ray's filmmaking journey, this film delves deep into the obstacles he had to face, including budget issues. Directed by Anik Datta, it stars Jeetu Kamal as Aparajito Roy, a character based on the life of the ace filmmaker Ray. Those aware of Bengali television shows can recognise Jeetu as a powerful performer whose acting prowls have been restricted to the small screen. However, with the opportunity given on his shoulders to carry out such a significant role of a stalwart on his shoulders, he has owned the character. From his physical transformation to his voice and image makeover, the actor has given his be...

I look at my watch. Oh, it's quarter to 8, and I must return home in 15 minutes. She will be back by then but does not have the keys. The traffic at this hour is unimaginably high. There is a long queue of vehicles ahead. Still, I insist the auto driver make it fast, much to his annoyance. Why did I have to go to the event today? Couldn't I have declined? Where will she go now if I don't reach on time? I can feel a sudden streak of fear, and my overthinking self starts to think of every worst scenario possible. I start cursing myself.                                  The moment I received the invitation, I was elated. After almost 5 years, I am being invited after taking a break from my work. My excitement was legitimate. It was a matter of 3 hours only, but I underestimated Mumbai traffic during the evenings. And the overenthusiastic me drained my phone battery by taking innumerable pictures and selfie...

"Saare Niyam Tod Do Niyam Pe Chalna Chhod Do. Inquilab, Zindabad,"                                --- Gulzar These lines from the film  Khubsoorat  may initially come across as a revolt against every rule we must follow. However, if one has watched the song or, at best, the film, our view of this powerful song will surely impact us.  Torture and force, in the name of rules, is what the song implies. If one has watched the film, one will find how a strict matriarch, who is all about discipline, suffocates her family members; in short, she is all about" All work and no play". Under this strict rule, the family may appear to be running smoothly, with the sons and daughters in good jobs, the daughter-in-laws "obedient" and her husband retired, but in reality, all are suffering inside, with no scope to pursue their dreams. Then comes a guest who changes everyone. Initially, she appears reckless and...

Looking at the hawk, looking at me gives me a chilling shiver that runs down my spine. It's standing on the beam just a few hands away from me. I am sitting on the edge of the terrace. It narrows its vision towards me and extends its wings. I know what will happen now. I am its target now. Here it comes, flying towards me, vision straight, wings stretched, and feet crawling to hit me. My immediate action is to jump on the slanted brick roof. My sudden jump frustrates it, and it shows that with a shrieking cry. It flies a bit and takes a U-turn, lowering itself towards me. No, I cannot escape it today. I attempt another jump towards the other side of the roof to escape its wrath. My feet slip, and I almost start falling while sliding from the rough, bricked roof. Thank God, there's the chimney, and I hold on to it with all my strength. My whole body aches, my hands and legs bleed, and my clothes get tattered. It looks at me with cruel eyes. I know it is targeting my eyes. A plun...

I have started reading books lately and have set an attainable goal of 1 book a month. In January, I had already read 3 books. In February, I will be on my 2nd one. My daughter is a moody reader. Her interest lies more in creative work; she likes to draw and make puppets. To give her company, I have started colouring and other artwork. She enjoys doing that with me.  I also encourage her to make her own sandwiches and juices. Lately, she has even been allowed to make dosa, idli, appam, and paranthas only when I or her baba is there to supervise. She has been taught to clean her dishes, polish her shoes, and do her table and wardrobe when required.  Whenever I write in my journal or blog, I insist she compete with me to find out who can write the most. Sometimes, she finds it interesting, and most of the time, she runs away and prefers to play with her friends.  I took the time to write about these mundane activities because I wanted everyone to know that is what every par...

February, the month of love, automatically drives our minds to anything pink. When I saw this book on the “New Releases” rack at Crossroads, I immediately knew this would be my February Read. From the back cover, I learned that this book is the 2 nd part of author Durjoy Datta’s “World’s Worst Best Girlfriend.” However, that did not hold me from buying the book, as having been well aware of the author’s popularity, I was sure I did not have to read the first part to better read the 2 nd . Although I hadn’t read any of his previous work, I was sure I would enjoy reading it. About the Author One of the most popular authors in India now, Durjoy Datta, is a name the readers of this generation enjoy the most. His previous works like “World’s Worst Best Boyfriend”, “If It’s Not Forever. It's Not Love”, and many others have been best sellers, even adapted to TV shows. While going through the list of books he has penned in such a short period, I noticed that the titles of his book...

It's a cosy morning. I take a sip of coffee and stand on the balcony, watching the starlings and squirrels chirping and playing outside. This small yet significant routine is the best part of my mornings. But sadly it's very brief, as I have to rush to the office now.  I  quickly take a shower. I have to reach the office on time for the board meeting. I plan to wear the pinstripe suit set that gives me the Powergirl look. But hey, what's wrong with the wardrobe. I try opening it many times, but the door is stuck and wont open. And I have just 10 minutes left to get ready. I don't want to be late for the meeting. Oh God, what to do, what will I wear now!  I sit at the corner of my bed, trying to find a solution. I know websites offering clothes for rent, but it's too late for that. It will take at least an hour if I call a locksmith. So, what to wear now! Suddenly, I see my reflection in the mirror. My pinstriped night suit! I examine myself, ideating to camouflage t...

There was a time when I was high on my goals, achievements and milestones. I used to believe in aiming for short-term goals and then achieving the bigger ones in the process. But then I realised that in the process of achieving goals, I am losing on my daily life, unable to live in the moment. So, now I am not crazy about achieving my goals. We may plan a lot, but only a few will work out.  Today, I am writing this from a hospital bed. This was definitely not what I had planned to be even a week back. But the fact is, here I am, getting ready for a minor surgery under local anaesthesia. No matter how insignificant it is, it is a part of my life which was never part of my goal. But I had to accept it. Similarly, there had been a lot of incidents that had been a hindrance in the way of achieving my goals, and I accepted it, forgetting about the goals and rather trying to build up from the situation that came my way. It is very difficult to accept, but it is reality. I am not writing ...

Oh, that bamboo plant. It is tingling me once again. Can't she keep it a bit further! No, she is too busy dozing off in between work. She has those thick glasses on, and she thinks no one notices. Well, maybe, but she can't escape my eyes.  Oh no. What is she doing? Why does she have chocolate? That, too, secretly. She even kept the wrapper inside her purse so that nobody noticed. Whom is she trying to hide from? Isn't she diabetic? She always complains to her colleagues about not being able to have sweets and fries. Then why is this secrecy?  She has again put on her earplugs. I am sure she has lots of work. She listens to music whenever she has a lot of things to do. I wish I could hear that, too. Once I did, I know she loved to listen to Hindi Film songs from the 80s and 90s. I would have loved to listen to that, too. But I can not.  She keeps a photo frame in front of her all the time. Since I can see only the back of the frame, I am unsure what is in that! But I have...

Reubenna Dutta Professional DayDreamer Summary Enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated  Daydreamer, handling her blog - an anecdote of her daydreaming responsibilities. Has been awarded several times for her skilfully daydreaming capabilities through her blogs. Eager to join a suitable profile that will open more scope to nurture her Daydreaming skills to work. Prior Work Experience Reading ample fairy tales and books about talking animals, vanishing ghosts, etc., since the time she could read Watching whatever movies possible that came her way. Spending too much time scrolling cell phone Connecting with more people online than in real. Embracing more of the make-believe online life than the real one. Aspire to Save the world being a superhero Be a warrior like Beatrix from Kill Bill Be as deadly as Catwoman Be a Monk in a monastery Romance Hrithik Roshan, Chris Hemsworth Inspirations in Daydreaming The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne       ...

I seldom save anything other than some quick recipes that are easy to make. I just checked the saved folder and found out that there are a few of those, a couple of bucket list reels and only one of the IG posts about one of my movie Blog posts. I am still trying to find out why I saved it; mostly, it was by mistake. Anyway, whatever the reason is, the fact is it's there, and I am going to write about it. So, the saved post is about an article called "Top 5 Most Entertaining Con-Movies." The picture being shown is that of the film " Ocean's 8", one of the 5 movies I had written about in the blog post.  This is connected to the actual Ocean series; however, it's a completely different film with different characters. Most importantly, it's an all-women film, making it more interesting. Sandra Bullock is Debbie Ocean, the late Danny Ocean's sister. She is a con artist, too, and is released after a 5-year jail sentence. She comes out of jail, partne...

Thanks to Hindi films and TV shows, Bengali detectives like Byomkesh Bakshi and Feluda are now popular throughout India. Many such popular characters have been penned by famous authors throughout the ages. Since few translated works are available for Bengali books, many readers remain unaware of the intensity of the Bengali book characters and their interesting journeys. I have listed a few Bengali book characters, other than Byomkesh and Feluda, that should be popularised more through translated works.  1. Prof. Shanku: Other than Feluda, this immortal creation of Satyajit Ray for kids still remains a favourite. A genius scientist living alone in Giridi with his servant and cat, Newton indulges in crazy scientific experiments. He often finds himself in weird situations and seeks new adventures worldwide and beyond. The stories are filled with the adventurous escapades of Shanku, frequently written in a diary format, sometimes with aliens or sometimes with rivals of equal IQ level....