Random Notes from Anita's Attic - Session 10

A busy day at Attic.

Session no 10. Almost at the end of the journey. And I am just warming up!

 The ‘back-road’ from KR Puram to Kodanur has few schools, closer to Kodanur. That stretch was unusually crowded today. Then I saw a trend! It was not a school day, but a PTA day. Parents were coming out with kids, mostly with unhappy expressions. At the gate of one school, I saw a serious-looking father and his son, father looking very upset and the son clueless!

        All the cars were parked along the road, taking a part of the narrow road. I wonder why school authorities do not take responsibility for car parking so that it is better for both parents as well as others?

Reached Attik before time. BESSCOM seemed to be in a playful mood, thanks to fluctuating power supply, which the UPS was struggling to handle.

        Got to facilitate a member, who was not well, to connect virtually. My healing suggestion did not cut much ice, I guess. Many of us were occasionally sneezing or coughing. I see this trend at the office and in our apartment complex, everywhere. Bangaloreans, pls take some vitamin C?

        Progress Report: PTA & report card was the flavor of the day. We were also told we would get our report card. That was an interesting twist. Report card used to be ‘Progress Report Card’ earlier? If I were to be evaluated for my progress….. I felt safe. I was so bad in the art when I started off at Attik, improvement had to happen. All credit to the mentor & the group! 

     I still manage to be the worst student in every class, in spite of my efforts not to be a backbencher, literally & otherwise! 

        Dialogue-baazi: A quick assignment was given to us. To write a piece on the Sangam experience, with only dialogues. Now dialogue-baazi has never been my strength, in oral or written communication. As such very little ‘conversations’ in my writing. That was a good space to get into, outside my comfort zone.

Enjoyed the experience. More the journey than the destination J

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Session #10 was a 'perfect 10'!

Drive to the Attic for Session #9 – Dogs & Cabs

Eight weeks have passed since the sessions started at the Attic. No 9 is an auspicious number. I seem to be bent upon making it not so auspicious, by being late. I had “planned” to leave 30 minutes earlier. Just “planned”, not decided?! 

My body clock seemed to have got used to the session starting at 1030 AM. Even Fussy, my beloved dog, was in no hurry to get back from her morning walk! I left at usual 930 AM. I sent out the intent to the Universe to reach Attic by 1015 AM.

The FM started off with a prank on a girl, who was getting married to a guy in Bahrain. Prank-calls seem to be the flavor, with virtually all FM channels having their own versions. After the prank, I switched from radio to the CD. The bhajans helped me to be a little more mindful, as my Yeti enjoyed sprinting along the now familiar route.

As I made exit from Old Madras road to the road parallel to it, it was easy driving, at high speed.

Even at the high speed, I managed to avoid hitting dogs, which have little respect for traffic rules, just like us, the so-called masters. Nevertheless saw two dead dogs on the route. I sent out silent prayers to the departed souls. I wondered what it is to meet a fatal road accident! How would Manjunath have felt when he was hit on Hassan-highway and passed on? A quick, vertical takeoff, with less pain and suffering? What happens to the soul when the cause of death is not natural? 

Traffic was light, by Bangalore standards. The roadside vegetable vendor was there as usual, with fresh papayas, for a change. Will try my luck next time to stop & pick up few. So many Facebook friends want us to support these roadside vendors.

Love the trees with red and yellow flowers, all over namma Bengaluru.

As I passed Jessica’s dog stay, there was a traffic jam. People were just using the road as though it belonged to their grandfathers.

State govt seem to have started dispensing (plastic) water cans. They should be providing clean water through taps. Not through tankers and cans. One more “mafia” in the making?

After 8 weeks, Muniswamappa Layout is still not easily located. The taxi in front was slowing me down, as he was in no hurry. Over the last few weeks, the roads have been repaired in the layout. 

Vedan’t car was not there at its usual place. Has he usurped my parking space? I see another blue car under the tree, with a youngster sitting at the wheel, looking at his phone. As I took the turn to the Attic, a cab came in opposite direction, in a hurry to exit layout.

As I parked the car, the brown slim, dog, Vani, was there, as always to greet me, not only wagging her tail but also “smiling”. I wish I had got her some biscuits. For every safe & happy dog at home, so many are vulnerable along the road.

My watch showed 1015 AM, the Universe did conspire, yet again.

Becoming a Writer

A few months ago I came across an article (in The Hindu?) about an author’s visit to Anita’s Attic. She explained about the difficulty to locate the venue and the chance to interact with the writers! 

Bangalore has multiple things to boast of. It is not only IT capital, but also has HAL, IISC, IIM, AoL and Saibaba Ashram. I was not aware a successful & popular author, Anita Nair, was conducting writer’s workshops too. It is one thing to write. But totally different to coach and mentor aspiring writers. 

I reached out reluctantly, sent in my application with no hope of selection. I was on cloud nine when I was shortlisted. Other prior engagements prevented me to join. I sought permission to join next batch.

I was sure they would go for ‘better and more deserving’ candidates for the next batch. I was not sure if I would fit in. Hence, also the reluctance to dedicate time, energy and money. 

When I shared the development with my son, he said I should have joined. “They have selected you. You wanted to do something like this. You love to write. You believe money should be the last reason to avoid it. Go for it pop”, he had said. As always, the better-half was in support.

When they called back to inform about the next batch, I grabbed it. I was ready… I was ready to pursue my dream to become a writer.  Rest is history!

PS: Why this obsession to become a writer... that is a story by itself. Shall narrate later :)