gurgaon music festival

Rock Festival!

Date: 24^th June, ‘07

Time: 5:40 pm onwards

Venue: Sri Ram School, Auditorium

Event: Gurgaon Music Festival

Organized by the Gurgaon School of Music

I haven’t mentioned the coolest bits yet-

1. I played the guitar

2. The other bands playing were अद्वैता(Advaita), Out of the Blues and Them Clones!!!

Firstly, as any other concert, it started half an hour late.(From what I’ve heard it’s better than last year.)

Advaita performed for 40 minutes. They’re a 10- member band of Fusion Jazz and I thought it was soul- stirring; you could just close your eyes and delve into their music. Although, I must admit, this was the first time I heard them, I confirmed everything I’ve heard about them. They’re the best fusion band in India!

Near five of them were kurta- pajamas clad and played instruments like the tabla and the sarangi. They were remarkable with their instruments.

And the other half were western wearing baggy shirts and jeans, and when both the halves harmonize so beautifully, it’s commendable.
After Advaita, there were eight songs from the students of GSM, of which I was a part. There were separate bands with guitarists, drummers, vocals and pianists/ keyboardists.

I was part of the band playing Piano Man by Billy Joel. It’s a beautiful song and turned out well on stage without many (comparatively) flaws.

My guitar’s amplifier was turned up a bit more than what it should have been, not that I mind of course. I never really bothered with perfection because my part usually merged with (and often drowned in) the rest of the song during practice.

I just goofed up once and my sister made sure to point it out.

All in all, it was a really good experience for my first concert.

I’m not done yet; you thought I’d stop without mentioning Out of the Blues?

There’s just one word to describe them, breathtaking! Phew! They were brimming with energy and almost overflowing with enthusiasm. Although this was good music too, it’s in stark contrast with Advaita, you can’t possibly close your eyes when Out of the Blue is playing onstage!

The performance was punctuated with frequent cries/ screams from the audience.
I swear it sounded insane.

And their guitarist, OMG (If you’ve noticed I’ve never used that expression before), was beyond words. The way he moved his fingers so deftly on the guitar… I could bore you to death with the loving details.

Phenomenal, would be an understatement. And to say that I thought I’d seen some of the best guitarists in GSM.

It ended with predictable, but well- deserved “Encore!”s and “Once mores”.

Well, they obliged with one more song.
“This one is for all those who’re in love . . . Cupid’s Dead!”

On the way back home, the ineluctable question for every aspiring guitar pro pops up.

“How many years do you reckon it will take for you to do that?” voiced my sister, referring to the superhuman from Out of the Blues. Frankly, that’s exactly what I was pondering about, gaping at the cars and people going past from the window at a red light stop.

I paused, searching for a reasonably honest reply.

“Another ten years, to say the least.” I uttered as the lights turned green.

I realized that while I was backstage, I was literally rubbing shoulders with all the people who overwhelmed me (and allegedly the rest of India) with their music on stage.

For next year’s concert, I have vowed to keep an interview ready for any famous singer who happens to come across.

You never know, I might say one day, “Oh, Mick Jagger?! He’s a dear friend!”

PS Watch this space for photos and videos!

who? what? where?

Okay people. As you can clearly figure out, I have really nothing to write about. Unlike a particular friend of mine. Anyway, so I decided to have a guess at what a few of my classmates'd be doing right now. Only IX- Kians will be able to savour it the most, although others are welcome too.

Aastha Ganjoo
Probably writing or posting something on her blog else checking hi5 and commenting on every one's profile. Could be interior designing her room, painting on canvas or irritating her 2 year old brother.

Sakshi Gupta
Writing on her blog, checking her mail or playing cards with her mother. You might even find her in the nearby theater; reading a book or practicing some ahem, math.

Namya MahajanHas to be. Well, sitting on a couch in her grandparents' home in Chandigarh, reading a book.
Occasionally checking her mail. Rarely writes on her blog lately. She might just be doing her homework once in a full moon.

Shreya Agarwala
Roaming around in her room, talking to people on phone about homework. Checking her mail and dowloading songs from a site. She's trying to figure how to get LimeWire. Oh, and she'd probably be shouting at her nearly 11 year old brother over something. Typical siblings.
Pragya Chaudhary
This one's difficult. Maybe she's out on a holiday with her parents. Or she's spending time with her elder sister, who's probably come home on a holiday from IIT. She could be studying and is probably doing her homework. She's not much of a WorldWideWeb Maniac.

Iraj KumarProbably jumping on his bed like a fanatic. Trying to lock up his cousin sister in her room for vengeance. I don't know if he's allowed in the school, if he is- he's probably swimming.
Comes on the net occasionally, probably thinking up a stupid and mean reply to one of his mails right now. And I think he has a PSP.

Naman Chaudhary
He's definitely playing FIFA on his computer(or is it the PSP? I really don't know.) like many of his own species. Probably going on a Singapore- Malaysia Cruise in mid- June. You might spot him sleeping over his homework, like me.

Ashutosh Sharma
This one is hilariously easy! He's rapping along to one of EMINEM's songs, delightfully crying out the f- word every stanza. Talking to his group of friends or meeting with them over in some one's house. If you're lucky, you 'll find him abusing every human on the face of the earth with a wide smile!

Raghav Arora
Probably checking up his hi5 popularity and reading the muah- muahs written all over his profile? Possibly playing football, on his computer or on the field. I don't think he'll be doing his homework or studying. Nope, probably got better things to do.

Devyani Chhabra
You probably didn't expect me to write about her. She's studying or doing her homework ever so sincerely. She might be just back from a family holiday and could be helping her younger sister with her homework or helping her mother in the kitchen.

These assumptions are purely fictional and my view/ opinion. The concerned are requested not to take offence at anything written in this post.
Be a sport!

Know me better!

Dedicated to those who still don't know me well enough-

1. Name: Sobhagya Elizabeth Jose
(If you didn't know that, you'd rather not read the rest)
2. Nicknames: betty, sobhu
3. Birthday: 8th Dec, '92
4. Place of Birth: New Delhi
5. Zodiac Sign: Saggi
6. Male or Female: female
7. Grade: 9
8. School: Delhi Public School
9. Occupation: Student

___My Appearance___

12. Hair Color: Black/ brown
13. Hair Length: medium
14. Eye color: dark brown/ black
15. Weight: 52kg
16. Height: 5ft 5 1/2 inches
17. Braces?: Not anymore
18. Glasses?: yeah
19. Piercings: ears
20. Tattoos: nope
21. Righty or Lefty: Dude, I'm ambidextrous

___My 'Firsts'___

22. First best friend: Simran Kaur, I think (Or so my parents say)
23. First Award: Creative Writing, in Church
24. First Sport You Joined: Volley Ball (officially)
25. First pet: Never had one
26. First Real Vacation: Essel World, Bombay
27. First Concert: Zubin Mehta's, Music Conducter
28. First Love: Nope

___ Favorites___

29. Movie: Fantastic Four, Harry Potter PoA, The Pacifier, Bride & Prejudice
30. TV programme: I don't watch TV!
31. Color: Green/ black
32. Rapper: Timbaland/ Snoopp dogg
(I guess they're the only ones I've heard. And I hate EMINEM)
33. Band: Black Eyed Peas/ The Pussycat Dolls
34. Song Right Now:
Black Eyed Peas Ft Timberlake - Where Is The Love,
BEP- Pump it/ disco club, Timberlake- My love/ What goes around
35. Friends: Sonia, Aastha, Shreya, Namya, Sakshi,
Pragya, iraj, Naman, Saksham, Pranit, Aribhit, Shelly, Pragya..
36. Sweet: Chocolates, Snickers to be precise
37. Sport to Play: Volleyball/ badminton/ tennis
(although I can't)
38. Restuarant: Punjabi by Nature/ My Dad's
39. Favorite brand: Nike
40. Store: No particular
41. School Subject: Francais, toujours
42. Animal: monkey/ horse
43. Book: All-time favourite is Harry Potter
44. Magazine: Tennis
45.Shoes: Reebok

___Currently___

46. Feeling: real hot, I mean the heat. It's early June!
47. Single or Taken?: I don't date uh
48. crush : Nooone right now
(Rafael Nadal lately, maybe?)
49. Eating: Plum.
50. Drinking: Lemonade (some time back)
51 Typing: This 'portfolio'
52. Online: blogger
53. Listening To: Disco club/ hey mama- BEP
54. Thinking About: My cousin's wedding in kerala where I'll hopefully go alone. Just me!
55. Wanting To: Dance ( refer no. 53 )
56. Watching: The wallpaper
57. Wearing: t- shirt/ trousers/ summer stuff

___Your Future___

58. Want Kids?: I don't think so
59. Want to be Married?: Not particularly
60.Careers in Mind: Journalist/ entrepreneur/ chef/ artist/ millionaire
61. Where do you want to live: Washington DC/ Kerala
62. Car: Black Lamborgini Galardo

___Have you ever______

78. Kissed a Stranger: No
79. Had Alcohol? : Yeah, tasted wine
80. Smoked: No
81. Ran Away From Home: Planning to, soon
82. Broken a bone: Hoping too
83. Got an X-ray: Yeah, my toe!
84. Been with someone: No
85. Broken Someones Heart: None that I remember
86. Broke Up With Someone: Never gone out, nor intending to
87. Cried When Someone else cried: I think so
88. Cried At School: Oh yes!

___Do You Believe In___

89. God: Yes
90. Miracles: Never seen one, though
91. Love At First sight: Nah
92. Ghosts: Only when I'm in the dark
93. Aliens: Have to . . . I see one reading this post!
(alright, that one's a PJ!)


There you go, you now know me some more. Not that it really helps, but it's pretty amusing. Any objections, bring it on. Though considering that I wrote it, you really can't object!

PS If you noticed, I missed some. I didn't find them worth filling.

Bonne Anniversaire!

This was supposed to be posted on the 3rd of June, but I just couldn't have missed it.

I know you're probably wondering who, it's Rafael Nadal!! He's turned 21 and he's awesome!
For those who still haven't heard about him, he's WTA No 2 in Tennis and is rightly known as the King of Clay!
He is 1.83 meters (that will be near 6") and plays left- handed. He started his Tennis career in just 2003, that's like when he was 17. Although he's Spanish, he knows enough English now to converse with Roger Federer! He recently broke his 81-record- breaking wins on clay and hopes to start one again.

Rafa rules the clay (court)!

Happy birthday, Rafael!

Oh yeah, and he has a habit of chewing on his trophy when he gets it.

Rafael Nadal Profile

Name :	Rafael Nadal
Date of birth :	3 June 1986
Place of birth :	Manacor, Majorca, Spain
Birth name :	Rafael Nadal Parera
Nickname :	Rafa
Height :	6' 1
Country :	Spain
Parents :	Sebastián and Ana María
Plays :	Left-handed, but is right-handed; two-handed backhand Rafael Nadal Trivia
Born and resides in Manacor, Mallorca in Spain Plays left-handed, but is right-handed Spanish tennis player Began playing tennis at age five with his uncle Toni, who is his coach Considers clay his favorite surface His uncle, Miguel Angel Nadal, is a professional soccer player with stints at FC Barcelona, Real Mallorca and Spanish national team, which competed in 2002 World Cup Is no. 2 in the WTA ranking (as of May 2007) Has taken part in the Roland Garros only twice, and won all of them. One of only 7 people that have beaten Roger Federer Currently (May 2007) ranked 2nd in the world PS Looks like he's going to end up winning against Roger Federer in the Roland Garros. As usual.

98!

Ok, this one's going to be a short one. I can't resist myself any longer.
I passed Grade 2 in music theory with a 98 on 100! Isn't that simply cool?!
I was also amused to see that the President of the Association Board of schools conducting the exam is the Prince of Wales, and the patron Queen Elizabeth herself! That sure sounds good.
Anyway, I'll probably write next week.
PS my maths MT was pretty good/ easy.

Fowl. Artemis Fowl.

I know that probably every mortal has read an Artemis Fowl sometime or the other, but Eoin Colfer remains one of my favorite authors. Here goes 400 words of appreciation for the blessed individual and his creations.

The first time I read about the tech-savvy, teenage heir to the Fowl manor, I took an instant liking for the character and its creator, Eoin Colfer.

The conceited genius features in a series of books by the author, starting with The Eternity Code. 13- year old Artemis Fowl has made a multitasking super- computer using stolen fairy technology, and only Fowl can decode the cube by deciphering the eternity code.

The C Cube (‘the cube that sees everything,’ quoting Artemis) is a priceless technology, assembled by Artemis into a super clever computer. John Spiro, an American businessman with mafia connections is also after the Fairy technology, yet unknown to humans. The cube falls into Spiro’s hands and if decoded, will prove fatal to humans and fairies alike.

The young genius’ wit and dexterity and his loyal bodyguard, Butler’s enormous build and prudence curb any disaster. Throughout the length of the series, Dom Butler becomes more of an elder brother and friend to Artemis, giving him pearls of wisdom and often passing witty remarks at Artemis’ occasional stupidity.

Besides the enthralling plot and the Machiavellian characters, Colfer’s manner of action- packed description, dashed with hilarious dialogues immensely appealed to me, and probably many other teenagers like me.

These series are a perfect mix of good plots, lots of humor, fictitious yet fascinating species sprinkled with magic.

The latest book, The Lost Colony, introduces Artemis Fowl’s female counterpart, Minerva Paradizo, who’s also a child genius. ‘The Goddess of Cleverness’ by name, her sagacity and sharp mind is always two steps ahead of her enemies.

The character’s splendid tactics paired with ingenuity makes for a perfect example for girls and breaks the lineage of male masterminds.

I thoroughly savored the introduction of a feminine whiz kid whose acumen proves to be competition for the male lead’s mettle. The book also has Artemis often cursing blasted puberty to a grinning Butler.

The hilariously narrated book also boasts of coded script at the bottom of every page for the reader to decode and read. The text is often amusing and illuminating to the curious reader craving for more.

This paperback is the perfect combination of action and wit which appeals to every teenager and also goes beyond to adults looking for hilarity.

The world will remember the name of Fowl. Artemis Fowl.

disposition

Bonjour tout le monde. If there are any, that is.

The cruiser is sailing smoothly. Class 9 is good and so am I. for those who care.

I know that I haven’t exactly been regular with the posting, but nor have those few readers, in commenting.
[Statutory Warning: I am in a highly/ dangerously cynical mood.]
Anyway, as not many are reading the posts, I’ll put a toe across the line and write a more boring post. More for myself, really.
My table’s direction’s been changed for the 4^th time. Hope it makes a difference this time.
As I don’t use it anyway and is gaining a layer of dust lately, at least it’s changing its position once in a while.
Frankly, I don’t have much to write about. Things are as normal as they can be.
The same old classmates, the same tiring bus journey back home and the same vicinity.
Oh well, maybe I’m being way too pessimistic.

“

The world is a balance of optimists and pessimists. The optimist makes the airplane and the pessimist makes the parachute.

”

True.

I like the history/ civics they teach in class these days. It’s different and more appealing. Like the French, Polish and Chile history.
I had enough of the grave mistakes and triumphs in Indian history, last year.
English is alright, we’ve got a proper, typical (and obviously austere) teacher. For a change.

The literature is pretty fun because you can contradict and fight with the teacher over superfluous details. Like, “Why would anyone just walk away and snack with a sinister lady in white?” or “What would be the reason behind a lady strolling at the station looking to whisk away innocent boys waiting for their train?”

As you’ve certainly inferred, we’re studying the Ruskin Bond's, ‘Woman at Platform 8’.

I got this Joke Book from my neighbor to have some entertaining company. From the moment I got the book, I couldn’t stop laughing. Some day I intend to read it.
My sense of humor has become worse than it already was, as you can see.

Here’s an excerpt.

Psychiatrist: Congratulations, Mr. Young. You’re finally cured of your delusion. But why are you so sad?

Mr. Young: Wouldn’t you be sad if you were the President of the United States yesterday and the next day you are nobody?

*

Psychiatrist: Mr. Strange, I understand your problem is that you constantly contradict people. Right?

Patient: Wrong.

Psychiatrist: I must be mistaken then.

Patient: No, you’re not.

Psychiatrist: Oh, I get it. You’re contradicting everything I say.

Patient: That’s ridiculous.

Psychiatrist: I see. Then you’re perfectly sane.

Patient: Ha! I’m as crazy as a loon.

Psychiatrist: Ah, we’re finally making some progress.

Sounds familiar, huh?