Springy blossoms

The dead roads are suddenly alive with pink-tinged trees. Birds are chirping and yes, insects are crawling. The barren-so-far land is displaying different hues of pink and purple, yellow and orange. And no, this is not Barbieland. This is spring. Season Spring. Season Spring in USA. Heralding the arrival of life, after the so-dead icy, snowy, chilly, boring winter. Announcing that summer is just around the corner, just like the cuckoo bird in the cuckoo clock. The temperatures are getting better, though not as consistent as they should be. Some days are nice and warm, and some are well, not so warm, and not to forget the wet days. But nevertheless, the air is crispier as the outdoors beckon.

 

Its only in this part of the world that I see 4 distinct seasons. Spring, summer, fall and winter, each categorically different from the other with its unique characteristics. As opposed to the seasons in India, where one can't really tell one season from the other. Technically speaking, we do have 3 seasons, namely Summer, Rains and Winter. But 10% winter, with 90% summer interspersed with rains can hardly be diferentiated, can it? Though things are changing now. Cities like Mumbai are experiencing winter chills for the first time as the Mumbaikars put their 'stored-in-attics' sweaters and jackets to use for the very first time. Till then, they came out only on trips to the North. But I am most certainly not discussing the global topic of global warming. I chose to skip that completely. Call me environmental-unfriendly if you please. 

 

Spring is so much better than summer, coz summer comes with great warm days but equally infested with those annoying gnats, ants and insects. Out comes my mosquito repellents to be applied generously on my little girl before she steps out of the house. Out comes my ant repellents to be generously sprayed around the corners of my house to discourage the line of ants. Out comes the sunscreen lotions too to avoid getting darker than we already are. However, the goods outwith the bads. Out comes the capris, skirts, shorts, tshirts, and all the summer dresses while I am more than happy to suck the air out of the space bags all filled with bulky sweaters and jackets. Never was I so happy with spring and summer as I am now. Never did I dread winter as much as I do now. Never did I enjoy the visual treat of the verdant pastures right amidst my livings. Never did I yearn for flowers and leaves on the dry branches as I do now. Though I have to admit that while everyone is talking about getting different flowers to garden their lawns, I am a duh as far as the names of these flowers are concerned. The only flowers I recognize are rose, sunflower, hibiscus, and I guess that's it. Names like tulips and canterlilies and chrysanthums and god-knows-what-others bounce right off my head as I whirl and twirl my tongue trying to even say it right.

 

In any case, lets all enjoy the blossoms before they shed away. Lets all enjoy the colors before we go back to the dulls. Lets all be springy. Lets all blossom. 

My first opera

Disclaimer: I have no intention of warding off any potential opera visitors by this blog. This is solely my observations and impressions and you will notice that they differ widely from the worldwide opinion.

 

While I was in Vegas, I came across the ads for the 'Phantom of the Opera.' It said that the Phantom of the Opera is a rapturous spectacle, a must-watch. And after having watched Dil Chahta Hai in which Priety Zinta takes the not-so-serious-in-love Aamir Khan to one and he is mesmerized by it, I was always itching to go experience it myself. I started pestering Jignesh to go. The tickets costed a bomb but I thought this is the only chance I have. Considering that none of us had any tuxes or evening gowns, let alone the dressy dresses, we opted for the most inexpensive seat (which we do not regret). But if you are in possession of such a wardrobe, you must spend a little more, just to fit in with the crowd. I chose to pass the superficial showiness trying to comfort myself into getting atleast a chance to be in an opera theater.

 

Let me give you a very brief idea of the plot. It was a gothic love story set in an 1870 Paris opera house where the beast is madly in love with a beauty, who is not only achingly lovely, but has the most melodious voice. The Phantom, who is the beast, prowls the theater with a mask hiding his disfigured half of the face, cloaking his mad desire to make this beauty into a star and his lover trying to match swords with the sweet-boy rival. Inorder to possess her, the phantom captures her lover and threatens her to marry him. For love, she is ready to give her ultimate sacrifice until the Phantom realizes his folly and frees her of his mad desire.

 

My impression: Very good plot. Very well directed. Excellent special effects. Superb performances. But I just have my misgivings as far as the music is concerned. Music is the pivotal point in an opera, which is technically supposed to be a musical drama. But I couldn't understand half of what they sang or said, though it was in English, and after some point of time, the high pitched soprano voice just sat on my nerves and made me fidget. While the rest of the audience watched in awe, Jignesh and I sat looking at our watches every few minutes. And when we stepped out, I could hear snippets of "What an amazing show that was!!" And all I could do was nod in false agreement. Coz it was just very simple, We were bored.

 

After coming back home, I tried to google up a bit on operas coz the fact that I was not able to enjoy an opera, that is worldwide recognized as the most pleasurable art form, did bother me a bit. And guess what, I learned that there is not only a book on "Opera for Dummies" which I should have cared to read before going, I also learned that there are classes offered for both beginners, and connoisseurs to help enjoy an opera to its upmost. Anyways, I believe, you don't really need classes to enjoy an art form. You either enjoy, or you don't. Reading up a bit, yes, helps you prepare somewhat. But paying for those classes which I am sure must be as expensive as the opera seats is just too ridiculous an idea.

 

But I see an upcoming opera singer in my daughter. She sings just like those sopranos and to top it, she has these teeniest vocal chords to match. Maybe some day, I will require lessons afterall.