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Action Replay - July 2015

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I still remember welcoming July some time ago and here I am welcoming August. July passed away in a blink, but did not fail to leave behind its impacts. My release at work was done and I had a considerable amount of time free with me. When this happens, I go into a negative trip. I know that I always talk about how busy work is keeping me and how I have time for nothing else. But when I'm free, I feel worthless. No, seriously. Sitting at work with almost nothing to do makes me feel like I am not capable of anything. Having a day free makes me feel guilty for getting paid inspite of not doing any work. I know a lot of people who do this regularly, but it doesn't work for me. Not working makes me feel bored, hungry, sleepy, moody, tired and annoyed at the same time. I snap at people, binge eat, battle drooping eyelids and mutter abuses. It is a horrible place to be in. I need to be busy, with something or the other. Else it makes me feel very very bad. All social media channels are accessible at my work place, but how much time can one spend on Facebook. 10 minutes and I'm done. I read a lot of blogs and wrote more often, but still the guilt of not working plagued me.

On the plus side, I had the time to finally catch up on my reading. I also broke the jinx I had with J.K. Rowling and completed 'The Cuckoo's Calling'. I had put the book down twice before but this time I was determined to finish it. And I did. The book was just about okay, nothing great. The story was good but the book was really really long. I reviewed it in detail here. The main reason why I wanted to finish this one as soon as possible was so that I could pick up 'Rebecca' that I had bought almost a year ago. Aathira had written such wonderful things about this book and I couldn't wait to read it. I read it before work and after. I couldn't put the book down at all. In four days I was done with it. What a beauty! Manderley and its beauty is something that would remain with me forever and so would Rebecca. The descriptions of the situations in this book was absolutely splendid. The limited characters and the strong emotions make this one the number one book on my list. I wanted to review the book in detail, but I was sure that my words would not do complete justice to the brilliance that this book is. Just so you know, its a 5 on 5 from my end.

After the intense drama of 'Rebecca' I wanted something light to read. 'Lolita' is another half read book on my shelf, but I did not want to pick up another female protagonist immediately. There are atleast a dozen unread books on my shelf and I picked the one that was completely different from 'Rebecca' - 'To cut a long story short' by Jeffery Archer. Short stories that are very different from each other was something interesting to read. And Archer is the master and my inspiration. I had loved 'A twist in the tale', but this one was kinda disappointing. Barring a couple of stories from the fifteen, the rest were mediocre. Some of it were way too simplistic and the others were too hard to decipher. The final story 'The grass is always greener...' is the best of the lot and almost everyone of us can relate to it. The shortest story in the book 'The letter' was brilliant too.

Those were the books I read in July. Three is not a bad number eh! I have just started 'The Palace Of Illusions' and I'm looking forward to drown in it. The narration is brilliant and even though I do not enjoy mythology much, this one I'm loving. I shall target to complete another three or four books in August. In terms of writing too I did not do that bad. Twenty one posts is a pretty good number, especially when I was targeting twenty. I wrote quite a lot of poetry and even my 1000th post. I still can't believe that I have written so much! I am glad that I started a fiction series after such a long time. The idea just came into mind one fine sleepless night and it is shaping up pretty well. Two parts down and I still have a lot to say. I wanted it to be a three part series but that would not be the case now. This story needs atleast six to eight parts and I promise that I shall try to bring it out soon and complete it.

I watched 'Bhajrangi Bhaijaan' and surprisingly enjoyed it. Went in with zero expectations and free tickets from Cal's company. After 'Dabbang' and the other similar ones it was surprising to see a decent movie that featured Salman Khan. And it even had a story! The child in the movie is so damn cute and Kareena Kapoor was so damn wasted. A nice movie with its heart in the right place it was.

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So July passed with quite a lot of free time in hand and today we are in August. And you know what, it is my birthday month!!!! Yayieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Five more days to go and I'm so happy that it is falling on a weekend. But since work has now started, we would not be able to take a vacation but Cal is busy planning something big for me and I cannot wait to see what the surprise is this year.

August has always been a very happy month for me. Not only because it has my birthday. I normally am very busy and very content during August and a lot of good things come my way during this month. It already started with a bang with a wonderful Indiblogger meet at Hard Rock Cafe, Bangalore where I met the wonderful Sid and Pooja who I have only know through their blogs. I also met my usual favorites Shailaja and Sreesha along with a lot of new bloggers. It is always so nice to meet people with a common passion - writing. I had a whale of a time and I absolutely loved it.

That was all about July and I'm so excited to step into August. Go ahead and tell me how did July treat you.

Comments

  1. Oh quite a lot going on yeah? Well, my July was relatively calm, with a relaxing vacation and then just relaxing at home... Reading and writing and spending time with S, that's all really ..And yes some yummy food :)

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  2. A busy July and an exciting August! Great going, Soumya. Keep rocking. :)

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  3. Such a pleasure meeting you, Soumya! :)

    And may your birthday month bring you all the happiness in the world! :D

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    1. It was awesome meeting you too! :)

      Thank you my dear!

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  4. Quite a month for you Soumya! I havent read Cuckoo calling but after your feedback, I have no intention to. Rebecca, I had read many years ago. But, I can still recollect the story which was very beautifully written. Have a great birthday month!

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  5. August is my favorite month too as its my birthday month too. I need to go to Indiblogger meet sometime.

    I was surprised with Bajrangi Bhaijaan too. Like you I went in with zero expectations and was pleasantly surprised that it was a good movie. I agree Kareena was wasted and girl was super cute.

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  6. I had a nasty July and August is no-brainer! But taking it as it comes. Hope you have a great birthday month, by the way.
    I should read Rebecca. Saw your status in FB as well. Makes me want to read.

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    1. Aww it will get better don't worry. More love to you <3

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  7. That sounds like a reading focused July and I feel we need those ones. I have read Palace of Illusions and totally loved it. Narration, story telling, detailing and emotions are beautifully captured. To cut a long story short is my all time favorite. I read it very long back and have since then picked it up every now and then. Recently I started The Kiterunner and though I have watched the movie, the book is intense. Posts - I did decent - 14. Sometimes, I wonder what number would be good but then I shun the thoughts off - Sunday and Monday are a must for me and then weekly one food for thought. :)
    Happy Birthday in advance! I wish a world of happiness for you! We should meet over chai in Food court :) :)

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    1. Your planning is superb as well :)

      Oh yes, we definitely should.

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  8. Wow! That was a nice July for you. Hope you have an awesome August :D

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  9. Firstly, I love these monthly round ups that you do. Also, good to know that the fiction series is shaping up well. I eagerly await the continuation.

    As far as books are concerned, you have convinced me that I need 'Rebecca' in my life. Adding it to my TBR. Have fun with 'The Palace of Illusions'. :)

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    1. Thank you so much Shantala and yes, you should read Rebecca!

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  10. I feel like I have been reading one book since ages... which is usually during train journeys ... I gotta catch up on my reading list. Wish you a very happy birth month and hope it is full of exciting times. Bajrang Bali was all right... but I lost my heart to that sweet little girl. True, Kareena was totally wasted in the movie.

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    1. You should read more often! Its Bhajrangi Bhaijaan yaar :P

      And the other hyped one was Bahubali, looks like you have them confused.

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