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Beating Bombay Girls – Educating violence

For some time, our mostly reliable maid was consistently late.

Why? Her daughter wasn’t well so wasn’t going to school.

However there is more to the story of her daughter’s mysterious fevers, broken arm and absence from school. This sweet young girl fears going to school…

What happened? (more…)

Sleep deprived Sundays… a travellers lament!

I love traveling, experiencing new places, those random conversations that bring new perspectives and insights…

I also love being home with my partner, hanging out with friends, catching live music, theatre and more!

I also love Love LOVE lazy Sundays…. no alarm, wake up when you want, stretch, have that first blissful sip of cappuccino.

Thanks to my desire for both traveling/work and wanting to be home, I’ve given up most of my sleep-in Sundays! I’ve also learned a new trick – navigating international travel and working ‘abroad’ with an injury! A tenacious torn ligament dashed all normal dashing about at my usual pace…. grrr…… (more…)

Canadian lass in Bollywood – Aspiring actress or dreams dashed?

A dear director friend asked if I could meet with a young Canadian woman contemplating moving to Mumbai to get into acting here. Mostly from the perspective of how I’ve adjusted, my experience with visas, etc.

East weds west - read all about it!

East weds west on the small screen – read all about it!

Now it isn’t completely unheard of.. after all… in a country of a billion plus people there is a ONE new TV serial that actually stars a blonde haired blue eyed new bride “Firangi Bahu.” I’ve been a bahu or daughter-in-law and survived to tell the tale! It isn’t a completely preposterous idea…

But breaking into ‘The Bollywood Biz” ain’t easy… and while I’m no expert, I have watched on the sidelines off and on since 1990 with friends and family (partner) who have struggled and sometimes succeeded in film, TV and stage. Along the way have picked up a few insights and stories behind the stereotypes….

Yet I still felt like such a nasty horrible person dishing out the following reality check dashing starry eyes and hopeful smiles: (more…)

Behind the billboard… Daddy Cool

A couple of years ago, my partner got a real kick out of seeing this billboard plastered around Mumbai…

Aalim Hakim Poster

Aalim Hakim Poster – look closely at the lower left pic

Why? Though he spent 30 years in the ‘biz’, I was the one getting a tiny slice of ‘fame’ (notoriety?) thanks to the small square with my photo.

Today, he’s having the last laugh as billboards for his recent TV commercial can be spotted all over the country! And the ad is running not just in India but also in South & South East Asia, Africa and the Middle East. (more…)

Who keeps the house clean?

A friend sent a link to a new online publication he started called “Scroll.in – News that matters”.  I love lots about it and while the current focus is on the Indian elections, an earlier article on domestic matters caught my eye:

It’s true, Indian men hardly do any housework (more…)

“The dog ate my homework”

Wouldn’t it be convenient if I could use that excuse? The challenge with going independent is when things go wrong…. they go wrong!

And while a busted ankle isn’t a complete disaster, my immune system also took a beating with a crappy cold then yucky migraine (is there any other kind?).

So what?

Well…. I am in the midst of opening three companies and all are affected plus personal stuff! (more…)

Hopping home…

There is a reason for my ‘radio silence’… just not a very good reason.

What happened?

I came back from Jakarta early with a nifty new acquisition and insight into a very different mode of travel.

Re-wind… exactly what happened? (more…)

The taxman cometh…

What does a Canadian living in India on contract for a project in Indonesia then Malaysia through an Australian company do for taxes?

Before I flew to Indonesia, there loomed the 15th March deadline for “Advance Tax” payment – a critical “To Do” task akin to getting a root canal. Ugh!

While I have no regrets about going ‘independent‘, the simplicity of a salary is something I sorely miss.

So decided to share my pain by sharing my warped understanding of the Indian taxation system: (more…)

Confessions of a reluctant entrepreneur

While working in Malaysia, another contract for Jakarta came through – yippee!

I’ve mentioned – more than once – that I’m a highly reluctant entrepreneur! However by some brilliant stroke of luck (or two!) am somehow surviving with independent work.

Knowing there is nothing certain in life, I’ve been preoccupied with – don’t laugh – opening 3 companies! Yeah, like the paperwork and hassles for one isn’t enough, hmm?

Sounds fancy but isn’t really. Just have 3 very different types of work on the go… (more…)

Mumbai to Malaysia

Watch out Kuala Lumpur… I’m on my way to you!

As shared, I’ve been distracted lately… and not just with the play

Good news! First consulting project of 2014 – yippee!

Even better news! I’m finally going to Malaysia. Though technically a country I had some responsibility for in my earlier work avatar, this is my first time physically in Kuala Lumpur.

Not so good news…. It will be a hectic project. From now until I get on a plane 16th February, there is one day ‘off’ – which I know will be used to catch up on preparations for the balance.

Even worse news… No scope for explorations outside of KL and likely limited within.

So… KL experts, what can’t I miss? The one or two absolutely under any circumstances must be experienced?!

Kuala Lumpur (Photo: www.geeksonaplane.com)

Kuala Lumpur (Photo: http://www.geeksonaplane.com)

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