'Retold' - Does this word seem significant?

Yeah, the title is stupid! But, considering what I've gone through in the last 4 days, it doesn't seem to me as insignificant a word as it seems to you.

www.flipkart.com.. this is where I do most of my shopping for books. And I'm a Bibliophile (read: Bibliomaniac), so I don't order less than 7 books a month. On Feb 20th I ordered the book, 'Pride And Prejudice' authored by Jane Austen. I was always fascinated by her, and I'd read some part of her book 'Emma', years ago as per a friend's suggestion. I couldn't finish it, as she was shifting from her residence and she was a Bibliophile (read: Bibliocentric) herself; so, she went away taking the book with her, as if it was the last copy of 'Emma' on this Earth; and I completely forgot buying a new book. So, years later, some days ago, I decided that I would complete my then-incomplete feat and read all books by Jane Austen. 'Pride And Prejudice' seemed to me, a title apt to start off with. So, I went ahead and ordered 2 books, the one mentioned and 'Sense And Sensibility'. The books came one at a time, the latter preceding the former. (FYI: flipkart provides Home Delivery on COD basis too :) ).

'Sense And Sensibility' seemed in perfect condition. I read a few pages till 'Pride And Prejudice' was delivered. I was at college when the latter arrived on 23rd Feb. After reaching home at 11.30pm, I held the book in my hand. It was a hard-bound copy. I immediately realized my first mistake. With hardback, comes the issue of convenience; and FYI, I carry a 3kg laptop with me everyday (I usually do most of my fiction reading in the local train while travelling).

So, moving on, I opened the book. My first reaction was 'What the FF...'.. !! The book was, to my horror, ILLUSTRATED and the font size was so big that I'd have to strain NOT a single eye-muscle to read it from even THE MOON. :( .. The real problem had not dawned on me yet. I thought at that time, 'It's ok! It looks like a Fairytale book. So what! My friends would laugh a bit. But it's ok. It's our Jane Austen after all. And that's all I want.'..

I started reading the book; carried it to college too.. Friends sneered.. I said, "WTF is your problem!" I continued reading it, but with a sense of skepticism. Why was my dear Austen using such basic English! And why was she so hell-bent on narrating the story in such short sentences! Why wasn't I being given the description of every single feeling, every emotion! And WHY THE HELL was she addressing some Mr. Bingley as 'her'. Mr. Bingley was a Mr. and that makes him a 'him'. I got seriously annoyed; closed the book and returned home from college.

I searched online for Austen, J books and downloaded 'Pride And Prejudice'. I started reading, and to my horror, the language used was so different and so good as compared to the hard copy I had. I opened the book. And KABBOOMM.. On the 2nd page were the words.. 'Retold by W. Sequeira & A.D' Souza'. I got wild, went online, and checked my order. Nowhere was it written that the story in the book was RETOLD. I wrote to flipkart expressing my disappointment, and asking them to replace my copy. It wasn't my fault I believe, yet, the incident made me understand the value of one word.. 'Retold'.. :)

CAT 09 Tales !!

The post below is purely a work of fiction.. Any resemblance to any person/persons living and/or dead and/or any institution is purely co-incidental..

Last midnight, there was a calm knock on my door.. I opened it to find Pythagoras and Shakespeare standing at the steps in their regal postures; Pythagoras with his typical Greek robe on and Shakespeare wearing a large white collared suit.. I pulled out 3 chairs, handed them a cup of green tea each and Shakespeare said, "What art thou waiting for? Open thy books!".. Cursing, I removed my books & a pen, and started solving sums in Math and English when both knocked menacingly on my head to tell me I wasn't following rules related to their respective fields well.. I frowned.. :-( .. Pythagoras drew me a large right-angled triangle with all its medians, altitudes, angle-bisectors & perpendicular bisectors, and asked me to find out the length of the circum-radius & in-radius.. Shakespeare handed me a fat book, opened the page to 'Julius Caesar', asked me to read it aloud explaining the meaning of each verse and understanding the figures of speech used.. Both kept bombarding on my head when, suddenly, it started raining inside my house.. "Get up!", growled my Mom with a jar of water in her hand..

Yeah.. For those who are baffled by now, the above mentioned para describes my latest dream.. And for those with me, I am sure thinking of going to my family physician and I wouldn't be least surprised if he tells me that I am suffering from Arithmophobia..

CAT, meaning the Common Admission Test, is scheduled for me on 2nd December 2009.. For starters, CAT is an entrance test for MBA aspiring candidates conducted by the highly coveted IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) situated at 7 locations pan-India..

CAT and I have actually had a long term 'love & hate' relationship.. Long time ago in the year 2007, in a bid to woo it, I dared to flirt with it.. The result; it kicked me out of its region like a filthy whining stray dog.. I had taken some coaching for 4 months then, but made the mistake of over-estimating myself and under-estimating 'the CAT'.. Thereafter, I stayed away from it like a rain-drenched teeny mouse stays away from the literal cat..

After 2 years now, I jostled up some courage and decided to give it a peck once again.. Filled up the form for the sake of it; but realized that I am supposed to study, pretty late.. So, starting my preparation 5 days ago and a week before my CAT, I have gone berserk.. Yet, not being prepared completely will not deter me this year as well, being the shameless individual I am! But still my spirits are high and I am sincerely hoping for some miracle to happen since Pythagoras and Shakespeare are indeed backing me this time.. :-P

Confused As Always!

OMG... 'Confusion maxima'.. That should be the phrase I should attach to my name..

I am often always confused.. Confused as to what decision to take, which course to follow, which friend to meet, what to eat, which book to read.. and so on and so forth.. :-(

I often wonder why I get torn apart in between choices so badly.. Say, if given 2 options, I always prefer BOTH.. :-D .. God knows what would happen if I participate in shows like "xxx ka Swayamvar" et al.. :-P

Being the LIBRAN that I am, I have always been like this. Today, I changed my blog template for the umpteenth time.. I never seem to get pleased with any template; even if I do, I never know which one pleases me the most.. I have used almost all the templates blogspot has to offer.. plus, have tried other tutorials too.. But nothing seems to fit the bill.. Minima, Rounders, Scribe, Harbor, Denim, Snapshot, Thisaway, Tictac.. have tried all at least once.. :-P

On the flip side, this attitude of mine works positively for me as well.. Because in the process of deciding what to do (and what not to do), I often end up thinking so much that maximum light is thrown on all aspects concerning the point.. It helps me a lot when brainstorming with friends on many issues..

But, still, I am confused.. Is this attitude of mine more of a boon or a curse?? Maybe... BOTH... :-D