Thank-you!

i got back home. Pa was having dinner. As he finished, we sat down to watch TV together.

i saw this ad. An amazingly beautiful woman with beautifully flowing hair holding a coffee mug, looking out of the window, carefree and confident.

i turned to Pa and asked him,
"Is our past karma responsible for the way we look?"

He laughed.

i asked, "why are some people so beautiful and others not? Is it some kind of a punishment?"

He was going through some statements and said,
"To think that you are not beautiful is itself a wrong way of looking at things. Just quote me for these words."

And he laughed again and looked at me, smiled and looked at the TV.

i smiled back and looked at the TV.

Are all Dads fantastic or is it my good karma?

Breakfast at Taj

After the scintillating performances, the CM of Maharashtra arrived. i don't know exactly why he was there, because he had missed the major part of the program. He came up on the dais, felicitated the artists and gave a small speech ending with a Jai Maharashtra :)

There was a cyclist amongst us who also was felicitated. He was on a mission to bike from Gateway of India to India Gate in 4 days starting on 26th January and reaching on 30th January, which is Gandhiji's death anniversary. He intended to cover 400 kms a day. He was carrying a message titled 'Heal on wheels' for the terror attack victims with a global warming message attached to it too. Good stuff! When we saw him from close quarters, he looked a man in his 40's. Wow, good spirit!

And then as promised by Pa, we entered the Taj to have breakfast. The performing artists were there too. We looked around the lobby and saw the place a bit. They had put up a place holder with the names of the victims and a prose on the attack and state of things. Of course, i took pictures of them all.

We went to Shamiana and were wondering what to eat. There was a buffet breakfast spread laid out. And just then, a young lady got us the menu card. Ma was, as usual, looking at the price. But surprisingly, she was not oh-my-god-so-expensive!!! in her expression. i think she had expected it. :)

Me and Ma looked at the food available in the buffet. It was wholesome and for Rs. 1000/- only :). After a lot of deliberation, i ordered a Masala Dosa, Ma Medu Wada and Pa Toast Butter. And to drink, Cappuccino for myself, simple tea for Ma and masala tea for Pa.

The masala could have done with a little more salt. The chutney was a little bland for its taste. Cappuccino was perfect. i ate very forgivingly though because it was the Taj :)

Ma's chai was awful according to her. Masala tea was only comparatively better but that too wasn't satisfactory. So, they decided to voice their opinion. i was against it and was telling them to drink it quietly. They were laughing and smiling and i was worried.

They did it quite graciously and the attendant was happy to make a fresh pot for them. That also was not up to the mark, but better nevertheless. i told them you'll be charged for this. They were confident it won't be charged. i was worried again. i told Pa, don't fight for it, it'll be just 500 bucks extra, at the most.

i was being such a....... :)

Eventually, it was not charged. And everything went by smoothly. But i had fled the scene sneaking in the wash room, to avoid any embarrassment. BTW, the rest rooms are wow!

:)

We then saw Leopold Cafe too.

It was my first 5 star experience, guys!

But Pa told me you are behaving as if you frequent such places.

Everything about the Taj was grand, obviously. All in all, good fun.

Totally paisa vasool!

P.S. A lot of firsts for me. Pleasant ones, yipppeeeeeee!

What a way to start the day!

On the 26th of Jan, i had the best start to my day in a long time.

Though i got up at 0430 hours, i was looking forward to the events that were about to unfold. i left home at 0535 and was late as planned by Pa. i was driving fast and was expecting to reach Gateway of India in half an hour but was amazed to find traffic, yes traffic, at Sion and we were stuck for a good 20 minutes. Some nakabandi for security reasons. But man, having to get stranded in traffic in the early morning darkness is something else. A real test of patience!

Only that patch of road was blocked. The rest of the trip was smooth and quick. So, reached Gateway at 0620. Parked the car and was seated by 0635. But, i must say, i felt a chill run through the spine when i was passing CST. The darkness was adding to the scary feeling. The blurry scene started playing on mind. But as soon as we reached the venue, it all felt hopeful. i was thinking about all the people who went through it. Brave souls!

Anyways, when we were settling down, Durga Jasraj, daughter of Pandit Jasraj and the organiser responsible for putting the event together gave a brief speech and introduced the artists. Before the performance began, a short film was shown on the history of the national flag, which was very informative. The national flag was the theme of the morning.

Javed Akhtar then recited a poem on the colour orange, the first colour in the national flag. And then followed flute recital, which just set the mood. Very profound, very soulful. i was constantly shooting videos and photos with my phone. White, green and then the chakra. Poetry, sitar, vocal, tabla, mridangam, flute performances took place. All refreshing, tuning the inner chord of life in the right rhythm.

The morning was pleasantly cold, i had just casually wrapped around a shawl to keep warm. The Gateway of India shone majestically in the early dawn lighting and then in the natural sunlight. In the midst of all this, the sun silently came up to say his hello. A bright orange hue turning into a golden halo. It was very symbolic of the sun to have risen just above the placard of Mumbai. Also, a few minutes after that, some of the jawans unfurled the national flag atop the Gateway.

i have captured all these magical moments in my phone and am waiting to transfer it on the computer.

It was so beautiful and serene and captivating. i think for the first time in my life, i have witnessed a sunrise so closely and so consciously. Sunsets, i have seen many, but sunrise was a first for me.

Lovely!

Fulfilling promises!

Sunday, 24 August 2008
Shopping List :))
1. N 96 (whoaaa..)
2. Guitar
3. Diamond Ring / s (??)
4. Branded Watch
By the end of 2008, I will be having all of them :) and some more.
Er....Am i being too materialistic? Well, does anybody mind? Awwrightt then!!!!!

This was the list i had made a few months ago. Well, reviewing whether i kept promises. The verdict is, i kept some and some are pending.

1. In place of N96, i bought 5800 Xpress Music (not bad) but not in 2008 :( But that's ok
2. Guitar is pending (have to enroll for a class first)
3. YESssss! This one i fulfilled in full blast (large grin). Very happy! Diamonds are indeed my best friends
4. Branded watch, pending too. But i gifted one to J, which is not bad. And it wouldn't be long before i own one myself. (positive)

It's time now for some more items on the list. But let me just tick off the pending ones first.

So far, so good!!!!

Zara zara touch me touch me touch me!!! ;)

Ahem, people!

That's for my Nokia 5800 Express Music touch screen phone.

Yes!!!!!!
Ladies & Gents, i have finally got myself a new phone. i bid farewell to my ancient, archaic phone (Nokia 2300) the evening of 3rd Jan. 2009. The old phone had given me company for 5 odd years. Gifted to me by Pa afer my post graduation, this phone was the first phone i ever owned. After loyal service for so many years, it deserved a peaceful place in heaven. God bless his soul!

i called a few of my friends & family who were very keen on having a new phone for me, from my new phone of course. Their joy was palpable, only adding to mine.

The new one is my darling only waiting to be touched & explored!

Wow!

Let the feeling just sink in!