Been a long time...

...and I have starting trouble again! Whats worse my keyboard is acting funny - so if I miss an "L" or a ''B" here and there - forgive me! Also the left side "shift" key is a bit dodgy, so 123 instead of !@# ... my right side little finger isn't used to excess activity11 ...hmmm thats what i meant!

...much has transpired since I last posted... more trave than expected... some business (B), some pleasure (P).

a. Trip to Calcutta - 13th to 16th August - P
b. Trip to Mangalore - 18th - 19th August - B
c. Trip to Mangalore - 20th - 21st August - B&P

d. Trip to Salem - 18th August - B - aborted
e. Trip to Coimbatore - 19th August - B - aborted
f. Trip to Madurai - 20th August - B - aborted

d. Trip to Mysore - tomorrow - B

The B trips were just the same as any others, ah, lah, blah! So here's the one I'll ramble on aout...


a. Trip to Calcutta - 13th night (10:40pm) to 16th morning (6:50am) August - P

I wish I had more time to spend there. My trip home (yes Cal is my home) wasn't like past trips home. For starters it was just 2 days as opposed to a minimum of 2 weeks. And it was also the first time I've flown home. I haven't used DumDum Airport since I was 9 years old. And I was very excited to land there... and squint my eyes to spot the lights from my house as we descended! ...yes wishful thinking!

The purpose of the trip was to just spend time with one of my bestest friends ever, and be with her and meet her mum. And also to squeeze in time with my gorgeous little niece and catch a few glimpses of her growing up race!!

When you're on hoiday no amount of time will ever e enough I know, but in the limited time that I had I know I grew closer to both of these precious people that I love. Regardless to say that I missed them more than ever before when I left and never felt so lousy aout coming ack to my life here in angaore... damn you B & L keys!!!

As for the gorgeous nieceling I did what I've een dying to do ever since she was born ...take her swimming! She's a water baby to the bone! She's 2 years old and isn't one bit scared of splashing around with her arm-bands on of course! There'll be photos soon - I hope! Getting her out was funny ... she kept darting off in the other direction of her mum... hats of to the Big Sister, I'm not used to seeing her be a mommy!

Time with Sha & her Ma ... I wish I had more off. We did spent most of our time together, but I want more. And to all ye who've read this ... spare a little prayer for her Ma... positive vibes even...

...sniffles, I want to go home.

Exerpts from the travel book - II

15-06-05, Dubai
Moroccan Bath... a.k.a scrub with steelwool!

If you've ever wondered what the base of burnt "dekchi" feels like when its charred remains are being scrubbed away - book yourself in for a MOROCCAN BATH!

Day 10 of my phoren holiday was meant for our day of relaxation and beauty treatment before the wedding. So about 12 of us - aunts, cousins, sister, neice marched off to the parlour for some well deserved pampering... well, atleast thats what I had in mind!!

After half an hour of waiting my turn I got called up to the Hammam, where I was stripped down to my chaddies by this masseuse, that turned out to be this battle-axe dominatrix! Shocked - out of my wits - having buckets of water thrown at me... like when you clean your car or something - she could've just used a hose!

Then I was smeared with some goop! Moroccan soap it seems! It smelled disgusting, and thanx to my uncomfortable fidgeting about, I even managed to get some in my eyes - thats when I was sure it was soap! Well you try lying still on a wet doctors bed when you have soap all over you! Had to hold on for dear life to not slide off a couple of times! And then bring on the steam!!! This wasn't exactly the sexy sauna type thing you see in the movies - this was STEAM in your face - up your nose - clouding your eyes (already burning with that soap-goop) - all over you! I had to wiggle myself towards the door, just to get it open a little & let some air in. And also to yell out to The Battle Axe, that 20 mins of sweating it out wasn't my idea of relaxation!

And THAT was only the beginning! Back in a lousy ass mood - she got on her amunition and it was time for war! My body didn't belong to me any longer! I was in the merciless hands of the Dominatrix! Or rather Exfoliating Glove of the tyrant! As I winged in agony she scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed away! Now come to think of it, she probably thought my tan was fake, which is why she was SO vigorous! I felt like a rag doll, being turned and twisted and jostled about! Anyway, I'm happy I got out of there alive! Her partner in crime who was on the other side of the screen working on my aunt kept laughing at me, saying I was being a drama queen! I ain't no drama queen dude, I just wasn't prepared for THIS!

I got out of there red as a tomato, and felt battered and bruised, and just passed out - there in the parlour!! However, I must admit, the next day my skin looked gorgeous - if I may say so myself! A picture for proof ...ok Bru's skin is glowing too - but i'm the one with the tan!!

Moral of the story:
1. No pain. No gain!
2. Be warned!

Hope you enjoy your MB!

Dream Wash!

After my temporary mind-fuck over that song, a couple of beers down and my weekend was looking F-I-N-E once more!!!

I bought a washing-machine!! And tho' its probably not as blog-worthy as perhaps, "I'm so proud I bought a ...HUMMER" - Its my first proper house-hold purchase! May be even a sign of settling down. Even though in my heart I believe this is a transitional living arrangement! Afterall its got wheels!!!!!!!!

Strangely its actually one of the first things I dreamt I'd buy when was young! Ya, not a teevee, or a kick-ass music system, but a washing machine... I said that would be the first thing I'd buy when I was working! Well I've been working a damn long time, and only just realised that dream, that began when I shifted out of home into boarding school - ten years ago! All thanks to a lousy "dhobi" that would take a month to return our laundry. So there was no way I could give him my uniforms unless I had 30 sets!!! Every night after dinner we'd be bent over buckets and basins scrubbing the greyness out of erstwhile white uniforms! Sometimes even waking up from our sleep to realise we'd worn the last set and had to sneak to the washroom at 1:30am and get scrubbing! And, then of course pray that it would be dry the next morning. I'll be really proud when I can buy a couple for the school dorm! That'll be cool!

The Dragons are thrilled, but the maid's ecstatic!!! Shook my hand and all! And is just dying to fiddle around! Here's when I have to say, its really not one of those funky fully automatic things, but its good enough for me and my homies! And sure is a relief to the maid ... and our sorry ass clothes that get beaten up by her everyday!! Anyway here's what it looks like (yes, its an image off the net 'coz I don't have a funky digital yet!)

PS. Sorry I didn't actually link my last post to the song. Well now I'm thinking "who gives a shit!" But it is a nice song... so if you really want to you can always turn to GOOGLE!

PPS. I also started using a cupboard again! Ever since the holiday I've been living out of a suitcase! But then the dear Dragon Zu Hoo was kind enough to help me get started again, and neatly transferred everything into my new cupboard! All in all, its been kind a rather domestic weekend!

Morning Theft.

I don't know how many of my blog buddies still visit this site - seeing as I've been SO active off late! But I sure am hoping and praying again to the Blog-Gods to send some my way!

'Cause I have a question for you. Well, I know I'm pushing my luck here, but will someone please tell me what you think. Please interpret these lyrics. The song is here too. Its a great song! My question - whats the message? Was I supposed to just listen to the tune & ignore the lyrics?? Why would someone I'm trying ever so desperately to forget send me THIS song?

Time takes care of the wound
So I can believe
You had so much to give
You thought I couldn't see

Gifts for boot heels to crush
Promises deceived
I had to send it away
To bring us back again

Your eyes and body brighten
Silent waters, deep
Your precious daughter in the
Other room, asleep

A kiss "Goodnight" from every
Stranger that I meet
I had to send it away
To bring us back again

Morning theft
Unpretender left
Ungraceful

True self is what
Brought you here, to me
A place where we can
Accept this love

Friendship battered down by
Useless history
Unexamined failure

But what am I still to you
Some thief who stole from you?
Or, some fool drama queen
Whose chances were few?

That brings us to who we need
A place where we can save
A heart that beats as
Both siphon and reservoir

You're a woman, I'm a calf
You're a window, I'm a knife
We come together
Making chance in the starlight

Meet me tomorrow night
Or any day you want
I have no right to wonder
Just how, or when

You know the meaning fits
There's no relief in this
I miss my beautiful friend

I have to send it away
To bring her back again.

"Driving slow on Sunday morning

..and I never want to leave"!

I just spent the nicest Sunday home with my family & friends. After living in our sweet little house for two years, yesterday was the first time we had a lunch do on the terrace. The weather - great. The occasion - my fellow Dragon's pre-birthday party. The food - sooper yum! Wouldn't do justice to just say "sooper yum" so here's the menu - egg & potato salad, pasta & bacon salad, chicken & pasta in white sauce, mince & corn, garlic bread, and the yummiest stewed pears & ice cream for desert! There was obviously lots to drink too, the highlight being the tea n rum punch!

Even had the architect in our midst put up a canopy to shade our motley crew! Photos will follow... someday, sometime, same place!