Chiffonesque

Some things went right, Some things went wrong, As always, though, They did go on. Happy New Year, everyone! May our move along the continuum continue to be wonderful!

Came home late from work. Close to midnight.  Had a big meal of masala chawal, daal, and spicy mixed vegetables. A friend called.  Wished me Merry Christmas. Spoke to him for an hour. Another friend called. Christmas greetings and observations on Dhoom 3 were exchanged.  Then, I thought I should wish Merry Christmas to this sweet, cheery living space that this house is. So, I made some chai, dragged out whatever tinsel and netted, glittery stuff I had, and started decorating. Will do some more by and by. But wanted to stop, share, and wish you all a deep, abiding Christmas.

Nearly two decades ago, I came to know of this fancy restaurant where the dishes listed on the menu had no price. Where, for one full year, people paid whatever they deemed fit. My father would take me to his office at Nariman Point and would sometimes go to the Taj Mahal hotel for business meetings. I'd hear about  power lunches and important discussions and all that. From the very first time I started a job and had some money, I had always dreamed of taking my parents to this ultra-plush place where the service was considered to be the last bastion of perfection by the French and the cheese souffle so sublime that it had won awards and all that. But mainly, I have always wanted to go there because even though I've been to five stars since and dined at other luxe places, nothing had ever captivated my imagination the way Zodiac Grill had. And last night, I dined there with my folks. It's not that I couldn't afford the place earlier...I guess I never before believed th

A shadow of a large man with a knapsack in his hand loomed over stray petals and leaves that floated in a puddle. For a strange second, the world turned sepia. The world became a place filled with explorers. And that place where everyone explored, no one traveled. 

The way the moon looks sweet and at home in the sky. That tiny little jar with a possibility of friendship.  A petaled decadence on a coffee table. In the distance, a sea with a dissolving silver day. With everything perfect.Bandra.

What to read: Signature of all things by Elizabeth Gilbert Chaos by James Gleick Female of the Species by Lionel Shriver Course in Miracles by Helen Schucman Luka and the sea of stories by Salman Rushdie What to cook: Eggless cheese souffle (microwave option) Besan curry Caramel custard Pasta and aubergine in white sauce What to master in yoga: Tree pose, at least 2 minutes Warrior poses, at least 1 minute Suryanamaskar, at least 100 times by Diwali next year So far, that's the plan.

Sometime ago, I had written about a typical evening I'd spent in Chicago. An anonymous commenter has asked me, "Did your friend f you to your heart's content?" So, Anonymous, here goes: I can hazard a few guesses why you asked me that question. Maybe you genuinely want to know. If that is the case, then thank you for taking such interest in that aspect of my life and looking out for my well-being. Or maybe you got jealous or felt badly about your own life. Some rousing anger rumbled in the pit of your stomach and you thought that this post, with its quiet celebration of Diwali, was fake and maybe I deserved to be brought down a notch. But why did you choose to be Anonymous? I do not think that posting anonymously is necessarily cowardice. In the same post, another anonymous commenter has put in a sweet remark. You could be that same person. I'd bet though that you are a different person. But coming back to my earlier query – what did you gain by the anonymity?