30 or 3000

I told you I didn't feel like writing much. But the thing with this life is you'll end up doing things you think you didn't want to do. Especially, when your friends make it a point to tell you they miss not reading what you write. Be it someone who is 30 miles from here or someone who is 3000 miles from here. It's just that I'm so bad at keeping in touch, I'd rather post about my random life and make sure they're "in touch" in some way or the other.

So, I just hauled some ass and wrote....

The 100th!

This is my 100th post. Deep breath. This blog and the relationship I'm in right now - are the most committed I have ever been. So, obviously, I didn't think I'd reach my 10th post, let alone the 100th. So I'm thinking I'd just let myself be and write about anything that comes to mind...I know, feel free to leave. I'll understand :)

The trip back home was great...with a lot more 'meet the mom & extended family' happening and B, coming through with flying colors and what not. However, homeland is one place that is synonymous with good food... always. But this time it managed to surprise me as well with the biggest prawns I have ever had!

Biggest Prawns EVER!

Devilled Crabs - YUM!

However, what is a good trip home without a violent bout of fever following it? Kidding. Except, I wasn't laughing too much when I came down with worst case of Bronchitis this decade. I lost some kilos so I'm not really complaining. Almost.

I'm planning to eat a lot less you know...to not bloat up again. Let's see how long this resolution lasts.

In other things, I'm just tired, resigned. This has probably been the reason why I haven't posted in a while. But my cronies told me they miss the fact that I haven't been writing. I looked at the Blogger dashboard and realized my 100th was due. So this is what came out. I'm still not over the 'tired' part. This in no way means a sabbatical...just that I need some time. To think. To write. To stabilize. And because of this, B, has a full-time job on his hands.

Religion, Meet Culture. Culture, Meet Religion.

Durga Pujo. The single most biggest festival in Eastern India. It of course at it's root is a religious festival where we worship the Hindu goddess Durga who basically comes back home (where, earth is home) for 14 days or such. But the main festivities last for only a week. Of course, over the years it's become one of the major socio-cultural event that the Eastern Indian society participates in.

This is probably the only religious festival where (thankfully) Religion has taken a back seat. It's like Religion and Culture met and had a fist fight (for some unknown reason) and Culture beat the holyshitingsky out of religion! I'll tell you why it's more of a social event than anything else:

1. People belonging to all religions are out on the streets for 5 whole days having fun, without a damned care in the world.

2. For the Eastern States its a 5-day long State Holiday! Now, who wouldn't like that! Everybody needs 5 day long state holidays. I mean, come on!

3. All the 'pandals' (or the decorative tents and structure where they house Goddess Durga's Idol for the whole week) have themes that vary from Brazil winning the football cup, the 9/11 WTC Attack, or the phenomenal success of Harry Potter or Titanic, Global Warming or sometimes based on ancient civilizations like the Incas or Egyptians. There is a whole glorious world out there when it comes to pandals.

4. Durga Pujo generated so much employment during that time of the year (for the street hawkers, pandal makers, priests and more) . It may be a temporary spike but it's helpful nonetheless. Also, it is usually going from the pockets of the richer to the lesser blessed. So you see? nothing to lose but much to gain :)

And not to mention, it's unadulterated fun. 

So yes, you're part of the festival if you do any or all of the following things:

1. Take a leave of 5 days.

2. Buy new clothes

3. Eat lots of street food.

4. Spend those 5 days doing nothing but catching up with friends and family.

All I'm saying is, I hope I can make people elsewhere understand how much I love and adore my culture and how all embracing it is. I'm not religious for most part. But this part right here with all the pomp and show of the Pujas...is such an essential part of my life that I'd love to infuse even a fraction of the enthusiasm I feel for it through what I'm writing. 

Dear Calcutta, can. not. wait!

I'd Rather Have a Bottle In Front Of Me

Yesterday was a Dry Day. For all of you peeps who don't live in India. Here's what Dry Day means. 'No alcohol will be served anywhere, anyplace even if your life depends on it!' Whattt? Of course your life can depend on alcohol! What about cough syrup huh? I mean if the government had their way they wouldn't even sell cough syrup you know...ooohhh too much alcohol! Blahest Blah.

I think it's to show respect to the day or event that they enforce a one-day ban on alcohol. Now now now, I'm only making assumptions here, because ofcourse I haven't bothered asking ANYBODY at all...because this seems down right stupidity. I mean who the hell pays respect by not drinking. As for me (and most people I know), I become more respectful and loving after guzzling a few. Hehe. But seriously, some delightful decision-making by the Government. 

Also, it's crazy how Mondays make you go batshit crazy. But if you're anywhere close to as awesome as I am you'd go shopping bang in the middle of a working Monday. Hell yea. AND help your boyfee blow up 5K. Just like that. Holy Shitsnacks. Also buy cute hair bands with bow on top :)

Bands with bows :)

Step 2, eat cheap chinese food. I don't think I will ever outgrow chinese food. Ever! I mean any time of any day if you give me an option to eat out and I get to decide on the food...it will be chinese, for sure. And sometimes (If I'm back home) Biryani. I would like to think the-always-going-back-to-Chinese is not because of lack of imagination or exposure but because I really love that cuisine.

Step 3, another way to beat the Monday blues would be to postpone as much work as you can to Tuesday. I mean, sometimes you need to be working against a tight deadline. You know to keep you on your toes and stuff. Helps you step up your game and what not.

Anyhoo, some music for your Monday Blues:

You can't help but love anything that has Jagger in it or Adam Levine for that matter. If you haven't heard this before, I can guarantee you will listen to this on repeat, unless ofcourse if you have no clue about music whatsoever.