Home cooked, song recall and bed time

1. For the first time in the entire work week, we've been able to come home at a time that allows us to cook dinner. The bhindi ki sabzi, the kasoori methi flavoured daal and the soft warm rotis are so immensely satisfying.
2. An unscheduled and unexpected short drive in the middle of the afternoon brings an unexpected pleasure. There's an unfamiliar voice on the radio and she plays a lovely old hindi song that I'm sure I haven't heard for years - O Sajana Barkha Bahar Aayi. I'm quite surprised that I not only recognise it from the music at the begininning, but also sing along quite effortlessly, as if I have been hearing it very often. It is strange, this ability of the brain to retain the words and the melody of a song and to bring them forth at the right moment.
3. It's bed time, I'm sleepy and there's nothing to stop me from cuddling up in my soft and warm bed and sleep peacefully.

Shared happiness, shared burden and puffed up

1. Gauri comes running to my desk, bringing with him a semi-eaten chocolate pastry. Rashmiiii, try this! This is one of the best pastries I've had in a long time, he tells me, not even attempting to hide his glee. He's brought along a spare spoon, so I can dig in without wasting time. We share the pastry and the glee.
2. I can start assigning work to the new guy who's joined the team. What bliss to have someone to share your work load with!
3. For the first time in my life, my rotis have puffed up perfectly. Each roti's puffing up is followed by a small dance of celebration. And when we have them a while later, they're still soft and warm, and of the perfect thickness. I deserve a pat on the back.

Birthday girl, special gift and soft!

1. It's Dipti's birthday today. Last night a few of us from work landed up at her place at midnight to bring in the birthday with cake. She has loved the surprise so much that I overhear her telling anyone who calls her up to wish her about how exciting her birthday has been this year. Happy birthday girl!
2. Dipti goes out to receive the birthday gift that has arrived from her fiance and comes back radiant, holding a gift set of CK perfumes. Her eyes sparkle so much, its impossible not be drawn into her enthusiasm at the gift.
3. I manage to make soft, edible rotis today. They don't fluff up as they should when I hold them over the flame, but I suppose that's setting too high an expectation at so early a stage in my roti making career!

Lucky day, chef and title track

1. "Are you feeling lucky today?" Kris asks me... I'm confused... Why? I ask. "Because Vrunda and I got you something for your car". "Just like that? No occassion?!" It turns out to be a stuffed monkey that's smoking a cigarette with loads of attitude, in a reclining posture, with one arm behind his head... and if you press it's tummy, it lets out a shrill screech that's alarming, to say the least! Its superfluous to mention that I'm so thrilled by the unexpected gift that I'm giggling my head off for a long time...
2. I make rotis and baingan ka bharta for dinner. The rotis, though not quite perfect, are not altogether bad. I am so proud of myself. Why? Everyone can make rotis, with the sole exception of yours truly! So edible rotis are a notable achievement.
3. The title track of the Marathi serial Asambhav. The series is also quite riveting, but its very difficult to find time to watch it everyday and one loses track of the story otherwise...

The bulb shines like Superman!

Just an ordinary day, but a then thats not bad is it? :-)

1. The Bulb still works!

I today add up to my list of ideas- all from thin air! A boring day, I am far from motivation of any kind but still from no where i get a few.

2. Shimla misrch ki Sabji

I am actually surprised. I think a bore day in office can actually result in a lot of things. After deciding that we will order pizza, suddenly we become motivated to cook. Its turns out to be quite nice in taste. I practice all the antics I can, while cooking. I may not be exotic yet, but wait a few more months :-)

3. The Sanjeev Kumar microwave cook book!

I got a cook book from the library! Lets see how far it goes.

4. TV Cassette Player works

I got some videos cassettes from the library to check whether the cassette player in the TV works and whoa it actually does! Now we can watch some movies on it. Better than watching it on the laptop :-)

5. Sunshine Superman!

Ok, lets take a day off from Dylan mania and listen to someone who was a popular folk rock artist during Dylan's peak time in 1965. In fact they were seen as rivals during those times. Some say Donovan songs had influence of Dylan. Maybe he had. I could see some influence in the style of singing. This is a very 'trippy' song (if you know what that means). Critics called it an 'innocent hippy' song.

He was good friends with The Beatles (specially Paul and John), Joan Baez and also somewhat Dylan. This song was initially named as 'For John And Paul'. Jimmy Page played lead guitar on this. Page was a session musician at the time. Yes, you can say it was psychedelic in a lot of ways. It was written keeping in mind his model wife Linda Lawrence.

Listen to it - pretty much trippy, as far as i am concerned.

YouTube Video

Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could've tripped out easy a-but I've a-changed my ways
It'll take time, I know it but in a while
You're gonna be mine, I know it, we'll do it in style
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine

I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, all that I can find
Everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene
When I say we'll be cool I think that you know what I mean
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine

Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, all that I can find

Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah!
A you-you-you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
'bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine

I'll pick up your hand
I'll pick up your hand