27

“How much?”

“Thirty rupees.”

“Acha, is there a wine shop here?”

“Yeah, right behind this shop.”

Oh ok.

(2 minutes later)

“Listen, you stand here, I’ll try and get it. Worst case he’ll ask me for my ID and won’t give. Worth a try, no?”

“Ok.”

“What do you want?”

“OMR”

“Uff! Ok.”

----

“Bhaisaab, ek quarter OMR.” (Asks confidently, scared that he’ll be asked to produce an ID)

“No OMR.”

“Oh, so what rum?”

“Bermuda”

“Arre yaar. “ “Bacardi hai?”

“Haan.”

“One quarter Bacardi then. How much?”

“One twenty five.”

(pays and makes a triumphant exit)

Mixed-Up Confusion

I have one of the most awesome beginnings to a trimester in Law School so far. Lots of mixing, lots of confusion and lots of mixed-up confusion. Old people have delighted, while the newer ones have disappointed. I didn't know that there are people out there whose head is more mixed up than mine - indecisive, irritating, but still lovely. But I must let go. Sooner or later, the state which I've dreaded in the last three months will come. i can feel it. It's quite sad that it will end in such odd circumstances.
Looking forward to The Philadelphia Story tomorrow.

Music

Time to brag a little.

“Great music that is not in the mainstream needs a host – someone to bring you into the fold.” –John Mayer

And as part of a dedication to that host, I’ve downloaded arguably some of the greatest music I’ve had, in the last 50-odd hours.

Little Juju

Roland Garros for me is the most looked-forward-to Grand Slam event. Yes. Even more than Wimbledon. Sadly, the Ladies Singles title this year becomes 'without-having-to-be-defended'.

------

I always thought that she was the female counterpart of Bjorn Borg in more ways than one. Apart from the same coolness and calmness of Ice-Borg, she too retired on a high - at her prime, being the only women tennis player till date to retire when on top. Twenty-five. An age when most other players become great or grow greater.

------

Sometimes, when someone leaves, you feel that a sort of void is created. That's exactly what I feel about women's tennis right now. You might say there is Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Venus Williams, and so many more. What's the big deal?
I mean. There's Ana Ivanovic.
But then.

Would you see that little girl, looking angelic in a white jacket walking into the court with her red Wilson kitbag again?
Would you ever see that coolness and elegance on the court again?
Would you see that greatest-backhand-ever (footnote: John McEnroe) again? - That high powered inside out single-handed backhand hit down the line, while the opponent lady is just changing the grip of her racquet, and after the ball passes by, she's left gaping. That disguised drop slice backhand. Would you ever see it again?
Would you see anyone as emotionally tough as her again?
Would you ever come across a lady who carries on her shoulders the hopes of an entire nation for an Olympic gold when she walks into the court?

Would you...?

Dedication - III

Maybe, I'm just using this blog to improve my PR, readership and the volume of the comments block, but, I consider it just a day when I find it appropriate to dedicate posts to a few people.
So, here's the third dedication, and probably the last on this blog (to use the cliche: not by any stretch of imagination, the least) to someone who I consider one of my dearest friends - who's always around for me; who senses (albeit mostly incorrectly) that I'm angry; who listens to my boring talk, angst and whine patiently, but gives the most objective response; who calls me by various names; who's the only person in the whole wide world to recognize my dancing capabilities (which, out of not just modesty, but fairness and objectivity, I say, are non-existent), who's great fun to 'chill with'. For the one who always wants me to 'win' the tennis of life. Because you're worth it. And dumb people must also get some recognition, isn't it? Though this is hardly a recognition.
So here's to all the chilling, with a fervent hope that this friendship remains this way forever! Cheers!
Thank you.

Atleast it's better than those testimonials people write on orkut.
Posted on 4/4, because my phonebook tells me you're obsessed with 4.

Dedication - II

This is dedicated to another friend of mine, and the latest addition to the list of this blog's readers, who I know only in bits and pieces now, who I miss off and on. This post is dedicated to those ancient-seeming times. To gulabjamuns, khaa ke aaya hoon, rajma chawal, schoolbus fights, teasing with body-sizes, carrom board and trade, Carmon Sandiego and of course, names in discord with the genders.

In retrospect, I think I've always been bullied by women of my age. Sigh! Curtain rods. And what not.