Living with the Frenchman has been a wonderful experience so far. And just like I dreaded, it has changed our relationship radically. But I’ve recognized that that isn’t a horrible thing. It’s interesting how we have progressed from the enjoyable stage of being completely enamored and mushy all over each other to the random damning moments of frustration. What’s even nicer is the fact that we can snap at each other and not feel like the whole world is being lost.

Being around each other day-to-day has just given us the chance to see each other in uncomplimentary lights – and continue to love each other. In fact, from time to time I think the unappealing fragments are what help us to love each other plenty more. It allows us to be honest on a much deeper level, shedding away our need to always look flawless and unspoiled to the other and just be 100% of ourselves. The person that feels particularly lazy on a weekend or when she has a feminist moment or does something thoroughly unladylike and absolutely humiliating? She is the same creature that wakes up next to the Frenchman every day. And he knows it (and still loves me!).

Now in spells when our affectionate attitudes are swapped with slicing sentences that are uttered out of anger or sadness, it hurts less than it would have earlier. So he snapped at me over something I said, or I teasingly made sure he’ll never repeat certain behaviours. The comfort we have come into with this new chapter of our bond has permitted there to be flawed chunks while still retaining essential tendencies of love and admiration. Our link isn’t weak. And we can walk away from those horrid moments and move on with the rest of our day.....of course there is always music to be had.

“Hold you in my arms” is this stunning, gorgeous effort by Ray LaMontagne. And for whatever reason it’s been months and I still find myself coming back to this captivating track. It has been my favorite song to sing along to (alone, at work, at home, in the bathroom). It captures the essence of the vocalist. There is something throughout this song that speaks a familiar language with enough nuance and substance to keep you listening as it unfolds.

Hiya, Internets. I don't know if you've noticed but lately I've felt a smidgen well, distracted. Maybe that's the best way to explain it. And having a lot of fun too. And when I get distracted I start doubting myself and that never ends well. I feel kinda like I'm whirling uncontrollably at life. And the thoughts that run through my head? Usually sound something like oh shit everyone hates me and I'm a horrible wife and what kind of person am I because I'm sure even the Internet hates me because I've totally abandoned my site and I have, finally, jumped the shark and none of those thoughts are ever enjoyable.

The other day I went back to some of my older entries. I pulled up the comments and noticed that some of people reading me a year ago are still dropping by. And, in addition to all those wonderful people, there are new people poking their heads in everyday! So, while all of this is running through that dodgy place I like to call my brain, thank you for reading anyway. I bow to you, fine people. Really, I do. You guys rock. How else could I explain the fact that you stop by and read even when it’s just crap likes this? I’m going to try getting back to writing as often as I used to and if I skip a couple of days, it’s probably because I’m honing my ninja skills.

Bjork : Army of Me

Life has been moving pretty fast lately. Outrageously fast. I have now been married almost two months. And as evidence that married life directly affects the amount of free time a person has I submit this blog post. It has been very busy for me. A lot of things happened at nearly the same time, an odd collision of random events some of which were good, some not.

First, I love being married. I aced it. I made it my bitch.

Second, the Frenchman ended up in the hospital. At the end of the his 35th b’day party, we stayed awake to clean the apartment. My husband insisted on cleaning an area of the floor that contained our glass centre table and while moving said table, it shattered into a million pieces slicing the thimbles of the Frenchman’s hands. We headed right to the emergency room and a few hours later, he was admitted.

Surgery went well. My parents and I tried our best to hold it together but we were so worried. I’m still worried about the healing process since the surgery but in between The Frenchman can't help but be his charming self. So I suspect that everything is as it should be. My Frenchman who is - though I know I am somewhat biased - the most gorgeous creature upon whom I have ever laid eyes. He amazes me. And I’m hoping that we don't see the inside of the hospital anytime soon.

And anyways, as I was sitting at work today the sometimes awkward tunes of Grooveshark’s random playlist kept me focused and working hard. To be sincere, it was one song in specific that really kept my attention today. Due to an awesome person who I live with, I have had the pleasure of being introduced to a few great French artists. Zazie may sing in a language I still understand very little of but her music is quite universal. If I was forced to offer up a convincing little review this is all I have to say. Take your favorite parts of the female vocalist canon {leaving out all the annoying bits}, put them with french vocals, and play that fantasy out for a full hour.

Trust me when I say that if you like the track below you’ll simply love the rest of her music. It really is that good; the French seem know what they’re doing. And special thanks to the Frenchman who introduced me to her music. You should thank him too.

Hoping to get this blog up and running again here in a few weeks.

Zazie: J'envoie Valser

The weekend was too short. I realize that's pretty much the most apparent declaration ever made especially since most of you out there are thinking the exact same thing. But I'd be thoughtless if I didn't mention my disappointment with the world coming from the fact that it is, indeed, a Monday. I'm further disappointed by the fact that my beloved Frenchman had to leave for Paris 20 days after getting married, to attain a work visa that would allow him to work in India. Not for one day, not for two days, not for a week, not even for two weeks, but… FOR ONE WHOLE MONTH!!! We were devastated. And even though he has to do this for the both of us, so we can be together, I miss him terribly and want him back. Now.

Even though this time apart is good for some me-time. It’s not relaxing. That's not to say it isn’t fun. It is. But I’m in love and hopelessly screwed. However, I’m surviving - though I'm sure there will be flashbacks and some lingering post-traumatic stress - until my Frenchman arrives home. Heck, in the days of being married, we have been together almost 24 hours, 7 days a week. We eat all our meals together, we go to the same functions and parties… oh yes, and we even sleep together. The only times we’re not together is when I’m in the office or when we’re at home and he’s watching TV in the living room and I’m journaling in my work area. And since the Frenchman is the cook in our little family, I’m surviving on take-outs and Maggi.

So him returning home would be nice. I'm just sayin'.

For the past 3 years (wow) I've recapped events, weeks and brought you music I've listened to, things I've read, discovered and seen and other random things. Today, however, I've got to shift gears.

The Frenchman. For those of you who aren't in the loop, my husband is the strongest, kindest and smartest man on the planet. He's a fantastic cook, a wonderful husband and an all-around incredible person all while being smoking hot.

Mr. Perot. I love you.

Just who is the Two Door Cinema Club? To be honest I’m not entirely sure. I know their music was randomly dropped into Grooveshark playlist last week. But other than that I don’t know much. I know in pictures the lead vocalist looks like a very sweet ginger headed boy, but in video it feels like he’s trying to come across as Indie Rock.

I also know that their music is worth a listen and will probably interest most of the people who read this blog. Including you. So, here’s ‘Two Door Cinema Club’ with “What You Know”. Enjoy the music.

Good news, everyone

Since the last time I updated, I got married. Twice! I liked it so much. I might just do it again.

We had an outdoor wedding. The place had been decorated by a friend’s mom and was very pretty, all lace and flowers and nice lighting, and it was fun to see all my friends and family waiting for me to walk down the aisle. So our real wedding, the day we’ll count as our anniversary, was Saturday the 5th of Feb. But our wedding day – March 5th - this date was chosen mostly due to the fact that we wanted to get married on the first weekend of March and also, because we wanted to live with each other as soon as possible and start our married lives. I think I was remarkably chill about letting my dad dictate my order of events for the wedding, because it didn’t seem like that big a deal.

Pic credit: Cynthia Sapna

Pic credit: Cynthia Sapna

Pic credit: Cynthia Sapna

Pic credit: Cynthia Sapna

The Frenchman’s background infused with mine brought for quite a fun event, with my best friend’s boyfriend, Tony playing Tommy Emmanuel’s ‘Angelina’ as I walked down the aisle, guests were seated at dinner tables and we had dancing….the wedding décor was gorgeous, flanked with the wedding theme – off white and chocolate brown!! Amazing and fun!

Pic Credit: Peter Christopher

Pic Credit: Remy Denis

The walk down the aisle was probably one of my favorite parts of the day and my life in general and the most nerve wrecking. Dad held me close down the aisle and when I looked up, there he was, my most lovable person in the world, staring back at me, he in his stunning black suit and tapered shoes. It was like one of those old movies set by a countryside. I have never loved B’lore more.

The ceremony was perfect. A good way to cry is to stand in the presence of everyone you hold close and have the person you love most in the world promise nice things to you.

Then we kissed, everyone cheered and asked us to kiss again. And then after standing for a few pictures we walked to a friend’s car, had a couple of drinks and say to each other OH MY GOD WE DID IT.

Pic Credit: Remy Denis

The only thing lacking was the fact that a few people we love who were out of the country could not make it on such short notice.

So now I’m in my new home finally getting down to blogging while my husband plays the piano. I wanted to write all of this down and share it with the internet, because the internet is really, really great when you have happy news. Thank you, internet! I hope you all have a great week.

This song was played while I walked down the aisle. Granted, this song isn’t typical wedding fodder, but it’s an amazing track. It also fit the mood of music that is both interesting and captivating while also being of a similar aural aesthetic.

Enjoy the music. I know I did. One of the greatest comments I received at my wedding was a repeated phrase, “That song you walked down the aisle to, was really good.” It gave an already amazing day an even more special shine.

Frenchman & I: Mom, Dad: We would like to get married.


Mom: *Sniff* *sniff* Lovely, lovely!


Frenchman & I: Mom, dad, we would like have a simple wedding.


Mom: Yes, your wedding will be small and simple. We will only invite immediate family and close friends. There’s your two sisters and brother-in-law and  your fifty cousins, your dozens of uncles and aunties, all your classmates from college, your colleagues, all your other friends, our neighbors…


Me: What? What happened to small and simple?

I’ve always wanted a simple wedding. In fact, if I had my way, my wedding reception would be on a beautiful shore with my closest friends, my twin and her boyfriend, my older sister, her husband and their kid, the Frenchman’s friends, his parents and mine. But I didn’t want my Mom to hate me.

And hence the last days of my sanity ended and our crazy wedding planning began. We had to be creative in making our wedding meaningful and elegant.

We chose a place that my father had no problem booking with a good discount. It’s a small ground. And we decided to have an outdoor wedding with a minister present to solemnize the occasion.

Getting my wedding dress made at the same place my best friend, Runa, got hers done.

The bridesmaids went ahead and got their dresses stitched in the colour I chose.

I got my wedding cards custom-made according to the wedding theme. The Frenchman designed the content. And my dad and bro-in-law got them printed out.

My sisters got all the souvenirs (thank you cards) made.

My folks and the Frenchman took care of the wedding rings.

Sound systems are going to be provided by a good friend from my local church.

Three of my friends are going to sing at the wedding for free.

We’re going to have three friends who will photograph the entire event and so they were free too.

A friend’s mom from church will arrange the flowers and the décor needed for the wedding.

We’re going to hire a nice white car and decorate it according to the theme of the wedding.

So for a whole month, we deliberated, booked, designed, invited, mailed, budgeted, paid, you know the lot. We also had to do the socials that came with every wedding like the bachelorette where I received kinky products and lingerie from my well-meaning friends, apparently to teach me…umm… how to be kinky?

If all that wasn’t stressful enough, we also have to prepare and process all our documents: marriage certificates, visas, clearances (that was the bloodiest), etc.

On top of everything, I continued working in the office… until today. Eeeeesh!!

4 days before the wedding and I’m packing up my stuff to move out after March 5th (while Mom sniffles at the corner). Here, the Frenchman and I begin our journey of a lifetime for our life together.

So here’s to me and my Frenchman! (Clink!)

To the people who read this page, don’t think that I’ve disappeared… I’m still here… lurking on your blogs… laughing out loud, nodding, shaking my head, tut-tutting, being proud of all of you and egging you guys on.

And now, I’ve got a handful of days for the big ceremony that’s approaching. Will be back to blogging a little after the weddings (I hope…) for next time… the Miss Married Chronicles.

The past month was filled with unforgettable music. As I was pouring over all of the great songs I began agonizing (often vocally to my husband) about how I was possibly going to choose which songs I like that would make the wedding list. So below I present to you the one such fruit of this labor.

This track titled 'Coming Home' by Diddy sits at number one on my list because every time I hear it, it contributes something new, yet cohesive, to the listening experience. The following track is an Arion Dubstep remix and it’s one of my new favourites.

To my husband.

Dear Perfectly Lonely Life,

I won’t argue, there are times I think I will miss you. We had a good run together these last 27 years. The embarrassing dates, the chase, the all-girls weekends and the comedy as well as the tragedy of it all. Oh, how I loved the drama. I dated the excitement, hankered after it, and persuaded myself I had feelings for it too. Perfectly Lonely Life, you helped me gain an education, start a career, get out of my comfort zone and travel. I am not sure I would have done any of those things without years of practice on my own. Without you I would never have been brave enough to do things on my own, crossing over - ‘attraversiamo’ and wanting my appetite for life back, which all led to finding my husband.

Mostly I am grateful, for the years that shaped me. For the experiences I have had that brought me to where I am now. This place where I start a brand new quest. The biggest quest of my life: Marriage.

It will be tough. I know it will be. It will be difficult. But I am all set for it, because Perfect Lonely Life NOW it is Me and The Frenchman vs. the WORLD! We are geared up for whatever you have for us. This new life, this married life will also be astounding, amusing, thrilling, blissful, tender and worth it.

So I will miss you, for a while and then I will snort at all the experiences because Perfect Lonely life I am ready to move on.

Couple life, why hello! I am excited to see the relationship we will have, how we settle in and transform and mature.

So for now, here are a few pictures of our court wedding

♥ Perfectly Lonely No More
AKA Mrs. Perot

Well this is what it feels like to post on EC. It’s been so long I was concerned I would lose my usual panache. Worry not. I have been busy. Busy with planning a wedding ceremony which is exactly 17 days from now. Fortunately, I find myself with a free evening. And as we transition into summer I only thought it appropriate to post this track as I sip on an iced drink.

Louis Armstrong - La Vien Rose

Guess what

The Frenchman asked me to marry him, and I said yes!

And the reason I haven’t told you guys sooner was because that I couldn’t go five minutes without my phone ringing. I had no idea how many friends and family I had until my new relationship status was announced.

For the record, this weekend was not the first time The Frenchman has suggested we get married. The first time was approximately 48 hours after we’d met. Even then, my first reaction was, “I would absolutely marry this guy,” which was a stretch even for me. I could never even think of marriage with any of my previous boyfriends without having an anxiety attack.

So! On Saturday night, he asked me out for dinner before spending the entire weekend together and was super casual about it, like he hadn’t already planned on this. I suspected he was going to propose but not so soon. It had been a really rough couple of weeks, what with the meeting of the family, the questions and such.

So we sit at our table and eat our delicious meal, drink our wine and have a lazy chat, and then he stretches his hand across the table to hold mine. Of course, I was wearing one of my favourite pieces of jewelry - A massive black ring. He proceeds to take off my ring, saying that it’s much too uncomfortable to hold my hand with it on. And after a little argument I say okay and wear it on my other hand. What I do not realize is that while I was occupied with wearing my ring on the other hand, The Frenchman produces a box slyly on the table.
I sit up and look down at the box and say, “Wait, what?” and then he smiles and says, “Will you marry me?” and I shout OH MY GOD! CRAP!? But then I said yes.

We’ve had a million conversations about getting married in the past, basically since the day we met, so I knew this was coming at some point, but it was a completely wonderful moment and just what I’d always wanted. A surprise, and private, and simple, and an almost sort of natural feeling. And it was all of that, it was absolutely faultless.

So yes! I am totally going to marry this guy, a month from now. Thank you in advance for being so glad and encouraging, blog readers. I always knew you guys were all right.

While I’m already talking your ear off and being as sappy as possible, here’s some music to wrap this post up. At some point over the last three months I stopped looking for new music. But fret not I won’t be that way for too long now. I know that I’m risking losing you forever and seriously, you guys deserve some love. So here’s Train with ‘Marry Me’... Yes, cheesy, I know. But it’s so good, so instantly timeless, that my subconscious filed it away with songs I’ve loved over the last 15 years of my life. Now bear with me because this is my blog, so I’m allowed to indulge occasionally.

I love this song, I hope you will too.

I woke up on Thursday morning feeling weird. Not about life or vegetable prices hitting the roof but weird health-wise. Like hey, jump back, body, you're about to run out of steam on me, aren't you? By evening, at my dinner with the Frenchman, it was less weird and more excruciating pain. At 10:30 pm I hit some sort of wall. I hurried back home with the thought that I'd be much better the next morning. I had to be. I felt dreadful. Very important Friday meeting, don't you know.

I spent the entire night rolling around in bed - freezing to the bone with a throbbing pain - in a fever-induced sleep into which I managed to slink in some incoherent fever-dreams.
I woke up every hour feeling worse than I had before; it became copiously apparent that my superhuman effort at getting to work would not be happening. I rolled out of bed, worn out, at 7:30 am. Dressed up and headed to work.

I sat at work for barely an hour or two, when my body decided to finally break down and I went home. It seemed like a terrible stomach bug. I've been popping pills and I feel better. Except for some bizarre reason, I have difficulty swallowing. I'm kinda hoping that goes away soon.

But once the Frenchman heard about it he proceeded to make his way to my house to see me. And finally meet the parents. It was adorable. All I needed was the man I love, my mum’s awesome remedies and it was a perfect Friday except for the nagging stomache-ache. I fought the good fight the remainder of the day...and night. With any luck, I'll be planting my ass (and the rest of me) in bed soon but before that I want to introduce you guys to this delicious song I came across - ‘Hola’, and it served to pique my interest in the band - The Sunday Drivers. Now that was on Monday. Then they settled on my playlist and jet-setted my world all week long. Pay special attention to the song. It's glorious.

The Sunday Drivers - Hola

So,

I’ve been sort of busy.

I spent the weekend, being witness to the wedding of my best friend Runa and her boyfriend, Tonez of 7 years - two of the very best people I know. I’m not quite sure what led them to believe I should be trusted to get up in front of a bunch of people and bear witness to their church wedding. Me – a person who had a permanent damage in confidence or sanity. To be fair, the last time someone said “I love you” to me, my response was to bury my head in my pillow and then say, “Uh… thank you?” Smooth. Anyway, I didn’t just see the love during the wedding; I was also overwhelmed by it and said the word “awesome” at least twice. There was not a dry eye in the house. The couple was so perfect; it was a really beautiful and really fun wedding: close friends and family, homemade wedding cake and wine. I got to be with the Frenchman I love on this day. So it was all in all, an A++ experience and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.

Here are some pictures from the weekend. Highlights include a beautiful bride, a crazy fun groom, dancing to retro music, and pure, unadulterated happiness.

Hurray for Runa and Tonez!

Yeah, that's me with the camera. Pic. taken by Peter Christopher

I trust you’re doing well.

Natalie Cole with ‘This will be’

To all of you who are working this week, I'm sorry. Me? I have the week off. But that doesn't mean it's all sitting around the pool with beer and a Stephenie Meyer book. Why?

a) I'm not a 13 year old kid...and I don't think Twilight technically counts as writing.
b) It's cold outside.
c) I don't have a pool.
d) The very thought of reading something penned by Stephenie Meyer frightens me.
e) Kid in the house! Kid in the house!

This was my first Christmas with The Frenchman. This year, Christmas was quite the huge celebration we'd hoped it to be. This year, despite a super nasty cold, I was all fully functional and totally grooving on the Christmas spirit and it was quite enjoyable but very tiring.
I've only shot a couple of pictures, been to a few get-togethers hosted by my family and friends, spent Christmas eve at my boyfriend’s, wrapped and opened a colossal amount of gifts, and eaten an amount of food that would be apt only for someone planning on running five uninterrupted marathons and then bench-pressing Santa. And it was all amazing.

This Christmas was lovely, but now I'm thinking, "Wait, it's over? Already?" Can you believe that another year has passed? It seems like just yesterday (or, a few weeks ago at most) that I was talking about how quickly 2009 flew.

But as we get to 2011 and leave behind 2010, I just want to say thank you. Thanks to all of you who drop by and read whatever it is I've chosen to ramble on about. I hope 2011 treats you right and sees your dreams come true. Me, well, I'll be right here as always. I hope to see you around. Spread the word and be good to each other.

And now for my gift to you all. This track needs no pithy introduction; no clever phrase could encapsulate all that it is. Just look at the title. It’s Elton John's 1970’s classic "Your Song" and a good cover by Ellie Goulding. Get some rest, spend time with family, and most of all enjoy the music.

Happy New Year.

Click on picture to enlarge

It's officially Christmas, for us, at least. Our tree is up, Christmas music is playing and of course, my niece has developed a passion for undecorating the tree. Which is fun. And not at all bothersome. Gifts are all acquired, though none of them are wrapped. You know what? I absolutely love this time of year.

The best part is the music. So great. And the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Gives me the warm fuzzies.

In the grand, year-end tradition here is The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Christmas-themed heavy metal rock opera) with ‘Carol of the Bells’. One of my favourite Christmas songs and this version by the band is, in a word, awesome. Get yourself the album as it’s something you can see yourself listening to constantly for years to come. Also, the most criminally overlooked album. Who knew those classics need a little guitar solo.

Yeah, so, I didn’t mean to just ditch this space, but suddenly everything else in my life became 100 times more important, so, you know, the internet goes on to not count. Things have been really good and really busy: I’ve got this new dude, and I’ve been attending so many weddings, and also it’s been winter, so I’ve been alternating between going out and getting all drunk and tired and then coming home and not leaving my warm bed except to sit on the couch and watch this new show called ‘The Walking Dead’.

Some highlights of the past month or so: Ck and Bhavs, two of my collegues and good friends got married, and asked me to attend their wedding ceremony with my new boyfriend. This means I get to make an honest woman out of myself because I dressed in proper Indian-wedding attire. This also means that my new man gets along with my crazy colleagues. Life goal achieved: check, check.

I told my parents and sisters that I was seeing someone new.

Then I had to be like, whoa, whoa, whoa, guys, it’s cool, he’s our religion: Music.

I think I’m going to stop there, because anything else just feels like overkill. I have to go now, because I have to get something to eat, but I’ll try to be a little better about updating from now on.

This is what happens when you get the band Third Day to sing a Christmas song. And if this doesn’t make your heart ready for Christmas I don’t know what will. Play it, you won't regret it. It gives me goosebumps every time.

Enjoy the run up to the Christmas season. I’ll bring you musical presents as soon as I can.

The Frenchman: Part II

Of course my first impulse when I heard him say, ‘My girlfriend is so pretty’, I wanted to sprout wings and fly to the moon. I'm sure only a minute or two went by, but it sure as hell felt like I remained mute for the length of conversation.

It turns out that the days following our first date were full of extraordinary moments of honesty and letting people in and fear and facing your emotions and telling other people what you really think. None of these things has ever been my forte. But it has been wonderful.

To detail the actual feelings would be too heavy for even the most devoted readers, and, besides, they're more or less contained in the narrative of this blog. So I'll sum up: significant, marvelous, affectionate, all mixed up together.

I'm excited and nervous and terrified and full of hope and doubt. I wish there were a way on the computer to dot the "i"s in "likes" with hearts.

And with that, you're all current. So far, this story has no ending.

It's just to be continued.

The Frenchman: Part I

There is a reason posting has been irregular of late.

I don't quite know how to say this. It has certainly come as a shock to me. I considered trying to ease into the news, but all my efforts in that course proved useless. So I'm just going to give it to you straight, as it were. I met someone!

About two weeks back I was forced to make it to my company’s annual party, with every intention of leaving the venue before noon.
I realize that the words "I cannot stay another minute at this party," "I hate it here," make no sense to my bunch of colleagues who I hang out with. And yet they're absolutely smart, every one of them.
Since my plan of bailing out of event was by no means secure, I settled down in despair, most importantly not recovering the mind that I had obviously lost.

The one small mercy in that day’s event was that I got my eyes settled on a rather amusing foreigner, (a Frenchman) who I thought had entered the wrong party, which meant that I was sitting down and belting out comments every 5 minutes. The problem was that he was working for the same company I was, just out of a different building. Hence, I hadn’t seen him before. And he also happened to have a friend who was a part of my audience. Yeah, after I got to know that piece of news, five minutes of silence and embarrassment seemed like an eternity.

I met him a few minutes later as he smiled and shook my hand. I stuttered about how nice it was to meet him that I wanted to put my eyes out with a carving fork.

The days following our meeting he has asked my friends about me and then finally picked up the phone and asked me out on a date. It would have been a little braver of me if I answered him by not pitching my voice higher.

Baby steps, Eve. Baby steps.

Stay tuned, in any case, for my next post of Drink Poison, Drink Poison, Explode with Joy.

I'll be the one drinking poison.

There are days when it’s hard to comprehend the impressive talent that was The Cure. I’m not sure the world will ever see another front man that literally owns the audience in the way that Robert Smith could. I’m not even sure it’s possible anymore. All that aside this is a fairly awesome track of The Cure titled ‘Lovesong’.

To the Frenchman

The past week was so exhausting. Overworked. And dragged myself around the office this morning. Needed tea. And writing.
The worst thing about the past week was pulling a 14 hour day at our company’s annual showcase on Thursday, and then realizing that I needed to be at work the next day all bright and early.

The best thing about last week – I had many seemingly successful interactions with human males. Haha. That rocked. Also, my best friends, Tony and Runa got engaged. It was simple, beautiful, private and sweet. That's about the most perfect engagement I have heard about in a long time. “Congratulations to you both. I am so glad you have found each other.”
Marriage scares me to the point of an anxiety attack. But when my best friends finally decided to take the plunge it made me well up. Tear, sniff.

Runa and I decided to spend some time together over Friday at this swanky new restaurant on our side of the city and then I bought myself a few books for this month - Milan Kundera's ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’, that I have read in college but I felt like owning a copy of this book. Kundera’s writing is fantastic, as always. Stieg Larsson's ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ is one of my latest buys. I picked it up for the most part because the book seems to be all over the place - everyone is talking about it, everyone is reading it and everyone is commending it. If everyone jumped into a well, I wouldn't follow them but I'm more interested about books than I am plunging to my death. I also own a Batman comic by Bob Kane now. I love graphic novels so I couldn't resist this. Would I recommend reading it? It's Batman - you bet.

The music this week – Santana’s and India Arie’s ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ is excellent. Thanks to Ajay for the recommendation. It is, lush shoegazing blues-rock at its insanely, very good best. I've owned the original Beatles version and always loved it. But I suddenly realized just how genius this one by Santana is. It’s totally different than I expected and I’m duly impressed. It, no doubt, is worth repeat listens.

Keep listening to good music.

I might sound like I love going to the gym but the idea of going after a blissful vacation is not pretty. For the last few years I’ve been getting by on a recipe of being blessed with a great body type and being a continual activity machine. Except now my life isn’t really providing me with the high intensity cardio like it used to, at least not in enough periods to cancel out my love of meat, chocolates and any other fat-related foodstuff.

So I’ve resumed my sessions at the gym after two weeks which got my almost-rusting muscles moving again and I’ve got back some of my missing energy. Of course, the dilemma only arrives when my work-out routine becomes boring and the pain, post-workout.
I was ready and anticipating feeling like I had the flu after the first couple of workouts. Oh my god, I really expected less.

My thighs, MY THIGHS! I discovered that this evening after the second workout. I was halfway to sitting on the toilet when my legs failed; I landed on the seat wrong, and nearly ripped my shorts trying to save myself.

It definitely felt like I had the flu, if that meant the sickest you’ve ever felt and then someone beats you up one side and down the other with a baseball bat and steals your cough syrup.

I’m hoping after day three I feel a tiny bit better, like the way you feel with a hangover. I still can’t walk without saying ‘Ow’ a couple of hundred times, but I’m determined to do the entire run-up to Christmas and then take a break. And if by some miracle the exercises work as I imagined and my arms start to look like this one below, I’m hoping someone will tell me I still look pretty and buy me a dozen donuts.

Photo By Rokovor Vihienuo 

Mr. Big is easily my favorite band that I cannot seem to describe to others. Or for that matter get other people to listen to. They’re a band out of the land of California and lead singer Eric Martin sings in one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard. If the angels from on high sang in American then this is what the leading vocals would sound like. This release was part of their fourth studio album labeled ‘Hey Man’ containing this track called "Dancin' Right into the Flame".

For those of you who just found my blog take a minute to peruse other posts here at EC. I hope you enjoyed yourself this past month, November is sure to bring something amazing to everyone.

On Gangtok

Rescheduling travel plans has its good side and bad side, as most choices made after a couple of Jim Beam shots. Originally, this was planned as a trip to Sikkim, with a short beginning holiday to Darjeeling. Then, life happened. An opportunity presented itself to us when there were warnings of landslides in Sikkim and I decided to stay longer in Darjeeling. But changes to a plan are much more than a pleasant phone call to different hotels in Gangtok, asking for a vacant room. It is truly a pain, but I am of the certainty that it is well worth it.

After something like four hours of periodically interrupted sleep in one of Darjeeling’s most accessible modes of transportation – the taxi, I reached the hotel in Gangtok. It was the front desk, informing me that they would arrange for all necessary papers and permits for my travel to the beautiful Changu Lake and the Nathula Pass (the trading post between India and China). May God bless them, for pretending to give me time to get back to them and being so nice about it. The hotel belonged to a friend’s friend so they quoted about 1200/- per night (from the usual 2,500). I took it. The room was lovely and the view spectacular. It could have been a lot worse, the rooms could have been unavailable or the new rate (season time) could have been astronomical. The hotel was situated 2 minutes away from M.G Road and is highly rated as one of the best in Gangtok.

The city’s dining options are similarly impressive. Allen’s Kitchen, as I would find out later, is one of the popular restaurants in Gangtok. The food was some of the best I’d had all trip.

From there, I took off to drive around Gangtok, to see my friend’s school, the Tsuklakhang Palace and Monastery, various view-points and then back into the city to get ready for the evening out. If ever there was an almost instant way to fall madly in love with Gangtok, it is to walk it, sans map, just losing yourself in the area.

The nightlife in Gangtok is exactly what we needed to fall for the city. Little Italy was easy to like at first sight with its bohemian interiors and crowd.

And when they say the restaurants close early in Gangtok, it just means they won’t have tables available after that time.

From there, I went to Café Live and Loud to discover a new brand of fabulous. With flashing lights and a crowded bar, which we were told is the most popular club in the city, was packed with friendly people, all drinking, all singing along to a number of familiar songs performed by the band Route 66. You should know that by familiar I’m talking specifically about the following songs: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Layla and finally, and perhaps most importantly, Wild World, dedicated to yours truly.

And to end my trip in Gangtok, I went to a club called Orange, which was quite far from the city. This place was underground and filled up fast, and by filled up, I mean there was not a single inch of floor on which to stand and with only two bartenders the wait time between drinks became significant. It was around the time that we decided to dance that the DJ announced the last song was playing. Pfffft! But I will be back. Absolutely.

I had fun, unabashed fun. It was one of those trips I will be saying to my friends, “Remember when we were in Gangtok and…” for quite some time.

For those of you who frequent these pages you’ll notice something odd about this post. I literally never post videos, ever. But this performance by the band Route 66 was awesome enough and the recording is interesting enough that I thought today I would make an exception. The song is ‘Layla’. So how could I refuse to post this video? It’s shot with my phone camera in Café Live n Loud in Gangtok (Sikkim) …it turned out pretty okay I think.

See Darjeeling Like Nobody’s Business – Get the Best View

Darjeeling is a beautiful town located in the state of West Bengal. Well known for its tea estates, this small town has a typically busy market center lined by British architecture.

Tea Estates

Darj. has a history dating back to the 19th century. It has good connectivity by road and rail with the other towns around it. The Bagdogra airport is 4 hours away.

Most of Darj’s attractions are concentrated in and around the city center and it is best to walk along the narrow winding paths. Just keep an eye on the traffic.

Start with the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, the most famous zoo in India, built in the 1958. It’s the home for many species in danger of extinction like snow leopards, red pandas, gorals (mountain goat) and Siberian tigers.

A Red Panda

The Market Square contains the Capital Theatre, which I was told, was once a movie theater.

Keventers (breakfast joint) and Glenary's which houses Darj’s most famous pub, Buzz is also situated in this Market Square, just opposite the Capital Theatre.

Meat Platter at Keventers

Friends made during a pub crawl.

I think I need an "I ♥ Darjeeling" t-shirt!!

The city is also home to some of the best schools in the country with the most gorgeous architecture and surroundings. 

Loreto Convent

Chowrasta

Aloo Dum - Darj. Tea - T-Momo - Tai Po

If you do plan on taking a year-end vacation there then enjoy the food, rich culture, including drinking the local beer, Dansberg Blue Premium Lager Beer (founded by Sikkimese Bollywood Actor Danny Denzongpa).

Another one of the things to do in Darjeeling is a trawl around the traditional open markets held in Chowrasta. Shop till your heart’s content, the next great bargain may be just round the corner!

Ten glorious days of authentic Tibetan cuisine, alcohol, Aloo Dum, history, music and more. (Notice how food was listed first? Priorities, right?)

As much as internet on my cell phone allowed, I shared "What I Liked" along the way on FB. I hope you will join me for the rest of the journey in my next post on Gangtok!

This song just felt right for the mood of today. It’s cloudy, there’s a slight chill in the air, and it’s a lazy evening complicated by the decisions and planning associated with what to do during this long weekend. Thanks to Silversun Pickups for making this track – ‘Rusted Wheel’ that essentially is the soundtrack for my life. This song hails from an album the band put out in 2006 titled ‘Carnavas’. It’s one of my favorite tracks of the band and if you are reading this you should totally listen to the song right now.

See you soon!

Adios.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

Wikipedia: Crows Lake in Sikkim

Tonight I head off to the land of tea and Lepchas and Bhutias for a visit and to meet two old college friends. Darjeeling is wonderful at this time of the year, but I have to stock up on Benadryl and warm clothes somehow. I’m also going to spend a few days in Kalimpong and Gangktok, Sikkim, where my top priority after seeing my friends is to get to see as many places as possible, then regrettably drunk for what may be something like we did back in college. My friend told me she’d understand if I wanted to chain myself to the bar.

I am also going to eat every possible meat I can lay my hands on and have some decadent fun that involves alcohol and Valium.
Well, I shall trust my old friend to deliver the goods, or fun in this case. Now, it's off to bed early and a prayer that a good, long sleep awaits me. Making a note that it is past my bedtime now, I shall presume that a long sleep may not be applicable, but I'll hope for a good, restful one anyway.

To all you who sleep tonight, I bid you good night! And to God, I'm really a nice, harmless girl; please let this journey be as painless as possible.

It's not often that I feel like a glamorous jet-setter.

But every once in a while I do.

Like now.

This has been a glorious week. I gave the band Vampire Weekend another listen - 2 albums (21 songs, and a full 60 minutes of new music) earlier this week (Thanks to Ajay). Just listen to this track ‘The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance’ below. That, quite decidedly, does not sound like anything you’ve heard before. It also, quite decidedly, got me very interested in what the rest of their music would sound like.

As we transition into the greatest season (yes, I do declare that the melancholy days of B’lore Winter are the best of the year) I only thought it proper to post this track as I watch the leaves fall outside in the wind.

I’ll miss you almost as much as you’ll miss me. Have a fun week and enjoy the rest of your October. Cheers.