When I left you on Friday, I did nothing. Except veg out and plow into the home-stretch of book reading. And some time during Friday night, while still reading the book, I ended up face down in my pillow, sobbing my eyes out.

It's been a long time since I’ve read anything quite as disturbing as Elie Wiesel’s ‘Night’. If you haven't discovered this guy, ‘Night’ is the perfect place to start. Books just don't get any disturbing than this.

If I could go back and right any wrong in history - historic or personal - without having to worry about any of that ‘Heroes-Hiro-Nakamura’ past changing the future paradox shit, I believe that the holocaust would be one of the things that I would have liked to never have existed... and any other hate crimes motivated by race.
I was bummed out when I finished this book, not because it wasn’t good but because it make me feel sickened, bewildered, troubled and vaguely pissed off. But that’s what Wiesel intends to do the reader, fight against Holocaust denial and encourage more awareness-raising both on the level of political elites, on the level of history teaching and the media, to restore collective memory and make known the difficult truth about the Holocaust so that something like that won’t ever happen again.
Moving onto Saturday. I had the good fortune of being invited for a small show at Herbs & Spices featuring Naina Kundu and Floyd Fernandes, a fine blues and soul duo from Mumbai. The location was cozy. Not big, on the side of small but we got ourselves a table at the back with a good view. The show started at 9 when Naina Kundu got up on stage with a guitar that looked bigger than her, to perform “These Days” (by Jamie Cullum). Her voice was very warm, smooth and deep and her songs have an unusual blaze to them which is very appealing. Add in good looks and her set was great. Usually I'm wary of covers but she didn't let anyone down, doing a slow, easy on the ear job on ‘Another Day’ (Jamie Lidell) with her own particular unhurried jazz style. Unfortunately it was raining quite terribly all day so I didn't get to take out my camera.
What else can I tell you other than that from the opening track to the end of the concert every second was worth listening to. Here’s Naina Kundu and Floyd Fernandes with ‘The Truth’. It’s a live track, not a studio recording, so be prepared for a little crowd action and clapping.

Until the next time around keep reading and, as always, enjoy the music.

A Few of My Favourite Things

Okay, listen up.

Tomorrow, Sunday the 14th, Parachute XVI is having their gig at Alliance Francaise de Bangalore. I've heard great reviews about them. Trippy laid-back bluesy - kinda, kinda progressive/psychedelic, kinda their own thing.

Most of the members of band are already gigging musicians (members of the Galeej Gurus and Kryptos) but this is a whole new deal. They're playing with other band sheld at Alliance Francaise de Bangalore. They will be celebrating World Music Day (Fete de la Musique).
This is the ideal opportunity to get in on the ground floor for a cool new band. Things kick of kinda early - 5ish (pm) – the band goes on at 6 - so I'll see you there!

What I’m really grateful for –
Do you know how I feel about Foosball, internet? Sometimes even I’m not sure how I feel about Foosball, but I know those feelings are always strong, and plenty, and that no one else ever wants to talk about Foosball as much as I do.
This amazing picture is of the table at our office and boy, do I love it! Oh Foosball, what you do to us.
I think it goes without saying that this baby is getting a professional matting and framing job and a prime spot on my bedroom wall.

I am so in love with the game lately. Yesterday, it was all sunny and crisp, and I was walking around the office, just smiling. Sometimes I want to high five Bangalore, and other times I want to roll my eyes and ignore it, but Friday, I wanted to kiss. I spent every spare minute of the day at the foosball table. I’m sure the day of the week has something to do with my good mood. Friday is my favorite day of the week. The few times in my life that I’ve fallen in love, it’s been on a Friday. Right now I’m enjoying the fact that my happiness doesn’t depend on another person. I’m thankful that I’m the one responsible for my own happiness in life. I’m thankful that my life is full of so many fabulous people. I’m thankful that right now I have loads of goodies on my table and I’m about to take a warm bath and ohhhh man that’s going to rule.

Zeroing in on someone who will play the “random stranger and tell me their life story off the top of your head” game with you: Rich

Meeting someone who is great at playing the “random stranger and telling me your life story off the top of their head” game: Prize

Stumbling upon someone who does all of this and is also a really good kisser: Platinum.

I spoke to an ex-boyfriend, who is moving to another city next week.

It’s a nice feeling to realize you didn’t waste six years of your life.
There nothing like a good peppy song that can boost you back to normalcy when you’ve had a rough week at work.

Erin Mcarley, is a singer out of Garland, Texas and to be honest she’s pretty much the same as countless other alternative music radio friendly American artists hitting the airwaves right now. I would like to point out that she’s pretty much the same, but not exactly the same as everyone expects to hear when they tune into a Ryan Seacrest countdown. And I can’t put my finger on what exactly sets her sound apart from the pack, be it ever so slightly. Maybe it’s only my cheery subconscious screwing with me on this today, making everything slightly brightly colored. Maybe I just needed to hear a song that’s a bit up-tempo or maybe it’s just that everything sounds spot on her latest album. It’s fast-paced enough to keep you awake and yet reflexive enough to keep you calm enough to have energy left into the wee hours of the morning. Happy Weekend y’all.