Bombay Diaries - Day 36

Home all day. Harry pottered. (Have bought excellent copies of all 5 movies).

Visited parents at their new abode in Vashi. Desperately tried to make fun plans for 31st December.

Prepared to go to Pune to pick up sister.

Quote for the Day -

When you're getting ready to launch into space, you're sitting on a big explosion waiting to happen.
Sally Ride

Bombay Diaries - Day 35

Last day with Karen and Brad. Dropped them off on their bus to Goa and then met up with some friends from college and Neville. Surprise in store.

Ps: Great music at Toto's.

Bombay Diaries - Day 34

Karen and Brad packing and moving luggage to Colaba. Very long cab ride. Very hot Bombay.

Saw Taare Zameer Par. Liked it quite.

Bus ride on Marine Drive that takes breath away and swells heart with immense love for Bombay. Walk on Chowpatty. Teaching Brad and Karen to say things like - Akela chhodo to harassing vendors trying to get us to take a foot massage. On chowpatty? Really.

Nice dinner at another discovered Parsi cafe/bar. Surprised to find that it's veg. First ever Parsi veg restaurant. Um....

Back home and stayed up really late and finished Return of the King. My precious.
Must admit the Murakami book am reading - Kafka on the Shore - is so surreal and haunting, that I'm almost a little afraid of going to sleep and meeting my dreams. Honestly.

Bombay Diaries - Day 33

Hangover. Hangover.

Spinning in my pillow.

I woke up, and felt happy. I was proud to have the hangover. (Had really expected to do nothing grander on Christmas except watch the Lord of the Rings) but wow... instead I had two invitations, and 4 bottles of wine -shared with various others.

I decided I should enjoy this sensation of the hangover. I walked around the house, stumbling and bumping into things. But a while later, I was ready to not desire any alchohol for the next...
three days.

We picked up Karen at the airport, was great to see her, and it was dawning on me that my month here and work with Brad was coming to an end... Hyderabad was calling.

We went to Landmark (the super book store) and I bought some more Terry Pratchett, and Haruki Murakami, and moved closer to being supremely broke. But I have to own every single Murakami soon.

Oh, and my Christmas gift from Karen and Brad was a professional pin-hole kit. A real proper pin-hole.

Bombay Diaries - Day 32

Three days since my last post. But, its easy to manipulate and use my cyber powers to fix that time gap. Watch!

Christmas day was fabulously unexpectedly fabulous. We got invited to Mel's for a traditional Christmas lunch. So there we went, armed with a nice Sula white wine, and met Mel's family and of course, the wife (pregnant Simrat) and Michelle, and brownie, who attempted, successfully, to yank my arm off while biting it. But the wine was so heady, I didn't notice.

We got back home, and planned to finish off the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Halfway through the second movie, Santa struck again, and Audrey invited us downstairs for another fabulous family dinner. We got fed all over again. Over more wine. And then came back home with more wine, and played poker with Audrey till 4:00am.

Had no idea that I'd wake up the next morning with the first powerful hangover in all this time in Bombay, but I did.

Bombay Diaries - Day 31

One month since I got to Mumbai. Incredible! And oh, Merry Christmas.

Today was a brilliant over-dose of Fantasy-Epic movies.

We saw:
1. Star Wars -Return of the Jedi
2. Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Very satisfying.

Looking forward to the week coming up - last days of freeeeedom before I'm back at Google as corporate slave.

Bombay Diaries - Day 30

Day in Pune. Hung out some more with the family. Was supposed to be back in Bombay in time for a Split gig at a college festival, but it was so easy to just be at home in Pune, that I left really late. Saw half of Ratatouille.

The whole bus ride I was anxious about if I would make it in time for the gig - and ultimately, I didn't. By the time Brad and I got there, they'd finished. Missed the performance by about 45 minutes. Apparently, it was a good show, and they got a great response. Saw Garreth get surrounded and admired by loads of people - just going up to him to say, great show, great voice, awesome songs!

After that, we dunked into the closest bar we could find, and had a nice long evening with a interesting mix of conversations - (Split, Himesh Reshamya, Experimental Cinema, Blue Frog, money, patents, sex, cops, getting arrested, chicken, Christmas and so on). Split has a fair number of gigs coming up.

Finally, we got dropped home in Nigel's brand new car (an arctic white Swift).

When I spend evenings out with the boys, that's when I feel really sad about being in Hyderabad, and missing all the action when I'm away. But then again, I can't have it all.

Bombay Diaries - Day 29

Fabulous day. Headed out early in the morning, and got onto a bus to Pune, (annoying bit in the bus where I had to endure Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi, and lyrics that went - jab tak samose mein hai alu, tab tak tu rahegi meri Shalu.) I was trying to catch some sleep.

Was great to see the family - the grandparents, cousin, aunt, sister, and uncle. The mission of the day was the wedding I was here to attend - of my classmate Devika. She was probably my only good friend in college, and I really wanted to see her at her wedding.

It was weird - I sat there eating the awesome maharashtrian food, and staring at her, all so grown up and gorgeous, with the red bangles in her hands, and the red sindoor on her forehead. I could hear her voice in my head - I always really admired her style of talking, and her intellect. And her laughter - she was also a very fun girl, besides topping each year, and finally the university exams, and also bagging the best job offer.

Really nice to be there, and felt weird that my classmates are now getting married.

Pune is a lovely city. We were out for an hour or so before the wedding, and I was trying to absorb as much of Pune as I could - so many cool young people on the streets, and such a lively city! And boy, its nice and chilly here, I'm cuddled up as I write this, and thoroughly glad to be away from the sticky Bombay I left behind (and am going back to tomorrow.)

Oh, and Julie, our adorable little doggy, is playful again (the last time I was here, she'd had this bout of imaginary pregnancy, and then she doesn't allow anyone near her, or to play with her.)
She's perfectly adorable again - wriggling around for attention. She's also jealous if anyone else gets affection. When I'm hugging or kissing my baby sister, Julie wants part of the hugging too, and paws around, jumping to get in and get her share. Crazy doggy.

Anyway, tomorrow is a long day - journey back to Bombay, and Split gig.

PS: Brad wasn't around today, he'd stayed back in Bombay for a teaching session at KC college, and some friends. Was strange not having him around, and not having to work. I know am going to miss it all.

Bombay Diaries - Day 28

Last day of shoot. (We may do some more, hopefully), but weird that it's over. What? I have to go back to work?? Today we filmed with Aviv (of Split) pretty much what we filmed with Nigel the other day.

Also, saw Sholay finally. Had completely wanted Brad to see this film, and he enjoyed it. Jai and Veeru and Gabbar and Basanti and Thakur. Of course, with English Subtitles on. I was surprised the subtitles were so good... nearly did great justice to the excellent script.

(Moser Baer has come out with this excellent series of DVD releases of loads of movies, also TV serials, etc, for excellent prices and fabulous quality. The Sholay DVD cost us Rs 39/- with very neat packaging.) Must buy more.

Anyway, Christmassy feeling is all around. The decorations are up, and bars are opening up all night. The unfortunate part is this sudden, horrid bit of humidity that has crept in from somewhere, and its really unlike Bombay weather in December. I hope it wears off soon - like now.

We met up with some more London friends of Brad's who're in town, on their way to Goa, and had a nice Indian dinner. And then some beer.

Took the late night train back home, and realized it was probably our last late night train for this season, and that was really sad. That's the most comfortable commuting time in Bombay! Well, hopefully we'll be doing more of this again...

I shouldn't be here now. I am to leave for Pune early tomorrow morning, and I haven't even begun planning, forget packing. I seem to get worse with each travel. Will see the baby sister tomorrow, and the cousins. And of course, the friend from college who's getting married! I'm debating if I need to take my laptop to Pune... and obviously I don't, but its crazy how attached to technology we are.

Anyway, back to some packing, and my lovely new Haruki Murakami book - Kafka on the Shore.

Bombay Diaries - Day 27

Hmm.. Someone I'd requested to help us today, didn't turn up. Very disappointing.

But otherwise, fairly nice day. Woke up strangely early and chirpy (after an early night last night) and headed out to meet Ms. Pooja Shah - the girl I'm friends with because she read Harry Potter. Yes, those were the days when my criterion for friendship was sternly clear. We spent a whole summer together, hating Math class, and glad to be Potter buddies.

Bought more books today - another Haruki Murakami (totally love the guy) and some classics, that I hope I ever read.

Was back in time for the supposed shoot - which didn't happen due to aforementioned ditch by friend.

Then went out to eat greasy burgers, and I met Khushnuma - ancient school friend, and soon to be Doctor! Complete sweetheart and awesome-est person. That's her and I.

Topped the evening off with some more Star Wars, and staying online with nothing to do. Very nice.

Though, truth remains, I'm amazed by how quickly time has passed and its almost time to go back to Hyd. Next week, is party time.

Bombay Diaries - Day 26

Lazy day.
Filmed Nigel - that was funny.
Took him out to dinner and drinks.

Books finished reading in the past 2 days:

1. Terry Pratchett - Equal Rites (4 stars on 5)
2. After the quake - Short stories by Haruki Murakami (4 stars on 5 again)

Bombay Diaries - Day 25

Today's events cannot be shared with you.

Except:
I went to Blue Frog for a peekaboo and a chat.
I had an ice lolly. Orange.

Quote for the day:

Mel says the internet is virtual - Sai
Mel also says that he's the 8th wonder of the world. - Kalhan.
(Mel then goes on to call Kalhan names that I can't repeat. )

Bombay Diaries - Day 24

Really hot day. Drained us out. Got pinhole photography results - really very, very interesting. Amazing, in fact.

Went to Colaba. Had the evening off so met college dost Maliha for a bit and then went off to meet Rohan Korde, sweetheart + mentor, at Ogilvy. Where bumped into various classmates and acquaintances. Then Mel called about an interview tomorrow (God help us all) and finalement, we went drinking to a newly discovered shady bar called - Ambience.

We (Mellund, Rohan and I) talked and laughed - about BlueFrog, Garreth cursing people at 2:00am when they were bursting crackers and he was drunk, and funny names.

New names we discussed:
Phatu.
Clitus.
Clitoria.
And Innocent.
And Immaculate Conception. Yes, a name of a human being.

Bombay Diaries - Day 23

Sunday. Sleep day. Family day. Home cooked food day. Asking questions to self day. Reading Terry Pratchett day. Absolutely fabulously lazy day.

Quote for the day:
For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks.

-- Terry Pratchett, Equal Rites

Bombay Diaries - Day 22

I don't know what to call today. A disaster day, it seemed to be, but looking back, it was not bad at all.

It all began with Brad's breakfast going terribly wrong, and we laughed and said... today is not your day! And those words came alive.

We got caught in a first class train compartment, with second class passes.

We generally never get into first class - I'm well aware of the lurking danger of a ticket checker. But today we had a lunch date, and we just had to get on this train... second class looked really uncomfortable, and frankly impossible, so we popped onto first class.

At the next station, Brad suggested we get off and get onto the second class. I, shook my head and indicated that it was ok to stay here. I honestly didn't fathom a TC getting on. I carefully looked at everyone boarding the train at Bandra. None looked like a TC. I was relived. The train jerked to start moving, and one person jumped on. He was wearing the black coat of a Ticket Collector. I couldn't believe it. He looked straight at me, saw my expression of complete horror, and his face lit up.

We were, for 5 whole minutes, the amusement and diffused center of attention in our compartment. We paid our fine. And completely agreed that it was bad luck day.

Lunch was good. We planned to see a movie after, and I felt quite sure that we wouldn't get tickets... but we did... and we saw Will Smith in I Am Legend.

Man, the film chilled me to death, and was quite horrific. And we left the cinema quite affected... And laughed at - well we got the tickets, but what a horrific movie to choose today!

Two hours later, however, we were recommending to friends to see the film.

The final blow of the day was when we went to the hotel Brad is to use when I leave Bombay, and wanted to check into today, for one night, and he couldn't. He was asked for his passport, and visa and the manager was horribly rude, so we canceled all bookings, which really was quite upsetting.

This post doesn't do a fair tribute to the great effectiveness and potency of these misfortunes. But we were honestly amazed by its persistence through the day. And although, of course, it really wasn't that bad, but it did affect our psychology all through.

The evening, however, ended well enough. We went to Bandra to participate in the Batti Bandh drive (where we're encouraged to put of all electricity in our homes from 7:30pm to 8:30pm) and where a few artists were performing - without any use of electricity of course.

Garreth did his first solo performance, and it was nice. Mel was there too, with Blue Frog artists - Sha'air and Funk.

After that, we went off to my favourite shady bar - Janta - and had a great alcoholic filled long evening. Mel and I managed to have a long discussing where he's asked me pressing questions about my future - some options he has, and what I want to do. It's difficult, but I have to answer him soon.

I guess I just need to calmly think it over, and make a choice. One way, or the other. Lucky I am, to have these choices.

Bombay Diaries - Day 21

Today was interesting. (That seems to be everyone's favorite word these days. Interesting.)

We wanted to go up North Bombay today. Really north to the suburbs, and we got onto a train and went all the way up to the end of the line. 40 kms from home. Got a rickshaw, and he took us around to the beach some 10 km away, and we filmed at a lovely little village around there. It was amazing to get such a nice peaceful reaction from the villagers. They looked, but just let us be. Didn't crowd around or ask silly questions.

After that, we stopped at the some salt pans, and were going about our business peacefully, when a nosy busybody came over and asked us silly questions. In a very annoyingly arrogant manner. We really couldn't understand what could possibly be bothering him, and when Brad firmly expressed that he wasn't going to back off, this chap backed off, and shuffled off.

After that, we came back home, rested and then set off for a nice social evening where we met Brad's friends who've just flown into India, and are heading off on a rather unplanned holiday in the south of India. I was quite concerned about them - just imagining them having to manage so much alone! But I guess that's that part about being a tourist, and well, they'll manage I know. We had a nice Indian dinner. (veg)

We also met another couple of friends who're Bombay based filmmakers. Had an interesting couple of beers, before we left to catch the last train to leave Churchgate. 12:50am.

Which brings our grand total of kilometers travelled today to: 170km.

Fantastico.

Tomorrow is weekend. Seems packed. Breakfast date. Lunch date. Post lunch date. And evening concert at Bandra to attend. (Garreth's first ever solo performance.)

Quote for the day - He had a really bad vocabulary.

Nigel, while describing someone's poor singing skills. Not enlightening in the least, this quote, however, it will serve to provide me with a laugh some 3 years hence. Thank you for your co-operation.

Bombay Diaries - Day 20

Dull day. We seemed to have been hit by blues and lows... Guess all that beer, and high energy of the past 2 weeks had to dip for a bit. I feel miserable and sluggy.

Anyway, didn't really get much work done, some errands and a couple of shots.

Discovered the lovely Universal Cafe at Fort. Stuffed ourselves with sizzlers and then went to the in-the-closet DVD shop we visit... I found the long loved and looked for Oliver! and we bought a few more DVDs.

Christmas plan looks like a day-in with back to back movies - Lord of the Rings, and more. Possibly Sholay. Glad the weekend's nearly here.

Anyway, that's all folks.

Bombay Diaries - Day 19

Day nineteen!?

Today, after waking up late again (strangely, I'm not enjoying these odd hours of sleeping and waking - it's quite horrid to wake up at nearly noon and find half your day gone), I lazed about some more, and then found that Shammi (exboyfriend) was visiting. Had been hoping to buy some weed off him, and also rope him into a performance based experiment we want to shoot. Was nice to see him again, after ages.

After that we went to Bombay's best bookstore - Landmark - and bought books. I bought 2 Haruki Murakami s and 1 Terry Pratchett book. Very nice feeling... and oh boy, what a great bookstore + movies + music. It's hard to resist buying everything.

Our shoot for the day was at Andheri Railway Station, at 7:00 pm. It took us exactly 5 minutes to finish. I had to look out for cops, and read a newspaper, trying to hide Brad while he shot off the railway bridge. Was glad to have this shoot finished off, we'd been talking about it for ages.

Finally, the exciting part of the evening was heading off to Blue Frog's opening night.

Blue Frog is the company Mel works for. It's a -
1. Record Label
2. Recording Studio
3. Production House
4. Club

The club opened tonight, and they've promised to have a live act every single night. No easy feat, that. Mel was there of course, and so was Kalhan, a crazy kid who's doing a month long internship with Blue Frog.

Hmm. Nice place, this club. Fancy decor. Really fancy. Expensive bar. Big nice performance area. Funky video screens overhead. Nice wooden roof beams. And boy, the crowd tonight - utterly the really rich. So many hot women! And the regular rich people. I couldn't help but want to eavsdrop on their conversations, and keep looking around at them. So many of them. A whole different breed, these rich humans.

There were two live acts. Chromosome i (jazz band I could take about 10.2 minutes of) and Shaa'ir and Funk.

Hot chick she was, Shaa'ir. But, still all together quite too much upper class for me to deal with. We left, and caught the latest local train I've ever taken. (1.06 am).

Quote for the day from a song of the minute -
I don't want to sit across the table from you wishing I could run. -- Love you madly by Cake.

Bombay Diaries - Day 18

Short day. Woke up terribly sleepy, due to the fact that I was up blogging at 3:00 am, like I am right now.

Brad's second session of pin hole camera experiments (conducted while I was away biking) proved to be much more successful. We only got around 12 photos out of 2 whole rolls of film, but a few of them are amazing. I really am thoroughly thrilled about having discovered this, and will take it up full time. Pinhole photography. And my camera is really a matchbox.

We filmed a bit at Bombay Central station, and had a disastrously junk-foody breakfast and lunch. I think I'm getting fat.

Then found that we had nothing to do all evening, and decided to rent films and watch some. Shamefully, couldnt find a decent place to rent films - all we really wanted to do was see the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and it proved impossible to get a nice copy of any of the films. I was sad, but then... there was beer, and we finally watched Star Wars. That was complete fun.

We saw two movies (The Last Hope, and The Empire Strikes Back) back to back, but then, the beer got the better of us and I fell asleep in towards the end of the the second film. Woke up some 45 minutes later, and decided it was time to go to bed. And then of course, came online.

Cool thing to learn for the day: About Lighthouses.

Bombay Diaries - Day 17

Today was a great day. Successful shoots, one that I was quite worried about.

We filmed, undercover, in a train. As easy as it may sound, its not easy to hide a camera, in a bag and place it in a train where people are always expecting a bomb in any bag unattended. You can hide the camera, but the lens is always pointing somewhere.

But, well, we succeeded. We were nervous the whole trip and had to plan it very carefully. I had a dozen stories ready on my lips if anyone pointed out the camera or made a noise.

The most interesting part was, that we were sure that at least 2 people looked directly into the lens, and of course, probably recognized it to be a camera. But didn't say a thing. I guess it's not easy for someone to make a noise and as Brad put it - break social conventions. Thank God.

We had a celebratory fancy dinner in a really nice restaurant in Bandra. Silly love songs, beer, a Goa type setting, and excellent food. Place called Out of the Blue.

We still had some late night filming to do. And this time, Brad let me shoot. Was an interesting experiment, though its not right for me to describe it online. We also got shooed at by a cinema guard who thought we were filming his cinema and I easily lied and told him that the camera was not even running. Its strange what being a film maker requires you to do, to get your content.

But I have to keep making up stories. Like, when asked why we were randomly filming a inconsequential little lane in the middle of the night, I had to say that Brad was teaching me to use the camera. They still didn't think we were perfectly sane, but didn't ask us any more questions.

Nice day. So far, my favourite rolls of film filmed.

Bombay Diaries - Day 16

Monday, back from the ride, and have to be ready to hit work. Brad had picked up the pin-hole camera film rolls yesterday, but the results of our first trial experiment were not very exciting. Mine had some images, but there was a fair bit going really off exposure. More experiments due soon.

We had a heavy day of shoot planned. The hexagon shoot. Six locations. Picked off a map. In the shape of a hexagon.

Was interesting, loads of reactions / interactions with people on the street. I had to make up all kinds of stories - we're doing a location shoot for a TV serial, news, etc. At this one place, an old lady who lived in the tiny gulley where we were shooting asked me what we were doing, and I had to explain to her that we were doing a location shoot for a TV serial, and that if my boss liked these pictures, we would shoot a TV serial session there. She got so thrilled that I felt almost guilty. She went around happily yelping to anyone who'd listen - shooting hai, shooting hai.. and something about Shah Rukh Khan coming over! I just had to smile and politely accept the glass of water she gave me, secretly praying that it was safe to drink.

Its also been fun to be back on the streets, eating vada pav and anything I can find, whenever I want. That's something I've really missed in hyd.

Oh, at one of the points we filmed at, a young kid, the witty / cocky kinds, kept walking bravely in and out of the camera frame, but also dismissed us with a casual - arrey, who cares what they're shooting, someone or the other is always shooting something.

Was fun. Then went to a fancy mall and blew up money. I'm really shamefully impulsive.

Bombay Diaries - Day 14 & Day 15 -Travel Log

Woohooo. Am back from the ride. My internet had conked off, so I wasn't able to get online the past 3 days. But I can still adjust my blog post settings to pretend that I blogged on time. Weird, like playing games with time.

Anyway. Garreth, Edwin and I met up at 6:30am on Friday morning, and pulled out Outlook's 52 Weekend Getaways and looked it over. Finally, Edwin mentioned that he's been meaning to go to Murud-Janjira for a long while. Looked at it, pictures looked amazing (a gorgeous blue sea beach, with a fort in the sea!) and we set off.

The ride was amazing. I felt so liberated to be on the bike again, clear blue sky, and wind keeping us cool. I took a zillion pictures while we were riding. It was quite nostalgic too, coz it was the same route Gary and I had taken last June when we rode down to Goa.

Reached Kashid at noon, grabbed hammocks, coconut water, and plonked for a rest. Kashid is a sweet little beach a little further south of Alibaug, on the coastal highway in the konkan area of Maharashtra. Murud-Janjira are some 25 km further south of Kashid.

We checked in at The Shacks, and went off to lunch at the highly recommended Patil's Khanaval. For fish and beer. And meowing cats. It was great to eat fish after ages of being in the un-fish-friendly Hyderabad.

The evening we tried to visit the fort, but were too late, and so rode around to the top of a hill, climbed up and saw the sun set. After that, we rode into the little village /town, bought random things like soap, toothpaste, and a pack of cards, and of course, a whole assortment of beer. Played cards (rummy) until dinner time.

After a nice sea side dinner, where Edwin tried his best to scare me with 'supernatural' stories, lucky Garreth was around with his obvious scorn for anything unnatural, I absolutely insisted we go for a walk.

And this is when.. it began.

The uncanny resemblance to a Famous Five setting, straight out of Enid Blyton's book.

A beach (with dogs). 2 island forts. 2 glorious lighthouses.

Let me describe the scene. Jal Jeera (now called Janjira) was a fort build by Africans, and is called the unconquered fort, because Shivaji (or anyone) never managed to capture it. But, on an island nearby, Shivaji's son built another replicate fort (which is now quite in tatters.)

So this Shivaji's son's fort, is restricted. Used by the government for no body knows what.
Garreth said he was sure the ministers used it to have sex whenever the wanted to. But I was happier imagining some secret undercover operations, which hopefully involved pulling treasure out of the sea.

Ya, so that was Enid Blyton enough, and then we saw the fantastically strong light beam of the lighthouses. Sweeping across the sea. Wow, stunning. We were so mesmerized, and marveled at how it worked. Finally, Edwin pulled out his fancy phone and we Googled it and read about lighthouses and their fascinating source of light. The most interesting fact was that there are only about 1500 functioning lighthouses left in the world, and there there were two, right in front of us. And the stars on the crazy black velvet night were stunning. Except for the fact that there was no moon and Edwin kept trying to scare me.

We got back, played more rummy and drank more beer. And woke up the next day and headed off to see the fort. Took a sweet sailboat, on which we were seduced by the sailor(?) to take him on as guide and be toured around the fort. Nice job. Nice fort. Pics here.

Ride back was nice. Cool, airy, and ass soring. But totally worth it.

Think that

This is a ‘heavy’ moment. Emotional, I mean. I’m just back from a wedding. I’m slightly high on whisky. I’ve met Mel today, for the first time, since being in Bombay for nearly 2 weeks. I can’t comprehend my immense love and admiration for him. I’m listening to Pink Floyd. And I was nearly in tears a minute back with a terrific ache for my beloved lost camera. What did I do to deserve to lose it? And how much longer do I have to wait to get a new camera?

Coming back to life.

The past 2 days, it has slowly dawned on me, have been full of conversations and exposures that are giving me a great insight and direction about what I should be doing with my life.

When I’m talking to Brad about what his life and work is like in London, it seems to me, that it would be so difficult to replicate and create that energy and work and interest and circuit here, in India or Bombay even. Of concepts and intellectual spaces and arts revolving around them.

But yesterday, in one of our conversations, Brad said something, that shook me, and hit me, as I mentioned before, a pure moment of truth. About only me, but still.

He was telling me stories about New York and a music concert he’d attended, and people he knew, and I said that I was so frustrated about how much I was missing out… my life here seems so … pointless and vacant. And Brad said, ‘You could be in New York, and still missing it all out. It’s not easy to know what’s happening, even about things that interest you.’

And I wondered, but I realized it’s true. There’s so much probably happening, that I don’t have the remotest idea about. And things that I would probably love to be aware of, but am not.

When Brad was talking to the boys a couple of days ago, when we went out drinking, he told them, that it was important for them to have a strategy. To get them to where they wanted to. He said it was terribly important that people know that they performed somewhere, rather than people attending the shows. It’s all about the buzz and the talk. That’s the only way to gather around you an energy of people who like and admire and are interested in what you do.

It makes sense.

I’m still terribly vague in my head about where I really want to go.

But, to complete this interesting progression in my mind, this revealing circle of ideas and moments of pure truth - today, at the wedding I met someone who sort of gave me a complete spark to confirm what I’m thinking really makes sense.

Anuja Ghosalkar. Known her since my college days with being president of the film club. She teaches the film course at a college in Bombay, and along with that, has worked on quite a few research papers about film (its history, etc) and is now curating festivals, and incidentally mentioned experimental and conceptual art, which is so close to what I’ve been exposed to through Brad, that it was amazing to hear it from someone in Bombay, and based in Bombay.

We spoke a bit, and she was thoroughly kicked about Google Maps, and its super potential.

I’m glad another person agrees that Google is a great place for me to be right now, and my time with film will come, and this time with Google, will prove (possibly, and hopefully) to give me an interesting road to film, eventually.

I’m game for that.

Anyway, Pink Floyd is so calming now, and I have a early morning bike ride to be ready for.

Nice. We still don’t know where we’re riding to. Will be referring to a road guide in the morning, and then decide which way we want to steer towards. Sounds right, that does. Pretty much the way I go through life.

Bombay Diaries - Day 13

Well, today was light shoot day. We woke late, after the late night shoot last night, I had some errands to do, and to plan out my evening – wedding to attend, and two day vacation biking.

We were to head off to Worli to film by the sea, but instead landed up following an incredibly large number of people walking to Shivaji Park to celebrate the 51^st death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Such a fantastic, peaceful mass of thousands of people. We filmed a whole roll there.

Finally, headed back to Andheri, grabbed greasy MacDonalds burgers, and then came home to allow me to ‘beautify’ myself, as Brad put it. Found that my ancient desktop’s monitor’s blown off. Either really the monitor, or its power supply. I wont know for a couple of days now what things are like.

Anyway, glad for the break. Now, time for bed. Riding tomorrow!

PS: Wedding was great. Met the boys, and Michelle, and Simrat, finally. There wasn't any alcohol served at the wedding, so we bought some and mixed it under the table. Was fun, coz we tried to keep it as secret at possible, and then were silly enough to give it away by loudly clinking cheers all together. I wore a skirt.

Bombay Diaries - Day 12

I really don't feel like blogging tonight. But, forcing 3 lines.

We saw Beowulf.
Did loads of errands.
Am going riding with some friends to Udvada on Friday - Saturday.

Quote for the day - None.

Bombay Diaries - Day 11

Its 3:00 am. I'm intoxicated.

We went to Chor bazaar today. I shot a whole film roll on my pin hole camera. Completely looking forward to the results of that.

That took nearly all day - buying postcards at chor bazaar, and pin hole photography. Finally, back home, and then left for the long journey to the outskirts of Bombay - Thane, for band practice.

It was great to see the boys again, and go out drinking and cursing with them. Mel didn't make it though, Blue Frog keeps him busy. Split is great- loads of new music, and the crazy spirit going strong.

And then we filmed some on the streets between 1:30 am to 2:30 am.

Good night.

Bombay Diaries - Day 10

Week 2!
Today was fun. We had to stalk cops. Take photos of cops on the round, obviously without them knowing. Have never done anything of the sort, and it was fun... would have been easy, if we didn't stand out so much. Brad, for being white. And me, with red hair and wide hat, and a fancy looking digi cam dangling around my neck.

Well, we got roasted in the really hot Bandra sun all afternoon, but it was superfun. We took turns following the cops, and while one was photographing, the other would follow a bit way off. Our cops, we discovered, don't step out too much. They step out of their stations, to do one of the following tasks:
1. buy paan.
2. buy newspapers.
3. take a bus home.
4. buy wada pav.
5. stop at their local fruit seller and gossip.
6. wave at random passers-by.
And then go back inside. No beat-walk. No checks. Anyway, it wasn't like there weren't any cops. They were just lazy, and chilled out.

Also experimented with pin hole camera. This is what it looks like:


And this is what it took to make them (we made two):


Disaster of the day:
Brad dropped the camera. The new Nikon D40x. When I picked it up and looked, my heart nearly stopped. Glass pieces, splinters. But, only the external filter we'd fixed was broken. Lucky we'd fixed it. The camera is ok.

Persons I missed today -
Karen Mirza of no.w.here.
And Mr. Poopoo.

Quote for the day:
Sex, without love, is an empty gesture. But, as empty gestures go, it is one of the best.
- Woody Allen.

Song for the day:
Promiscuous Girl - Nelly Furtado. Yea.

Bombay Diaries - Day 9

Day nine. Sunday. My day off, but barely any progress, socially.

Started off lazy enough, with two plans to meet girlfriends, that just didn't work out, and after that decided to head off to Bandra to buy tickets for the night show of Beowulf.

Enter Agent N, who insists that I'm stupid if i don't buy tickets online, and I buy his argument, and buy tickets online. Of course, after I've paid for the tickets, I realize that they aren't good seats, and aren't at a good time, and not at a cinema I'm keen to go to. I feel really stupid. Feeling utterly frustrated, I head out for some urgent errands, still contemplating if I should forgo these tickets and try and book the Bandra cinema. But, then, I cool off, and decide to go for this show anyway.

Head back home, realize we have to be at the cinema in half an hour. The journey would usually take 40 minutes. I despair again, and rush Brad to get ready, rush the rickshaw to get us there, and when we arrive, (around 7 minutes late) and I try to get the tickets I've paid for online already, I am told that there are no tickets for me. 5 minutes of oh this can't be happening, and I finally heed to the little voice in my head that says, I think we're at the wrong cinema. Correct, little voice in my head. We were at the wrong 'Cinemax'.

The moment of misery stretched. We decided we should go back home. Suddenly, felt better. Realized there was so much to do, and we felt like we had an unexpected free evening. Went to my favourite local shady bar, and then went home to work on project Pin Hole Camera.

After gathering all our material: beer can (really), matchbox, film, black electrical tape, and sand paper, we were ready to go.

We started at 10:00 and were finished by 1:30 am. Two beautiful, incredible pin hole cameras. Photos soon. Packed week ahead.

Quote for the day:
Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats.
- Howard Aiken

Bombay Diaries - Day 8

Saturday. Day off.

Dear old Krishnaswamy was in town, and could manage to meet me for lunch. So, it was up to me to decide where we'd go.

I looked up Google Maps and picked out Tamba Handi (just because the name was interesting) and I thought I knew the way. One hour in traffic, and we were still in the rics. Brad and I, without breakfast, and Nangaswamy chattering on about philosophy and art.

I was losing hope, and feeling miserable about Google Maps letting me down, but after a phone call to a friend who lived nearby, and another 15 minute detour, we found the place.

It wasnt what I expected, full of noisy teenage kids smoking hookah and causing a huge ruckus. But, we had a nice time. Brad and Swamy got along capital. With their Brit accents, and me giggling at them.

After that, the agenda for us was to head to Chor bazaar again (we still have some unfinished business) and then go to Bandra for an interesting project by some Indian artist friends' of Brad.
Swamy joined us at Chor Bazaar. We looked up a crammed up store with all kinds of trinkets. Looking for post cards. Old used ones. Found some.. Rs 175 each!

But, oh God, what an wierd experience, reading those post cards. From people around the world, writing to their friends in India. 1914! 1922! Love letters, and the words themselves took you back a century. I was most affected when I read a post card addressed to someone in St. Xavier's College Bombay. Calligraphic script. Talking about pot, and girls! In 1922. And the street where St. Xavier's College now it, wasn't even called what it is now. It had a real snazzy name...

We'll be going back next week for the post cards. Who would think a post card you write today will cost someone probably Rs 500 in 50 years.

Anyway, Swamy soon left, and we wandered around in the Bombay Central area, taking photos and recording street sounds. And then head off to Carter Road, Bandra, for the interesting project.

It was really neat. A kiosk put up on Carter Road, with a touch screen monitor. The kiosk had also, a control board, with gave wireless signals to light switches to around 10 points on the streets. For example, the window to someone's house in the building 50 feet away. And the light in that window would turn on and off - controlled by someone touching that touchscreen monitor. Also, videos and photos of those points, and a mic and radio connecting sound. A bit complicated to explain at 3:00 am, but wooo... new engaging experiments by Indian Artists. Excellent.

Finally, we went to dinner to another restaurant I've never tired but just looked interesting - Grill and Toss, off Carter Road.

And then, back home, for pin hole photography preparation, and a few brilliant rounds of poker and beer. And Jim Morrison.

Quote for the day?

The commonest mistake in history is underestimating your opponent; it happens at the poker table all the time. ~David Shoup

Your best chance to get a Royal Flush in a casino is in the bathroom. ~V.P. Pappy

Bombay Diaries - Day 7

Today was a mixed day. Went off to Chor Bazaar (late -thanks to me) and then realized it was Friday, and everything would be nearly shut. But, still we went ahead and went there, and found that there was a special market on. The regular shops were shut, and these crazy sellers had spread their wares in front of these shops, on the ground, of the already very narrow lanes. Chor bazaar is crazy. Always.
They were selling the oddest bunch of things. Old, unusable bits of film, rusty paintbrushes, stolen Nokia phone chargers, stolen car radios, dusty lanterns, and everything else since the time of the Flintstones.

Then we went off to Colaba (again) and met up with my photography professor, David DSouza, who I hadn't met in years. We spoke to him about a couple of experiments we have in mind, one of them involving a pin hole camera. He showed us an excellent example of a pin hole camera, made out of a matchbox. We're hoping to work that one out.

After that, off to Bandra to look up a place to rent for Brad. At Pali Hill. Nice posh place, where the landlady did a good job of trying to seduce us with stories of all the interesting art she's seen in the past few months around the world. I occupied myself with the enjoyable company of a miniature pincher called, incidentally, Titty.

We then extracted ourself from that elocution, and walked down to Pot Pourri, and indulged in a nice dinner, at the hip and exciting Pali Hill.

Finally back home, hit the wine shop for some beer (Haywards Black after ages) and then watched a really cool Brit movie from the 60s called Withnail and I. Really funny.

Now, good night.

Song of the post - Love Buzz - Nirvana. Because its playing now.

Quote of the day - A child is like a flower man, his head is just floating in the breeze.
- Jim Morrison