The Delusion of Eloquence: Agley Mod pe Maut Khadi Hai, Marne ki bhi kya jaldi hai V.22

The 13th in the series, wow, 13 years of writing this year after year. It feels a little giddy.

Welcome to my yearly birthday blog, which is usually not published on my birthday. This year i promise not to speak about social media, how friendships have gone away, tragedies et cetera. This year i'll try to write a little bit more about what was great. 2022 was a buffer year, a buffer between COVID and normalcy. Early on in the year COVID's omicron variant wrecked havoc. I finally caught it, the missus gave it to me, but it was an easier hit than the delta variant a year before. The after effects were not something to look down upon and I spent a week in a haze. Brain fog if you must.

(Shit man, can't keep a promise. Can I?)

How did I get COVID? that in itself is a nice story, It was Baba. My dear friend Mathis got married this year (congratulations to her and YC) and her nuptials were in Goa (a destination wedding you see). So, naturally baba said "Pehle 2-3 din enjoy karenge Goa mein, aur fer marriage attend karenge." Sounds like a nice plan, but as soon as we hit the venue the missus fell under the evil of COVID. Then it was a matter of time till i got it. The trip in itself was different, we did water sports, hung out at expensive places and were overall more touristy in the wrong tourist places.

We missed Gera babu, but now that he has a chotta gera its understandable.

Drunken Shenanigans - check, Baba being the consummate ladkiwala - check, Naas bhi us hi ne machaya - check.

We welcomed little Muffin into our home, albeit for a short while, and he was a breath of fresh air. Lovingly, comically, angrily bringing joy into our home. DP's got her hands full with this one. The missus got overtly emotional at the prospect of letting him leave. Mum also got emotional saying, jo agla aayega, wo yahin rahega. Prophetic words indeed.

Patna photoshoot - check, having a huge new family - check. Aayush ka griha pravesh, sounds normal but in actuality bhai ne bangla banaya aur poore desh se logon bulaya apna bangla dikhaane ke liye. But, we've never said no to a party as long as the gang is there.

Had my first official boys night out, its mythical and magical ladies. Its just so natural and rejuvenating, like Spa days for you, only better :p

Then we rebound to the highlight of the year, which is the arrival of the 4th Jain - welcome Aashvi, your future in biotech has been decided. This was followed very quickly by my 2nd Ladakh trip, the first one was a different flavour, this one was different and i have spent 4000 words in describing our odyssey. (click the link for magic)

It was about blue skies, clean air, full hearts and renewed hatred for all that is urbanised.

More highlights like - Daler Mehndi at Durga Puja - Check, Jaipur trips - Check, Ek aur bhai ki shaadi (bhabhi has changed him, we talked more in those 3 days than the past 20 years) - Check, Mumbai darshan with Mom (these are rare) - Check, hanging out with Luna and Percy - ok, also Ritika - Check Check, First round of golf in my life, Aerovillage resort - you beauty - Check, Pluto as well - such a handsome boy.

Which brings me to the most happening month of the year. This year was a relatively barren one when it came to tigers, little did i know that when my year of penance was up, the rewards would be beyond my wildest dreams. I have realised that whenever i have talked about my own dreams, my writing becomes that of a hopeless romantic, something to do with Life happening to me earlier than others. 2 instances between my 35th and 36th years felt like the completion of a lifelong dream.

But first, my decadent december. December kicked off with a romantic getaway to Agra, viewing the Taj on a full moon night, I will recommend this highly to anyone who is interested. The dark silhouette of this magnificent structure being dimly lit by the soft moonlight pouring from a lit sky. No sound, just a thirst to drink in this beauty. But, obviously photos are a must, so some amount of time must be spent doing that. 

Followed immediately by a quick jaunt to Ranthambore, where as usual Lala was captain and 5 tigers came to pay their respects. The second day disappointed but we saw a pair of mongoose's, twice. That usually means good luck, and i was about to find that one out next.

Aayush Jain, that purveyor of outrageous schemes planned a trip - top to bottom, convinced everyone to come, Did all the coordinating, booked everything, and then didn't go. Fucking infuriating. But, we went and it was one of the best New Year's i have ever spent. It didn't matter that we were in sub-zero temperature, it didn't matter that one or the other was falling ill. The fun was massive.

Thence came the 2nd highlight of the year. Our Stay at dhikala forest guest house at Jim Corbett national park. Here was the childhood dream, coming to fruition, the members of my Leh trip were in action - Anurag Sir & Baba. There was magic permeating our trip, wherever we went - magic happened. Reached Dhikala, immediately saw tiger. Went for first Safari, we spotted the tiger. Second safari, as we reached the spot, tiger crossed the road. 3rd safari, was an uninterrupted 10 minute walk towards us, in the best position there could be - these hurried lines doesn't do justice to what i want to say here. Sometime soon, this will be completed as well.

 On 4th November, circa 6 pm, radiance permeated our life. We went and adopted Tiara (erstwhile Tara, its a little like Manisha becoming Monisha on Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai) the most beautiful dog that God has ever made. She came into our lives and has converted the Missus and I into a DINKWAD (progressing from DINK's). Gone are the days of peacefully sleeping in, gone are the days of quietly eating our food, gone are the days of clean clothes and furniture. But, come have the days of love and bliss, of waking up at champion times, of becoming experts of various barks, of teaching tricks and being proud that she is able to do it. Love to her Alma Mater and Pater, Kanika and Deepu, she wouldn't be with us if you weren't there. Also, a huge mention to my friend Swati, who brought Tiara into our lives.

I always thought that no one can take Ginger's place, and that's true. Tiara has her own space, its just that her golden hued sunshine is the same as Ginger's.

She is simply the crown of our Lives and she loves me. Steals the missus' socks though (good girl).

Here i truly say, Agley mod pe maut khadi hai, marne ki bhi kya jaldi hai.