Dad and his friends are off on a trip. Literally and metaphorically.

He calls me last night. 'When we return, we'll all land up at your place for dinner.'
Me: OK
Dad: We're a group of 10
Me: Not an issue
Dad: make idli and curd rice. They're all old people.
(Dad's 83, just FYI) Me: Just tell me what you want to eat and I'll make it.
Dad: Make plenty of vathakuzhambu to eat with curd rice.
Me: OK, done

Dad calls after a bit. 'Let the oldies eat curd rice. Make pooris for those who want'
Me: Not an issue
Dad: These are older folks so they won't eat much.

I know this is a little late in the day, but it really needs to be said.... WFH is a huge pain. Only one spouse should WFH in the interest of world peace and harmony. It should be legislated and a bill passed in parliament to that effect.

There should be guidelines for WFH. And online schooling in the same timeframe doesn't help either. 3 people setting up for classes/meetings/calls at the same time........

As no one is stepping out of the front door, I don't see the need to wake up before dawn to get things done. The complaints start....

With 2 family weddings coming up soon, i am super excited. Haven’t attended a wedding in 2 years. And preps are on in full swing. Air out sarees that haven’t seen sunlight in a while and get set for the family fun.

Then I make this huge discovery.

The sarees are fine, but … The tops! I give thanks for every one that goes on without pulmonary and abdominal calesthenics.

It is observed that lack of sunlight on seams of fitted apparel of non-stretch fabric causes the fabric to shrink. This affects apparel made of natural fibre that lack elasticity.

A tale from 2008

I remembered reading somewhere, a long time ago, that Netaji's ashes were kept at some temple in Tokyo. @ArunKrishnan_ and I wanted to visit that place to pay our respects.

Tokyo isn't exactly down the road from this neck of the woods. Once we decided that we couldn't leave Japan without seeing some Sumo, we made up our minds that we should see Netaji's memorial too.

"Find out where it is," OH said, "and we'll go there this time."

I tried to do this the easiest way possible. I called the Indian Embassy.

#TeenSpeak
The kids were snickering over their phone.

Me : What's funny?

Kid#2 : Akka's friend sent her a text.

OH : so what's so funny?

Kid#1 : She said "Heyyyyy", and I replied "hello"

Alright. Let's try this again. Someone says hey, someone replies hello and that's funny? What did I miss?

Teenspeak 102

A 'heyyy', or a simple hey spelled with multiple 'y' is an enthusiastic greeting.

Replying to that with a hello is like giving someone the cut.

(Pardon me while I take a deep breath)

#TeenSpeak

@ArunKrishnan_ and I like to think we have it easy when it comes to languages. Between us, we have a decent repertoire. Some are easy, some are challenging, but we manage to understand basics and make ourselves understood.

Some languages have us beaten hollow. The biggest challenge is Teenspeak.
Teens say the darn'dest things.
When my older teen got her phone, there was some text exchange, and she replies ‘idk’ what on earth was that? I had to call her to find out. I really didnt know.
Another time her friends were discussing parents

Disclaimer: This post may contain information that is unsuitable for persons with no sense of humor or irrational epicurean beliefs. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of my family and friends, not necessarily mine, and probably not at all necessary. Today’s post is likely to be touchy and uncomfortable. I will express my views on colour. I will put forth my views on white-ness .... of idlis

Early this morning I came across A friend’s comments on vegetable infused idli batter.

The Other Half is a huge fan of a certain SachinTendulkar.

I am infamous for having cooked and served up a lavish feast the day he bid adieu to cricket. The OH did full justice to the feast (I had made his favourite sweets) but kept scowling at me. Just to show his disapproval. This morning he told me how SRT overcame a tennis elbow and continued to play.

I pointed out a few things.

He got paid. Regardless of a duck or a century, he got paid.

He didn't have to get breakfast ready under a deadline for a bunch of whiners.