No Sex and Oklahoma City

Ode to friends that never became anything more

2006-09-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

I have to block out thoughts of you so I dont lose my head
They crawl in like a cockroach leaving babies in my bed
Dropping little reels of tape to remind me that I'm alone
Playing movies in my head that make a porno feel like home
There's a burning in my pride, a nervous bleeding in my brain
An ounce of peace is all I want for you. Will you never call again?
And will you never say that you love me just to put it in my face?
And will you never try to reach me? Is it I that wanted space?

And I whisper, How can you do this to me?

2006-06-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

And so we come to it, the end of an era. My exile in OKC has finally ended. I now find myself in a new job, def. a new city and with endless possibilities ahead. Why just this week I found myself in Manhattan sipping drinks with people whose only connection to each other was me!

I'd say it is definitely time to end this blog... I had told myself it would be only when one of two things happen:

1) I have sex, in OKC (hahaha, like that was ever even a possibility!)

2) I get the fuck out of OKC (Ding, Ding, Ding - it's option 2 baby yea!)

I leave you and bid you goodbye my humble readers (all 3 of you) as this session of blog-therapy has run its course. Should some insantity come my way again, you can be sure I will purge my thoughts in this manner for your entertaiment - encore.

I am a DYNAMIC CREATOR!

2006-05-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

Dynamic Creator

2006-04-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

My beautiful sis in law!

2006-04-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

Nidhi's Mehendi

2006-04-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

My big fat greek wedding part 2 - with me stuffing my face :)

2006-04-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

The barat went in style! In an SUV LIMO!!

2006-04-29T08:06:00.001-07:00

Tying the "sehra"

2006-04-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Three HOT cousins!!!

2006-04-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

Sonz looking thoughtful

2006-04-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

Mom and Daphna (friends for 35 years!!! Daphna is the coolest person ever and a retired port authority COP from NYC!)

2006-04-29T08:03:00.001-07:00

Papa with his TWO daughters!!

2006-04-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

Vish and Vik mamu JAMMING!!!

2006-04-29T08:01:00.001-07:00

Rad surrounded by hot boys, so what else is new? ;)

2006-04-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Rad could NOT stop dancing

2006-04-29T08:00:00.001-07:00

Rad all traditional for the wedding

2006-04-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

The wedded couple at the reception

2006-04-29T07:59:00.001-07:00

The ladies and Sam

2006-04-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Dinner at the CN tower

Blast from the past

2006-04-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

Websites from when Karan and I were FRESHMAN in college - 6 yrs ago and still intact!!! Gosh, how fast time flies. I love the history I share with these peeps... Xaviers' forever!!!!
http://www.radtherad.freeservers.com
http://www.kaytee.8m.com/

I've been.......... Canceled??

2006-04-10T18:18:00.000-07:00

So for those of you following my shaadi.com saga.... hottie intellectual from Frankfurt 'canceled' ME!!!!! Hahahaha guess I shouldnt gloat about the hundreds I rejected huh. The thing is, he wanted to call me and I said, no thanks, emailing a stranger is weird enough anyway... BUT THE FUCKER CANCELED ME!! I am so wounded :( I hate that fucking website... this just emphasizes my point. You want rejection? Get rejected in a bar, where at least you have the option of beer goggles for the rest of the night as a defense!

The entertainment that is SHAADI.COM

2006-04-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

So, those of you who know me really well, know that for the last month or so I've been bold chestedly (yes, its a reference to my big boobsies) proclaiming that IT IS POSSIBLE TO FALL OUT OF LOVE... even, if it is with the T. Now most reactions have been shocked, scared, "LOL", skeptical but sort of supportive (I call them the "yeah, right!"s), wary and downright ECSTATIC. But halfway convincing you of my heart's ability to rise above this tribulation is not my intent... I want to floor you with my conviction that this one time believer in the "one true love" theory is OVER IT.

So I asked myself, what would it take to accomplish this feat? A gesture? NAY! A GRAND GESTURE! And what could be more convincing than proving that I was not only ready to move on, but yes indeed, settle down... with the aid of an INTERNET SITE! This is where shaadi.com (dot com that became a mega, RAGING success this decade because people in the Asian Sub-continent obviously lack people skills and cant meet their mate in a bar, place of worship or through friends and family like other NORMAL people) comes in . Keep in mind that this is the website using which, my ex-lothario brother met his future wifey to be (wedding bells in April for him), and this is also the site where my still single 27 yr old cousin has met psychos, stalkers, white men with a tendre for indian women, and NO ONE suitable to be a "husband". But I figure, what the hell, if I dont find a husband, an entertaining night in OKC (for a change) will totally be worth it. Yes, it is surprising I haven't succumbed before this, considering the many boring nights I have wasted away in this city "not really a city" township of sorts.

I create a profile and I try to be honest about what I am looking for. I dont want to hurt anyone's feelings, but simply use this as a tool to understand and study the reactions I receive from these allegedly marriagble men. I do not put a picture up there, because face it, I dont want them to be blinded by my boobies, uh, I mean my beauty. After 400 profile views to date (in a day and half if I do say so myself), 150 "interested" messages, and 10 acceptances (by me - but there are only two guys that I would actually consider), I am back to where I started. You are pretty much nuts if you think youre going to meet the love of your life (be it second, fifth, tenth or hundredth) ONLINE. These people are fucking freaks for the most part. I had a 35 yr old Computer Science professor indirecly ask me to have cyber sex with him, AND an uneducated freak-a-zoid FOB in Austrailia ask me "which state in ur" IN MY WHAT????

Though I did correspond with this hottie intellectual in Frankfurt... so more to come if anything develops there. To top it all, my mom confesses that she secretly had created a profile on there for me last summer!!!! Never trust mothers I say. UGH - What has this world come to?

So to conclude, yes you can fall out of love WITH ANYONE (it might take a few yrs, but you can do it). No, online marriage is NOT for me, and is really a game for fools. Maybe, online dating like friendster etc. is acceptable... but man, if you are destined to communicate with freaks anyway, wouldnt you want to make sure he was hot first? And what way to do that for sure than the good old way of seeing the person face to face.

"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

2006-03-26T08:28:00.000-08:00

People say the most versatile word in the english language is "fuck." Well, FUCK them. The most versatile word (yea it's even really a word) is "Uhhhhhhhhhh." Ask Paula. She and I have had whole conversations and communicated deep and meaningful thoughts in various renditions of "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." For those of you trying to figure out what this actually sounds like, stay tuned - further DETAILED description to follow on Paula's blog.

I took a day off work and headed to DC on Thursday night last week.... Friday was cool - I chilled out in Reston and met up with Sarah (my freshman roomie from VT) for lunch.... and after that was when this newest adventure began. When I left OKC, I was ready for an uneventful and relaxing weekend... maybe hang out with Paula for Happy Hour on Friday and then my aunt for the rest of the time. Well lets just say things turned out a little differently.....

I'm pretty used to the Metro system in DC and this time decided to hop on a bus for part of the way to Bethesda to meet with Paula. It turns out that the crowd in a bus tends to be a little shady round these parts. Now there is no PC way to explain the events that followed so I'm just going to let it rip. I spent the most part of the bus ride trying to decipher what two Mexican construction workers were saying in Spanish. I picked up enough to know they were trying to test me to see if I knew Spanish... and I'm sure they said some really FLATTERING stuff... but all I understood was the conclusion: "No, she defintely doesn't speak Spanish." :( I AM going to learn by the way.... I already know one word - MENTIROSA! I decide to look away and looked straight into the eyes of an older gentleman with some kind of "special" problems. I look away, and that was then I heard it "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Uhhhhhhh, Uhhh." My eyes widened a little and I looked to see where the sound was coming from. Again, I looked straight into the eyes of the special man whose GAZE into mine would NOT waver. I looked away again trying to keep my face nuetral and then I heard..... well........ FLAPPING. I discretely looked over again and saw this legs spread apart and with amazing agility and speed snap back together.... continuosly. Uhhhhhhhhhhh, how would you react??

Now Paula picks me up from the West Falls Church Metro and while laughing hysterically (I told you we are the most NON PC people on this planet) we park the car. And this is when we realize that people other than us are really fucked up. In slow motion we see a truck hit a parked Beamer (dont know the model but Paula assures me its a 60K car) on a turn and rip off the ENTIRE bumper. The asshole drives off, but Paula (ever the car enthusiast and nice person) leaves her information for the owner. We reach the bar, and start planning the evening. Apparently the only thing on Paula's agenda was getting a guy to kiss her. Sounded like a plan to me. As our food arrives we suddenly make the decision to go to NYC, get our dinner to go and head out. Now back in the parking lot we run into the Beamer guy, who is VVVVVVVVV HOT and now has Paula's cell #. See, no good deed goes unpaid. DO GOOD THINGS PEOPLE!!

Being the classy chicks we are, we rev up the AUDI and head up to THE CITY.... make it up there in 3.5 hrs (record time mind you) and head out... it is midnight. Oh and on the exit to Aneesh's house, we pass by a BURNING car - that's New York for ya. Now the plan is still to get Paula some action... but it becomes especially challenging.... considering we are now headed to SHOLAY - a GAY Indian/ Desi party. After a McDonalds pee stop, a challenging and LONG metro ride full of quirky people you only see in NYC, short cab ride into Tribeca, we arrive at "Pepper." Our expressions are a little morose, but for different reasons. I am morose because these HOT men are grinding with each other instead of me and Paula, well I think she was a little overwhelmed at first. And who wouldnt be, when you realize the guy in Drag has a better body and booty then you :(

Anway we loosen up, make the introductions and start DANCING. I love me my Gay men - they are the best dancers and I am totally in this comfort zone I never knew I had. However, it is a little disconcerting when you feel a guy rub up on you with a hard on you know there is no way you caused!!!!!! Anyway I tried to get my attention off the half naked eye candy all around me and teach Paula some bust thrusts (traditional bollywood move essential to showing off one's big boobs).

We head out at 4am... eat some yummy carrot cake... pass out on Aneesh's couch by 6 am. Wake up at 10 am - rile up Aneesh's sociologist roomie by talking about the servants in India and Brazil, eat some more carrot cake, head out for brunch with Aneesh and Sabina.... and get back in the Audi and drive back to Maryland.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I am so exhausted and I cant believe we really did this.... to great memories with great friends....live life, "queen" size.

Apathy - sometimes ya just need it

2006-03-21T20:15:00.000-08:00

I just dont care.... and it's brilliant.

Should Women Grow Some Balls?

2006-03-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

Why can't a woman be more like a man? Professor Higgins asked that very same question in My Fair Lady, and I ask it again. Why can't a woman be more a like a man?! At least, that is, in the "guilt" department.

The day began like this: I got a text message from a friend saying T was back in India for a day or two and listing the number he could be reached at. Now, though I have been trying for a month to tone down my reaction to any news, whatsoever, of T (BECAUSE I WILL AND HAVE MOVED ON) - I say, you can't live life numb. If you feel it.... show it. I jumped out of bed and anxiously dialed his number (I hadn't talked to my cookie in a freaking MONTH ok?).... and for the first ten minutes I did myself proud. Why, it was like talking to Sonia, Piya or Pragya.... I felt very happy and excited... but the feelings were limited to those felt when talking to and catching up with a veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy close friend. He asked me if I was missing him... and of course I said I was because I almost do every minute of the day. He teased me, I threatened to hang up and never talk to him... he laughed and I just tried to fathom why for 10 minutes I felt at peace with myself and the whole world and all my troubles just faded away.

But something was different.... things were going too well (when there is actual conversation and no insults hurled, something is definitely up).... and I just had to bring the universe crashing down on myself - intentionally. You see, T and I have a weird tradition. There is one patent question he asks me regardless of if I have spoken to him just a few moments before. The question goes like "So, have you gotten laid yet?" and I have a patent response of "NO." So today, about 20 minutes go by, the conversation is great but the question has not been asked..... It's like my world has been turned topsy turvy and I need to answer the question.... because you know what, this time, I sort of had a different answer.

He submits and pops "the question" - it's the moment of truth, the very second I have been waiting for - and I can't answer.... I say a hushed NO and move on. G-U-I-L-T. What you have got to understand about T is that, though he has the best ass I have ever seen and felt up (multiple times), and though for eight years simply standing next to him can make my knees wobble... he's truly my best friend - and that fucker knows me and my reactions inside out.

So, I call him a little later during my lunch hour and the first words out of his mouth are "Youre fucking around with someone aren't you." Now, note the shock on my face, the redness in my cheeks, the plethora of GUILT ridden expressions on my face and the absolute INABILITY to make a sound. How did he know?? Was my "rendezvous" of the prior week really "fucking around" - I mean it was a one time thing, right? and we definitely did NOT fuck. When T asked me for details I couldn't even bring myself to respond.... I mean I love details... I've literally given details to every other person I talked to... but with T I essentially felt the need to soften the happenings of that fateful night and well, LIE.... and THAT my friends is not normal for me because I only speak the truth.

The worst part was I feeling guilty like I had run over a damn puppy... T and I aren't dating and we never have. I was serious when I said I was moving on and was happy with the steps I had taken towards "fucking around" (which is a whole different story for a whole different blog - right Paula?) And most of you that really matter, know explicit details so I don't need to list them here.... though it WOULD most definitely be a smashing and salacious read :)

I mean, when I was in India there is no way T could not have known how I felt... but yet I was introduced to his then "fuck buddy" AT DINNER and then had to invite her to my freaking house. Did I even think twice about it?? No I thought about it a 100 times - but did it cause any guilt on his part? I don't fricking think so. I have also stood steadily by T while he jotted down phone numbers so he could get his booty on. Did my CRUSHED heart inspire guilt? Absolutely not. IN FACT, the guy I had my "rendezvous" with admittedly has a GIRLFRIEND... but did making out with me inspire GUILT? No, probably not.

WHY CAN'T A WOMAN BE MORE LIKE A MAN?

Mr Right or Mr Right Now

2005-12-21T17:07:00.000-08:00

C'mon ladies - you know it is the existential question that is constantly on our minds - Mr. Right? or Mr. Right Now? Truth is, I decided at 15 that for me, it was going to be Mr. Right. When compared to most Indian parents, I'd say my mine are pretty liberal. In fact, my "birds and bees" talks had mostly been conducted with my dad... you see, he has a very scientific take on everything... and thus, even at 15, though I had the freedom to "do it" if I so chose, I knew I could and would wait for the love of my life (please notice: glowing halo on head).

Incidentally, I happened to meet the guy I thought to be the love of my life at 15 (hold up.... are you thinking what I think youre thinking? No, we didn't do it!! You perv, I was 15 and yet to be kissed ;o) You see, I really believe in those defining moments in life. .. The first defining moment for me was my mom naming me Radhika. Radhika is an alternate name for Radha - the cowgirl who was truly madly deeply in love with the Hindu Lord Kirshna. Their love was pure and never consummated... in fact, poor Radha even married someone else and loved Krishna for the rest of her days with every drop of holy devotion in her soul... while he, mind you, screwed every other cowgirl in sight.

So let me get back to when I was 15... and yes, waiting to be kissed. It was one year later, when I was 16 and still waiting that my best friend S and I made a pact on New Years night... we would lose our "kiss virginity" by the time we were 18... for sure, no questions... we even made lists of potential kissees...mine had just one name on it.... OKAY, maybe it was two or three.... who can remember that far back!

Fast forward a couple of years, I am still waiting for that blasted kiss that has by now stunted my sexual growth, distracted me from my board exams and S now knows things about "pleasure" that I have only read about in cheesy Mills and Boon novels (Harelquin for you US chickies)! I was 18 and in the land of sex - America. Still, I was fantasizing about that first kiss from my first love- I mean, how many girls truly have that special experience only detailed in romance novels? Most settle for the dork with braces that smashes his teeth against hers... no offence P ;)

At 19 I meet the love of my life again (in Bombay and on new years (how fitting!!) and in a drunken haze that yes, involved a dance of seduction... I lost my nerve to take that kiss and move on with my life forever. I settled for kissing not only the love of my life, but everyone else at the bar on the cheek (this is because I didn't want the love of my life to think I was giving him special attention... logical, don't you think?)

I finally gave up at 19 yrs and 5 months. It was in a hot tub in a Holiday Inn in East Carolina that I was finally kissed.... French kissed... kissed so deeply that I felt tongue in my gullet... and it wasn't mine. Not exactly romantic, bit blurred by lots of alcohol in the system, but I would take it.... happily! Now I don't know if you like details, but I sure love them. J was one of my Phi Sigma Pi fraternity brothers, and kissing him was worth 5 points (yea, FSP was really an honor fraternity)! I then built up the courage and flashed some others in the hot tub for Mardi Gras beads. I... the sexual dynamo... had arrived.

Fast forward 5 years... I am 24, graduated from college for over a year, and a working young professional in the consulting arena (though I should be a professor of historical romance at the University of Prince Harami). A kiss that reeked of chorine has been the extent of my sex life, and I have some cheap Mardi Gras beads to prove more than one person, besides me, has seen "the girls". That is why I love the name of my blog... No Sex and Oklahoma City... but I should just change it to No Sex, at all whatsoever. It is ironic then that I came full circle with this last trip back to Blacksburg more than a year after I so willingly left "Virgin"ia Tech behind.

A new me... by accident. I didn't go to Blacksburg with any intention other than hanging out with my old friend M and checking out what was new on campus. What was new, was M's roomie L. So not the type I'm attracted to, really fair and red headed but very cute and VERY cool...scar on his face and a bouncer at the best bar in town! 5 bars down, I have consumed one jumbo texas margharita, 6 tequila shots, a Tropical Rad (for those of you who don't know, this is my own orgasmic concoction of Malibu, Cranberry and Pineapple juice), and some Sri Lankan beer. I have drunk dialed several work colleagues and don't think I will ever live down the embarassment of saying "I am druk (not drunk - but druk) woo woo". We get home and I pass out on the futon... though not before I demand back rubs from both the boys... M and L... so that I may compare them with the fabulous backrub king C... who we had hung out with earlier that evening when we were coherent. M goes to bed, L ends up on the futon next to me watching Garden State. Even at this point, I have no idea what is about to come... umm, literally!! Long story short, I finally got some... (and I don't mean sex... just "some" of what I can expect in the future). I would like to provide gory details but at the risk of souding like an alcoholic... my memory is sort of blurred. I just remembered that it was nice, not as hot as romance novels... but I am told actually having feelings for the other person might help... hmmm ya think?

That fateful day, I added two new words to my vocabulary... dry humping (self explanatory - no need to explain further... I hope). And also, I finally and truly understood what people mean when they say "casual" - Now, I liked this guy but I had no desire whatsoever for him to ever contact me in the future... I felt like a man, I was so detached the next morning - it was nice but it was so last night. I still think L is cool and would def hang out as friends...

I want to thank L for he inadvertently made me realize that we (ladies - you and I) should live in the present and that though Mr. Right (when he comes along) might bring with him all the butterflies that make the stomach all gooey and the heart beat like it might explode... Mr. Right Now definitely scratches the itch.

Chain from Anu Bhai

2005-11-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want- good or bad. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or moritified) about what people remember about you.

Au Revoir Mon Ami...

2005-11-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

I hate goodbyes. Like most people, I don't really know how to deal with the anticipation and the anxiety. Once they are done with though, I feel the autopilot taking over and setting my mind to "numb." It's a great feeling for a while - until you realize that you cannot go through life feeling numb.

It was a hectic day today - I was too busy to call Tabs like I normally do everyday during my lunch hour. When I did call, he didnt answer (which is weird because he's my biach when it comes to taking my daily, weirdly timed, multiple calls and text msgs). So, I continued working and finished a presentation for Doug and decided to call back later to take a break. This time he did pick up - only to let me know that he was leaving to board his ship in a few hours. I don't know why I was surprised - we have all known for days that this is what he was waiting for... it was a very positive thing!!

I told him to take care and call me when he could, wished him luck and hung up... and it was then that the shock subsided and seperation anxiety took over... I don't know where the tears came from but they were pouring out. Poor Doug and Jamie were victims of my overly emotional state. Gosh, why do important events and PMS HAVE to coincide?? It's horrible.

I mean you can understand why I felt the way I did can't you?? Tabs has been a part of my daily routine since July 8th 2005 - if I didn't meet him every single day - I talked to him on the phone for hours... even 10000 miles didnt deter me from calling... and 10000 miles didnt deter him from harrowing the life out of me. I miss him already.... it's sort of embarassing to put it this way - but hes been the man in my life (whether he chose to be or not is whole different story :)

The thing is timing. When I moved to Oklahoma - I felt very isolated. Tabs was a lifesaver... he came back to Bombay around the same time I moved here. We finally got in touch after a sabatical for 4.5 years and reconnecting with him was very special to me. Then when I was told I was to go to India for 2.5 months for my visa - I was very anxious as to how that would affect my career. Once again what helped was that I would be seeing this lost and found, closer than most, friend of mine. When I complained about how lonely I was he told me to move... he made it sound so simple... and you know what it was. I am moving to DC early next year and cannot wait.

So I just want to say au revoir to my cookie... and that I hope we can all (sunneh, zed, shahid, shekhu, KT, tabs and me) reunite soon.

Back to the sound of church bells....

2005-10-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

Today I can officially say that I have roamed the earth for 24 yrs... umm... Roamed the earth? What am I - a freaking DINOSAUR?! The story really begins 24 yrs ago on October 12th 1981 @ 10.25 am... But who really wants to OR has the time to go that far back? So let me just tell you about the fabulousness of the last few months instead....

The one thing I remotely missed about Oklahoma City while in Bombay was the sound of church bells that could be heard from my 12th floor downtown (if you can really call it that) apartment. Now that I'm back and can hear those church bells once again, all I want is for the sounds of people, traffic, mayhem and LIFE to be heard once again. I dedicate this blog to my boyfriend Mumbai (just please ignore the fact that it's really a feminine noun since Mumbai is dedicated to the goddess Mumba!)

To be honest, this 2.5 month stint in India was a god given gift for my personal well being, though professionally... umm... but hey, who really wants to talk about that? Not I!

I am told by Aayush, a new friend that I should be writing a book - but before I do I think it's the right move to introduce some of the key characters. I have always known the importance of family - and mine just rocks this world. Though, I really want to talk about the importance of friends because they are a result of free will.... And speaking of "wills" - If I had one today, here is exactly what I would give out.....

To Tabrez I give my utter adoration. To many who see us together, we are the cutest couple ever. But really, are we? The answer is a capital N capital O - NO and let me tell you it isn't for the lack of me wanting - I think it's just fate. Aneesh once called me a "Tabrez with Boobs" and sometimes I can't say I agree more. I adore myself, I adore him. I am super HOT, so is he ;o)! I love who I love, and to hell with the rest, and so does he. I'm fat, and hes definitely getting there (wellll.... not really hes got a really FAB bod and a nice pot belleh ;) I can sit and listen to this guy talk for hours... well mostly I talk and he listens..... and we often do till one of our dads gets really mad. He was my first crush, and to many my first love (though that's not completely true - for love needs to be requited, I think). Hands down hes just my favorite person on this planet because he just knows me better than anyone!! I mean he would HAVE to - we hung out every night for 2.5 months - and he took my mom dancing!!!!! He definitely knows the size of my ego - for he NEVER contributes to inflating it - I'd faint if the guy ever complimented me! He's sort of like Dermot Mulroney's chracter in My Best Friend's Wedding and I of course, am the beautiful but psycho - Jules. So though he's the one that can annoy, flabbergast, and vex me to the point of no return, hes also the one that can always make me smile and come back home.... hes just special. And contrary to what I tell him, he's really on the top of my friend list. (Yea, really mature right?)

To Pragya and Piya I give nothing, for they are part of my soul and have always had all of me. Sometimes I really wonder why God makes you meet the people you do. Though with Pragya and Piya I have no doubt. We are three halves of a whole, you know? I call us the Golden Girls... Praggy is Blanche (slutttty hehehe), Chicks is Rose (a duh!!), and I am Dorothy (a cynical OLD woman without a man)!! So to my soul sisters I say, lets rock on biaches.

This by the way is Piya's boyfriend of 6 yrs - did I mention I adore him ie. Vivs as well as Praggs boy G-Man??

From Sonia I receive my sense - but give my utter gratitude. She is my conscience as well as the naughty devil inside my head. She is the hard core career woman I sometimes come accross as... and the sentimental idiot I'm sure we all have lurking inside of us. Best friends forever my girl... if you were a guy I would totally you-know-what you hottie ;o) Oh, and shes sindhi.... hehehehe.... Sonia Note-ani... get it??

Zed and Shahid - all I have to say is.... wow. I really wish yall weren't a) so short and b) so short, and so married!!!!!!!!! Let me tell you about Zed and Shahid - they are Tabrez's uncle and brother-in-law respectively... but to me they are two sweetus!! I didn't like Zed for about four years - but yea I'm totally over that now and EVERYONE in my family thinks hes SUPER DUPER HOT - he danced with my mommy tooo. Shahid is one of those rare people I clicked instantly with... he just saw straight through me!! So even though these two boys dont qualify for the friends list based on longevity - they certainly do on personality and sheer attitude!!

To Sunny I give the title Sunneh Bhai - Shes my spiritual guide. I tell you, I cannot see auras but this girl just exudes simplicity, honesty, and sincerity. Friends from childhood, we lost touch and reconnected... umm and we have Zed to thank for that ;) Untimely kisses, and hand holding sessions in theatres are great topics of conversation for rebonding friends!!

To Aneesh I say - STANFORD BLATCH... and I ofcourse am Carrie Bradshaw. Hes my NYC bud - and the time I spent with him in sex stores and gay bars will be forever cherished. No really though, this guy is really freaking awesome. I love his intensity, and if you think my PJs are bad wait till you hear his!! Anu bhai - you are my mirror. One I'm really scared to look in because it will always reflect honestly.... except when talking about green sequined ponchos!!

To Karan and Shekhu I give my world famous sexy look hoping that it might have some effect - better late than never! I mean, if there were ever two potential PUNJABI guys that I did not consider it would be them - much to the chagrin of my mother!! Karan is weird and I think he knows it too - but I love his weirdism. He tries to get me to listen to alternative music - but alas, I just looooove POP. Shekhu is man slut with a heart - and I love his Samanthaesque attitude.... give some... get A LOT.

To Jules I give my thanks - shes the one that taught me how to project smart and sexy. Just also one of my fav people - Jules is my only friend from VT that gets a star amongst the X-Xavierites!!!!

To my other friends who read this - I love you all too but I'm just about out of patience writing this blog.... thats all folks!

Oh and BOMBAY was fabulous - I think I hit every club worth hitting.... Tabs, Zed, KT, Shekhu, Shahid, Sunneh and I are PARTIED OUT! Until next year my loves, when we get to do it all over again......JAI TRIDEV!

Atlantis remains submerged as Bombay breathes again

2005-07-29T02:20:00.000-07:00

A cold day in hell is what must have caused a city the size of my beloved Mumbai to come to grinding halt on 2005.07. 26. The day began like all others...

I had gone to bed early in the morn on July 26th, after a magnificent night of merriment with some old friends, and awoken from my deep slumber at about 11 am. Mom made me some awesome aloo parathas (bread stuffed with spiced potatoes) and mango shake (can u believe she froze the pulp of Alphonso mangoes for me?!), once again emphasizing my point that it is impossible to lose weight in India. The day before had been terrible! We had no electricity for about 4 hours!! Though I got over it as soon as Tabs and KT came over to watch a movie when the "bijli" finally came back. It was a perfect beginning to a day for me really... the skies were dark with cloud, the air ripe with god's tears flowing freely... or I guess god could be sweating bullets?? nah lets stick with the god's tears theory.... condensation you say? what??

At noon I decided it was time to get some work done. Working from home in Bombay is an almost impossible tast.... hurculean really... but I try to manage it now and then even though D and B my bosses in OKC have their doubts ;). Shobha, the housekeeper we have had since my birth rolls in at about 2 pm and ofcourse offers me some lunch... which I "grudgingly" accept.

Work forgotten for a bit (damn, I learned my lesson because of what happened next) I turned up the volume to hear Jal's soulful voice singing "Woh Lamhe" and stared out of my window for an hour thinking woh lamhe................ gazing at the rain, absently thinking that it had gone on for a while now and maybe my memory was rusty but wasnt this a bit too much of it??

Thoroughly distracted, I went back to my laptop to continue the work which my colleagues in OKC were expecting... only to realize that the file I was trying to upload was taking an awwwfully long time to finish. Hmm I said to myself. As if realizing intrinsically that something was just not right, I reached for the cordless, hit the talk button and waited..... The phone is dead The phone is dead is what the deafening silence of no ring tone at the other end told me. I was crushed. I gasped and ran for my cell phone... one bar of signal??? Oh God, I know youre crying... but do you have to make me sob too is all I could think. In dread I walked to the living room and turned on the TV... but static does not make for interesting television. Shobha and I looked at each other and did the only thing any other Indian in our situation would do: We drank tea.

I really felt like I was in the twilight zone I mean cmooooonnnnn - ever since I landed it's been one thing after another. Shoba and I went up to my grandmother's flat... surprisingly her phone and TV worked!! We did not have any idea of how serious the situation was until we switched on the TV. Images of cars floating in water, people treading through waist high sludge poured out... we desperately began calling loved ones.... because cell phones were down and no one knew where the other was. It took the lucky ones 7 hours to get out of the city... and the unlucky stood at train stations and watched as the railways.. the lifeline of mumbai... shut down. Stories of people abandoning vehicles on the highways, roadside shops organizing free tea and food for stranded mumbaikars humbled us lazy asses sitting at home.

Things got a little better on Thursday. .. or did they? Rains stopped and water receded from most areas... only to reveal slum dwellers crushed under landslides.

A sad event in mumbai... but one that I cannot fathom I was here to witness. But the city that never sleeps has moved on, overcoming the 36" of rain that tried it's best to submerge it.

This says it all.....

2005-07-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

Wo Lamhe, wo baatein,Koi na jaane,Thi kaisi raatein,Hooo, barsaatein,Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein,Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein...
Na main jaanoun,Na tu jaane,(aaah)Kaisa hai ye mausam,Koi na jaane,Kahi se hai fizaa aayi,Ghamon ki dhoop sang laayi,Khafaa hogaye hum,Judaa hogaye hum,
Wo Lamhe, wo baatein,Koi na jaane,Thi kaisi raatein,Hooo, barsaatein,Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein,Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein...
(hoooo...)
Saagar ki,Gehraayi se,Gehra hai, Apna pyaar,Sehraoun ki,In hawaon me,Kaise aayeee-gi bahaar,Kahan se ye hawa aayi,Ghataayen kaali kyoun chhaayi,Khafaa hogaye hum,Judaa hogaye hum,
Wo Lamhe, wo baatein,Koi na jaane,Thi kaisi raatein,Hooo, barsaatein,Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein,Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein...

Such a long journey....

2005-07-18T23:28:00.000-07:00

So yes, I know I have been totally terrible about keeping EVERYONE up to date on my fabulous adventure to my homeland thus far... but there have been a series of unfortunate events (so to speak) to consider...

I would like to begin my tale of woe, and so much fun... you would never really know!!

Getting out of OKC was the most frustrating part for me. I was flying on a Delta buddy ticket which essentially meant I could only fly standby, though first class based on availability. Now those of you who know me v. v. well would know the lure of a first class ticket, one quarter of the going rate was just TOOO much for me to resist. And so the first unfortunate event just happened to be me flying on the Thursday before the 4th of July weekend, when it seemed everyone was raring to leave OKC.

As it happens, we had a lot of people from different Air Logistic's Centers visiting OKC for an offsite organized by D that week. On Thursday, I made a huge show of saying goodbye to all my coworkers leaving an hour earlier than everyone because, you know, I had a flight to catch. After a 12 hr wait at the shitty, crappy, SMALL ASS airport in OKC (and saying goodbye once again to everyone from work that had travelled in and managed to LEAVE OKC) I decided to try back early early next morning and get some shut eye. Well, problem was now that I had given up my apartment and my car I was a bit landlocked. Thanks to a SUPER Delta staff member by the name of Jo, I calmed down - stopped freaking out - got in a cab - got to the Marriott and fianlly passed the f*** out HATING OKC hoping that the next day would bring me more luck.

The next morning at the airport wasnt much better, well really, I suppose it was, because I was VERY grudgingly given the last seat on a flight out to Salt Lake City (and yes to add to my accumulating grief, it was in the economy section). Keep in mind that SLC is towards the west coast and I needed to get to DC, where my family had been awaiting my arrival a day before. The SLC to DC flight was a hoot - I did manage to fly first class and got a slight taste of the SERVICE that would come my way on the way to BOMBAY... wooo hooo!! Did I not say in the start I made the correct decision? Did I let negativity embrace my heart? So my dear readers, the lesson I learned through this was PERSEVERENCE!!!!

I spent the 4th of July weekend with my family and had a wonderful time, hung out with some friends like Paula and Christina and had a wonderful time, got my Schengen visa on the 5th and got out of there on the 6th and yes, I had a wonderful time. Let me just say that the most nervewracking part about buddy tickets is waiting for your name to move from the standby to the confirmed passenger list - which just coincidentally doesnt happen until 2 minutes before the boarding CLOSES. Once youre in first class, well you just behave like the "rich bitch" you really are inside ;)

I got to Mumbai on the morning of the 8th of July. Unlike the other times I've come home, I wasnt exhausted and felt really fresh. The flight was on time and things were going just too well. It was then that the attendant announced my name in the list of people whose baggage had been LEFT BEHIND IN NYC!!!!!! Yup, back to life, back to normality thanks to the second unfortunate event. So I calmly waited in line to file a "report" picked up the one bag that randomly showed up and was led into the dreaded "RED" channel in Customs.

Now my experience with Customs has never been that great. Customs officers look at me and see this FABULOUS dolled up creature rolling out of a 24 hour plane ride looking like a movie star (such is the way in my family - no one gets off the plane looking like they were on the plane). In the past, Indian Customs have managed to hit me up for $25 and 20 Euros respectively even when I had NOTING to declare. This time I took an oath - though I had electronics with me - they could suck it up because I was not going to pay them a FREAKIN dime!!! I pulled the "you lost my luggage - now youre putting me through this - I have come back after 3 yrs - im going to start bawling any minute you heartless mofo" routine and got out of there. After a fabulous greeting my my parents, best friend Sonia, sexy friend Zam, and Sonia's new boyfriend that had come to check me out and vice versa I knew I had done it - I had made it home.

So I did what I would normally d0 - much to the chagrin of my parents: I kissed them hello and kissed them goodbye and went off with my sweety friends for a long drive. The next days were sort of a blur, a mixture really of adrenaline and jet lag. The one memorable thing is definitely that I met the first lust of my life after a span of 5 yrs!!

Ok so this blogging is really draining - and I feel that I have sufficiently caught you all up for now. Tomorrow I will begin the tale of the events of the last week, which really changed me forever.... the tale of heartbreak, heartheal, and strong friendships rekindled. The tale of questioning my work ethic (which really has begun to define me in the past year) and the tale of taking my life back into control......

And its finally beginning to hit me

2005-06-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

As I sit in a pile of my clothes I have yet to pack, and place my laptop on another (so it's at the correct height condusive to typing this post), it finally hits me... I AM GOING HOME .... HOME SWEET HOME.... MY MOTHERLAND.... LAND OF MY MOMMY n uh' DADDDYY.... wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I could be 15 again... my heart hasn't stopped racing since this morning and the crescendo of stuff I have yet to do before I leave doesnt daunt me in the least... well very little if you must know! I feel oblivious and sooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited.

This month has been all about coming full circle in more ways than one. I can't believe than in less than a week I will be back in Blacksburg, VA. A place I was only too happy to leave a year ago and now find myself craving to revisit. What is it about me and the past??

I look back on the last year and all I have to say is "Wow". But lets leave that for the actual year anniversary blog shall we? Let's return to talking about circles... I am returning home to Bombay after 2.5 yrs and I intend to make it worth my while. This truly is a gift and I feel that it comes at a very opportune time in my personal life. It's time to make some big decisions about my future.... you know....

What has got me most excited though, is the bubbling excitement I hear in all my friends voices, emails and text msgs. These people are the loves of my life and my heart is bursting with anticipation.....

Get the gist?

Unlucky in love but lucky in work...

2005-06-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

So have I mentioned I have the best bosses ever?? Yesterday D and B helped me move my big stuff into storage.... and thanks to their good looks and D's thunderous face when things don't go his way... the move went really smoothly :) Afterwards, it was drinks, appetizer et desert courtesy moi.

A bunch of us were working late today (D, L and I). L is my girly coworker whom I can talk about inappropriate boy things with. Currently she's stalking some hot news anchor and I wish her all the best... lol. Anyways, so since I'm going home in about a week, T (my first lust of life in Bombay) asked me to get him some RL underwear. Contrary to public belief I am not a connoisseur of men's underwear .... so I was asking L thinking she could offer some advice on sizes and such. L told me she could offer me more than just advice - she was headed to a RL outlet this very weekend and could buy some for me!!!!

Now COINCIDENTALLY, T and D have similar body type. So I very nonchalantly ask D what his waist size is.... and L SCREAMSSSSSSSSS... "you want me to get D UNDERWEAR"

My reaction: WTF??? Where did that come from?

After a very hushed explanation to D before his imagination ran wild.... and a conversation that sounded something like
"I'm so mortified... What?? You like leopard print?? Butt flossss?? HUH? yuccccccccccccccccccccckkkkkk D!! I can never look you in the eye ever again..........so really, youre a 34 waist but you like the large size? Ah ha hmm I see"

I left work only to realize I had missed asking D the most important question of all.... Boxers or Briefs?

I am really going to miss my sweety bosses and coworkers these three months :(

A quickie

2005-06-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry but this is going to be a quick one.... bloggercizing is definitely harder than I thought!! So basically, let me bring you up to speed on a couple momentous occasions in the past few days. Sunday 19th June - Swam 100 laps/ 2500 m and basically died of exhaustion... yes yes it's taken quite a bit to get me this far. Packing status - incomplete.

Monday 20th June - packing status - still v. incomplete.

Tuesday 21st June - Victoria's Secret SEMI ANNUAL SALE = RAD HAVING LOTS OF NICE AND NEW UNDERWEAR AND V.V. SEXY ONES TOO... WOO HOOO also = RAD BANKRUPT :(

thats all for now... love to my lovelies!

Far gone are the days of TOGA

2005-06-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

Today was like a usual day in the field of consulting. Hellishly busy and scattered but fabulously rewarding. D (my v. sweet boss) and I got a quick bite to eat after work and chatted the evening away. D is one of the topmost rankers on my "Highly Respected & Halfway Goodlooking" people list :). He's the bestest boss I ever had and the also most challenging... did I mention a little easy on the eyes? LOL. I adore his adoration for his wife and daughter (who by the way will totally be representing the US in the China Olympics for womens VBall!) GO K!

The dinner was a sort of goodbye since I will be leaving for Bombay in a couple of weeks only to return in October. Anyways I did tell him about my upcoming sexperiment.. uh I mean experiment .... what out you Bombay boys!!!!

After dinner, I got home and finsihed reading "Holy Cow - An Indian Adventure" by Susan MacDonald. I highly recommend it for any indian that needs that dose of deja vu. She is so descriptive - I can still smell the manure................................oh how I miss home....

2005-06-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

Gone are the days of TOGA

No Sex in Oklahoma City

2005-06-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

.... not literally.... well then again maybe so. For those of you who know me... even barely (no pun intended) would know that I am obsessed with the hit HBO show Sex and the City. So by naming my blog such I think im being totally witty. You dont think so? Well tough cause youre in RAD land now!! muhahahahahah

I really did try to keep away from blogs and still sort of detest reading them after a bad incident about a year ago... but what the hey... you gotta try everything twice, right?

More background to come later my loves.... zis is it for now ma cheries