what I did on my winter vacation

The new year is for beginnings. For fresh starts. For resolutions.

And in my case, it usually involves a new city.

(“But not this time...” she crowed rubbing her hands gleefully. “We can’t have that,” frowned the grumbling gods, loathe to have anyone gleeful in their purview. “Let’s see… how can we shake things up a bit,” they said, still collectively, thumbing through their little notebook of keeda-work past. And far below at a terrace apartment in Versova, a phone rang. “Hello?” answered the still unsuspecting hand rubber.)

So, we had to move.

Not out of Mumbai, but to a different flat, different neighbourhood. Cartons, trunks, trucks, missing brass lamps, rediscovered books… new connections of gas and phone, changed address for bank and cell… same old, same old.

But things are now tackled with determination and vigour. All part of the resolve of the new year.

Will not live like a hermit – will go out and meet the neighbours. Will not live like a hermit, will watch movies at a theatre. Will not live like a hermit, will go out with friends more often. Will not live like hermit, will go to plays and rock shows. And now that the new net connection is up and running, will not live like a hermit, will blog more often. Or is that more part of the living like a hermit-thing…?

We’ve been here 17 days. Hopefully we’ll last out the year. What’s that rumbling noise… sounds like laughing gods.

And oh, happy birthday to me.