(July 28, 11:56pm)

It's Eid today... the moon was sighted a few hours back, and a grand celebration follows across the country tomorrow..

I have so many people to wish this time.. I always had quite a few Muslim friends.. from school, from neighbourhood.. muma's friends..

But with my frequent visits to Kashmir, the list has gone higher.. I really hope I do not miss out anybody..

Btw, I have been invited for Eid feasting at BJP ex-MP Shahnawaz Hussian's house..Tomorrow 1pm..

XXX

(July 28, 11:52pm)

I have stopped house hunting for some time.. but job offers are not stopping to pour in... I got another call Saturday..

It was the HR of India's largest selling English weekly.. I told them what they are having must be an old CV of mine, and that I am working already with this news agency..

Still they insisted... and my aunt told me, there's no harm in meeting.. if you say a blunt no, they might not consider you in future either..

XXX

So, I went to this English magazine.. a sprawling, glamorous premises... and some very good looking lady receptionist..

Preetier than the one who sits at Bhadaur Shah Zafar Road office of the largest selling English daily..

Anyway, it turned out to be a desk opening.. I declined humbly.. after conveying we would keep in touch..

XXX 

(July 26, 2:07pm)

2014 has so far been good.. though I am aiming at some bigger feats... and hope they come along this third quarter itself..

If it does, I will be utilising much of the last quarter of the year, writing my novel..

The last quarter anyway is my favourite season.. I love autumn.. Spring is good, too.. probably sweeter... but a scorching summer awaits it...

Autumn gives an impression that everything is fading... the trees are bereft of its leaves... but are they bereft of beauty? No!

Fading is not always dull... it all depends how you look at things... When you look at the barren trees and still find them of some beauty, it might just mean beauty doesn't desert you as you age..

You can retain your charm in even the later stages of your life, if you acknowledge your age, and are ready to welcome it and live it... and try to find out ways to add grace to it..

In Cardiff, I would find so many beautiful old couples dotting the parks on weekend.. so well dressed.. so happy.. and so much in love with their age...

Anyway, coming back to autumn, it is also a season of varied colours... especially if you are in Kashmir... Will I be in Kashmir this autumn?

I hope..

And then autumn opens up to an inviting winter... with pleasant memories of your childhood when you would be off school for a long holiday... and perhaps visit your grandmom and let her fall you to sleep recounting stories...

Stories are powerful... This autumn I hope to write one..

XXX

(July 25, 12:19am)

Why do I sometimes think too much?

So what if I am not able to find that best house... eventually I will.. because the Goddess always arranges the best things for me..

And sometimes when she doesn't, it's only to realise later that, that particular thing which did not come my way, weren't worthy or useful anyway..

XXX

It's been long since I got clicked myself for Facebook DP.. Ever since I joined this news agency, there is no going out in the evenings.. I return home 9:30...

And on weekly offs, I am either tired or too occupied with household chores... Earlier, while I was in Cardiff and then Kashmir, i would be photographed so often.. and so well!

There would be so many pics to choose from, to upload on FB.. now, I change the profile pic on irregular intervals..

And that too, I kind of deceived people... I just took some old snaps from my picture bank, and uploaded them with some sort of impression that they are new..

Now, even those are exhausted..

What do I do?

XXX

(July 23, 12:25am)

Lol... I'm hunting for a house, and what come my way are unsolicited job offers!

Yesterday got a call from an unknown number on my Chennai-based cell... For few months I have been using it less frequently compared to my Patna based number, which is now more in use..

So, I got alerted.. it can't be somebody from my recent contacts in Delhi..

XXX

The other party, a lady, introduced herself as the HR of India's second largest English daily... she said they were quite keen on my application, and that things would "work out" over a meeting with the editor..

I remembered I had dropped them a CV in my fag end of Kashmir stay... probably in February.. The offer they had was on the desk..

I politely declined...

Next, in the night, a very senior editor, the in-charge for a well-known tabloid style Delhi only newspaper, replies to my very old e-mail....

Again, the position was on desk... I told him I was already working with a news agency, and quite occupied with work at the moment..

He didn't reply to it, though..

XXX

Anyway, I am still looking for a place which would offer me a grand, open spaces view from the window.. It's difficult to find... Delhi is crowded..

But one day, I'd be living in my own farm house in the foothill of Himalayas.. in Himachal.. writing my novels.. wouldn't that be great?

XXX

(July 15, 12:54pm)

I am annoyed really, now... There are so many things I have in the wishlist, and I am stagnant because I do not yet have a house where I can live comfortably..

I want to change this house as this place is dull... and then they are charging well beyond what this house should merit..

Once I get my house... with a spacious balcony leading to a scenic view, it would be so good!

I would at once begin my novel... which I had in mind for a couple of years now.. and much of which I conceptualised during my 50 day stay in kashmir..

But how do I manage the work commitment? The pace at this news agency is wearingly fast!

XXX

Don't worry.. I would find a way out... If I have a decent house, and good food... and other things are arranged too, I can be really dynamic..

Thats the gift of genes my mother bequeathed me!

XXX

Did you notice once the temperature subsided, I am back to blogging again!

XXX

(July 14, 12:03am)

It finally rained in Delhi today...

I'm really sorry, I haven't been able to update the posts here.. But what do I do?

I have never been in such mess before.. I mean I am really not used to bear the Delhi or Patna heat without an AC..

And God, the mercury touched 48 degrees for quite a few days..

XXX

When it's hot, I cannot pursue my artistic endeavours, blogging included...

But with a generous downpour of shower, I guess I would be able to write this season...

Between, it's really reassuring that despite the long gaps, and perhaps despite the sheen and suspense in the write-ups, people have been viewing the site regularly..

Of course, page views dropped which was natural.. given the gaps... but it's still a respectable figure everyday... and for that I thank you all abundantly..

XXX

I have been looking for a good house.. but without success... it never really took me so long..

But I have to get the right one... see I have settled here for good... Delhi will be very much the place I would be basing..

Not that Delhi fascinates me... it's people, excuse my saying this, are really coarse.. in that, it's over populated.. and people employ their means to survive.. they are not really that amiable as you would find in say, Kashmir..

But it's a metro with all its privileges... and it's the nerve centre for journalism.. I'm doing good in my work... and then, from here, you have good places to visit...

Like Himachal, which is close... I just adore Himachal... It should be my home one day.. Law doesn't permit me to buy a house in Kashmir.. But in Himachal, I surely will one day..

And then, it's just the place where you can write your novel.. I mean where I can write my novel..

XXX

Look I'm not really looking for a very glam house.. It should be a spacious one BHK... with a big balcony.. and there should be trees all around.. the view from the balcony should be scenic..

So that I may feel inspired to write... and it should obviously be a newly constructed, or recently constructed, so that the fittings, lights and flooring and wardrobe are cosy..

I just hope I get something decent soon..

XXX

By the way, today 13th July, was our first day in ACJ in 2009.. How time flies!

XXX