Dawn

It is 6.20 am. And I can hear many birds chirping away. I am not in London anymore. These are the birds from home.
I can only think of all the pigeons that have died in Jedi's house right now. It's like a dream from a bad movie.
I'm trying really hard to sleep but I can't. Its when you try too hard, you cant sleep. I tried reading Readers Digest, but even the boring inspirational stories about finding peace wont help.
And now a horrible car is reversing in the next building, with the irritating shrilly music.
So what exactly does one do at 6 am, with no sleep? Write a bizarre blog post I suppose. Sleep.
Wake up and realise all the emails and blog posts you wrote were a dream or a bad mistake.
This one will probably get deleted Since the blog is after all about London. Not Bombay.
The sun is shining now. I'll go take a walk and try to whack the dog that is barking away in the background.

Auguries of Innocence (Edited version)

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.


A skylark wounded in the wing,
A cherubim does cease to sing.
The game-cock clipt and arm'd for fight
Does the rising sun affright.

He who shall hurt the little wren
Shall never be belov'd by men.
He who the ox to wrath has mov'd
Shall never be by woman lov'd.

The gnat that sings his summer's song
Poison gets from slander's tongue.
The poison of the snake and newt
Is the sweat of envy's foot.

The poison of the honey bee
Is the artist's jealousy.

The prince's robes and beggar's rags
Are toadstools on the miser's bags.
A truth that's told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent.

It is right it should be so;
Man was made for joy and woe;
And when this we rightly know,
Thro' the world we safely go.

Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing for the soul divine.
Under every grief and pine
Runs a joy with silken twine.

The emmet's inch and eagle's mile
Make lame philosophy to smile.
He who doubts from what he sees
Will ne'er believe, do what you please.

If the sun and moon should doubt,
They'd immediately go out.
To be in a passion you good may do,
But no good if a passion is in you.

Every night and every morn
Some to misery are born,
Every morn and every night
Some are born to sweet delight.

Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night.

We are led to believe a lie
When we see not thro' the eye,
Which was born in a night to perish in a night,
When the soul slept in beams of light.

William Blake

The bad mood syndrome

I'm so annoyed today. I dont even know why. There are those days when you are so angry with with the world. My free internet has crashed once again and I've been sent down to the internet cafe. I have had no sweet phone calls, except from my parents who woke me up at 7 am!I have had no nice emails either.

Grumpy but Gorgeous.

I will pack in a bit, no presents for anyone since I'm so broke (read earlier blog).

Yesterday was great, I've discovered a wonderful agony aunt who will be publishing my problem on his blog shortly. We were discussing if communication works in relationships - I don't think it does anymore, because you know what the other person wants to hear.

Happy bits - All my friends have agreed to go to Goa. I cannot wait. I need the sea, salt and sand. Even bought v nice new swimsuit at Next (20 quid, no returns). Will buy presents for them cos they are being so nice.

The only thing that works on my spirit is retail therapy and hot cuppa chai tea latte at Starbucks.

Which brings me to another conclusion. People in fashion and related industries drink their lattes at Starbucks. Was chatting with Swapan, a friend from the luxury goods market from Antwerp who incidentally was sitting at Starbucks in Dubai. Last night, to ease my mind i was reading a chick lit called Bergdorf Blondes all about New York department stores heiress's and guess where the brunette drinks her coffee?? Starbucks. They probably should use this data and advertise on style.com

Fashion people - check super blog http://thesatorialist.blogspot.com

Spring break

It's finally the holidays again. London has had some lovely sunny spells all weekend.
I had a really good weekend.
Friday night we watched the David Lynch film , I cant even remember it's name. 3 hour long epic with flashing images and my head buried in Ville's shoulder trying not to scream really loud. It must have hurt.
Saturday morning was strolling around Camden town with Bakyt, and then singing funny songs on a park bench in Hyde Park. I also wanted to go on the row boat and have someone read Keats to me. Incredibly romantic no?
In the evening, while the sweet smell of burning weed wafted into my room, my mind wandered back to life as a design student in Bombay. Cutting Chai cups, days of sitting on verandah's in Manali or Kodai Kanal, sitting in groups on the table at Just Around the Corner, a messy student hole in a circle, a group of chillum smoking Israeli's at a rave or a beach shack in Goa.
My life has been through so many phases that are distinctly different from each other. I genuinely enjoyed that phase the most. I've never travelled across India as much as I did with Bhav, my three years at Nift. Love it. I can never relive it.
Sunday was just the day for the riverside. We strolled hand in hand looking at beautiful houses, and discussing what car's we'd like to own. We walked all the way from the Hammersmith bridge to Chiswick, watching rowing groups practice and I was rather mean, I admit to many old people's pets.
In the evening, I attempted cooking Lasagna for Bakyt who was joining us for dinner. It was an interesting first experiment but I think the next time will be better. I'm not convinced it was good, but no one is ill yet.
Monday night i drew Ville's tattoo on my sketch pad. I have to hunt for Harsh, my illustrator friend who can make it more amazing. This was a memorable moment for me. That evening we spent walking on the South Bank. We looked at some Matisse and Amrita Sher-Gil at the Tate Modern. Then we walked all the way to Victoria and caught a bus home. We watched a documentary on the India Pak partition and I shed a tear.
Tuesday, he left.
I am so sad now.
Whats the point? I dont know.
My relationship confuses me immensely but such is life and I'm living in the moment even though I'm a dreamer.
But tomorrow I'm flying off home to Bombay and all will be perfect.

Emotional cruelty

Shopping in London is cruel. Absolutely vile.
I love it.
I hate it.
The shop windows are calling out to me every day. My college is located in Soho, guess what's closest to it? Oxford circus. Guess the friends and classmates i'm surrounded by - extreme shopping lovers who never cease to encourage and bond on the same ritual. Yes, there's also Chai tea Latte at Starbucks we're all suckers for.
Anyway in the past one week i made notes of my shopping patterns. I am horrified at this new trend emerging - return things, feel less guilty, buy some more since now you have the money from the things you've returned.
All prices are in Great Britain Pound Sterling

ZARA
Cigarette Pants in black - 39.00
Black Jacket to match -59.00
Black shirt to wear underneath -19.00
Black court shoes -39.00
Black dress for fun -39.00
Had major guilt trip - Returned all the above except sexy black pants.

La senza (To spend money that was returned to me)
Mauve silk luxury lingerie set with matching boxers -40.00
Pale yellow little luxuries set -30.00
Cute hot shorts and matching camisole -15.00
Grumpy but gorgeous eye mask - 3.50

To return tommorow- hot shorts and matching camisole -15.00

Space Apothecary
Philosophy hope in a jar moisturiser - 35.00

It makes me feel good and Oprah loves it.

H & M
Black shirt to make up for Zara Black shirt - 9.00

Harvey Nichols
Seven for all Mankind skinny jeans -160.00
(agreed by bunch of 3 classmates they are so so hot)
(7 for all Mankind are the most sought after, apparently everyone in hollywood wears them!!!)

Zara

White balloon cotton blouse - 29.00

St. Martins at Olivier Bonaz
Printed tee -19.00
Dress -59.00
(To be returned tommorow)

Noa Noa
Butter yellow crochet top - 44.00
(To be returned tommorow)

Full on fun

I have quite a few gay friends. It's one of the perks of being in the fashion industry. And I actually enjoy their company. They are sensitive, understand why boyfriends can be jerks and love a good gossip session.

This weekend I met up with a friend (who has nothing to do with fashion, is super smart, loves super hot men, likes Shilpa Shetty and speed dating ) and he took me to this posh gay bar called The Village. It was non-smoky and no one asked for my number. Was wonderful to have some conversation over sugary strong cocktails.

Since this page is after all about London, I'm going to give a list of gay/bisexual/polysexual and accidently straight places to visit.

The most popular bar's are in Soho. Just walk around. A really really funny shop is Scribbler which has the craziest card's in London.

www.scribbler.co.uk

Apart from the dozen or more sex shops, Soho also has some nice little bistro's and restaurants which are over-priced thanks to the tourist boom. Chinatown a couple of streets away is interesting as well, especially for strange medicines in the window. For a cheap Indian Thali, hop into the Hare Rama Hare Krishna cafe on Soho Street. Ed's makes the best milkshakes (love banana and peanut butter served out of an old fashion steel jug) and is an American burger joint.

There's quite a few stores for vintage magazine's and books on art, photography and fashion.

The blue room cafe is a charming little place. It is haphazard and has awesome cakes and hot white chocolate which has been called "liquid sex" by Georgy, fellow student at CSM. Customers mostly come from fashion, media and art.

Georgy interview: Coming soon

Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

However if it's club one prefers, then there's Fiction which apparently is Polysexual. Walk down the bridge from Fiction, and you will end up in a strange little bar (ofcourse i was too drunk to remember the name) but it does have an extremely humourous Irish bartender with very Irish humour. He gives triple shots to pretty girls. One of the largest and more popular clubs is The Cross with many floors.

Tip: How to identify a gay bar? You will bump into pretty boys in the ladies loo.

Nearest tube: Kings Cross St. Pancras

Next wednesday am going to a Bollywood night with Bakyt, which promises Indian boys in drag and a movie startlet called Chameli. Hate the music. Photos should be funny.

Child of the Universe

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantement, it is as perrenial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

- Max Erhman

:) I'm Happy Now. Reminds me of assembly in school. Reminds me of handmade paper from Munnar with pressed flowers and black ink on the wooden cupboards in my old bedroom.

I try to remember the peace in silence, but it's so hard to stop my 'enthusiastic' banter once i begin.

1989-1998

Isnt it high time they retired??

Ban the national carrier I say. All this western nonsense that is corrupting the nation's youth. What will Raj say?? Rally in Shivaji Park??

The "Love-ly" air line that is the best airline experience on the planet.




















Observer colour supplement. Feb 8 1971


And you'll still find the same innocent looking, virtuous young women who believe the customer comes first.





















Observer colour supplement. March 8 1971