My plants aren't dying, the roommate is happy and Goa is finally hot. Riding through streamers on my way to work I realised that the time I spent mooching took away from the fact that I really am in a happy place.
Shit will hit the fan at some point but sitting around waiting for it to happen is a little silly don't you think?
Lunch at Ritz awaits(One of Goa's oldest and most succulent restaurant, serves the most fantastic Hindu Goan food) and I shall bounce there with chopsticks in my hair.
How awfully posh.
Bouncy songs for bouncy days: The faded paper figures present, the persuaded
A few days ago I went over to a friends place to listen to his newest addition to his record collection. An album called Frank by Amy Winehouse. I was never a big fan of her music and maybe that's because I never seemed to get passed the most popular tracks. Has it ever happened to you that when something is such a rage you instantly run in the opposite direction?
Finally after many failed plans and ditch attempts we managed to squeeze in some time between work and dinner. As I sat there allowing her boozy vocals wash over me I realised why people went nuts over this tiny woman with dramatic eye make up and weird bouffant. Her lazy scat, words melting effortlessly into a careless melody, it was fantastic! If I closed my eyes I could smell the cigerettes, stale alcohol and sweaty bars. Her voice is almost ambient, it surrounds you and takes you places.
Of course listening to it on record on a stuffy evening in Goa only made it that much more romantic. Listening to the entire record, no fast forwarding or choosing tracks is something I haven't done in ages. Frank has been on loop for a while now and I can easily say that it is one of my favourite albums.
Attached are two tracks, the first is my favourite, Moody's mood for love and since the record man introduced me to this, his favourite; Fuck me pumps.
Honestly? Download the album, find some nice wine, a little loving and a balcony. Let the evening, music, booze and passion flow. I intend to try this as well.
The foggy mornings in Goa are putting me into some sort of weird head space. Life suddenly feels like something out of a Murakami novel. Everyday that I cross the bridge through fog a little bit of myself dissolves as I ride. It's sort of like when you stay out in the cold too long and your fingertips begin to go numb.
I woke up today trying to remember the past few weeks and all I could remember was a hazy amalgamation of colour and sound. It didn't help that I happened upon a fantastic acoustic version of Stranger things have happened by the Foo Fighters. So while the sun scorches Goa it's raining in my head.
On a lighter note I have decided that I will have awfully talented and fabulous mixed race babies with Dave Grohl. We will get to the 'how' of it in a bit but until then I will leave you with the song. The video is a little shady but this is best listened to with your eyes closed.
Working on saturdays leaves me feeling a little twisted, I know I ought to be here, I know I like what I do but I want to be on a beach with my weekend corona reading something that will take me places other than here and now. It makes me think of all sorts of bizarre things I could be doing. Jumping off a waterfall perhaps?
While trying hopelessly to be productive I stumbled upon a new single from Jack white's solo album Blunderbuss that is due to be released on the 23rd/24th of april. His mellow bluegrass tones mixed with the twisted lyrics give it an oddly fresh sound.
Here is to all those bits of your brain you would rather not be introduced to. Makes it seem tempting doesn't it?
"I want love to walk right up and bite me grab ahold of me and fight me leave me dying on the ground.
And I want love to split my mouth wide open and cover up my ears, and never let me hear a sound."
When moving to Goa one must realise that certain aspects of ones life are best handled drunk.
Living in a place that is on one long holiday can be hard especially when you are attempting to be productive. It struck me over dinner with Haathi that living here requires any new comer to be at peace with certain things; Not only does this make life a whole lot easier it also does wonders for anger management.
Nothing in Goa is open on sunday. Any shopping must be done during the week.
Lunch breaks are from 1pm to 4pm, any self respecting Goan will close at 7pm sharp for drinks and dinner. This includes pharmacies.
There is only one plumber in Goa that actually fixes things on time, his name is Arvind. Leave a comment if you need a number.
Laundry will take 2-3 weeks for them to realise it exists after which if you're lucky it should take a few days more.
You will soon realise that being mad at a Goan is next to impossible. Shouting is met with a glassy eyed grin(incredibly cute) or a bewildered look that seems to say 'I can't believe you actually thought we would deliver in time'. It is best in times like these to find the nearest local bar and wallow until you calm down.
Local Goan food can only be found in the most obscure of places, since I now have Goan friends I will post great places to eat as and when they are discovered.
Give up trying to be vegetarian, food here is fantastic embrace it.
Make it a point to visit the beach over the weekends. Living in Goa knowing you're not far from sand and sea can make you lazy.
You don't get broadband here unless you are willing to brave bsnl. Catch up on your reading perhaps?
Liquor stores are open nearly all night, it is pretty much the best answer when distressed, cranky, upset, bleeding or just bored.
Buy a good music system, it can do wonders for your soul.
You could look at living here in two ways. You could either be frustrated or simply entertained.On choosing the latter you will find that it is actually a fabulous place to live.
A few days spent away and I realised I miss this small defunct state. It's good to be back.
p.s: Has it ever happened to you when something becomes ridiculously popular and you had no idea until you saw the four page spread in the rolling stone? The black keys are a two man power house of raw blues energy. Its so great to listen to something so rugged and well unscrubbed. They also happen to have the song for the occasion. Black keys with everlasting light.
I'm saying this in full knowledge of the fact that I will now be considered a flake but in every cliche lies some amount of truth. Love is in the air.
Its been a whirlwind year of tearful ends, shady beginnings and well old school romances. I remember my first high school romance. Dating wasn't allowed so we had to make do with passing chits and leaving letters in each others desks. We would sneak off into the bushes and spend hours uncomfortably perched on rocks and talk about life, books, dreams etc. When I finally took the initiative to hug him he ran away and well that was that.
Of course the rather pathetic end to that story is not how this year is shaping up. Shkaplan and I have already turned into little old ladies that share juicy gossip over tea and its fabulous! Here's to love found, attraction that cannot be explained and Steamy romantical weekends in exotic locations.
Before I turn this blog into a gossip column(It will make for an extremely interesting one mind you) I will leave you with an all time favourite. Light years by pearl jam. It isn't the happiest song but it does seem to fit. I am forever in debt Sargam. Enjoy.
