Pre monsoon showers, a "cooling off"..and it was time to let go of air conditioned environments and move out.

Met Shalini yest...first went to PVR anupam to buy loads of second hand books...didnt find ANY good books...still, bought abt 14 of them...realised later that i had picked 4 of Daphne du Maurier...do I like her books that much? hmmm...
Then to Dilli Haat...mecca..cldnt resist some shopping..got a smart black n white paper lantern...bamboo mats and holder...ate...hogged...chatted...talked....

As I once told Unni, "As i am sometimes amazed at man's capacity to raise himself and fight all battles (external n internal) and come out on top, i am sometimes depressingly surprised by man;s capacity to drive himself into the ground when he is determined to",
one of the best examples of the former that I have seen is Shalini.
Yest we were discussing a plot of land that she wants to buy into in Coorg, and develop it - first grow stuff that wl bring in money and then build a "back to the basics" weekend retreat there...lovely idea, and , considering circumstances, needs imagination and boldness and a positivity that amazes and delights me.

btw, also met Sidharth for lunch yest. We hogged and chatted, a pleasant chat. After months. And his office is 5 min fr mine. And we were once so close, I was the only one who he cld ever show his weak side to, and vice versa (which, I believe, is the test of strength of intimacy). Sad.

Shalini and Sidharth. Both in one day. Both so different. Both inducing such contrasting thoughts n feelings.