A lot of people know that my wife, Nafisa, works on a different level from other people we know – sometimes. So it was not surprising when Nafisa made known a few wishes she had to be done after her death. The condition, of course, is that I am alive at that point .

1. Wish #1 – She be cremated and not buried
2. Wish #2 – Her head be preserved in the form of her skull. Yes, that is right folks, you read it right and I wrote it right. And the skull to be prominently displayed in the house – a sub condition.
3. Wish #3 – Her ring finger along with our wedding ring, be cut off and preserved (mummified?). Also to be displayed prominently in the house.

I imagine the skull and finger should look somewhat like the below pics.

And all above conditions to be fulfilled by me. Hmmm…

Creepy and weird. So should I agree?

Good to know, Nafisa!!!

Some highs and lows from 2011.

Some things I am not happy about for 2011.

• 2011 – Twenty Eleven (not two thousand and eleven, jeez).  Every newspaper and TV guy still doesn’t know how to say 2011. Bad, very bad!!!
• The year my blog started actually dying (still dying but I have put it on life support )
• Rebecca Black became a Youtube sensation with a song that blew the minds of millions of viewers. (Some say most people needed quick intervention from psychiatrists to save viewers’ sanity).
• Justin Beiber became a pop start from being a Youtube sensation. Again, Jeez. What idiotic songs…

And the exciting stuff:

• The Indian cricket team conquered the world and were crowned World Champions – until 2015!!!
• Ayden turned a year old last September – or was it August? Hmmm… Anyway it was an amazing moment for me (and the mommy)
• I became more financially stable than the previous years. Still not up to my expectations, though.
• My younger bro became a father to a lovely boy. Neat!
• Metallica rocked Bangalore with their trademark style and tempo. Awesome!!!

Hmmm… can’t remember more. Errr…

My predictions for 2012 (Twenty Twelve, get it? TWENTY TWELVE)

• Personally looking forward to another slightly drab year.
• Financially, not expecting to touch the moon. Maybe a few clouds.
• Professionally, expecting to do wonders and turnaround my fortunes by the end of the year.
• Family, looking forward to a tumultuous time of learning and growing up for Ayden, Nafisa and I.
• Happiness – looking forward to have a FUN year ahead – personally and professionally.

Welcome 2012!!!

Last Christmas, we were in Nagercoil celebrating something and also so we could finish off Ayden’s baptism. Stories are many from that trip, but not all can be told publicly .

One of the best memories from the trip is the following picture taken with Ayden, Dad and Granddad along with me. A very rare picture which I had never imagined in my wildest dreams.

Both my grandparents from my dad’s side of the family are still alive and reasonably healthy at almost 90 years of age. They were extremely happy to meet their great grandchild.

Below is my grandmother holding Ayden in our ancestral home.

And most of all, my brother Eddie got married after Christmas. It was a wonderful affair in Tuticorin and a reception in Nagercoil. I wish him all the best in his new life.

To the left is Sandy, a cousin of mine, and to the right is my sister-in-law Anusha’s  mom.

Altogether another great Christmas and end to an awesome 2010! Yes, I am offering my belated New Year 2011!!!

Last week some of The Chows were in Bangalore to visit Ayden, our 3 week old baby. And what did Ayden get? A great gift, any set of uncles (hahahahaha, uncles) around the world could give a nephew – a bottle of whiskey to be opened on his 18th birthday. Brilliant!!!

Although, the date mentioned on the package is wrong, we will still open it on the actual 18th birthday – August 27th, 2028. Neat!!!

The captions read:

• Manu (I mix a mean Rum)
• Renie (Probably late)
• Anoopzombie (Took ur dad out 4 a smoke when you were born) – a blatant lie
• Gerald (He He)
• Karthik (If you find me married at least get me this drink)
• B G (aka Balu Mama)
• Anand (I prob look like Stephen Hawking right now)

Wow, it is a Chivas Regal Aged 12 Years. The theory behind is that by the time Ayden turns 18 it will be 30 years old. I know purists will argue that it is the number of years in the original barrel is what counts. But hey, who cares ?

Thanks guys! It was a most thoughtful gift.

P.S:- Interested readers can search for more posts about The Chows here (not all of you would want to see personal posts and pictures I am sure )

Got a chance to change the handlebars on my 1986 Enfield Standard. I was very nervous after buying the handle at JC Road. It was big and wide and I had no visualization of how it would look on the bike.

Anyway, all my fears turned out to be groundless since the bike handles beautifully well.

New look:

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