I like Nurses who smile. Actually, anybody smiling. Another unit today !

Watched Rituparno Ghosh's splendid adaptation of William Sydney Porter's 'The Gift of the Magi'. Raincoat.

Stumped. Floored. Mesmerized.

No histrionics. It looked like everything was a natural and spontaneous performance. I'm in love with the script. And however hard I try, I've once again tripped for Aish. But best of all, I loved Sheela Bhabhi's character (played by Mouli Ganguly to perfection!) Man, are there people like that ? They must be wonderful to live with..

Its kind of dumb that I went to watch a movie, when a tsunami had just struck my city. Trouble is, that everything around me looked so normal. It was only hours later that I learnt of its catastrophic impact..that too, through the images on TV. And from that onslaught of phonecalls, enquiring whether I'd not been washed away :: I figured some people REALLY were concerned. Thanks All.

Was at Giorgio this evening. Its a little confusing - the place. They probably run three food outlets from the same location at Besant Nagar - so you have all these people with PizzaWorld, Giorgio and Kebab-something on their lapels.

I ate at Giorgio. They played all the danceable beat-packed numbers and it kind of made the long wait for the food a little tolerable. This is the first time I had pork in my soup - the 'American Gumbo' tasted different and nice.

The Menu cards at Giorgio are a bit bewildering. Once you've leafed through one of them, just ask if they have something else to offer, and the waiter presents an 'Indian Menu', a 'Sunday Dessert Menu' and also a 'Pizza Menu'. I think these guys are trying too hard to cater to everybody's palate.

I tried this Chinese dish called Dim Sum (Oh yes, there's the country flag for every dish on the Menu). Delicately minced chicken in some sort of flour covering - probably deep-fried (from all that oil oozing out). But it tasted great with the spicy accompaniment.

The Menu description for the Cuban Medianoche sandwich was terrific and I proceeded to order just that. After what seemed like eons, they served me a sandwich which had none of the ingredients highlighted in the Menu. I actually asked the waiter to point out 'What lies beneath' my Cuban crust. They actually 'realized' they'd served me the all-cheese, no-meat version. First its late and second, its not even what I ordered. Had it sent back for the dish I wanted.

Bored as hell, I ordered a Devil's Own chocolate shake which arrived ages later - warm, and tasting like Bournvita. I lost my temper. I don't know how polite I was, but they redid my Chocolate shake with extra ice-cream, extra extra chocolate shrapnel and packed me my Cuban sandwich - no charge. Hours later, that neatly packed sandwich tastes great. I just wish the place (munch) could practice (munch) on providing (munch) better service. He he.

Day 2 had this brilliant film titled 'Eight'. About Jonathan, being brought up by a single mother, his love for football, and his Dad. Its Stephen Daldry's film, the bloke who directed Billy Elliot and The Hours. Gotta watch them both.

Shombit led me to the Saravana Bhavan bakery, very close to Satyam. Its a funny thing that I never knew of such a lovely place. We ordered pizza bun, mushroom patties and some more stuff.. its pure veg, and everything tasted so very good.

Caught up with Cat in the afternoon and we headed to Sameer's place on the ECR. A big puja was organized for his forthcoming Sabarimala darshan in January. Sameer and Sabarimala don't seem to mix. But he knows best. I got treated to an elaborate south Indian lunch and couldn't stop helping myself to the fabulous sakara pongal. Wowie.

Winded the day with the 'Colonial Custer' at the Fruitshop outlet in Besant Nagar. Farewell to my roomie who returns to Hyderabad. What a greedy day.

British Council organized 'Moving the Goalposts' at Satyam cinemas - short films on the theme 'football'. There were actually quite a few people in popular Team jerseys and it looked kinda queer. We were given buttons with the dubious 'Just for kicks' inscribed.

Most of the films were a satire on the games' influence on society. Someone could do a take, on the way cricket fever hits life in India. Its maddening enough to see people flocking outside TV showrooms even when the boring Tests are on. Its as if watching the game is more important than actually playing it.

I liked this film titled 'Livertonian'. Had me in splits. About some funny town where you have to make a choice (as a toddler), on which team you will support. And about this father who is desperate to have his little son favour the colour blue - for the blue team. Everything works as per plan, except that the kid grows up to be a redhead.

I also liked 'The Worst Jewish Football Team In The World'. I couldn't figure out how someone could conceptualize a film about kids who play for a team sponsored by the local optician, and consistently lose, with scores like 0-32. Add to it the Jewish stereotypes and a really stupid notion of faith that they could win someday.

There was more satire in 'See You At Wembley, Frankie Walsh'. About this couple that never get married thanks to football matches on their wedding day. The show was well timed, because anymore of football, and I'd wanna throw up.

Was at Benjarong on TTK Road tonight. Me thinks the last time I tried this kinda food was on a Thai Airways flight. It was bland. Am pretty unsure of what I ate. Was too busy concentrating on the lovely hostesses.

This place has a neat decor. Its the first time I've seen a circular dining table at a restaurant (had that really homely look to it). Music was flutes and pipes. There were two Thai women in their traditional attire. One of them was carving out floral patterns out of fruits and vegetables. All her movements were very practised. Very mechanical. Its a pity that they did not smile even once. So it was kinda messed up.

Me tried the honey on the table. I dunno why I felt it had some citric flavouring in it, but it was finished before the food arrived. Yum.

Sipped on an awesome natural strawberry fizz drink. And tried Cheeru's Ginger fizz as well. Burnt my throat. The waiter was recommending that ?!

Then, there was this brilliantly done chicken, for starters. Absolutely boneless, and then probably fried after wrapping it in coconut leaf. I dipped it in the ketchup-like accompaniment and it was finger-lickin good allright.

The main course had a lot of leaves in it. I was able to identify the spring onion stalks, but there was tons of this green leaf which had a sharp sting that annoyed me terribly. I wasn't too fascinated with the rice, but the noodles were well done. There's no bone or spine in anything. So the chicken and the fish were their very tender best. Everything tasted distinctly different from the masalas we use in India. Umm.. Its kinda nice I tried Thai food. Not sure if its the best of that cuisine, though.

Thankfully, dessert was classy. Am still wondering how they managed to serve vanilla ice-cream balls wrapped in some sort of mashed coconut covering. I don't fancy coconut in my food, but this was mouth-watering. That dish is a wonder.