What am amazing guy! And to think I nearly missed the show. But thankfully, I saw sense at the last moment! Then I nearly lost my way negotiating the maze of North Bangalore. Finally, after a few frantic phone calls, I managed to get on track. I could hear the roar from the crowds as I neared the grounds. I missed a couple of songs in the beginning, but it was a small price to pay to listen to the legend himself. Just to watch him change his guitars was enough. And he played some of the all-time Dire Straits favourites including Sultan of Swing, Brothers in Arms, Money for Nothing and a few from his solo albums. And it was over all too quickly! Man, Mark Knopfler absolutely rocked!

I could listen to his sexy voice all day long! Staying home alone on a Friday Flat on the floor looking back On old love Or lack thereof After all the crushes are faded And all my wishful thinking was wrong I’m jaded I hate it I’m tired of being alone So hurry up and get here So tired of being alone So hurry up and get here Searching all my days just to find you I’m not sure who I’m looking for I’ll know it When I see you Until then, I’ll hide in my bedroom Staying up all night just to write A love song for no one I’m tired of being alone So hurry up and get here So tired of being alone So hurry up and get here I could have met you in a sandbox I could have passed you on the sidewalk Could I have missed my chance And watched you walk away? – from the album Room for Squares

I see that my smart cat has kept you updated on my moves. It’s true, I’ve been distracted lately. But first things first. Let me tell you what happened yesterday. For starters, I had nearly left my entry pass to the Tull-Chaurasia show behind. I remembered at the last moment and scurried back home to retrieve it! Then, on the ride to the venue, I suddenly noticed a January 31, 2004 date printed on the pass. My heart did a double take. It sank. I had trouble breathing. Did they accidentally send me tickets for the wrong day? Had I missed the event I had been preparing for the whole of the week? Then across the other corner, I noticed the February 1, 2004 date printed. Aaahhhhh….. I let out all my relief. Reached the venue nice and early. There was quite a crowd. All dressed up for the show. I passed my time looking around. There was a woman in tight leather trousers. Another in a shiny black and white top with silver thingies …

Instructor: What are you playing? What are you playing?!! Me (Getting my fingers crossed again): Uh. I think it’s A? No nooo. C? Ah. Uh… Instructor (Most exasperated now as I don’t think he’s had such a dumb student in a while): You’re playing the wrong string, dear. Me (Wishing there weren’t so many b***** strings): But why is it so complicated? I’m trying to play B and I keep playing E, by mistake!! Instructor (eyes rolling heavenwards): Okay, let’s check the score on TV now. As you can imagine, I’m still stuck at the string (also the instructor’s favourite): namely G.

Let me bring you songs from the wood: to make you feel much better than you could know. Well, well. they’re finally coming to our neck of the woods. Two flautists, both with their inimitable styles – Ian Anderson and Hari Prasad Chaurasia, will be performing on 31st Jan and 1 Feb in Mumbai. I nearly jumped out of my skin in excitement when I saw the ad in Mid-Day day on Friday. Can’t afford to miss this one. While I totally freaked out on Tull music, especially during my college days, there is another reason why I love the man! The last time Jethro Tull toured the city, I was a student, broke and peniless. This time, I am equally broke, but the credit card saved me! I hope some of you will be going. The tickets are running out already. I’m so excited, that I might ditch my efforts to learn the guitar and take up the flute for a while. And I’ve decided to get into the mood by listening to one …

Jag here writes about progressing from a walkman to an MP3 player. Reminding me of my loyal device, which has kept me company over more than four years now. And I haven’t had any problems with it yet. Of course, it looks old and worn out. But it hasn’t given me much reason to complain, other than that. It’s a woman’s best friend in a city like Mumbai. And if you travel around often, you’ll probably know what I mean. For one, it cuts out the noise on the road. When you are travelling in Mumbai, ear plugs are essential because of the noise levels. Everyone on the road is honking. And there are some really ghastly tunes out there. It cuts out the noise in the compartment. Travel in a local train at peak hours and you’ll know what I mean. You cannot even imagine the cacophony that emerges out of a hundred odd women packed like sardines. It cuts out the comments yucky leery men pass. I don’t think a single day goes …