Random Picture Post.

Pickles sitting beside my laptop, with her tongue out.

With Guppy, on Ma's 47th birthday.

Dewdrops on flower, at Tollygunge Club.

Me at Jude picnic, this year. (Courtesy: Sohini)

Love, Concern, Fear, And All The Rest Of It.

Tomorrow, I am getting Pickles spayed. Probably it's nothing to worry about, it's not a major operation, but I can't help feeling twinges of worry. I hope she gets through it fine.

Just excessive panic, perhaps. But I do love her so so much. I've had her since she was a little kitten, she literally grew up in my arms, and she curled up into my hair while sleeping. Now, she doesn't sleep in my hair anymore, but right beside my pillow.

Perhaps I would be better off panicking about the exams, but exams be damned. Pickles is more than a pet - she's part of me. And I hope everything goes okay tomorrow.

I'm feeling a little guilty....

Because there is a substantial stack of books lying around that have piled up, and are waiting to be read. I have been promising myself that I shall get around to them soon, but that 'soon' remains a little speck, distant on the horizon.

I shall start by finishing The Picture Of Dorian Gray and Aaron's Rod (>sigh<), and then, hopefully, get to Fury (Salman Rushdie).

It seems all I do nowadays is cook. Made chicken flavoured with coconut milk and dry red chillis the other day, pasta this afternoon, and in the evening- a chocolate-coffee cake, flavoured with cinnamon. Cooking's one of the only things that makes sense to me anymore, and it's wonderful how much better it makes me feel- about life and just about everything else.

Guppy's here for the weekend, and as usual, he's making us all split our sides with laughter with his antics and constant witticisms. I'll be sorry to see him go- he leaves tomorrow.

Pickles has been unnaturally friendly off late, coming and purring on my stomach, leaping into my lap, and even following me about the house. She's such a cute little cat- so furry and so soft. I found this picture of her and myself, (taken a few weeks back) in one of my picture folders. It's one of my favourites. >grin<

I'd been feeling pretty low this week, having to deal with the pain of memories and the realisation that some people have shocking double standards. But I'm dealing with it, and I know I'll be all right. I have my family and friends. I have my cats. I have music. I have cooking. Heck, I even have my Levi's Jeans!
Yes, I'll be okay. >grin<

Cats.

There are some times, when I honestly feel closer to my pet cats than to people.

I won't say anything more, but- thank Heavens that I have Obelix and Pickles to keep me sane when people drive me crazy.

I Have Nothing Specific To Say Right Now...

... So I shall tell you why I love Sundays. They are just perfect, to laze around on, and catch up on much needed myself-time. I don't have to study, I don't have to work, I don't have to worry about any responsibilities, I can let go completely, and do as I wish. Sundays are the best days, truly.

And now for some random writing.

Here are my Five Favourite Songs at the moment:

1. The Pretenders - I'll Stand By You

2. The Pogues - Love You Till The End

3. Aqualung - Brighter Than Sunshine

4. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now

5. The Eels - I Need Some Sleep

Yesterday's lunch at Ballygunge Dhaba was fabulous fun. Another restaurant I shall never be able to show my face at again. *sigh* But Happy Birthday to Shreya and Rudrani- may they have a wonderful year ahead.

Also, have come across this absolutely wonderful foodblog: http://www.asliceofcherrypie.blogspot.com/. One of the best blogs I have seen till date- the photography is amazing, as is the writing, and don't even get me started on the cooking! This blog is a true inspiration. Check it out if you can.

And just because I feel like posting a picture, here's one taken last year in December, of me and Obelix.

All for now. Time to get back to lazing around.

Presenting the 'Bangali Babu'.

Presenting the Bangali Babu. The cat with the toothbrush 'typical Bong' moustache. He's just too adorable for his own good. And to fathom how tiny he really is- compare him to the size of my hand.

Awww... Puchu!

Whenever I tell people that I prefer cats to dogs, they give me a wide-eyed look of surprise, mingled with disgust and horror. They say, "Cats? How can you like those disgusting animals? They're so.. so... ICKY!"

This post is to honour all cats around the world. Some misconceptions about cats I now proceed to clear up.

Cats are dirty: No, cats are NOT dirty. In fact, they are exceptionally clean. Where dogs have to be bathed regularly, cats clean themselves. And that's on an average, atleast three times a day. Hence, cats are cleaner than dogs!

Cats are selfish: Cats are NOT selfish. Treat a cat properly, and it will be nice to you.

Cats are not much fun: Cats ARE fun. Most definitely. Ever waved a ball of wool around in front of a kitten? Ever teased a cat and made it stand on its hind paws to beg for a piece of fish? No? Then how can you say that cats are no fun?

Cats are not affectionate: Cats are VERY affectionate! When they feel cold, they come and curl up on your lap. All my cats have religiously slept near my feet... It's the most amazing feeling in the world. And pregnant cats are in a class of their own- carrying kittens seems to make them more affectionate than usual!

So all those who say that cats are a waste of time- you are wrong. You have simply not taken the trouble to know a cat properly.Cats have different kinds of personalities just like us humans. Knowing a cat takes patience. Making it love you takes even greater patience.

And that's my cat in the picture. (Her tongue is out because she forgot to put it back into her mouth after cleaning herself!) Her name is Pickles, but I affectionately refer to her as 'Puchu". She was brought home from Guppy's college, a tiny little orphaned cat, curled up in Guppy's hanky. Dirty fur, scrawny- ribs poking out, but the most beautiful thing I had seen. Now she is almost two years old, as fat as can be, extremely furry, and still- the most beautiful thing I have seen. She has the prettiest eyes ever. Pickles has grown up in my care- I fed her, stroked her, and put her to sleep at night. She would snuggle up near my head, bury herself in my hair, purr loudly, and drift off to sleep. And now she loves me the most. It is in my lap she curls up whenever she wants to be cuddled. It is to me she comes miaowing if she's hungry. And it is near me she sleeps, most of the time.

Pickles is the family cat- but she belongs to me.