Coz Daddy Knowz

I had lost it. Due to my own carelessness. I never ever thought I'd ever see it again..

It was one of my favourite things. Something I almost thought was a part of myself. Something I almost took for granted. But I lost it. I blame myself and no one else. I should have been more careful. I ached coz of the void it left and the constant thought that there was nothing I could do to get it back. I Spent so many months wondering, thinking about it, reliving memories that I shared with it. All the smiles and laughter it brought, the crying and despair it saw me through. Two weeks ago I found it again. It was not exactly how it used to be. Time had roughened it edges, and maybe even made it seem less familiar. And suddenly I wasn't sure if I wanted it back. I had gotten used to being without it. I had surrendered to the thought that it was gone forever. Hadn't I even tried to replace it with other things in my life? Almost like I had never needed it in the first place..

And yet here it was back again.. Should I reach out and take it? Or walk away from it choosing to continue in the solace I had found?

Reza Farazmand’s Poorly Drawn Lines

How many mistakes can you make?

Ask me, I don’t follow the theory of learning from one’s mistakes. Inspite of having made a certain mistake, I have continued to repeat it and, well, if it works for one person, it may not for another.

Making mistakes like the petty ones you do every day, or the wrong decisions you take, or decisions that matter professionally, could make or break you.

But what about the ones you make personally? It is ok to forgive yourself, I read it somewhere, and, yes I agree. The most damage is done when we waste time thinking about what we could have done right, and not what can be done to make it right, right now.

Living in the past can be as dangerous as procrastination.

And, what is the guarantee that if you learn from “Mistake A” you won’t ever make “Mistake B”? None. So, well, the moral of the story is to learn from every day happenings, and ponder what can be done to make it better. Like constantly coming up with ideas to make something better, not right.

Gradually, you will end up with a clearer head and guilt-free conscience, and will not live in the fear of making mistakes.

Forgiveness exists, but, you know, nowadays it’s more of a choice, I feel.

Keep on moving, there’s always someone to watch and learn from, and someone who’s surely got your back.

Here’s a lineup of my favourite fictional daddies from Bollywood. Touchwood! <3

10. Ajay Devgn, as Indraneel Thakur, in Main Aisa Hi Hoon.

The adorable daddy, who works as a waiter while he raises his daughter as a single parent.

09. Amrish Puri, as Baldev, in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

The conservative daddy, who forces his daughter to live life on his terms, but has a change of heart in the end.

08. Rishi Kapoor, as Santosh Duggal, in Do Dooni Char.

The teacher daddy, who copes with double digit inflation rates and single digit increments in his salary, and provides for his family.

07. Nana Patekar, as Joseph Braganza, in Khamoshi.

The sweet daddy, who provides for his family despite the odds.

06. Aamir Khan, as Rahul Malhotra, in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke.

The guardian daddy, who cares for his deceased sister’s mischievous kids. 

05. Shah Rukh Khan, as Rizwan Khan, in My Name Is Khan.

The resilient daddy, who goes around the country to prove a point surrounding his son’s death.

04. Sharman Joshi, as Rusy, in Ferrari Ki Sawaari.

The doting daddy, who commits a “semi-theft” for his son.

03. Kamal Hassan, as Jaiprakash Paswan, in Chachi 420.

The mother daddy, who plays Mrs. Laxmi Godbole to be around his children.

02. Anupam Kher, as Anand, in Daddy.

The estranged daddy, who longs to be by his daughter’s side.

01. Amitabh Bachchan, as Ishwarchand Thakur, in Waqt.

Eggplant. Tricky vegetable. Shady name.

Came up with this idea for game night with the dudes who hate eggplant. Harry, Pedro, you know who you are.

Turn the eggplant-haters around with this appetiser. Serve with chilled beer. Yeeeeeah!

What:

1 big eggplant Olive oil Paprika Black pepper, roughly crushed Parmesan flavoured breadcrumbs Sugar, a dash Salt, to taste

Time: 15 minz or less

How:

1) Cut the eggplant into round 1cm thick slices.

2) Take a deep dish and mix all the ingredients, except the eggplant and breadcrumbs, in measures, as you like. 

3) Toss and coat the eggplant slices in this marinade. Add breadcrumbs and coat them well.

4) Pan fry them in some olive oil, turning them to evenly cook on both sides.

Verdict: