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Living life in déjà vu. Last wedding anniversary was in lock-down. With international trips out of question we thought we will travel within the country extensively. Again, we had to cancel our trip due to the weekend curfew that eventually turned into a statewide lockdown. Determined not to be bogged down by this we booked a luxurious hotel within the city to get the much needed pamper and break. Most people don't understand why we had to opt for this when we had all the privacy at home. Everyone deserves to splurge a little on grandeur for exotic experiences on their special day.
I was running fever for straight 3 days without cough or runny nose. It is good to mention I had lost sense of smell and it continued for a month. Since the symptoms were negligible I had not opted for COVID test, but this time I knew for sure it was Corona. According to me I had contracted this virus twice, each during respective waves. No one was prepared for the second wave. This time around it hit closer to home. Uncle D had been tested positive. He just had bypass surgery in January. Entire family was on edge. Fortunately despite being a primary contact Ammamma stayed negative and uncle recovered in no time. Because the trains were operating cousin M1 managed to travel to be with the family even in the middle of lockdown. We heard news of many people losing the battle. The cry for oxygen and hospital beds were terrible. And the elected government continued to disappoint. I know I'm fortunate to have food on the table, roof over my head, means to nourish my mind, and my loved ones safe and healthy. That can't be said for millions of countrymen.
We had been to native for Ugadi. Mother stayed with us for 10 days before the lockdown. Because of this my reading got limited to only 3 books. They are Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe-Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Beach Read-Emily Henry, and Educated-Tara Westover. Among them 'Educated' impressed me so much so that I went ahead and watched Westover's TedTalk, her interviews with Oprha and Degeneres.
The movies were Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi (Hindi), Jijo (Malayalam), The Great Indian Kitchen(Malayalam), Madam Chief Minister (Hindi), Love (Malayalam), Kilometers and Kilometers (Malayalam), Uyare (Malayalam), Sudani From Nigeria (Malayalam), Halal Love Story(Malayalam), Jati Ratnalu (Telugu), Pagglait (Hindi), Roohi (Hindi), Tuesdays and Fridays (Hindi). The Great Indian Kitchen is one of the best movies of recent times. In fact it should be made a part academics to sensitize the young minds about gender issues.
Our tryst with Crown ended in the first week. Hippie Sabotage's Devil Eyes video unexpectedly made us to see the Peaky Blinders' version. As crazy as it might sound I was instantly hooked to the swag of Shelby family and dragged hubby to the five seasons of crime drama. My current ringtone is also Otnicka's form of Peaky Blinders. If I could have my way I would have given Hubby a peaky cut, but he vehemently refused the offer. His loss anyways! During the course of this we're saddened to hear the demise of Helen McCrory who played Polly in the same.
One of the best experiences was to watch the iconic drama 'Mukhyamantri', played by Mukhyamantri Chandru. It must have been the 750th show. We all know how Chandru got the screen name, but never thought we will be fortunate enough to see him play the original character. Though little weak and old, on stage he has the same charisma way better than the silver screen. And continued our theater fest with new drama, Matte Mukhyamantri by the same troupe and artists.
April has been kind. Hope for the same in May.
