Vernon' "realty bites"

Vernon is single, earns reasonably well (FC with Emirates, Dubai) and owns at least 4 properties in Mumbai. He called Bamoo and me over to "Pratap", a small eatery near Fort, so that he could discuss the out-of-court "settlement" that he was negotiating with his landlord, who had broken into his apartment in Byculla.

Bamoo and I decided that we'd make the best of the occasion given Vernon' parsimonious nature:-) We ordered King Prawns, Huge Crabs and Squids; a veritable gastronomical delight, all of it washed down with "appertiffs":-) We acted like stern solicitors so as to, at least superficially validate his trust in our capacity to advise him. We emboldened him on how to take a hawkish position on his "settlement", encouraged him on marriage and on how he could live life to the hilt, given his (notional) wealth embedded in his properties. We concluded the evening with a raucous toast and a promise to go together for the carnival in Rio during which they burst into a guffaw (which drew annoying looks from other tables) when I told them that Monsoon had promised to sponsor my trip to Rio :-))))))))))))

When the bill arrived, it seemed like we had not done enough justice to testing Vernon' parsimony. Its his good fortune that "Pratap" is a budget but outstanding eatery & bar, added to Bamoo' "influence" in getting us a discount - they should actually be adding a "surcharge" considering that Bamoo orders everyone around like he goddamned bankrolled the eatery:-))). Maybe we should make up for the shortfall by getting Vernon to finance our "participation" in the revelry at the Carnival:-))))))))))

Of commitments and priorities

I have an assignment (nay, a commitment) to drop Bryan off at his school bustop at 7am. This gives me just enough time to do a 5K (not good enough for a marathoner like me) and return home so that I can leave for work at 8:10am. On one day in a week, when I have a "hard work-out" scheduled, I make a deal with Bryan and the maid so that she drops him and I can leave for my work-out at 6am.

Last night, I mentioned to Bryan that the maid would have to drop him and hearing him sigh, "Ooookay", I realized that for some reason he didn't want to walk with the maid, to the bustop (we go on my Yamaha). Maybe it was because he did a "long" run yesterday, in preparation for his upcoming 4.2K race, and his legs were aching. I told him that I would try and leave late for work and that I would drop him. This lit up his eyes.

When I woke up this morning, I realized that I am scheduled to reach Mahim Church for the Novena at 8:30am (a commitment that I try to keep). This would mean I would have to leave the house by 8am; which in turn would mean that, after dropping Bryan I would have hardly any time! I immediately modified my workout so that it had the "zing" but the time taken would be half. It was a "compromise" so that I could keep my commitment to Bryan and God intact. I made all three; Bryan' drop, the workout and the Novena possible.

Impossible is nothing!!!! :-))))