Somebody emailed me an article written by a freelance journalist who used to be Assistant Editor at Cosmopolitan (USA). In the article she was talking about how every few months she has this major debate with herself about taking up a full-time job once again, because that is just so much easier than freelancing, but once she gets the job she can never bring herself to going back to the office routine.

I totally empathise -- on so many days it seems that all I am doing is chasing payments that are months overdue, chasing editors who dont reply to emails, convincing editors that I am the best person to write a piece, and doing the 10,000 administrative tasks that are otherwise done by editorial assistants, secretaries and even peons and clerks in magazine offices. I have millions of problems getting a bank loan or a new credit card, because I dont have an "office" and journalism is not recognized as an acceptable industry under the various "Self Employed" categories approved by most banks. The worst is not having a fixed income that you can depend on every month.

But at the end of the day, I have the freedom of doing the work that really interests me, I am not contrained by the various niches of writing that invariably define most publications, I can say no to stories that I feel are unethical and, most importantly, I know that if I am recognized today it is because of my own independant efforts and not just the reflected glory of being attached to some big-name publication. Which, to me, is a big deal.

I have undergone the freelance vs. full time job twice in the past few months - once when I was offered the job of Assistant Features Editor of L'Officiel, and the second time when I was offered the post of Deputy Editor at an international magazine which is launching in India later this year. Both times it was tough saying no because they are world-renown publications, the pay was good and the people were excellent...but I am glad that in the end I chose to stick on with my freelancing!!

Today was one of those magically wondrous days when it was raining over only half my house. While it was pouring cats and dogs over the two bedrooms on the back side, the rooms in the front were totally dry. This is just one of the things that I totally love about Bombay :)

Everybody seems to hate Bombay during the monsoons, but to me the city is at its most beautiful at this time. I just love the rains...and I can stand for hours on the terrace just watching the choppy seas. I love turbulent waters so much better than still ones...am sure some psychiatrist can make tons out of that!!

Yesterday Tom Alter gave me the biggest compliment that one can give to a writer -- he told me that I should write a novel about my own life, about all the experiences that I have had in the last 10-12 years doing all the multifarious things that I have done in that time. While I am still convinced that such a venture can only result in a yawn-a-minute tragedy, it still felt good to hear something like this from someone like Tom.

On Tom, his second novel should be out sometime in August after this year, and after Rerun at Rialto, I just cant wait to read it. Tom, I want one of the first copies - and autographed one!!

Another book that I am dying to read is Sangeeta Wadhwani's second venture after Shakti in the City, which was a gripping collection of short stories centered around Bombay. Sangeeta, if you don't put that book into print very, very fast, I am going to come and steal the manuscript from your house in the dead of the night!!

A New Menu for Caliente

Romil Ratra's Caliente - Bombay's first Spanish restaurant - will be launching a new menu on 21st June. Among the many interesting additions are Rock salmon, Leg of lamb for two (the really romantic entree), Smoked young potatoes with a zucchini custard (the vegetarian dream), 8 varieties of Paella, Home made squid ink pasta - Pasta Noir, Lobster fettucine and featured specials - Red Snapper, Baby shark, Bonito (Indian Ocean Tuna) and Baby Octopus.

The extended 'Tapas' menu features Smoked Oyster shots (oysters smoked and marinated in onions, coriander, tomatoes and served in a shot glass) and a chicken liver pate with whisky (served with Garlic almond butter and Melba toast). The menu now has a separate
lunch, offering with a large variety of soups, salads, pastas and you can also 'create your own pizza'.

For reservations calls 22186717 or 22187729.

Am at the Udaipur airport - and while I normally love Bombay, I have had such a wonderful time out here that I just dont feel like going back :( :(

It rained here today, and the weather is now so beautiful...when it rains in Bombay its just slush...here the greenery has come alive and the lake revived itself....I wanna stayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bombay seems like a million worlds away at the moment....and I just dont feel like going back :(

The Lake Palace in Udaipur is such a peaceful place...its a beautiful place as well, but what I like the most about it is that its so peaceful!! It seems totally cut off from the rest of the world, and its for the first time in so many years that I have had dinner alone - just me and my thoughts - and have not felt the need to fill up the loneliness with reading a book or watching TV while eating. Just sitting and looking at the ambience was more than enough, while eating papad off Versace plates and drinking Mimosa from Baccarat crystal glasses. Do you realize how we are always crying about lack of free time, yet whenever we do get free time we just rush to fill it up with something, anything - whether its reading a book, watching TV, making a phone call...its really very difficult for most people to sit still with nothing to do for more than 10 minutes. I did that today, and believe me - its really liberating!

Today I also learnt that it costs US$50,000 to get married at the Jag Mandir Palace - which is actually Udaipur's original lake palace, built sometime in the 17th century. This US$50,000 includes dinner for 300 guests, transport, decor - basically everything that goes into the wedding. You, of course, would have to provide your own bride or groom!

I would love to have a destination wedding like this - think of all the irritating relatives that would automatically refrain from being a part of your wedding if they have to travel so far and have their own living arrangements in an alien place :)

My ideal wedding???? Sangeet and Mehndi on the Mewar Terrace and Lily Pond of the Lake Palace Hotel, the actual wedding ceremonies at the Zenana Mahal of the City Palace and the reception at its Durbar Hall. Are the concerned people listening??

Reached Udaipur today morning...fortunately its not as hot as I had thought it would be. It even rained for a while in the afternoon, while I was out exploring the City Palace museum, and in typical Bombaywalla fashion, the waters made no difference to me while everybody else kept scrambling around for cover :)

What I found really, really cute was the Udaipur airport...the building is smaller than the inter-city bus stop in Poona, with security to match. It was just so cute strolling into something so miniscule after having gotten nearly lost in the confusing vastness of Bombay's airport, picking up your bag off the barely 3-foot conveyor belt, and then walking right out...its 8 steps from the runway to the final exit :) :)

Found the 21 kms drive from the airport to the city dissapointing. Its one concrete highway...a good highway, but it just seems that you are in Delhi. There is no trace of the colorful personality of Udaipur here.Very dull...why are we letting this happen to one of our most beautiful cities?????

But the City Palace complex is a treat. Maharana Arvind Singhji has put in lots of efforts in restoring the place and it looks so much better than it did the last time I was here, which was to inaugurate the Royal Vintage car garage in February 2004. Thats when we had taken the Rally of the Raj through Udaipur. Its touching here that every native I have met today still remembers the rally with great affection and want to know when we will bring it back. Nitin uncle, are you listening?

My room at the Fateh Prakash Hotel is right behind the Crystal Gallery, above the Durbar Hall, and the views are amazing. Its even got a really quaint window seat that overlooks Lake Pichola and the Lake Palace, which I head for day after.

Have not stepped out into the city yet, but will keep you posted with more details tomorrow. Right now, I am off to have a cup of coffee at the poolside restaurant of the Shiv Niwas palace and enjoy the sunset!!

Renaissance Mumbai Hotel turns three

Renaissance Mumbai Hotel completes three years and on this joyous occasion the hotel has an air of celebration with an offering of fabulous discounts to the lucky ones who visit it on any day between June 14 to June 18.

Dine at the various restaurants of Renaissance Mumbai Hotel, the all day Dining Coffee Shop, Lake View Café or the Indian specialty restaurant, Nawab Saheb or the Chinese restaurant, Emperor's Court and avail of a whopping 50% discount on food bills (50% discount applicable on food and soft beverages only*).

For table reservations call 56928888

Lake View Café: Located at the Lower lobby level, down a cascading marble staircase overseeing the spectacular view of the Powai Lake and beautiful gardens. The Californian-style all day dining offers an extensive buffet selection for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It serves delicacies from around the globe.

Nawab Saheb: An elegant, family styled Indian speciality restaurant, serving sumptuous North Indian cuisine in a very inviting fashion. The daily changing menu at a set price features an array of succulent kebabs made from age old traditional recipes, curries delectably flavoured with aromatic seasonings, biryanis and pulaos redolent with spice and sinful desserts served in an unlimited feast style experience.

Emperor's Court: A tastefully decorated restaurant at the Renaissance Mumbai, where you can pamper your taste buds while savouring oriental delicacies, and feast your eyes on the lovely view that overlooks the restaurant. Begin your culinary adventure with an array of Dim-sum- steamed delicacies galore…winding through servings of delectable vegetables and meats in exquisite sauces, till you reach the innovative dessert selection. A treat you would be hard pressed to miss.

sob, sob....I am going to miss the first proper monsoon shower in Bombay. Am leaving for Udaipur...in fact, am at the airport, at the Sify iWay, waiting for them to announce Security Check-in for my flight. And I believe it is blisteringly hot in Udaipur :(

But still, why I am crying....I am going to one of the most beautiful cities in the world!!!!!

I am at the biggest crossroads of my life at the moment, faced with a decision from which there can be no turning back later and which will impact everything that happens from now onwards till the end of days. Somehow, what once seemed like such an obvious, simple and happy choice is being muddied and I am getting confused. Is this what I want? Is this what I deserve? People change, situations change, and what was once seemed written in stone become only words on sand. How long can I keep changing myself to suit others? At some point of time I feel I have lost myself and that cant really be good in the long run, can it? But not doing so might mean losing everything that is precious to me. Tough calls...living sucks!

This visit to Poona has been one long nostalgia trip....maybe because this shall be one of the last times that I will be coming here on anything other than work. My brother is finally shifting to Bombay and we will be putting up our house here on rent, so.....

I just drove and drove around the city today, visiting all the places that meant so much to me at one time....the Times of India office where I took my first steps into freelancing; Poona Club, where I conducted my first cricket interview - with Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and where I later conducted my most explosive cricket interview - with Rajesh Chauhan striking out against the BCCI; Hotel Blue Diamond, where I stayed for 4 months while we were still looking for a house in the city and where I participated in my first-ever vintage car rally and later the scene of some of my most thrilling triumphs as an executive committee member of the VCCCI; Marzorin, where a special someone first indicated that we were more than "just friends"; the airport, where I got that exclusive interview of Viv Richards that made me the envy of the sports journalists community for months; MG Road, the scene for innumerable lazy afternoon shopping sprees; the corner magazine shop on MG Road, where I rushed to every morning to buy multiple copies of any newspaper or magazine that printed my articles; Kayani Bakery, which always solved the problem of what to gift a non-Puneite -- I think for 4 years I just gave everyone Shrewsberry biscuits...I could just go on and on and on where this city is concerned.

The place that I love most in Poona, however, remains Koregaon Park, especially lanes 1 & 2, where all the old bungalows are. This is what Pune used to look like in the past -- green and gracious, and just so unbelievably serene and relaxing. Its really sad that most of these old, colonial-style bungalows are giving way to characterless apartment blocks. But these two lanes are really full of beautiful mansions, which I would give anything to own and live in. The most gorgeous, of course, is Shapoorji Pallonji's palatial mansion right opposite the nulla park -- you just have too see the place and its gardens and fountains to understand its charms. Its impossible to distill the beauty and quiet grandeur of the place in mere words, and thats saying a lot since as a journo specializing in interiors and architecture, I am quite used to describing fascinating properties. But I wont even attempt to describe this one - its simply the most beautiful residence that I have ever seen!!