You know, because one good turn deserves another!!

Following a tip from Bidisha from the previous day, I was able to put together the whole chain while having lunch with Sashwata. We lived within a stone’s throw (especially if have arms like you go to the gym everyday like all my Dallas Bengali friends these days seem to do) from each other for nine years but had never realized this before.

Now, to be fair, the relationship is fairly weak. It took four marriages to get us to be related!! One of those “fifteenth cousin, never-quite-successfully removed” kind of kinship.

As tortured as the description sounds – and it is tortured, you have my word that it is absolutely accurate to state that this gentleman is indeed….

“My wife’s father’s sister’s husband’s brother’s son’s daughter’s husband’s mother’s mother’s mother’s daughter’s daughter’s husband’s mother’s daughter’s daughter’s son” !!!

Waiter, one more drink here, please!!

You know if I do not post this, then this fabulous lunch meeting never happened!!

Sharmila and I were shopping in some furniture stores on Alpha Road, when I chaanced upon this chandelier.

I think it is too close to the pandemic to try to sell this now!!

When I bought my first Honda, I suddenly started noticing all the Hondas on the road. It was like every other car was a Honda.

When I bought my first motorcycle, even Sharmila mentioned how we started noticing a lot more motorcycles on the road than we had ever seen.

Asked the nice lady who served drinks to Bidisha and me where she was from. What do you know? She said – El Salvador!! In fact a small village that I actually visited last week! And she is the second person from El Salvador I have met after coming back from there!!

I realize nothing has changed other than we pay more attention to familiar – that too recent unique – experiences. But it feels too coincidental.

If any of you visit The Ranch in Las Colinas (near Irving), say Hi to Jennifer Velasquez.

Good old Sunil and Anannya had agreed to host me for a couple of nights. Thank you Prabir and Devalekha for dropping by and reminding me of those great times we had together two decades back!!

It had been too long since I last saw my friend who was famously known for having no fear in telling the truth to the powers that be!!

The fourth troublemaker of the quartet – Raj Sundaramurthy – was conspicuous by his absence.

The highlight of our discussions? Phineas and Ferb!! Don’t ask me how we got into that!

We had some great discussions on life topics in general. In particular, much of our conversations revolved around how to engage with folks with opposing points of views!!

Another friend that I had not seen in two decades or so. Picked up a few tips on meditation and diet from Chethan this morning.