This is a fairly old cocktail (very early 1900s). Although, in those days, Old Tom Gin was used. Today, it is your normal London dry gin. Quite close to a martini, this is made from gin, yellow chartreuse and orange bitters. A bit complex in the nose and the finish (the yellow chartreuse plays a dominant role), it is somewhat citrusy to the palate and leaves a strong impression on you.
Me: “Sharmila, I need a new pair of jeans”
She: “Why? What happened to your minimalism?”
Me: “I am worried of something worse.”
She: “What are you talking about?”
Me: “I am afraid people will think I am becoming fashion conscious.”
She: “WHAT???”
So, I showed her the pair of jeans I was wearing.
Me: “I think people will think I am wearing ripped jeans. I don’t think they will know that a decade old pair of jeans starts springing holes.”
The worst part is that the other pair of jeans I have is also disintegrating. I am totally pointing the finger of suspicion to my laundry guy.
She: “Do you know your size?”
Me (confidently): “Yes, large.”
After she had stopped laughing inconsolably, she blurted out “That is your shirt size!”
Me: “Oh!”
Apparently, there are 2 numbers that define a pair of jeans that I should know.
This is too complicated, man. Does anybody know if ripped jeans are going out of fashion soon? I really want to wear my current pairs and look out of fashion at the same time.
Good old Anand was in town. We met with some of our old friends. And that spanned three companies. Yes, Anand and I have worked together in three of the five companies I have ever worked in – and No, he does not hold the record. That would go to Raj Sundaramurthy – four out of the five companies!!
After finishing with our friends, Anand and I spent over an hour together reflecting on life. In a way you can do, with a person that you have known for over a quarter century. We were talking about our old friends and people we knew. I was telling him how I got to know many people more intimately (in terms of what they have gone thru in life) AFTER we actually stopped working together.
“Well, at some level, every person is unknowable”, said Anand.
“How do you mean?”, I asked, rather perplexed.
“Well, you know a person only to the part they will open up to. You never know how much more they are not letting you in”.
It took me a few moments to let the depth of his observation sink in.
Indeed, it is true that every impression I have of any individual is deeply flawed by the fact that it is based on only what they have let me on to. I really do not know what I do not know about them!!
Think about that for a moment!!
Thank you Anand for once again making me think deeply!!
Anand (Iyer) was visiting Atlanta from Portland. So, five more of us from Atlanta got together with him for drinks.
We have all worked together in our past in one or the other company. Guess why did not talk much about the past?
Because we could not decide which company to talk about!! Turns out we have dragged each other along wherever we have gone.
To wit, I have worked with Karthik in 2 different companies (and once in different companies but owned by the same PE firm). Anand and i have worked together in 3 different companies! Madhav and Karthik have worked together in 2 different companies! Vijay has worked in one company with Anand and me and yet another company with Karthik!! Anand (Srinivasa) has worked with all of us but Vijay once.
And I am no sure we are quite done!!
That was a great evening!!
