Shifting Gears

My daughter is now all of a month old and I've just about started settling into a routine of sorts. When I'm not looking at her and grinning like an idiot, I'm either tending to my son, my health, household matters, packing for my move back to Bangalore and of course finding ways to spend some quality time with the husband who's walking around looking pinched and haggard and somewhat attention deprived. Or I'm reading ... the only place I can find some sane moments to myself seem to be between the pages of one book or the other. Nights used to be for sleep and repose but these days I'm the proverbial on call vending machine so I've decided not to attempt any of that sleep stuff at nights and try reading and relaxation instead. Because as is the way with all pint sized babies, you've no sooner closed your eyes for those forty winks when small mewling sounds from the cradle are sure to wake you again.

And thats how I've overdosed on Mr. Jeremy Clarkson's tell-it-like-it-is brand of humor on my nocturnal reading sessions. It all started with "The World according to Clarkson" and that wasn't enough so the husband got me Volume 2 called "And Another Thing".

Whats great about this series is that they are a collection of short one or two page articles so its like a box of assorted chocolates and you never know what sort of treat you might find next! A bit bad for your health if you are recovering from surgery like I am - almost split my sutures laughing :-D

And the man has a stacked upper storey - by way of a thinking brain I mean. His commentaries are not just random ... they are a humorous take on everything thats wrong with our world, the political system, global hunger, going overboard with political correctness ... you get the drift? That and of course machines. Cars, jets, jumbo jets, 747s, this is the host of Top Gear we're reading from, so expect intensive knowledge on these. Plus the odd nugget thrown in about his wife, kids and colleagues. None of it saccharine sweet let me assure you.

Haven't enjoyed humour reads since P.G.W. although of a completely different variety.

I've also discovered that while I was busy settling into my 30s, some phenomenal new artists have entered the music scene. And they all seem to be under 20 years old. Heard a lyrical, soulful one called "Chasing Pavements" from an artist called Adele who is apparently about 17 or something. The younger lot seemed to have lived so much more so quickly - and they seem to comprehend the meaning of things with so much clarity. Imogen Heap, Amy Winehouse, Keane ... there is so much wonderful music from the West on the airwaves these days. This is probably what evolution is really about.

Have a listen to Adele (I couldn't embed the you tube link here for some reason). She's quite wonderful!