So what does the return of broadband and the end of the month-long wedding extravaganza mean? That's right folks, the pizzle is back. Of course, the sporadicness (is that a word?) won't end, I'm going to be making the big move pretty soon, but nonetheless, it feels good to be back.
After taking a few days to recover and reflect, I'm still having trouble articulating my thoughts on the past month, so I'm just gonna throw out some observations in no particular order.
My mom's youngest brother, Choto Mama, is still, by far, the coolest man on the planet.
Traffic in Houston can suck my nuts.
God help me if I see the inside of Garden Ridge ever again.
I logged a preposterous amount of driving miles both in Dallas and in Houston (and in between). Not that I minded being the designated chauffer/go-fetch boy, I believe I have regained my pre-truck-accident air of invincibility behind the wheel of my 98 Camry.
My cousin Mou Apu is a really cool, hip version of my mom and her sisters. This, as I've said before, is not a bad thing. It is a very good thing.
Mou Apu, Choto Mama and I have decided that we love Ankhi so much we are going to adopt her into our family.
I discovered I have no great love for most of dad's sisters (except Sajjid's mom from New York). They are pretty self-centered and very ineffecient. This wedding would've been a disaster if all was left up to them. I do care about them, but not in the unquestioning devoted kind of way I love my mom's family or even our surrogate family group here in the Dallas area.
I can't decide whether I like my new reputation after the fights at the wedding in Houston. I guess it depends on how it really turns out. If people think I'm a total hothead, I don't like it. But if they recognize that the ugliness came out only because my brother was in percieved danger, then I suppose I'm ok with it. That's alot closer to the truth. I don't have a temper at all, just don't touch my brother.
Speaking of the fights, I was astounding by how quickly accounts of the incidents spread and became exaggerated. Unbelievable. Within minutes I had apparently beat Sabrina's cousin to the ground and then beat him some more. This was news to me. And just to set the record straight. I was not going for Saif on the stage, and Said did not hit anyone, at any point during the second fight. Not that it matters that I'm trying to set things right, people have unfortunately made up their minds, oh well. Next time, just dont touch my brother.
The bullshit grapevine, back-biting rumor mill among Bangladeshi women (of all ages, and even among some of my favorite aunties) must stop. It is more damaging than I think they realize. I wish they would fucking grow up.
According to my mom's work friends who came to the reception, I look like Rob Lowe. I have no comment.
I was voted Best Dressed by my peers at the reception. I'm flattered but could've done without the extra attention. I just wanted to surprise my mom with the "Prince coat".
My post-Vegas vow never to go another strip club was violated, but my reasons for trying to uphold it remains. It's just not my scene.
Mou Apu's husband Babla bhai AKA "Goofiest Guy Ever", asked for my thoughts on the wedding Sunday night after it was all over. I, surprisingly, even to myself, said that despite the hard work, frustration, dealing with difficult people and sleepless nights, it was alot of fun. Not that I would ever do it again, but I only have one brother, and his happiness is of the utmost importance. Therefore, all the work, the "khatni" if you will, was justified.
Also, I learned alot about myself, about my capacity for hard work, my patience for dealing with those who are not working as hard (which did unfortunately run out at times) and for my ability to not get bogged down too much in the stress and just have fun. Props to Choto Mama and Ziyad for keeping things light even during times of the worst khatni.
Most importantly, this whole experience allowed me to reconnect and reaffirm the bonds with my closest family and friends that had sort of weakened after 5 years in Austin. Being able to spend so much time with people like my Mou Apu, my Choto Mama, Ziyad, Ankhi, etc, has been invaluable. I rediscovered what good fortune I have to be surrounded by such wonderful people. I never thought I would miss them this much, but after going through such a difficult and stressful process with them, I really will miss everyone alot. I hope by moving away (again) I can this time keep up the strong ties. Of course, Russ once said that the mark of true family and friends is to be able to pick up right where you left off no matter how much time has lapsed since the last time you were together. So hopefully, at the next wedding or whatever, we will have just a good of a time.
As long as it doesn't involve any trips to Garden Ridge.
******
" Hey, don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out or
looked down on.
Just do your best, do everything you can.
And don't you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.
It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything will be just fine, everything will be alright."
-----Jimmy Eat World
Posted by sheelpi at July 31, 2003 05:22 PMDude I so wish I could've been there. I've gotten in two fights here too. Once in Tamil Nadu and another in Bombay. It was a lot of fun. Also my parents have discovered my page so for the time being I'm rethinking my strategary as to what to do with it. I really don't want them reading it.
Also...don't wear pants.
That is all.
Posted by: Mr. Keyur at August 1, 2003 03:04 AM"I don't have a temper at all, just don't touch my brother."
So does this mean if I go to Dallas and poke your brother, you'll turn into the Hulk? That would be cool. If so, let me know I'll be making a trip up to Dallas.
Silliness aside, the wedding was great, and it's always good to see old friends/family again. I'm glad you had fun =)
Posted by: Ram at August 1, 2003 12:26 PMI Luv U BabYYYYY
Posted by: Pakhi at August 4, 2003 10:02 AMI wish I could have been there dude. Congratulate your brother and his wifey for me.
Posted by: Akash at August 10, 2003 09:01 PMwoa, ya im like 5 YEARS behind readin this,(i should visit this site more often, given that i have this new intimation of the truth which is- the internet is boring, and FILTHY, so anyplace with a somewhat even sporatic collection of intelligence on the net is a rareity, i will take advantage of*),
more or less though, on the real-
this summer has honestly been the best of my life, and i guess to say that i base that conclusion on the events of a wedding, over the course of a period of a month is somewhat "quick", is valid, however to me, i ve nevr had so much fun in my life. Everything was ideally the best it could be, so real. *7-30-03, i hope u were surprised and liked "it", luv u always*, the month of june was a bit slow, however with the return of my boi and fo real -brother if i ever had one with the addition of saidul, who interestingly enough always seems to find his way back to the big "D" not cause of me ofcourse, SHIZZLE, things started to take shape. The next month and a half would be unforgettable, and with some respect i honestly wouldnt do it again, not because of the trouble, or any of the hard work, with the "move" and the FOUR EVENTS so to say, it is simply because i wouldnt have done them any other way...shoor bhai- u have the by far the greatest wedding i have ever seen, everything was totally perfect, and i wish mine can come somewhere close to it (do not question the "motives" of a seventeen year old who speaks of marriage-i am burcha jo A.K.A "OPS")....i spent almost everyday jus hangin out chillin, and really basically workin hard, but i didnt feel a thing, all the late nights, at shizzle's, or the spizzles on teh way there!..haha, great times, and i will neevr forget them, and yes oh yes, choto mama= funniest man i know. (extra props-he makes jokes in two languages) Well...so many years have gone by its almost wierd, theres almost a new "group" so to speak that has risen to become this "mob" we like to call the "Plano" people who like to congregate on any given weekend over a "guest speaker" and a good discussion over why ol' george W. "sucks ASS" , yet i am still but a junior in high school, and i have soo many memoriues inside, from the days of i guess drivin down to carolton to see shizzle when i was like 7, only to ask for the toys to play with, that he "didnt have" (i always thought he was lyin-lol) and end up prolly cryin and leavin, then fallin asleep. But its now, so many years later, i realize who i am comfortable with and who i can trust and live life with jus whenever i see them, wherever life takes them or me, for that
thanks fro the best summer all yall, ahki, eric, saidul, shoor bhai, nazia n peeps (lotta peeps), *you know who*, cold shoulder-fro without u, devine Witch (j/k i love u , and someday u will have to return the favor =p), there would be no word such as "OPS", and most of all Shizzle, for all the spizzle, the talks, the "ops" jus everythin..unforgettable bro