Ok, so 2025 is officially over. It's kind of unbelievable how fast it came and went. This year, we did a lot. Like a shit ton. Probably more than we've done in previous years. Work wise, it was super busy and super fulfilling. But I don't want to talk about work, because it almost seems like that's all we do. So on the personal front, we travelled a lot, ate some great food, drank some great alcohol, made some very good friends, and also met some just about ok (aka very forgettable) people. It's damn tough to sum up an entire year this way, in one blog post, so I really should've been more regular with blogging this year. But unfortunately that ship has sailed. What I can do is promise myself I'm going to be way more regular in 2026. And use that ProCam subscription I paid for, and take lots of polaroids to post here. Like I did back in 2023.
But mainly I want to get back to blogging regularly is because AG and I have decided we're going to write a book together. We have a couple of leads, which we want to explore, so why not? Mainly, I want to develop a distinct writing style once again. I knew I had one back in 2018, when I wrote all those shorts back to back, but I feel like I've kind of lost my style from not being as regular. I just don't feel very confident writing anymore. So I want to get that spark back. I'll try and do anywhere between 5 to 8 posts each month.
Thailand and Pondi were definitely the big highlights of the year. Went to some really beautiful places. Also had a bit of a shaving accident in Thailand. I'd forgotten my electric shaver back in bombay, so I bought one from 7/ 11. And the damn thing was so brittle, it barely worked on my stubble. Took out like half of the beard, and the other half just wouldn't come off. So I went old school and shaved it all off using the razor and shaving cream. Ended up looking like a boiled potato for like half the trip.
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AG and me outside Chatuchak one day after 'the incident' |
One of this year's biggest discoveries was 7/ 11. Made like 20 trips to multiple different 7/ 11s the entire time we were in Thailand. For everything right from snacks and sandwiches and soda to creams, USB cables and those amazing instant-heat sandwiches. One night after some drinks in a jazz bar, we walked to 7/ 11 on our way back to the hotel, grabbed some sandwiches, had them heated up at the counter, and wolfed them down on our way back. Best thing ever.
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This guy had the best khao soi |
This guy was incredible. He was running a one-man opeation at a restaurant somewhere in Thailand- waiting tables, cooking the food, serving, cleaning up, and doing the billing. There's something so awe inspiring about small teams and single-person operations. The focus and no-nonsense vibe. And the food was yummy too. Best way to run a profitable business right off the bat - keep things small.
So yes, that's about it. Oh, and Diwali this year was great as well.
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Us and the fam at the new bungalow |
And some good trips to Mangalore/ Bangalore too.
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Me and the folks in a rickshaw stuck in Bangalore traffic |
What I was specifically very happy about was the number of parks we went to this year. Went to Lodhi garden in Delhi for the first time, did an early morning walk around the lawns at India Gate, the park next to our house in Mangalore, the park next to the museum in Pondicherry, the lawns outside the Matrimandir in Auro, the Swaram and lawns in Auro, and overall all the many, many jungles over there.
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AG trying to figure out Maps in Auro. Being lost in Auro is the best place to be. |
And there's quite nothing like early morning kayaking.
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AG happy that she finally got the hang of kayaking |
That was about it for our 2025.
Will never forget this lunch at the Solar Kitchen. God damn what fresh food.
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Better Call Saul has made us Cinnabon fans for lyf |
