Sunday, December 09, 2007

Older

Amusingly enough, Borders seemed to be aware of my birthday – they had Orhan Effendi’s books on their three for two offer. Now I do own a copy of My Name is Red, after gifting away countless numbers of the book, telling people they have to read Pamuk. I am excited about rereading it; it has been a while. So, the birthday was brought in reading the beloved author [1], till the people at Borders decided to shut shop and kick me out. Bookshops should be open 24x7. And so should libraries.

The day was exhausting if only because my Saturdays are usually terribly hectic and I need all of Sunday to recuperate – usually by sleeping straight through the day. It was also emotionally tiring – a terrible mix of happy moments and ridiculously bizarre ones. I need to read happier things because breaking out into tears for most of the train ride is not good. Later on, I had copious amounts of delicious fatty Malay food for lunch, and had a box of the best lokum in the world all the way from Istanbul awaiting me at Turkish class. And then I was gifted this lovely book by friends over dinner of very good Indian food (and also very good wine). As I told my friend, I am probably the most obvious person in the world to buy gifts for. Also a shout out to the person who called in the middle of the night after getting my number from god only knows where - thank you.

Birthday wish that has been constant since forever is to have a house full of books. (And to have them magically clean and arrange themselves, too). I am convinced though, that I am going to turn into one of those old people who live all alone in a house full of books and it takes weeks for people to even find out that they have died [2]. Really, I can even see it happening. Oh well, there’s a lot to be done next year and the thought of a lot of it scares me. I just hope everything works out.

[1]No, really, I think Pamuk is the closest I actually come to being in love with someone. I KNOW I need help, but what to do?
[2]Might be a side effect of reading A.B. Yehoshua’s
A Woman in Jerusalem, but I doubt it. It’s called falling in between the cracks, no? The book is excellent. No, beyond excellent.

10 comments:

That Armchair Philosopher said...

"I am probably the most obvious person in the world to buy gifts for." - haha I can imagine ;)

Foodie that I am - which wine with Indian food? I've been recommended so many conflicting varieties at different places that I don't have an opinion anymore.

"I am convinced though, that I am going to turn into one of those old people who live all alone in a house full of books and it takes weeks for people to even find out that they have died" - there there. You're not quite a social outcast yet hehe. I was going more for "scary cat lady", but the punkster beats you to that methinks.

And good luck with the next year - things aren't always as complicated as they seem. I usually subscribe (successfully, I guess) to that viewpoint!!

Space Bar said...

Happy Birthday!

Alok said...

such morbid thoughts on the day!!

anyway best of luck for future... i am sure you will grow only wiser :)

Beth said...

Happy, happy birthday! I understand about Pamuk, and the house full of books...

Szerelem said...

TAP: Hmm I spent eons trying to decide on the wine and no I dont remember! It was a 2004 Bordeaux, oaky. Very good.
Scary cat lady - thought of that but I don't like cats so that won't happen :P

Space Bar: ZOMG! I spent like five minutes just laughing!! Thank you!

Alok: Morbid thoughts - I know, my mind works in strange ways. And I hope I grow wiser too :)

Beth: Thank You!

thalassa_mikra said...

Err, will that house full of books be in Istanbul perchance?

And all morbidity aside, I'm sure the coming year would be full of a lot of exciting opportunities and travel.

As for wine with Indian food, I find most arguments recommending this or that wine to be very spurious. I know Gewürztraminer and Riesling seem like perennial favourite recommendations, but there's really no reason not to drink a Bordeaux if that's what your heart desires.

Tabula Rasa said...

echo alok here -- go out and get smashed while you still have the excuse of youth!

MISSquoted** said...

happy birthday :)
And congratulations on finally acquiring a copy of 'my name is Red'. I remeber you mentioning its significant absence in an older post.

Renovatio said...

Happy birthday hon.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday!

I would like to suggest you to read Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar's "Huzur" if you can find in English. Or his other book "The Clock-Setting Institute" Or short stories from Sait Faik Abasiyanik or Haldun Taner.

I do myself like Pamuk but he is definitely not my idle. He is very similar to Paul Auster with a little bit more social questions behind.

Cheers,

Ali