Madd Hatter goes blogging!

Hey people! My first blog and I am nervous as hell! My palms are sweaty and fear is perspiring my head and... well no, just kidding. None  of the above is happening. But I am sure as hell excited! I knew i wanted to write stuff since I was very young. Always had been a Potter fan (Why had been? Still am! *Proud*) And then inspired by J.K Rowling and Potter I wrote my first story! I must have been  11. Yes my first story was when I was 11! Still very proud of it, for it was certainly imaginative, even though I say so myself. I have been writing since and I am addicted to you. *swoons to music in head*

So what should my first blog be about? (I mean, people will lose interest, if I talk too much about myself too soon!) I wanted to write about this cool eatery that is here ay Marine Drive, and I am dying to find a chance to go there. If time permits, hopefully this weekend. (Read : If I am not too lazy after a week of work, hopefully this weekend.) So I am going to take this chance to talk about what my first series of blogs are going to be about. One word - Mumbai! Yes Yes, I know. "Mumbai? Really? I mean we know all that's there to know about Mumbai!" Yet some how I don't agree. If my hopes are placed right, most people reading this blog will have stayed in Mumbai at some point in their life. The buzz and the noise, the city lights and traffic, the food and fashion, the clothes and the women! We are all aware of every little detail that sets Mumbai apart from its peers. So what's gonna be new about my blog?

Well, I hope to bring to you, or make an attempt to bring to you the joys of Mumbai. I will talk about the places I visit in this lovely town, memories I may have with people in my life. And  if you have been to these, please comment and share, I would love to know. But if you haven't, I hope my blog inspires you to visit them and make your own memories!

Since you already have a clue about what my next blog is going to be about, the surprise element is, quite gone. So why don't we have a little 'Guess The Place' session? Comment on what you think this place is. I promise to get you chocolates (I personally think they are the best gifts ever, you can't possibly go wrong with them) if you get it right, and if ever meet you walking on the street or at some sleazy bar (Just kidding, I will be in disguise and will refuse to acknowledge you * straight face*). And if you don't, well, I will have another place to check out!

Hope you enjoyed my blog, and I have you hooked enough to read into my blog once in awhile!

Happy reading!

Ciao!

Madd Hatter

>:P

Madd Hatter's Saturday Tragedy!

I cant believe how careless I can be sometimes! Its surprising and hugely annoying! Its a bad start to a long-awaited weekend!

I had planned a swim during the weekend. And so when the day arrived, I woke up at 7, with 6 hours of sleep under the belt and prepared for the swim with utter precision. I live in the suburbs, while the club I am a member in is in town, so its a long journey and I was looking forward to it. (The Mumbai trains in the morning have a calming effect on me!). And so the journey began, and I managed to see an episode of Supernatural on my way here. And then when I prepared to get down... voila! I remember that  I have forgotten my membership card at home! Such stupidity on my part! And well, the security was very un-helpful if I may say so. But then again they are doing their job.

So here I am at Queens Necklace, in the warmth of the morning sun, writing out my tragedy. (Lesson learnt.) Queens necklace is pleasant too you know? Just not the same as Nariman Point, but nevertheless, its calming. You can hear the waves crash at the beach, and it sure is amazing! People are walking and cycling and its definitely a good place to be! Quick trivia : The Queens Necklace, also Marine Drive, is known so because at night when the street lights are on it looks like a bejewelled necklace and is a sight to behold.

Its not such a bad start, now that I come to think of it! And yet, the feeling of the 'The Swim" that dint happen eats me. Ah, well! Such is life!

One thing I learnt today, sometimes while trying to get the small things right, we lose focus about the big and the important things don't we? (Ah, yes! Meet the philosophical me!)

Anyway,  here's an important tip for back-packers and potential back-packers... Make a list of things you need!! Or buy a Remembral if you can find one! (Make that 2, I need one too!:P) You don't want to leave for an excited trip only to realise that you forgot  your camera or your books (Yes they are must for me if I am travelling!), and well, end up fretting over it for the rest of the trip and/or end up spending money on things that you wouldn't have needed had you been a little more careful!

 I will put up a blog about this place within the next week. But till then if we have any players for 'Guess The Place' -Hit Me! :P. Clue : Its one of the most prestigious swim clubs of Mumbai! This time I will give out chocolates of your choice to you! :D

So let today's blog be a lesson to all, 'don't forget what you have, and remember what you don't!' My blessings shall be with you on any journey that you may plan to undertake! :P

Looking forward to a better Saturday (Fingers crossed!)

Till then readers,

Ciao!

Madd Hatter

>:P

P.S A thanks to all the people who have come back to me with feedback, and a special thanks to Siddhart and Setu who have been extremely helpful!

Madd Hatter does it alone!!

Yes, finally. After a long wait eh? But I promised my readers the place at Marine Drive and so here I am... In the middle of an exam week, at a restaurant, typing out my review after having lunch by myself. (Stupid friends!) Oh! The things I do for my readers!

Okay, enough with the suspense. I promised chocolates to the people who would get it right, and not surprisingly, everyone who read it has come asking me for chocolates, whether they have gotten the place right or no! (Greedy Bitches! :P) But to those who are still guessing... Its Pizza By The Bay! :D

I saw this joint the first time when I came for my first day at work. Yes, I work, don't look so shocked! :P And it had been on my mind ever since. Then after I put up my last blog, I knew I had to come visit this place, if not for me, at least for the continuity of my blog! So I threw my laziness and excuses aside and finally came, albeit by myself.

Have you ever tried doing things by yourself? It's pretty cool, and most importantly, you find yourself. Like really. Its a feeling of being alone yet not lonely! :D

The place is facing Marine Drive, its blistering outside and yet I couldn't be happier. I mean travelling in the Mumbai locals in this climate is no joke. But the place is totally worth it. its a cosy place, with sitting arrangements on the outside as well as an air-conditioned place inside. I suggest you take a place outside, if you enjoy the city noise and lights. No, its not hot even at 3, like I thought it would be.

I came in from college, a little nervous I will admit. it's not every day you go for lunch alone! I took my place, placed my order, and sat calmly.The food is decent. I am a fan of pizza, sure (I mean who isn't?), but somehow never quite like the Dominoes pizzas. They just don't appeal to me. And this pizza was something like the Dominoes pizza's. (No, Dominoes fans please don't kill me yet!) So yes, I guess the pizza was good! And the iced tea with it was a relief in this heat!

But it's the ambience that dragged me here and its totally worth it. It's beautiful, and even though the city noises buzz around, its surprisingly calm. I can see the sea, and trust me, its serene. And as I wait here alone, I couldn't be more me.

I always find the people of Mumbai fascinating. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone is walking with a purpose, reason or with a dream. I can see Marine Drive here, and I see couples, friends, loners and workers. And it's amazing for the writer in me, to think how each of them have a story! So as I sit here and see Mumbai's life pass by, I feel goooddd!!

So this is the place to be, you know? With friends, family or alone. It's worth your time. And your money too. Though my wallet is lighter considerably. It's a place worth visiting if you live in Mumbai. Maybe not the place on your list if you are only visiting. (There are other places that will reflect Mumbai better, more on that later!)

So come one, come all, Pizza By The Bay, awaits you all! (No, they didn't pay me to write that. I wish. *dreamy expression*)

That's all for now, my dear readers! Hope you enjoyed this little review,  and input into what makes Mumbai the city it is. And I hope you read it to the end. No cheating, please! :P

Sorry no clue about my next blog, cause I am pretty clueless too! :P

Au Revoir for now,

Love,

Madd Hatter.
>:P

P.S. Thanks for all the feedback positive and negative alike! I hope to have more feedback coming my way soon!