Tagged again

Last time I was tagged almost a year ago, it was by three friends who tagged me - independently - within a week of each other. The same pattern was repeated this time - two of my blog friends (Nita and Shefaly) tagged me with the same tag. I have been dragging my feet, but I'll pretend to be grumpy and make a lot of noise, and do the tag. I guess I can climb down from my high horse once a year to play.

1. Last movie you saw in a theater?

Darwin's Nightmare - an excellent documentary on globalization/"free market" and its devastating consequences on the local people in Tanzania, as a result of a non-native predatory fish released in Lake Victoria (and other factors). Nice allegory, eh? A must-see.

2. What book are you reading?

Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds by Claire Hope Cummings, and a book on Taliban. I'd also started reading a mystery novel by Dorothy Sayers, titled Unnatural Death but it's been put on hold. I love mystery/detective novels.

3. Favorite board game?

Scrabble.

4. Favorite magazine?

The New Yorker.

5. Favorite smells?

First rain of monsoons falling on dry earth (AFAIK it seems to be unique to India as I haven't experienced it in the Boston area - maybe Arizona or New Mexico have it where hotter weather causes actinomycetes to flourish), sandalwood, an ex-lover's armpits, lily of the valley.

6. Favorite sounds?

Waves lapping at Jamaica Pond or a ghat in Varanasi, the swishing of tree leaves in a breeze, birds chirping outside my window, flute, silence.

7. Worst feeling in the world?

When felled by a tiny organism - cold.

8. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?

"Is it already time to get up?"

9. Favorite fast food place?

I am of the opinion that food is to be eaten slowly and leisurely. But I do make an exception for any place that has toasted falafel sandwiches with hummus, tahini and veggies (Boston Shawarma, Moody's Falafel Palace, Rami's), as the food is much better and nutritious than most of the food at McD or BK (two places associated with fast food), and with more vegetarian options. (Though, there's a McFalafel in Egypt!)

10. Future child’s name?

THX-1327. Though if you're a single woman and would like to make an offer I can't refuse, I might be open to a different name. :-)

11. Finish this statement. “If I had lot of money I’d….?

a. Pay off my student loans.
b. Have an eco-friendly, energy efficient and off-the-grid green home (complete with composting toilets and solar panels) built in western Massachusetts and Rishikesh.
c. Gift my parents a world tour.
d. Gift some money to my brother, relatives and friends.
e. Donate the rest to organizations that are dear to my heart - Bikes not Bombs, The Food Project, Navdanya, Sulabh, Ralph Nader and others.

12. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?

No.

13. Storms - cool or scary?

I love getting wet in a summer thunderstorm/rain. So yeah, those are cool. I haven't experienced first-hand any cyclones/typhoons, so I won't pass judgment on those type of storms. As a natural phenomenon, they are all amazing and awe-inspiring. Depending on the severity and danger to life and property, they can be scary.

14. Favorite drinks?

a. Chai with crushed cardamom, ginger, cloves, black pepper and honey.
b. Lassi (both sweet and salty).
c. Water.

15. Finish this statement, “If I had the time I would….”?

Write more movie reviews.

16. Do you eat the stems on broccoli?

Yes!!!

17. If you could dye your hair any color, what would be your choice?

I like my natural color - black. But I'd be interested in some questions regarding the dye: Whether the dye is made from plant-based, naturally occurring ingredients or petroleum-based chemicals? Was it tested on non-human animals? Is it biodegradable?

18. Name all the different cities/towns you’ve lived in?

Kota, Bareilly, Mustafabad, New Delhi, Varanasi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Boston.

19. Favorite sports to watch?

Grand Slam tennis semifinals and finals, World Cup Football, some cricket if I get a chance.

20. One nice thing about the person who sent this to you?

Both Nita and Shefaly are thorough and thoughtful writers.

21. What’s under your bed?

Wooden floor.

22. Would you like to be born as yourself again?

As long as I have the same parents and family.

23. Morning person, or night owl?

Night owl.

24. Over easy, or sunny side up?

Sunny side up is aesthetically pleasing, but it doesn't matter as I don't eat eggs.

25. Favorite places to relax?

A retreat in western Massachusetts, a beach, my room, any place with lots of trees and minimal/no human-produced noise.

26. Favorite pie?

For savory - tofu-veggie pie. For sweet - nothing beats a yummy pecan pie.

27. Favorite ice cream flavor?

During summer vacations, I got spoiled by my uncles who treated me to the most delicious kulfi. The guy who sold it would come by on his trolley with all the equipment, and we kept an ear out for his shout of "malaai kuuulllffeee." As soon as we heard him, we would rush out and he'd prepare it fresh by pouring in milk etc. in a mold, inserting it into an earthen pitcher full of ice for five minutes, and out came the most delicious kulfi ever.

Also mango.

28. Of all the people you tagged this to, who’s most likely to respond first?

The crystal ball is cloudy today.

There's at least one potential positive of tags - they can jump-start a blog that hasn't been updated in a while. So I tag Joellen. It's Carla's birthday today, so I tag her too. For good measure, I'll also include Rachel, Marta, Zen, Ankur, GreenParents and Chaitanya. Or anyone else who wants to participate, please do so.

Those who have been tagged, please write a post only if you so desire - no expectations, though I will enjoy reading your answers if you do.

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