Mortality & Manifestations
My famous, unpublished books that are lying half-finished on my desktop are one, or the bartending class I wanted to attend, my singing, my salsa classes, and my 'climb-every-mountain' mantra have not been followed to a T! I have successfully manifested most of my dreams. But I am a human being, and we always want more!
Now my aching bones have turned me into a more realistic being, and I suppose now I'll have to climb every mountain metaphorically! Now, for sure, I have stopped pleasing and playing for an audience (I couldn't help my actor genes now, could I?), and I have got real about a lot of things.
As a social being, I am friendly, but I reiterate that 'everyone' isn't my friend. Recently, I tried to count my real friends, and believe me, I couldn't get past the fingers on my first hand. I was elated! Just as I was doing a happy dance, my phone rang, and it was my friend Prasad Bidapa, whom I have known most of my life. We watched each other grow professionally and were always happy and proud of each other. I have wept over his shoulder many times, and we have giggled over a shared bit of gossip. We have also been there for each other, and if he needs me to attend an event at the top of Mt Kilimanjaro, he knows I will be there. He called just to check in on me as we hadn't crossed paths for some time. This gesture warmed the cockles of my heart! Prasad is a 'busy-bee', yet he needed to know if his friend was well. That's what friends are for.
My week has been dotted with long impromptu 'food soirees' with family and friends like family in attendance. I think everyone is suffering with a sense of ennui, with the prospect of dressing up and going to another pointless event where one bumps into the same people, who give you the same polite smiles and have nothing new to say or do. Give me the opportunity to wear my 'jammies' with a home-cooked meal, great madeira (saved for those family occasions), raucous laughter and non-stop talking any day!
I was thrilled to be invited back to the swanky JW Marriott to sample the cuisine of the famed restaurant Fireback from Goa. I love the authentic Thai restaurant, and I didn't need more persuasion to sample their cuisine in namma ooru. The name is inspired by the Thai national bird, the Siamese Fireback and also alludes to the fire-grilled cooking behind many of the restaurant's dishes.
Their chef, Kamal Kant Joshi, was on hand lovingly taking us through his very imaginative new menu while the dishy mixologist Ravi Rai kept us enthralled with his Thai-inspired cocktails, which had our table of friends, Aloma Lobo, Neetu Singh and the suave GM Gaurav Sinha in 'high spirits'!
Khop-khun-khrap for all the love.
(The writer's views are personal)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Sydney Sweeney registered Republican? Euphoria actor slammed again after American Eagle advertisement row
'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans'. The American Eagle advertisement, which became a much talked-about affair, also thrust the Euphoria actor into the center of a controversy. Sydney Sweeney appears to be a registered Republican in the state of Florida.(AFP) Many slammed Sweeney for seemingly promoting eugenics, though the company, in a recent statement, has denied any deeper meaning ferreted out by folks online. While even the White House jumped to Sweeney's defense – or more accurately, decided to take on the 'woke' army as the MAGA base likes to call it – the 27-year-old found herself smack dab in the middle of another row. Sydney Sweeney appears to be a registered Republican in the state of Florida. Republican Sydney Sweeney draws backlash Voter records from Florida, accessed by show one Sydney B Sweeney registered for the Republican Party of Florida in 2024. Sweeney's middle name is Bernice. Her voter status shows active, meaning she is registered to vote. could not verify if Florida's Sydney B Sweeney is the same person as the actor. Interestingly, Sweeney was born in Spokane, Washington, and her work keeps her in Los Angeles, mostly, so why is she a registered Republican from Florida? Well, the actor purchased a home in Florida's Summerland Key for a whopping $13.5 million, last year. Meanwhile, the news of Sweeney being a registered Republican has drawn a variety of responses online. 'That!! I can't believe this isn't highlighted enough, Sydney Sweeney is MAGAT at the core,' one person said on Reddit. Another remarked 'Girly is from Spokane, we Washington folks knew.' Spokane County reportedly has voted for Republican for a president, all but three times since 1948. One person on X, meanwhile, said 'it's so crazy sydney sweeney is a republican and bill burr isn't.' Another remarked 'sydney sweeney has fascists and nazis coming to her defense. of course she's a republican.' Yet another user said 'remember when sydney sweeney's family was outted as MAGA? she attended a wedding where several of her family members were wearing the thin blue line and MAGA merch? and everyone online said just bc her family is like that doesn't mean she is? well she's a registered republican.' Notably, this isn't exactly accurate. Sweeney and her family did face backlash for purported MAGA support back in 2023, but it was during her mother's birthday party, when the family was in Idaho. Sweeney clarified to Variety that those with the MAGA-inspired merch were not her family, and reportedly were her mother's friends from LA, whose kids 'are walking outside in the Pride parade'. On the work front, Sweeney will next be seen in The Housemaid, a psychological thriller from Paul Feig.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Rising golf star Charlie Woods: Inside the life of Tiger Woods' son, from school to net worth
Source: X The 16-year-old son of Tiger Woods is following closely in his father's footsteps and making waves in junior golf. On Thursday, Charlie Woods stayed in strong contention for a spot on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, tying for second place at the Junior PGA Championship after firing a 5-under 66 in a rain-delayed third round at Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in Indiana. Sitting at 12-under 202, Charlie is proving he's not just a famous last name—but a rising contender in his own right. But there is more to Charlie Woods than just his last name. Here is all about Charlie Woods- Family and background Charlie is the younger of two children born to Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren. His sister, Sam Alexis Woods, was born in 2007. After their parents' divorce in 2010, both children have been raised through a cooperative co-parenting arrangement. From his mother's relationship with former NFL player Jordan Cameron, Charlie also has three half-siblings. His heritage reflects a multicultural blend—Swedish through his mother, and African-American, Thai, Chinese, and Dutch through his father. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now Undo Source: X Tiger has often spoken publicly about the joy and grounding that fatherhood brings him, especially following his serious car crash in 2021. 'Being a dad has helped him stay focused on his recovery,' a PEOPLE source said, noting that his children are his greatest motivation. Education Charlie attends The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is part of the Class of 2027. He plays for the school's competitive golf team, which ranks among Florida's most elite. Though he hasn't yet made a college commitment, he's clearly on the radar of top programs. Bilingual in English and Swedish, Charlie also has a strong interest in equipment, often described as picky about his golf clubs, much like his father. As a younger child, Charlie focused more on soccer, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, when team sports were restricted, he gravitated toward golf, a shift that would set him on his current path. Golf career and achievements Charlie Woods began attracting national attention when he became the youngest competitor in PNC Championship history at age 11 in 2020. He and Tiger have played in the event for five consecutive years, showing impressive chemistry and consistency. In 2020, the father-son duo tied at 5th position, and Charlie made his first eagle with a 175-yard 5-wood. They came second in the years 2021 and 2024. The year 2024 was particularly special for Charlie as he made his first hole-in-one with a 7-iron on a par-3, helping force a playoff. That year's event also set a TV viewership record, with a 147% increase in first-round ratings from the previous year. Source: X Hurricane Junior Golf Tour's Major Championship in Royal Palm Beach by eight strokes in the 14–15 age group. A few months later, in September, he won the Last Chance Regional with a low round of 66. In November 2023, he helped The Benjamin School win the Florida Class A State Championship and finished tied for 26th. That season, he ranked 80th overall in Florida high school golf, 9th among freshmen, and 28th in Class 1A. His biggest win came in May 2025, when he won his first AJGA title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational. He shot 15-under (70-65-66) and beat a field that included four of the top-five AJGA players. Charlie also qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur in both 2024 and 2025. In 2024, he missed the cut after rounds of 82 and 80. In 2025, he qualified again at Trinity Forest but missed the cut with rounds of 81 and 74. Net worth As of 2024, Charlie Woods' estimated net worth is approximately $25 million, driven by family wealth, endorsements, sponsorships, and media appearances. His annual income is around $4 million, though most of it is tied to long-term brand value and investments rather than tournament earnings.
Mint
a day ago
- Mint
MLB Speedway Classic: Bristol Motor Speedway transforms into historic baseball venue; check details
Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee is set to host the MLB Speedway Classic on Saturday (August 2). This will mark the first Major League Baseball game ever played in the state. The iconic NASCAR track, famously dubbed 'The Last Great Colosseum,' has undergone a remarkable transformation to become a baseball stadium for a highly anticipated matchup between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds. This historic event is set to draw over 85,000 fans, potentially setting a new MLB regular-season attendance record. The concept of hosting a baseball game at Bristol Motor Speedway took root in 2022 when Jeremiah Yolkut, MLB's senior vice president of global events, visited the venue. He expressed, 'I will send the notes, but this place looks viable. It is going to take a couple of years, but I think we can get this done.' Three years later, his vision has materialized. The speedway's infield now features a regulation baseball field, constructed to meet MLB standards. The transformation, which began in late June 2025, involved collaboration with industry leaders like BaAM Productions, BrightView, and Populous, known for creating unique MLB fields at venues like Fort Bragg and the Field of Dreams. The resulting diamond boasts dimensions of 330 feet down the foul lines, 400 feet to center, and 375 and 384 feet to the right and left-field alleys, respectively, strategically placed between Turns 3 and 4 of the track. The MLB Speedway Classic represents a bold step for baseball, blending innovation with community spirit. 'To see the joy and memories made,' Yolkut said. "There will be people that talk about being at Bristol Motor Speedway for that record-setting game and that spectacle,' he added. Fans can catch the action live on FOX at 6 PM ET on August 2, 2025. The MLB Speedway Classic is a fusion of baseball and motorsport culture. The Braves and Reds will wear special uniforms, with the Braves sporting navy hats with red flames and the Reds featuring Wonder Bread-inspired catcher's gear, paying homage to Talladega Nights. Pregame festivities include a concert featuring Tim McGraw and Pitbull, alongside a fan zone with performances by Jake Owen, food trucks, batting cages, and the World Series trophy on display. Adding to the event's significance, Hall of Famers Chipper Jones and Johnny Bench, representing the Braves and Reds, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
