Last week, my partner in crime, Hala left to go back home leaving me to continue my life here.
My eldest cousin turned up to spend some great family time together. We had drinks with Sophie at George's and visited Jak's bar with Kristine. Saturday lunch at Diba's was with a more mature gathering of friends and laughter before Samson left for the US in the afternoon.
Saturday evening was a very different scene visiting Brick Lane with rows of Indian restaurants and bars with Salar. We paid a short visit to Scream, where his friend was Djing, followed by dinner at a Swedish restaurant called Fika serving a traditional Scandinavian menu. The night was still young, we had a drink at Vibes where there was a large area closed off, serving food and drinks from stalls laying on the cobbled stoned area separated from two music rooms for dancing in the building facing the open air.
By midnight, Salar and I decided to pay a visit to no other place but of course, Fabric, where we had first met some years ago. We visited the DJ booth in room two where Terry Francis was playing. The familiar faces and the warm embraces come from a connection, definitely, music-related but also of a mutual understanding. Kind of 'I dig you'. Haha. You either connect, or you don't. Some effortlessly at first instance, others could take longer, or not.
My eldest cousin turned up to spend some great family time together. We had drinks with Sophie at George's and visited Jak's bar with Kristine. Saturday lunch at Diba's was with a more mature gathering of friends and laughter before Samson left for the US in the afternoon.
Saturday evening was a very different scene visiting Brick Lane with rows of Indian restaurants and bars with Salar. We paid a short visit to Scream, where his friend was Djing, followed by dinner at a Swedish restaurant called Fika serving a traditional Scandinavian menu. The night was still young, we had a drink at Vibes where there was a large area closed off, serving food and drinks from stalls laying on the cobbled stoned area separated from two music rooms for dancing in the building facing the open air.
By midnight, Salar and I decided to pay a visit to no other place but of course, Fabric, where we had first met some years ago. We visited the DJ booth in room two where Terry Francis was playing. The familiar faces and the warm embraces come from a connection, definitely, music-related but also of a mutual understanding. Kind of 'I dig you'. Haha. You either connect, or you don't. Some effortlessly at first instance, others could take longer, or not.
Isn't it amazing how in a dark, dingy place, great bonding and friendships can be made?
The time spent with younger friends gives me an opportunity to talk to them about life in general and the occasional tete-a-tete of talking about family matters.
Now, the established reality is, relationships are not easy.
As much as my sister and I get along and have great times together, I find the need for what I call 'me-time', more and more necessary. There is no judgement, simply being happy for each other with the choices we make in leading that special life of adventure and excitement, together and separately. People often comment on how lucky we are to get along so well and have fun together. But deep down, I believe we are the same as everyone. Each relationship has its ups and downs, in particular with siblings. That's ok. We are individuals after all.
And what do we do to get closer to one another? Parents, children, friends. It has taken years of observing how my relationships have developed, along the way so many people came and left. Who knows? We may meet again, or not. I have finally reached a state where I am responsibly taking into account the words of Ruiz in his book, 'The Four Agreements'. Be Impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best.
The time spent with younger friends gives me an opportunity to talk to them about life in general and the occasional tete-a-tete of talking about family matters.
Now, the established reality is, relationships are not easy.
As much as my sister and I get along and have great times together, I find the need for what I call 'me-time', more and more necessary. There is no judgement, simply being happy for each other with the choices we make in leading that special life of adventure and excitement, together and separately. People often comment on how lucky we are to get along so well and have fun together. But deep down, I believe we are the same as everyone. Each relationship has its ups and downs, in particular with siblings. That's ok. We are individuals after all.
And what do we do to get closer to one another? Parents, children, friends. It has taken years of observing how my relationships have developed, along the way so many people came and left. Who knows? We may meet again, or not. I have finally reached a state where I am responsibly taking into account the words of Ruiz in his book, 'The Four Agreements'. Be Impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best.
And if I don't feel the vibe to be right, I simply walk away.
I believe it is lesser so these days when parents force their children to follow the dreams they themselves once had. But it sure had its era.
In fact, I'm going through a phase of JOMO; Joy Of Missing Out. Haha
Sunday was Mother's Day. Most of my young friends were happy to be taking their mums to lunch. My adorable Girl took me to a special dinner at Yauatcha's in Soho. My Boy is travelling in faraway places, his message was loving and to the point. His place is dearly missed. It gives me absolute pleasure and pride to see my children making the most of their lives, seeking adventure as well as being level-headed in their chosen paths. I am truly blessed. I give them my support and I have often told them, if they need me for any reason, at any time, I shall be behind them in full force, no matter; an unconditional love. I give them my love and trust at all times and they truly deserve it.
We are individuals and can only lead a life destined for one.
Out of the blue, a fun story came to mind. It was a Friday in early December and I was invited to a Christmas do, at 4 pm at Lola's. Knowing Lola's parties would go well into the night, I took my time and left my place around 6 o'clock. I managed to hail a free black cab in the madness of the Christmas rush. When I explained the direction of the address, I added:
"I usually drive there, so I'm not quite sure what the road is called but I'll be drinking tonight.'
The cab driver knew the exact address and said:
"Seems you already had a few!"
"What... Drinks?" I asked.
"Yeah," answered the cabbie.
"Actually, no." I responded, "But I did have a joint."
"A smoke?" The cab driver seemed pleasantly surprised. "You mean you had a spliff?"
"Yep," was my answer.
"Good on you!" He smiled. "Since you're so honest, let me tell you, I love my smoke and so does my wife. I've two teenage daughters and I haven't been partying for a long time. This Christmas, we were gonna go out with my mates and I spent the whole day looking for some Es, but I've lost my contacts over the years."
"Oh, really now," I said in a cheeky tone, "And how many were you looking for?"
"About 6." He answered innocently.
"Fine then," I continued, "I'll make your Christmas wish come true. Turn left here."
The cab driver looked back in astonishment. He was not sure how to react. So, I put him at ease by saying: "Take me home and I'll get you your goodies."
His first initiation was: "Really? Oh, I'll pay anything you want for them."
"Not necessary," I said with a smile, "I don't accept payment for drugs. They'll be my Christmas present to you."
As it happened, I had scored a bagful, only a couple of days before and it was more than enough for the night we were planning to go out that weekend. So, I came back to the taxi and handed them his goodies. He turned around and asked:
"Are you an angel?"
"No," I replied, "A mere mortal who likes to make people happy."
Having confessed to not being a great talker, the cab driver went on to tell me a lot more about his life than he had ever discussed with anyone. As it happened, his eldest daughter had a similar name to me!
When he dropped me off insisting not to take any payment for the ride, I paid him the full fare and said:
"That was your Christmas present. When I give, I don't expect anything back."
The incredible thing was, a year later in January, the same taxi driver picked me up one afternoon and although I had not noticed at first, he said:
"I know you, you're Haldita. You probably won't remember me but you did me a favour some time ago which I shan't forget."
By then, I recognised him and said:
"And you are Dean. You know, it's not every day I go around handing Es to cab drivers!"
Come to think of it, I am only human and when I give, a simple gesture of gratitude is always a pleasure to be had. But it seems a rarity in this day and age and so be it.
Life is truly simple... Don't complicate matters for yourself or others.
We are individuals and can only lead a life destined for one.
Out of the blue, a fun story came to mind. It was a Friday in early December and I was invited to a Christmas do, at 4 pm at Lola's. Knowing Lola's parties would go well into the night, I took my time and left my place around 6 o'clock. I managed to hail a free black cab in the madness of the Christmas rush. When I explained the direction of the address, I added:
"I usually drive there, so I'm not quite sure what the road is called but I'll be drinking tonight.'
The cab driver knew the exact address and said:
"Seems you already had a few!"
"What... Drinks?" I asked.
"Yeah," answered the cabbie.
"Actually, no." I responded, "But I did have a joint."
"A smoke?" The cab driver seemed pleasantly surprised. "You mean you had a spliff?"
"Yep," was my answer.
"Good on you!" He smiled. "Since you're so honest, let me tell you, I love my smoke and so does my wife. I've two teenage daughters and I haven't been partying for a long time. This Christmas, we were gonna go out with my mates and I spent the whole day looking for some Es, but I've lost my contacts over the years."
"Oh, really now," I said in a cheeky tone, "And how many were you looking for?"
"About 6." He answered innocently.
"Fine then," I continued, "I'll make your Christmas wish come true. Turn left here."
The cab driver looked back in astonishment. He was not sure how to react. So, I put him at ease by saying: "Take me home and I'll get you your goodies."
His first initiation was: "Really? Oh, I'll pay anything you want for them."
"Not necessary," I said with a smile, "I don't accept payment for drugs. They'll be my Christmas present to you."
As it happened, I had scored a bagful, only a couple of days before and it was more than enough for the night we were planning to go out that weekend. So, I came back to the taxi and handed them his goodies. He turned around and asked:
"Are you an angel?"
"No," I replied, "A mere mortal who likes to make people happy."
Having confessed to not being a great talker, the cab driver went on to tell me a lot more about his life than he had ever discussed with anyone. As it happened, his eldest daughter had a similar name to me!
When he dropped me off insisting not to take any payment for the ride, I paid him the full fare and said:
"That was your Christmas present. When I give, I don't expect anything back."
The incredible thing was, a year later in January, the same taxi driver picked me up one afternoon and although I had not noticed at first, he said:
"I know you, you're Haldita. You probably won't remember me but you did me a favour some time ago which I shan't forget."
By then, I recognised him and said:
"And you are Dean. You know, it's not every day I go around handing Es to cab drivers!"
Come to think of it, I am only human and when I give, a simple gesture of gratitude is always a pleasure to be had. But it seems a rarity in this day and age and so be it.
Life is truly simple... Don't complicate matters for yourself or others.
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