[SenorJalapeno]

How does one say what he wants to say about his hometown and not give away details about his life? How about I share a few memories growing up wherever it was that I grew up.

Tadpoles! I actually thought they were Lungfish when I first saw them. To make things more complicated an upper-class Baboon confirmed my misconception by saying they were Lungfish indeed and if I took them home and cared for them, they would grow. Being naive was an unfortunate prerogative and as such, come Monsoon, I began to forage around for Lungfish nee Tadpoles.

There were several vacant lots around my school, and during lunch hour, I would inhale my food, clean out my 'Tiffin Box' and turn self-proclaimed fisherman. I finally found a small puddle of relatively clean water that to my ecstasy was teeming with tadpoles. I filled my 'Tiffin Box' with water and scooped up as many tadpoles as I could and secured the lid tightly and went back to school. I could barely contain my excitement during the afternoon classes, but as hard as I tried to find time to check on my 'catch,' I could not shake my friends or Ms. Gauri, my teacher who looked like a hasty cross between a hawk and a hen, meaning she had the nose of a predator and the rump of the prey.

As you would have guessed, poor tadpoles slowly died- or committed suicide, devastated by the fact that they were mistaken for Lungfish, which must you know, are not that well regarded by amphibians. Please do not ask how I know this, for if I tell you, I must kill you. I knew something was wrong when I opened my 'Tiffin Box,' because the tadpoles were not moving but setting off this quaint aroma not that different from a horrible salted-fish dish my paternal grandmother used to manufacture on each summer visit.

No, they were not praying that God would help them ride out the tribulation that I had brought upon them, and hopefully become respectable croakers. I could not believe my luck and decided to take matters into my hands. That was when matters got worse. See, I had a friend RK, who once told me that if you smacked a frog silly and then promptly urinated on it, the frog would be revived. I decided to test the theory, and counseling myself as to the appropriate amount of biological brine a tadpole would need, proceeded to pee in my 'Tiffin Box.'

Parents have the uncanny knack of catching you when you least expect them, and in my case, I was caught with my pants down. A few minutes later, my matters were back in their 100% cotton barracks, but my ears certainly resembled pickled beets. Having brought me into the world, my mother perhaps decided to instill the idea that she could just as easily take me out of it, and she almost did.

Mercifully, I never had to use the 'Tiffin Box' to pack lunch, but, sadly, never could use it catch more Lungfish either and each new monsoon brought a new heartache. Presently the vacant lots were purchased by 'Bada Babus,' and my once glorious fishing grounds soon sprouted beautiful homes. It is no surprise then that each time I come across a puddle with tadpoles, I become the boy that went searching for Lungfish and came home with tadpoles.

[SenorJalapeno]

Night (Nocturnal Carnivore). Cuddled up by a roaring fire in a Mountain Cabin or Sprawled out on a beach?

[SenorJalapeno]

Waking up early. Staying up late or dozing off early?

[SenorJalapeno]

Salty. Flowers or Fern?

[SenorJalapeno]

You can't move to the kitchen. I'm already there and do not like competition. Here' another with food: Spicy or Mild?

[SenorJalapeno]

Pencil (I am not perfect). Favorite room of the house: Bedroom or Kitchen?

[SenorJalapeno]

Hey! No fair. I see feathers Lol. Okay, same question it is: Depends on the girl. If she is the 'I want to wake you up with a kiss and dance all my dances with you for the rest of my life' girl, definitely, make dinner and do dishes. But, if she is the 'Oh God I cannot believe Im being seen with you in public which would never be if not for my stupid friends' girl, definitely eat out and then demonstrate the fine art of fleeing.

Now, please quit bailing out on me. Get out of bed as soon as you are awake or stretch and make strange noises before you get out?

[SenorJalapeno]

Toyota! Now, on a first date, would you: Make dinner for your date and do dishes together or Eat out and do other stuff together later?

[SenorJalapeno]

Blue! Now, Sunrise or Sunset?

[SenorJalapeno]

Rappel

[SenorJalapeno]

Don't care much for chocolate so its Strawberry. Here's another: Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt?

[SenorJalapeno]

Sophie is Nathan's Polish girlfriend in William Styron's book, 'Sophie's Choice' which deals with the agony of having to choose between two unthinkable options. This is one of those books one should read. I recommend it but with caution especially if you do not like books with graphic sexuality and foul language.

[SenorJalapeno]

Mi amiga, you move fast for an old soul! I was editing my post because I hit the post button without finishing it Lol! Too much coffee in my system perhaps.

[SenorJalapeno]

Oh wow! It's like Sophie's Choice! Hmm could I choose both? Please? I guess not. So it would be reading. Now here's one about food: Blueberry Cheesecake or Sinfully Rich Chocolate Cake?

[SenorJalapeno]

Pauper

[SenorJalapeno]

My mother!

My father is a great man and certainly has influenced me in life but if my father's mind was my classroom, my mother's heart is my sanctuary. Hers was the face I first saw over my cradle and immediately fell in love with. She is not very educated, does not understand complicated theories of science or philosophy, but she knows life, she knows love, and she knows me more than any living soul.

As a child I remember, when she wiped my tears, it was as if she wiped them forever. If I understand the heart of God and the love of God, it is because I first found both mirrored in the life of my mother. I thank you, my friend, for asking this and allowing me to remember all that is precious in life.

[SenorJalapeno]

Good cook? Thats it. She is a great mom and I would like to say that to her personally…say around dinner time? So, where does Rani ji live and when does her family sit for dinner? I know this sounds like my stomach doing my thinking. It sure is. I benefit whenever it does that. Lol.

[SenorJalapeno]

Oh duh! I forgot to answer your question. I have two addictions among others: I am addicted to coffee. It awakens my body and arouses my mind to immediate action and instant thinking. I am also addicted to good people. They help me become a better person.

Now, how old are you really? Lol…just kidding that is not my question. My question, should you choose to answer is: 'Who has influenced you most in life?' Question self-destructs in five minutes. Lol.

[SenorJalapeno]

I just realized, I've been following you around like a lost dog. Please stay on one thread! Please quit moving around so much…not advisable at your age Lol (Thank you Rani ji, Im forever indebted to you for this grain of truth). I am beginning to think that Rani ji and you need to get on some boxing gloves…but, it's awesome to have friends that you can pick on, knowing that they know you so well they will not take offense. Now, if only Rani will come back so I can collect more info on you for my files erm as part of my orientation!

[SenorJalapeno]

I have no problem with being old because the alternative to having no problem would be to have a problem and since I am old, that would definitely be a problem and seeing how much I do not like problems, I'd rather not have that problem right now. I hope you do not have a problem with that either.

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