” Yesterday I was clever. So I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise. So I am changing myself.”

Back home..! And what is it about home that makes coming back so fulfilling. You may not have the luxury of a Hotel, well equipped and well serviced, but when you step in you are in an environment that smells breathes and invites only a feeling of possession. This is my place. I live here. This is my family. My furniture, my environment. I rule here. I am comfortable.

There has been no time to recover from a rather turbulent ridden flight from London. It is not a happy sight to be thrown around in the middle of the night especially when you know that the moment you get off, you go into a somewhat heavy work schedule.

The press conference to announce the next IIFA. The Macau Venetian Hotel and Resort is what it is going to be. A small state by itself, even though it is controlled or technically controlled by mainland China, with a large tourist attraction.

Officials from either side. Managers of the Venetian, Government dignitaries from Macau. Sponsors and supporters and the large media - all eager to have a one on one even though the message to them has been one that has been generally spoken during the main podium speech.. Taxing but I oblige and disappear as soon a s I could to … yes… the IPL and most importantly the Chelsea, Barcelona game. Which incidentally has just gotten over !! In a draw 0 -0. Thank God !!

At the IPL, Mumbai got surprisingly beaten in a close finish, but the Delhi Daredevils lost out to the Rajasthan Royals in a superb display of aggression by Yousuf Pathan.

When you come back from a long stay out of the home, one of the qualities that the wife brings in is the quality of the best food in the world, simply because you have been starved of it for long. Its been a while to be at the dining table with all four of us there and looking at the conditions we propose to have dinner out as well. Moments like this can never get replicated and all of us grab it by the horns !!. Not literally though we, would be in for a rough ride had there not been a trainer.

It must perforce be late now. I hear no traffic, no trucks and drivers, just no noise.

I am deeply sorry..!!

The jet lag converted me into a cerebral mess. Many believe that I already am one. I just reread the post that I should have posted last night and thank God for that, for, the material that I saw simply confirmed the fact of my mental illness. I had no idea what keys I was punching !! So now, I have judiciously deleted all that rubbish and am getting down to putting things down hurriedly so my continuity does not attract default.

Airports are a busy market these days. And airline staff ready to offer generous help in getting you comfortably on a flight are most endearing and kind. Kind enough at times to walk you past long lines of others in a queue. It embarrasses me to do that. I would rather follow protocol and discipline, but the staff is persistent. And I need to put on my most humble smile of ‘ I’m sorry guys, I am breaking systems here, but its not me, its them that is holding my passport and boarding card.’ Its been working quite efficiently so far, much to my dismay, but some curious looks are beginning to appear among those that wait in line. Many a times when I force myself into the discipline of the queue, the person ahead if he happens to be from country of recognition volunteers me forward. I resist that at times, but it gets a bit attention seeking to enact the ‘Lucknawi tehzeeb’ of ‘pehle aap’ at terminal 5 Heathrow, London !!

Will someone please explain the above to those from outside India ! Thank you. Do tell that great story as well of the 2 Nawabs at a railway station in Lucknow !!

So… while all this non conforming to regular routine is enacted, you need to go past asap. Primarily because you do not want to match looks with others as they express disgust, or the feared scream - “Oye, mister !! Get in line will ya !!. Invariably this occurs as you check in and then again as you go through security. Now.. a lot of the personnel handling security these days in most parts of the expatriate world are Indians or Indian film affected. They love to see you and express greetings, which is nice, but never fail to pull you aside for a body search if the beeper through the gate has gone off. Or.. if various red dots appear on the scanner through the belt as your briefcase goes through, they shall politely ask you to open the bag and when they have dismantled every bit of neatly packed papers, medication, stationary, wallet and on shall finish the exercise by requesting for an autograph. Which is such a pleasure and a relief as well.

Getting shoes, jacket and other bits and pieces that the scanner demanded, on again, is another exercise in ungainly behavior. And most of the mobile photography from ardent fans happen just when you are either struggling with the shoe or getting all the dismantled products of your case back in.. Argrrghhhh…

But .. these are the joys of recognition. They must be endured and enjoyed. That’s what we worked for. And that is what we shall get.. Good !!

Alright.. we have serious compulsions now..

The wife and kids calleth for lunch.. and if I am not there in seconds, there is every likelihood of getting none.

Bye !!

My Love,

Amitabh Bachchan