Momentous day, in a way. Couldn't have imagined I'd be watching a close relative's eye surgery as it took place - no, not in the O.T. but from an adjoining room, on a tv monitor that was recording each procedure. Dr. Ashok Shroff is one of the best ophthalmic surgeons in India, with impeccable credentials. It was a privilege watching him operate with such elegance and lightness of touch. His fingers moved like a graceful dancer's in a well choreographed sequence that dazzled me. ME!!!!! Someone who is so squeamish about injections and needles. I am seriously needle- phobic and close my eyes when someone is getting an injection - even if that is on the screen. And here I was paying such close attention to Dr. Shroff''s every move ( magnified, of course, and doubly scarey). Now that I know I won't faint at the sight of an eye when a cataract is being pulverised before getting it sucked out , I'll be able to handle myself less hysterically while donating blood.

Playing peeping tom was an awesome experience on one level. Sure. I shed a small bit of my earlier phobia.Do I want a replay?? Hell, no!! Even this was far too upclose and personal for my taste.

I happened to read an email that was forwarded to me by a responsible person, just to give me an idea of how aggressively the celeb game is being played these days. It was from a big fish flogging the rights to various functions that had anything at all to do with his own forthcoming wedding!!!! He was offering juicy details and tantalising teasers about every 'event' associated with the 'shaadi', starting with his formal proposal " on bended knee." How unique and original is that, I ask. He'd also provided payment details of the gigantic rock he'd be giving his lady love, helpfully adding he'd speak to the jewellers about an 'exclusive'. The price he quoted for the ring could buy an island in the Carribean. It made me wonder if the man was plain smart or entirely besharam. If the mags had been crazy enough to actually bid for and buy his story for the price he was demanding, he'd have got the engagement ring and his high profile wedding for free!! I guess some editors have better sense than to fall for such a Cheap Charlie's ghatiya tricks. He was told to go flog his two bit 'exclusive' to some other bakra. So far, nobody is biting. Who knows, he may peddle the rights to his suhaag raat next!!! Now that would be something given the yummy bride.