50 books at Twist n Tales..

I don't think I ever bought so many books in a single purchase at Twist n Tales, the neighbourhood bookstore, as the owner and my dear friend of many years likes to call it.
Sumi told me about TnT and it's warm and thoughful owner J when the place opened many years back in 2002 and so began my journey with a little bookstore in my neighbourhood (it is not 'my neighbourhood' anymore, we moved). I still don't know what I cherish more, my evolving friendship with J, TnT or the things it did to me. TnT is for book lovers and serious readers. You don't see stuff like CDs, toys, magazine or any such trash, that can distract you from focusing on the wonderful, neatly categorized selection of books, carefully handpicked for the store, by it's owner. If I am not mistaken, bulk of the revenues (apart from what they make from supplying to schools and other institutions) come from the loyal customers of TnT who are now slowly and unwittingly becoming a neighbourhood community. Fond of stereotyping (as M accused me many years back) as I am, there is such a thing as a twist n tales type of person now : besides being an avid reader: thinking, value driven, socially conscious of the environment around and above all liberated in mind and spirit. One of the perks of J's jobs is also making friends out of potential TnT people she meets browsing around in her store or even otherwise..If is means anythings and adds on to her credibility, J is very well networked with the NGO crowd (a TISS hangover perhaps :) ) and has started promoting local authors, launching them (she comes up with some great ideas for thematic book launches), organising book readings and helping them with other knick knacks such as finding illustrators for their book covers, shooting the wind with them to explore ideas etc. ( A backward integration is also on the cards, yes)
There is also such a thing as a TnT young person too: a kid who has grown up on the books from her store, has had free career counselling from J and has probably done a summer job or internship there and while working at TnT has picked up some fantastic work ethics and office skils.
Over the years, I have also found answers to my various problems there.. books to augment my knowledge base when I moved to HR (being an Ex-HR professional and a successful one while she was there, J connected and understood quickly what I was looking for, her recommendations hold me in good stead even today!), an internship for Cinderella to learn some critical life skills and yes she is a TnT young person today, meaningful gifts and presents and after many years connecting to books (other than work related stuff). JB, all of ten years today, is a voracious reader and has a mini library of his own, most of which came from TnT. He is waiting eagerly to be old enough to be able to do a summer job there (the tyke does'nt realize working at a bookstore is a lot of work and not just endless supply of books to read all day long!)
So... spend an afternoon selecting books for return gifts for the big birthday party coming up this weekend and chatting with J about parenting, books and her exciting business expansion plans over the planned lunch and unplanned coffee. Have offered to volunteer when her work with school kids and libraries takes off, and give in to my other interests.. kids, books and reading. Touche

I love my life

why oh why am I trying to be supermom... movie plans on a weeknight, dinner parties that start at 11 p.m. on a Sunday night, gourmet meals with no help....:( all with a full time stressful job.

Tommorow is strawberry smoothie and bowl of dried fruit for breakfast for junior, brunch for cinderella.

at work: analysis of a recently completely survey and a search for a financial analyst for a new business line.

and oh yes, I loooo... ve my blackberry curve.

The Joshi museum of miniature railway, Pune

Finally, I took junior and cinderella to the JMMR in Kothrud, a very maharastrian locale in Pune.I had been hunting for the place for the eversince I heard of it 2 years ago, finally found the address and phone number in a book called 'my Pune, travel book' under the things for children to do section.
Located in a robust, husting and bustling lane off Karve Road, the local maratha fervour is unmistakable. You see dozens of educated parents trudging into the museum every Saturday and Sunday with little tykes in tow.
The musuem has a giant turntable on the first floor with a huge miniature railway set up - there are all kinds of trains (42 kinds claims a pamphlet) and mechanical toys: a moving ferris wheels , a circus tent which goes up , a chimney which emits smoke, cars which move and accompanying commentary in Marathi, people who can't understand marathi are given headphones for english commentary.. the whole thing is orchestrated : It is a 20-30 mins show.

The museum was set up by Bhau Joshi, an engineer and a miniature railway enthusiast, who unfortunately died just six months after the
museum was inaugrated. His son Dr.Ravi Joshi runs the museum now.
The place is quaint , old fashioned and devoid of modern trappings but surprizingly well organized.

(the museum is only open in the weekends between 5-8 p.m., special arrangements , however, can be made for block bookings, tickets cost Rs.25 per head for adults and children above 3 years.)

Needless to say, Junior, Cinderella and me had a great time. Junior spend all morning today trying to re create the set up with his cheap chinese train tracks I bought him from the hobby shop as a souvenier, Lego and matchbox cars.