my aunty parties with shah rukh khan?

This is Aunty-ji















This is Bollywood mega-star Shah Rukh Khan.

On October 31st, while I was out pretending to be a rickshaw and dancing to American tunes, my aunty was socializing with the best-of-the-best in Indian high society. When I stumbled into our flat at one am, Aunty was still off at her dinner party—dressed in her finest sari and, supposedly, drifting from Bollywood star to Bollywood star. She came home at about three am, then got up for temple at five am. Amazing. And, I must say that while Halloween was great fun, I would have passed it up had I known that Shah Rukh Khan would be at this party. I mean, really? That would have been wildly cool.

But, it was not my destiny to mingle with Bollywood stars. We had a great Halloween shindig. I was in rare dancing form and was having a wonderful time until we noticed that Indian men had gathered on the nearby rooftop to watch us from above. We were also on the roof, and somehow their voyeurism (lecherous voyeurism) ruined my dancing mood. They did leave, and the other SIT students also decided that Isabel and I would have “won” first prize if there was a legitimate costume party. There was not, however, and so we left empty-handed.

Tonight I went to dinner at Aunty-ji’s daughter’s house (Jaya, I have mentioned her before). Her house is gorgeous and modern. She has a giant stone Saibaba, and she has a temple dedicated to Saibaba and it’s just amazing. We ate some delicious coconut curry zucchini business from Goa, and I showed Jaya and her children (Shavin and Nittika) photos of my family and dad’s art and Sam’s art and Ezra’s Halloween costume (they were confused about your underwear). Jaya asked me if you are rich, dad, when she saw your paintings. I said no and she said “Why not? He should be rich!” She thinks you need an agent (duh) – but it can’t be me.
She loved Sam’s work so, so much. She wanted to buy one (we should discuss that brohan). She also wants to hook you up with some of her artist friends in India, she said “He should come here.” Maybe you can come to India and have a show in Delhi and stay with these people and meet Bollywood stars. There’s nothing better, really.

It will be a shock to leave in one week. I’m getting nervous, but it’s the good, healthy kind of nervous. Happy Halloween everyone!!