I have ! Since the past few days, Mumbai has finally got back its rains. Its raining with a vengeance. Now, it feels like rainy season in Mumbai. In fact yesterday, it was raining so heavily that we were all wondering if it would be a repeat of 26 July. I remember that year. That heavy, incessant rain. We guys used to wait for mail from NetAdmin ( people from this firm will remember I am sure). Harbour line shut down, Central line shut down. We used to wait for the mail announcing that buses are going to leave early. Yeah!!!!!! I used to fel like a kid in school, when we get to go home early.

Yesterday, the news of heavy rains in suburbs had us worried in office and my boss was sweet enough to actually tell us all to leave early. So, two collegues and I left in a colleague's car. We eventually reached home at the usual time thanks to traffic, pot holes and what not. But, I am not cribbing. I was just happy to leave work early. It is just the kid in me, I guess. :-)

I know rain brings with it quite a few problems in Mumbai. Then again, rains are needed. Many of us are facing shortage of water. Rains are neccessary, guys. ( This is for all those who hate the rains). I have progressed from being a hater of rainy season to someone who loves the rain. Dont ask me how .. But, now I think rains are wonderful.The trees look greener. The rain sort of washes clean all the muck and grime. It even washes the cars and vehicles for you. I am just looking at the positive side of rains, I know. Who can forget the clothes getting wet and dirty.Clothes not drying up in ages. And who can forget the monsoon related maladies. Or the floods and destruction that heavy rains can bring.

On Saturday, I woke up leisurely to the sound of rain drops on my window pane. What a lovely sound that was ! It was pouring and I said a small prayer of thanks to the Almighty. It was high time rains came down to this part of the world. Post breakfast, I spent the day sitting near my window. Watching the rain. I sat in a chair, put my feet up, sipped garama garam coffee and just watched the rain. You should try rain-watching sometime. I put some nice music, watched the rain and just chilled. I could see people with umbrellas. Tiny tots looked so cute with their multi-coloured raincoats bravely going to school in the pouring rain ( yeah, they looked somewhat like my avatar). I especially liked looking at the rain falling in a big puddle on the ground in front of my window. This was one of my most chilled out Saturdays.

Has any of you gals out there, shopped in the rains? I have and it was fun. It depends on how you look at it. If you hate getting drenched this is not for you. I roamed arond the streets of Bandra in the pouring rain. Happily buying all kinds of junk jewellery and footwear and bags and what not. Then ended it all with a sumptious meal at Elcos. Rain and shopping, unbeatable combo that one.

How can my weekend be complete without atleast one movie. I watched "Dark Knight" . I am not much of a Batman fan, but the fact that this movie is directed by Christopher Nolan prompted me to give it a dekho. I am a huge fan of Mr Nolan's work. Especially "Memento" and " Prestige" to name two. To direct a comic book hero -based flick is defintely a departure from the more cerebral movies that I like him for. Infact, it was after watching the movie and and doing a bit of research, I came to know that this is the second Batman movie from the Nolan brothers.Anyways, my take on the movie...its good. I am sure all of you must have read rave reviews about Heath Ledger's performance as the "Joker". It is a must watch for Angrezi film buffs. Here is a review I liked http://greatbong.net/2008/07/21/the-dark-knight-the-review/

This post has turned out to be longer than expected.

Thanks for your patience and yes, do kiss the rain next time you get caught in the rain.