Episode 1: Entry Date 04/07/01

The Tabla Player

Okay, so we all have our fair share of gigs and performances. Those cheers, those laughs, the excitement - sometimes too hot to handle. But the true joy of gigging (according to yours truly of course) comes from nostalgia. And screw ups are most definitely one of the biggest catalysts to a pure unadulterated feeling of nostalgia.

So you've got all your equipment ready. The gig's at 9 and the time is 7. Everything is working exactly the way you want it. Laura and I load the trusted CRV. Everything is ready to go. We head to Riverside to pick Abhinit up. We reload the new items into the car and then head off to "The Hideout" on 6th and Congress. On reaching, we do the last major "idiot check".

Anuj: Guitar?
Laura: Check
Anuj: Keyboard?
Laura: Check
Anuj: Picks?
Laura: Check
Anuj: Effects Processor?
Laura: Check
Anuj: Tablas?
Laura: Check
Anuj: Tabla tuner?
Laura: Check
Anuj: Tabla powder?
Laura: Check...

Suddenly, the car was filled with silence. Neither of us wanted to ask the other. It was too embarassing. But finally.. Laura nervously uttered the fateful question: "Tabla player??" Oops… Laura and Anuj are most definitely the creme de la creme of idiots. At that moment we get a call from Abhinit who is still waiting at Riverside. Of course, Prateek, the last minute man of Shadow Box comes to the rescue. And - as I always am - the man who tries to shroud his mistakes with smooth talking (and most of the time just downright lying) -- I made Abhinit believe that it was all according to plan. (sorry AAbhi). Prateek ended up bringing Abhinit to the venue at a safe time and no animals or humans were harmed. (or so Prateek told me, after I saw him driving the car at 90 miles an hour! )

Definately one of the memorable experiences.

- Anuj