Weekends are not a good day for the Chennai Metblogs readers. The reasons are many, but I will now disclose only one – the authors are all out, meeting each other, having fun and planning the next offensive.

So it was this weekend too.

On Saturday, a bunch of us met at the Crosswords’ Brio coffee shop to discuss, among other things, what makes coffee-parlour waiters look at us askance when we order an Espresso. Have you noticed it? Let’s say you go to an Amethyst – and order a Double Shot Espresso. The waiter tilts his head, looks at you and says “Saar, that’s black coffee…”
Of course, my dear folks, we are not talking of coffee here. Not yet. We will only talk of what comes after you click the link that says “Continue reading”

So, where were we?

Ah yes! The Brio – Crosswords’ coffee shop. Now, this Crosswords is a bookstore on Venkatnarayana Road, T.Nagar. The last time I was in this part of Chennai, the road was visible, and the building were at best 3 feet tall. Now, I swear an alien messed up with the roads.

Lavanya, Prabhu, Pavithra, Vinod (Subramanian), Chenthil and I met. Conversation followed the usual lines – what to do with our personal trolls (Hello Vishal!), Which films suck and which don’t (Veyyil DOES), Vinod’s Mint-street treat that’s been due for a long time. And many others.

While we were talking, Chenthil and I ordered an Espresso each. The waiter, good man that he is, asked us if we were sure. Yes, we were. And along comes the lousiest coffee I ever had. Seriously – I make better coffee at home. If you love your coffee, and want a good time, I suggest you give Brio a miss.

We talked, discussed books (Well, Chenthil, Pavithra and Lavanya did), while Suhasni Mani Ratnam walked in to the store. Yes. She did. And launched a book too while there.

Soon enough, we broke up. Prabhu and I made plans for a early meeting on Sunday. How early? 5.45 AM do ok?
And why? Well, we wanted to photograph the sunrise over the Marina. We did – the evidence for which will soon follow.

Thus, folks, was Saturday and Sunday spent. Now, go ahead, be envious.