Eclipse bathing

For a change, I got up this morning on my own at 6.45. Yes, on a Sunday morning.

I was contemplating a second round of sleeping but then remembered that I had a lot of laundry to do and so dragged myself out of the bed. Completed my wake-up routine and walked downstairs.

You may not know this, but I am a bit somnambulistic after I get up. It sounds oxymornonic, but the point I am trying to make is that, even after I have physically gotten out of bed, I am still quite sleepy for the first 15-20 minutes. Irrespective of whether I had a short sleep or long sleep. Irrespective of whether I need to go to office or not. Irrespective of whether I splash cold water on my face after brushing my teeth. Irrespective of whether I have coffee or not. So during that time period, my brain cells have a tough time in processing all the inputs it gets from its external sensory mechanisms.

So picture my plight when I set foot in the hall, my parents tell me to go and have a bath. You may not know this too, but I am not much in favor of bathing. That too so damn early on a Sunday morning.

I reacted with my usual early morning demeanour and was headed to the sofa in my pre-programmed manner. Then both of them started giving me instructions that I needed to take a 'head bath' ASAP. Knowing my penchant for not bathing until it becomes absolutely necessary, they categorically told me that if I didn't bathe, I wouldn't get even a coffee today.

There was a chandra grahanam last night and my nakshatram was "caught". So I was technically roaming around with grahana theetu. So, until I thalai kulichufied, the only thing that was permitted to go down my throat was my saliva (Actually, I am not sure if that is allowed, but since it was included in the taboo list, I am assuming that its ok).

After being hit by such a big thunderbolt, I slowly warmed up to the place and observed my folks. Both had very obvious signs of having had a bath. My mom was sitting with her hair knotted up in a loose fashion - an obvious indication that she had a head bath. And my dad looking all bright with a viboothi mark on his forehead.

Basically, the signs that my folks meant business were ominous. I knew that there was no point in arguing so early in the morning and so walked back up and had my bath.

Actually, since my father is not feeling too well, I escaped a minor skirmish last night. You see, every time there is a grahanam and your star is "in scope", the temples issue a small palm leaf with text printed on it. We call this a 'pattai' and during the grahanam time, we are supposed to wear that on our head or keep it handy or something like that. Since, my dad wouldn't go to the temple, I escaped this ritual and the assured fight I would have had with my folks about this ritual.

So here I am, blogging all this after having my morning cuppa, which was given to me because I was now free of all the grahana theetu!