I came across Shail Mohan in my early days of blogging around 2005 or 2006. Back then we used to blog on Yahoo! 360 (which was sadly shut down by the folks at Yahoo!). One of my early memories is that of her coming in my dream as a lecturer in college, who proceeded to order me to eat carrots as they are good for eyes. You may call her the Carrot Tyrant for that, but be prepared for any red bricks that come flying your way.

Dear Shail Di,

When I first saw you on 360, you came across as a person who was generous in the use of virtual red bricks. Soon my curiosity got the better of me, and I started frequenting your blog more. One thing lead to another, and a friend request later you were my adopted blog sister. And what fun times we’ve had since then.

I guess I was lucky that your (formerly) bald sister was in Baroda, which mean we could meet when you made your trips to the city. I loved the dosas you made for me. Having someone cook for you is such a delight, which is why those dosas were extra yum. Come think of it, it was my first trip to Baroda when I came to meet you.

Meeting her in person for the first time
Meeting her in person for the first time

 

What was even better that when you came back again, I had a job. This meant that if I couldn’t host you in my kitchen, I could at least take you out for food. I remember that you didn’t have ice cream, I should probably have had your share instead 😛 .

shailsev

But apart from the meeting in person, what we’ve really bonded over has been our conversations. I think you’re responsible for a chunk of my views changing when it comes to feminism. Reading your blog in the early days, made me see things that were so obvious but were either hiding in plain sight, or what I was choosing to be conveniently blind to.

I love your devotion to photography. I now know the names and identification of some birds because of the pictures you take. It is actually refreshing to see someone put in time and effort like this out of choice and not because they have to do it. You’re so lovely that you even brave out to take pictures of chameleons for me, in spite of the fact that you think that they’re icky at best.

When people say that family is not just blood, they are right. We’re example of the family we choose. I have always felt a form of kinship with you in a manner that you’re one of the few select people that I feel strongly about. Which is why I write this letter to you, the closest someone I have to a sibling.

With Love,

Count Santulan.

PS: I am not going to stop with sharing spiders on your wall any time soon. You’re going to have to put up with that for longer 😛

 

Written for 30 days 30 letters prompt: A letter to your sibling (or closest relative).

Other bloggers can share the links to their posts in the linky below:

36 thoughts on “Dear Carrot Tyrant”

  1. Pingback: 30 Days 30 Letters | And I write
  2. Pingback: Dear Siblings | Shail's Nest

  4. I just went Awwww! and seriously thought of ruffling your hair like I would my son. 😛 It was the same for me when it came to Shailji. I became addicted to her blogs over time for the fact that she told very succinctly the things I think about but didnt put out, her simplicity in conveying deep ideas and the Humor…Oh! I like the tongue in the cheek humor. Some day, I hope to meet her…like they say in Indian style – God willing :).

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  13. That will be a dozen boxes of tissues, charged to your account, Brother dear. I have been going *sniff sniff* from morning. Or make that last night. *decides to stoically bear all the spider pictures yet to be unloaded on me* See, what a saint of a sis I am 😀 😀
    And going to the res in that direct manner of mine, I am rather amused by those who have stayed away from this post of yours *chuckling, and will be for a long time to come* 😛 Yeah, cheeky me, I know 😉
    Saintly and cheeky. Great combo in a sis right?! 😀

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  14. indeed sir, family is not just blood, over time we meet some beautiful people who become more than family.

    and I have had a bit of interaction with shail mam , she is a lovely person indeed.

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  15. Each of the letters you share warms the cockles of the heart, and this more than most, “knowing” you and Shail 🙂 I love her response to your letter too 🙂 WTG you two!

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  16. Awww!! Made me smile this! Shail is such a wonderful person and I’m so glad I know her 🙂
    This is a beautiful letter Count. Your .

    Some online friendships and relationships are simply heart warming to see and you guys are on top of that list 🙂

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  18. This is such a sweet post! It takes me to one of my older blog friend, who doesn’t blog anymore. I so know the sibling feel you talk about here 🙂

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  19. Pingback: 30 Days of Letter Writing | imperfectous

  20. I met Shail Ma’am (Di sounds good to me too 🙂 ), through Deepu Di’s blog. And initially I was taken aback by her free flowing red bricks on the net. She sounded bitter in some of her posts, updates and comments. But over the time, I must confess she has become one of the few persons that I adore for who they are. People close to me know her by her name and know how much she has impacted me as a person. I love her because she is who she is. She says what she means. She doesn’t make up things just for the sake of pleasing someone. A hard thing for most people out there. She is not scared to admit what she thinks and believes in. The truth is she is gold. And Count, I completely agree with you on the following lines. It’s the same for me.

    “I think you’re responsible for a chunk of my views changing when it comes to feminism. Reading your blog in the early days, made me see things that were so obvious but were either hiding in plain sight, or what I was choosing to be conveniently blind to.”

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