May 30, 2021

Vintage toy - The Matchbox 44 Passenger coach

This vintage 1978 passanger coach was one of my favourite toys from my toddler days. Probably gifted by a relative who visited us from abroad, this single coach has somehow survived for the past four decades and sits cutely in my showcase. The toy was made by Lesney productions,England under the brand name " Matchbox ". This series was called the Superfast with some amazingly smooth wheels in competition to Hotwheels.

May 8, 2021

Covid comeback

Its been a tough one month for me and my family. But the worst is past now, thank God. It all started with me taking my first dose of Covishield vaccine on 4 th April. I started getting a mild fever the same night. A slight temperature for one or two days post vaccination is expected and so I took Dolo and went to work. When the fever didnt abate even on the third day , I took off from office and checked with a local Doctor who asked me to take antibiotic and continue with Dolo. But the fever didn't stop. So I got myself admitted in a Hospital on 9th April and tests came positive for Covid-19. This is the first time in my life Iam getting admited in a hospital. My home was quarantined by the local administration as per Covid protocol and hence my wife could not visit me. Luckly I was the last person who got a single room in the hospital. It was almost a 10 day stay as my lungs got infected with severe pneumonia and my oxygen levels were erratic. i was put on a Remdisever course along with other steroids and medication. More than the medication, staying alone without seeing my family was a mental stress. My sleep was disturbed by hallucinations effected by the steroids. By Gods grace I recovered and got discharged in 10 days. Even though the virus had left, the after effects of the strong medication and weakened lungs have kept me in complete rest at home and away from all social media for the past few days. As the Covid second wave in India has peaked now, many relatives and friends are down and a few have lost their life aswell. The situation is grim as hospitals have run out of beds and oxygen supply in many parts of the country. Even critical medicines are in short supply. The government is clueless and have ordered a full lockdown. I just hope and pray this too will pass away soon.