I’m

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Keith and Alexander have met here at the Indian Masala restaurant for the weekend buffet many times. I am not sure why I haven’t been there with them; perhaps because I am a picky eater or maybe I was just off somewhere and that is what made Keith look for company for lunch. Today was my day to join in.

Everything was really good. Alexander’s mantra of Sauced Meat is lifelong and often used in relation to Indian food. He and I believe anything in sauce is the way to go. The sauces were really good today, but my favorite thing of the day was onion funnel cakes (not the same name as the label on the buffet). I had a lot of those. I liked the things we called “breaded”. They contained vegetables, for sure, but beyond that all we knew was they were breaded, and good. There were some chicken pieces (with bones – be aware) that had been cooked with a sauce (I think) that were really good, too. Alexander came back from getting ice cream with two more at the end – because they are just that good. I liked everything I tried. Alexander said for those fish-inclined, the fish was terrific and spicy.

As we were finishing our meal, Alexander mentioned he liked the shirts the servers were wearing. I took a look and saw the I(picture of a guy)M and said, “I’m.”

Keith has worked with a lot of people in India over his career. One of the most wonderful grammar – I do not want to say mistakes, because that just sounds judgy and mean – small idiomatic errors is quite common with the folks he has worked with. (Look at me, dangling a preposition when I am talking about grammar errors. I’ve heard it’s acceptable now, but blarg.) The error is I’m as a complete sentence. It makes SO much sense to teach English learners that I’m is more used that I am because most Americans use it that way. I’m going to… I’m hungry…I’m taking my kids…

One time we do not use it is as a confirmation. Are you going to the party? I’m. Are you taking the class? I’m. Nope. Not our way, but so, so cute!