I am something of a gadget freak. In fact my wife would argue I am more than something of a gadget freak. Normally we live well within our limited means but when it comes to gadgets I am always happy to make exceptions. So much so that I end up extending my entire body beyond the proverbial sheet. Also, I believe the way to a man's heart is still through his stomach but if you flash gadgets, he'll likely himself show you the way.

iPods, Laptops, PSPs, Plasmas, DSLRs, you name it, we've fancied it. More importantly, spent our fortunes buying it. But of all the gadgets I own there is nothing that matches up to my Toaster in its sheer usefulness and indispensability. My Toaster is an intrinsic part of my family. Its more than a part. Its an extension of myself. Its like the little kid everybody loves to dote on. In fact if someone would have asked me the favorite question (read "If you are allowed to take just one article with you to a deserted island, what would be it ?") in Tanna Di's Bakra DP last week, my answer, in all probability, would have been "My Toaster".

The Toaster has found a pride of place next to the Sofa in the Drawing Room and spends most of its time there awaiting the wishes of its Lord. My guests surprised at seeing a discolored rusted Toaster beside a chic sofa have often raised their eyebrows. The daring ones have even tried to question the glaring oddity and I have found myself tendering the most fantastic explanations to save the day. But none of their flippant remarks and/or disparaging looks have managed to change my resolve to have me darling in front of me eyes. Always.

I remember once when the Toaster's coil got short circuited and I didnt have time to run around trying to get it replaced. So I went to a nearby mechanic and the guy said he'd take a weeks time to get a replacement coil. Sounds funny - dont it ? Well, Kol is full of surprises and I assure you this is one of the less unpleasant ones.

Cant tell you how I spent that week. Every morning I used sit for breakfast with a feeling of utter despair & desolation. I had to make do with corn flakes while everywhere around me guys seem to be having bread-omlette and the works. All of a sudden the whole world seemed to have woken up to gorging on bread while I pined for a slice. What use was life when you couldnt have a slice of toasted bread.

Like the Americans would put it - a Man's gotta have what he's gotta have. In my case it was a double dose of bread in the morning & evening. By the third day I started having severe withdrawal symptoms - palpitations, irritability and dysphoria. By the fourth day I couldnt bear it anymore. My mind was working overtime to find a solution to the problem and suddenly I got one.

I took out my convection heater from my Lucknow days - a rusted relic of a piece of machinery that cockroaches and moths had conveniently made their cozy abode. I dusted it, cleaned it up and opened up the case. Switched it on to full capacity and held a slice of bread near the heating coils. At first nothing happened. I had me heart in me mouth. After what seemed an eternity (but must have been only 50-60 secs), the bread started to change color. By the 100th second, it was a full golden brown and the smell of garlic began wafting and hitting me nostrils. I had never known a sweeter smell in my life.

30 mins. hence, I had finished almost the entire loaf. And my stomach was about to burst !!