Achintya Rao’s Now Page

As of 7 August 2025.

Recent stuff

Last month, I moved into a new flat in Bristol with my partner. It has been so utterly lovely, and we are slowly getting into a routine. There are still some boxes (mostly with my stuff) lying around, but we’ll clear them soon.

During our first month, we were regularly serenaded by squealing swifts, multiple times a day. They have since departed for warmer climes, and I look forward to seeing them next year, when they return to their nesting spots.

Lost bag

I am sometimes a fool, and yesterday, I left my backpack on a bus while going to watch my teammates play a cricket match. I was travelling to a new location, and the bus didn’t stop at the stop for which I rang the bell, and in my slight panic, I forgot to collect my bag, which was sitting right next to me. I realised as soon as the bus sped off.

I have filled a lost-property request and hope I find it. It had some (monetarily and emotionally) valuable things in it. I spent this morning cancelling all my cards and ordering new ones; I froze them immediately, but found out that the bus company routinely destroys bank cards they find, to avoid fraud etc.

Mental health

My mental health has been in the gutter since mid-April, when the UK’s supreme court decided to toss transgender rights in the bin. I know this is an acute cause and I know I will get out of this state at some point, but I don’t know when that will be and that feeling is quite debilitating. I am struggling to enjoy the things I once did, including singing and cricket, and am in a fouler, sadder mood when I try to participate in these activities. Thankfully, my partner has looked after me and kept me afloat.

Pursuits

(I will keep this section largely unchanged – unless the pursuits have been achieved! – as a reminder to myself.)

My aim for this year is to acquire a UK driving licence. I don’t need or want one, but it would come in handy if I ever have to rent a car. It is a shame that, having driven in Europe for around a decade with not so much as a parking ticket, I cannot simply exchange my Indian licence. I understand why, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. Update: This is looking less and less likely, given that I haven’t even managed to take my theory test so far.

For what feels like forever, I have been helping Amanda with her English translation of an old and famous Finnish text. The translation has been complete for a while, and I intend to finish editing it in the coming weeks before starting work on formatting the final piece for various platforms.